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In 2010, the Thomas Town portfolio will expand to six, as Six Flags America in Washington DC opens what is set to be the largest Thomas Town to date in partnership with HIT Entertainment.
Gold Reef City in Johannesburg will mark the football World Cup in June with the opening of a new water ride. The ride’s boats will be themed by Clostermann Design. Gold Reef City is located just a stone’s throw from the Soccer City stadium, which will host the opening and final match of the World Cup.
According to Mack Rides managing director Christian von Elverfeldt, “Several large projects are currently prepared,” as the German ride manufacturer prepares for a promising 2010. “Highly appreciated German quality standards” mean Mack has resisted moving production abroad.
Kernels - January 2010
Tourists in Copenhagen looking for the Little Mermaid this spring or summer should head not to the harbourside at Langelinie but instead to Tivoli Gardens. From April 16 onwards visitors will be able to see a replica of the world famous statue as the real one sits in Shanghai as part of 2010 World Expo. Tivoli’s version has been loaned by descendents of Edvard Eriksen, who sculpted the original almost a century ago. The Mermaid will return from her Chinese holiday in December 2010, but even she is a copy as the original is kept by Eriksen’s family.
Mack Rides will deliver a spinning coaster next season to Le Pal, Moulin, France. It will measure 64ft tall and contain 1,503ft of track.
International Rides Management has sold two Vekoma Giant Boomerangs that formerly operated in Six Flags parks. One went to Silverwood, Athol, Idaho. The second has found a home in Mirabilandia, Recife, Brazil.
Kernels - November 2009
Leading Russian ride manufacturer Pax Company is to install a new rollercoaster at its park in the grounds of the All Russia Exhibition Centre (VVTs) in Moscow. The looping Cobra ride will replace an earlier Astro Pax coaster and appear alongside the park’s Panoramic Wheel, also by Pax. “It’s a good venue for us,” says the company’s Anna Novikova.
Gosetto has built a double-deck suspended-car Ghost Train for Freij Entertainment in Dubai. The ride was due to be delivered at the end of October and follows a similar blueprint to an attraction already travelling in Holland, but with an additional section on the top floor where the cars travel outside. The effects inside the ride were also supplied by Gosetto.
Australia’s largest theme park operator, Village Roadshow Limited (VRL), has shelved plans to transform Aussie World in Queensland. "VRL considers that when compared with other opportunities available, the potential returns do not justify the level of investment for the world-class waterpark which would be required to deliver a significant destination site," a company spokesperson said. A conditional agreement was signed last year giving VRL option to purchase the land and business from Aussie World. (www.themeparknewsdirect.com)
Kernels - October 2009
The board of the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) has unanimously confirmed Steve Thorburn, principal of Thorburn Associates, as its president for a second year. New TEA divisional presidents include SeaWorld’s Brian Morrow (Eastern North America), David Aion of The Aion Company (Western North America) and Alan Wilkinson of Electrosonic (Europe and Middle East).
The Dreamland Trust is on the lookout for a project director, “audience development director” and a project archivist for the Dreamland heritage park in Margate, England. These key positions have been created to help take forward detailed proposals for the world's first amusement park dedicated solely to historic rides and attractions. The appointments are possible thanks to a £384,500 grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. For further details and job descriptions, click here.
Merlin Entertainments has handled a €20 million ($30m) media planning account to Mediacom after a four-month pitch. Mediacom, which has offices in the UK, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Portugal, will handle Merlin’s 2010 media planning and buying for more than 40 attractions across Europe. “The time has come to leverage the combined strength of our market-leading brands much more in our media buying,” says Andy Davies, Merlin’s commercial services director.
Kernels - August 2009
BRC Imagination Arts has been chosen to conceptualise, design and produce the show content for the USA Pavilion at Shanghai World Expo 2010. Ground breaking took place on June 17.
The UK’s Amusement Device Inspection Procedures Scheme (ADIPS) has announced the appointment of Luke Ditchburn to the newly created position of general manager. Prior to joining ADIPS, he was facilities and operations manager for Northumberland County Council. “I’ll be working closely with ADIPS members and clients to ensure they are provided with the best possible service and that we continue to run a scheme that is the envy of the industry in many other countries around the world,” says Ditchburn. He joins the organisation at a time when reported incidents on amusement rides in the country are at their lowest level for many years.
Bombay Amusement Rides (BARPL) is to build a 25-metre Ferris Wheel inside a shopping mall/entertainment centre near Mumbai. The ride will span three floors of the mall and be built up against a glass wall, allowing riders to see both inside and outside the building. The project is expected to open in the next 18 months.
Kernels
Doug Waterbury has established Empire Attraction LLC, an umbrella company to manage his numerous entertainment venues and events in New York, including Santa’s Workshop, the Historic Sylvan Beach Amusement Park, Yesterday’s Royal, the Sylvan Beach Screamer Speedboat Thrill Ride, the Sterling Renaissance Festival, the Sterling Celtic Rock Festival and Screamers’ Hollow. “New Yorkers no longer have to travel thousands of miles to find exciting and worthwhile family entertainment,” says Waterbury, “it is all right here in their own backyard.”
Canada's largest publicly owned and newest aquatic centre has opened in Kelowna, British Columbia. H2O Adventure offers waterslides, a family wave pool, river run and the country’s first ever FlowRider indoor surfing attraction. The aquatic centre can cater for up to 500 swimmers at a time with attractions, which also include an AquaPlay multi-level play structure.
Great City Attractions (GCA), formerly World Tourist Attractions, has chosen RefTech Services to supply a ticketing system for its Wheel of Windsor observation wheel just outside London. The ride, which spent the Christmas period in the city’s Hyde Park, opened for another season’s business at Windsor on April 2. The RefTech system delivers walk up sales and demographic analysis without the requirement for lengthy staff training. Online sales are handled through a dedicated website developed for GCA by RefTech. Any tickets sold or scanned for entry will be reported upon via a secure internet connection within 10 seconds of the transaction.
Kernels
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights, New Jersey, has replaced its Sellner Tilt-A-Whirl with a newer model formerly operated at Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. Casino Pier’s former Tilt needed to be refurbished, but the draconian New Jersey amusement ride regulations made replacement a more attractive option.
Italian kiddie ride manufacturer Automatic Toys Modena has taken over the GR Rondina range of trains and associated rides.
The Indian Association of Amusement Parks and Industries (IAAPI) has announced the dates for its 10th annual Amusement Expo – still the country’s only trade show for parks and attractions. The 10th anniversary event will take place from March 18 to 20, 2010 – a month later than usual – at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. www.iaapi.org
Kernels
According to an interview in the Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad, Efteling is looking at the possibility of setting up a second establishment abroad. Director Bart de Boer told the publication that any other attraction would match the original theme park in being family-focused with a fairytale theme: “That is what we are good at and where we have little competition,” de Boer said.
Guests at the Pleasure Beach in Blackpool, England, were this Easter treated to guest appearances by costume character versions of Angelina Ballerina, Fifi, Flowertots, Spongebob Squarepants and Peppa Pig. The park’s newest permanent attraction, meanwhile, is a dancing fountain show. Set to music including classical, rock and pop, the jets of water reach as high as the Big One rollercoaster and after dark are illuminated for added effect. This season the park has dropped free entry is favour of a wristband-only pricing structure, with deals available from £15 for those booking online. “We had an extremely encouraging start to the year and enjoyed a good Easter weekend,” reports a Pleasure Beach spokesperson.
Cliff's Amusement Park in New Mexico is going cashless. The Albuquerque park has contracted with Core Cashless to implement the system. Pre-loaded Cliff's Fun Cards will be used in place of cash to purchase rides, games, food and retail in the park. According to owner Linda Hays, the park has added new bathrooms and a new ride, the Fire Ball from Larson Manufacturing.
Named after the mythological beast sometimes called Big Foot, Sasquatch will open in early May at The Great Escape, Queensbury, New York. A combo tower ride from S&S Worldwide, it combines a Turbo Drop and Space Shot and formerly operated at Six Flags New Orleans as the Sonic Slam and Bayou Blaster before the park was shuttered by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. Sasquatch is the first new thrill ride at The Great Escape since 1999.
Kernels
England’s Drayton Manor theme park has added a third train to its Thomas Land children’s area to cope with anticipated demand in the season ahead. The new engine, Rosie, joins Thomas and Percy and ferries passengers back and forth between the Thomas Land, Farmer McColl’s Farm and the Tidmouth Hault stations. Since opening last season, Thomas Land has been an unprecedented success, helping Drayton Manor pass the one million guest mark for the first time. A “Discover Thomas & Friends Exhibition” will also open at the park this season, featuring original illustrations from the original Thomas the Tank Engine books by the late Rev W Awdry.
WhiteWater West has signed an agreement with Wave Loch to manufacture and sell the FlowRider “stationary wave” surf attraction outside North America. “The FlowRider is a highly popular and proven product which complements our existing waterpark attractions.” says WhiteWater president Geoff Chuter.
The National Ticket Company has announced the appointment of Jason Mauser as its US sales manager. Mauser joined the company in 1999 and plans to be an integral part of the management team. National Ticket recently opened two new sales offices. Chris Conroy will lead the sales team at his Chalfont, Pennsylvania, office, while Patrick Carter, will manage sales at the new St Charles office in Missouri.
HB Leisure, the specialist games operator headed by Tim Batstone, has appointed a new managing director. Alex Sparks joins from the retail industry, where he spent 10 years with the Virgin Group and 15 years with Blockbuster Entertainment.
Kernels
Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California, is to start using compressed natural gas to fuel its guest trams and recycled cooking oil to power its Disneyland Railroad steam trains and Mark Twain riverboat. "These initiatives are just a few steps in our ongoing journey to reduce Disneyland Resort's environmental footprint," says Michael O 'Grattan, senior vice-president of resort operations.
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, Santa Claus, Indiana, has two new directors. As director of maintenance, Tony Perkins will oversee a full-time staff of 22 technicians. Jason Martin, the new Director of food & beverage, will supervise the hiring and training of his 550-member seasonal staff, who operate the parks’ 17 food outlets.
Alabama Adventure, Bessemer, Alabama, is building a new $1 million waterpark attraction from Whitewater West. On UpSurge! riders will race down a 216ft of flume before plummeting down and back up a vertical half-pipe ending in a splash pool of 25,000 gallons of water.
Zebec, the Ohio-based producer of inflatable waterpark tubes, rafts and play features, has opened a new 12-acre manufacturing facility. “We simply ran out of space at the old place,” explains the company’s Scott Snyder. The new facility comes equipped with seven machines allowing Zebec to offer a wide range of product from stock. “A lot of parks rely on us for stock,” notes Synder, “and we have a huge warehouse.”
Kernels
Italian theme park Gardaland is to make a number of modest investments for 2009 including new Vekoma trains on its Corkscrew coaster and a total refurbishment and conversion of its King’s Valley dark ride.
A new indoor attraction is set to open in time for Easter at Crealy Great Adventure Park in Devon, England. Construction is already underway on GoWild – a canopy adventure of aerial walkways, tunnels, bridges and climbing walls – within the park’s Dina’s Lost World play area. The new high level play zone has been designed and constructed by Western Log Group, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of timber-based themed play areas. In 2009 this, the original Crealy park, celebrates 20 years of family fun.
The English park Lightwater Valley is to offer guests a new water ride for the 2009 season: Wild River Rapids. The ride is a travelling model built by Reverchon and on loan from James Mellors Amusements, operators of the Funderworld “mobile theme park.” It replaces a Pinfari coaster removed over the winter.
Kernels
Mirko Schulze has replaced the retired Wolfgang Richter as CEO of Huss Park Attractions, based in Bremen, Germany. Want to know what he looks like? See our IAAPA party pics on page 28.
Waldameer Park & Water World's Paul Nelson reports that the Erie, Pennsylvania, park's gross revenue in 2008 was up more than 30%. Contributing factors he cites include the opening of Ravine Flyer II, the park’s new wooden coaster, plus the closing of nearby Geauga Lake, Conneaut Lake and Erie View Park. Waldameer has a free gate and does not track admissions.
The Italian manufacturer Gosetto was due to supply a giant four-storey travelling Fun House to a showman in Australia by the end of 2008. Based on a similar blueprint to the “New York New York” attraction delivered last summer in Holland, the Fun House comes packed with a number of animatronic and interactive special effects and folds away onto just two trailers.
Kernels
IE Park is due to supply a 12-metre themed carousel to the F1 theme park in Dubai. Two small coasters are due for customers in Jordan and India, while a transportation system will be provided to Santa Cruz Beach in California. The Italian manufacturer is also working on a number of ride packages for various new parks in India. IE Park is offering a new model of bumper car. Available in both junior and medium sized versions, the first fleet is due to be operational over the Christmas period with the Gambado play centre group near London.
For the 2009 season the Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George, New York, will add Sasquatch, a drop ride from S&S Worldwide. Comprising two independent steel towers standing 192ft tall, the attraction will be the tallest ride at The Great Escape.
Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, has decided to delay construction of its giant Adventure Mountain rope course and interactive play attraction, citing the downturn in the economy and cost of basic building materials like steel and concrete. Originally scheduled to open this coming spring, Adventure Mountain is now expected to debut March 2010.
Kernels
Mondial is just about to ship the second of two Splash Over rides to China. The double Top Spin style attractions will both open next season at parks to be confirmed. More details and exclusive factory photos next issue. The trusted Dutch manufacturer is also currently fabricating a 55-metre giant Ferris Wheel for a showman in Holland.
Europa-Park in Rust near Freiburg, Germany, will unveil a major new coaster in 2009 from, you’ve guessed it, Mack Rides. The attraction is thought to be a launch coaster.
Leading Chinese ride manufacturer Golden Horse Amusement aims to offer a complete range of services to park operators and developers after establishing a new concept design and masterplaning division. Other Golden Horse subsidiaries include GH Entertainment Technologies, producing arcade games and dark rides, and GH Park Theming.
Kernels
The Australian city of Brisbane is the latest place to install a giant Ferris Wheel as a sightseeing attraction. The Wheel of Brisbane is a 60-metre semi-permanent construction by Ronald Bussink Professional Rides located at South Bank Parklands. The wheel is operated by World Tourist Attractions (WTA), which also runs wheels in five British cities, including London, Great Yarmouth, Manchester, York and Belfast. WTA has a two-year lease on the site in Brisbane.
The Fabbri Group has landed a contract to build an 80-metre Ferris Wheel for an as yet unnamed client in the Far East. The ride is due for delivery in April 2009 and will feature Swiss-designed 8-passenger gondolas fully equipped with air conditioning. “We have been wanting to enter the giant wheel sector for some time so we are really pleased with this order,” says Fabbri sales manager Edward Cromheecke.
A Florida land developer has purchased Wild West World, Wichita, Kansas, for US$2.15 million. Although no rides and attractions will be operational until next season, the AHG Group does plan to hold concerts in time for Labor Day (September 1). Best known for its work developing American Indian casinos, AHG bought the park from the US Bankruptcy Court and is now looking for a professional theatre operator to reopen the soon-to-be-renamed Johnny Western Theatre, plus an amusement operator to take care of the rides. Carnival proprietor Jerry Murphy's Tulsa-based Spectacular Attractions is believed to be in the running for the latter. Former owner Thomas Etheredge famously closed Wild West World and filed for bankruptcy in July 2007, just 65 days after the park opened.
Kernels
Village Roadshow, owner of the Warner Brothers Movie World, Wet ‘n’ Wild and Sea World parks on the Gold Coast in Australia, has acquired Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast and plans to turn it into a waterpark. Village will spend between AUS$60 million and $70 million (€37-43m/US$57-67m) in upgrading the 24-hectare site. Up to 10 new rides could open as early as September 2009.
Kernels
The prospect of Weeki Wachee Springs becoming the 162nd Florida state park now looks in jeopardy. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) submitted its budget request to fund Weeki Wachee Springs prior to this year’s session. The Senate voted in favour, but the House has not. The issue will now be addressed by the Budget Conference Committee.
Cypress Gardens, Winter Haven, Florida, is giving its animal encounter area, Nature's Way, a new name and a fresh look. More animals are being added along with a tour that will take guests behind the scenes of several of the animal areas and nclude up-close encounters with reptiles, a lemur and other unusual creatures.
Frontier City, Oklahoma City, is celebrating its 50th anniversary season with the erection of Oklahoma's first suspended coaster. The Steel Lasso is a 965ft Vekoma Suspended Family Coaster with a 49ft lifthill. “This is the single largest capital investment ever brought to Frontier City in one season” says general manager Stephen Ball. “We are extremely proud to offer this new type of family friendly ride.” Steel Lasso’s custom designed seats and restraint requirements allow children 39 inches or taller to join in the fun.
Kernels
The owners of Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach in England are working on plans for a £35 million (E44m/$69m) development called The Edge. The Pleasure Beach is one of four concerns bidding for a casino licence in Great Yarmouth and, if successful, would combine it at The Edge with activities including bowling, a restaurant and 800 car parking space. “This will extend both the season and the so called Golden Mile,” Pleasure Beach managing director Albert Jones tells Park World. “Like a lot of resorts we have lost the night-time trade.” In the meantime, plans are mooted to bring a 60-metre Ferris Wheel to the park later this 2008 season.
Kernels
Mack Rides is to supply a YoungStar junior coaster to Märchenpark, Neusiedlersee, Austria. Measuring 480-metres in length, the ride will have the same theme as the original Pegasus version at Mack’s own Europa-Park in Germany. Märchenpark celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2008.
Avail Corporation, the organiser of two China Themed Attraction Summit events in Shanghai, is to stage a similar conference this summer in Macau. Dates are July 14 and 15, immediately before the IAAPA Asian Expo also planned for Macau. See www.availcorp.com for more details. Meanwhile a new event called the Asia Tourism Property and Attraction Summit will take place in Shanghai in June.
Mondial, the Dutch flat ride manufacturer, has a full order book for the rest of the year and plenty of interest in a number of new ride concepts that could make their way onto the market in 2009. “People are willing to pay for quality again,” notes salesman Theo van Zweiten. This season two more Jet Force rides will leave the company’s premises in Heerenveen, one for a French customer and one for Germany. The attraction is one of the most compact Mondial has ever built, but still boasts the same high specifications and sturdy construction.
Kernels
After enjoying a “phenomenal year” in 2007, UK-based activity equipment supplier Innovative Leisure is looking forward to a number of new installations in the early part of 2008 – and not just in the amusement industry. More Depth Charge explosions systems are due to be fitted to a number of Water Wars games for various UK parks and event organisers. A mobile climbing rock for a youth project in South Wales was due to be handed over in January, while a similar attraction is due to go to a sports college in April. A stationary rock, meanwhile, is destined for a scout camp outside London.
Shooting gallery manufacturer Pan Amusements is to diversify and offer a range of theming services after pushing its set design and scenery-building skills at IAAPA last November. “Our extensive experience in the techniques required to build our shooting galleries has given us excellent all round skills which are appropriate for set building and installation,” remarks the company’s Paul Whittaker, “but this is not always apparent to buyers unless you really promote it hard which we did.”
A Half Pipe ride from Intamin has opened at the Wet ‘n’ Wild waterpark on Australia’s Gold Coast. The 30-metre high attraction seats 12 riders at a time on two spinning gondolas mounted on a surfboard. Water effects complement the ride pattern. “We’ve made an ongoing commitment to be the home of Australia’s biggest selection of water rides,” says Warner Village Theme Parks COO, Steve Peet. Wet ‘n’ Wild is part of the Warner Village resort in Queensland.
Kernels
Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) is to takeover the management and ownership of two aquariums operated by Steiner + Associates – Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey, and Newport Aquarium in Newport, Kentucky.
Atlantic Pier Amusements has gained a one-year extension to its lease with the Trump Taj Mahal and will operate the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, for the 2008 season. The pier is due to kick of its season with a fourth annual Easter Egg Hunt in late March and is currently booking corporate events, family reunions and project graduations.
Mondial, the Dutch ride builder, has opened a new factory building at its premises in Terband near Heerenveen, Holland. The new building will be shared with sister company Roodberg, a producer of cranes and marine lifting equipment.
Kernels
Parks America, based in Santa Monica, California, has decided not to buy Wild West World, Wichita, Kansas. Dale Van Voorhis, Parks America's president, has turned his attention to buying another theme park. With no other bidders appearing, the park's rides are now expected to be sold individually, confirming the park's demise. The ride sales will be cash only, with no financing or equity participation available. Getting the rides sold and out of the park is the immediate priority. The park cannot afford to prepare the rides for the coming winter. Once the rides are gone, the park's metal buildings will be sold, and then the land will be put on the market.
Kernels
Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Resort, will present the keynote address at this year's the General Managers and Owners Breakfast at IAAPA Attracions Expo in Orlando. Her topic will be “Creating The Year of a Million Dreams and the Future Disney Park Experience.” The event takes place at 8.30am on Wednesday, November 14, within the Orange County Convention Center, and space is limited. More details, including how to book, appear at: iaapa.org/expos/attractions/
As from January 2008, Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World in Florida will be called Disney's Hollywood Studios. “Now we can say that Hollywood is literally our middle name,” notes Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney World Resort. New attractions planned for the park in 2008 include Toy Story Mania!, Block Party Bash, Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!, Disney High School Musical 2: School's Out!, and Meet and Greet Adds Handy Manny. “This is easily one of the most ambitious attractions rollouts in the 18-year history of the park,” Crofton adds.
Richard Rodriguez has smashed the Guinness World Record for the longest rollercoaster marathon, riding the Pepsi Max Big One at Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, 6,300 miles and nearly 8,000 rollercoaster rides. He broke the record at 00:01 on Monday, August 6 – and then chose to carry on for another week to make his new record a really tough one to beat! Richard was originally going head to head with 2 challengers at Freizeitland Gieselwind in Germany, but they dropped out early on due to medical reasons.
Kernels
A seasonal employee at Loudoun Castle theme park in Scotland died in July – just as the summer season was about to take off. Eighteen-year-old Mark Blackwood was working on The Rat (a Maurer Wild Mouse) on Sunday, July 15, but fell from the ride after grabbing hold of a car. He later died at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock. Park owner Henk Bembom told Park World he was devastated by the incident. “The staff here are very close,” he remarked. As a mark of respect, the park remained closed on the day of the funeral. The Health & Safety Executive is continuing its investigation.
A new amusement park being planned in New Zealand has met with predictable complaints from local residents. The Crystal Mountain theme park in Swanson, West Auckland, will be much smaller than the country’s existing and moderately-sized Rainbow’s End but has nevertheless received objections from 212 of 216 people that made submissions to Waitakere City Council. We can assume then that thousands of those that made no submission at all are happy to see the park built. Including a mini rollercoaster, rapid river and tea cup ride, the council insists the park's design minimises environmental impact and noise limits will not be breached.
Efteling, the famous Dutch park in Kaatsheuvel, hopes soon to begin adding more overnight accommodation. In 1992 the park opened the Efteling Hotel, but slow planning decisions have stopped it building anything else until now. However, “now we see that most of the traffic lights are on green and we hope to lay the first brick next year,” confirms the park’s Henk Groenen. The new development will comprise a series of bungalows to the south of the park, close to the wooden coaster Pegasus.
Kernels
Following the two-year masterplan handed over last October, the Prater in Vienna, Austria, is to get a new entrance plaza celebrating the city’s golden era. Local supplier Explore 5D has been awarded the contract to develop the 16,000 square metre area which will carry the theme “Vienna in the 1900s.” Up to four new attractions, including a cultural exhibit, as well as shops and restaurants, are believed to be part of the plans. All will be designed and built by Explore 5D or one of its international partners. “The concept is content driven, which means that we have created a strong storyline which will run throughout the experience,” says Dr Gerhard Frank, Explore 5D’s CEO and also head of research & development. It is envisaged that the new area will fold seamlessly into the existing Prater.
Kernels
Creative Kingdoms LLC is now the sole owner of MagiQuest Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, having bought out Burroughs & Chapin Company’s 50& stake. MagiQuest is a three-dimensional, interactive fantasy game that uses advanced computer-powered technology to allow multiple players to compete simultaneously. Representatives from Creative Kingdoms recently closed a $3.2 million deal with Great Wolf Resorts Inc, which could lead to the opening MagiQuest outlets in more of the group’s indoor waterparks.
Loudoun Castle Theme Park in Scotland got off to a great start this season, spurred on by the addition of its new ‘Barnstorner’ S&S tower ride and some magnificent weather. “April is particular was fantastic, we were up by double,” says park owner Henk Bembon, “I think the message has really got across that Loudoun Castle is a decent place to go.” Since taking the park over from Raymond Codona, Bembom has added a wealth a new rides and split the park up into a number of themed areas.
According to its president George Laibe, International Amusement Alliance (IAA) has moved its Arizona company headquarters, at the same time becoming western United States and international sales and marketing representatives for waterpark supplier Professional Parks (PPI). IAA has also formed a new division and reinstated The Coaster Works under a new name The Coaster Works International. The company specialises in the design and construction of wooden coasters, elevated wooden go-kart tracks and big timber projects. IAA shall also offer install services.
Kernels
Russian ride supplier Pax Design is to equip a complete park in Egypt. Located in coastal resort of Hurghada, the new medium sized facility will open 2008 or 2009 and is being developed by Russian owners. ”Lots of cities want a park,” notes Anna Novikova of Pax’s international department.
Following the success of two events in Europe, the World Waterpark Association (WWA) is to further reach out to its international membership by staging a symposium next year in Dubai. The exact timing has yet to be agreed upon, but WWA president Rick Root concedes dates immediately before or after the DEAL trade show may attract a better attendance.
Bombay Amusement Rides (BARPL) has been contracted to supply a 70-metre Ferris Wheel to the Khaled A Al-Rajhi group in Saudi Arabia. The Indian manufacturer, which has its own production facilities in Mumbai, is in talks with established manufacturers from Europe about a possible design.
Kernels
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, Disneyland Paris is adding Crush’s Coaster, a ride with special effects based on the Finding Nemo movies. The coaster opens in June, along with another Paris-only attraction called Cars Race Rally, which is designed for young children. Toon Town at Walt Disney Studios will offer meet-and-greet opportunities with movie characters ranging from Donald Duck to Remy Rat.
John Morris has joined Morey’s Piers, Wildwood, New Jersey, as operations manager. He will be responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the Mariner’s Landing Pier, one of three seaside amusement piers operated by the Morey Organization. He comes to Morey’s Piers from DS Distribution where he was facility manager for the last seven years.
Robert F Ott, former president and board chairman of Dorney Park, Allentown, Pennsylvania, passed away March 3. Aged 88, he retired in 1985 from Dorney Park after 43 years of service.
Kernels
Kings Island, outside Cincinnati, Ohio, will celebrate its 35th anniversary this year with the addition of a 14th rollercoaster, Firehawk. A Vekoma flying coaster, it operated for the past six years as X-Flight at Geauga Lake, Aurora, Ohio. It will be located at Kings Island behind the Flight of Fear in the park’s Coney Mall.
The Sea World Eye, a 60-metre observation wheel from Ronald Bussink Professional Rides, will stay at the Australian park until May 17. The ride offers unparalleled sweeping views of the Gold Coast and Sea World’s Broadwater surroundings and passengers are given facts about the area courtesy of the on-board sound system in each of the 42 air-conditioned gondolas. The Sea World Eye is free to ride as part of the normal park admission price.
In late April, Six Flags St Louis, Eureka, Missouri, will introduce a spinning coaster from Gerstlauer of Germany, identical to the ride opening this season at Six Flags Over Texas in San Antonio. The new addition will be called Tony Hawk’s Big Spin, themed after skateboard superstar Tony Hawk.
