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Original poster

Blackpool Pleasure Beach busyness

17 replies

OneThreadOnly0101 · 06/05/2019 10:52

Does anyone know how overrun Blackpool Pleasure Beach tends to get during school holidays? We are planning to go for a day during May half term (midweek). Trying to work out if I also need to budget for the fast track... I know speedy-pass type things are frowned upon but i really don't want to be waiting more than 20 mins for anything.

None of us have been before so there's a lot of coasters we want to get on.

Also, how scary is the Big One?! Terrified 😰

OP posts:
gnatgnu · 06/05/2019 10:59

We went on a Sunday during the summer holidays and it was fine. Nothing like Legoland/Chessington which is all I have to compare it to. Lines moved quickly, kids got to go on everything they wanted at least once and we are planning to go back again this summer. I wouldn’t bother with fast passes personally.

Re. The Big One...... you are right to be terrified!

00100001 · 06/05/2019 11:03

It will be busy and expensive

I reckon most rides will be around 30-60 minute wait unless you get the VIP speedy pass thing.

Be ware, you can't take your own food and drink in tot he park (unless baby/medical)

Original poster
OneThreadOnly0101 · 06/05/2019 11:04

Oh good, that's what I was hoping for.

Likewise I only have Merlin parks as a comparison and those are feral in the school hols. We toyed with Alton Towers but I KNOW we'd need fast track and it's £100pp! On top of entry fee! faints

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Original poster
OneThreadOnly0101 · 06/05/2019 11:07

Maybe we'll get a "medium" speedy pass thing... I've no patience to be waiting an hour.

OP posts:
ApocalypseNowt · 06/05/2019 11:07

Best tip is to get there early doors so you're first in. Head straight for the big rides first before the queues build up then spend the rest of the day pottering round going on what you fancy.

The big one is ace but a bit of a botty winker Grin

Original poster
OneThreadOnly0101 · 06/05/2019 11:20

I don't think I'm brave enough to run straight to the big one 🙈 I'm scared of heights 🤣😂 if it's windy I'll have a coronary.

OP posts:
gnatgnu · 06/05/2019 11:22

Honestly- do it first and get it out of the way!!

gnatgnu · 06/05/2019 11:26

There is a Burger King inside which is the same price as normal BK, coffee etc didn’t seem extortionate to me. If you have a wristband you can go out for food and come back.

user123454321 · 27/05/2019 09:03

Does anyone know of any amazing offers for entry? I was shocked that you can't just walk in now and pay for rides - only want to go on the big one!

ClashCityRocker · 27/05/2019 09:09

I was pleasantly surprised by pleasure Beach last time I went - first Friday of the summer holidays.

Wasn't too busy at all. I think longest queue was half an hour.

I didn't rate the big one too much - actually found queuing for the roller-coaster where you start at the top scarier! We spent four hours there and managed to do all the big rides and a few small ones with no hassle.

user123454321 · 27/05/2019 09:35

Was it worth the money @ClashCityRocker?

DrFoxtrot · 27/05/2019 11:07

I think one of the longest queues is for Valhalla but still only 30 mins max when I've been. It's well worth it.

JoyceDivision · 27/05/2019 11:08

Valhalla is ace!!!

I am far too scared to go on the big oneBlush

JoyceDivision · 27/05/2019 11:10

Oh and just at the entrance is Passage Del Terror... If you can handle scary stuff give it a try....my friends and I walked through it and veered between laughing and being terrified Grin

Langrish · 27/05/2019 11:17

We’re not far away and have been several times, never had to queue more than 20 minutes for anything in the height of summer. I really wouldn’t bother with fast track: you can always change your mind if you’re unlucky and it is exceptionally busy.

Not sure how long your there. Have to be honest, I think Blackpool itself is horrible (sorry I know lots of people love it but each to their own). However, pleasure beach was much better than I expected, far more pleasant inside than it looks from outside with an awful lot packed in to a relatively small space. Haven’t been on the Big One but my kids love it.
Sandcastle Waterpark across the road is very good too but that does get incredibly busy. Wouldn’t bother with Tussauds or the Tower though, hugely overpriced for what they are.
Lytham/St. Annes are much nicer for eating out and St. Annes Beach/dunes is much prettier than Blackpool if you want to sit and eat chips before you go home.

ClashCityRocker · 27/05/2019 12:16

@user123454321

We had an offer an paid £23 for an adult wristband. Compared to prices for other theme parks and the amount of rides we got to go on I thought it was decent value.

If you sign up to the newsletter and book online you can usually find a discount.

DrFoxtrot · 27/05/2019 13:26

I don't live far from Blackpool and I love it, I enjoy the shopping and there's a wide variety of inexpensive places to eat. I would also consider going up the Tower and walking on the Comedy Carpet.

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