Southport Pleasureland

[Funcone]

It seems a shame to change the name, given that it’s been the name of the park for so long, and the new name sounds quite generic. But I can also understand it. I don’t know whether people will believe this story, but I swear it’s absolutely true.

I grew up down South, so not many people where I grew up would have heard of Pleasureland. After I graduated I spent about 3 months unemployed. I had to go to the Job Centre each week (or maybe it was every other week. I can’t remember), and show my employment coach my job diary. You’d have to record things like jobs you’d applied for, job interviews you’d been to etc. I went in one week and showed her my diary. She looked at it and went, ‘Oh gosh, Pleasureland’
I went, ‘That’s a theme park’
‘Oh right’. She said. ‘That makes sense. I thought you were trying to be a porn star’.

That’s the only time anyone’s ever mistaken me for a potential pornstar.

 

[rob666]

Our family meetup is often in Pleasington...we have fun.

Can't see any real fresh investment, no chance of a big new coaster in my eyes.

 

[Katy]

Maybe it's getting T3, and Infusion's current spruce-up is to compete against it.

Would be nice to see it get something worth me visiting but it's like the boy who cried wolf, but the amusement park who cried "new coaster". Except we're not yet at the stage where the wolf is real.

 

[rob666]

Maybe it's getting T3, and Infusion's current spruce-up is to compete against it.

Would be nice to see it get something worth me visiting but it's like the boy who cried wolf, but the amusement park who cried "new coaster". Except we're not yet at the stage where the wolf is real.

Yup.
Went to Southport to hunt down bits of Knightmare.
Nope.
Then a quick hunt for footings for the big "Thunderbolt"...Na.
Then went to ride the travelling looper on the Marine Road, twice, but it was closed both times.
Covid full wristbands or no entry then scared me away.
Then when they reopened with free entry I visited to ride the new coaster (Rocket?)...twice...closed both times.

Not the best of parks for coasters, never was really.

 

[dazza4783]

Return of the Zamperla Lightning / Gerstlauer coaster in some concept art...

Looks more like the Gerstlauer concept art rather than a Thunderbolt. Looks like it could be happening, probably next year if they're already putting it on their branding. Will be interesting with Vikings area at Paultons and possibly Blackpool's Grand Prix replacement and the 2 other flats at Towers. Could be a good year.

 

[Jb85]

Looks more like the Gerstlauer concept art rather than a Thunderbolt. Looks like it could be happening, probably next year if they're already putting it on their branding. Will be interesting with Vikings area at Paultons and possibly Blackpool's Grand Prix replacement and the 2 other flats at Towers. Could be a good year.

So in reality - it’s just Paultons getting anything then

 

[owenstreet7]

Fingers crossed for more permanent rides at Adventure Coast Southport

Less Pinfaris and more Vekomas and Gerstlauers please

 

[Poisson]

Fingers crossed for more permanent rides at Adventure Coast Southport

Less Pinfaris and more Vekomas and Gerstlauers please

I mean it depends which Pinfaris, Vekomas and Gersts. I'd take my chances on an FC80 over say an SLC and a Vertika clone.

 

[owenstreet7]

I mean it depends which Pinfaris, Vekomas and Gersts. I'd take my chances on an FC80 over say an SLC and a Vertika clone.

That is true I was meaning the brand new Vekomas rather than the awful SLCs of 20/30 years ago.

New Gen Vekomas have a reputation for being a lot smoother than their classic counterparts.

For Gerstlauers, I'd rather it was one with lapbars as Saw the Ride hasn't aged well...

Macks and Intamins would be better but that would be most ideal.

 

[Sheffieldthemepark]

So could the new coaster be coming this year ?! This was a comment on a recent Facebook post

 

[John_P]

Surely they need something, even if just loaning a travelling coaster, if you go on the website all they seem to have coaster wise is the wacky worm.

 

[rob666]

So could the new coaster be coming this year ?! This was a comment on a recent Facebook post

Showman talk, again.
They have made heavy hints about a big new coaster for at least five years now.
Never comes to anything.

Bit of a flipping Knightmare if you ask me.

Some in the past have been absolutely certain about new rides coming, some mid sized coasters arrive, get built, rarely open, then get removed again...we have had at least two of those.
I will not be holding my breath, we have been here a number of times before, a new big ride would come like a Thunderbolt.

Possibly.

 

[Martin]

Scenes when it's Wildcat AGAIN

 

[Benjsh]

It's been a glorified fairground now for far too long. Very difficult to make it back into a Theme Park which I know they recently started to do. Our last venture past the site it looked quite run down looking to me. Would need serious investment for me to even consider going back.

 

[owenstreet7]

It's been a glorified fairground now for far too long. Very difficult to make it back into a Theme Park which I know they recently started to do. Our last venture past the site it looked quite run down looking to me. Would need serious investment for me to even consider going back.

Paultons did something similar in the last 14 years so it is possible although it'll be a big commitment to do that.

What Southport need to do is to bring in brand new (or at least permanent) rides and use known park model manufacturers.

It needs the Macks, Intamins, B&Ms, Vekomas etc. and what it doesn't need is Pinfaris.

It could very well be an Energylandia if they teamed up with someone like Vekoma however I don't think that's the right way forward.

 

[rob666]

Paultons is owned land isn't it?
This is land leased from the council, by a showman trader.
A long lease now admittedly, but the council own the land, so permanent rides aren't likely without substantial additional financial input...and the park just doesn't pull in the crowds anymore.
The council concede they need tourist attractions, but have never really supported a downmarket funfair.
No money for B&M's etc.
It really couldn't be Energylandia, too small, no money, leased land, and little to no council support.

 

[Benjsh]

Energylandia couldn't have been Energylandia without significant EU funding. Nothing like Southport.

Their story is akin to how Man City became PL champions. It was given to them essentially.