'I was one of the first to try Blackpool Pleasure Beach's new revamped ride - and it's not for the faint-hearted' |
It’s already been a pretty big year for theme parks here in the UK so far. Not only has Universal Studios confirmed they are on their way to this side of the world, but we’ve also had big new additions to the likes of Alton Towers and Thorpe Park.
And, a little closer to Greater Manchester, Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort has also been getting in on the action too - especially this week with the unveiling of its newly-revamped and rethemed Launch Pad.
I was one of the first to get to try the ride out on Wednesday morning (May 7) - just hours before it officially opened to the public - and it’s a thrill-seeking burst of energy as riders are thrust 210ft into the sky at speeds of 80mph. Basically, stick to a light breakfast before riding.
Those already familiar with Pleasure Beach Resort will perhaps already know of Launch Pad, albeit with a different identity. Since opening in 1997, it has undergone a number of names - starting with Playstation: The Ride and, perhaps most famously, the Tango Ice Blast and then just Ice Blast.
But 28 years after first being unveiled to the public, bosses........