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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

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If Ash implores you to do anything, it might be wise to do the opposite!
Streak and Steeplechase are worth the effort though.
Icon queue often seems to go up and down at strange times, not worth getting in a long queue for, as it is often half the length a little later.
Saturday will be heaving, but opening is late and there are fireworks.
Sunday has very low bookings.
Saturday looks pretty dry, Sunday looks rather wet.
Sorry shakey, but you still have to turn up.
Or else.
 
Got around everything effortlessly yesterday with the exception of Infusion (because none of us are overly bothered about it) and the Big One (because of the 1 train service and associated queue) got a very enjoyable 3 lane race on the Steeplechase, Emma and I beat both Luke and Peter.

The Revolution, Big Dipper and Streak were running really well, particularly the wooden coasters in the dark. Icon was fun as ever.

Was great to see so many friends dotted around the park and of course have a catch up Peter.

The fireworks were cancelled, but to be fair to BPB they kept the full park open till 10pm, which IMO is a better option.
 
I guess the fireworks were cancelled due to weather? Fair play to them for keeping the rides open til 10pm though. I'd rather see this done on most if not all of the late night riding evenings. I really think that if they have say 8 night riding events over a season, perhaps just do fireworks on 2 of them. Did Big One run til the bitter end too?

Just realised I think I only did Revolution once this season as was too busy enjoying Icon. Will have to celebrate its (and my) 40th next year by having a few more rides on it. Fortunately with @shakey and @rob666 around, I'm still not the oldest fart! So, for those happy to divulge, what is your birth year ride (or nearest to) at BPB, and is it still operating? Rob, weren't there just the Flying Machines and a Helter Skelter on the beach when you emerged kicking and screaming? :D

I wonder what will change over this closed season? With any luck the wind-battered Bowl a Drome gets ripped out. . .
 
There was a charming couple who looked well into their seventies playing out with Scott's lot on Sunday dippy.
Absolutely brilliant day, fifteen coasters and the last two public rides on the Big One, in the dark.
Combined with a 'spoons lunch, ert on Steeplechase and a nice technical geektalk with the Icon project engineer, it was a lovely full stop on a good season.
Cheers again for the effort Scott.
 
Dipper_Dave said:
I guess the fireworks were cancelled due to weather? Fair play to them for keeping the rides open til 10pm though. I'd rather see this done on most if not all of the late night riding evenings. I really think that if they have say 8 night riding events over a season, perhaps just do fireworks on 2 of them. Did Big One run til the bitter end too?
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I would also go for that. It would have defused a lot of negative comments from Vampire beach had this been the case. Yeah all rides (bar the Flyers which were closed all day, despite testing several times and the small ones under the Avalanche which closed at 9pm)

Personally I'd rather they closed those early daily rather than shut NL down, which really infuriates me as the Streak is one of my favourites and you can usually get on it a good number of times in the final hour.

Much better weekend this time, the park did nothing different just crowds were nowhere near as bad.

I hope you who has Steeplechase ERT enjoyed it, I look forward to seeing the footage.
 
MakoMania said:
Opening day will be Sat 16th February 2019. Wow weekends priced at £19.50 again and park is open 11am-5pm as with this year.
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That would indicate gate prices are staying at the eye watering £39.

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Blaming the weather...
Spring was very wet indeed, I got webbed feet from mowing lawns that were under water.
Very hot summer meant the beach did well, but The Beach didn't.
400,000 trippers didn't visit Blackpool because of the poor train service, about half of those didnt visit the beach, sounds about right.
 
The trains were shocking, was able to get a direct train from Liverpool the day Icon opened. Then for work a few weeks later you were having to change at Wigan. Not to mention how the branch line to Blackpool Pleasure Beach Station seemed to have multiple cancellations of what was just an hourly service every day.

Hoping the park officially confirm the opening date soonish so I can book a hotel room.
 
I do wonder whether amazing weather rather than just good weather is a benefit to Blackpool. Yes people will visit because the weather’s great, but when it’s as hot as it was do people decide on BBQs over coasters? Is there a “Goldilocks” zone for weather?

I agree on the beach/Beach split Rob. The beach was definitely busy - busiest I’ve seen in ages. Because the weather was that good, do some of those on the beach spend the day there rather than feel the need to visit Pleasure Beach? It feels like a reasonable explanation.
 
venny said:
Because the weather was that good, do some of those on the beach spend the day there rather than feel the need to visit Pleasure Beach? It feels like a reasonable explanation.
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Maybe, especially when they see it's nearly £40 per person to get in.

Still think that is one of the issues this season, and towers £55 season pass will also have had an effect.



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Especially for tightfisted tykes.
Probably.
All the Blackpool traders prefer showery weather...sends the punters indoors every couple of hours to spend some money.
People only buy salads, ice cream and fans in heatwave.
 
venny said:
I agree on the beach/Beach split Rob. The beach was definitely busy - busiest I’ve seen in ages. Because the weather was that good, do some of those on the beach spend the day there rather than feel the need to visit Pleasure Beach? It feels like a reasonable explanation
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Which is precisely why they would be better to remain open later to capture these potential customers once they have had enough of the beach, not close at 5pm.
 
It isn't a corner shop though, they have hundreds of staff to continue paying, extra breaks, extra managers.
Been looked into repeatedly, the powers that be want to continue with the current system...sadly. Not enough money in it.
We would all love realistic individual ride pricing and later opening, even shifting the hours to lunch opening would be better.
 
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