The second annual Park World Excellence Awards took place on Wednesday 18 September at the Le Méridien Etoile, Paris. Organised by Park World publisher Datateam Business Media, the Park World Excellence Awards were launched in 2018 to celebrate Europe’s most outstanding parks, projects, rides and attractions.
This year’s event saw the addition of the Middle East and Africa region, together with two new awards for the FEC sector; FEC Feature of the Year, awarded to Hologate for Hologate Arena and FEC of the Year, which went to VR Park Dubai.
Intamin emerged victorious in not one, but two categories; Taiga at Linnanmäki, Finland was named Rollercoaster of the Year, while Tigeren at Djurs Sommerland picked up Thrill Ride of the Year. “We are very fortunate and proud to have been awarded with these two awards. Both projects were very exciting, for both the parks and Intamin. A very good example what can be achieved when all parties involved put their best effort into a project,” said a spokesperson.
Sally Dark Rides’ Sesame Street: Street Mission at PortAventura World scooped the highly prestigious award for Family Ride of the Year; “it means so much to us”said marketing director Lauren Wood Weaver.
Cinesplash 5D at Yas Waterworld by Attraktion! won Water Park Attraction of the Year. Attraktion! Managing director Markus Beyr told Park World: “It was a great honour to be nominated as best waterpark attraction 2019 with strong competition, and we were all very excited when Cinesplash at Yas Waterworld was announced. Wet 4D theatres, we invented together the first simple version with a client from an Austrian waterpark in 2009, and it was a long way and huge development steps to become this exciting attraction in 2019.”
Batman Knight Flight at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi scooped two awards, Themed Attraction of the Year and Media Based Attraction of the Year giving Dynamic Attractions and Thinkwell lots to celebrate.
Best Use of Technology went to Alterface for Erratic technology in Popcorn Revenge at Walibi Belgium, while Gateway Ticketing Systems picked up the award for Best Ticketing and Access Control Product for Galaxy Connect.
The Mack Family enjoyed a very successful evening, with three highly coveted awards to its name: Water Ride of the Year for Merlin’s Quest at Toverland; Large Theme Park of the Year (Europa-Park) and of course, the Industry Icon Operator Award for Roland Mack.
Family Park of the Year was awarded to Djurs Sommerland, with CEO Henrik Nielsen telling Park World: “Since 2008, we have invested more than 500 million DKK in new rides, better customer service and in general in constantly delivering the very best experiences to our guests. We are sure that this has made a difference.”
Puy Du Fou had much to celebrate as Le Premier Royaume (The First Kingdom) was named Live Entertainment of the Year, as did Ferrari World Abu Dhabi as Winterfest was awarded Seasonal Event of the Year .
Siam Park in Tenerife meanwhile, was named Water Park of the Year for the second year running. General manager, Christoph Kiessling said: “It was an absolute honour also a great privilege to be recognised in the industry with such an important Award.”
The final presentation of the evening was made to Simworx CEO Terry Monkton, who was awarded the prestigious Industry Icon Award (Manufacturer/Supplier Award).
A charity fundraiser was also held in aid of the National Autistic Society.
Interviews with Terry and all of the 2019 Park World Excellence Awards winners will be included in a special Awards edition out next week and included with the October issue.
The 2019 Park World Excellence Awards was sponsored by Alterface, Bertazzon, Digital Centre, Hologate, Polin Waterparks, Sally Dark Rides, Semnox, Simworx, Sparkys and wiegand.waterrides.
