Draytonmanor Reviews 

Thank you Drayton Manor for ruining my daughters 3rd birthday treat. This should have been a day of wonderful memories instead it was a day my family wish to forget. It started from the moment we arrived….
Unacceptable long queues at the main entrance, it took 1 hour 15mins to get through the main entrance in to the park.
Even though we arrived early for the Santa experience it was almost 3 hours we were stood in the queue, we were so cold we’d lost the feelings in our hands and feet.
The Wishmas express queue was slightly better it was only an hour’s wait but still unacceptable when we had booked a time slot.
Due to these wait times we didn’t get to experience any other of the rides at the park.
We came the year previous and it was brilliant so how did Drayton Manor get it so badly wrong this year?
I suspect greed over booking the event!

Very poor let to many people in to see Santa even though we pre-booked our time slot 2hour wait I guess they got greedy.

Also used my passes loads of times however we never had a picture for the passes should have come through on email never did wouldnt let us in but had to pay again even though my autistic grandson has his pass all they had to do was put in the number on the passes to check. He went on 2 rides the whole day let down never again. I managed to get some money back even though I had to wait 45 minutes in the cold at the entrance for the manager to do the refund has guest services could not do it, still out of pocket. Alton Towers for me and my grandson in the future

Booked on the Thursday for the Sunday using a return code for 2 adults and 2 children that had to be used before the end of November. Travelled nearly 2 hours to get there and found out the theme park was closed. There was no information online to say the theme park was closed and there was a confirmation email sent out after we booked. There were 5/6 other families who were there in the same situation there in the car park. I even checked my email and the website to double check I hadn’t made a mistake! I went in and spoke to an apologetic and helpful security guard who informed me the park had been shut for 2 weeks and it was just the zoo open. When I said I had booked he said because it was an ‘open ticket’ it had allowed the booking. According to the security guard there is a calendar on the website which tells you the dates it is open, I can’t believe they don’t highlight it on the home page! Google also has it listed as fully open! This must happen literally hundreds of times a week as I mentioned there were at least 5 other families there at the same time. Ridiculous waste of time, around £30 in diesel and £18 on the M6 Toll! Thanks Drayton Manor for ruining my kids weekend!

Let's you book for a park thats closed. Travel 2 hours to get to a guy who admits its not clear on the website and it still let's you book.

Free return ticket in the next 30 days... but we will full well know the park is closed for the next 30 days! We will let you book your return ticket, drive all the way to the park and not inform you on the website that it is closed and its zoo only.

SCAM!! Return ticket offer let's you return within 30 days but it is closed except the zoo. They fully know that's their plan. The man on the gate confirmed they do this because it happens a lot. They say you can email to get a replacement ticket for 4 days at the end of the month during school hours...

It was OK. Could have been a lot better if the rides didn't keep breaking down. 3 of our rides had issues one after the other which made queuing longer. There is also very limited seating around the ride areas so if you're having to wait for others to finish rides it's hard going with nowhere to sit! Doesn't make any sense as there is plenty of space to fit more seating in.

We were expecting lots of unhealthy junk food but as it goes it was tasty and we we're actually quite impressed with it particularly from the little kiosks they have.

The car park is dangerous at night. Very dark and God knows how people aren't run over! We had torrential rain and the car park was flooded. Got absolutely soaked as deep puddles everywhere.

We got there quite early no queuing and just walked straight in which was a big thumbs up from me as are the staff very nice.

Didn't go on any rides late at night but stayed for the fireworks at end which were OK and finished off the day in a nice way.

We stayed overnight with passes to the park
Issues we experienced were
Cost of the carvery per person was quoted as 11.95 adults 9.95 children- this was incorrect and was much more expensive. Surely the reception staff should have this information to hand to ensure that the correct details are given to the guests
We had passes for the fireworks- there was no lighting along the pathway from the hotel to the park. It was pouring down with rain so the walkway was full of puddles. Given the lack of lightning we had extremely wet feet when we got back to the hotel
There was also lack of lighting in the park and I felt that getting out presented a risk to the children , with getting lost
Why on earth is there insufficient lighting to keep guests and children safe
No healthy food option in the park , why is there no smoothie bars , salad bars ?
Please give these issues some thoughts to improve safety and give heathy options in the park
You could put solar lights on the fences leading to and from the park
I’ve emailed the hotel but no response yet

Just read the previous review and I agree. When we booked our Halloween the only haunted express slot was 6.20pm so we made sure we were in the queue. My sons friend booked online on the day and they unknowingly booked a 4.10 slot for the express. Over one hour later on the slot time we did see earlier time slots being ushered to the front too. When our slot was called the lady scanned our tickets but then refused my sons 2 friends as their ticket was 4.10pm. He tried to explain but wasn’t allowed on so me and my wife let them go on our tickets and we left the queue.

The castle queue was pathetic long. Fit what turned out to be about 1 mins walk around and out. Actors did a great job.

Didn’t see any scare actors around the park as advertised.

Haunted mansion was another stand around which ended with not seeing it due to always breaking. I mean who plans events and doesn’t make sure the events main rides aren’t up to scratch.

We arrived at 4pm and managed 3 ride attractions ( 1 Halloween ride) in the four hours, so was mostly spent standing around.

An alarming thought was no bag checks at all. A lot of people with back packs, I’d hate to think what that could have ended up being.

Fireworks were decent, after this there is one last ride that everyone who came in cars had to go on. That was the walk back to the car park. No stewards present, unmanaged crowds walking all over the place and cars trying to follow behind.

People at the back of the car park columns were playing first to the front causing standstill queues with people randomly walking around cars half entering the queues.

Could have easily gotten worse and I hope no one did get hurt.

All in all it felt over booked for an event that isn’t just a few days. Staff were coping best they could. Organiser should hold their heads in shame.

Jst got back from drayton manors halloween event it was an absolute joke even thou had pre booked time slots for haunted express and Castle shadows we didn't get to experience any of the scare themed activities,as they were more than an hour behind schedule. Spoke to people supervising the que and wad told nothing they could do. I get that they are busy and I expect delays but we have spent all evening jst queing for something we haven't experienced.
Such a Lack of organisation and just a rip off! Didn't even stay for the fire works.

Just a shout out to your ride staff for last night (28 Oct 23). Through torrential rain they never stopped, they smiled, they made sure you got onto the rides as quickly as possible. The weather was horrible and I’m sure most of them were cold, tired and soaked through to their underwear.
So THANK YOU for continuing to make our evening as pleasurable as possible!

went for halloween event last night 28th october what a shambles waited over an hour for haunted express train even thou pre booked 5.30 slot then too our amazement worker was calling ppl on from back que when over 40+ waiting front que approach member complain yes he saw him do it sorry said so he saw did nothing about it disgusting ridiculous anger 2 hour wait haunted castle never got to go in que was past food kiosks joke whole night shambles we left didn’t even wait for fireworks never again

I had a query that wasn't answered on the Drayton Manor Park website under FAQs or elsewhere. I submitted a contract form via the website to ask my question, but so far I've received no response. As we are visiting tomorrow, I decided to phone and ask. The only phone number provided is recognised by my mobile phone provider as a premium number (that my phone provider doesn't allow users to call) so I am unable to seek help before my visit and I'll just have to wing it on the day. Very poor.

Still no support for disabled enquiry.
I’ve been trot deal with customer services since early September. I finally got an e mail from someone who obviously had t read the review properly.
I responded to their suggested e mail three weeks ago....still no replies...
I’ve placed reviews on three different sites and still no reply.
They’re happy to take our money but dont care once they have it.
The worst customer services I’ve ever experienced.

Would someone have the decency to reply properly please.

The zoo is completely unacceptable. The lone tigers enclosure is too small. I have reported this to Wild Welfare and will be reporting also to PETA and Born free to hopefully investigate. A theme park in no way needs a ‘zoo’ attached this is not why families visit theme parks. Unacceptable.

I’ve visited today with my almost 4 year old daughter! We’ve had a great time!

Lots of rides for her to go on, we managed to get on loads more than once due to no queuing! It wasn’t overly busy but enough for there to be some atmosphere!

The trick or treat in Thomas land was cute and that’s where we met Rusty, Dusty and Mr Topham Hatt! They were absolutely amazing, a real credit to what they do! They remembered my daughters name and made such an effort, not sure who’s day it made more, mine or hers! We enjoyed the 4pm show too!

Every single staff member we came across were polite and pleasant and just genuinely nice!!

All in all a great day, a very tired girl and mum and lots of memories!

Thank you!!

What a massive let down! This used to be my favourite theme park to come as a child, however coming today was such a waste of money. So many of the rides were closed, and the advertised Halloween theme was non existent. Ridiculous how only one restaurant was open too, with the burgers tasting so bad and waiting times being so long. Massively disappointing to be paying full price.

Came here with my kids several time now returning with grand kids all fun in Thomas land and excellent staff one a bit rude elderly one but all the rest were spot on and made us feel welcome and safe will be returning

Amazing, great for kids with disabilities and so friendly! Especially at the hotel. The only downside is the girls working on the throw a ball into a bucket to win a prize we the rudest and most unprofessional people ever. They chatted over my husband trying to show my disabled child how to throw and laughed and said well good luck 🙄 but everyone else was amazing

Me and my family love going here.
We got annual passes Dec 2022 and I know we will renew.
Staff are amazing here.
Easy access is a god send for both my children
Plus it's clearly sign posted on rides in the park.
We love to good amount of family rides as now 1.1 for the river rapids.... thank you, my son loves this ride alot.
I love to £20 unlimited digital downloads on photos. This is very cist effective.

Down side
The dinosaur part ... dated and not great.
Some food outlets and ice cream places are fully closed... but tbh we bring a picnic..

I would say bring another world into the park like Jurassic park as dinosaurs are very popular... you have so much land to do this.

When I'm not local anymore and 3 hours away, we as a family will always be annual passers, will always appreciate all your staff (fireworks this year the staff will know someone in the public said thank you you're all amazing, that was me) plus the staff in guest services know us now as my sons dinosaur mad lol 😆

Thank you to all the hard working staff that work at Drayton Manor and the hotel, including cleaners etc, you are the glue to this park and how friendly and approachable you all are, is fantastic. Makes the day memorable.

We will stay at the hotel one day, esp when we move, just hope it's more cost effective.

Thank you again