Hi forumers, new here
Just reading over some of the comments one problem that I've found with Blackpool not to the fault of Pleasure Beach but that it is actually pretty damn expensive to get to nowadays. Like I live in Birmingham and for me to travel up to Blackpool on the train with a single ticket it can be £50/60 a ticket with a return coming in close at £70+ at times (Although looking now its like £30). Coach is hit and miss on price and if I'm honest I don't really like them.
It's a hard sell when you have Alton Towers and Drayton Manor so near by, all at less than £50. Getting to Blackpool is just too damn expensive! Especially when you take into account Park entry, food, B&B and Train ticket we are close to £200 just for a few hours rides. Like I completely understand that it is not Blackpool Pleasure Beach's fault it's just very pricey. I suppose cost of transport is putting a lot of people off from visiting.
I have an interesting story though, my family knew the Thompson Family more specifically Geoffrey Thompson fairly well. Something to do with my family doing some dental work for the family, weird I know don't ask me the finer details as I'm not sure.
I remember walking into Pleasure Beach being amazed as always walking in. Now my grandparents were not particular fans of rides but just wanted to have a walk-through the park when you could. I was constantly asking to go on rides but they were unsure due to my age (9), even though I had been on rides at Pleasure Beach before. They liked to be safe.
I remember this man standing by a ride in his pin-stripe suit waving at us and heading over towards us. My Grandparents suddenly realised that it was Geoffrey. He begins chatting to my Grandparent about stuff and then looks to me asking me whats rides had I been on, when I said I hadn't as my Grandparents would't allow me to.
I remember he shouted "what! That won't do!". Then said which ride did I want to go on and I pointed to the small water ride which I believe is the Rugrats Lost River ride now?. Yes I know of all the rides I chose that, I just panicked! He starts to walk off while turning around and said "Well, do you not want to ride it or not?". I followed him and to my Grandparents disbelief puts me on the ride and gets into the boat himself. I just remember everyone in the queue line and the ride staff just shocked! He then shouts "I may need a change of clothes!". Then off we went. Luckily we didn't get too wet!!
After coming off he tried to encourage my Grandparents onto a ride and they were hesitant until he suggested
the Pleasure Beach Express. He sat chatting to me and my Grandparents about the park and what he was planning next. He seemed really enthusiastic about trains. I'm pretty certain Geoffrey was a huge fan of trains was he not?
Was a memory that has stayed with me. Geoffrey had a special quality about him that is quite hard to describe, I suppose kind of like 'magical', almost like a Walt Disney vibe if I ever met him. He was deeply passionate about his park, heritage, customers and his family. One of kind!
I think what the problem with the park is they seem to be suffering from what Disney Parks suffered after Walt passed and that was the whole "What would Walt do?" or in this case Geoffrey. It seems to have caused a bit of a creative brain drain on the park with many rides going. Although I think with Icon, Wallace & Gromit and I suppose Nickelodeon to extent this is starting to slowly disappear although I still feel it's missing that magic I used to experience as a kid! I think Geoffrey was one of kind with a lot of unique ideas.
Not sure If any of you agree, just my thoughts anyway. Hopefully Pleasure beach have a good season with whats left of it anyway.