Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

[shawnoc]

Wow check out that sterling build quality. These as well as the support structure on the re profiled first drop. Not one of Aroows finest pieces of work.

Those pics must be signs of subsidence.

 

[Coaster]

I had noticed those track clamps before, just assumed that it was part of the ride's support structure! Nevertheless, other rides require modification, I don't see the huge issue with this.

As for the support, I'm guessing that it has been modified to fit in with the track's shape? It could be a sign of the track moving, however it has been retracked in several sections over the years, so maybe the new section of track wasn't quite the same and therefore the support had to be modified accordingly.

There has been investment in the Pleasure Beach but any big new investment that would appeal to new guests have too far in between. Not saying what they have done is bad, but just not enough.

Re-paints and new paving (and fountains) are great, but ride quality is far more important for quests to feel that they have had a good day there.

In recent years, the investments have been as follows;

2011 - Nickelodeon Land
2013 - Wallace and Gromit
2015 - Skyforce

In 2012 Revolution was repainted and Valhalla's facade replaced, 2014 was a quieter year admittedly. A new ride/area every two years is perfectly fine IMO.

 

[Rick]

As for the support, I'm guessing that it has been modified to fit in with the track's shape? It could be a sign of the track moving, however it has been retracked in several sections over the years, so maybe the new section of track wasn't quite the same and therefore the support had to be modified accordingly.

That particular one is from where the turnaround was reprofiled by Allot & Lomax in '96/97.

The spacers have been there since it was built because the track didn't meet the supports.

 

[Spike]

The turnaround (and first drop) were profiled badly by Arrow initially, but that was rectified. This has been the case with lots of rides over the years, even much newer ones which have required tinkering over the years (Smiler's track not lining up during construction comes to mind as an example).

Profiling?

The turn around was brought inwards to increase the speed as on windy days it would crawl around it. It also used to stall because of it which caused the installation of evac platforms at the base of most hills. The drop was redesigned as people at the back got a terrible ride and cases of whiplash reported. It was just a badly designed coaster from the start.

 

[Welshowl]

Well it's safe to say even I agree that Nash is feeling a bit on the rough side these days even sitting in the middle of the trains... Having ridden Wodan last year of which is a great woodie I would love them to go with a similar style trains although I know the chances of getting new trains are very slim.

As for the Big One having ridden Shambhala,Sliver Star and my personal favourite steelie Expedition Geforce I can safety say any sort of fondness I had for this ride has somewhat evaporated into the air, I do however say it's a special experience at night when the Illuminations are on.

I know someone is going to say something about Nick Land and Wallace & Gromit, and they'd be right. Nick Land was a nice refresh of a tired looking Beaver Creek, but Wallace & Gromit was a step back for me, it's far too bland in between the scenes and needs something else, I guess this where the hand-wavy word "charm" comes in, that Goldmine had.

I fully agree with you on this one, I really miss Gold Mine and firmly believe W&G is a thing of the past and was 5-10 years to late for the park to capitalize on (considering the last series came out in 2008 and this ride opened in 2013) I feel the ride lacks the character Gold Mine had, in an ideal world maybe they should of replaced the trains and control system and spent the money elsewhere on maybe Alice to bring that upto modern standards or maybe not?

 

[Spike]

Interesting Interview with Mandy Thompson...

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/news/amanda-we-have-an-amazing-story-to-tell-1-7876786

 

[DiogoJ42]

I stopped reading at "Hot Ice".

 

[Spike]

I stopped reading at "Hot Ice".

Lol!

It doesn't give a great deal away, it states the new 'Multi Million pound ride investment' will open 2018 and that she wants to turn Noah's Ark into a Museum.

I also like Hot Ice, it's a great show tbh.

 

[Coaster]

It's an interesting interview - this is the main point of interest;

"Amanda’s own plans include a multi-million pound new ride, although details are still under wraps, which will launch in 2018. But she is prepared to spill the beans on her hopes of opening a museum at the Pleasure Beach one day."

 

[Ted]

https://twitter.com/MandsThompson/status/684840136153128962 And this earlier clue, It all makes sense now...

 

[shawnoc]

Well if Amanda opens a museum in Noah's arc at least it will be more heritage than Dreamland.

 

[Enter Valhalla]

I'm finding this quite hilarious to read.

We've really reached a new low in fanboy speculation if we're reading anything into the word launch. It's not closed season yet for goodness sake!

 

[shawnoc]

If there is any kind of announcement from BPB you need to clutch onto it. It's not like they announce a new multi million pound attraction every year.

I loved the plug for Hot Ice, I was waiting for an announcement for a new fountain or a new glazed balustraded walkway.

 

[Welshowl]

Great news regarding the Ark it's a project that has been talked about at length for many years so hopefully she's seen how well put together Historama museum at Europa Park is and does a similar style with there museum with the ride been the final section of the museum.

https://twitter.com/MandsThompson/status/684840136153128962 And this earlier clue, It all makes sense now...

I honestly don't believe this has anything to do with them getting a mack launch coaster people read into things way to much in my opinion.

I loved the plug for Hot Ice, I was waiting for an announcement for a new fountain or a new glazed balustraded walkway.

I do often wonder does the park care more about the Ice show than the park itself when they plug the show more than the park on many media platforms including there new advertising board on the casino building. (I do like Hot Ice btw it's a very well produced show)

 

[Ted]

I honestly don't believe this has anything to do with them getting a mack launch coaster people read into things way to much in my opinion.

Or you know, it's a joke.

 

[DiogoJ42]

I do often wonder does the park care more about the Ice show than the park itself when they plug the show more than the park on many media platforms including there new advertising board on the casino building.

Hot Ice has always been Amanda's personal project. As far as I know (don't hold me to this), that's all she's ever wanted to do with her career, and she never wanted to be in charge of the whole park. It was rather unfortunate for her (and us) that her old man died and she got lumbered with a family business she didn't want or care about. Sadly, this shows.

 

[Welshowl]

Or you know, it's a joke.

Maybe so, however I've seen on a number of forums coaster enthusiasts been serious that this tweet was sent out to tease all the fanboys and that it's nailed on now that project 2018 will be a Mack Launch coaster, It's very similar to when everyone saw Amanda talking to Premier rides at EAS (European Attractions Show) and everyone jumped the gun claiming it was a done deal with them and started moaning till a video of Nick Thompson and Steve Hughes (Project manager at the park) was seen going into a meeting with Mack at the same EAS (European Attractions Show) I do love the speculation.

Hot Ice has always been Amanda's personal project. As far as I know (don't hold me to this), that's all she's ever wanted to do with her career, and she never wanted to be in charge of the whole park. It was rather unfortunate for her (and us) that her old man died and she got lumbered with a family business she didn't want or care about. Sadly, this shows.

Fully agree with you on most of the point apart from her caring about the park I do think she cares but maybe she isn't as clued up on things we would expect from a family run owner, maybe that's because she's openly admitted she's no big thrill seeker.

This is maybe why I think Nick is more involved on the rides side of things, it's been said in the past it was Nick that chose Sky Force & Nick Land was a project planned by himself and Geoffrey years before he died.

 

[Dar]

Hot Ice has always been Amanda's personal project. As far as I know (don't hold me to this), that's all she's ever wanted to do with her career, and she never wanted to be in charge of the whole park. It was rather unfortunate for her (and us) that her old man died and she got lumbered with a family business she didn't want or care about. Sadly, this shows.

I disagree, I think she's done great things with the park. It certainly looks much better now than it did at the start of the 2000's. Don't forget that she lost the backing of the banks once GT died and had practically nothing to run the park with. Nick Land was built with a loan from the council, so I think a MACK looper would've been totally out of the question until now.

 

[shawnoc]

Wallace and grommet came about due to a council loan too did it not. I still feel that a lot of time and effort has been put into park apperences and shows over ride maintenance and new additions (they did not need to be expensive). With this we see a park that look much better than it was in the turn of the 2000's, but with less on offer that could have been. With GT he believed in contuned progress on ride offe as well as shows etc.
It has just seemed very one sided on the shows, ride development has been very sporadic under AT.

 

[Rick]

I think the difficulty with the current situation at Pleasure Beach is that the park has changed quicker than the town and its visitors have. It's almost changed in anticipation of a change, rather than in response to one.

Everything at the park just feels a bit pedestrian these days - nothing sticks out, the whole park is a bit bland and samey. I want it to be big and flashy like Times Square, and a little less Sunday Times.

Also, the one thing that really bugs me is how I used to wander in, use an A ticket I found in the bottom of the washing machine and leave. Just getting a wristband (with the myriad of options associated with them), going through security and the turnstiles is such an ill though out process. What was the simplest park to walk in and out of is now the most complicated I've ever come across anywhere in the world.