It’s finally arrived as I get my hands on a Blackpool Pleasure Beach ICON 3D Ride Model!
Crosscoaster has once again delivered a thing of beauty as the ICON 3D ride model has arrived and it truly is a work of art.
Based off the UK’s first double launch coaster ICON this Japanese themed coaster is a thing of beauty.
From its sweeping track to its iconic soundtrack this was a ride that hit the ground running when it opened in 2018 and instantly jumped into many rollercoaster enthusiasts Top 5 rides in the country the day it was experienced.
There are many rumours that surround the inspiration behind the ride including the idea coming to Amanda Thompson in a dream and another rumour of a painting by the 1760 born Japanese artist Hokusai who painted a serpentine dragon that protected the land from a tsunami as the ride is an embodiment of the dragon protecting Blackpool Pleasure Beach from an incoming wave of destruction.
Whatever the inspiration for the ride was the general public were treated to a Mack Rides multi-launch masterclass and now you can own your very own bite-sized ride train to celebrate this wonderful piece of engineering!
Originally I was under the impression that Pleasure Beach were only selling 100 of these pieces in a limited edition run but after the original 100 sold out a few more have been added to the website so I’m unsure of the exact number of ride trains that were created but a limited piece it shall remain.
The model is 18cm in length, 16cm in height and 9cm in width, which is considerably bigger than the other ride models in the coaster range currently being sold on the Pleasure Beach Store.
Arriving in a sturdy cardboard box Pleasure Beach have made sure that one of their biggest models to date is well protected in the post.
Within the shipping box was a beautifully designed ICON model presentation box and within that box another study cardboard box giving the model even more added protection!
It’s safe to say my delivery drive could have shot a free-throw from the bottom of my drive and it would have been safe enough.
Thankfully the parcel came with Royal Mail and not Hermes who seem to treat every item for delivery as if it was a ball in an NBA finals match!
Blackpool Pleasure Beach also included a rather snazzy ICON themed USB drive (16gb) but I feel they definitely missed a trick with this one.
When plugging in the USB I would have loved to have seen a unique POV of the ride, unique photos, maybe even a greeting message from Amanda or a senior member of staff or creative team introducing your limited edition purchase.
A behind the scenes video of how your model was made / printed would have also been a great touch especially with the premium price that you paid for the model those little added touches certainly mean a lot to the die-hard fans (and they will be die-hard) who will purchase this wonderful model.
But take nothing away from the model itself, I think it more than justifies the £100 price-tag but I feel it’s only justified at this moment in time as a way to support the park during a very tough time.
If lockdown and this whole 2020 nightmare wasn’t a thing I’d certainly be thinking this particular model was a good £20-£30 over the value of what I’d personally pay but I also know people who would pay much more depending on just how limited edition this piece really was.
It’s all very subjective isn’t it?
With moveable (but very fragile) restraints and the train gliding up and down the track (and can be removed off the track) this model is certainly a looker.
A model that turns every other Blackpool Pleasure Beach ride model so far into a quivering dwarf this absolute behemoth will certainly draw attention wherever it is displayed.
With my particular model coming with various strands of 3D printed wizardry hanging from it, a little brush was needed as I ever so carefully tidied up my model.
All 3D printed models have the same stringy complexion from printing but I was so hesitant to clean this thing as the restraints look so overwhelmingly delicate.
The full print process took 32 hours to complete which is absolutely insane and CrossCoaster have done a wonderful job with it.
If I had any negatives to say about the model I only wish that the iconic snakeskin design on the front of the train was added.
A decal would have looked a bit tacky but if there was a way of weaving the snakeskin design into the actual print itself that would have been a nice touch but I’m really nitpicking now aren’t I?
Blackpool Pleasure Beach blow me away with their creativity in the merchandise department, they’re already head and shoulders above any other park in the country and they continue to improve in that department each and every season.
The park is celebrating its 125th Anniversary next year and with Valhalla delayed until 2022 (a ride reopening which would have marked the anniversary in style) I have a feeling there’s going to be more than just a personalised brick on offer for next years’ guests.
Whether that’s a new little small footprint kids coaster being added to Nickelodeon Land or even just some other addition along the way, I just feel as though there’s no way in hell the park are going to let a crazy 2020 ruin such a monumentous occasion.
I very much look forward to finding out what’s in store in both the park additions and merchandise department!
Check out the full unboxing video of this wonderful ICON 3D ride model on Lift Hills and Thrills below.
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