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Blackpool Pleasure Beach (BPB) Discussion Thread


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Well if I was visiting, I would purchase a wristband anyway so it doesn't bother me. And in addidtion to cleaning up after the guests, it will no doubt stop a lot of loitering and general annoyance from the small minorities who always try to ruin stuff for eveyone else because they have got nothing better to do.

 

I really think it won't put many people off going since its a holiday destination, and its just a small amount more on the cost of the holiday. It is a shame perhaps for those less fortunate who don't have as much money, but then you would really have to look into who spends what at the park to get a clear picture of what the majority of visitors do. Without that information its hard to judge whether or not it makes good business sense, or how many people it will affect in overall day out costs.

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I think you are just being paranoid. Just because it happened to Southport doesn't mean that it will happen to Blackpool. The place needs to make money somehow, and they also need to keep out people that shouldn't be there, which would make it a good experience for everyone.

 

Isn't Blackpool more popular than Southport anyway? Wasn't Southport on the way out anyway?

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I think you are just being paranoid. Just because it happened to Southport doesn't mean that it will happen to Blackpool. The place needs to make money somehow, and they also need to keep out people that shouldn't be there, which would make it a good experience for everyone.

 

Isn't Blackpool more popular than Southport anyway? Wasn't Southport on the way out anyway?

 

To be honest yes I am a bit paranoid, Southport was in a decline and wasnt really a holiday destination anymore. I will be honest, I run holiday apartments and while I dont think it will affect my business directly, I do think it will have an effect on the small businesses surrounding the park. Mainly due to a reduced number of people who will be passing through the area, and thus not spending any money in the local chip shops, rock shops, piers etc.

 

The park does seem very good at managing the undesirables and they do a good job at keeping the place tidy.

 

I may be in a small minority but I do pop into the pleasure beach once or twice a week just for a chocolate eclair, waffle and ice cream, ice cream with molten chocolate or just go one one or 2 rides. Last year I did have a season pass and made good use of it. But adding £10 (2 of us) to the price of a snack or one or 2 rides is a no go. Saddly I wont be making many visits to BPB in 2009 Well I will get the odd wrist band

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My main problem is that BPB carried out a similar admission charge in Southport and then closed it as they didnt get enough visitors!

Southport and Blackpool are two VERY different parks. Even before the gate charge, I had been to Southport several times and the place was empty.

 

They gave it another try by adding a big steel coaster and moving the mouse from Morcambe. That still didn't work. The park on most days was still empty.

 

Then they tried a gate fee to at least get some money from people who did show up. And that backfired.

 

I honestly do believe that they tried several times to do something with Southport before it closed.

 

I don't think you can really compare the two parks or even the two locations.

 

Blackpool is a UK destination that gets visibility all over the country. You cannot say the same for Southport.

 

--Robb

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Wow I didn't even know BPB offered free admission. I understand another park faced its end when it started charging to get in the park, but unless there are tons of stores (similar to something like Downtown Disney) there must just not be enough revenue from the rides and food to keep the place profitable.

 

I think charging to get in is a good idea because it keeps the riff raff out, and people respect a place a lot more when they have to pay to get in, rather than walk through the gates completely free. In turn it will bring the park more money and avoid rowdy 12-15 year olds who cause trouble and don't bring the park money anyway. Although I'm not not sure how much it is in comparison to the American dollar, but I think an entrance fee of $5-10 is not asking too much. And with the availability of a pass, you can go get your dipped cone whenever you want!

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Blackpool is a UK destination that gets visibility all over the country. You cannot say the same for Southport.

 

--Robb

 

Definitely. I think the vast Majority of people in the UK have heard of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, whereas only people local to the area would have heard of Pleasureland Southport, let alone want to go and visit it for a weekend break.

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Thats to bad that they are now charging admission, because some people I know don't like to go on many rides, and its a waste to spend a lot of money and doing nothing the whole time your there.

 

why would you go to do nothing. I hate the opera, I wouldn't want to go to a free opera to do nothing. If you are going to be in the park, then the park should have a chance to makes something on the fact that you are there and on their land. IMO this is great, it works at Indiana Beach and it will probably work there.

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When I go to parks I'm not old enough to drive a car so I need a parent and when my mom goes she can't ride many rides with a neck injury, and so she is pretty much paying to sit and wait for us at rides. Its not that some people just sit there because they want to do nothing its because some people either are afraid or can't for some reason.

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Speaking of Southport, who is the new thing going on there going?

That didn't make any sense.

 

The new "park" that is using portable type rides at the Southport site. I know there was a thread on here about it, but haven't seen it resurface for a long time.

 

EDIT: Opps, said who instead of How.

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I just wish they would do that at the Adventuredome. Maybe then it wouldn't seem as much as a babysitting service.

 

As a former Main Banker at CC, I can tell you that Adventuredome is just that, a babysitting service. It will never have an admission price.

 

Part of CC's success all these years has been free stuff where the kids can hang while the parents spend their college tuition. It's the market demographic that nobody else in Vegas has been able to capture. Everyone tried to copy it in the 90's, but they all failed. Why? Because they charged admission.

 

Advernturedome (as far as the book$ were back in the 90's) NEVER made a profit. I would assume it's the same today. Putting in a new million dollar flat every couple of years (and I know, they don't cost a million!) keeps them coming back. The Million dollar loss from that one ride pays for itself when the parents give CC their Billion (with a B) Dollar revenue every year.

 

The dome is a money-sucking machine. But when compared to the money the casino makes from the parents dropping their kids off there, it's like a pin-hole in Hover Dam.

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It's the market demographic that nobody else in Vegas has been able to capture.

 

I don't think anyone wants the demographic Circus Circus caters to...

 

I just like to imagine that the strip ends with Wynn/Venetian. Thankfully once Project City Center is done, MGM is looking to build another massive development to finally rid the world of the plague that is Circus Circus.

 

But anyways...back on topic: You have to do what you have to do to control overhead costs. It's definitely worth trying. If there is a backlash against it, and it actually turns out to hurt the bottom line, I am sure the policy will be changed.

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It's the market demographic that nobody else in Vegas has been able to capture.

 

I don't think anyone wants the demographic Circus Circus caters to...

 

Well, that's very true now. THANK GOD! I was supposed to be there yesterday, but had to cancel I've not been back since I left in '98!

 

Anyway, back on topic, Blackpool is just too well known for it to fall as Southport did. I think the new policy will do good for them.

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The entrance fee has its pros and cons. As has been said, there's not many amusment parks left that you can still walk into for free, and for some very good reasons (cleaning, security issues, etc).

 

This amusement park is trying to become a destination in itself in Blackpool, where previously it had more relied on the other surrounding businesses like the Tower, Winter Gardens and the like to help pull its trade in. But now that people are taking more and more cheap foreign holidays, the area as a whole is suffering.

 

Hopefully this will help in the turnaround that the park needs. It's still in finanical dire straits after years of complacency and shifting holiday trends, and with an economic slowdown forecast it's gonna be testing times for the Pleasure Beach.

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It really was only a matter of time.

 

Im in two minds really. The selfish part of me says "Damn, I wont be able to go take free strolls through PBB at night when Im on my way back to the hotel, and I havent been in that day". Plus it might put off those families who have very young children. They will all have to pay, rather than the adults who wont ride getting in free, and just paying for the kids to go round Magic Mountain and Alice 4 times each.

 

But, the sensible part says, yeah, its probably about time. Blackpool as a town has been on the decline since the 70s. The Pleasure beach, despite many efforts, does show signs of that as well. The park needs the money even more than it needs extra space. Ive seen kids comming into the park just to cause a bit of mischeif. A popular 'fun thing to do' for them seems to be running into the exit door of Trauma Towers. A £5 charge would probably keep them out.

 

Besides, even non-riders have to pay the full whack going to Alton Towers, Disney and the like. Sure, Pleasure beach is too small and hasnt enough garden/scenery/theming to warrant the full price if your not riding, but £5 could still be considered pretty generous.

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Thats to bad that they are now charging admission, because some people I know don't like to go on many rides, and its a waste to spend a lot of money and doing nothing the whole time your there.

 

Then why do they go?

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head as to why there will be an admission fee. Folks like the ones you describe are basically in the way. BPB is full of narrow walkways, and when the place is really crowded, it's miserable. Reducing the number of folks present to just those who are actually there to DO SOMETHING will make it a bit less packed and more enjoyable for everyone.

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BRITAIN'S favourite free tourist attraction is to break with a century of tradition by introducing a charge for admission.

 

From 2009,punters will have to pay a minimum £5 charge to enter Blackpool Pleasure Beach & car park charges & wristband charges which could top £40 per person.

 

But the move has attracted criticism in some quarters amid fears the pricing policy could deter visitors.

 

The new entry system will mean that from the beginning of the 2009 season in Febuary, visitors will have to either purchase an Unlimited Ride Wristband at £30 or a £5 Freedom Pass. Only under-threes will get in free.

 

The Freedom Pass gives free access to the Chinese puzzle maze, the Pleasure Beach Express, the monorail, Noah's Ark and the stage show at Planet Rock,which would cost £10 in total in individual tickets. If visitors use any other attractions they will pay extra.

 

Pleasure Beach managing director Amanda Thompson said: "At Pleasure Beach we are always looking to add value to our customers' experiences, the introduction of the Freedom Pass will allow us to do this and ensure that we can continue to improve the overall visitor experience at the park."

 

The park refused to comment further but said it was telling customers about the change this year so that they had time to get used to it.

Coun Maxine Callow, cabinet member for regeneration and tourism on Blackpool Council, said she was suprised by the move.

 

She said: "I'm sure they have done their research but it could be off-putting to some people if they have to pay £5 to go in. They used to promote it as the best free attraction in the country and some people just go in for a stroll round.

 

"I think they are very brave to change their charging policy and it's a big leap in the dark but they have to take a fresh look at everything like all businesses do."

 

The Pleasure Beach who also owned a park at MORECAME & SOUTHPORT was named the most visited free attraction in the UK once more last year after welcoming 5.7 million people through its gates in 2007.

 

The company introduced charges at its Southport theme park during the latter years of that attraction's operation, but the park later closed DUE TO LACK OF CUSTOMERS.

 

"This is surely madness. They tried introducing an entry fee to Southport and then they said it was no longer viable." BOTH PARKS CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF CUSTOMERS.

 

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ADMIN EDIT: You are more than welcome to come and post your opinions here, that's fine. But please do not post links to petitions or any other such type of activity. TPR does not support "Save Park or Ride X" petitions. Thank you for your understanding. --Robb

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I actually like the idea. With the exception of last year Blackpool was in need of some new rides. Infusion was their first coaster since the 90's. This system will probably bring in money like it does at our parks in America. Parks like Cedar Point, Six Flags Great America, and King's Island and many more have been using this system, and have been receiving new rides yearly. Maybe Pleasure Beach can add some new state of the art rides, and with their lack of space it would have to be pretty cool and creative. Their attendance will probably drop but their income will probably rise.

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I still think the "Pay Entrance ticket price and all rides are free inside the park" is the best idea for BPB.

 

What is wrong is the age range, You should not have a 12 or 13 year old kid pay the full "Adult" price of Alton Towers = £32.

 

Anyone over 18 should pay an "adult" price, anyone below 18 should pay a "child" price.

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