Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

[Spin-Ride-Lover]

It would be nice if they went back to 8pm at least, even if it was just for the illuminations and October half term.
If there is anytime of year where PB should be open in the dark more it should be the illuminations.

7PM IMO is just too early for weekends and October half term.

 

[Coaster]

It seems that the park closed at 6pm today, and is now showing a 6pm close for tomorrow.

 

[venny]

So after showing 7pm closes all week, is that just one day out of the entire week where they’ve actually closed at the time they said?

 

[Coaster]

So after showing 7pm closes all week, is that just one day out of the entire week where they’ve actually closed at the time they said?

Indeed.

If I understand correctly, it appears that the Pleasure Beach is relatively busy today, with only one train running on the coasters (apart from Avalanche)... and the closing time is still 6pm?

It completely goes against their reasoning for closing early, which was "bad weather".

 

[rob666]

The park was pretty quiet when I left at lunch.
East "exclusive to season pass holders" entrance was anything but...lots in front of me...cash...card...prebooked, but it still only took five minutes, so minor grumble.
Annoying that the coasters were on one with moderate queues, but compared to things at the Towers this morning, four coasters and two flats before lunch is pretty good.

Jamie...managed to get a ride quicker due to others on speedypass!
Waited for infusion front seat, with 2 in front of me at the gates.
Speedypasser pushes in for a front seat on his own, so I politely ask for the empty seat next to him, and squeeze past the couple in front of me.
Winner!

 

[ScottPBE]

East "exclusive to season pass holders" entrance was anything but...lots in front of me...cash...card...prebooked, but it still only took five minutes, so minor grumble.

Must say this is getting a little bit frustrating, every time I've been lately East Entrance has been over run with people collecting pre-booked wristbands, it can take a while to get into BPB if you don't arrive 30 minutes before opening time on a busy day.

 

[venny]

Collection from Information in the Casino can also sometimes be quite the cluster. If there is ever more than a couple of people there, it just becomes chaos.

There’s no obvious point to form a queue so you get a congregation around all areas of the desk, with a mass of people all vying to be the next to get served. It’s like a bad night at Popworld.

Surely a ‘queue here’ sign isn’t beyond the wit of man.

 

[Coaster]

Yeah I noticed a group in front of us at East Entrance getting in with pre-booked tickets, I thought the entrance was only for Season Pass holders - but then in that case, it's a bit odd that they display the wristband/ride ticket prices behind the desk?

 

[shakey]

I also saw a family paying the gate price at the east entrance last year so it is clearly not just for season pass holders.

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[MakoMania]

I have used the east entrance for years, even before having a season pass.

 

[MakoMania]

The park have added this to the website:

"Our closing time refers to the last time you can join a ride queue.
Please note, Nickelodeon Land will close at 6pm when our earliest ride closing time is 7pm.
*Earliest ride closing - subject to change."

 

[Dipper_Dave]

The park have added this to the website:

"Our closing time refers to the last time you can join a ride queue.
Please note, Nickelodeon Land will close at 6pm when our earliest ride closing time is 7pm.
*Earliest ride closing - subject to change."

There you go, its finally in black and white. They can do what they like and nobody can do a thing about it. If only we had a 'Dislike' button.

 

[Coaster]

If they've just added that now, then does that mean they were changing the closing times unlawfully before?

 

[Dipper_Dave]

If they've just added that now, then does that mean they were changing the closing times unlawfully before?

Not sure, but wasn't there something before in the T&Cs about opening & closing times being at the park's discretion? I think they've just shown it more prominently and clearly now.

 

[Matt N]

Hi guys. Just been told by my parents that as we can't get to Florida until 2019, they will take me to BPB for the first time this summer! Icon was the perfect excuse to go in 2018! I'm super excited, but I'm not really sure what to expect, so I was wondering if you guys could give me some tips for a first time visitor to BPB? Anything is appreciated, whether it's about which rides to prioritise or whether it's about where to stay! I've asked on CoasterForce Forum as well, and there seem to be quite a few seasoned BPB visitors on here, so I'm hoping that between the two, I can develop a good idea of what to expect and do.

 

[shakey]

*Earliest ride closing - subject to change."

Utterly ridiculous. How can it be "Earliest ride close time 7pm" if it is subject to change?

It should say "Estimated ride close time 7pm"

Or judging by recent events perhaps more accurate wording would be....
"Unlikely to stay open till 7pm"

Although its not just pleasure beach that make nonsense claims.

My Alton towers annual pass clearly says on it, valid until the 4th of November. But in the T&C's it turns out I cannot use it after the 18th of October !



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[Danny]

Old park map:

New park map:

Quite bland in comparison to the old one, and where the hell is Steeplechase? There is definitely not that much grass either. Also interesting to note is another shoe box structure on Icon's layout. Will be interesting to see if this appears in the coming weeks.

 

[venny]

@Matt N

Book wristbands well in advance for cheapest tickets. Choose home delivery for free if it’s a peak day. You will otherwise face a large queue to collect at the Ticket Centre.

Speedy Pass is good value if you visit on a busy day.

Big Blue Hotel is excellent place to stay. There are otherwise some decent B&Bs. Pick one close by for convenience and use Trip Advisor for reviews.

The Wetherspoons is one of the most expensive you will find anywhere outside London. Don’t be afraid of choosing somewhere else to eat. The restaurant in Big Blue is very good. As is White Tower at the Casino building at the entrance to BPB.

Throughputs vary wildly depending on how many trains are running on the coasters. Saturdays are generally most likely to see two train operation. So even if you visit on a quieter day, it may not mean lower queue times.

Read up on some of the park’s history before you go. It will make you appreciate it a lot more when you realise whilst you’re riding the Flying Machines that they have been operating for over 114 years - since 1904 or that Derby Racer was built in-house by the park’s staff.

Ride the woodies near the back.

Don’t expect the park to close at 7pm, even if they tell you this is their earliest closing time.

 

[Matt N]

@Matt N

Book wristbands well in advance for cheapest tickets. Choose home delivery for free if it’s a peak day. You will otherwise face a large queue to collect at the Ticket Centre.

Speedy Pass is good value if you visit on a busy day.

Big Blue Hotel is excellent place to stay. There are otherwise some decent B&Bs. Pick one close by for convenience and use Trip Advisor for reviews.

The Wetherspoons is one of the most expensive you will find anywhere outside London. Don’t be afraid of choosing somewhere else to eat. The restaurant in Big Blue is very good. As is White Tower at the Casino building at the entrance to BPB.

Throughputs vary wildly depending on how many trains are running on the coasters. Saturdays are generally most likely to see two train operation. So even if you visit on a quieter day, it may not mean lower queue times.

Read up on some of the park’s history before you go. It will make you appreciate it a lot more when you realise whilst you’re riding the Flying Machines that they have been operating for over 114 years - since 1904 or that Derby Racer was built in-house by the park’s staff.

Ride the woodies near the back.

Don’t expect the park to close at 7pm, even if they tell you this is their earliest closing time.

Oh wow! Thank you very much @venny! I will be sure to tell my family some of these tips, as they are fantastic! You seem very knowledgeable regarding BPB; is it your local park, out of interest? Sorry to bother you more, but I have two further questions:

• Is there a good Premier Inn in Blackpool, as my family and I often like staying in those? Even though I reckon Big Blue looks lovely and would be worth a try.
• What sort of queues should I expect for Icon, as it is the opening year? Should I expect queues at the "Mako in opening year" end of the spectrum (longest I waited all trip was 15 minutes, with the longest queue I saw being 30) or at the "Wicker Man/Diagon Alley in opening year, including pre-queueing" end of the spectrum (at least 3 hours)? I know it's hard to predict, but does anyone know how long the queues were for Big One when it opened, as this might give us a rough idea?

 

[Dipper_Dave]

Old park map:

New park map:

Quite bland in comparison to the old one, and where the hell is Steeplechase? There is definitely not that much grass either. Also interesting to note is another shoe box structure on Icon's layout. Will be interesting to see if this appears in the coming weeks.

Yep, I spotted that (page 170). Seems to be a real cock up not having the Steeplechase tracks on, only the station. Does nobody proof read these before they print thousands of them? It looks rubbish! North end of the park looks somewhat bare