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  "path": "/travel/aviktas-uk-tallest-ride-opens-blackpool-pleasure-beach",
  "publishedAt": "2026-05-21T14:16:36.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "cheapest summer getaways, with rooms from £62",
    "Best beaches in England ranked: Top for sunshine, fish and chips and more",
    "Cheapest UK breaks: From picturesque cities to seaside escapes with pints from £1.99",
    "Butlin's adds 'perfect' activity at all of its UK resorts - available now",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBlackpool Pleasure Beach has thrown open the gates to Aviktas today, and it is officially the tallest attraction of its type anywhere in the UK.\n\nThe brand new ride propels thrill-seekers an incredible 138 feet skyward, with angles reaching a stomach-churning 120 degrees.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThis comes as the park was named the UK's cheapest summer getaways, with rooms from £62. The new ride is nearly twice the height of Drayton Manor's Maelstrom, which previously held the record.\n\nFans from all corners of Britain made the journey to be among the first to experience the heart-pounding new addition, which was initially revealed back in May 2025.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe ride's restraint system gives passengers a genuine sensation of weightlessness as they climb towards the peak.\n\nThe park has poured £8.72million into its newest attraction, making it the single biggest investment Pleasure Beach has made in eight years.\n\nThe last time they spent this much was on ICON, their double-launch rollercoaster.\n\nCEO of Pleasure Beach Resort, Amanda Thompson OBE, said: \"Pleasure Beach has always had a reputation for going big and pushing boundaries - Aviktas is no exception. Its sheer size and presence speaks for itself, there is simply nothing like it in the UK.\n\n### STAYCATIONS\n\n\n\n\n  * Best beaches in England ranked: Top for sunshine, fish and chips and more\n  * Cheapest UK breaks: From picturesque cities to seaside escapes with pints from £1.99\n  * Butlin's adds 'perfect' activity at all of its UK resorts - available now\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\"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.\"\n\nEarly reactions from those brave enough to take on Aviktas have been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a standout experience in the UK theme park scene.\n\nScott Bickerton, a rollercoaster enthusiast who runs the YouTube channel Your Experience Guide, said: \"Aviktas is a must-ride. It combines airtime, hangtime and intense thrill to provide a completely fresh experience.\n\n\"When you're up at 138 feet, the views across Pleasure Beach and out to sea are spectacular. Not only is it an incredible thrill ride, it's already become a striking visual landmark for the town.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe opening of Aviktas comes at a particularly special moment for the seaside park, which is marking 130 years of operations this year.\n\nIt comes as Pleasure Beach was recently crowned the best theme park in the UK by TripAdvisor's Best of the Best awards. T\n\nThe park has been busy reinventing itself in recent years, breathing new life into classic attractions like Launch Pad and Valhalla, which holds the title of Europe's best water ride.\n\nThose wanting to experience Aviktas can catch the Twilight Thrills event, running until 9pm on Saturday, May 23, with tickets available online.\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "UK's tallest ride that sends guests 138ft into the air opens at Blackpool Pleasure Beach"
}