I don't class Blackpool Pleasure Beach as a themepark. Even thought Alton and Blackpool are both amusement parks with rides, in terms of experience, I see them as completely different. It's like comparing our budgies to our cockatoo, they are all parrots, but not the same. You just can't compare them as I visit them both for completely different reasons. Seaside attractions have a different vibe to that of a themepark. A theme park is more immersive and takes you into a different world whereas a pleasure beach has that seaside resort collection of rides with the radio music playing in the background, it has a completely different atmosphere to it.
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This is a popular topic that is fast moving Guest - before posting, please ensure that you check out the first post in the topic for a quick reminder of guidelines, and importantly a summary of the known facts and information so far. Thanks. - Thread starter Matt N
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- Ride lineup: I simply prefer the rides at BPB, probably because I've been enjoying them for decades. The variety is key, there are way more filler, dark rides, etc, if you want a break from coasters. I always notice at Towers that there seems to be very little in terms of such rides. Because of this, if a ride or 2 is/are down, it's really noticeable for the queues. The only rides I really like are Wickerman and Oblivion, and the latter is over in seconds anyway.
- Nostalgia: I just have so many happy memories from across my many visits with family & friends over the years.
- Heritage: The historical aspect of the park fascinates me. The fact that many rides have entertained generations for 100 years or more. I love books, postcards, websites, and anything showing the park through the years.
- Park layout: Whilst the landscaping of Towers is nice, I love how compact BPB is and that you can go from ride to ride quickly. It always seems to take forever to get from one part of Towers to another. Also having to wait for the Monorail to get back to your car kinda sucks, unless you shell out for priority parking.
- Parking: Pay all that money to get in Towers, and on fuel, then have to pay to park too. Of course BPB charges silly money to park, but at least you can find street parking for free if you don't mind a few mins walk to the park. You have no choice really at Towers.
- Convenience: Ultimately, BPB is an hour away from me, Towers perhaps 2 and a half, all totally dependant on the flaming M6. It would do my nut in doing that journey with any sort of regularity. If I lived nearer I might go a couple of times a year, but once every few years is enough for me.
- Other stuff near to park: Once you're in Towers you're there for the day. I like that you can easily leave BPB to walk down the prom, piers, go for food in Velvet Coaster, etc. then walk back into the park. Going out of the park for food is a good option on a busy day.
- Favourite Ride
- Wild Mouse - Blackpool - :(
- Favourite Ride
- Steel Vengeance
Alton Towers vs Blackpool Pleasure Beach
I don't class Blackpool Pleasure Beach as a themepark. Even thought Alton and Blackpool are both amusement parks with rides, in terms of experience, I see them as completely different. It's like comparing our budgies to our cockatoo, they are all parrots, but not the same. You just can't compare them as I visit them both for completely different reasons. Seaside attractions have a different vibe to that of a themepark. A theme park is more immersive and takes you into a different world whereas a pleasure beach has that seaside resort collection of rides with the radio music playing in the background, it has a completely different atmosphere to it.
Dipper_Dave
TS Member
Some of us are here because the excellent Club PBE forum ceased to exist.
Oh @Matt N what a can of worms you have just opened.
Well the answer is obvious isn't it.....
Blackpool Pleasure Beach !!!!
Although since you have asked this question on an Alton Towers forum then I suspect the majority will hold misguided opinions
I would agree that the removal of the Wild Mouse is a big loss to the pleasure beach and Icon hasn't quite made up for that in my opinion, but the overall variety of rides at PB is greater than that of Towers.
Coaster wise I don't think there is much between the parks, some will prefer towers offering and some will prefer the better coasters at Blackpool
But I think the real difference is the non coaster offerings, which is where towers lags behind in my opinion. The fairground rides are a great idea and I hope they keep them but there is a lack of proper family attractions compared to what the pleasure beach have on offer.
So for me Blackpool is still the best park in the UK, despite its short comings and the loss of the best coaster ever built
BPB for me, mainly for the above reasons. My love for said amusement park dates back to visits on family holidays from Scarborough where I grew up, late 80s to mid 90s. This is not a rose-tinted spectacles thing, I genuinely think that the ride lineup then, in what I consider to be the park's heyday, was incredible.
I don't want to dump on AT as this is a Towers fan site after all, and I agree with the chalk & cheese comparison comments. The parks simply offer different things. But I prefer BPB for these reasons:
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shakey
TS Member
Well said Mr Dipper.
I actually live closer to towers (1 hr 20min) than I do blackpool (just over 2 hours) but I still prefer to go to the pleasure beach.
It just has more in my opinion but I still enjoy towers.
I think they are generally thought of as the 2 premier parks in the UK, despite their differences. Maybe poultons will have something to say about that if they invest more in the thrill market in years to come.
It is a shame that both PB and AT have issues stopping them from being better though. Imagine AT without the planning restrictions and imagine PB with more space and a bigger budget.
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I think some of the old rides that you find at a pleasure beach have some sort of charm and nostalgic about them that you don't get with modern rides in a theme park.
I love Alton because of the beautiful setting. I doubt Alton theme park would be the same if an identical theme park containing same rides were situated in a town/city or seaside location
I love Alton because of the beautiful setting. I doubt Alton theme park would be the same if an identical theme park containing same rides were situated in a town/city or seaside location
jon81uk
TS Member
Thorpe Park kind of proves that. Similar ride hardware with more thrill flats and fewer family rides, but definitely not as good as AT.
Benjsh
TS Member
I enjoy Towers and PB for different reasons. Both good parks. There's things that both do better than the other do but overall I'd side with Towers for sure mainly because I prefer Theme Parks to amusement parks. That's just down to personal taste. I like themed areas in a park as it creates a greater sense of escapism.
If I wanted to make both Towers and PB the perfect park for me and me alone I could do it much easier, quicker and cheaper at Towers so there's my answer.
I hope we don't lose either of them though in our lifetimes.
If I wanted to make both Towers and PB the perfect park for me and me alone I could do it much easier, quicker and cheaper at Towers so there's my answer.
I hope we don't lose either of them though in our lifetimes.