Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2025 Discussion

[Quantum]

Anyone here do the old Virginia Reel it closed in 1982 so some of you would have been around when it operated

Before my time I'm afraid. Strang no manufacturers have tried doing a modern version

 

[rob666]

After the outside bit, it ducked under the structure and did a massive horseshoe in the near dark for about half a minute...the technical term being "a few moments of darkened semi private intimacy for young courting couples".

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

 

[Hid]

I still weep.
Fantastic ride, sort of wild mouse waltzer cross.
It died with my childhood...saw it being pulled from the entrance.

Why was it removed and what now sits in its spot

 

[rob666]

It was rotten...I thought it was a "usual" style woodie, but it was actually built as a huge wedge of thick sleepers, a bit like a big wedge of cheese, with the track built on top and underneath at the end.
My uncle on the coast heard it was being pulled down, and phoned me inland...I shot out in mums car to watch...it was one of my first runs out on my own soon after I passed my test.

Probably my favourite ride for about a decade.
It was roughly to the left of Valhalla when looking inland, a little closer to the entrance area.

That, the funhouse, dodgems, cablecars, water chute (from Belle Vue), speedboats and monster.
All gone from that small area.
Only Launch Pad and Valhalla now.

 

[John_P]

I'd imagine if you built one now it would be an insurance nightmare.

 

[siralgenon]

Not knocking them getting a new ride at all and they're on of my favourites but why does everything at Pleasure Beach have to be GREY these days! The skyline is becoming so dull there. Revolution, Icon, this, have some colour!

 

[Hid]

It was rotten...I thought it was a "usual" style woodie, but it was actually built as a huge wedge of thick sleepers, a bit like a big wedge of cheese, with the track built on top and underneath at the end.
My uncle on the coast heard it was being pulled down, and phoned me inland...I shot out in mums car to watch...it was one of my first runs out on my own soon after I passed my test.

Probably my favourite ride for about a decade.
It was roughly to the left of Valhalla when looking inland, a little closer to the entrance area.

That, the funhouse, dodgems, cablecars, water chute (from Belle Vue), speedboats and monster.
All gone from that small area.
Only Launch Pad and Valhalla now.

To be fair I think Valhalla can claim to be superior to all those rides it replaced. Long, heavily well themed ride.

 

[rob666]

It can't.
Or it could if it all worked properly.
And John, yes regarding safety!
Like the mouse, it was rough as hell towards the end, no seatbelts, no bars, just a back rail to hang on to.
No gap in the circular seat like a waltzer, so quite often you ended up with someone in the floor pit.
All part of the fun.
And the funhouse alone was more fun than the flume in a shed...but again...I still have the friction burn scars and bruises!

 

[venny]

why does everything at Pleasure Beach have to be GREY these days!

Simple; it’s Mandy’s favourite colour.

 

[Hid]

It can't.
Or it could if it all worked properly.
And John, yes regarding safety!
Like the mouse, it was rough as hell towards the end, no seatbelts, no bars, just a back rail to hang on to.
No gap in the circular seat like a waltzer, so quite often you ended up with someone in the floor pit.
All part of the fun.
And the funhouse alone was more fun than the flume in a shed...but again...I still have the friction burn scars and bruises!

That must mean you have done 7 of the defunct coasters at Pleasure Beach.

I did the Wild Mouse, but have done 2 other Ex Pleasure Beach Coasters Astro Storm (Brean Leisure Park and Clown Coaster (Wicksteed Park)

 

[John_P]

That must mean you have done 7 of the defunct coasters at Pleasure Beach.

I did the Wild Mouse, but have done 2 other Ex Pleasure Beach Coasters Astro Storm (Brean Leisure Park and Clown Coaster (Wicksteed Park)

I've also ridden those 3, Tokaydo Express, and Vikingar. Also a wacky worm that briefly operated at Pleasure Beach I rode when it was briefly at Funland in Towyn.

 

[John_P]

Though of all the defunct rides from my years of visiting its still the Log Flume I miss the most, so many memories of riding that with the family as a child. One of the few rides my mum would go on as well.

 

[rob666]

...and even with pay per ride, it always had a bit of a queue.

We went on the last day, seeing the staff nicking souvenirs before the ride actually shut was most amusing.

 

[John_P]

...and even with pay per ride, it always had a bit of a queue.

We went on the last day, seeing the staff nicking souvenirs before the ride actually shut was most amusing.

Still annoyed I'd not realised it was closing that year, was very much out of the loop entirely with theme parks around that time. Just saw either local bbc or itv reporting on its last day of operation after the fact.

Then a few days later the Southport Pleasureland closure was announced.

 

[eldomtom2]

Before my time I'm afraid. Strang no manufacturers have tried doing a modern version

Arrow built a prototype for a steel version in the 1980s but never got any takers:

 

[shakey]

I was lucky enough to ride the reel (just the once). It was my first coaster and i was absolutely terrified when I was almost bounced out of my seat in the final bit.

I never did it again unfortunately, and it was gone within a year or two.

 

[Quantum]

Arrow built a prototype for a steel version in the 1980s but never got any takers:

That looks quite fun. 1980 was a long time ago now, maybe the time is right for another version? Pleasure beach would be the perfect place for it

 

[John_P]

Who ever designed that must've been annoyed when all those spinning Wild Mice travelling coasters started to pop up.