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Madame Tussauds Tokyo is here to stay
After road-testing a temporary version of its waxworks attraction in Tokyo, Merlin Entertainments has announced that it will open a permanent Madame Tussauds in the Japanese capital.
Another park for Abu Dhabi?
Las Palm, the developer of Adventure World Warsaw (AWW) has announced plans for what is says will be the largest family theme park in the Middle East.
Arteaga elected IAAPA’s third-vice chairman
The IAAPA board of directors has elected Gerardo Arteaga as its new third vice-chairman, meaning he will lead the association as chairman from November 2015.
Dinosaurin' Over China
Set to debut in 2013, Jurassic Dream is a new indoor park planned for Daqing City in northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. Featured among five key attractions in phase I of the project will be a pair of Flying Theaters (as pictured) from Dynamic Attractions.
iPlay America launches in New Jersey
Described as a one-of-a-kind, indoor theme park and entertainment venue, iPlay America and Encore Event Center opened in Freehold, New Jersey, on November 11.
Pier Hoppin' at Morey's
Morey's Piers in New Jersey plans to build a 1km-long wooden coaster that will link the Surfside Pier and old Hunt's Pier in the resort town of Wildwood.
Story and Burke buy Clementon Lake
Clementon Park and Splash World, Clementon, New Jersey, is the latest park to be acquired by ex-Six Flags executives Kieran Burke and Gary Story via their Premier Attractions Management vehicle.
Transformers The Ride
One of the industry’s most elaborate new dark rides made its world premiere last month in Singapore.
Legoland Japan?
Merlin Entertainments is to begin formal negotiations with the Japanese city of Nagoya about establishing a Legoland theme park.
Mack reveals Manta train
Here’s a glimpse of what the trains will look like on SeaWorld San Diego’s new Manta coaster, slated to open spring 2012.
Atlantis lost!
The luxury resort operator Kerzner International has been forced to surrender ownership of its Atlantis resort in the Bahamas (pictured) and may have to do the same in Dubai, writes the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
A load of balls!
Interactive water rides can be great fun, but not everyone likes to get wet. That’s why two European suppliers reckon they’ve hit onto something with new attraction concepts featuring soft foam ball shooters rather than water cannons.
Gosetto goes back to school!
Schools out for summer? Not at Etnaland. The Italian theme park on the isle of Sicily is to open a new dark ride themed around a haunted school.
The Crane Dance
Described by Edward Marks of The Producers Group as, “truly a one-of-a-kind attraction,” The Crane Dance at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore was one of several worldwide attractions that has just been selected for a Thea Award from the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA).
Meeting Miss Germany
What caught your eye during IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando? I’ll tell you what caught mine ... Miss Germany, Anne-Kathrin Kosch.
What will be a more realistic goal in 2012 – raising gate prices or increasing in-park spending?
Carl Lum, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, USA (pictured): In reality, it will be a combination of both.
Park Show returns to Rimini
Italy’s first Park Show International for seven years was held recently in Rimini – just two weeks after IAAPA Attractions Expo in the States.
TEA at 20
As the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) celebrates its 20th anniversary, Owen Ralph catches up with founder Monty Lunde and current president Rick Rothschild.
Skemmtigardurinn - Iceland's new FEC
Spanning two floors of Reykjavik’s largest shopping mall, Skemmtigardurinn is Iceland’s newest and brightest family entertainment centre (FEC).
Hong Kong in colour!
Hong Kong’s two big theme parks – Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland – have launched new lands. Park World profiles the colourful Thrill Mountain and Toy Story Land.
Hirakata Park
Thomas Clarke visits Japan’s oldest continually operating amusement park as it celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Junior Twister
The Junior Twister Coaster is a new family ride from Zamperla, and it comes in two versions, the JTC 170 "Compact" and JTC 230 "Extended."
MegaWhirl
Combining the thrill of a Whip with cars from the classic Tilt-a-Whirl, this brand new attraction from Gordon Rides and Larson International was engineered by Ride Centerline.
Happypillar
It’s a train ride without a track! Operators of the Happypillar simply mark their own track on the floor with paint, gaffer tape (duct tape) or anything else that takes their fancy and the caterpillar-themed train faithfully follows it using sensors in each car.
Harry goes to Hollywood
Universal Parks and Resorts has reached agreement with Warner Bros Entertainment to bring The Wizarding World of Harry Potter to its Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in California.
KidZania is latest global brand to sign up with Themed Attractions Malaysia
A kids’ role-playing city will open soon in Kuala Lumpur as part of the Malaysian government’s push to establish international branded theme parks and attractions within the country.
IAAPA Orlando 2011
Attendance held up at this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, thanks to a strong showing of visitors from North America and Asia. Paul Ruben and Owen Ralph report.
Legoland Florida – waterpark plans revealed
Plans have been confirmed for the waterpark at Legoland Florida, just weeks after the main park debuted to the public. The new ‘second gate”, which will use the infrastructure of the old Cypress Gardens waterpark, will open in summer 2012.
Antarctica comes to Orlando
Billed as SeaWorld Orlando’s biggest-ever attraction expansion, Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin will open in spring 2013 at this popular Florida marine park.
