Pleasure Beach Blackpool
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| Location | Blackpool, England |
|---|---|
| Website | http://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com |
| Opened | 1896 |
| Operating season | March-November |
| Area | 42 acres |
| Rides | 57 total
|
| Slogan | Britain's Biggest Tourist Attraction |
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool (formerly "Blackpool Pleasure Beach") is an amusement park in the town of Blackpool in Lancashire, England.
Contents |
[edit] History
The park was founded in 1896 by Alderman William George Bean, who said his intent was to create "...an American Style Amusement Park, the fundamental principle of which is to make adults feel like children again and to inspire gaiety of a primarily innocent character."
The park was then managed by Bean's brother inlaw Leonard Thompson until the 1970s and then by Leonard's son Mr. William Geoffrey Thompson until his death in 2004. It is now managed by his daughter Amanda Thompson who is also the Managing Director of Stageworks Worldwide Productions who produce the shows on the park.
The original Ghost Train was opened in 1930, before being replaced by the ride currently in use today.
[edit] The Current Park
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool is any roller coaster enthusiats dream. It has a mixture of traditional wooden rides and modern roller-coasters and suspended looping coasters, small family rides to generations-old rides still in original working order. It really is a park with a history but is keeping up with the times.
Many regular visitors believe that the Pleasure Beach has been neglected over the past few years, with no real new rides since 2000 (Valhalla) and no new rollercoasters since the Pepsi Max Big One opened in 1994. However, Infusion will open in 2007.
However, in 2007 a new thrill ride will open - a suspended looping coaster which travels completly over water. The new ride will use parts of the former ride "Traumatizer" which sat at Pleasureland, Southport, but at nearly 200ft high, Infusion will be using new tracks and layouts to achieve its goal.
For the regular visitor there can always be fun on the traditional wooden roller coasters - The Big Dipper - which pretty much is as it says on the tin - a 1930s wooden coaster which goes up-and-down, The Rollercoaster - using parts from the original Velvet Coaster, this is undoubtedly one of the smoothest wooden rollercoasters in the world. And finally The Grand National - a Mobius Loop racing roller coaster (A Moebius loop means that it is actually one very long single track which two trains run on - therefore if you leave at the left hand side of the station you will arrive at the right hand side.
For the thrill seekers, the Pepsi Max Big One - The Tallest, Fastest & Steepest Roller Coaster in Europe. The Irn-Bru Revolution - go upside down on a 360 degree loop and then prepare to do it in reverse! Ice Blast will shoot you high up allowing you a clear view of the Blackpool Promenade and Tower!
There are also numerous family rides such as the dodgems, the carousel and the steeplechase.
The Pleasure Beach is also currently undergoing a major refurbishment - with the entire park getting a clean-up! There are new paths and coatings, rides have been getting paint-jobs and the park has recently went though a rebranding!
The park is still family-owned and this is what gives the Pleasure Beach its value. It is not expensive and it is not tacky.
The Pleasure Beach has been around for many years and will undoubtedly be here for years to come. And as long as they continue to invest in new rides and new thrills, whilst keeping some of the history and traditions alive then its future is safe.
[edit] Visitor Numbers
Pleasure Beach, Blackpool attracts about 6 million visitors a year.
[edit] Tickets
Entrance to the park is free. Rides are paid for individually using tickets which are on sale throughout the park. Alternatively, wristbands are available which allow unlimited rides and entitles you to a free show in the afternoon or evening. The price of a Wristband varies between £12.50-£29 at peak times and other offers are available during the season.
A separate section of the park, Beaver Creek offers a separate wristband for younger guests also those people who are scared of the big rides
[edit] Rides
[edit] Roller Coasters
- Avalanche - A bobsled roller coaster
- Big Dipper - A traditional wooden roller coaster
- Grand National - A wooden racing roller coaster
- Infusion - A Vekoma SLC and the first ride of its kind in the world to be completely over water.
- Irn Bru Revolution - An Arrow Dynamics shuttle roller coaster
- Morgan's Circus Clown Coaster
- Pepsi Max Big One - An Arrow Dynamics hyper-coaster with a highest point 235 feet above sea level.
- Rollercoaster - A traditional wooden roller coaster, notable for operating with minimal restraints
- Space Invader 2 - An indoor roller coaster
- Steeplechase - A three-tracked steel roller coaster based on the original at Steeplechase Park at Coney Island
- Wild Mouse - A wooden Wild Mouse roller coaster
- Zipper Dipper - A small wooden roller coaster
[edit] Thrill Rides
- Bling
- Spin Doctor
- Ice Blast - A S&S Power Space Shot
- Valhalla - A partially indoor flume dark ride
[edit] Family Rides
- Alice's Wonderland
- Beaver Creek Log Flume
- 4D cinema
- Convoy Ride
- Derby Racer
- Dodgems (bumper cars)
- Ellie's Caterpillar
- Flying Machines
- Gallopers (carousel)
- Go Karts
- Ghost Train
- Gold Mine
- Griffin's Magic Dragons
- Helicopters
- Impossible
- Lunar Carousel
- Magic Mountain
- Mini Dodgems
- Mini Scooters
- Monorail
- Motor Boat Ride
- Noah's Ark - A walk through funhouse attraction
- Pirate Ride
- Pleasure Beach Express - A miniature railroad
- River Caves
- Superbowl
- Swamp Buggies
- Tetley Teacup Ride
- Thor's Turnpike
- Trauma Towers
- Veteran Carousel
[edit] Other attractions
- Alpine Golf
- Chinese Puzzle Maze
- Pasaje Del Terror (Not For The Easily Scared)
[edit] Former Rides
- Big Apple - Removed 2004 [1]
- Cyclone - Removed 1987
- Log Flume - Operated from 1967 to September 3, 2006<ref>"Final splash for Blackpool ride", BBC, September 4, 2006.</ref>
- Scenic Railway - Removed 1933
- Tokaydo Express - Removed 1997
- Velvet Coaster - Removed 1932. Components of this ride were re-used in the construction of the Rollercoaster
- Vikingar - A shoot the chutes water ride - Closed in 2003 and later demolished
- Virginia Reel - Removed 1982
- Space Tower - Removed in 1993 to BPB's sister park Frontierland Morcambe (now closed) - Ride still stands but does not operate.
- Fun House - Destroyed by fire in November 1991
- Tom Sawyer Raft Ride - Removed early 1990s due to construction of the Pepsi Max Big One
- The Monster - Removed in 1996 and later replaced with the [[Ice Blast], which was then known as Playsation: The Ride
- The Whip - Closed in 2004 although its supports still stand and have yet to be demolished
- Cableway - Operated between 1960 and 2000.
There are literally dozens of rides (maybe even hundreds) that have come and gone from the Pleasure Beach over its colourful history - particularly in its early days.
[edit] Shows
- Hot Ice
- Eclipse
- Mystique
- Blackpool Scout Gang Show (Tuesday 14th November - Saturday 18th November 2006 inc. Saturday matinee)
[edit] Food and Drink
- Thor's Plaice (With Loki's Bar above it) - Next to Valhalla
- Bourbon Street bar/restaurant - Left side of Ghost Train
- Rib Shack - Right side of the arcade
Pleasure Beach South End
- Big Blue Hotel Restaurant-Located inside The Big Blue
- Burger King - At South entrance, next to gates, facing sweet shop.
- King Cotton bar - Next door to Space Invader 2
- The Italian Job cafe - Next to Big Dipper
- Big Dipper Dogs
There are various other candyfloss, donut, drinks, and seafood stalls
[edit] Opening Times
The park's opening hours vary depending on weather conditions and how busy the park is. Please check before you visit by telephoning 01253 500818
The park is closes for the winter the on Sunday of the first weekend in November and reopens in February the following year.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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