Ground-breaking ICON rollercoaster opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.The UK’s first double-launch rollercoaster and the world’s most interactive ride opens to the public tomorrow.
ICON –subtitled Dare to Ride - is the first double launch rollercoaster in the UK. Riders get high speed propulsion, not only at the beginning of the ride but also at the mid-point of the ride for an extra thrill. It is also set to be the world’s most interactive ride, offering more thrills per square foot than any other coaster. It interacts no less than 15 times with five other rides (including The Big One, the Steeplechase and the Big Dipper).
The two and half minute ride over the 1.14 kilometre track offers the same acceleration as that of a Formula 1 driver. It twists, turns, dives and swerves at speeds of up to 80 kilometres an hour across the park. The ride then shoots through tunnels and interacts at high speed with five other rides. A second turbo-boost of speed propels riders up to 88.5 feet with a heart-plummeting drop of 82 feet.
The rollercoaster was built in Germany by Mack Rides, adding to a legacy of collaboration between the two theme park families. ICON is the fourth ride from Mack at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, whilst Amanda Thompson produced ice shows formany years for Europa-Park.
A press conference was held yesterday to formally introduce the new thrill ride and featured Amanda Thompson OBE, Nick Thompson (alsoBALPPA president) and Alex Payne from BPB; Andreas Andersen (IAAPAchairman), Jakob Wahl (IAAPA EMEA VP), Michael Mack and ThorstenKoeble from Mack Rides; as well as Glenn Robertson the composer for the ICON score and various coaster clubs.
"The launch of ICON is an extremely exciting day for our industry, both in the UK and beyond,” says Nick Thompson, deputy MD of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. "We couldn’t be more pleased to see and experience it here in the UK and to showcase another world first at Blackpool Pleasure Beach."
The impetus to add a new rollercoaster was to reach out to thrill-seekers after additions in recent years focusing on family attractions likeNickelodeon Land and Wallace & Gromit. Nick Thompson promised morethrill rides in coming years. Perhaps not quite as “extreme”, but offering a broader appeal.
The ICON name came after research with target audience.The ride has been “styled” ratherthan themed with Japanese and Games of Thrones influences.
"ICON is going to be one of the most talked about, iconic rollercoasters of the future," says Amanda Thompson. "The name speaks for itself. It will be one of the most iconic rides on the planet."
She adds that, at £16.25m, ICON is Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s biggest investment to date. “It will have a real impact on the town and region as a whole."
