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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2023 Discussion
- Thread starter rob666
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We don't all love her.
If her Hot Ice obsession was stopped, the Beach might actually be successful, with a decent new ride every couple of years, instead of putting at least a couple of million quid a year into a massive ego trip that lasts about ten weeks, that nobody goes to see.
If the park had an owner with actual business skills, the park would probably do a lot better.
If her Hot Ice obsession was stopped, the Beach might actually be successful, with a decent new ride every couple of years, instead of putting at least a couple of million quid a year into a massive ego trip that lasts about ten weeks, that nobody goes to see.
If the park had an owner with actual business skills, the park would probably do a lot better.
Shaggy_Dog_
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Ride To Happiness
Mandy should take a look at Liseberg and how a city park can very successfully host concerts there (and also have a cheap entry only ticket as well to access the grounds). Actually if she’s going to borrow ideas from them then go ahead and get a massive Intamin Gyro Swing as well.
venny
TS Member
The Arena is used for music events. In the past they’ve held events like Slimefest, Ministry of Sound and Clubland in there. It is of course blocked by Hot Ice in the summer season though. The thing that seems to keep them ticking over are the skating classes and aspiring skaters which they get in there - there is usually a consistent stream of them at weekends.
The Globe, despite being considerably newer, also suffers from problems like leaks in the roof and generally poor condition. I’m pretty sure it was only ever meant to be a semi-permanent structure (originally for the circus I believe) and it’ll have taken some battering over the years.
As for events, I’m not convinced there is sufficient demand in Blackpool for more. The shows market has declined considerably since its heyday up until the 90s - you can see that from the significant fall off in said shows. Most events are now catered for by the Winter Gardens (including its new extension), the Grand Theatre, Festival Headland and numerous other venues around the town. I’m sure the new Central development may also incorporate some capacity for such events. Converting the Arena to cater (and compete) for the same market probably isn’t a solution. Whether the alleged moneypit of Hot Ice should continue is however another matter.
The Globe, despite being considerably newer, also suffers from problems like leaks in the roof and generally poor condition. I’m pretty sure it was only ever meant to be a semi-permanent structure (originally for the circus I believe) and it’ll have taken some battering over the years.
As for events, I’m not convinced there is sufficient demand in Blackpool for more. The shows market has declined considerably since its heyday up until the 90s - you can see that from the significant fall off in said shows. Most events are now catered for by the Winter Gardens (including its new extension), the Grand Theatre, Festival Headland and numerous other venues around the town. I’m sure the new Central development may also incorporate some capacity for such events. Converting the Arena to cater (and compete) for the same market probably isn’t a solution. Whether the alleged moneypit of Hot Ice should continue is however another matter.
Skyscraper
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Nemesis
Dreamland Margate do regular concerts and music gigs too.
shakey
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wild Mouse - Blackpool - :(
I don't know how many pleasure beach decisions are taken by Amanda, I would hope there is a team of people that make the big calls but it would be no surprise if Amanda ultimately has the final say on a lot of matters. Unfortunately she appears to come across as someone who believes she is always right and doesn't take advice particularly well.
I don't know where this quote is from but....
"There are three types of people, those that are intelligent, those that are clever enough to realise they are not intelligent, and those that are stupid enough to think they are intelligent"
I will let you make your own mind up which group Amanda is in.
Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
Park is pretty busy today, been told 5000 and 7000. When you think most people have paid £36 or so, that's a not insignificant chunk of their overall revenue.
Rides handling crowds fairly well on the whole, bar Icon which is running two trains (one is Enso). I'd say it should be running with three but they're stacking it with two ...
Rides handling crowds fairly well on the whole, bar Icon which is running two trains (one is Enso). I'd say it should be running with three but they're stacking it with two ...
Zipperdipper
TS Member
Visited on Tuesday and crowds were much increased compared to the equivalent day last year (first week of Easter half term). A couple of observations:
Trying to plan your day is a challenge when you've got some rides booked to open late and others closing early. The whole of Nick land closing an hour before the main ride close is an absolute joke in half term.
Icon seemed to be throwing out the trains on our visit, only on two but very rarely stacking. Nobody on enso.
Big One on two trains, opened late but was running well, rough as always but fast. However the ride hosts really don't care if the trains are filled do they? Frustrating when you're queuing for half an hour and half empty trains are coming out the station.
Trying to plan your day is a challenge when you've got some rides booked to open late and others closing early. The whole of Nick land closing an hour before the main ride close is an absolute joke in half term.
Icon seemed to be throwing out the trains on our visit, only on two but very rarely stacking. Nobody on enso.
Big One on two trains, opened late but was running well, rough as always but fast. However the ride hosts really don't care if the trains are filled do they? Frustrating when you're queuing for half an hour and half empty trains are coming out the station.
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
I tell you what, I don't think that there's another park anywhere that I have the same level of affection for as the Pleasure Beach, but equally I don't think there is another that has the power to frustrate in the same way either.
The communications around Valhalla's open date are typical Pleasure Beach, I really don't know why they ever mentioned a date. No matter, the whole thing looks fantastic - I think I still prefer the old facade, but the trees etc really work. I really hope that they have found a way for the ride and the effects to work reliably. Time will tell ...
The new shop is interesting. I think that they were forcing people to exit that way, when we left we headed in there anyway but the gate to Balmoral car park was closed. Then, after going up to the Tower, on our return the Pasage gate was locked, so you had to enter via the casino. Not sure ...
Here are a few photos for those interested. It appears that they're not going to use the toilets - they're still there, just cordoned off.
Pride of place as you enter:
Some really nice retro themed stuff:
There was a Valhalla themed pizza board which I considered buying but ultimately didn't - in part as a matter of principle, buying merch for a closed ride. Perhaps another time ...
Amanda and Andy H were in there a lot of the day. It's a really cool space, but I am curious how much extra stuff they will sell vs. just have people buy stuff on exit to avoid carrying it around.
It was a beautiful day on park, there's a lot of painting happening on the Dipper still (even on a bank holiday). Few other bits being touched up too.
The Hub was open, but they seemed to be having a hard time getting people to go in. It does look very uninviting.
It was such a nice day, I considered a ...
... But ultimately stuck with old faithful and got a Feast !
The communications around Valhalla's open date are typical Pleasure Beach, I really don't know why they ever mentioned a date. No matter, the whole thing looks fantastic - I think I still prefer the old facade, but the trees etc really work. I really hope that they have found a way for the ride and the effects to work reliably. Time will tell ...
The new shop is interesting. I think that they were forcing people to exit that way, when we left we headed in there anyway but the gate to Balmoral car park was closed. Then, after going up to the Tower, on our return the Pasage gate was locked, so you had to enter via the casino. Not sure ...
Here are a few photos for those interested. It appears that they're not going to use the toilets - they're still there, just cordoned off.
Pride of place as you enter:
Some really nice retro themed stuff:
There was a Valhalla themed pizza board which I considered buying but ultimately didn't - in part as a matter of principle, buying merch for a closed ride. Perhaps another time ...
Amanda and Andy H were in there a lot of the day. It's a really cool space, but I am curious how much extra stuff they will sell vs. just have people buy stuff on exit to avoid carrying it around.
It was a beautiful day on park, there's a lot of painting happening on the Dipper still (even on a bank holiday). Few other bits being touched up too.
The Hub was open, but they seemed to be having a hard time getting people to go in. It does look very uninviting.
It was such a nice day, I considered a ...
... But ultimately stuck with old faithful and got a Feast !
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siralgenon
TS Member
Where has the ticket centre gone now the shop has moved in then? Or do they not have one anymore?
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
They're using the old reception desk in the centre of the casino building, it's probably sufficient with the transition to E-Tickets.
I think they have four terminals, it could be slightly painful on busy days but even on Good Friday, the queue was maybe 20 people or so when we passed by.
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