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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: 2025 Discussion

Hid said:
It's in a much stronger position then in 2009 the park nearly went bankrupt that year one of the reasons free to enter didn't work for them
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Assume you mean financially, because it certainly was in a better position with operations, ride availability, capacity, ride selection and opening times.

As for this nonsense about “transitional period”, everyone must surely have worked out by now that’s just spin for, “we closed more rides, neglected a load of upkeep, but ignore all that because we’re getting a gyroswing”.
 
venny said:
Assume you mean financially, because it certainly was in a better position with operations, ride availability, capacity, ride selection and opening times.

As for this nonsense about “transitional period”, everyone must surely have worked out by now that’s just spin for, “we closed more rides, neglected a load of upkeep, but ignore all that because we’re getting a gyroswing”.
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Is "transitional period" a modern phrase? It seems that now any political party that tanks is in a transitional period, and football club that is performing terribly is in a transitional period. Any theme park that is getting worse year on year is in a transitional period too I guess?

Definitely a phrase that has become used more in recent years. Easier to say that than to give an honest reason I guess.
 
I will say, operations at Blackpool did seem markedly more sluggish on my recent visit than they did on my prior visits in 2018 and 2019.

Of the operating coasters at the park that can run multiple full-size trains (i.e. not small cars like Steeplechase), the only one running more than one train was Icon. Big Dipper, Avalanche, Infusion and The Big One were all on one train all day, as far as I could tell. This resulted in some slow dispatches; you’re looking at 6 minutes and ~240pph on Big Dipper, 5 minutes and ~360pph on The Big One and over 3 minutes and ~260pph on Avalanche. Steeplechase was also doing ~70s dispatch intervals, which is really slow for a coaster with such small cars; even with two sides, the two sides combined were doing only 200pph.

Even Icon, which was probably the high point of the park’s coasters operationally, was markedly diminished throughput-wise compared to my prior experiences. In 2019, it ran 3 trains with relatively minimal stacking, and I would hazard a guess that 60s maximum dispatch intervals and the better part of 1,000pph were being attained. In 2025, the ride was quite frequently doing a similar level of stacking on 2 to what it used to do on 3, if not more so, and dispatch intervals averaged around 100s or just over when I timed, with a throughput of ~570pph being attained. The operations weren’t terrible by any means, but felt markedly slower than the slick operation they were in 2018 and 2019.

On my day, it admittedly didn’t hamper me (I did 26 rides), but some queues were still 30+ minutes at points despite the park not feeling particularly busy at all. I waited over 30 minutes for an Avalanche reride, for example.

I can imagine the park could have problematic queues on even vaguely busy days if that is the sort of operations they have on weekends or holiday days. If it’s a “termtime midweek only” mode, then I don’t think it’s so bad, but if this is the norm on peak days too, I can see it potentially causing an issue queues-wise.
 
Matt N said:
I will say, operations at Blackpool did seem markedly more sluggish on my recent visit than they did on my prior visits in 2018 and 2019.

Of the operating coasters at the park that can run multiple full-size trains (i.e. not small cars like Steeplechase), the only one running more than one train was Icon. Big Dipper, Avalanche, Infusion and The Big One were all on one train all day, as far as I could tell. This resulted in some slow dispatches; you’re looking at 6 minutes and ~240pph on Big Dipper, 5 minutes and ~360pph on The Big One and over 3 minutes and ~260pph on Avalanche. Steeplechase was also doing ~70s dispatch intervals, which is really slow for a coaster with such small cars; even with two sides, the two sides combined were doing only 200pph.

Even Icon, which was probably the high point of the park’s coasters operationally, was markedly diminished throughput-wise compared to my prior experiences. In 2019, it ran 3 trains with relatively minimal stacking, and I would hazard a guess that 60s maximum dispatch intervals and the better part of 1,000pph were being attained. In 2025, the ride was quite frequently doing a similar level of stacking on 2 to what it used to do on 3, if not more so, and dispatch intervals averaged around 100s or just over when I timed, with a throughput of ~570pph being attained. The operations weren’t terrible by any means, but felt markedly slower than the slick operation they were in 2018 and 2019.

On my day, it admittedly didn’t hamper me (I did 26 rides), but some queues were still 30+ minutes at points despite the park not feeling particularly busy at all. I waited over 30 minutes for an Avalanche reride, for example.

I can imagine the park could have problematic queues on even vaguely busy days if that is the sort of operations they have on weekends or holiday days. If it’s a “termtime midweek only” mode, then I don’t think it’s so bad, but if this is the norm on peak days too, I can see it potentially causing an issue queues-wise.
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Icon Capacity was hindered by the introduction of seat belts which were not previously there.

Big One and Avalanche should always be on 2 trains no matter what.

I have seen infusion run 2 on the odd occasion did earlier this year.

Grand National, Big Dipper, Nicklodeon Streak and Blue Flyer issue is they only run minimal amount of trains with each on 1 or 2 for Grand National also bear in mind these rides were never designed to have lap bars or any restraint at all
 
Hid said:
Grand National, Big Dipper, Nicklodeon Streak and Blue Flyer issue is they only run minimal amount of trains with each on 1 or 2 for Grand National also bear in mind these rides were never designed to have lap bars or any restraint at all
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I'm old enough to remember!! That second dip on the Nash - still have nightmares!
 
Was thinking of going this year do we have a list of what's SBNO

I have disability access which gets me from memory im sure it's like the £50 easy pass price what ever it was at the time

I know when we used it the last time on a relatively busy day we were sent down speedups ques instantly and got around 14 rides done

Just wondering if it's worth going to this park with the bad press its getting

Or would I be better off elsewere and any other suggestions

Does seem like you know who is still more interested in the failing ice shows than the park it does seem to need to management throughout not just at the top it's in a successful location but seems to be dying due to neglect and and on the grand scope u remove it from blackpool it affects tourism in that area massively just look what happened after the bonny street market removal

But back on point do we know what's opened(may be closed on any day of course) and what's sbno this season to make an educated decision if its worth going here or elsewere
 
tayspru said:
Just to point out, Stageworks including the Ice show has been turning a profit for a very long time, due to their business in supplying and renting costumes. It’s not the usual stance from enthusiasts but the Ice Show is a jet benefit for the parks finances
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I understand that but if we look primarily at the ice show itself I've seen it a few times in high season with family members and numbers get lower on attendance to it each visit

I'm not saying it's not worth seeing but it seems Mrs A focus is primarily on that rather than the functioning of the pleasure beach even if management is delegated and those sub managers are failing for reasons within their remit the buck stops at her as she is their boss and should address them if it's outside factors that can't be helped

But personally the park needs to go back to the early it's model of free entry if your not going on the rides and make non ride attractions amusements stalls etc more enticing to non riders and free entry

Just noticed their easy pass system has changed and requires nimbus and I can no longer use ADP and blue badge as proof to obtain and seems to only allow one companion rather than the group of 4 I had in 2023

I honestly feel its becoming similar to how louden castle went up my way very good park but poorly run
 
tayspru said:
Just to point out, Stageworks including the Ice show has been turning a profit for a very long time, due to their business in supplying and renting costumes. It’s not the usual stance from enthusiasts but the Ice Show is a jet benefit for the parks finances
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Stageworks makes a net profit.
The ice show has made a real, actual, loss for decades.
They just mush up the numbers.

I don't hate the show, but it either needs to be a part of paid entry, or adapt somehow to a new audience.

Well worth seeing.

The arena also needs pulling down, cramped and rather smelly.
 
How have I been at BPB forever and didn't know this.... BPB isn't known for it's sun, but on the odd day it shines it is brutal in such a dense park.
 
To answer the question about what is SBNO.
Alpine Ralley, Thompson carousel, Eddie Stobart, Krusty Krab order up, Dodgems, Skyforce. River Caves and Nash till June.
Steeple Chase and Valhalla len late at 12 and 2 respectively and midweek steeplechase and Dipper have been closing at 4 recently.
Flying machines currently only on half power following some mechanical work.
 
Smiley said:
How have I been at BPB forever and didn't know this.... BPB isn't known for it's sun, but on the odd day it shines it is brutal in such a dense park.
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You dont get the wasps like AT though. The density of the park also provides more shade? No? Plus a little dip in the sea after.
 
Pleasure Beach now have a non-rider eTicket priced at.... £25. If that's a "on the gate" price then I suppose it's good vs £50, but it's awful vs £30 in advance.

Source is a press release on various Facebook pages (but not the actual BPB one or their website yet) - copied below:


"
Pleasure Beach Resort to introduce Non Rider eTickets
Pleasure Beach Resort in Blackpool has become the only major UK theme park to buck the industry standard and introduce Non Rider eTickets, for the first time in six years.
The Lancashire attraction stopped offering Non Rider tickets back in 2019 in line with the wider industry.
Much like its UK counterparts including Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Paultons Park, it has operated a pay one price model allowing guests to enjoy unlimited riding.
But now, in response to guest feedback, Pleasure Beach has introduced a new Non Rider eTicket, and is the only major UK theme park to do so.
Non Rider eTickets will cost £25 and come loaded with £5 of ‘Pleasure Beach Pounds’, which can then be redeemed against food and drink on the park.
The ticket also includes unlimited riding on Pleasure Beach Express, and entry to the Chinese Puzzle Maze and Bradley and Bella’s Learning Garden.
Ticket holders will also be able to meet and take photos with Pleasure Beach’s live-action characters, including the PAW Patrol pups, the gang from SpongeBob SquarePants, and recent BAFTA-winners Wallace and Gromit.
Anyone visiting the park between July 10 and September 13 can also enjoy a free matinee performance of the spectacular Hot Ice Show included in their ticket, plus discounted tickets to all other Pleasure Beach Shows all year round.
On selected dates, the Non Rider eTickets provide full access to on-park entertainment including Summer of Slime, PAW Patrol Month, Summertime Games, live DJ, and fireworks.
The Pleasure Beach Pounds can be redeemed against a wide variety of food and drink, from meal deals at Ice Lounge to glasses of fizz in the Champagne Lounge.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “This year we’ve placed a strong focus on making visits more affordable for families, without compromising the guest experience. We believe we have done this in ways that allow us to continue to thrive - not only as an important destination in Blackpool, but as an employer of hundreds of local people.
“We’ve listened carefully to our guests, and it’s clear that flexibility and choice are more important than ever. That’s why we’ve made the decision to launch our Non Rider eTickets with more added benefits – a move that sets us apart in the industry. Whether you're here to make memories with our characters, enjoy our entertainment, or spend time with family (or even if you’re the one most comfortable holding the coats!) this new ticket ensures everyone can enjoy a brilliant day at Europe’s most ride intensive park, in their own way.”
Earlier this year, Pleasure Beach also introduced lower priced Nickelodeon Land tickets, big savings with a two day pass, and discounted tickets for people arriving in the afternoon.
The ticketing options have all been introduced in response to provide more flexibility and offer great value for guests."
 
It’s a promising step, and I also think the “Pleasure Beach Pounds” are a promising aspect that make the idea have some potential… but is it really going to tempt people at £25?

I think the £10 it was before might make it more tempting, personally, although I guess the “Pleasure Beach Pounds” add some additional value.
 
I’m sure there’s people with business degrees that can tell me why, but £25 ticket but you get £5 free food/drink just over complicates things, just make the price £20 and allow them to buy the food and drink if they wish.
 
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