Cees Kikstra, StarParks, Europe: A few things caught my attention. First, and it's not quite new, interactive computer projection - smoke curtains, water curtains etc that you can walk through. I think these can be manipulated in a lot of ways and offer some very interesting possibilities. Then there's the development of the Mountain Glider. My colleague Bill Muirhead [StarParks CEO] signed up for the first one when he was at Walibi Belgium. This allows you to fly for 60-metres without supports, and that's really new for parks. Finally, the Splash Battle has been a real breakthrough. What visitors want is interactivity and water play, and this has it both. It's now available in a new trackless version I believe.
Dick Knoebel, Knoebel's Amusement Park & Resort, USA: Nothing jumped out at me, but I was visiting the show [IAAPA] on a restrained budget because of our flood and other commitments. We need to complete our Flying Turns ride.
Thomas Etheridge, Wild West World, USA: The Wild West World rides, many of which were on display at IAAPA, such as those from Moser Rides, SBF, Rides-4-U, and IE Park. To me, they were the most exciting rides we've seen at the IAAPA Attractions Expo and I am sure guests will love them when our new park opens in May.
Javier Almándoz Ríos, Port Aventura, Spain: It's difficult to say, we see the same manufacturers at each show and there are not a lot of novelties. It is left to use to take a basic ride or attraction and develop our own story. There have been a lot of 4D film attractions over the last few years, but other than that it's a quiet time right now. Although there are ideas, no one wants to have the prototype…
Dan Aylward, Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, USA: The Airballs attraction from Skytrack seemed to be an innovative new piece. Overall the manufacturers are evolving their existing products in innovative ways. And it's always good to see old friends.
- 16 - 18 July, 2008
ASIAN ATTRACTIONS EXPO - Macau - 10 - 12 September, 2008
FUN EXPO - Las Vegas - 23 - 25 September, 2008
LIW 2008 - Birmingham, UK - 23 - 24 September, 2008
TILEZONE - Lódz, Poland - 27 - 29 September, 2008
IAAPA SUMMER MEETING - Munich, Germany - 30 September - 02 October, 2008
EURO ATTRACTIONS SHOW - Munich, Germany - 16 - 18 October, 2008
SUREXPO - Warsaw, Poland - 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
