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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

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Let's speculate...

If BPB removed the entry charge, and stuck a 'Free Entry!' banner on all the park's media and advertising, what do you think the net effect would be? Do you think attendance would grow immediately? Do you think the increased security that BPB would have to enact would be worth it overall? I've literally no idea what would happen, and for better or worse, I'm confident that we won't find out anytime soon.

I feel like I've asked this before, but does anyone have at least a loose idea of the park's attendance in recent years?
 
I speculate that you will get an increase in attendence, however i don't think there will be an increase in revenue. There will be a lot of people that will enter the park and literally spend nothing. Maybe a few people will buy ride tickets but can't see that adding that much to the overall revenue. You would also get your standard toe rags that want to cause havoc for the security. Any money being made from people who haven't bought a wristband will probably be offset by the cost of damage and paying extra security. Can't see it making much difference to the revenue.
 
Spin-Ride-Lover said:
I'm not talking about Nickland I am talking about the BPK.
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Anyone that likes pizza then. And who doesn't like pizza :) . Its usually busy when the park is busy.

( Although to be honest I have to admit that towers all you can eat pizza is better - even if it costs more )
 
Speculation ok, In order to gain the maximum benefit from free entry you need to also change the cost of the single ride tickets let’s go back to basics affordable single shot ride tickets and throw a evening band in the mix if the park is open past six. This model already works at Southend.
I would expect a significant increase in vissitor numbers and far better turnover of guests through the day I’d predict increased revenue from all catering, merchandise shops and rides and people looking for a few evening rides. I’d also expect a spike and change over at 6pm from people that have spent the day on the beach or at other Blackpool attractions and wish to experience the park at the best time of the day ‘the evening’ yes I do see where extra security could be needed at peak times but I believe the financial benefit would outweigh it in the long run.
 
Dan_PMBO said:
Speculation ok, In order to gain the maximum benefit from free entry you need to also change the cost of the single ride tickets let’s go back to basics affordable single shot ride tickets and throw a evening band in the mix if the park is open past six. This model already works at Southend.
I would expect a significant increase in vissitor numbers and far better turnover of guests through the day I’d predict increased revenue from all catering, merchandise shops and rides and people looking for a few evening rides. I’d also expect a spike and change over at 6pm from people that have spent the day on the beach or at other Blackpool attractions and wish to experience the park at the best time of the day ‘the evening’ yes I do see where extra security could be needed at peak times but I believe the financial benefit would outweigh it in the long run.
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I agree, certainly at peak times.

But I would be surprised if the current pleasure beach top dog would change their way of thinking any time soon, even if the park fails to make a profit under the current model.

Lets hope Icon is a massive success !
 
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Smilertron said:
What is the cut off time that the BPB would be allowed to open until? By law.
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There isn't one, although I think PMBO has to shut-off by 11PM. I might be misremembering this, but back in the nineties, the park would still be turning over so much cash up until midnight or even 1AM, they would just keep it going at weekends. High times...

Incidentally, I remember being completely over the moon when BPB introduced all-day ride wristbands as a trial in 1998 (again, fuzzy on dates here). They were pricey and actually not explicitly advertised for a while, as the park lacked the scanning infrastructure. Couldn't have anticipated they would alter the landscape of the place quite so rapidly.
 
If they let the riff-raff back in for free imagine how many security guards the fountain show would need!

Last time I was up that way got to chatting with our B&B hosts, and they mentioned that the entry fee did help the park get a better image... So it'll no doubt be something that eternally divides people...

I think the suggestion of "you pay to get in but as a result you get some tickets" could be an avenue to explore for them...
 
There is a market for later opening at BPB. That is proven. Primarily by the attendance at some of the Late Night Rider events. I do however doubt that it’s as big a market as the 90s, thus the reason it’s only held on select weekend nights.

If there was significant money to be made by going back to the old model or extending opening further than currently, there’s no reason why BPB would not do it. There’s a conclusion to de drawn from that.

What I would recommend though, if you enjoyed the atmosphere of late nights in the 90s, go to one of the Late Night Riding events during the Illuminations. Last year, the latter dates in particular were heaving. Yes, ride queues matched, but the atmosphere took me straight back to the 90s.
 
This is exactly when we choose to go on our annual visit because for me there is simply nothing better than the view down the front in the dark during Illuminations from the top of the rides. And, yes, there are always loads of people around to create a buzzing (but safe!) environment. Can't recommend it highly enough - 12 straight hours of riding, what's not to like?
 
Plastic Person said:
There was definitely a rougher element to the park in the free entry era, although even towards the end of that, you had to go through heavier security than most parks. I think the issue was largely loitering kids during the school holidays and after lesson time, rather than anything more nefarious. On the other hand, the park has been around long enough to have seen it all...

As for 2018, there is some pretty stifling poverty around the Pleasure Beach, but the park itself is perfectly safe and largely well-presented. I'm sure you'll make it back to the South in one piece, @Matt N ;)
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Thanks for the advice guys!

@Plastic Person, it's not me who's worried about making it back to the South in one piece! I was going to ask my parents; if Blackpool is nice, can we go back in 2019? I'll see what they say. Problem with that is that they don't seem overly convinced that they'll enjoy Blackpool, though.
 
@Matt N Blackpool can be whatever you want it to be. If you only visit the Pleasure Beach you don't have to experience Blackpool.

There's no joy for anyone in me posting my POP vs wristband/opening hours debate again. It's a staple of this thread (Spoiler Alert - the park agrees with me).
 
Rick said:
@Matt N Blackpool can be whatever you want it to be. If you only visit the Pleasure Beach you don't have to experience Blackpool.

There's no joy for anyone in me posting my POP vs wristband/opening hours debate again. It's a staple of this thread (Spoiler Alert - the park agrees with me).
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I would say you agree with the park....

The victim of the wristband introduction was reduced operating hours as no longer is income directly proportional to ride availability but Pleasure Beach needed to attract people to come just to the park alone as the town itself was seeing declining attendance and a predisposition to stag and hen parties. Wrist bands help make the park the destination rather than just a feature of a longer visit to the seaside.

Not sure they had any other viable option.
 
I can't imagine paying for individual rides at Blackpool. It would be way too expensive. Despite its location it definelty felt more like a theme park than a seaside park.

I'm guessing part of the reason why British amusement parks don't open late is the weather. Universal Studios opens 9-7 most days but the weather is glorious.
 
Correct speedy.
I went a lot as a small child...never for more than a few hours...including two hours in the fun house.
Very expensive, but shorter queues, and amazing throughput.
And the Reel and Monster!
 
rob666 said:
Correct speedy.
I went a lot as a small child...never for more than a few hours...including two hours in the fun house.
Very expensive, but shorter queues, and amazing throughput.
And the Reel and Monster!
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We nearly always did the Fun House and Log flume plus one other - and that was it. Far too expensive to do anymore (or so my dad said).

Wrist bands have definitely made it a cheaper day out, but I still think they are neglecting a potential 2nd revenue stream by making ride tickets so poor value.
 
rob666 said:
Correct speedy.
I went a lot as a small child...never for more than a few hours...including two hours in the fun house.
Very expensive, but shorter queues, and amazing throughput.
And the Reel and Monster!
Click to expand...

Do you remember when you could but a train ticket from Blackburn in the school holidays and get a mini book of tickets for the pleasure beach?

The pleasure beach tickets where worth way ore than the train tickets so me and my mates used to but 2 train tickets each:D
 
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