What is: The Big One - The UK's Tallest Roller Coaster

The Big One is a steel roller coaster, located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, in Lancashire, UK. The ride originally opened to the public as the world’s tallest roller coaster, standing 213ft (64.9m) high. But it’s a lot more than just a record breaker. Join myself and Blackpool Pleasure Beach aficionado Scott of Pleasure Beach experience, as we discuss the complex history of the Big One, from taking inspiration from Magnum XL-200, to its Pepsi Max branding!
Big One Fact File: • The Big One: Fact File...
Pleasure Beach Experience: / clubpbe
Thanks to Glenn Robertson for the Big One soundtrack!
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[@tismejaytee]

“It had a good drop but the rest is just a monorail!” Taylor Bybee, 2018

[@tjex1]

An incredibly rough monorail at that

[@Monorail-Beyond-the-Veil]

But I LOVE monorails. :-O

[@peterflannigan1090]

Every time I’ve ever ridden it, as soon as the first drop is done I’m like “ ok I can get off now”. The rest is boring and tries to shake your body apart

[@horizonsamuari]

Coaster Fusion wrong

[@zandert8224]

@@madattaktube tight cluster of rides with Icon (and its immelman) and Infusion, intertwined with the Big Un. There's practically no walking involved. Compare that to the miles walked around most theme parks. Quickest triple hit of coasters I can think of.

[@InfinFox]

10:57 I AM SCREAMING, I THOUGHT I WAS GOING CRAZY i'd heard about this plan before somewhere and could not find any evidence of ANY of it - those photos have made me feel SO MUCH relief that i'm not going utterly mad

[@coasterbot]

No problem, glad we could help! :)

[@zandert8224]

Living in Manchester, I have two world class theme parks within a 60 minute drive. Blackpool and Alton Towers are theme parks I visit often. I rode the Pepsi Max big one shortly after it opened, it was mind blowing. Alton Towers has Nemesis (fave ever ride) and Smiler coasters that stand out amongst the best in the world; the theming and overall Park experience is also way better. But, having Icon, Infusion, AND the Big One gives Blackpool the coaster-thrillseekers edge, especially when you throw in the Valhalla ride (not a coaster). Either way I feel blessed. Blackpool so compact you'll use about a quarter of the footsteos/calories you would at Alton Towers. Ideal if you are lazy :D

[@bennickss]

I live 0h47 from Drayton Manor, 1h10 from Alton Towers and 2h13 from Blackpool Pleasure Beach :/

[@extrakubik4123]

Funfact The Stig from Topgear was so bored on the Big one that he fell to sleep

[@SlopedOtter]

Shows how well Nemesis has aged.

[@coasterbot]

Very true honestly!

[@bswift1991]

B&M are known as the best in the business for a reason I guess. I last rode The Big Ones about 4 years ago and honestly it felt like I was riding a shopping trolley that had been mounted to the track haha. It's very shaky and if it featured any sharp turns I imagine it would be incredibly rough by now.

[@TheAndroidvsapple]

True! I travelled from the NL to the UK in 2018, and I was so dissapointed by the Big One. Nemessis on the other hand, I absolutely love it.

[@inactive1572]

So has Shockwave

[@kodoku_opia]

I’m still wondering how Nemesis has remained elegant and smooth, even after the rusting of the track.

[@darrenk.2389]

So cool to see a collab on a What Is video!

[@coasterbot]

I'm glad you think so! :)

[@stegosaurus993]

The first drop is great, the coaster is rough but parts are smoother now with the re-track, the other hills and elements aren't the fanciest but they give good speed and great views, the interaction with other rides gives really good head chopper moments, the new soundtrack is sensational and there's now a front row queue! Sure, definitely not as intense as Nemmy or as smooth and thrilling as any modern hyper but still very fun IMO, and an iconic highlight of any Blackpool trip.

[@timothywait9457]

If your Talking about Nemesis when you say Nemmy then i say Big one is a lot beater then Nemesis i queued 2 and a half hours in 30 degrees for Nemesis in 1996 just for a fast Bluer i think Inverts have no soul thee fast and fun then the break run you don't remember much Hyper Giggir and wooden are my favourite yet i would que 45 minutes for Nemesis and no more i don't dislike it i think its overrated as with all inverters its beater then those silly Batman clones though

[@plushblueep]

Nice! And I love how Scott joined in!

[@yourexperienceguide]

Plushblue EP I really enjoyed working with Harry on this 😎

[@plushblueep]

Pleasure Beach Experience Glad to hear!

[@coasterbot]

We loved that too, it was awesome to finally have someone else feature in the 'what is' series :)

[@Luca-ph2yg]

I Love the Big One Soundtrack in the background 👌

[@coasterbot]

It's an awesome soundtrack :)

[@broadwayblueshirts6160]

I'm glad they are retracking it and have no plans to take it down, gotta keep some of these older coasters going. Nice video!

[@yourexperienceguide]

BroadwayBlueShirts They’re very keen to keep it going for many more years yet

[@coasterbot]

Thank you :)

[@Harv_0]

Looking at it now 'The Bigger One' would've changed a lot for the future of UK rollercoasters such as Hyperia being made.

[@AttractionStories]

Great video! Really want to go to Blackpool one day!

[@coasterbot]

Thank you, it's definitely worth a visit! The park is full of unique rides :)

[@willsharp9666]

8:14 the guy on the back row got punched over the drop there!

[@coasterbot]

The drop is actually mental

[@Yorkshireladdie-z4g]

i went on this with my school as a summer trip, it is insane, thats one thing crossed off my bucket list

[@toomuchcontext]

great collaboration! kinda wish there was footage or images of the original profiling on big one in this video, especially that first drop.

[@coasterbot]

Thanks Frank, there's hardly any photos/videos of the drop and we were a little rushed with this one so I didn't have time to scout for them and ask for permission sadly.

[@chrisogrady28]

0:32 that’s the dodgiest thing I’ve ever seen, what a badass

[@stokesa3122]

Roller Coaster Tycoon 1 Loopy Landscaoes gang represent!

[@SpikePBB]

Nice video and collab. Glad to see you're branching out Scott. Keep up the good work. 👍

[@coasterbot]

Thanks, we had a lot of fun doing this :)

[@Dazza-ut1hw]

I rode this when I was in Blackpool, it was amazing!

[@ScrewyLoops]

Cracking video lads! What a classic ❤️

[@coasterbot]

Thanks Chris! :)

[@matthewrobertson95]

The park has extended the boarding aisles (to hold more guests) and added a front row queue. Should definitely help capacity! :)

[@coasterbot]

They have, it's a great improvement! :)

[@tonysantero9161]

Great video Harry and Scott! 👍

[@coasterbot]

Thanks Tony :)

[@faux3113]

That’s what I call creative naming!

[@coasterbot]

For sure ;)

[@petermc7098]

Hello There, a great video and thank you for sharing the history of this iconic Rollercoaster, it's much appreciated. Cheers Peter :)

[@coasterbot]

Thanks for watching Peter!

[@petermc7098]

@@coasterbot Hello Harry, no worries, it was a great Video to watch. Cheers Peter :⁠-⁠)

[@timothywait9457]

@@petermc7098 i am 6 and the ide ops let me drink my whisky on it i have traveld the world but Blackpool was my home park yet Ceder point is my favourite

[@petermc7098]

@@timothywait9457 That's interesting to hear.

[@j800r_aswell]

OMG, the embarassing flashbacks. I pissed myself on this coaster as a kid. I was busting as we were getting on, then on the drop my muscles decided they were done and it became a water ride. In my defence. I was a kid, queues can be long, and you try holding it while experiencing G-forces, see how long you last. So many years ago now. Back when the ride was still new. I'm recently 37 for context.

[@chrisshort4121]

This is an awesome collab guys, great work as always

[@coasterbot]

Thank you very much! :)

[@user-mg3ow6jb6t]

Glad to hear it now has lap-bar restraints. When I went on it 25 years ago, only lap seatbelts were available. Very scary, great ride

[@Paolo8772]

I appreciate the love you have for what came before and what came after. Call me crazy, but for me this is where history is a thing. LOVE the memories this video brings too.

[@coasterbot]

You've always got to appreciate the before and after of anything! :)

[@Paolo8772]

@@coasterbot As long as it's something good ;)

[@ThemeparkDylan]

I love the soundtrack.

[@GingerbreadHen]

It just turned 30 years old! happy birthday big one!

[@GirlWhoLovesStrangerThings]

Can’t wait for my next visit to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Great video.

[@coasterbot]

Thanks! I think we're all excited to get back to BPB soon!

[@timothywait9457]

Rhe Girl who really loves Stranger Things do not foget to play Climig up that hill on the roller coasters

[@timothywait9457]

the girl who really loves stranger things i mean running up that hill

[@Operateur]

Great video and collab! Seem the big one was an important coaster for the UK

[@coasterbot]

Thanks my dude! It was a massive milestone for the UK for sure :)

[@timothywait9457]

i was 27 wen it opend in 1994 i remember queuing up for it for 4 hours on opening day i have been on it hundreds of times while its not in my top 50 roller coasters of all time its in my top 80 for the nostalgia

[@brettjones5336]

The "Bigger One" render in NL is my creation based on the two pics you shown previously. i was just sat watching and spat out my tea hahaha! i called it XL500, im glad you guys were able to find it and use it for something it took me the best part of a year to find the reference photos back then to try and make it. brill video guys.

[@coasterbot]

Oh damn, small world! I hope you're okay with me using the pictures, I didn't have a clue where they came from, a friend of mine just had them saved for years ago. Thanks for making the render and thanks for watching :)

[@brettjones5336]

@@coasterbot yeah of course it a very long time ago i even used NL glad its been of some kind of use haha.

[@HalfNorthern]

great video, i'd definitely love to see more blackpool rides/park history videos!

[@lyssa.mp3]

You just reached 53k subs!! Congrats

[@coasterbot]

Thanks!

[@theunknown0887]

Isn’t it weird that pleasure beach experience uploaded a big one video the exact same time as coaster bot

[@coasterbot]

No, it was entirely planned! ;)

[@theunknown0887]

COASTER BOT oh cool!

[@04taylorj]

Where can I see the no limits video of the the bigger one? I am really Keen to know about this ride that Never was. Great video btw to both of you

[@nox-qu1bm]

Yeah I would appreciate that very much, too. All I found out after a quick google search were decade-old (and older) articles without any pictures, or links to pictures on hosting sites which are long dead (talking about the CoasterForce forum thread from 2010 here). A link to that blurry animation shot of the ride which was featured in the video would be a good start. I always find those proposed coasters which never came to be fascinating. Would be nice if someone could recreate it with NL2, in that aforementioned CF thread it said there was once a model of the proposed Bigger One coaster on display at BPB.

[@brettjones5336]

@@nox-qu1bm it was my NL creation just stumbled across this video and was shocked to see it was in there good find by coasterbot tbh! ive had a dig around and found a few pics on my old photobucket. ive put them in this wetransfer link if anyone is interested we.tl/t-umnseVMFHI

[@bishopvick6373]

I love all roller coasters but I still find the Big One intimidating!

[@coasterbot]

It really is an intimidating ride!

[@timothywait9457]

Bishop vick its a fun ride don't lets its so cold height put you off it takes a minute from leaving the station to reach the top of the first drop you get a nice view of the promenade and the train in front as it drops steeply down then it sharply flicks you to the right then g force for 2 seconds and speed as one drops one has a lap bar and lap belt and grab rail i Wonder if the seat belt is needed i have never herd of any one taking it it off

[@timothywait9457]

Bishop Vick you have not been to a six flags park or ceder point or lots of usa paks then

[@timothywait9457]

Bishop Vick you should visit a usa park

[@timothywait9457]

@@coasterbot it Actually is not if you have been to ceder point r ceder fairparks or six flags parks but fro a British perspective if one does not like roller coasters it may be

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

Nice ones boys , love the what is videos 👌🏼🧱👍🏽

[@coasterbot]

Thanks guys, much appreciated :)

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

COASTER BOT 🧱👍🏼

[@benjustice3027]

Great video! However, that mention of the "Bigger One" roller coaster has me particularly fascinated. I was wondering if there's any sources I could look up to learn more about it? The most I could find was a link to an article about it, unfortunately it just brings me to an "error" page as the article seemingly doesn't exist anymore :/

[@coasterbot]

Thak you! I tried to look for sources but they seem to be from so long ago the links are all broken, as you found out too :(

[@jamrolyjoely2872]

this ride started me off as a coaster enthusiast 😄

[@coasterbot]

That's awesome!

[@chaomac]

awesome video

[@Happymali10]

No mention of the train having working headlights? That must be rather rare (also, how're they turned on and off?)

[@yourexperienceguide]

Max S. There’s a little switch on the third carriage I think it is, that controls all of the train’s lights.

[@coasterbot]

There was so much to cover in this video that we couldn't include everything! It is a cool feature though :)

[@pieterleebooij]

love this collab!! :) awesome video!

[@coasterbot]

Thanks my dude :)

[@clowestalks116]

i personally dont think its fair that people call the old girl a monorail because one shes a beauty of a coaster and two she rides well if winds are not to high

[@nicklowe536]

Watson trail built sections of the ride where Bolton Wanders stadium now sits.

[@Yoshimitsu4prez]

Love ur content, botto

[@coasterbot]

Thank you!

[@PaddletailPhilly]

Pretty great first collab! :3

[@coasterbot]

Thank you! :)

[@kenepo4u496]

I would like to see you do more What Is videos with other guest KZbinrs such as Expedition Theme Park and Airtime Thrills.

[@coasterbot]

Stay tuned! We'll be working with more creators this year for sure :)

[@MrsPolarBear]

Fantastic video! Loved it!

[@coasterbot]

Thank you!

[@timothywait9457]

Hypothyoidism Warrior nice to meet some one else who loves a ride lots of people hate on those coaster Kids Hated it

[@XtremeCoasters]

Great video :)

[@coasterbot]

Thank you! :)

[@AirtimeTom]

Great content, keep up the amazing work !!!

[@coasterbot]

Thank you very much :)

[@crashcoaster3852]

The soundtrack is by far the best part of the ride ngl. Although the drop is also cool.

[@coasterbot]

The soundtrack is great :)

[@Norrisnuts1259]

I went on the big one and I loved if but the suspense go get to the top was horrendous

[@coasterbot]

The lift hill takes ages to climb!

[@Norrisnuts1259]

@@coasterbot agreed

[@timothywait9457]

@@Norrisnuts1259 it takes between 43 to 49 seconds

[@timothywait9457]

Sammy Crossing it takes faster when he tide is in

[@blacklisted351]

Magnum was the first *complete circuit* coaster over 200 ft. Moonsault scramble was the first coaster over 200 ft.

[@shwajdhdiwjahdhfkah6552]

If pleasure beach got a 500 ft tall RMC T-Rex that would be lit .They could also call it the bigger one

[@coasterbot]

That would be crazy ha ha

[@yourexperienceguide]

They had plans for a coaster called The Bigger One, that coaster ended up elsewhere because BPB weren't able to go through with it sadly.

[@julian-xy7gh]

Ah, Pleasure Beach's creative naming department that brought us the likes of "Roller Coaster", "The Big One", and "Bigger One"

[@jstyxx4110]

Can you do a What is: Bizzaro/Medusa? First B&M Floorless Harry.

[@coasterbot]

I'll note that down, thanks for the suggestion :)

[@tismejaytee]

COASTER BOT be sure to mention the weird audio lol

[@Xmaricw]

Its sad to see The Big One's tallest in uk record will be taken by Hyperia at thorpe park.....but still The Big One remains being a insane and great coaster!

[@zeadux2095]

I went on it a few months ago for the first time and its just so rough but the first drop is fun

[@coasterbot]

I agree, it's not the best ride but the first drop is fun :)

[@zeadux2095]

yeah the first drop is good

[@timothywait9457]

@@zeadux2095 correct

[@evox0_x]

This was my first proper rollercoaster, it terrified me because of the brake section before you return to the station

[@coasterbot]

Awesome! I'm surprised the tall height didn't terrify you!

[@evox0_x]

COASTER BOT I’m pretty ok with heights

[@timothywait9457]

@@evox0_x you should ride Kinga Kar in Six flags Great Adventure new Jersey yet even that is only the 4th best in the park

[@ThemeParkLoopy]

Love the big one, one of my top 10 definitely 😁

[@coasterbot]

Awesome to hear!

[@jacobhinchliffe6237]

@@coasterbot what are your thoughts on The Ultimate I'd reckon it's my favourite woodie in the UK

[@larazzomarkie]

3:04 original blueprint without the helix? If so, without the midcourse break run?

[@coasterbot]

The original blueprint showed a very different ride to the one we have today! You might noticed that the hills are less triangular also! ;)

[@eliashansen8626]

0:25 Why does that transition actually look really well done? ...

[@coasterbot]

Thank you! :)

[@theunitedflight6487]

My answer to the video title: A big One. Oh boy! That's a big one!

[@coasterbot]

It is a big one!

[@user-dz5yo3cv6k]

Wow! This was definitely your best video so far!

[@coasterbot]

Thank you, I'm glad you think so! :)

[@dougieohanlon5437]

8:34 gotta love those Geoffrey Triangles

[@coasterbot]

This is a great name for them! ;)

[@dougieohanlon5437]

COASTER BOT credit to Evil Lewis

[@kylekoster4291]

Actually moon salt scramble at Fuji Q Highlands was the first to break 200 feet

[@nox-qu1bm]

That one wasn't full circuit tho. But first coaster over 200 ft in general has to go to Moonsault Scramble.

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

Did S&S provide that new track? Because I know that S&S have many of the Arrow plans after Arrow Dynamics went bankrupt, so I'm assuming that is how they were able to retrack the ride :O

[@yourexperienceguide]

Tony Kim The retrack was done by Taziker, a Lancashire based company

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

@@yourexperienceguide ahhh i see :o

[@LucasNinoMusic]

We need a new coaster to top this coasters height, our tallest coaster is by arrow lol.

[@stuartbrazier2464]

Great collaboration video A legendary Coaster .. how people call it a monorail I dont know .

[@coasterbot]

Thanks! And it is a legendary coaster for sure :)

[@mcfly824]

I really hope they hire Intamin, B&M, or Morgan to create new track while keeping the existing support structure. While it's aesthetically gorgeous, and an icon of the North. It is still a TERRIBLE ride! And the new track pieces create some of the roughest moments!! Fantastic video, though. As always :)

[@cass.ettetape]

Unfortunately, Morgan, which is the only company to ever remake an Arrow, is bankrupt and not alive anymore.

[@SevereWeatherQuester2005]

5:40 The Same Month and Day The Incredible Hulk Opened at Islands of Adventure in 1999

[@coasterbot]

Weird!

[@Thatguy-mk4fn]

It also has a theme that isn’t a song. I think it’s imascore

[@coasterbot]

It does but it's not IMAscore, it's playing in the background of this video! :)

[@Thatguy-mk4fn]

COASTER BOT it sounds like it

[@wullaballoo2642]

That support structure it passes under at 9:05 must be too low, it's taken out all the riders, just an empty carriage comes out of the other end.

[@metleon]

I imagine the next shot as all the riders running down the track trying to get back in the train.

[@THEGAMER-pd4ms]

My dad helped biuld this ride

[@coasterbot]

That's awesome!

[@timothywait9457]

ok

[@andrewhanson1180]

Get Morgan to fix the drops. Steel Phantom - Phantom's Revenge. Arrow went bankrupt over 20 years ago, it's time for a refresh.

[@jbfam7208]

Do a what’s silver bullet please

[@coasterbot]

I'll note that down, thanks for the suggestion :)

[@Blooms2U]

the name pepsi max is still commonly used as like a nicknames in manchester and for ice blast people like to call it tango ice blast where i live the name big one is not used and some people dont even know that is the proper name

[@ancientmachine9070]

I love this ride but I think it needs some tlc make it less jankety

[@coasterbot]

They are retracking parts of it, but it's still a bit janky

[@0z3r0]

Ain't Dreamcatcher at Bobbejaanland an older (1987) inverted coaster than Nemesis

[@coasterbot]

Dreamcatcher is a suspended roller coaster, while Nemesis is an inverted coaster. Dreamcatcher has trains why sway from side to side slightly, while the ones on Nemesis are rigid. As you could have guessed that's why Nemesis can feature inversions!

[@0z3r0]

@@coasterbot ah ok, thx for the clarify

[@exactchunk5685]

I think you linked the wrong video. for me it said untamed at walibi Holland.

[@coasterbot]

Refresh the video, it'll have the correct outro card then :)

[@exactchunk5685]

COASTER BOT ok cheers

[@jackwafc4144]

Not safe tht its wobbling at 2:19

[@coasterbot]

Roller coasters are designed to wobble, just like tall buildings. If they didn't they'd snap!

[@stellar3654]

That's what she said

[@dom7238]

stellar365 😂😂

[@rehanpoonawalla7406]

"it's a lot more than just a record breaker" Yeah it's basically a monorail

[@barneytheolddogs944]

I’m going on it soon someone tell me what it’s like.

[@yab0i_christian956]

U should do a what is jokers jinx at six flags america :)

[@coasterbot]

I'll note that down, thanks for the suggestion :)

[@Proman476]

Even Revolution is more intense. The theme music is the best thing about it.

[@coasterbot]

Revolution is awesome!

[@trimlesscoasters]

Isnt it sad, that UKs biggest coaster is 25 Years old and isn’t very tall, as same as intense? Edit: It’s also kinda...weird, that the ride has some Pepsi product placement I know some UK Coaster Enthusiast won’t like this comment xD

[@coasterbot]

See you'd think it is quite sad, but I don't think it is. There's only 5 roller coasters bigger than the Big One in Europe. 5 coasters in over 25 years. Yeah the Big One isn't intense or amazing, but it's still a unique coaster! Definitely the Pepsi product placement is weird ha ha :)

[@trimlesscoasters]

@@coasterbot xD yeah that might be tru ^^

[@yourexperienceguide]

@@trimlesscoasters Pleasure Beach went through a phase of getting rides sponsored by fizzy drinks companies!

[@trimlesscoasters]

@@yourexperienceguide lol 😂

[@nathanroberts23]

The stig of top gear went on this coaster and fell asleep- i wanna know how

[@GAMING-CELT]

1999 I was on the Pepsi max as a 12 year old was great

[@islama2965]

„nemesis became europes first inverted coaster“ *laughs in brexit*

[@bulletnotloaded3586]

The UK is still part of Europe..

[@islama2965]

Cat Kaing No, the UK has left the EU

[@bulletnotloaded3586]

@@islama2965 They left the European Union, but they are still part of the continent of Europe. Florida can't just turn around and say I'm not part of the USA anymore..

[@islama2965]

Cat Kaing Ooh ok thanks for clearing that up

[@lennyface8387]

@@bulletnotloaded3586 well that actually happened about 150 years ago

[@poppytaylor286]

Went on it today ye man

[@coasterbot]

That's awesome!

[@timothywait9457]

PoppyTaylow ok

[@jakob8646]

I cant believe they’re getting rid of the big one 😭😭

[@coasterbot]

They aren't getting rid of the Big One?

[@timothywait9457]

Jakob there not do not take refuge in a lie

[@sleepdeep305]

It's the world's first hypercoaster, is what it is

[@timothywait9457]

Clayton Elfert its the 3rd

[@aldorfc7287]

2.33 he a big lad eh 9.24 don't forget to smile n see cheese loln

[@gvkstopmotion2931]

It’s not 213 feet it’s 235 feet I saw it on a sign when I went there

[@Fluster]

great video but I feel like from watching povs after the drop it looks relatively boring

[@coasterbot]

Thanks! You're right, the drop is awesome but the rest isn't as awesome

[@andrewbarrett42]

Your right,its shite.

[@timothywait9457]

Fluster it is not boring its fun and relaxing and one can smell the sea air if the tides in or if the tides out relax and feel the speed and the helix at the end is fun if you look to your lft you can sea a jeep on one side before the dive into the tunnel

[@bryangintora9541]

Everytime I hear Big One I think of Big One from JAKQ Dengekitai

[@kylekoster4291]

But topsail dragster was actually The tallest when it opens

[@timothywait9457]

Kyle Koster this is nothing like the top Thrill Dragster and not to be compared