As part of our project in supporting the UK theme parks we’ve teamed up with the fab Avalanche Attractions to bring you guys some Blackpool Pleasure Beach history. We hope you enjoy this blog post and be sure to share with us your memories of Blackpool Pleasure Beach over the years. Be sure to check Avalanche Attractions out I’ll leave links to all their sites and social media sites at the end.
The Beginning…
According to official records, Blackpool Pleasure Beach began operation on April 23rd 1896. This would have been when William Bean (the park’s founder) began to operate The Hotchkiss Bicycle Railway (the Pleasure Beach’s first ride), something which he brought back from America. That opening day would lead to nearly 125 years of fun at the site, which would be expanded upon heavily throughout the next few decades, as more rides came in.
Nickelodeon Streak Fact:
Nickelodeon Streak (previously Rollercoaster from 1933-2010) features some sections that were once used for The Velvet Coaster, which opened in 1909. The former attraction was a wooden side-friction coaster that was designed by William Strickler. The parts of The Velvet Coaster used in the current ride cosier Of the first few ‘airtime’ hills after the lift hill – which was also part of The Velvet Coaster’s layout.
Valhalla:
Opening on June 14th 2000 by Johnathan Ross, Valhalla is Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s £15,000,000 Nordic themed adventure, with a wide range of theming to fit the theme. One of them (the longboat next to the second drop) has had an interesting history, before it even found a permanent home at Blackpool. It’s name is The Black Tern, and has featured in many music videos and movies.
Big Dipper:
For most of it’s life, The Big Dipper had small lakes on either side of it’s lift hill and first drop. That remained the same until Tom Sawyer Lake (on the side where the lift hill his) was drained to make way for Icon in 2018. The lake on the opposite side has remained for many years, with rides like Drench Falls Log Flume and Infusion residing over it. In 1934, Hollywood actress Marlene Dietrich rode the Big Dipper, but lost her earring whilst riding. After many days of searching, nobody could find it. That was until the closed season of 2006/2007, as when the Log Flume was removed for Infusion, the lake was drained and the pearl-gold earring was found. Other items found during the demolition included £85 in change, three dolls, a glass eye and even three sets of false teeth!
Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machines:
Sir Hiram Maxim’s Flying Machines (or the Flying Machines) cost £7,000 when they opened 1904, and it is still an iconic ride for the park to this day. Similar rides were built in The Crystal Palace, New Brighton and nearby Southport in the same year. The ride works by having two 37 kilowatt DC motors, linked by cotton rope which drives to 12ft diameter wheels. The diameter wheels then drives the bevel gears which then turn the crown wheel attached to the rides central collum. On the collum, there are 2 slip rings which transfer an electric currant to the ride which powers it’s decorative lighting. The original electric motors were made by the Lister Brothers of Dursley and are still used today. The ride still features is original Robinson and Cook metal castings which were created in St. Helens, Merseyside.
Avalanche Attractions Social Media // Content Links:
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jack over at Avalanche Attractions for being apart of this project. It truly has been a pleasure and make sure to give all their social media etc a follow!