DREAMLAND HAS OPENED

[dreamgirlz]

I can confirm that the park has opened, I was there today and actually quite surprised because from the gate it did'nt look much BUT once you get in there it's abit like a tardis, because they're saving the space up front for more stuff that has'nt arrived yet and all the big stuff is at the back, the Caos was wicked even the staff were friendly so my first impression of this year is; THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

[vince69619]

Dreamgirlz, please tell us some more about yourself, and explain how you knew the Scenic had passed a safety check.

I think you have family or friends on site. If I am right, this is cool, but we have learned to be carefull of people who 'know too much' without explaining themselves.

Vince.

[Neil]

I agree that it is often nice to know a little bit about other forum users, and to this ends filling in the profile helps. Apart from anything else it makes it more of a community. That said I don't want dreamgirlz to feel unwelcome, and hope she understands why we are being cautious. Just to reitterate what has already been said the current situation can only be temporary mbe optimistic about the next 3 years, yet the campain aims to secure a longer term future for the site that Margate truelly can be proud of (rather than feeling that an operator is making the best of a bad situation). I agree that we should support the operator. I guess we all agree that the season has got off to a bad start, but hopefully we can begin to put this behind us if it has opened and hope for better luck next year (although I'm sure luck is the wrong word).

[stuart]

I agree that it is often nice to know a little bit about other forum users, and to this ends filling in the profile helps. Apart from anything else it makes it more of a community. That said I don't want dreamgirlz to feel unwelcome, and hope she understands why we are being cautious. Just to reitterate what has already been said the current situation can only be temporary mbe optimistic about the next 3 years, yet the campain aims to secure a longer term future for the site that Margate truelly can be proud of (rather than feeling that an operator is making the best of a bad situation). I agree that we should support the operator. I guess we all agree that the season has got off to a bad start, but hopefully we can begin to put this behind us if it has opened and hope for better luck next year (although I'm sure luck is the wrong word).

Agree with every word.

Dreamgirlz (whoever you are) i'm not negative about the current operators efforts and after looking around the park several times i can see they are making a good effort - i've seen the new signage within the park, the good selection of rides and the way they have used whats there as best they can (seating, kiosks etc)

there is still the feeling that the site owners are using them as pawns to prove the site isn't viable and that is not their fault. i'm sure we all wish them the best for the season and hope that it's enough.

most of the negative comments on this forum are aimed at the inept way our council has dealt with this situation - if when JG annouced his retirement in Jan '03 the council had declared that no development would be allowed and that change of use would not be pemitted, we would have a well run park by a commtited operator by now.

i'm sure Dreamland '06 will be the best it can be given the circumstances but what does the future hold? a bit-part travelling fair with the scenic railway won't enable the many seafront businesses that relied on the visitors to reopen their doors. the amusements on marine terrace are struggling without the support of their neighbour (the reason they arrived in the first place) and the sad truth is that without Dreamland the town is lost.

TDC believe a big white elephant (aka Turner Contemporary) is the answer and will somehow magically turn Kiss Me Quick and Margate Rock into Tate Modern. The people of Thanet feel differently and have let this be known at every opportunity but unfortunately up until now, they have not been listened to.

[RowBot]

I must of missed something, says on the official site it's going to open tomorrow (27th). Plus it does say it's only open weekends until the summer holidays (unless Friday is now part of the weekend without me knowing?)?

Ps if so does that mean i get another day off work

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Maybe that's the official opening. Probably wanted to operate low key to work out the kinks at first. Makes sense.

Good to hear that there's some life there.

[lanesra]

As I said in a previous post, the park is open from 26th (yesterday) and is open all next week as it's half term.It is then only open at weekends until the start of the summer holiday in July, when it will be open every day until September.I hope this clears up any misunderstanding.

[edward]

Dreamgirlz, please tell us some more about yourself, and explain how you knew the Scenic had passed a safety check.

I think you have family or friends on site. If I am right, this is cool, but we have learned to be carefull of people who 'know too much' without explaining themselves.

Vince.

Does any1 really know if the scenic has passed the safety by the books? and has all the normal checks been done like replacing timber properly not just bodging it with stumps where legs have gone rotten and has all the work to the trains been done properly as the new operators have no real experience with the ride and making repairs.

[mikey]

You obviously dont have a clue because is it illiegal to operate any ride of any kind without a ADIPS saftey inspection, dont no where you got your information about the new operator because they have vast experiance and knowlage of the scenic. You should get yours facts right before posting your petty remarks on this board

[Jim Douglas Jr.]

Please don't attack the new guy.
He is probably not aware. This is a forum for sharing information.

[dave771]

Am not going into details but rides can quite easily be bodged up and still get an ADIPS certificate to open so I totally agree with Edwards comments. As a past concession who has run the Scenic I can say that I do know what im talking about!

[mikey]

I agree Jim, but if you dont no, you should try to get at least some information before posting your views, I live on belgrave road and the new operators have carried out a lot of work on the scenic and from the conversations that i have had with them they are trying and working extreamly hard, plus I have been told that there are even more rides on the way

[Webbs Amusements Ltd]

My name is Charlton Webb I am the managing director of Webbs Amusements Ltd we hold a three year lease of Dreamland Fun Park. I am very disappointed to read these comments regarding the safety of the Scenic Railway as it as been repaired to the satisfaction of a QUALIFIED ADIPS INSPECTOR, we have worked very hard put the Scenic Railway in good operational order. Further more I would like to invite all the members of the Save Dreamland Campaign to visit the park, for futher information contact Dreamland Fun Park Tel:01843 299244.

[Sarah]

Welcome to the Forum Charlton. It's good to see a representative from Webbs here; I hope you have a successful season.

Thanks for the reassurance about the Scenic. Our members are free to ask questions and raise concerns on this Forum and, equally, you are free to answer those questions and put paid to any concerns.

I had a very agitated phone call from George Webb last year, summarily demanding that I issue an official apology from the Campaign for something said on this Forum. To avoid that happening again, can I make it crystal clear that views, opinions, thoughts, etc expressed by individuals on this Forum are not necessarily the views of the Campaign (if in any doubt, see all postings by 'Bob').

Sarah