Designed by Ron Toomer and manufactured by Arrow Dynamics, the ride opened to the public on 28 May 1994 as the tallest and steepest roller coaster in the world, featuring a height of 213 feet (65 m) and a drop angle of 65 degrees.

The Big One's construction began in 1992 by Arrow Dynamics with Ron Toomer as its lead designer, and by the time it was completed, the total cost had reached £12 million.

During the start of the construction of the ride, the south of Blackpool promenade was closed and pieces of the structure were stored on the road adjacent to the Pleasure Beach.

[4] The Big One also features one of the longest tracks in the world with its out-and-back roller coaster layout, which measures over a mile in length at 5,497 feet (1,675 m).

Each train reaches a maximum speed of 74 mph (119 km/h), which at the time of opening ranked second in the world behind Steel Phantom at Kennywood.

Before the ride was granted a certificate to operate, Pleasure Beach Resort had to appeal to Blackpool Airport located one mile from the park.

[citation needed] Once riders are seated and secured, a siren sounds and the train exits the station down a small dip, turning 180 degrees straight into a tunnel decorated as a Pepsi Max pop can.

After the brief tunnel, the train climbs the lift hill, which has height markers every 50 feet (15 m) showing riders the rising elevation, crossing over Icon's track.

In July 1994, during the ride's inaugural season, 26 people were injured when the computerized braking system failed to completely stop a train returning to the station.