Marsden10002
Roller Poster
I find it odd how BPB just close a ride without warning.
Fair enough if it has major issues, or someone's injured, but I'm sure if they announced it was closing, Many people would visit just for that!
WTF BPB?
- Thread starter RevolutionRuleZ
- Start date
Fair enough if it has major issues, or someone's injured, but I'm sure if they announced it was closing, Many people would visit just for that!
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
If every old ride there had to remain forever, because... Heritage... They wouldn't last the next 20 years as they'd never be able to add anything new. Protect Ghost Train, Flying Machines, Dipper and Nash... They can bulldoze the rest for me, as long it means they can keep moving forward for years to come.
Edited to add: I fear the protected status of some of their rides will be a nightmare for them in the future too. Whoever applied for them to be listed wanted to protect them, obviously, they acted in good faith with admirable motives. But what if the park becomes nonviable because they're straddled with the expensive upkeep of rides that nobody even wants to ride anymore? What if those rides mean fewer and fewer additions, and the park falling further and further behind the competition, because they haven't got the money or space for new rides, due to the listed status of old ones. We'll lose the park and the rides...
Don't get me wrong, I love the Nash, it holds a very special place in my heart, was my first woodie, and I absolutely loved it back in the 90s. But if I had to choose between losing the Nash now, or losing the park in 20 years, that choice is fairly easy.
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shaunthatkid
Mega Poster
just get rid of steeplechase, its low capacity and its generally an unreliable and unenjoyable experience that takes up a lot of land. could fit something large in the land it/steeplechase/SI2 took up
Protect Ghost Train, Flying Machines, Dipper and Nash... They can bulldoze the rest for me, as long it means they can keep moving forward for years to come.
Edited to add: I fear the protected status of some of their rides will be a nightmare for them in the future too. Whoever applied for them to be listed wanted to protect them, obviously, they acted in good faith with admirable motives. But what if the park becomes nonviable because they're straddled with the expensive upkeep of rides that nobody even wants to ride anymore? What if those rides mean fewer and fewer additions, and the park falling further and further behind the competition, because they haven't got the money or space for new rides, due to the listed status of old ones. We'll lose the park and the rides...
Don't get me wrong, I love the Nash, it holds a very special place in my heart, was my first woodie, and I absolutely loved it back in the 90s. But if I had to choose between losing the Nash now, or losing the park in 20 years, that choice is fairly easy.
spicy
Giga Poster
Protect Ghost Train, Flying Machines, Dipper and Nash... They can bulldoze the rest for me, as long it means they can keep moving forward for years to come.
Edited to add: I fear the protected status of some of their rides will be a nightmare for them in the future too. Whoever applied for them to be listed wanted to protect them, obviously, they acted in good faith with admirable motives. But what if the park becomes nonviable because they're straddled with the expensive upkeep of rides that nobody even wants to ride anymore? What if those rides mean fewer and fewer additions, and the park falling further and further behind the competition, because they haven't got the money or space for new rides, due to the listed status of old ones. We'll lose the park and the rides...
Don't get me wrong, I love the Nash, it holds a very special place in my heart, was my first woodie, and I absolutely loved it back in the 90s. But if I had to choose between losing the Nash now, or losing the park in 20 years, that choice is fairly easy.
And whoever it was that applied for those to be listed, why did they forget to protect The Wild Mouse
Rob Coasters
Rob Poster
Yeah, while losing Grand Prix is sad, I was ultimately never that bothered by it being closed on most of my recent visits. The park can't just keep every old ride forever, because if nothing changes, that's not great for the future. I can only hope that the replacement is worth it.
RevolutionRuleZ
Mega Poster
It's sad, but it's closure is acceptable, given the quality of the ride vs the space it takes up and potentially replacement opportunities. That said, I hope the replacement arrives significantly faster than the promised developments that were to replace the Wild Mouse and Trauma Towers, unless a scarcely opened bar and a patch of AstroTurf was the long term plan...
Also, would it not make sense to have whatever this send off is prior to it closing?
Also, would it not make sense to have whatever this send off is prior to it closing?
coasteraddict10
Mega Poster
Protect Ghost Train, Flying Machines, Dipper and Nash... They can bulldoze the rest for me, as long it means they can keep moving forward for years to come.
Edited to add: I fear the protected status of some of their rides will be a nightmare for them in the future too. Whoever applied for them to be listed wanted to protect them, obviously, they acted in good faith with admirable motives. But what if the park becomes nonviable because they're straddled with the expensive upkeep of rides that nobody even wants to ride anymore? What if those rides mean fewer and fewer additions, and the park falling further and further behind the competition, because they haven't got the money or space for new rides, due to the listed status of old ones. We'll lose the park and the rides...
Don't get me wrong, I love the Nash, it holds a very special place in my heart, was my first woodie, and I absolutely loved it back in the 90s. But if I had to choose between losing the Nash now, or losing the park in 20 years, that choice is fairly easy.
+ River Caves and this list is right.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
I do like river caves. But would like to see the inside modernised a lot.
RevolutionRuleZ
Mega Poster
In fairness, this wasn't the case until a certain someone took charge. I feel certain that Geoffrey would have found some way to keep the Wild Mouse alive, and I know for a fact SPL wouldn't have gone the way it did. Yes he did close Frontierland, but he relocated the Mine Train and was trying to almost give away the Texas Tornado. He certainly wouldn't have instructed the demolition that either of the three of them got. I am also pretty certain if he could see the line the Streak gets these days it would be on 2 trains by the start of the next season, and if he were to ride the National as is, new trains and/or a retrack would be arranged by the time he got out of the station.
Peet
Giga Poster
That's very sad news, my Dad remembers riding it when he was a kid. Just last October I took my little girl on it and she loved it.
It's a bit surprising as it was still very fun and gave a good tour around the South side of the park.
I would guess the cost of powering it and the low capacity are behind this decision, the queue moved painfully slowly.
It's a bit surprising as it was still very fun and gave a good tour around the South side of the park.
I would guess the cost of powering it and the low capacity are behind this decision, the queue moved painfully slowly.
RevolutionRuleZ
Mega Poster
The time has come for BPB to try something different, and if they are too stubborn, or too stupid, to revisit the idea of a pass that caters for those not wishing to spend all day on the rides, maybe it's time to try something else because something has got to change.
Why not adjust the park hours on the last Friday of every month to 4 or 5pm until 10 or 11pm, a straight swap for the traditional 11-5, its no longer to staff but if dedicated to the evening trade, planned and marketed well I see no reason why it shouldn't spark interest, and bring in significantly more secondary spend than standard hours, after all people are more likely to have a few drinks during the evening than they are at lunchtime. The park would need to open all the ride for the duration of the day, none of this opening stuff late and closing the Streak early rubbish, set some times and stick to them. Bring some decent music in, throw in a few 90s tunes and bring the place to life. Make sure all bars and catering outlets are open and ready to serve, people may be hungry as they may not have eaten if they have come directly from work.
As for the Grand Prix, it's sad, but as far as significant historic losses go, its not something I'm going to loose too much sleep over, but I'd love to see a Test Track type ride replace it one day, it would be a nice nod to the GP whilst adding a fun family thrill attraction.
Why not adjust the park hours on the last Friday of every month to 4 or 5pm until 10 or 11pm, a straight swap for the traditional 11-5, its no longer to staff but if dedicated to the evening trade, planned and marketed well I see no reason why it shouldn't spark interest, and bring in significantly more secondary spend than standard hours, after all people are more likely to have a few drinks during the evening than they are at lunchtime. The park would need to open all the ride for the duration of the day, none of this opening stuff late and closing the Streak early rubbish, set some times and stick to them. Bring some decent music in, throw in a few 90s tunes and bring the place to life. Make sure all bars and catering outlets are open and ready to serve, people may be hungry as they may not have eaten if they have come directly from work.
As for the Grand Prix, it's sad, but as far as significant historic losses go, its not something I'm going to loose too much sleep over, but I'd love to see a Test Track type ride replace it one day, it would be a nice nod to the GP whilst adding a fun family thrill attraction.
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
Out of interest, what is BPB like on late night riding evenings nowadays. I haven't done one since the 90's, and the atmosphere was sketchy enough then. Does make me wonder what it's like now that Blackpool is the hen and stag capital of the North...
RevolutionRuleZ
Mega Poster
Weather dependent would be my answer to that. Some times during the summer its bordering on false advertising as its still not dark by ride close, for me you can't beat BPB when it's packed and at night, with that old school atmosphere.
On the vast majority of occasions it filters out, as its not worth anyone who arrives beyond a certain time paying to come in, however on occasions they have the right crowd levels and have the sense to sell evening admission, it can generate a second wave of custom that sees the place busy into the evening.
Where they go wrong is on too many occasions thing close early. If you are unfortunate enough to select a fireworks night, the only coaster you will get on for the final hour will be the Grand National which will have a queue around an hour in length. Depending on crowd levels and capacity, the Big One will close anytime between 6.30-8.30pm, with everything else shut for the final hour.
Even on a night that doesn't have fireworks, the Big One and Icon close the queues early to have things done as near to closing as they can get away with, while Nick Streak has to close 1 hour early or the earth will fall off its orbit. This will happen regardless of what ride availability is like elsewhere, or how busy the rides are, which for such a popular ride is ridiculous.
Graeme
Mega Poster
Something like Test Track would be fantastic. To be honest, I assumed the turn radii would be too big for the site, but I measured the biggest turn on the EPCOT ride and it's exactly the same width as the Grand Prix site.
Personally, I would still like a Wallace & Gromit motorbike & sidecar coaster (straddle coaster).
Another thing is, I've heard a Gerstlauer family coaster mentioned as a suggestion. Are they good? I've not ridden one. Blackpool Pleasure Beach could certainly do with a good family coaster, and better than that, they could do a 2-coaster deal with Gerstlauer for a bobsled on the Wild Mouse site.
Personally, I would still like a Wallace & Gromit motorbike & sidecar coaster (straddle coaster).
Another thing is, I've heard a Gerstlauer family coaster mentioned as a suggestion. Are they good? I've not ridden one. Blackpool Pleasure Beach could certainly do with a good family coaster, and better than that, they could do a 2-coaster deal with Gerstlauer for a bobsled on the Wild Mouse site.
Peet
Giga Poster
This should really be in a "Yay BPB" topic - they're holding a farewell event for Grand Prix:
www.instagram.com
It's so rare for parks to do this sort of thing when retiring a ride, I don't remember BPB ever doing it before, so it's great to see.
Also presumably this means the ride is actually running until June...?
Edit: tickets are £50 which seems a bit steep but I guess it needs to be priced high to make it worthwhile for the park
Pleasure Beach Resort on Instagram: "🏁 GO, GO, GO! 🏁 Join us in celebrating the legacy of our Grand Prix ride, as she leaves the pits for a final time. After 64 years of racing, we’re saying goodbye to our beloved ride. But no goodbye is complete
1,034 likes, 40 comments - pleasure_beach on April 19, 2024: "🏁 GO, GO, GO! 🏁 Join us in celebrating the legacy of our Grand Prix ride, as she leaves the pits for a final time. After 64 years of racing, we’re saying goodbye to our beloved ride. But no goodbye is complete without a spectacular...
www.instagram.com
It's so rare for parks to do this sort of thing when retiring a ride, I don't remember BPB ever doing it before, so it's great to see.
Also presumably this means the ride is actually running until June...?
Edit: tickets are £50 which seems a bit steep but I guess it needs to be priced high to make it worthwhile for the park
RevolutionRuleZ
Mega Poster
No no, it's running for the after hours event only, which is Insanity.This should really be in a "Yay BPB" topic - they're holding a farewell event for Grand Prix:
Pleasure Beach Resort on Instagram: "🏁 GO, GO, GO! 🏁 Join us in celebrating the legacy of our Grand Prix ride, as she leaves the pits for a final time. After 64 years of racing, we’re saying goodbye to our beloved ride. But no goodbye is complete
1,034 likes, 40 comments - pleasure_beach on April 19, 2024: "🏁 GO, GO, GO! 🏁 Join us in celebrating the legacy of our Grand Prix ride, as she leaves the pits for a final time. After 64 years of racing, we’re saying goodbye to our beloved ride. But no goodbye is complete without a spectacular...
It's so rare for parks to do this sort of thing when retiring a ride, I don't remember BPB ever doing it before, so it's great to see.
Also presumably this means the ride is actually running until June...?
Edit: tickets are £50 which seems a bit steep but I guess it needs to be priced high to make it worthwhile for the park
Nicky Borrill
Strata Poster
PR Team: "Amanda... The fans really want us to give them a chance to ride the classic rides one last time before we destroy them, they feel very strongly about it."
Amanda: "Do they... Do they really... £££ Kerching £££"
Amanda: "Do they... Do they really... £££ Kerching £££"
Sandman
Giga Poster
Yeah, I do at this point think BPB are edging into the whole 'exploit our loyal fanbase' territory. They will literally shove a price tag on anything these days.
A lump of chewing gum found under the table of Coasters? £30.00 please... it's exclusive...from 1994. And sadly, people still lap it all up.
I do like the idea of these celebratory/farewell events... but save it for something worthwhile. Grand Prix could be done during normal park hours, and more competitively priced (to be honest, does it even need to be an extra charge, it's Grand Prix ffs).
Chucking a naff certificate in and some 'exclusive' photos with some race cars doesn't warrant £50.00. Sorry.
A lump of chewing gum found under the table of Coasters? £30.00 please... it's exclusive...from 1994. And sadly, people still lap it all up.
I do like the idea of these celebratory/farewell events... but save it for something worthwhile. Grand Prix could be done during normal park hours, and more competitively priced (to be honest, does it even need to be an extra charge, it's Grand Prix ffs).
Chucking a naff certificate in and some 'exclusive' photos with some race cars doesn't warrant £50.00. Sorry.