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- Back Issues » 2010 » March
Klump Island on track at Tivoli
Klump Island, a new play are based around the licensed character Rasmus Klump (also known as Petzi), is taking shape at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen.
Happylon Moscow
After success with its Babylon family entertainment centre (FEC) concept in Kazakhstan, the Agat Asia group has opened its first outlet in Russia.
Golden Bay - Russia's largest waterpark
Located in the Black Sea resort of Gelendijk, Golden Bay Waterpark opened in 2002 as Russia’s largest waterpark and, thanks to a major expansion between 2007 and 2009, has managed to hold on to its position as the nation’s number one.
Retail - it's in the detail
With a few bucks at stake from every visitor, not to mention the added marketing value of branded goods, your park’s retail offering should play an important role in your pre-season planning. Here Park World quizzes a handful of operators and suppliers about their merchandise offering.
Efteling - 365 days of wonders!
Following the opening of the new Bosrijk holiday village, Efteling is preparing to become a year-round destination. Owen Ralph catches up with president and CEO Bart de Boer ahead of the new season.
RAAPA 2010
The largest exhibition for the Russian and CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) amusement industry takes place in Moscow a month earlier than usual – in March. Park World looks ahead to 12th annual RAAPA Show.
EAG Expo
It’s some years since London had a dedicated parks and attractions trade show. So was there anything of interest at this January at a new event called EAG Expo?
The Value of Certification
Whether simply improving park employee performance, addressing issues raised by local or independent inspectors, or defending against a personal injury lawsuit, the value of industry certifications can be tremendous.
Turn the music down - I can't hear the ride!
Two trends of late have me either smiling or scratching my head. I'm talking about the practice of re-theming and re-introducing existing rides and adding soundtracks to the ride experience.
Universal Studios Singapore - opening confirmed
Following a week of previews in February, the new Universal Studios at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore will open for business on March 18.
Pony power!
Visitors to Slagharen in the Netherlands are being promised a “new” park when it reopens for the season on March 26, plus the return of a fondly remembered feature: Ponies.
Yak & Yeti Restaurant
The new Yak & Yeti Restaurant alongside at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida has been recognised by the International Council of Shopping Centers for its innovative design.
Wild West fraud
A jury has found Thomas Etheredge (pictured), 55, founder of the failed Wild West World theme park in Wichita, Kansas, guilty on seven of nine counts in his securities fraud trial.
DEAL offers double education opportunities
Visitors to this April's DEAL trade show in Dubai will be able to soak up knowledge at two associated seminar events.
Experience UK
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) has launched an online directory of creative companies supplying the attractions industry.
Dinosaurs Unleashed on Oxford Street
Pedestrians on one of the busiest shopping streets in London can enjoy an up-close encounter with a dinosaur at a “pop up” attraction open until the end of April.
BugWorld eyes European sites
The company that manages the BugWorld Experience in Liverpool, England, is looking for new sites elsewhere in Europe.
Wild plans for Abu Dhabi animal park
An Abu Dhabi animal attraction is to be transformed into a major resort destination almost 20 times its existing size.
Arthur 4D
Unveiled at the tail end of 2009, Arthur and the revenge of the Maltazard is a new 4D attraction at Futuroscope, the French science park in Poitiers. Based upon the Luc Besson’s movie of the same name, it is shown inside a custom themed theatre created by Jora Vision of Holland.
Ripley's Surfers Paradise
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! in Surfers Paradise, Australia, is the newest and the most interactive exhibition of the strange and weird, according to its creators.
Ho Ho H20
Santa’s Village, Jefferson, New Hampshire is adding a new water feature for 2010 season. Ho Ho H2O will feature a shallow wading pool, lots of climbing, sliding and water cannons. WhiteWater West Industries is the manufacturer of the 6,400 sq ft attraction.
Google in the park
A number of theme parks have recently been captured in digital form by Google, allowing users of Google Maps to take a virtual tour via the "Street View" function.
New at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia, is revamping its Ireland section (pictured) with two new attractions.
Harry Potter opening nears
The magnificence of Hogwarts Castle will be unveiled soon inside the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
Magic Mountain's 17th coaster
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California, will introduce Mr Six’s DanceCoaster, named after the company’s fun-loving, dancing mascot, as its 17th rollercoaster.
Bromilow joins Drayton Manor
David Bromilow is the new operations manager at Drayton Manor in England.
InaBox Interactive Theater
Alterface has developed a mobile version of its Interactive Theater.
Disney's Year to Vounteer
Disney’s US parks are launching a promotion to celebrate the spirit of volunteer service and encourage families to volunteer in their communities.
New entertainment at Tokyo Disneyland
Tokyo DisneySea will premiere a new after dark entertainment spectacular titled Fantasmic! to celebrate the Japanese park’s 10th anniversary in 2011. At the neighbouring Tokyo Disneyland park, Mickey’s PhilharMagic (pictured) will open in 2011.
TheHouse returns!
Following the spine-chilling success of Castle of Chaos in Branson, Missouri, Alterface is to build a second version of TheHouse, this time in Europe.
Merlin reveals 2009 results
Merlin Entertainments enjoyed strong and resilient growth in the face of the global downturn, according to its latest set of financial results, released this month.
How do you ensure loyal staff on a seasonal basis?
Vic Nolting, Coney Island (Cincinnati), USA (pictured): Every year we do a number of things to make working at Coney Island unique. During the year we stage a number of employee events, including sports tournaments, employee Olympics, a Monte Carlo night and talent show. We end each year with a family picnic, where each employee and their immediate family receive a free ticket to the park along with free food and drink. Additionally, each employee is given two free guest passes after they have worked four weeks. Plus, we reward solid performances with “Coney Bucks,” good for purchases in our cafeteria or retail locations. For exceptional work we have a “Super Staffer” award given in all departments every pay period. Each year we vary the activities, but our goal is to show our employees that we value their efforts and create a positive work experience.
Whale kills SeaWorld trainer
An experienced trainer at SeaWorld Orlando was killed by a 12,000-pound (5,443kg), 22-ft-long (6.7-metres) orca whale on February 24.
Morey's mystery
Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, New Jersey, is planning a major new attraction for 2010 on the the site of its old miniature golf course at Mariner’s Landing Pier.
S&S 4th Dimension Coaster for China
S&S Worldwide is to build a 4th Dimension Coaster at Changzhou Dinosaur Park in China in time for 2011 season.
Liseberg launches Quick Pass
Liseberg will become the first Swedish amusement park to implement a ride reservation system when in introduces its new Quick Pass for the 2010 season.
Kentucky Kingdom to close
Six Flags has announced it is to pull out of its operation in Louisville, Kentucky, having failed to secure a new lease deal with the Kentucky State Fair Board. Four other operators have now come forward and expressed an interest in operating the park.
Inversion USA
KMG, the Dutch ride builder, has sold an Inversion to Demas Enterprises, set to be the second ride of its kind in the United States.
ScareCON 2010
Europe's only haunted attractions trade show returns for a third year in London on May 6, and Park World readers can benefit from an exclusive discount!
IAAPA Safety Institute 2010
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) is to expand its Safety Institute in 2010 by holding separate one-day workshops beginning in March in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the United States.
Eating 'treats' OK on a day out
A survey carried out on behalf of Merlin Entertainments has confirmed that parents drop their guard when it comes to feeding their children healthily on a family day out.
Madame Tussauds Vienna
Merlin Entertainments will open its 11th Madame Tussauds attraction in early 2011. The new outlet will feature as part of the Riesenradplatz entrance plaza (pictured) in Vienna’s famous Prater park.
