When the first day of April chimed in, one of Britain’s biggest theme parks announced its plans to remove admission fees…but back-pedalled hours later when midday struck.
Drayton Manor Resort in Staffordshire sparked criticism for the April Fool’s Day prank, which saw it suggesting it would scrap entry fees to mark its 75th anniversary in 2025.
A few hours after the initial announcement, the park appeared to have confirmed the news was an April Fool’s joke – but drew anger from some who had recently forked out for an annual season ticket.
Taking to Drayton Manor’s Facebook page, one person described the joke as ‘poor form.’
The misfiring move then got even more confusing when the park added a cryptic ‘…or is it?’ after confessing the free entry had all been in jest.
Happily, there’s cheering news on the horizon; the park has confirmed that this weekend – April 24th and 25th – entry really will cost nothing for theme park-goers…but, alas, that doesn’t mean the rides are free.
The park says for the two days in question, it will return to its original token pricing system from the 1950s – allowing free entry but with pay-as-you-go ride admission.
Visitors to the park and zoo can purchase tokens or an unlimited wristband (for £30) that gives access to the park’s thrills and spills.
Drayton Manor Resort in Staffordshire will let visitors enter for free on April 24th and 25th to mark its 75th birthday
Bigger rides, such as Thor, pictured, will require more tokens, which can be purchased in advance or on the day
Drayton Manor serves up more than 50 rides and attractions, including pre-school favourite Thomas Land – and a zoo that’s home to over 500 animals.
Those seeking more high-octane rides plump for Thor, a whirling ‘Disk’O Coaster’ or Wild West coaster Accelorator.
For those simply interested in finding out more about the history of the park, which is set over 180 acres, there’s free entertainment on offer and a chance to visit the park’s newly opened 75th anniversary museum.
The museum reflects on the theme parks heritage via rare artifacts and vintage memorabilia.
Victoria Lynn, MD of the park, which has been voted ‘Britain’s best value park’ at the UK Theme Park Awards for the last three years, said: ‘Our 75th anniversary celebrations are in full swing, and as part of that, we want to give families the chance to discover Drayton Manor for less.
‘Whether you choose to join us at the park with a picnic or browse the rides, arcade, museum, and zoo for free, or go for it with a full wristband, there’s plenty of fun to be had at Drayton Manor throughout the weekend and beyond.’
In the park, tokens can be bought in batches of five or ten in advance of visiting or around the park on the 24th and 25th April.
The biggest rides at the attraction will require five tokens, with smaller ones costing just one token per person.
For those less keen on rides such as Accelerator, pictured, there’s a newly opened pop-up museum on the park’s history to enjoy
The April Fool’s joked that was dubbed ‘poor form’ by some; the park claimed to be offering entry for nothing, before backtracking – and then adding confusion with a cryptic ‘…Or is it?’ note about their seasonal joke
Free entry tickets must be booked online in advance, says the park.
This year sees the park celebrate its 75th anniversary, with a packed calendar of events celebrating fun through the decades, monthly fireworks extravaganzas, Easter egg hunts and Thomas the Tank Engine’s 80th birthday party.
Drayton Manor also made the top three for best value for money attraction earlier this year, with a day’s entrance priced at £24.90 – which equates to £4.15 an hour.
The Manor is based in 180 acres of land and gets 1.5mn visitors each year, making it a popular UK spot.
