After a season of speculation about the S&S shot tower at Blackpool Pleasure Beach which has been operating since 1997 and was previously called PlayStation the Ride Blackpool Pleasure Beach have confirmed that the ride will be reopening for 2025 with the new name ‘Launch Pad’ via a video on their Facebook page.
Aiming for a space theme, a brand new cylinder and a blue colour scheme it looks like Ice Blast is set to return for 2025 with a new lease of life after scaffolding has been seen surrounding the ride in recent weeks.
I’m really excited to see this ride return and after last riding it in summer 2023 I can’t wait to experience it again but with even more force.
The space-theme is fitting with the style of ride and will fit in well next to the flying machines although, with Valhalla and Loki’s viking-themed bar on the other side the theming is a little convoluted in that area of the park.
Whilst Launch Pad is the only official announcement from the Pleasure Beach, Amanda Thomson MBE also said “The new era of Launch Pad is only the first, and we’re looking forward to everything the future holds at Pleasure Beach Resort” and it’s exciting to know that Pleasure Beach (my favourite UK park) will be getting investment.
We know that some of the buildings including the Dome and arcade buildings have been having some construction work for expected demolition and that Grand Prix is very close to being fully demolished which leaves a big space in the park although what will fill it is unknown.
Earlier this year when Thorpe Park took the record for the UK’s tallest roller coaster from Blackpool after nearly 30 years the park hired a portable billboard near Thorpe Park and teased “We’ll just have to come up with something else, wont’ we?” and so could we see that space used for some record-beating ride? Will this be a flat ride (like the rumoured Intamin gyroswing) or will we see another coaster come to Blackpool…..imagine a massive RMC weaving in and out of the existing rides at the park?!
If the re-launched Ice Blast ride is just the first of many things to come to Blackpool then I’m really excited to see what’s next for this fantastic and massively underrated UK amusement park!
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