A Tour of Blackpool Pleasure Beach Quiz

Answer: The Big One

This addition to the Pleasure Beach in May 1994 resulted in a surge in the numbers of visitors to the park. However, it was also a huge expense, as the park owners had to pay £12,000,000 for the ride!

Many fled to the Pleasure Beach from around the world so that they could say they had ridden the world's tallest roller coaster. It was to hold this title until July 1996, when it was succeeded by the Japanese "Fujiyama" roller coaster. Other titles held by "The Big One" following its construction were the fastest roller coaster in Europe (which it lost to "Colossus" found at the German Heide Park in 2001) and the UK's fastest coaster (beaten by Thorpe Park's "Stealth"). However, "The Big One" retains the title of UK's tallest coaster.

"The Big One" was so tall that it worried the nearby Blackpool airport. The park was required to place warning lights on top of the coaster's peaks so as to stand out to low-flying planes.

Answer: The Golden Mile

The stunning light display is actually 6 miles long and goes from Starr Gate (where I work :)) to Bispham.

First displayed in 1879, The Illuminations are usually switched on in August and last through the autumn to November. The lights "switch-on" is usually a big event attended by many. The lights themselves are usually switched on by a celebrity guest. Celebrities who have switched on the lights include Terry Wogan, Les Dawson, Frank Bruno, Shirley Bassey, Westlife, and in 2009 Alan Carr.

With a few exceptions (mostly due to the two World Wars) The Illuminations have shone each and every year since 1879. The cost of maintaining the lights (in terms of production, repair, and power) is high. The traffic can build up massively later in the evening, meaning my bus home from work is often late! Many capitalize on the static cars by walking up and down the prom, selling flashy (literally) merchandise.

Answer: Coney Island funfair

Geoffrey Thompson became managing director in 1976 and, along with mother and co-managing director, Doris Thompson, expanded the family business by opening both Pleasureland, Southport and Frontierland, Morecambe. He also oversaw the construction of several of the rides which still stand today.

His mother, Doris, and Father, Leonard, were joint managing directors of the park from 1929, until Leonard's death in 1976. Doris was the daughter of the park founder, William Bean. Bean had co-owned the business with John Outhwaite from its date of establishment (1896).

Although Outhwaite died in 1911, his family still owned considerable shares in the park, and it was not until later, when the family shares were bought out, that the full ownership was gained by the Thompson family.

After his death in 2004, Geoffrey's daughter, Amanda, inherited the family business.

Answer: The Grand National

This is one of the oldest attractions still standing at the Pleasure Beach. Founded in 1935, this ride combines the thrills of a roller coaster with the excitement of a race, between you and a second carriage which runs parallel to yours. It is never guaranteed which carriage will win, but mine always seems to lose! :(

The unique quality of this ride is that the two rival carriages will end on the station on which the other started. This type of ride is called a "Mobius Loop" roller coaster, and the "Grand National" is the only ride of this type surviving in Europe. There are only two other rides in the world which show this quality, they are "Montana Rusa" at La Feria Chapultepec Magico (Mexico City, Mexico) and "Racer" at Kennywood Park (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).

Answer: Valhalla

At £15,000,000, "Valhalla" was, at the time, the most expensive water ride ever built.

The appearance from outside this ride is stunning, and it is no different when inside. The 6 minute ride takes you through 16 different scenes, which incorporate some of nature's greatest forces - ice, water, fire, and lightning. The ride recycles 100,000 gallons of water per minute and temperatures can drop as low as -20 degrees C, and as high as 40 degrees C.

Answer: Beaver Creek

"Beaver Creek" includes several attractions. These include:

- "Chinese Puzzle Maze" - hedgerows which lead you through walkways, water features, and rides.
- "Helicopters" - a carousel type ride, which allows children to sit in mini helicopters. They can control their vertical movement with a joystick whilst they revolve.
- "Magic Mountain" - an indoor attraction with cheesy songs and animated characters to greet you.
- "Tetley Tea Cup Ride" - a mini version of the waltzers
- "Beaver Creek Log Chute" - a miniature log flume

And yes, there is a man in a giant beaver costume!

Answer: The Tango Ice Blast

This ride was opened in 1997 and was originally named "Playstation: The Ride," due to it being sponsored by Sony at the time. It gained its present name, "Tango Ice Blast," in 2004 following a change of sponsor. After its construction, the Tango Ice Blast was the first tower ride in the UK. Following this, a children's version was built at the park, which operated at slower speeds and reached lower heights. This was named the Fruit Shoot.

In order to make room for these newer rides, older rides have to be taken down. Such rides include "the Cyclone," "the Velvet Coaster," "the Log Flume," and "Cableway."

Other rides were short lived in the park, only functioning for a few years. These include the "Big Apple," the "4D Cinema," and "the Spin Doctor."

Answer: Marlene Dietrich's long lost earring

Invited to the Pleasure Beach in 1934, Marlene Dietrich daringly rode on the "Big Dipper" - one of the park's newest roller coasters at the time. The "Big Dipper" stands over the lake and so it is likely that this is the moment when Marlene lost her pearl-gold earring. She had contacted the park after her visit to enquire about the missing piece of jewellery, but after many days of searching, nothing was found. The earring was reported to have remained in excellent condition and was confirmed to be the Hollywood actress' soon after discovery.

Along with the earring, park workmen found £85 in change, a bra, a toupee, 3 dolls, 3 sets of false teeth, and even a glass eye!

Answer: Paseje Del Terror

The idea of this attraction is simple, yet effective. The visitors are instructed beforehand not to touch any of the actors and to resist the urge to run...whatever happens. The talk is sometimes enough to put many off entering the attraction. However, those who back out are not entitled to a refund (as many found out last time I visited the park). After the talk, the visitors carry on alone. They encounter a host of traditional horror characters, zombies, madmen etc. The darkness of the area is probably the main source of fear. The visitors are well aware that these people are actors and will not harm them, however, the uncertainty of where they are or when they will emerge can be incredibly concerning. The park therefore recommends that small children, those with a nervous disposition, and expectant mothers should not enter this attraction.

The "Paseje Del Terror" was constructed in 1998, and the idea was taken from the "Terror on Church Street" ride in Florida.

Answer: Big Dipper

The "Big Dipper" is one of the most iconic and popular rides of the park. However, following an incident in August 2009, where two carriages crashed, the ride was closed to the public. It is said to re-open in 2010.

Although first built in 1923, the ride was extended and improved in 1936.

In 2000, a media and communications teacher from Chicago, Illinois spent a record 2,000 hours on Blackpool's "Big Dipper." Richard Rodriguez ate, drank, slept, and made several phone calls to his mother during this marathon. After beating his own record of 1,013 hours (which he set 2 years prior to this) Rodriguez said he planned on having a celebratory drink with the ride operators before he did anything else. His achievement is recognised on a plaque which is position where visitors usually queue for the ride.