Lancashire, England, UK
May 25, 2018 – After much anticipation, Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s new £16.25m ($23m/€18.8m) roller coaster ICON opened to the public.
From what started as a dream that the park’s Managing Director, Amanda Thompson, had about a blossom tree, and nearly 2 years since the project was formally announced, the UK’s first ever double launch coaster is ready to offer guests to the park a unique and thrilling new experience.
ICON launches visitors on an exhilarating journey where they will feel the same acceleration as a Formula 1 driver before twisting and turning at high speeds across the park, interacting with other rides. A second boost of speed will then launch riders to heights of 88.5ft, with drops of up to 82ft, giving even the bravest of thrill seekers an unforgettable ride. The coaster was designed and built by Mack Rides.
As riders head towards ICON’s imposing ride station, they will head through a stunning set of Japanese inspired gates and down landscaped pathways. This journey is accompanied by ICON’s original and dramatic soundtrack which builds anticipation for the ride.
Pleasure Beach Blackpool held ICON’s official and VIP opening on Wednesday, 23rd May where the Thompson and Mack families had the inaugural ride.
Amanda Thompson OBE, Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, comments, “I’m so pleased that everyone can finally experience ICON. It is a simply stunning ride and I’m delighted with the look and style of it. We have created a totally unique experience here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach confirming our continued commitment to make Pleasure Beach one of the world’s greatest amusement parks.”
Nick Thompson, Deputy Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach adds “ICON has been 5 years in the planning and it’s an amazing feeling to finally be able to welcome our guests to experience it for themselves. The team at Blackpool Pleasure Beach have done a fantastic job in creating what I believe is one of the best rides in the country, if not the world.”