The towering 210-foot attraction promises a high-octane experience, catapulting riders into the air at speeds of up to 80mph. The ride, formerly known as Ice Blast and Playstation: The Ride, has undergone a dramatic transformation since closing at the end of the 2023 season.
Described by the park as offering “epic moments of weightlessness, a thrusting G-force, and a stomach-dropping descent,” Launch Pad is set to deliver an adrenaline-pumping journey to the sky, now with a striking new look and theme inspired by space exploration.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, expressed her excitement about the ride’s debut:
“After months of hard work we’re thrilled to now be unveiling Launch Pad to the public. Our team has poured so much creativity, passion and expertise into this bold re-imagining, and I can’t wait for guests to experience it in two weeks’ time. From the 7th May, anyone brave enough to take to the skies will have the opportunity to launch 210 feet into the air at maximum power. It’s time to get ready for lift off.”
https://www.themeparks-uk.com/blackpool-pleasure-beach-guide/news/1538-blackpools-pleasure-beach-resort-announces-opening-date-for-launch-pad#sigProId6f09133fd8
The revamped ride now features a completely new ride system — a 210-foot launch cylinder operating at a pressure of 105 PSI, which engineers say will dramatically improve the overall experience.
Karl Murphy, the resort’s director of engineering, explained the technical upgrade:
“The higher the pressure, the greater the build-up of kinetic energy. By increasing the PSI we’ve increased the force, and therefore the acceleration of speed is greater, meaning riders will feel a huge difference and shoot to the sky with more power than ever before.”
In addition to the mechanical overhaul, the ride has been given a bold new aesthetic, swapping its previous white colour scheme for a vibrant blue and red palette. The rebranding and theming to space exploration were all part of a comprehensive redesign handled primarily by Pleasure Beach Resort’s in-house team, which included mechanical and electrical engineers, painters, artists, and a dedicated project manager. An engineer from U.S.-based manufacturer S&S also assisted with the installation of the ride’s new cylinder.
With the countdown now underway, Launch Pad is set to become a headline attraction at the iconic seaside park, delivering next-level thrills just in time for the summer season.
