Blackpool Pleasure Beach Review

Overall Rating

Lots to do, for adults and children

Some attractions closed

I have just returned from a 2 day trip to Blackpool, for my friends Hen do. 6 of us travelled from Bristol, so we were sure hoping the 9 hour coach trip would be worth it!
When you arrive at the pleasure beach, it can be quite confusing as there are several different queues, but staff there are very friendly and will tell you where to go. Although there were massive queues, we got our tickets and were in the park surprisingly quickly. Unfortunately for us, this was the first opening weekend of the year for the park, and subsequently a few of the rides were closed. My friends started the day with 'The Big One' also known the 'The Pepsi Max' a rollercoaster with a ridiculously high climb. I cannot comment having been too scared to ride myself, but my friends loved it; it seems to be unmissable for thrill seekers. We also ventured on the 'Tunnel of love' a very slow boat ride with dinosaurs and Egyptian mummys - my only criticism is unsure why it's called the tunnel of love! 'Steeple chase' is a fun ride where you mount a 'horse' and rase your friends round the track. Great for a group, but it felt a bit wobbly and we didn't enjoy as much as we hoped as we didn't feel safe! After doing this and running through the fountains near by, we struggled to find somewhere eat as everywhere was so busy. We eventually settled for some fried chicken, which was fairly priced, and the restaurant overlooks the love boat ride. The highlight of our day (and the reason for my writing this review) is the 'Pasaje de terror' which is basically a walk through ghost house with real 'people'. We had never seen anything like this at any other UK theme parks so we thought we would give it a shot. It starts with a scary looking attendant telling you the rules - no running, cameras, no forms of light, dont stop, dont go back...and do not give any abuse to the 'things' inside, because they wont touch you...well probably not!! The first bit of the attraction is a small room where you are greeted by a monk, he told some story but we were so scared we weren't listening! You then make your way through a series of dark passages and rooms. One of our first encounters was a old man with a grusome face and a stick, who jumped out seemingly from no where, and proceeded to limp behind us, banging the stick with every step. This may not sound scary but it is when your nearly in total darkness. We then met Freddie Kruger, who slides up a metal grid and jumps out in front of you. We then made our way into a nursery, which was very dimly lit, and the scariest clown we had ever seen jumps out of the darkness, laughing like a maniac, egding closer and closer. He then told us (shouting over our screams) to follow him, as there was 'a girl possesed by the devil' in the next room. If you hesitate, or freeze to the spot like we did, he will shout at you to MOVE!!! For me, this was terrifying. We walked into a white room, and sleeping in a white bed was a young girl. The minute the 6 of us all entered the room, the girl ('Ragan' from The Exorcist) proceeded to throw herself up and down, screaming and wailing as the bed rocked manically. It all gets a bit blurry here as me and my friends went into hysterics. As we ran round the bed to go to the next room, Ragan leaps from the bed, and crouches on the floor, growling and snarling at us. I managed to somehow fall, and led on the floor screaming as Regan edged closer towards me. I cannot emphasise how scary this was, the girls make-up was done so well, her legs and arms were cut and bruised and her eyes were red. My friend ran back and dragged me out of there by my arm!!!! The next person we met was 'Pinhead' from the Hellraiser movies. I was so scared after the Exorcist I didnt even look at him, but I know he chased us to the exit, which leads you into a pub - where we had the pleasure of meeting a group of lads on a stag do dressed as ghostbusters!!! Who may I add were as equally scared as us. There is no age limit for this attraction, but the advice from myself and friends is DONT take your young children in there!! It is brilliant fun ( we are still laughing about it and probably will be for years to come) but it really is very frightening.
We had a great day at the pleasure beach, it's good value for money and there is loads to do, I would recommend it for any age.