July 26 marks the first anniversary of Gold Rush, Drayton Manor’s innovative Intamin family coaster, which debuted on 26 July 2024 as the flagship of the new Frontier Falls area
Two Ride Sequences, One Coaster
Gold Rush’s signature appeal lies in its dual-sequence ride experience—guests never know which variation they’ll get until they reach the crest of the lift:
- Cycle A: Ride stalls at the top, rolls backwards into a foggy barn, then launches forwards into the layout.
- Cycle B: You clear the lift first, head to the launch shed, then reverse back before launching again forwards to finish the circuit
This design uses Intamin’s novel switch track and tire-launch technology for layered thrills and twice the excitement off 808 m of track and 2,650 ft traversed in total
With a minimum height requirement of just 1 meter and smooth operation, Gold Rush welcomes both younger and older riders alike. The coaster features thematic theming such as barrels of dynamite, smoky launch sheds, and a wild-west station complete with themed merchandise areas
Gold Rush was widely praised by the coaster community as one of the UK’s top family coaster experiences. Reviews highlight that it “exceeded expectations,” offering dynamic backwards sections, punchy signature launches, and smooth comfort throughout
One enthusiast summarised:
“Gold Rush thoroughly exceeded my expectations… it is an absolutely cracking little coaster… wonderfully suited for the whole family demographic.”
Visitors and online fans continue to celebrate the ride as a superb addition to the park’s overall charm and recent expansion efforts
Gold Rush has lived up to the hype, bringing fresh life to Drayton’s lineup this summer—with replayability, clever engineering, and family-friendly thrills wrapped up in Western flair. The first year in operation suggests it’s here to stay as a guest and coaster-enthusiast favourite.
