On Thursday 21st May 2026, we were invited to the official opening and VIP media event of Pleasure Beach Resort’s highly anticipated new thrill ride: Aviktas.
Representing a massive £8.72 million investment, Aviktas is the park's largest single injection of capital since the groundbreaking double-launch rollercoaster ICON made its debut in 2018.
Standing on the former site of the Bowl-A-Drome arcade, this colossal new addition marks a bold statement of intent for the historic amusement park as it celebrates 130 years of continuous operations.
The exclusive launch event commenced with a welcome reception featuring pre-opening drinks and canapes, allowing attendees to admire the towering new ride up close. The invited guests then gathered for an opening ceremony, which featured an inspiring speech from Pleasure Beach Resort's CEO Amanda Thompson OBE on the park’s commitment to pushing boundaries and delivering world-class experiences.
Following Amanda's speech, Sascha Czibulka, Managing Director of Intamin, took to the stage to present a commemorative bell to Nick Thompson, a gift to celebrate the strong partnership between the park and the industry-renowned ride manufacturer. With the formalities complete and the ribbon officially cut, it was time for our very first opportunity to experience the ride.
On entering the plaza beneath the new ride, it was immediately clear that Aviktas is the most impressive flat ride at any UK theme park. The sheer scale of the attraction is breathtaking. As a giant gyroswing, it features a rotating 40-seat passenger gondola suspended from a monumental swinging pendulum. The superstructure stands on four 16-tonne legs, creating a commanding presence that dominates this corner of the park.
Pleasure Beach Resort has done a fantastic job with the attractively themed surroundings of the ride. The plaza area feels fresh and modern, with high-quality landscaping and public spaces that allow non-riders to get incredibly close to the action. The imposing structural steelwork looks pristine, and the overall footprint elegantly revitalises the space previously occupied by the old bowling arcade.
As the ride cycle begins, the experience is immediately elevated by an excellent soundtrack. The audio design is crisp and impactful, building tension as the gondola begins to rotate and swing. It uses synchronised sound effects to mirror the movement of the pendulum, heightening the anticipation for both riders and spectators below.
The physical sensations delivered by Aviktas are outstanding. Reaching top speeds of 60 mph and drawing peak forces of 4.0 Gs, the ride swings to a maximum angle of 120 degrees. This pushes the gondola to an astonishing height of 138 feet in the air. At the peak of the swing, riders are treated to a dramatic sense of complete weightlessness and incredible hangtime, offering unparalleled, upside-down views of the Irish Sea and the Blackpool coastline. The open-design restraints work so perfectly, providing an immense feeling of freedom while keeping riders completely secure.
If there is a critical element to the attraction, it lies within the queue line experience. There is currently no pre-show or explicit storytelling implemented as guests wait to board. Because of this, the fascinating backstory and lore surrounding the name Aviktas will unfortunately go unnoticed by the vast majority of regular theme park guests. A bit of extra narrative flair in the queue line would have wrapped the entire package together perfectly. However, this minor gripe does nothing to diminish the quality of the ride itself.
After completing our multiple test flights, the memorable event concluded in style with a superb luncheon in the elegant surroundings of the White Tower Restaurant, offering asian-inspired dishes to match the ride's theme, and a perfect vantage point to reflect on a successful launch.
In conclusion, Aviktas is an absolute triumph for Pleasure Beach Resort. It fills a vital role in the park's thrill ride portfolio, offering an intense, high-capacity, and visually spectacular experience that cannot be matched anywhere else in the country. It is a must-visit attraction for 2026, and a fitting celebration of the park's 130th year.
