Blackpool Tourist Traps

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South Pier was built in 1893, its 285 metres & its original name was Victoria. There are many rides on here including the amusement arcade with fruit machines, grabbers & penny machines. There’s also a toilet for the disabled although you have to ask for a key & the doors a bit dodgy; they ask you not to lock it. There are stalls where you can try to win soft toys, & there’s a crystal shop, which sells wind chimes, Dreamcatchers & other bits & bobs, although the owner gets a bit stressed out at times.

Unique Suggestions: The Laughing Donkey Bar has a family feel with an outside beer garden with views of the sea & promenade. You can get 4-pint jugs for £9 until 10pm, refills are 99p.

Fun Alternatives: There’s a Sky Ride that swings people out over the sea at 80mph from a long rope, you have to be very brave (or stupid) to ride it. There’s also another one that shoots you up vertically in the air, there’s a small TV showing the terrified in their seats whilst it’s in motion. This ride is owned by the people, who pioneered bungee jumping back in 1989.

You can buy tokens for the rides which are £15.95 unlimited. There are the Walter rides, Crazy Mouse - £2, Dodgem - £2, Carousel - £2. There's also the fortune tellers like Madam Rosina, there's also a kiosk which sells tea, coffee & a variety of fudge & chocolates.

The sandcastle is the pool and leisure centre thing thats over next to south pier on the promanade. It is £5.50 per person (i think may be more) including kids although kids aged under i think it was 3 or some ludricous age like that got in for cheaper the biggest rip of is they charge the same price for people not going into swim as they do for people who do go in. There excuse is that people where pretending to not to want to swim and then going into the pool and that there was other entertainment we were there for two hours and apart from a adventure playground for kids i didnt see much more in way of entertainment. When they frist opened they used to do shows and things so you could stay for the whole day but they dont anymore

Unique Suggestions: If youre kids really want to go here by all means go but if someone isnt going into the pool it would be less expensive for them to go off and do something else and arrange to meet you a while later.

Fun Alternatives: There is a ordanairy pool in blackpool which would be much better very value and would be less crowded as it is more geared towards locals than tourists.

The whole of Blackpool could be considered a tourist trap, if you`re not carefull you could spend a small fortune here with not a great deal to show for it.

Unique Suggestions: Set yourself a limit of what to spend in the arcades, once you have got to that limit walk away, don`t put any more in.
Only spend what you can afford to lose.

Fun Alternatives: Don`t go in the arcades, go to the beach instead.

In Pleasure Beach there is a ride known as Valhalla- and outside they sell ponchos before you go in to it- I thought we'd save a pound or two by not buying them- what a regret- we got totally soaked- and remained that way for some time after!

Unique Suggestions: Buy a Poncho!

Fun Alternatives: there are loads of other rides so plenty others to choose from

They is only one winner in an amusement arcade, the slot machine.

Unique Suggestions: We all like a little flutter every now and again, but always say how much you want to spend , AND STICK TO IT!!!!

Fun Alternatives: Head for the fun fair..........................

The whole place is tourist trap by design...that's what's fun about it! Just take it as it comes and don't expect any highbrow culture! Kiss-me-quick hats, sticks of rock with 'Blackpool' written through the centre, cuddly toys, inflatables and buckets and spades are what you should be looking to buy in Blackpool.

Unique Suggestions: Enter into the spirit of it...go to the cheeziest clubs and listen to music you wouldn't dream of listening to back home.

Fun Alternatives: If it gets too much to bear, just get so drunk that you don't care anymore.

The whole damn place is a tourist trap, but sometimes it's a fun thing to do. But it is a tourist trap for the locals too. Most of the people I met there weren't from too far away. They just go there to hang out on the weekend and party.

Personally I don't think there really are any however be careful with the rock as its another Blackpool feature. You can buy it at a tourist shop or at a stall where you would pay half the price! Also becareful you don't go and waste all your money on the Arcades!