coastergraham
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BPB - Rollercoaster futureIt is beginning to look like what I was told a few months ago may just be right.
Reports on various sites suggest that Rollercoaster will be SBNO next season, possibly even it has opened for the last time ever on the seasons final day.
Also that Space Invader is to be removed.
If it is true about Rollercoaster I think that is very sad that people would not have the chance for one final ride 
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reg
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If it's true, then the Pleasure beach will lose a great woodie. I hope it's not just going to be left SBNO like Vikingar was. Pleasure Beach management must know how much love people have for the classic woodies, and to close it without any warning would leave a bad taste in many peoples mouths. At least if people know it's on it last season, they can get a chance to ride it one more time.
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bradpeet
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This just does not make sense to me.
Nobody seems sure why Space Invader has run so little this year.
But from what I have read, roller coaster has been operating well all season. So why suddenly close it?
Unless there is a serious safety issues with these rides, then I just do not understand why they have not announced a planned closure similar to Alton Towers with corkscrew. (Although even at Alton Towers the closure of corkscrew seemed to be done in haste).
It just seems like a missed marketing opportunity, and that is very unlike Pleasure Beach. Again, one only needs to look back to the closure of their log flume to see how they have marketed (what appears to be) a similar situation in the past.
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bluea61
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I would also be very suprised unless like you say its a safety thing. They have just this year added the dipper trains to it. Why go to that amount of trouble only to scrap the ride?
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Rogue
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I kinda knew that Space Invader would shut as one of the ride ops said to us that it may never re-open.
Shocked about Rollercoaster though, like Steve said, why would they go to all the trouble of putting the dipper trains on to just close the ride.
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coaster-andy
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I tend to sit on the fence with news of Blackpools rides.
Unless they are going to put something big in there why close both rides. As for Rollercoaster it is a very good Woody and only occupies a small foot print.
There are a few other coasters in the park which should go but that is another thing.
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Boozytwin1
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They can't be thinking of putting any big rides in that area due to the proximity to the kids area.
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Auntie Murial
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I am going to chain myself to the Roller Coaster so they cannot get rid of it !
There is another Woodie at the park which is showing its age alot more than the roller coaster, and if anything it should be this ride which is removed in my opinion. Dont worry its not the Nash.
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JamesC
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I'm not too bothered about Space Invader... It's certainly not the best coaster and it usually had ridiculous queues.
But ROLLERCOASTER?!  No! They can't close that! I will be very upset if they do!  It's one of the best rides at PBB in my opinion.
| Auntie Murial wrote: | | I am going to chain myself to the Roller Coaster so they cannot get rid of it ! |
Mind if I join you? 
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Auntie Murial
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You are more than welcome to join me, as is anyone else, lol.
I agree it is one of the best rides at the Pleasure Beach.
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frosty
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It's a shame if rollercoaster does go, but I'm glad I got to ride Space Invader during my first trip to BPB even though it was a so-so ride.
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bluea61
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I think Space Invader has had its day, not worth the queue at all. I think we've only ever ridden it twice!
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Magic
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I'm trying to remember, does Rollercoaster run past the Space Invader structure. Could it be that something exciting is coming in 2010 to replace Space Invader and whilst demoltion/construction is underway Rollercoaster will be closed. So Rollercoaster could only be SBNO for 2009.
David Cam did say at this years Blackpool Bash that we'll love what they've got coming soon, and I doubt he meant the closure of Rollercoaster.
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reg
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Just looked on Google Earth, and it looks like Zipper Dipper goes into the structure of Space Invader, but Roller Coaster does come very close to the outer walls, and if indeed Space Invader and the building were to be demolished, it could well be necessary to close one or both of the coaster while the work is being done.
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stealth fan
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They can't close Rollercoaster. where else can you have a pint in the beer garden and wave at people on a Wooden coaster? Not my local, thats for sure.
Will actually be glad to see Space Invader go though.
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Steven Burns
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Roller Coaster going is really sad news. Always loved that ride, park wont be the same without it. I would offer to chain myself to it with Ian but i said that on the old forum once about the Scenic Railway and the moderators pounced on me lol (isn't it Magic lol).
As for Space Invader, i have always hated the que system and themeing on route to the ride but really liked the actual coaster once on ride. Lets hope its something big or the park is going the same way as Dreamland. Up in flames
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Happy Helen
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I agree as it was very claustrophobic waiting inside for Space Invader once on it was a brilliant ride,
Like Alton Towers Blackpool Pleasure Beach are probally investing in new rides and I don't expect enought people are riding it !
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coastergraham
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Strange stuff at BPB at the moment.
During last week they were actually testing the Rollercoaster, as for the reason why is anyone's guess.
As well as Rollercoaster and Space Invader we now have Avalanche being mentioned as a ride that may be closed next year.
Personally I think that one is silly season rumour, but with BPB at the moment anything is possible.
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bluea61
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I think your right, people are probably getting twitchy after hearing that Space Invader is to go. Seems all these rumours have came on the heels of that.
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ForeverBlue
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Our son Daniel has been to the PB for the last 2 weekends & the Roller Coaster was running on both visits - long may it continue!
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bradpeet
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I was at pleasure beach on opening day - 14 th Feb - and can confirm that Roller Coaster and Gold Mine were both running that day.
However, neither of those rides is identified on the 2009 map.
But Nash and River Caves - both of which do still appear on the 2009 map - were still having work done and not operating. My belief is that once these rides are operating again, that Roller Coaster and Gold Mine will not operate again this season.
It will be interesting to see what are actually operating at the time of the 'Bash
Incidentally, the Morgan Clown coaster has been removed. And the Zipper Dipper was having work done on the station when I visited.
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bluea61
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Prehaps it will be based on how busy the park is, if they are packed then I should imagine they'll open.
| Quote: | | Our son Daniel has been to the PB for the last 2 weekends & the Roller Coaster was running on both visits - long may it continue! |
Was it busy when Dan went?
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chewie
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This is only what i've been told and unconfirmed, but a friend from work visited Blackpool at the weekend and he said the Pleasure Beach was deserted. Can this really be true on an Easter Sunday?
With that, and all this talk of various rides being closed this season like Rollercoaster...It makes me wonder if this is the beginning of the end for the park. One certainly hopes not, as it holds many great memories for me.
I've feared the worst since last years Bash when we were told you were going to have to pay just to get through the doors. Unlike Alton Towers and Thorpe Park, Blackpool has other attractions to see and with the economic downturn in full swing, people who may have spent a few quid in the PB may be put off by the high price of entry and just settle for a walk down the Prom instead. In these troubled times i'm thinking that Amanda would have been better making Noah's Ark, PB Express and the Maze free, and scrapping the entry fee and keeping the wristbands. At least that would be some sort incentive for people to visit, and i'm sure once there, would spend more money in the park.
Come on PB, lets not see this great park go the same way as Frontier Land and Southport.
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bradpeet
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| chewie wrote: | | This is only what i've been told and unconfirmed, but a friend from work visited Blackpool at the weekend and he said the Pleasure Beach was deserted. Can this really be true on an Easter Sunday? |
All I can say is that I heard the exact opposite from guys who were there at the weekend. And that Pleasure Beach were breaking records for attendance on Sunday and stayed open an hour longer than advertised.
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drsarf
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| Magic wrote: | I'm trying to remember, does Rollercoaster run past the Space Invader structure. Could it be that something exciting is coming in 2010 to replace Space Invader and whilst demoltion/construction is underway Rollercoaster will be closed. So Rollercoaster could only be SBNO for 2009.
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This sounds a viable possibility. I doubt Rollercoaster would go as its a classic and it doesn't make sense to me for them to get rid of it, so maybe only SBNO for 1 season?
Maybe those of you attending the bash can prise out some info? That said, I think it'd be a shame for Space Invader to go - its an excellent dark ride in my opinion (though horrible to queue for). I like dark rides, and there aren't enough of them in the UK.
However, if there's some great new coaster planned, maybe it is worth it.
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chewie
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| bradpeet wrote: | | chewie wrote: | | This is only what i've been told and unconfirmed, but a friend from work visited Blackpool at the weekend and he said the Pleasure Beach was deserted. Can this really be true on an Easter Sunday? |
All I can say is that I heard the exact opposite from guys who were there at the weekend. And that Pleasure Beach were breaking records for attendance on Sunday and stayed open an hour longer than advertised. |
I'll trust your sources then Pete. I do sometimes fear for the PB as i spent alot of time there as a youngster, and the Zipper Dipper was my first wooden coaster, which i rode when i was 5 yrs old. So the place does hold some brill memories for me. It'd be a real shame to see it go the way of Frontier Land.
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bluea61
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I'm sure we were told by one of the ops that Roller Coaster has run its last ride. But the info is not always reliable.
As for park attendance, Saturday was rammed with people. Probably the busiest I've ever seen it on a Bash weekend.
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Paul H.
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| drsarf wrote: | | Magic wrote: | I'm trying to remember, does Rollercoaster run past the Space Invader structure. Could it be that something exciting is coming in 2010 to replace Space Invader and whilst demoltion/construction is underway Rollercoaster will be closed. So Rollercoaster could only be SBNO for 2009.
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This sounds a viable possibility. I doubt Rollercoaster would go as its a classic and it doesn't make sense to me for them to get rid of it, so maybe only SBNO for 1 season?
Maybe those of you attending the bash can prise out some info? That said, I think it'd be a shame for Space Invader to go - its an excellent dark ride in my opinion (though horrible to queue for). I like dark rides, and there aren't enough of them in the UK.
However, if there's some great new coaster planned, maybe it is worth it. |
Some people said that the Cyclone at Southport was a classic...but that didn't stop them demolishing it using a chainsaw 
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Auntie Murial
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| bluea61 wrote: | I'm sure we were told by one of the ops that Roller Coaster has run its last ride. But the info is not always reliable.
As for park attendance, Saturday was rammed with people. Probably the busiest I've ever seen it on a Bash weekend. |
Yeh Steve, it was the guy on the Zipper Dipper that let us know. But like you say this information is not always reliable !
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drsarf
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Thats a fair point indeed!
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STEALTHYBUTBAD
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I have to agree with some people about The Pleassure Beach not getting rid of Roller Coaster as it happens to be one of my favourite rides at the pleaseure beach. Space invader was also one of the rides i did like too but if they choose to get rid of it so be it.
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Happy Helen
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Nearly all the the rides at BPB are rollercoasters which are mostly the same being wooden ones.
They could do with more steelies like Air at Alton Towers and other rides like a screaming swing which I have never rode and more flat rides.
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