8 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Blackpool
What Not to Do in Blackpool on Your 1st Visit
The sorts of mistakes people make when visiting Blackpool are generally not serious enough to ruin your vacation completely. They’re more like inconveniences that could come as an unpleasant surprise if you’re not prepared for them and, more importantly, you can easily avoid them if you’re aware.
Knowing is half the battle when it comes to avoiding disappointment, so we’ve prepared a list of the most important things to not do in Blackpool on your first visit. It’s a good idea to check through them before you get too far into planning your vacation to this popular English seaside resort.
8 mistakes people make when visiting Blackpool
- Expecting too much of the Blackpool Illuminations
- Forgetting advance booking
- Missing out on the rest of the coastline
- Forgetting a waterproof jacket for a British summer
- Not bringing a waterproof jacket for Valhalla
- Skipping the Blackpool Resort Pass
- Failing to stay alert for pickpockets
- Booking a hotel outside the city center
1. Expecting too much of the Blackpool Illuminations
And expecting them to be on in the summer
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Foto
Expecting too much of the Blackpool Illuminations can lead to disappointment, as their reputation is perhaps a little grander than the reality. As one of the city’s biggest draws since they were first switched on in 1879, they now cover about 6.2 miles (10 km) of the Promenade with over a million light bulbs. But if you expect extravagant designs and laser light shows, you’re in for a disappointment.
In addition, the lights are only switched on at the end of August or the start of September and remain on until early November, at which point they’re swapped for the city’s Christmas lights. Plan your visit accordingly if you want to experience the charm of this historic display. Más información
Ubicación: Promenade, Blackpool FY1 5BB, UK
Horarios: September–November: Monday–Tuesday from 5 pm to 10.30 pm, Wednesday–Sunday from 5 pm to 11 pm
Teléfono: +44 (0)12 5347 8222
Expecting too much of the Blackpool Illuminations
2. Forgetting advance booking
Planning ahead means better prices and less queuing
Categoría: De aventura, Económico
A great many people visit Blackpool, so forgetting advance booking is a costly mistake. If you’re planning to visit the city at a peak time of the year, such as during school vacations, you might find that tickets for things like Blackpool Tower, Madame Tussauds, and Blackpool Tower Dungeon have sold out. Even if they don’t, you could find yourself wasting a considerable amount of your vacation time in slow-moving queues.
To avoid missing out, it’s best to secure your tickets as far in advance as you can. As an added bonus, advance tickets are generally cheaper than buying your ticket at the door. To find advance tickets, head to the box office or check for deals online.
Forgetting advance booking
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3. Missing out on the rest of the coastline
And the inland attractions
Categoría: De aventura, Foto
Blackpool is famous for its fantastic beach and seaside attractions, but missing out on the rest of the coastline is one of the common mistakes people make when visiting. While you should certainly dedicate plenty of your vacation time to enjoying them, venturing beyond the city is equally rewarding.
Things to do outside of Blackpool include spending some time on the area’s other beaches. In some cases, these are just as beautiful as Blackpool’s, but significantly less busy. St Anne’s Beach, just a few miles to the south, is a perfect example. Alternatively, drive a little to the north of Blackpool to discover the natural beauty and tranquility of the Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve.
Missing out on the rest of the coastline
4. Forgetting a waterproof jacket for a British summer
This is Lancashire, after all
Categoría: De aventura, Parejas, Familias
Blackpool is certainly a lovely summer vacation destination, but forgetting a waterproof jacket for a British summer is always a recipe for discomfort. And, Blackpool is located on the Lancashire coast, which is noted for being one of the wettest in England, getting a thorough soaking from rain blown in off the Irish Sea on a pretty regular basis.
While you can generally rely on most days being sunny and clear in summer, bringing a lightweight raincoat is a wise precaution for the occasional days when that’s not the case. If you forgot to bring one and it starts to rain, make a dash for some indoor entertainment, such as one of the arcades or museums.
Forgetting a waterproof jacket for a British summer
5. Not bringing a waterproof jacket for Valhalla
And having to buy a poncho onsite
Categoría: De aventura, Parejas, Familias
Valhalla is one of the star attractions of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, where not bringing a waterproof jacket can lead to a very wet experience. It’s one of the longest indoor dark rides in the world and combines over six minutes of darkness with special effects including fire, snow, and water. A lot of water, in fact. So much so that ponchos are available at the entrance.
Since the ponchos aren’t free, you have a clear choice if you want to avoid the expense: come prepared or prepare to be soaked. On a nice summer day, a splash of water might be refreshing, but if you’re determined to stay dry, bring a waterproof jacket. Más información
Ubicación: Blackpool Pleasure Beach, 525 Ocean Boulevard, Blackpool FY4 1EZ, UK
Teléfono: +44 (0)87 1222 1234
Not bringing a waterproof jacket for Valhalla
6. Skipping the Blackpool Resort Pass
You’re missing out on massive savings
Categoría: Familias, Económico
Skipping the Blackpool Resort Pass is a missed opportunity, as it’s a great way to save on some of the city’s star attractions. With one ticket, you can get into Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the Blackpool Tower Eye, Madame Tussauds, and the Blackpool Tower Dungeon, among others. There’s a second tier of pass that adds further attractions like Sandcastle Waterpark and Blackpool Zoo and you can even customize your pass by adding “bolt-on” extras.
With so many attractions, covered by a single ticket, you can make considerable savings on entrance fees, especially if you’re traveling with children. Order the pass online and either collect it from the Tourist Information Center or get it posted to you (at an additional cost).
Skipping the Blackpool Resort Pass
7. Failing to stay alert for pickpockets
A few basic precautions will keep your belongings safe
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Vida nocturna
Like any popular tourist destination, Blackpool attracts its share of unsavory folk, so it’s wise to stay alert for pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. A large and good-natured police presence keeps this threat to a minimum, but they can’t monitor every single person in a big crowd.
For the most part, it takes only a few very simple measures to keep your belongings safe. Don’t put your phone or billfold in your back pocket, keep your handbag fastened shut, and carry as few valuables as you can while you’re wandering around town, especially in the evenings or if you’re planning to go somewhere that attracts big crowds, such as Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
Failing to stay alert for pickpockets
8. Booking a hotel outside the city center
It’s a false economy
Categoría: Económico, Parejas, Familias
You might think that it would be wise to book a hotel outside the city center, where the prices are somewhat lower. However, this is a false economy as you will end up wasting a lot of time and money traveling between your hotel and the star attractions.
Blackpool is quite a compact place and many of the attractions here are packed into a very small area in the middle of the city. It’s very easy and enjoyable to get around the major points of interest on foot, so staying close to them makes a lot more sense. It will be cheaper in the long run and will result in a much more enjoyable vacation experience, so choose accommodations wisely.
Booking a hotel outside the city center
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