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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion
- Thread starter John
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venny
TS Member
@RoyJess Partly right about what? Nothing was renamed. Mystique and Beyond Belief were very different shows. Mystique was largely put together by Gloria Gee, with Phil Winston, John Wardley and ideas from WGT, based on the old Viva concept of a scaled down Las Vegas show.
Beyond Belief bore little resemblance, bar reusing a number of the same tricks. It was more of a variety show. It was largely put together by Richard De Vere and his partner Mark.
Have dug this out, what a photo:
I can second this. I did prefer Mystique to Beyond Belief, as it was more magic oriented.
There is a decent section on Mystique in Sir John’s book. He touches on his friendship with WGT and his involvement in Mystique, including with Gloria Gee and also his method for ensuring the dancers/assistants in the show recognised how magical the effects are to the public. Certainly worth a read.
I also seem to recall a Richard DeVere statue outside the Casino for some time, which included Schnorbitz. It was gloriously tacky and gloriously Blackpool.
Ironically I have to say that out of the holy trinity of 90s shows, the only one which is still going (Hot Ice) is probably my least favourite.
Plastic Person
TS Member
I imagine it's still going because of its historical significance, in part. Others shows come and go, but Hot Ice is integral to the Pleasure Beach. But at the end of the day, and as impressive as the athletes involved are, when you've seen one bloke in sequins do an axel jump, you've seen them all. It's kind of amazing to think about the range of entertainment that was on offer at the Pleasure Beach just a few decades ago. Had the town ever got the gambling go-ahead, I think that would have perhaps continued.
I also remember the Schnorbitz/De Vere statue with similar tongue-in-cheek fondness. Worth mentioning that, after they somehow lasted until 1991 on primetime BBC One, Little and Large did a couple of seasons christening The Paradise Rooms in The Casino building throughout the mid-nineties. Eddie Large passed away due to COVID-19 complications just yesterday.
Here they are, pictured in happier times. Eddie no doubt about to interrupt Syd with his trademark Deputy Dog impression. Syd owns a pub and restaurant up in Fleetwood these days.
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
I just asked a questionIf you're arguing on the internet, you've already lost.
KolonelKlink
TS Member
As I mentioned this in another thread, and given many of us have got a lot of time on our hands at the moment, I thought some people might like to relive the Pleasure Beach fly-on-the-wall series that went out on BBC One in the late 90s (filmed in ‘97 I believe), complete with angry Amanda Thompson:
DistortAMG
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- POTC Disneyland Paris
It is a great series. Might give this a re watch actually. I am sure the 'John! That is a new machine!' line from Amanda in this series has been a running joke for many years around here. Quite rightly so too.
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
Park guide from 2001, I loved this real ballsy era of the park - you'd be forgiven for thinking the place was 442 acres, rather than 42, if you hadn't visited. It was pretty much full steam ahead in 2001, in spite of the difficulties of the 2000 season.
May I apologise for the grubby nature of these scans, the document does show a few signs of being abused by the Log Flume, sticky fingers from donuts on the prom and having been carelessly thrown into a box file for twenty years!
More stuff here.
May I apologise for the grubby nature of these scans, the document does show a few signs of being abused by the Log Flume, sticky fingers from donuts on the prom and having been carelessly thrown into a box file for twenty years!
More stuff here.
Plastic Person
TS Member
I have that leaflet in a box somewhere. Yes, golden era stuff. Things were soon to change quite rapidly, but you wouldn't guess it from that glossy. There was also a BPB Short Break/Holiday brochure from the same period, in a similar style but more expansive still.
I would use that leaflet as evidence that really, despite the first hotel being a couple of years off, BPB was the first true 'resort' park in the UK. I don't want to drudge up the same-old debate here, especially when people have so much time on their hands, but the park really was gunning for every possible crowd back then, whether you wanted an all-day wristband or a decent night out.
I would use that leaflet as evidence that really, despite the first hotel being a couple of years off, BPB was the first true 'resort' park in the UK. I don't want to drudge up the same-old debate here, especially when people have so much time on their hands, but the park really was gunning for every possible crowd back then, whether you wanted an all-day wristband or a decent night out.
Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
2001 and 2002 were certainly the tail end of crowds like that.
I recall a visit in the summer of 2001 turning up around 7pm on a Friday evening that was scheduled to be an 11pm close, but by the time we headed out to the Fish Inn for some supper that had been revised up to Midnight and by the time we were coming back through Ticket Sales, it had been revised to 1am.
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Also, if you're interested in the history of the park and don't have the wonderful A Century of Fun book by Peter Bennett, I suspect you won't find it much cheaper than this.
I recall a visit in the summer of 2001 turning up around 7pm on a Friday evening that was scheduled to be an 11pm close, but by the time we headed out to the Fish Inn for some supper that had been revised up to Midnight and by the time we were coming back through Ticket Sales, it had been revised to 1am.
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Also, if you're interested in the history of the park and don't have the wonderful A Century of Fun book by Peter Bennett, I suspect you won't find it much cheaper than this.
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Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
Indeed, that's what you get in a tourist trap half the size of Blackpool, with a tourism economy worth $1bn!
Dipper_Dave
TS Member
I second Rick’s recommendation for the ‘A Century of Fun book by Peter Bennett. A great read full of excellent photos
shakey
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Wild Mouse - Blackpool - :(
Came across a 1978 park map on themepark.org (apologies if this has been shared before)
It shows the extended Grand Prix (turnpike) route. I must have ridden it back then but I cannot remember the extended track at all. Does anyone know when it was shortened ?
I also don't remember Yellowstone Park. Was that just the view from the train ?
I see the pony trekking was still there at this point, and the speed boats (in their last year I think) and of course the reel.
6 woodies at the time and I can't help thinking that the ride line up was pretty good back then, which got me thinking.... Which was the best year for the ride line up ?
I would have to go for 1980. With most of the attractions on the 1978 map below including the six woodies, Steeplechase, Funhouse, Monster, Log Flume, Tom Sawyer Ride, Noahs Ark, Gold Mine, Monorail and Cableway. Plus Revolution, Water Chute and Swamp Buggies opening in 1979, then Tokaydo Express, Tidal Wave (pirate ship) and Haunted Hotel (Later Trauma towers) all opening in 1980.
It shows the extended Grand Prix (turnpike) route. I must have ridden it back then but I cannot remember the extended track at all. Does anyone know when it was shortened ?
I also don't remember Yellowstone Park. Was that just the view from the train ?
I see the pony trekking was still there at this point, and the speed boats (in their last year I think) and of course the reel.
6 woodies at the time and I can't help thinking that the ride line up was pretty good back then, which got me thinking.... Which was the best year for the ride line up ?
I would have to go for 1980. With most of the attractions on the 1978 map below including the six woodies, Steeplechase, Funhouse, Monster, Log Flume, Tom Sawyer Ride, Noahs Ark, Gold Mine, Monorail and Cableway. Plus Revolution, Water Chute and Swamp Buggies opening in 1979, then Tokaydo Express, Tidal Wave (pirate ship) and Haunted Hotel (Later Trauma towers) all opening in 1980.
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Rick
TS Member
- Favourite Ride
- Crux
That site looks like a great resource, people should check it out ...
I think I'd be inclined to agree in terms of era, but the history buff in me would have love to have a day on the park a good while before that, perhaps 1923, with a brand new new Ark, Reel and Dipper with the Witching Waves and a few other crazy contraptions of the time still in service.
Two adverts for y'all tonight, 1991 and 1992. Interesting that they are already touting the coming of The Big One, over two years before it opened, albeit with the Magnum concept art.
Poopoohead
TS Member
We wanted to take this opportunity to let you know how Blackpool Pleasure Beach will be ensuring you receive the maximum value from your 2020 Season Pass, given the current COVID-19 pandemic.
We understand that many of you will feel disappointed that your 2020 Season Pass is losing value with each day that goes by where the park cannot open. We have created two options in order to ensure you receive the value you purchased.
- First of all, we are offering guests the option to defer their 2020 Season Pass to 2021, and use throughout the whole 2021 Season.
- Secondly, for guests that would still like to experience Blackpool Pleasure Beach for the remainder of the 2020 Season, we have the following option. Once we are able to reopen, we will calculate the percentage of available days that the park should have been open, had it not been for Covid-19. This percentage will become your discount of a 2021 Season Pass, based on the price you paid.
For ease and explanation; if you paid £100 for your 2020 Season Pass, and the park is unable to open for 20% of the days you could have used your 2020 Season Pass. Then we will enable you to purchase a 2021 Season Pass for £80, which is the £100 you paid minus the 20% discount. This is on top of being able to experience the park for every day of the remaining 2020 Season.
We will contact all Season Pass holders with details of how and when you will be able to do this, once we receive confirmation of when we are able to reopen. For both of these options you will need to log into your 'My Account'.
However, for the time being you don't need to do anything. There is no rush to make a decision. Simply wait until we are able to announce our re-opening date and we will be in touch with the details of what to do next. We hope this information helps you make the best decision on what to do next with your 2020 Season Pass.
very good response I think, good customer service from pleasure beach for a change! Credit where it is due
We understand that many of you will feel disappointed that your 2020 Season Pass is losing value with each day that goes by where the park cannot open. We have created two options in order to ensure you receive the value you purchased.
- First of all, we are offering guests the option to defer their 2020 Season Pass to 2021, and use throughout the whole 2021 Season.
- Secondly, for guests that would still like to experience Blackpool Pleasure Beach for the remainder of the 2020 Season, we have the following option. Once we are able to reopen, we will calculate the percentage of available days that the park should have been open, had it not been for Covid-19. This percentage will become your discount of a 2021 Season Pass, based on the price you paid.
For ease and explanation; if you paid £100 for your 2020 Season Pass, and the park is unable to open for 20% of the days you could have used your 2020 Season Pass. Then we will enable you to purchase a 2021 Season Pass for £80, which is the £100 you paid minus the 20% discount. This is on top of being able to experience the park for every day of the remaining 2020 Season.
We will contact all Season Pass holders with details of how and when you will be able to do this, once we receive confirmation of when we are able to reopen. For both of these options you will need to log into your 'My Account'.
However, for the time being you don't need to do anything. There is no rush to make a decision. Simply wait until we are able to announce our re-opening date and we will be in touch with the details of what to do next. We hope this information helps you make the best decision on what to do next with your 2020 Season Pass.
very good response I think, good customer service from pleasure beach for a change! Credit where it is due
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