yanumpty

In short, cut the pseudo-Uffizi condescending twaddle.

Visitor numbers in the 80s were 20 (twenty) million. They did dive down to 9 million about 5 years ago but last year they were up to 12 million and this year to June 2010 the figures project a year end total of 14 million.

The resort is spending huge amounts to move on. Many hotels, zoo, Pleasure Beach, piers, tram system, the whole prom and shopping centre have all been totally transformed. This isn't based on personally bias, second hand observations from 20 years ago. Not "Something my best friends mother told me at a dinner party in 1981". It's just bollocks. This is based on spending half my life 6 miles down the road.

Blackpool is, was and always will be about fun. In the late 90s it did need direction but it is well on the way to rebasing itself.

Putting the place down is pretty much par for the course for some of the pretentious shite you read around here. Drinking cappucini on St Marks. Bloody wankers I say.

Before anyone accuses me of being trailer trash, I've partied with the best of them on 80ft yachts in The Bahamas, luvvie.

Just quite prepared to have a good time with what ever is put in front of me.

Rant for Friday night over. Will go back to beating the wife, finishing the crossword in The Sun and emptying the cupboard of Tennents Super.

Alec

I've just been down for the Lights tonight and the town is heaving, with many jolly-looking families. Long may it continue.
Come on down and see for yourself.

ancestralvoices

As an American, I am very very intrigued! I have two nights that I have left perfectly open on my 3 week sojourn to your country in July of 11. I think I know what I want to do in those two nights(plus it's kind of on the way to the Lake District which is booked and next on itinerary).

Maybe it's like our Vegas(minus the gambling)? Sounds like a wonderfully tacky, glittery, superficial, people watching mecca of fun and camp and it's own natural charm. In my case, after cute villages and manor houses and hill walking and cathedrals and castles---- a couple of days in Blackpool sounds like a real treat--variety to break things up! This thread, with the positives and the negatives, is convincing me(though Rick Steves recommends it as well). I will be driving up from Shrewsbury--and was strongly considering Llandudno/Conwy---but am now very interested in seeing Blackpool.

Thanks!

Alec

The promenade should reopen by the time you arrive where a big redevelopment has been taking place, with new tram tracks, Tower Festival Headland, wedding chapel and new walkways. The top of the Tower will remain closed till September, when it will reopen with new 4D viewing gallery. There will be Blackpool Dungeon in the basement, and new Madame Tussauds, first in UK outside London also on the prom opposite Central Pier.
http://www.visitblackpool.com/

Morgana

Ancestral - it would certainly be a change form the rest of your trip!
As you can see, people either love or hate the place and maybe it's a good thing that it divides opinion so much! My husband was born very close by and loathes it. As for me, I'd rather boil my own head than spend two days there...........

ancestralvoices

"Boil your own head..."' ha I got a big laugh from that one! My chair almost fell over! Well, I just thought it might be a wonderful diversion from everything else. And honestly, I don't intend on visiting it just to make fun---I really think it sounds fun! Maybe more like our Atlantic City rather than Vegas now that I think about it. My travel companion is 27 years old and I think he may like the diversion from Sheep and Dales--- plus right before the Lakes I think the contrast would be nice.

Traveling isn't just genteel serenity and peaceful tranquility and history(at least for me--and I realize we're all wonderfully different). I want to see and experience it all!

In this country, after I've spent a weekend in...say...colonial Williamsburg---I would then want to drive up to Lake Erie and Cedar Point(amusement park) and thrive on cotton candy(what do you call it---candy floss?) and ice cream and beer on the beach, etc.

At least it sounds as though I'll have a strong reaction to it, which is a good thing.

Morgana---if you are in or near Yorkshire at the time of our visit in mid July I would love to take you and your family out
for lunch or tea somewhere(if we happen to be nearby). Plenty of time to think about it.

Thanks!

Kip

Morgana

I don't need time to think about it - sounds great! I'm away from the 8th to the 18th July though, on holiday. And I normally work full time Mon-Thurs each week. But if we could fit somethng around those dates?? I could always take an afternoon off work of course! I can't recall exactly when you'll be in Yorkshire.
By the way, I was in Vegas last October, and I couldn't begin to compare it with Blackpool .........

PalenQ

ah wish I were in Blackpool during The Lights! For all the reasons ancestralvoices so poignantly outlines.

I have a miniature of the Blackpool Tower on my mantel. I loved watching OAPs doing formal dancing in the Tower's gargantuan ballroom - to the tune of an orchestra - man were they having fun!

stevelyon

ancestralvoices, I love your openmindedness, if you want tacky you will get more than enough here (not sure about the wonderful). This said, there are some wonderful parts of Blackpool. It never fails to move me walking the long Promenade (runs by the shore) below the 'Cliffs' at sunset, starting just North of the Tower and heading north towards Cleveleys. The contrast between the tackiness and this atmospheric walk makes it sublime.

PalenQ

Indeed there even is a swank part of the Blackpool urban area - like in St. Annes - I believe it is St Annes - a real tony area south of the tacky Blackpool which ends around Pleasure Beach - one of Europe's top amusement parks, with the Pepsi Max, once the world's highest roller coaster.

anyway they even regularly hold the British Open here every several years - look for real nice B&Bs and guesthouses by the Royal Lithum (wild guess at golf course name!) area.

humptynumpty

Steve

Have you seen the work that has been completed in the South Shore area? State of the art tram warehouse, prom modern art and landscaping.

It is getting there, just taking time. It was a national disgrace that the "mega casino" wasn't "given" to Blackpool.

Have you any travel plans this year?

ancestral

try to make it here.

http://www.innatwhitewell.com/welcome.php

a Northern institution.

My second home town is also work a visit (7 miles from Blackpool)

http://www.visitlythamstannes.co.uk/

http://www.lythamtowntrust.org/Lytha...mberts%202.jpg

ancestralvoices

Oh no, Morgana you will be gone exactly when I'm in Yorkshire (14th through the 18th). Well, the 18th we will be spending the night in York and then taking a train back to London sometime on the 19th. It all depends on where you are, how you'll feel after just returning from your holiday, etc. That 19th is a Tuesday so you'll probably be working during the day. If not, and if nearby, and if you feel up to it, I'll email you(or Fodor's you) on the 18th and just see if somehow our schedules click on that last day in your beautiful County! Or I can PM you my cell phone number. The 18th is our last day with a vehicle, however, as we didn't want a car during our next 4 nights in London.

PalenQ, I already about that amusement park. There is a Hotel there that looks pretty good called the Blue something or other, can't remember name. If we stayed there those 2 nights though would we be far from where the "action" is. Haven't read enough about Blackpool yet to know which part is what and/or where. Is South Pier, for instance, the southern part of the same Pier that is North Pier or are they different piers?

Stevelyon, I will take that walk on the promenade. Contrast is always fascinating. and yes, tacky can sometimes be amusing and wonderful in it's own way. As long as I am seeing people who are happy and having fun.

Humptynumpty----I will definitely make it there. Decided that Llandudno and North Wales and frankly all of Wales deserve their own trip at some other time.

Alec, thanks for all the info and knowledge on the area. You too, PalenQ.

Kip

Lifeman

South, Central and North Piers are all separate piers in the resort. They all have a theatre on the end of them, and stalls and kids rides. Sounds good? It isn't!

The illuminations start in August, so they won't be on when you're there, but if you walk along the promenade from South to North piers, you'll get a real flavour of the place!

PalenQ, I just love your posts. You're what we call a "Stirrer" in the UK.

ancestralvoices

Lifeman--- "Sounds good? It isn't!". Please tell me why it isn't?

PalenQ

Pleasure Beach park, said by Blackpool Tourist officials as being the most visited site in the U.K. outside London, is right on the edge of the main strip so a good enough location (though I prefer being more around the Tower itself - the heart of Blackpool. But trams, some doubl-decker trundle all along the Promenade so it is easy to get up and down the seafront. and there are wide walking paths paralleling the tramway most of the way.

Ah to be in Blackpool again! Viewing life's flotsam at its lowest cultural levels and more recently at its higher levels as it is now trendy I understand for student and 20s types from Lonon to come up here on a hoot and take in the many shows and theatre that have given Blackpool a certain rejuvenation.

PalenQ

2011 Details - Ride the Lights - Trams - Dr Who
www.blackpool-illuminations.net/ - Cached - SimilarBitDefender Antivirus Pro 2011 -http://www.blackpool-illuminations.net/2011/2011SwitchOn.html

Blackpool Illuminations 2011 Switch On Concert - Blackpool Lights 2011Blackpool Illuminations 2011 switch on, who is performing in the concert ...
http://www.blackpool-illuminations.n...1SwitchOn.html -

stevelyon

ancestralvoices, Wales is definately worth a trip in its own right, Anglesey (near Llandudno)has some lovely walks, if you like that sort of thing. And you certainly cant match Rhyll if you want tacky - and unlike Blackpool, I cant think of any redeeming features.

Yanumpty, no I havwnt seen the new tram station and I was there only a few weeks ago. Im feeling a bit guilty about travel this year, Im off to Malage in March, Turkey in July and walking in Bulgaria in September, Have you made plans (sorry to hijack)?

Lifeman

ancestralvoices...It isn't because it's cheap,(not in the £££'s sense!), very dirty, and the shows are not second rate, but 5th rate.

There's only so much tat that you can take on one visit.

PalenQ

And you certainly cant match Rhyll if you want tacky - and unlike Blackpool, I cant think of any redeeming features.>

Well gotta go to Rhyll on my next British rail trip!

Alec

It's <b><i>Rhyl</i></b>.