Inside Blackpool Pleasure Beach's Ambitious Future Plans

[@edmundandlucy]

Really hope river caves gets fixed soon, the building it's connected to the ghost train and Wallace and gromit so that causes a few complications too. There's also the rumours about the new potential hotel, and big wheel that was rumoured ages ago

[@coaster_dad]

Aye, I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere, but as you say it may be complicated to deal with whilst the park is operating, so hopefully they get it sorted in the winter season 🤞

[@jm252]

We need a updated state of the art Wild Mouse! :-)

[@coaster_dad]

Can’t beat the old wooden one they removed.

[@davidGPS95]

@@coaster_dad why remove a classic ride to replace with Nothing? 🤔 Madness

[@RealMightyC]

Been watching you for the past couple of months really enjoy your videos I really hope this park improves over the next few years it holds a special place in my heart, even though I never went in the park as a child first time I went in was 2016 when I was 15 I still have loads of memories going to Blackpool with my dad from the age of 6 all the way to my teenagers. I was always fascinated with walking around the outside of the park and looking at all the rides and hearing all the screams I always wanted to go in so bad but my dad hated rides so it’s sad to see the park in such a terrible state. I’m going 29th of October for my second time this year hope it’s a good day I’ve only been to 2 theme parks in the UK and to be honest it’s the only theme park I’ve been to in the whole world Drayton Manor and Pleasure Beach but I’ve only been Drayton Manor 4 times in my life this will be my 6th visit to pleasure beach I always say to my friends and family when they talk about theme parks, I always say pleasure beach is the best and I always prefer to go there over other parks. I want to go on Hyperia but just don’t make the effort because I love this park too much

[@coaster_dad]

Thank you. I share the same sentiment. 🤞

[@lildavinci9350]

I've lived down the road from Blackpool all my life, I grew up going into BPB in the 80's and 90's. It was a family affair with my mum and me, my uncle and my cousins, and my grandparents. Mum took my cousins on little rides, uncle took me on bigger rides, and grandparents paid for the day out. Only doable with there being easy access for my grandparents to come with. I haven't been for a few years, but watching your videos has taken me back to those times, and also makes me worried for the future of the site. I hope for the needed improvements for next year, and hopefully will be tempted back.

[@coaster_dad]

I do hope they turn it around because it’s clear many of us want the park to succeed 🙂

[@streamsofconsciousness8651]

I love the river caves, it’s the single best family ride on the park.

[@coaster_dad]

I’m hoping to see it return next year!

[@dpld70]

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is my all-time favourite amusement/theme park. I hope they find their former glory again. 🙏

[@coaster_dad]

That makes two of us 🤞

[@weemanjuanjo]

I was taken to BPB regularly as a youngster from 1990-2000. It wasn't until 2018 (and again last month) that I returned with my own kid. It still has something, for sure, but it's a pale imitation of those 90s glory days. The thing that struck me, as I'm sure you'll agree, Chris (given that you've been going there since you were a kid too) is that there are vast tracts of dead, ugly space in the park these days where once there were rides, attractions and vibrancy. I know they don't get anywhere near the visitor numbers they once did, but they desperately need to make it a fun place to visit once again, otherwise visitors will plummet further.Would love it if they brought back the log flume or, as someone else said, a modern take on Wild Mouse. The odd late night opening wouldn't go amiss either.

[@coaster_dad]

Completely agree and I do hope for it to turn around and get back on its feet. I don’t recall it first hand but hearing stories of the park still running past midnight because the money they made was more than the fine they incurred is a far cry from what we have now. 3 or 4 “late” nights a year.

[@AimeeLuLines]

No matter what they do, as long as they start to really look after their golden oldies, their customers and also have something thrilling in the mix to accomandate both families and thrill seekers then they should see a better future. If they don’t, I’m so concerned for the park. Like you said, so many of us hold it close and I’d be absolutely heart broken to see it die a death. Here’s hoping 2025 will be a better year for BPB and we can start to enjoy it as it’s meant to be enjoyed!

[@coaster_dad]

🤞🤞

[@RoyForrester-u8m]

The PB was at it's best when it was pay per ride and then later wrist bands and discount tickets were also introduced which still worked well. I think it's proven over the last few years that a one price entry isn't working hence why visitor numbers are falling. Visitors need to be given a choice of what they want to do.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah for a long time I was against pay per ride simply because I want rid of the damn scanners. But it’s clear that different options are desperately needed!

[@CoastaxXD]

hi, nice vid :)

[@coaster_dad]

Thanks very much 😀

[@themeparkmadness_1]

i actually hope ice blast comes back it’s more rides at the end of the day

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah agreed, new stuff is always great, but they've lost so much in recent years that we don't want to lose any more!

[@themeparkmadness_1]

@@coaster_dad hopefully with them spinning seats too 🤞

[@jrsc01.]

I think the electronic scanners are more used to indicate auditing - how many riders, the type of ticket used etc (adult/child tickets) and what times they are more popular etc. the electronic scan system would then be seeing all that data and send all that info for more scrutiny to headquarters etc. also it determined how many times the scan tickets have been been used and what the individual rider is riding most. - effectively tracking each individual ticket throughout the rides.

[@coaster_dad]

Some of that can be done with the turnstiles and no scanning. ie auditing peaks and visitor counts. But I had heard others say the same. I still hope they consider changing the ticket options

[@davidGPS95]

I really do hope they bring back the non rider pass for 2025 , it's makes sense and would generate money for the park and bring good publicity for the park . If they don't ,I dont think they ever will bring it back and that is bad news ! Let's keep our fingers crossed it.

[@coaster_dad]

Agreed. I hope that’s why they’ve updated the scanners 🤞

[@stephenduncan3605]

They also need to bring back the option to pay with cash for entry, food and merchandise as at least a third of people who come to Blackpool rely on cash to budget.

[@coaster_dad]

@@stephenduncan3605 understandable. I think their solution is to give you a prepaid card to use. Which is fine if you spend ALL of it. Otherwise you’ve left money in their pockets.

[@davidGPS95]

@@coaster_dad cash is gonna be history soon , cashless society

[@StrictEvilSadist]

@@coaster_dadthey could get round that either by not having an expiry date on the prepaid card or allowing remaining credit after a certain time be redeemable against food souvenirs and concession stands

[@nicklowe536]

Maybe the scaffold on ice blast is for paint and corrosion inspections and repair if needed . Makes sense to do it

[@coaster_dad]

I do hope it’s a full refit 🤞

[@RMTheMan]

I heard an idea suggested by Scott from Your Experience Guide that Ice Blast should be relocated into the dome next to Wallace and Gromit, this would be really cool. Not only does it free up space for the gyro swing, but it also fills dead space in the park that’s been empty for years. And also, it would be taller because it’s elevated above the road.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I suggested a few locations in a video a while back and that was one. But as many people pointed out the cost to move it and put in new foundations probably isn’t worth it. So I suspect it’s staying where it is. Which is a shame because I think the gyro would be a far better first impression when entering the park 🤷‍♂️

[@davidGPS95]

@@RMTheMan don't listen to Scott 😂

[@coaster_dad]

Ha ha. He hates when I “quote” him in videos 😂

[@davidGPS95]

@@coaster_dad He has a big ego and is delusional , my daughter was at the Pleasure beach with her Boyfriend and they took photos of themselves for social media and he happened to be in the background he said , ' Next time ask me if you want to take a photo ' 🤣 He must think he is some kind of celebrity. 🙄

[@amnnaali952]

We need a ride like oblivion in Blackpool

[@coaster_dad]

I would take that

[@G4RY1159]

Thanks again fella

[@wulliecarroll7583]

If they can't find the leak better get the pool guy in to do the job 😂

[@coaster_dad]

😂

[@amnnaali952]

Also make the ghost train the most scariest ghost train in the world with actors in and make it a roller coaster ghost train type

[@coaster_dad]

They are doing that just now for Halloween. I’m going on Saturday to see what it’s like

[@finnmcg]

Great video 👍

[@coaster_dad]

Thank you :)

[@HarryYT22]

It's weird how Pleasure Beach themselves have not announced anything about what is happening with the River Caves I would be quite gutted if it is indeed going. I seriously think they need to give the ride a full refurb or reimagine the ride but leave the classic effects in there.

[@coaster_dad]

Hopefully we find out soon 🤞

[@janetstockly8540]

Not everyone wants to ride Just walk around the park memories for the older people And if they wanted to ride just pay for that ride Thank you

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah non rider options are sorely missed!

[@Gavrumdoo]

River Caves is a classic ride at The Pleasure Beach, I find it difficult to think it's closed because they can't find a leak, it ain't rocket science, something else is afoot..

[@coaster_dad]

I hear you. But I do wonder if it’s complex given it shares a building with the ghost train and Wallace. So maybe they can’t access without shutting those rides? 🤷‍♂️

[@mattpilgrim2607]

I am the first comment. Definitely an interesting video Coaster Dad !

[@coaster_dad]

I'm curious to see what happens next year!

[@chewfat7644]

Its a wonderful park with an atmosphere of its own, some people love visiting to watch thier loved ones so a smaller walk round ticket would certainly benefit, especially people nearer the park that just want to visit for the day More "stuff" around the fountains would generate some more cash.... Food outlets, stalls, daft entertainment and a couple of kiddies rides like bumper cars or the like to keep the non thrill riders busy. Throw in some face painters and/or balloon modellers and bobs yer uncle

[@coaster_dad]

They need to get people through the gate first and the current pricing is putting a lot of people off, so I'm hopeful they sort that next year 🤞

[@jakeburgess6131]

I am seriously worried about the future of PB has GT been around to see how the PB is currently i doubt hed be best pleased to see hkw Amanda is running the company. Her madness ro prioritise the hot ice show season after season and seeing how the rides are in it doesnt fill me with much confidence, To see there flagship ride go through the re inagaging that it did and they still didnt fix the major issues it still has with drainage and effect reliability is scary times

[@coaster_dad]

I understand what you're saying and I do wonder how GT would run the park these days. It's a very different world now to back in the early 2000s so the park faces very different challenges than it did back then.

[@jakeburgess6131]

@@coaster_dad oh 100% it's a very different world Amanda should he held accountable though for her actions if she's not careful the ones who are paying there money upfront for a season pass will disappear slowly but surely because PB just isn't what it was I haven't personally visited for the last 2 years simply because it's far to expensive for medicore experience

[@davidGPS95]

​@@jakeburgess6131 i wonder if Amanda is making the decisions or is she sitting back and paying someone else , whatever is happening they need to get their act together.

[@flaw3dgenius222]

Do any Intamin Gyro swings go upside down? Feel like thats what these swings are missing. Blackpool badly needs a new family coaster, they are all wooden for the kids. Playstation Ride back to its best, Gyro Swing and a family coaster for next year would be a great start of improving the park. New dodgems would be also amazing as the current ones are crap.

[@coaster_dad]

I don't think any of their gyros go upside down, but the ones in Europe are significantly larger than what we have in the UK, so I'd love to see one at BPB

[@ElaineDenton-mg7tp]

Totally agree

[@steruss9481]

Ok, i realise its smaller, but the SBF-Visa Maxi 360° at Gulliver's World can invert, a pair of those orientated to swing towards each other would give a real spectacle.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I’ve done those and they’re good but the giant swing would be awesome even if it doesn’t got upside down 😀

[@Soundsculpturesofficial]

I heard from a security guard that ice blast is being removed when I asked him at the pleasure beach

[@coaster_dad]

Interesting. Sounds like the staff don’t know if there’s conflicting rumours coming from different members of the team 🤷‍♂️

[@jnwallace2000]

What day last week were you there? I was there on Friday.

[@coaster_dad]

It was just over a week. I was there Sunday 29th

[@realloft]

personally I think a good fit for grand prix would be a intermin rapids, which fits the narrative of a family ride.

[@coaster_dad]

True but the park isn’t short of water rides and it’s also not the best weather for it

[@realloft]

@@coaster_dad thats true, also not short of coasters either, the problem is the space available in that area. what ever it may be, it needs to be able to fit between avalanche and the icon queue line. as its only 6 meters which is quite tight.

[@coaster_dad]

@realloft it depends which way it goes. And also if the gyro goes in the bowladrome. Because heading in the other direction from the GP station there’s a chunk of space: old wild mouse, old trauma towers etc.

[@benspeed2819]

It’s so sad seeing river caves like that 😔, such a classic ride. Hopefully they can get it back up and running and back to its former glory soon 😁😊!

[@coaster_dad]

Really hope it’s back next year and with some improvements 🤞

[@benspeed2819]

@@coaster_dad Hopefully mate 😁👍. It’s historic!

[@katashworth41]

The only way I’d want an STC is to scrap Infusion. Yes it draws the GP but it’s just unridable.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye. I’d love to see the back of infusion. It’s just not enjoyable anymore.

[@StrictEvilSadist]

If they do pay per ride could be something like the oyster system tfl use. One you hit a daily cap everything else is free so say once you’ve spent the admission cost rides are free only down side to this would be policing it making sure families weren’t sharing one card

[@coaster_dad]

That’s an interesting concept 😀

[@StrictEvilSadist]

@@coaster_dad more self interest as I only used to go in just for vallhalla and river caves. Being only 1hr from Blackpool the days when it was pay on rides was really handy

[@ianknight4213]

Did you get a season pass for £99?? I thought I heard you mention that, in one of your videos

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah I did. When they did the 24 hour flash sale. It’s back up to full price now I think

[@JTScottOfficial]

I luke River Caves, I really don't like Ice Blast, and think it should be removed and replaced, with just sething thats a bit more exciting, like a drop tower, or something.

[@coaster_dad]

Yeah if they don’t properly refurb ice blast and make it have more oomph I kinda agree. But if they do properly fix it I’d be ok with it staying.

[@simonlowery4458]

What about water coaster like the the one in turkey

[@coaster_dad]

Not sure BP had the weather for another water ride 🤔

[@TheDidymusBrush]

A gyroswing sounds really disappointing tbh. Personally (appreciate this isn't everyone's view) I'd like more rides with storylines and immersive worlds. The Wallace & Gromit ride is frustrating because it's just random scenes in no order without a plot. But that entire area where Terror Towers and The Wild Mouse were near that Bowlerdrome feels like it could be an exciting new immersive experience track ride.

[@coaster_dad]

The one thing the gyro would do is be the biggest in the UK and for that I’d love it. I do like immersive rides but the pleasure beach has many dark rides. as you said they don’t all have a cohesive storyline though.

[@christofsmanlib1385]

Hey there , interesting video yet again 🙂👍 Sorry to hijack your video, and apologies to anyone if they've already seen this, but this just came up on my video suggestions, and what a brilliant insight into BPB 'what was!' kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHaydH5teJprm7M Jim Rowland had a cavalier attitude in some respects, but what an outstanding achievement he and others made for the park. The sheer visitor numbers back in these days of the 90's, just goes to show what a difference today's park is, and not necessarily for the better. 🤔

[@55jond]

They have been charging you to get in for years. My thinking is that they do not have to try to much for money. Years gone by I took my kids in every day when it was free.

[@coaster_dad]

I don’t ever expect free entry to return (it keeps the trouble out) but they did have a cheaper non rider option prior to covid

[@brooni]

Whats your thoughts on the recent email they sent out today? We paid full price for Journey to hell for this Saturday with passage de terror. But to take £30 off it is a bit of a piss take

[@coaster_dad]

I must have missed that. Not seen an email yet 🤔

[@brooni]

@@coaster_dad sorry my bad I miss read the email lol £9.50 off lol

[@dannyseville2543]

They are wanting to go family friendly? No surprise when you see what it would cost for a family to go there.

[@coaster_dad]

Well that's a valid point, if they don't sort the pricing out they won't have families there 🙈

[@dannyseville2543]

@coaster_dad I realised after posting that comment that most of my recent comments have a negative tone to them. I think thats because at nearly 50, I grew up with 80s / 90s blackpool when the rock broke your teeth, the pleasure beach was free, the arcades were plenty and full of video games (not all the push penny / 1 million tokens for a pencil sharpener) that they have now, coral island being the worst for it. Maybe it's just my glasses have a slight tint of rose? 🤣🤣

[@coaster_dad]

@dannyseville2543 😂

[@arturobianco848]

For seacide city park a pay per ride system and free to low ntrance for non riders makes sence. People do spend money on food and drinks so id the park is a bit death thats an easy way to get people back in.

[@coaster_dad]

Aye fair

[@Temp0hCS]

The last thing the Pleasure Beach need is ANOTHER family coaster (see Grand National, Big Dipper, Steeplechase, Nick Streak, Avalanche). What they are severely lacking is a high quality Thrill ride. Their thrill rides range from mediocre to pants (Revolution, Infusion and Big One) and their good quality ride is quite tame (Icon). A good quality thrill ride like a B&M Dive, Mack Big Dipper, or Gerstlauer Eurofighter would be a perfect fit for this park. Also replacing Infusion with an STC would be lovely. Anyway thats my 2 cents lol :)

[@coaster_dad]

I certainly would not say no to a thrill coaster. I guess we’ll need to see what happens 😀

[@dariogibirdi1367]

Rides

[@amnnaali952]

Remove shitty Wallace and gromit and bring back goldmine instead!!

[@coaster_dad]

I’ve done both but I was really young so don’t recall gold mine. But I quite like Wallace 🤷‍♂️

[@andrewbarrett42]

I don,t think Blackpool will never get an amazing world class coaster sadly,Have,nt got the space.

[@coaster_dad]

If there’s one thing BP can find it’s space. Take a look at Icon and how the managed to get that to fit around all the attractions. However, sadly I agree but my worry is more they don’t have the budget 😔

[@simonedwards7969]

I hope to god it's a new B&M dive coaster as I love oblivion and it has seemed weird to me that there hasn't been another one in the uk

[@coaster_dad]

Would be nice but I’m honestly doubtful

[@kirstydiamond6987]

amanda ruing the park

[@coaster_dad]

😔

[@kirstydiamond6987]

Leonard was the Man

[@dariogibirdi1367]

Blackpool is poo all the rose needs removing and them old woodeys haved to go

[@coaster_dad]

It’s a tricky one. They need to balance the old heritage with modern attractions. And it’s not easy. Plus some of the woodies are protected and the park can’t do much 🤷‍♂️😔

[@dariogibirdi1367]

@@coaster_dad I know last time I went on grand national mt harm was killing like I pulled it bad because of how rough it was

[@dariogibirdi1367]

And the lap bars are terrible