A beloved seaside theme park is finally getting a brand new ride – and it’s replacing one that locals genuinely couldn’t stop talking about.
Bottons Pleasure Beach in Skegness has revealed The Kraken, a massive new pirate-themed attraction that’s set to open this summer. And yes, it’s taking over from the park’s legendary pirate ship ride that was removed earlier this year after more than four decades of operation.
When the old pirate ship was dismantled in January, people weren’t exactly thrilled. The ride had been a staple of the park for 43 years, with generations of holidaymakers making it a must-do every time they visited Skegness.
At the time, owner James Botton Jr explained that the attraction had simply reached the end of the line.
“Age has caught up with the pirate ship and now is the time to reinvest in something new,” he previously told the BBC.
The ride wasn’t scrapped entirely, though. It was sold to another showman in the UK, who may eventually restore it and get it back into operation elsewhere.
Now the park has unveiled its replacement, and from the looks of the teaser trailer, they’re going all-in on the pirate theme.
The Kraken is expected to be smaller than the original pirate ship, but it’ll offer a completely different ride experience. According to Theme Parks UK, the attraction was built in Turkey and features a 32-seat design that swings riders through huge pendulum movements.
The ride reportedly reaches heights of around 24 metres, creating those stomach-dropping moments of weightlessness while giving riders sweeping views across the Skegness seafront.
Basically, if you’re someone who enjoys being launched into the air while questioning all your life choices, this one might be for you.
Bottons Pleasure Beach described The Kraken as a “standout addition” and said it represents one of the biggest investments the park has made in years.
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The park itself has a long history in Skegness. The Botton family bought it from Butlin’s founder Billy Butlin back in 1965, and it’s remained one of the town’s most popular attractions ever since.
Alongside rides like the Giant Wheel and bumper cars, visitors can also find arcades, ten-pin bowling and mini go-karts just a short walk from the beach.
An exact opening date for The Kraken hasn’t been confirmed yet. The ride was originally expected to arrive in March before facing delays, but recent social media posts show parts of the attraction finally being delivered to the site.
James Botton Jr has previously said the build itself should only take three to four days. After that, it’ll need to pass safety inspections before riders can climb aboard.
So if you’ve been mourning the loss of Skegness’ iconic pirate ship, there’s a good chance its successor will be making waves very soon.
