Blackpool Pleasure Beach celebrated the 100th birthday of the Big Dipper roller coaster on August 23, 2023. In celebration, the park refurbished the track and structure, plus applied new paint to its famous blue and white topper, affectionately called "the onion".
Located in the Star Beach Adventures section of Pleasure Beach Blackpool, the Big Dipper is a classic "out and back" wooden coaster designed by John A. Miller. Big Dipper made its debut on August 23, 1923, but was modified in 1936, when Charlie Paige and Joe Emberton extended the layout, adding two additional drops and an arch over the park's south entrance. Big Dipper is the oldest operating roller coaster at Pleasure Beach Blackpool and 9th oldest in the world.
| Year | Track | Type | Designer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1923 | Wood | Out and Back | John A. Miller, William Strickler |
1936 – Charles Paige extended the layout with two additional drops and the arch over the park's south entrance.
August 11, 2009 – Big Dipper was closed after a collision between two trains injured 21 passengers. The coaster reopened after months of refurbishment on February 13, 2010.
Opening date: August 23, 1923
Estimated cost: £ 25,000
Train has three cars with four rows each, seating two abreast per row.
Height requirement: Riders must be at least 46 inches tall
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