Permission granted for Dreamland’s 39 metre Sky Tower ride

The Dreamland Drop

Permission has been granted by Thanet council for the new 39 metre Sky Tower ride to be installed at Dreamland.

The ride is one of nine planned to be in place at the park in time for the Summer season.

Park operator Sands Heritage will install the ‘shoot and drop’ tower  between the Hurricane Jets and the food court.

The ride, to be called The Dreamland Drop, has twelve riders seated all around the column providing a leg-dangling sensation.

The gondola is shot up to the top of the tower, suddenly decelerated before reaching the top causing a series of exciting bounces. The vehicle is then released to a free fall to the ground: the riders think they will plummet to the ground but are saved at the last second, only to be dropped again.

The ride will be custom built for Dreamland and become the tallest on the site, some 5 metres higher than the Big Wheel.

The structure will have Dreamland lettering and be lit with 240 bulbs in each DREAMLAND sign, two strips of 288 bulbs on each side of the Sky Tower, and 308 bulbs in the decorative ‘D’ at the top of the shaft.

Park operators Sands Heritage Ltd exited administration on November 3, 2017. Last year a £25 million investment from company Arrowgrass, which has bought up the shares of the operating firm, was used for re-landscaping, vintage rides restoration and the introduction of contemporary street food, eclectic bars, a main stage.

Arrowgrass is looking at “significant” investment in the site as part of its masterplan for Dreamland and Arlington. More property acquisitions include ‘Godden’s Gap – the former amusements site – and the fish and chip shop, both on Marine Terrace.

8 more new rides planned for the park:

Pendulum

This exhilarating pendulum ride echoes the dynamics and excitement of the highly popular Mary Rose that saw visitors flock to Dreamland in the 1990s.

As the ride begins to swing, it also rotates getting longer and longer for a totally mind-boggling feeling as land, sea and sky fly overhead in circle after circle.

The ride’s gondola has capacity for 16 people at a time, with an innovative ‘half moon’ configuration allowing a family of four to ride in the same row side-by-side.

To be named by you!


A modern take on the much-loved classic Enterprise ride, this thrill ride is an open-air thrill experience that transports riders 60 feet through the air at 25 miles per hour.

Seating 24 people, two per gondola, the ride will treat visitors to an awe-inspiring experience that transforms from the horizontal to the nearly vertical.

There will also be the chance to name this exciting new ride. Dreamland is looking for suggestions from the public and will be launching a social media campaign to find a winner. Find out more by signing up to the newsletter: dreamland.co.uk/summer.

Pinball X

Pinball X is a newly re-imagined ride similar to the highly popular Magic Mouse that drew crowds throughout 2017 at Dreamland.

A high impact coaster with family appeal, it is sure to thrill all generations and features an action-packed course of twists, turns and exciting drops. Half way through the ride, the four-passenger coaches spin and whirl with gravitational forces and inertia allowing each and every rider the chance to enjoy a different ride, time and time again.

Air Force

Air Force is an exhilarating 360° thrill ride replicating the experiences and sensations of an acrobatic plane flight, banking, looping and diving across the sky, creating a sense of breathtaking weightlessness.

Accommodating up to 24 riders at one time in six, four-seater aeroplanes, the action takes place up to 8m above the ground and ‘pilots’ experience accelerations of 3G, right side up and upside down as they fly high.

The visual impact of the Air Force is something not to be missed and will certainly draw attention to the ride from all visitors to the park.

Up, Up and Away

Up, Up and Away will delight the whole family as they take to the air in eight ‘hot-air balloons’. Accommodating adults and children, with a minimum unaccompanied height of 90cm and located in the Teddy and Betty area of the park, the ride’s colorful spinning tubs and flashing lights will please even the youngest of visitors.

Soaring Seagulls

This family friendly, interactive ride features six colourful, hang glider bikes for the whole family to ride. The more you pedal the higher you go in this fun seaside themed ride.

Once the ride cycle begins, riders are in the driving seat as they swoop and fly their way through the sky. This unique interactive ride is sure to put smiles on the faces of kids of all ages.

Rock The Boat

This ride is a firm family favourite. Designed specifically for Dreamland, Rock The Boat can accommodate up to 24 riders setting families on sail for an exciting adventure of rocking and whirling motions.

The Vintage Caterpillar

A beautiful heritage ride estimated to have been made in the 1920’s, the Vintage Caterpillar harks back to Dreamland’s past and is a new take on the iconic Kiss Me Quick ride that was a popular feature at the park. Lovingly restored by Littleboy’s Vintage Restorations, the ride features a descending canopy that covers riders for that ‘kiss me quick’ moment.

Pricing

Dreamland

Entry only £5, redeemable against a ride or food/drink

Wristbands

From March 30 to July 21 and then September 2 to the end of the season, off-peak prices will be as follows:

‘Big Kids’ (over 125cm)

In advance: £13

On the day: £16

‘Little Kids’ (Under 125cm)

In advance: £9

On the day: £11

From 21 July to 2 September, peak prices will be as follows:

‘Big Kids’ (over 125cm)

In advance: £17

On the day: £20

‘Little Kids’ (Under 125cm)

In advance: £13

On the day: £16

Disabled carers visiting with a paying guest and those under 90cm are free to enter at all times. There are also discounts available for groups of over 10 and those wishing to purchase a two-day pass. Different pricing structures are also available for exclusive access all areas passes.

Membership options are also available, to allow guests to enjoy the park in the most cost effective way all season, as well as offering priority booking and discounts.

Find more at  www.dreamland.co.uk

Read here: Dreamland in the Bembom years 

4 Comments

  1. How has the Council allowed Godden’s Gap to stay an eyesore for over 15 years since the fire destroyed the Edwardian building? It should have been returned to it’s original state soon after, and we were told by the Tory ruling council at the time that it would, but this has been a continuous failure by several different Council administrations to date.

  2. It’ll probably be the end of the summer season time this happens and will it? like most of the rides work properly. All these new rides should have been in place already, after all Dreamland is an Amusement Park and not just a place for sitting around with not much to do.

  3. Blame the Tory government. All that money to remove is probably going to a better cause, like the NHS, they need more money. The influx of immigrants after the LABOUR government and Tony Blair saying everyone is welcome. Has seen the hospital’s full. Go down A&E and shout something out in English. Nobody will look up.

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