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Doctor Who Experience
There’s a new tourist attraction in London, offering visitors an immersive out-of this-world adventure with a uniquely British twist. Park World steps inside the Doctor Who Experience.
Slagharen - the price is right!
A background in the hotel industry convinced Angelique Klar of Slagharen to introduce a dynamic pricing strategy at the Dutch park in 2010. The results proved eye opening, as she explains here.
Let's hear it for Dollywood!
Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park inspired and co-owned by Dolly Parton, rounded off its 25th anniversary season in style – by winning the Liseberg Applause Award for 2010/11. Here Dolly discusses her reasons for starting the park, how it benefits the local community and why she's found the perfect partner in Herschend Family Entertainment.
Christmas at Sundown
This festive season the owners of Sundown Adventureland in England spent over a million pounds erecting a dark ride that operated for just six weeks and will have closed by the time you read this. Owen Ralph was there to enjoy A Night Before Christmas
Rick Root - World Waterpark Association
World Waterpark Association president Rick Root talks to Park World about the industry represented by his 1,100+ members.
Snow Village planned for Saudi Arabia
Opening summer 2011 at the Mall of Arabia in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Snow Village will mark the realisation of a decade-long dream for Dutchman Kees Albers.
US Thrill Rides launches SkyQuest
Attraction inventor Bill Kitchen has unveiled a new ride, which will open in 2012 at the Indianapolis Zoo in the American state of the same name.
SkyWheel at Myrtle Beach
May 2011 will mark the grand opening of the newest attraction in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Introducing DyMoRides
Dynamic Motion Rides (DyMoRides) is a new company headed by David Vatcher and Michael Prager, both formerly of 5D International/Explore 5D.
Dinosaur Canyon
A new dinosaur attraction is set to open in upstate New York. Dinosaur Canyon at Howe Caverns in Cobleskill will be a walk-through experience with the opportunity to interact with prehistoric giants of the past.
Stan Checkett returns
"People love it," says Stan Checketts, "even non-thrill seekers love it." The founder of Utah ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide has resurfaced with a zipline attraction he is marketing under the banner of Soaring Eagle.
Parabounce Las Vegas
One Giant Leap, the innovator of Parabounce ballooning technology, plans to develop the world’s first indoor ballooning attraction in Las Vegas.
Unicoaster for San Diego
The second Unicoaster by Chance Morgan was due to be delivered in December to the San Diego Coaster Company, operator of attractions at Belmont Patk, Mission Beach, California.
Wiegand reveals Wie Flyer
Due to open this coming spring at Inselsberg Funpark near Frankfurt is a new attraction from Wiegand called the Wie Flyer.
Vekoma x10
Vekoma Ride Manufacturing has 10 projects in the works around the world, as well as two new coaster innovations including a new MK1301 four-abreast train, with an added half-metre of legroom between rows.
S&S sales strong
S&S sales strongRich Allen, president and CEO of S&S Worldwide, has revealed that the prolific American supplier is building four new coasters in China, including three that will open in 2011 and the fourth in January of 2012.
Gerstlauer busy in 2011
The coming year promises to be one of Gerstlauer Amusement Ride’s busiest ever, with nine new projects underway.
IE Park in the loop
The Italian ride manufacturer IE Park is currently working on its first looping coaster. The ride, which has been in planning for three to four years, will open this coming spring at the Infinity mall in Mumbai, India.
KMG plans Mission Space
Set to debut this coming April, Mission Space is the latest concept from Dutch ride builder KMG. And what a beast it is.
Staley steps up at IAAPA Europe
The search for IAAPA Europe’s new executive director is over. The association has appointed from within and appointed former deputy director for Europe Karen Staley (pictured).
New at Wild Wadi
Wild Wadi in Dubai is about to debut an exhilarating waterslide complex. Installed by ProSlide, the new addition features the world’s first side-by-side BowlingAlley and TantrumAlley and is expected to take the award-winning waterpark by storm.
Wannado City closes
Wannado City, Sunrise, Florida, will close January 12. Citing financial instability, the six-year-old children’s role-playing attraction will lay off 314 employees.
Holiday Park sold to Studio 100
The Schneider family has sold Holiday Park in Hassloch, Germany, to Studio 100, the Belgian based children’s television producer and owner of four Plopsa-branded parks in the Benelux.
More wheels for Fabbri
The Fabbri Group has secured a deal to supply a package of almost 30 rides to a new park in Libya. The Italian supplier has also secured a further three orders for giant wheels following the opening of an 80-metre ride at E-DA World in Taiwan (pictured).
Meet Park World's freakiest reader!
At the Ripley Entertainment booth at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando the Lizardman, aka Erik Sprague, was seen studying the November issue of Park World.
Taking Care of Business
In this month’s Big Question (see page 5) we ask selected park operators what caught their eye at this winter’s trade shows. Nobody asked me, but I'll tell you anyway.
Kernels - January 2010
IAAPA has appointed long-serving executive Susan Mosedale as its interim chief operating officer as the association seeks a new president and CEO following the departure of Charlie Bray. Mosedale has served with IAAPA for 18 years and recently graduated from the US Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organizational Management.
The UK’s Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced a £45 million ($70m/E53m) increase in grants to arts, sport, heritage and voluntary projects in the financial year from March 2011 to 2012. Operators of privately-funded attractions, including several British amusement parks, have been hostile to what they few as unfair state-funded competition from previously funded projects. The increase in funding is due to an increased allocation for heritage projects and strong lottery ticket sales.
Martin and Vleminckx is re-erecting the Zippin Pippin at Bay Beach, Greeen Bay, Wisconsin. The coaster originally operated at Freedomland in Memphis, Tennessee, from 1923 through 2005. John Miller originally designed the 2,865ft-long coaster.
What caught your eye at this winter's trade shows?
Paul Pei (pictured), Ocean Park, Hong Kong: I have not seen one product that caught my eye more than any other, but there were quite a lot of new products and it was interesting to see more Asian representation among the exhibitors at IAAPA. One thing I did notice was several “6D” and “7D” products. Well I didn’t know the human body has seven senses, but is just goes to show some of the innovation that exists is our industry!
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi
What’s big, red and packed full of hi-octane fun? Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the world’s largest indoor theme park. Owen Ralph takes a closer look and assesses the attraction’s impact on the industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010
New innovations were few and far between, but the mood was buoyant on the floor of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2010 in Orlando. Paul Ruben and Owen Ralph report.
Dutch Wonderland sold to Palace Entertainment
Palace Entertainment, the US subsidiary of Parques Reunidos, has acquired Dutch Wonderland from Hershey Entertainment.
CNL ends lease deal with PARC Management
CNL Lifestyle Properties has reached an agreement regarding the early termination of PARC Management’s leases on 18 attractions and family entertainment centres (FECs) in the US currently operated by PARC.
Dunaway joins KidZania
The former executive vice-president of Nintendo, Cammie Dunaway is now the US president and chief global marketing officer for KidZania Inc. After three years guiding children through the virtual world of video games, she will now take on the real-world entertainment of KidZania.
Charlie Bray resigns at IAAPA
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has revealed that Charlie Bray has resigned as its president and CEO, set to leave on December 3.
SBF in the US
Pictured here on display at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, the Airborne Shot from SBF/Visa features either eight or 10 two-seat gondolas arranged around a central 23ft pole.
