BPB Roller Coaster SBNO

[dr.gumbo]

I was going through rcdb.com and I found this:

 

www.rcdb.com/id793.htm

 

Does anyone have any info on what's happening, I checked the parks website and all they've done is remove any reference of it.

 

EDIT: Same goes for Space Invaders 2 apparently.

 

PS I searched this first and couldn't find anything on the forums already.

[robbalvey]

Hmm...very interesting. Can someone grab a pic from a sattelite view and see how much room that would clear if those two rides were removed?

 

Makes me also wonder about Zipper Dipper since doesn't that go right through Space Invader?

 

--Robb

[eddie200330]

http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=53.791091~-3.055106&style=h&lvl=17&sp=aN.53.791091_-3.055106_Pleasure%20Beach,%20Blackpool&encType=1

 

If it doesn't come up that way, switch it to bird's eye view, it is much clearer......

[TPDave]

Isn't this common knowledge? There have been doubts about it since about november.

 

Yeah, it's rumored to be going to expand the family area. Weather or not that's true is another matter but it doesn't seem good for roller coaster.

 

Dave

[dr.gumbo]

^ If they do remove it, all hell will break lose concerning BPB management bashing (again).

[TPDave]

That implies the management bashing stopped at some point

 

Robb, I think Zipper Dipper is safe because it's pushed up against the boundary of the park.

 

Dave "I hope at least" Wilson

[Troll]

They were selling off a load of the old roller coaster cars on ebay not too long ago.

[TPDave]

They weren't current though, they were the old ones. There's a link somewhere to a bloke who was restoring one in his shed, a true Brit!

[robbalvey]

^ If they do remove it, all hell will break lose concerning BPB management bashing (again).

Of course. The way I see it is that Geoffery was more about "preserving the past" like Knoebel's, but Amanda is more about "new, hip, cool."

 

Which, given her background makes a lot of sense.

 

I don't agree with it, but it is what it is.

 

The other thing to keep in mind, and this is something that more people need to understand, is that the moment they went to a "POP/Wristband" system you need have a newer, updated ride more often to get people coming back and buying wristbands.

 

IMO, the thing that made Roller Coaster "unique" for many years was the "no restraints" format. Now with seat dividers and lap bars it's pretty similar to Big Dipper.

 

Space Invader I could give two s**ts about. That ride was always crap. Roller Coaster would be a sad loss, yes, but if I had to choose between the four adult sized woodies, I'd pull that one down over National, Big Dipper, or the Mouse.

 

--Robb "Just be glad it's not Steeplechase on the chopping block." Alvey

[Fry]

Yeah, Zipper Dipper is the one that goes into Space Invader Robb. It's also the one closer to the "main" bit of the park than Roller Coaster Dave As can be seen in this picture it's Roller Coaster which is against the boundary, with Zipper Dipper sitting just inside it.

 

 

I agree though, it is sad to see any ride go/close, but, I'm glad it's the "least" unique of all of Blackpool's cool rides! These two are easily the ones I'd rather see go over Steeplechase, Irn-Bru, Wild Mouse etc!

[Fallen Heretic]

Rollercoaster was planned to be down this season. It was only running in Feb because the Nash was down. Im not convinced they are going to close it for good. Im guessing its a maintenance thing. Either working on the ride, or not running it so they dont have to pay the maintainance on it. I have it in my head that it eats alot of lift chains for some reason. Ive seen the chain break a few times myself over the years.

 

I reckon folks are jumping to the 'OMG they are going to pull it down' conclusion because so many other things have gone recently.

 

The Whip, all those kiddie roundabouts, the clown coaster, Space Invader, the restraunt (which I didnt like anyway) to name but a few.

 

But the park has invested in new things too. Whether or not you agree on the decisions, its got to be a positive sign. The dancing water is new, Noahs Ark and trauma Towers are both getting redeveloped (both were closed in Feb), and Gold Mine is down for a refurb (the link doesnt appear on the PB site, just like rollercoaster, but it was open in Feb too).

 

Rumours also abound that the Space Invaders area will be turned into an exhibition with old ride cars, and rumblings of something called Project Sahara in the steeplechase area (where the go kart track and chinese maze are, perhaps). Personally I think the rumours arent to be trusted, cos BPB have been selling their old ride cars on ebay, and project sahara likely jumped straight out of someones butt onto a forum somewhere.

[CoasterFanatic]

Looking at the satellite image, the park doesn't really gain much by tearing Roller Coaster down. The only place it really takes up any space is the far turnaround and that goes right over Steeplechase.

 

Now .... Space Invaders looks to be a different story.

[gavt1976]

I think it will be shame if they did get rid of the rollercoaster ride because i really loved that ride.

[piers]

I would rather have something new, it was fun but there are much more fun things to do at that park, like drinking!

[Movieguy]

Space Invader seemed to have had a doomed existence since day one. It's a shame to see another indoor coaster die (Like Black Hole at AT), but from all the things I've heard about the ride, it's probably just wise to put the thing out of its misery.

 

I had heard that Kumbak coasters had renovated it a few years ago, but I guess that didn't help it much.

 

As for Roller Coaster, I'm sad to hear that this classic ride may be removed as well. I remember seeing it in the 2002 Europe DVD for the first time, and geeking out over the lack of restraints back then.

[robbalvey]

Looking at the satellite image, the park doesn't really gain much by tearing Roller Coaster down. The only place it really takes up any space is the far turnaround and that goes right over Steeplechase.

But they DO gain a station and all the infatructure that goes with it, though. And if they are going to do anything like a steel coaster like an Intamin launch, that out and back area is a great location for a lauch track, the area where Space Invader is would be a great area for a tophat, etc, etc....

 

A steel coaster can take up much less space than woodie, so I can see why it would be a 'target' for removal if they are looking to add something new.

 

--Robb

[Kennyweird]

I can see how a custom mini hyper might fit that area, but still, it does seem kind of small.

[TPDave]

I would have thought they were in the financial position to get an Intamin, but I wouldn't complain if they did!

 

I still think it'd be a shame for Rollercoaster to go, but of the 5 woodies at the park, it's the one I'd prefer to see go.