New ride coming to much-loved UK seaside theme park – and there’s only one other of its kind in the country
A BRAND new ride looks set to be installed at one of the UK’s most popular theme parks, documents have revealed.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is currently in sixth place on the Theme Parks UK top 10 rankings, where it is labelled as the “UK’s most ride intensive amusement park”.
And it looks like the park is about to increase that intensity, with a new Gyro Swing ride.
The theme park has filed a registration of a charge with Companies House on Tuesday, which states that the new feature is set to be located somewhere at the park.
The documents reveal a loan agreement with NatWest bank, dated July 29 this year.
In the descriptions on the charge, it discusses an “Intamin Gyroswing located at Blackpool Pleasure Beach”.
Little more is known about the ride, including when it is set to arrive, or where it will be positioned at the park.
However, theme park enthusiasts have been making links of their own and believe this could be a ride that was alluded to by the Park’s owner Amanda Thompson.
In March, she wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that Grand Prix ride would not be opening for this season and would be replaced by something else.
She said: “To all Pleasure Beach fans, the Grand Prix will not operate this year as we are planning a new attraction.
“Don’t ask me any more questions about this, I will tell you when I have made the decision.”
The link was first drawn by theme park blogger Ride Rater who said: “Back in March, the park confirmed that the Grand Prix ride had been closed to make way for new developments.”
Sun Travel has contacted Blackpool Pleasure Beach for comment and for more information.
Should Blackpool get the new Gyro Swing, visitors would have a similar experience to the one on Maelstrom at Drayton Manor, which is currently the only ride of its kind in the UK.
The rides swing passengers from side-to-side like a pendulum, while the circular-shaped gondola they’re sitting on, in suspended seats, rotates.
The Intamin website claims it can provide 32 or 40 passenger gondolas, with a swing angle of up to 120 degrees and “various theming possibilities”.
A historic year for Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Earlier this year, Blackpool Pleasure Beach picked up two unique awards - becoming the first in the UK to receive them.
The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) bestowed Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques to two rides at the park – a special recognition reserved for rides of historical significance.
Both the Big Dipper and the Grand National received the gongs earlier this year.
The two attractions are the 49th and 50th rollercoasters in the world to be presented with the award, making Blackpool Pleasure Beach the second theme park in the world to receive two plaques at the same time.
It is hoped that the plaques will be a permanent reminder of the extensive history of the rides.
Last year, the Big Dipper celebrated its centenary, making it one of the oldest wooden rollercoasters in the world.
Meanwhile, the Grand National opened in 1935 and is one of only two single-track wooden racing coasters still operating today.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “It’s an honour to receive the ACE Rollercoaster Landmark Plaques for both Big Dipper and Grand National.
“These rides hold a special place in the hearts of our guests and we’re proud that the importance of their heritage has been recognised.”
It is labelled as both a “thrill” and “family thrill” ride.
It’s not the only addition being planned at Blackpool Pleasure Beach either, with a new hotel also being considered for the future.
That news was also revealed by Amanda Thompson, who was speaking on the World Beyond podcast, presented by Michael Mack, last month.
She said that a third hotel at the park was “on the drawing board” as part of its future plans.
She continued: “We have to find the funding to do that hotel.
“I think it will be a lovely hotel.
“Hopefully it will be near the white Casino building near the entrance of the park.”
Meanwhile, this “weird and wonderful” European theme park opened a brand new ride this week.
And this Aztec-themed mini waterpark is set to open in the UK this week.
