Valhalla, Blackpool Pleasure Beach TV Documentary (2000)

[@ZEK.0]

Someone should send this to the pleasure beach so they remember how amazing this ride was and how amazing they could make it!

[@dougbriglmen716]

Well thankfully from what I’ve been told by one of my enthusiasts friends, They supposedly managed to get behind-the-scenes and see what they’ve been doing and it’s basically going to be a restoration job i.e. it’s not going to be diet Valhalla, it will be restored to its more or less its full glory or at least a hell of a lot closer😀😁 Not sure if there’s any new technology affects wise going to be Inc or not though I suspect there probably will be. What my friend has told me is true and that really is what they’re going to do then I am very excited and very optimistic about it.

[@weemanjuanjo]

@@dougbriglmen716 Unfortunately the new version is very much a diet Valhalla. They got rid of the open vista over BPB at the start, along with the backwards drop and there is no longer refrigeration in the ice room. All down to cost. The park getting nowhere near the numbers it did when Valhalla opened in 2000.

[@dougbriglmen716]

@@weemanjuanjo with the exception of the snow no longer being in there I actually think it’s better than the old version, particularly with some of the new special effects in there like the flying wrath’s/skeleton ghosts. That room was crap before the refurbishment. Not that fussed about the backwards drop to be honest.

[@weemanjuanjo]

@@dougbriglmen716 To each their own I guess. I found it rather dull and unexciting compared with how it was. Losing the chill/snow effect is a big downgrade, even though I do understand why they did it. I first rode Valhalla in Oct 2000 and the shock of going backwards down that first drop was something else. My most recent visit was last month and it just felt like I got completely soaked with next to no pay-off 😅

[@kazokee]

It’s great that there are people like you that care about documenting things like this. Thanks!

[@oliverdobson5199]

This ride was the best water wide in the world up until it’s temporary closure by rankings. I’m hoping BPB pulls out the big guns and really makes this renovation awesome. The effects and experience are unmatched and you can clearly see the care that went into making this as good as possible. I love this ride and can’t wait for it to reopen better than ever.

[@Traveling.viking]

I went on it the new version but they took Away the backwards drop

[@themeparkreel]

@@Traveling.vikingthe backwards drop and turntable were sadly making the ride very unreliable even from the year it opened, they removed that to make it more reliable

[@suzanneboutcher9653]

We went on it in 2000 and 2001 it was amazing and all the effects worked. In more recent times lots of effects are missing but it’s still a great ride albeit VERY wet. Looking forward to giving it a go next year after the relaunch.

[@lukegreen5341]

I've Been To Blackpool Lancashire In England Back In June 2018 And It Was Super Awesome. Thanks Mate. X

[@DisneyMarkUK]

This is fantastic. I’m so excited to see Valhalla reopen in 2021

[@danielledewitt1]

Mark Forrest That’s if they get it done in time with coronavirus about.

[@welovemoistybutter7570]

2022 now sadly

[@ryanj8292]

@@welovemoistybutter7570 2023 now sadly

[@UTMP]

@@ryanj8292 it should be open again 18th march is the day!

[@masterknife8423]

20:57 So that's who played the projected Viking on the lift hill. The park should bring him back for an updated version for 2021

[@PinkysProductions]

Hope they do

[@ThemeparkDylan]

I think thats what there doing

[@itallia666]

I live in the northern part of Northumbria where the Vikings were regular raiders Esp the coast nearest to me & i often stand on the cliffs near my coastal home & imagine those Norsemen landing & the locals panicking & running for their lives! Many of those Norsemen settled here & many old settlements have been unearthed from those times, I once watched a good documentary on the Longships sailing up the River Tyne & the many viking surnames in this area of Newcastle & the North East coast. Maybe its why i love the Valhalla ride, my surname is Viking & my maternal great grandparents were from Scandinavia & my Viking surname from my paternal great grandparents from Inverness in Scotland Thank you for this video on the making of the wonderful Valhalla ride, best ride in the world!

[@andyknight1]

Fantastic video of a great ride. Even better when you get to the reverse drop and it breaks down. We had, probably, the best ride evac ever.

[@Darklord666123]

Cant wait for the return of Valhalla - BRAVE THE ADVENTURE!!

[@thefaerywitch627]

I'll never forget the first time I went on this. I hadn't got the memo and went on thinking it was a River Caves type ride :'') I was an absolute nervous wreck throughout it but it simultaneously became my favourite ride ever

[@dougbriglmen716]

GT- we always build new spectacular rides every four years, and if we didn’t, I think the public would be very disappointed. 20 years of Amanda Thompson’s management 😩😩😩😩😩😩😩😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GT wherever you are GT, I pray that one of your grandkids can turn this whole park around!

[@grahamjhallaudio8198]

THE LEGEND HAS RETURNED! British Theme Park Archive is one of my favourite top channels 👌 can’t wait for the book my’dude.

[@markmcfc1062]

Thanks for uploading this.I never knew it existed.Ive always been fascinated by the ride itself so to see this was awesome

[@norwichreptileshed]

Brilliant documentary, thanks for sharing.

[@carlwalsh5421]

This is brilliant

[@BOUNCERBABE]

I was working there when this was filmed. Absolutely amazing ride. Love it still to this day

[@dougbriglmen716]

31:01 The ring of fire in all its glory😎🔥🔥🔥 Is it just me or does it look more like a square of fire rather than a ring?🤔

[@liamcollinson5695]

Rode it in the 2000s and it was amazing I just hope it is been maintained properly I would love to ride it again

[@minecraft623creeeper8]

I saw this being made it looked amazing at the time and they did an excellent job on the whole ride. Nice to get drenched and have a fire ending to the ride. Got stuck on it once lol.

[@AttractionStories]

These videos are incredible! Thanks for sharing, can’t wait for the book!

[@AnimatronicWorld]

Thanks for this amazing documentary, been looking a while for something like that.

[@PinkysProductions]

Lovely doc there hope the closeure for 2020 season gets the tlc the ride needs. I named my busniess after the ride so hope they kerp it on for many more years to come i have alot of menorys on that spot from fun house want to see more fun till im in my 80s cant ride rides anymore

[@danielledewitt1]

Pinkys Productions It’s reopening in 2021.

[@PinkysProductions]

@@danielledewitt1 i no it dose

[@michaelhobbs3105]

Yeah looks as if it will not run this year as it needs some changes this year oh well it’s not as if I have not been on it at all done it for four years I got a few photos if you want to see them.

[@PinkysProductions]

@@michaelhobbs3105 ill see them not been to blackpool since i had my kids 5 years i am planning to go 2021

[@guitarplayerforu]

Who says you'll still not be able to go on rides when you're in your 80's? As long as you have no health problems you'll still be able to 👌

[@alunday1991]

Thank you so much for this. There’s some footage here that I’ve never seen. Really interesting!

[@matthewcoyle5277]

I was born in Blackpool but left very early in my life. I still have family in the area. Present day I did dna testing and that coast is where I’m from it’s where my community is. But I will never return. Until the pandemic I knew nothing of Blackpool I started to follow it on Facebook and KZbin. And it was nothing like I thought. I had this picture of a dirty grey world…. Then Facebook and KZbin and Blackpool this vibrant colourful place full of culture and excitement. Blew my mind

[@amaraamara2712]

i was there a week ago 16th August 2021. was told its still closed until summer 2022😔 Miss it loads

[@lewmysterhd3651]

23:23 take a shot everytime he says snow

[@-elle-o.o]

LEWmyster HD alcohol poisoning 😂😂😂😂

[@thesaint5619]

Amazing documentry well done sir

[@SuperGameEskimo]

You’re kidding me! I can’t wait to watch this! Welcome back!

[@stuartmchale4482]

Brilliant documentary really enjoyed watching it. Subscribed! 👍

[@michaelhobbs3105]

The best ride ever now a documentary to tell how it came about.

[@guitarplayerforu]

Well you learn something new everyday, I thought the flame effect was actually real flames. Hope they make it as good as it used to be again using the latest modern technology that's now available.

[@dizzydevil547]

it is at the end of the ride on the final drop ...just NOT in the bit of the tunnel aka "the corridor of fire" you go through earlier in the ride with the steam etc OBV for safety reasons as its a small enclosed area!

[@ciaran82359]

Great vid, thanks for posting. Only been on this ride once....don't know why I bothered buying a waterproof Poncho though lol.

[@dougbriglmen716]

18:39 Oden’s head for the refurbishment should be done with projected mapping😎

[@EuroThemeParkArchive]

Doug Briglmen Projection mapping is just projection on to an object so basically what the original effect is already. Although projection technology has improved since this was done

[@dougbriglmen716]

British Theme Park Archive I know the projected mapping is the most up-to-date version of that affect so it would make sense.

[@Hellwyck]

@@dougbriglmen716 *effect

[@dougbriglmen716]

Hellwyck I know that’s what I meant but my speech voice app on my phone doesn’t always type up the right word😕

[@random_gamer_guy82]

Always loved this ride but its never been given the care and maintenance it deserves. Such an amazing experience.

[@booth2710]

went to PB last year and went on Valhalla and it was crap. Half of the effects were struggling to work and it wasn't much more than a boat ride in the dark. Needs a lot of rehabilitation.

[@CamGold]

8:53 oh my god that flame effect tho

[@dougbriglmen716]

8:06 8:54 9:15 What I can’t figure out is how they are managing to ignite the gas for that affect what’s the water splashing on it. If it was a little electric spark surely the water would short-circuit that it wouldn’t it?🤷‍♂️

[@gamingcinematic3514]

Been on it many time great ride surprising drops you get drenched through on it. Not all the effects are in place as it’s got older but it’s still a good ride

[@dougbriglmen716]

I wish this documentary had showing footage of the Tesla coil. I would have been cool to see the laser floor as that was gone by the time I started visiting.

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, great video, looks like a pretty decent ride, it's great that they are refurbishing it as well, keep up the food work! Cheers Peter Mc :)

[@petermc7098]

It's a very informative documentary, with so much attention to detail from each of the ride designers and engineers throughout.

[@danielledewitt1]

Peter Mc It’s a great ride, whether it will be when/if it reopens next year is another matter.

[@petermc7098]

@@danielledewitt1 Hello Danielle, indeed, we'll have to wait and see on that front. Cheers Peter :)

[@petermc7098]

@@danielledewitt1 Hello There, we'll have to wait and see what this refurbishment brings/ has in store throughout. Cheers Peter :)

[@DiaryofaRollerCoasterGirl]

Did it ever open with the flames in the water?! I dont remember that and I rode it when it opened 😆

[@dougbriglmen716]

That’s probably because it was a very temperamental effect, maybe the splashes from the boats stop the gas from being ignited properly🤷‍♂️

[@GhosterStudios]

It was working in 2016 no joke there's a few POVs online with it working

[@-elle-o.o]

Diary of a RollerCoaster Girl it did I remember being on it and seeing the flames at the bottom of the hill 😂😂

[@Darklord666123]

Yeah the whole 'ring of fire' effect was unfortunately extremely temperamental due to the fact it was placed adjacent to the first drop and splashes from boats often caused the pilot light to be extinguished

[@DiaryofaRollerCoasterGirl]

Yeah I've seen the 'ring of fire' loads, it's the flames in the water which I've never seen 😆

[@AL4N777]

*Wow, great documentary, shame to see so many rides gone now tho, I’m sure Geoff wouldn’t be too impressed*

[@Matt19matt19]

But at the same time theres rides like icon. So it's not like they remove rides and then dont invest.

[@atmosphericfunfairs1371]

I think he knew that the park was going to have to make some difficult decisions and he began the ride removal process it was not sustainable and there were too many old rides alongside the new ones. Pay per ride was being phased out in favour of wristbands and there was no longer the need to have such huge volume of attractions. I think he would be very impressed with Icon.

[@dougbriglmen716]

ravejunkie problem is the park haven’t turned a profit since 2014 and before that 2003. So in a 16 year span the park is only made a profit once. That’s not a good thing guys, they really do need to start replacing rides whenever they take them out whether that’s a flat ride a dark ride or a rollercoaster.

[@atmosphericfunfairs1371]

@@dougbriglmen716 It wasn't sustainable having such a large volume of old rides to maintain and keep operating. They didn't need direct replacements for these rides e.g. Monorail, Whip, Turtle Chase, Vikingar, Cableway. All these rides were just racking up unnecessary costs. If they're not turning a profit its because costs are too high so they have to cut back. You can't just keep replacing rides with more rides it would be too costly.

[@dougbriglmen716]

ravejunkie The thing is they still advertise as the worlds most ride intensive park. 20 years ago they were absolutely spot on with that claim but not anymore. The most ride intensive park in the UK they can still make that claim as things stand, however if they keep taking rides out not replacing them eventually they won’t even be able to make that claim let alone the world. I they can’t have it both ways. And the visitors keep saying they’re offering getting less and less and less and less and less eventually there is going to come a point where that will affect the amount of people coming to the park as they just won’t bother.

[@Foxstar1387]

Definatly will miss it this season. not getting absolultly soaked is a thing for this year.

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Very interesting video.

[@SpikePBB]

When Valhalla was actually a superb ride. With each 'refurb' the ride gets worse. A shadow of its former self.

[@cal-efc8062]

4:07 R.I.P.

[@dougbriglmen716]

Tell me about it😩🐭

[@danielledewitt1]

Cal-EFC 1878 Good riddance you mean.

[@andyknight1]

Not the same without the Mouse.

[@vintasaru]

yeah- i feel as if they've really made it less exciting recently. i mean, i wasn't alive to ride it back then but it looked a lot better than it does now. even back in like,, oh god i dunno,, 2014/2015 when i first visited the park, the ride seemed a lot wetter i guess? i dunno how to really describe it but i feel like they've really turned down the excitement. hopefully when it reopens it'd be a whole lot better, maybe even making it better than it was when it was brand new. who knows. i can't wait to ride it again though, it is and always will be my favourite ride at blackpool.

[@simonp7095]

I already know the 2021 version will be not be as good as the original. If it's open on opening day 2021 I will ride it 5 times maybe 10 lol

[@arranmelaugh5606]

What do we all think will be different when it reopens?

[@ThetrollISBACK-hv7uv]

25:35

[@pgbaines65]

So much of this ride is missing now it is a disgrace 😡🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🤠

[@dougbriglmen716]

Fingers crossed this re-Ferb is done to a high standard🤞

[@donkintunes]

Take a shot every time the guy says "snow" xD

[@AestheticMess]

I don't like to go on this ride anymore. I went on it a week after opening and it blew me away. Now it just feels broken...

[@harrybates8804]

A l it’s now being refurbished so it should be improved a lot

[@AestheticMess]

​@@harrybates8804 Not sure about that Harry, If it costs too much to run at the moment I imagine changes such as making the cold room have fake snow and ice instead of the real stuff it used to have might be planned. I can dream though! Fingers crossed.

[@danielledewitt1]

A l Yes it is, Amanda Thompson said it’s being refurbished herself. Why would she lie?

[@lapsedits9017]

20 years later...

[@masterknife8423]

If only they actually gave a shit about the theming or any of the effects these days. I hope this "reimagining" will result in improved theming and effects

[@lapsedits9017]

@@masterknife8423 I think there will be some minor improvements.

[@masterknife8423]

@@lapsedits9017 Well that's just taking the piss. Not worth closing it for an entire season just to make minor improvements is it?

[@lapsedits9017]

@@masterknife8423 Yeah, but everything already there will me updated most likely and new things will be added. You never know what might happen.

[@Charlzey1998]

Look at Drayton Manor, they closed stormforce 10 for the whole season just to put in a new bridge, tannoys, weeding and some gravel!

[@ANYTHING-AND-EVERYTHING.]

Problem is the lazy staff who turn some of the water effects of so as not to have to stand there with the vac draining the boats.

[@Creative_Devise]

Will there be one on Vampire at Chessington?

[@oddsandwindsocks5905]

Will there be what at chessington

[@Creative_Devise]

@@oddsandwindsocks5905 A documentary on the vampire

[@EuroThemeParkArchive]

Watch this channel, we're working on something for Vampire for this year!

[@Creative_Devise]

@@EuroThemeParkArchive ooooooo

[@mikechick221]

hope with theme trying make it more afordble for run they dont end up spoling it

[@mikechick221]

I remeber seeing it go up then I fort this is go be amasing was even better then i fort it would be mr tompson came up with great atractions

[@markhowards420]

Wot wuud be more amasin iz wud be if u cud spell.Youve got the biggest dictionary and most amazing teacher at your fingertips , use it.

[@leannerobson3998]

Why they doing it up to make it back to this !

[@dougbriglmen716]

It’s the update the effects and make it more economical as well as it cost a fortune to run at the moment. Hopefully they’ll go all the way with that and really make it as good as it possibly can be updating technology.

[@imik3y]

28:47 RIP

[@bigchris80]

It's Jonafen woss

[@andymountain130]

Does anyone remember the old brown Skoda car with the two dummy's in when it was getting built??

[@michaelhobbs3105]

I have been on this ride water since 2014 up to 2019 now closed for 2020 to change the effects of the Valhalla the ride will not have so many affects like it did before but oh well times do change.

[@EuroThemeParkArchive]

michael hobbs It’s just closed for maintenance not to remove effects although it may be different when it reopens

[@dougbriglmen716]

British Theme Park Archive It’s also about updating the effects making them not only more economical but hopefully more reliable as well🤞

[@christopherpotter6650]

When Valhalla reaches 2025, it will celebrate its 25th anniversary. 2000: The Grand Opening of Valhalla 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005: 5th Anniversary 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010: 10th Anniversary 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015: 15th Anniversary 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020: 20th Anniversary 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025: 25th Anniversary

[@ZEK.0]

Lets hope they put as much effort in for the refurb probably not

[@danielledewitt1]

Zak Walker What makes you think they won’t?

[@ZEK.0]

Idk, lack of money or effort probably. They want to make the ride cheaper to run so aren’t going to use expensive effects or make major updates.

[@danielledewitt1]

Zak Walker They are only reiminagineing it.

[@ZEK.0]

@@danielledewitt1 Honestly, I hope so. I know I seem really unenthusiastic but I'm just trying not to get my hopes too high! Love your enthusiasm tho Danielle! I hope its even better than the original but if its not at least I won't have my expectations crushed!

[@danielledewitt1]

Zak Walker That’s what they said they were doing. You think they’d lie?

[@chloereid0x1]

He wasn't wrong when he said that 2:32

[@GOTHICMAMBA35]

" well the vikings aren't around today" THE Minnesota vikings enter the chat!

[@benlunn4006]

Did he just say Odin is Thors son 👀

[@CrimsonHound84]

Hopefully they do better research for the rework. With the resurgence of Vikings in pop culture, there's no reason for such inaccuracies in design work. Especially when it comes to getting rid of horned helms, lol

[@dougbriglmen716]

Only to close the Cableway one year later🤣

[@halcyondaystunes]

And these days it looks like crap. No park looks after their rides in this country. Think yaselves lucky you arent owned by Merlin. They would knock it down and put some sea containers in its place.

[@dougbriglmen716]

Some of them could definitely do with looking after the ride is better than others😐

[@rachelwain1250]

It’s closed all this year, they’re doing it up, can’t wait to see what they do for relaunch day next year.

[@dougbriglmen716]

3:28

[@jeroenaarts152]

Bel 112

[@simonprice2104]

Ye the original was a lot better