New multi-million-pound Storm Chaser rollercoaster coming to Paultons Park

BOSSES at Paultons Park in Ower have revealed details of a multi-million-pound Americana-themed attraction due to open in May 2020.

The four-acre Tornado Springs attraction will feature eight themed rides, two playgrounds, food outlets and gift shops, representing the parks largest ever investment.

Inspired by a Midwest desert resort town set in the American heyday of the 1950s, the concept has been designed to offer attractions and activities that will appeal to all age groups from toddlers up to teenagers.

Thrill rides will include the Storm Chaser rollercoaster – a free spinning ride, taking trains of carriages to an exhilarating height of 20 metres above ground.

It is hoped the attraction, which will be the only ride of its type in the UK, will appeal to roller coaster enthusiasts from far and wide.

The Cyclonator – a gyro swing spinning pendulum ride carrying 30 riders at a time and rising to around 25 metres – is expected to become the most thrilling ride at the park. It will represent a wind-powered invention for scything crops, developed by the residents of the fictional town.

The popular New Forest theme park holds TripAdvisor’s best-rated UK amusement park award, and the distinction of being the only theme park to have received this award three years running.

Paultons Park operations director James Mancey said: “We are extremely excited to bring Tornado Springs to the public next May. The new themed world represents the single largest and most ambitious investment in the future of Paultons Park since we opened in 1983.

“The concept is unique to Paultons Park and will significantly extend our capacity to entertain and delight children of all ages.”

Park bosses hope that the enduring popularity of American films like Grease and Back To The Future mean the new attraction will also appeal to parents and grandparents.

Tornado Springs will also feature Al’s Auto Academy – a garage-themed driving school ride with 30 electric cars, which will allow parents to guide younger drivers while slightly older children can take control of the classic American cars themselves.

Completing the line-up of attractions will be two Windmill Towers family drop rides, a Buffalo Falls water raft ride, and a Trekking Tractors ride.

The attraction will also include Al’s Garage, a confectionery shop, Route 83 Diner, a family restaurant, and two new playgrounds, Parking Lot Tots and Junkyard Junction.

Mr Mancey continued: “We felt that the theming of Tornado Springs was a natural fit with the traditional family values with which Paultons Park is synonymous.

“Thanks to its memorable characters, intricately finished styling and even its own radio station, the attraction is set to immerse visitors in a fantastic and wholly believable world.

“We’ve coupled the vibrant appeal and charm of the 1950s era with best-in-class rides and attractions to create a truly unique world which, in association with our existing fantastic themed lands, will stand head and shoulders above any other family attraction in the UK.”

Tornado Springs will become the fifth themed world at Paultons Park, joining Peppa Pig World, Critter Creek, Little Africa and the Jurassic-themed attraction of Lost Kingdom.

The park is open daily from 10am. For more information, visit www.visittornadosprings.com.