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Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Icon | Mack Multi-Launch

Robbie said:
I don't think anyone thought that, really. The feedback I heard from locals at the time was that The Big One wasn't new enough - BPB had essentially just built a really big version of what they already had, but people thought it should have had loops too.

I do understand people's fears about losing the charm of the place though - I think the monorail, gold mine, and the log flume have been the biggest losses to the feel of the place in the last 20 years and Infusion hasn't really helped. But then you think of how successful Steeplechase and the Revolution were when they opened, and Icon is probably in that tradition.
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I imagine some people would see it that way, but to the GP who hadn't seen anything on that scale at that time (which is exacerbated by the fact the internet wasn't huge back then) it would definitely be a modern touch. I know we've lost a few big heritage rides, but I guess some form of progress is necessary at BPB. I think that the Flying Machines, Derby Racer, River Caves & Ghost Train are of more historic value than the Goldmine, Monorail & log flume were, so in that respect I think they made the right decision.
 
Sandman said:
I imagine some people would see it that way, but to the GP who hadn't seen anything on that scale at that time (which is exacerbated by the fact the internet wasn't huge back then) it would definitely be a modern touch.
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Nah, back in 1994 two big rides opened in the UK and Nemesis was the modern one. People were impressed by The Big One but it was still seen as the more old-fashioned.
 
Well, if the GP at that time thought that the tallest and fastest rollercoaster seemed old fashioned because of "no loops", then I think it will be difficult for the GP of today to understand what will be so good about Icon compared to other coasters. I mean, compared to like The Smiler it's not "loopy" enough, it's not as big as other coasters at BPB and neither is it as fast as The Big One or other launch coasters like Rita or Stealth. I'm genuinely curious as to how the GP will view this in the run-up to it opening. I see it as quite a tough marketing task for BPB, especially without a theme or anything to tie in. We all know that those close interactions with the airtime and stuff is going to be fun, but how do you package that for the masses? Bare in mind, the only significant marketing BPB have used so far is NL2 POV footage.

I haven't really seen much of social media's reaction to the Icon stuff outside of the usual enthusiast circles, so it can be a bit of an echo chamber.
 
Sandman said:
Well, if the GP at that time thought that the tallest and fastest rollercoaster seemed old fashioned because of "no loops", then I think it will be difficult for the GP of today to understand what will be so good about Icon compared to other coasters. I mean, compared to like The Smiler it's not "loopy" enough, it's not as big as other coasters at BPB and neither is it as fast as The Big One or other launch coasters like Rita or Stealth. I'm genuinely curious as to how the GP will view this in the run-up to it opening. I see it as quite a tough marketing task for BPB, especially without a theme or anything to tie in. We all know that those close interactions with the airtime and stuff is going to be fun, but how do you package that for the masses? Bare in mind, the only significant marketing BPB have used so far is NL2 POV footage.

I haven't really seen much of social media's reaction to the Icon stuff outside of the usual enthusiast circles, so it can be a bit of an echo chamber.
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They are really focusing on it being the UK's first double launch coaster in the marketing so far.
 
Some pics from today tweeted by Mandy T herself

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^disagree completely. Everything aside from Icon in those two pictures looks absolutely disgusting. Just tons of rides crammed together that don't blend in at ALL. Only reason I'm stepping foot in Blackpool is for creds.
 
^ But your favourite park is Cedar Point, doesn't that also have loads of contrasting rides? To be honest, that's just how amusement parks look, loads of different rides crammed together.
 
CoasterMac305 said:
^disagree completely. Everything aside from Icon in those two pictures looks absolutely disgusting. Just tons of rides crammed together that don't blend in at ALL. Only reason I'm stepping foot in Blackpool is for creds.
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The pictures don't do the park justice. I think the park is and looks nice on the inside. Tacky, but nice.
 
CoasterMac305 said:
^disagree completely. Everything aside from Icon in those two pictures looks absolutely disgusting. Just tons of rides crammed together that don't blend in at ALL. Only reason I'm stepping foot in Blackpool is for creds.
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Pictures don't so the skyline justice, tons of rides crammed together ridiculously close is what BPB is all about! It looks especially great in the dark.
 
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^ Blackpool getting a new coaster after so long is the equivalent of the Second Coming of Christ to many UK enthusiasts ;) It can get annoying on Facebook but I'm glad it's at a point now where people are getting giddy over track installation instead of mud
 
I am not ashamed to admit that I am as excited as a 14 year old at Christmas to see this ride going up :)

PS the Blackpool skyline is fantastic, I can't understand how any coaster lover could think otherwise...?
 
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