Pasaje Del Terror

Pasaje Del Terror is an interactive horror attraction located within the casino at Pleasure Beach Blackpool. The ride (which was constructed in 1998) is loosely based on the now-defunct ride Terror on Church Street, a dark ride in Florida where guests were invited to tour a horror maze filled with famous horror film ICONS, such as Freddy Kruger and Jason Voorhees. The concept of this kind of attractions, and most of these horror rides in the world were created by Fernando Quenard and Ignacio Brieva.

The attraction

The attraction consists of a group of people (usually 6 but can be up to 8) who huddle together and walk through the maze to solve 'Pasaje' - a haunted house type building which houses famous horror icons such as the ones mentioned above. The attraction uses actors to portray the characters, giving the ride more depth and interaction than traditional haunted house rides (movement, reactions, etc.)

The attraction starts with a quick safety talk with instructions not to touch any of the actors and to keep going forward. After this, visitors are instructed to go down some stairs and knock on the door 3 times. After this, an actor dressed in a monks habit gives another talk and then opens a gate and guides visitors through. Visitors then walk through a crypt with creatures such as vampires, then a factory with Freddy Kruger, a corridor with hooks and gore and Pin Head, a forest with Leather Face and the bed scene straight out of The Exorcist. All the actors hide behind doors or within the environment itself waiting for the unsuspecting group of visitors to walk by.

Reactions

Most people comment on the attraction as being 'very claustrophobic' This could be down to the fact that the ride is very dark inside and consists of many challenges or 'puzzles' which are designed to trap riders or leave them wondering where to go. In one part of the attraction, the group is trapped in a small room with a clown who points in the direction of where to leave whilst repeating the phrase "this way, this way" however, there does not Appear to be a way out. Other scenes involve long corridors where ghostly FACES stare from every direction, or where sleeping vampires awaken to feed. Obstacles include rickety, swaying bridges, moving floors, endless dead ends and doors everywhere. The reason this attraction is so effective is because visitors are left to their own accord. Solving the maze can take up to 30 minutes alone!

Rules

• Never run, ever.
• Always go forwards. Never back.
• Guests must never touch any of the actors.
• No refunds available.
• No mobile phones or light equipment

Trivia

• The ride ends with the group exploding into a small bar in the casino called 'The Horror Bar' where they can reflect on their experience.
• It took nearly 6 years for Geoffry Thompson (previous managing director) to agree to install the ride.
• Whilst in the ride, guests meet such famous horror icons as Freddy Kruger, Jason Voorhees, Ghost Face, Regan, and Leatherface.
• The ride originated in Argentina

Tickets

Tickets for the attraction are £6 per ticket and are bought separately from park ride tickets/wristbands. The ride is open during the regular park season

Restrictions

The attraction does not have restrictions, however the park have advised that young children, those of a nervous disposition or those who suffer from epilepsy should not ride. Expectant mothers must not take the ride.

References

• Blackpool Pleasure Beach official site
• CoasterKingdom review
• Master Production Entertainment creators of the Pasaje del Terror