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 Michael Myers (Halloween) , Freddy Kruger , The Exorcist , Pinhead (Hellraiser) 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 experience consists of a group of people who walk through a series of specially designed mazes to solve 'Pasaje' - a haunted house type building under the Casino. It is here they they encounter a cast of horror icons and jittery, jolting set designs which can change their shape and/or position, designed to provoke confusion and 'fear' in the participants.The attraction starts with a quick safety talk in an abbatoir 'confession' stand by a cowled monk charracter who warns riders not to touch the actors or foresee the urge to run at any time. After this, visitors are instructed to go down some spiral stairs and knock three times on a heavy brass door. Following behind, the actor, who possesses a torn habit gives another talk and then opens a gate to guide visitors through. Now left to their own accords in a long dark corridor, guests of Pasaje must walk through through the staged horror performances. These include a boistrous yet deranged clown in a room of no escape, a zombie in a graveyard, a scene from The Exorcist, Freddy Krueger and close encounter with a chainsaw wielding mad man. All the actors hide behind doors or within the environment itself waiting for the unsuspecting group of visitors to walk by, and sometimes toy with certain members of the group.

pecial Effects

The attraction prides itself with rich special effects and artistic designes. Since it opened in 1998, the ride has ruled on the 'what you can't see will scare you' tactic. Actors use the dark to intense advantage, springing up when the group least expects it. Special rooms and passageways are designed to transfigurate or disappear, leaving the group in a daze. Candles flicker persistantly, sometimes drowning out any light. A blood-curdling soundtrack is present throughout. Claustrophobia also plays a great part in special effects. Rooms spin, passageways tighten, wooden bridges shake over an undergrowth and doors lock to their own accord. In 2007, Pasaje made ultimate changes to the maze, which now advertises itself as 'Even Scarier.'

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 suddenly submerged in darkness. When the lights dramatically and very suddenly come back on, the whole scene has changed and the group is not where they were before the ascending pitch black. At the end of the attraction is a cafe bar known as the 'Horror Bar' which pitches a favourite haunt for drinkers and family members to watch 'victims' in the group come screaming through a port hole door after fleeing the last scene.

Rules

* Never run, ever.
* Always go forwards. Never back.
* Guests must never touch any of the actors.
* Don't harm them and they wont harm you.
* No refunds available.
* No mobile phones or lighting equipment.
* No videoing of any kind

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.
* The ride was considered to be located at the now defunct Frontier Land amusement park in Morecambe, however after the parks falling profits, the ride was penned for Pleasure Beach Blackpool
* The ride originated in Argentina

Tickets

Tickets for the attraction are £6.50 per ticket and are purchased separately from the wristband system. 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 [http://www.pleasurebeachblackpool.com official site]
* CoasterKingdom [http://www.s104638357.websitehome.co.uk/html/halloween05_passajedelterror.htm review]
* Master Production Entertainment [http://www.mpe-europe.com creators of the Pasaje del Terror]