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- Back Issues » 2009 » Dec/Jan
Wedding in the Sky
After launching Dinner in the Sky in 2006, the Belgian company Events in the Sky has released a number of new variations on the concept.
Themepark-Manager
Twenty-year-old German theme park fan and IT specialist Markus Ertner has developed a software application allowing fellow fans to research their park-going activities.
A new type of Haunted House
Belgian technology specialist Alterface has joined forces with Germany’s Clostermann Design to create a new type of haunted house. The concept introduces a multimedia element to create what its developers describe as a cross between a 4D cinema and a dark ride.
SBF introduces new family coaster
The Italian SBF/Visa Group has been working on a number of new ride concepts of late, several of which were on show at the recent IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.
KMG appoints US agent
Clients and potential clients of KMG in the USA will be pleased to learn that the Dutch ride builder has appointed a new American agent in the shape of Rides 4-U. According to Len Soled, the company has already sold its first KMG Inversion ride to an unnamed US client.
Pinch Brakes
Nina Romero of Velocity Magnetics shows off the latest magnetic return pinch brake for rollercoasters. Two versions are available, one with 2,200 pounds and the other with 5,000 pounds of force.
Left Coast Engineering
After nine years’ experience in trend-setting wireless technologies, Park-Tours Inc has spun off its engineering consultancy, Left Coast Engineering.
Meet Yeti...
Garner Holt Productions has developed a new animatronic Yeti character, due to be installed at a themed attraction in early 2009. Weighing in at 1,700 pounds and standing 9ft tall, the Yeti is also one of the largest single animated figures ever built, yet incredibly friendly.
People Movers
They might not feature highly in venues’ marketing material, but people movers are the workhorses of many parks and attractions, ensuring the smooth transition of guests throughout the day, or returning them to their cars at the close of play. In many cases they can also be an enjoyable ride in themselves. From land trains to monorails, and a few unusual variations in between, Park World examines what the market has to offer, and finds that green issues are key to many recent improvements.
Mechanical Minigolf
Guests at the Belgian holiday park Molenheide can now enjoy an award-winning new miniature golf attraction. The Forgotten Mine (De Vergeten Mijn) is a highly themed ‘Mechanical Minigolf’ installation from the Dutch design firm Jora Vision and it’s just been recognised for a Thea Award by the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association).
MagiQuest adds AquaQuest
MagiQuest, a live-action interactive game powered by sophisticated technology and played with a magic wand, will expand into at least five new locations in 2009, as well as being available to waterpark for the very first time in the form of AquaQuest.
Aqualoop
WhiteWater West has secured the licence for an exciting new waterpark attraction. Combined with the ‘AquaRocket’ rider launch system, the AquaLoop is the world’s first looping waterslide.
Wind Surfer
The Flying Scooter is back with an updated look. New from Wisdom Industries, Wind Surfer feature 12 cars holding two passengers each. Each wing is controlled by the riders to make the seat fly.
Surf's Up
Zamperla has introduced Surf's Up, a stand-up spinning tracked ride that the entire family can enjoy.
Jungle Carousel
Argentine carousel manufacturer Felimana Luna Park is now offering a new 24-seater Jungle Carousel featuring endangered species animals.
Ring Race
When Ring Race, a new compressed air launch coaster from S&S Worldwide, debuts in July 2009, it will set a new land-speed record for rollercoasters.
Merlin's latest US move
Merlin Entertainments has confirmed it has acquired the Underwater Adventures aquarium in Minnesota, USA, from The Minnesota Aquarium LLC. Located inside the iconic Mall of America (pictured), the aquarium currently welcomes more than 600,000 visitors a year.
Legoland Malaysia
Merlin Entertainments has revealed plans for its first Legoland park in Asia. The new attraction is scheduled to open in the upcoming Malaysian city of Nusajaya by 2013.
Six Flags Over Qatar
A Six Flags branded attraction is due to open in Qatar by 2012 following the signing of a deal between the US park group and Oryx Holdings.
Manta takes shape
Manta, a flying rollercoaster from Bolliger & Mabillard, is rising at SeaWorld Orlando in Florida. Park visitors can already see the construction cranes and the main lift hill, and even trace the path of Manta on a diagram posted at the construction site.
Playland goes P-O-P!
Playland Park in Rye, New York, has decided to drop ride tickets in favour of a new pay-one-price admission structure for 2009. The only amusement park in America owned by a county government, Playland was until now funded in part by tax dollars, but “Westchester (County) property taxpayers will no longer subsidise the amusement park,” declares county executive Andy Spano.
New York City steps in at Coney Island
New York City is negotiating to buy 10.5 acres of real estate in Coney Island that once appeared unobtainable. If successful it would both save Astroland Park and enhance the mayor's plans to revive the slumping seaside amusement district.
Karl Bacon dies
Karl Bacon, who started Arrow Development with Ed Morgan in 1946, passed away on November 14, 2008. He was 98. Karl is survived by his wife of 67 years, Jane Bacon, two daughters, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Free Fly Coaster
Here’s a shot of the unique ride vehicle from S&S Power’s new Free Fly Coaster, debuting June at Skara Sommarland in Sweden.
Here comes summer ...Down Under!
Three new attractions opened on Boxing Day, December 26, just in time for the peak “summer” season at Warner Village in Queensland, Australia.
Eastern optimism
The trade show calendar is beginning to look increasingly busy in Asia, proof that in certain parts of the world there is optimism about the state of the amusement industry.
WWA 2009 events
The World Waterpark Association (WWA) has announced a record number of symposiums and events for its global membership in 2009. Nearly all are due to be held on site at a waterpark or resort, meaning attendees will gain great first hand insights to back up the information shared in the seminars and networking events.
New from Proslide
Tantrum Twist (pictured), a mini Tornado slide employing four-man cloverleaf tubes, is new from ProSlide Technologies of Canada.
Merlin moves staff around the globe
Merlin Entertainments has announced a number of senior promotions, as its staff benefit from new opportunities available to them worldwide as a result of the group’s continued expansion.
PARC Management acquires 11 FECs
PARC Management, LLC, has agreed to acquire the operations of 11 family entertainment centres (FECs) located throughout North America. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Kennywood president resigns
Peter J McAneny, president of Kennywood Entertainment in Pennsylvania, was due to resign his position with the company at the end of 2008 to pursue new business opportunities.
In the loop ...at last!
Europa-Park has revealed details of the launch coaster it is adding next season, courtesy of Mack Rides. Surprisingly, it will be the first coaster to turn guests at the German park upside down since the venue opened in 1975!
Maurer Söhne reveals new projects
The German manufacturer Maurer Söhne is preparing a dual-track rollercoaster for a client in Abu Dhabi that will simulate an automobile race. There will be four separate LSM launch sections with two flywheel power storage units. The coaster will carry on-board music and cameras.
Swiss Rides go to Saudi
Swiss Rides recently supplied water rides to four malls and entertainment outlets in Saudi Arabia, including Al Hokairland (pictured) and the new Galleria mall in Riyadh, the Red Sea Mall in Jeddah, and the Al-Hokair-operated Mall of Dhahran, in the city of the same name.
Intamin announces new projects
Ride Trade, acting as agent for Intamin, is shipping rides around the world. Two Megalite coasters are scheduled to open in China in 2009. Happy Valley Shanghai, an OCT park, will introduce a Mine Train, Gyro Swing and Flying Island. A Flying Island has also gone to the recently opened Happy Valley Chengdu.
Vekoma defies economic climate
How does one rollercoaster salesman view the outlook right now in the amusement industry? According to Vekoma Rides Manufacturing's Peter van Bilsen, compared to last year many existing parks are continuing with their plans for new attractions, while in emerging markets people are withholding plans because financing is unsure. In this economic climate, Vekoma is stocked with orders.
Modest growth predicted
Global growth in the theme park market is forecast to be moderate during through until 2010, according to a new report by Global Industry Analysts of California.
CNL sees promise
In a relatively short time, CNL Lifestyle Properties has become America's third-largest gated attractions owner. The real estate investment trust (REIT) has invested more than $500 million in theme parks, waterparks and FECs since 2005, building a portfolio of 25 properties across the US. So what does one of its executives make of the current economic climate in the leisure industry?
Giant Wheels go Dutch
The Giant Wheels marketed by Ronald Bussink as “Wheels of Excellence” have been acquired by Vekoma Rides Manufacturing, which will handle them under a new division called Dutch Wheels BV. Bussink, meanwhile, will now concentrate on the supply of Ferris Wheels 100-metres and taller via the new company Bussink Landmarks.
Aérophile bound for Walt Disney World
Downtown Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, is one of the latest tourist spots to get a giant, tethered balloon from the French company Aérophile. The attraction will take guests 300ft into the air to view the vistas of Walt Disney World Resort starting spring 2009.
5D International makes US sales
Simulating a low altitude flight over the capital of Austria, Vienna Airlines has been a hit since it opened at the city’s famous Prater amusement park, and now the company that created it is poised to deliver more experiences using the same ride system.
Bob goes to Legoland!
HIT Entertainment is working with SD Entertainment and Threshold Animation Studios to produce a Bob the Builder 4D movie for Merlin Entertainments.
Total Immersion makes an impact
Multimedia attractions are big news at the moment, and it would seem a safe bet to say that the “augmented reality” technology pioneered by the French company Total Immersion is poised to make a big impact and parks and attractions over the next few years.
Mack offers Hidden Reality
Mack Rides has partnered with Total Immersion to create Hidden Reality, a very flexible dark ride with animation based around the French firm’s augmented reality technology.
Introducing MIT
Preston & Barbieri revealed its new offshoot in public for the first time during IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.
Kernels
Mirko Schulze has replaced the retired Wolfgang Richter as CEO of Huss Park Attractions, based in Bremen, Germany. Want to know what he looks like? See our IAAPA party pics on page 28.
Waldameer Park & Water World's Paul Nelson reports that the Erie, Pennsylvania, park's gross revenue in 2008 was up more than 30%. Contributing factors he cites include the opening of Ravine Flyer II, the park’s new wooden coaster, plus the closing of nearby Geauga Lake, Conneaut Lake and Erie View Park. Waldameer has a free gate and does not track admissions.
The Italian manufacturer Gosetto was due to supply a giant four-storey travelling Fun House to a showman in Australia by the end of 2008. Based on a similar blueprint to the “New York New York” attraction delivered last summer in Holland, the Fun House comes packed with a number of animatronic and interactive special effects and folds away onto just two trailers.
Be Original
We are commoditising our parks. We are using meetings like IAAPA, Euro Attractions Show and Asian Attractions Expo to copy rather than inspire each other. Identical solutions are appearing everywhere for everything. Our attractions are all starting to look alike.
Vanishing Act
What is going on with American theme parks? They're dropping like flies. Recently I visited Cypress Gardens Adventure Park, Winter Haven, Florida, the day before it was due to close and have all 38 rides removed. Unless I get a hankerin' to stare at their banyon tree, guess I won't return for a while; not gonna happen.
What impressed you at this winter's trade shows?
Paul Borchardt, Wonderland Park, USA (pictured): We saw more plush lines with better design and better grade materials. Overall it's of higher quality, a great improvement over the toys we’ve had the past 20 years. The lighting and types of lighting is also getting much better. It's better flash, using LEDs with lower voltages and higher brightness. I also see an improved quality and resurgence of video games and redemption games. There are better display screens and better flash surrounding them.
IAAPA Attractions Expo
The weather was chilly but business was a little warmer on the floor of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008 – despite a predictable drop in attendance. Owen Ralph and Paul Ruben report from the show floor.
Old Macdonald's trophy
Joseph Manning and his family have been presented with an award for excellence at their Old Macdonald’s Farm park near London. The award was given on behalf of Enjoy England in recognition of the Brentwood attraction’s contribution to sustainable tourism.
Stripped to the bone
Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, Florida, has closed for the winter and when it reopens in March will be minus amusement rides and zoo. South Holdings LLC, the company that now owns the 72-year-old park, plans a renewed focus on three areas including the ski show that was the park's original draw, the botanical gardens, and the waterpark that opened a few years ago.
Turtle Talk in Tokyo!
Now open inside the SS Columbia at the park’s American Waterfront area, Turtle Talk has come to Tokyo DisneySea, Japan.
Drayton’s Magical Christmas
Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire, England, will welcome its first winter season when the park reopens for a Christmas themed event from November 22 onwards.
Christmas at the Junction
EnterTRAINment Junction, a train-themed family entertainment centre in Ohio, will introduce Christmas at the Junction for the holiday season. In addition to festive train layouts, there will also be a journey to the North Pole to see Santa and his workshop.
Medusa - the remix
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, is to dramatically transform Medusa, its floorless looping coaster. The ride, which was the first of its kind when it opened in 1999, will deliver a “multi-sensory ride experience” with new audiovisual, fire, fog and water effects.
Granville Trimper dies
Granville Daniel Trimper died on October 27, aged 79. He was the last remaining grandson of German immigrant Daniel Trimper, who in 1890 founded Windsor Resort/Trimper’s Rides in Ocean City, Maryland.
Hard Rock Park for sale
Hard Rock Park, the 55-acre, $400 million theme park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is for sale.
SeaWorld Orlando reaches new heights
Construction crews at SeaWorld Orlando recently secured into place the highest track portion of Manta, the park’s new flying coaster from B&M.
