The world’s first amusement ride dedicated to “claymation” heroes Wallace & Gromit has opened at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, England.
Wallace & Gromit Thrill-O-Matic represents a £5.25 million renovation of the park’s former Goldmine attraction, introducing over 20 scenes inspired by various Wallace & Gromit films, together with new slipper-themed ride vehicles.
Passengers travel through life-size scenes from A Grand Day Out, The Wrong Trousers, A Close Shave, A Matter of Loaf and Death and The Curse of the Were Rabbit. Added details and gags include a holiday brochure to the moon and special effects that bring Wallace’s “cracking” contraptions to life. The complete journey lasts over four minutes, including several sections in which the ride vehicles change speed.
Pleasure Beach visitors can pick up exclusive Wallace & Gromit merchandise including modelling kits, mugs, pin badges and even cheese-flavoured rock. Costumed versions of the loveable characters will also make daily meet-and-greet appearances at the park.
“Wallace & Gromit have a special place in the heart of lots of people so we thought it would be an ideal fit to have their first ride here at Blackpool Pleasure Beach,” says the park’s managing director Amanda Thompson OBE.
“I grew up down the road in Preston,” adds Wallace & Gromit creator Nick Park, “so Blackpool feels like a natural home for Wallace and Gromit. It has been a great experience working with the Thompson family to create this family ride that sits right in the heart of the park.”
Thrill-O-Matic was officially opened on 24 May by Nick Park together with Amanda Thompson and Pleasure Beach deputy managing director Nick Thompson, with help from British celebrity Christopher Biggins. The attraction was developed by Nick Farmer and Aardman Animations, working with an all-British team of suppliers including KD Decoratives, Paragon Creative and WGH Transportation.
