Pleasure Beach Blackpool Totally Explained

Everything about Blackpool Pleasure Beach totally explained

Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, formerly "Blackpool Pleasure Beach", is a family owned amusement park in Blackpool, England.

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-in-law, Leonard Thompson, until the 1970s and then by his son, 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 at the park.

The current park

The park has a mixture of traditional wooden rides, modern steel roller-coasters, small family rides, highly-advanced thrill rides and generations-old rides still in original working order. The park is currently re-branding with new rides and shows, and a casino. Other major attractions include the many shows the park has on offer, including Forbidden at the Globe and Hot Ice at the Arena.
The Pleasure Beach has in recent years been undergoing a major refurbishment - with the park's rebranding to simply "Pleasure Beach", many of the wooden roller coasters have been repainted, and most of the walkways have been resurfaced. The refurbishments continued in 2007 with many of the signs in the park replaced. Also in 2007 saw the opening of "Infusion" - a Suspended Looping Coaster, relocated from Pleasure Beach's now-defunct sister park, Pleasureland, in nearby Southport.
In September 2007, the Pleasure Beach was judged joint fifth best amusement park in the world (with Disneyland in California, United States) in the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards – the self-proclaimed Oscars of the amusement industry. Pleasure Beach was the only British park to feature in any category. Pleasure Beach was also the highest ranked European park in the awards. Also, Pleasure Beach was voted second best seaside park in the world. The Grand National roller coaster made the universal list of Top 50 Wooden Roller Coasters at number 28 and the Pepsi Max Big One was in the Top 50 Steel section at 44. Pleasure Beach is included as a playable scenario in the theme-park running simulation game RollerCoaster Tycoon as part of the Loopy Landscapes expansion pack.

Visitor numbers

Pleasure Beach attracts about 6 million visitors a year. In 2007, Pleasure Beach was ranked as 14th most popular theme park in the world with 5.5 million visitors. It was the only UK amusement park to make it onto the 'Top 25 Parks in the World' list.

Tickets

Entrance to the park is free. Rides are paid for individually using tickets which are on sale throughout the park. Alternatively, unlimited ride wristbands are available at a price of about £27 each. The price varies depending on promotion and time of year, and can be as little as £15 per person when bought on-line. A separate section of the park, Beaver Creek, offers a separate wristband for younger guests.
From 2009, the park will no longer be free to enter. Entrance to the park will be either through buying an "Unlimited ride wristband" or a £5 "Freedom Pass" which will allow entry to the park and five specific attractions within the park - Noah's Ark, Pleasure Beach Express, Monorail, Chinese Puzzle maze, as well as a new stage show at Planet Rock.

Attractions

Roller Coasters

Name	Opened	Brief Description
Avalanche	1988	A bobsled rollercoaster.
Big Dipper	1923	A traditional wooden rollercoaster and a classic amongst coaster enthusiasts. Extended in 1936.
Grand National	1934	A wooden racing roller coaster. A classic among coaster enthusiasts.
Infusion	2007	A Vekoma Suspended Looping Coaster and the first of its kind in the world to be built completely over water.
Irn Bru Revolution	1978	Opened as the first modern looping coaster in the UK. An Arrow Dynamics shuttle coaster with an inversion. Has a unique cantilevered support structure.
Morgan’s Circus Clown		A children’s coaster located in Beaver Creek.
Pepsi Max Big One	1994	An Arrow Dynamics hyper coaster with a highest point of 235ft (72m) above sea level. It reaches speeds of up to 74mph.
Rollercoaster	1933	A traditional wooden rollercoaster, notable for running with no restraints. Since 2006 it has had seatbelts fitted. A classic ride at the park.
Space Invader 2	1984	A dark indoor rollercoaster with a space style theme. Refurbished in 2003 and opened in 2004.
Steeplechase	1977	A three-tracked racing steel roller coaster and the last of its kind in existence.
Wild Mouse	1958	The last operating wooden wild mouse roller coaster in the world.
Zipper Dipper	1934	A children’s wooden coaster comprised of bunny hills and a tunnel. Located in Beaver Creek.

Thrill Rides

Name	Opened	Brief Description
Bling	2004	A “Star Shape” ride made by German company Zierer, one of only two in the world.
Ice Blast	1997	A S&S Power Space Shot which stands at 210ft above sea level.

Water Rides

Name	Opened	Brief Description
Beaver Creek Log Chute		A one lift hill Log Flume
River Caves	1905	Boat based dark ride, visiting displays of "around the world".
Swamp Buggies		Water buggy rides.
Valhalla	2000	Themed Viking dark flume ride, laden with special effects.

General Rides

Adventure Golf - New for 2008
Alice's Wonderland - Children's dark ride featuring scenes from both Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The cars are big Cheshire cats. Was damaged by the fire that destroyed the Grand National station on 20 May 2004.
Cyclone - Opened 1974, closed 1987. Single car trains
Log Flume - Opened 1967, closed 3 September 2006 On the day the ride closed, the 24 log flume boats were sold off to the public at £25 each.
Scenic Railway - Opened 1906, closed 1933. Standard train ride
Tokaydo Express - Opened 1980, closed 1997 due to death on ride
Velvet Coaster - Opened 1909, closed 1932. Components of this ride were re-used in the construction of the Rollercoaster.
Vikingar - Originally purchased from Belle Vue Zoo when its funfair closed in 1977. Opened 1979 (as Water Chute), renamed Vikingar 1997, closed 2003. Wooden water chute
Virginia Reel - Opened 1922, closed 1982. A spinning coaster
Space Tower - Closed in 1993 and moved to PB's now-defunct sister park Frontierland in Morecambe - Ride still stands there but doesn't operate. Stood at 160ft tall.
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 PlayStation: The Ride. An Eyerly Monster ride.
The Whip - Closed in 2004 although its supports still stand and has yet to be demolished. Made by W.F. Mangels.
Tidal Wave - Opened 1980, closed mid 1990's - a large swinging ship relocated to Pleasureland, Southport.
Cableway - Operated between 1960 and 2000 and taken down due to high wind speeds. Made by Von Roll.
Spin Doctor - Taken down in December of 2006.
Alpine Dodgems - Taken down early 2007. Standard bumper car attraction.
Black Hole - Removed 2005 to make way for 4D cinema. A Waltzer ride in an enclosed dome.
Turtle Chase - Removed 2005 due to construction of Infusion. Now a clear area.
Millennium Bug - Replaced by simulator when it moved to the now defunct Pleasureland, Southport.
4D Cinema - 2006-2007, removed for a new show for the 2008 season. There are literally dozens of rides (maybe even hundreds) that have come and gone from the Pleasure Beach over its history - particularly in its early days, and during the 1960s-1970s, when many temporary rides were operated as concessions by third-parties.

Other attractions

Pasaje Del Terror - Opened in 1998. Interactive horror attraction within the Casino.

Horror Crypt

Bowladrome

Ripley's Believe It Or Not!

Pleasure Beach Arena (Ice rink)

Arcades

Planet Rock

Shows

Hot Ice - At the Pleasure Beach Arena. Hot Ice celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2007.

Hot Ice (The Mix) - A new show in 2007, also at the Pleasure Beach Arena.

Forbidden - At the Globe Theatre. Burlesque style show.

Accommodation, restaurants and cafes

Pleasure Beach has over 35 restaurants and cafes, as well as a pub and a hotel.

Cafes and restaurants

Beach Restaurant - A self-service Art Deco-style restaurant. Serves hot and cold meals, salads, sandwiches, cookies and cakes.

Bradley Beaver Catering Co. - located in Beaver Creek. Serves a wide range of snacks and meals.

Cafe Boulevard - Located on Ocean Boulevard. Includes snacks and ice-cream. Licensed restaurant

Casino Bar restaurant - A small bar

Coasters - An American style diner. Vintage waltzer, roller coaster and dodgem carriages used as seating.

The Fish Inn - A seafood restaurant situated in the Casino at the entrance to Pleasure Beach.

Holland Pies and Fries - Traditional tastes of the North.

The Horseshoe - Serves a variety of different meals.

Ice Lounge - Serves ice cream, desserts, and hot and cold drinks.

Italian Job restaurant - Centrally located licensed restaurant.

Magnolia Cafe - A family themed cafe bar serving a selection of Southern Fried Chicken dishes.

Mr Fu's Sailing Junk restaurant - Located on Ocean Boulevard. Chinese food.

Pizza Hut - Opened 1986. Located on Ocean Boulevard.

Rib Shack - Located in the Bowladrome, a fun sports arcade. Serves hickory smoked char grilled ribs, fries and a selection of burgers. The Rib Shack can also be hired for private parties.

Southern Fried Chicken - Family themed cafe bar

White Tower Restaurant - Award-winning penthouse restaurant with panoramic ocean views, stylish and romantic atmosphere, often favoured by celebrities. Art deco design. The largest restaurant in the park.

Pub and hotel

The Star - A traditional family pub. Home to Pleasure Beach's brand new pop bands. The pub also has a late license.

Big Blue Hotel - 157 bedrooms with sea views and an award winning restaurant.

Fast food

Alpine Fast Food - A row of kiosks selling ice cream, doughnuts and hot dogs

Burger King - The 2nd largest Burger King in the UK with the first being at Alton Towers Resort. Located at the south end of the park under the Pepsi Max Big One.

Dipper Dogs - Hot dogs and soft drinks

Embertons Sandwich Bar - serves sandwiches, homemade soup, cookies. Eat inside, on the patio or takeaway.

Globe Cafe Bar - Fully licensed cafe bar.

King Cotton Family Restaurant & Bar - A traditional English family pub in cotton mill surroundings with bar meals and snacks served.

Promenade Fun Food - Traditional fish & chip, also serves ice cream and doghnuts.

Thor's Plaice & Chips - Fun fish and chips in a Viking longship, situated adjacent to Valhalla.

Willie Wurst German Sausages - Large selection of German sausages. There are various other candyfloss, doughnut, drink, and seafood stalls situated throughout the park.

Opening times

The park's opening hours vary depending on weather conditions. The park closes for the winter on the Monday of the first weekend in November and reopens in February the following year.
A small section of the park including the Pepsi Max Big One, opens for several weekends in November and December. The Whole park (excluding some rides) opens during the weekends in February and March. The Wristbands are priced at £10 in February and £12 in March. Valhalla usually remains closed at this time.
For the 2008 season, the park opens every weekend from Saturday 9 February onward to late March/early April. During the summer season the park will be open every day. The park usually opens at around 12pm and closes between 6pm and 8pm. The park can stay open until around 10pm if it's busy enough.

2004 Fires

On 20 May 2004 the Grand National’s station was destroyed by a fire that also damaged Alice’s Wonderland and Trauma Towers. The Grand National was repaired and re-opened five months later on 28 October 2004. Not long after, a large restaurant caught fire. The restaurant was almost completely destroyed leaving only the shell of the building. The building was demolished and replaced with the Big One Stage.

Club Pleasure Beach

The Pleasure Beach has its own enthusiast club, called Club Pleasure Beach (formerly the 235 Club, named after the height above sea level of the Pepsi Max Big One ). It is run as a non profit organisation. The club was formed in 1992 by the park as an initiative to sell advance boarding tickets for the Pepsi Max Big One, but has since evolved to become an organisation for Pleasure Beach enthusiasts.

Railway station

The Pleasure Beach has its own railway station, the Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station, on the Fylde Coast branch line of the Blackpool Branch Lines.

Recent Timeline

1967

The Log Flume opens to the public. At the time of opening, it's the longest Log Flume in the world. 1976

Geoffrey Thompson becomes MD. 1977

The Steeplechase opens to the public. 1979

Irn Bru Revolution, Europe's first looping coaster opens. The Water Chute is moved from the defunct Belle Vue park in Manchester to Pleasure Beach. 1980

Tokaydo Express opens to the public. 1984

Space Invader opens to the public. The ride is opened by Dr. Who. 1987

Cyclone closes and is removed from the park. 1988

Avalanche opens to the public. 1990

Ocean Boulevard is opened at the front of the Pleasure Beach. 1991

The Funhouse is destroyed by a fire. The Grand National station is rebuilt. 1994

The Pepsi Max Big One opens to the public at a cost of £12 million. 1997

Ice Blast opens to the public at a cost of £2 million. When opened, the ride was known as Playstation: The Ride 1999

The Haunted Hotel attraction re-opens to the public after a major renovation, and inclusion of the old Tageda ride, and is now known as Trauma Towers 2000

Valhalla opens to the public at a cost of £15 million.

Cableway closes to the public after 40 years of service. 2002

The Haunted Swing and 1001 Troubles attractions combine and become the new attraction, Impossible.

Eddie Stobart Convoy opens to the public.

Spin Doctor opens to the public costing £2 million. 2003

Big Blue Hotel opens to the public. 2004

Bling opens to the public at a cost of £2 million.

The 'Space Invader' attractions is revamped and renamed Space Invader 2. 2005

Black Hole closes to the public and is removed from the park. 2006

Log Flume closes to the public and is removed from the park.

Spin Doctor closes to the public and is removed from the park.

Turtle Chase is removed from the park.

4D Cinema opens to the public. 2007

Infusion opens to the public at a cost of £8 million.

4D Cinema closes to the public and is removed. 2008

The classic attraction 'The Whip' is removed from the park.

The Planet Rock Show venue opens to the public replacing the 4D Cinema.

Adventure Golf opens at Flagstaff Gardens.Further Information

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