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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2025 Discussion

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a giant gyroswing described as crazy intense before. It’s thrilling, fast and has great airtime, but I wouldn’t call it crazy intense.

As for the name, for what it’s worth, I think it’s diabolically bad.

But then the general consensus was that Icon was a terrible name, and yet nowadays it doesn’t feel too bad.
 
venny said:
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a giant gyroswing described as crazy intense before. It’s thrilling, fast and has great airtime, but I wouldn’t call it crazy intense.

As for the name, for what it’s worth, I think it’s diabolically bad.

But then the general consensus was that Icon was a terrible name, and yet nowadays it doesn’t feel too bad.
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I think the intensity comes from being 130ft up in the air mate, swinging at 70mph with just a lap bar. 😜
 
venny said:
I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a giant gyroswing described as crazy intense before. It’s thrilling, fast and has great airtime, but I wouldn’t call it crazy intense.
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This model of Gyroswing with the lapbar is definitely intense and you feel the difference between these and say Maelstrom. The additional height, increased angle of swing, and the freedom you get from the lap bars make for a very thrilling ride and they actually give an inversion like feeling at the top of the swing because your feet seem to be higher than your head.

Loke is the ride that everybody mentions but I actually think that Swingi at Linnanmaki which opened last year feel even more thrilling as it seemed to have a little bit more a kick to it as it swung and the airtime on these feels phenomenal without OTSRs. I think this ride at Blackpool will surprise people who have only ridden Maelstrom the first time they ride it.
 
Shaggy_Dog_ said:
This model of Gyroswing with the lapbar is definitely intense and you feel the difference between these and say Maelstrom. The additional height, increased angle of swing, and the freedom you get from the lap bars make for a very thrilling ride and they actually give an inversion like feeling at the top of the swing because your feet seem to be higher than your head.

Loke is the ride that everybody mentions but I actually think that Swingi at Linnanmaki which opened last year feel even more thrilling as it seemed to have a little bit more a kick to it as it swung and the airtime on these feels phenomenal without OTSRs. I think this ride at Blackpool will surprise people who have only ridden Maelstrom the first time they ride it.
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Maelstrom is still intense, although this Gyro Swing will be better, Maelstrom is still a strong flat enjoy it every visit.

Dipper_Dave said:
My issue with the name ‘Icon’ is that the ride is not iconic in any way, shape or form
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In time Icon will become Iconic, remember even the likes of Nemesis was called legendary at 9 years old
 
Hid said:
In time Icon will become Iconic, remember even the likes of Nemesis was called legendary at 9 years old
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I’m a big fan of the thing compared to most… but even I’d have to disagree with this statement.

I personally love Icon to bits, and think it’s fantastic! But would I describe it as “iconic” within the UK coaster scene based on wider reputation? Not in the slightest. Within the park alone, The Big One very much still reigns supreme as the primary icon and headline attraction, and compared to many of the greats at Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, Icon just doesn’t have the same level of recognition and love within the enthusiast community and wider UK populace. It briefly got in the airwaves a bit when it opened and the novelty was driving people’s opinions of it, but it never quite lived up to the obscene level of hype built up for it during construction and has only faded further into obscurity ever since.

At the time both were being constructed, people said that Icon would be revered for years to come and Wicker Man would be forgotten after opening year… but in the end, I almost think the opposite happened. Icon just didn’t capture the hearts and minds of the park-visiting population as desired and as expected prior to its opening.
 
Icon is iconically mediocre. Even in opening year it didn’t make a gigantic impact. PMBO and the woodies are way more iconic (ugh) than Icon will ever be.

Shiny snake ride logo is very Mandy and I kinda love it (although I’d probably hate if any other park did it). Also gyro swings are great. Can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m actually quite excited to get back there next year!
 
Matt N said:
I’m a big fan of the thing compared to most… but even I’d have to disagree with this statement.

I personally love Icon to bits, and think it’s fantastic! But would I describe it as “iconic” within the UK coaster scene based on wider reputation? Not in the slightest. Within the park alone, The Big One very much still reigns supreme as the primary icon and headline attraction, and compared to many of the greats at Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, Icon just doesn’t have the same level of recognition and love within the enthusiast community and wider UK populace. It briefly got in the airwaves a bit when it opened and the novelty was driving people’s opinions of it, but it never quite lived up to the obscene level of hype built up for it during construction and has only faded further into obscurity ever since.

At the time both were being constructed, people said that Icon would be revered for years to come and Wicker Man would be forgotten after opening year… but in the end, I almost think the opposite happened. Icon just didn’t capture the hearts and minds of the park-visiting population as desired and as expected prior to its opening.
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I would agree, I really don't think icon is (or is going to be) iconic, it is a decent ride, although it hasn't made any impact in its 9 years (compared to PMBO, nemesis, oblivion etc) and I don't think compared to other rides at BPB it is all to memorable,

especially compared to many other rides, PMBO you have the hill building anticipation, then the steep hill and high speed and it is very memorable, but there isn't much anticipation, nor any show nor any out standing moments (such as a drop, hill, or the 1, 2, 3 punch of corkscrew, 270 turn, zero-g roll from nemesis)

I don't think I have ever heard of anyone talking about riding icon, I think it shows also how important a name is, and I think aviktas will not be as popular because of it. for the public it won't be a memeroable name (I mean who can remember aviktas) nor dose it seem to be that easy to pronounce, compare it to the smiler, nemesis, galactica, oblivion, etc they all tie into the theme and are extremely easy to remember and pronounce. I think for the public aviktas will become the swing ride or something

if I was explaining to someone that there was a fun ride or a TV advert is showing it, it mentions Aviktas, what is the chance that they would remember the ride. you are essentially shooting yourself in the foot with worse marketing, and brand loyalty this is something AT and TP have done extremely well choosing names that are recognisable, easy to remember and add to the ride (e.g oblivion adds to the theme and fear to riding it)
 
The name really isn't very marketable, neither is the branding, honestly they'd have been better going with there old tactic of getting a sponsor name in, would've worked better. Or even just calling it something more explanatory would've been good, or something perhaps emphasising it's size.....so many better options. I have to admit it is an investment that makes sense for a change, and should be a good addition to the park.
 
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