Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach- Review

Icon at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is the parks new ride for 2018. It’s the first major rollercoaster built in the park since Infusion opened in 2007. Icon is the tenth rollercoaster to be built at Blackpool Pleasure Beach and the parks sixth steel coaster.

The ride, designed by Mack rides, cost an estimated £16.25 million and is the first dual launch rollercoaster to open in the UK. The rollercoaster will officially open on Friday May 25th. However, I was fortunate enough to get the chance to ride Icon a few days early.

The rollercoaster is located in between Infusion and the loading station and lift hill for The Big One. The ride has been given a very light Japanese theme. The rides logo symbolises speed and the slogan for the coaster is “Dare to ride”.

The ride has a top speed of 55mph, maximum height of 88.5 feet and features two inversions. Furthermore, the ride time is roughly 2 minutes 30 seconds and the attraction is said to interact with its surrounding environment 15 times.

The rider experience on Icon is fantastic and, in my opinion, the ride is now the best attraction at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. In fact, it might even be the best theme park attraction in the United Kingdom.

The initial launch sends riders straight into a top hat element which offers good air time. The ride then proceeds to twist and turn around it’s surrounding structures, such as The Big One and the Steeplechase. The second launch section then kicks the ride back into life, sending riders straight into an 88.5 foot tall Immelmann loop. Various banks, twists and airtime moments then follow before the ride comes to a stop.

Icon is an extremely impressive rollercoaster. The ride is both exciting and comfortable. This combination makes Icon one of the most re-rideable rollercoasters I have ever experienced.

Overall, this attraction is a fantastic addition to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and I believe that Icon takes the whole park to a new level. Icon really is a must do attraction for any coaster enthusiast and definitely one of the best attractions to be built in the last few years.