Spent a day at Blackpool Pleasure Beach yesterday. We tend to go on a regular basis as it's our local park but there are one or two issues with the rides and attractions:
The 'Woodies'
Big Dipper
Grand National
Roller Coaster (Nickelodeon Streak)
Blue Flyer
The history of these coasters make BPB a special place and it is to be expected that they will be a bit 'rattly' being old and made of wood. However, the Grand National takes things to a new level of pain.
From the outset the cars are violently shaky leading to blurred vision and disorientation throughout the ride. I believed that I would lose some teeth at some point. The lack of banking in the curves does not help matters.
The real issue is the way that it rides the drops and the hills. The first double drop is spectacularly rough. It is like being involved in a serious car accident. I fully expected that my limbs would detach from my torso.
The feeling of relief when returning to the station was palpable. It is unlikely that I will re-ride in the future.
Other honourable mentions go to:
Big One: Despite being partially re-tracked recently it is still rough in places.
Infusion: Rough as hell. The restraints attempt to remove rider's heads.
Steeplechase: Not particularly physically harmful but the constant fear of being dismounted to a certain death doesn't do any favours for mental stability.
BPB is still a great park though. The staff and ride operators are brilliant. A big shout for the chap who drives the Pleasure Beach Express.
Icon Is a stunning coaster. Heritage rides such as Alice, Derby Racer and Ghost Train are really good.
