djmcbell Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Here's some retro Wild Mouse footage we shot in 2006... The Wild Mouse was insane. I really don't know how they got away with the track being so close to the lifthill that people had to duck under it. I'm not especially tall and I had to. That and you could see that track moving pretty violently as cars went over it - a tad nerve-wracking as you passed under. My brother-in-law's son IS tall though, and we used to take him with us when he was in his teens (and he was taller than me then). We'd literally have to say to him that there's no way he was going on after a few years. The airtime you got on those drops too - though punctuated by some very sudden and painful inclines - was tremendous. And all that with only a seatbelt (or the person in front). The 180 degree turns were similar, and I'd usually try to make them a bit softer for my wife in front. It will be interesting to see what replaces it and Trauma Towers. Wonder if they're redeveloping that area and the fountains will go too (they've got to cost a lot, as well as the staff trying to get you to buy photos there - never seen anyone take them up on it). But after this, the Gold Mine and the closure of Noah's Ark, is anything safe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dar Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 An aerial picture of the devastation has surfaced on facebook somehow, and found it's way onto Towers Street courtesy of Jamie: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 Putting everything in perspective... The Big Box beside where Mousie was.....is Alice in Wonderland? And the turreted dark ride to the right, is the Ghost Train ride? Just checking here, thanks. I miss Mousie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broomy Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 Putting everything in perspective... The Big Box beside where Mousie was.....is Alice in Wonderland? And the turreted dark ride to the right, is the Ghost Train ride? Just checking here, thanks. I miss Mousie. The space by the big box was were trauma towers was I think but yes the big box is alice in wonderland. The mouse was the other space next to the ghost train and behind the stalls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 ^ Ah, I got it now. Thanks! By the way - was Trauma Towers where the indoor Tagada was? I remember riding it for the first time, in 2007, and had no idea what it was, since it was dark, indoors, and the ride itself was freeky. But enjoyable, too. Former Trauma Towers and the circular fountain in front. Mouse is on the right. TPR 2010 UK Tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garet Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 ^Yep, it was. I don't remember the theming too clearly but I remember being quite impressed with the ride overall. I think because it was a ride I hadn't heard a single thing about compared to the others before I went and had no idea a tagada was even inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bane Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 Icon's construction is coming along very nicely, the airtime hill is now complete; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted January 21, 2018 Share Posted January 21, 2018 ^ It's sad to see COASTERS restaurant closed and vacant, ready for the tear down and the new hotel construction. That was the first place the first TPR UK Tour (2006) went to for a group meal at BPB, during the tour. I think it was mostly burgers for everybody, heh. It was a great place to eat in, with lots of stuff from "Blackpool of the Past", on it's walls etc. And jukebox music, too! very cool place to eat, it was. And the Monorail was working then, too! I remember taking a ride on it, traveling a whole circuit, which included stopping at that now defunct station. My (not too bad) shot of The Big One. TPR 2006 UK Tour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T.I Posted February 8, 2018 Share Posted February 8, 2018 Here's some construction photos by Pleasure Beach Experience. The ride is due to have the final sections of track put into place on Monday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoinItForTheFame Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Looks like testing has began!! I love that nice slow roll!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T.I Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 Here's a longer video by Pleasure Beach Experience:- [youtu_be] [/youtu_be] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rill'o'beily Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 The train does look really strange without the nose car shell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarlaKoaster Posted March 18, 2018 Share Posted March 18, 2018 [token 'it looks really slow/fast' comment that testing videos always get] Seriously though I am really looking forward to this, I love how it threads its way through all the existing coasters, it should offer so many great fly-bys whether you're on Icon or any of the coasters it interacts with. I hope they don't put nets under this section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canobie Coaster Posted March 19, 2018 Share Posted March 19, 2018 The train does look really strange without the nose car shell I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought this. Icon is exactly what this park needed. Their wooden coaster collection was fantastic, but they just needed an awesome steel coaster to back it up (though for non-enthusiasts, the Big One seems to satisfy that). If this is anything like Blue Fire or Helix, this will fill the void perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bane Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 Blackpool Pleasure Beach have released some further teaser footage of Icon as well as sharing some interviews to go with it; It's going to be the best coaster in the UK for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moley Posted March 21, 2018 Share Posted March 21, 2018 It's going to be the best coaster in the UK for sure. I didn't realise knocking down Nemesis was part of this ride's opening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM3988 Posted March 22, 2018 Share Posted March 22, 2018 I've personally never been a fan of Blackpool's design style and aesthetic, but this ride does look like a lot of fun. Definitely going to draw in the crowds that's for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlahBlahson Posted March 23, 2018 Share Posted March 23, 2018 The train does look really strange without the nose car shell I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought this. Icon is exactly what this park needed. Their wooden coaster collection was fantastic, but they just needed an awesome steel coaster to back it up (though for non-enthusiasts, the Big One seems to satisfy that). If this is anything like Blue Fire or Helix, this will fill the void perfectly. I cannot agree more. As much fun as the unique rides were on my visit last year, the coaster collection did leave me a bit sore at the end of the day. It's all older wooden coasters or Infusion/Big One which are about as rough as steel gets. Icon is the re-ridable, smooth, megacoaster that fills a big hole in the lineup and I think the park completely nailed this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JordyC Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 The news is out! The official opening date of ICON will be 25/05/2018! Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jedimaster1227 Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 Blackpool Pleasure Beach has sent us a press release announcing the grand opening date for ICON! Blackpool Pleasure Beach has today announced the official opening date of its hotly anticipated new rollercoaster – ICON, as Friday 25th May. Since work on the new £16.25m rollercoaster commenced in December 2016, rollercoaster fans worldwide have been clamouring for news of when they’ll be able to experience the exciting new ride. Now bosses have confirmed that the wait is almost over with the world’s most interactive rollercoaster ready to ride in just over a month’s time. Speaking on the impending launch, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Managing Director Amanda Thompson OBE, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with calls and e-mails from people all over the world wanting to know when ICON will open to the public. "I’m so excited to be able to answer and confirm 25th May! We can’t wait to invite those who dare to ride to Blackpool to experience this truly incredible ride. ICON promises to set hearts racing.” Nick Thompson, Deputy MD of Blackpool Pleasure Beach added: “The launch of ICON is an extremely exciting day for our industry, both in the UK and beyond. We couldn’t be more pleased to see and experience it here in the UK and to showcase another world first at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.” Upon opening ICON will be the UK’s first ever double-launch rollercoaster, propelling riders at speeds of up to 85 kilometres per hour during an intense, jaw-dropping two and a half minutes of thrills and spills. The two powerful thrusts of acceleration can only be likened to that felt by Formula 1 drivers. Over the last 16 months, over 100,000 hours of manpower have been invested in the build, with thousands of tonnes of steel shipped from Germany. The dazzling carriages, which see riders in an open seat on top of the ride with arms and legs free, arrived at the much-loved amusement park in March, and can already be seen firing around the high-shine track in preparation for the launch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted April 19, 2018 Share Posted April 19, 2018 I'm getting more and more optimistic about this one. Blue Fire was a bit mild for my tastes but I still really enjoyed it. Icon should at minimum make up for the loss of the Wild Mouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cal1br3tto Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 Icon should at minimum make up for the loss of the Wild Mouse. That's what I'm going to keep telling myself... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted April 20, 2018 Share Posted April 20, 2018 Icon should at minimum make up for the loss of the Wild Mouse. That's what I'm going to keep telling myself... And Infusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.T.I Posted May 19, 2018 Share Posted May 19, 2018 Today, Icon opened for the first time for those with V.I.P boarding cards. The ride officially opens next Friday. Here are some cool off-ride Icon shots in a video made by Theme Park Worldwide Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nrthwnd Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 ^ It looks like a great coaster to ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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