Blackpool Pleasure Beach gives first look at revamped ride opening next month

The iconic ride will be back open this May

A ride closed since 2023 will be returning to Blackpool Pleasure Beach next month with a brand new look.

The popular Blackpool theme park has revamped its beloved Ice Blast ride to become the all-new Launch Pad.

The 210 foot ride will officially open on Wednesday, May 7 when it will shoot riders 20 storeys skywards, reaching speeds of up to 80mph, promising 'epic moments of weightlessness, a thrusting G-force, and a stomach-dropping descent'.

The free-fall ride, previously known as Ice Blast, has been closed since the end of the 2023 season while the work was carried out.

It's the latest stage in Pleasure Beach Resort’s 'period of evolution', which has seen bosses announce the arrival of a brand new £8.72M Gyro Swing, opening in 2026.

Taking on a space shuttle launcher theme, the newly-kitted-out ride - which has changed colour from white to vibrant blue - includes a new pressure cylinder which aims to elevate the experience and ‘thrust riders with more force than they’ve experienced in recent years’.

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Amanda Thompson, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “After months of hard work we’re thrilled to now be unveiling Launch Pad to the public. Our team has poured so much creativity, passion and expertise into this bold re-imagining, and I can’t wait for guests to experience it in two weeks’ time.

“From May 7, anyone brave enough to take to the skies will have the opportunity to launch 210 feet into the air at maximum power. It’s time to get ready for lift off.”

The launch date comes after park bosses revealed they've closed five rides including Eddie Stobart Convoy, Alpine Rallye, Thompson Carousel, Gallopers and Red Arrows Skyforce.

Warning that the cost-of-living crisis is making customers 'hesitant', and with the theme park facing some financial struggles, they said 'it was clear to us that the right decision is to make changes which will allow us to reinvest into a bigger and better future'.

The Pleasure Beach has has made a big change to its ticketing structure this year and is offering afternoon tickets for the first time.

Guests can now arrive at the park in the afternoon and pay a discounted price for later entry, which will continue to decrease as the day goes on.

From 1.30pm onwards, the cost of an eTicket will reduce in price every hour until 3.30pm, when the cheapest on-the-day ticket drops to £34. On selected dates the park is open until 10pm, meaning guests could potentially enjoy six and a half hours of riding for the discounted rate.

Online advanced prices start from £32 for adults and £28 for children under 12. You can book online here.