Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Pleasure Beach Resort, Blackpool

Pleasure Beach Blackpool
Location	Blackpool, Lancashire, England
Opened	August 1896
Owner	Thompson Family
General manager	Amanda Thompson
Slogan	Britain's Biggest Tourist Attraction
Operating season	February-November (13 February 2010 - 28 November 2010 )
Area	42 acres
Attractions
Total	38
Roller coasters	10
Water rides	4
Website	www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com

Pleasure Beach is a family owned amusement park and resort situated along the Fylde coast in Blackpool, England. It is the most visited amusement park in the United Kingdom, and one of the top twenty most-visited amusement parks in the world with 5.5 million visitors in 2007. The resort also includes The Big Blue Hotel, The Arena, The Globe and The Casino. The park is a privately funded business and is owned, managed and directed by the Thompson family.

The major rides at Pleasure Beach include:

• Pepsi Max Big One, the UK’s tallest rollercoaster.
• Infusion, the world's first inverted roller coaster to be suspended entirely over water.
• Ice Blast, the UK's first space shot tower ride.
• Valhalla, the world’s largest indoor dark ride.
• Bling, one of only three Zierer Star Shape rides in the world.
• Grand National, classic wooden Möbius Loop roller coaster.

History of the Pleasure Beach

Early years

The park was initially founded in 1896 by William George Bean after he failed in his attempt to become an advertising man on New York's Madison Avenue.He returned to the UK in 1897 and opened his own small amusement parks; one adjacent to Euston Road in Great Yarmouth and another in Blackpool. The Yarmouth amusement park consisted simply of a switchback railway and bicycle railway called the Hotchkiss's Patented Railroad. Bean stayed in Yarmouth until the end of the century before moving to Blackpool to concentrate on his amusement park there.

In 1903 Bean, along with businessman John Outhwaite, purchased 30 acres of land known as the "Watson Estate" to be rented out by various trade stalls and traditional fairground rides and in 1905 the name "Blackpool Pleasure Beach" was chosen. In 1910, Blackpool Pleasure Beach LTD was founded by Bean and Outhwaite, and to this day remains the name of the company to which the Thompson family uses to manage the park. Outhwaite died in 1911, leaving the initial business to Bean, however the Outhwaite family still had ownership in shares of the park. Further investment included the building of The Casino, The Whip, Virginia Reel, Noah's Ark, Big Dipper and Dodgems.

In 1923 land was reclaimed from the sea front. It was at this period that the park moved to its 44 acre current location above what became Watson Road, which was built under the Pleasure Beach in 1932. In 1929 Bean died suddenly of pneumonia leaving the park to his daughter, Lillian 'Doris' Bean, who had previously married a young businessman, Leonard Thompson in 1928. Thompson was an Oxford natural sciences graduate who after Bean's death immediately took over the Pleasure Beach with his wife. The park became in full control of the Thompson family after the remaining Outhwaite family sold their share of the park. Leonard Thompson became the managing director and Lillian Dorris, who later became known as Mrs L.D Thompson, OBE, became a secondary manager and director. The couple had a son named Geoffrey.

The Geoffrey Thompson era

In 1976 Leonard Thompson died unexpectedly and six months later the company secretary also died suddenly, leaving Doris Thompson commercially in charge of the whole business. Appointed chairman; she gave the role of managing director to her eldest son, Geoffrey. He had previously administered the New Era Laundries in London before returning to the Pleasure Beach as head of catering at the Casino Building. He married his wife, Barbara, shortly afterwards and they had three children, Amanda, Nicholas and Fiona. After Leonard's death, Geoffrey and his mother steadily extended the Pleasure Beach business, opening both Pleasureland Southport and Frontierland, Morecambe and invested into food-and-ride trade at the Pleasure Beach. He saw the opening of the Steeplechase, Avalanche, Revolution (now Irn-Bru Revolution),Pepsi Max Big One, PlayStation: The Ride! (now Tango Ice Blast: The Ride) and Valhalla.

He also became a world wide figure in the industry and inspired many other showmen and theme park owners to expand their businesses by taking risks and building a higher quality range of roller coasters throughout Europe and the United States. His daughter Amanda Thompson showcased the park by expanding her theatrical company, 'Stageworks Worldwide Productions' to be situated primarily at the Pleasure Beach. Stageworks created almost all of the shows which would become a famous trademark within Pleasure Beach, including the world-famous Hot Ice dancing extravaganza which shows as a matinee and evening performance in the Pleasure Beach arena. Geoffrey Thompson died on 12 June 2004 immediately passing the role of Managing Director to Amanda Thompson. Nicholas Thompson became the Deputy Managing Director and Fiona Thompson became a fundamental architect (she has been praised over her work on both the Pepsi Max Big One's station and the Infusion station.) Nine days later, on 23 June, Mrs L.D Thompson, OBE died leaving the entire business to Amanda Thompson (who is the current managing director) and Nicholas Thompson who remains as the deputy managing director.

Managing Directors

Name	Year(s)
John Outhwaite	1896–1911
William G. Bean	1896–1929
Leonard Thompson	1929–1976
Doris Thompson	1929–2004
Geoffrey Thompson	1976–2004
Amanda Thompson	2004–present

The Current Park

Pleasure Beach is situated along the South Shore area of Blackpool along the Fylde coast, adjacent to the promenade, opposite South Pier along Ocean Boulevard and directly above Watson road. The main entrance is to the front of the initial park and approximately 38 metres from the Pleasure Beach Casino. The ticket sales is opposite the entrance (below the Noah's Ark attraction) and is adjacent to the Globe Theatre. The main car park is to the left side of the White Tower restaurant, behind Valhalla and to the right of the Grand National station. The additional coach park is to the back of the park adjacent to the trim break section of the Pepsi Max Big One and in front of Rollercoaster. Numerous self catering kiosks are situated near to the entrance of the park. The entrance plaza is directly behind the Casino building and is themed to correspond with the Noah's Ark ride which site on top of the structure. The park is lined with tall metal gates that connect to the entrance building and the main gift shop, underneath the Noah's Ark ride. The staff entrance is towards the back of the park, behind the Grand National.

The park is currently home to nearly 40 rides and attractions, including twelve roller coasters, of which five are wooden - the Grand National, Big Dipper, Rollercoaster, Wild Mouse and Zipper Dipper. The newest roller coaster, 'Infusion' was opened in 2007 (having been re-located from defunct sister-park, Pleasureland Southport, where it was known as TraumaTizer). When it opened in 1994, Pepsi Max Big One was the tallest, fastest and steepest roller coaster of any park in the world. It was also substantially one of the longest, measuring 5,497 feet long. Currently, the ride holds the crown as the tallest in the UK, measuring 213 ft, (235 ft above sea level.) and features a drop of 205 ft. The Pleasure Beach is one of the few parks left in the world to operate a traditional wooden Wild Mouse coaster. The ride was built entirely in house, post-World War II and is still in complete working order. It was also the first park in Europe to introduce a full inverting steel coaster, Irn-Bru Revolution, and the first to install a Space Shot ride, Tango Ice Blast which was manufactured by S&S Sports Of Utah. The park went on to launch Valhalla, which was designed by Sarner, a UK based theme park design company. Valhalla is sponsored by the Daily Star and remains prominently the 'biggest and most spectacular dark ride in the world.' At a cost of £15 million it is also the most expensive in-house attraction in the world. Later, the Pleasure Beach opened Bling, a Zierer Star Shape spin ride of which only two are operated in the world. The latest record is taken by Infusion which is the world's first suspended looping coaster entirely over water. The park has a wide variety of modern and classic-age rides and operates a separate children-themed section called 'Beaver Creek' towards the back of the park. This section of the park includes numerous small attractions suitably aimed at younger children, including a Log Flume-type attraction a 1,099 feet long junior wooden coaster and various small carousel-type attractions. The park also has its own costumed mascots which follows on from Disney's theory of character costuming regarding entertainment for younger guests.

The park has numerous food stalls, restaurants and cafés including the 'Italian Job' Italian themed restaurant, and the UK's largest Burger King chain restaurant, with two levels. It also owns the 'White Tower Restaurant' a tall white building near the front of the park which became private at the end of 2008.

Admission

Unlimited Ride Wristbands

Most commonly used is the 'Unlimited Ride Wristband' option, whereby wristbands are sold at costs between £20 and £30 depending on the time of year and promotional season. These wristbands are valid only for one day, and include a printed bar-code unique to the day. Access to each ride is via a turnstile, which must be unlocked by scanning the bar-code. At the end of each day, a computer calculates how many guests have used the ride during the day. Each day a new code is printed on the wristband, meaning wristbands from previous days are now invalid. A warning section is printed on each wristband, telling guests that removing the wristband or peeling the bar-coded sticker will deem the band void and invalid. Unlimited Ride Wristbands allow access to both the interior park and to Beaver Creek, the children's themed area of the park.

Junior Wristband

At a cost of £20, younger guests may access the park with a special junior wristband which allows entry to both the Beaver Creek children's park and the interior park. Access to larger rides is permitted but must be afflicted with the general safety/height restrictions.

Pleasure Beach Pass

Guests who do not wish to purchase ride wristbands are required to purchase a £5 Pleasure Beach Pass. A guest holding a Pleasure Beach Pass is entitled to upgrade to any wristband type or purchase Ride Tickets once inside the park. The Pleasure Beach Pass allows access to the park and to selected attractions within the park area covering the Spectacular Dancing Water Show, the Chinese Puzzle maze and the Pleasure Beach Express, as well as the South Beach magic show at Planet Rock.

Attractions

Ride Key

Colour	Target Audience
	"White Knuckle Thrill"
	"Family Ride"
	"Children's Ride"

Roller Coasters

#	Name	Opened	Brief Description
1	Avalanche	1988	A bobsled rollercoaster.
2	Big Dipper	1923	A traditional wooden rollercoaster and a classic amongst coaster enthusiasts. Extended in 1936. Returned in 2010 after accident in August 2009.
3	Grand National	1934	A wooden racing roller coaster. A classic among coaster enthusiasts.
4	Infusion	2007	A Vekoma SLC and the first of its kind in the world to be built over water. (Formerly operated at Pleasureland as "Traumatizer" until 2006.)
5	Irn Bru Revolution	1979	Opened as the first modern looping coaster in the UK. An Arrow Dynamics shuttle coaster with an inversion. Has a cantilevered support structure.
6	Pepsi Max Big One	1994	An Arrow Dynamics hyper coaster with a highest point of 235 ft above sea level or 213 ft above the ground. It reaches speeds of up to 74mph.
7	Rollercoaster	1933	An ACE Classic out and back wooden rollercoaster. SBNO on and off since early 2009 Season.
8	Steeplechase	1977	A three-tracked racing steel roller coaster and the last of its kind in existence.
9	Wild Mouse	1958	One of only three operating wooden wild mouse roller coasters in the world.
10	Zipper Dipper	1934	A children’s wooden coaster composed of bunny hills and a tunnel. Located in Beaver Creek.

Thrill Rides

#	Name	Opened	Brief Description
11	Bling	2004	A "Star Shape" ride made by German company Zierer, one of only three in the world.
12	Ice Blast	1997	An S&S Power Space Shot which stands at 210 ft above sea level.

Water Rides

#	Name	Opened	Brief Description
13	Beaver Creek Log Chute		A Standard one hill Log Chute
14	River Caves	1905	Boat based dark ride, visiting displays of "around the world".
15	Swamp Buggies		Water buggy dodgem type ride. Also a PPR attraction.
16	Valhalla	2000	Themed Viking dark flume ride, laden with special effects.

General Rides

#	Name	Opened	Brief Description
17	Adventure Golf	2008	9-hole course located just outside the main entrance. Also a PPR attraction.
18	Alice's Wonderland	1961	Children's dark ride featuring scenes from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. The cars are big Cheshire cats.
19	Chinese Puzzle Maze	1997	A traditional maze with interactive features, scenery, and water traps.
20	Derby Racer	1959	One of only three in the world, the ride is essentially a large carousel of 56 horses in four rows, the outside row being the fastest.
21	Dodgems	2010	Standard Dodgems attraction.
22	Eddie Stobart Convoy	2002	All trucks are painted in Eddie Stobart colours including names.
23	Flying Machines	1904	The oldest attraction in the park. Original Flying Experience type Attraction.
24	Gallopers		Ornate traditional English carousel.
25	Gold Mine	1971	A dark powered coaster which travels around a recreation of a goldmine.
26	Go Karts		Standard Go Kart Attraction which is a PPR attraction.
27	Ghost Train	1930	A dark ride. This ghost train was the first in the world and is where the ride name "Ghost Train" originates. It was named and built by Mr Emberton.
28	Grand Prix		Diesel Powered auto-mobile ride. Travels under The Avalanche Rollercoaster.
29	Impossible	2002	(Previously 1001 Troubles and The Haunted Swing) - a mirror maze, followed by displays of optical illusions, and a haunted swing ride.
30	Monorail	1967	Standard Monorail that travels around most of Pleasure Beach Resort - It has two trains, semi covered/open.
31	Pleasure Beach Express	1934	A miniature railway featuring Scenery of Wild life in a jungle to Dangerous Dinosaur from the Jurrasic Era also includes interactive effects.

Beaver Creek Rides

#	Name	Opened	Brief Description
32	Helicopters		Children's helicopter spinning ride.
33	Lunar Carousel		A space-themed carousel.
34	Magic Mountain		Children's dark ride.
35	Magnus' Mini Dodgems		Pint-sized children's bumper cars.
36	Pirate Ride		Large 'Sea Storm' style ride.
37	Tetley Teacup Ride		Children's Teacup/Waltzer ride
38	Thor's Turnpike		A children's auto-mobile track ride.

Classic Interactive Scenery

• Avalanche Bears - Classical Singing Bears located near on the Avalanche Building
• Bella & Bradley Beaver - Costumed characters which walk around the park, interacting with guests, particularly in the Beaver Creek area.
• Gorilla Pianist - Currently located inside King Cotton's is an animatronic gorilla playing the piano. Formerly located in an old attraction called The Greatest Show on Earth.
• Gepetto's Horse - Worlds largest rocking horse recently moved from Beaver Creek to facing Avalanche in 2010 Season.
• The Laughing Clown - The (animatronic) Laughing Clown has moved locations many times within the park. Its current location is near to Irn Bru Revolution.
• Multi coloured Turtles - Multi coloured turtles in former Turtle Chase site.
• Shark - A huge captured shark is located near to the Valhalla Attraction.

Standing But Not Operating

• Trauma Towers - This Attraction has been closed since November 2008, and as of 2010 was officially no longer an operating attraction, however it is intended to reopen with a modern twist in 2011.

Future Attractions

• Twist N Splash - This attraction is rumoured to have been bought and is scheduled to open in 2011, location unknown.

Other attractions

• Pasaje Del Terror - Opened in 1998. Interactive horror attraction within the Casino.
• Horror Crypt - £1 Pay Attraction themed around a Horror Crypt
• Bowl-a-Drome - Standard PPR Bowling Attraction located next to Rib Shack.
• Ripley's Believe It Or Not! - A PPR Attraction which deals in bizarre events and items so strange and unusual that readers might question the claims.
• Pleasure Beach Arena (Ice rink) skating year round. It is only closed two-five days a year
• Arcades and Midway Sideshows
• Gallery @ The Globe
• Spectacular Dancing Water Show - New Fountain which opened in 2009. Every twenty minutes it performs a dancing water show.

Shows

Hot Ice and Forbidden

Hot Ice is a skating extravaganza show which was created by Stageworks Worldwide Productions, a Blackpool and West End based company owned by Amanda Thompson, the managing director of Pleasure Beach. The show has been running for many years and stars Olympic ice skaters and dancers. The show is performed in an auditorium in the Arena, a large skating rink in the centre of the park. The Arena is also open to the public when matinee performances of Hot Ice are not featured. Forbidden, shown in the Globe theatre at the entrance of the park is a variety show featuring a range of Circus Type acts,Dancers and amazing special effects. Only Forbidden is currently not showing. The Globe Theatre is currently used to house the 'Big One Talent Show' and the Arena will be used for Hot Ice in July to September 2010.

Cafes, restaurants, pubs and accommodation

Food and drink

• Bradley Beaver Catering Co. - located in Beaver Creek. Serves a wide range of snacks and meals.
• Burger King - Located at the far end of the park, it lays claim to be the country's largest Burger King.
• Cafe Boulevard - Located on Ocean Boulevard. Includes snacks and ice-cream. Licensed restaurant
• Casino Bar restaurant - A small bar
• Coasters - An American style diner. Vintage waltzer, roller coaster and dodgem carriages used as seating.
• The Fish Inn - A seafood restaurant situated in the Casino at the entrance to Pleasure Beach.
• The Horseshoe - Serves a variety of different meals.
• Ice Lounge - Serves ice cream, desserts, and hot and cold drinks.
• Italian Job restaurant - Centrally located licensed restaurant.
• Magnolia Cafe - A family themed cafe bar serving a selection of Southern Fried Chicken dishes.
• Mr Fu's Sailing Junk - Located on Ocean Boulevard. Chinese food.
• Pizza Hut - Opened 1986. Located on Ocean Boulevard.
• Rib Shack - Located in the Bowladrome, a fun sports arcade. Serves hickory smoked char grilled ribs, fries and a selection of burgers. It can also be hired for private parties.
• Southern Fried Chicken - Family themed cafe bar.
• White Tower Restaurant - Award-winning penthouse restaurant with panoramic ocean views, stylish and romantic atmosphere, often favoured by celebrities. Art deco design. The largest restaurant in the park.

Licensed Venues

• The Star - A traditional family pub. Home to Pleasure Beach's brand new pop bands.

The Big Blue Hotel

The Big Blue Hotel is a Four star family hotel, owned by Pleasure Beach Blackpool and is situated within the outskirts of the park, near the now disused south entrance behind the Pepsi Max Big One and adjacent to Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station. The hotel opened in Spring 2003. It is currently the highest awarded hotel in the North West of England.

Damaging events and incidents

Big Dipper

On 11 August 2009, two trains - carrying a total of 32 guests - collided, resulting in 21 guests requiring treatment at a nearby hospital for injuries ranging from whiplash and broken noses, to cuts and bruises.

Fun House

On 16th December 1991, the Fun House attraction (first opened in 1934) was completely destroyed by a fire. Valhalla (opened in 2000) was built in its place.

Grand National

On 20 May 2004 the Grand National’s station was destroyed by a fire that also damaged Alice’s Wonderland and Trauma Towers. The Grand National was repaired and re-opened five months later on 28 October 2004. Not long after, a large restaurant caught fire, the restaurant was almost completely destroyed leaving only the shell of the building. The building was demolished and replaced with the Big One Stage.

Pepsi Max Big One

On 31 August 2000, 23 people were injured, when two ride vehicles collided due to a failure of the ride's braking system. Of those injured, 21 were taken to the hospital.

Space Invader 2

On 21 July 2000, an 11-year-old boy died after he fell out of the ride vehicle. Reports say that he may have panicked on the dark ride and unfastened his seatbelt.

Club Pleasure Beach

The Pleasure Beach has its own enthusiast club, Club Pleasure Beach. It is run as a non profit organisation and was formed in 1992 by the park as an initiative to sell advance boarding tickets for the Pepsi Max Big One, but has since evolved to become an organisation for Pleasure Beach enthusiasts.

Television series

In 1997 the Pleasure Beach featured in a six part BBC documentary, which followed the day to day running of the park. It was mainly focused on the rides and the park managers, Jim Rowland and Keith Allen. The film crews also spoke to Geoffrey Thompson and Amanda Thompson, the director and producer of Stageworks Worldwide Productions (which directs, produces and choreographs the shows within the park.)

In popular culture

• The Pepsi Max Big One is featured in the 2001 film The Parole Officer and in one episode of A Touch of Frost
• Blackpool Pleasure Beach is featured in the promotional segment for the "Little Britain Live" DVD.
• The music video for Simply Red's song "Fairground" was also shot here.
• ITV show "Soapstars" featured the Pleasure Beach in its made-for-tv drama sequence.
• The Infusion rollercoaster featured in a 2009 addition of Specsavers advertising campaign.
• Blackpool was originally referenced in the Doctor Who television episode "Revelation of the Daleks" but the reference was removed when the series was put on hiatus. Blackpool was to be featured as the setting of the next unmade story "The Nightmare Fair."
• Pleasure Beach Blackpool appears within a scenario of the very successful game Rollercoaster Tycoon, which features most of the rides within the park that existed at the time of the game's release.

Gallery

• 
  The Hotchkiss Bicycle Railroad.
• 
  When opened on 28 May 1994 The Pepsi Max Big One was the tallest, fastest, and steepest roller coaster in the world.
• 
  Rides at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
• 
  A view over the park, taken from the lift hill of the Pepsi Max
• 
  The Valhalla ride, which is themed around a mythical place from Norse mythology
• 
  Statues inside the Chinese Puzzle Maze. The rollercoaster track passing over it is from the Pepsi Max
• 
  A large Pleasure Beach sign just outside the park, at night.
• 
  Part of the Big Dipper with Infusion behind it and the Pepsi Max Big One dwarfing both of them in the background.
• 
  The Irn Bru Revolution.
• Two trains of the Grand National
  Two trains of the Grand National
• 
  The Avalanche bobsled roller coaster.
• 
  Pleasure Beach Blackpool from South Pier.
• 
  The older rides have historical plaques like this one on Wild Mouse.
• 
  The entrance and Casino at night.
• 
  The Pepsi Max Big One at night.

See also

• Incidents at European parks
• Pleasureland Southport
• Frontierland, Morecambe

External links

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach - official site
• [1] - guide to the pleasure beach resort