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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Icon - 2018 Mack Double Launch Coaster

Yup, I was one of those expecting two hour queues, though schools weeks and the summer holidays will be the real test.
Steeplechase has had longer queues than Icon on a few occasions.
Not complaining, I didn't expect four rides in a couple of hours on opening day.
Word has not got around yet, but it has had few unhappy customers, time will tell.
 
I heard somewhere that Icon's maximum theoretical is somewhere around 960pph, but it must be exceeding its theoretical throughput if it has a faster queue than Oblivion, as Blivvy's theoretical is around 1700pph! It must be hitting way below its theoretical if a ride targeted at 960pph beats it in terms of queue speed, and that's with a train not running! Top job from BPB and Mack Rides there if that's the case!
 
Matt N said:
I heard somewhere that Icon's maximum theoretical is somewhere around 960pph, but it must be exceeding its theoretical throughput if it has a faster queue than Oblivion, as Blivvy's theoretical is around 1700pph! It must be hitting way below its theoretical if a ride targeted at 960pph beats it in terms of queue speed, and that's with a train not running! Top job from BPB and Mack Rides there if that's the case!
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Oblivion doesn't hit anywhere near its theoretical throughput nowadays. I doubt it even manages half that.
 
IIRC Rob clocked Oblivion at around 1000/hr a few weeks ago (running both stations).

Icon wont be getting 960 on 2 trains, but the maximum is over 1000 on 3.

EDIT (again): found Rob's post:

Rob said:
Speaking of Oblivion, I sat watching it for a good 20 minutes yesterday and decided to see what throughput it was getting. It was running on dual stations, however achieved roughly 870pph over that period. How the once mighty fall!

:)
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Ah right, thanks guys. So Icon is obviously capable of dispatching trains in less than a minute on 3 trains, then.
 
Rick said:
Current pph is zero. Another snaffu. They're manually releasing harnesses on the rear train.
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Oh dear. I must say I loved Icon and was delighted to finally get on it on Thursday. I think it’s a brilliant addition to the park. I was a little surprised by all the stairs at the exit. It felt like Revolution all over again! That’s gonna be a fair workout for people repeat riding it on quiet days.

I was ever so slightly dissapointed after hearing that the ride had had ‘little downtime’ so far, to find it break down early afternoon. The double doors were shut and the security guys were turning people away. We waited for 20 mins, hoping to be first back on when it reopened, then gave up and walked away. A couple of other rides later we noticed it up and running again so had our second and soon after third rides on it. During the final ride when we were almost in the station, the music suddenly stopped and the the ride had to be reset. Hopefully these teething problems won’t plague the ride. Really not sure why a brand new ride that has undergone many hours of testing should fail so soon after opening.

I was a little surprised at how short the queue line is, I know they are limited for space, but on a busy day when they’re up the steps and through the double doors, I wonder if it will stretch back past the shop towards Steeplechase (I’m guessing so) or round the bend towards Revolution. I also wonder if the third train will be in use on such days.

Great ride though. So chuffed it’s finally open, thinking way back to the Tom Sawyer bridge & former Swamp Buggies being removed and the concrete pit being transformed into what we have now. I bet GT would have loved Icon. Well done Mack & BPB.
 
Dipper_Dave said:
. I also wonder if the third train will be in use on such days.
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We had a talk about Icon with the deputy operations director at the last PBE event and he said they plan to run it on a three train service whenever it's busy enough for it, so hopefully won't see queues reaching that far back if it's eating through them.
 
Given what we have seen thus far with operations, I really don't know what value they would get out of three trains. It stacks a lot on two - primarily due to riders having to swap seats.
 
The queues been coming out of the entrance all day today, sensibly it's snaking down towards avalanche. Plenty of other decent sized queues around the park as well.

Aiming to join the Icon queue just before the line closes at 9pm.
 
I must say I thought the efficiency of the dispatch was superb. It seemed like no time at all from boarding the train to launching.

It reminded me of going on Red Force in PA, getting your restraints checked, and then being launched into the stratosphere seconds later.
 
MakoMania said:
Getting about 900pph ish on two trains, queue about 40 minutes.
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That's quite long considering the queues the ride has had for the past couple of days. Hope it's shorter in August, although I suppose 40 minutes is substantially shorter than I've waited for most brand new coasters I've been on in opening year. It was even substantially shorter than the 70 minutes I waited for The Smiler on Wicker Man's official opening day!
 
I would say the queue is about half an hour from the gates.
The main issue with loading is without doubt blubber.
Issues roughly on every third train.
I saw back seat swapping a great deal...including my own treasured back seat!
The main other operational issue has been puke I think.
Great evening, fireworks were good, though the park was quiet by eight.
 
Visited yesterday after a spur of the moment decision to make the trip on Friday night.

Was suitable impressed with Icon and as others have mentioned it gets better throughout the day. Managed five rides with my final back row ride towards the end of the day. Getting dragged over the first hill took me by surprise.

The queue was from gates and sometimes beyond most the day. But moved quickly with great operations.
 
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