Drayton Manor Disabled Access Review

Facilities and Services Available for Disabled Guests

Here is a quick overview of the Facilities and services available for disabled guests at Drayton Manor, so that you can decide if this attraction is able to meet your access requirements. Please note: some of the services list bellow a full explanation is Available latter on in the blog post. in order to quickly Navigate through the post you can use the table of contents.

• Wheelchair & mobility scooter hire: wheelchair can be hired on a first come first serve bases from the hire station by the main entrance. There is a hire charge of £10 Alongside a £10 cash Deposit. Mobility scooters can be hired for £25 Alongside a £10 cash Deposit. During our visit their was sign saying that you had to be 18 to hire a mobility scooter. So if your planning on hiring a mobility scooter I recommend bringing ID.
• Changing place: Drayton manor has a changing place Toilet in the first aid Centre located next to the 4D Cinema. The park Reefer to it as a hoist room and full detail can be found by clicking here Drayton Manor changing places website.
• Essential companion ticket: Essential companion tickets formally known as carer tickets are available to paying guests with the access card or Nimbus ID with the +1 or +2 symbol. Full information can be found in the ‘before your visit’ section of this blog post.
• Easy access pass: For guests unable to queue due to a disability Drayton Manor offer the reasonable adjustment of an easy access pass. In order to obtain a easy access pass you need a valid access card or Nimbus ID with the standing and queuing symbol. Full information can be found in the before your visit, Arrivals and how easy access pass works sections of this blog post.
• Assistance dogs: assistance dogs must be kept on a lead/harness at all times and always be accompanied by a member of your group. Assistance dogs are not allowed in ride queues and the zoo.

Before Your Visit

Before visiting Drayton Manor there are a few steps you must take in order to ensure you have the correct access available to you so you can enjoy your day.

booking tickets

For Drayton Manor you can Easily book tickets by clicking here Drayton Manor book now. In terms of prices, Drayton Manor use Dynamic Pricing this means that prices Differ depending on when you Visit. You do not pre book Essential companion tickets.

Essential Companion Ticket

Essential companion tickets can be obtained at the ticket office on the day if your visit.

Booking with an access card: If you already have an access card with the +1 or +2 symbol on then all you need to do is book the rest of your party tickets online. Please not: you can not pre book essential companion tickets all information in the ‘arrivals’ section of this blog post.

Booking without an access card: If you do not already have an Access Card the I have a full blog post all about the access card that you can find by clicking here what is the access card and is it worth it. If you do not wish to purchase the access card and only want your access needs registered for Drayton Manor then you can get a free Nimbus ID by clicking here Drayton Manor access register. Please note: on the day of your visit you will need show proof of either your Drayton Manor Nimbus ID or your access card with the +1 or +2 symbol.

Easy Access Pass

Have an Access Card: If you already have an access card with the standing and queueing symbol then there isn’t anything you need to do before your visit. Please proceed to the ‘Arrivals’ section of this blog post.

Don’t Have an Access Card: If you do not already have have an Access Card the I have a full blog post all about the access card that you can find by clicking here what is the access card and is it worth it. If you do not wish to purchase the access card and only want your access needs registered for Drayton Manor then you can get a free Nimbus ID by clicking here Drayton Manor access register. Please note: In order to use the easy access pass you must be awarded the standing and queuing symbol.

Arrivals

In this section of the blog we detail what will happen when you arrive at Drayton Manor so you know what to expect and can get on the rides as quickly as possible.

blue badge parking

Drayton Manor has a range of blue badge parking located at both entrances to their theme park. For a hardstanding blue badge parking space go to the the main car park and over the bridge. If you are unsure where to go like we were then their is staff directing people where to park so just show them your badge and they will direct you on where to go. Car park cost £6 and is free with an Annual pass. Parking can also be pre booked online (add on when buying tickets) witch is helpful as it means the barrier Automatically open for you.

On this visit we parked in the blue badge parking at the Vikings entrance. The blue badge parking was nice and close to entrance however, quite muddy so as explained above I highly recommend driving round to the main entrance and over the bridge where there is plenty of hard standing blue badge parking Directions video coming soon.

Essential companion ticket

in order to get your Essential companion ticket you need to go to one of the ticket kiosk (located at both entrances to the park) and show your access card or Nimbus ID with +1 or +2 Symbol on. You will then be given a paper ticket for the Essential companion to enter the park.

entering the park

In order to enter the park your tickets will be Scanned so make sure you have your tickets ready on your phone. On our visit, there was a short wait to get in but the queue moved quickly. There is female, male and accessible toilets located at both entrances before you enter the park.

collecting easy access wristband

To use the easy access pass you need to go and get your wristband from gust services. Guest services is located opposite the pirate ship and is in a visible red building as seen in the images bellow.

Once in gust services I showed the staff Member my access card with the standing and queueing symbol on and she gave me a blue Wristband that said easy access and Stated the number of people in our group. you can have up to 3 Accompanying people with you when using the easy access pass. There can be a short wait to collect your wristband but the staff were good at keeping the queue moving and getting everyone sorted quickly so we didn’t wait that long.

Sensory wise, it is quite loud outside gust services as it opposite the Piret ship so you can hear people screaming on the ride and music playing so I would recommend ear defenders.

How Easy Access Works

Drayton manor allow the easy access pass users and a maximum of 3 accompanying guests unlimited access to enter the ride via the ride exit on the day of there visit. Please see my step by step by guide to using easy access pass at rides bellow:

Please note: There is still an element of queueing and the easy access is not available on the Haunting or 4D cinema.

Step 1: Check ride restrictions

step 2: find the easy access pass entrance

Step 3: show your easy access wristband

Step 4: Enjoy the ride

Our Day At Drayton Manor

Now we’re in the park and have sorted all of our access out it’s time to enjoy the park and get on some rides. In this section you will find a write up of our day at Drayton Manor including all the accessibility information of course. So come and enjoy the day with us!

Accselorater

Accselorater is a fun family boomage coaster this means you go backwards and forwards around the track. With just a minimum hight restriction of 1 meter when accompanied by adult it makes for a great family coaster.

In terms of access, there is step free or as the park refers to it wheelchair access available via the ride exit located through the photo booth as seem in the images bellow. The easy access entrance is located to the left of the photobooth near the mane queue as shown in the images bellow. It is just a lap bar on this ride and in my experience I do find the ride vehicle very low down so something to bare in mind when getting on and off Accselorater. During the ride itself when you reach the top of the track there is some sound effects through a speaker that are quite loud. Don’t worry in my experience ear defenders can stay on for the ride however, glasses have to be removed unless you have a glasses strap.

Jolly Buccaneer

For some reason this style of ride is one my favroutes. Although nothing very thrilling and with a minimum hight restriction of 1 meter the Jolly Buccaneer ride simply spins around in a clerical on a a little prate ship.

In terms of access, the easy access entrance is located at the ride exit for the Jolly Buccaneer as seen in the images bellow. there is a step to get into the ride vehicle itself however the easy access entrance is level. To help you know exactly what to expect, I have created an access video for Jolly Buccaneer that can be found bellow.

Maelstrom

Maelstrom is a a fun and intense flat ride with a minimum hight restriction of 1.2 meters. One of my favrote things about this ride is that you are facing outwards as seem images bellows this makes for a fabulous view of the park.

In terms of access, Maelstrom is a thrilling ride this means it might push your head back a little bit and you will fell the win in your face. The easy access entrance for Malestrom is located at the exit ramp which is to your right as you enter adventure cove as seem in the images bellow. It’s worth baring in mind that the seats on Malestrom are very high to get into I did need some support from my PA to get in my seat. To help you know exactly what to expect, I have created an access video for Malestrom that can be found bellow.

Air Race

After going on Malestrom is what time to spin upside down on Air race. With a minimum hight restriction of 1.2 meters Air Racer is definitely a more thrilling ride where you can see the park from upside down.

In terms of access, the easy access pass entrance is located at the ride exit. There is also a test seat available by the main entrance. each of the planes has 2 rows the back row being hire up. If you have mobility issues I recommend asking for front row as the step to get in is a lot lower. To help you know exactly what to expect, I have created an access video for Air Race that can be found bellow.

Wave Swinger

stating in the adventure cove area we then headed on the wave swinger a fun swinger chair ride with a minimum hight restriction of 1 meter.

In terms of access, easy access pass guests have their own queline located next to te exit as seen in the images bellow. The wave swinger seats do swing back and forth so something to note when getting into your seat there are also double seats available.

river rapids

continuing our adventure in Adventure Cove we had a trip down the river rapids. The river rapids is a fun rapids ride with a 1.1 hight restriction that features some water effects that could get you wet.

In terms of access, the easy access entrance for the rapids is located via the exit as seen in the images bellow. In order to get into the rapids boat you have to walk on a moving turntable and there is a few steps to get into the boat itself. During the ride there is an indoor section that was quite dark with some theming effects there is audio and music throughout the full ride.

Lunch

There are a number of food outlets and restraints available however, these do not open till 12pm. We normally eat earlier then 12 as the food outlets and restraints are normally quieter therefore, at Drayton Manor we brough a lunch from home we found plenty of picnic spots. Some of the best were in Vikings and the Zoo.

blasting barrels

Blasting Barrels with a minimum high restriction of 1.1 meters is a fun and unique tea cup style ride where the platform tilts up making for a very unique ride experience.

In terms of access, the easy access entrance is located via the exit as seen in the images bellow. the ride features a smoke effect as seen in the images as well as a tilting platform. there is also a step to get into the ride cart. To help you know exactly what to expect, I have created an access video for Blasting Barrels that can be found bellow.

Jormungandr

Located in the Vikings area Jormungander is a fun buffalo style roller coater. With a hight restriction of 1.05 its the perfect roller coaster for younger children or people who are new to rollercoasters due to the ride being tame although Jormungander does future a few sharp terns.

In terms of access, the easy access queline is located just through the the main entrance to the right. Jormungandr easy access entrance is not wheelchair accessible therefore, wheelchair users/those that need step free access enter the ride via the exit as seem in the images bellow.

Loki

Loki is a unique and thrilling ride and is the UK first Zamperla Nebulaz. Each carriage on the ride goes around in a cycle motion and up in the air as you can see from the videos bellow.

In terms of access, the easy access entrance is located via the ride exit as seen in the pictures bellow. The seats for the ride were quite high up and I did struggle to get in my seat so something to note if you have reduced mobility. It’s also worth noting that you will have to wait at the top for the other ride vehicles to be unloaded due to the loading process for Loki.

Thor

I was very excited to have a ride a Thor a thrilling but simple flat ride. With s 1.2 minimum hight restriction Thor is a great chose for older children as it features plenty of air time.

In terms of access, the easy access entrance is located through the ride exit where it then splits in to easy access and ride exit as seem in the images bellow. It is worth baring in mind that Tor requires a lot of upper body strength to ride due to the style of seat as seem in the images bellow.

Thomas, Rosie and percy engine tours

Located in Tomas Land you can take a ride with Thomas, Rosie and Percy down to the zoo. Although the zoo is quite small it features a number of animals including red pandas, flamingos and owls. there is a café, Thomas themed playground and dinousour trial also located where you get of the train. The trains come every 20 minutes you are also able to walk if you do not want to get the train.

In terms of access. You enter via the exit at both stations for the engine tours. There is a wheelchair accessible carige on the train allowing you to stay in your wheelchair during the ride. I was a little worried how long we would need to wait as the engine tour have a slow through put compared to other attractions and are very popular. I had nothing to worry about as during our experience they let all easy access users on to the train as long you arrive before the train starts boarding.

Gold Rush

Drayton Manor opened a new rollercoaster called Gold Rush! I have already created a ride review that includes all the disabled access information. Please click here for my gold rush disabled access ride review.

Final Thoughts

Accessible toilets no radar key In conclusion, I think that Drayton Manor is a great step between family theme park and thrill theme park making the perfect day out for families with children of different ages. There easy access service works well in terms of not having to wait however, worth baring in mind for some rides you use the exit so also got people getting off the ride trying to get past you. Drayton Manor also have a great event line up this year so there always something new to do.

Well, thank you so much for coming with me to Drayton Manor! Please feel free to contact me with any feedback. see you on my next theme park adventure bye for now!