Joyland Books

We have just returned from our first day out to Dreamland this year so here are a few random observations.

Admission is by tokens which are bought near to where the Waltzer Bar used to be- the park is now fenced off from the car park. Ride tokens (red) are 20 for £10, or 40 for £20, plus 5 bonus (blue) tokens . Then you are asked how many of you are entering, and are given a further (white) admission token for each visitor, which you surrender on entry at the gate.

This means that non-riding members of your party can enter the park at no cost. The system seemed good to me. Rides are 3 or 4 tokens per rider. You can save unused tokens for next time but you need a minimum of two per rider for re-entry.

Most of the rides are articulated-lorry based travelling rides, but all are modern rides. We went on the Waltzer, which was very fast, and a very good set of dodgems. There were a couple of tall rides which looked like good fun but Charlie and Sam weren't tall enough to ride(and didn't want to ride anyway). We also went on a fairly attractive set of gallopers, and a kiddie coaster which bore a passing resemblance to the old green Caterpillar coaster which used to be at Dreamland.

The Scenic Railway was running very well and seemed fast to me, presumably because of the dry weather. Somehow, it just doesn't seem quite the same this year though........

The park did seem tidier than it has done in past years- although it is, of course, only the first day.

All in all we had a good time. As ever, its worth a visit for the Scenic Railway alone.


Vince, Charlie and Sam

Thanks for the report.
Sounds a lot better deal than when first announced.
Any idea what the bonus blue tokens are used for?

Well, no. They are used in exactly the same way as the red tokens, so I don't know why the bonus tokens should be a different colour, although I suppose there must be some reason.


Vince

can anyone tell us if it was busy on day 1 and was all the amusement arcades within the park open as well as the ols refreshment places would appreciate a reply from some one

We went at around 2pm and it wasn't very busy- we didn't queue to get on the Scenic Railway which the ride-ops sent out when it was only about half full. On the waltzer, more than half of the cars were empty. Similarly, the juvenile rides were only running at around a quarter full.

However, it's early days yet, and the word has to get around that Dreamland is open.

As to the arcade, this was open but is no longer part of the park. You remember how you walk through the arcade to get into the park? The first ride you came to was the Galaxy Base Spaziale juvenile roundabout.

There is now a fence running across the park at this point, and it's here that you enter the park, via a gate, having bought tokens from a lorry trailer parked outside the old Waltzer Bar.

Vince

Vince

Looked at Dreamland at 5.00 it was fairly busy, I understand that Harry Ayes is pleased with the opening day. It is good that the main entrance is being used, as I understood at one stage the only entrance would be from the Dreamland Car Park. There are some good rides on site, this is great news for Dreamland and Margate and wish all those concerned a execelent season

The park was open till 20;00 hours tonight. Mr Ayres himself was going around telling people and grom what a gathered was pleased with the first day.Not much else to add as it has all ready been covered,

We were at the park all day with a fair amount of people attending, looking round looked clean and tidy also noted toilets over the back of the park but unfortunately the condition of the toilets was very poor late afternoon the toilet sign was removed.
The scenic railway was running well with extra safety features on train (Blue one only had safety foam round the side bar ) to protect right arm also safety covering on the stairs.

The downside re the pricing is no wristbands at the park, Families need this consession. Also the size of the Tokens 64mm x 40mm is too big (you get no bag to put them in) Good job i had big pockets.


Alan

Alan wrote:
Also the size of the Tokens 64mm x 40mm is too big (you get no bag to put them in) Good job i had big pockets.

When I bought my tokens, I said to the woman "Bloody Hell, if I'd known, I'd have brought a wheelbarrow"




But, in fairness, she did give me a plastic bag to put them in.


Vince