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Blackpool pleasure beach has been an institution of fun for people of all ages for many years now and throughout this review I intend to give you not only an insight into what it has to offer today but also an insight into the history of this great theme park.
A 42 acre site stood empty at the south end of Blackpool's promenade until 1896 when W.G Bean bought the land with dreams of turning it in to one of the finest theme parks in the world, as you read on you will see that Mr. W.G Bean was a man that could make his dreams come true.
He began to search far and wide for out of commission rides or men with the talent to design and build new ones. One of the first big rides to arrive at what MR W.G bean had named the pleasure beach was the sir Hiram Maxim flying machines which believe it or not actually still stand on the same spot where they were erected all those years ago. The rate at which the park was developing not only surprised the locals but also Bean himself. Although things at the park had to be put on hold during the First World War it didn't take long for the park to start to grow again when the war was over. It had become possible to import rides from the USA and Bean put this to great effect bringing in bigger and better rides all the time.
In the early 1930`s although the park had a new managing director in the shape of beans son in law, Leonard Thompson the development of the park continued to race ahead. Leonard shared his father in laws passion for the place and this assured that the pleasure beach would go on to great things!
Leonard began to add more great rides another of which still stands proud today, (The Grand National) a twin tracked roller coaster which gives the impression that you are racing the cars along side you. Having personally been on this ride many times I can vouch for the fact that it more than holds its own with modern day coasters and in fact because of its wooden structure actually betters many.
Due to the start of the Second World War once again things were forced to slow down at the park; however the park did remain open all through the war to allow a break from what was happening in the real world by visiting this fantasy land that had been created.
Again when the war was over Leonard was keen to get right back on track with his now beloved park. This would lead to the building of Britain's first monorail, a giant structure on which a single tracked train takes you around the top of the whole park this also is still one of the many attractions there today. The log flume was also built during this era it however is no longer with us having been retired from the park in the September of 2006 much to the upset of many, so much so there is even a video on www.youtube.com of its last run. Again having been lucky enough to have
ridden the log flume on many occasions both man and boy can tell you it was a wonderful ride and will be a loss to the park I am sure.
Gone were the sixties and in came the seventies and the arrival of yet another new managing director at the park (Geoffrey Thompson) the son of Leonard who had sadly passed away. Geoffrey who had loved the park as a boy could not wait to add his personal touches to it as a man. He began by bringing a giant loop the loop roller coaster named the revolution to the park ( now known as the irn bru revolution due to advertising) this became an instant favourite at the park and saw the real beginning of massive cueing as people began to line up desperate to ride this new giant coaster.
During the 80`s the park continued to add rides at a steady rate whilst no new massive names arrived during this era it did see the arrival of a huge swing boat and a giant fun house which have both now gone. The 90`s however were to see the biggest investment in the park, as numbers going through the gates continued to rise Geoffrey Thompson decided it wasn't enough just to have people returning to ride their same favourite rides but that the time had come to give them something new. This came in the shape of the world's biggest and fastest roller coaster at that time, The Pepsi Max Big One. This ride saw coaster fanatics arrive from the four corners of the world putting Blackpool pleasure beach firmly on the map. Although no longer the worlds biggest or fastest it still attracts more people to it each year than any other ride. Rumour has it a new record will be made at the pleasure beach by the arrival of an even taller and faster coaster. As I find out more I will update my review.
As the new millennium arrived another huge investment of 15 million pounds was made to build a new enclosed water coaster named Valhalla. having this awesome ride in the park sort of makes up for the loss of the log flume, as this is a giant indoors log flume with outstanding special effects, it takes you through the ages stone age , ice age, and so on and so forth you at one point drop backwards from a high height then travel through the coldest part of the ride the ice age section straight into another steep drop this time forwards through a real ring of fire which is put out as you arrive by the spray from the boat you are in. I enjoy this ride so much I would never visit Blackpool without riding it be it rain hail or shine it's a must for me!
In 2002 the big blue hotel opened its doors for the first time this addition to the park offered luxury accommodation at affordable prices. 2 years later a further investment of 10 million pounds saw the face of the park change once again, although not so many drastic changes have taken place recently the arrival of the infusion, the roller coaster which now stands where the old log flume proudly stood for many years was a massive change this year.
These days I feel the park is being somewhat taken over by giant thrill rides which don't get me wrong I still enjoy even at the grand old age of 34, however my 5 year old son cant go on anything over a large part of the park, although I have to admit the kids bit in the park known as beaver creek is still pretty good even if it does seem to shrink a little year by year.
As I mentioned earlier there is a new roller coaster on the park now taking the place of the much loved log flume which I still can't believe has gone. The new coaster is similar to nemesis at Alton towers, the tracks are above you and you sit in cars with your legs dangling below you, I have included pictures below to explain better. over all the park is a suitable place for people of all ages to visit and seen as you can enter free and only pay if you choose to ride the rides then its great for a family day out with the kids unlike some parks such as Alton towers where it costs the adults around £ 30 each to enter with the kids even if they don't intend to go on anything.
Along with all the giant rides at the park comes the stalls, all the usual from knocking tins off shelves to more advanced ways of getting people to part with their money in the vain attempt to win one of the stall owner's prizes. These for me are best avoided as your chance to actually win anything is very small. The other thing the park is littered with is arcades which can be tempting when a sudden downpour comes on but you can bet you will spend more in them than you will in the rest of the park.
Unlike a lot of Blackpool these days the park is kept very clean, anytime I have visited I have always had to step aside a few times to let the sweeping machines past, also the people that operate the rides mostly tend to be cheery and helpful, although I did have a run in with the grumpiest fairground attendant ever during one visit but that aside the workers there are a friendly bunch.
So be it a day trip, or a weeks holiday your on be sure to visit the pleasure beach because perhaps excluding the tower its by far the best entertainment Blackpool has to offer, whether you want to ride the white knuckle rides, relax and let the kids have the fun or perhaps a bit of both the pleasure beach will meet your needs. Oh and be sure to make time in your day to sample the warm doughnuts and the delicious hot chocolate sold around the park!
When can you visit you may be thinking, well ok here's the parks opening times for you. the park is open from march to November daily the times of opening tend to differ and you should really check online before travelling you can do this at www.pleasurebeachholidays.co.uk the parks opening times can also change through the day as they tend to shut some of the bigger rides during adverse weather conditions, however there are clock signs all over the park which show you when the park and indeed some certain rides will be closing so you always know where you stand.
Cost.
As I have mentioned earlier the entry to the park is free and you only pay to ride, you can do this by purchasing tickets from machines or ticket booths all around the park alternatively; you can buy a wristband for around £30 and ride free all day as much as you choose. There are different wrist bands for the kiddies to ride freely at beaver creek these
Pictures of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
the avalanche
tend to be around £17 but again check on line before setting off as some great offers can be had throughout the year. Booking your wristbands online can also sometimes make you a saving!
The main thrill rides are as follows
Avalanche The UK's only true bobsleigh ride. A unique rollercoaster guaranteed to thrill.
Grand National Europe's first twin-track racing coaster was constructed in 1935 and remains one of the most popular wooden rollercoaster's in the world
Irn bru revolution Europe's first 360 degree looping rollercoaster.
Pepsi max big one 235ft high and over one mile of twisting and turning at speeds of up to 87mph
The new infusion which is situated above water much like nemesis at Alton towers
And the awesome Valhalla the largest and fastest indoor water ride of its kind.
The favourites with the little ones tend to be as follows.
The Alice ride: this transports the kids gently along similar to a ghost train ride except the ghosts are replaced by all their favourite characters from Alice in wonderland. I rode this often as a child and again recently with my own son and it hasn't changed a bit.
Ellies caterpillar a caterpillar shaped train to thrill young visitors
Helicopters Children can take to the skies in a helicopter or aeroplane of their choice
Morgan's clown coaster a children's steel rollercoaster. Sit in the clown shaped train, pull down your lap bar and hold on
And the outstanding Noah's arc which now stands at the front of the park a rocking rolling funhouse for kids which still works using the original mechanism it was built with in 1921.
ride information taken from www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com
All in all there are over 50 full size rides and many more coin operated throughout the park as well as many other attractions such as the pasaje del terror an adventure for adults only in which you wander round a castle filled with actors dressed as popular characters from horror movies past and present, I have personally seen grown men flee from this through the doors provided for people who cant quite make it to the end! Also the new 4d cinema, experience water sprays, air blasts, vibrating seats and even leg ticklers! As you enjoy mini movies for all the family including creepy chiller Haunted House and ecological animal adventure PandaVision.
As if all this wasn't enough to tempt you to the park there's also a massive ice rink which as well as being open for skating also hosts some amazing shows such as hot ice, the ultimate in extreme entertainment, with laser lighting befitting a major concert and state of the art sound meeting the pure thrill, speed and grace of exciting live performance.
Hot ice this year celebrates its 70th anniversary and can be seen at the Arena, Pleasure Beach, Blackpool from Wednesday March 28th until Saturday November 3rd 2007. Matinee Performances: 2.30pm Evening Performances: 7.30pm Please note: 2.30pm and 4.30pm performances every Sunday in April and May 2007.
Afternoon Times Prices from £5.00 for Matinee performances Evening Times prices starting from £10.00 for evening performances. I hope this review has been of use to you and if you had no intentions of visiting this park, you do now. I will be visiting the park again this year at some stage and cant wait to ride the new coaster and take in another dose of Blackpool's sea air even if it can be somewhat chilly at timesThe impressive ride list:
Roller Coasters Avalanche - A bobsled roller coaster Big Dipper - A traditional wooden roller coaster Grand National - A wooden racing roller coaster Infusion - A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster 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 racing steel roller coaster. Wild Mouse - A wooden Wild Mouse roller coaster Zipper Dipper - A small wooden roller coas minecar themed indoor coaster. Spinning/Tower rides Bling Ice Blast - A S&S Power Space Shot, originally known as PlayStation: The Ride. Impossible (Previously 1001 Troubles and The Haunted Swing) Trauma Towers' Baronial Dining Hall (after the Trauma Towers walk through attraction) ] Water Rides Beaver Creek - (log flume) River Caves - Dark ride Swamp Buggies Valhalla General Attractions Alice's Wonderland - Dark ride 4D cinema Convoy Ride Derby Racer - One of three in the world, the ride is similar to a carousel Dodgems - Bumper cars Ellie's Caterpillar Flying Machines Gallopers (carousel) Go Karts Ghost Train - The original Ghost Train was opened in 1930, before being replaced by the ride currently in use today. Griffin's Magic Dragons Helicopters Impossible Lunar Carousel Magic Mountain - Dark ride Mini Dodgems Mini Scooters Monorail Motor Boat Ride Noah's Ark - A walk through funhouse attraction, one of only 2 left in the world. Pirate Ride Pleasure Beach Express - A miniature railroad Superbowl Swamp Buggies Tetley Teacup Ride Thor's Turnpike Trauma Towers - A walk through haunted funhouse attaction, hotel themed. Veteran Carousel
(List provided by the Blackpool Wikipedia) If you do decide to visit Blackpool pleasure beach then I hope it gives you as much enjoyment as it has given me over the years, in the mean time I hope you have enjoyed my review on it which has been a pleasure to write!
Thanks for reading, i hope this review has been both useful and informative but most of all enjoyable!
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Advantages: Fantastic rides, fairly cheap, clean and tidy, a brilliant day out Disadvantages: Some of the rides a bit uncomfortable, have to pay extra for some things
Advantages: Fantastic rides, fairly cheap, clean and tidy, a brilliant day out Disadvantages: Some of the rides a bit uncomfortable, have to pay extra for some things
Mar 28th, 2007
(Apr 18th, 2007)
exceptional by (50%):
very helpful by (44%):
helpful by (1%):
somewhat helpful by (5%):
