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Blackpool Pleasure Beach 2018 Project

I was never able to ride (planning to visit this year for Icon) and of course I'm unhappy I'll never be able to ride, but is it really WWIII as everyone is making it out to be? It's amazing though how much people claim to miss something when all they do is complain about it when it was open before (same with tot and paradise pier)
 
I'm surprised about how calm everyone on this forum is when compared to the UK forums, where this removal is not being treated well at all.

Honestly, while I get why they decided to close it down (most likely via by the shape of the attraction at that state), I'm still surprised of the lack of word about this happening until the moment it closed down.

It's not something I would be mad about, but I know a lot of people that would be reasonably ticked off.
 
Much amazement.
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I'm digging that drop down into the 2nd launch!

Credit to the wonderful Amanda Thompson on Twitter.
 
I'm surprised about how calm everyone on this forum is when compared to the UK forums, where this removal is not being treated well at all.
It was insanely painful to ride for anyone over 5ft! And last time I rode it about 2 years ago it genuinely felt like we were going to come off the track.

If the Big Dipper was torn down, there would be more uproar I think
 
Sorry for the image bombardment but the park posted a 360 degree image of the SkyForce plaza area which contains the incline loop, heartline roll and the banked double up!



Track is now nearly complete, I was there yesterday and there is almost nothing left in storage on the car park. It's likely that we'll have a full circuit by the time the park opens for the 2018 season next weekend. As for an opening date, the staff at the season pass registration yesterday were claiming that Icon will open sometime in April.
 
The park opened to the public for the first time on Saturday 10th February giving guests their first up-close look at progress on Icon.

The following images are from Pleasure Beach Experience:

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I visited the park earlier today and I must say that Icon is looking fabulous! It is quite amazing how close the ride gets to guests on the SkyForce plaza, it's going to be incredible seeing those Mack trains racing above, especially at night!

As for construction, track is almost complete, with only about 5 pieces left to be installed. I've been hearing that this is now due to be completed on Tuesday.

Here are some more photos thanks to Theme Park Worldwide:

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Having ridden Big Dipper today, I can most certainly say that Icon has enhanced its ride experience! There are two great head chopper moments on there now.
 
The track was completed today!

Here's some coverage of ICON on BBC News, including an interview with Amanda Thompson:

 
Icon opens to the public on Friday May 25th, I will be there on that afternoon to ride it!

Media day is scheduled for Wednesday 23rd May.

I will also be riding on 19th May before the official opening, so I'll be sure to report back on my thoughts :)
 
This morning I was lucky enough to experience Icon alongside other invited guests and VIP boarding pass holders prior to the official opening this Friday.

It's fair to say that I was ecstatic upon finishing the ride.

Firstly, the entrance plaza, queue line and station are very well done. They provide excellent views of the coaster and the audio quality inside the station is top class. We were each limited to only a single ride, I ended up sitting in row 2.

The launches are what you would expect from a Mack coaster, not as forceful as an Intamin; fortunately that's where the bad news ends.
The ride delivers from beginning to end, it has ejector airtime, floater airtime, hangtime, some good positive G Forces and plenty of snappy transitions, many of which fling you from side to side during airtime.

Highlights include the first hill, which provided some amazing ejector air at the front of the train, the heartline roll (made all the better by those great Mack lap restraints) and also the stengel dive which is taken at a really high speed.

There ride is also nice and long, it doesn't feel over too quickly.

Overall, a thoroughly amazing coaster! I found myself screaming "Wow" and "Yes" many times throughout the layout. Only one other coaster has ever done this for me.

If you are ever anywhere near Blackpool Pleasure Beach, get to the park and ride ICON!
 
Some limited rider cam footage here:



Media day is on Wednesday so hopefully we will get some good footage prior to the official opening on Friday.
 
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