Thrillseekers from across the UK converged on Blackpool yesterday as Pleasure Beach Resort launched its highly anticipated new attraction, Aviktas.
Representing an investment of £8.72 million, Aviktas marks the theme park's largest single injection of capital in eight years, since the groundbreaking double-launch rollercoaster ICON made its debut in 2018. This latest project stands as a bold statement of intent during a historic landmark year, as the park celebrates 130 years of continuous operations.
The scale of Aviktas is immediately impressive. It has officially claimed the title of the largest ride of its kind in the UK. This thrill ride stands at almost double the height of the previous record holder, Maelstrom at Drayton Manor.
A Masterclass in Engineering and Thrill
Manufactured by the industry-renowned attraction firm Intamin, Aviktas is a giant gyroswing attraction that brilliantly combines a rotating passenger gondola with a towering swinging pendulum. Built over a 14-month construction phase that required a dedicated workforce of approximately 80 staff members, the ride stands on the former site of the Bowl-A-Drome arcade, which was demolished to clear the way for this new giant.
The ride's imposing superstructure features four monumental legs, each weighing 16 tonnes, which is roughly the equivalent of three elephants, and the construction utilised 1,050 square metres of structural steel for the platform and station area alone, creating a footprint that covers the equivalent of four tennis courts. Following months of intensive development, the attraction achieved its very first test swing in March of this year, paving the way for its successful public debut.
Aviktas: Facts & Stats
- Maximum swing height: 138 feet (soaring riders high into the coastal seaside air, equivalent to stacking six double-decker buses)
- Maximum pendulum angle: 120 degrees (delivering intense drops and dynamic views)
- Top speed: 60 mph (reached as the massive gondola rushes past the structure)
- Peak forces: 4.0 Gs (matching the acceleration experienced by astronauts inside a rocket during takeoff)
- Total capacity: 40 riders per cycle (making it the largest capacity ride across the entire resort)
- Total investment: £8.72 million (the highest single attraction spend since 2018)
The Ride Experience
The physical sensations delivered by Aviktas are specifically engineered to maximise modern adrenaline. At the peak of its 120-degree swing, the ride creates a dramatic sense of weightlessness. The custom-designed restraints complement this motion perfectly, providing an open feeling of complete freedom and hangtime as riders find themselves suspended high above the Irish Sea.
"Pleasure Beach has always had a reputation for going big and pushing boundaries, and Aviktas is no exception. Its sheer size and presence speaks for itself; there is simply nothing like it in the UK. We wanted to build something that sets us apart from anywhere else and gives our guests a genuine must-visit reason to come to the park. This project is another reminder of our commitment to making Pleasure Beach one of the world's greatest theme parks."
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort
A New Vision for the Blackpool Coast
The introduction of Aviktas marks the latest milestone in an ongoing evolution strategy for Pleasure Beach Resort. In recent years, the park has systematically updated its classic offerings, including a comprehensive re-imagining of the 210-foot Launch Pad ride last year, alongside the extensive modernisation of the award-winning water ride Valhalla.
With summer approaching, the park is now positioned perfectly to build on this massive momentum. Visitors wishing to test their nerve on Aviktas can enjoy extended evening riding up until 9pm on Saturday 23 May as part of the park's upcoming Twilight Thrills event. Standard online eTickets for the park start from £30 when purchased in advance.
In September this year, Pleasure Beach Resort will host the annual UK Theme Park Awards, which celebrate excellence in the UK theme park industry.
