PARK SO FAR

[mattchewmann]

With mayday so close now, is anything happening on site, i know this is not that vital at the moment seeing as we have the fence application thing going through, but i was just wondering whether any rides had arrrived yet, or whether anyone has heard of any rumours of rides that may be arriving. If you could, please have a look at Dreamland if you live close, or if you live really close, would you mind taking some pictures and posting them on here so we can see what the park is looking like, when mayday will soon approach. THANKS

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

This operator seems to be about as interested as the last one.

[Chris H]

Considering the space that is now left for rides, it is hardly worth the effort.
It would be more invigorating visiting a traveling fair. But their again a summer ride in the scenic would not go a miss.

[Neil]

If no rides had arrived I'd kind of understand it, but it's rather odd that the Twister will have been sitting around on site for over a month before it opens (unless it arrived and was then removed when the deadline was put back).

I realise that everything happens for a reason, but surely to a certain extent the show must go on even if some rides aren't there yet. I won't start to cast blame as without being involved it would be easy to jump to conclusions and this may well not be George Webbs fault, particularly if only a couple of the rides are his. Neverthless the initial press release seemed so exciting with talk of live entertainment, advertising as far afield as London...and it is now looking very doubtful as to whether this year the park will be a success. I do feel particularly sorry for M&D's as they have clearly put in the effort and it must be a bit depressing for them that they bring an attraction likle this on the basis that as from Easter it's going to get support from an entire theme park and then nothing materialises. Soon all the people in Margate who are interested in the wheel will have ridden it and without a more substantial attraction to bring people from further afield it could cause problems.

ps Have Waterbridge installed these token vending machienes yet? Also they said that in April they'd definately be doing a survey of the people in Margate similar to the Save Dreamland campaign. I am beginning to wonder whether we will ever hear about this again. Maybe they've accepted they are going against public opinion.

[Alan]

This is not looking good for Dreamland, with more rides its still going to be small so far only the big wheel has helped Margate.

I do not think it will be a success this year.

Alan

[mattchewmann]

Thinking about it, i was wondering whether the park had not yet opened because they are waiting for bigger rides to arrive on site, and also maybe there hoping that the fence will be gone by mayday so that they have more room, to build larger thrill rides like some on the i dream dreamland link, only a guess, but could be true, anyone think this could seem rite but not LOL (Soz if it dont make sence)

[Vince, Charlie and Sam]

I think we all hope so Matt. It would only take a committed operator, a long-term plan and some advertising and the crowds would come flocking.

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Yes, the sooner the restoration of Dreamland begins, the better. This whole travelling fair thing has to end, although it's vitally important in the meantime.
Waterbridge played their card by putting up the fence.

It's your council. Force them into action. Get them to issue an order to immediately remove the fence. It's too close to a listed building.

[Neil]

I don't know the reason, but now they have applied for planning permission for the fence it won't be until after May Day that they get told whether or not they have to take it down, and then probably another month will tick by before anything happens. If we're lucky it will be removed in time for the next half term, but in time for the summer holiday seems more realistic. Perhaps they are waiting for bigger rides, but now rides like the Twister are on site they might as well get them open. If people visit at the beginning of the season and then a larger ride arrives later people will be enocuraged to return for a repeat visit.

[cliffc]

I don't know the reason, but now they have applied for planning permission for the fence it won't be until after May Day that they get told whether or not they have to take it down, and then probably another month will tick by before anything happens. If we're lucky it will be removed in time for the next half term, but in time for the summer holiday seems more realistic. Perhaps they are waiting for bigger rides, but now rides like the Twister are on site they might as well get them open. If people visit at the beginning of the season and then a larger ride arrives later people will be enocuraged to return for a repeat visit.

Hi all

I would not hold out any hope of the park being ready for May Day weekend and I would not be shocked if its not ready for the spring bank hoilday weekend at the end of May either.

As far as i can see the sole aim of Waterbridge is to prove that Dreamland is not able to run as a going concern as an amusement park so that thay can move with the devlopement as thay want to which will make them more money than as an amusement park of any size.

The only way this can be stopped is to get the motion passed by the council overturned and the inspectors report to be implimented as the new plan, this would then allow the park to sold at the going rate for that use thus allowing Phillip Miller or another commited operator to buy the site and make it what it should be a 1st class attraction that visitors want to visit time and time again, all year round not only in the summer. But I feel the only way to have this happen is to remove the current conservetive administration with a Labour one, and unfortuately it seems that will not happen until next year as it seems you get your councils longer than most of the rest of the uk who are voteing very shortly.

In the mean time the campaine must keep up the pressure to make sure that we get the end result that both we want and the town of Margate needs.

CLiff C

[mattchewmann]

Has anything new happened on site with monday just 4days away, what will happen sounds like things aint gonna work out for Dreamland this year, and i have a feeling someone we may not know is trying to stop it.

[mattchewmann]

With bank holiday tomorrow, it doesnt seem to me that Dreamland will be open, unless people can tell us that there are rides on site, which i very much doubt, let us know whats going on with the site. Thanks

[dave771]

Well the park is still the same, same rides still on site as of friday night so am assuming there wont be a park open this weekend !

[mattchewmann]

what rides are onsite then as i dont seem to know what ones where their friday

[dave771]

As of Friday there were the following rides, Dodgems, Twist, Terminator, and a few juveniles, and of course Big Wheel and Scenic Railway. Considering these rides have been on site for some time now it does make you wonder why the park is still not ready for opening, thats three Bank Holidays that have been missed now so one way of making sure a fun park is not viable I suppose, dont open any rides then of course it wont make any money !