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Blackpool Pleasure Beach: Icon - 2018 Mack Double Launch Coaster

venny said:
I applaud BPB for investing in a quality ride over some gimmick centred “world first”. This ride may not have that initial cache that PMBO did or a marketing-led strapline revolving around some artifice, but what it will do is perform well long term. It’s a brave move by the park which I hope the ride’s longevity will reward.
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https://www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/icon/ said:
Ride the UK's first double launch coaster opening at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 2018.
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Just saying... you dont avoid a good old marketing-led strapline that easily
 
Rick said:
Intamin screwed Valhalla up in almost every possible way.

There's a real push away from Intamin in recent years throughout the industry, many of the larger more established chains and parks are going nowhere them.
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Indeed, Intamin are very good at screwing things up. I doubt anyone hates Intamin as much as Larry Giles though!

The Chinese market has been very good for Intamin in recent years. It is somewhat of a pity as when they get it right their coasters are something else.

:)
 
Rob said:
The Chinese market has been very good for Intamin in recent years. It is somewhat of a pity as when they get it right their coasters are something else.
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Unless you have to maintain them :)
 
Rob said:
I doubt anyone hates Intamin as much as Larry Giles though!
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Who is Larry Giles, out of interest? Is he like a park president or something?

Intamin do seem rather good at messing things up judging by their past track record, but in their defence, they haven't messed much up recently. They seem to have handed that pedestal to a new manufacturer *cough* S&S Worldwide *cough*.

Anyway, this is really off-topic, so... yay for 2018, I guess?
 
MakoMania said:
One of Valhalla's turns is too tight for the larger 8 seater boats meaning that they get damaged.
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You do know the 6 seater boats are the exact same as the 8 seater boats with just 2 seats removed, Yeah? You can even see all the holes in the boats from where the rows have been adjusted XD

I assume I witnessed first hand why they'e making the chance to 6 seats, as our 8 seater boat couldn't latch onto the first lift hill.
 
"Wonder, just what's going on in there?"...eh shakey. You said it first mate.
Just been flooded out of work thursday afternoon, so I will go and peer over the wall on my collapsable ladder within 24 hours and report back.
No photos mind, and it might be a haiku.
Been very wet and windy up here mind.
At least the flipping keyboard is working again today...spacebar and everything.
 
...cold, wet and horrible.
Bugger all happening in that wind.
Crane doing nothing roughly on the station/launch site, more track going in through the south gates mid afternoon, bloke kipping in traffic management van under Watson Rd, which would be for the demolition of the Star probably, but it was too flipping windy to do owt.
Small crane/ forklift/ cherry picker on the north car park, no new ride bits on there, got excited when I saw coaster cars wrapped in cling film, but then realised that is what happens most years, nowt more than servicing I think...spotted Nash trains as well on there.
Trauma Towers ripped out, Mouse still standing.
Ladders out of car, erected near Nick Streak, up 'em, peep over wall {with rungs to spare}, back down, ladders dropped and back in the car in less than a minute.Sad sad old git, but it amused the hell out of a local walking past...
But nothing worth seeing sadly.
Even the Velvet Coaster was dead.
 
rob666 said:
Even the Velvet Coaster was dead.
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I'm told that the crew of Strictly rarely venture down to the BPB end of town when there are perfectly acceptable boozers closer to their hotels at the north end of the prom. By the sound of it they all had a good time, though.... and no idea the 'Plesh was building anything new.
 
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Credit: Auto Ride Count Facebook.
 
SW8 vs Mackpool! The competition is really heating up now! All we have to see now is which is the better ride!
 
I haven't been this excited for a new ride since Mako and at the same time my excitement for SW8 has been steadily declining.

Not to say that SW8 won't be a solid addition but in terms of a coaster, it's got nothing on Icon.
 
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skyscraper said:
We can't really compare them though, as they are two completely different experiences.
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I completely agree. Thinking about it, Alton has actually done something very clever with SW8. Instead of trying to directly compete with Icon, they have made it a wooden coaster, a market that Blackpool already cornered a very long time ago. Also, SW8 is more aimed at the family market and Icon is more aimed at the thrill market.
MakoMania said:
I haven't been this excited for a new ride since Mako and at the same time my excitement for SW8 has been steadily declining.
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Admittedly, Icon looks more exciting on face value and from photos and videos, but may I ask why your excitement for SW8 has been declining? Mine has personally been increasing as the year has gone on, because I think Alton will pull off a really nice experience coaster with SW8, and the coaster itself looks vastly superior to the coaster we saw on the initial plans, in my opinion. I personally have optimism and excitement for both projects, however, as GCI woodies and Mack megacoasters are both seen as quality ride types and have both received rave reviews from people who have ridden other rides of those types. I am more excited for SW8 because it is the one I am more likely to ride next year, but who can tell when the rides aren't even testing or open yet?
 
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