'I tried Blackpool Pleasure Beach's newest ride - it's not for the timid'
The UK's favourite amusement park has had a big new addition to its line-up this week, as one of its iconic attractions was officially unveiled with a new look - and a brand new name
It's been a bumper year for UK theme parks, with Universal Studios announcing its arrival and major new attractions popping up at Alton Towers and Thorpe Park. Closer to Greater Manchester, Blackpool's Pleasure Beach Resort has also been making waves, particularly this week with the grand reveal of its revamped and rebranded Launch Pad.
I was among the first to test the ride on Wednesday morning (May 7), just hours before it officially opened its doors to the public, writes the Manchester Evening News's Adam Maidment. It's a heart-pounding adrenaline rush as riders are catapulted 210ft into the air at a blistering 80mph.
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A word of advice - keep breakfast light before hopping on. If you're a regular at Pleasure Beach Resort, you might already be acquainted with Launch Pad, albeit under a different guise.
Since its debut in 1997, it's gone through several name changes - starting life as Playstation: The Ride and later becoming known as Tango Ice Blast and then simply Ice Blast.
But 28 years after its initial unveiling, bosses told me on opening day that it's been given a 'new lease of life'. In fact, it's undergone such a transformation that it's best considered a brand new ride.
There's a fresh theme, vibrant new colours, a catchy new soundtrack and even a new cylinder. Diving into the mechanics without getting bogged down in jargon, the thrill of the ride is largely due to the pressure cylinder operating at a whopping 105 PSI, exerting a force of 105 pounds.
Karl Murphy, Pleasure Beach Resort's engineering director, has previously remarked: "We've increased the force, which means the acceleration is greater."
As someone who'd never experienced the ride's earlier incarnations, I was essentially going in blind, save for the anticipation of being catapulted skywards. Its longstanding popularity hinted at an extraordinary experience awaiting.
The ride's space theme is a perfect match, easily conjuring images of being aboard a rocket about to blast off. A brief countdown from mission control and suddenly, it's lift-off time.
The immediate surge of speed is electrifying, prompting involuntary shouts of excitement (or terror). The sensation of the G-force is palpable, offering a taste of astronaut life without leaving Earth.
And if you manage to regain your composure while suspended 210ft high, do take a moment to appreciate Blackpool's beauty on a clear day – the sandy stretches, the iconic Tower, and the expansive views are truly breathtaking.
The new attraction may be brief, but it is so engaging that you'll likely fancy multiple rides if the queues are manageable.
Beyond Launch Pad, visitors can enjoy other attractions such as Valhalla, previously crowned the best water ride in Europe, and the legendary The Big One roller coaster which, at 213 feet tall, has endured admirably for 31 years.
Pleasure Beach Resort recently refreshed Valhalla two years ago - a move that has seen it reclaim its title as the best water ride in Europe - and is maintaining its momentum by updating classic attractions, with River Caves next in line.
At the Launch Pad debut gathering, Pleasure Beach Resort CEO Amanda Thompson OBE underscored the significance of these revitalisations: "Re-imaginings like this one are fantastic for our industry. Not only do they create a new and incredibly powerful ride experience, they're sustainable, and they allow us to re-invent beloved attractions for generations to come."
Even to newcomers who missed the ride's earlier versions, the care and investment poured into reimagining Launch Pad is evident; the attraction has been reborn with abundant new features that almost render it a brand-new experience.
Pleasure Beach Resort is certainly pulling out all the stops to maintain its standing as one of the top theme parks in the UK, and perhaps even further afield.
They're also gearing up to unveil a brand-new Gyro Swing next year, with a hefty price tag of £8.72m, set to be the largest of its kind on these shores.
You'd do well to add Launch Pad to your itinerary for your next jaunt to Pleasure Beach Resort - it's sure to sweep away the cobwebs.
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