Thrilling footage of Pleasure Beach's Aviktas ride

Thrill seekers have been been given an insight into what it will be like to be on Pleasure Beach Resort’s new ride, Aviktas – which will be the tallest ride of its kind.

Filmed from the point of view of sitting on one of the huge pendulum’s 40 seats, the video is the very first look at how daring you’d need to be to soar high above the Blackpool coastline when Aviktas opens in the Spring.

The first ever on-ride POV footage was filmed today, as Aviktas completed its first full speed, 138 foot height and 120 degree arc during testing – another major milestone for the £8.72m attraction.

But it wasn’t just a visual spectacle: Today’s test marked the first time Aviktas has carried “passengers”, with 20 specially designed water dummies strapped into the pendulum’s seats to simulate riders.

The water dummies are a crucial part of the testing process, allowing engineers to monitor the ride’s systems and performance before it is cleared to carry human guests.

Amanda Thompson OBE, chief executive of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “Watching Aviktas reach full height and speed for the first time was absolutely incredible. It’s one thing seeing the structure dominate the skyline during the construction process, but it’s another seeing it truly perform.

 “The POV footage gives a very first glimpse of the exhilarating swing and stomach-dropping moments of airtime, as well as the incredible height and views over the coast.”

Although other swinging pendulum rides exist in the UK, none come close to Aviktas in terms of height. For example, Drayton Manor’s Maelstrom reaches approximately 74 feet, with Aviktas almost double that at 138 feet.

Currently, the ride area itself is still a construction site, but work is underway to build the ride’s station. Landscaping is due to begin over the coming weeks to bring the full ride experience to life.

Theming has already been teased through the giant snake emblem at the top of the ride, and in promotional posters that have appeared around the park ahead of its opening weekend this Saturday.

With testing now intensifying, the ride remains firmly on track for its Spring 2026 debut at Pleasure Beach Resort.

Pleasure Beach will throw open the gates for its 130th season this Saturday March 7 at 11am. Tickets throughout the rest of the month are available at a specially discounted ‘Adrenaline Weekends’ price of £30 when booked online at www.pleasurebeachresort.com