Dreamland Rides

[micktee]

I have seen today [Monday] that that the small coaster ride in the original main park of Dreamland has been dismantled, and being moved or taken away. In my many years of working at Dreamland as Advertising and Promotions Manager, apart from Saturdays/Sundays the park would not become busy until July onwards, perhaps another ride? or does the Mr. Ayes believe that 1,000's of people will come to Dreamland, when they they think it has shut! He has had the chance to advertise the park on local and national TV, but has refused, this to me is sad and of concern for Margate and Dreamland, I as many people know to see Dreamland open again is great for the town, and the tourism in the area, but the feeling from the operater is not good, and we will have to wait and see what the future will be.

[Alan]

This may seem strange with the advertising but i think its to do with Mr g laying down the rules.

Alan

[jmace9]

maybe nick can put some light on what is happening with the ride ??

john

[Bob]

I have seen today [Monday] that that the small coaster ride in the original main park of Dreamland has been dismantled, and being moved or taken away. In my many years of working at Dreamland as Advertising and Promotions Manager, apart from Saturdays/Sundays the park would not become busy until July onwards, perhaps another ride? or does the Mr. Ayes believe that 1,000's of people will come to Dreamland, when they they think it has shut! He has had the chance to advertise the park on local and national TV, but has refused, this to me is sad and of concern for Margate and Dreamland, I as many people know to see Dreamland open again is great for the town, and the tourism in the area, but the feeling from the operater is not good, and we will have to wait and see what the future will be.

To be honest he seems to have no real comitment to the Park. The approach seems to be to just get what business he can out of it without spending any money

[Nick]

maybe nick can put some light on what is happening with the ride ??

john

I am afraid I have no idea what is happening to the ride. If I hear anything, I will post it here.

Nick

[mattchewmann]

micktee can you keep us updated as i don't understand why he is gettin rid of stuff because his ment to be bringing customers to dreamland not sending them other places i don't think harry cares what happens to dreamland just wants a bit of cash for a Holiday or A holiday Villa Coz his So Selfish

[micktee]

I note the latest posting on the forum.
Firstly as promised I will update on the Conference in Margate last Thursday on the future policy of Thanet, that includes the future of the Dreamland Site, very shortly.
Yesterday [Monday] Dreamland was opened specially for the annual Albany Taxi Run from London to Margate, around 100 taxi's arrive in the town with those people who deserve a day out, and Margate has welcomed them for the last 33 years.
In my position in Margate as Mayor, I went with the cabbies into Dreamland, for the first time for several years you could not fault the welcome they recived from parking 100 taxis to all the rides and attractions in the park being made available to all concerned, it was was a lovely site.
I had the opertunity to speak to Harry Ayes, and members of his family, there are more rides arriving this week to replace those taken away, by a showmans family who have other commitments. so again members don't jump gun and pull people apart when you do not got the facts-the future at presesent looks VERY positive, leaflets are being distributed all over the South-East allowing FREE entry into the park, and there will be a big advertising campaign started very shortly from Harry Ayes, with the assistance of Thanet District Council, as I have mentioned before Margate's Summer season has been very short for years, like many other seaside towns, it is up to us now the school children are about to break up for the summer holidays to tell everybody that Dreamland is OPEN, and stop the knocking of individuals and others.

[ricardobugsy]

Mick that is great news! I am heartened by the measures that are being taken. Pity they were not in place at the start of the season.

Harry Ayers seemed like a decent chap when I spoke to him.
Business has been very light recently and I know he was concerned about this, but like I said to him, Dreamland has been rundown for a long time and it would take time for it to pick up. Unfortunately for Harry, he only has a 2 year lease and whereas a long-term operator could probably sustain a short-term loss in return for long-term gain, Harry does not have this luxury.

It is good to see that publicity literature will be distributed soon.
I can't remember the last time Dreamland produced publicity leaflets. I asked about them back in 2001 but apparently none existed.
Did they ever exist under Mr. G's ownership?

This kind of marketing is an essential part in getting people from outside of Margate into the town. All we have had in recent years is a few posters around the town. This is fine for travelling fairs which only visit for about a week but for an amusement park which needs trade for the entire season, this is insufficient.

Dreamland needs to target the teenage market, group trips and the schools etc. I read a survey recently and the most popular age for visitors to theme parks is 14 years old.

Mick, I remember your ride models when they were resident in the Bembom Brothers gift shop. They were fantastic. They must have taken hours to make. Pity they are not on public show anymore - maybe as part of the Margate museum or something.

It is reassuring to know that we have you on TDC representing our side of things.

p.s. I bumped into a taxi driver in Egham the other day who was on a run down to Margate. Now I know why!

[mattchewmann]

Well Thanx for Updating us your right i shouldn't have said all that just from what other people are writing mine seemed to sum it all up, when speaking to harry did he mention any of the new rides coming to dreamland and did he mention about why he has left so much space.
Thanx again for updating us on this fantastic news.

[micktee]

As mentioned I will try to keep you updated, today Wednesday 3 rides are being installed. a Skid/Swirl a good traditional ride, a childrens Astroslide, and an other, looks modern but still loaded on lorry, I will be meeting Harry before the weekend, at his request and if I can will inform members more info!

[mattchewmann]

Hey Thanx for the update if you could ever get any pictures to show us whats happening or just to show us about dreamland, please do Micktee as at this moment in time your our best sauce
Thanx....

[AJ]

.....this moment in time your our best sauce

Would that be HP or Ketchup?

[David Ellis]

Whilst on the subject of Dreamland's rides...two weeks ago I was in Vidampark in Budapest, Hungary, and rode the old Schwarzkopf Looping Star from Margate (this is the original Looping Star...not the ride called Looping Star which was the Silver Arow coaster from Camelot).

It was running superbly, really smooth and fast, yet amazingly powerful. I never rode it at Dreamland, but those that had ridden it before commented that it was running much better now than it was back then. I thought perhaps people here may be interested to read how the old ride is doing!

David.