First of all, welcome to our blog! While this has been in the pipeline for a few months I am finally starting this thing up! So this is just a place I want to generate discussions between people and share my experiences while travelling to different attractions and countries.
I was wondering what I should first write about and I realised that it should realistically start where my days of becoming an enthusiast started in more than one way and that would have to be Blackpool Pleasure Beach! This place was home to priceless family memories as well as more recently with some of the greatest people I've ever met.
But without any further delay, lets get right in the thick of this!
The Rides
Of course when talking about a theme park, the first thing that draws the eye are the rides and admittedly it is difficult to overlook (as you will find, we are slowly embracing more entertainment available at parks, we are trying!). I will say it straight away without pulling any punches, Icon is my favourite coaster I have been on, to me it is the perfect all-rounder, has some speed, some airtime, an inversion (yes only one), some intense moments, interactions and an overall fire soundtrack. But alas, there are other coasters that should not be forgotten about, the novelty of Steeplechase even though I am not its biggest fan, the intensity of revolution always takes my breath away, The Big One is still going strong and if anything is only getting better with the new track. However another key roller coaster in this lineup is the Big Dipper which is in my personal opinion the best woodie in England and offers a great experience all round, come at me Wickerman lovers!
But there are other rides that are incredible when you look beyond just pure thrills, and the dark rides in particular are a standout and over time it will become clear just how much I love dark rides in general. The obvious starting point is the best dark ride in the UK and that is Wallace and Gromit Thrill-O-Matic which is just so much fun and pays tribute to the series in such a well done and unique way! But then you also have rides such as River Caves, a very impressive water ride seen as it was built in 1905 and the Angkor Wat scene is stunning and the lighting makes it so great visually. While the arguable standout ride of the entire park and Golden Ticket winner in Valhalla, currently being refurbished, is jaw-dropping with its effects (when working 😂) but also the soundtrack and of course the gallons of water being poured onto you in the middle of Autumn.
The Atmosphere
I guess the main thing that separates Pleasure Beach from any other park in the country in my opinion is the unique combination of old and new that brings everyone across society together for a great day out and I will always having a massive smile on my face after a day on park.
It is perfectly reflected with the quote "Making adults feel like children again" and as I get older that childish giddiness still takes over when I travel from the Blackpool North down the promenade and slowly make out more and more of the rides. When you go on a busier day it may seem disappointing seeing the sizes of the queues however it is made up for seeing everyone laughing and smiling and having fun. This parks thrives on the days it opens later on as they are simply magical. It caters for families, students and those not fussed about rides and I do not think that there is anywhere that can match the unity of everyone in that park when music is playing and the sun is setting on a summers day.
I guess I just think its pretty neat that a park can bring people together in so many different ways while also being so much fun, even the staff feel part of it and are happy to work there. It comes from the Thompson family and their legacy that when all is said and done, has ensured countless happy memories were made.
This kind of atmosphere makes a day trip feel like a holiday and even on a rainy day people are still in good spirits and braving the Rugrats Lost River Log Flume.
My Personal Favourite Memories
So the first one is kinda vague but as a child my family would go to Blackpool in October half term for a little holiday and it is what would ultimately lead to my obsession with theme parks. We would go on all our favourites like the Big Dipper, Steeplechase and Alice in Wonderland and we would have a blast as kids. One time I had a ride on steeplechase at night and could not see as I was wearing my sister's glasses but somehow that is the best experience I've ever had on that ride. But these trips made me love rides and as I grew up I would wish of getting on rides at parks across the world.
Luckily I met people with similar interests and it has evolved into the YMCA and over the last few years the memories made have been incredible and it all comes back to one place. Riding Icon in its opening year will be unforgettable, awkwardly riding Dora's will unfortunately stay in my mind and peeking into Valhalla from the flying machines over the last year or so seeing little different and going back just in case has been tradition. This place has so many unique memories to individual rides I could possibly write a book on my experiences in the park
If I had to put one day above all else it was the Late Night Riding event on the 21st of August 2021, it was incredible with enthusiasts feeling like they took over the park and getting on some favourite rides and meeting incredible people but everyone having fun, a cheeky drink, even having a few night rides, well it was incredible and it is without a doubt a day I will cherish. The atmosphere was electric and seeing the park lit up was special and called backed to my childhood in a surreal way.
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That view will never get old! |
In Summary...
This park may not be everyone's cup of tea and perhaps I am quite biased but this park has meant a lot of different things to me and I will always endeavour to visit and keep that bit of childhood alive. We all have that special place and this is it for me and it is for certain an ICONic park- see what I did there 😉.
This brick means way too much to me
Thank you for reading and let me know your thoughts on Pleasure Beach too!
See you in the next post and take care!
Tom ✌
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