Pleasure Beach
β 10 Β· 1998 Β· 30m Β· Documentary Β· Family
Filmed on location in 1997 at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the show was a six-part BBC documentary, which followed the day-to-day running of the park. It was mainly focused on the rides and the park managers, Jim Rowland and Keith Allen. The film crews also spoke to Geoffrey Thompson and Amanda Thompson, the director and producer of Stageworks Worldwide Productions (which directs, produces and choreographs the shows within the park.)
Episodes
1. Episode 130m Β· Filmed during the summer season of 1997, first broadcast in 1998. A six part BBC TV documentary series following the running of Blackpool's amusement park, narrated by Nick Hancock. In this episode, J.R. the park manager, has to contend with a broken down Pepsi Max, a crash on the Avalanche and Bradley Beaver is assaulted in the Children's Park.
2. Episode 230m Β· A Portuguese game show contestant is paid cash to ride the Pepsi Max, Amanda's Hot Ice Show has it's opening night and J.R. has a bomb-scare to deal with.
3. Episode 330m Β· An entire wedding party rides the Pepsi Max, African fertility statues arrive at Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum and J.R. has a lost child to find.
4. Episode 430m Β· The high speed Tokado Express gets stranded half way round, Schnorbitz gives birth and J.R. has an ongoing battle with the foam bandits of the River Caves.
5. Episode 530m Β· Park owner, Geoffrey Thompson is one of the first to test out the new PlayStation ride, J.R. and Keith's 'disabled policy' comes into question and illegal street traders cause problems at the front gates, as well as for the visiting Mexican diving team.
6. Episode 630m Β· In this final episode, it's 'switch on' time for Blackpool's illuminations and Keith pulls in record profits in J.R.'s absence, but when J.R. returns can he beat Keith's record day despite a power-cut plunging the park into darkness?More Like This
Thrill Factor
2015
Exploring the exciting world of thrill rides, waterslides and other heart-pumping experiences through a scientific lens, hosts Kari Byron and Tory Belleci dive into the engineering and physics that explain why these rides excite adrenaline junkies.
More info β
We Call It Imagineering
2024
Come along as we take you on an inside look at Walt Disney Imagineering. Inspired by how Walt took us along during the development of Disneyland, this new series brings you into the creative and design journey as Disney Imagineers create new, innovative experiences for guests to enjoy at Disney Parks around the world!
More info β
Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks
2025
A celebration of the history and legacy of Universal Destinations & Experiences. Through unprecedented access, rare archival and intimate interviews with directors, producers, executives, and A-list celebrities, it explores Universal's film and theme park history as well as provide a behind-the-scenes countdown to the opening of its new theme park, Universal Epic Universe.
More info β
Nerves Of Steel
2024
Filmed over two years in Emerald Park, this behind-the-scenes documentary follows the trials and tribulations of building Europe's longest intertwining rollercoasters.
More info β
The Story of Europa-Park
2022 Β· β 9
This is the story of how a family who produced rides and carriages for showmen runs Germany's largest amusement park. It is a unique development how the small, sleepy fishing village of Rust became a place marked by success. A career that not even the Mack family could have dreamed of. We look behind the development of the park, which obstacles had to be overcome and find out who was an ally of the Macks.
More info βParconaute
2016
Olivier Morin explores the crazy, wonderful world of theme parks across the globe.
More info β
Blackpool
2004 Β· β 6.9
Ripley Holden is a small-time entrepreneur desperate to make it big with his new state-of-the-art amusement arcade. The opening extravaganza is overshadowed by the find of a dead body on the premises. DI Carlisle is called in and quickly finds he has more on his mind than murder, when he falls in love with Ripley's long-suffering wife.
More info β
Happyland
2014 Β· β 5
Having grown up in a world of manufactured happiness, Lucy, the cynical teenage daughter of a idealistic theme park princess mom, wants to get out and experience something real. When Ian, the new park owner's son, arrives and sweeps her off her feet, Lucy is left wondering if fairy tale endings do exist after all. But when a scandalous secret turns her life upside down, she learns Happyland is far from a walk in the park.
More info β
Westworld
2016 Β· β 8
A dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.
More info β