Blackpool Pleasure Beach has announced plans to reimagine and rebrand its iconic Ice Blast ride, which will reopen next year as Launch Pad.
The 210-foot-tall shot tower, which catapults riders towards the sky at 80mph, has been closed for the 2024 season, with work visibly taking place.
Now, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has revealed that the ride will reopen as Launch Pad. In addition to the new theming and name, the attraction has been given a new pressure cylinder to transform the ride experience, thrusting riders with even more force.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “Earlier this year we announced that we are focusing on constantly evolving and renewing our ride offering, and confirmed our intention to make some exciting announcements in the future.
“The new era of Launch Pad is only the first, and we’re looking forward to everything the future holds at Pleasure Beach Resort.”
Karl Murphy, director of engineering at Pleasure Beach Resort, added: “A new cylinder might not sound much on paper, but it will make a huge difference in terms of the ride experience.
“Riders can expect to feel their stomachs drop to the floor with the increased force, and experience epic moments of weightlessness.
“That, coupled with Launch Pad’s re-theming, makes for a very thrilling new era indeed.”
Launch Pad coming to UK theme park
Launch Pad opened in 1997 as the UK’s first tower ride. It was originally named PlayStation: The Ride as it was sponsored by Sony. The ride became Ice Blast in 2000 when it was sponsored by Tango.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach is home to world-class attractions like the Big One coaster, the UK’s only Nickelodeon Land, and the award-winning Valhalla dark ride.
Launch Pad is expected to be open for Pleasure Beach Resort’s 2025 season, which starts on 2 March.
Images courtesy of Pleasure Beach Resort
