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Dollywood unleashes Wild Eagle
Dolly Parton’s Tennessee theme park is about to unleash the largest single capital investment in its 26-year history. The $20 million (€14m) Wild Eagle ride will be the first Wing coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) in the US.
Atlantis Submarine Voyage
When Legoland Windsor decided to add an underwater ride – the first at any Lego park worldwide – it didn’t have to look far for marine expertise. Park World takes a submarine voyage with Sea Life.
Merlin's man in Blackpool
An 18-year veteran of Merlin Entertainments, Scotsman Iain Hawkins is the head of the Blackpool “cluster” for Europe’s largest attractions operator. Here he discusses the groups plans for this famous British resort.
AquaCircus – the wettest show on earth!
AquaCircus® is a zany new way for fun-loving kids to enjoy water play courtesy of Empex Watertoys.
SATE Europe – TEA time in Amsterdam
After gaining a loyal following for its Storytelling, Architecture, Technology and Design (SATE) conferences in the United States, the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) took the concept to Europe for the first time with a two-day event recently in Amsterdam.
Can you handle 'it'?
Prior to opening, Jack Morey, executive vice-president of Morey's Piers in New Jersey, could be seen raising his arms in joy beneath his company's latest offering.
Grand Reef at Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove, Sea World Orlando’s all-inclusive tropical retreat where guests swim with dolphins, is offering a new, immersive experience.
SkyScreamer at Six Flags
SkyScreamer, by Funtime, is the latest thrill ride at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom near San Francisco.
Cobra Kingdom
Part of a package supplied by Polin Waterparks & Pool Systems, King Cobra (pictured) is the signature attraction of the new Cobra Kingdom waterpark at MAXX Royal in Turkey.
Vanish Point appears
Water Country USA, the waterpark at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia, has opened for another season with an epic new drop slide, Vanish Point from ProSlide Technology.
WindSeeker at Cedar Point
Cedar Point’s WindSeeker towering swing ride is now open, courtesy of Mondial.
Star Tours 2.0
Star Tours is back at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Park in California, putting a new twist on virtual space travel.
Star Trek comes to Jordan
The Red Sea Astrarium (RSA) is a themed entertainment resort planned for Aqaba, Jordan. The 184-acre facility will be designed and produced by Rubicon Group Holding (RGH) and feature a Star Trek attraction courtesy of Paramount Recreation.
Europa-Park plans woodie
The 2012 season will be a big one for Germany’s largest theme park, with the debut of a fourth hotel and the venue’s first ever wooden rollercoaster.
What "green" initiatives do you undertake at your park?
Bonnie Rabjohn, Six Flags Magic Mountain, California (pictured): Six Flags Magic Mountain is very green. We have replaced all of the light bulbs in the park with LED bulbs, planted water resistant shrubs and plants, placed paper and plastic recycling containers throughout the park and even gone so far as to replace all of the toilets with water-saving, energy efficient toilets.
Val Helsing’s Factory
As Movie Park Germay celebrates its 15th birthday, general manager Wouter tells Park World readers about his unique rollercoaster in the dark, as well his relationship with the venue’s new owner, the Spanish group Parques Reunidos.
Cedar Fair names next president
Matthew A Ouimet has been named as the next president and CEO of Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. Ouimet, 53, will succeed 70-year-old Dick Kinzel as chief executive officer of the North American park chain when he retires on January 3, 2012.
Merlin enters Japan
A Madame Tussauds exhibition and a Legoland Discovery Centre in Tokyo will mark Merlin Entertainments’ entry into the Japanese market, starting this October.
Theme Index 2010
Total attendance at the world’s top 25 theme and amusement parks rose 1.9% in 2010 to 189.1 million. These and many more figures are revealed in the Theme Index 2010 – the definitive industry attendance report, just published by AECOM and the TEA.
Pleasure Beach offers Nickelodeon wristband
Following the launch of Nickelodeon Land in May, the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, England, has introduce a wristband allowing dedicated access to this new children’s area of the park.
Crealy adds animals
Crealy Great Adventure Park in Devon, England, has been granted a zoo licence, allowing it to keep a variety of exotic animals on site.
Yield Management
For the last decade, I have been perplexed by rising prices at theme parks. I have also been concerned about the enormous amount of discounting that parks and attractions find necessary to continue to “pump up” attendance.
Cheetah Hunt
If you were to conceive a new attraction that combines exotic animals with fast paced thrills, what would you do? If you're Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, you build Cheetah Hunt. Paul Ruben reports.
