It was announced back in October 2023 that the UK’s only stand up roller coaster, Shock Wave, located at Drayton Manor Theme Park was undergoing big changes in preparation for the 2024 season. Drayton Manor announced that Shock Wave as we knew it would officially close on November 5, 2023 and would be replaced by a new sit down version in 2024.
Well, Drayton Manor recently announced on their official Twitter page that The Wave will open this spring. The post is embedded below.
Hold on tight for the thrill of a lifetime as we introduce The Wave?
Get ready because this spring, we’re making waves for sure!?
? https://t.co/WJxWuRShEk pic.twitter.com/9UCO7B6dUq
— Drayton Manor (@DraytonManor) March 5, 2024
Managing director at Drayton Manor Victoria Lynn said in an interview with blooloop that “Shockwave has always been such a big part of Drayton Manor since opening nearly two decades ago and we’re so excited to see The Wave preserve all the iconic thrills and fun for more families and future generations to come.”
The new trains feature lap restraints and The Wave will have a reduced height restriction of just 1.2m opening this roller coaster up to a whole new group of thrill seekers from as young as 5-6 years old depending on height.
In a new video posted to YouTube by Theme Park Worldwide we get to see further exploration of the new trains and roller coaster opening at Drayton Manor this spring.
Shockwave opened at Drayton Manor in 1994 and was Europe’s first Intamin stand-up roller coaster. It reaches speeds of 53mph, delivers up to 4 G and includes a zero-gravity roll.
Whilst the track layout will remain the same we were assured by Lynn back in October that there will be new elements to entertain guests whilst riding and although the minimum height requirement has decreased from 1.4m to 1.2m it is still promised to be a thrilling ride.
In other exciting news from Drayton Manor, it was also revealed back in July 2023 that a brand new family roller coaster is coming to Drayton Manor in 2024 which is described by Lynn in the video above as a “lift and launch” coaster with “some of UK’s firsts coming along”. It is set to have extensive theming and will be a unique addition which will have different programmes based on the time of day it is.
We will follow the construction of this new roller coaster coming to Drayton Manor in 2024 as well as the reimagining of the iconic Shockwave.
Are you pleased to see Shockwave being reimagined and becoming a sit down coaster? Are you excited about the new family roller coaster for 2024? Let us know your thoughts by leaving us a comment below or on our Facebook page.
