Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Pleasure Beach Resort, formerly known as Blackpool Pleasure Beach, is an amusement park situated on Blackpool's South Shore, in the county of Lancashire, North West England. The park was founded in 1896 by A. W. G. Bean and his partner John Outhwaite. The current managing director is Amanda Thompson.[2]
For the beach at Blackpool, see Blackpool Sands, Blackpool.Location
South Shore, Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Operating
1896 (First Rides)
Thompson Family (Amanda Thompson)
We create the fun. You keep the memories.
2024 season:
Weekends:
2–24 March
9–30 November
Daily:
27 March – 3 November[1]
42 acres (17 ha)
38 as of 2023
10
5
The park is host to many records, including the largest collection of wooden roller coasters of any park in the United Kingdom with four: the Big Dipper, Blue Flyer, Grand National and Nickelodeon Streak.[3] Many of the roller coasters in the park are record-breaking attractions. When it opened in 1994, The Big One was the tallest roller coaster in the world. It was also the steepest, with an incline angle of 65° and the second fastest with a top speed of 74 miles per hour (119 km/h).[4] The ride holds the record as the second tallest roller coaster in the United Kingdom, standing at 213 ft (65 m), with a first drop of 205 ft (62 m) and the longest roller coaster in Europe, with a track length of 5,497 ft (1,675 m).[5]
The park was the first in Europe to introduce a fully inverting steel coaster, Revolution[6] and is the last remaining park in the world to still operate a Steeplechase roller coaster. The Grand National is one of only three Möbius loop coasters in existence, where a singular track "loops" around itself, offering a facsimile out-and-back layout and creating a "racing" effect on two parallel tracks. Sir Hiram Maxims Captive Flying Machine is the oldest amusement park ride in Europe having opened in August 1904. At the cost of £15 million, Valhalla was one of the largest and most expensive indoor dark rides in the world. Designed by Sarner and manufactured by Intamin, Valhalla won "Best Water Ride" at the 2018 Golden Ticket awards, an accolade it has held over a consecutive number of years. The park also operates a Nickelodeon Land and the world's only Wallace & Gromit ride, the Thrill-O-Matic. In 2015 the park introduced Red Arrows Sky Force, a Gerstlauer Sky Fly thrill ride which is the first ride of its kind in the United Kingdom.[7][8] The latest record is taken by Icon, a multi-launch coaster manufactured by Mack Rides in Germany.[9]
Entertainment[edit]
Hot Ice[edit]
A seasonal show performed at The Arena (previously the Ice Drome). The show has been running since 1936 and is produced by Amanda Thompson and choreographed by Oula Jaaskelainen.[38]
Ken Webster: Mentalist Hypnotist[edit]
A seasonal adult comedy hypnotism show performed by veteran hypnotist Ken Webster.[39]
Spectacular Dancing Water Show[edit]
A £500,000 half an hourly musical water show designed by Aquatique Show International. It features thirty individual jets synchronized to move to different styles of music, and a water cannon capable of shooting water up to 100 feet into the air.
Here are a selection of the awards and nominations received over the last decade:
Ghosts[edit]
Pleasure Beach is alleged to be haunted by several ghosts and over the years there have been a number of high-profile paranormal investigations held within its grounds. The most well-known and reported ghost story involves the Ghost Train ride, which is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a former ride operator named "Cloggy". Other stories involve poltergeist activity in both the gift shop under Sir Hiram Maxim's Captive Flying Machine and The Star pub on Ocean Boulevard. The Arena is also said to be the home of a ghostly presence which inhabits the backstage dressing rooms and tractor bay.[50] The park has featured on many paranormal-related TV shows, including Most Haunted and Great British Ghosts and features in many books written on the subject.
The Hotchkiss Bicycle Railroad.
The Irn Bru Revolution
The Avalanche bobsled roller coaster
Pleasure Beach from The Tower
The Grand National
Big Dipper with its famous "Tear Drop" or "Onion"
Big One carrying passengers.
Casino Building at Night
Big Dipper at Night
Pleasure Beach Arches
