originally posted on 6/4/2023
Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s Wild Mouse was an unfortunate casualty in recent years.
Photo: Alex Rigsby. View full-sized image.
Blackpool Pleasure Beach (England) occupies a unique place in the amusement industry with roles sometimes juxtaposed to one another, oftentimes regarded as both a modern roller coaster capital in the style of Cedar Point and a museum-like keeper of vintage, time-tested attractions. It’s where Icon - a state-of-the-art multi-launch coaster from Mack Rides - operates in tandem with the classic Prior & Church Derby Racer and Alice in Wonderland and Ghost Train dark rides. And it’s because of this that not all of the park’s decisions are popular with enthusiasts, because there have been times when circumstances necessitated difficult decisions such as the removal of the classic Wild Mouse in 2017.
Home to many classic rides, the park’s Derby racer is one of the last remaining built by Prior & Church. Photo: Jim McDonnell.
Photo: Jim McDonnell. View full-sized image.
Ignoring the fact that Valhalla may not qualify as a roller coaster in the strictest sense, it is an example of this duality of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Opened in 2000 on the site of the park’s former Fun House that burned down in 1991, its creation was the result of a supergroup of amusement industry suppliers from around the world, with Intamin providing the ride system. That included a switch track to pivot the boats to another channel, which elevated the experience beyond that of a traditional log flume and served as a precursor to roller coaster/water ride hybrids from Mack Rides such as the Journey to Atlantis installations at North American SeaWorld properties.
The exterior of Valhalla’s massive show building neither obscures any intentions nor engages in any subterfuge – riders will get soaked.
Photo courtesy of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. View full-sized image.
The installation was impressive in numerous aspects, from the 80-foot-tall show building to temperature fluctuations from below 0 to 104 degrees F, to the movement of 120,000 gallons of water per minute and use of 35,000 cubic feet of gas per hour for flame effects. Valhalla quickly became one of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s most popular attractions, and the amusement industry took notice by bestowing upon it many accolades including five consecutive Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards for Best Water Ride in the World.
A comprehensive mix of special effects immerse riders in a one-of-a-kind experience.
Photo courtesy of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. View full-sized image.
The journey to Valhalla that had guests boarding a longboat and venturing into a parallel world guided by a Viking named Ivàr and meeting the spirit of Odin to pass into the afterlife, closed during the 2020 season for a comprehensive refurbishment, perhaps owing to the complexities of the attraction. As was to be expected, Blackpool Pleasure Beach said very little of the changes that would take place for the ride’s reopening that was initially scheduled for 2021 before the global pandemic pushed it to 2023.
Valhalla’s attention to detail is nothing short of extraordinary and matches up with well-known theme parks around the world.
Photo courtesy of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. View full-sized image.
“We’re delighted to finally be able to share a glimpse into all our hard work,” said Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. “Those who remember the original ride may recognize some of its best-loved features, but this reimagining of Valhalla offers a totally new immersive experience that will leave riders eager to return!”
Following a years-long hiatus, Valhalla is now welcoming riders to once again delight in a state-of-the-art experience.
Photo courtesy of Blackpool Pleasure Beach. View full-sized image.
“We’ve worked so hard to find the perfect balance between maintaining nostalgia, giving the ride some much-needed TLC and adding a few surprises for fans,” spoke Adam Slevin, director of creative, design & experience, on the aforementioned need for the park to maintain its delicate balance. “Valhalla will test even the most confident roller coaster rider’s limits, with plummeting temperatures, fiery furnaces and torrents of water.”
— Rob Ascough, ACE News Editor
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