Do Blackpool Pleasure Beach Have TOO MANY Old Rides?!
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
- Do Blackpool Pleasure Beach Have TOO MANY Old Rides?! Or is it unfair for people to comment on social media that all the rides are too old and not worth visiting the park for? Join Scott for a look at both sides of the debate.
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The old rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach make it unqiue compared to the Merlin parks where there are a lot of modern rides.
Shills always find a way. Those old rides are garbage rides and are falling apart. The only thing unique about it is how much worse it is than its competitors. The people in these comments repeating this nonsense must be in their 70's or just straight up pleasure beach employees. I mean pleasure beach is losing money while being told by these delusional shills that they need to keep doing what they're doing, aka losing money because nobody wants to ride on a roller coaster that goes up and down in a straight line looking as it slowly rots and falls apart.
Whilst I agree, that's not what brings in the new customers from all over the country like Alton Towers does.
And for that reason, partly, is why the current pricing model (pay one entry like Alton Towers) doesn't work. Needs to be free entry (with a possible wristband), for people not to compare to a merlin park.
For sure, it’s a hugely unique selling point but how many is too many?
They still need to have something that draws people in
What sets PB apart from other theme parks for me, is its commitment to preserving classic rides, and its cool mix of old and new attractions.
I know there's been a lot of criticism leveled towards the park lately and how it's run, and those criticisms are fair, but the classic rides are probably the biggest reason I keep visiting. I love a lot of the newer rides, Infusion and Icon especially. But to me it just wouldn't be Pleasure Beach without the River Caves, Grand National, Ghost Train and Alice rides. They are dated, but that's what gives them their charm in my opinion. It gives the park its unique feeling of nostalgia, the fact that I can revisit today and even if there's lots of new stuff, certain things are just how I remember them. Personally I wouldn't change that.
BPB wouldn’t be the same without the woodies, Big One, Flying Machines yet but saving every ride without really modernising them isn’t going to get the masses repeat visiting every year.
Preserving and letting rides rot is not the same thing. Indiana Beach in USA preserves. Blackpool is just a junkyard.
For me, it’s a hard NO!
The classic rides are the absolute bread and butter of pleasure Beach and at the core of what makes it different from any other park in the UK and a lot of other parks throughout the world as well.
You take the classics out and you might as well just call it a day with the whole park IMO.
As for those sorts of people that tell those ridiculous stories, and don’t understand what airtime is, and things like that, I’ve honestly got no time for those sorts of people, they just boil my blood.
All them stories come the same people that say the big one is dangerous because it stopped on the lift, or the smiler should be removed because it had an accident once
A lot of the classic rides are awful though...
@@mitzy123 not me, they’re not, I’m not you are plenty of other people.
The main issue is they have 4 wooden coasters which are all virtually the same, they need to scrap one and build a more modern high themed one or convert it to an rmc
I have to agree. If all the classic rides went, Pleasure Beach wouldn't be the same anymore. The history that exists within the park would be gone.
There is also the fact that Pleasure Beach was a big help for Walt Disney himself as it gave him the inspiration he needed for his Disneyland park especially with rides like the River Caves which inspired Disney's Pirates of the Carribbean.
No! That is what makes BPB so unique and great for multi-generational families!
I 2nd this
But it's also a big turn-off for many others. What's cool and vintage to one person, can be seen as dilapidated and tacky to another.
Yes it's unique in that nobody is going there, and nobody will so long as there's "people" like you pushing ridiculous bs like this. If you think people love these garbage rides then you're delusional. They are falling apart, they look terrible, the rides are boring, the rides are outright dangerous tbh if you've seen how the grand national whips people about, etc. You can have "multi-generational" rides without them being this bad.
@@MondoCoastersThat’s the issue here and why BPB need to find a better balance IMO
I think the problem is one of not refreshing the ride line up more regularly. Six years and counting since the last new ride of any description. It doesn't have to be a coaster, just something new to the park. Even a temporary ride on the old trauma towers site would help. I can't see anything new coming in 2025 either.
One new coaster since 94 🤯
To many old rides? Maybe. Is there a good balance of modern AND old rides? Absolutely not.
Icon new.... everything else old. It does feel BPB needs 40 -50 million spent on it on rides and improving the park. The fact small parks in the Netherlands have RMC or tiny parks have a Lech Coaster..... while the UK has Nickelodeon streak i mean WTF
@@flaw3dgenius222Honestly think they need about £100m invested into modernising some of the current attractions and replacing others
The park should lean more into its heritage rides. I love BPB and have many great memories as a child riding the coasters and dark rides. They should shout about their history and the heritage of their attractions. Yes, they should also innovate and invest in new attractions, but also maintain and preserve what they have as a heritage park.
Are the general public interested in old heritage rides though?
BPB is always dead these days.
People seem to think old rides give a worse experience or are less fun - but they make it more fun! Even if they are a bit rickety it adds to the experience! The only classic I wouldn't mind seeing the end of is steeplechase.
I went to pleasure beach for the first time since I was a little kid and the old rides were my favorite! The feel of Grand National is just so good! I liked Icon a lot too, but having the variety made it better. There's something to be said for just sheer personality.
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
I’ve been going to the Plesh for over 40 years and the older rides are part of my childhood. Love them!
So do we, but the bigger picture for Pleasure Beach may look different than those who have nostalgic memories of the rides we did as kids and can still do now.
@@yourexperienceguide this begs the question do they have a bigger picture? (No need to answer in case someone from BPB gets the hump and a bit of airtime!)
Coming from a US tourist perspective, the history of Pleasure Beach and older attractions are what make it must visit for international travelers. It’s a lot like Kennywood here in the US, in a lot of regards. I do think Kennywood’s recent cosmetic and infrastructure investments have outpaced Pleasure Beach.
out of interest does Kennywood get a lot of repeat visits from locals? I love a park that hold onto history but also appreciate the need to keep investing in new attractions.
I think it's yes and no too! It's really nice to see both new and old rides together, especially the ones like Big Dipper where people from way back in the day were riding!
🙏👏
I'm an older enthusiast who first went to the PB in the 1970s. I don't have a problem with replacing old rides, providing it's with something better. Getting rid of the Log Flume for Infusion was a big mistake. But let's be honest, most of the old rides are pretty naff nowadays so I wouldn't have a problem with replacing them.
It's not about them not being that thrilling compared to more modern rides it's about them being historic. There's not many like them out there now. They should be preserved
@@GoofyMann69Why though? Why do they all need to stay?
IMO they’ve got to look at replacing 4/5 of the current rides over the next 10 years to stay relevant.
I went for my first time last week . Relatively new thoosie . I went to thorpe a few weeks ago and after having a rough ride on collosus I had a head ache for the rest of the day and it out a bit of a damper on things. So my expectations was that Blackpool was going to be really rough and hard on my body after hearing all the usual stuff about old woodies. I went straight to icon first as there's really nothing this modern in England and loved the hell out of it . I went on blue flyer and Nickelodeon thingy next which I had a really good time on . My friend made sure we avoid wheel seats and I didn't find any pain or discomfort on the rides . I then did big dipper and grand national and boi things got real good. Big dipper felt more of the same to me but grand national impressed me so damn much. There's very little thats got so many good air time moments that's I've been on . Again
Not a rough ride but great air time. The row Infront of me did look rough but it's really changed me. Before arriving from my internet based opinion I thought they'd rattle me to death and would just need to be replaced.
I had a crazy ride on enso but I'm not sure that'll even stick out more in my memory over time than grand national.
Some of the other older rides are great to do as an experience but I'm not excited to reride them so I can see why they'd get replaced but I'd still be sad that others would miss out .
I wish there was an amusement museum for old rides to live on although that's almost how Blackpool pleasure beach felt to me anyway.
In my short dumb opinion. Retrack big dipper, RMC one side of grand national and then it could be a cool ride showing off old to new side by side . Finally send avalanche, nickelodeon streak,horsies and revolution to the fictional ride museum so it's easier to let them go without break a million hearts .
Oh and burn down the SLC as thoosies dance around it and cheer.
For me at least, it's vibration (think baco) rather than jank that leads to headaches etc. collosus is deffo one in the vibration pot!
@@mr-nobody-on-youtube baco? It might have been vibrations and bad restraints. I didn't notice the vibration because of the head banging I guess. I have piercings all up the side of my ears and they hurt like they had just been pierced
Thoosie is the worst word in the world 🤢
Looks like you had a good day at BPB which is definitely a good thing 😎
The thing is, if they’ve got the space to install new rides without having to take anything out then that should definitely be something they do, if some of them are coming to the end of their service lives and need money spent on them then depending on what they are, they should either have that money spent on them or replaced I think the real issue here is more rides have been removed then installed over the last 20 years and that’s why we’re in this situation. We’re in now.
And if Amanda not capable or interested in doing something about that then it’s Time her and some of her board members need to go!
Do you see BPB building new rides without replacing what they’ve got though?
Things like the Rev, Avalanche and Steeplechase are nearing end of service life so a sensible business decision is to replace them instead of chucking millions at them.
They won’t get ROI from splashing millions on refurbishing everything.
@@yourexperienceguide if the management was changed, yes, with Amanda still currently in charge, that’s another matter.
I personally don't think that Blackpool Pleasure Beach has to many old rides. I think rides like the Ghost Train, the woodies, and the Big One are built into their DNA. That being said, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a business. Not a museum.
I think that the removal of rides like Grand Prix, Avalanche, River Caves, and Steeple Chase are a good move. Whilst yes, these rides are great to look at. I feel like something more suitable could be put in their places. River Caves for instance, they could do so many things with that plot of land. If you removed the trough, you could place a dark ride system in its place. Its no secret that Grand Prix takes up a HUGE plot of land that could be replaced by something more marketable for the park moving forward (which I think it really needs).
I don't think the issues Blackpool Pleasure Beach are facing at the moment stem from "Old Rides". I think the main issues stem from a serious identity crisis, over inflated ticket prices, and very poor marketing. They have lost their way in my opinion, and have forgot who they are. They need to go back to being that special place with a one of a kind atmosphere (which again in my opinion I feel like they have lost over the past couple of years).
I stand by, and have always said that after Icon, they needed to continue to ride the hype that Icon built. They could have done this by implementing a multi-year development plan that included the removal of old rides, and installation of new ones. It would have shown that the park is willing to move with the times, instead of clinging on to the past.
But sadly, I feel like the Icon hype ship has sailed. And they need to work to build the image they made for themselves when Icon opened. I don't think a rebrand and new logo is the way to do that. Amandas constant stab at fans especially doesn't help.
Look at Alton Towers, and Bianca. It shows that new management can really change a park in a very short amount of time.
Bianca sits down with fans and guests alike, and really listens to their feedback. Bianca then tries new things based on that feedback, and if those new things don't work, she will try something else to combat issues with not only guest experience, but general park operations. This is something that Amanda really needs to start doing as well.
Very well said Bianca.. 😂😂😂
Geoffrey should have never left the park with her, she's made so many selfish and inept decisions that it's clear she doesn't really care enough for the park and it's fans. Geoffrey was a serious thrill-ride enthusiast himself and really cared about people's experience at the park. That reflected on how hugely popular the place was under his ownership. But her decision to charge people on entry, close at night and nearly abandon the thought of innovating new big attractions have stripped the place of it's heart and soul. If you grew up in the 90's and 00's you know this.
@@meangreenmachine616 I couldn't have put that better myself
They’ve got massive problems which don’t come from having older attractions BUT they also need to find a better balance between old and new.
One new coaster in 30 years is a problem.
yeah but "bianca" is a corporate mouth piece for an international multi billion pound leisure/entertainment company not a local, family owned business. shes paid 100k+ PA to make it look like she's trying something then backed up by corporate funds. if it works it doesnt if it does then it does and back to the board room for more. Not because she loves alton towers, because she's paid to do so. BPB do not have the same resource nor the ability to gamble as much as a huge corporate entity like merlin. Not saying BPB cant improve, but in a way, its kinda like comparing your local travelling fairground to disney land. We cant compare, nor expect the same level of standard in everything the same as a multi national corporate. Can strive yes.....
I think it’s a balance, classic rides like big dipper & grand National are of course important to the park but there are plenty of older rides like revolution & infusion which are neither modern nor classic & I don’t think would be missed. I’d say keep the really old & really new & look at replacing the in between
Infusion is a great looking ride but very poor experience compared to Nemesis /Nemesis Inferno. Revolution is still fantastic & unique to uk
@@andrewbrazier9664Unique but falling apart
@@yourexperienceguide Sad to see, I'd completely refurb it if a was a multi millionaire & owned the park adding a passenger lift & enclosed park viewing area 👍
The woodies are the best rides. I have such a giggle on them, more than the new coasters.
I don’t ever want to see those removed but I think they need modernising
The grand national is very rough depending on where you sit but defiently the most thrilling of the woodies and as for the big dipper when its running fast its the best woody there, if they look after them but still add new rides like icon then there is a good variety for all people to enjoy whilst keeping blackpool pleasure beaches heritage.
Modernising the woodies, and replacing some of the steelies would definitely keep BPB relevant to all thrill seekers
Nickelodeon streak could really do with what other woodies have, and that's a computer driven so it can run more than one train since the queue for it is terrible.
@@Stuntingworks6969Six figure sums to put that kinda system in unfortunately
Bet its the same to run old grand national on 2 or more trains to aid the queue
The Grand National is my favourite coaster. A brute, and I love it!
Love it, but want to see it get a full refurb
That would be fantastic but sadly BPB probably don’t have the capital to do that?
Definitely agree with you! Keep the *most* iconic. Replace the *least* iconic. Is how I'd personally go about it.
For example, I don't mind seeing Rita removed from Alton Towers. Because it just doesn't compare to Nemesis... But I wouldn't wanna see Oblivion removed, because it's just as Iconic as Nemesis. (In my opinion)
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
When you go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach you know exactly what you are going for and what to expect. To ride the old classics and ride the somewhat newer rides. The big draw for me is the woodies regardless of their age. There are lots of rides that should be removed and replaced to keep the public interested but they MUST keep the woodies and maintain them. It's time to bin the Steeplechase, Revolution, Ice Blast and Avalanche but only when they have other new rides lined up to replace them and not before like they did with Wild Mouse.👍
Of course people know what to expect, but is that why the park isn’t able to pull in big crowds these days?
BPB had huge numbers in more often than not when they were building new rides fairly frequently.
@@yourexperienceguide I think it's a mixed bag on the reasons why they don't get the huge crowds. On one hand it could be the price structure and what you get for your money. Mostly old rides and the hours that the park is open. On the other hand, doing away with walk around pass for non-riders was a huge error of judgement. Speaking to my cousin yesterday who was at the Pleasure Beach over Easter, she said it was like visiting a museum with all the old rides. BPB needs a new attention grabbing ride soon to get the punters back through the gates. It all boils down to what the park can afford financially to stay relevant.
Although I love the new rides the old ones take me back to been a child back in the 80s I still think Blackpool pleasure beach is the best park in the UK that's just my opinion
That’s fair enough 😊
Mostly no, I think that's the lure that brings people in, but while saying that the steeplechase should go, so uncomfortable and jolty, but the big dipper and the national are pure nostalgia for a lot of people
I wish BPB was always rammed because I’d be happy to believe the classic coasters are still bringing people back
Pb is a classic park, thsts what i love about it, old and new, it makes it different, love the place
It gives it a special atmosphere but doesn’t seem to draw in the crowds.
Here's what I think they should do. Instead of tearing them down, just give them an upgrade.
Big Dipper's fine as it is, after all it's the most historic ride in the park. Nickelodeon Streak & Grand National could use a bit of Gravity Group's new pre-cut track, Grand National in particular, or, they could even redo Streak and give it the Tonnerre 2 Zeus treatment and re-profile the ride, make it like their family wooden coasters like Kentucky Flyer or Wood Express, that would be cool. Infusion is in need of those next-gen trains that Vekoma have retro-fitted on some of their SLCs, it would improve its re-ride factor a lot. As for Avalanche, I don't expect it to stick around for much longer.
So yeah, upgrade rather than replace, is what I'd say
I'd keep the woodies, but they would be modernised by the Gravity Group as we've seen with Megafobia. Grand National would be the one that gets reprofiled drops and corners, Dipper & Streak I'd leave their layouts alone but get them the retracking they need.
New station and operating systems for both the National and Streak so they can run on good capacity again.
Spot on. There are some great classics at PB that I would hate to see gone (the woodies, bar Grand National for the RMC😆, Flying Machines, River Caves and more.) But there are some less "old" and more outdated attractions that I wouldn't mind seeing removed (mainly just Steeplechase, etc.) PB should honour their history and legacy by keeping older rides that are still popular, but also do need something new, thrilling and modern to draw in the crowds 😃
Hi Scott I think your summary actually nails the situation. The old rides make this a nostalgic park to visit but the lack of investment and new coasters do no longer make it a must park to visit. There needs to be a balance and so much has been removed over the last 25 years and with only 2 major rides being added Valhalla and Icon they are falling behind Thorpe Park and Alton Towers and although some of the new rides they have invested in may not be as good they are driving footfall and creating an attraction for the younger generation which BPB has not done since the opening of Icon and attendance is showing this as an issue.
It's such a tough balancing act for them, but with their current pricing model and most other parks investing in new rides I don't really think BPB will be in non enthusiast's top 5 parks to visit this year or next.
They need to develop and add, biut they can keep the old rides too. Theres gong to be the development where the grand prix cars are, but they also remove attractions and leave the pace unused. The Wild Mouse space, the Trauma Towers area for exampe. Build new attractions where theres space.
They’ve a lot of unused space, but sadly a lot of rides coming to the end of their service life
Closing the wooden coasters and even modernising them in some extents would be tricky as they're all Grade II listed and would therefore need planning permission to alter anything
I’m well into my 30s but have only been into theme parks since Covid started, so it’s not nostalgia for me. I just find the historic rides fascinating and I think it makes BPB very unique in Europe. It’s always going to be a very avantgarde alternative to Alton Towers and I’m sure the Golden Ticket awards used to categorise seaside amusement parks separately. I just wish Pleasure Beach would make more of a song and dance about the older rides in terms of information telling you about them. I think Kennywood do it, from what I remember from vlogs but I might be wrong.
Kennywood do a great job of it, but they also throw everything at them to keep them enjoyable experiences.
Unfortunately since developing chronic back pain I can no longer ride the older more rickety rides but I still love to see them just from a nostalgia perspective. I'm sad to see river caves not working as that's a favourite that I can still ride and always do. Alice in wonderland is another I can still enjoy. I'd just like to see them freshly painted and well maintained because sometimes the older rides look a bit sad. I preferred the old style ticket book admission too because I can't ride alot and it also meant grandparents can enjoy watching without it being too expensive for them.
It'd be great to see all of the attractions freshly painted up, it gives the exterior view of something that IS being well maintained and well looked after. I'm not saying they're not anyway, but I know what they do over the winter where as others don't and will only need one look at the Grand National from Bond Street to think it has been permantely closed.
The lack of new rides draws more negativity towards the old Ones. They could get rid of a couple but do they have the budget to replace them. For the most part the older rides are an asset
I don’t think they do have the budget to be honest, probably still paying off icon and the Valhalla refurb.
@@colettemikaelson160Valhalla was a poor decision, should have been binned.
I would say that BPB lacks balance more than "too many old rides". I think part of the appeal of the park is its heritage, but when you look at the line up and see that its weighted towards pre-1980s ride models. I love the fact that it has its history on display, but I will always wonder WHY it needs 3 coasters from the 1920s-30s.
I definitely think that having a better blend of old and new would make the park a way better balance. I'd love to see Alice in Wonderland and River Caves get new scenes and a bit of modernising. I reckon Nash, Big Dipper and Nick Streak could get some modernisation too - I'd love to see the kids area relocated at the end of the Nickelodeon license to the Steeplechase location and drop in a new kids coaster. With that done, you could get Gravity Group to reimagine Roller Coaster/Steak, GCI could reprofile Nash to make it a little more thrilling and a bit less uncomfortable, and just tweak Big Dipper to make it feel less old. My bias does lie with Dipper to retain most of its heritage as that was my favourite out the 3.
With GP going you could ditch Revolution and Avalanche as I can't imagine they're efficient to run at their age and really give the park a boost with new rides and attractions as that's a HUGE space.
I have
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority, even if it means one is closed for a full season for a full retrack etc.
@yourexperienceguide oh yeah, they're iconic! As I say I wouldn't necessarily remove them, but a few tweaks to what I'd consider the main 2 (Dipper and Nash) wouldn't hurt - keep the essence of them but just give them some TLC. I'm not thinking going Hybrid (not that the terrain would allow for it anyway) but just make them ride a little bit more comfortably
Interesting video Scott , I will admit there are times i wonder if the heritage attractions hold the park back, they do make Blackpool unique . They won’t be going anywhere anytime soon as long as they are safe and serviceable .
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority. That’s how I’m seeing it anyway lol
BPB frankly seems like my kind of park. I love the history of a coaster almost as much as the experience. And the history of the rides there seem to be abundant, along with most of the rides seeming to provide a great ride experience as well (at least based on what I can gather from your videos, haven't been myself yet)
Thank you for watching and commenting 😊
To me the old rides make BPB, it's the sense of history that makes it such a varied and unique experience. A big problem in Blackpool in general is not preserving its history. Once that stuff is gone you'll never get it back. The old rides are why I want to return.
BPB have done a great job making use of the limited space (Icon was a feat and a half) and as mentioned there is room around the old Trauma Towers / Wild Mouse site for new ideas. They are getting a little too carried away demolishing classics
They contribute to why I revisit as often as I do, but with their current pricing model and most other parks investing in new rides I don't really think BPB will be in non enthusiast's top 5 parks to visit this year or next.
I'd say there is a decent mix of heritage and modern however there is a lot of heritage that has been removed that's iconic and a few that's not as iconic that's still there.
One example is the Log Flume which would be timeless and popular if operating in 2024. Other rides such as the Whip, the Monorail and Turtle Chase would still have some appeal as well. Wild Mouse also could've been saved with the right amount of money and work with it's footprint.
In terms of those that aren't as iconic in my view, I'd say things like Steeplechase, Revolution, Avalanche, Infusion, Ice Blast, the Alice ride, Impossible, Grand Prix, Eddie Stobart and possibly Wallace and Gromit. Some of which take up a lot of space for quite a few rides or coasters.
Some could be similar or like for like replacements such as Wallace and Gromit or Ice Blast however some could make way for modern rides.
I'd love to see it try building a modern Virginia Reel though much like Flying Turns at Knoebels. 😊
At least three rides at Blackpool have protected heritage status. So they legally can't be removed. The only reason they could get rid of the wild mouse is because there was so little original structure left that it could be considered a new ride. I kid you not.
Worryingly, you could make that argument for practically any old enough ride - especially at a seaside park like BPB where the structure is corroded so quickly by all the humidity and salt and constantly needs replacing. I wonder how much of the Big Dipper is actually from the original? Probably not much!
No roller coaster or ride should be listed IMO
For me BPB is great as i LOVE riding the old woodie coasters ect as after having 2 strokes at 48 and blood presuure issues (im now 54 this yr) i can't cope with the steel coasters and thier g forces like i could when i was younger so the woodies are great for me personaly as i can still ride a coaster ect ALSO the Grand National is my fave tbh and is now one of only two surviving wooden Möbius Loop roller coasters in the world so would be a shame to see that go ! the older rides make BPB unique as someone else mentioned not many left in the uk now even fun land in Margate has thier wooden coaster (partialy rebuilt after an arson attack) and i also understand that some of BPBs older rides such as the whip have been sent to funland at Margate as a heritage park but are still in storage there ect! Also the steeple chase i would hate to see go (another one of my faves to ride when its open!) ..yes its a rough ride ect BUT its the only one left in the world and it would be a shame to see that go too ...BPB has a reptation of preserving and keeping old rides running if they can NORMALY (although WHY they ever got rid of wild mouse i will never know as that was a classic too) AND ONE of my favorite rides at BPB still miss it to this day!
aND I TOTALY agree with what you say in the vid about the exagerated stories on social media ect ....iv rode many of the old rides at BPB multiple times in my 53 yrs and NOT once i have recived an injury ect ....Yes some are a bit rough ride wise but hey in the case of the grand national for example after 89 yrs this yr it is gonna be a bit rough round the edges ride wise even though its on the BPB mantenece shedule for every day OH and its grade 2 listed so cant see them getting rid of it anytime soon with its lisiting without a fight with english heritage unless they can prove its now dangerous to ride ect ( which it aint!) .....folks should be enjoying these old rides BPB has for now as not many left worldwide and once they have gone folks will be mouring them ( like the wild mouse) and looking back with nostalgia instead of complaining in the present! ...just my take on it Scott! 😉
Appreciate you commenting 😊
I’d keep all the woodies but modernise them with retracking work from The Gravity Group (without changing the trains).
Rev, Avalanche & Steeple I’ve no issue with them being replaced
This is just my idea, some of the well known coasters could be reimagined to do this could mean removing others If I was able to have control over things,I would reimagined the Big One keeping the icon seafront profile but extend it with maybe another lift hill and in doing so reclaiming the height record also drop tower bigger than the ice blast but in the same area ,redo the layout for Pb express including a full-time station dedicated to the hotels for entrance/exit of the park all day ,as mentioned by yourself rethemeing the River Caves and to sort all the niggles with Valhalla there are a lot more ideas I have but will leave it for another time
IMO The Big One just needs the retracking work done a bit quicker (more done over the winter), it’s some of the other rides that need removing or modernising.
It a weird hybrid of old rides, a few modern rides and the neck surgery simulator that is INfusion. I think Blackpool could do with becoming a heritage park to distance itself from Merlin and possibly Universal. Have it be nothing but old nostalgic rides. Retheme the streak etc back to their classic look and market Blackpool as a park of the past. Maybe rebuild the old Flume, allow walk around entry again and get the rides looking like they did 40 or 50 years ago. Coney Island doesn’t need to be Unique and Fresh and modern. Blackpool should bank on peoples memories and nostalgia of a bygone age.
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
A better entry setup is definitely needed too.
I think the old rides are what make bpb special but I do think that they may need some retracking done on them especially grand national,which will keep the old element of them but give the ride aspect a bit better
I'd like to see the Gravity Group retrack the Grand National in the same way they've done with Megafobia.
I'm originally from Blackpool and have always loved the Pleasure Beach. Have I seen it go downhill over the years, yes I have. But thys nothing to do with the ride line up. Just personal niggles.
We have to remember BPB is part of rollercoaster history, and always should be imo. They cant pull the woodies down because of grade listed status. But adjustments can be made to preserve the structure.
I agree with you Scott. Maintain the the woodies and or bring in GCI or TGG to modernise the layout or titan track the current layout.
Build a GCI Raptor at the old Wild Mouse site and make use of the plaza and surrounding area behind the arcade for the layout.
Get rid of Steeplechase and Avalanche, use the plots for new coasters. They could fit a custom S&S axis in there for sure or a giga of some description. They should even consider a polarcoaster to use less of a footprint yet get another height record. Soo many possibilities..
They need to be smart tho if they are gonna pull in more visitor's.
They also need to announce the new attrction soo thats to replace Grand Prix, coz they know what it is. Or at least confirm a new cosater or flat.bIt will start to garner interest in the project.
Regardless. BPB will always have a special place in my heart. So many fond memories.
Last time I went was just before the Big One retrack. It terrified me and rattled every bone in my body.. Flet very unsafe.
Has the retrack made much difference?
Grand National, Nick Streak and Big Dipper would never be made today due to "Health and Safety" namby pamby, hoity toity, wishy washy regulators.
Wild Mouse should never have been torn down. What a travesty!
Yes, we love Icon. Yes, Katie's bruises are now a wonderful shade of purple from Avalanche.
But we love BPB for what it is. A good mix of old and new.
In my opinion, health and safety in this country has become too strict and it needs to be post/campaign for it to be a lot less strict, and that’s why I founded a campaign group with the purpose of doing that.
Problem is Wild Mouse had terrible capacity, and that was taken into consideration
I love old rides, new ones just don't have the character even if they are technically superior.
That said, PB definately has too many spaces which are taken up by SBNO or knackered old structures, not to mention big areas that have sat empty for years following ride removals.
I think you’ve possibly hit the nail on the head, too many rides have ultimately been removed and not replaced over the last 20 years with hardly anything going in to balance that out. In other words more has left than gone in.
I don’t think people would complain about having too many old rides or complaints like that if there were more new stuff alongside them.
They’re silly business model with P1 price hardly ever being open in the dark these days and just poor marketing advertising. Their overall business strategy needs to over formed and go back to the business model that served them well for over a century or a hell of a lot closer to that model.
@@dougbriglmen716 Absolutely, PB aren't anywhere near their best currently.
So much valuable floor space is being wasted. the fountain area all the way up to behind Infusion food stalls could be ripped out and reused. The old arcade with the dome on next to Wallace could be used for something better. Iceblast looks terminal, and again should go. How long will Grand Prix be sitting there rotting away before something is done?
Not good.
@@jimmyp7928 I think it’s time for a new managing director and wipe the slate clean with a lot of the managers/people in the boardroom as well.
Having met and spoken to Morgan Thompson dippers hundred birthday last season. He honestly seem so much more like his grandfather in terms of really making not only the rides in the park the priority they’re also getting the park back to its glory days or at least a hell of a lot closer to that.
I get the feeling Amanda doesn’t really want to run the park herself anymore anyway, if her tone on her Twitter, comments are anything to go by, wonder how long it’ll be before she depth, and let someone else in the family start running it.
@@dougbriglmen716 Yes, changes are needed, Mandy is lacking the passion that is needed it would seem.
I don't want to be negative with PB as it's still my favourite park and I've had some great/amazing days out there. However, facts are facts and for the past couple of years I feel as if they are in a bit of a decline and I'd hate for anything to happen to the place.
Fingers crossed that something new is announced soon as they badly need it.
Exactly this (replying to main comment)
I completely understand the frustration at exaggerated stories and claims/ posts on social media, especially when it's posted just to get clicks, likes, or undeserved sympathy.
There are genuine stories and such of incidents that do happen and I feel for them because it's a shame... but for every one of those there's a thousand stories about "old rickety wooden coaster that's falling apart" or "rusty carnival ride" that is completely false, exaggerated, or worst of all, fault of the person doing something they shouldn't be doing.
Knoebels takes incredible care of their classic ride collection and like BP they are a target of such posts.
So id say no they don't have too many, it's something that sets them apart and part of history that should be preserved for generations. You said it best when talking about riding a coaster with your kid one day you rode with your dad and he rode with his. We got out to kennywood this past summer, and taking my father on a coaster he grew up riding and hadn't ridden in decades was such an awesome experience!
Great video as always.
Thank you for watching and commenting 🙏
I went with my friend last weekend it was my first time in 18+ years and his in 12+ he conquered his roller coaster fear with Revolution and ADORED icon (i also loved it) but I really enjoyed the Streak and Dipper along with the above mentioned rides, we loved the history and had a great time. He's wanting to go Alton next. Loved BPB will go again 100% this season. (Valhalla was my favourite)
Glad you had a good time
I think for the general public, PB is perfect. A mix of new and old. Maybe to an enthusiast, yes it does have too many and not a big mixture.
For me, they almost have the perfect blend but I don’t believe the GP see it like that. It’s dead 99% of the time.
I think they do. The old rides do not have the same nostalgia as it does for thoosies or us older riders. I would even say remove the big one and replace with a B&M giga or an intermin mega (controversial, I know). I would keep some of the old rides but if they want to compete with Merlin they need to up the quality of the ride offerings
In an ideal world, they’d innovate & RMC the Big One - but that’ll never happen. They are replacing bits of the track but does that really improve the experience?
Absolutely no chance of removing the Big One, more chance of the park completely closing down IMO.
I have no issue with rides like Steeplechase, Avalanche etc being replaced.
@@larazzomarkieIt’s about maintaining its safety above all
@@yourexperienceguide good point. Kind of highlights a difference between Nemesis’ recent revamp - a mixture of safety & consideration of the experience as well. Could throw in The Wave for comparison too
@@yourexperienceguide I would also keep the big one but space is an issue. If they want to reclaim tallest in the uk, that space would provide an amazing giga coaster space. I can’t see them having budget for something like that. I would certainly remove steeplechase, Avalanche, revolution along with the grand prix and replace ice blast with an intermin drop tower
I'd rather refurbish Avalanche and then remove Steeplechase as that is really low capacity, not very popular and takes up a huge footprint within the park where you fit 2-3 other attractions if the space was used wisely...
I’d remove both and the Rev 🫣
The old rides are special - I think working to keep them in good condition and as comfortable as possible whilst also investing in new attractions where possible is the way forward. I'm not sure I'd be as interested in PB without the nostalgia of those rides (I'm still upset about Wild Mouse) and while I think the park entry is a lot atm (it's £43 online for the day I'm going), I'd rather pay and have the mix of old and new than pay that for a bunch of new coasters I don't really care about.
“Ice blast, or PlayStation” hahahah your not letting that one go 😂 makes me laugh every time
it's IceblastER
@@xsm5525 ???
@@xsm5525 ???
I need to get it out of my head now lol
A lot of the older rides at Blackpool are vintage and classics. I think that’s what makes Blackpool pleasure beach stand out from all the modern parks in the uk like towers and Thorpe. The woodies are classics, yes they could do with abit more work to smooth it out but not remove that classic rumble. I think there are quite a few modern rides like; icon, Valhalla, sky force and quite a few modern ones in the Nickelodeon land. Plus I’d say some of the old steel coaster are classics to. I love revolution still a great ride to this day forceful and fun. Big one is iconic I could never imagine the park without it. Thought I do agree abit when it comes to the outdated rides like steeple chase, infusion and even avalanche. I still think there still some room though to add new rides without removing some old ones like the former wild mouse area. So overall I think it should be a mixture of both.
I agree with you but I think the bigger perception of BPB is they don’t have many new/modern rides, so people go elsewhere. Pricing structure doesn’t help them.
Yes simple answer. They need to have a massive rethink if they're going to keep up. It looks tired and old.
There’s a lot that needs to change for them to compete with Merlin
This is a great video in dealing with a very difficult subject to come to a definitive answer. I have a lot of respect for the park because they have maintained and preserved some of the oldest rides in the UK where other parks would have replaced them. I also appreciate that Icon was an awesome addition to the park and added a newer and more reliable ride offering. This is where my views become harder to conclude. The park could do with some newer rides and for that to happen some older rides might need to be replaced. I am ok with Grand Prix and Avalanche going, but Please don't get rid of Revolution -This ride is incredible - it's the same age as me and it still packs a punch and is quite unique.
Now the other question is can the park justify the ticket price for a park that is not a the level of Thorpe Park or Alton Towers? I think the number of guests has declined recently from what I am hearing and if that is the case then is it the high ticket cost or the lack of newer rides?
Speaking to a premier taxi driver was saying rent is 500 a week plus 20p of eveeyjob plus fuel like 600 a week before make anything no wonder they work 90hours a week for less than minimum wage
👍
In the case of the wild mouse, it wasn’t the exaggerated stories, it was this one selfish, idiotic woman who ruled the ride with her son and her son, and did the seatbelt for some reason and almost came out, and then she made a big song and dance about it on TripAdvisor, as a result, they couldn’t get insurance for it after that incident and that’s what killed it. It wasn’t the exaggerated rubbish online but mainly that one incident.
Everything was considered though Doug, not just that.
@@yourexperienceguide but I also know they were trying like hell to keep the mouse, hence the magnetic brakes on the final break run, and whilst it was shot after the incident, they added an extra seatbelt to each car, so it’s clear that they didn’t want to lose the ride, but in the end it was out of their control, and that’s the one thing that take some of the sting out of losing it.
in any case, let’s hope pleasure beach do something to secure the national future, like you said re-tracking the whole thing, possibly changing the trains as well, as that would make a big difference.
@@dougbriglmen716Not denying they tried, look at all the new stuff that was listed as Wild Mouse retired ride parts in 2018 😢
Too many old rides? Yes.
Is that a bad thing? Yes and no.
It's good to have classic rides, but just how long do we leave them before it's too late. Very difficult for engineers to stay on top.
The general public are pretty bored of doing the same rides for the last 30 years.I know this because it's pretty local to me and know how people feel about it. Newer rides will always and generally bring in a crowd, both new and old customers. Needed more investments like Icon to thrive.
They definitely need to start shifting some stuff on and getting new attractions in that’ll draw the crowds back in
Interesting debate this one. For me, it is memories, childhood memories, when The Whip was there, my mum passed last year, and only rides she went on were ,log flume, gold mine, river caves.. I still have my photo taken at the date bench at Alice at 50 years of age (and now I love having a sit down ride hahaha). Imagine though when your boy is all grown up, am sure he will say.."I remember that time I went on ICON..but it's abit old now lol. x"
I have so many photos over the decades of me on the Alice bench. love it. I have memories of going on log flume, grand national and revolution with my dad who has now passed away. I enjoy walking around with my own children now and sharing the same experience with them.
@@COLINHILLSWIMS evening.got goosebumps reading this x totally get you. Remember the water chute?
It’s always great to have the memories 🙏
yes and no. i think they should made some of them smoother and more modern, but also the roughness is apart of the BLACKPOOL pleasure beach experience!!
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
Grand National should have the Megafobia treatment from the Gravity Group though.
On the subject of Steeplechase, I know I keep bringing this up over and over and over again here and other places, but I think it’s an important point.
Nick Thompson went out of his way to help SNS develop the modern version of the Steeplechase.
No to my mind, why would they do that if there wasn’t some kind of ulterior motive, i.e. backup plans in place, just in case something happened to the existing steeplechase, so they could either upgrade completely to the modern version, or change the horses, and possibly the track if needed, I can’t see any other reason why Nick would go to the trouble of doing that, if there wasn’t something to be gained directly from it.
Plus it’s apparently one of Amanda‘s favourites!
Sorry to be the one to tell you Doug, but they’ve literally looked at replacing it in recent years to the point where an official document with a proposed replacement is out there. Unlikely now with them replacing the Grand Prix, but it won’t last forever.
@@yourexperienceguide yeah, but that just doesn’t make any sense Scott, why would they encourage S&S to make the model one if they weren’t wanting something directly out of it?
Having spoken to someone else, apparently it was an S&S axis coaster.
I hope they changed their mind though, steeplechase going for me would be in the arse well and truly torn out of Pleasure Beach for me, to the point where they may as well just fill the park on if they’re gonna do something like that.
@@yourexperienceguide when were they looking at this replacement axis coaster?
Was it before 2017 or was it in the last three years or earlier?
Great vid I agree yes and no- I do think grand prix side of the park could be an amazing 5-10 year project if avalanche and rev go. Also grand national needs full retrack and as unpopular as this rmc it have a duel coaster it would be first rmc in country and would be unique as there is not a famous dueling coaster in UK. Can I also add could we not do Away with all arcades/ bowling to generate even more space. They are always empty when i go.
The arcades etc have been empty as long as I can remember. If people want arcades they’ll go on the prom. the big arcade at the front of the park as been gutted, don’t know what they are doing with it.
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
Grand National should have the Megafobia treatment from the Gravity Group though.
I can see the argument from both sides, but there is an assumption that it is deliberate decisions that have arrived where we are. The difficulty is to have new rides requires three commodities, money, space and time all of which BPB dont seem to have. What would be interesting is to design improvements to bpb within their current restrictions against what it would look like if time could stand still to remove/replace rides without affecting operations and with merlins financial resources
They definitely have space, they’ve removed so many attractions over the last 20 years and have so many unused buildings.
Sadly they don’t seem to have the ambition to do anything with the space.
I go back to early 80s Thorpe Park, with the farm and the water skiing, I guess where I was coming from is if they want to put a new ride in or change the theming of an area, it can be closed off and worked on 24/7, and it has developed over time in that fashion, whereas if grand prix is to be replaced, the interactions with other rides limits the work being done to out of season. But it does start to feel that the reliance on older rides when you factor in the problems that bpb have had this season so far needs to be addressed.
I love the old rides, they should never have gotten rid of the monster or the virginia reel.
I've heard river caves sprung a leak, don't have any details though
Yes, I’ve heard that as well, which would certainly explain why it shut after the opening weekend.
Also heard this too 😢
I'd rather see the back of The Big One before Thompson takes her axe to another classic ride. Bring back the Goldmine, Tom Sawyer Raft Ride, Cable Cars, MAD Mouse, Log Flume, Sky Ride, even The Whip and dual big wheels complete with Mr Funshine at the crank. This is just me showing my age guys, but every classic ride that goes is just a bit raw. I miss a mid 80's Pleasure Beach.
I miss the whip 😂
I bet! Lol.
Why would they remove their signature attraction? What would that achieve?
The answer for me at least is NO! Not at all, I love the oldies, BUT they don’t have enough modern rides
I think it’s definitely important for the park to keep classics, although maybe they need to add some new rides too. I think the park needs to look at what parks like Kenny Wood and Tivoli Gardens do.
Lol. Right now I'm trying to reconstruct Blackpool pleasure beach on planet coaster 😂 old rides make Blackpool tbh but maybe time for change bring in a new era
Good luck 😅
i feel it is weird that some people there are complaining saying that those old coasters are not safe, for where i am from with my home park kennywood that has very historic and old coasters of there own to the best of my knowledge doesn't get these ridiculous claims at least not as much anyways and the oldest of there 3 classic woodies the Jack Rabbit has just a seat belt for its restraints because its lap bars don't move, and with that insane ejector air time its a crazy experience, but as far as my knowledge goes no one here thinks its unsafe in fact expeialy the more nostalgic ones like the older rides better than the new ones, so to me its weird to see this change between the two places with old historic, classic rides and attractions.
BPB and Kennywood are very similar
I have the opposite view, i think they have removed far too many classic rides such as Turtle Chase, Wild Mouse and The Whip.
Yes they have got too many old rides, the nostalgia is good but it doesn't bring in new crowds like you said, my opinion would be to get rid of grand national for something like FLY at Phantasialand (or RMC it)
get rid of infusion for a more modern invert or Wing coaster, ice blast replace with a new shot/drop tower
Rev is a hard one as it takes up such a small footprint 🤔
Steeplechase is unique but takes up a huge area, maybe replace with something like an Intamin multi dimension.
River caves modernize.
Obviously keep Icon.
Keep Dipper and nick streak. keep Avalanche as it's unique to the UK.
Keep the big one.
Valhalla could do with being less of a soaker.
This is all my opinion only, and also playing om sandbox mode with unlimited funds 😅
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
Grand National should have the Megafobia treatment from the Gravity Group though.
They wouldn't be a problem if they weren't so samey, whilst I understand some people's views that it keeps PB Charming and different from other UK even world parks, it needs far more variety, Wooden coasters are great but do you really need 4, run down, uncomfortable pretty much same layout woodies in the same place, for me it's a no, 90% of the other main theme parks are getting new and better rides yearly, PB have to move with the times at some point imo.
Great discussion Scott. Just got back from RCCGB Blackpool Bash weekend, and we had Andy Hygate stating that Ice Blast will open later this year and that Grand Prix will have one final run with a special day. I haven't been to BPB for over 25 years (yes l am that old!!!) Our ERT's on Grand National and Big Dipper were great fun but l can understand why current park goers feel that they are dangerous. Our amusement ride culture has changed so much but it's not viable to have every park with all new rides. Parks need to keep some the most old popular rides going as long as they can with refurbs etc. Talking about Revolution, which I have a soft spot for - it was the first inverting ride l ever went on - every time the train left and returned to the station the whole construction moved in a very alarming way and there are no air gates! But....l love BPB because of the nostalgia as l am sure many others do, it does annoy me when the current trend is to lambast the old stuff! The 2 days we were there unfortunately it was too windy for Big One to run but everything else was going brilliantly, ride ops were spot on, staff were lovely, and all l could hear was the wonderful sound of joyous screaming! At 65 years old l am just happy to ride anything and everything....having never ridden an inverting coaster with the new lap bar restraints l was blown away by Icon....what a ride!!!! Got soaked on Valhalla and DID NOT get a headache from Infusion😂l loved every minute and although got lots of bruises from the Nash l have to say airtime-wise it's SUCH FUN!!! Thanks again Scott for fighting BPB's corner, you ain't alone bud!😊
Thank you and sounds like you’ve had an excellent weekend
When you're complaining about certain rides being closed at the pleasure beach you do have to remember that 1. Some of these rides manufacturers don't exist any more. And if some part that's been reliable for the rides life suddenly breaks it can be hard to find a solution quickly.
Secondly, the park is located in a terrible environment for rides. The effect of corrosion on these things is crazy being so close to the sea.
Like ice blast being down. You can't see any changes and they haven't announced when it's opening probably because that is completely out of their hands and reliant on S&S to get something sorted.
A lot of time with these companies the lead times for manufacturing parts can be extensive. It could be a third party company that S&S sources parts from for example.
A lot of these gripes are really out of the parks hands.
And those old rides are the reason I go
Literally wasn’t complaining, but one of the closed rides is serviced by the manufacturer every year and the other one has been maintained in house for a long time 🤔
Tbf, I can believe getting whiplash on the Grand National 😂😂😂
I feel very strongly that Blackpool doesn't have too many old rides. They simply don't have the budget and potential to compete with modern theme parks if they went in that direction. It's not what they are and I find the parks distancing from that completely and utterly exasperating. If it's a case that the public just doesn't want old rides, then PB has a pretty bleak future IMO. Though I'm not sure that is the case because, as you say, it's the novelty of taking your kids on your first ride etc.
Commented earlier on in the video, I think you've made some points on Revolution and Avalanche which could give a good area for some modernised attraction.
Though personally I'd hate to lose avalanche
I doubt you will see this now as it's a month-old video but why not? I personally live too far away from Blackpool otherwise id like to visit it for its classic attractions as I have an interest in theme park engineering. I also appreciate the charm associated with older attractions that I have not only seen through your videos but also others as well as the historical significance of these rides.
As I said I have no nostalgia towards the rides but river caves deserve a full restoration, a bit like Valhalla did. One thing that must remain for me is the ride's name and the tunnel of love sign out of the entrance as that is significant to the period it opened in and still love is a key theme amongst Generation Z so still fits in with contemporary audiences. River Caves deserves another chance and a chance to make a deep story-based attraction.
10:30 , I hate Avalanche ! ( But I don’t hate it as much as Grand National) !
I don’t hate either but this is my point really, the wider audience aren’t interested in nostalgic rides.
I love Big Dipper though!
I have never been to BPB but If you do want the park to keep their old rides, remember that Big Dipper, Grand National and Blue Flyer are listed and they legally can't remove them
They can be permanently closed though
@6:42 kind of sums things up from my perspective. For whatever reason, BPB hasn't been consistently investing in the park. Here's another way to look at it, fantasy land I grant you but stick with me. I'm a billionaire. I buy the park. I couldn't care less about the age of any ride, its history etc. I close the park. I flatten it. Every ride, every single ride gone. I keep it closed for two whole seasons and implement a plan to completely remodel the park, introducing a mix of modern white-knuckle, thrill, family and kiddy rides. Huge marketing campaign ahead of reopening the park for the third season into my ownership. Do you really think the majority of the general public (not fanboys/girls) could care less about the old rides going to an extent that they would stay away? I seriously doubt it. Sure some will recall the rides with fond memories and if visiting with kids might say 'pity it's not here for you to ride.' However in the main, I'd strongly suggest the high majority would love the newly imagined park, the new rides etc and being thrown around on 'the old classics' would soon be forgotten about. Remember I'm referring to the general public, not hardcore park enthusiasts. So in summary my answer to your question is ... YES :)
Good thing you mention being a billionaire and would therefore be above the law. It makes the story believable. If you weren't you'd get more than a slap on the wrist for destroying three grade II listed buildings which is a fairly major heritage crime lmao.
@@chrissy9997 The gist of my point is the average punter couldn't care less, about rides, about buildings, history, any of it. e.g. if the Big One (actually insert any ride here) was removed and replaced with something deemed 'better' by the general public, how many tears would they shed for the Big One? Not many is the answer. The public are fickle. BPB doesn't have an overarching theme that the public expect to be preserved. As has been pointed out, it's an amusement park. Rip out the old, slap in the new, and if the public is happy it becomes a case of 'what old rides???'
@@chrissy9997Fantasy Island don’t have listed attractions do they?
I think you’re spot on tbf
@@yourexperienceguide I thought they meant Blackpool? Words blend together a bit when it's all together to me so I might have misread something.
it was [is] looking tired but some people like the old rides it reminds them of childhood etc i love the river caves even though let be fair it's naff as are many other rides the steeplechase to name one.
River Caves is in need of a complete refurb with new scenes
For me I like a good old coaster, but some of those coasters are just not getting enough attention by the park, which i do understand cuz otherwise it would be too expensive, but at the same time the state rides like avalanche and revolution are in is slightly worrying to say the least. So my conclusion: i would keep a few old rides like big dipper and replace the rest with modern rides. The old rides that do stay i think they should put alot of effort into so they can stay pleasing for many years to come
BPB is great. The old rides make it unique. I attend almost yearly just to ride the Big Dipper, Grand, Grand National, Rollercoaster (Nik streak) and the snake. I miss the old wooden wild mouse.
Big Dipper can’t be legally demolished. Same for Grand National 😢😢 !
They can't be as they are grade 2 listed
I hate Grand National . Like my comment if you do too !
Nope, but they can be closed forever.
Noah’s Ark is the prime example here.
No the old rides makes Blackpool pleasure beach they need more wooden coasters they also need to get as many pictures of Virginia reel as possible and build a modern version where grand Prix is and bring back the log flume take down space invader put new family coaster there
Would this get BPB’s attendance figures up or be nostalgic fan service? 😅
For the general population id say yes, but it makes the park unique. However i think their next coaster has to do something big that puts the park back on the map like the big one. Great video as always 👍
Thank you
I lean towards yes, but more on the steel coasters. There’s not a steel coaster I wouldn’t be happy to see replaced. Woodies retracked would be great though.
I'd keep the woodies, but they would be modernised by the Gravity Group as we've seen with Megafobia.
Avalanche, Rev, Steeple, they'd all go and be replaced with new coasters
I think yes, but only because it is holding them back. They don't have the room to develop and never will, their footprint is what it is. I think Avalanche, Revolution, Steeplechase could all be removed which would give them a good amount of space to build maybe 2/3 decent modern rides. Rides like the big dipper, grand national, nickelodeon streak were designed to take up little room with their layouts and not much would be gained from taking them out, plus it wouldn't be BPB without them.
They have room for redevelopment but they never seem to use it, and we were told about 10 years ago on an event that they'd likely go down the route of "one in, one out" when it comes to new coasters.
For me its a balance, some of the older stuff is great and good for the park, you will always get people 'exaggerating' about certain older attractions if I take Nick Streak I used to love it as a kid and now my 8 year old loves it too. by they way, she's never almost come out of it 😉 Things like Revolution are probably costing the park a lot, and could cost much more, so I think it's days are numbered if I'm honest. River Caves, we went opening weekend and the following and it was closed even the week after so it's not like it was open for a couple of weeks, two days essentially. Avalanche was on two trains the opening weekend, but I've been 4 times so far this season and it's been on one train every time since. I agree, and I'd put myself in this camp, is it's always nice to have new stuff (and it's likely things are coming) but I think the older stuff does add a bit of variety and character
Thank you for commenting, I am looking forward to my son (nearly 6) getting on some of the BPB wooden coasters
I like the old rides but they are becoming unbearable to ride. Far too rough and uncomfortable one and done these days if I go to BPB, which is become less often these days.
I’d like to see the wooden coasters retracked by the Gravity Group.
Other than Big One & ICON, I’m happy to see all the steelies replaced.
Hey there,
Just wanted to throw my opinion out there, and i fully respect your views and everyone else's, as everybody's experience will differ through what you like + memories etc, i enjoy a good debate and conversation regarding theme parks.
My personal opinion on the matter is that there are several too many older rides in the park. I feel to protect its heritage & past memories, they should always keep a few of the older rides. My opinion would be to always keep The Big Dipper & The Big One. I'd happily see the rest go, and for the park to move forward with modern attractions & better rollercoasters.
I've not been to BPB since before Icon opened. I'm somewhat put off really with ride choice & i feel like the park is quite run down compared to others (just my opinion, others my get different vibes from it, and i totally understand the nostalgic angle if you have older experiences of the park).
For me, I have a very busy work life and with a new child my home life is manic too, so i don't get to theme parks anywhere as much as i would like due to time constraints. But when i do get chances to go, i'd always prioritise Alton Towers, Chessington & Thorpe Park over BPB. So it's a little way down the list of me wanting to return due to the all round experience of the park.
I generally prefer the feeling and rides at those other parks i just named you see. I'd love there to be a lot of investment put into BPB to modernise it, make look much nicer as well as adding newer world class rides. I'd never elaborate being thrown out of a ride, as that's just crazy haha, but i did find a lot of the rides at BPB quite rough and painful for myself. Just a few examples was Grand National, Big Dipper, Infusion. From memory, i felt pain on all of those rides which again did put me off somewhat. But on the same argument, i can't do The Smiler at Alton Towers (well i can do that once a year, but that's it) as i always find that painful, and feel ill/horrible whenever i come off it. And that's a coaster that a lot of people say is the best in the UK, and for me it wouldn't make my top 10 UK coasters due to my own experience.
But like i said i totally understand where some people come from regards to nostalgia and the heritage of the park, it just doesn't do it for me, and i guess a lot of people would share my opinion too.
Love your videos mate, and insights into theme parks.
Another way of asking the question - do Blackpool pleasure beach have enough modern rides with great theming? There’s nothing wrong with having some of the rides that you have defended, they are historic and the points you make are great, but they don’t have a huge amount of new modern rides and you have to strike that balance if you are going to draw the masses, this is also set against peoples perception of Blackpool over the last 20 to 30 years as a place that is no longer anywhere near as attractive as it would’ve been even in the 1980s. Yes it will still get a lot of people going there but we all know, the people running the pleasure beech are not in your own view not doing a brilliant job and not optimising the place.
when we talk about Alton Towers that is a completely different type of place to Blackpool pleasure Beach, when was 14 it was blatantly obvious that Alton Towers was going to be by far and away the best theme park in this country for the foreseeable future and that places like pleasure beach were only going to go downhill, that was a point made the year the big one opened and this year unfortunately that’s become painfully apparent. Alton Towers will get away with a tremendous amount, you only have to look at rides like Rita but the issue is it’s at Alton Towers which is a magical place.
Blackpool pleasure Beach needs to be the best It can possibly be to start with and at the current time that is not happening. there is a tremendous amount that could be done there which would vastly improve and increase attendance along with public perception.
They don’t need theming, they’re an amusement park but they could do with finding a better balance between old and new.
Great video Scott. I think we are on the brink of another record breaking rollercoaster, if they do remove these rides. After investing in another hotel which is really nice, I think they need a new record breaker in height.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach was established in 1896, the first ride the Flying Machines and Alton Towers in 1980, the first ride was the yellow painted Corkscrew that is not here today. By the 1920s at BPB came the Reel and Big Dipper, ultra modern at the time followed in the 1930s by the Grand National and Fun House. The 1950s'60s Wild Mouse, Derby Racer, Cable Cars, Monorail and Log Flume. The Revolution in 1979 and Big One in 1994. I like the old fashioned rides that are the history of the park some that are not there today and used to enjoy all day in my stockingfeet at the Fun House before it burned down. But like the modern rides like the Big One.
I mentioned about BPB opening in the 1800s 😉
Thank you for watching and commenting
Nash needs a full reno with titan track or equivilent. The enthusiast fan base love it, but its horrible to ride. Whiplash storys don’t surprise me at all, it feels like It need a disclaimer before riding 😅
It has a disclaimer board at the entrance 😉
You’re too fast for me ;)
A nicely balanced video. You guys probably already know I agree with the amusement park debate lol I do think people judge the older rides by modern standards which isn't fair. I really do hope they are doing the much needed work on river caves as it's needed some tlc for a while. We'll be sad to see avalanch go when the time comes. Definitely think revolution has come to the end of it's life.
They need to find a balance again I think between old and new. Get Dora gone for a start, it looked so neglected at season opening. In fact imo they need to get rid of the whole nick IP, I've never been a fan of it. They absolutely need to get in the habit of planning maintenance properly and planning ahead for ride replacements etc. there are quite a few coming towards the end at the same time, imagine how crippling that would be for business. They will never get away with trying to be a theme park, they just don't have the space or infrastructure and a few stilt walkers and glow bots really isn't enough to warrant the resort moniker.
👏 👏
love the videos
Thank you 🙏
All of the following rides should stay in my opinion.
Flying machines
Derby racer.
Ghost train
River Caves.
Alice
Grand National
Big dipper.
Nick streak
Blue flyer.
Gallopers
Steeplechase.
Revolution
And obviously big one isn’t going to go anywhere that goes without saying.
Grand Prix is obviously going, which I don’t mind as long as they do actually replace it with something meaningful and not just more stage work/gardens nonsense.
Ice blast in sky Force provided they are replaced by new flat rides!
Same goes with avalanche, although I would like to see the station utilised for whatever coaster would replace it so I would still have the Alpine steaming but just a different type of coaster utilising the station.
I have no issue with replacing some of the steel coasters but keeping the woodies has to be a priority.
Grand National should have the Megafobia treatment from the Gravity Group though, it’d be great to see it with some reprofiling.
Ice Blast should be replaced with an Intamin Gyro, and Skyforce sold to the highest bidder.
The old rides make Blackpool Pleasure Beach what it is. It’s their unique selling point!
But are enough prople buying that usp? I think it is a weakening point rapidly.
Maybe so, but who’s visiting other than pass holders? 😮
Basically no Scott. It's the history unless you asking RMC most the roller coasters to be honest I'd be sorry to see rides go . Down the line yes the price is too high still thanks 4 sharing
It was just a curious subject to cover more than a definitive yes or no