Blackpool Pleasure Beach is back for a new season… but what’s actually changed?
In this vlog, I head to Blackpool Pleasure Beach to check out what’s new for the 2026 season. From ride availability and operational changes to new food options (including that controversial jacket potato), I take a look at what’s different and whether the park feels ready for the year ahead.
It wasn’t the best weather for a visit, but that gave a real insight into how the park is running early in the season, with some rides closed, others running well, and a few interesting updates across the park.
If you’re planning a visit to Blackpool this year, this should give you a good idea of what to expect right now.
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43 Comments
Let me know your thoughts on the new baked potato option. Value for money or rip off?
You can easily pay over 10 pound for McDonald’s meal that will not fill you up. Those food prices are not bad.
I love a jkt spud great to see at a park and its another option, however….😂I understand prices etc but not a chance would I pay for those fillings, plentiful or not lol
Big one, grand national, valhalla and avalanche all down is not good ride avaliability lol thats 4 major rides.
Thought Carly was gonna stick the nut on you on ‘Alice’ 😂 great vlog pal 👍🏻
What a joke for them potato prices.
£60 potentially for 4 potatoes for a family lol 😂😂😂😂😂
The new Baked Potato food options are just typical Theme Park food prices. With the price being so expensive, I think people will be eating everything including the skins and the container it comes in just to get their moneys worth. 😂😜 At least it's not Christmas Markets rip off prices. It's just the way things are going now to generate income. You don't have to buy it, just bring a Twix. 🤣
Raining in Blackpool?! I can hardly believe it 😂
So is Grand National shut just on your visit or is it down again for a while?
Word of the day. Moist.
Great vlog as always. I was there on saturday for the twlight thrills and had a great day and nice to see the park busy and staff was amazing despite some issues.. Don't know if you have seen coaster guy jmi amazing vlog from saturday but unfortunately for you dora is open 😂
I tried the Chilli hot chocolate last week and it's divine! A nice warmer for a colder day that's for sure. And I personally wouldn't pay that much for a jacket potato. It's always Pizza Kitchen for me.
This reminds me of when I were young and going around a park with my girlfriend and her parents….. I just broke off on my own and met them at the end of the day, they thought it was weird. Then I remember going out with friends and I did the same where I just went off on my own lol. I realized I just like being alone and would always do this and why people stopped talking to me, but I had no idea I did it at the time.
Chris, I have recently found you after being in the theme park youtube world for a while and I really am enjoying your content and personality.
It is tricky at the moment for vloggers to be upbeat when there are a lot of issues in British TPs right now, but you hit the balance of light hearted entertainment with realistic opinions 😊
I think for an amusement park those prices for a jacket potato with all the trimmings are ok to be honest. The plain one is way too steep.
You said your daughter’s boyfriend had never ridden ICON yet he was wearing an ICON coat! Donation in the rain perhaps?!?
I can get a tatty for 20p LMAO
That's a new hot chocolate 🫕 and a new pototoe to try but can I ask Chris with your pass do you get a discount on new food . I heard from a park source VIP event is a week before launch date 📅
Was cold just watching 😂 but very much enjoyed!
Went on food Friday. 10minute queues or walk on for everything. Was a brilliant day. Got on the big one 3 times before the wind took over. Only downside for me was the big dipper, always been rough obviously but that's the worst iv known it. Been going every year for 30 years. That hasn't got long left 😂😂. Great vlog also by the way
The potato’s aren’t cheap but the value is great for the amount of food and the quality. Great video as always Chris.
The weather is ceek??. Imagine aviktas in that weather
Loved meeting you 😊😊
Hold on, did I hear that right? £60 for a photo?
Booked to go on Tuesday 26th may until Thursday 28th staying at the big blue hotel, can't wait to try Aviktas and hopefully rides on Valhalla in particular
I love it when a new Coaster Dad video pops up, they are always a delight, thank you sir.
Get your daughter on camera more often, she's hilarious 😂😂
SBNOs and ride availability is frustrating and disheartening at the moment.
I genuinely hope that one day will get through this period like that and eventually ride availability will be really good again in the future🤞🙏
We went through a similar period in 2009 and 2010 and the park did get a bit better from 2011 onwards.
Even if the lineup didn’t get much bigger, but that’s pretty consistent over the AJT era.
We did see they’re going for a transitional period at the moment, so hopefully that means that they will get back to having all the rides up and running at the same time again during spring summer and autumn in the future.
They could probably do with a bigger maintenance team, i.e. more engineers and electricians as they would probably be able to cope a bit better.
As someone who gets to blackpool once a decade, I love watching you mosey around and keep us up to date 🙂
Loved watching this vlog more because its clearly very wet there, while im sunning it up in Tenerife 😂
I miss the Gyros 😔
I suffer slightly from motion sickness . I can do most rides but wouldn’t touch a spinning ride like teacups etc . I really want to try the new ride when it opens . Do you notice the spinning when you’re on one ?
Haha Chris I am howling at the wee barra rants 🤣🤣🤣 while sitting here in 27 degrees Benidorm! Aye the baked potato thing is a ridiculous price when you see the Spud Bros potatoes feels like a bit blatant profiteering tbh but well played mate to the 4 of you going down in that 🤣🤣🤣
Hi Thanks for another fav video. Question what is going on with what used to be the millennium dome /millennium bug space? Seems ideal for another indoor ride , it is wasted space…
Most good trucks will do a massive baked potato, with filling for around £6 (average).
£9 is a bit much for just butter.
In it's defence a happy meal is around £4 these days soo £12 ain't so bad.
But comparing it to the buffet you spent 16 pp for drink and pizza… Yea rip off haha
Problem with the totties is the portion is to big and the price is to big…half the portion size and half the price and it would be a winner. No one wants a huge munch when riding rides.
I’m getting soo impatient for the VIP event date…I just want to know whether I need to cancel my tickets or not! I am going to Linnanmäki on May 21st which is super bad timing.
I did email Blackpool asking if they could confirm whether May 21st is the VIP event or the general public date, and they said:
“We haven't confirmed a date for the VIP event yet – we'll send you an email as soon as we know!”
I then asked if they know if it’s May 21st or not.
“It could be the 21st! Hopefully we can confirm a date soon.”
Annoying!
Great video as always, Chris!
We were there on Saturday for the Twighlight Thrills – got the big one early before the wind picked up and thoroughly enjoyed every ride except valhalla and steeplechase of course. My youngest is now big enough for the rollercoasters and Infusion was her favourite – bet that surprises you Chris 🙂 .. Ps the Chilli hot chocolate is supreme from that wee place
I blame spud brothers they have made potatos popular. Fare play to them for making there business a success but it feels like people are jumping of the band wagon.
I love the comment from from Coaster Mum about life choices. She is a star
Can't wait to get on Aviktas gonna be there this summer time haven't been in ages hope you and family are well Chris ❤
Such a fun and entertaining vlog. "I'm one of your life choices" Oh I know 😂🤣 Making a wet day into a very fun one!
I thought there were 4 woodies at BPB, Big Dipper, Grand National, Streak, and blue flyer?
£1-£2 change from £30 for just parking your car and having a plain baked potato. Insane levels of expensive.
But at the end of the day nobody being forced to eat them (I can't stand them anyway)