Known for going big, Blackpool Pleasure Beach has now launched its record-breaking new ride, Aviktas, the largest of its kind in the UK.
Launching its riders 138 feet into the air at angles of up to 120 degrees, Aviktas is more than double the height of the previous tallest Gyro Swing and a major part of a fresh wave of updates from the park.
The £8.7m ride is the Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s largest single capital investment since the launch of the ICON rollercoaster in 2018.
The area around Aviktas has undergone a dramatic transformation, with four of the ride’s 16 tonne legs erected back in November 2025 and its first swing taking place in March this year.
As well as swinging into action at the park, Pleasure Beach has also released the official Aviktas soundtrack on streaming platforms, composed by Glenn Robertson – the international musician behind the scores for ICON, Launch Pad and the Big One.
Amanda Thompson OBE, CEO of Pleasure Beach Resort said: “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.”
Since launching on 21st May, Aviktas has received overwhelming positive reviews as the best flat ride in the UK, praised for its massive scale, intense airtime, and views across the park and Blackpool coastline.
The spectacular launch comes shortly after the news that Blackpool Pleasure Beach was recognised as one of the world’s top theme parks with a place in TripAdvisor’s 2026 Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Things To Do.