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Magic makeover for Beijing Watercube
Beijing’s famous Olympic swimming venue is about to be transformed into a world-class indoor waterpark. This summer the National Aquatic Center will reopen as the Happy Magic Watercube. Park World takes a closer look at this exciting project.
Cedar Fair sold to asset management firm
Cedar Fair, the American park chain, is to be acquired by Apollo Global Management. The transaction is valued at approximately $2.4 billion (€1.7bn), including the refinancing of the company’s outstanding debt (thought to be more than $1.6bn).
Madame Tussauds Bangkok
The world’s most famous waxwork museum is heading for Thailand. Madame Tussauds Bangkok will open in Septmeber 2010 as part of the revamped Siam Discovery shopping mall.
Merlin appoints new chairman
Europe’s number one attraction operator has a new non-executive chairman. Sir John Sunderland, former chief executive and chairman of Cadbury Schweppes and president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), replaces Peter Phillipson.
16th Annual Thea Awards
Awarded by the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), the prestigious Thea Awards honour excellence in the creation of visitor attractions, experiences, exhibits and places. Read on for winners of the 16th annual awards.
IAAPA Awards 2009
During IAAPA Attractions Expo this November in Las Vegas, the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions presented no fewer than 10 sets of awards. Read on for the full rundown.
IAAPA Attractions Expo
A change of venue, from Orlando to Las Vegas, created new excitement on the floor of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009, the 91st annual convention and trade show of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). Paul Ruben and Owen Ralph report.
BEC now SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment
Following the sale of Busch Entertainment Corporation (BEC) to Blackstone Capital Partners there comes a new name for the company that operates some of America’s best-known and popular theme parks.
Barbara Knoebel, 1943-2009
Barbara Ellen (Cook) Knoebel died on November 27, 2009 at the age of 66. At Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania she was an important member of the family business.
Cinecitta World set for 2011 debut in Rome
Italy’s largest theme park dedicated to the cinema will open its gates in less than two years’ time. Cincecitta World, in the Castel Romano area of Rome, is set for a spring 2011 debut, and its developers hope to attract over four million guests a year.
Reinventing the wheel
Amusement industry think tank US Thrillrides claims to reinvent the way we have fun. This time, company founder Bill Kitchen is at it again. The creator of the Skycoaster, Skyventure, and Unicoaster has applied his ingenuity to reinventing the wheel, or rather the Ferris Wheel.
ProFun to manage Suzanne Mubarak park
Operational management and strategic direction of the new Suzanne Mubarak Family Park in Cairo is to be handled by the ProFun Management Group. The California-based company has formed a local operation, ProFun Egypt Ltd, to work with the Heliopolis Association to open and manage the new park.
Chance finishes first Unicoaster
The first Unicoaster ride from Chance is finished. This brand new ride features eight rotating arms with two passenger vehicles on each arm and allows each vehicle’s passengers to control their own spin, both forward and backward.
Crealy planning decision bodes well for other UK parks
A landmark appeal decision has clarified the planning status of amusement park rides in the United Kingdom.
Scenic Railway secure following government grant
The Dreamland Trust has been awarded a UK government grant of £3.7million ($6.2m/€4.2m). Cited as the most important milestone in the six-year campaign to save Dreamland park in Margate, Kent, the grant secures the future of the Scenic Railway (pictured), Britain’s oldest surviving rollercoaster.
Silver Dollar City anniversary will be a Blast!
Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri, launches its 50th anniversary year in 2010 with a new interactive water ride from Mack. There will also be special birthday events, entertainment and a $50,000 prize giveaway.
New trains for Holiday World coaster
The Voyage, the highly-ranked wooden coaster at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, is expected to feel faster and a lot smoother in 2010 thanks to a new set of trains.
HIT attraction planned for Malaysia
HIT Entertainment’s first Little Big Club attraction will open in 2012 at the prestigious Puteri Harbour development in Nusajaya, Malaysia.
Disney gets the go-ahead in Shanghai
After years of speculation, The Walt Disney Company has confirmed it is has received approval from the central government of China to develop a theme park in the Pudong district of Shanghai.
Water coaster on a cruise ship!
The Disney Cruise Line is to introduce an industry first when it installs a waterslide coaster on a passenger ship.
Italian show meets organiser’s expectations
The trade show Amusement Expo Europe, which took place in Genoa, Italy, from October 28 to 30, attracted over 3,000 visitors from more than 35 countries according to organiser Fiera di Genova.
