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Merlin breathes new life into Oberhausen
Following the closure in 2010 of CentrO Park (pictured), Merlin Entertainments is to open two new attractions in the German city of Oberhausen.
Also online this month:
Introducing Europe’s tallest rollercoaster
PortAventura has become home to Europe’s tallest rollercoaster. Supplied by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) Shambhala opened at the Spanish park on May 12 and was ridden by more than 15,000 guests over its first weekend.
Big plans for Steel Pier
A record-setting Star Flyer, America’s tallest giant wheel and a rollercoaster are destined for the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as part of a $100 million (€77m) investment plan.
Brighton observation tower back on track?
The developers of the London Eye believe their plans for an observation tower in the British seaside resort of Brighton will be back on track if loans worth £17 million ($27m/€21m) can be secured.
Kiss the sky in Kissimmee!
Park World is pleased to bring you these exclusive pictures of a new attraction alongside Old Town in Kissimmee, Florida.
Goddard's Ring of Harmony
It might look like another giant wheel concept, but this is in fact the “Ring of Harmony” that will become a landmark for Shenfu New Town in China.
India's first indoor looping coaster
Pictured here is India’s first indoor looping rollercoaster – outside. The ride, now open as a signature FEC feature of the Infiniti Mall in Mumbai, is seen below at the premises of Italian manufacturer IE Park, ahead of its shipment to the subcontinent.
10 years of Belantis
East Germany’s largest theme park has turned again to Gerstlauer for a new ride to celebrate its 10th anniversary season in 2012.
Hedgehog encounter at Fårup Sommerland
Guest visiting Denmark’s Fårup Sommerland will be able to enjoy an encounter with a hedgehog, a squirrel and a Road Runner this season.
Djurs Sommerland reaches for the sun
The Danish amusement park Djurs Sommerland was due to start its new season on May 4. The big news for 2012 is the addition of a heavily-themed Flying Fish ride from Zierer, plus some Buffalo-themed bumper cars as seen here.
Fishy fun at Familypark Neusiedlersee
Austria’s Familypark Neusiedlersee has unveiled a Flying Fish ride courtesy of Zierer.
SeaWorld reveals plans for Antarctica
SeaWorld Orlando has revealed more details of its largest-ever new attraction, Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin.
Aquatica San Antonio
Following the success of Aquatica in Orlando, Sea World Parks & Entertainment has rolled out the waterpark brand to Texas with a multimillion dollar transformation of SeaWorld San Antonio’s former Lost Lagoon.
Rides revealed for Yas Waterworld
WhiteWater, ProSlide and Vekoma are three of the key attraction suppliers for Abu Dhabi's Yas Waterworld.
Waterpark planned for Georgia's newest city
Anaklia, which was awarded city status in August 2011, will welcome a waterpark as from this summer. The new facility will belocated at the Anaklia City Resort, a luxurious seaside development on Georgia’s Black Sea coast.
Biggest ever investment for Astrid Lindgren’s World
A 22,000 square metre new land featuring a turn of the 19th/20th century farm is planned for Astrid Lindgren’s World in 2013. The Swedish park is ploughing (pun intended) SEK 95 million ($14m/€11m) into the Katthult project – its largest ever investment.
A worldwide standard – one step closer
A group of around 15 industry professionals from across Europe gathered recently in England as part of an ongoing quest to establish a worldwide safety standard for amusement rides and devices.
What will be your biggest challenge in 2012?
Michael Mack, Europa-Park, Germany: Getting our new hotel, Bell Rock, ready on time is our greatest challenge. I think we got the season off to a nice start with out new wooden coaster Wodan, but the challenge with that could be capacity, which our operations guys think is too low compared to Blue Fire Megacoaster.
Splashing With Wolves
It was the dead of winter and I was suffering waterpark depravation. What to do? There were two options. Fly to a warm weather destination with an outdoor waterpark, or drive to an indoor waterpark.
