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Sandcastle Waterpark Blackpool - General Discussion

tayspru

tayspru

TS Member
Rumours are circulating that Merlin may be taking over operations at Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark

With the current boss of the park retiring after 25 years, the rumoured move would make this Merlin’s first standalone waterpark offering, and alongside the upcoming attraction below SeaLife (rumoured to be Gruffalo themed), strengthens Merlin’s northern offerings even more

What do you think? Could this bring new investment to the park or will they be operators in name only ?
 
tayspru said:
Rumours are circulating that Merlin may be taking over operations at Blackpool’s Sandcastle Waterpark

With the current boss of the park retiring after 25 years, the rumoured move would make this Merlin’s first standalone waterpark offering, and alongside the upcoming attraction below SeaLife (rumoured to be Gruffalo themed), strengthens Merlin’s northern offerings even more

What do you think? Could this bring new investment to the park or will they be operators in name only ?
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Do you think it would be added to the MAP if that happened? Would definitely get a MAP if so as I have always wanted to visit the Sandcastle Waterpark
 
Skyscraper said:
Do you think it would be added to the MAP if that happened? Would definitely get a MAP if so as I have always wanted to visit the Sandcastle Waterpark
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Not initially, new attractions (whether they’re actually new or not) experience initial surges of demand. I imagine discounts may be added initially. How Cadbury World is handled will give a good indication as that acquisition is much further along
 
tayspru said:
Not initially, new attractions (whether they’re actually new or not) experience initial surges of demand. I imagine discounts may be added initially. How Cadbury World is handled will give a good indication as that acquisition is much further along
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That's a good point actually, I hadn't thought of that. The park is long overdue a new slide or two though.
 
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The place is often very quiet on termtime weekdays...I've been in the place with ten other punters.
Discounts for season pass holders off peak might help it tread water...it must lose a fortune when quiet.
Usually pretty packed in the season proper.
Well worth a visit off peak when everything is open.
 
Didn't merlin take over Cadbury World operations too? Sure I heard that a while ago but nothing since.

Can only be a good thing even if its day to day operations, unlikely to feature on annual passes next season.
 
Not exactly sure what they'll need to do if anything, they seem to be selling out every day over the summer holidays this year. I know there's talk of them taking over and expanding into the casino part of the building but not sure if that's still happening. Maybe they should bring back the coronation street attraction instead.
 
Trying to think what Blackpool has left that's not Merlin
Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been discussed at length in the other thread but I think we can say it's not in a good position currently.
I don't think I've ever been to Blackpool Zoo so I can't comment on it much.
The other things TripAdvisor include in their top ten are Stanley Park, the Trams and the Illuminations, which don't really have the same price point as Merlin and Pleasure Beach so can't really be compared.
 
I can't see Merlin Pass holders getting in for free. You don't even get into the water park in the UK that they do own for free now.
 
Probably another nail in the coffin for BPB though, if you can get a Tower, Tussauds, Sea-Life, Dungeon and Sandcastle ticket that could be an entire weekend filled.
 
John_P said:
I can't see Merlin Pass holders getting in for free. You don't even get into the water park in the UK that they do own for free now.
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They could do off-peak only, or cheap off-peak £5 entry or something for passholders then offer less (or no) discount at peak times.
 
I honestly don't think it matters what they do tbh. An indoor waterpark will be quiet midweek in term time whatever they price it at. It's an activity that mainly people with young children do together.
 
I have had a (beached) whale of a time in the Sandcastle off peak.
Phoned first to check what was open, and they practically begged me to attend.
Got the sauna stuff thrown in for free as a promo, all the big water rides open in rotation, with good notice, and walk on everything throughout the session.
Brilliant value, but must have cost a bomb to run, heat and staff...going to be even worse now.
I bet they let pass holders in very cheap, or even free off peak, to get some sort of revenue in.
 
jon81uk said:
Probably another nail in the coffin for BPB though, if you can get a Tower, Tussauds, Sea-Life, Dungeon and Sandcastle ticket that could be an entire weekend filled.
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They already do a combo ticket including The Eye, Ballroom, Circus, Sea Life, Dungeons and Madame Tussauds for £51 with smaller mix and match combo tickets appropriately priced, I can see them do an all seven ticket for ~£65 which would be incredible value.
 
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