Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

[MiserableMonkey]

It usually stays reasonable busy if the fireworks are on (and the weather is favourable), but on 10 till 10 days then the first hour and the last hour are definitely quieter (although that could be said on any day).

Oh I completely agree that the Late Night events usually do bring in a pretty decent crowd, and a large majority stay until the bitter end for the fireworks, but I did spend one evening sat at FY4 having a pint (or many), and the stream of guests leaving the park from 6pm onwards was noticeable. Now of course my observations could have been simply that some head back to B&Bs for evening meals, or to Spoons for a bit of tea, and then head back into the park.

BPB does seem to do reasonably well on the 4pm onwards wristbands on these 10-10s, and I’d assume they stay until the end.

Night riding is my favourite, no matter which park I’m visiting. There’s something special about it, but without a bribe such as horror mazes, fireworks and night shows, I’m not sure if the GP always feel the same.

 

[jon81uk]

Night riding is my favourite, no matter which park I’m visiting. There’s something special about it, but without a bribe such as horror mazes, fireworks and night shows, I’m not sure if the GP always feel the same.

I agree night rides on coasters are great fun.
Alton Towers have said in the past that night riding is one of the main reasons given in surveys as to why people visit for ScareFest.
The issue with the parks who offer 10pm summer closing times is that they don't offer any night riding, as it doesn't get dark until at least 9:30pm. This is why most late opening is in October as it gives 2-3 hours of darkness for night riding even with a 9pm closure.
I think this is why summer late nights aren't popular in theme parks (only really at seaside parks do they work better with after 4pm tickets). If Thorpe Park is open until 10pm, the ride experience at 8pm is gonna be the same as at 4pm so if I have managed to ride everything, there is no incentive to stay. Whereas in October even without the scare mazes there is a different experiance on the coasters in the dark at 8pm compared to 2pm.

 

[D4n]

Good on Blackpool for planning to have a number of late night riding events this season, regardless of current events.

With my negative hat on I can't help but feel that at least a couple of them will be "cut short". I think any dates with bad weather or low attendance will definitely be cut at the last minute. This has always been the case with Blackpool but I think it might be even more so this season.

But it's nice that the intention is there

 

[Enter Valhalla]

I really don’t feel comfortable with the idea of BPB opening any later than 11am. It could have dire consequences for them as a business.

Let’s not forget that Blackpool is full of B&Bs, most of which have a 10am check out time. I’ve experienced the annoyance of having to kill an hour waiting for the park on days when it opens at 11, I think if they opened any later, people wouldn’t bother, they’d just get in their cars and drive home. Killing an hour is one thing but trying to kill two would be a stretch too far.

 

[shakey]

I really don’t feel comfortable with the idea of BPB opening any later than 11am. It could have dire consequences for them as a business.

Let’s not forget that Blackpool is full of B&Bs, most of which have a 10am check out time. I’ve experienced the annoyance of having to kill an hour waiting for the park on days when it opens at 11, I think if they opened any later, people wouldn’t bother, they’d just get in their cars and drive home. Killing an hour is one thing but trying to kill two would be a stretch too far.

Fair point but I don't think a 12pm opening would lose too many punters. And I think the later finish has the potential to draw in more than they lose, especially if they just did it at peak times.

From a purely personal point of view, being over 2 hours drive away means its a very early start to be in the park for 10am. Plus a later finish would mean less traffic on the way home.








Sent from my ELS-NX9 using Tapatalk

 

[rob666]

There are one or two other things you can do in Blackpool in a morning you know.
Better opening at noon until at least seven in the school holidays.
75% of the Beach punters are day trippers...make the b&b tightwads wait in the rain under the pier.

 

[MiserableMonkey]

Better opening at noon until at least seven in the school holidays.

That reminds me of all those 7pm closes that were cut back to 6pm last year

 

[Coaster]

That reminds me of all those 7pm closes that were cut back to 6pm last year

It used to be 8pm every day during the summer holidays, and that's only going back to 2015!

 

[MiserableMonkey]

There’s a nice 4pm close on the 8th November. Hope that’s not a test!

 

[Enter Valhalla]

There’s a nice 4pm close on the 8th November. Hope that’s not a test!

To be fair, it’s 10:00-4:00, this is the same hours as they usually open during quieter times. It’s usually 11:00-5:00 on Wow Weekends- 6 hours.

I expect the reason that it’s 10:00-4:00, rather than 11:00-5:00 is because there’s maybe a private event in the evening. Perhaps.

 

[Rick]

Twenty years ago today, I was stood around waiting for what felt like forever, excited to ride Valhalla on its opening day. Time flies...

Park Guide 2000

More stuff here

 

[rob666]

Yeah.
Turned up at six to find everbody rattling locked gates.
More than a few of us.
Remember seeing GT through the gates in his golden safety helmet.

 

[Matt N]

I’m staggered by how many attractions the park supposedly had in 2000; 13 roller coasters and 147 attractions is quite a bit more than they have now as far as I’m aware!

 

[RicketyCricket]

Was 13 coasters really a world record at the time?

 

[Matt N]

Was 13 coasters really a world record at the time?

It probably was, to be fair; the likes of SFMM and Cedar Point still hadn’t built a fair few of the coasters that got them to where they are now!

 

[Thameslink Rail]

13 rollercoasters? RCDB only mentions 11. What else are they counting?

 

[Matt N]

13 rollercoasters? RCDB only mentions 11. What else are they counting?

This was in 2000, when I think the park did have more.

 

[Thameslink Rail]

This was in 2000, when I think the park did have more.

RCDB says the 2000 lineup was the current 10
- Infusion
- Icon
+ Circus Clown
+ Space Invader
+ Wild Mouse
Which makes 11, this means either Blackpool are exaggerating the number of rollercoasters or RCDB has missed two

 

[Benjsh]

Makes no difference. Quality over quantity everytine for me. Liseberg has less coasters and is a far superior amusement park in every aspect.

 

[John_P]

I'd imagine the park rightly classed the Water Chute/Vikingar as a roller coaster as well.