As of 2026, the "Big One" roller coaster at Blackpool Pleasure Beach is 32 years old. Originally opened on May 28, 1994, as the "Pepsi Max Big One," it was a monumental achievement in theme park engineering, holding the record for the tallest, fastest, and steepest steel roller coaster in the world at the time of its debut. Standing at a height of 213 feet (65 meters) and reaching speeds of up to 74 mph (119 km/h), it remains an iconic part of the Blackpool skyline and a "bucket list" ride for enthusiasts globally. The coaster was designed by the legendary Ron Toomer of Arrow Dynamics and cost approximately £12 million to construct. Over its three decades of operation, the ride has undergone significant maintenance to ensure its longevity, including the periodic replacement of sections of its steel track to maintain a smoother ride experience. Despite newer, more technologically advanced coasters being built elsewhere, the Big One retains its status as the second-tallest roller coaster in the United Kingdom and continues to be the flagship attraction of the historic seaside resort, symbolizing the mid-90s boom in "hypercoaster" construction.