90 Years of Ice Shows: Pleasure Beach Presents New Alice Production
The Hot Ice figure skating shows have a long tradition in Blackpool and are being complemented this year by “Alice, Frozen in a Wonderland of Dreams”.
© Photo: Courtesy of Pleasure Beach Resort
(eap) The British Pleasure Beach Resort in Blackpool is marking two anniversaries this year: the park’s 130th anniversary and 90 years of ice shows. To celebrate the occasion, visitors can look forward to a new family show this year. Under the title “Alice, Frozen in a Wonderland of Dreams”, the Stageworks Worldwide team – Pleasure Beach’s entertainment division – is bringing the well-known characters from Lewis Carroll’s children’s book “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” to the ice.
“Much like our park, the story of Alice in Wonderland has enchanted and thrilled people for hundreds of years, and hopefully will continue to do so for hundreds more,” explains Amanda Thompson, OBE, Director and CEO of Pleasure Beach. “We’re known for putting on a show… and this new performance will take audiences on a breathtaking journey through a world where fantasy, imagination, and world class athleticism combine in the most extraordinary way.”
The "Alice in Wonderland" attraction when it was newly opened around 1968. © Photo: Courtesy of Pleasure Beach Resort
However, Pleasure Beach’s connection to the world of Alice goes beyond literary inspiration alone. Located directly opposite the ice arena is the themed ride “Alice in Wonderland”, which has been part of the park’s attraction lineup for decades. The origins of the ride reportedly date back to a trip to Disneyland in the late 1950s, when then Pleasure Beach owner Leonard Thompson visited his friend and fellow entrepreneur, Walt Disney. There is supposed to be evidence to suggest that Walt Disney personally granted permission to use Disneyland’s Alice-themed ride as the blueprint for an attraction in Blackpool. After Disneyland and ride manufacturer Arrow Dynamics built a corresponding attraction in California in 1958, Pleasure Beach opened its own version with an identical layout in 1962.
Alice, Frozen in a Wonderland of Dreams will be presented from July 20 to September 10 alongside the regular ice show “Hot Ice Show XC”. The performance is set to be included in the regular park admission, while separate tickets will also be available for non-park visitors. In addition to the new show, Pleasure Beach is opening a new major attraction this year: an Intamin Gyro Swing named “Aviktas” (see EAP News of 24.03.25). More information on new developments at European theme parks can be found in the park report in EAP issue 2/2026, to be published in early March. ■
