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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

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Dippy, I know people miss the Mouse, but given a direct choice, nearly everyone except shakey would prefer Icon to the Mouse, probably 99% of their punters aren't enthusiasts.
They could always build a new Mouse with greater clearances (surely a major issue) on the woodyard behind Infusion.
And shakey, I always worry when tykes start agreeing with me;)
 
Yes Jamie, it is progress.
I'm not happy about the Mouse possibly going either, it is my favourite ride, but...
1. 95% of their customers would prefer Icon to the Mouse, many see it as just another woodie on the park.
Of course the majority of people will prefer Icon, it's a brand new ride; but that doesn't mean Wild Mouse isn't popular, it's one of the most talked about rides at the park and the majority of people love it!

In my opinion, progress on the ride lineup means more rides, not 'one-in, one-out.' Especially in this case where BPB will lose their "UK king of coasters" crown if Mouse goes, as Alton will catch them up numerically.

If it was down to space and the new ride needed the land it would make more sense, however that isn't the case in this instance.

2. The park is extremely limited in space, so stuff has to go to fit in new stuff,
But what could possibly fit in the space occupied by Wild Mouse and be anywhere near as good?

3. The Mouse has had constant issues for years, the will/won't it be back next year rumour has been going on for at least ten years.
True, but even then it's such a unique and fantastic ride and I feel that, as one of the last remaining wooden wild mouse rides, it's worth persevering with to keep it going.

4. In years gone by, if you got hurt on a ride you went to the First Aid room, and saw the lovely nurse, who would give you a cuddle and two paracetamol. Now people run to A&E, then to the solicitors. Incidents that needed formally recording were running at about three a day on busy days, I know because I have seen the ride supervisor filling in the accident book(s) on the ride platform too many times.
It always surprised me that the Wild Mouse didn't receive a sign at the same time as Grand National's one was added to warn people of the forces etc, if it's pointed out in front of you before you enter the queueline then it's surely your choice; otherwise where would the logic be in having it on the National?

5. If it wasn't for the Fun House fire, Valhalla wouldn't exist. I loved the Fun House, but there is no way it would be rebuilt with todays litigious claim culture, it would cost them thousands of pounds per day.
True, but Icon isn't going in the space occupied by Wild Mouse.
 
Jamie,
Agree about the Nash sign warning of the ride experience ahead of you, and that they could, and perhaps should, place one someone near the Mouse entrance. It would be nice to think that this, combined with the double seat belts already installed, and potential Dipper style lap bar, would be enough to see the ride reopen. Perhaps they could add "This ride is NOT for wimps!" to the sign.
 
Dippy, I know people miss the Mouse, but given a direct choice, nearly everyone except shakey would prefer Icon to the Mouse, probably 99% of their punters aren't enthusiasts.

What has direct choice got to do with it? They operate in totally different spaces. That's what we were all so pleased about when Icon was announced; that it was using dead space which had been vacant for years, whilst obviously cleverly interacting with existing rides, which is what BPB are so great at.

I agree that the majority of punters aren't enthusiasts, but of all the people this season I have heard being upset that Wild Mouse was closed, I would say the majority of them WERE casual punters, not ride nerds. The point is that it's a ride loved by coaster fans AND casual park attenders.

Icon looks awesome and I am really excited about its addition to the park, but as I think Shakey said on PBE towards the end, it will be a bittersweet season if Wild Mouse is removed over the winter or stays SBNO. Perhaps they are choosing the season of a major ride opening for the Mouse to bow out, as clearly Icon will be taking everyone's attention. But there will be sadness from all who've been thrilled by the rodents over the years too.

Interesting that there's never really been any Mouse merchandise, at least to my knowledge anyway. It didn't feature amongst the recently new pin badges, and it never appears on mugs, t-shirts, hoodies or anything like that. Apart from maybe that hoody that lists loads of rides, is it listed on that?
 
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Another thought is that they could always up the height limit to 1.4 metres, if needs be - not ideal, but if it saves the ride I'm all for it!
 
The silly thing about this fuss about the Mouse is that nothing is confirmed, it has closed for maintenance, things change from time to time and the decision may be taken to close it whilst they are working on it out of season, but there has been no official word about its permanent closure and the rumours aren't coming from reliable sources.
 
In terms of ride maintenance, of course we don't need to know the ins and outs of every repair / renewal job done on a ride, but if something is closed for maintenance for some time, I'd expect to see some actual work going on, not to see the ride seemingly totally abandoned. Such as early this season with the magnetic brakes being fitted and I believe other minor work being carried out at the same time. Workers on the ride were visibly doing something then and testing was going on.

Unless they are waiting for an essential replacement part for the ride or something, seeing it dormant is like when you are held up for weeks on end at temporary traffic lights and can't even see any workers doing anything.

It just seems odd that if it has closed for the season to allow winter maintenance to begin early, why are we not seeing anything being done? The double belts went on the mice in no time at all, and given that the 4 we mainly see are sat on the brake run, it's not like work is being done on them behind the scenes.

I really hope it reopens !
 
They've recently added a magnetic breaking system to a 60 year old wooden ride under the radar and they're having a few issues with integrating it......

*Community* ZOMG the ride has been closed for 2 days, could this mean the end for it? I WILL CHAIN MYSELF TO IT'S FOUNTAINS!!!*

Calm the eff down, this coaster has survived more punches than any woodie at Blackpool. It ain't going anywhere for now o_O
 
They've recently added a magnetic breaking system to a 60 year old wooden ride under the radar and they're having a few issues with integrating it......

*Community* ZOMG the ride has been closed for 2 days, could this mean the end for it? I WILL CHAIN MYSELF TO IT'S FOUNTAINS!!!*

Calm the eff down, this coaster has survived more punches than any woodie at Blackpool. It ain't going anywhere for now o_O

It has been closed for way more than 2 days! I wonder how people would react if Nemesis was shut for months at a time during open season, with no sign of anyone working on it
 
Crowd wise tomorrow, should most queues be under 30 mins? I'm planning for ride order to do skyforce, steeplechase, big one, avalanche and then the other attractions later on.
 
Crowd wise tomorrow, should most queues be under 30 mins? I'm planning for ride order to do skyforce, steeplechase, big one, avalanche and then the other attractions later on.

Big One then Sky Farce then Steeplechase then Avalanche :)

Looking at the wind speeds, tis not looking too promising for PMBO.

Don't fuss too much over ride order, you should be able to get on everything considering the park is open for 9 hours.
 
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Big One then Sky Farce then Steeplechase then Avalanche :)

Looking at the wind speeds, tis not looking too promising for PMBO.

Don't fuss too much over ride order, you should be able to get on everything considering the park is open for 9 hours.
Why do you say Sky Farce? I always think that those Gerstlauer Sky Flys/Rollers look like great fun!
 
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