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- Back Issues » 2009 » March
Air Racer
Based on the same “Airballs” technology as its Pinball ride, Air Racer from Skytrack in the Netherlands tests four riders’ nerves and reflexes in a drag race race with hovering cars.
Down Force
Chance Morgan has updated its old Rok ‘n’ Rol ride (reminiscent of the old Allen Herschell Looper) by adding an undulating track and new seating. Known as the Down Force, the first unit has been sold to NASCAR Speedpark, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and will open in May 2009.
Aqua Tram
An update of the same manufacturer’s Nautibus attraction, the Aqua Tram provides an underwater dark ride experience for a wide range of entertainment venues, from amusement parks to aquaria.
Heineken Experience
BRC Imagination Arts’ overhaul of the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, which reopened at the tail end of last year, celebrates the beer’s Dutch heritage and global reach using a variety of storytelling techniques. The result is a visitor attraction that leaves guests feeling good and thirsty for more.
Dinosaur Wars
They’re relatively cheap to construct and kids can’t get enough of the theme: Dinosaur parks are big business in Eastern Europe. Here Anna Lukasik surveys the situation in Poland, while further down the page we profile a three-strong park chain in Slovakia and the Czech Republic with ambitions to expand a little further west.
Camden Park
The sign of the happy clown greets visitors as they pull into the parking lot of the 106-year-old Camden Park, and the happiness grows once inside the gate. Paul Ruben visits West Virginia’s only amusement park, currently in a period of renewal.
Jawa Timur Park & Wisati Baharti Lamongan
Between them Jawa Timur Park & Wisati Baharti Lamongan entertain nearly two-and-a-half million guests a year. Park World takes a quick look at two sister parks that offer tried and tested fun at an affordable price to Indonesian families.
Built It and They Will Come
The industry’s most accepted method of determining a new attraction’s effect on visitor numbers is to simply compare attendance with the season before it was introduced. But how reliable is this? Pieter Cornelis from the Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands believes it’s time for a scientific approach, and he’s got a formula to prove it.
Employee Complaints
Although amusement parks are generally considered relaxed and fun by their guests, employees may well view the atmosphere differently. This is something to consider as you prepare your staff for the season ahead.
Into The Wild
In the November 2002 issue of Park World I wrote about Legoland California's Driving School, which allows "pre-teens to feel empowered as they test their driving skills on city streets complete with Lego stoplights." Now it was time for me to test my driving skills, but not on city streets and not with stoplights. During the off-season you may wish to try this yourself.
New creative director at Thinkwell
Thinkwell, a creator of experience-based entertainment for theme parks and leisure destinations worldwide, has added industry veteran Danny Hartigan to its team in the role of director of creative.
HB's new MD
HB Leisure, the specialist games operator headed by Tim Batstone, has appointed a new managing director. Alex Sparks (pictured) joins from the retail industry, where he spent 10 years with the Virgin Group and 15 years with Blockbuster Entertainment, where he was managing director for the UK.
Southern Star
The world’s latest observation wheel has suffered a number of setbacks since it opened at the tail end of last year. The Southern Star, in Melbourne, Australia, was forced to close last month (February) after an excessive heatwave, and was still out of order at the time of writing.
Busch puts Dubai plans on hold
The suspension of Busch Entertainment’s ambitious Worlds of Discovery project in Dubai and the delay Formula 1 theme park are some of the latest and highest profile casualty amid the current, some would say inevitable, construction setback in the United Arab Emirates.
Kernels
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, is to start using compressed natural gas to fuel its guest trams and recycled cooking oil to power its Disneyland Railroad steam trains and Mark Twain riverboat. "These initiatives are just a few steps in our ongoing journey to reduce Disneyland Resort's environmental footprint," says Michael O 'Grattan, senior vice-president of resort operations.
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Santa Claus, Indiana, has two new directors. As director of maintenance, Tony Perkins will oversee a full-time staff of 22 technicians. Jason Martin, the new Director of food & beverage, will supervise the hiring and training of his 550-member seasonal staff, who operate the parks’ 17 food outlets.
Alabama Adventure, Bessemer, Alabama, is building a new $1 million waterpark attraction from Whitewater West. On UpSurge! riders will race down a 216ft of flume before plummeting down and back up a vertical half-pipe ending in a splash pool of 25,000 gallons of water.
Zebec, the Ohio-based producer of inflatable waterpark tubes, rafts and play features, has opened a new 12-acre manufacturing facility. “We simply ran out of space at the old place,” explains the company’s Scott Snyder. The new facility comes equipped with seven machines allowing Zebec to offer a wide range of product from stock. “A lot of parks rely on us for stock,” notes Synder, “and we have a huge warehouse.”
Asia Tourism Resort & Attraction
Following its inaugural event last summer, the Global Leaders Institute is to stage a second Asia Tourism Resort & Attraction conference this June in Shanghai, this time in the Sheshan district of the city – close to the new Happy Valley theme park from OCT.
Residents fail to disrupt Luna Park party
Attempts by a group of well-heeled local residents to shut down rides at Sydney Luna Park (LPS) have failed in the New South Wales Supreme Court, Australia.
New at Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Wonderland will open its castle doors in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for its 46th season on May 2 with a couple of new attractions.
Waterplay ...without the big footprint!
Who says interactive water playrgrounds have to be big? SCS Interactive recently installed this compact waterplay structure at The Alaska Club Valley health and fitness club in Wasilla, Alaska.
Bed and brick-fast!
The City of Carlsbad Planning Commission has approved Legoland California’s request to build a hotel on resort property. “This is an exciting step in the planning process for the Legoland Hotel,” says Peter Ronchetti, the resort’s newly installed general manager. “While the opening of the hotel is not in the immediate future, we are looking forward to this new chapter in our development.”
Hard Rock Park sold
Hard Rock Park could be open again by the end of May in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A conglomerate called FPI MB Entertainment has paid $25 million (€20m) for the park’s assets and promised to spend a further $15 million to reopen it for the 2009 season.
Disney streamlines Parks & Resorts
Walt Disney has announced that it wants to deliver a “one-Disney” experience at its parks and resorts by simplifying its operating structure. “These changes are essential to maintaining our leadership position in family tourism and reflect today’s economic realities,” highlights Jay Rasulo (pictured), chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
Vitala signs deal in Vietnam
The Hanh Liem Group in Vietnam has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vitala Group to carry out and approve eight separate project feasibility studies and finance those that are then approved.
On the Edge in the Philippines
The Crown Regency Hotel and Towers in Cebu, the Philippines, recently launched Sky Experience Adventure. Located on the 38th level of the hotel building, the attraction comprises the first Edge Coaster from Interactive Rides of Utah, USA.
3-2-1 Penguins in 4D
London-based licensing company Entertainment Rights is to develop a 3-2-1 Penguins! franchise for 4D theatre attractions in partnership with 3DBA. Deals are due to be concluded soon with partners across South East Asia and the Middle East.
Village Roadshow management changes
The board of Village Roadshow Theme Parks in Australia has announced a comprehensive management review of its Gold Coast operations. According to chairman John Kirby and CEO Graham Burke of parent company Village Roadshow, the changes will “provide greater depth of management and optimise profitability into the next decade.”
Astroland donates rocket to City
Carol Hill Albert, co-owner of Astroland at Coney Island in New York, has donated the park’s most famous icon, the 71ft Astroland Rocket, to the City of New York.
Have you ever considered a different pricing structure at your park?
Linda Hays, Cliff's Amusement Park, USA (pictured): We did actually, but it only lasted one season. It was a huge mistake. We are normally pay-as-you-go and thought going strictly pay-one-price and lowering the price would be a great idea. Because it took away the freedom that our customers had been used to, we had huge resistance. I can’t remember the year we tried this but it must have been at least a decade ago. So, we learned to keep the structure the same. That is what our guests want.
TiLEzone
If you’ve ever wondered why you should go green at your park or attraction, then here is a good enough reason: It could save you money. And you could do worse than attend a one-day conference in London this March, where speakers will discuss how sustainable technologies, design and operations can reduce costs and improve the public's perception of a wide range of leisure destinations.
Haunting Missouri
The USA’s 14th National Haunt & Attractions Show (HauntShow) will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, from March 27 to 29, promising new product introductions, extensive seminar programming, networking events, tours and much more.
Pauton’s February fixture
Paultons will be one of several British amusement parks opening this February for the ‘half-term’ school holidays. Visitors to the park in Hampshire will get a sneak peak of the new ride for 2009 – The Edge – during the nine-day opening period (February 15 to 23).
Stengel receives German honour
Werner Stengel has been awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz (Cross of Merit) by the Federal Republic of Germany for his outstanding contribution to rollercoaster design and development.
ScareCON 2009
Following an inaugural one-day event last year, Scare Attractions UK has revealed that ScareCON will take place for the second time this May in Birmingham, England.
Orlando parks downsize staff
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Universal Orlando laid off about 70 employees in January and senior staff at Walt Disney World have been offered buyouts to leave, as these and other resorts confront an increasingly dire economic outlook.
Celebrate!
Disneyland, Anaheim, California, will introduce a new parade called Celebrate! A Street Party on March 27. Described as “interactive street party” it will travel along the parade route daily, replacing the outgoing Parade of Dreams.
Kernels
Italian theme park Gardaland is to make a number of modest investments for 2009 including new Vekoma trains on its Corkscrew coaster and a total refurbishment and conversion of its King’s Valley dark ride.
A new indoor attraction is set to open in time for Easter at Crealy Great Adventure Park in Devon, England. Construction is already underway on GoWild – a canopy adventure of aerial walkways, tunnels, bridges and climbing walls – within the park’s Dina’s Lost World play area. The new high level play zone has been designed and constructed by Western Log Group, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of timber-based themed play areas. In 2009 this, the original Crealy park, celebrates 20 years of family fun.
The English park Lightwater Valley is to offer guests a new water ride for the 2009 season: Wild River Rapids. The ride is a travelling model built by Reverchon and on loan from James Mellors Amusements, operators of the Funderworld “mobile theme park.” It replaces a Pinfari coaster removed over the winter.
Legoland stages Obama inauguration
The 56th US presidential inauguration took place outside the US Capitol building on January 20, but guests at Legoland California were also able to enjoy their own brick-built version of this historic event.
Cedar Fair attendances up
Combined attendance at Cedar Fair’s 18 park properties in the United States was up by 3% in 2008, it has been revealed. The company’s fourth quarter figures show that total attendance during the year was 22.7 million, up from of 22.1 million in 2007.
New kiddie coaster for Liseberg
Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, is to replace its popular Circus Express with a new family coaster called Rebalder. The 90-metre long attraction, featuring 222-metres of track is being supplied by Zierer from Germany.
Chinese New Year ...Disney style!
Chinese New Year arrived early at Hong Kong Disneyland as the park launched its Mickey Celebrates the Year of the Ox event on January 15. Centred around the themes of luck, energy and unity, the celebration is due to run until February 8. The Chinese year 4047 started officially on January 26.
Empex Watertoys makes Japanese installation
Empex Watertoys has installed its first Aquadunker attraction as part of a water playground at the Jozankei View Hotel in Japan. The new feature is a mid-size water bucket, the first of its kind in Japan which, when full, tips onto the children below with dramatic results.
Gosetto goes ‘Down Under’ the sea!
The Italian manufacturer Gosetto recently completed a brand new Fun House for a client in Australia. Sea Circus is a three-story construction packed full of effects and animatronics, and kids are sure to love the fun marine theme.
Monorail makeover
Alton Towers in England has revamped its 1987 monorail with the help of the London-based design firm Sarner. The people-moving system is used to transport guests on a loop between the park’s car park, main entrance and two hotels and at the height of the season can transport 4,800 people every hour.
The friendly 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.
Bombay Express
Bombay Amusement Rides (BARPL) recently completed a new 33-seater land train for India’s Lavasa tourism resort project between Pune and Mumbai.
Santa Claus is coming to town ...in 3D!
Blacklight Attractions recently created a seasonal 3D attraction for the Bayville Adventure Park FEC in New York. Santa's Magical Toy Factory in 3D took visitors through a magical world inside Santa's works, where they experienced Mrs Claus' kitchen, a winter wonderland, the elves’ toy factory and a face to face reindeer encounter.
What's been your best working vacation?
Bob Masterson, Ripley Entertainment/IAAPA (pictured): I’m always at a loss when asked to name the “best” of anything. It really comes down to people, places and things. Change one of those and the best can be the worst!
