We met up with our friends Mike and Kerry from Birmingham and as we had our kids with us we headed straight for Shockwave. Its the UKs only stand up coaster which, if you have never ridden a stand up, its a very different experience. It was a Monday and very quiet in the park so no lines to wait in, happy days. Right next to Shockwave is G Force a new style of coaster for this country incorporating the new style X cars, travelling up to 70 mph and g forces of 4.3 can be expected. They have a great water ride there call Stormforce 10 it mimics a lifeboat launch and rider travel forwards and backwards on this water ride ending in a humped drop at the end of the ride. There are two other coasters here at Drayton Manor both kiddie rides, a powered buffalo coaster ride and a nice themed runaway trucks coaster in Thomas land. Thomas land is the latest edition to drayton and for the younger visitor this almost as real as it gets for them. Even the eyes turn on thomas which brings him to life. There are some great flat rides there too. Apocalypse a 54 metres drop tower which tilts riders forward at 20 degrees and drops them at 4G. Pandemonium takes up to 64 riders and swings them 360 degrees in forwards and backwards. Maelstrom a spinning gondola swing takes its passengers 22.5 metres whilst spinning them.Dayton Manor also has a zoo which was surprisingly good they have a wide range of animals from tigers to reindeer. I would recommended visiting the wild cat section it has the most different species I have ever seen. Overall the park was very good. It catered well for the kids and had enough thrill rides for the big kids. Drayton Manor is now turning into one of the best family parks in the UK.

SHOCKWAVE the second most popular thing you can do

standing up..Corkscrewing is the third.

As this was the only big coaster running at that time we rode it again and again, you know the rest.

GForce and it's unusual lift hill.

It's cery tight and twisted coaster.

Going over the airtime hill.

Nice coaster but uncomfortable.

Mountain Buffalo Coaster

This is quite a big version of one of these rides and it is well set out through gulleys and over water.

Mike and Callum enjoying a ride.

Tina going wild again on a coaster even if it is small.

Stormforce 10 very well themed lifeboat water ride..

Riders go up the hill forwards and down backwards in the middle of the ride.

All the ladies love a Seaman.

This looks familiar if you live in Florida or California.

Obligatory carousel.

Maelstrom big spinny swing nuf said..

Apocolypse nice view big drop

Look it's Thomas the tank engine.

Romana and Angie fly their own jumbo.

Cranky crane is a kids bounce ride ..

Helecopter madness with Harold

Shhhh i'm sleeping.

Wes and Romana riding gunshot ..

Now it was time to visit the zoo and the first exibit was this

ape. Colditz escape in progress..

They even had lookouts..

Big bird, Big eggs, small hole how does that work ?

Anyone ever been to a zoo and seen the tigers awake, please email us and tell us of your experience..

Santa's reindeer knackered after christmas eve.

PENGUINS we love em

The sealions were very close if you know what i mean.