Pleasure Beach Blackpool

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is an amusement park situated along the Fylde coast in Blackpool, Lancashire, England. It is the most visited tourist attraction in the United Kingdom, and one of the top twenty most-visited amusement parks in the world with an estimate of 5.5 million visitors in 2007.[1]  In a 2014 TripAdvisor poll, Pleasure Beach was voted as the best theme park in the United Kingdom and the 12th best park in Europe respectively.[2]  The park is privately owned by the Thompson family under BPB Holdings ltd. In 2003 Pleasure Beach opened the Big Blue Hotel, a four star family and business hotel and in 2011, Nickelodeon Land, a substitute of the main park which includes numerous family-orientated rides and attractions based on the Nickelodeon brand opened.



Contents
[hide]  *1 History of the Pleasure Beach  ==History of the Pleasure Beach[ edit] == ===Early years[ edit] === Pleasure Beach was founded 1896 by Alderman 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 two separate amusement parks; one adjacent to Euston Road in Great Yarmouth and another in Blackpool, opposite the tram terminus. The Great Yarmouth amusement park consisted simply of a switchback bicycle railway called the Hotchkiss's Patented Railroad. Bean stayed in Great Yarmouth until the end of the century before moving to Blackpool full-time.
 * 1.1 Early years
 * 1.2 Geoffrey Thompson era
 * 1.3 Amanda Thompson era
 * 1.4 Managing directors
 * 2 Current park
 * 3 Rides
 * 3.1 Roller coasters
 * 3.2 Thrill rides
 * 3.3 Water rides
 * 3.4 Other rides
 * 3.5 Nickelodeon Land
 * 3.6 Extra Charge attractions
 * 3.7 Past Rides & Attractions
 * 4 Park Awards
 * 5 Park Entertainment
 * 5.1 The Hot Ice Show
 * 5.2 Other shows
 * 6 The Big Blue Hotel
 * 7 Damaging Incidents
 * 7.1 Avalanche
 * 7.2 Big Dipper
 * 7.3 Fun House
 * 7.4 Grand National
 * 7.5 Big One
 * 7.6 Space Invader 2
 * 7.7 Picnic Ban
 * 7.8 Pay to enter
 * 8 Television series
 * 9 In popular culture
 * 10 Gallery
 * 11 See also
 * 12 References
 * 13 Further reading
 * 14 External links

In 1903, Bean, along with businessman John Outhwaite, purchased 30 acres (120,000 m2 ) of land known as the "Watson Estate" which was used to expand the amusement park in Blackpool. Bean and Outhwaite aimed to create a park similar to Coney Island in the USA, that would make adults feel like children again and inspire gaiety of a primarily innocent character and used inspiration from a small manually operated fair ground found at London's Earls Court. The first major attraction to open at Pleasure Beach was the "Hiram Maxim Captive Flying Machine" in 1904. The next attraction, a water ride similar to a Mill Chute was opened in 1905 under the name "The River Caves of the World." The same year the name "Blackpool Pleasure Beach" was founded. Outhwaite died in 1911, leaving the initial business to Bean, however the Outhwaite family still owned shares of the park, and would occasionally have input into the park's growth. Over the next few years, the park developed, with frequent large scale investments including the Virginia Reel, Whip, Noah's Ark, Big Dipper and Dodgems. In the 1920s Bean invested in the "Casino Building" which remains to this day.

In 1923, land was reclaimed from the sea front. It was at this period that the park moved to its 44-acre (180,000 m2 ) 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 business alongside his wife. The park came under full control of the Thompson family after the remaining Outhwaite family sold their share of the park. During this time Joseph Emberton, an architect famous for his work in the amusement trade was brought in to redesign the architectural style of the Pleasure Beach rides, working on the "Grand National" roller coaster, "Noah's Ark" and the Casino building to name a few. Emberton continued to design for the Pleasure Beach up to his death in 1956, after which Jack Ratcliffe, who had been involved in the Festival of Britain, was brought in to continue the work. Ratcliffed worked for many years at the park, until the death of Leonard Thompson in 1976. Following Thompson's death, Lillian Doris Thompson was appointed chairman of the business. Their only son, Geoffrey Thompson became the new managing director. ===Geoffrey Thompson era<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Main article: Geoffrey Thompson (businessman)<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">William "Geoffrey" Thompson was born in Manchester in 1936. 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 Thompson (née Foxcroft) in 1962 and shortly afterwards they had three children, Amanda, Nicholas and Fiona. After Leonard's death, Geoffrey and his mother steadily extended the Pleasure Beach business. His first move was hiring Keith Ingham to make extensive alterations to the Casino building which later became the "Wonderful World" building (since then the building has reverted to its original name). Under Thompson's reign, the Pleasure Beach business expanded quite dramatically. He bought two separate amusement parks 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, Big One, Ice Blast: The Rideand Valhalla.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">His reputation in Blackpool earned him a highly positive status amongst other businessman in the amusement trade. He was often regarded as the front man to the steady growth of amusement parks globally and he was regularly involved in promoting tourism. He sat on almost all the relevant agencies, such as the English Tourist Board and the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions, and was awarded an OBE for this work. In 1986, Pleasure Beach became one of the first companies in the UK to register with the Government Profit Related Pay Unit. Under this scheme the company agreed that, where profits exceeded £1 million, 10 per cent would be distributed among the permanent staff according to their length of service.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-3" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[3]  Geoffrey was often in dispute with Blackpool Council over their decision to allow private traders to use land opposite the Pleasure Beach. He won his appeal to clear the land of all trading attractions and the Pleasure Beach has remained unaffected by the situation. Geoffrey Thompson died at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on 12 June 2004 of heart problems, while attending his daughters wedding. His mother and Pleasure Beach chairman, Mrs L.D. Thompson, OBE died nine days later, on 23 June, the date of Geoffrey Thompsons funeral. ===Amanda Thompson era<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === Main article: Amanda Thompson (businessperson)<p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">After the death of her father and grandmother, Amanda Thompson took over the whole Pleasure Beach business. Nicholas Thompson became the Deputy managing director and Fiona Gilje (née Thompson), a fundamental architect became a co director and initial designer. Amanda had worked for many years on the board of directors and had been deputy managing director of the Pleasure Beach for almost 20 years. She rose to prominence as the director of Stageworks Worldwide Productions, which produced numerous high profile shows at both the Pleasure Beach and across the world.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">Amanda Thompson has overseen the transformation of the park to a modern, aesthetically pleasing amusement park. However, her reign has seen the removal of some rides including the Whip, Log Flume, Space Invader 2, Turtle Chase, Black Hole and Super Bowl. In 2007, she introduced Infusion (relocated from the now revitalised Pleasureland Southport) and in 2009 transformed the north end of the park by introducing a new area, Bean Street FY4, which houses numerous catering outlets and bars and the Spectacular Dancing Water Show which was a seven hundred and fifty thousand pound investment.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">In 2010 she further developed the north end of the park by re-designing the area which formerly housed the old dodgems ride. The site is now a garden area with numerous water features and fanciful sculptures. The same year, Amanda brought a new dodgems ride to the park (which is now situated under the Revolution attraction in the old Whip building.) Throughout late 2010 and early 2011 a new Children's theme park was constructed. On 4 May 2011, Nickelodeon Land debuted replacing the entire Beaver Creek area of the park.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">Amanda has focused on the historically important aspects of the park, the overall look of the park, the park branding; taking the park from Blackpool Pleasure Beach to Pleasure Beach Blackpool and its current marketing name, Pleasure Beach Resort. Amanda has attempted to monetonise the park all year round by introducing ice skating at the Arena, she also introduced Adventure Golf in 2008, all of which are available to the public when the initial park is closed. Amanda produces the parks show Hot Ice, designed the Big Blue Hotel and the new ticket centre which open on the ground floor of the Casino building in 2009. The park is now focusing on franchise sponsoring after signing deals with Nickelodeon and Aardman Animations

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">In 2013 the park teamed up with Aardman Animations to open the "" Wallace & Gromit's Thrill-O-Matic"" a £6 million investment. The ride which is a complete re-theme of the old Goldmine ride is the latest in a long line of family attractions to open at the Pleasure Beach since Amanda took over the business. ===Managing directors<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Current park<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">Pleasure Beach is situated along the South Shore area of Blackpool along the Fylde coast, adjacent to the promenade, opposite South along Ocean Boulevard and directly above Watson road. The main entrance is to the front of the initial park and approximately 38 metres (125 ft) 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 brake section of the Pepsi MaxBig One and in front of Nickelodeon Streak. Some catering and retail 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. Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station is nearby.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">The park is currently home to nearly 40 rides and attractions, including ten roller coasters, of which five are wooden – the Grand National, Big Dipper, Nickelodeon Streak, Wild Mouse and Blue Flyer. The newest roller coaster, 'Infusion' opened in 2007 (having been re-located from the Pleasure Beach's erstwhile 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 (1,675 m) long. Currently, the ride holds the crown as the tallest in the UK, measuring 213 ft (65 m), (235 ft above sea level.) and features a drop of 205 ft (62 m). 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 family-themed section calledNickelodeon Land, towards the back of the park. This section of the park includes numerous small attractions suitably aimed at younger children and teens, including a Log Flume-type attraction, two 1,099 feet (335 m) long junior wooden coasters 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.

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-tm2010_4-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[4]  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. Pleasure Beach also owns and operates The Grill, a Brasserie style restaurant in the Casino building.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[5]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">The newest ride, opened in 2013, is Wallace and Gromit's 'Thrill O Matic', an indoor train ride which takes passengers through various scenes from the famous Aardman Animation films. ==Rides<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Roller coasters<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Thrill rides<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Water rides<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Other rides<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Nickelodeon Land<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Extra Charge attractions<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ===Past Rides & Attractions<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === ==Park Awards<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ==Park Entertainment<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===The Hot Ice Show<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">Hot Ice Show 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. ===Other shows<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">The Globe Theatre is currently used to house the 'Big One Talent Show'. New for 2012 is the La Quebrada High Diving Show. Other shows at the park include Beyond Belief, and Ken Webster Comedy Hypnotist.
 * Pasaje Del Terror – Opened in 1998. Interactive horror attraction within the Casino.
 * Horror Crypt – Attraction themed around a haunted residence.
 * 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.
 * Go Karts – First opened opposite River Caves in 1977, but relocated to under Steeplechase.
 * Pleasure Beach Arena – An ice rink open all year round.
 * Spectacular Dancing Water Show – Fountain opened in 2009. Every twenty minutes it performs a dancing water show.
 * Numerous pay-2-play arcades and sideshows
 * 2007: Best brand for leisure and tourism – North West top 100 brands
 * 2007: Best large tourist attraction – North West in bloom
 * 2007: Pleasure Beach training team: best practice in tourism training – LETTS awards
 * 2007: Fifth best amusement park in the world – Amusement today golden ticket awards
 * 2007: Best seaside park award – Amusement today golden ticket awards
 * 2007: Best radio commercial – IAAPA Brass ring awards
 * 2007: Pleasure beach website – distinguished excellence – IAAPA Brass ring awards
 * 2007: Valhalla: 2nd best water ride in the world – Amusement today golden ticket awards
 * 2007: Best north west brand for leisure and tourism – Hill Dickinson
 * 2007: revitalised brand of the year – Leisure report awards
 * 2008: North west brand for leisure and tourism – Hill Dickinson
 * 2008: Ripleys believe it or not: Franchise of the year and Guest service award – Ripleys executive board
 * 2009: Big Blue Hotel – 5 star award – Loo of the year
 * 2009: Forbidden: Best overall production – IAAPA Big E awards
 * 2009: Hot Ice: best overall production – IAAPA Big E awards <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-16" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[16]
 * 2011: Top Ten Best Theme Parks – Golden Ticket Awards
 * 2014: Best theme park in the United Kingdom; 12th best theme park in Europe - TripAdvisor 2014 Awards

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">Ken Webster's show at the Pleasure Beach is the longest running hypnotism show in the world having played there for over 25 years. Richard De Vere ran shows for 21 consecutive seasons, until his death in 2014. ==The Big Blue Hotel<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">The Big Blue Hotel is a four star family hotel, owned by Pleasure Beach Blackpool and is situated within the outskirts of the park adjacent to Blackpool Pleasure Beach railway station. The hotel opened in Spring 2003.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BBH001_17-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[17] ==Damaging Incidents<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == ===Avalanche<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">In the summer season 1997, the Avalanche ride was involved in an accident when the first carriage's braking system automatically engaged, causing the following carriages to collide into one another in a rapid stop. 14 people were on the ride at the time, an 11-year old boy suffered bruised ribs. The ride was out of commission for 5 weeks of repairs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-18" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[18] ===Big Dipper<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-19" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[19]  A similar incident occurred on the ride in June 2010, when a train's rear wheels derailed, causing the ride to stop near the Big Blue Hotel. ===Fun House<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">On 16 December 1991, the Fun House attraction (first opened in 1934) was completely destroyed by a fire caused by vandals. Valhalla (opened in 2000) was built in its place. ===Grand National<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">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. ===Big One<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">In July 1994, only a week after the ride's opening, 26 people were injured when the computer system failed to completely stop a train returning to the station. The result of this brake failure was a collision with a waiting train at the ride's station. The injuries were all only minor but the incident was widely publicised by the media. On 14 June 2011 the train stopped, causing minor injuries.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-20" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[20]

<p style="margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-BigOne_21-0" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[21] ===Space Invader 2<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">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.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-22" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[22] The ride reopened after that but the actual cause for the ride closure is unknown. ===Picnic Ban<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">In May 2011, it was reported in the media that the park had banned outside food or drink from being brought into the park, specifically picnics. This was met with criticism from the public, even though the rule was a decade old. Staff defended the decade-old rule, and commented that it was in place as the "ride-intensive nature" of the park meant that there was little space for families to eat food inside the park. Other theme parks such as nearby Camelot (now closed) or Alton Towers, have allowed guests to bring food into the park traditionally.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-23" style="line-height:1;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-size:11.1999998092651px;">[23] ===Pay to enter<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] === <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">Since it first opened the site had allowed free access to the park. However, in 2009 an admission fee was introduced for all members of the public entering the site who had not purchased a wristband. This policy has been heavily criticised locally and on travel advice sites like Tripadvisor in case visitors do not wish to pay to go in. However a number of promotions exist to counteract this. ==Television series<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] == <p style="margin-top:0.5em;line-height:17.9200000762939px;color:rgb(37,37,37);font-family:sans-serif;font-size:14.3999996185303px;">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<span class="mw-editsection" style="-webkit-user-select:none;font-size:small;margin-left:1em;line-height:1em;display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;unicode-bidi:-webkit-isolate;font-family:sans-serif;"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">[ edit<span class="mw-editsection-bracket" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);">] ==
 * The Pepsi Max Big One is featured in the 2001 film The Parole Officer and in one episode of A Touch of Frost
 * Pleasure Beach is featured in the promotional segment for the "Little Britain Live" DVD.
 * The music video for Simply Red's song "Fairground", The Killers' "Here With Me" and the 5 Seconds of Summer's Try Hard music video were shot here.
 * ITV show "Soapstars" featured Pleasure Beach in its made-for-TV drama sequence.
 * The Infusion rollercoaster featured in a 2009 edition of Specsavers advertising campaign.
 * Pleasure Beach 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. Pleasure Beach 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.
 * The Laughing man was briefly portrayed as a psychotic French clown in Jamie H Scrutton's: "His Haunted Laughter" short film in 2010. The artist performed in the role of the character.
 * The park was included in the hit drama Waterloo Road. Finn Sharkey (Jack McMullen), Lauren Andrews (Darcy Isa), Sambuca Kelly (Holly Kenny) and Tom Clarkson (Jason Done) visit the park.
 * Professional Wrestler Darren Kenneth Matthews, most commonly known as William Regal began his wrestling career at the park at aged 15.
 * British boy band JLS rode on the Big Dipper in early 2012, singing their hit Everybody in Love as they did so. Their ride was filmed and posted on line via their official Facebook page.
 * Kevin Bacon rode the Big One with a young child to advertise EE 4G The advertisement was then aired on National Television in May 2014.