What’s going wrong with Blackpool Pleasure Beach?

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is undoubtedly one of the most iconic amusement parks in the world, full of history and brimming with nostalgia. However, there seems to be a growing consensus within the British theme park community that the park is in decline. This opinion was supported on the day the park opened for the 2024 season. Now March the 2nd did provide a glorious dose of dreadful British weather, which never makes for a perfect theme park day. But even without the cold and wet to blame, tonnes else went wrong for Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
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References
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• Alton Towers 2021 TV A...
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• YEAR OF EPIC! | Merlin...
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• ITV Granada report on ...
Pleasure Beach Resort -
• 125 years of Blackpool...
• Final piece of track f...
Theme Park Review -
• Blackpool Wild Mouse O...
Theme Park Worldwide -
• Blackpool Pleasure Bea...
• Blackpool Pleasure Bea...
• Blackpool Pleasure Bea...
Thorpe Park Official -
• Thorpe Park | The Home...

[@frankwilson3265]

Let's be honest, it started to die the day they switched from Pay-To-Ride to entry fee. Loads of people use to drift on to the park for a mooch round, ended up riding a few rides and probably buying some snacks and possibily playing a couple of the game stalls. Now it's just off the menu for the average day-tripper to Blackpool, as £40 ties people in for the whole day when they could want to do other things while they were there. With a stroll around the Pleasure Beach out of the equation, a trip to Blackpool slides well down in the appeal stakes, further compounding the problem and sending the whole seaside resort into a death-spiral that we're seeing now: More attractions outside the Pleasure Beach see less traffic and close, meaning less people visit Blackpool and the Pleasure Beach (in the form it used to operate), meaning less traffic for other attractions, meaning more of them close, meaning less people vist Blackpool and The Pleasure Beach. Rinse and repeat ad nauseum down to zero. The Pleasure Beach is a funfair, not a theme park and it never was. Blackpool is the resort, not The Pleasure Beach. Trying to market itself as a stand-alone like Alton Towers / Chessington / etc, was a kiss of death that anyone with half a brain could have seen as a forgone conclusion. It's a throw-together of rides in a very limited space, like any other funfair. It's not like Alton Towers where there's picturesque places to wonder around to balance the day. Just up the road, I've heard Morecambe is set to relaunch itself in the old seaside town format, with the reopening of Frontierland. If and when they do, it could be the final nail in the coffin for The Pleasure Beach and possibly Blackpool overall too, with the proable exception of the tower. Too much damage has been done now and too late to turn it around more than likely I'd say. Very sad, very stupid and very greedy.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, we completely agree! All these decisions have had such a bad effect on Blackpool in general. It will certainly be interesting to see what happens due to the impact of Morecambe on Blackpool. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@billchief397]

Yeah though I do not live there I get that about the entry fee part... seems like they are shooting themselves in the foot over greed.

[@martingetliffe]

At 55 I grew up when you could walk in free and choose what you wanted to go on. The atmosphere was better than it is now. I’ve been to both platforms, but since it’s a one off payment, my choice to visit has been limited because I just don’t like it anymore. The 70’s & 80’s were so much more special there than today’s clinical approach.

[@tehf00n]

The problem though was the influx of local chavs who would walk around like they owned the place. The arcades were awful and anytime you were playing you were guaranteed to get some little scrote stand next to you telling you they can do your skillshot or nudges.... in return for part of your winnings. It got really bad which is why they decided to price them out with a £5 entry fee. It worked well. But when they removed that and now charge people full price to just walk around... that's fkin stupid.

[@tonyhaynes9080]

They have done the same to Pleasure Beach in Great Yarmouth. How to lose money in one easy way.

[@chorleycake7942]

A CEO throwing their hands up an d saying it isn't their fault is exactly why they are in this mess. Terrible leadership.

[@johnsmith-ht3sy]

Go woke go broke.

[@Skaterbun]

She will be the death of a family business, similar to the greedy owners of Wilkos, not considering what the consumers wanted.

[@WhatYaL00kingAt]

Totally shows how dumb the CEO is by implying it must be the fault of the public by stating it's not there fault. Hope they go bankrupt coz they deserve it with that sort of attitude

[@uhm_oksure]

yeah. my brother used to work there and said she was a horrible woman and control freak 😭

[@VestedUTuber]

@@johnsmith-ht3sy How does this have anything to do with progressive policies? If anything, the CEO of a company refusing to take accountability is an anarcho-capitalist move.

[@paulinetinsley68]

They should backtrack on the entrance fee. I used to love walking around soaking up the atmosphere

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@Electro096]

Same

[@tbeeken1]

Was going to say exactly this. Used to be great being able to walk round for free

[@IMeanMachine101]

yep 💯

[@TheMixmaster2009]

Its private land. Why would they continue free access? I personally lrefer it that way. It wouldnt be fair on paying customers to walk around an overcrowded park would it?

[@simoncurrie5520]

Amanda should step aside and let her brother run the place.

[@dougbriglmen716]

Agreed, and eventually Morgan, his son, once he’s ready, having met and spoken to Morgan in person, I can honestly say he seems to really understand what makes Pleasure Beach special and how to bring it back to its glory days.

[@elkiepops]

Do wonder though if her brother would run it better, as he must see what’s happening just now, and doesn’t intervene? Xxx

[@dougbriglmen716]

@@elkiepops He can’t really intervene because he doesn’t have the final say, Amanda ultimately has the final say with her being CEO of a family run company.

[@PhotoWirral]

It's the family that are presiding over the slow demise of the park. The sooner it is bought up and they are out of the way, the better. Why would one family member do any better than another? What skill-set, acumen and experience does he have in running, and scaling a theme park or similar large operation? It's okay to say he understands what it needs - so do many people - it's about implementation where family businesses fall down. They don't have the vision, they're content with the status quo and making the wedge they're already making, if you want to see it develop, prosper, and scale, then the family needs to go. Until then, it will continue its slow demise into the abyss until they either fail, or are bought out to avoid failure.

[@dougbriglmen716]

@@PhotoWirral I can promise you, Morgan will have a much better understanding of how to run the park with Amanda does, I’m more certain of that now than I’ve ever been before. Honestly, it doesn’t necessarily need to change ownership just somebody more confident in the family that will prioritise the park over bloody hot ice and the hotels, if Amanda still wants to run them herself fine, but the park needs to be run by somebody who will not only prioritise it but actually bring it back to its former glory or at least a hell of a lot closer to that.

[@peterkelly9490]

It should go back to what it was when I was a kid, free to enter and you could buy blocks of tickets or pay per ride, now its what £40per adult it's become rip off

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, that would definitely help the park attract more guests! Thanks for watching!

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Jesus! Is it £40 to get in there now? For what!!!??? Its a small park with few big coasters and some old fashioned classic rides, some smaller stuff and most of it is dirty, falling to bits and covered in grime or rust or both!!! A lot of what I saw in this video looks so badly maintained you are taking your life in your hands getting on the thing! In the early 90s there was a documentary on the BBC about Blackpool Pleasure Beach and its lack of maintenance and issues. They were going around with the workers, one of who was a whistle blower and had lodged complaints about all the rot in the wood on the Grand National. That was just one of the rides in question. The Wild Mouse was falling to bits then, no wonder its gone. Bolts were dropping out of the track etc as the cars went around!! And this was back in the early 90s...I bet its just as bad if not worse than ever now...

[@iitzfizz]

Yeah, it went wrong way when it changed from wristbands and tickets. As a kid we used to go with my mum and dad and my Gran and they could enter the park for free and we would pay for tickets or a wristband...My parents and gran wouldn't ride anything and these days they're not gonna pay the price of a day ticket to just walk around.

[@christait8503]

@@Simon-xc5oy No. It's £33 when you book. It is a small park, but has more rides than Alton Towers. Each to their own over choices though.

[@joemuir866]

If it don't take cash then won't be taking my kids

[@phillambrose3496]

It needs a major player to fund the Pleasure Beach, she won't even keep up the maintenance on the Woodies, they are in a terrible state. And as for going off the deep end when the Public make assumptions on new rides and she's losing her cool over it, she's going the right way of rubbing people up the wrong way....people have feet and they can walk. The Pleasure Beach closes way too early. Back in the 70's and 80's when Geoffrey Thompson was in charge, the Park used to be open late into the night. It's been 6 years since the Park has had a new Ride, while the other Parks in the Uk are way ahead with new rides and more planned. Rant over.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Haha, totally agree! Thanks for watching!

[@melina001a]

Agreed the Pleasure Beach needs new owners who care about the park. Maintenance is a massive must. Amanda Thompson needs to go. The park needs a major over haul, I can't see someone like Disney sitting on his arse not introducing new rides and keeping staff under control.

[@arranmelaugh5606]

It’s being left behind with Alton towers and Thorpe park essentially having new coasters

[@severnsea]

I think the reason for the early closure is because our wonderful forward thinking council imposed it on them because of the noise late at night, which apparently was receiving complaints from local residents and hotel guests. What the hell they expected when buying a home or hotel room next to a theme park in a holiday resort I've no idea, but I never heard any locals complain and I used to live very close. Totally agree with the rest of the comments though, she's too set in her ways and is well known for disagreeing with just about every idea thrown at her because she knows best and will do it her way. She really needs to get her act together because Blackpool doesn't have much more going for it, with most of the traditional trams gone, the town centre run down and the council's only solution is to throw millions at turning old abandoned shops into government offices, as if anybody is going to come to Blackpool to look at those, and the tram extension to the train station means that most visitors are going to completely bypass the town centre anyway. Everywhere you look, just one black back from the promenade the place is a real dump, especially from Central Pier southwards. Sadly I think by the time Amanda Thompson wakes up and smells the coffee it will be too late, because if the Pleasure Beach goes you take away the one remaining jewel in the crown with the possible exception of the Tower.

[@Kivetonandrew]

I remember the Pleasure Beach as a kid in . Always was a magical place. It was a place I've always visited when I've been to Blackpool. It had a unique atmosphere. Then one visit I found you had to PAY just to walk around. Never been back. It seems like there needs to be a huge change in management!

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah it's such a shame! Thanks for watching!

[@testpilotian3188]

A new managing director would probably go a long way to improving operations and staffing moral, if she’s that hostile to strangers in a public forum like X, imagine how she treats people behind close doors.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, that's certainly a good point. I can't imagine morale is great amongst those working at the park! Thanks for watching!

[@vaslav030547]

You wouldn't believe.

[@littleblackpistol]

Yep, sounds like way too much ego and inherited wealth to me. Often an issue in generational family businesses when the wrong family member ends up inheriting the reins.

[@severnsea]

@@littleblackpistol You're not far off the mark to be honest.

[@MGarages]

Watch the Pleasure Beach documentary series from the 90s if you want to see how she treats staff, horrid woman.

[@CoolRunnings-wm8cj]

What puts me off taking my Son is the fact that they want me to pay full admission price even though I’m likely to sit and watch my son and his mates go on the rides. I don’t like ride and I am literally there as a parent/guardian so why should I have to pay full whack

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, there needs to be better ticket options! The walk around pass should definitely come back!

[@tubewatcher97]

@@JustThemeParksYT so they had a walk around pass in the past ? that would solve the majority of complaints

[@JustThemeParksYT]

@@tubewatcher97 Yeah, they used to! It also used to be completely free to enter before that! It really would solve most the complaints in the comments!

[@robwalker4653]

@@tubewatcher97 They did, and everyone complained about that. Yet they never actually went to the park.. Next time I go to the cinema to watch a film with my child, I might ask if I can get in for free as I won't be really watching it..

[@tubewatcher97]

@@robwalker4653 a better analogy would be the cinema charging you £10 to wait for your child in the lobby

[@spaniyell]

Glory days of the 90's are long gone. Icon was a great addition but removal of the Wild Mouse was almost unforgivable. At least Mr. Funshine has been let out of prison.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Haha, very true! The loss of wild mouse is truly so sad! Thanks for watching!

[@zoltar666pz]

I use to love going on this when it was pay for the ride now not been in since the charge to go in

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Heh...That Wild Mouse was falling to pieces! It was dangerous. So badly maintained and rickety. It was very old though. If they had not taken it out or closed it etc someone would have died on the thing when a car came off the rails. They could have built a new one with the same design etc, but it was way past being safe. Seems like each year when I look in the news at some point there is a story of people getting stuck on the Big One coaster as well, and having to be rescued by firemen or walkdown the safety catwalks as it breaks down for whatever reason. They need to get real and serious about this park otherwise there will be a serious accident there like the Smiler at Alton Towers. I am just amazed it has not happened yet, to be honest...

[@GaryThomas-gx2jm]

@@Simon-xc5oy not if it got regular maintainence or an upgrade ? There was no excuse to abandon one of the parks premier rides !! Only danger was its upkeep n wellbeing !!!

[@Simon-xc5oy]

@@GaryThomas-gx2jm I know. But they never looked after it. I am not exactly young anymore. I first went to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1975 when I was a toddler. And it was falling to bits then. Tatty. I have been back many times, in the later 80s and 90s. Through till about 2000 or so. And it got steadily worse over that time. Same with the Grand National, Grand Prix and a lot of the older rides like the River Caves. The Gold Mine has been taken out. And Grand Prix is going. The whole park looks tatty and run down now. The Big One etc has constant problems and breakdowns, but looks ok as it gets painted and some more maintenance than other rides. But that Wild Mouse was utterly unsafe and dangerous. Yes they should have maintained it. Yes they should have upgraded it and replaced the track etc to keep it tip top. But they didn't and it fell into such disrepair it was probably cheaper to bin it rather than fix it. That is down to bad park management and poor decisions over the years. If you want a wild mouse ride, last time I looked there is one on Brighton Pier that is pretty good and very similar. And the car does not lift off the track during the run and its not dropping to bits...

[@simonrobertrhodes]

It’s 20 years since Geoff & his mum Doris died and they would be spinning if they could see it now. Not just the park, but the entire South Shore area is awful compared to what it was. I was very fortunate as a teen in the early 90’s to be able to visit the park weekly. It was open till midnight on illumination weekends and was very busy. There is no way they should introduce free entry as it was bad enough in the 90’s with randomers hanging around, stag and hen parties and locals passing through with shopping as a short cut. Now, with the state of the town, it would be disastrous. Amanda seems to be losing interest. She should pass the reins to Nick or Morgan, it needs new blood and new ideas before it reaches the point of no return where it’s not sustainable. A decent priced family pass allowing the family members who don’t want to ride cheap or even free entry with discounts on Food or Souvenirs. A couples pass where 2 partners get a good deal with drinks vouchers etc. Group passes for when the footballs on a Bloomfield etc. It needs something to revitalise it.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, I think that's a fair point. Free entry may well no longer be a good idea, but better ticket options are needed! Thanks for watching!

[@masterknife8423]

Bringing back free entry should be an absolute no what with the current state of the town. You've got the piers for that if you want it. A £8 entry pass with free access to rides like the River Caves and the Pleasure Beach express and a 10% discount on food and snacks could be a good and profitable idea though

[@nessah23]

It was disaster fist day of Easter break roller coaster broke down.saw on news people been walked down track to safety

[@severnsea]

"Locals passing through with shopping as a shortcut?" To where? It doesn't go anywhere near any shopping areas or any residential areas for that matter. It wasn't a shortcut to anywhere that a local would want or need to go.

[@severnsea]

@@masterknife8423 Yes, I like that idea. Keep it reasonable, family ticket for £20 or something with a couple of rides thrown in. I seem to remember Alton Towers has a monorail or something that takes you from the main car park into the theme park if I remember correctly, so for the kids especially it's great as they get to go on a ride of sorts as soon as they arrive. I've also been a big believer in providing decent food and drink at a reasonable price, never can understand why these places turn out the most awful stuff at absurd prices. They would surely sell far more if it was cheaper and edible?

[@jackjarvis6644]

Blackpool pleasure beach has been in decline for a number of years. Was a firm family favourite when i was growing up, but recent trips with my own kids have been really drepressingly disappointing. Would only cosider going back if the park changed back to ride tickets instead of day passes that way you could wander in and out at your own leisure like the good old days

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, it really has been depressing to watch! I don't blame you! Ticket options really need to change! Thanks for watching!

[@Never2old.]

I haven't been to BPB for a few years now and will not return until Amanda hands over the reins to someone who actually cares for the rides and their place in the amusement park world. The last time I went I was appalled at how the classic woods have become rough and unloved. Let's see some restoration instead of demolition

[@adambrown67]

We Havent been to the pleasure beach since the opening of the icon ride in 2018 , I love blackpool to bits- before the pandemic I used to go at least twice a year for 30 years. I say this with the greatest of respect and a fair bit of sadness aswell but even when we were there 6 years ago I thought that the park looked a bit run down and tired , the merch was way too expensive and all the ride operators and staff in general looked thoroughly miserable and we just came away with the impression that the whole place needed a bit of Tlc. I go on some of the rides but my partner is a non rider and like a lot of people have said we certainly are not going to pay sky high prices just for the privilege of being able to walk round.Why not go back to a minimum charge for entry and re-structure the prices to accommodate everyone ? I dont know what the answer is but i do know one thing is for sure, if the park really is losing money like the reports say it is then the owners need to do something about it and quickly .Otherwise i dont think its beyond the realms of possibility that the park could close within the next 10 years.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

yeah, the park is incredibly run down these days! It's sad to see!

[@RogEdwardsTV]

They need to bring back a walk about ticket for a tenner or similar. I used to love going to the PB with my Mum and Dad. I would go on the rides and they would watch and buy coffees and food. We don’t do that anymore because it’s stupid for them to pay full price to just walk round. I’m flabbergasted that Amanda doesn’t get that this is keeping crowds of people off the park. Also they need to replace removed rides even if it means having seasonal guest rides. For example put a travelling Mouse where the WM used to be. And some temporary flats. It would work. It works at other parks in the UK. Come on Amanda start listening to your customers.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the walk around pass absolutely needs to come back! It was always such a popular ticket option! Anything to replace the removed rides would certainly be better than nothing! Thanks for watching!

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Alton Towers back in the 80s used to have a lot of big off the shelf rides. Stuff that was fixed in place, but not a custom coaster. So things like 1001 nights the magic carpet rides. The wave swinger that was a huge roundabout with baskets on chains. Thunderlooper which was also in Blackpool but there it was called Revolution or something similar. That coaster that is one loop and up a huge incline, then backwards via gravity the same way. There was Enterprise, that round spinner ride with carriages and the whole thing tipped up onto its side like a Ferris Wheel. What Blackpool Pleasure Beach should have done is get in some rides like this to fill the gaps. Popular, easy to buy and maintain and not too large taking up a lot of room. This was how Alton Towers built up its reputation and took a lot of money. They put that money back into the park buying and building huge custom rides like Nemesis, Gloomy Wood, Oblivion and so on...So now its the best theme park in the country. Blackpool Pleasure Beach is just slipping backwards into total decline. Its just another example of what is going on to the rest of the Uk. Bad management, excuses, lack of investment and maintenance, leading to breakdowns and problems and finger pointing. Its the managements job to ensure everything works and runs, otherwise what use are they ? Saying dont blame them for problems is ludicrous. If they had done their job properly there would not be problems. As they would have hired the right people to fix the rides. Ordered the parts and had them in place and made sure everything was on schedule and tested and working for opening day. That is the function of management!!!

[@andrewbrazier9664]

​@@Simon-xc5oyThunder looper was granted temporary planning permission due to the noise levels for local residents. It was not the Revolution, which is a custom built Arrow coaster still in operation at Blackpool Pleasure Beach & ride experience Is still intense & excellent 😃

[@Simon-xc5oy]

@@andrewbrazier9664 I know Thunderlooper was a single loop coaster, that went up a steep incline on the far side of the loop. The Revolution opened in Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 1979. And it was the first of the European full loop coasters. I remember it well as there was a lot of publicity at the time. And an episode of Jim'll Fix it was filmed there with some Scouts going on the coaster while eating a packed lunch. Done for comedy value and the mess was incredible it was used in the opening credits of the show for years after.. Shame about what Saville was up to but I used to enjoy the show at the time. So to me Thunderlooper was very similar. I am pleased that Revolution is still at the Pleasure Beach though. I used to love the two different Magic Carpet rides at Alton Towers and was sad when they went. There was a smaller fast version that really flung you around and then a huge tall slower one that gave you an incredible view of the park. When it came down from its arc it was like being in freefall if you were sitting in a seat at the edge, really scary. I used to love Wave Swinger and Enterprise as well. Its great the park has huge custom coasters but the slightly smaller rides like I mention could get huge numbers of people on them very quickly, so the queues were never that bad and you could get a ride easily, nip on something else, go back and ride it again later or pop back for a last ride at the end of the day...

[@andrewbrazier9664]

@@Simon-xc5oy Agree . Very different ride experience though. Thunderlooper was much less intense with its ground level launch.

[@sharonellis8776]

I visited BPB last year in early April. It was a wet day, food too expensive, couldn't use cash to pay which was really annoying. Did not see the reason for having bag checks on entry. Had to scan ticket on my phone for every ride. Will not be going back ! xx

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the price of food is so high and the quality certainly doesn't match! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewhaines3259]

When you start messing around with brand identity, you know there's something wrong. The PB used to be somewhere to go for everyone. In the eighties, it was free to wander about, so those that don't like the rides can go and they can be 'coat monitor'😅. There were attractions that were free, or on the lower band tickets you bought. It started to go downhill in my opinion, when the Fun House burnt down, an attraction, for those that are too young to know of it's existence, that was a large "shed" full of things like moving walkways, spinning drums and turntables etc. They got rid of it because you could spend all day in there, so it was a loss of revenue. The gokarts were always popular, but poorly maintained even then. It needs someone who has the customers at the forefront of the business. It's a business, it needs to make money, but there are ways to do it. Pricing out those who would be your main supporters isn't the way to a sustainable park.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Exactly! The park has completely lost its way! Thanks for watching!

[@StanThompson-vx2ro]

They demand that staff focus on selling photos to ride patrons, and have set targets. No wonder the staff are miserable.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Wow, that’s not good to hear! Staff shouldn’t have to meet those sort of demands! Thanks for watching!

[@I_hate_you_Butler]

Like many people,I believe that Pleasure Beach, has lost it's magic...I can't see it returning.We all have fond memories of rides that we liked, and fortunately some are still there.But for how much longer? Building new rollercoasters,every several years or so,does not define a theme park.It just doesn't.Also,I agree with some of the other comments,about a 'park walk around pass', and reinstating 'pay per ride',as not everyone, likes the same type of rides.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the park has lost so much of its charm! The ticket options definitely need to change! Thanks for watching!

[@travellingman4609]

For us its a 200 miles and 3.5 hours of driving from Scotland, £70 fuel. 1 day park tickets for the 4 of us are £122. Hotel Big Blue hotel £178 for 1 night family room. Eating out for the day £30-40? That's a £400 family day out. Not including any next day excursions to Blackpool tower or North/Central Pier. That's more than a full time supermarket workers weekly wage. Only way to enjoy these kind of places in 2024 as a family is of both parents work, you earn a good salary or put it on the credit card and pay off the debt over the year! First world problems I know but I hope it gets easier financially as in the country our wages have not caught up with inflation.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the park just isn't affordable for most families any more! It's sad to see and we hope this changes!

[@PAUL25926]

What happened to Scots week?

[@travellingman4609]

@@PAUL25926 Pretty sure coach loads of old folk still go down for Scots Week. None of the attractions will have discounts on so it's not any cheaper. Families with cars are more likely to head down when the weather's good during the sumner school break.

[@salvadormarley]

400 quid for a family day out - yes, that says it all. For that you can get a cheap week in the sun somewhere.

[@Kat-bx5mn]

I live in Blackpool and we don’t even get any discount, I don’t know anyone that’s been to the park from my town since the tickets and free entry came into place x

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, it's sad to see how they treat locals!

[@TheIndigoSystem]

@@JustThemeParksYTimagine thinking you’re owed a discount as a local. Gtfoh with that entitlement. Bunch of Karens, the lot of you.

[@juneseghni]

I spent a summer working as a cashier on the rides in 1986, and occasionally did group tours. It was always busy in those days. Sad to see the decline.

[@markfalshaw-gv9im]

The pleasure Beach has been in a downward direction for many years,from charging people like Grandparents to walk around the park while taking there grandchildren to the funfair ,that was a bad decision by charging for entrance then to be let in and find out that there are 4 or 5 rides are down for maintenance inc 3 Top rides and this is a regular thing and when people win prizes on some of there stands wich make a fortune then say your a professional at this so you cant play anymore and you will have to leave the park ,it happens,the food is over priced pig swill , tbh as a family we just wont go anymore we would rather take the kids on the pier rides

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the park has very little going for it these days! I don't blame you for not visiting anymore!

[@user-wf3tu5ur5u]

Geofry Thompson is sorly missed

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Very true. Thanks for watching!

[@MikeRox83]

Nail on head is free entry and pay per ride as it used to be. Sure do day passes, but I used to just like mooching around and experiencing the sights and sounds of the place. There's not enough for me to go on to pay the current asking prices. But I'd pay for 1 or 2 rides and patron the concession stands purely out of nostalgia.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Exactly!

[@notsospoopybob]

i think you hit some good points: the park is for sure having an identity crisis. theyre trying to compete in a market they dont have the capital to compete in, and refuse to lean into their marketing that theyve spent 100+ years building. it just doesnt make sense to try push that away so suddenly. the park does probably need a direction change though, the english seaside town market is just going to keep shrinking. the park has done this far too abruptly though, it feels like theyve just slapped a sticker over their whole identity and said *this is us now* without any real care or passion. it concerns me that the management thinks this is a good way to go about things and what might be ahead for pleasure beach. that being said i wanna give them time to see if this new identity works, people dont like change, but if they can pull it off theres a chance it works, but management doesnt instill me with confidence. especially with amanda scolding people for calling a ride by its newer name, when theyre trying to move forwards??? it makes me think she doesnt even believe in her own parks direction. its sad to watch tbh the park has also just been removing rides without any real replacement. you cant just get rid of something and expect no impact if you provide nothing in its place, people will just slowly lose hope as more and more of their favourite rides go and nothing is given as any sort of replacement to justify the old rides removal in their eyes (most people dont see the behind the scenes and the cost of keeping those older rides going)

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Thank you so much for the brilliant comment! I definitely agree that they need to figure out their identity! The park should find a way to balance their legacy with their efforts to modernise/update. The loss of rides is very sad to see! It makes sense that some things have to go/ are just too expensive to maintain, but the lack of replacements is not good! It's sad to see!

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Yes exactly. They are never going to compete. I first went there in the mid 70s as kid and it was the most amazing place ever, well kept and with some classic rides. The log flume was still there then, and the Ghost train which is still there. But the Goldmine was a Blackpool classic. They should have kept that and just repaired and cleaned and spruced up the theming. What they should be doing as the space is limited, is give people a retro traditional seaside park experience. Keep the retro rides, keep them up to date, clean and well maintained and for heavens sake PAINT THINGS! Get rid of the rust and grime! Keep it clean and tidy!!! Put in an arcade that has vintage retro arcade cabinets! People would come to see the classics, how things were done back in the day, and there could be a couple of big coasters as well. Just going on vintage retro rides like Goldmine would be the reason to go in the first place...

[@JustThemeParksYT]

@@Simon-xc5oy Exactly! They need to care for and preserve what they already have, rather than letting it get run down!

[@TonyGator78]

When I was a kid my parents took me to Blackpool every year. I was about 10yrs old I think. The Fair (as we called it) was amazing and full of people every night. We didn’t have to pay to enter and roaming the fair was the highlight followed by the ‘Blackpool Lights’ and automated displays that lined the Golden Mile. Over the years my sister followed the tradition with her children. But now it has been ruined by charge to enter and overly commercialised Corporate branding. It has lost much of its fun factor and families can no longer afford the additional expenses just to take the kids out every evening. How times have changed.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It's so sad to see! Thanks for watching!

[@Electro096]

Great Channel and I miss the Mouse Trap soo much. That was such a iconic ride. Craziest sharp corners and steep drops in a Amusement park.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Thanks you so much! We miss it too!

[@user-hz1nb5ff7c]

40 pounds entry outrageous ,far to exspensive,should be free,as it used to be

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the price has become crazy!

[@mrandrew1243]

Sadly blackpool will never be the holiday and day trip mecca it once was with families and people of all ages. The decay of hotels, shops, and classic pier entertainment has made the once golden mile and its buzzing nightlife a distant memory and like most things around now, will not be the exciting and free era it once was

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the park is definitely only a small part of the problem. Blackpool just isn't what it once was! Thanks for watching!

[@JayJay75315]

Being in Blackpool is the problem

[@Adzcantsing]

Just need to go back to free admission like it use to be. People would still spend money on food, games and merchandise

[@breathoffreshair7314]

They cant. You seen the people that have been put into blackpool, often through the b n b's? Park would be trashed.

[@sitcorocket]

As much as i love the place its definitely lost its way....as others say the weather doesn't help and Blackpools reputation as being a bit rough cant attract people. The price is way too much. It needs an outside agency to come in and right the wrongs.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

The park could definitely do with some help! Thanks for watching!

[@Simon-xc5oy]

I know. Blackpool always was a bit rough in places with a reputation. But it was always fun and colourful as well. Now it just looks like a tip and is really run down. Yes you could got there for the illuminations. But what about summer? If it looks grubby and run down then it will add to its image of decline. Faced with a choice of going to Blackpool and the Pleasure Beach or Alton Towers I would pick the Towers every time. Both places are expensive, but at least Alton Towers is better kept and less rough and has better rides, in a better state of repair...

[@JustThemeParksYT]

@@Simon-xc5oy Yeah, Blackpool Pleasure Beach looks really run down these days! Alton Towers is far better!

[@christait8503]

@@JustThemeParksYT I would disagree. Pleasure Beach, for me, has better selection of rides. Other than Nemesis and Hex, I would say Towers is a bit 'meh'.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

@@christait8503 To each their own. Their are so many things we love at Pleasure beach, but overall, just can't say it's as good value for money! But. we'd love to see things change in order to preserve the classics Pleasure Beach does have!

[@kh1426]

I also agree about the cost. I'm disabled and unable to ride on the rides, why should I pay so much to enter? This prevents me from entering to spend money on food and merchandise. This would also prevent many other adults even though they may have children.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, they need to sort out ticket options for sure! The current system doesn't work for so many people! Thanks for watching!

[@user-dk2oy3es1e]

I agree with everything said, the Pleasure beach needs to follow it's own identity rather than follow what other parks are doing.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Thanks for watching!

[@Speaker568]

Too expensive anyway also should not have to pay if you don’t ride and your a parent taking a child in I understand if your child’s not riding .

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the ticket options and prices just don't work for what most people want. Thanks for watching!

[@LenkaHatakeRAWR]

i don’t get why you should pay to get in considering you have to scan at each ride anyway. people who don’t want to ride shouldn’t have to pay to just get in.

[@simonabbott725]

Because it's a money system governed by fear, and most probably, most theme parks are owned by scummy freemasons

[@andrewbrazier9664]

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is actually superb value for money for riders - from £33 purchased 7 days in advance especially when you consider you rarely need an expensive "fast pass" to get on a wide range of rides even on the shorter day opening at weekend unlike Merlin Alton Towers "Chessington & Thorpe. Yes BPB does have days when rides can't operate but so do the other parks I've mentioned.

[@Speaker568]

@@andrewbrazier9664 delusional try taking 3 kids 2adults obviously you haven’t any children shocker

[@lenniecapuano521]

its disgusting that they charge you so much just to walk round

[@JustThemeParksYT]

yeah, it's not good!

[@justbreakingballs]

Why should you just walk around fir free?

[@G4RY1159]

My first ever holiday to Blackpool was back in 1975 when I was just 6yr's old, like many people I instantly fell in love with the place, I even ran away from home and headed for Blackpool when I was about 13yr's old, after a few days wondering around me and my pal were picked up by the Police and were locked up unto his Mother and partner came down from Glasgow to get us, YIP! they were not happy. Eventually I ended living and working in Blackpool when I was about 19 and loved it but after about 3 months I moved away, I've always returned and still remember taking my daughter for her very first every holiday when she was just 4 years old, it was clear 2C how much she loved it and since that first trip with her Id return with her sometimes 2 - 3 times per year. I still remember the look on her face when she finally found the courage to stand in the queue and ride the Big 1 for the very first time, you just never forget those kind of special memories, I also remember when we returned and she was of age that we could get a drink together and also visit some of the Casinos, some of those trips were also full of great memories so not only have I grew up with Blackpool I've watched my daughter grow with Blackpool too. HOWEVER! we both last visited ''together'' back in 2018 meeting up with some other friends for a few drinks then a few gambles in the casinos, sadly since that very visit ''Sep 2018'' I've not returned as I just felt the Town was looking very VERY rundown, it just didn't feel like a holiday / break and when walking around I was noticing more and more bad stuff, I remember returning back to Glasgow and just thinking how sad the place was and I knew then Id not be returning anytime soon. I really do hope the Town doesn't just fall away deeper and deeper as I know the Council etc do try, BUT look at all three piers as an example, they all look terrible and need upgrading, all the back streets are also a mess, I've walked those back streets many many times and would even visit with my daughter and my mum and she loved wondering in and out the little shops and markets. Just last week I showed her that Video that ''KZbinr Wendall'' had done on Blackpool and my Mum was almost in tears, she had so many memories with the Town even before I was born, it just shows what the place means to people and how disappointed they are seeing how the Town looks now. I really do hope Blackpool can recover and I can visit again before my number is called, it would be nice seeing the place look in much better shape but until that happens, I doubt Id ever return. . Enjoyed your video BTW! Thanks!

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It really is so sad to see the decline of the place! We'd love it if things improved, but it's certainly going to take a lot of work! Thanks for watching!

[@cbrider726]

Managers that care about staff and only want to count every single penny spent by staff trying to keep the park safe . Its all about cash not maintanance and that as an engineer i couldnt stand. I was only there for a couple of months then left. I come from an aero space back ground and wouldnt let any memeber of my family ride on any of the main rides as its not safe. The family that owned the park took the best out it and ran away.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, they really don't seem to care at all!

[@Ian-xq4rt]

When i first visited back in the 70’s as a young child, I’m sure if there was a charge to enter then, I probably wouldn’t have got to experience the joys of Blackpool pleasure beach. We strolled freely and took in the atmosphere, as a child, this left many memories in itself. It’s a shame that today, it’s more for adult rather than families, this is why Blackpool has declined over time too, what was once a family friendly place is now no longer the case, such a shame.

[@tedspoonboxing8837]

On top of what's already been said, the fact it shuts at 5pm (DURING PEAK SUMMER!) is ridiculous.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, it's way way way too early!

[@stephenkelly8065]

When I was a kid in the 1970's I had a pound in my pocket and I loved walking around, looking at the rides and enjoying the atmosphere. Why pay to get in ?! A lot of families do not have the money to throw away on expensive tickets !! At least if it was free to get in and wander around, people would most probably go in the cafe's and coffee shops to purchase items ? Making it a "closed shop" just alienates people. How many times have I heard people say " if you think I am paying £££!!! to get in there, you can think again"!! They should rip down the entrance barriers and let people come and go as they please, if you want to go on the rides just buy a ticket, how hard is that ?? I suspect that if the old methods are not introduced back and the park is not opened back up to stroll around for free, then Blackpool may well have a piece of prime building land that no one actually wants ?! You have tried the Theme Park route and it has not worked for you ?! Wake up and change before it is too late.

[@interceptor-ss8kb]

She really needs to stand down from running the park she's clueless

[@SoylentGreenIsPeople68]

Blackpool might be a different town had the Euro Disney resort been built where Herons Reach hotel and golf course was developed but the Thompson family blocked it, because it might effect the pleasure beach.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It certainly would have been very different! It's hard to imagine!

[@lesliesmith5266]

Excellent and well presented documemtery with good observationa comment Back in the early 2000s I was working at Lightwater Valley theme park in Yourkshire and was lucky enough to be asked to take our mascots, the Valligators to Blackpool pleasure beach to join with other theme park mascots and celebrate the birthday of Barney (respectful apollgies if the wrong name) Blackpool Pleasure Beach's mascot. Fabulous day, we were made so welcome by the assistant manager and staff and after doing lots of promotional photos etc. myself and the three Valleygator costume animators were given free tickets for just about every ride in the park, including the, then newly opened Valhalla! So sad that such an iconic pleasure park should be going through difficulties and I hope that present management can take heed and make the right moves to put this British institution back at the top.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Wow, what an awesome story! Memories like this are what make the place so special, it is so sad to see the park suffering! Thanks so much for watching and for your great comment!

[@davidgibbon7911]

I've not been in the pleasure Beach since they started charging to get in!

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It's put so many people off!

[@hippydude1]

I would catch the train from Manchester to Blackpool with my friend and bother when we was younger around 11 years old. We would spend the day there with hardly any money. No pay to get in. We would just enjoy the atmosphere and watching the ride. We always went in the fun house which unfortunately burnt down but I think it was a pound each and you could spend hours in there. What made it amazing was the fact the rides were old and paint peeling. It's not or will ever be a theme park. It's totally ruined now. I've been back once with my lad and I've never wanted to go back again. That excitement has gone and so has the history and the thing that made it different from modern parks.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the way they have neglected preserving the park's history is so sad! All uniqueness is fading fast!

[@hippydude1]

@@JustThemeParksYT definitely.

[@darkkrenify]

Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been piss poor for many years now the only good ride was valhalla but that is only ever working like 10% of the time

[@TheCoasterSerpent]

I have to say, I don't live in the UK, but a visit there within my lifetime is really something I would like to do. When I heard they removed their wild mouse, it pretty much killed my desire to visit the park. I would much rather go to Alton Towers any day of the week.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, it's such a sad loss! The park is still worth a visit, but if you have to choose, Alton Towers is much better in our opinion!

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Heheheh if you had come here to go on wild mouse, you would have been killed. Never mind killed desire. That thing should have been condemned twenty years ago. It was the one of the subjects of a BBC documentary show called Horizon back in the early 90s on the safety and condition of the rides at the Pleasure Beach, the others in that show were the Grand National and Log Flume etc. The Management should have taken the thing down and then built a new one the same as the old one, just with new track etc like Alton Towers has just done to Nemesis to keep it going for thirty more years. And that was a steel coaster built with modern methods and materials. Imagine what sort of a mess a wooden coaster in the Pleasure Beach was, after being there for decades, in salty corrosive area with poor maintenance. They never even bothered to paint or clean the thing that often. Same for the rest of the park. The old rides should be painted every year and cleaned etc to keep them in good shape and well maintained. What I dont understand is they do this for some rides, but not all of them. Its a false economy...

[@dh2032]

@@Simon-xc5oy steal coasters, have far less connecting bits, so fail, only just one bit, a bigger problems wooden ones they tend to many, many, beams of timber, chis crossing all over the place, and wood being a natral substance, max pay load is a unknown number, to be on the safe side, averthing 3 or four times what needed, and may be more ? so like 50 % may ready chopped out and replaced, and yous still almost two time what's needed? you can not stats like that steal coasters, they have be nearing 100% to be safe?

[@bethreeve7683]

Altona towers gets more money. Simple as that . The separation between rich and poor is terrible now. The divides never been as big as it is now. Sad really

[@kymscates2892]

I’ve been to both parks and AT is by far the better park to visit if you ever get the chance! The rides are so much smoother and enjoyable. Most rides at BPB are rough and old and not well maintained tbh. The only rides I actually enjoyed there were Icon and Revolution the rest all were quite painful and bang you around a lot I found. AT is another league in comparison. Makes me appreciate it though and it’s my local park 🫶🏼

[@Heathen.Deity.]

It’s a theme park in a northern sinkhole. It’s not exactly destined for greatness.

[@pshuttle]

I went with my 6 year old son on Monday. We did have a good day as it wasnt very busy. However I was alarmed at the amount of closed rides as well as finding that nothing has been developed where Trauma towers and the Wild Mouse used to be. Also surprised to find the arcade with the dome was now closed (used to have the centrifuge ride inside) and that the building that used to hold the Black Hole is also shut. The loss of Ice Blast, Space Invader and the Wild Mouse is unforgivable too. Although we enjoyed it, I came away with the impression that the park is very much in decline. Sad as I used to go all the time as a kid when the park was free entry. Only been twice now in about 10 years.

[@tomlewisuk]

Really well-written analysis- much as i love many coaster channels I'm glad I've found yours as it feels a lot more thoughtful and considered (and far less click baity!). I wish they'd update the river caves, it's such a huge ride and still quite eye-opening in terms of scale and i think some new scenes and touches would give great bang for buck. Maybe it's next on the list after the recent ghost train update

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Wow, such a kind comment! Thank you so much! Some updates on river caves would be great to see! It's such an iconic ride and therefore deserves some more love from the park!

[@WhatYaL00kingAt]

For me as a kid, and a nightmare fo my parents, the pleasure beach would advertise itself everytime we drove along the sea front back in the days when you had an un-obstructed view of the pleasure beach, the log flume being one that you couldn't miss. When they built all those shops it hid so much of the attraction of wanting to go on and nag the parents to park up

[@treeduck3705]

I used to go there in the late '70s-early '80s, but I'm scared of heights. The thing is though I didn't know I was scared of heights, I thought everybody felt the same way, so I just tried to forget about it. I didn't mind going down, it was going up that bothered me, going up slowly...

[@CrazyDuckie94]

I remember walking through Noah's Ark with my Mum when I was about 6, one of my best memories, but when I went a few years ago, it was sad to think my children would never get the chance to experience an attraction like that outside of a Guy Fawkes night event with one of those portable illusion attractions :(

[@oranda15]

Some excellent points made in your video. This must be the first time in my 60 years that I feel I don't want to visit the Pleasure Beach. I have many fond memories but with so many rides going and few replacements, I just feel it would be a major disappointment. Wild Mouse, Monorail, Grand Prix, Ice Blast, Dodgems, etc, etc. Yes, Icon is a great addition but simply not enough. There are huge gaps now that will be dead. The concourse where Grand Prix was is a massive space of nothingness, so too where Wild Mouse was. I hope I'm wrong but Blackpool Pleasure Beach, for that's what it will always be called despite their best efforts, really needs to face up to some realities and sort the place out.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, it's such a shame to see! So much has gone! Thanks for watching!

[@dan1ofoxx]

Used to love blackpool and the pleasure beach in the 90s growing up, i went again recently, it looked like a prison from the outside and was absolutely filthy. wont be going back.

[@thesunreport]

One thing strikes me about this situation and that is - School trips When I was a kid in the 1980's I lived about an hour north of Blackpool, and my Dad would take us there for days out. I remember having great times in the funhouse etc. As younger kids he would also take us to see the illuminations, and as older kids/teens we would go there for things like friends birthdays and have days at the swimming pools (the Olympic pool had a couple of water slides, and I think there was also a purpose built place (Waves??) which had slides and stuff. And of course there was the Tower and the arcades as well. So Blackpool was definitely a destination for a good day out, however when it was time for school or club trips, then it was ALWAYS Alton Towers, even though it was many hours there and many hours back. Of course Alton Towers was step-up from Blackpool, but it seems odd that Blackpool was never chosen for a school or club trip. Maybe this was a liability thing as Alton Towers is self-contained?? But maybe this is something that could be incorporated into their offering for the Pleasure Beach somehow, at least to get some numbers into the Pleasure Beach/Tower??

[@tehf00n]

I would take my family of 7 more often but it costs us about £400 for the day with food and supplementals. Not to mention they close at 5pm most days which is horrible as you can wait 2 hours to get on the Big One when its running. They need to go late night every opening day. It will make them more money in the long run.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

The park really should open later in the busy season! Thanks for watching!

[@danielcaton2919]

Get rid of the witch and charging to get on in the 1st place always worked before hand !

[@ladyxxmacbeth]

It's the cost! 5-6 years ago it was £20 for a wristband, and a non rider wristband was free. It's a fun little place to visit. But it's not worth £35 to go. I may as well go to Alton towers for that. I like that Blackpool is a.bit scuzzy it's what gives it charm.

[@justbreakingballs]

Everything gone up hanent you noticed?? What do you think the electricity bill for the pleasure beach is?

[@RealMightyC]

After visiting this Sunday just gone, it was honestly a good day. Every ride was operational apart from the ones that we know are shut such as Grand Prix and ice blast and a few others, but every ride that was meant to be open was open it was good weather, it wasn’t insanely packed which is how I prefer it I haven’t been since 2018 so it was nice to get back in the park I can understand peoples concerns and criticisms I’m not happy with some of the choices they have made, but it will always be my favourite park

[@JustThemeParksYT]

That's good to hear! Hopefully things will get better this season and opening day was just particularly bad due to unfortunate circumstances! We have so much love for the park and would love to see it improve! Thanks for watching!

[@johnrobinson6292]

A rip off

[@MrCheswickMusic]

The last time I went to Blackpool I had an absolutely AMAZING time, ok, it was 1986 and I was 12, but still, it was great ha ha

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Haha! Seems to be about the last time the place was worth a visit!

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

I used to love the Grand National but if it's now pay to enter I wont be going in.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Many people feel the same way! The park needs to sort out their ticket options for sure! Thanks for watching!

[@asio101]

I worked on the pleasure beach... it was always under staffed.. the big one is unsafe in high winds and closed often.. I lost my job after a lady lost her temper after the 3rd time of telling her sorry they've just had to close due to high winds. I would never go as a guest

[@Simon-xc5oy]

Looks like typical bad management to me. All winter long to order parts, wait for them to arrive, fit and test, clean and repair rides. Opening day comes and all of it should be working, bar any breakdowns that happen on the day for reasons other than the work they have done. Still waiting for parts to fix things is a pathetic excuse! They should have been paid for and ordered last year!!! The whole Pleasure Beach looks grubby and run down. They have all winter to get out paint and get rid of rust and marks and give everything a clean and repaint. Look at the rust and mess on Grand Prix and its track! It looks like its never been painted since I was there last twenty years ago! Its really shoddy to not keep the place looking tidy and fresh. That will put people off and its not a good look for anywhere....

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Exactly! It's understandable if one thing goes wrong, but the amount of issues on opening day make it clear poor management is to blame! The park looks a mess in so many places, it's no wonder the rides are unreliable! Thanks for watching!

[@pshuttle]

Makes me wonder if they are having cash flow problems and literally didn't have the cash to purchase the parts at that time of year.

[@Simon-xc5oy]

@@pshuttle Probably. It all looks a bit threadbare and desperate to me. It always was grubby and run down, its hard to fight the weather there when its raining pretty much all year apart from the odd few days in summer, the cold and wet salt sea air degrades everything. It all looks dated though, really dated. There is dated and looking cool and becoming a classic. Then there is dated and looking run down and dangerous and filthy / falling apart and that is the pleasure beach these days. When you compare it to Alton Towers or Thorpe Park and places like that, it looks like a joke. Its all crammed in a tight space as well, which means theming and greenery etc is non existent. It seems to be run like most things are these days. Charge the highest prices you can gouge people for, while giving them the minimum. Pocket all the profits and do the least maintenance and cut as many corners to maximise said profit. Rinse and repeat. From what I hear they now charge you to go in! Before paying for rides etc. In the old days you could wander at will and pick what you wanted to do. No one is going to pay to go in unless they are going to go on stuff and are willing to stump up the cash. Having it open to all meant people who were not going to ride something would get tempted to spend money somewhere so its a silly idea. When I first went way back in the 1970s Blackpool really was the Vegas of England. The lights, rides, trams and attractions it was also cleaner and better looked after. Now it all looks like a rundown slum once you come off the front. Its truly sad.

[@Jamieboro88]

Brilliant video. Subbed.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Thank you so much!

[@Sir_Hesket_Newmarket]

Great analysis- totally agree.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Thank you very much!

[@timheye7863]

I was planning to get a trip from Belgium to the UK and visit Thorpe park, Alton Towers and Pleasure beach. But the many negative reviews changed my mind and replaced Pleasure beach to hike in snowdon.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

That's a fair decision, Alton Towers and Thorpe Park are much better and far more reliable! Thanks for watching!

[@andrewbarrett42]

Snowdon is more beautiful than pleasure beach.

[@justbreakingballs]

Your loss, just had a brilliant day at the pleasure beach

[@tinseltits9855]

Their decision to go CASHLESS!? Lol 🤷‍♂️

[@Squab1972]

Very stupid decision that was to go cashless, there was no way that I was using a card for a pen that costs 50p in their gift shop what a joke.

[@MrCheswickMusic]

I never...NEVER shop ANYWHERE that is cashless, and once a company goes cashless, even if the do a u-turn, I'll never be a customer again...EVER Go woke...Go broke

[@tinseltits9855]

@MrCheswickMusic in absolute agreement. Glad more people are thinking this way. Giving our extremely corrupt government complete control over our money (and how we get to spend it) is total end game. We all need to band together 💯 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Mrgearzz]

The worst countries in the world Are all cash no cards. Your points are all not valid, you just need a brain and a minute to think for yourselves.

[@stephenduncan3605]

Exactly. At least at Alton Towers cash is accepted in most places inside. They also allow you to bring food in that's not been bought there at Alton Towers whereas the Pleasure Beach don't.

[@stephenjohnson9560]

Karma for what the owners did to Southport plesureland.

[@justbreakingballs]

What did they do?

[@ThrillNet]

Wow someone has jumped on the Pleasure Beach haters bandwagon of people who solely just slag off the park, who hear stuff and blow it completely out of proportion. I visit every week near enough so I know what I'm talking about. So many are simply slating the place based on opening day when that doesn't at all represent the way they are operating. What about Merlin and their £214 million loss? Nobody is talking about that are they because Alton Towers is just such a sacred place that no one dares slag off unless they want to be squared up to outside Nemesis. Sure Pleasue Beach has its issues but saying it can't compete with Thorpe and towers is completely disrespectful. So far this year, the park has had its most successful season since 2021. Some other things you mentioned that were simply just incorrect: - Many of Valhalla's effects were working on opening day. To say otherwise makes me believe you've heard this from someone on the hate bandwagon who is blowing things out of proportion. - Valhalla's effects have not been scaled back as part of the reimagining. Only cuts that were made to save money were replacing the real fire torches with fake fire torches at the bottom of the first lift hill and removing the temperature change in the ice room. - Saying that Pleasure Beach's rides are poorly maintained is so disrespectful and far from the truth. What about the retracks on Big One, Big Dipper, Grand National and Nickelodeon Streak? Pleasure Beach rides are much more reliable than Alton Towers rides (despite being older!) I can tell you that. I'm sorry I've had to say this to you and I hope you don't take offence but I'm fed up with people spreading misinformation about my home park. So many enthusiasts seem to have a grudge against the place and I don't get it.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

I'm not offended at all and am very happy to hear your opinion! Personally, we've had very different experiences at the park and on our most recent visits rides have been incredibly unreliable and the Valhalla effects were certainly not working when we rode it! But, it's good to hear that that wasn't the case for everybody! We definitely don't have a grudge against Blackpool Pleasure Beach and are only pointing out the issues we see with it as we want to see it get better! Plus, we also have many issues with the merlin parks and are always happy to point these out too! In fact, we made a video last year about U.K. theme parks which was mostly focused on the issues we have with merlin parks! But, we personally feel this season we have seen more positive steps from Alton Towers and Thorpe Park and more negative ones from Blackpool Pleasure Beach! But still, Merlin has many issues left to resolve! From our personal experience, we haven't spread any misinformation. But I appreciate your perspective, which suggests these issues haven't been experienced by everyone and perhaps aren't all as prevalent as they have seemed to us! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us!

[@masterknife8423]

I feel like enthuasists and fans slag the place off because it's not the same park it was 25 years ago. No free entry, less rides, no pay per ride tickets, Amanda thompson etc the list could go on and on

[@justbreakingballs]

This is true, half the moaners haven't been for 20yrs and go on about how they would like to browse for for free spending money, they didn't go and if they did they didn't spend money. The park cant afford to be a place to stay open till 10pm for pissed up people to go for a hotdog. Not with energy and staff costs.

[@lapinlogic6267]

I have not been in since "pay to enter" happened, I used to buy a ride or 2 but i'm not buying a day pass or whatever just to walk through and buy some candy floss and a go on the grand national

[@justbreakingballs]

You were the problem

[@Robert-vw3od]

Icon is a great rollercoaster, but it tells you everything you need to know because there is no theming with that ride. Alton did not have money for themes at the start but it became the theme, it turned to its history.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Very true!

[@magic1968]

Am I right saying Morecombe and Southport and Rhyl were owned by the same people? They closed the fairgrounds down then started to charge for the privilege of walking around BPB. All three towns suffered badly. Since then Morecombe and Southport have reinstalled fairground rides and are making a comeback.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

I believe so! Charging to get in has certainly not helped Blackpool!

[@magic1968]

@JustThemeParksYT Agreed. I haven't visited since the charge, and I doubt I will while it's still there.

[@Flunchbungle]

The biggest problem with the Pleasure Beach is that it’s in Blackpool.

[@djtonylee]

In the 90s we used to get the train to blackpool and it was open and busy beyond 10pm and it was free. Sometimes we would just wander round, go in some arcades then have a few beers fo on the big one a few times etc. Was there a couple of years ago to see a show with my mother for her birthday at winter gardens, and decided to pop in considering i had not seen inside it for probably 25 years, we happened to be in blackpool anyway and it was 4:45pm. Staff on the gate said we would still have to pay even though we wouldnt have time to go on any rides, we said we didnt want to ride just walk around. Still have to pay and you have 15 minutes was the reply. So we pay up and then immediately some oveezeaous security guard says he needs to search my mothers bag. She was 63 years old, dont know what they thought she would be carrying but anyway we were finally allowed in. Disappointing wasnt the word, its obvious why its not making money, people used to go into the pleasure beach while they were in blackpool, but charging to go in was a serious mistake. Been to Blackpool a lot over the last few years as we go to a lot of shows, and even in the height of summer this place seems empty, never see the big one climbing the track, and i think its closes at 7pm even in summer. All of the food parlours in the entrance have not been open in years, and at 9pm in the summer, the piers are packed, the promenade in packed, but the lights are out in the PB. There is no coming back for the PB because they are too dense to understand what the problem is.

[@SantaRudolph-ef6lv]

The opening day of Blackpool pleasure beach was disgusting I mean people from miles away travelled for all those rides and when you get there most rides are not in service I mean Amanda needs to take more care of the park.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It really was a disaster! It's such a shame to see. Thanks for watching!

[@cyberleaderandy1]

As a kid we use to walk round, look at rides and pay to ride a few. After they changed to pay a massive fee and ride what you liked we never went again and havent since.

[@TheMaverick987]

What needs to happen is getting rid of Amanda. She doesnt care about the park. Yes, after her father died she was essential to keep the place running after he invested too much. But now shes gone too far the other way. It seems she only really cares about Hot Ice, a show that the vast majority of people who visit have no intention of seeing, and the maintenance and investment in the park suffers for it. To go 6 years without any actual new attractions is not good, and no, Valhalla doesnt count.

[@fangirl988]

I live in the next town over, the other day the big one stopped at the top, everyone had to walk back down

[@tommcculloch5278]

I live not faraway and most days its on the local news of it breaking down and people having to walk down, what can only be a very frightening windy, wet and dangerous walkway. The people with disabilities I imagine have to wait and suck it up. Disgusting way to deal with cash paying customers.

[@GaryThomas-gx2jm]

When the thompson woman took over n introduced an entrance fee i said to my wife that would be one o nails in coffin for the pleasure beach ? We drive out many a summer evenings n whilst it never paid to buy ride tickets coz wife doesnt go on em, we still sauntered around the park n regularly got through between £50-£100. Parks loss i guess ? Coz im sure others did the same ? After the deaths of the owd lady ( cant remember her name ) n Geoffrey Thompson this greedy one lacking vision will possibly see it shut ?

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, it's such a shame people can't just wonder in and spend money anymore!

[@justbreakingballs]

I very much doubt you wondered round spending 100pounds.

[@robsimpson7619]

Born and bred in Blackpool, mostly the South Shore area, and I even worked at the Pleasure Beach in 1980 after leaving school. Quite often we would just go for a walk round the PB on a sunny day, spending money as we went whether that be a coffee, bockwurst, ice cream, slot machine or indeed a couple of rides. Not been on the Pleasure Beach since the admittance fee was introduced and have never had the pleasure of taking my young grandchildren round to sample the atmosphere. Such a shame Amanda Thomson only has eyes for the money , it's going to end in tears for the Thomson family if they keep her as CEO.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It's so sad how the park has changed!

[@AudreyMealiff]

This is a very good review of the situation. The management seem to be rudderless and the park is on the decline. We came over from Ireland in 2022 to visit for our first and only visit. Whilst we enjoyed the rides, the park is run down, the food offering was atrocious, having to scan your code at every ride was a joke, and Blackpool itself was one of the worst places I've ever visited. It's sad to see the decline but it's not going to improve.

[@neilloughran4437]

I went this weekend with my brother and kid. I don't find the ticket price too bad if you use all the rides (should be much cheaper for kids though).. but the reality is that after a few rollercoasters the average 50 year old has usually had enough and the bigger ones are quite frightening to children, We spent a fair bit of time trying to scan our phones on the rides than doing anything else though... I loved it but think we were lucky to have the nice weather.

[@davidGPS95]

Hi will you be doing a updated video on what has been happening at Blackpool pleasure beach since May 24 ? From what i hear the River Caves has not opened neither has ice blast .😮

[@561jeffkelly]

Excellent Vlog. The problem with Blackpool is the area it’s in. Blackpool as a city is a dump it’s full of Hen and Stag parties around the area So you have to contend with them before you even enter the Theme Park. This is going to upset a lot of people but when I took the Grandchildren we also had to contend with Non British people who clearly did not know the word queue or pretended they did not know the word but clearly had deep northern accents and then on top of that ran riot and the staff just looking the other way. Then the price OMG and why pay if you’re not going on any rides. I have been to Florida 14 times since 1995 am in my 50s now but still love Florida. I was in Universal studios once and I remember a lady in a queue saying Blackpool can compare to Orlando for rides. Me and my wife nearly fell on the floor cause of this comment and I had to say something to her. Keep up the great work 👍👍

[@daisysunshine1324]

The Revolution was the first ride I ever went on whilst on a week long college trip. I went in another one a few years ago with my kids to make them happy & demonstrate how terrifying I find them. That’s it. 2 in my 50 years of life. And I want a reasonably king life, so I definitely will never go on another.

[@michaelsullivan1631]

THE FUNNY THING IS, THEY HAD A COMPETITION, TO BE FIRST TO RIDE THE BIG ONE ON THE OPENING DAY OOPS. BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS ON CAROUSEL, THE ICE BLAST HAS SCAFFOLDING AROUND IT THIS WEEK.

[@retrogamesrevived1189]

Its funny but when i made a video about BPB, 'Blackpool Pleasure Beach Fallen Giant', it was ripped apart by the fanboys saying that the park was the best, Amanda was the best and that pay per entry was the best thing ever....🤔hmmm, seems i was right after all. I'm no longer a roller coaster enthusiast but this video cropped up on my feed. Very well made video and i completely agree with you 👍

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yep, it definitely feels like a fallen giant these days! Thank you so much!

[@retrogamesrevived1189]

@@JustThemeParksYT I still say it to this day but Amanda will be the downfall of the park. The late Geoffrey Thompson will be turning in his grave, he loved his rides, he always wanted bigger and better. Im pretty sure, had he still been alive there would have been a Kingda Ka beater stretching out across the promenade 😁👍

[@katashworth41]

It’s my home park and I hate how much it’s declined in recent years. Though I can’t fault anyone for not going to go anywhere near South Shore.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

The decline of the park has been so sad to see! Thanks for watching!

[@macdonaldsadler]

The feel of Blackpool as a whole has changed over the years. Especially at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, (or whatever they are calling it now). It's a big decision whether to go or not these days, especially with the cost and the lack of maintenance, new rides etc. The price should not be too compete with apron towers etc, as they are completely different parks. A ticket for non riders is essential, more undercover catering, even just a marquee/simple structure to keep the worst of the elements off. Signage would really help also opening a second entrance near the bond street car parks would encourage people. Should not be a big effort to think about going, but these days everywhere at Blackpool is getting expensive which for a resort that was always great value for money is s big problem especially with the town being in decline also.

[@crintondux]

Competency crisis

[@stormchaser419]

This park reeks of a park that will have roller coaster and ride accidents in the near future. Doesn't seem SAFE. This coming from a US fan of parks and coasters. Come to Kings Island in Mason, Ohio if you want to see first class operations combined with great efficiency and friendliness. BPPB is iconic but now in freefall. I wouldn't ride anything there now.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Oh, we adore Kings Island! That is an example of a really well run park! BPPB doesn't even compare! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelbritain5546]

When they charge a Grandfather in a wheelchair to allow him to wheel himself around the park, who has taken his Grandchildren for a day out they deserve to fail.

[@Mrgearzz]

The price of it. Added with the amount of people they pack into it. And it’s hygiene issues, it’s a dump. It’s food is also god awful

[@alanpreston1779]

Have more fun one the Free to Enter, Central Pier Fun Fair.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

It's better value for sure! 🤣

[@ItsMyLittleTony]

Quick thoughts. Firstly, stick to consistent branding, this tells potential visitors who you are and it’s currently confusing and messy. Next, if you are going for a resort, add ERT and a seperate entrance for hotel resort guests. If this isnt the direction, lean into the history, have small entrance fee and either unlimited ride wristband or scannable mobile tickets per ride. Also, the park needs to focus on making the current rides open as much as possible which does need investment. My main concern is that it either doesn’t know what it wants to be, or does and hasn’t told people where it’s heading so it just seems like a mess right now.

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the park really does feel like a mess right now! The cost they are trying to charge just doesn't match up to what they are offering! As you said, they either need to lean into their history and change ticket options or provide something that makes the current cost worth it! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mike8544]

So many great childhood memories of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, so sad to see it in decline. I'm afraid I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel if things remain the same. The park entry charge has resulted in less income, less income obviously means less upkeep/maintenance/new attractions. My parents/grand parent's never went on any rides, they took pleasure in watching us kids having the time of our lives, if the entry charge was in place back in the 70/80's I'm doubt we would have ever visited

[@JustThemeParksYT]

The decline has been so sad to see!

[@glennbartlett416]

Wrong attitude, totally wrong attitude. If so eone like that cannot be bothered or has the lazy rude attitude like that then she should hand the reins over to someone who's got dedication and a sense of nostalgia for such a classic iconic unique theme park.

[@billybank2012]

ive been going for 40 years and i always take a trip every year but since watching this im having second thoughts. when i went last year, as always, its the same year on year but the cost is not justified for what you are getting. correct me if im wrong but i think its £40 to get in and i pay for the vip pass to get ahead of the cues to shorten my day standing in the line for an additional £50. So in effect £90 for about 4 to 5 hours. Its about 33% too much in my opinion. The rides seems to be more like the wild mouse ride in terms of being 'rocked' in the seats, especially the grand national, its a bone shaker of a ride and has lost its smoothness. i remember getting off and telling the ride operator it needs maintenance because of the discomfort. I would fully support paying if they were upgrading the rides or installing newer ones to modernise it but if its a cash grab park then the public will definitely be going elsewhere for their fun days out. If the big one was closed the ride operator told me it was due to strong winds at the top and thus dangerous. I can understand that but when you are being deprived there should be a partial refund offered. You cant pay 100% of the price and only get 80% of the value. Thats unfair. I hope things improve ...

[@JustThemeParksYT]

Yeah, the cost is so high and the park is really unreliable! It definitely puts us off visiting as there's no guessing what will be open! Thanks for watching!