Wave Review, Drayton Manor Intamin Looping Coaster | UK's Most Underrated Coaster

The Wave is an Intamin looping roller coaster at Drayton Manor. The ride originally opened back in 1994 as a stand-up coaster known as Shockwave. In 2024, the ride was transformed into a sit-down coaster known as the Wave with ART Engineering trains. This lowered the minimum height requirement and improved rider comfort, enhancing the overall experience. And I now think it is the most underrated coaster in the UK.
Video Credits
Apocalypse (Theme Park Worldwide)- • Goodbye Apocalypse - D...
G-Force (Theme Park Worldwide)- • G-Force - Drayton Manor
Pandemonium (Theme Park Worldwide)- • Pandemonium - Drayton ...
Shockwave Off-Ride (psyclonesteve)- • Shockwave, Drayton Man...
Shockwave Off-Ride (Stubwood)- • Shockwave Off Ride - D...
Shockwave POV (Theme Park Worldwide)- • Shockwave 4K On Ride P...
Wave POV (Drayton Manor)- • The Wave | Official PO...
Wave Restraints (Theme Park Worldwide)- • Drayton Manor The Wave...
Background Music
Rock Sport Extreme by Infraction [No Copyright Music] / Riff Rock- • Rock Sport Extreme by ...

[@David-R-Hall]

I believe the ‘zero G roll’ was originally known as a ‘Rifle barrel spiral’ when Shockwave was debuted.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

The trains literally look like the Gerstlauer Infinity Trains I’m surprised Intamin didn’t make a Floorless Coaster train

[@ssuuss539]

lol gerstlauer trains on a b&m track built by intamin! So so cursed lol

[@matheuscastello6554]

while b&m has a bunch of stand ups to retrofit, intamin only had this one. they had just as much motivation to work on a train as any other manufacturer would have for a one-off. so it's likely drayton asked for someone cheaper

[@rideexpedition]

These trains are actually from ART engineering not Intamin, although I'd have loved to see what Intamin wouldve come up with

[@bocahdongo7769]

​@@rideexpedition that explain why it looks like Gers It's cannibal train

[@sovoho]

This is my home park, and I currently have The Wave in my top 10 for the UK. I absolutely prefer the sit-down experience as the open restraints exaggerate the forces (especially on the 0g roll, which is my No.1 inversion). Ive heard some find the ride less forceful, but I appreciate the extra comfort

[@Leftpeg8379]

The zero-g roll standing up was insane, glad I got to ride it!!!

[@godzillaeditsbackup]

Me to

[@BDImaniac]

1994 was a great year in the UK

[@Backwardly]

Pleased you liked this coaster...as Shockwave it was awesome (and yes it did hurt riding it facing backwards - well the brakes hurt anyway) and although I wish there was a way it was still standup it is brilliant that it will be running for a few more seasons as a sit down

[@godzillaeditsbackup]

Also fun fact shockwave used to be called the 7UP shockwave

[@calamitycoasters2591]

i can honestly say stood up on the front right of this coaster that zero g is the single best element on any uk coaster ever aside from maybe hyperias drop and outerbankroll

[@aaronlesko1929]

I’m sorry to hear about the verification issues. Impulse’s trains are some of my favorites out there for comfort and accommodation. I feel like ART is sleeping on a massive advertising opportunity here. If they can get the verification figured out, this seems like it could be a major breakthrough in the industry. I’m sure many parks with B&M loopers (standard, standup OR floorless) would love to improve guest experience with these trains between their lower height requirement, lack of shoulder harnesses, and rider comfort.

[@Never2old.]

I was lucky enough to ride Shockwave backwards, Yes it was uncomfortable but quiet a unique experience

[@lightningboat]

Universal Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa and Cedar Point should get these trains for their B&M loopers

[@Bnizzofashizzo]

… why?

[@lightningboat]

@@Bnizzofashizzo kumba, hulk and rougarou are some of B&M's roughest coasters and lapbars would solve the problem of headbanging

[@SkyrushFanboy]

@@lightningboatsounds like a skill issue lol. Every b&m at those parks were perfectly smooth to me when I rode them

[@andyroman8223]

Im susprised the verify is so low, since Cannibal has a 48 inch height requirement.

[@matthewrobertson95]

They did the to modify the ART train slightly though, as at first it wouldn't fit over the crest of the lift hill due to the catwalk supports.

[@lucasthom3249]

Stand up was way better that zero g roll basically became a stand up floorless u came right off the floor it was amazing

[@Random_Eebs]

I always thought it was funny how Intamin stand up trains looked so much like b&m track

[@singlerailindustries1763]

The Train Doesn't Look Good , More Bare Than Themed.... But At Least It's Comfortable ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ I Still Hope Drayton Put's Some Theming Onto The Train Someday In The Future. I Would Have Loved If They Kept The Stand Up Train To Give The Ride A Mix Between Sit Down And Stand Up.

[@joecandish3923]

Love the Wave it is an awesome ride wish it had two trains would increase the capable capacity up to 1200 with grear ops.

[@SkyrushFanboy]

I love grear ops

[@Xonica124]

I remember hating the zero G roll when I rode shockwave as a kid while it was still a stand up coaster. My feet came off the ground and I was thrown into the shoulder restraints. Never rode it again after that.

[@CoolDude-il2mp]

Will you review coasters at Thorpe park, Alton towers, or Blackpool pleasure beach? Also I loved grand national. I didn’t find it too rough and the double downs had crazy ejector. I don’t get the hate for it. Best ride in the park for me.

[@DawsonsMemes]

The Nemesis footage didn’t have a credit given so he must have taken the footage so he would have ridden Reborn

[@CanobieCoaster]

Yes

[@ParKnight]

This almost feels like that it was turned into a b&m floor-less but u know with a floor and made by intamin

[@goonch7956]

I’m surprised these trains have the verification issues. I love the ART Engineering trains on Impulse at Knoebles. When I rode firebird at SF America , I wondered how much better it would be with the trains that Impulse uses?

[@DawsonsMemes]

I’m sure ART have been looking at the train recently and will modify the train when the season ends

[@FlashFoxBox]

I Never quite understand, how exactly a pre-drop reduces the stress of a train compared to a direct first drop. The angle of the train is nearly the same. Its not much steeper, then the main drop with this and many other coasters. I only know, that it works, but not exactly how it works. :D

[@SkyrushFanboy]

With how many rides they've removed at drayton, you'd almost think it's owned by palace entertainment

[@joshslater2426]

It’s honestly sad just how many rides have gone: Apocalypse, G-Force, Pandemonium, and the Flying Dutchman to name a few. Then there’s the rides which lost their original theming like the Buffalo coaster, the Ben 10 ride, possibly the Drunken Barrels and now Shockwave.

[@godzillaeditsbackup]

@canobie coaster i remember one time i went when it was a standup coaster and the back train was backwards i had to ride it backwards they had it as an upcharge so i rode it forward backwards and i rode it turning the enthusiast event where you stand backwards and i gotta say stand up version was better by far

[@askjeevescosby2928]

Wish they would bring back the b&m roar

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

@@askjeevescosby2928 Yeah

[@memesrct_official]

If you don’t wait for the front row ride on The Wave but you wait for other rows, does the seating come into first-come-basis or are you assigned a row?

[@askjeevescosby2928]

Why wouldnt they get the new stand up trains?

[@misterkenova6695]

Whats your opinion if Riddlers Revenge got similar trains too these? Cheers

[@nrdythugg4102]

Why couldnt they just keep on Standup train?

[@godzillaeditsbackup]

It was uncomfortable sometimes and some kids couldn't ride and Drayton was turning into a family park which is why they removed g force

[@nrdythugg4102]

@@godzillaeditsbackup an additional standup train would have been cool. If they could have make Changes tonthe Line, maybe i could have been possible. There is a coaster in Japan, where you can choose stand up or sit down. Too me that's a no brainer.

[@godzillaeditsbackup]

@@nrdythugg4102 yeah fr they should have kept one of them or both for a seperate line lol

[@DavidHarperUK]

It's a great ride but when I went in May 24 they were only managing 250pph.

[@jackbrennan4185]

Well howdy

[@AG7-MTM]

I have to presume the final brake run isn't long enough to stack a second train, unless perhaps they used magnetic brakes or extended the brake run slightly

[@CanobieCoaster]

It ran two with Shockwave, so I believe it is capable of running two (assuming the computer is programmed to do so).

[@sovoho]

​@@CanobieCoaster I believe it had a total of 3 trains but could only operate with 2

[@SlimFury]

I am about the same height, but about 15 pounds less. I may get turned away.