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Glow in the Park
A further nod towards the family market that the group is now keen to attract, Six Flags has added new nighttime parades to three of its parks. Paul Ruben sheds some light on these new entertainment offerings.
DEAL 2008
Gerry Robinson offers a personal view of the Middle East’s largest amusement industry trade show, DEAL in Dubai.
RAAPA 2008
The 10th anniversary edition of the RAAPA Show, the annual exhibition from the Russian Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, took place within Pavilion 69 of Moscow’s All Russian Exhibition Centre from April 9 to 11.
Asia Tourism & Attractions Summit
It’s not the only event of its kind taking place in China this summer, but the Asia Tourism & Attractions Summit (ATAS), set to happen next month in Macau, is perfectly timed to pick up professionals already in the area for IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo. As official media partner, Park World previews the two-day event.
The Future is Wild
“Interactive” dark rides have become all the rage in recent years, yet in all but a few cases the interaction on the part of the rider extends to little more than shooting laser beams at targets. Not so at Futuroscope...
Mammut Italia
A little bit of the Arctic has come to the banks of Lake Garda. At 1km and four-minutes-long, Mammut is indeed a mammoth ride. Supplied by Vekoma Rides Manufacturing, it is in fact it’s Italy’s largest family rollercoaster.
Gold Reef City
Without gold, there would not be a Johannesburg as we know it. The city was founded on it, and around 40% of all the world’s supply has been produced there. It was therefore inevitable that someone would choose to set up a gold-mining attraction in what is one of the Gauteng province’s major cities (Gauteng is Sotho for “place of gold”) What started as a humble enterprise is now South Africa’s leading theme park and the “jewel in the crown” of a seven-venue strong casino group. Park World toasts 21 years of Gold Reef City.
Jungala
Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa, Florida, recently unveiled Jungala, a four-acre jungle village filled with exotic animals, rides and attractions.
Are Segways the new wheelchairs?
Amusement parks have, over the last few years, faced increasing pressure to expand accessibility to those with disabilities. Evidence from the US suggests that more and more guests are now arriving at the park with a particular brand of motorised walking aid.
Water, Water, Everywhere
While strolling through Aquatica recently, the shimmering new waterpark at SeaWorld Orlando, I was reminded of Sloppy Lagoon, an old ditty by Spike Jones:
Water Lu, she lives with the fishes, Water Lu, her kiss is delicious,
I love her with passion but she's always busy splashin',
Water Lu, drip, drip, drip
A recipe for F&B waterpark success
In order to make a splash in waterpark food you must follow a simple recipe. The three ingredients are quality, presentation and organisation.
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.
Welcome to Krustyland!
The world’s first official theme park ride dedicated to The Simpsons has debuted at Universal Studios in both Hollywood and Orlando.
Bobbejaanland goes Bananas!
The first phase of the park’s new Banana Jungle area, Banana Battle has opened at Bobbejaanland, Lichtaart, Belgium. The themed attraction from 3DBA/Preston & Barbieri takes guests on an Amazonian voyage, but what makes this different to other Splash Battles is that the ride is built completely undercover.
It's an even Smaller World!
When Hong Kong Disneyland opened in 2005, critics were quick to point out that it was missing one essential Disney park component – the boat ride It’s a Small World.
Legoland Discovery Centre USA
Legoland Discovery Centre, an undercover attraction in Merlin Entertainments’ tried and tested “Midway” format, will open in August at the Streets of Woodfield shopping centre in Schaumburg, suburban Chicago.
Europa-Park strengthens 'English' offering
Visitors to Europa-Park, near Freiburg in Germany, can tour themed versions of 12 European countries, but England has always been one of the more disappointing parts. This season, however, the ride count has just doubled with the addition of two London-themed attractions.
Freej signs up for Dubailand
After signing up many of the attraction brands that have been a hit elsewhere in the world, Dubailand developer Tatweer has announced that a local licensed property will form a centrepiece of the three billion sq ft theme park resort.
Voodoo strikes Dorney Park
The first ride of its kind in the Northeastern United States, Voodoo has opened at Dorney Park in Pennsylvania. The linear induction Impulse Coaster by Intamin formerly operated as Steel Venom at Geauga Lake in Ohio, another Cedar Fair group property.
Eye-popping entertainment in Texas!
With everything bigger in Texas, Ripley Entertainment has opened the doors to Ripley’s San Antonio Odditorium, its largest and most interactive attraction to date.
Paris' new tower...
After a soft opening at the tail end of 2007, Disneyland Resort Pairs officially launched its Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in April. The attraction, the fourth ride of its kind at a Disney park worldwide, is the latest addition to the Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris.
Ghost Town founder dies
Ronald Braxton Coburn, better know as “RB,” passed away in Palm City, Florida, on April 1. The inspiration behind Ghost Mountain later changed the name of his park to Ghost Town in the Sky and was instrumental in the overall growth and development of Maggie Valley, North Carolina.
Drievliet’s 70th anniversary season
Drievliet, the family amusement park near The Hague in Holland, is celebrating its 70th anniversary this season and guests will be notice a new look in the original half of the park.
Parques Reunidos enters Hawaii
The Spanish leisure group Parques Reunidos has purchased Sea Life Park in Hawaii (pictured) from Dolphin Discovery, a Mexican company that owned it since 2005. Parques Reunidos paid an undisclosed price for the 22-acre park which is located outside Waimanalo.
Sweeping changes at Clementon
Due to the recent acquisition of Clementon Park and Splash World by Oklahoma-based Adrenaline Family Entertainment, sweeping changes are underway at the New Jersey park.
Behemoth debuts in Canada
Canada's Wonderland, outside Toronto, Ontario, has the introduced the country’s biggest, fastest and tallest rollercoaster, Behemoth. This 5,300ft long ride from Bolliger & Mabillard becomes the park's 15th coaster and the first from B&M ride with new open-air seating.
Sally appoints senior designer
Dark ride supplier Sally Corporation has selected Dan Faupel, formerly vice-president of Creative Visions, to become its senior designer. With Creative Visions, Dan was involved in projects for Six Flags, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Knott’s Berry Farm among various other parks and attractions.
How do foreign staff enhance your park?
Jay Gillian, Gillian's Wonderland Pier, USA: They are an asset to our operation because some of the international students arrive early in the pre-season, around May, and there is a large number who will stay into our post-season, through until September/October. Having the international students here allows us to remain open well into the post-season, when our domestic staff return to their colleges and high schools.
Mammut Deutschland
There’s a new landmark on the horizon at Tripdrill, Cleebronn near Stuttgart. Sitting right alongside the main road that passes the park, motorists can’t fail to notice Mammut – the all-new, all-German wooden coaster and Tripsdrill’s largest investment to date.
Seabreeze turns up the Musik
Seabreeze Park, Rochester, New York, has introduced a Musik Express by Bertazzon for the 2008 season. The ride, which replaces Seabreeze’s Gyrosphere, operated briefly last season at the defunct Wild West World in Wichita, Kansas, where it appeared with a Western theme, but has been given a makeover.
Noah's Ark adds water play
Noah’s Ark, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, has added an SCS Interactive structure called Tadpole Bay (see sketch), further expanding “Americas Largest Waterpark.”
Duke's Lagoon
Dutch Wonderland, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has opened its castle doors for its 45th season with an interactive water play element – Duke’s Lagoon (pictured) – and two new live stage shows.
Quassy's special season!
Quassy Amusement Park, one of 11 remaining "trolley parks" in the United States, is celebrating its centennial season.
Dragons Fly at Castle Park
Castle Park, Riverside, California, has introduced DragonFlyers, a classic amusement ride by Larson Manufacturing.
The Racer runs forward!
Something old is new again at Kings Island in Ohio, as since the start of the season on April 20 the backward travelling trains on The Racer rollercoaster now runs forward again.
Ghostwood Estate
Want a Disney or Universal-style dark ride for your park but don’t have the budget? Ghostwood Estate at Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, is a state-of-the-art interactive attraction and it cost just US$2 million (€1.3m) to create.
Merlin buys London Aquarium
Merlin Entertainments has bought the London Aquarium from County Hall Entertainment. The move makes perfect sense for Merlin, as not only does the operator own the largest aquarium brand in the world – Sea Life – but also the London Aquarium is located next to the London Eye, the group’s iconic observation wheel on the South Bank of the River Thames.
Canobie Lake
Just as there are a handful of oceanside parks remaining in America, so there are only a handful of lakeside American amusement parks left. Where real estate values on any body of water drove out most of 1,500+ plus American amusement parks during the 1920s, Canobie Lake Park still sits by the lake, clean, beautiful, and thriving. Gary Kyriazi pays a visit.
Have the large money funds that have been buying amusement parks in recent years overpaid for the properties?
Dennis Speigel, International Theme Park Services: The “roll up” of the industry began officially when Premier Parks bought Six Flags and the subsequent park properties. They severely over paid for many of the parks in their quest to become the largest regional theme park operator. Unfortunately their business plan was flawed and created the problem that the current management is living with today – incredible debt. As soon as Prermier took over Six Flags they began losing money on a company-wide basis and never showed a profit, placing one of the industry icons in a disastrous positions. They paid too much. Today companies such as Parque Reunidos, who have been very active in the acquisition of leisure attractions, are paying reasonable multiples of EBITDA for properties. This is a prudent approach to business and to the industry. Managing the debt is a problem that acquirers have to address. “Biting off too much debt” can be a problem no matter how polished an operator you may be.
Glow in the Park
Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, is preparing to introduce Glow in the Park, a new nighttime parade by Gary Goddard Entertainment. Transforming the park into a fantasyland of light and sound will be a cast of drummers, puppeteers, singers, dancers and kinetic stilt walkers.
