Raptor Attack & Apollo at Lightwater Valley confirmed as removed for 2021?
Lightwater Valley based just outside Ripon in North Yorkshire appear to have removed both Apollo (the park’s travelling Star Flyer) and Raptor Attack (a prehistoric themed enclosed Schwarzkopf Wildcat coaster) from their rides and attractions line up for 2021.
The removal of these iconic rides seems to signal the park’s intent to continue in a more ‘family friendly’ direction follow the recent take over of the park.
The removal of these rides are however yet to be ‘officially confirmed’ as removed by the park, however what does appear clear is that the park are refocusing their future target audience.
Raptor Attack opened at the park back in 1987 as The Sewer Rat and has become by far one of the park’s most iconic additions alongside The Ultimate (Europe’s longest roller coaster at 1 and a half miles in length).
The removal of the park’s star flyer however was rumoured to be happening back at the end of the 2019 season following the expiry of the lease, however the ride remained with the park (inactive) throughout the 2020 season.
The Park’s signature attraction (The Ultimate) for now seems to be remaining with the park marking the ride as ‘Closed‘ on their official website, however could this all change in the years ahead?
There is however six brand new rides now listed within the park’s rides and attractions section now too which at first glance appear to be children’s rides.
Although the ride types for these new 2021 attractions have yet to be confirmed, it appears clear that the park are obviously attempting to target the younger generation as they continue to move forward.
New additions for 2021 include; Monkey Tower, Balloon Tower, Safari Train, Flying Elephants, Jumping Kangaroos and Convoy Trucks.
All sound from the outset to be children’s flat rides, however as previously mentioned the ride types for these new additions remains unconfirmed at present.
Upon further inspection we can also see that both Eagles Claw (the park’s KMG Afterburn) and Black Pearl (the park’s 360 rotating pirate ship) also appear to be missing from the line up too, therefore does this suggest that these rides have seen removal too?
With this in mind it’s clear that the park are moving down the family market moving forward.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this will be the right move for the park? Or do you think it’s a mistake? Let us know in the comments below!