Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort has given soon-to-be riders a first point of view peek of its record-breaking new Aviktas gyro swing ride, ahead of its much-anticipated opening on May 21
Excitement is mounting as the “UK’s tallest ride of its kind” gets set to open at a UK theme park within days. Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort’s newest ride, Aviktas will catapult thrillseekers 138ft skyward at angles reaching up to 120 degrees.
The £8.7m gyro swing will burst into life on May 21 and will be the largest of its type in the UK – nearly twice the height of the existing tallest – Drayton Manor’s Maelstrom, which stands at 74ft.
New white-knuckle footage gives thrillseekers a taste of what they will be letting themselves in for. 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.
“Test passengers” were 20 specially designed water dummies strapped into the pendulum’s seats to simulate riders.
Pleasure Beach has also dropped the official Aviktas soundtrack on streaming services, crafted by Glenn Robertson – the global composer behind the musical scores for ICON, Launch Pad and the Big One.
Throughout its construction period, the location has remained hidden from public sight, concealed behind barriers and screening. But new footage provides a rare peek at the ride’s finished appearance and theming, offering a taste of what awaits on launch day.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO 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.”
She added: “This isn’t just a new ride for Pleasure Beach, it’s a completely unique experience to UK theme parks as a whole. We have a history of going big and this certainly is no exception.
“We’re in the final stages now. The finishing touches are being added and we’re making sure everything is ready for its opening on the 21st.”
The location was formerly the site of the Bowladrome, an arcade and entertainment hub that existed from the 1960s until it was knocked down in March 2025.
Since then, the area has seen a remarkable makeover, with four of the ride’s hefty 16-tonne legs being put up in November 2025.
The Daily Star’s resident thrill-seeker, Kelly Williams will be covering the Aviktas opening on May 21. Check back to find out more about her experience.