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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2025 Discussion
Who's to say it won't reopen maybe the dodgems have gone for refurbishment
Steve Minor
TS Member
I also agree about closing these smaller rides, there is a tendency to day "well it doesn't effect me so I don't really care". The nickelodeon land rides keeps being bought up as a way of saying "kids have other stuff" now what about singke parents with more than one small child, some of this Nick land rides requires adult supervision PER CHILD, not possible if you're a single parent on your own with more than 1 child. All the kids rides that have closed DID NOT require an adult to ride aswell.
Now imagine if Towers suddenly closed four family rides...
Now imagine if Towers suddenly closed four family rides...
Even for family rides how often did you see kids go on EddieStowbar, Alpine Rally, Thompson Carousel or Carousel. They hardly ever had people go on them even kids
Matty17p
TS Member
I'm sure the pleasure beach is very sorry the park isn't laid out to your liking, would it be better if they were all spread out across the park? so it looks like there is more
39cm
9 rides and attractions to experience including the puzzle maze
40cm
15 rides and attraction to experience including the puzzle maze
The more people that realise its a business and not a charity the better, the way people go on about these rides closing act if they were so some of world class attraction that drew millions to the park but in reality nobody wanted to ride them. And the sensible argument to be had is why should they keep rides open that are costing them a lot of money to maintain, operate and staff when clearly nobody wanted them.
Matty17p
TS Member
NOW THATS A FILLER RIDE! do hope they come back can't beat a classic dodgem ride
Steve Minor
TS Member
Someone needs to see if the vonttol panel is still in the ops box, if its gone then that sort of confirms the dodgems are done.
Regarding the kids rides not having anyone on them, we'll they used to but then pleasure beach drastically reduced there operating hours and even then you couldn't rely on them to open at the advertised time. It's really hard to attract riders to rides that they don't even know if they'll be open.
I know pleasure beach is not a charity but like most people on here we all want to see the pleasure beach do well. As I used to be ops manager of a small park I think this is very much the wrong decision from a business point of view aswell. You need filler attractions and family and kids rides and you should never be seen to be targeting one demographic (not saying they are but that's how people will see it).
Three of these rides were so close they could have operated them on rotation, that's to say one member of staff running between all 3 depending on demand. Nw that's why I put on place at my park for quieter days to ensure we kept all rides open and still kept to the strict staffing budget.
Regarding the kids rides not having anyone on them, we'll they used to but then pleasure beach drastically reduced there operating hours and even then you couldn't rely on them to open at the advertised time. It's really hard to attract riders to rides that they don't even know if they'll be open.
I know pleasure beach is not a charity but like most people on here we all want to see the pleasure beach do well. As I used to be ops manager of a small park I think this is very much the wrong decision from a business point of view aswell. You need filler attractions and family and kids rides and you should never be seen to be targeting one demographic (not saying they are but that's how people will see it).
Three of these rides were so close they could have operated them on rotation, that's to say one member of staff running between all 3 depending on demand. Nw that's why I put on place at my park for quieter days to ensure we kept all rides open and still kept to the strict staffing budget.
Matty17p
TS Member
Interesting to see how different Infusion could have been, is there an SLC anywhere with a tunnel? also seems to be a viewing platform attached to the queue line. Think I prefer how the station looks now rather than in this concept, any ideas why it looks like there is a tsunami about to hit the park at the right of the picture.
Benzin
TS Member
I'm sure the pleasure beach is very sorry the park isn't laid out to your liking, would it be better if they were all spread out across the park? so it looks like there is more
39cm
9 rides and attractions to experience including the puzzle maze
40cm
15 rides and attraction to experience including the puzzle maze
The more people that realise its a business and not a charity the better, the way people go on about these rides closing act if they were so some of world class attraction that drew millions to the park but in reality nobody wanted to ride them. And the sensible argument to be had is why should they keep rides open that are costing them a lot of money to maintain, operate and staff when clearly nobody wanted them.
I mean given we use RAP it's fair easier to have a ride within the nearby vicinity to whatever ride is being ridden by the adults. This is why losing Blade at Towers is a pain as the only form of "entertainment" by Nemesis is the arcade or watching other rides.
Pleasure Beach hasn't exactly acted like a successful business for a while. But there are plenty of concerns to have for the smaller attractions being removed. Especially when Blackpool actually charge for a full ticket for 2 years and under riders, so any wonder I go to Towers for little one instead whilst it's still (just about) free?
Most of the smaller attractions main expense is the ride host/operator. And as we seen in other parks, if you start to weaken the product availability people will inevitably turn.
Coaster
TS Member
If I recall correctly from the marketing at the time, it was due to be a large waterfall feature that was cut from the budget.
Interesting to see how different Infusion could have been, is there an SLC anywhere with a tunnel? also seems to be a viewing platform attached to the queue line. Think I prefer how the station looks now rather than in this concept, any ideas why it looks like there is a tsunami about to hit the park at the right of the picture.
venny
TS Member
There’s some really myopic points being made on the ride removals, which seem to boil down to: -
- they had low ridership
- they aren’t headline attraction
…and therefore who cares.
Just because something has low ridership doesn’t mean it is worthless. As has been pointed out, these rides catered for a certain demographic (mostly not that of the enthusiast community). Just because more people want to ride Icon rather than Eddie Stobart doesn’t mean it’s worthy of closure.
You can apply that sort of flawed logic for demolishing Steeplechase or Nick Streak - there are other rides for thrill seekers, they have lower ridership, the park’s not a charity, so let’s bulldoze them…
- they had low ridership
- they aren’t headline attraction
…and therefore who cares.
Just because something has low ridership doesn’t mean it is worthless. As has been pointed out, these rides catered for a certain demographic (mostly not that of the enthusiast community). Just because more people want to ride Icon rather than Eddie Stobart doesn’t mean it’s worthy of closure.
You can apply that sort of flawed logic for demolishing Steeplechase or Nick Streak - there are other rides for thrill seekers, they have lower ridership, the park’s not a charity, so let’s bulldoze them…
First of all the Eddie Stobart would of been based on the youngsters riding it not thrill seekers and second even when they were open you only had a handful of riders riding.
Steeplechase and Nicklodeon still get large queues and are still popular it's a data driven decision these rides cost a lot to maintain so why spend the money if only a few riders are riding is it worth the cost of maintaining and staffing an underutilised attraction or better to save and get something new for that target demographic
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Matty17p
TS Member
VOTE VENNY FOR PLEASURE BEACH MANAGING DIRECTORS POSTIONVote venny
To keep rides open that take up potentially valuable space with low ridership Vote venny
To continue spending money on rides that have low ridership Vote venny
To make sure the park doesn't save any money in theses challenging economic times Flawed logic? no It's logical business sense to close things that are not used as much, plain and simply as that. I can't decide if you want to see the park do well or not? so do they continue to spend money on rides that clearly from what I've seen have extremely low ridership or take the logical path by closing them thus saving the company thousands of pounds.
Of course it will be disappointing to that very small certain demographic but unfortunately you can't please everyone, and I'm sure if Steeplechase and Nick Streak had the low ridership that you say they apparently have they would of closed either along side them attractions or souly on their own, I'd imagine even just closing one of those coaster would save them the amount of money as closing the said 5 rides. David cam said in a tour that each wooden coaster at the park has a budget of £100,000 a year just for WOOD! thats a pretty hefty saving for just closing one ride with "low ridership" do you not think?
It's either
close rides that have the low ridership thus helping the park invest in new rides
or
continue to operate rides that have the low ridership making it even more harder for the park to invest in new rides
The only issue I have with these 5 rides closing it does leave 5 rides SBNO which is my least favourite thing to see at a park a Standing but not operating ride. They could of at least covered each up behind a wall
Vote venny
Vote venny
Vote venny
Flawed logic? no It's logical business sense to close things that are not used as much, plain and simply as that. I can't decide if you want to see the park do well or not? so do they continue to spend money on rides that clearly from what I've seen have extremely low ridership or take the logical path by closing them thus saving the company thousands of pounds.
Of course it will be disappointing to that very small certain demographic but unfortunately you can't please everyone, and I'm sure if Steeplechase and Nick Streak had the low ridership that you say they apparently have they would of closed either along side them attractions or souly on their own, I'd imagine even just closing one of those coaster would save them the amount of money as closing the said 5 rides. David cam said in a tour that each wooden coaster at the park has a budget of £100,000 a year just for WOOD! thats a pretty hefty saving for just closing one ride with "low ridership" do you not think?
It's either
close rides that have the low ridership thus helping the park invest in new rides
or
continue to operate rides that have the low ridership making it even more harder for the park to invest in new rides
Hi
First time poster
I went to BPB last Friday, first time back in about 6 years.
Initial thoughts walking past the front strip (from Big Blue) - what a dump. They really need to spruce up the facade, just give it some character.
I’m in my mid 30’s and I always get quite nostalgic about the place, like many others, it holds a place close to my heart, it was the spirit of childhood and simpler times.
It’s important to remember that pre wristband days, they needed to entice you, give you a reason to part with cash. These days, you become a cost, a liability the moment you have paid, the longer you spend there, the greater the overheads.
Where did the theming and branding go? Loads of empty spaces just completely void of scenery and fluff. Mid rides dismantled and left vacant.
The Big One and the Big Dipper just running one train. Again, cost, less on maintenance.
I went with my Mrs (she hadn’t been before) and my 6 year old. My Mrs left not understanding the hype, completely understandable, and my daughter was bored. Nickland isn’t a patch on what Beaver Creek was.
Valhalla only runs in the late afternoon. Now I understand that water rides tend to be the last of the day but this is the jewel in the crown, arguably the best water ride in Europe. Cost again.
The BBC documentary on the park from the 90’s was brilliant, that JR chap really did have a tight grip on the daily running of the park. The bright lights, the buzz, atmosphere, happy families, drunks…it felt like you were part of something.
My mum and dad talk big about ‘the old people’ should be able to gain access for free and just walk around. Truth be told, there is nothing to see anymore.
I understand ‘the family’ wants to keep it but looking around I don’t see a future for it. By wanting to keep it a Thompson, this park may find itself becoming an orphan without outside investment.
Will probs add more about my visit later, just blurping as I go
First time poster
I went to BPB last Friday, first time back in about 6 years.
Initial thoughts walking past the front strip (from Big Blue) - what a dump. They really need to spruce up the facade, just give it some character.
I’m in my mid 30’s and I always get quite nostalgic about the place, like many others, it holds a place close to my heart, it was the spirit of childhood and simpler times.
It’s important to remember that pre wristband days, they needed to entice you, give you a reason to part with cash. These days, you become a cost, a liability the moment you have paid, the longer you spend there, the greater the overheads.
Where did the theming and branding go? Loads of empty spaces just completely void of scenery and fluff. Mid rides dismantled and left vacant.
The Big One and the Big Dipper just running one train. Again, cost, less on maintenance.
I went with my Mrs (she hadn’t been before) and my 6 year old. My Mrs left not understanding the hype, completely understandable, and my daughter was bored. Nickland isn’t a patch on what Beaver Creek was.
Valhalla only runs in the late afternoon. Now I understand that water rides tend to be the last of the day but this is the jewel in the crown, arguably the best water ride in Europe. Cost again.
The BBC documentary on the park from the 90’s was brilliant, that JR chap really did have a tight grip on the daily running of the park. The bright lights, the buzz, atmosphere, happy families, drunks…it felt like you were part of something.
My mum and dad talk big about ‘the old people’ should be able to gain access for free and just walk around. Truth be told, there is nothing to see anymore.
I understand ‘the family’ wants to keep it but looking around I don’t see a future for it. By wanting to keep it a Thompson, this park may find itself becoming an orphan without outside investment.
Will probs add more about my visit later, just blurping as I go
Steve Minor
TS Member
It was around 12 months ago when people were saying "doesn't matter that much grand prix has gone because there's 2 other similar rides (stobart & Ralley) anyway. Well now they're all gone & as for data we'll it's easy to show the rides didn't have anyone riding when they spent most of the time closed. Juvenile rides Don't cost much to operate only really the ride op & 1 op could run 3 easily so it wouldn't have cost much to keep them open.
The front buildings have recently been submitted for redevelopment and will likely ending up looking like the modern Boulevard Hotel style, also the park is in redevelopment phase at the moment so bare with them on that.
Pleasure Beach is not a theme park its an amusement park its, and there still is plenty to see at Pleasure Beach
flyingguitar
TS Member
but a lot of those rides won't cost that much to run, the carousel is essentially a motor, a gear box and some cranks, same with stobart. nothing more compared to the rollercoasters it will cost essentially pennies to run, I understand they will need to staff it but that will be one staff member, and it could open during more busy times, and allow people who may not want to go on coasters to have some fun.
Vote venny
Vote venny
Vote venny
Flawed logic? no It's logical business sense to close things that are not used as much, plain and simply as that. I can't decide if you want to see the park do well or not? so do they continue to spend money on rides that clearly from what I've seen have extremely low ridership or take the logical path by closing them thus saving the company thousands of pounds.
Of course it will be disappointing to that very small certain demographic but unfortunately you can't please everyone, and I'm sure if Steeplechase and Nick Streak had the low ridership that you say they apparently have they would of closed either along side them attractions or souly on their own, I'd imagine even just closing one of those coaster would save them the amount of money as closing the said 5 rides. David cam said in a tour that each wooden coaster at the park has a budget of £100,000 a year just for WOOD! thats a pretty hefty saving for just closing one ride with "low ridership" do you not think?
It's either
close rides that have the low ridership thus helping the park invest in new rides
or
continue to operate rides that have the low ridership making it even more harder for the park to invest in new rides
red arrows I think I would agree with it being expensive (although no where near a rollercoaster), but my question is why are they having to close a ride only 10 years old, like it should still be pretty popular as it is quite a unique ride, and looks pretty good from the outside.
you also have to consider what effect having 5 rides SBNO has on a park, consider if you go now you are met with old facards with quite a bit of wear, an rollercoaster SBNO (nash), a rollercoaster that is half rust at this point (revolution), the big one and avalanche with a 60 minuite queue running one train, multiple rides not open just dotted about the place, steeple chase running only one track.
I gives a very worn out appearance of a park and isn't really a place people may want to go back to (especially in the modern era where people want everything to look nice,)
I think another problem is that you mention that they can use the savings to re-invest but they don't replace closed rides, the reason people are annoyed is because they will probably not replace them, unless you think fountains are a good replacment they aren't reinvesting and just removing the rides.