Blackpool Pleasure Beach: General Discussion

[LiamC]

Another thing that is confusing is what has gone on before with the likes of other rides there yet they've kept them going.

For example, the fire on the Grand National ruined the station and ride trains yet they chose to rebuild the station and buy new trains for a ride many many years older than this. Same goes for Big Dipper and its two accidents. Whereas Mouse is workingly perfectly and still a very popular ride with the general public and enthusiasts alike!

I'm not saying that Grand National and The Big Dipper aren't popular with the public or enthusiasts either. They are, probably more so actually! If this rumour is true, its a pretty weird move by Pleasure Beach and not one that should be take in my eyes.

 

[Dave]

Indeed it's sandwiched between River Caves and the Ghost Train which back a brand new ride. Non of the 3 will leave the park resulting in a minuscule space free'd up by the removal. Just seems mad!

 

[Aly]

Indeed it's sandwiched between River Caves and the Ghost Train which back a brand new ride. Non of the 3 will leave the park resulting in a minuscule space free'd up by the removal. Just seems mad!

The ghost train is falling to bits though, and river caves is another dated attraction (although much loved!) this however would then free up more space for a new attraction/attractions.

Also, there could be health and safety restrictions which are forcing the closure/removal of the ride instead of potential future developments on the site it occupies.

 

[BigAl]

Re: Pleasure Beach, Blackpool: General Discussion

We've had the discussion regarding space at Blackpool Pleasure Beach before. Anyone remember these?

I thought I'd take a look at the PB on Bing and Google Maps to see which parts of the park could potentially be used for a new ride in the future and I thought I'd make a picture to show some places.

1: Space Invader building (not sure how much of the area could be used because of the pizza restaurant).
2: The area between Avalanche and Big Dipper.
3: Infusion plot and the vacant space behind it.
4: Space where Bling used to be and the entrance/exit are on the other side of the Big Dipper and Big One track.
5: Arcade and three small eateries (opposite the fountains).

I made it quickly and I don't know whether or not there'd be any point in using all of those places, however, I wanted to show that the Pleasure Beach can still add big attractions without needing to remove a major attraction such as the Big Dipper.

Anyone know any other locations that I haven't mentioned, or know whether or not any of the locations that I've highlighted could be used for new rides?

Aaaaaaanyway..

I've done a quick 'Who Dunnit' kind of diagram, where we could possibly figure out what could be removed. The rides in red i'd say are relatively safe, but i'd say the ones in amber wouldn't be if the park wanted to make room for a new coaster. The green area is (in my eyes at least) free for potential development.

That is, if a new coaster is planned for South Park.

That time we were talking about the possible removal of the Big Dipper, but the Wild Mouse is even more historically important, unique and has a far, far smaller footprint than the Big Dipper. Unless it's beyond repair, the ride should stay. There's space for new rides so removing Wild Mouse just seems pointless.

 

[Dave]

Indeed it's sandwiched between River Caves and the Ghost Train which back a brand new ride. Non of the 3 will leave the park resulting in a minuscule space free'd up by the removal. Just seems mad!

The ghost train is falling to bits though, and river caves is another dated attraction (although much loved!) this however would then free up more space for a new attraction/attractions.

Also, there could be health and safety restrictions which are forcing the closure/removal of the ride instead of potential future developments on the site it occupies.

The River Caves for certain are unlikely to go, it's one of he oldest rides on park and they have protected it during W&G arrival. Ghost Train is a little less certain but it's not rumoured to be going so I still can't see the benefit of losing the mouse unless It is indeed a H&S issue.

 

[Tom]

The Wild Mouse has low throughput and requires a considerable amount of weld repair each year. The park is owned by Tories, I'm surprised it wasn't cut government-style years ago.

I really hope it isn't true though.

 

[AstroDan]

I feel a bit for the parks fans.

The reason PBB has a fan community is because of the classic rides. It is not because of what they have done in the past 10-20 years. It's the originals.

It is not a modern park like Alton or Thorpe. If they start ripping out the originals, then unless they can compete with the power of Merlin in this country, they're going to be on to a loser.

 

[Alastair]

Although I despise the Wild Mouse it does seem a bit of a strange decision for it to be the coaster to go. The Big Dipper is damn near as old and is far larger and covers more space. Surely if the decision were based on maintenance, then the Wild Mouse would be the least threatened because it hardly takes up any space and so should probably be the quickest to repair. Looking at Google Maps, I can't see how it could free up any useful space anyway? As Dave said, it's right in between a number of other rides and a major coaster (which is what you must presume will replace it) is not going to fit in there whatsoever.

Weird decision, but then again it's all rumour at the moment anyway. Might turn out to be complete rubbish.

 

[Tim]

Just to go back to the original posts it does say closed or removed. It could just be that the ride needs some serious maintenance so they are temporarily closing it.

Regardless surely the Wild Mouse should be a protected classic? I don't know of any other ride like it which is left standing and despite my mixed view on it the ride is very good. I can’t imagine a better ride in its place.

 

[Alastair]

Just to go back to the original posts it does say closed or removed. It could just be that the ride needs some serious maintenance so they are temporarily closing it.

Regardless surely the Wild Mouse should be a protected classic? I don't know of any other ride like it which is left standing and despite my mixed view on it the ride is very good. I can’t imagine a better ride in its place.

The Wild Mouse at Luna Park is very similar but of course nowhere near as old. I'm beginning to think age might be the problem with it - perhaps it is generating complaints due to roughness these days? I certainly can see how older people would complain given the pain you can sometimes go through!

 

[Rowe]

I'm seriously disappointed to hear this because the reason I among others visit is due to the heritage. Of course there may be a bit of miscommunication in terms of 'closing', I am dubious with regards to removing the classic Mouse (as much as I scream for dear life on it) and so it could just be a refurb of sorts. With Ghost Train, as much as it's a rubbish dark ride, it is also one of the last Pretzels in existence and that shouldn't be overlooked.

 

[BigAl]

King Solomon's Mine that was at Pleasureland Southport opened five years before the one at Blackpool at a park called Frontierland in Morecambe.

If Blackpool weren't willing to save that model when they annihilated Pleasureland Southport, I don't suppose it should come as a surprise if they decide that enough is enough with their own wooden mouse. Shame really, although as a couple of you have mentioned, 'closing' may just mean for maintenance, although surely they wouldn't word it as such if it is just going to be a case of downtime for TLC?

 

[Adam James]

If the Wild Mouse is SBNO'd or removed/demolished, I won't be renewing my season pass. Valhalla by itself isn't enough to tempt me unfortunately.

In other news, there was a fire last night at approximately midnight at the Pleasure Beach. The Globe Theatre (near the entrance) was a blaze apparently due to an electrical fault according to the Blackpool Gazette. But thankfully it didn't reach out to either the Casino building or Noah's Ark.

 

[Sam]

They got away with trashing the Cyclone and the Texas Tornado, but not this time.

If it's confirmed that the Mouse if for the chop, who's for launching a full-on campaign to save it, including trying to get it emergency listed?

Bit more background on wooden mice:

There are of course, the two in this country.

There are also two in Australia, one at Aussie World:

And one at Luna Park:

There are also two in Indonesia.

One at Jawa Timur Park 2:

And the other, apparently a new build opening in 2009, at Wisata Bahari Lamongan:

So as you can see, in 2012, they're a very rare ride type. And Blackpool's looks like the best one.

 

[Jonathan]

Just been posted by Airgates on Twitter.
http://prntscr.com/g5d24
It seems that the Wild Mouse is safe for now.

 

[Sam]

Surely, if there was no chance of it being removed and the rumours are false, the park would say so? 'Pure Speculation' is an imaginative way of saying 'It was a guess, but yeah, by coincidence, we are thinking of getting rid of it...'

 

[Tom]

I strongly agree with Sam, unless they also said 'and isn't true' or words to that effect, this would seem to actually confirm it for me.

You would simply deny it if it wasn't true.

 

[Michael]

Well I am now happy, glad the Wild Mouse isn't going anywhere would have been a huge mistake for PB!

 

[Danny]

I remember when the original rumour about Grand Prix leaving was knocking about, Mandy confirmed it wasn't going anywhere, not stating it was speculation. I'm still unsure on this.

 

[Adam James]

To me, the situation looks like a memo has gone out stating these rides will be completely closed on quieter days when the park is near silent, but open on peak days. But then someone has gone on to misinterpret is as closed for ever. Saying that, I know nothing definite about this rather shocking piece of gossip.

I did yesterday send an email to a trusted official spokesperson for the park, and the response I received was (skipping other matters in the message) '...All I can say about the rumours for Wild Mouse is that is all it is, pure speculation!'

Of course, it's not a definite answer, but it helps put things that little bit more into perspective.