The Big One 30th Anniversary Tribute | Blackpool Pleasure Beach 

The Big One still the UKs’ tallest operating coaster!

I applaud you for doing this Big One 30th Anniversary Tribute Scott, Mike & Steven. A fantastic award winning coaster whose milestone sadly seems to have been forgotten by many, especially Blackpool Pleasure Beach. No "special" birthday party and no merch... Very sad. I come from the south and my first memory of the PMBO was on the 1st April 1994. Being at BPB and being in total awe of this absolute humungus rollercoaster. Standing beneath it watching it test run I was mesmerized. I didn't get to ride it until 2004 which was my next visit to Blackpool, and wow what an experience it was and still is. Happy birthday Big One, i'll be riding you once again this weekend and I can't wait.

The Big One put Pleasure Beach on the world map. I remember seeing a picture of it on the newspaper and that was my first trip to the Pleasure Beach in 1994. It’s a Blackpool icon!

Thanks for the memory of my great uncle brian who loved this ride and my nanna(his sister) really misses him, he will be riding it in heaven . Miss you uncle Brian

Happy 30th birthday to the Big One! On August 19, 2020, I finally faced my fear and rode the Big One. If I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have ridden Hyperion, Zadra, Silver Star, Shambhala, Stealth, and Red Force.

I've lived around the corner from the Pleasure Beach on Harrowside since 1975. My memories of the Big One are from watching it being built and rising up from the ground, to riding it the first week it was open. Back then I remember thinking how smooth it was (how times have changed!!). I've rode it now, must hundreds of times and have loved it since the first time. Fingers crossed I get another 30 years of memories, hopefully they can figure something out. Keep up the great content

Bless you for doing this Scott, especially during the hype surrounding Hyperia. How ironic that Thorpe Park’s coaster is broken on the Big One’s Birthday. On a more serious note. Why no celebration at all from BPB. What on earth are they doing?

Loved the original drop plus it looked more aesthetically pleasing with a tidier support structure

Thanks for doing more than the actual park for the 30th! Its really nice to hear about what the big one means to you guys

I went on the big one in 1994 I was with a hen doo no one would go on it so I went on my own and loved it I never went back until last year so 29 year later with my 2 kids for twilight riding in September in fact I saw you there with your camera and I still love it it’s amazing

Love the between the rails footage and day-night-day transitions!

My first ever time going on the big one was in 2009 and the big one was my very first ever rollercoaster I went on I was really nervous to the point I had to drag my foster carer to come on with me with his 6 paper tickets to go on with me while I just scan my wristband I will never forget that feeling right at the top of the lift hill and see the track curve to the right and drop it was amazing

Ace that someone has done this 👏🏼 still the best looking and most iconic skyline in the U.K. imo

Have to thank Geoffrey Thompson for this awesome coaster , he was a ride man at heart . I still love pleasure beach today but it needs another wow ride yes a lot of good rides over the years but the excitement when this was being built was incredible. Please Amanda give us another show stopper soon .

I grew up in Preston so I visited BPP regularly all through my childhood and teens. I moved to London in 91 but still visited regularly and while I was up I would always try to visit the Pleasure Beach. When they were in the process of building it I remember standing underneath the lift hill thinking how excited I was to finally get on it. I was so excited that I dreamt about being on it many times before I finally did ride it and it really did not disappoint! When I moved back to Lancashire I regularly got season tickets so ride the Big One most weekends. I even had a mini-honeymoon after my first marriage in Blackpool so we could visit BPP for a couple of days! I have so many fond memories of it, including doing 15 rides back to back before breakfast during a club trip ERS! I also used to love looking across the estuary when I was riding coasters in Southport, just awestruck at how big it looks even from so far away! Wherever I am in Lancashire or beyond, if I'm on high ground I always look to see if I can spot the tower and Big One. I am sad that Blackpool Pleasure Beach haven't done something to commemorate the 30 year anniversary but I'm glad you've done a video on it ❤

Great tribute. Big One is one of my favourite coasters. I first rode this last year when I was 8 years old. This and Stealth are the two coasters which I was a bit nervous about riding.

As if Mike bottled his 1st opportunity to get on Big One! I first got on it around 97/98 as a teenager. Nothing else could compete with that 1st drop. I also remember thinking it was unsafe as I thought the head choppers were going to take my hands off! 😆

Honestly love riding this one, so many memories ❤ Also the transition at 8:04 was so smooth 👌

I remember walking down the Golden mile in 1994 seeing this huge coaster dwarf the Big Dipper , which was big at the time knowing I really wanted to to ride this coaster which I knew I would bottle ( which I did ) , and then finally riding a year later in my annual visit to Blackpool, great memories

Thanks for the lovely tribute! It's such an icon and I couldn't imagine the Blackpool skyline without it. My first memories were watching it being built as I was living in Blackpool at the time. I took my first ride on my 10th birthday in 1996 with my aunty and uncle while my mother looked on, thoroughly terrified for my safety. I thought it was amazing!

So sad Pleasure Beach hasn't marked this special date. It will always be an iconic coaster and paved the way for even bigger and faster coasters. Happy 30th birthday Big One 🎉🎢

The Big One was only open about 2 years, so I'm guessing 1996. I knew I was a bit apprehensive as I joined the queue line but I just kept saying to myself that it was just a bigger version of Rollercoaster and Big Dipper. As I climbed in to the train, near the back, I thought, "I must be off ma head". As we climbed the lift hill I just stared at the sky and then over the top we went. Half way down the first drop I knew I was going to be fine and started to enjoy the exhilarating speed and layout as the ride weaved its way around the park. Once I got off the ride I knew that I could ride any rollercoaster and not be scared which still stands true even today. Happy days and memories. 😃

I remember getting in the queue thinking I’m not gonna do it but a selfie in the station will fool my Friends. before I know it I’m sat down and pulling down the lap bar. When I came off I absolutely loved it and went on it again.

For me the big one is a special coaster for me as it is the first big coaster i did and the one that made me into a theme park/coaster enthusiast hence why i have a soft spot for the pleasure beach as it is the park that got me interested into theme/amusement parks

I had similar experience to mike, i convinced myself i was going go on it in 2000 but changed my mind last minute but got the courage to ride it the year after. I was middle row absolutely bricking myself but loved it at the time and had some night rides back when it closed at midnight.

Good work, Scotty!

I remember it being built in 93 in October how’s that been 30 years already !! It’s much more bumpy now though

Colin & Mark (The Twins) where on 16,500 when we spoke to them on Saturday... They should get a plaque 😁👍🏼

I was there for opening but didn't ride it. I didn't ride it until 2001. I queued about 25 times and chickened at the station. I rode nemesis in opening year but still never got the guts for the big one. My mum used to live behind the park and I used to watch it for hours when I visited her. I'll be riding it soon in it's 30th year giving it a hug like I did the day it opened. The reason why it's amazing. Can you imagine if bean and outhwait could see the park now. It's the history. The merging of the historic and the modern. The day it opened it wowed the world and didn't stop for many many years. I've never seen a coaster in the papers as much and for all the correct reasons. It dominates the skyline. It has been so bloody good for operation if the wind and rain allows. It's just absolutely phenomenal feat of engineering. Geoff and Babs would be very very proud.

Amazing you attended the opening day of Big One and then Hyperia 30 years later

Been on the Pepsi Max more times than I can remember. The worst thing is standing in line and looking up as the massive height of the thing, and then the first drop. That first drop was something else

A remember Going to Blackpool when the Sony PlayStation ride was branded,They was the golden Time with my mum dad and brother growing up Still got the pictures

Great video lads. Good times and great memories. Scott - did you see the BPB van situated outside Thorpe Park last weekend? Very intriguing! 🤔

Fantastic video. My first time I was solo 🎉🎉 I was the only one in my family that liked rollercoasters, so my mum dropped me off and I sessions the park by myself. I remember thinking I'm never going on that again. I love her now, highlight of the trip until Icon came.along xxx

My first memory of The Big One was riding it for the first time in May 2018! I'd heard much about it prior to going to the Pleasure Beach! I remember the day before, being so buzzed for it because I'd never visited the Pleasure Beach before & this was in the year that ICON debuted, so you could imagine how excited I was! It's a great Rollercoaster, unique, fast, shake you about like crazy, but still, an icon in its own right & a great ride experience! Happy 30th The Big One!

Brilliant tribute, good job you've done one!!! First went on it not long after it opened and as l was going up that lift hill l was terrified! But what a ride it was...and is. Iconic. Why oh why is there no celebration by BPB????? By the way Scott, where are those ride photos???!!!😅😅😅😅

Great video! Good to see somebody do something for its 30th anniversary. I grew up in Lancashire so had many happy years of riding The Big One growing up. I've moved south now so sadly don't get on it as much as I used to - but the silver lining is I'm much closer to a certain new taller rollercoaster now.

Shame that Blackpool pleasure beach pleasure beach resort didn't do an event to celebrate such an iconic ride for keeping that record for over 30 year

Great video. The thrills and the memories are why we all do this.

Nice video guys! I’m glad someone’s posted something about the anniversary 😂 I first did it quite young compare to most people if I remember rightly. Just decided to do it with my mum and grandad on a random visit after seeing it all these years and i loved big drops. As long as it didn’t go upside down I wasn’t bothered at that point 🎢

I remember going to BPB when they started laying the foundation project 94 I think they called it. I couldn’t wait to see what it would be like once it was built. I live down south and it wasn’t advertised on tv if I remember correctly. The first time I saw it fully built was on the news when it had a crash. We went to Blackpool on holiday about 3 months later and I couldn’t believe how big it looked it was terrifying. It was still closed and I ended up riding it on a cloudy morning 95 running through the South Gate and on I went. You never forget your first ride on the big one. The most amazing rollercoaster ever in those days

I have a vague memory of it being built. I definitely remember going on it when I was really young, I wasn't scared at all, I had a smile on my face that probably has never been bigger since. I did buy the photo from that first ride, I have no idea where it is. (It must have been raining that day as I was wearing a cagoule)

Good to see you guys cover The Big One's 30th Anniversary there Scott 👍

Great video! Putting its owners to shame! I remember going on it in July 1994, prior to that with not having Internet then, it was the 'Where Seagulls Dare' documentary on TV that really made my jaw drop and properly seeing it for the first time prior to going on it. Another memory I have that I can still hear today, though long since gone is the original tannoy in the station "Blackpool Pleasure Beach welcomes you onboard the Pepsi Max Big One! The Tallest, Fastest, Steepest Rollercoaster...in the World!" ❤

Happy anniversary to the big one I hope Scott you do up your big car as well sometime

Aww wonderful memories, my son and daughter love it, its a shame that some people including geoff and barbera thompson who arent here to enjoy it, may it last another 30

Great Vlog lads, well done. 👏 Happy Birthday the BIG ONE…… now the BIG THREE OOOOOO

30 😱😱 Remember opening day my dad wanted to try it and simply red fairground memories 90s hit 40 this August too

Love it bud. Happy 30th birthday big one.

Growing up in the South, my parents never took me to Blackpool growing up, so I only got on the Big One for the first time in my late 20s in 2019. I remember hitting the brake run with my friend, he turned to me and went “too many coat hangers” (in reference to Ron Toomer). 😆 Easily the best memory I have of the ride was the Pleasure Beach Experience event in September 2021, when we had last rides of the night on the Friday. The atmosphere in the station was absolutely incredible.

Following the unfortunate removal of The Ultimate at Lightwater Valley, The Big One is actually the longest roller coaster in Europe measuring at 5,497 ft long (1,675 metres), that’s still an impressive record.

Brilliant lads! Super VLOG 👏👍🎢

Like you Scott, I was terrified at first. We visited once a year, during illuminations, so I did see it in opening year. However, I was so scared to ride it, for at least 2 visits / years, maybe even more, I just filmed it using my Dad's video camera, in awe as an 11-12 year old. (Wish I still had that footage.) So it was 1996 or 1997 by the time I eventually rode it, and oh my god did that feel good. The rush you get from overcoming a fear is what made me an enthusiast in the first place, I used to be terrified of heights. So when I finally did the Big One I was buzzing for months. Funnily enough, in 1994 I'd also ridden Nemesis, however, flat out refused to ride Thunder Looper, as that also terrified me with it's exposed height. It's a funny old world, we're not always very complimentary of the Big One nowadays, but back then, it gave us so much. I always credit Nemesis as the source of my enthusiasm, as Alton Towers is my home park, and I really did become obsessed with Nemesis. However, conquering the Big One is definitely another HUGE brick in the wall. Thanks for 30 years ya big 'ol pile of steel. And thanks for taking us down memory lane Scott. :)

My memory was that I rode it that year I remember shaking hands with Ross Kemp I've got the video that was sold in the shop next to it I even did a talk in the army of the Pepsi Max I had so many memories of this I used to take different friends to experience it however 30 years on I sadly dont enjoy this ride just too jolty for me x

I was 7 (yes tall kid) and my mum somehow convinced me to go on, I can’t remember how now, but it was way too much too young, don’t think I rode it again until I was 10/11. Would have been 97 that first ride and it was the definition of white knuckle I held on so hard!

Happy birthday PMBO So sad to hear on your blog about Brian, when did this happen? I lost touch with Brian quite a few years ago. We both rode the dipper in centenary year for 100 hours & had a blast! Next time I’m at the pleasure beach I’ll have a ride (or 10) on his behalf. RIP you will be missed 😢

Cannot believe your wearing a Hyperia Cap Scott... You do know its closed! 😂😂😂 Long live The Pepsi Max Big One! 😁

I remember being glued to the TV until I could get up there in summer of '94. Shame that they didn't make more of it, retro paint on the trains and special merch

We've just got home from a day at the Pleasure Beach and there was zero mention of this anniversary at the park itself. You clearly waited for the rain stop before heading out. 😂

I reckon I must have ridden it within its first year of opening or thereabouts. My first time on a coaster anywhere near that size! I seem to remember letting out a swear word (the common one starting with f) in a kind of elongated way all the way down the first drop! Without getting all deep and meaningful, it's interesting to think about all the people it's thrilled over its 30 years.

I remember the opening day like it was yesterday. I paid to join the 235 club so I’d be one of the first to ride. I unfortunately had to work on the morning of the big day and couldn’t wait to finish at 12:15. As soon as I finished I quickly changed clothes and set off on the 60 minute drive to Blackpool. When I arrived the pleasure beach was packed, I fought my way through the crowds with my day one ticket and took my first of many rides. I still have the certificate after being one of the first to ride.😊

Yhe big one has the scariest drop ever thought i was coming off the track first time i went on it, back row is serious on that drop

Top tribute there fellas on big ones birthday bless ya's .

We weren’t taking much notice as we were planning our wedding wedding 6 weeks later 🤩. So I was 26 and lived rollercoasters but I remember being genuinely petrified when I first rode it. We ride occasionally but when you get to your 50’s you feel then bumps a lot more and big one is let’s be honest like a bag of spanner’s 😩. Still love it and glad it’s our local park . Love the dig at the beginning with the Hyperia hat 🧢 🤨😏🧱👍🏽

The big one is truly iconic, we will have to wait and see if Hyperia will have the same amount of culitural impact but I think it’s probably unlikely.

Remember first going on The Big One in 1998. I think it was £10-£15 for the tokens to ride it. Absolutely blown away by the chain lift climb looking out over the Golden Mile and Irish Sea. That first drop nearly made me fill my pants too.

sad to say ive never ridden the Big One. Tried to in 1997 with my dad (my kids were too small to ride) but it was having tech issues all the day we were there. Tried again in 2003 with my daughter, but this time it was too windy so it was closed. And ive not had the chance to go back to Blackpool since, tho its still on my bucket list to ride.

I'm in Blackpool this week, and I went to the theme park today, but unfortunately fear got the better of me

Had the pleasure of riding this with a few mates a couple of days before it officially opened £3 a ride then👍I belive a Boyband opened it can’t remember who ,Then rode it a few years later and didn’t realise it had been reprofiled still loved it but that’s the only two times I have rode it ,still an iconic ride for Blackpool one day I will ride it again👍👍Great vlog guys 👍👍

Hi guys. Got to be honest I have never been on Big One but definitely want to put that right next time when I am I town. Much a landmark like the tower is, you always know you are in Blackpool when you see it.

It may no longer be the tallest but it is certainly the most iconic. The look of the Big One on The Promenade as far as a coaster is concerned is without doubt the best in the UK. Hyperia does look good but not as as The Big One with its blue and red track dominating the coastal skyline. I would love to see them profile the first drop downward to get the record back if it was possible.

Great sales 😤🙄❤️

Love the content

Great video. Shame Amanda & the rest don't give a s^!t about it turning 30 years old. I first rode it around 1999 when finally grew tall enough - I literally cried to go on it as my mum said no! Before that we used to visit for the lights and my mum & dad used to leave me with my gran, and they went off and rode it at night.

Back row for the true experience. But is to much to handle after a heavy night out in Blackpool lol 🤦

Would love to see footage of it on a 3 car service

Day 5 of saying I love your videos in till day 100

I don't think we can count hyperia until we know it's fate

Also my birthday :)

I heard that they're looking at getting the Irish sea dredged 2 foot deeper😉

Everyone was scared to ride it 😂

the Thompson family doing nothing to celebrate the 30th birthday of the parks biggest ever attraction and Geoffrey Thompsons greatest achievement and proudest moment is nothing short of disgraceful. He brought a world leading rollercoaster to the park and truly put Blackpool pleasure beach on the map. Look at what alton towers have done to nemesis 30 years later, while the big one slowly rusts away. One can wonder how the park would look today were the great man still alive?

Was the first coaster ever went on

Uh Steel Phantom was the fastest coaster in the world when Big One opened not Big One at 85 mph to Big Ones 74 mph

Its never been the fastest in the world,Steel phantom was the fastest when Big one opened in 1994.The steel Phantom does 80 on the second drop as the train is travelling at speed already from the first drop.Shambala has a 250ft drop and only reaches 75mph and Magnum is almost as tall as the Big one and only reaches 74mph.So the Big One doing 85 is porkies.

Tbh I Don't Like The Big One When I Rode It I Got Thrown Around A Lot And Came Off With Hurting Legs And A Hurting Back