4
My Accessible Experience at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
I went to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in May, and this was my experience. I have multiple disabilities, both physical and neurological, which means I need a wide range of access.
Using the Easy Pass System - I cannot wait in queues, so I used the Easy Pass system that Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers with the Nimbus Access Card. I opted to get the full Nimbus Access Card for three years, which costs £15, and it has accessible symbols showing your needs.
I had the standing and queuing symbol, which automatically meant I was entitled to the Easy Pass. This is a virtual queuing system where you go to your ride, skip the physical line, and then wait the amount of time the queue would have lasted before you can go on your next ride.
Wheelchair Hire Experience - I also rented a wheelchair, and this was a bit of a less accessible experience. The wheelchair wasn’t very good quality and had numerous flaws, including a broken footrest and unclean push rims. This was difficult because it was my way to get around, and I couldn’t self‑propel, so I needed my carer to push me around all day.
I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user, so I don’t need step‑free access all the time. However, there were only a very limited number of rides that were fully wheelchair accessible and step‑free, meaning you could transfer onto the ride from your wheelchair. This means that if you are a wheelchair user who cannot take a single step and needs to be transferred, the number of rides you can do is very limited.
In terms of hiring the wheelchair, there was lots of paperwork, and there was a £25 deposit required. Renting the wheelchair cost £5 for the day, and you got the £20 refunded at the end.
Crowds & Sensory Support - It was very busy when I went, which was harder for me because I prefer quieter places. I didn’t use this service, but Blackpool Pleasure Beach does offer sensory backpacks, including communication cards, a mini access guide, ear defenders, and a Blackpool Pleasure Beach bag.
Staying at the Boulevard Hotel - I stayed at the Boulevard Hotel, which is right next to the theme park. There were VIP entrances available at certain times during the day, which meant I could get into the park quickly near the hotel. This was good because I didn’t have to walk too far.
However, to get to Guest Services to collect the Easy Pass, I still had to walk all the way back to the start of the park - which I would’ve had to do anyway without the VIP access. Although it was a long walk, I did enjoy walking through the park.
Signage & Step‑Free Access - The signage for the Easy Pass was very accessible, and it was obvious where to go. In terms of step‑free access for the rides, I did have to get out of the wheelchair, leave it unattended, and walk to the line and then queue for a bit. This might not be accessible for people who can’t leave their wheelchair, have bulky medical equipment, or need step‑free access throughout.
There was lots of disabled bathroom access throughout the park, and many of them required a RADAR key. There were staff on hand who could help you if needed.
The only issue with some of the disabled bathrooms was that the turning circle was really small. I was in a manual wheelchair, but if you had a bigger electric wheelchair, you might not have been able to turn around at all. I’m able to get out of my wheelchair and I don’t need to transfer onto the toilet seat from it, but it may have been really tricky in some of these bathrooms.
The emergency cords reached all the way to the floor, which is how they should be. There were also lots of grab rails to hold onto, including rails on the door to help you close it.
There were also changing facilities available, including a hoist and an adult changing table, but you would need to bring your own sling for the hoist.
I went to Blackpool Pleasure Beach in May, and this was my experience. I have multiple disabilities, both physical and neurological, which means I need a wide range of access.
Using the Easy Pass System - I cannot wait in queues, so I used the Easy Pass system that Blackpool Pleasure Beach offers with the Nimbus Access Card. I opted to get the full Nimbus Access Card for three years, which costs £15, and it has accessible symbols showing your needs.
I had the standing and queuing symbol, which automatically meant I was entitled to the Easy Pass. This is a virtual queuing system where you go to your ride, skip the physical line, and then wait the amount of time the queue would have lasted before you can go on your next ride.
Wheelchair Hire Experience - I also rented a wheelchair, and this was a bit of a less accessible experience. The wheelchair wasn’t very good quality and had numerous flaws, including a broken footrest and unclean push rims. This was difficult because it was my way to get around, and I couldn’t self‑propel, so I needed my carer to push me around all day.
I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user, so I don’t need step‑free access all the time. However, there were only a very limited number of rides that were fully wheelchair accessible and step‑free, meaning you could transfer onto the ride from your wheelchair. This means that if you are a wheelchair user who cannot take a single step and needs to be transferred, the number of rides you can do is very limited.
In terms of hiring the wheelchair, there was lots of paperwork, and there was a £25 deposit required. Renting the wheelchair cost £5 for the day, and you got the £20 refunded at the end.
Crowds & Sensory Support - It was very busy when I went, which was harder for me because I prefer quieter places. I didn’t use this service, but Blackpool Pleasure Beach does offer sensory backpacks, including communication cards, a mini access guide, ear defenders, and a Blackpool Pleasure Beach bag.
Staying at the Boulevard Hotel - I stayed at the Boulevard Hotel, which is right next to the theme park. There were VIP entrances available at certain times during the day, which meant I could get into the park quickly near the hotel. This was good because I didn’t have to walk too far.
However, to get to Guest Services to collect the Easy Pass, I still had to walk all the way back to the start of the park - which I would’ve had to do anyway without the VIP access. Although it was a long walk, I did enjoy walking through the park.
Signage & Step‑Free Access - The signage for the Easy Pass was very accessible, and it was obvious where to go. In terms of step‑free access for the rides, I did have to get out of the wheelchair, leave it unattended, and walk to the line and then queue for a bit. This might not be accessible for people who can’t leave their wheelchair, have bulky medical equipment, or need step‑free access throughout.
There was lots of disabled bathroom access throughout the park, and many of them required a RADAR key. There were staff on hand who could help you if needed.
The only issue with some of the disabled bathrooms was that the turning circle was really small. I was in a manual wheelchair, but if you had a bigger electric wheelchair, you might not have been able to turn around at all. I’m able to get out of my wheelchair and I don’t need to transfer onto the toilet seat from it, but it may have been really tricky in some of these bathrooms.
The emergency cords reached all the way to the floor, which is how they should be. There were also lots of grab rails to hold onto, including rails on the door to help you close it.
There were also changing facilities available, including a hoist and an adult changing table, but you would need to bring your own sling for the hoist.
