Felt a little tear in my eye when you talked about the Wild Mouse. Having had the pleasure of experiencing thousands of different rides in my life, that one is still my all time favourite. Can't believe they can't find a way of bringing it back, either with a way to please the H&S mob, or to put 2 fingers up to them as the public want it back. Well made Darren. I learned so much about my favourite entertainment venue and loved the overlays. Look forward to pt2.
the wild mouse has to be one of the most terrifying rides ive ever been on been 6ft4 with my wife in front taking them corners full speed ive neber felt like im going to fall out a ride like it did that one, pitty the improvemnts couldnt save it, a modern alternative is the sonic spinball at alton towers its a similer kind of ride but much more modern
Excellent vlog. Have visited many times over 60 years and have seen many changes. River Caves, Big Dipper, Log Flume are my favourites. My grandmother stumbled and banged her nose in Noah's Ark as it rocked ... we've always called it Nose Ark since then!
This video has blown me away mate, I’ve had goosebumps most of the way through it. I never knew it was built on the sand, to see those foundations, you’ve spoilt us 👌🏼👍🏼 Your new to old pictures and videos are unreal. I loved hearing the old interviews near the end “Making old people young again” Wow, just wow I actually feel a bit emotional 😂😂 You work so hard to show us magic Living so close I spent a lot of days out there. Thank you so much and I can’t wait for next weeks 😃
@@AdventureMe I’ve just shared it with my brother. I’m a huge fan of the engineering side of things and how things are built and function. The older the better as they had limited technology compared to nowadays. But the age old saying stands “built to last” Marvellous work mate. I got on to you through Martin Z
It’s sad in a way, to see the many people enjoying the amusement park in the early 20th century, but are all gone. It would be astonishing to speak with them on what experienced on the rides, in comparison with today’s replacements. As always, thank you Darren for your astonishing trips back in time, as presented. Your videos are always interesting and informative to the people that you show today. Cheers mate! 🇬🇧😊👍🇺🇸
This is so good. Your best work yet. Great fades, and the first time I remember the old fade more than the new on a couple of them. Really looking forward to the next two parts. Thanks.
Yes, it was sad when it burned down. It was certainly iconic, but it had probably had it's day. But what was a little interesting though, if I recall correctly, was that at a press conference hurriedly set up the next morning to say how very unfortunate it was that it had sadly gone (and done whilst the fire brigade were still in attendance damping the embers down), they produced the plans for the new Valhalla ride that would be on the same site. Hmmm.. i just thought at the time, that that was perhaps a bit.... interesting.
Absolutely brilliant video of my favourite amusement park old footage and history are incredible, thank you so much for putting this together. Just Amazing.
Yet another great vlog Darren glad I waited 😉 can't wait for the next 2 installments now. The music at the end made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Like someone else has already said I too didn't realise it was actually built on the beach.
Heading down from Scotland to Blackpool on Wednesday for a day at the Pleasure Beach. Will look at it a bit differently now! Great video! Very much looking for the next 2 installments.
Darren best editing to date...put a lump in my throat, not been to Blackpool for many many years, went with my gran who passed away in 2000...brought back many memories, which is what I love about your channel...thankyou so much...cant wait for the next part! 👍❤
Well researched, edited and visually put together. Brought back memories and found the vintage footage of 1920's, 30s etc fascinating. I gather the recent shots showing the park near empty was because you filmed when it wasn't open to the public? You'll have to visit and film again when crowds are making it come alive.
This is one of the saddest things, even on a busy day in the summer, the park is nowhere near the crowds that came back in the early days. Too many people go abroad now for "relaxing" sun holidays, instead of enjoying the fun more local!
@@colindavid2078 nah no if u have been in recent years. On there busy days it’s near unbearable which it has been a few times recently Love the park and will always go but will try choose my days from now on lol
Wow'''''fantastic, this brought back so many memories from going to Blackpool as a young child! Seeing the wild mouse 🐀 (remember moaning to my dad to take me on) lol was black and blue when yer got off. The funhouse-so many hours of Fun in there. Really looking forward to seeing the others 👊🏻🤟🏻👌🏻🔥 And! Yes, never realised it was built actually on the beach ⛱️, every day is a school day 🤟🏻
The best Pleasure Beach vlog yet ? I reckon so. Well done , you've nailed it. Looking forward to the next installments. Incidentally, the current ASLEF journal has a spot on all that you covered in your Crystal Palace series. But.....you got there first,and did it better than anyone else ! Good work all-round.
@@AdventureMe it's the monthly 'comic' we get as members of ASLEF, the train driver's union. It had quite a spot on Crystal Palace, 3 pages . It's a very occasional thing they do. Must have been a slow month politically or industrial relations-wise !! Very welcome all the same .
As a Blackpool lad who now has lived abroad for a number of years I can smell and taste the pleasure beach through your videos. Thank you very much indeed.
I can't get enough of your video's, they are fantastic, so interesting. The overlays with old photo's really add an immersive feel and make it so much more interesting. My Gran, who was born in 1911, used to holiday at Blackpool every year, when she was a little girl. Her ashes were scattered off North Pier. It's mind blowing to watch your video and see Blackpool as she would have seen it all those years ago. Kind regards..
Another triumph of a video, I really enjoyed it so thanks for your research and hard work. Still can't believe I've never been to Blackpool. Its the Stag and Hen do reputation that puts me off.
Sadly the place has went downhill I hate even saying that because I've got a lot of history with the Town and fell in love with the place around 1974 on my first ever visit, lots of areas need upgrading and fast, I know the council does try and I still hope the town can get back to roughly where it was ''if that's Poss'' I've not been since Sep 2018 but will return at sometime in the future, all those three piers need fast attention as all three just look unkept and in fast need of upgrading. Very interesting video, you've clearly done some homework. Thanks.
Hi Darren, Excellent first episode as I knew it would be. The archive footage the park has let you use has allowed you to work your magic with it :) It's really great to see gold dust period footage like that being made available to share with the present day and future guests of the Pleasure Beach, rather than it getting lost to time. I enjoyed all of it. As you know I am currently beavering away on a special about The Big Dipper as it approaches its 99th Anniversary next year, so particularly enjoyed all of vintage construction footage of the Wild Mouse, The Now & Then fades, and of course the bits with the Big Dipper in it :) Great work, Regards Mark 🎢🎡🎠🎪
Brilliant video. You never fail to deliver Darren. Have been looking forward to this series all week. Blackpool Pleasure Beach 125 soundtrack at the end absolutely brilliant touch. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Roll on next Sunday.
What a superb, well done video. Loved all the footage, music and effects. Just fantastic, this video will give many people great memories flooding back. The montage with music even made me feel a bit teary thinking about my grandma. 👍
What an incredibly good documentary 👏 , almost sounded like a Blackpool Pleasure Parade soundtrack at the end.... Can't wait for the next episode of this masterpiece. Thank you
Hi Darren, fabulous, fabulous first episode, you haven't let us down! A lot of nostalgia right there. The old photos which showed how busy it was back then too when it was free entry to most areas. No such thing as wrist bands or tokens and still you had to jossle and push to get on a ride. Old days old ways. Most folks were on holiday not just day tripping in those days before Spain was available sighhhhh. Looking forward to pts 2&3. Cheers matey DougT, Mrs Warboy sends her regards and says walking around Blackpool played havoc with her bunions 😁
All my favourite childhood memories were at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I LOVED arcades and still do, i remember playing Star Wars in the arcade there for the first time and many many others. Would have been the early 80's. Thanks for this amazing video i really enjoyed it. Memories come flooding back.
I love railway videos you do, but this is bloody fantastic, very informative and interesting, this is the best video you've done so far, I love seeing your efforts paying off, keep up the amazing work
@@AdventureMelooking forward to it, just remembering Blackpool in its heyday, and due to the family, they made some amazing memories for alot of people including Walt Disney himself 😊
I've just found your channel and I'm already obsessed. Absolutely love your content. The Pleasure Beach always has had a special place in my heart. You're great at presenting, and rather handsome too...
Love these videos Darren, your research is so good, the superimposed shots, everything makes it a compelling watch, thanks for the work you put into them, much appreciated, That laughing clown tho, still gives me the creeps, 🤡😂 Tfs 😊
Fantastic video! I've got such fond memories of PB, from being a kid in the 70's/80's, to working for the Thompsons (Amanda) in the 90's. I worked for Stageworks WWP in the ice show, but I worked in Europa Park, Germany for Hot Ice, rather than in Blackers. Geoffrey Thompson used to come out every summer to visit us and see the show, and took us out for dinner and drinks, which was very kind. Some of the PB managers would come out too, and we always had fun! Great memories 😊. Mands would direct our show in Germany, then go back and start Hot Ice rehearsals almost immediately. Lots of great memories from the 90's! 😁🏴
Feel pretty lucky to have been born in the 1970's where most of the old rides were still there and saw the new ones replace them, love Blackpool Pleasure Beach, great memories.
Same here! 1st went there in 1973/4, and went numerous times as a child in the 70's and 80's. Went a lot in the 90's when I worked for Stageworks WWP (show company that put Hot Ice etc on), and was often given free tix for rides when I was in Blackpool. Fun times!
Amazing Darren! I used to love the Fun House. I remember it costing 35p at the time and spending hours in there. I especially loved the wooden slides, where you couldn't see the bottom from the top, it was so steep and the wooden spinning ride which pinned you to the side. Can't wait for episode 2! By the way, have you considered doing a film on Halifax High Level railway?
What an absolute cracking start to this 3 part series Darren. Part 1 is excellent. I can't wait for parts 2 & 3. I remember years ago in the summers of 1994 95 & 96 the pleasure beach use to have 50p wk ends then £1 wk ends. This has since all stopped. You can understand why. The vlog about scarefest is well worth a watch. We are going to make a visit. I'm only 5 miles away from Blackpool. Fantastic as always 5***** + . The before and after scenes take it right back to the creation of the pleasure beaching how it all started. Thanks to you, we all know and understand the history of how it came about.
And they were so much fun. I'd rather have Big Dipper, Grand National, Wild Mouse over the Big One, Infusion and the modern rides. You just don't get that from any other park that's what makes the Pleasure Beach special. I still can't believe they got rid of Wild Mouse, one of my favourite coasters of all time. I'll never forget that feeling of thinking you were about to fly off the tracking during the sharp turns.
You should do the rotunda in folkestone and dreamland in margate. I'm only 27 but thanks for the memories. Genuinely made me tear up. The UK isn't anything like it used to be. I feel like we lost our Disney World. Thanks for the video. You deserve a Netflix series!
Honestly amazing, brilliantly done,my little boy loves the pleasure beach and we enjoyed watching it together, top marks for including the cable car and the wild mouse. 😀
Wow what a great production of old and new. I remember the Wild Mouse ride, it was great and the fun house, I was gutted when it burnt down. There's nothing like a British seaside funfair. It's a shame time changing has also changed people.
There was nothing better in Blackpool than enjoying a day at the Fun House in brown or grey stockingfeet. I also miss the Wild Mouse too and all the other rides that are no longer there.
Ive never been to Blackpool but this footage is beautifully haunting and poignant of generations who have been there over the decades. It wouldn't surprise me if the spirits still wonder around the old pleasure beach even today. Wonderful wonderful. 🙏❤🇬🇧🇬🇧❤🙏 Feb 2022
Blackpool is probably my favourite park of all time... so much history... some of the rides used to feel outright dangerous, (the steeplechase and crazy mouse come to mind) which added a whole level of "Don't let go" excitement that's hard to replicate these days with OTT H&S... the queues are usually reasonable too... I've stayed on some of the best rides for a second go around when there's been no queue before!... there's so much more I could say about this one of a kind park, and intend to visit again soon. much love to Blackpool and thank you for making this series, look forward to seeing the next episode :)
I loved the video here of Blackpool pleasure Beach. I use to work there fm 1990's till around 94/95. Truly wonderful working for the Thompson family. I got on some of the rides. I worked in the catering industry for them like the wonderful world Bulding. Such as the wonderful Bulding coverd alot of Restaurant's an the white Tower. Also worked on the park selling choc ice creams to the public. Just loved ever moment of the life style, Great video can't wait to see the next ones. Fm Tom uk 🇬🇧 ♥ x
Another great video. It's sad how things over time change not always for the good but it's good to see it is still going. How you blend in the old with the new is again great. You do your home work for sure. Another thing to see when we come over from New Zealand.
Just watched this, the 1st video and I have to applaud you on the high quality of the production, the historic overlays against the modern site and your accompanying narration (for the want of a better word) was all riveting to watch. If only some of the extinct rides could come back, what a thrill. The evolution and history of the park to date was fascinating, I was glued to my screen throughout. It’s amazing that the Thompson ownership spans right back so far. A huge well done to you and a massive thanks for an amazing historic journey. 👍👌👏
Great stuff Darren, thanks for this. Brought back happy memories of frequent visits late 1960's early 1970's. The Haunted Swing, I think it was called, was a favourite of mine.
May have commented before on this video but I find it amazing. I can’t express how I feel when I watch your videos, from the narration to the video to the photos and the uplifting music, it has it all. I can’t commend you enough pal keep up the fantastic work👍👍🙏
A simple like to the video really don’t seem enough, absolutely brilliant and i cant wait for the next two instalments. I knew the Pleasure Beach was built originally on the beach but to see the beach is still below the foundations of the flying machine is incredible! Well done Darren 👌👌👍
This was lovely to watch. BPB is a fantastic theme park. The family has kept the park in their ownership, which remains in their name and heritage, keeping passion going. Watching the old footage back, people standing up on roller coasters etc.. Health And Safety has changed everything (but not stupidity). I do miss The Wild Mouse. I guessed the decision to remove it, would be the huge financial cost. Look how many people miss this ride. Even if they got it back though, it would never be the same ride again all modified. Very sad as I would also love to see the old classic Dive Bombers back also.
This was excellent. Nice to see a documentary that actually has some properly rare and high quality/ well restored clips and valuable information. Plus a presenter who isn't up their own arse. Looking forward to the next two parts :)
use to go to blackpool from our home in huddersfield nearly every weekend in our touring caravan as a child growing up in 70s, every year we went to the massive traffic jam called the illuminations. as a young adult with a car and blackpool only been a hour away trips were many with girlfriends, mates and later my own kids and sometimes just to blow cobwebs off. now, well iv not stopped in blackpool for years, the charging for the access into pleasure beach seemed to be a insult to all my memories, only been in once since the charges started and because of it i will not return on principal. the walk through the pleasure beach was a thing that everyone use to do, watching is sometimes better than going on the rides, as previous comments have said the oldies loved to walk through and take in the atmosphere. i will say this video has reminded me of bygone times, what a great film you have come up with. i know most of the history of the place as my dad was well into things like that, i remember the fun house fire, the spinning coaster, the whip, wild mouse, flying machines, cable car, was at opening of revolution and quite a few other rides. the loss of log flume was a shock, cant believe Noah's arc is not a attraction any more.
Absolutely fantastic emotional video, loved then then/now pics and the Pleasure Beach 125 Glen Robertson Soundtrack along side was a really nice touch.
Great part one Darren, amazing to think it's been in the same family for 125 years, so its built on the beach and then they built roads and buildings around it, I've never been there but watched plenty of vlogs here, great research mate, looking forward to part 2.
Great video. Having grown up in Blackpool in the late 70s and early 80s this brought back many memories. Especially the Virginia Reel - what an amazing ride that was - even in its final days, however, all the signage referred to the ride simply as “The Reel” and I’ve seen post cards from the 50s again calling it “The Reel”. I wonder whether Roller Coaster Tycoon got us all calling it the “Virginia Reel” again decades after it was renamed simply as “The Reel”. Doesn’t really matter but it’s interesting how history gets foggy.
As an apprentice in the late 70s we got sent to training school in nearby Poulton le Fylde and stayed in Blackpool, I remember being one of the first to ride the Revolution and got a certificate after coming off. Seem to remember it cost 50p. My late father also had a colour cine film of the rockets taken in the evening now sadly lost.
As an ex Blackpool resident this was fascinating. I'm not really into crowds or rollercoasters, but am interested in Blackpool's history. Nice video, thank you.
11:00 this is why, although it has round cars and a zig-zagging path, the Tubs at Great Yarmouth ain’t nothing like a Virginia Reel. This is fantastic footage I’ve never seen before! Awesome Vlog!
Absolutely brilliant video, I’ve lived here in Blackpool all my 46 years, with now 5 kids in toe, and it gives me goosebumps seeing stuff like the fun house, wild mouse ect, there used to be an arcade my dad used to work in next to what used to be called the polo… on the sea front, over the tunnel.. thank you for this video x
This video is awesome!! Thank you, especially the before and after transformations at the end. I miss the wild mouse. Would be great to see if you can get an update on Valhalla at all. Soooo excited for that to be back
This killed me bud, I remember alot of the rides with my mam and dad who have now passed away...brings alot of happiness back. I just want to say thank you again for doing this work, it can't be easy but it's bloody brilliant!!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Very informative on a subject I didn't know much about. The history lesson was good, your filtering excellent and you managed to get a bit melancholy with it too! Well done again Darren, a job on TV beckons if you carry on! I liked he Jack n Jill ride and I thought that one should be resurrected, a plain,simple relatively cheap and safe ride! As ever l look forward to the next one and indeed Chapter. Best wishes. Ben 🚍🚌🙏
Outstanding video, extremely well put together, many congrats. The faded before & after shots are brilliant, shame to see backward steps in progress though in some of them. Very much look forward to watching your next video. Thanks for sharing 😀
Darren if I could give this video multiple likes I would. So many wonderful memories of my childhood. Thank you so much for another entertaining and well presented video. x
Great stuff. Growing up down the road in Preston until the mid 80s this brought back some memories. The Wild Mouse always appeared to be very rickety and that was part of its attraction - the thought that it might actually collapse. Walking around was almost a ride in itself. Was sad when I took my children there to find it was now more like Alton Towers and that you couldnt just walk through.
@@masterknife8423 Of course its exactly like Alton Towers when your are talking about having to pay an entrance fee and not a per ride fee. Which is exactly what I was talking about. And it has always been an amusement park, but you used to be able to walk round it without paying anything.
Wow! What a fantastic video, what a roller coaster of emotion just watching this, from my first sence of shock and loss as a kid when virginia reel wasnt there anymore in 1981. the twin ferris wheels with clown cranking them, Right through to loss of wild mouse. Brought back memories of being a kid going there with my brother dad and gran. Your choice of music mixed with changes of scenes over the years and voice clips of yesteryear had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Utterly wonderful is all i can say, you are a very talented video producer and historical researcher all put together with a great sense of nostalgia.
Thanks mate. Appreciate the comments. I really tried to be nostalgic with this series and to celebrate the past and the future. I also tried the emotion card, to show how many memories this place holds.
Felt a little tear in my eye when you talked about the Wild Mouse. Having had the pleasure of experiencing thousands of different rides in my life, that one is still my all time favourite. Can't believe they can't find a way of bringing it back, either with a way to please the H&S mob, or to put 2 fingers up to them as the public want it back. Well made Darren. I learned so much about my favourite entertainment venue and loved the overlays. Look forward to pt2.
Thanks Tony. Missed by all I think.
Yes it was awesome!!
What an absolutely brilliant video. Brought tears to my eyes thinking about my childhood. Just awesome, thank you!
the wild mouse has to be one of the most terrifying rides ive ever been on been 6ft4 with my wife in front taking them corners full speed ive neber felt like im going to fall out a ride like it did that one, pitty the improvemnts couldnt save it, a modern alternative is the sonic spinball at alton towers its a similer kind of ride but much more modern
@@UnitedSpotlight Not just me then! 😉
Excellent vlog. Have visited many times over 60 years and have seen many changes. River Caves, Big Dipper, Log Flume are my favourites. My grandmother stumbled and banged her nose in Noah's Ark as it rocked ... we've always called it Nose Ark since then!
Lol. I love that.
Goodness,brings back the memory of me falling down the steep steps in Noah's ark and hurting my back in 1968,I was 8.wasnt as keen after that🙂
This video has blown me away mate, I’ve had goosebumps most of the way through it.
I never knew it was built on the sand, to see those foundations, you’ve spoilt us 👌🏼👍🏼
Your new to old pictures and videos are unreal.
I loved hearing the old interviews near the end
“Making old people young again”
Wow, just wow
I actually feel a bit emotional 😂😂
You work so hard to show us magic
Living so close I spent a lot of days out there.
Thank you so much and I can’t wait for next weeks 😃
Thanks Dan. I put my all into this one.
@@AdventureMe I’ve just shared it with my brother. I’m a huge fan of the engineering side of things and how things are built and function. The older the better as they had limited technology compared to nowadays. But the age old saying stands “built to last”
Marvellous work mate. I got on to you through Martin Z
Same. I had goosebumps and just an overall feeling of nostalgia for a place that was such a huge part of my childhood & teenage years. So good!
@@LesleyH I can’t wait for Sunday
It’s sad in a way, to see the many people enjoying the amusement park in the early 20th century, but are all gone. It would be astonishing to speak with them on what experienced on the rides, in comparison with today’s replacements. As always, thank you Darren for your astonishing trips back in time, as presented. Your videos are always interesting and informative to the people that you show today. Cheers mate! 🇬🇧😊👍🇺🇸
Thanks Martin
Same thing with Luna Park in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn NY. All the rides full of people and now probable 10% of the people use the rides….
@@PatricioGarcia1973 Your absolutely right !God bless you!
This is a fantastic vid - so so informative and I love how you overlaid the old photo an the new. Cant wait for the next 2 vids
Thanks Steven
Really interesting and informative -a highly polished and professional presentation. Can’t wait for Part 2!
Thanks Stephen
@@AdventureMe When is part 2
@@carlblackburn7112 This sunday
This is so good. Your best work yet. Great fades, and the first time I remember the old fade more than the new on a couple of them. Really looking forward to the next two parts. Thanks.
Thanks Rachel
I spent most of my childhood in the fun house. So sad that it has gone. It truly was an amazing experience
Yes me too
I loved it too!! It was brilliant fun 😁👏🏻👏🏻
Yes, it was sad when it burned down. It was certainly iconic, but it had probably had it's day.
But what was a little interesting though, if I recall correctly, was that at a press conference hurriedly set up the next morning to say how very unfortunate it was that it had sadly gone (and done whilst the fire brigade were still in attendance damping the embers down), they produced the plans for the new Valhalla ride that would be on the same site.
Hmmm.. i just thought at the time, that that was perhaps a bit.... interesting.
@@minimaxi802 I agree. It was excellent and as I said... interesting..how it all happened
Fantastic video and research.
Brings back some great memories from the 80s staying here, thinking about a long lads weekend in 2022👍
Thanks Neil. More to come next week.
Great history with overlays great memories of days gone by. Brilliant vlog.
Thanks scott
Absolutely brilliant video of my favourite amusement park old footage and history are incredible, thank you so much for putting this together. Just Amazing.
Thanks Sean. More to come next week.
Yet another great vlog Darren glad I waited 😉 can't wait for the next 2 installments now. The music at the end made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Like someone else has already said I too didn't realise it was actually built on the beach.
Thanks 👍
Heading down from Scotland to Blackpool on Wednesday for a day at the Pleasure Beach. Will look at it a bit differently now! Great video! Very much looking for the next 2 installments.
Thanks mate. More to come
Darren best editing to date...put a lump in my throat, not been to Blackpool for many many years, went with my gran who passed away in 2000...brought back many memories, which is what I love about your channel...thankyou so much...cant wait for the next part! 👍❤
Thanks Robert. Glad it paid off.
Fantastic vid from my favourite Vloger. Been waiting for a decent recap of BPB. Fascinating stuff! 😁🎢🎡🎠
Thanks mate. More to come
Can't wait 🙂
Another fascinating video. I'm local to Blackpool, will look at it in a different light next time I go. Looking forward to part 2.
Thanks Chris
Well researched, edited and visually put together. Brought back memories and found the vintage footage of 1920's, 30s etc fascinating. I gather the recent shots showing the park near empty was because you filmed when it wasn't open to the public? You'll have to visit and film again when crowds are making it come alive.
It was open. Just a quiet weekday.
This is one of the saddest things, even on a busy day in the summer, the park is nowhere near the crowds that came back in the early days. Too many people go abroad now for "relaxing" sun holidays, instead of enjoying the fun more local!
@@colindavid2078 nah no if u have been in recent years. On there busy days it’s near unbearable which it has been a few times recently Love the park and will always go but will try choose my days from now on lol
Wow'''''fantastic, this brought back so many memories from going to Blackpool as a young child! Seeing the wild mouse 🐀 (remember moaning to my dad to take me on) lol was black and blue when yer got off. The funhouse-so many hours of Fun in there. Really looking forward to seeing the others 👊🏻🤟🏻👌🏻🔥
And! Yes, never realised it was built actually on the beach ⛱️, every day is a school day 🤟🏻
Thanks mate
The best Pleasure Beach vlog yet ? I reckon so. Well done , you've nailed it. Looking forward to the next installments. Incidentally, the current ASLEF journal has a spot on all that you covered in your Crystal Palace series. But.....you got there first,and did it better than anyone else ! Good work all-round.
What's the ASLEF journal?
@@AdventureMe it's the monthly 'comic' we get as members of ASLEF, the train driver's union. It had quite a spot on Crystal Palace, 3 pages . It's a very occasional thing they do. Must have been a slow month politically or industrial relations-wise !! Very welcome all the same .
As a Blackpool lad who now has lived abroad for a number of years I can smell and taste the pleasure beach through your videos. Thank you very much indeed.
Thanks mate. Could do with smell-o-vision
I can't get enough of your video's, they are fantastic, so interesting. The overlays with old photo's really add an immersive feel and make it so much more interesting. My Gran, who was born in 1911, used to holiday at Blackpool every year, when she was a little girl. Her ashes were scattered off North Pier. It's mind blowing to watch your video and see Blackpool as she would have seen it all those years ago. Kind regards..
Thank you very much!
Another triumph of a video, I really enjoyed it so thanks for your research and hard work. Still can't believe I've never been to Blackpool. Its the Stag and Hen do reputation that puts me off.
Oh it's much nicer than that Jeff. It's well worth a visit.
@@AdventureMe I must give it a go; the wife has wanted to take me for years as she has been many times as a kid.
Thank you so much for posting this excellent and very well researched video. Incredibly interesting and a pleasure to watch. Can’t wait for part 2!
Thanks Stuz. Glad you enjoyed it. Appreciate your comments. Part 2 out next Sunday.
Look forward to watching part 2.
Just fantastic Darren. I shed a tear!
Thanks Mark
Sadly the place has went downhill
I hate even saying that because I've got a lot of history with the Town and fell in love with the place around 1974 on my first ever visit, lots of areas need upgrading and fast, I know the council does try and I still hope the town can get back to roughly where it was ''if that's Poss''
I've not been since Sep 2018 but will return at sometime in the future, all those three piers need fast attention as all three just look unkept and in fast need of upgrading.
Very interesting video, you've clearly done some homework.
Thanks.
Thanks for watching
Hi Darren, Excellent first episode as I knew it would be.
The archive footage the park has let you use has allowed you to work your magic with it :)
It's really great to see gold dust period footage like that being made available to share with the present day and future guests of the Pleasure Beach, rather than it getting lost to time. I enjoyed all of it. As you know I am currently beavering away on a special about The Big Dipper as it approaches its 99th Anniversary next year, so particularly enjoyed all of vintage construction footage of the Wild Mouse, The Now & Then fades, and of course the bits with the Big Dipper in it :) Great work, Regards Mark 🎢🎡🎠🎪
Thanks mate
Brilliant video. You never fail to deliver Darren. Have been looking forward to this series all week. Blackpool Pleasure Beach 125 soundtrack at the end absolutely brilliant touch. Thoroughly enjoyed this video. Roll on next Sunday.
Thanks Craig. With a little editing from me to get some extra soundbites in there.
0:10 Awesome Behind The Scenes Look About Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Thanks Mate. X
No problem 👍
What a superb, well done video. Loved all the footage, music and effects. Just fantastic, this video will give many people great memories flooding back. The montage with music even made me feel a bit teary thinking about my grandma. 👍
Thanks mate. More to come
I cry everytime I see the pleasure Beach because it was the most bestest place in the world when I was a child
Excellent video, Darren... really enjoyed that. Look forward to the next
Thanks Martin
What an incredibly good documentary 👏 , almost sounded like a Blackpool Pleasure Parade soundtrack at the end.... Can't wait for the next episode of this masterpiece. Thank you
Thanks Kevin. I worked hard on this one.
Hi Darren, fabulous, fabulous first episode, you haven't let us down! A lot of nostalgia right there. The old photos which showed how busy it was back then too when it was free entry to most areas. No such thing as wrist bands or tokens and still you had to jossle and push to get on a ride. Old days old ways. Most folks were on holiday not just day tripping in those days before Spain was available sighhhhh. Looking forward to pts 2&3. Cheers matey DougT, Mrs Warboy sends her regards and says walking around Blackpool played havoc with her bunions 😁
Thanks Doug.
Loved it, so many memories there from childhood. The old days footage was so good to see. Thank you 😊
Thanks carol
I remember so much of this park. It's remarkable how they maximise the use of the space by intertwining rides. I am sure it is unique in that.
Yes it is. Thanks for watching
All my favourite childhood memories were at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. I LOVED arcades and still do, i remember playing Star Wars in the arcade there for the first time and many many others. Would have been the early 80's. Thanks for this amazing video i really enjoyed it. Memories come flooding back.
Thanks for watching.
Fantastic. That was amazing. Can’t wait till next instalment. You bring us most interesting series and documentaries. Thank you
Thanks Shirley
I love railway videos you do, but this is bloody fantastic, very informative and interesting, this is the best video you've done so far, I love seeing your efforts paying off, keep up the amazing work
Thanks Stephen. Don't worry there is a railway of sorts in the next episode.
@@AdventureMelooking forward to it, just remembering Blackpool in its heyday, and due to the family, they made some amazing memories for alot of people including Walt Disney himself 😊
Very interesting video, brought back many memories, especially the Fun Houe.
Thanks Bernard
ANAZING!!! You’re doing my favourite place on earth proud Darren! Thank you.
Thanks mate.
I've just found your channel and I'm already obsessed. Absolutely love your content. The Pleasure Beach always has had a special place in my heart. You're great at presenting, and rather handsome too...
Thanks mate. Glad you are enjoying it.
Great video as always…loved the now/then sequences. Well done man 👍
Thanks mate
Love these videos Darren, your research is so good, the superimposed shots, everything makes it a compelling watch, thanks for the work you put into them, much appreciated,
That laughing clown tho, still gives me the creeps, 🤡😂
Tfs 😊
Many thanks! Wait until episode two for more clown goodness. lol
@@AdventureMe Can't wait 😂
Fantastic video! I've got such fond memories of PB, from being a kid in the 70's/80's, to working for the Thompsons (Amanda) in the 90's. I worked for Stageworks WWP in the ice show, but I worked in Europa Park, Germany for Hot Ice, rather than in Blackers. Geoffrey Thompson used to come out every summer to visit us and see the show, and took us out for dinner and drinks, which was very kind. Some of the PB managers would come out too, and we always had fun! Great memories 😊. Mands would direct our show in Germany, then go back and start Hot Ice rehearsals almost immediately. Lots of great memories from the 90's! 😁🏴
Great memories. Love Europa Park.
Feel pretty lucky to have been born in the 1970's where most of the old rides were still there and saw the new ones replace them, love Blackpool Pleasure Beach, great memories.
Same here! 1st went there in 1973/4, and went numerous times as a child in the 70's and 80's. Went a lot in the 90's when I worked for Stageworks WWP (show company that put Hot Ice etc on), and was often given free tix for rides when I was in Blackpool. Fun times!
Thanks mate. More to come.
Amazing Darren! I used to love the Fun House. I remember it costing 35p at the time and spending hours in there. I especially loved the wooden slides, where you couldn't see the bottom from the top, it was so steep and the wooden spinning ride which pinned you to the side. Can't wait for episode 2! By the way, have you considered doing a film on Halifax High Level railway?
Thanks Deborah. Yes high level is already researched. Just need to get round to doing it.
I spent many weekends just hanging out in the Funhouse. I wasn't surprised when it burned down though. Everything was so old, it was a firetrap.
Great vid as always mate please do a history of Blackpool tower circus and go under the ring to the old stables as a circus fan that would be amazing
I would love to. Doubt they would let me.
@@AdventureMe no harm in asking they can only say no
What an absolute cracking start to this 3 part series Darren. Part 1 is excellent. I can't wait for parts 2 & 3. I remember years ago in the summers of 1994 95 & 96 the pleasure beach use to have 50p wk ends then £1 wk ends. This has since all stopped. You can understand why. The vlog about scarefest is well worth a watch. We are going to make a visit. I'm only 5 miles away from Blackpool. Fantastic as always 5***** + . The before and after scenes take it right back to the creation of the pleasure beaching how it all started. Thanks to you, we all know and understand the history of how it came about.
Yes I used to go to the 50p WOW weekends as they were called. Thanks mate
Very interesting and informative. Thank you so much. X
Thanks Gareth
Wow, some of those old rides look a little questionable on their safety, bet that made them exciting.
Yes very. Wouldn't get away with that today.
And they were so much fun. I'd rather have Big Dipper, Grand National, Wild Mouse over the Big One, Infusion and the modern rides. You just don't get that from any other park that's what makes the Pleasure Beach special. I still can't believe they got rid of Wild Mouse, one of my favourite coasters of all time. I'll never forget that feeling of thinking you were about to fly off the tracking during the sharp turns.
You should do the rotunda in folkestone and dreamland in margate. I'm only 27 but thanks for the memories. Genuinely made me tear up. The UK isn't anything like it used to be. I feel like we lost our Disney World. Thanks for the video. You deserve a Netflix series!
Thanks mate. I will do others in future.
Brings back many happy childhood memories, thank you.
Thanks for watching
@@AdventureMe My pleasure.
Honestly amazing, brilliantly done,my little boy loves the pleasure beach and we enjoyed watching it together, top marks for including the cable car and the wild mouse. 😀
Thanks Lucy. More to come
your vids get better and better darren spent more time in there than i care to remember as a coach driver
Thanks Chris. I bet you did.
Wow what a great production of old and new. I remember the Wild Mouse ride, it was great and the fun house, I was gutted when it burnt down. There's nothing like a British seaside funfair. It's a shame time changing has also changed people.
Thanks Mr Andy
There was nothing better in Blackpool than enjoying a day at the Fun House in brown or grey stockingfeet. I also miss the Wild Mouse too and all the other rides that are no longer there.
Great video as usual
So many memories watching this, hours of fun in the Fun House x
Me too. Loved it.
Ive never been to Blackpool but this footage is beautifully haunting and poignant of generations who have been there over the decades. It wouldn't surprise me if the spirits still wonder around the old pleasure beach even today. Wonderful wonderful. 🙏❤🇬🇧🇬🇧❤🙏 Feb 2022
Thanks for watching, More to come from here soon.
Blackpool is probably my favourite park of all time... so much history... some of the rides used to feel outright dangerous, (the steeplechase and crazy mouse come to mind) which added a whole level of "Don't let go" excitement that's hard to replicate these days with OTT H&S... the queues are usually reasonable too... I've stayed on some of the best rides for a second go around when there's been no queue before!... there's so much more I could say about this one of a kind park, and intend to visit again soon. much love to Blackpool and thank you for making this series, look forward to seeing the next episode :)
Thanks mate. More to come.
This made me so emotional!! Thank you so so so much for making this 🥰
No problem. More to come next week.
I loved the video here of Blackpool pleasure Beach.
I use to work there fm 1990's till around 94/95.
Truly wonderful working for the Thompson family.
I got on some of the rides.
I worked in the catering industry for them like the wonderful world Bulding.
Such as the wonderful Bulding coverd alot of Restaurant's an the white Tower.
Also worked on the park selling choc ice creams to the public.
Just loved ever moment of the life style,
Great video can't wait to see the next ones.
Fm Tom uk 🇬🇧 ♥ x
Glad you enjoyed it
Fantastic video, by far the best walkthrough of BPB history I've ever seen. Thank you!
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it
Greetings from Scotland 😊 Have a wonderful day everyone 🌻
Another great video. It's sad how things over time change not always for the good but it's good to see it is still going. How you blend in the old with the new is again great. You do your home work for sure. Another thing to see when we come over from New Zealand.
Yes you need to check it out.
Awesome. Really appreciate the time and effort you must put in to making this. Thanks
Thanks mate
As ever a well made entertaining video - childhood memories - technical infor - cant wait for the next one cheers Rob
Thanks rob.
Just watched this, the 1st video and I have to applaud you on the high quality of the production, the historic overlays against the modern site and your accompanying narration (for the want of a better word) was all riveting to watch. If only some of the extinct rides could come back, what a thrill. The evolution and history of the park to date was fascinating, I was glued to my screen throughout. It’s amazing that the Thompson ownership spans right back so far. A huge well done to you and a massive thanks for an amazing historic journey. 👍👌👏
Great stuff Darren, thanks for this. Brought back happy memories of frequent visits late 1960's early 1970's.
The Haunted Swing, I think it was called, was a favourite of mine.
Thanks Michael. The Haunted Swing is still going today,, it's now part of the "Impossible" maze.
it's really quite comforting to know that even after 125 years, it's still under the family who opened it.
Yeah. It's quite unique for a company these days.
Some great memories thank you! Wild Mouse removal is still upsetting to this day.
It sure is
May have commented before on this video but I find it amazing. I can’t express how I feel when I watch your videos, from the narration to the video to the photos and the uplifting music, it has it all. I can’t commend you enough pal keep up the fantastic work👍👍🙏
Thanks bud. I'm proud of this one.
A simple like to the video really don’t seem enough, absolutely brilliant and i cant wait for the next two instalments. I knew the Pleasure Beach was built originally on the beach but to see the beach is still below the foundations of the flying machine is incredible!
Well done Darren 👌👌👍
Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed it
This is my favourite video of yours so far, absolutely superb.
Thanks Jason. Probably my favourite too.
This was lovely to watch. BPB is a fantastic theme park. The family has kept the park in their ownership, which remains in their name and heritage, keeping passion going.
Watching the old footage back, people standing up on roller coasters etc.. Health And Safety has changed everything (but not stupidity).
I do miss The Wild Mouse. I guessed the decision to remove it, would be the huge financial cost. Look how many people miss this ride. Even if they got it back though, it would never be the same ride again all modified. Very sad as I would also love to see the old classic Dive Bombers back also.
Thanks for watching.
This was excellent. Nice to see a documentary that actually has some properly rare and high quality/ well restored clips and valuable information. Plus a presenter who isn't up their own arse. Looking forward to the next two parts :)
Thanks Tom. Much appreciated
I love the history of blackpool pleasure beach 🌴
Outstanding video! Well done.
RIP Wild Mouse. Truly, that ride was brilliant in ways I haven't experienced elsewhere.
Glad you enjoyed it!
use to go to blackpool from our home in huddersfield nearly every weekend in our touring caravan as a child growing up in 70s, every year we went to the massive traffic jam called the illuminations. as a young adult with a car and blackpool only been a hour away trips were many with girlfriends, mates and later my own kids and sometimes just to blow cobwebs off. now, well iv not stopped in blackpool for years, the charging for the access into pleasure beach seemed to be a insult to all my memories, only been in once since the charges started and because of it i will not return on principal. the walk through the pleasure beach was a thing that everyone use to do, watching is sometimes better than going on the rides, as previous comments have said the oldies loved to walk through and take in the atmosphere. i will say this video has reminded me of bygone times, what a great film you have come up with. i know most of the history of the place as my dad was well into things like that, i remember the fun house fire, the spinning coaster, the whip, wild mouse, flying machines, cable car, was at opening of revolution and quite a few other rides. the loss of log flume was a shock, cant believe Noah's arc is not a attraction any more.
Thanks mate. Thanks for watching.
Absolutely fantastic emotional video, loved then then/now pics and the Pleasure Beach 125 Glen Robertson Soundtrack along side was a really nice touch.
Thanks Matt, yes I had to get the song in there somehow. They kindly let me use it, and edit it too. Added a few more voices in there.
Great part one Darren, amazing to think it's been in the same family for 125 years, so its built on the beach and then they built roads and buildings around it, I've never been there but watched plenty of vlogs here, great research mate, looking forward to part 2.
Thanks mate
Great Video brings back memories of my childhood in the 70s and 80s Think The Pleasure Beach is in every northern person's history Love Blackpool xxx
I think it is yeah. Thanks
Once again.. Brilliant!!! Looking forward to the next 2 parts. 🙂🙃🙂
Thanks mate
Gosh that was fantastic all that history there, can’t wait to see the rest. Thanks so much for taking me along. P,ease stay safe and take care
Thanks Linda
What a fabulous video …can’t wait for parts two and three 😀
Thanks Tim
WOW great video! loved this! looking forward to the others
Thanks mate. Love yours too. Been watching you for ages. Just watched your Media City one.
@@AdventureMe thanks!
Great video. Having grown up in Blackpool in the late 70s and early 80s this brought back many memories. Especially the Virginia Reel - what an amazing ride that was - even in its final days, however, all the signage referred to the ride simply as “The Reel” and I’ve seen post cards from the 50s again calling it “The Reel”. I wonder whether Roller Coaster Tycoon got us all calling it the “Virginia Reel” again decades after it was renamed simply as “The Reel”. Doesn’t really matter but it’s interesting how history gets foggy.
Thanks for watching. Yes the Reel as seen all over, but officially known as Virginia Reel so I am told.
As an apprentice in the late 70s we got sent to training school in nearby Poulton le Fylde and stayed in Blackpool, I remember being one of the first to ride the Revolution and got a certificate after coming off. Seem to remember it cost 50p. My late father also had a colour cine film of the rockets taken in the evening now sadly lost.
Thanks mate. More to come
As an ex Blackpool resident this was fascinating. I'm not really into crowds or rollercoasters, but am interested in Blackpool's history. Nice video, thank you.
Thanks Kaitlynn, glad you enjoyed it. More to come from Blackpool
So cool having this access, the building has so many hidden stories to tell.
Thanks kevin.
Absolutely brilliant video. Can't wait for the next one. I love Blackpool Pleasure Beach, always have always will.
Thanks Mark. Me too.
11:00 this is why, although it has round cars and a zig-zagging path, the Tubs at Great Yarmouth ain’t nothing like a Virginia Reel. This is fantastic footage I’ve never seen before! Awesome Vlog!
Thanks Rob. Yes the Tubs are a childrens version. But the only version we have left.
Absolutely brilliant video, I’ve lived here in Blackpool all my 46 years, with now 5 kids in toe, and it gives me goosebumps seeing stuff like the fun house, wild mouse ect, there used to be an arcade my dad used to work in next to what used to be called the polo… on the sea front, over the tunnel..
thank you for this video x
Even the carp that was in the water under the log flume
Thanks mate. More to come.
Subscribed..
@@sniperstu8 Thanks mate. And welcome aboard
This video is awesome!! Thank you, especially the before and after transformations at the end. I miss the wild mouse.
Would be great to see if you can get an update on Valhalla at all. Soooo excited for that to be back
Thanks Emma. All they are telling me is its opening Summer 2022. I will be there to cover it.
This killed me bud, I remember alot of the rides with my mam and dad who have now passed away...brings alot of happiness back.
I just want to say thank you again for doing this work, it can't be easy but it's bloody brilliant!!!! ♥️♥️♥️
Thanks Robert
Very informative on a subject I didn't know much about. The history lesson was good, your filtering excellent and you managed to get a bit melancholy with it too! Well done again Darren, a job on TV beckons if you carry on! I liked he Jack n Jill ride and I thought that one should be resurrected, a plain,simple relatively cheap and safe ride!
As ever l look forward to the next one and indeed Chapter. Best wishes. Ben 🚍🚌🙏
Thanks Ben. Loved that comment. I did get a bit melancholy.
Outstanding video, extremely well put together, many congrats.
The faded before & after shots are brilliant, shame to see backward steps in progress though in some of them.
Very much look forward to watching your next video.
Thanks for sharing 😀
Glad you enjoyed it
Darren if I could give this video multiple likes I would. So many wonderful memories of my childhood. Thank you so much for another entertaining and well presented video. x
Thanks mate. More to come
Loved this! Such a brill look at such a historic park!
Thanks guys. And again, congratulations on the wedding.
Our village in North Wales had a outing each year to Blackpool in the late 70’s we loved the fun house!
Great stuff. Growing up down the road in Preston until the mid 80s this brought back some memories. The Wild Mouse always appeared to be very rickety and that was part of its attraction - the thought that it might actually collapse. Walking around was almost a ride in itself. Was sad when I took my children there to find it was now more like Alton Towers and that you couldnt just walk through.
Well of course you can't walk through it's an amusement park not a Silcocks funfair. And it's nothing like Alton Towers...
@@masterknife8423 Of course its exactly like Alton Towers when your are talking about having to pay an entrance fee and not a per ride fee. Which is exactly what I was talking about. And it has always been an amusement park, but you used to be able to walk round it without paying anything.
Very well made film of one of my favourite fun parks of my youth, now in my 60s and still love it. Well done
Love the channel name lol. Thanks
Wow! What a fantastic video, what a roller coaster of emotion just watching this, from my first sence of shock and loss as a kid when virginia reel wasnt there anymore in 1981. the twin ferris wheels with clown cranking them, Right through to loss of wild mouse. Brought back memories of being a kid going there with my brother dad and gran. Your choice of music mixed with changes of scenes over the years and voice clips of yesteryear had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Utterly wonderful is all i can say, you are a very talented video producer and historical researcher all put together with a great sense of nostalgia.
Thanks mate. Appreciate the comments. I really tried to be nostalgic with this series and to celebrate the past and the future. I also tried the emotion card, to show how many memories this place holds.