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NEWS
Dreamland optimistic as record numbers visit troubled heritage attraction
POSTED 28 Jul 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Dreamland had a tough opening year but things are looking up for the heritage theme park
Despite its financial woes, things are looking promising for Margate's Dreamland, with the heritage theme park in the UK drawing record attendance for a single day earlier this month.

In an effort to turn its fortunes around, Dreamland introduced a pay as you play model in June, becoming free-to-enter with visitors paying to use individual rides or opting to buy an unlimited day pass.

That tactic, combined with this month’s warm weather, appears to have paid off, with 10,000 people descending on the heritage attraction on 16 July.

Relaunched on 19 June 2015 following an £18m (US$26m, €23.3m) restoration, the attraction failed to draw enough visitors to the park in its debut year, with its operator Sands Heritage entering administration on 27 May.

Despite setbacks, Dreamland officials have said they are confident of breaking visitor records this summer and autumn thanks to a large events programme and having all of the park’s ride open for business, notably its 96-year-old scenic railway.

RELATED STORIES
  Free entry for Dreamland guests as park adopts new pay as you play model


In an effort to turn its fortunes around, Margate’s heritage theme park Dreamland is to become free-to-enter, with visitors paying to use individual rides.
  New operator sought as Margate's Dreamland enters administration


Troubled heritage theme park Dreamland has been placed into administration after a tough opening year.
  Only Fools and Horses exhibition readies for opening at Margate's Dreamland


Heritage theme park Dreamland is about to unveil its new Only Fools and Horses exhibition themed around an episode of the show filmed nearly 30 years ago.
  Dreamland loses £5m in opening season, operator blames council blunder


Heritage theme park Dreamland is in troubled waters, entering into a voluntary debt plan just six months after the historic attraction reopened to the public.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

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09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
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©Cybertrek 2026
Get Attractions Management digital magazine FREE
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine   Subscribe
NEWS
Dreamland optimistic as record numbers visit troubled heritage attraction
POSTED 28 Jul 2016 . BY Tom Anstey
Dreamland had a tough opening year but things are looking up for the heritage theme park
Despite its financial woes, things are looking promising for Margate's Dreamland, with the heritage theme park in the UK drawing record attendance for a single day earlier this month.

In an effort to turn its fortunes around, Dreamland introduced a pay as you play model in June, becoming free-to-enter with visitors paying to use individual rides or opting to buy an unlimited day pass.

That tactic, combined with this month’s warm weather, appears to have paid off, with 10,000 people descending on the heritage attraction on 16 July.

Relaunched on 19 June 2015 following an £18m (US$26m, €23.3m) restoration, the attraction failed to draw enough visitors to the park in its debut year, with its operator Sands Heritage entering administration on 27 May.

Despite setbacks, Dreamland officials have said they are confident of breaking visitor records this summer and autumn thanks to a large events programme and having all of the park’s ride open for business, notably its 96-year-old scenic railway.

RELATED STORIES
Free entry for Dreamland guests as park adopts new pay as you play model


In an effort to turn its fortunes around, Margate’s heritage theme park Dreamland is to become free-to-enter, with visitors paying to use individual rides.
New operator sought as Margate's Dreamland enters administration


Troubled heritage theme park Dreamland has been placed into administration after a tough opening year.
Only Fools and Horses exhibition readies for opening at Margate's Dreamland


Heritage theme park Dreamland is about to unveil its new Only Fools and Horses exhibition themed around an episode of the show filmed nearly 30 years ago.
Dreamland loses £5m in opening season, operator blames council blunder


Heritage theme park Dreamland is in troubled waters, entering into a voluntary debt plan just six months after the historic attraction reopened to the public.
MORE NEWS
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
Efteling expands family offer with new Hooghmoed drop tower
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford– Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx- Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface

Alterface’s Creative Division team is seasoned in concept and ride development, as well as storyte [more...]
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Vekoma Rides Manufacturing B.V.

Vekoma Rides has a large variety of coasters and attractions. [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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