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
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
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!
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! 🇬🇧😊👍🇺🇸
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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! 👍❤
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!!!! ♥️♥️♥️
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 :)
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.
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 .
Great video and the music towards the end was so good at making it. So glad I managed to sneak a camera on the Wild Mouse a few years back so I can relive the ride.
What an incredible video! I’ve been to BPB so many times but fascinating to find out about the history and to see the morphing of the old and new images - just wow! Great work and I look forward to seeing more in your next video
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..
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
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
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.
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.
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 😊
Absolutely fantastic emotional video, loved then then/now pics and the Pleasure Beach 125 Glen Robertson Soundtrack along side was a really nice touch.
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. 👍
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 😁
Great documentary .... brought back many memories of my (misspent youth), I used to spend hours and hours on end in the Fun House - even met and spoke with Jimi Hendrix there in the late sixties. My "auntie" worked there on the admission kiosk so if she was on duty could get in free 🙂. I later (1969.70) worked in The Ice Drone making the ice and working one of the spotlights (arc lights ha.ha) for the Holiday on Ice shows. What a great stroll down memory lane, Thanks for that.
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
I used to go every year as a child until the 1990 then I moved to Ireland and haven't been back since thank you for sharing many happy years spent here from the 1970,s until 1990
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 🎢🎡🎠🎪
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 😊
WHAT A GREAT WATCH. As soon as I buy my "DeLorean Time Machine" Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be my first stop. Health and safety always seem to be a burden to amusement parks, LOL. Again great use of old B&W photos fading in and out with todays views, top notch. Your narration and video editing pulls the viewer into the story. If you ever make it So Cal I'll take you Knott's Berry Farm to ride the Ghostrider rollercoaster, I lived my whole life 50 minutes from Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. Someday I want to make it to the UK and the Blackpool Pleasure Pier will be on my list. Thanks for your hours of work you must put in to your videos.
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?
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.
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 🤟🏻
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.
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. 👍👌👏
Brilliant video, really enjoyed! I'm from Blackpool and all my family more or less, on both sides, have worked at the park at some point. Some events work there today. When I was a kid I used to think this place was totally normal and that ever kid had one around the corner from their house. I didn't realise how lucky I was! At the end of the season my Grandad Neil would come home with a giant reel of tickets so we could run wild on the rides and have as many goes as we wanted. My dad used to operate the Haunted Swing and my Grandma Olive ran the waffle and pancake stand for many years and was well loved. My favorite rides are/were the River Caves, Ghost Train, Noah's Ark, Trauma Towers, the Gold Mine and Alice and Wonderland. Was really hoping you'd cover my favourite ride of all - The Greatest Show on Earth. God I loved that ride! And now it's a poxy Burgerking! Great video, thanks so much for sharing.
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.
No one ever focuses on the Skelton with flashing eyes, the giant, the goldmine shooting over the cafe... them and Mr funshine are the things that make me tingle
This was amazing I lived in Blackpool for a few years not long ago and of course visited the pleasure beach brought back some good memories cheers dude great video ! 😁
Can't believe i missed this along the way,very happy memories of the pleasure beach n my dad, I was only a tot when he took me in noahs ark & then when a little older to the fun house loved that place the slides were fantastic as an 8 yr old, also the log flume,didn't go on the wild mouse until my teenage yrs ,but glad I been there & done it.
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👍👍🙏
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!
Visiting the pleasure beach (again) this weekend. I wasn't able to visit here as a child but I can now bring my now five year old occasionally for a weekend away. Luckily I have just stumbled across this series and now have lots of stories I can tell him! 👍
brilliant , the historic rides were beautifully designed the detail in scenery and presentation incredible .there was an identical flying machine in south shields in tyneside
Go to Tyne and Wear archives and museums blog. Then seaside shields fair ground promenade and pier the photo is there our fair was called ocean beach park as that machine was also on the beach.
Also the jack and Jill ride very similar appears on the nearest and dearest film with Jimmy jewel who my grandad was friends with as the family was in Sheffield. It also shows footage of Blackpool and maybe footage from battersea meant to be both Blackpool but not sure if battersea had a modified jack and Jill a similar chairlift design
Amazing that the Maxim roundabout is still in the same place and going strong. When we were at the pleasure beach last year, my wife's first time, it was the first ride we went on.
wow, that brought back some memories, went there many times in the late 80's and 90's, I remember the old funhouse disappearing one year and not being too happy about it. The old, more dangerous, attractions seemed so much more fun when I was a kid.
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
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 remember many of the old rides since my 1st memory of being there in the late 1950s & 60s My favourite old ride is the circular Derby ride with the galloping horses which im sure over the years have become faster & faster! My 1st visit on the Valhalla ride blew my mind ! My daughter was just 5 or 6 yrs old then & the two of us waited until late when the queues had gone down before we rode the ride We were both enthralled by it, it was so full of amazing spec f/x & seemed to go on for ages When we got off ( soaked to the skin but elated) the ride asked us if we wanted a last ride before it closed for the night We jumped at the chance & grabbed a couple of the discarded Plastic ponchos to keep us from becoming saturated & off we went, even more elated than our 1st ride During the rest of our stay we went on that ride countless times & for me its still the best ride ive ever been on My daughter is 30yrs old now & my grandson, when he was 6yrs old went with us on Valhalla & couldnt stop talking about it for months afterward Im booking my next 3 wk stay in Blackpool tomorrow & i can guarantee i shall be going once again on the Valhalla ride Im in my late 60s now but absolutely love going on all the rides in the Pleasure Beach & i never tire of them Its just such a great place to go & after a belly full of Candyfloss & a dish of welks & mussels on the promenade then back to my hotel for a well earned rest then hot shower followed by a wonderful evening meal then back out to walk the golden mile See attractions, etc until late then grab some gorgeous Harry Ramsdens fish & chips, sit on the seat on the promenade watching the tide roll in, right up the stairs of the beach What Bliss Cant wait till my next holiday In May 2022 Thank you for the memories of the Pleasure Beach 😁
Just be aware that Valhalla is closed until later this summer. It's been having an extensive refurbishment for the past two years. But it will be back better than before.
@@AdventureMe oh thank you so much for letting me know about Valhalla ride I'll still go on my 3wk special & go again for the Valhalla opening & take my 2 grandsons with me They will enjoy it immensely
OK, I've seen a couple of your vids now and enjoyed them very much. Now I've stumbled upon this... exceptional and oddly moving, this is proper history, you're doing great work that a lot of people will appreciate. :)
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.
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! 😉
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
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🙂
Greetings from Scotland 😊 Have a wonderful day everyone 🌻
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!
0:10 Awesome Behind The Scenes Look About Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Thanks Mate. X
No problem 👍
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
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
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
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
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
Outstanding video! Well done.
RIP Wild Mouse. Truly, that ride was brilliant in ways I haven't experienced elsewhere.
Glad you enjoyed it!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
Great history with overlays great memories of days gone by. Brilliant vlog.
Thanks scott
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.
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 👍
This is my favourite video of yours so far, absolutely superb.
Thanks Jason. Probably my favourite too.
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 .
Wow just wow!, a work of art right there and thoroughly enjoyable series.
thank you!
Thanks Oliver.
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
Our village in North Wales had a outing each year to Blackpool in the late 70’s we loved the fun house!
Just fantastic Darren. I shed a tear!
Thanks Mark
Great video and the music towards the end was so good at making it. So glad I managed to sneak a camera on the Wild Mouse a few years back so I can relive the ride.
Thanks Kevin.
Excellent video, Darren... really enjoyed that. Look forward to the next
Thanks Martin
What an incredible video!
I’ve been to BPB so many times but fascinating to find out about the history and to see the morphing of the old and new images - just wow!
Great work and I look forward to seeing more in your next video
Thanks mate. More to come
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!
Very good enjoyed that 💪💪that spinning disc in the funhouse caused thousands of broken wrists and arms 😂
I bet it did. I can see why it no longer exists.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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 😊
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.
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
No way Darren!!!! This came up in my suggestions! Good on ya! Great content!
Thanks Luke. Bet you had a shock when you saw my mush on there. Infact the last time I saw you was at BPB in the Icon queue.
@@AdventureMe no I think it was in the queue for Nemesis back when I was dating that narcissist 🙊😅
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.
Great documentary .... brought back many memories of my (misspent youth), I used to spend hours and hours on end in the Fun House - even met and spoke with Jimi Hendrix there in the late sixties. My "auntie" worked there on the admission kiosk so if she was on duty could get in free 🙂. I later (1969.70) worked in The Ice Drone making the ice and working one of the spotlights (arc lights ha.ha) for the Holiday on Ice shows. What a great stroll down memory lane, Thanks for that.
Thanks mate. More to come
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.
The quality of your videos is so great now, love it, keep up the great work.
Thanks mate.
Loved it, so many memories there from childhood. The old days footage was so good to see. Thank you 😊
Thanks carol
I used to go every year as a child until the 1990 then I moved to Ireland and haven't been back since thank you for sharing many happy years spent here from the 1970,s until 1990
Thanks mate, more to come very soon.
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
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.
Great video as always…loved the now/then sequences. Well done man 👍
Thanks mate
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.
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
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.
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 😂
You make really great videos bringing back good memories, thanks!
Thanks Lavinia
Very interesting video, brought back many memories, especially the Fun Houe.
Thanks Bernard
WHAT A GREAT WATCH. As soon as I buy my "DeLorean Time Machine" Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be my first stop. Health and safety always seem to be a burden to amusement parks, LOL. Again great use of old B&W photos fading in and out with todays views, top notch. Your narration and video editing pulls the viewer into the story. If you ever make it So Cal I'll take you Knott's Berry Farm to ride the Ghostrider rollercoaster, I lived my whole life 50 minutes from Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. Someday I want to make it to the UK and the Blackpool Pleasure Pier will be on my list. Thanks for your hours of work you must put in to your videos.
Hi Mike. I have been to Knotts, but many years ago and also Magic Mountain. There are three Piers in Blackpool.
@@AdventureMe Did you ride the Ghostrider rollercoaster??
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.
My happy place
Excellent work,thank you
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
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'''''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
Fantastic. That was amazing. Can’t wait till next instalment. You bring us most interesting series and documentaries. Thank you
Thanks Shirley
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.
7:45 no joke the laughter from the funhouse sounds like The Smiler 😵💫
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. 👍👌👏
Brilliant video, really enjoyed! I'm from Blackpool and all my family more or less, on both sides, have worked at the park at some point. Some events work there today. When I was a kid I used to think this place was totally normal and that ever kid had one around the corner from their house. I didn't realise how lucky I was! At the end of the season my Grandad Neil would come home with a giant reel of tickets so we could run wild on the rides and have as many goes as we wanted. My dad used to operate the Haunted Swing and my Grandma Olive ran the waffle and pancake stand for many years and was well loved. My favorite rides are/were the River Caves, Ghost Train, Noah's Ark, Trauma Towers, the Gold Mine and Alice and Wonderland. Was really hoping you'd cover my favourite ride of all - The Greatest Show on Earth. God I loved that ride! And now it's a poxy Burgerking! Great video, thanks so much for sharing.
Great memories. You were very lucky. More to come from the pleasure beach in future on the channel.
@@AdventureMe fantastic! I am subscribed now so will look forward to that 😀
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
No one ever focuses on the Skelton with flashing eyes, the giant, the goldmine shooting over the cafe... them and Mr funshine are the things that make me tingle
I got Mr Funshine in there. I would love to do the goldmine, but it's down to what I can access.
@@AdventureMe oh I know, it's not a criticism, it just makes me sad
This was amazing I lived in Blackpool for a few years not long ago and of course visited the pleasure beach brought back some good memories cheers dude great video ! 😁
What an absolutely epic video, I loved your commentary and how you brought back the original feel of the park so beautifully through the editing
Thanks Dan. I enjoyed this one
Can't believe i missed this along the way,very happy memories of the pleasure beach n my dad, I was only a tot when he took me in noahs ark & then when a little older to the fun house loved that place the slides were fantastic as an 8 yr old, also the log flume,didn't go on the wild mouse until my teenage yrs ,but glad I been there & done it.
Thanks for watching
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.
ANAZING!!! You’re doing my favourite place on earth proud Darren! Thank you.
Thanks mate.
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.
Visiting the pleasure beach (again) this weekend. I wasn't able to visit here as a child but I can now bring my now five year old occasionally for a weekend away. Luckily I have just stumbled across this series and now have lots of stories I can tell him! 👍
Thanks Paul. Have a good time
Amazing , definitely brought back a lot of memories, thankyou , the pick of the bunch....willie wurst hot dogs, my go to meeting place if we split up!
Thanks mate, more to come very soon.
Fantastic video, by far the best walkthrough of BPB history I've ever seen. Thank you!
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it
brilliant , the historic rides were beautifully designed the detail in scenery and presentation incredible .there was an identical flying machine in south shields in tyneside
Thanks Russell. I didn't know that, I can't find anything about it online. You got me interested now.
Go to Tyne and Wear archives and museums blog. Then seaside shields fair ground promenade and pier the photo is there our fair was called ocean beach park as that machine was also on the beach.
Also the jack and Jill ride very similar appears on the nearest and dearest film with Jimmy jewel who my grandad was friends with as the family was in Sheffield. It also shows footage of Blackpool and maybe footage from battersea meant to be both Blackpool but not sure if battersea had a modified jack and Jill a similar chairlift design
What an absolutely wonderful video.
I enjoyed every minute!
Thank you!
LOVE THIS VIDEO. THAT SONG AT THE END. 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
Great song isn't it. Fitting for the video.
What a truly amazing video! Really well put together and edited. Loved all the facts and history. Well done!
Thanks mate, more to come very soon.
Amazing that the Maxim roundabout is still in the same place and going strong. When we were at the pleasure beach last year, my wife's first time, it was the first ride we went on.
Yeah. Still a classic too
wow, that brought back some memories, went there many times in the late 80's and 90's, I remember the old funhouse disappearing one year and not being too happy about it. The old, more dangerous, attractions seemed so much more fun when I was a kid.
Glad it was nostalgic.
Great video as usual
So many memories watching this, hours of fun in the Fun House x
Me too. Loved it.
Awesome. Really appreciate the time and effort you must put in to making this. Thanks
Thanks mate
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
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.
I remember many of the old rides since my 1st memory of being there in the late 1950s & 60s
My favourite old ride is the circular Derby ride with the galloping horses which im sure over the years have become faster & faster!
My 1st visit on the Valhalla ride blew my mind !
My daughter was just 5 or 6 yrs old then & the two of us waited until late when the queues had gone down before we rode the ride
We were both enthralled by it, it was so full of amazing spec f/x
& seemed to go on for ages
When we got off ( soaked to the skin but elated) the ride asked us if we wanted a last ride before it closed for the night
We jumped at the chance & grabbed a couple of the discarded
Plastic ponchos to keep us from becoming saturated & off we went, even more elated than our 1st ride
During the rest of our stay we went on that ride countless times & for me its still the best ride ive ever been on
My daughter is 30yrs old now & my grandson, when he was 6yrs old went with us on Valhalla & couldnt stop talking about it for months afterward
Im booking my next 3 wk stay in Blackpool tomorrow & i can guarantee i shall be going once again on the Valhalla ride
Im in my late 60s now but absolutely love going on all the rides in the Pleasure Beach & i never tire of them
Its just such a great place to go & after a belly full of Candyfloss & a dish of welks & mussels on the promenade then back to my hotel for a well earned rest then hot shower followed by a wonderful evening meal then back out to walk the golden mile
See attractions, etc until late then grab some gorgeous Harry Ramsdens fish & chips, sit on the seat on the promenade watching the tide roll in, right up the stairs of the beach
What Bliss
Cant wait till my next holiday
In May 2022
Thank you for the memories of the Pleasure Beach 😁
Just be aware that Valhalla is closed until later this summer. It's been having an extensive refurbishment for the past two years. But it will be back better than before.
@@AdventureMe oh thank you so much for letting me know about Valhalla ride
I'll still go on my 3wk special & go again for the Valhalla opening & take my 2 grandsons with me
They will enjoy it immensely
As ever a well made entertaining video - childhood memories - technical infor - cant wait for the next one cheers Rob
Thanks rob.
Very interesting and informative. Thank you so much. X
Thanks Gareth
OK, I've seen a couple of your vids now and enjoyed them very much. Now I've stumbled upon this... exceptional and oddly moving, this is proper history, you're doing great work that a lot of people will appreciate. :)
Thanks matey
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.
Thanks for making this documentary. Really good job! 10 / 10 on the edit, audio and subject. Nice work.
Thanks Henry. Much appreciated
Loved this! Such a brill look at such a historic park!
Thanks guys. And again, congratulations on the wedding.
Absolutely brilliant video. Can't wait for the next one. I love Blackpool Pleasure Beach, always have always will.
Thanks Mark. Me too.
This made me so emotional!! Thank you so so so much for making this 🥰
No problem. More to come next week.