How can Blackpool Pleasure Beach turn things around?

[@hozzer68]

I’m old enough to remember when you could just walk in free and walk round if you didn’t want to ride and play the arcades

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah a lot of people miss that 😔

[@dafyddthomas7299]

And me, just want to see the rides, have a drink, food, buy merch , same as Southport now charging everyone full ride ticket for £30 on day, £50 at blackpool, just driving customers and revenue away.

[@windyleecarr]

Used to go every year with my parents and brother back in the 70s & 80s. Me and my bro went on the rides, my dad would sometimes, but not very often, join us, mum never did as she was terrified of them. Entry was free to everyone and you could buy books of tickets for ride access. We wouldn't have visited at all if there was an extortionate blanket entrance fee like today.

[@jamies_vintagetoys8318]

Me too used to go in the evening have a walk around buy an Ice blast, food and some merch.

[@jasoncampbell293]

I stay here in Blackpool. We were always told that it was mainly due to anti social behaviour from young locals that would just go on to pass time, not spending and being anti social

[@yorkshirepudding6980]

As someone who has visited the park since the 1960's. I would love it to return so that you can look around , watch grandkids etc . I love all the rides but alot of people like to watch their kids /grandkids and not pay an entry fee. These people still spend on stalls , teas /coffees /food etc. I visit Blackpool regularly and would love to go on some of the rides but I begrudge paying the entry fee when some of my party don't go on the rides. Also Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the past used to stay open until late.

[@coaster_dad]

Two things they could easily remedy huh 🤷‍♂️

[@pimpingmybestway7155]

Totally agree. We are returning to Blackpool next month after rediscovering the 'charms' of a British seaside holiday last year. We swerved the PB last year as it would cost £66 for my parents in their mid 80's to walk the park with my daughter and I. We are swerving it again this year as it will still cost £66.

[@jillmorris2521]

I seen it over 70yrsrs light s an all 50s heyday 60s lights 70s kids to fun fair an beach 90s booses and decline 2010 shoddy buy to let 2020s Amazon blight ! Just as all other resorts but posh ones but worse lol

[@Nite-owl]

Lived in Blackpool for 40 years, it was always free to enter and you paid just for the rides that you wanted to go on. It was never quiet.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye lots of people saying the same. Doubt it will ever go free again but a cheaper option is definitely missing

[@danielstirling]

Remember when you could just pay £10 to ride the Pepsi max 😂

[@Nite-owl]

@@danielstirling I was fortunate enough to know someone that worked there and they got me free tickets when it had just been built, so I was amongst the 1st to ride it 😁

[@alancheatley4378]

Some will remember the book of tickets A,B,C,D rides, worked for us as kids.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah and bizarrely they still show on the boards in the park “this is a 4 token ride” 🤷‍♂️

[@jayneknight2675]

Yes I remember them

[@williammonaghan3724]

Oh yes...

[@scottsparky1]

This is how it was the last time I went. You bought a book of ticket. Just like it is on the piers

[@neiltonks4627]

I can’t help thinking they’ve misunderstood their audience. People generally don’t go to Blackpool in order to visit PB: they go there on holiday and may visit PB as part of that. There’s a big difference. And if you go on a family holiday you want to do things as a family, so if Grandma and Grandad can’t/won’t go on the rides you need to allow them to accompany the rest of the family without paying full price. If you don’t, chances are the whole family won’t visit.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah that’s the big difference. And as you say that’s not how the park seem to see it.

[@PaulJaYmes]

Seems to be a general problem in the world at the moment. * No-ones watching some expensive new TV show, it's the viewers' fault * People are voting this way rather than that way, it's the voters' fault * People aren't going to your shabby but expensive old theme park, it's their fault It's almost as if there's a load of people who think they're better than everyone else.....

[@Pure-Minty]

exactly we took our grandson and they charged us to come in. we avoid the park now altogether.

[@tormid100]

I have 6 grandchildren and I stopped taking them to The Pleasure Beach due to the entry fee. We stay at the Sheraton Hotel which is wonderful and without the usual fun day at the Pleasure Beach it just not the same.

[@the21stsergeant]

Spot on. It's all or nothing for them now, and the majority of the time it's going to be a nothing situation. People will go on the rides on Central Pier instead.

[@Twmpa]

Blackpool Pleasure Beach's biggest mistake was abandoning its roots as a seaside funfair in some sort of pretense that they are a competitor to the likes of Alton Towers. The big theme parks are all standalone attractions whereas the Pleasure Beach is part of the wider experience that is Blackpool as a whole. Most people tended to wander in as part of a general day out in Blackpool rather than a specific trip just for the Pleasure Beach. I used to love the place as a kid but I have never been in since they introduced the exorbitant admission fees.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye it’s definitely changed

[@kjo1849]

Blackpools a complete shit hole though theyve pivoted because the wider experience is of a shit rundown town.

[@mechelledinning5332]

I remember when i was younger in my 20's ( im 57 now) you could just walk around the park without paying anything i dont understand why anyone would want to pay admission just to walk round i wouldnt even consider that.

[@coaster_dad]

Seems everyone sees it apart from BPB

[@AlexRoseGames]

they could even just make it a fiver to walk around

[@seyerus]

In the early 2000{s you could still just walk in and pay for individual rides.

[@WoodyNWUK]

Used to love going to the Pleasure Beach when I was a kid. Just walk in from multiple entrances for free, and pay per ride, or get a book of tockets if that was your thing. Open until after dark and looked amazing at night. The smells of the hotdog and burger vans, and the sounds of excited kids. All gone now. We were in Southend this last week. Now, it's not comparable to the PB in size by any means, but the Adventure Island park on the seafront there is free to get in and walk around. And it was open until 10pm with half price bands after 5pm. It was heaving on Saturday. Rides were busy, and the cafes and stalls were doing a roaring trade. That "spur of the moment walk-in" is the market that a seaside funpark should be aiming for, not the book-ahead, make a special journey one. I remember the gates first being closed and it becoming a single entrance (before the charging started) and knew then it was the beginning of a downward slump. Here we are just over 20 years later and it seems I was right.

[@coaster_dad]

It’s kinda sad 😔 fingers crossed things change but I’m not holding my breath

[@jrsc01.]

Number one thing to do is to have it free entry again (even as a trial period, to see how popular it is again) it used to be open till midnight in the 90s too, which was great. but the park somehow has went backwards in making holidays memorable.

[@coaster_dad]

I can’t see any harm in trialling it as you said

[@justgaming2600]

agreed, but its more for security now more than anything else. good luck cutting about BPB when anyone and everyone can just waltz in the doors? have you seen the rest of the resort? have you been in Blackpool past 7pm once all the day trippers leave? have a wonder around if you are, and good luck with that......

[@harriethopper9981]

Great idea. Some of us just want to have a wander round it and stop for a coffee or an ice cream and watch the rides. I am too old for most of the rides, but would still like to go in.

[@AlexRoseGames]

@@justgaming2600 just make it free entry for adults, or children accompanied by an adult, and require teenagers to buy a full ride pass or come in with parents. if they're worried about loitering

[@masterknife8423]

I don't think there's any need for free entry to be brought back. A reasonably priced paid entry fee with a little discount on snacks thrown in sounds like a much better idea

[@John-pr2gw]

I used to visit the pleasure beach two or three times a year. Haven't been once since they started charging admission..

[@coaster_dad]

You’re not alone. Lots of people saying the same thing

[@purplesunflower8242]

Me neither pop in ride a few rides

[@Pure-Minty]

same here.

[@lancashireliberty7603]

The biggest problem at PB is not a ride it's Amanda!

[@coaster_dad]

she’s definitely not popular huh 🙈

[@aldorfc220]

Lol what's it with her

[@soundmangle]

It's almost like she's trying to bankrupt the park on purpose.

[@davidGPS95]

​@David-fj3mn How can a empty park be better than a busy park ? Non rider pass makes sense, pay £10 for non rider pass , they spend money on food and drink , buy merchandise, buy tickets for Hot Ice show , give them the option of paying for rides if they want using their mobile , Blackpool a tourist town is already struggling, if the Pleasure beach was to flattened and replaced with hotels that would be the final nail in the coffin, Blackpool would be finished.

[@ontrackrailfilms1652]

Spot on. She's so arrogant and the park started to go down hill as soon as she took over.

[@jeremyhinze2886]

The biggest problem with the Pleasure Beach is the management! They're either incredibly stubborn or just have no common sense. The fans of the park constantly tell them what the problems are and how to solve them, but they never change anything. Amanda seems to resent the fans and cannot take any criticism. It's silly, she should embrace the fans, listen to them constantly and use the criticism to improve things. When I was 10, I used to go on the Pleasure Beach everyday. Me and my friends used to hang around the arcades there and at South Pier and Lucky Star. Being able to walk on the Pleasure Beach was something we took for granted, but between us we would spend plenty of money every week on that park. We'd take rides, use the arcades, buy lunch. The number one priority is returning to free entry, I guarantee it will not only make the park busier, a percentage of those people will buy a pass for the day. It's just common sense, something the management seem to lack! Great video buddy

[@coaster_dad]

Thank you. Yeah it does seem everyone can see solutions yet nothing changes 🤷‍♂️

[@clareriley]

I think they have to many cooks in the kitchen. I don't even think amanda holds over 50% anymore does she.

[@oranda15]

Great comment about the stubbornness of the management. I used to defend Amanda. She was in a horrible position with the sudden death of her father but initially things were fine and the hotels are great. However, recently I feel we as fans are being treated a wee bit contemptuously with her statements and absolutely nothing is being done to resolve their obvious problems. (Yes, I have seen the limited time offer. Maybe trial it for walk ups as well?)

[@emaking6588]

most of the managers. directors.are young kids. with only ride experience. no common sense.and are yes people. scared of loosing there jobs. which are well paid and good perks. nick amandas brother. seems to have disapeared, and fiona has vanished, her sister. the place is open for offers, and turned many down.

[@Dave-bq6gy]

Free entry and pay per ride like it used to be back when it was at its most popular and busiest. It wasn't broken but they mended it anyway.

[@coaster_dad]

Everyone thinks the same

[@c.c.8841]

it did make a difference as before they changed other parks didn't exist. an option of a £2.00 non rider plus a 5 ride and PAYG scheme.

[@toastyjacks]

​@@coaster_dadFree entry is literally more expensive. If you go on the same ride multiple times, it'd cost a fortune if you had to pay every time. One entry fee allows you to stay all day and ride as many times as you like. Anyone who thinks the entry fee is 'greedy' is someone who won't take advantage of being able to ride as many times as you want, it's just selfish. So no, everyone does not 'think the same'.

[@watcherzero5256]

@@toastyjacks They price it based on expectation of how many times people will ride, they arent giving it away. Simple formula: Average guest stay in park divided by average queuing time equals expected number of rides they will use in a visit and price accordingly, e.g. hypothetically average queue time 30m, average stay in park 5 hours (some will stay longer, some shorter), equals an average of 10 rides per punter. I you think you need £3.50 per ride to recoup construction and maintenance costs and make a profit then set your standard ticket price as £35 and charge more on busy days = pure profit.

[@GEODUCK9]

​@@toastyjacks are you a bit thick? Free entry for non riders. Payg for someone who wants a few rides. Paid unlimited ride ticket for those who want lots.

[@helloagain3852]

Amanda is all out for squeezing people for as much as she can. £15 extra for Enzo, £50 for Grand Prix special on top of £50 entries, food and drink etc. She would be better going back and running hot ice rather than running the whole park into the ground. She could always remove the remaining rides she hasn’t already ruined and make a car park. Her gran and father would be turning in their graves if they know what she was doing. She needs to get in the real world.

[@coaster_dad]

It is damn expensive. Yeah the £50 for the final lap seems completely unjustified to me. To see some super cars, get another ride on Grand Prix and…..?

[@clareriley]

I'm still shocked at £50 for GP

[@coaster_dad]

@clareriley crazy huh!

[@clareriley]

You would think she would make it public event and maybe pay for the ride. I just don't understand. I'm even wondering on if someone's going to vlog it...

[@coaster_dad]

I can’t be there but I’m sure the bigger channels will be. So no doubt theme park worldwide, your experience guide and lift hills and thrills etc.

[@lozgabb]

Agree with bringing back the non rider pass. 8 of us visited Blackpool a couple of years ago and stayed near the Pleasure Beach but didn't go there as only three in the group wanted to go. With the price, nobody went and we visited the other Blackpool attractions instead. I can remember when you used to be able to walk in and buy ride tickets. We used to visit every time we went to Blackpool. What we also noticed was that the area around the Pleasure Beach seems to be a lot less busy than it used to be as well. As you say, Blackpool Pleasure Beach in that people visit Blackpool resort for more than just the theme park.

[@coaster_dad]

Yup

[@jonathonpotter1059]

It needs and overhaul of pricing, they need promos for quieter periods to get people into the park. New attractions are a must even if it's the odd flat ride. Bin off Hot ice and make it into a music venue all year round to bring in revenue. Finally have a clear 5-10 year plan like other parks do.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye offers would help for sure. It’s too expensive to rock up on the day.

[@561jeffkelly]

Excellent Vlog. I know this could be like a book. Am in my mid 50s and when younger loved theme parks ended up going to Florida 14 times and LA 5 times from 1995-2017. Recent years found Dubai and been there a few times. I can remember back in the early to mid 2000s Granada tv doing a programme on the Thompsons buying Southport Funfair and it showed how ruthless the Daughter was going to be. She was talking to the reporter and was hammering it home in that programme how they have bought Southport funfair and what they were going to do but again and again in that programme how it was competition to Blackpool. We all know what happened just after that programme they closed Southport Funfair and then in adverts for Blackpool how a brand new rollercoaster was coming to Blackpool and it just happened to be the old traumatizer coaster from Southport and then had to back track and explain it wasn’t brand new. Recently we came back to Blackpool after about 10 years cause our Granddaughter loves Strickly come dancing and we wanted to show her the tower dance room. We ended up going along to the Pleasure beach and found out out of 6 of us only me and a 8 year old granddaughter wanted to ride but as you stated was not going to pay near £300+ for 2 people to ride so walked away. There is also a big problem with the Stag and hens parties along the front and homeless. What was a good place to go has now a never return place for me and my family.

[@coaster_dad]

It’s sad how it’s changed over the years 😔

[@marineboy1964]

I used to love a walk around the pleasure beach at Blackpool, I'm old enough to remember the Wild Mouse and the Fun House , I have visited Blackpool a few times in the past and gone nowhere near the pleasure beach because of the entrance fee , it's sad really , and the wild mouse is still my favourite coaster a true white knuckle ride

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah the wild mouse is definitely missed although it was absolutely bonkers 😂

[@markleeming1786]

Yep I have been going to the PB for years, could pop in after work, if a few friends about, get a few tickets for the rides, get food and drink. I used to walk to my night shift and watch them testing out the Big One. Mum dad Aunt Uncle Sister Brother could look after the kids while we went on some rides. Then they changed it and I have not been back, We even stay in the Travelodge next to the park, I would like to take my good lady on Vanhalla for the laugh, but not at £50 each

[@nigeljames5622]

I used to work in the park and remember it being open regularly until 10pm and it was still packed with people at closing time

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah. Change times huh 😔

[@LindseyKinsella]

The opening hours were my biggest frustration. I was there with my son for a football competition, so were busy during the day. Being open later in the evening would have encouraged us to go more than the one morning we did.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah it’s frustrating when it shuts at 5 or 6 😔

[@flerfsoot]

From the forums I read, this video seems to agree with the general consensus among UK enthusiasts. We've all seen Mandy's behaviour and attitude over the years, from her early career at the park with the BBC documentary, to what she posts on Twitter now. I think that snippet from the podcast you mentioned was the straw that broke the camel's back for the good faith folks still had in her post-covid. Although, another point I would like to add, it seems now more than ever it would be easier to implement a Pay Per Ride system with the advent of contactless payments, no need for staff handling cash, just the turnstiles they already have in place which I'm sure could be retrofitted. Good videos as always, You're one of the few 'vlogging' personalities I enjoy watching!

[@coaster_dad]

Thank you so much for the kind words 🙏🏻

[@Mitjitsu]

They can't allow free entry to the park anymore because of what the police told BPB. Before you used to get rowdy football fans that would come to the park and cause a general nuisance with their drunken and disorderly behavior. That is especially bad when there's a lot of children around. I think maybe a system where you pay £10 to enter the park and then pay additional for any ride you want to go on could work.

[@watcherzero5256]

@@Mitjitsu £5-£10 cover charge giving you a couple of free rides and then you buy additional tickets, back to how it used to be in a way with only getting a couple of big tickets and needing to buy more. Problem I see is you then need extra staff selling and checking tickets beyond the existing. Maybe a PAYG system could work where you got a digital bracelet (and associated a payment card with it before entering) and were then charged for how many times it was used (stealth charging, people always spend more when they aren't directly handling cash due to the physical disassociation), possibly a maximum day spend cap could be in place to stop people spending crazy amounts.

[@jjthecat9692]

I remember years ago during a visit to Blackpool we jumped on a bus from the Tower end, got off at the Pleasure Beach, rode the Big One, did Pasage of Terror (or whatever its called) and jumped on the bus back down. The Pleasure Beach has neve struck me as a place I'd want to pay admission to spend an entire day.

[@coaster_dad]

Seems a lot of people agree

[@justgaming2600]

look, im in blackpool 3-4 times a year, travel from glasgow i normally stay for 3 days x 2 in the boulevard hotel and 2 x day trips. there prices have nearly doubled since 2019 for entry and the hotel has went up to. Lets consider this, and this is what BPB should be thinking also, easter weekend there for 3 days in blackpool , 3 nights in boulevard hotel, 1 day park tickets with fast passes as was late night riding was nearly 1k, hotel alone was over 700 quid!! if i include my petrol and other spending money i was basically nearly £14/1500 for 2 adults and a 13 yr old!!! yes i could have done it cheaper, but im doing what the park is enticing/wanting me to do, stay at their hotel and use their park, now i can afford it no probs, HOWEVER, regardless of what i earn, there is a sense of value =what you get, and im sorry, but £1500 for 3 days in blackpool is quite frankly disgusting and pushing it to say the least. its not Disneyland im going to. in actual fact i could go to florida for a fortnight for another 2k on top of what im paying, im basically paying a florida holiday ever year on my trips to blackpool and then they then wonder why footfall is down? I love the park, i love what they have done with the hotel, but im not going there soley just for that, BPB needs to remember that. I mean im at least £100+ in petrol alone before i have even arrived. Weather is another problem, why am i going to gamble that amount of expense on such random non plannable weather in blackpool? like all these factors really need to be considered by BPB. people dont just magically appear in blackpool, they have to get the train, car, it has to be planned, costed and the weather scoped out to the best it can be. If i include my petrol on easter trip i was £800 before i had even arrived at the resort, i got lucky with weather, other times i haven't, im lucky, i have the income to keep trying but a lot of folks dont.....

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I can relate. I’ve spent a fortune over the years. I do love BLVD but it needs a better tie in with the park. It’s kind of an after thought. I know they do some deal on certain days with park tickets but it’s not enough. Especially if they want to be a resort 🤷‍♂️

[@SimplyAustins]

I'm 45, I been going to Blackpool since before I can remember, every summer at least and often for a night or day trip through the year. "When I was a kid", it was completely open. You could just walk in, walk around and many people would spend their entire day there. It gave the place a "buzz" people everywhere happy and just looking around, buying ice-cream, rock, candyfloss, hotdogs, visiting the little shops, arcades, cafes and bars. Then they introduced the books of tickets. It wasn't too bad, but it meant you was limited to 2 or so big rides, hadfull of old but good ones and limitless rides nobody uses. This then put a time limit on it. You would visit the big one, pepsi max and a few others along the route and leave as what's the point as you couldn't even pay for a single ride again. Then the big bad thing happened. I taken my GF there to show her the delights. It was blocked off, as you stated you can't even go in the park without spending a week's rent. But I caved and paid as I dragged her there. I can only describe it as walking into an amazing nightclub... But it's Monday night. It looked the part, but without atmosphere it's like watching friends without the laughing track. Stopping people just spending the day there ruined that park. My solution, open it back up fully. Use the phone app as a PAYG. Maybe a deal for a bundle of rides, maybe extra to jump the none existent Ques like Disney. I love that park, but right now it's like seeing your gran on her death bed. Many of those rides was outdated even when I was a kid. It's time to get back to youth and a family friendly cheap day out.... That milks you with £10 trays of chips etc etc. Oh, and will someone change the Blackpool lights. Vira Ogden hasn't been on Coronation St for 30 years! People need a reason to be in Blackpool to get the foot fall

[@coaster_dad]

Aye it’s definitely a different experience nowadays

[@alansmith2197]

I live just over an hour from Blackpool. On 2nd August 2022 my mate from Essex came to visit and we decided to visit Blackpool for the day. I hadn't been in a few decades and this was my mates first visit. When we got there, it was absolutely dead. No-one on the beach and the Tower and Pleasure Beach both closed! We both agreed it was a dump, so carried on to the Lake District instead. I've got photos of my mate on an empty beach with the Tower in the background.

[@coaster_dad]

😔

[@Madmark50484]

I visited BPB back in 2000, they had a ticket system similar to Adventure Island in my home town Southend. You walked in and bought tickets for the rides. You could look around first and check out if there was something you wanted to do. Adventure Island is still booming and has had several new rides over the years.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah there are still examples of this working as you say. I’m curious if this would work in BP these days as a lot of people have mentioned it may attract some “undesirables” to the park. 😔

[@jameshollyoak8230]

When we go to Blackpool, it depends on the weather , there is no way we book in advance , it’s a case of look at the weather forecast, if it’s dry and maybe sunny , let’s go , also definitely the opening hours , stay open longer , doing the rides in the dark is amazing and adds a new fear

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I agree. But turning up on the day is not cheap 🙈

[@jameshollyoak8230]

Exactly that’s why we don’t go anymore

[@colinhigson3053]

You're bang on,I'll never go because of no none rider ticket,I love the PB,a deep place in my heart!

[@coaster_dad]

I really hope they bring it back 🤞

[@danlouislucy]

BPB did not have the trade when open on those friday evenings in September , park was a ghost town , but a reasonable price for those 4/5 hours and the non rider ticket could encourage more trade especially on illumination days etc

[@coaster_dad]

Aye they need to do something

[@shanepower3114]

Went last year as a big family group. Grandparents didn’t want to pay full price to enter the park and not do anything so unfortunately we all as a group didn’t go and went to the piers instead. Pleasure Beach need to rethink the non rider pass! Park is dying unfortunately.

[@coaster_dad]

100%. That’s a clear message from many in the comments 😔

[@johnrobertson8263]

Greed is killing it

[@Jonah-n9d]

Fascinating, I have not thought about the pleasure beach in 30 years, that was the last time I visited. I was brought up in Blackpool and in the mid / late 70s I worked on the Pleasure Beach weekends and school holidays. My Godfather (really!) had some concessions. Fun House and various arcades, rock stalls, fancy hats etc so I ended up doing all sorts of odd jobs in the Arcades and some of the rides - Grand National and Log Flume I remember plus helping with the Pony Rides they used to have, very popular with girls, I can't remember if that was actually the Pleasure Beach or Pontins just down the road. The place was always packed solid especially Lights weekends and I made a small fortune in the season for a kid. I am sad to see the decline of Blackpool, I moved overseas many years ago but I did not think the Pleasure Beach would ever be empty. You are correct, most of the business came from passing trade where you could just walk around and do whatever, charging an entrance fee will keep people out there are many other things to do in Blackpool. Anyway thanks you brought back a lot of memories, not your intention I know but still 8-)

[@coaster_dad]

I’m working on a series about the history of the park. Which I’m hoping to have out in a few weeks so hopefully that’ll bring back a few more memories for you 🙂

[@katashworth41]

Blackpool is hardly in a quiet village like Towers, opening later is a no brainer.

[@coaster_dad]

I’d love to see that!

[@minimaxi802]

I haven't been to Blackpool Pleasure Beach for years and not that interested now. Have fond memories of driving from Yorkshire for special Friday nights in December in the 1980s when there was late night operation of nearly all the rides from 8-10pm, but no Pepsi Big One then and at 10pm all the rides stopped and the Fun House opened all through the night for stockingfeet fun until 8.30am.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I do miss the later opening.

[@randompete2204]

I haven't been in the Pleasure Beach for years, since they put a gate fee on. It used to be free entry and pay per ride, and that seemed to work well because it was never quiet, and stayed open till late, 10pm every day and not just when the illuminations were on. It just isn't the same has a theme park. Last time I went PlayStation was a new ride.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye a lot of people saying the same thing. Who knows if they’ll bring it back but sounds like it would be popular

[@Stubwood_on_YT]

My advice for BPB would be to look to Liseberg in Sweden. I visited them last year and the park is miles better than Blackpool whilst still maintaining an amusement park atmosphere. Not only was the entry ticketing system rly efficient, but the park was rly well kept and there was a lot of interesting rides to go on. With Blackpool, I feel like their ride offering just hasn't changed (plus Icon's marketing was awful, so they didn't get as a big a return of investment), which means there's not as much of a buzz around the park to explore something new.

[@coaster_dad]

That would be interesting to see 🙂

[@ANDREWLEONARDSMITH]

So far no one has mentioned Dreamland in Margate which has had its own troubles over the years but since its reopening it has gone from strength to strength & is now the Uks no1 seaside Amusement park & its main attraction is the famous scenic railway (Which is actually Grade 2 Listed) & has the largest concentration of historic rides in the UK a few of which came from Blackpool Pleasure beach & are now more heavily used than they ever were in Blackpool! Has Madam Thompson never heard of Dreamland as This is the way to do it.

[@arthurperno292]

In an ideal world here's the first things I'd do to the park. 1. Give the Grand National an RMC conversion (similar to what Six Flags did with Twisted Colossus) 2. Use the space vacated by Grand Prix to build the UK's first single rail coaster (If you could somehow make it the world's tallest that would definitely make the headlines). 3. Completely overhaul and retheme River Caves into a world class dark ride with decent cutting edge effects. But I think the most important thing above all else is the change of management that you mentioned. Amanda obviously has no interest in theme parks (she's only ever interested in Hot Ice and the hotels). She also seems very stubborn and throws her toys out of the pram at the least little thing so she's unlikely to listen to anybody with any sense who tries to tell her how to best run the park. This park has been gradually going downhill ever since her dad (a true theme park enthusiast) passed away. If the rot isn't stopped soon then I fear there will be no going back. (I don't think south shore needs another Aldi or Tesco !!)

[@coaster_dad]

It’s definitely worrying to see. I like your ideas but as I said in the video I have no idea what kind of budget they can justify. So I think we’d be lucky to see one of the three suggestions come to fruition.

[@arthurperno292]

@@coaster_dad I agree. I think as long as the fourth idea came to fruition (change of management) everything else would start to fall into place.

[@edcola6671]

Grand National is a listed structure. Pretty sure an RMC is out of the question (unless they talk to Historic England really nicely) Big Dipper too. Neither can be removed or updated unless it’s strictly for restoration.

[@arthurperno292]

@@edcola6671 That's a shame and as there is no chance of Amanda Thompson asking really nicely for anything then it's out of the question😂

[@brianmcaleer3958]

don't think RMC on Nash is possible due to it being built on reclaimed land/ sand and the foundations aren't concreted in

[@Muswell]

I don't think they need a new attraction to encourage punters. They need to get the current operations up to scratch & tiptop so that the whole experience is really enjoyable.

[@coaster_dad]

That’s fair. A new attraction may get people there but if the ops are crap it won’t keep people coming back.

[@loftlegacy]

I remember when it was free entry and it was rough with gangs of lads causing trouble. What I do think they should bring back is the non-rider pass. I totally agree non-riders or someone pushing a pram is likely to spend money. We booked in advance, only by a couple of days keeping an eye of the weather, and thought it was good value. It was quiet when we went also and agree the ride closing time, 4pm in some cases, as being too early, plus the 11am opening time was a little too late. I remember night openings as a kid and thought it was magic. When we went the other week everything was working well except River Caves (when will that part arrive!). They have always staggered ride opening times though. I can see the Avalanche going as it seems down to one car and even though the park was quiet, it was a 30 minute queue (the second time we tried to ride it closed as some idiot dropped their phone on the track!). One of the classics could be RMCed and the National was running wonderfully rough recently! Ironically the Streak was running lovely and the best I’ve ever experienced. One thing they have upped their game is the staff and F&B. Gone of the surly Jack the lads operating the rides and are replaced by friendly and professional staff. Same with food & drink which was pretty affordable compared to other venues and attractions plus the quality was good. The park looked spotless too, so an excellent day all round. As for Amanda, she doesn’t have the avuncular charm of her father, but she’s got an attention to detail for the park’s look and you’ve got to respect her directness.

[@coaster_dad]

I’d love to see something get the RMC treatment. Not sure it will happen though.

[@dellowwarren]

I fully agree with you, I had a 2 day job across the road from pleasure beach which i ended my shift around 3. I wanted to just jump on a few rides but the cost was ridiculous for not even 3 hours of riding

[@coaster_dad]

Aye. Hopefully the cheaper passes come back 🤞

[@simonp7095]

The grand national is the only reason I get a season pass. It's the best ride there. Obviously if your not use to it, it could be a shock. Love it ❤

[@coaster_dad]

Aye that’s a boneshaker I’ve had some good rides on it and some shockers 😉

[@Zarglax]

Same I actually enjoy the rough ride you have to anticipate it.

[@simonp7095]

@@Zarglax once you know how to ride it, it's great fun.

[@CraigSparks_]

Lived here for 50+ years & it's been on a downward spiral for all that time. Interesting fact...the Fun House was in the way of the Big One being built. The Fun House mysteriously burned down then the Big One went up 🤔

[@coaster_dad]

Interesting. You wouldn’t think that would be in the way 🤔

[@CraigSparks_]

@@coaster_dad one of the large support columns for the ride had to go where the Fun House was. A real shame because the FH was my favourite place in the park. Many hours spent there as a kid.

[@sezziek1]

Love Skegness’s system at their Fantasy Island… you don’t pay to go around it.. you can get different grades of bands to ride for the day depending on height and day, or you can pay with a card which you ‘charge up’ with money and pay the individual ride price!! Very good 👍🏻

[@coaster_dad]

That would work

[@ANDREWJONES-je3jy]

went last October and pleasure beach was the worst place we went all week. three things really spoilt the day. 1 no picnics had to pay for a locker to put the lunch box in. 2. had to scan a ticket for every ride when everyone had to pay. 3. couldn't take photos of kids with characters. had to pay for their photos.

[@coaster_dad]

Yikes that’s not good 🙈

[@andyspruce7817]

Wow even disneyland paris are not removing food from guests on entry, was just their 3 days I had a bag of snacks for children in park, we also bought on site.

[@dannyseville2543]

Its been said the reason they put paid entry on the gate was (to paraphrase) keep the riffraff out. Its also keeping passing footfall out. Last time I went was when they had the gates but you could still get on site for free, needing a wristband for rides. A few of us used to go and park up at treasure island, spend a few hours wandering round the front, obligatory fish n chips with icecream but evne the chippe we went to closed down.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah time have changed huh 😔

[@BigGoucho]

I remember, as a kid, going to Blackpool two or three time a year and walking round the PB every night was a staple of that. PB have to understand that it's an attraction within the resort, not the resort itself and even with the new rides £200 for a family of four is laughable.

[@coaster_dad]

It is silly expensive nowadays 😔

[@chandlerbingbong]

I tried to book tickets a few years ago. From what I vaguely remember, they wanted so much personal information, face photo etc. Plus, you needed a smart phone too. I gave up in the end, it was obvious they didn't want any customers (went to Alton Towers instead). I love the Chinese Gardens down there.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah the photo thing is a pain in the ass. Especially if you’re an infrequent visitor. I totally get it for season pass holders but that’s it.

[@sharonellis8776]

They should use Wristbands that can be scanned like Fantasy Island. Free entry for non-riders. xx

[@coaster_dad]

Both of which they did before but who knows if they will again 🤷‍♂️

[@vordman]

I can remember a time in the 70s when you could just wander around the Pleasure Beach and each ride had its own manned turnstile. You just paid for whatever ride you wanted to go on. I think The Revolution was 50p. Me and my mate thought it was a bit steep but we still went on.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye it’s very different these days 🙈

[@andybowie8590]

We went down recently (also from scotland) and I couldn't beleive how run down the whole town looked. As you said, it's a place that people can just turn up without planning, that what we did as we had been in the lake district and thought it was worth a trip down for the day. We didn't buy online tickets as it was a last minute thing so had to pay the at the gate price which I thought was far too much for what it offered. I remember going as a kid and it was always busy, we went on a Sunday at the end of June and it was very quiet. We only went on 4 things so that worked out about £25 for the 2 of us per ride, I don't think that's value for money. A pay per ride option would make sense to people who only want to go on a few things and aren't staying late. I left feeling like it was over priced and don't think I'll ever go back.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah stories like that really highlight where it’s not working. If it’s a planned trip or you manage to get a lot done (I have a video out today where I was lucky last week and did get a lot done) then it’s easier to justify. But last minute and only a few rides it just doesn’t work 😔

[@MrDirkles]

Back in 1982 I used to visit my local pier every saturday through the season. It cost 30p to get on the pier and a wristband was £2. The rides all opened ( including a corkscrew coaster) at 9am and closed at 10pm without fail. The recent trend of staggered opening of rides, running only one train and early closing is the ultimate piss take.

[@coaster_dad]

It’s definitely not great. Especially for visitors who may only visit once a year or less 😔

[@MrDirkles]

@@coaster_dad those people just won't visit and then it will close. Is this the plan all along 🤔

[@tboneisgaming]

Mind you, Some people would want to go to Alton Towers to visit the grounds while their children go the rides. Similar story with Drayton Manor if you want to go to the zoo. Drayton Manor used to have an entrance only ticket to the grounds, ride tickets and wristbands for unlimited rides. It's been a long time since I've been there. I don't know if it's still the case. It's been a long time since I went to Blackpool. Perhaps a similar system would work.

[@coaster_dad]

Interesting. I don’t think Drayton still does that but I may be wrong.

[@Deltic55-mw4bo]

Any one who says the woodies aren't thrilling enough needs to go give their head a wobble. The Nash in particular is very intense and RAPID with ridiculous airtime. Surely the roughness just emphasises that? I reckon get rid of Avalanche, RMC the Big'un, making it taller than Hyperia, maybe get rid of Steeplechase and possibly Infusion in the future. Keep all the woodies, Revolution, and obviously Icon the same.

[@coaster_dad]

It will be interesting. I did walk the woodie last year and Andy was determined that steeplechase wouldn’t go. It’s the only one left in the world. That said that will become more of an issue for maintenance as the years go on!

[@iliketrains3546]

I don’t think RMc do steel coasters, so I’d say rmc grand national as you yourself said it was rough and others say it is very painful. Keep the airtime and improve on it, but just make it smoother. In terms of the big one, I say rip it out and put in a better hyper coaster by Intamin or B&M using the same route through the park but a smoother ride with actual forces

[@dougbriglmen716]

@@coaster_dad they do have the modern S&S model now on offer, it’s possible they may get SMS involved to do work to it, for example new horses.

[@dougbriglmen716]

The Grand National just needs new trains or rebuilding the previous ones, the current trains are too heavy and that is why it has ended up as rough as it is, before that it ran like a dream with the previous trains.

[@coaster_dad]

@dougbriglmen716 yeah that could be cool

[@theresnobodyhere5778]

even if you dont want to go the rides ,the PB is an attraction in itself as a visual entertainment and there should be a set entrance fee to enter , once inside if you should be able to buy block ride tickets 5 rides 10 rides 15 rides and the small kiddies rides could be at half the cost

[@darrenshore5853]

Ye i couldn't believe when we were at alton Towers last month and the park closed 6. Iv been to disney and universal, Seaworld, bush gardens etc all open later in the evening. Theme parks come alive in the evening and is another experience when it's getting darker. Maybe winter close earlier when it's wet and cold but summer months stay open later

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah it’s frustrating

[@kevrichmond9981]

Went last week place looks run down and the big one is feeling worse than ever after more replaced track. Always argued when people said it was rough but the back seat is now unrideable feels like it's going to jolt off the track in some places

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I felt that. The turnaround and helix I always feel a bit unsure it’s gonna stay on 🙈

[@beckycarney4526]

The non-rider pass was so good for me and my family as my parents have never been fond of rides so me and my sister would just go on together. Last time we went as a full family was when I was eight and my sister was five and it wasn't as run down then. Me and my sister went two weeks ago for a end of year school trip and I couldn't believe how run down it felt. I rid the Grand national and it was so much more uncomfortable than I remembered

[@coaster_dad]

It’s not great 😔

[@SpikePBB]

I've been on the Pleasure Beach gone midnight 1am before in the 90s when it was pay per ride. They used to get fined by the council for staying open too late without applying for a licence to do so, due to noise. The park used to just pay the fine because they'd still make way more money than what it cost. 😅

[@coaster_dad]

Ha ha. That explains it 😂

[@catbee9289]

I was in a party of 4 adults who visited Blackpool on a spur of the moment whim recently. We walked past the PB at around 2ish. One of us really wanted to ride a couple of rides one other would have happily joined them for company the other two had absolutely no intention of riding anything but would have been content spending a couple of hours watching all of us would have bought snacks, drinks and maybe merch but there was absolutely no way we were paying for 4 day tickets so we walked away.

[@PhilEadie65]

To reinforce your first point. Two of us rocked up at about 3pm last year having walked from town. Would love to have gone in but the only option was £50 each, for what would have been a couple of hours. Wasn't happening.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye not surprised 🙈

[@anthonydyer3939]

Wow! That’s steep. It’s been 21 years since I’ve been to Blackpool pleasure beach but I certainly don’t remember an entry fee of such a magnitude. I just did a quick check and Tivoli gardens costs about 160kr to enter without rides. (399kr annual pass). I’d definitely put Tivoli a couple of notches above Blackpool Pleasure Beach for being just a bit more classy. It’s a beautiful place.

[@coaster_dad]

It’s one I’ve not visited yet. But I do want to. 🙂

[@Bertie_magoo]

From Manc so Blackpool was a must in summer most weekends, we would walk around the Pleasure beach and maybe go on a ride if the queue was small. We would play the darts or throwing games . Since they introduced the charge to enter my family have never been back. Make it free to enter and we'll return.

[@coaster_dad]

I doubt they could go completely free again (no doubt the wrong sort would go in an cause trouble) but a cheaper non rider ticket seems a no brainer 🤷‍♂️

[@Bertie_magoo]

@@coaster_dad to be fair I've been going to Blackpool since the 70's and there have always been wrong uns in the park but generally its family orientated. It's a tough one....family weekend in Blackpool can set you back the same price as a week in Spain.

[@meeshker]

Do away with charge to walk around. Skegness pleasure Beach was packed last week , no charge people pay per ride of buy a pass. It was packed

[@coaster_dad]

Seems everyone agrees 🙂

[@tomawest]

Couple of things. When we were there last year we saw people sneaking in from the road that runs under the pleasure beach and im sure thats why they still onsist on scanning folks onto the rides. The family offering isnt great either, sure they have Nickelodeon land but Nickelodeon isn't as big as it once was and all other parks have IP that's arguably a bigger draw. Unless youre 1.2m youre not getting on any coaster except for blue flyer or avalanche. The streak could easily be a great coaster for families with more adventurous little ones and all it would take would be a replacement of the trains to lower the height limit to 1.1 or lower and dramatically increase the offering for kiddies that cost the same to enter as everyone else. An afternoon ticket makes a ton of sense too. Merlin have a huge lock on the uk market because of the merlin pass and they have a huge presence in blackpool. When sandcastles water park becomes an included attraction with the pass, its going to be really difficult to attract merlin visitors to blackpool that are on a weekend visit because there's only so much time. Surely it makes sense to offer a discount to those with merlin passes, rather than to just expect everyone to pay the full price. The hotels are also strange... The food offering is way over the top for the market they are in and whilst they have a park entrance by the hotels, they dont use it beyond the initial opening so it prevents people going back to the hotels for lunch or a break. Merlin always do this well and it seems like a really easy fix.

[@coaster_dad]

Lots of valid points. The hotel thing has always been odd. Why use the South Gate in the morning and the train only on the last run 🤷‍♂️

[@shanepetyko8004]

They need to fire that woman that said don’t ask any questions. Who would want to visit somewhere when the attitude is that. It says a lot

[@coaster_dad]

It’s not a great image to give off 😔

[@Paulad39uk]

I've been going to Blackpool since the 60's when it was the best "fairground" in the country. It isn't a theme park. It is and always will be a fairground. That said fairgrounds don't charge unless you ride or use the attractions which should be the same with The Pleasure Beach. I no longer ride the big rides but love to walk around the park playing the amusements and eating the fairground food but won't go if I have to pay the same as a full rider but certainly don't mind a nominal fee.

[@coaster_dad]

A lot of people want the non rider option to come back. Fingers crossed they consider it in the future

[@CarolineFord1]

I spent several days at Skegness Pleasure Beach without going on a single ride. I’ve not been inside Blackpool Pleasure Beach for years.

[@sentyuk5322]

I used to love Blackpool when I was a kid, you could just walk in and around. Now as you say, you have to buy a ticket for everyone regardless. I still go and take the kids, the past few times purely to experience the revamped Valhalla; it’s been closed every time! I still love Grand National and finally got the kids on Ikon, yay. They only really go on the Big One, Grand National, Big Dipper and now Ikon, I think if BP removed the GN the kids would be done with the place. It’s not as if we don’t travel, we have Alton Towers down the road, in July went to Tusenfryd, Drayton Manor and BP, we’ve got Thorpe on the Bank Hols... BP is just losing favour 😢

[@coaster_dad]

The Nash can’t go anywhere because it’s listed. But I hear you. They need different ticket options.

[@nat3007]

I remember Southport had no fee to enter which was good as people could change their minds and decide to go on a ride. Not sure how Blackpool worked in the 90s but I remember my grandma and grandad coming on the log flume with us I have no idea whether that was a condition of the ride.

[@coaster_dad]

It definitely feels like Blackpool is the kind of park that needs to have an option for non riders like it used to.

[@clareriley]

I think the early 90s they were still ppr or day band. Also free to walk around. I remember going once and grandad had to pay a fiver to walk round! A fiver to watch me on rides. That was when it started to change oh and the removal of Mr funshines and the ark being sbno.

[@mrelnoobo6855]

I live within 30 mins of PB. One of the major reasons we've stopped going is because we can't get on any rides. If they aren't going to bring back NR tickets, they NEED to get rid of the scanners. Queuing times really add up because of them.

[@coaster_dad]

I was always in favour of ditching the scanners cause they are a pain. But the more I hear the more I feel the NR needs to come back.

[@davidGPS95]

Blackpool Pleasure beach definitely need to bring back non rider pass i would suggest £10-15 with a couple of rides The Pleasure Beach Express and River Caves, they should do a trail for the non rider pass , what have they got to lose ? Better than a empty park that could close down

[@coaster_dad]

Definitely worth a shot!

[@lucyaviboo]

River caves is shut. So is ice blast . And the grand prix. It's lost a few rides

[@garywright4233]

Need to throw open the gates and pay as you go. Like the old days. In the 60s and 70s as a kid I was in there daily. Last time I went there was 25 years ago. Loved visiting the bars and cafes in the PB. We still spent money as non riders.

[@coaster_dad]

I wonder if they ever will. Definitely sounds like it would be popular from the comments.

[@andyspruce7817]

It would need increased security and bring much more problems to the park, it was bad in the 90s for idiots who like to ruin it, and security can't act like they did in the bbc doc these days plus less police in uk thanks to govt cuts. They know at least that they can't go back to that in a town full of the problems Blackpool has.

[@stuartwilliams8887]

So agree with the ticket situation, visited there last year for the first time, thought the process of getting online tickets were ridiculous having to supply a picture of who was going what's that about no other park has a more complicated system of tickets than pb ,then on the day having to scan every ride, paid for the place just get on would move the queue much quicker, seems to me that the management are still living a hundred years ago and refused to move forward

[@coaster_dad]

Aye it’s more complex than it needs to be.

[@jeffbell2266]

Remember when you could just buy a book of tickets and walk round to choose the rides you wanted to ride for a,set number of,tickets? Now it’s too expensive and not worth the effort.

[@coaster_dad]

A lot of people miss the old approach. I’m not sure how well that would work these days but it is damn expensive especially if you want to enter and not do anything!

[@derekkjohnson]

I have never been in since they started charging. Used to love going in and having a coffee and a burger.

[@coaster_dad]

Many people have said the same 😔

[@jacobshaw8825]

Totally agree about walk around pass. Wasn’t convinced about bringing it back but I don’t they have much of an option any more. £15 is a good price to my mind.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye will be interesting to see if they do bring it back.

[@jacobshaw8825]

@@coaster_dad they also need to make a big statement of intent with whatever their next ride is. Something to get people excited again. ICON is a great ride but it doesn’t make the headlines. The minimum the ride needs to do is turn heads all through Europe. I have great times at BPB but they need to take another step up now.

[@cliffcook3993]

I thnk the reason they dont have more late opening, is the residents living near the park complained about the noise so the park ageed to only limited night opening to keep them happy.

[@coaster_dad]

Possibly

[@TheQuirkyTourist]

Have to say spot on about not having a non rider ticket. Me, my wife and mum wanted to hVe a wee walk about. Neither of us are into rollercoasters, but maybe one or two rides we would go on, £50 a ticket, wasn't worth it. Also we were only just passing and on a whim thought we could see if we could have a wander around. If there was things about like arcades or smaller rides, would have probably spent some money. But nope, three people that would probably spend some money, were turned away. It reminds off buying merchandise and a concert. Cost way too much and instead of seling at a reasonable price they go for ridiculous mark ups and I just walk away without spending any money

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah they’re missing a trick.

[@vilmamillard1668]

The park used to stay open late all the time yrs ago it was great when it went dark with all the lights on

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I love a night ride but when it’s only 3 or 4 times a year it sucks.

[@mrrayner7162]

For me there are some key things Blackpool Pleasure Beach (or as you call it Pleasure Beach Resort lol) should do to bring it back to being truly competitive. 1) Revert it back to Blackpool Pleasure Beach as its official name. No-one is really calling it Pleasure Beach Resort and, no matter how hard Amanda tries, it isn't a resort destination (especially with the attendance numbers it has right now). My last visit was April 2019 and even a year after Icon opening it wasn't exactly rammed on a Saturday in the Easter holidays. Trying to turn it into a resort as the park stands now seems counter-intuitive. You can get through most of the major attractions you want to on most days from what it seems, so why would you need 2, 3 or 4 days in the park? I don't know the figures, but I feel the hotels for the park have been a poor ROI that could have been spent on modernising attractions or doing a bit of beautifying in the park. 2) Late nights every weekend from the start of the summer to end of season and during school holidays, and not just on key days. During the illuminations, there was always a buzz to the place after dark. I know there are extra costs incurred to running a park for more hours, and they may not perceive it as viable with the attendance or lack thereof, but 10-5 is an incredibly short day for the prices these parks charge (I'm also factoring in the other UK parks that do this too). On our last trip we got there about 10, then had to queue up for entry tickets, then the park itself so didn't get in til 11ish. That is 6 hours of ride time. The queues were fairly reasonable so it's not like we spent all day on 3 or 4 rides ( I got in Nash, Streak, Blue Flyer, Big One, Icon twice, Avalanche, Alice, Derby Racer, Wallace and Gromit and Flying Machines) but it still felt there was a time constraint. Allowing a more relaxed atmosphere like there was in the 90s would mean the day would be a lot more enjoyable than hopping from ride to ride, aiming to get your moneys worth. 3) Improve the quality and variance of food offerings inside the park. We actually left the park to go to Pizza Hut, as every time we saw the food it looked mid at best, and when we looked at pricing we felt like there was no way it was worth the asking price. That meant us actually leaving the park (and having to rejoin the entry queue). 4) Improve the flow of guests around the park, especially in the south section. Icon was a great investment. I really rate it as an attraction, but one thing it has caused is a massive bottleneck as it has made the main midway that tiny path that runs between Revolution and Avalanche. Even on the day we were there, it felt crowded and difficult to navigate as there's a bunch of dead ends and narrow paths that lead around the park, and it felt really confusing to navigate. 5) Have a non-rider option again, or make it free entry + tokens/wristband. The above really need to be addressed, as this makes the day at the park feel hostile towards the guests. I enjoyed the day as it brought back some great memories, but my wife actually said she wouldn't choose to go again due to most of the above. Bear in mind we both love Towers and the Disney/Universal Parks. Now for the fun talk - how to edit the attraction lineup and make it more competitive, especially with the looming Universal Project that's on the cards... We don't need three 100+ year old woodies. It's just unnecessary. I'd elect to remove Streak and Blue Flyer (and that damned Space Invaders building) and replace with a solid family thrill coaster from the likes of Gerstlauer or Vekoma. Add a few medium thrill flat rides too and have like an "intermediate" area of the park. Keep Nash and fully retrack it (and take the opportunity to reprofile it just for comforts sake as it's the most unique out the three) and give Dipper an overhaul from someone like Gravity Group or GCI - keep certain characteristics but make it a better version of what it is now. Remove Steeplechase. It may well be the last one of its kind, but it's uncomfortable and showing its age. I presume upkeep is relatively expensive, it has a rubbish capacity and takes up a lot of space. This could be the location for a new kids area with a Vekoma family boomerang, a kiddie coaster (like an SBF Visa spinner or small scale Zierer like Flight School at Emerald Park) and a few flat rides/relocate those currently in Nick land. Remove Avalanche. See above. With Avalanche and GP gone, use this as a place for a new main midway and a brand new thrill coaster that interacts with the main midway. I mean a B&M Dive or Intamin Multi Launch would be sick, but also mad expensive (and too close to Icon in the case of an Intamin Multi Launch). Maybe a Mack Stryker? Or something like a custom Vekoma thrill coaster? Remove Infusion. See above (except for being the last of its kind). This could easily be replaced with one of the smaller scale cloned RMC Raptors for a more compact, more comfortable and more thrilling layout. Remove Bowlarama and put in some kind of newish Boomerang style coaster or something like Sandy's Blasting Bronco. Leave Big One and Icon alone, they're solid and iconic enough for the park as they are (although fast track the Big Ones re-track to make sure it's running well). I feel like the above would retain some of its heritage which gives the park its charm, but also get rid of problem areas and round out the coaster lineup to something fuller.

[@coaster_dad]

Lots of good suggestions. If the park implement ever a few of these it would be a massive improvement

[@DanMufc-jt9le]

Great video coaster dad its a shame to see pleasure resort what ever you call it now 😂in the state its in and i will add i went couple years back with my mum for the afternoon and i have learning difficulties with health issues but can still walk etc and on the day we had to pay 50 quid on the door and my mum being carer to me had to pay extra for her to get in when she just waited whilst i went on the hards bit cheeky by pleasure beach for that and totally agree with the changes they need to make and its my local park too just up the motorway from manchester way love pleasure beach for what it is but something needs to change and new ride to come in feels bit out dated now which is sad to see 😢

[@coaster_dad]

Indeed. It’s sad to see when you think of how things used to be. 😔

[@msjibberjabberhodge]

I would RMC the Grand National. I hear what you're saying about nostalgia and I grew up loving that ride, but in my opinion that ride is so rough and uncomfortable now it's actually unrideable. I say RMC the Grand National over the Big Dipper because having a racing RMC would be amazing! And yes, I think they should bring back the pay per ride system on top of the system they have now. I remember when they started the wristband system and still had the pay per ride. For them it makes sense to have both! Great video! :)

[@coaster_dad]

I hear you. Not sure they’re allowed to RMC it with it being listed but you never know… 🤞

[@msjibberjabberhodge]

@@coaster_dad Yeah I know that's a restriction but hopefully they would prefer that to it being abandoned and/or torn down (which I think is where it's currently heading) 😬

[@coaster_dad]

@msjibberjabberhodge I do wonder what their options are with the restrictions. ie when it becomes too expensive to keep operational do they have to leave it SBNO? Or can they tear it down? Would there be a fine etc 🤔

[@Proudnshort]

Bottom line for me, loads of ppl aren’t headed to seaside resorts in the uk as the sea is filthy… and we all know why. Pleasure Beach was an add on for the family holiday… but for the cost and pollution issues, it makes more sense to go abroad. I hate this, but it’s a sad truth. Speak with the hoteliers.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye I hear what you’re saying 😔

[@richardpalmer3998]

First time I’ve seen your channel. Really enjoyed the analysis. The only thing I’d add if you’ve already spent half day and cost on the front, you’re probably not going to commit to £200 for the park. Personally if I’ve got the hassle and expense, I’d be aiming to take my lot to one of the other northern parks for the full day

[@coaster_dad]

Glad you enjoyed. And I know what you mean

[@1171karl]

I think abandoning heritage rides is absolutely shocking, its Blackpool's USP. Maybe something new and tempting needs to be built if attendances are dwindling, but as you've mentioned the park has other issues it could resolve which might help. Despite not living too far away, I've not been for a few years. I've got to say queuing for nearly 2 hours for the Big one then it getting closed when I was about 5 minutes from riding didn't do a lot to tempt me back. I know you've got to stay safe but its still annoying when this happens.

[@coaster_dad]

Yup I hear you. It’s a tricky one. As you say heritage is their USP and some rides are listed and therefore protected. But sadly I don’t think there’s as much demand from the public for older rides. So they are kinda stuck between a rock and a hard place. Personally I want a decent mix of both. I love the old rides and I love newer ones like Icon. So if they can find a balance that would be ideal.

[@davegb99]

Not been since they started charging to get in. I can understand some of the reasons they did it but I didn’t want to pay what I think at the time was £5 just to walk round. I am not really a funfair type person but used to like looking round. If we saw odd rides that we fancied we would go on them but otherwise enjoyed the atmosphere and let the kids go on rides. When the entry fee came in we, like many others stopped going. There are plenty of other things to spend money on that are more our thing. I appreciate that many people do like like it and will pay the prices and believe that if you pro buy it is a lot cheaper than turning up on the day.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah and like you said they used to have a cheaper ticket which they scrapped during covid and never brought back 🤷‍♂️ (they still have the ride scanners so it could come back 🤞)

[@mikeedwards8236]

Your backing music… kept thinking an alarm was going off on my phone 😂

[@coaster_dad]

🙈 oops. My bad. 😂

[@arigatocutie5167]

I know it's not the best comparison, but a good example of a family owned park is Europa Park. Clearly the budget for the two are very different since Mack are also manufacturers, but BPPB doesn't really show many of the qualities that Europa does. I think even if BPPB had a coaster that stood out in the UK, it wouldn't make a massive difference (they just need some radical changes)

[@coaster_dad]

That’s true. A big ride may attract visitors but if things are still not great they won’t return 🤷‍♂️

[@waynecheshire7878]

I can ride rides all day long but some friends can’t and happy just watching and happy to just ride Wallace and Gromit so more often than not when me and my friends visit Blackpool we don’t visit BPB I do hope things improve tho 🤞

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah they really need a non rider option again

[@the21stsergeant]

The management are the issue. They're up their own arses. You're spot on about the ticketing issue, if you're a "resort" then let people walk around, play on the fairground games or buy individual ride tickets.

[@coaster_dad]

👍

[@kevingreen9428]

I agree with everything you said. If they don’t change then there will be no Pleasure beach in 10 years

[@coaster_dad]

That’s a worrying thought.

[@DawsonsMemes]

I think Nash should get a Gravity Group Pre-Fab Retrack instead of the RMC. It has a chance to get by the listed status people, and it would make the ride smooth for years to come. Put new PTC trains on it and then you could have the best woodie in the country

[@coaster_dad]

New trains would be amazing!

[@aldorfc220]

Wish Scotland had its own park but we have off the track coasters at M&Ds 😮

[@coaster_dad]

Aye M&D is worse than BP 😂

[@steveb5346]

M&Ds has so much space. The log flume has gone this year and 2 spinny rides brought in. It desperately needs a decent coaster. And some theming. It costs a fortune in petrol keep going down south!

[@brianmcaleer3958]

M&D's is basically a travelling fairground that doesn't travel - Scotlands "Theme Park" - what a laugh that is

[@aldorfc220]

@@steveb5346 we have plenty space around Central Scotland even on east side be nice but only thing we get is the links market every April lol

[@coaster_dad]

@@brianmcaleer3958 indeed!

[@screwdriver5181]

I went a few weeks ago for a day out and was going to have a walk round the pleasure beech. It was after lunch and they were closing at 5. For £50 there was no way I was going in. Very disappointing.

[@coaster_dad]

It’s sad hearing all these stories 😔

[@LeeAllen-lq7ml]

One of the issues with low numbers , is for years they allowed coaches to park on the carpark for many many years and during illumination weekends the coach park/car park was full , People were getting off our coaches using the loos grabbing food and drink went in the park for free then decided to do some rides......Thats all gone now and have noticed how empty the car park is now .......

[@coaster_dad]

😔

[@WiganPaddy]

I grew up going to Blackpool on summer holiday every year and back then, it was ticket based to get on rides A tickets, B tickets C tickets etc and each had a value so you could plan in advance the cost, if you weren't riding you could just walk in which my mum and dad did. I never liked Ice Blast or Playstation as it used to be called. I remember the old octopus monster ride that was there before it and that was brilliant. Should never have got rid of the Log Flume either it was the best in the country

[@coaster_dad]

Some great old rides in there. There’s a picture of me on the monster and I also miss the log flume. Actually I’m working on a series about the history of the park that should be out in a few weeks. I’m sure it’ll bring back some memories 🙂

[@WiganPaddy]

@@coaster_dad that would be awesome 👍 I'm pretty sure there's old photos of us all as kids on that ride and others as well. I used to love the space invaders ride I remember my older sisters taking me on it and having to stand on my tip toes to get past the height level

[@Wizzz28]

When I used to go to Blackpool Pleasure Beach I can't remember paying to get in. I think we just used to pay for the rides. I got so scared on the rollercoaster I've not been on one for decades

[@coaster_dad]

Aye back in the day it was pay per ride. Not been like that for a long time

[@Wizzz28]

@@coaster_dad I think it was in the 1970's.

[@hazza5999]

Clearly needs to have an option for pay per ride, it's all about the location. And before spending millions on something new, they need to create a better atmosphere, some cleaning, decorating and great customer service.

[@coaster_dad]

The atmosphere has definitely declined over the years which is sad to see. Here’s hoping they can sort things out before it’s too late 🤞

[@lanceyyyy6872]

i worked at PB for 2 years, the reason they scrapped the non rider pass is because it was cheap and you have loads of Stag/Hen dos and travelers coming in jumping queues and jumping the fences to skip the in ride turnstyles to get on rides without paying and just staying in the middle of their large group of friends, not just that they would be drunk, take there tops of which isn't allowed as its a family park, swear near kids not caring and constantly got into fights.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I’ve found some old footage from the 90s which everyone seems to remember fondly but it looks like chaos 🙈

[@lanceyyyy6872]

@@coaster_dad I will be honest as a local they don't give any decent discounts. The sandcastle gives close to 50% of to locals which is great we go multiple times a year as it cost for five of us less than £50 the PB doesn't offer much. We priced up for two adults and three children, (disabilities discount and carers discount) its around £150. For that I would rather take the kids to Alton Towers as its just a better day out experience I feel.

[@coaster_dad]

@@lanceyyyy6872 Yeah pricing is a big issue that they need to address. I've been doing a wee series on the history of the park and even adverts from 4 or 5 years ago say it's £20 entry, whereas now it's £50! That's not all inflation!

[@Clara-ph7my]

Ideally I would like to visit Blackpool and stay at one of its hotels. I would want 2 Nights stay and a 2 day pass for the pleasure beach. However as a resort the prices of staying in their accommodation is very high. The other year we stayed at the Big Blue and only had one day pass. Now one Night was purchased through Virgin Experience Deal £130 for 2 persons. Then to pay for a second night we paid £180 including one day admission to theme park, 2 persons. Both nights included breakfast the next morning. At the time BPB were not doing there 2nd day discounted ticket, so we just had the one day. We thought the price was not too bad, even though still fairly expensive. I have priced up this since and the prices are ridiculous. Virgin no longer have this hotel on offer. No doubt because it is a resort world now. Not only do they need to attract people into the park but entice people to use their hotels also. Everything you have said makes common sense. Good note about the individual ride ticket scanners! As for the opening times. When we visited it was open 11-5pm which is no good. Especially as The Big One was not running. Then Infusion went down and Avalanche was allowing too many single riders with one car running.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah they have a few issues they need to address 🤞

[@markcarter2712]

Blackpool pleasure beach, has got to be a walk up and go , it's not a theme park or a resort as they call it , it's a pleasure beach, I'm sure Amanda is trying her up most to make this fantastic park fail

[@coaster_dad]

That’s exactly it. It has to cater to last minute visitors