Shuttle Launch ExperienceThe authentic space simulationPublished: 12 February, 2008The success of the Shuttle Launch Experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida will be confirmed this March when it scoops Outstanding Attraction Achievement at the annual Thea Awards. As Visitor Complex numbers begin to rocket, Nick Towle talks to the Launch Experience’s creators.
Looping CoastersTurning the coaster experience upside downPublished: 23 October, 2007Today’s park-goers are more likely to ask how many loops a coaster contains rather than if it goes upside down at all. Yet until it wasn’t until the 1970s and the start of The Rollercoaster Renaissance that guests became fully acclimatised to any kind of inversion in their coaster-riding experiences. Paul Ruben traces the history of looping coasters. Hold tight!
Topple TowerMarine-themed ride opens in CanadaPublished: 27 September, 2007A Huss Topple Tower is the newest family thrill ride at Marineland, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Paul Ruben profiles a first for Canada.
CP Huntingdon350 and countingPublished: 27 September, 2007Chance Morgan has been making CP Huntington trains for almost 50 years. The Wichita, Kansas, ride manufacturer turns out between five and 10 of the people-movers every year, and this summer it put the finishing touches to number 350. Park World toasts a stalwart park attraction.
TroyThe 1km wooden wonderPublished: 22 August, 2007Troy at Toverland near Venlo in Holland is a landmark ride for both operator and manufacturer. Transforming the profile of a park that began life as an indoor attraction, the 1km-plus long wooden coaster is also one of the largest constructions ever for Great Coasters International (GCI), and only its second in Europe. A ride that might seem at odds with Toverland’s family focus has in fact been a long time dream for park owner Jean Gelissen. Here Jean’s sister, Toverland director Caroline Maessen, explains why Troy is helping the park provide a more balanced offering, putting it on course to smash the half-million attendance barrier for the first time.
MaverickWild thrills in OhioPublished: 22 August, 2007Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, has introduced Maverick, its 17th rollercoaster and the most at any single park in the world. Paul Ruben profiles one of the latest linear synchronous motor (LSM) launch coaster from Intamin.
Vliegende Hollander5 Flying Dutchman highlightsPublished: 22 August, 2007The Flying Dutchman (Vliegende Hollander) is the Efteling’s largest, most expensive and complex attraction ever. A never before tried combination of dark ride, walk-through, water ride and coaster, the project took the park so long to perfect that it was delayed by a full season. But just as Captain Willem van der Decken was determined to sail the Flying Dutchman ship in the legend of the same name (“I will sail, storm or no storm, even if I have to sail to Judgment Day”), so Efteling officials were determined to get the ride right before it opened to the public this Easter.
VertigoWalibi Belgium flies to new heightsPublished: 24 July, 2007Is it bird? Is it coaster? No, it’s a Mountain Glider! Walibi Belgium has finally opened its Vertigo ride, giving guests a bird’s eye view of the park and the closest experience they will get to flying like one. Park World profiles the latest attraction from a name that will be new to many within the amusement industry – Doppelmayr.
GriffonDive Time at Busch Gardens EuropePublished: 23 July, 2007A ride on Griffon, the world’s tallest, floorless dive coaster at Busch Gardens Europe, Williamsburg, Virginia, is like being pushed off the edge of a cliff. You’re 205 feet in the air. It’s 90 degrees straight down. Paul Ruben was Park World’s guinea pig, or rather lemming.
Mountain CoasterA people magnet at Jiminy PeakPublished: 27 June, 2007When Massachusetts’ Jiminy Peak Mountain Adventure Park, introduced the Mountain Coaster last summer, it got more than it bargained for. Paul Ruben travelled to Hancock to find out more.
WidalpenbahnWildwater fun at Vienna PraterPublished: 27 June, 2007Named after the Widalpen hills around Vienna, the Widalpenbahn is a new River Splash ride at the city’s famous Prater park.
X Factor!Drievliet debuts X-Car Launch CoasterPublished: 01 May, 2007Dutch family park Drievliet has just opened the world’s first X-Car launch coaster. Built by Maurer Söhne using an LSM (linear synchronous motor) launch, it’s thrilling a wide variety of guests. Owen Ralph visits The Hague to experience a new kind of launch coaster.
Just Add Water!Wet rides for dry partksPublished: 01 May, 2007Water is an effective way to add excitement to a ride. Riders can float, slide or be splashed. Paul Ruben traces the history of water rides, and asks several park operators and suppliers why they are still so enduring, while elsewhere we note five current trends.
How difficult was it finding staff for the new season?
- 12 - 13 June, 2008
ASIA TOURISM PROPERTY & ATTRACTIONS SUMMIT - Shanghai - 14 - 15 July, 2008
ASIA TOURISM & ATTRACTIONS SUMMIT - Macau - 16 - 18 July, 2008
ASIAN ATTRACTIONS EXPO - Macau - 10 - 12 September, 2008
FUN EXPO - Las Vegas - 23 - 25 September, 2008
LIW 2008 - Birmingham, UK - 30 September - 02 October, 2008
EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW - Munich, Germany - 29 - 31 October, 2008
INTERSCHAU / TECHNOFOLIES - Stuttgart, Germany - 29 - 30 October, 2008
WWA TRADE SHOW - Las Vegas - 18 - 21 November, 2008
IAAPA ATTRACTIONS EXPO - Orlando, Florida






