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P14

AUGUST 2012

4 Park Word Editor’s comment

6 Front Gate Setting you up for the month ahead P2 8 Park Hoppin’ Paul Ruben on dark rides

8-18 Park News Your monthly update

20 Magic World Russia Resort Preview

22-23 Conference/Show Previews SATE (Paris) and EAS (Berlin) I read an article that described the region as the Orlando of Asia. For 24-25 Themed Attractions & Resorts (Malaysia) someone on a stopover in Singapore “ they can bring their family and have a Interview holiday on our side 26 Legoland Malaysia Themed Attractions and Resorts’ Tunku Dato’ Ahmad ” Burhanuddin discusses the huge development underway Interview in Iskandar, Malaysia, P24

28-30 Maja Land at Holiday Park P28 Attraction profile

32-33 at Ride profile

34-35 Knoebel’s Black Diamond Ride profile

36 Grizzly Gulch Attraction profile

38 Etnaland 2.0 We are confident that, even if the Italian economy has some problems at Park preview the moment, it is the right time to “ invest if you have a good project that 41 Show Guide meets the requirements of the market Francesco Russello reveals his plans for the Exhibitions and networking for amusement professionals of Etnaland in Sicily, P38 ”

42 Web Guide P38 Online resources for the amusement industry

THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: Gary Goddard Entertainment (GGE) has entered into the masterplanning phase of Magic World Russia, a US$3 billion resort planned outside Moscow. This world- class development will comprise multiple theme park, resort, retail and other destination elements. For more of what lies in store turn to page 20. gary goddard.com PW_Aug12_p04:PW_Aug12_p04 13/08/2012 09:41 Page 4

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ParkWord AugustAugust 20122012

As I write, the Olympic games are entering their final few days in London and I am reminded how short this festival of sport really is – barely more than two weeks. Were someone to build a theme park or attraction with even a fraction of the London 2012 budget, more than £10 billion ($15.6bn/€12.7bn) according to some estimates, they would surely expect to open it for longer than 17 days. This is of course why so much emphasis is being placed on “legacy” – the expected boost to regeneration projects, infrastructure, sporting initiatives and tourism in the years to come as a result of the spotlight being shone this summer on the British capital (not that it’s usually in the dark). We will have to wait and see if London’s opening ceremony impressed the themed entertainment industry in the same way as the 2008 spectacular in Beijing, which picked up a Thea Award. In the meantime, the short-term impact on attractions in the capital and around the UK appears somewhat mixed. Hats off to the Mellors Group, a fairground/event organiser that “struck gold’” by erecting a temporary observation wheel at Victoria Park, close to Olympic Park, where many fans gathered to watch the sporting action on large screens. Yet official announcements warning of large crowds and traffic chaos only served to leave other parts of London deserted. “Undoubtedly the level of early Government warnings telling people to stay out of the capital and other Olympic locations significantly impacted normal visitation patterns,” highlights a spokesperson for Merlin Entertainments, which was hoping to capitalise on events in Weymouth, where its new Sea Life observation tower offered a bird’s eye view of the sailing. At the instigation of the organisations including BALPPA, the controversial announcements were eventually dropped, and attractions operators kept their fingers crossed for returning crowds. During the second weekend of the games I called in at Flamingo Land in North Yorkshire, more than four hours north of London, where there was an encouraging number of families enjoying the rides and attractions in the sun. “It’s possible that some people may have been enjoying free cultural events rather than other attractions, however I think the weather still influences a lot,” notes BALPPA chief executive Jeremy Reed. “It’s been a rotten summer up until now, which has been great for some our members with indoor attractions, however it’s still all to play for and we won’t really know the full effect on business – whether as a result of the weather or the Olympics – until September.” Owen Ralph – Editor

Editor Owen Ralph (+44 161 438 2934) [email protected] North American Editor Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012) [email protected] Contributors this issue Eugene Sloan, Pete Philipps Sales Manager Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124) [email protected] Publishing Director Paul Ryder [email protected] Data Development Manager Alex Wetton [email protected] Managing Director Parvez Kayani [email protected] Publication Secretary/ Jennifer York (+44 1622 699109) Subscriptions [email protected] Head Office Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, ME16 8LY, UK AUGUST 2012 ISSN 1462-4796 +44 1622 687031 © Copyright 2012. datateam.co.uk All materials in this publication remain the copyright of Datateam Business Media and Member of: no part of it may be reproduced without the written permission of the proprietors. A request to insert an advertisement is deemed to be an acceptance of Datateam Business Media Ltd’s conditions of trading, copies of which are available on request.

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Front Gate www.parkworld-online.com

24 26 BigQuestion Figures32 28 What's at the top of your list of infrastructure requirements? of50 Fun20 38 Vittorio Santelmo, , Italy: This year our park is 41 celebrating 20 years, but it is not yet complete! This winter we removed a family coaster from the centre of the park, so we could do with 15 some more things for the kids, especially as a lot of our more recent metres – (50ft) height of new King investments have been concentrated on older visitors. In my opinion we waterslide at Harbor also need to increase the number of attractions at Mirabilandia Beach, our in Jackson waterpark. Dick Knoebel, Knoebel's Amusement Resort, USA: We need more 52 dredging of our creek and widening of the creek walls so we will be more US dollars ($52.32) – average daily prepared for those heavy rains, those flash floods. We need to practice admission price to North American preventative flood maintenance. Last year alone there were eight floods, theme/amusement parks based on an one that required nine days to re-open. We've also been flooded in 1972, IAAPA survey of 73 venues 1975, 1996, 2004 and 2006!

Bern Beitz, Holiday Park, Germany: I think the biggest problem for us was really the old entry, which was not very attractive and simply not big 70 minimum percentage of China’s enough for the number of visitors we get. For 2012 we have a totally new theme/amusement parks that lose money entrance that is really nice [see page 28]. Next year we will change a lot according to a report in state media more infrastructure, walkways, toilets, green zones and so on. It’s not just about adding new attractions; we also want to take the general impression of the park to a higher level. 75 US dollars ($74.99) – new price of an annual pass to Knott’s Berry Farm in California – $12.01 less than a one day THIS MAGAZINE ON YOUR COMPUTER, ticket to nearby IPAD OR IPHONE EVERY MONTH FOR FREE! 117 metres (385ft) – height of world’s tallest Star Flyer ride planned for Six Flags New Register now at England, Massachusetts parkworld-online.com Produced in association with AECOM. FOLLOW PARK WORLD ON TWITTER @ParkWorldMag www.aecom.com/economics

Pay You Later Walygator - The French Walygator faced Ups & demonstrations from staff after struggling to Downs pay them due to a drop in attendance Coaster Collision - A 67-year-old park employee was struck and killed by The Vampire rollercoaster whilst in a restricted area at La Ronde in Ghost Revived - The Wild Free Publicity - Blackpool California West-themed Ghost Town in the Council is funding 12 Sky has reopened under new Nickelodeon illuminations to Good Enough To Eat? - Disney parks ownership in North Carolina promote Nickelodeon Land at in North America have begun selling air Blackpool Pleasure Beach fresheners smelling of food items from (England) within the park

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Park News www.parkworld-online.com

ParkHoppin’ Polar Adventure with Paul Ruben Ocean Park transformation is complete Ocean Park has completed its six-year HK$5.55 billion Master Redevelopment Plan Dark in the Park (MRP) with the opening of the Polar Adventure, a new area combining Arctic and Antarctic themed environments with a family coaster ride. I spent the last month visiting as many dark rides as I could, from coast to coast. In California, I went to Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk to ride Located on Brick Hill, high up in the Summit area of the park, the new attraction is their whimsically dark Cave Train and sample their new Haunted dedicated to raising awareness of the impact of global climate change on polar wildlife Castle. At Disneyland I meandered through the wonderful Haunted and habitats. It spans over 150,000 sq ft and features two climate-controlled pavilions – Mansion. At Disney’s California Adventure I climbed aboard both the the North Pole Encounter and South Pole Spectacular. Ocean Park guests can step out of Tower of Terror and Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. the Hong heat and, without having to criss-cross both ends of the world, see over Over on the east coast I lurched my way through Stillwalk Manor at 100 species of Polar animals including three different species of penguin, walruses, New Jersey's Casino Pier, previewed Gillian’s Wonderland’s Haunted spotted seals, northern sea lions, snowy owls and arctic foxes. Interior lighting is adjusted House , walked through Morey’s majestically decrepit Ghost to mimic the seasonal conditions in the respective Polar regions. Ship, floated through their Pirates of the Wildwoods and bounced The two-storey North Pole Encounter allows visitors to view the marine mammals in an through Dante's Dungeon. Then I gamely found my way through the open environment from both above and below the water level, while in the South Pole brand-new Morbid Manor just up the boardwalk, where I met ticket- gentoo, southern rockhopper and king penguins can be seen behind floor-to-ceiling seller Andrea pictured here. Isn’t she lovely? Next I inspected the glass. Guests can also dine beside dozens of penguins at Tuxedos Restaurant, where 5% nearly completed Haunted Golf in Ocean City. of proceeds will be donated to the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation. Featured inside I went to Knoebel’s in Pennsylvania to discover their splendid new both pavilions, guests can also discover numerous interactive educational displays. Black Diamond dark ride/coaster, which you can read more about Sprawled out in front of the two connected pavilions is the winding blue track of Arctic elsewhere in this issue. While there I couldn’t pass up a visit to their Blast, Ocean Park’s latest rollercoaster. This family-friendly installation by highly-rated Haunted House. I features cars shaped like snow sleds that travel at up to 35km per hour. The ride passes finished the tour at Hersheypark just metres from Hair Raiser, the floorless B&M coaster opened last year. with a trip through Reese’s The aim of Ocean Park’s Master Redevelopment Plan (MRP) was to transform the Xtreme Cup Challenge. “people’s park” of Hong Kong into a leading world-class family travel destination. In the Let’s see, that’s 15 dark process, annual attendance has shot up to over 7 million, making it the park busiest in attractions within a 30-day Asia outside Japan, and eclipsing numbers at . A large part of the period. After these experiences, increase is due to an influx of visitors from mainland China. one would think I could shed “With the launch of Polar Adventure,” notes the park’s chairman Dr Allan Zeman, “we some light on dark rides. But have fully realised the new Ocean Park experience envisioned in our six-year Master no, that would spoil the Redevelopment Plan – on time, on budget and at the expected quality level.” experience. Dark rides are intended to be dark, or at least Read an exclusive interview with Ocean Park’s Tom Mehrmann in next month’s Park World dim, like moi. What I did learn is that dark rides are making a comeback. Long a mainstay of the amusement Let the Adventure begin! park experience, they fell out of favour following the 1984 fire at the Haunted Castle at Six Flags Great Adventure when eight teenage The developers of Adventure World Warsaw have broken ground on their planned visitors were trapped inside and killed. Many other dark attractions theme park resort in Grodzisk Mazowiecki outside the Polish capital were subsequently removed from parks. Only now, with the use of Guests at the groundbreaking ceremony on July 21 were treated to a themed improved fire retardant materials and sprinkler systems, are we reception by , the Dutch company that is designing the 230-hectare resort, witnessing a renaissance of dark rides in North America. And not a and were able to view a 1:16 model of what will be Poland’s first large-scale theme moment too soon. Dark rides and dark walk-throughs give a park a park. After speeches from various industry executives and Polish officials, a spectacular unique attraction, and give it some distinguishing character and 15-minute fireworks display rounded off the night’s proceedings. personality. They’re different, they’re mysterious, they’re exciting. “Today marks a very special day not only me, but for the people of Poland and all The one dark ride that has yet to make a comeback, however, is the Central Eastern Tunnel of Love. The only one I know that still operates as a Tunnel of Europe”, declared the Love is the River Caves at England’s Blackpool Pleasure Beach. We project’s Dutch CEO, need more Tunnels of Love, or at least more Tunnels of Messing Peter Mulder. Around a Little. “Adventure World While I love dark rides, I think dark walk-throughs, especially those Warsaw will with actors, best bring out the fear factor. They are the most fun. immediately join the Here’s why. Some people walk through and are not going to get ranks of the world’s top scared, but there are other people who go through and are easily theme parks and frightened. They the minute they come in the door. If a group resorts when in 2015.” goes through, half the group is screaming, the other half is laughing AWW will feature at them for screaming. So everybody comes out happy. My favourite is both a theme park and Nightmares, a dark walk-through in Niagara Falls, Canada. It is the an undercover oldest haunted house in North America in continuous operation. Try waterpark, as well as it. It’s pure fun. It’s just you, the dark, and things that go bump in the an entertainment night. village, two themed

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Park News www.parkworld-online.com

A general view of the new area Kernels

The world’s leading waterpark supplier has opened a new European office in Barcelona. WhiteWater’s new base in the Spanish city will be staffed by Sean Hinton, vice-president of business development for Europe, Russia the Middle East and Africa. A hub for the activities of both WhiteWater and PrimePlay, it will co-ordinate the satellite offices already in operation across the region. The real estate investment trust CNL Lifestyle Properties has acquired ’s Rapids Water Park. CNL will now lease the venue to operator Rapids Holdings LLC, led by former Six Flags executive Kieran Burke. Through their vehicle Premier Attractions Management and other affiliates, Burke and his now operate six other North American parks, three of which are owned by CNL Lifestyle Properties. Arctic Blast With this acquisition, CNL Lifestyle Properties’ attractions portfolio is comprised of 20 properties across 12 US states. Following the installation of several rides, including a MotoCoaster, Samba Tower and Jumping Star among others, Jin Jiang Amusement Park in Shanghai has chosen another two classic Zamperla attractions to add more thrills to its line-up. A Windshear (-style ride) and a were due to open this summer. Single people looking for a date were invited to try their luck at Gardaland on July 19 when the Italian park staged a “Dogana dei Single” (Customs of Singles) event. Lonely hearts turning up before lunch were presented with “Certified Single” medal to hang around the neck so that they could be identified by other singles. Whether true love blossomed we are unsure, but the park created plenty of buzz on various social networks, which was surely one of the purposes of the event.

hotels and conference facilities. Visitor’s first experience Tuxedos Restaurant Vekoma was recently the subject of a National Geographic documentary entitled Mega Factories – of the park will be Adventure Harbour, a bazaar filled Extreme , exploring the design and with shops, restaurants and attractions. The five themed construction of the Giant Inverted Boomerang. lands inside the park will comprise Lost Kingdom, Old Poland, Creature Lagoon, Land of Legends and Castle Keen to stimulate trade outside the traditional Halloween season, the operator of a scare attraction Island. in northwest England is to stage a special summer Over 100 suppliers are involved in the project event. Horror Camp LIVE! (horrorcamplive.co.uk) including attraction suppliers such as Vekoma, Hafema, is the brainchild of AtmosFEAR! Entertainment Group, Mack and Tedbodin. Recently appointed to the the company behind Scare Kingdom Scream Park in management team, headed by Jan Mulder and executive Lancashire. Described as the UK's first immersive managing director Steven Shaiken, is former Drayton horror camping entertainment experience, the event will take place at Hawkshaw Farm Park for four nights Manor (UK) operations manager Edward Pawley, who will only, August 10/11/18 and September 22. Campers act as the park’s general manager. will meet around the fire to enjoy a two-course meal Combined visits to the theme park, waterpark, and a horror movie, followed by a night of dare-based entertainment village and hotels are forecast at North Pole Encounter challenges and torment from live actors. Sleep tight... approximately 2.6 million in 2015, rising to over 4.5 Seoul’s Lotte World indoor/outdoor theme has million in 2024. AWW developers cite the project’s chosen two new Zamperla family rides, a Mega central location close to the A1/A2 motorways and good Disk’O and a Flying Tigers. The latter will be themed high- railways and airport access as key to its in collaboration with Gary Goddard. potential success. The Dutch technology company Lagotronics has adventureworldwarsaw.com released a new 3D interactive dark ride shooting system, developed in conjunction with the Belgian LEFT: (from left): AWW’s Peter Jan Mulder; Roland company De Pinxi. Two customers are currently under negotiation, but in future systems could be developed Mack, IAPPA chairman; Klaus Betz, CEO of general with any supplier of dark ride transport systems, contractor Imtech; AWW’s Sylwia Mulder; Grodzisk including ETF, Mack and SBF. Scenery will be supplied Mazowiecki mayor Grzegorz Benedykciński by on request by Theme Builders.

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Park News www.parkworld-online.com

LARGEST EVER KIDZANIA KidZania has opened its largest children’s role- you” food and recreation choices, playing park yet. KidZania Cuicuilco in Mexico City Fuelled by a child’s natural desire to create, explore features, for the first time, a fleet of hands-on kid- and collaborate, KidZania is equal parts entertainment sized eco-friendly vehicles that young visitors can and education. Young visitors enter the new Cuicuilco drive around a miniature city. They will also be outlet through a mock airport into the 150,000 sq ft taught environmental stewardship, empathy for kids city complete with 90 replica work places including with different abilities and how to make “good-for- city hall, bank, restaurants, hospital, sports stadium and more. Once inside, children can choose from among 120 different trades and professions. It’s the ultimate role-playing experience for kids aged up to 14 years. “KidZania Cuicuilco is our most inventive and More role-playing fun engaging theme park yet,” believes Kidzania founder and president Xavier Lopez Ancona. “We’ve children, whether navigating the park with or without introduced 21st century career choices, elevated their parents. Every child and parent/chaperone awareness around global issues like the environment, receives matching RFID-bracelets, on entry, tracking and made certain that every child, no matter their them to within one metre. While the children play, level of ability, can participate.” parents can relax in a lounge featuring a spa, movie KidZania Cuicuilco also features a state-of-the-art room, restaurant and internet café. Kids can take to the wheel at the new KidZania! security system to ensure a safe and fun experience for www.kidzania.com

Bombay Bullet Ride the ride, Europa-Park Europa-Park has opened its fifth on-site hotel. The Indian manufacturer Bombay Amusement Ride read the comic! opens new (BARPL) is enjoying success at home and abroad Gardaland has given one of its major rides a with a wide variety of attractions. new life as a web comic. Raptor Genetix is the hotel The company is currently building its 13th Sky name of the comic strip dedicated the Italian Europa-Park has opened its fifth on-site hotel. Kopter ride for a customer in India. The first 12 park’s B&M Wi ng Coaster, Raptor. The 4-star superior Hotel Bell Rock was officially units of the ride went to customers in the United Since the launch of the first comic in May opened last month by James Bond star Roger States following a deal with local supplier (five episodes are now available online), over Moore during a glittering ceremony attended by Majestic. 16,000 fans have followed the adventures of around 700 VIPs. BARPL recently supplied its first ever bumper the courageous Colonel Raymond Schwartz and Constructed over cars to the UK, where they will be operated at a his encounters with Raptor, a fearsome winged a period of just 12 holiday camp by Thomas Emmett. A new addition creature reawakened from its ancient sleep in months, the New to the company's portfolio is a people mover the subsoil of Gardaland. The story was created England-themed called the Bombay Bullet Train (pictured) by comic artist Fabrizio de Fabritiis, completely property includes equipped with a four-wheel drive system and fail- for free, thanks to his love of Italy’s only winged 225-rooms safe brakes. BARPL also has plans to build a sky rollercoaster. including 35 suites. diving simulator, and hopes to sign up a customer Each episode is available together with a Among these is a after demonstrations at its factory. compelling soundtrack in either Italian or very special suite at “While the euro is in crisis, India is doing English and can be viewed on iPhone, iPad or a the top of the well,” smiles BARPL boss Pradip K Sharma. standard web browser. See them for yourself at lighthouse, offering “We've been a little bit affected by the worldwide gardalandraptor.it/fumetto or on the park’s 360º panoramic economic situation, but nothing to be concerned Facebook and YouTube channels. views of the about.” Europa-Park Resort and the surrounding Baden-Württemburg bombayamusement.com countryside, which, we are assured, has been given the 007 seal of approval. Other VIPs at the opening on July 12 included IAAPA president Chip Cleary, plus various ambassadors and local politicians. The Mack family, owners of Europa-Park, used the evening to raise awareness about the importance of water, presenting a cheque for €10,000 to UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sabine Christiansen. More on Europa-Park’s accommodation offer in a forthcoming issue of Park World. resort.europapark.com

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Park News

London Wonderground Kings Island Following our news item last month about various waves woodie new observation experiences that opened in London in time for the Olympic games, we can now bring goodbye you news of a summer attraction set up alongside After a lengthy the River Thames, just metres from the . evaluation of all the The Priceless London Wonderground (sponsored alternatives, Ohio’s by Mastercard) runs until September 30 at Jubilee Kings Island is to Gardens on the South Bank. This free-to-enter remove the Son of themed environment evokes a vintage Beast wooden coaster fairground/carnival spirit, so much so that the to make room for organisers (Underbelly) have even seen fit to future park expansion. rename a Reverchon spinning coaster the The dismantling of the ‘Cyclone’. What would the folks at Coney Island ride will begin later this think? summer. The headline attraction, however, is a When it opened in 1999 at a cost of $10 Star Flyer, the 67-metre prototype of the ride built million, it was the tallest wooden rollercoaster for the Vienna Prater in 2003. Now equipped with in the world, standing 218ft-tall (66m), and the 12 twin seats, the ride (pictured here) has been only one with a vertical loop. It was also the acquired by the Mellors Group. The same company fastest wooden coaster, reaching a speed of 78 provided its Mondial Giant Wheel and a zipline mph (126 km/h), and one of the longest, attraction for the duration of the games at Victoria 7,032ft (2.1km). But it was also problematic, Park, where many Olympic fans without tickets and after the park spent another $10 million gathered to enjoy the action on large screens. more for modifications, it closed for good in 2009. pricelesslondonwonderground.co.uk Maurer in China As well as the racing wooden coaster (“Dauling Dragon”) featured The American city of Seattle is one of the latest places to open a semi- previously in Park World, there are also four steel coasters at the new Happy permanent observation wheel. Valley park in China’s Hubei province. These include Monte Carlo Racetrack The 53-metre Seattle Great Wheel was supplied by and is by Golden Horse, an S&S launch coaster called OCT Thrust SSC1000 and sited at Pier 57, Elliot Bay. Built to a European R60 design, it features 42 two rides by Maurer Söhne, both featuring the German manufacturer’s X-Car climate-controlled enclosed gondolas with UV-protective non-reflective glass, ride vehicles. LED lighting and an all-white finish. Magic Express is a 316-metre-long launch coaster, similar to the ride Adult tickets are $13 and the experience, comprising three revolutions, Maurer supplied in 2007 to the Dutch park Drievliet. Accelerating from 0 to lasts around 12 minutes. A VIP gondola, with luxury seating and a glass 70km/h in just two seconds, the thrust start pins riders to the back of their floor, is accessible for $50 per person, including a souvenir T-shirt and seats. What follows are a quick succession of elements including an extremely queue jump. compact loop, an Immelmann curve, sharp camelback, a half Cuban eight The ride is almost 100-metres shorter than the observation deck on the followed by a heartroll and a very tight banked curve just before returning to city’s 50-year-old Space Needle tower, which can be seen over to the right the station. The installation at Happy Valley is partially covered by a roof and, of the view below. just like its counterpart of Drievliet, seattlegreatwheel.com extremely energy-efficient. A built-in energy storage system limits the peak power drain to just 135kva. Hidden Anaconda, meanwhile, is the intriguing name given to the park’s SkyLoop coaster. At 52- metres in height, the attraction is a powerful beacon for the newly operated park. The ride’s tower and rails were specially reinforced to cope with high winds in the region. The second of two SkyLoops in China, following the debut last year of Clouds of Fairyland at Joyland in Changzhou, a further three rides are on order for Fantawild parks in Zhengzhou, Nantong and Xiamen

SkyLoop at Joyland, Changzhou

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Park News www.parkworld-online.com

The has been LEX LUTHOR: DROP OF DOOM constructed on the side of At 400ft high, Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom is now the park’s distinctive ride the world’s tallest freefall tower. The attraction at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California was created by attaching vertical tracks to either side of the landmark Superman: Escape from Krypton LSM shuttle launch coaster and drops riders in floorless gondolas at speeds up to 85 miles per hour in five seconds. The thrill is intensified as cars from the Superman ride are blasted up the tower while riders on Lex Luthor are dropped down it. Both experiences were created by . The new installation follows a similar shuttle launch/freefall tower combination at in Australia. La Quebrada Flamingo Land’s new Pleasure Beach, Blackpool, England, has launched a high diving show for its guests to enjoy this summer. ride meets with La Quebrada features a troupe of six world-class divers from Mexico, and is performed up to four times rhino approval daily in the shadow of the Big One rollercoaster. There’s a prehistoric twist, or at least name, to Jumping from heights of eight metres (26ft), 15m the newest attraction at England’s Flamingo (48ft) and 25m (81ft), the ex-Olympic divers perform Land Resort & Zoo. Featuring a similar motion a variety of tricks including a comedy section, as the park’s Wave Swinger, Pterodactyl adds cascade dives and a mass-dive, which comprises all one important new ingredient – altitude. the team. The name La Quebrada comes from the This Vertical from Zamperla same name as the famous cliff in Mexico where the stands 45-metres-high (151ft), 10 metres shy divers plied their trade before taking their show of the park’s tallest attraction, across the globe. (S&S Combo Tower). Up to 24 riders at a The show, which is included in the price of a time can enjoy the experience as they are Pleasure Beach wristband/pass, continues until twirled high above the beautiful North September 2. Yorkshire landscape. During installation of the ride, which was manufactured at Zamperla’s blackpoolpleasurebeach.com Soriani factory in Melara, Italy, Flamingo Land staff had been monitoring the behavior of its white rhinos, which reside close to the attraction in the Lost Kingdom area of the park. Happily the ride and its screaming occupants appear to have little affect on the creatures, who can be seen wallowing in the mud and grazing in the paddock to their hearts' content as usual. As well as white rhinos, passengers on Pterodactyl can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the in Scandinavia Flamingo Land’s giraffes, zebras and ostriches.

Here's a picture (right) of the new Loop Fighter flamingoland.co.uk ride supplied by Technical Park to Tykkimäki in Kouvola, . It’s one of three rides delivered recently to Scandinavia. At in Oslo, Norway, the Italian manufacturer installed a ladybird-themed ‘Jumping Ship’ ride (as below) and tree-themed tea cup ride.

technicalpark.com

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Liseberg takes care of the kids New land planned for 2013 and balloon . Rides that will be moved into Jukebox 2! the new area include the cycle ride, kiddie bumpers The Swedish amusement park , in and pony carousel, while rides that will be updated Gothenburg, has introduced a fun new attraction for are the tea cups and Rabbit Ride. Five rides face summer aimed squarely at its younger guests. Skepp retirement as part of the park’s plans, namely the o’ skoj (Ship of fun) from ABC Rides allows kids to original Old Timers, Little Frogs, Kiddie Flight navigate their own boat, learn some seamanship Carousel and Trummeliten Carousel. and take home a sailor’s licence in the process. The old rabbit house will be transformed into a Gothenburg enjoys a proud maritime history and the large playground featuring Liseberg’s rabbit mascots. experience is sponsored by ferry operator Stena. Next to Rabbit Land there will be a picnic area, a Also new for 2012 is a new Jukebox (Polyp) ride by frequently requested feature for guests who want to , replacing an older version by Schwarzkopf bring their own food to the park (whose former premises Gerstlauer now occupies), as Yet all this pails into insignificance compared to Work on Rabbit Land (pictured below) has already well as the Liseberg Wheel, a 53-metre construction Liseberg’s plans for 2013, its 90th anniversary season. begun and is due for completion by the start of the that previously operated elsewhere in the city. To mark this major milestone, the park will spend 2013 season in April. nearly SEK 195 million ($29m/€23m) – its biggest ever investment – transforming its old children’s area into Rabbit Land. The new-look 10,000 square-metre area will feature seven new and five relocated or rethemed rides. Money will also be spent improving the Storgatan and West Coast area of the park. “For 2013 we’re chosen to focus on Liseberg’s real guests of honour: the children,” notes the park’s CEO, Andreas Andersen. “This is a project that involves a great deal of heart, creativity and quality – everything that makes Liseberg so special.” New rides planned include a fresh fleet of Old Timer cars, a cycle monorail, mini freefall tower, Skeep o’ skojj Flying Wheel tower, children’s coaster, flying carousel There’s gold in that there Alterface opens offices field... in USA and China A small Danish amusement Fast-growing Belgian high- park is offering visitors the tech attractions specialist A model of chance to take away a big Alterface has established the water dark ride prize this summer, and all for new regional offices to serve on offer the regular price of its customers in Asia and admission. North America. Each afternoon from 2 to The Asian base is in 4pm, guests at Sommerland Wuhan, China, where the Sjælland (sommerlandsj.dk), company hopes to foster an hour’s drive from strong relationship with Copenhagen, are invited to local university students. search a field for real, 24 “We have a lot of projects carat gold nuggets valued at between €130-200 each. If they find one, the in the region right now,” reveals Alterface CEO Benoit Cornet. park will offer to buy them back for DKK1,000 (€133). Shovels and bear For its US presence, the firm has chosen a site just outside of Branson, hands are encouraged during the daily gold rush, but metal detectors are Missouri, the location of its first ever American attraction, Castle of Chaos (the strictly off limits. House) at the Hollywood Wax Museum. Whilst this might not be the most While panning for gold attractions featuring coins or fake gold are a popular obvious of locations, it is central, allowing Alterface to cater easily to all revenue generator for many parks and attractions, Sommerland Sjælland owner American states/time zones. Kåre Dyvekær (pictured) was keen to give his guests the chance to find real Meanwhile at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, gold – and it didn’t want to charge them a penny to do it. Alterface is about to launch its next generation 5D interactive haunted house, “I’ve played with the thought for years, as it could be a fun way to use our The House Extreme. New features include increased interactivity, a more Wastern-themed area, Silver City,” he explains. “Imagine digging for real gold, “nervous” ride platform, added guest feedback …and zombies! and perhaps ending up going home with more money in your pocket than you Pictured above is a model of a new water-based interactive dark ride came in with?” Alterface is working on, featuring a mix of themed and media-based targets. Here’s hoping this innovative initiative, and the publicity resulting from it, The ride would be realised in partnership with Preston & Barbieri. Cornet is gains Sommerland Sjælland plenty of extra visitors this season. confident of selling at least one ride in time for the 2013 season.

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Geyser Towers Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park has introduced multiple integrated water elements – the first of its Geyser Towers, a PrimePlay Adventure Trail with kind in the world. Designed as a “shoes-on” attraction that can both spray or soaks guests, it features geysers that erupt from the ground, some bursting as high as 25ft (8m) into the air. One geyser is even placed directly under the Adventure Trail, shooting up the middle of the multi-level attraction, to soak guests through the suspended triangle net walk above it pictured right). Other water elements squirt, mist and blast guests as they criss-cross through suspended rope bridges, netted tunnels, towers and the web elevator climb. “Geyser Towers is a unique attraction that has already been a very successful addition to Stone Mountain,” says the park’s Sonny Horton. “While kids encourages exploration and challenges them as they of all ages are highly entertained by the geysers and move across the bridges and seek out the different sprays, parents are pleased with how this attraction towers.” New hotel for IE Park on Ice Six Flags Universal Orlando The Ice Mountain is a new, low-tech attraction from IE Park, built for the Italian showman Mauro unleashes Universal Parks & Viviani. Despite his involvement for many years Resorts is to partner with one of the country’s largest travelling with Loews Hotels & rollercoasters, Viviani recognised a demand for Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Jackson, New Resorts to build the more active, extreme activities and set about Jersey, is the latest waterpark – and the first in Cabana Bay Beach finding a flexible, experienced company that North America – to launch a King Cobra from Resort at Universal could help him realise Ice Mountain. & Pool Systems. Orlando. The The resulting construction, which is transported Offering an extreme riding experience with development will on four trailers, consists of a 45m x 11m half great spectator appeal, the slide is finished on include 900 family pipe structure covered in a green ski surface. both sides with a bold red, black and white suites and 900 Participants can enjoy a choice of three different scale effect to resemble a giant snake. King standard guest activities on the same slope – summer tubing, Cobra’s unique configuration enables two tubes rooms – offering both moderate and rock climbing or a freefall drop. to race through a circular path with twists, turns value-priced accommodation. Designed to evoke “Ice Mountain is totally different to anything and surprises before they drop down a 25ft the driving vacations so many Americans grew up else currently on the market,” believes IE Park plunge and up at a 50ª angle towards the with, the vintage style hotel property will open in director Andrea Munari. “I am very proud of massive jaws of the Cobra. 2014 next to Islands of Adventure. what our team has achieved.” The serpentine water slide complements the Viviani’s Ice Mountain was set to appear this four new attractions opening this season at summer at Magic World in Naples before Hurricane Harbor’s sister amusement park Six Vekoma in China embarking on a tour of travelling . Custom Flags Great Adventure. configurations and park models are of course Guests who prefer not to get wet can enjoy Vekoma is supplying two rollercoasters to the Great available on request. the new SkyScreamer (Star Flyer), Déjà Vu Mall of China project in Beijing, as featured recently (), (flying elephants) and of Park World. One of these will be a customer Fender Benders (). designed Motorbike Launch Coaster, while the other will be a custom-designed looping coaster. Located in Yanjiao, East Beijing, the Great Mall of China will include two theme parks, a waterpark, aquarium, theatre, hotels, a convention hall, office towers and apartments. Completion is due in the next five years although phase one, including the waterpark and theme parks is expected to be ready by October 2013. The prolific Dutcj ride manufacturer, which has its Chinese production facilities in Xiamen, will also be supplying Boomerang coasters to the new Fantawild parks in Xiamen and Zhengzhou, expected to open 2012/13. Meanwhile I-Ride flight simulators are destined for parks in Hangzhou and Guiyang.

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What’s new at the New Jersey parks? On the ... Paul Ruben finds out

Morey’s Piers Kang‘A’Bounce Morbid Manor There’s many new things for visitors A 3,700-sq-ft new dark walk-through to Morey’s Piers to enjoy this summer attraction has opened on Sportland in Wildwood, New Jersey. Pier, North Wildwood, New Jersey. The Giant Wheel at Mariner’s From the fertile but twisted mind of Landing Pier now Eric Princz, Morbid Manor has 13 dazzles with new rooms and haunted scenes, including energy efficient the library with a bookshelf that LED lights. With almost topples on guests, a grisly infinite colours bathroom, a baby room occupied and hundreds of with creepy dolls, and a roach patterns, the Wildwood summer skyline is transformed into a infested hallway. spectacular light show each night. On the same pier, the Sea A dozen actors are employed to Dragon from Chance has been replaced with a brand new roam through special passageways and scare unwitting guests. One can pop model called Rip Tide. Taking on the appearance of a his head through a picture frame, slam a window, or quietly sneak through a Wildwood lifeguard boat, it also features LED lighting. On door to jump out of what looked like a wall. Morbid Manor is a throwback to Surfside Pier, Zamperla has supplied two new kiddie rides, a the old style haunts where live actors interact with the guests and there is very 12-seat Happy Feet swing and the 8-car/16-seat limited separation between the guest and the displays, providing the feel of Kang’A’Bounce jumping ride. actually being in a haunted house. Creepy? Yes, but there is no blood and Morey’s Ocean Oasis and waterparks gore. each have a new attraction for 2012. The latter’s Lazy It takes visitors between five and 10 minutes to walk through the winding River has undergone a major overhaul and now appears 333ft-long attraction. “We don't rush them,” explains Princz. “I want guests to as River Adventure including geysers, rock faces, waterfalls, new plants and a be able to see as much detail as possible. I think people enjoy Morbid Manor grotto to explore. At Ocean Oasis, Wipeout! is a six-lane racer slide from ProSlide. because we send smaller groups through and tailor each show for that group.” ”Another thing we do, well don't do,” Princz continues, “is terrorise small The newly-lit Giant Wheel children. If a child wants to go inside but is a bit afraid, it’s possible for a staff at Mariner’s Landing member to walk with them with a flashlight so they know monsters aren’t real. My motto is, 'Scare a child oncelose a customer for life’.”

Steel Pier Freedom Currently in the midst of a three-year renovation, the Steel Pier Flyer has opened with a new look in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This season’s $21 million in improvements includes new rides, food and beverage outlets, and an amphitheatre. Of the eight new rides added, pier president Tony Catanoso says the Freedom Flyer, an SBF Dance Party, has been the most successful. It is the first swinging in the US to turn through 360º. Other new rides added include an Airborne Shot from SBF called Seamour, a 40-metre Fabbri called Mix (the first park model in the US, a Swing Carousel called Water Circus, Sugar Sugar (SBF Tea Gillian’s Wonderland Pier Cups) and a Zamperla Jump Around and custom mini New for 2012 at Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, Ocean City, New Jersey, is a Wisdom Rockin’ Tug called Silly Steamer. called Alien Abduction (pictured), a Zamperla Disk ’O’ and Seamour a Haunted House dark ride built in- “We’ve house. Classics, such as the existing enjoyed an overwhelming Scrambler, Bumper Cars and the Log response,” adds Catanoso. Flume have also been sectioned off “Everyone says the changes into a new “Thrill Zone” alongside we made are great, and it the new attractions. looks like a new pier. Next In addition to the above, the year we will remodel 20,000 park’s 140ft Giant Wheel has been square feet with a view of the enhanced with over 100,000 LED- boardwalk and ocean into a lights that displays computer- nightclub/restaurant and a generated entertainment after dark bridge into the Trump Taj each evening. Mahal Hotel Casino.”

AUGUST 2012 17 Magic World DPS p18 & 19:Layout 1 15/08/2012 11:47 Page 18 Magic World DPS p18 & 19:Layout 1 15/08/2012 11:48 Page 19 PW_Aug12_p20:PW_Aug12_p20 13/08/2012 09:45 Page 20

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Gary Goddard Entertainment (GGE) has revealed that it has moved into masterplanning of Magic World Russia Magic World Russia, a US$3 billion theme park-led resort Russian resort moves ahead with Gary Goddard planned outside Moscow nitial plans for the resort were announced last “For this reason, in particular summer, but details at the time were a little I feel very proud to be a part Isketchy. Now, thankfully, we can reveal a little bit of great effort to develop the more. Located 50km north of the capital city, Magic World Without Boundries Park World Russia is described as a world-class for children with limited development comprising multiple theme park, resort, abilities. This has long been retail and other destination elements. my dream.” During the past three years, GGE has been working “To date Russia has been in close collaboration with Moschanko Investment an untapped frontier for Group 2000 (MIG 2000), a partner of the Russian major theme park Corporation, MIG200’s role in the project is to destinations,” notes John Robinett, senior vice- organise and co-ordinate the work of several president of economics for AECOM, a leading California-based professional theme park companies economic feasibility firm servicing the leisure and Making the and Russian associates. The team assembled also attractions industry worldwide. “We recognise the Magic happen includes ProFun Management Group, AECOM and richness of Russia’s culture, history, legends and various Hollywood Studios. innovations in science, aviation and space exploration It’s typical for new theme park projects to attract critics, The anchor attraction of Magic World Russia will be and are very excited to be a part of this ambitious and especially those on the scale of Park Russia, celebrating the country’s past, present important project for Russian families and children.” that proposed at Magic World and future – including its various scientific and “We have great respect for the vision and team Russia. aviation achievements – set within a world of fantasy, assembled by the Moschanko Investment Group "From my previous experience adventure, discovery and timeless wonder. To ensure 2000,” adds Dave Schmitt, president and CEO of as a senior vice-president with authenticity, several leading Russian designers, ProFun Management Group. “Creating a world class Paramount Pictures, where I directors, scientists, historians and architects are to be destination with a Russian theme is an appropriate and helped develop world-class unique opportunity for the people of Russia at this time. branded theme parks around the engaged in the park’s development. world, I am all too familiar with An additional two theme parks, including an ProFun is excited to be a part of this exceptional team – how few successful theme parks adventure park focused on rides and a major one that will bring this enormous project to reality.” have actually come to fruition,” Hollywood studio-branded park, are planned in The conceptual plan for this resort has already been acknowledges Jonathan Zilli, addition to two themed waterparks and the “World endorsed by key Russian Government agencies, as partner at MIG2000. “We have Without Boundaries Park” – designed specifically for well as various social and public organisations spent the past three years working children with limited abilities. including the Russian State DUMA/Parliament, diligently with our partners in Complementing the theme park facilities will be a Directorate Office of the Business Administration of Russia and the US alike on defining the best attractions, major retail and dining area called St Petersburg the President of the Russian Federation, Civic rides, technologies and guest Street, a spectacular fountain show, extreme sports Chamber of Russian Federation, Business Council of experiences that Magic World park, children’s role-playing centre, three themed Russia and various departments of the Governor of Russia can offer.” hotels (one of which will be integrated with the Moscow County. Gary Goddard has stated that waterpark) and a 2,500 seat amphitheatre. “The role of Russian government representatives to he hopes the new resort will The first phase of the project, comprising Park provide proper advice and direction has been very achieve the same kind of national Russia, St Petersburg Street, two hotels and the first important and continues to be very important for the fame and affection as enjoyed by development of this project,” concludes Moshkovich. Disneyland in North America. waterpark is due to be completed within six years. Looking at some of the concept Around 80% of Magic World Russia’s attractions will As Gary Goddard and his team move ahead with work for Park Russia it would be be enclosed, and thus shielded from harsh weather. more detailed masterplan, the concept artwork tempting to suggest that it will Once completed, Magic World Russia is projected presented here should present a taste of what lies in bear some other similarities. to employ 6,000 people. store on this ambitious development. “I can understand the “In Russia there is currently no theme park – no comparison,” answers Goddard, modern day destination resort as we in the industry “but only in terms of the initial know them,” notes Gary Goddard. “ And Russia is a layout which serves to organise the park in a way everyone can major nation with a rich and vibrant past, and with a understand. Beyond that I will very strong focus on tomorrow as well. To say the time say right up front that I am a is right would be an understatement. The families in complete believer in the hub Russia will, I believe, will adopt this park as their own, foundation for a modern theme much as we in America did with Disneyland. We are park; it is still is the very best way extremely proud to be leading the design effort on to move people through the behalf of MIG2000.” experience. The actual content and design of the park, however, “Government leaders in Russia are paying a lot of will be completely different as attention today to ensure a better education and have woven the fabric of the happiness of families and children, and I believe that lands from Russian history, happiness of children should be universal,” states culture and achievements.” Gene Moshkovich, president and CEO of MIG2000.

20 AUGUST 2012 ParkWorld_Aug12_p21:PW 14/08/2012 13:44 Page 21

Product News www.parkworld-online.com

Want to sweeten your sales and attract more customers to the stands? Dip into the deliciously profitable crunch of candy and caramel apples. Easy-to-use machines make it a cinch to prepare apples ahead of time and keep your lines moving. Try a #4016 Reddy Apple Cooker. Use this double batch cooker to speed up the candying process virtually anywhere. Or, tempt taste buds with tasty caramel from the #4211C High Output Caramel Warmer. It heats in half the time, plus you can dip in one while another is warming. This warmer may also be used for heating fudge, nacho cheese and soup! Gold Medal also has all the supplies you need, and the creamy caramels and tasty mixes—made with the finest ingredients—to boost your sales. Contact Gold Medal® today for more information at 513-769-7676/800-543-0862, [email protected], or gmpopcorn.com For more than 80 years, we’ve helped amusement parks create that destination feel that keeps families coming back for generations. Go Gold Medal All the Way! FOR SALE One of the world’s largest collection of leisure based production moulds are for sale, the owner is retiring. The moulds are for life sized replicas of dinosaurs, other prehistoric animals and numerous Kiddie play items. Establish your own dinosaur park at a fraction of the price. These would cost in excess of £400,000 to produce at present day costs. A unique and risk free way to make the products in your own time and to your own specification, also a unique business opportunity. Final offers to be received by the end of July. For further details, list and photos of each item contact Derek Cottam, email: [email protected] PW_Aug12_p22_23:PW_Aug12_p22_23 10/08/2012 11:22 Page 22

Event Preview www.parkworld-online.com

SATE speakers M E Presenters confirmed for the Paris SATE EXPECTATIONS conference programme at the time The Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) is this sector will be a case study from Joe Rohde, of writing were: Joe Rohde, ; Yves bringing its Storytelling, Architecture, Technology examining Disney’s efforts in creating Aulani, its Pépin, show producer; Louis and Experience (SATE) conference to Disneyland ‘authentic’ destination resort in Hawaii. Allen, Adirondack Studios; Paris next month and, with a stellar line-up of A philosophy of Deep Cultural Engagement Martin Arnaud, Les Petits speakers confirmed, expectations are high will guide Friday morning’s seminars. Attractions Français; Manal Ataya, Sharjah around the world are tasked with broadening their government; Jean Christophe his will be the fourth edition of SATE following audience, both geographically and demographically Canizares, ECA2; Chris Conte, two big conferences in Orlando and a smaller – including Kidzania, London Science Museum, Electrosonic; Andrea Dearden, TEuropean event last summer in Amsterdam. Chateau de Chantilly and the UAE’s Sharjah Science Museum London; Wyatt With no American fixture planned in 2012, all eyes Museums Authority, all of whom will contribute De De Freitas, WET; Bart are on the French capital this September. speakers. Dohmen, BRC Imagination Arts; Esther Franklin: Ray Hole, TEA members will gather for the three-day event, Rounding off the formal business of SATE 2012 will architect; Keith James, Jack which kicks off on Wednesday night, September 19, be an open wrap-up discussion centred on the Rouse Associates; Matthew with a welcome reception and keynote address by ideas, trends and questions that have emerged from Jessner, Franco Dragone; Berni SATE co-chairman and senior Disney Imagineer Joe the previous sessions, and how those concepts can be Jo, Yeosu Expo 2012; Christian Rohde. Joe will be presiding over the taken forward into the future of the Lachel, BRC Imagination Arts; conference programme together with industry. Michel Linet-Frion, Center noted show producer and founder of It goes without saying there will be Parcs; Jeanette Lomboy, Walt ECA2, Yves Pépin. Chosen as the extensive networking opportunities Disney Imagineering; Jan theme for the event is “Cultural between the various conference session Maarten De Rad, Jora Vision; diversity in themed entertainment: obstacle and in the evening back at the hotel – something that Alex McCuaig, MET Studio; Andrew McIntyre, Morris or opportunity?” has always been an important part of the TEA’s Hargreaves MacIntyre; Lesley Over 30 speakers are promised for the two-day activities. Just prepare yourself for the bar prices... Morisetti, Morisetti Associates; seminar programme that will follow, split into four Those wishing to stay on and see some French Frederic Nancel, Château de sectors and delivered in both French and English. attractions are encouraged to sign-up for a weekend Chantilly; Audrey O’Connell, Getting the ball rolling on Thursday morning will be trip to Puy du Fou to see its exceptional live shows, Natural History Museum; Arnaud a session on Assembling Multicultural Teams. and to , where TEA members will be Palu, MAF Entertainment; But is hiring team members based on expertise and ofered a behind-the-scenes tour of the park’s Arthur, Sophie Poirier, MU-Events; talent rather than geographical proximity the best L’Aventure 4D attraction. Steve Rhys, Forrec; Djuan way, especially when the internet and other As an official media partner, Park World will be RIvers, ; Steve contemporary business tools make distance working providing detailed coverage of SATE after the event, Simons, Event Communications; Carmen Smith, Walt Disney more easy? but try and get there in person if you can to stimulate Imagineering; Mark Snell, Cultural Representation/ Interpretation is your mind, pick up some new contacts …and have KidZania; Patrick Stalder, event an important consideration for attraction designers, some fun! producer; Koert Vermuelen, and this will be the focus of Thursday afternoon’s ACT Lighting; Teo Vernon; Bob proceedings. For example, is there a long-term future SATE 2012 takes place at Disney’s Newport Bay Club Weis, Walt Disney Imagineering; in TEA members exporting their knowledge to places Hotel, Disneyland Paris, from September 19 to 21. George Wiktor, GW Group; such as China, Africa, the Middle East, South America For the full conference programme, speaker list, Jean François Zurawik, La and Eastern Europe? Four speakers will present their registration details and a special hotel discount, visit Fête des Lumières (Lyon). view, with a Q&A to follow. Also featured as part of sate2012.blogspot.com

of the the industry (and a few not so young ones) will gather for a special reception. At the time of writing, there was no official party scheduled for BERLIN, BABY! Wednesday night. The education sessions, most of which are free to EAS badge holders, With more than 300 exhibitors spread across five halls, kick off on Tuesday morning, October 9, with a High Tech Seminar this autumn’s Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in Berlin will where selected exhibitors will showcase their technological products and be the biggest yet. Park World looks ahead to premier services prior to the opening of the trade show. Sessions on social get-together for the theme park and attractions industry media, pricing and yield management (airline-style ticketing), and emerging European markets such as Poland, Russia and Turkey will fter a successful event last year in London, EAS is on a roll as it feature later in the day. prepares to arrive in the German capital for three days of trade On Wednesday morning, IAAPA chairman and Europa-Park (Germany) Ashow exhibits, education and networking opportunities. You managing director Roland Mack will be joined for the Leadership already know that the show floor will contain all the key ride Breakfast by the CEO of PortAventura in Spain, Fernando Aldecoa. The manufacturers, suppliers and industry consultants, so we’ll take this executives from two of the biggest parks in Europe will share their stories opportunity to tell you instead about the conference programme, plus about the past, present and future of their operations. A separate ticket is various events scheduled during the week and immediately after the event. required for this event, which starts at 0930. Networking events include Tuesday night’s Opening Reception. A session on safety, meanwhile, kicks off Wednesday’s seminars at Always a great party, the venue this time is the Palais am Funkturm next to 0900, followed by one on human resources. During lunch, attraction the trade show halls. Later the same evening, the young professionals operators will learn how to extend their season through holiday events

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such as Halloween and Messe Berlin: host venue for Christmas, meanwhile global EAS 2012 Shanghai summit players from the food & Following the inaugural event last autumn, around 300 beverage industry will share delegates attended the second Theme Park and their views on what sold best in Resort Expansion Summit (pictured right) in summer 2012 and what the Shanghai from June 27 to 28. customers will be asking for in Staged to take advantage of the country’s 2013. Rounding off the day’s burgeoning parks and attractions market, which education will be a session on recently reached the landmark annual attendance going green. figure of 100 million, the two-day event took place As well as individual seminars, at the Hilton Shanghai Hongqiao Hotel, alongside there is also the three-day IAAPA the city’s second airport. Assembled for the proceedings was a high level congregation of industry professionals, government Institute for Attractions representatives, real estate developers and other interested parties Managers (October 7 to 9) for which a separate, paid registration is A few of the topics that were discussed included China’s latest industrial required. There’s also a full day of seminars on Thursday dedicated to policies, global management strategies, the importance of social media and an family entertainment centres (FECs) and indoor playgrounds. outlook on the domestic parks and attractions industry – highlighting upcoming EAS participants may also wish to book a place on the pre-event tour to projects such as , Zhejiang Hello Kitty Park and China’s Filmpark Babelsberg (Monday, October 8) or a trip to Tropical Ocean Aquarium. Islands waterpark on Thursday afternoon. This former Zeppelin factory is An international flavour was provided by sponsors and participating suppliers well worth seeing. Those wmaking a weekend of iy may choose to sign up including Funa International, The Producers Group, Attraktion!, DyMoRides, The for the EAS Post Tour from October 12 to 14. This three-day fixture will Goddard Group, PCCW Solutions, Ptarmigan Integration, Genesis Coatings and take in some of Northern Germany’s most popular attractions including INFITEC3D. The event was organised by Noppen (noppen.com), a local Heide-Park, Hansa-Park and Hagenbeck’s Tierpark (zoo) in Hamburg. company that that facilitates business across Asia and Europe through various conferences and events. A similar event targeting the theme parks and attractions industry is planned Produced by IAAPA Europe, Euro Attractions Show takes place at the Messe soon in Shanghai. Theme Park & Resorts World Asia Congress will Berlin exhibition centre from Tuesday to Thursday. October 9 to 11. For take place at the InterContinental Pudong hotel in downtown Shanghai from more details on the exhibitors, conference programme, travel advice and October 24 to 26. More details in the next issue of Park World and at registration/event fees, visit iaapa.org/eas opplandcorp.com/park

AUGUST 2012 23 PW_Aug12_p24_25:PW_Aug12_p24_25 10/08/2012 11:25 Page 24

Interview Q Lines

Established by the investment arm of the Themed Attractions Malaysian government in 2009, Themed Attractions and Resorts and its sister company Destination and Resorts Malaysia Resorts exist to develop new, world-class Why did the government choose to invest in to boldly go where no one else has gone before! And attractions to stimulate the Themed Attractions and Resorts? because the attractions we develop should benefit the country’s leisure and II think it's to say we previously undersold the entire nation's economy, it will be a worthwhile tourism industry. The first tourism and leisure offer we had in the country, investment for us. of these, Kidzania in Kuala compared to our neighbours in Singapore, Thailand Lumpur, opened this and Indonesia. We have a lot of natural resources – Why is now the right time for all this new February, while further the jungle, the sea, the mountains – as well as great development? branded attractions set to cultural resources and heritage and a fantastic First we wanted to get the infrastructure sorted and debut in the next few climate. There is also a perception that Malaysia is a with Iskandar, a development region about three months include Legoland very safe destination. times the size of Singapore and twice the size of Malaysia, Sanrio Hello People like to come from China and India, the Hong Kong, we have that. Kitty Town and The Little Middle East because we have a large Muslim Another reason is that this will create jobs. A lot of Big Club. A key area for community and, because we are part of the Malaysians were moving away because there weren’t much of the development commonwealth, there are lots of British and the opportunities here for them to do this kind of is the special economic Australians coming too. So there were already a lot work; we were losing a lot of people to Singapore, zone of Iskandar in south of tourists coming but there weren’t sufficient tourism even Hong Kong and Macau. When we opened Johor – right on the border products and attractions for families and children, KidZania it was interesting how much talent was with Singapore, from which would keep people for longer stays and available. where Themed Attractions spending in the country. That was the main reason hopes to attract many of for the development of Themed Attractions and Why did you chose KidZania as the first its visitors. Ahead of the Destination Resorts. attraction? opening of Legoland As Themed Attractions is a sovereign investment fund, Malaysia on September 15, Park Word talks to Are there enough private operators it was very important for us to do something for the Themed Attractions CEO developing attractions? country first. KidZania is all about entertainment and Tunku Dato’ Ahmad There are a lot of people talking about doing a lot of education, so in Kuala Lumpur we have created Burhanuddin. The 50- things, but once they get to the feasibility study stage somewhere that is of benefit to all Malaysian families year-old former banker they cannot get it off the ground because they cannot with children. We are now all very excited about also serves as deputy get the investment. Outside of Kuala Lumpur, it is KidZania Singapore, which will open at Sentosa president of the Malaysian only at the weekend that you get huge numbers of Island in 2015. Association of Amusement, people going to the theme parks. Theme park and Family We are not here to compete with established How will the attractions in Iskandar/Johor Attractions (MAATFA). attractions. Instead, a bit like like Star Trek, we want complement the tourism offer in Singapore? For people wanting to spend a bit more time after visiting Singapore there were not really the opportunities for them. Johor is a unpolished jewel with huge potential, and we have a lot of land, real estate and development potential. We will both

LEFT: Tunku Dato’ Ahmad Burhanuddin pictured at KidZania in Kuala Lumpur ABOVE: Role-playing fun at KidZania

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Interview www.parkworld-online.com

supplement and complement what is on offer in What about your own branded attractions? Singapore. We are creating some new attractions of our own like International I read an article that described the region as the Malaysia Truly Asia near Kuala Lumpur, where we are attractions Orlando of Asia. I think we will both be happy if we working with international and local partners like Following the launch earlier this become that. For Singaporeans it will be great, they Hetemma, Thinkwell and BRC to come up some year of the kids' role-playing can have day trips over to Malaysia, and for unique concepts. attraction Kidzania in Kuala someone on a stopover in Singapore they can bring We are also planning a waterpark called Ocean Lumpur, Themed Attractions and Resorts is now moving ahead their family and have a holiday on our side. Splash Water World on the Desaru Coast. Then there's with the opening next month of Ocean Quest, which we are working on with Dolphin Legoland Malaysia. Where else are you targeting? Quest, which has high credibility and capability in Developed in partnership with Indonesia is very close, Thailand is only an hour’s terms of dolphin and animal care. It wasn't so Merlin Entertainments, the new flight away, Vietnam, the Philippines; they are all necessary to leverage their branding, but we wanted park is the first of what will be many attractions in Iskandar, close. Even Korea, China and Taiwan are possible their expertise and knowledge transfer. Getting the Johor – close to the border with markets. All of these places have local airlines experience of partners like this is very important Singapore. that fly to Malaysia and our own regional airport to us as a company still quite new to the industry. More international brands will at Johor Bahru. arrive in mid-November at the What is the concept behind 80,000 sq ft Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park, home to You have engaged a lot of Malaysia Truly Asia? Sanrio's Hello Kitty Town, international brands for the first It’s going to be an immersive cultural the first Hello Kitty attraction round of development. How have attraction, a place where all six senses outside of Japan, and The you selected this mix of are stimulated – the nation in a nutshell. Little Big Club, the first of its attractions? There are a lot of people that stopover kind in the world. Developed in partnership with HIT Legoland will be the first in Asia. There in Singapore or Malaysia on their way to Entertainment, the latter will are already a few Hello Kitty and Australia. We can organise a transit trip feature five characters under one Thomas attractions in Japan, but for three hours, allowing them roof namely Bob the Builder, nevertheless Sanrio Hello Kitty Town understand what Malaysia is all about. I Pingu, Angelina Ballerina, and The Little Big Club are wouldn’t say it’s the ultimate way to see Barney & Friends and Thomas & Friends. Visitors to Puteri The brands destined for Puteri comparatively new. We are also the country, it's just a taste, but we hope Harbour Family Theme Park will Harbour Family Theme Park developing LAT’s Place where visitors that after that they will to come back also be to meet Kampung Boy, can be thoroughly entertained inside the world of and stay for three or four days, a week or more. the creation of Malaysian internationally renowned cartoonist Dato LAT’s cartoonist Lat, who will come to famous Kampung Boy (Village Boy). What other new attractions can we expect on life at Lat’s Place, a themed live animation and dining Right from the start when were looking at the types the horizon? experience. of attractions we needed, we thought that in order to There is always the possibility of new attractions, Featuring 17km of sandy attract family groups we needed products that would however I think that our stakeholders, including beaches less than an hour from encourage them to travel. When it comes to kids, Khazanah Nasional Berhad (Malaysian government Singapore/Johor, Desaru Coast they have a high recall of things they see on TV, like investment arm), want to see that we are successful in will be positioned as a luxury tourism destination. Attractions Barney, Bob the Builder, Pingu and Thomas – all of what we do. We are currently preparing new will open in stages starting in which will be featured at The Little Big Club. Lego's attractions every six months and we want to get these 2015, including the Ocean great because children like to build things and be ones right first, but I think we're off to a good start. Splash Water Park, Ocean creative; the same with KidZania. That’s why we went After KidZania, where we proved that we could Quest marine life encounter for brands that appeal to families with children and deliver on time on budget, we got a bit more experience and two world-class golf courses. As part of the provide them with immersive, educational yet traction, and I expect that to continue with the development, Themed Attractions' entertaining experiences. opening of Legoland. sister company Destination Resorts is developing four luxury resorts as well as a conference centre and shopping mall. Opening in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur in 2015, Malaysia Truly Asia will represent the country’s cultural highlights and gastronomic delights in an immersive two-to- three hour experience. The aim of the attraction is encourage transit passengers passing through Malaysia or Singapore to come back and enjoy a longer stay and sample all that the nation has to offer. A map showing the scope of development onoging in A sneak peak of Legoland Malaysia tar.com.my Nusajaya, Iskandar – more over the page

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Interview

Asia’s first Legoland theme park, and the sixth worldwide, opens its gates Legoland Malaysia on September 15. Located in Nusajaya, the 76-acre park has been realised in Why did you choose Malaysia, in particular partnership with Merlin Nusajaya, for the first Legoland in Asia? Entertainments as an integral Merlin Entertainments’ strategy was to expand into Asia part of Themed Attractions given its growing affluence and strong tourism market. And Resorts’ plan for the The market here is less saturated when it comes to Iskandar region. Featured quality branded entertainment and this was a good across seven themed areas entry point for us. The right opportunity knocked on our will be more than 40 interactive rides, shows and door with the Nusajaya development and Merlin signed attractions, which will be the management agreement with Iskandar Investments complemented in the next Berhad (IIB). The proximity to Singapore was essential two years by a themed as it’s a major tourist destination for both international waterpark and Legoland and regional travellers. The strong backing from the Hotel. With opening day just government also ensured good infrastructure was in weeks away, Owen Ralph place and this is a crucial to a large scale project such children between the ages of 2 to 12 and we wanted ABOVE: talks to Legoland Malaysia as this. to give them an international theme park experience, Siegfried Boerst general manager while at the same time offering value for money. Siegfried Boerst How does this park compare to other Legolands around the world? How far do you expect guests will travel? Legoland Malaysia has a strong resemblance to Our current target evens out between resident market Legoland Deutschland. As with all our new projects, (Johor and Singapore), domestic tourist (the rest of we always incorporate best practices from all our Malaysia) and regional and international tourists. We previous projects so you can expect Legoland Malaysia hope to chart good growth especially in the last to be among the best in terms of layout, rides, facilities segment once we complete the Legoland Water Park and attractions. A good example is Miniland – this and Hotel. Our aim is to become a destination resort heart of all Legoland parks around the world. As the and position ourselves as a short holiday getaway. first in Asia, we created 17 areas unique to this part of the world. The structures are built entirely from Lego How do you think Legoland will complement bricks and we have set a record for the tallest building the other attractions in Iskandar? in a Legoland park – the Petronas Towers, which stand Legoland Malaysia is a catalytic development. Being at 10m tall and use approximately half a million bricks. an international brand name, we believe that we will draw attention and visitors to the area. This will help What special considerations have you had to the surrounding developments. make at this park? We had to consider the weather conditions. As Can we expect Merlin to develop any other Malaysia has a tropical climate, we made sure the attractions in Malaysia? environment is comfortable for families to spend their We will be opening our Legoland Water Park in 2013 day here. We planted almost 4,000 large trees to and the Hotel is scheduled for 2014. Apart from two provide natural shade and taken care to cover areas developments, we are also actively looking to expand such waiting lines and play areas. We will also be the in the Asia-Pacific region. We have earmarked some first park to be completely operational at night. We sites in Korea and Japan, and will update as soon as made good investments for the lighting to ensure our we have some concrete details to share. visitors enjoy a full day without worrying about sunset. legoland.com.my

What were the challenges of construction? Read an extended version of this interview at We signed the management agreement in December pakrworld-online.com 2008, with ground breaking exactly one year later. We are already opening ahead of schedule and this is an Lego-themed fun achievement for us given the challenges that are typical Open 12 months a year, Legoland Malaysia is projected to to large scale construction. Our original projected date attract one million visitors during its first year of operation. for opening was closer to the end of the year. Highlights of the park include the Dragon, Dragon’s Apprentice and Project X rollercoasters, Dino Island , Lost Kingdom interactive dark ride, Legoland Express, How did you determine the right pricing for Driving School, Boating School, Aquazone Wave Racers the local market? and an Intamin observation tower. At the heart of it all is We undertook a number of researches to determine Miniland, featuring Lego replicas of local landmarks the purchase power of the local market as well as including Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur International average salariesin and around the region prior to Airport and the Putrajaya Mosque, plus buildings from Singapore, China and India. deciding the pricing. Our primary target is families with

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MAJA LAND Holiday Park is the place to Bee!

There’s a fresh look this started at Holiday Park in 2002 as an assistant to season at Holiday Park in the operations manager, and one year later I Germany with the arrival of a Ibecame the operations manager. So I know the new themed land dedicated park as a family-operated business, and now as part to children’s TV character of a group. It is very interesting to see it from both Maja the Bee and, just as sides. tried to work as much as possible with importantly, a new entrance the people who were already here. That way we Holiday Park manager Bernd Beitz with Maja the Bee area. The improvements are combine the experience of 12 years of Plopsa in part of an ongoing €25 Belgium and the Netherlands with some employees Main Street with shopping, games and food, as well million investment by Plopsa who have 30 years’ history here in German theme as some fountains we already put in last year. This Parks/Studio 100 since the parks. area, now known as Fontänenplatz, is connected to Belgian firm acquired the Immediately after Plopsa came in, we started taking Maja Land. You can see when people arrive that facility from the Schneider down the really old parts of the park, like buildings haven’t been to Holiday Park for a while; they really family in November 2010. that were not really in the style we would like to offer stop and look. I think you can clearly see that this is Here Holiday Park manager to the customers anymore. For the 2011 season we of a different quality to some other parts of the park, Bernd Beitz, who has added five small rides, the type of rides you could put which we will continue to improve in the coming guided the venue through the in over one winter without much planning, because years. transition, explains how there wasn’t much time for ordering attractions. We Studio 100’s intellectual put in Flip der Grashüpfer (Filip the Grasshopper) by Flowers and fountains properties are now leading Metallbau Emmeln, Blumenturm (Flower Tower) by Maja Land covers 15,000 square-metres and the park’s development and Die Frösche (The Frogs) by Zamperla. We features 11 rides and attractions that can entertain also added a children’s driving school in front of the up to 2,500 guests an hour. This area, which sits to and rethemed the oldest attraction in the the right of the new entrance as you enter the park, park, the Anno Tobak canal boat ride, as Tabaluga’s used to be called Blumenpark (Flower Park), one of Adventure. the original areas of Holiday Park. It was really just a Five rides in one season is quite a lot, but the real zone with flowers, nature, a restaurant and some investment was this winter with Maja Land and the smaller attractions but it was a little bit old; the new entrance. The entry to the park used to be on restaurant had been closed for several years. As we the main road. This meant to get from the parking were lacking children’s rides, and because Maja lot to the front gate you had to walk along the Land had already been a big success as in indoor street, which was not so nice with all the traffic. attraction at Plopsaland in De Panne (Belgium), we Maja’s Blütensplash, by Zierer So we moved the entrance and created a kind of decided to do it here, only outside. The new area has been designed by Piet de Konnick, art director for all the Plopsa parks, and was built in-house over a five month period. As you would expect, there is lots of with many flowers. It will look even more beautiful in the years to come when the real plants and landscaping are fully-grown. We didn’t really have to think hard about what rides to choose because we already knew what was popular from De Panne. Maja’s Blütensplash (Zierer Flying Fish), Blumenturm (Zierer Family Freefall Tower), Verrückter Baum (Zierer Kontiki), Die Frösche (Zamperla Jump Around), Schmetterlingsflug (Zamperla Flying Bikes) and the leaking bucket feature are all the same as De Panne. Plopsa works a lot with Zierer, it has a good experience with their rides and their support, and both Plopsa and Holiday Park already have some very nice rides from Zamperla. The Mini Cars (Ihle mini bumper cars) and three little Zamperla rides – Willie’s Flossfahrt (raft ride), Bienchenwirbel (spinning cups) and Lara’s Marienkäferflug (flying beetles) – were already at the park, but we rethemed them. The Grasshopper ride also exists in De Panne, but with rabbits, and we gave

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merchandising and then use the parks to promote them, which supports the parks in return. Once they Plopsa bought EM Entertainment, it was only logical they Parks would want to some parks in Germany. Plopsa is the We have since introduced other Studio 100 theme park characters and intellectual property into Holiday Park division of such as Tabaluga and the House Anubis, which is Studio 100, a aimed at older children and teenagers. Last summer, Belgian-based after we had relaunched the Freefall Tower with producer of Anubis, we held a small concert in the park with a children’s meet and greet, and we had large queues of people television and wanting to get autographs of the actors. Now around entertainment 90% of our park merchandise features various whose productions characters, and people are spending more – including money on it. ABOVE: The new entrance area Kabouter and RIGHT: the less impressive Plop, Maja entry it replaces Name game the Bee, While we have tried to bring the park’s logo Wickie the Viking, it a nice big new station for into the Plopsa style with the same font and Mega Mindy and Anubis – can this season. It’s a very image as the other parks, we have left the be seen on channels across the reliable ride. name as Holiday Park, with Plopsa as just a Benelux, Germany and beyond. My favourite part of little addendum. Holiday Park is still very These licensed properties are Maja Land is Maja’s Blütensplash; I think known in this area because of its long history; brought to life inside the Belgian parks Plopsaland De Panne, it is everybody’s favourite part. It is the optical we have even left the sound of the radio commercials Plopsa Coo and Plopsa Indoor highlight of the new area and when it goes round and the same. We still have the Holly parrot mascot for Hasselt (pictured), the Dutch round with its special song, it is great fun. After the moment, but now he has all these new friends outlet Plopsa Indoor Coevorden hearing it three times everyone knows that song, even such as Maja, Wickie and Tabuluga. and now Holiday Park in the teenagers walk away singing it! We have noticed more guests coming to the park Germany. A season pass to all Maja the Bee, along with Wickie the Viking, was from the Benelux countries, but not because of the five Plopsa parks sells for just part of the catalogue of EM Entertainment in Munich, characters, as they use a different mix of characters €79 (€69 online), and also which Studio 100 bought in 2009 and rebranded as at the parks in Belgium and the Netherlands. People allows half price entry to Studio 100 Media. Next year they will launch a are coming because the Plopsa season ticket is very additional 50 parks and computer-generated version of Maja on German TV, good value and it is interesting now for them to have attractions within the three countries. but still with all the same characters that everyone an extra park in Germany to visit. knows and loves. That’s the great thing about Maja I do not have the exact breakdown, but you can plopsa.be the Bee, the parents know it, the grandparents know certainly see a lot more strollers around the park at it, and the children know it. weekends, we are getting a lot more children. The park forms part of the “360º” degree However, over the years Holiday Park has built up a approach used for many years by Studio 100 in large following from teenagers, and we are not about Belgium, where they put the characters on TV, do the to forget them.

LEFT: A cluster of three Zamperla rides feature in this general view of Maja Land ABOVE: Merchandise sales are up as a result of Maja the Bee and other Studio 100 characters

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Holiday History Located outside the small town of Hassloch in the southwestern state of Rheinland-Pflaz, Holiday Park started life in 1971 as one of Germany’s ubiquitous Märchenwald (fairytale forest) attractions. Its New themed food areas in Fontänenplatz founder was circus proprietor Erich Schneider, who two years Next season we will build a large themed later would rename the venue restaurant within Maja Land, it will be a real eye- Holiday Park. Early attractions catcher. At around 400 sq m it will be about the included a wooden Wild Mouse same size as the Pfalzgraf, our biggest restaurant at coaster, motorboats, a monorail the moment. The year after that we will change a lot and dolphin show. of the park’s infrastructure and add also something In 1979, the park opened what for new for the teenagers; exactly what I cannot yet for many years was its signature reveal. attraction – the country’s first The total investment through until 2014 will be looping rollercoaster, Super Wirbel (Vekoma Corkscrew). €25 million. Last year I think we spent between two Added during the 1980s were and three million, this year around nine million, next such features as an Intamin year we will have two again …you can figure out Rapids ride, the Burg Falkenstein how much we have left for 2014. It’s great to be dark ride, Anno Tobak boat ride making all these investments because I think in the and the first of the famous water last few years park did not evolve, it did not develop. stunt shows. Erich’s son, Wolfgang Last season, with only the small investments, Schneider took over as manager attendance went up over 25%. The weather has held of the park in 1986. New us back a bit so far this year, but it will attractions followed throughout not stop us. the ‘90s including a large Mack (Teufelfässer), Dancing The target is to Water fun with the Pavilion (Gerstlauer Krinoline), reach 1.2 leaking bucket Sturmschiff (Huss Pirate), Spinning million visitors Barrels (Huss ) and in the next five Freefall Tower (Intamin Giant years. Then we Drop). will have the Holiday Park celebrated its same attendance 30th anniversary in 2001 in fine as Plopsaland in style with the addition of De Panne! Expedition GeForce. Standing 62-metres-tall – and well over 1km-long – this Intamin attraction holidaypark.de became the subject of two Guinness World Records set by Bernd Beitz was American rollercoaster endurance talking to Owen rider Richard Rodriguez. Ralph Following the introduction in 2006 of the 80-metre Lighthouse Tower (Funtime Star Flyer), Holly’s Wild Autofahrt (Maurer Söhne Wild Mouse) in 2010 became the last major attraction added by the Schneider family. By the time Plopsa Parks/Studio 100 took over in November of 2010, Holiday Park enjoyed a reputation as one of Germany’s busiest amusement parks. Its history in now celebrated inside a new museum inside Fontänenplatz.

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Skyrush Soaring above Hersheypark

There’s a new style of kyrush is now the tallest, fastest and longest degree panoramic viewing perspective. rollercoaster soaring over the coaster in Hersheypark. Costing approximately “Skyrush allows you to choose your level of thrill by skyline of Hersheypark, the S$25 million to build, it is the most significant riding on either winged, floorless seat or an inside first of its kind in the world. coaster investment in the park’s 105-year history. It floored, platform seat,” Stumpf affirms. “The It’s called Skyrush. features 3,600ft (1.1km) of twisting, turning steel track excitement begins as soon as you leave the station. Manufactured by Intamin and and stands 200ft (61m) tall. When operating with two Both the speed and the intensity of the ride continue supplied by IntaRide, it’s a trains, it provides a maximum capacity of 1,350 riders through the entire 3,600ft track. Guest response has mega-coaster with winged per hour. been tremendously positive.” seating and it’s been thrilling “Skyrush is the perfect complement to the other guests at the Pennsylvania coasters in Hersheypark,” believes general manager Comparing coasters park since the Memorial Day Kevin M Stumpf. “The winged outer seats offer the rider So is Skyrush now the park’s signature attraction? weekend in late May. the option to have an even more exhilarating ride. The “With 11 other coasters in the park, including classics Paul Ruben feels the rush new restraint system provides maximum rider safety like SooperDooperLooper, , Great Bear, while allowing riders to feel the sensation of flying.” and , it’s hard to say it our The eight-row, 32-passenger train features one-of- signature attraction,” Stumpf muses. “But from the a-kind inner/outer seating with two platform, floored guest’s reactions I can tell you it has become the seats flanked on each side by a floorless, winged favourite ride for many.” outer seat. That’s two floored seats, two floorless Located in Hollow section of the park, BELOW: Hersheypark general seats. Take your pick. Designed for the bravest of Skyrush delivers an aggressive 63-second ride. The manager Kevin M Stumpf riders, those floorless seats offer a staggering 270- train begins its climb up the lifthill at 26ft per second

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– or 18mph/29kph. Upon cresting the track’s peak, Significant impact passengers plunge down an 85° descent and rush “Skyrush will have a significant impact on the park in Old and new into the first of four high-speed, high-banked turns as a number of ways,” explains Stumpf, “in attendance, Hersheypark is well known for they reach speeds in excess of 75mph. Riders feel the guest flow within the park, on the other rides close to blending the past with the intensity of five zero-G airtime hills and transition from it, the food locations in the Hollow area, as well as present. To accommodate positive to negative gravity as they cross over the the on the rest of the rides and areas of the park. A Skyrush, management Comet. The ride then travels over Spring Creek, the ride of this magnitude changes the entire feel and reclaimed about three acres of body of water that was a park centrepiece when look of the park.” land that had been closed to chocolate magnate Milton S Hershey opened the Construction of Skyrush was even more of a the public since 1972. The land was the site of the park’s former facility in 1907. challenge than the park expected. “The biggest Sunken Gardens. The area is Stumpf has ridden Skyrush many times. “My challenge was because most of the ride is above a now transformed not only by favourite seats are the back outside seats which creek,” recalls Stumpf, “and we had historic levels of the new coaster, but also by a provide quite a thrill as you crest the first hill,” he rain during the erection, which caused flooding. It was scenic path. The new area reveals. “That quick climb up and over the hill is going to be a challenge to build Skyrush over the allows guests to reflect on the amazing.” creek without heavy rain and flooding.” park’s history whilst watching The 12th rollercoaster in Hershey and the third “We’ve worked with IntaRide on Storm Runner and riders on a state-of the-art Intamin coaster in the park’s arsenal, Skyrush joins Fahrenheit, the last two coasters added to coaster. crowd favourites from the same manufacturer Hersheypark,” he continues. “There is a familiarity including Storm Runner, built in 2004, and we’ve developed with them which is reassuring when Fahrenheit, from 2008. It delivers the same high- building an attraction as complex as Skyrush. We intensity thrills, even more so. asked them to give us a coaster like nothing else we The rider experience is intensified as Skyrush had at the park; something that would be unlike interacts with Comet, a classic wooden out-and-back anything else out there. Because Hersheypark is a coaster that dates back to 1946, family park, we wanted a ride that offered choices to SooperdooperLooper, which opened in 1977 as the the riders. The winged seats meet those specifications, first steel looping coaster on the US east coast, and and I can tell you our guests are enjoying it.” Great Bear, which debuted in 1998 as the first looping, inverted steel coaster in Pennsylvania. hersheypark.com

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Once a popular feature of the New Jersey shore, the Black Diamond is now thrilling and chilling guests at BLACK DIAMOND Knoebel’s Amusement Resort, Knoebel’s revives classic dark ride Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Passengers on this classic pened in 1960 as the Golden Nugget Mine they announced its impending destruction, I made a dark ride are carried in Ride at Hunt’s Pier in Wildwood, New Jersey, last ditch effort to obtain it and was successful. But I replica coal mine cars Othe attraction was specially constructed by the know a gold mine theme would not fit in here at powered by gravity, making it Philadelphia Company (PTC) and Knoebels. Since we are on the edge of the Anthracite a rollercoaster, too. Paul engineered by John Allen. Bill Tracy designed the Coal Region, it was an obvious choice to theme it as a Ruben reports ride’s theme through Amusement Displays. Built over coal mine and we housed it in a replica coal breaker.” three storeys, the top floor gave riders a mine ride through the “desert.” New props It was one of the more original amusement park In late January 2009, Knoebel purchased the Golden experiences of the time. The Golden Nugget’s track Nugget track and trains. The coaster was modified was constructed of steel and there were two short lift and rebuilt on the location where the Knoebel’s hills that carried the mine cars up onto the roof. Not former Bald Eagle habitat had been located, opening only was it the first and only steel-tracked rollercoaster briefly as the Black Diamond last October before its designed and built by PTC, it was only the second official launch at the start of the 2012 season. steel rollercoaster in the United States. The first, The third floor of the ride is now enclosed Disneyland’s Bobsled by Arrow, debuted completely except for a quick moment when the track the previous year. exits the building to confuse riders. The feel of the The pier changed hands several times and was original ride is similar, but with completely new props eventually purchased by the Morey family. The Moreys and modern technology. pondered ways to restore the Golden Nugget. Riders in four-seater carts are grouped in pairs and Ultimately, it was decided the costs to rehabilitate the taken up to the third floor and tbefore travelling down ageing ride were prohibitive. Enter Dick Knoebel. through the three levels in which various scares and Dick Knoebel “I always thought that the Golden Nugget at Hunt’s haunts occur across 20 scenes. Coal and support Pier was one beams line the walls throughout the attraction. of the best On the top floor riders encounter an animated family rides stubborn mule, burst pipes, a dynamite scene, and a out there,” dead canary warning of excess gas. The Sheppton recalls the mine disaster is recalled on the second floor before president and riders encounter a giant rat, a rat tunnel, falling rocks, co-Manager ghost miners and a switch man. Descending to the of Knoebel’s final level, there are two skeletons in a mine car, a amusement burning mine themed room, a waterfall and a first aid resort. “When scene. it closed in The 1,178ft-long (359m) ride occupies a building approximately with a 120ft x 75ft footprint (36 x 23m), standing 45ft 2000, I tried tall (14m). It can accommodate up to 450 riders per to obtain it hour, using six eight-seat pairs of ride vehicles. from the Many modifications were required before Black Moreys for Diamond could open, explains Knoebel: “The track over five layout is exactly the same as at Wildwood. However, years. When we have adjusted the track elevations throughout to

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make the trains move more consistently. There never was a ‘state of the art’ blocking system in its earlier Golden form to prevent rear-enders. All the vehicles were memories rebuilt new using the original PTC hardware and three additional trains are under construction using John In their book Hunt’s Pier, Allen’s blueprints. All the mechanical moving Rob Ascough apparatus was replaced. We have also, at great and Al Alven expense, installed a very sophisticated PLC system recall the which keeps track of all trains as well as a camera original Golden monitoring system that sees in the dark.” Nugget While no exact cost for the attraction has been featuring a rock- offered, estimates place the price of the new look ride like facade (as at between $2 and $3 million. pictured). After climbing the two Sudden drops lift hills, the runaway mine car traversed the top of the structure. Since opening, the Black Diamond has drawn long There riders would encounter lines of guests. “People are usually inquisitive and cowboys, Indians, Boot Hill want to know what’s in the Black Diamond,” Knoebel Graveyard and various wild west offers. “And it takes several rides through to see props. The boxed shape of the everything. I have ridden many times. One of the best wooden cars and the powerful parts are the sudden drops from the third to second smell of the greased tracks and floor and from the second to the first floor.” dark, musty interior only added to “Black Diamond will probably not increase the experience. After plunging attendance as the addition of the Phoenix or Twister blindly down the “bottomless (rollercoasters) did,” he adds, “yet is a great addition shaft” – in reality a short drop that felt much steeper in the dark to your day’s adventures at Knoebel’s.” – riders were whisked into the Knoebel admits the greatest problem in the heart of the structure. All manner creating the Black Diamond was to avoid the piping of obstacles lay ahead, including from the sprinkler system, supplied by JMM Studios, a giant spider and a charging interfering with the props or track. All other work on wolf, along with a rotating tunnel, the ride was done in-house, including the erection of falling barrel and waterfall stunts. the building, installation of the track and mechanical Because it was technically a items, all electrical work and some artwork. rollercoaster, the fast-paced ”It wasn’t as easy as I envisioned to reconstruct nature of the ride enhanced and transform it from the Golden Nugget to the many of the traditional dark ride scenes. Black Diamond,” concludes Knoebel, “but my crew echoed my drive and enthusiasm to successfully complete the project. All the credit for completing it should be given to our staff. They did it!” Today the Golden Nugget is gone. But 200 miles to the northwest the track layout and mine cars remain, and the mine is now filled with all-new adventures. Experience them yourself should you be in the area.

knoebels.com

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Grizzly Gulch Disney brings Wild West to Hong Kong

Grizzly Gulch, the first themed he new Wild West land follows the introduction Saloon or stock up on Grizzly Gulch-inspired gifts area of its kind at a Disney less than a year ago of , and is from the Bear Necessities store. park, was launched last month Tdesigned to increase the appeal of the Hong “With its interactive water features, immersive at Hong Kong Disneyland as a Kong park to young visitors seeking thrill and entertainment elements and a thrilling multidirectional highlight of the venue’s adventure. coaster that crisscrosses the entire area, Grizzly Gulch ongoing three-year expansion Grizzly Gulch transports guests to a quintessential, is a spectacular addition to Hong Kong Disneyland bustling western Gold Rush township, at the heart of and the Disney parks portfolio,” states Tom Staggs, which lies the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Cars. This attraction, which uses a ride system from The current expansion of the park will be complete Vekoma, takes passengers on a fast-paced adventure next year with the debut of , including the punctuated by unexpected forward launches, Mystic Manor dark ride. By the time the work is done backward dashes and rapid turns. Enhancing the the park will have increased its footprint by almost experience considerably is the park’s lush, natural 25%. The whole project is expected to be completed terrain. one year ahead of schedule. This unique terrain-style coaster is complemented “The completion of this three-phase expansion by attractions including the live action Grizzly Gulch project demonstrates the continued growth of Hong Welcome Wagon Show and Geyser Gulch water play Kong Disneyland Resort and our commitment to area. Guests can also meet their favourite Disney enriching the park’s experience to a broader range of characters dressed in Gold Rush-era outfits, take guests,” notes managing director Andrew Kam. “This advantage of numerous Wild West photo will further contribute to Hong Kong’s overall opportunities, grab a bite to eat at the Lucky Nugget attractiveness as Asia’s top tourist destination.”

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Park Preview www.parkworld-online.com

After a zoo, dinosaur attraction and waterpark, a theme park The Storm was the logical next step on the isle of Sicily for Italian Etnaland 2.0 businessman Francesco Russello. Park World previews Coming soon: Sicily’s second the exciting developments in most explosive attraction! store at Etnaland

Francesco Russello

stablished as a waterpark in 2001, Etnaland sits In addition to those already mentioned, in beautiful surroundings outside the city of manufacturers signed up to supply attractions include The St ECatania – about a half an hour from the tallest, Intamin, Zamperla, Gosetto and S&S Worldwide, the most active and potentially most explosive volcano in latter installing both a tower ride and a Mine Train style Europe. Yet visitors to this family-friendly facility need coaster. Theming will be completed by the Spanish firm not think too hard about any eruptions as they cool Arte Insitu, incorporating a diverse range of themes, down by enjoying the park’s 31 water attractions. Each from an old Sicilian mining environment to oriental July and August, 300,000 do just that. and science-fiction-inspired zones. Now Etnaland director Francesco Russello aims to The aim is extend the season from two months to six Jungle Splash, added in 2010 turn venue into largest theme park in Southern Italy, up while sustaining the current 150,000 monthly there in stature with Gardaland and Mirabilandia in attendance. Seasonal events such as Christmas will also the north, by embarking on a €50 million ‘dry’ be celebrated. At present the bulk of Etnaland’s visitors expansion. Guests can already enjoy new attractions come from Sicily, Calabria and other southern Italian including The Storm rollercoaster by Mack Rides and regions, but international visiitation is on the rise with Hafema’s Crocodile Rapids and, in less than a year’s more than 6% of guests in the past year coming from time, the transformation will be complete. countries such as France, the Netherlands. Germany, “Next spring we will unveil a facility comparable to the UK and USA. Clearly overseas visitors will be the most famous parks in Italy and Europe,” claims increasingly important in the years to come if the park Russello. “Over more than 20 years we have built up a is to develop in line with Rossello’s ambitions. lot of experience in the entertainment business with the etnaland.eu zoo, prehistoric park and the waterpark. We are confident that, even if the Italian economy has some Mega Disk ‘O problems at the moment, it is the right time to invest if you have a good project that meets the requirements of the market.” The investment, which will be met entirely by the park’s owners without any public or private assistance, calls for a total of 26 new attractions to complement those already on offer at the waterpark. Acting as a consultant on the project is well-known industry figure Eckart Schulz, whilst Dutch designer Hester Kloosterboer has been retained as art director. “A theme park should be more than a park with rides,” notes Kloosterbooer. “It should offer guests an escape from the real world and involve them in a world of fantasy, passion and exciting surprises. The Etnaland theme park will be very story-driven based on Crocodile Rapids The exiisting waterpark ‘L’isola con fuco dentro’ (the island with fire inside).”

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Calendar

ShowGuide Exhibitions and networking for attractions professionals

• September 18 to 20 Leisure Industry Week NEC, Birmingham, UK +44 207 955 3979 [email protected] liw.co.uk

• September 19 to 21 SATE 2012 Newport Bay Club Hotel, Disneyland Paris, France +1 818 843 8497 [email protected] teaconnect.org

• October 1 to 5 WWA Symposium & Trade Show Paris Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA +1 913 599 0300 [email protected] waterparks.org

• October 9 to 11 Euro Attractions Show Messe Berlin, Germany +32 4927 20268 [email protected] euroattractionsshow.com

• October 24 to 26 Theme Parks & Resorts World Asia Congress Intercontinental Pudong Hotel, Shanghai, China +86 21 5058 9600 [email protected] opplandcorp.com/park

• November 12 to 16 IAAPA Attractions Expo Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida +1 703 836 4800 [email protected] iaapa.com/expos

• December 6 to 9 ATRAX 2012 Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey +90 212 570 63 05 [email protected] atraxexpo.com

More events at www.parkworld-online.com

AUGUST 2012 41 ParkWorld_AUG12_p42.qxd:PW WEBGUIDE 16/08/2012 11:27 Page 42 WebWeb GuideGuide Online resources for the amusement industry

B ATTERY R IDES L EISURE E NGINEERING R IDES T HEMING AND D ESIGN F OR PARENT & CHILD

www.wiegandslide.com www.garmendale.co.uk

M AZES www.jaravision.com www.worldofrides.com www.pax.ru T HEMING AND D ESIGN B UMPER C ARS MAZES www.amazenmazes.com www.ridesandfun.com www.sarner.com www.candsrides.biz P EOPLE M OVERS T RADE A SSOCIATIONS C ASHLESS S YSTEMS www.sbfrides.com www.dottotrains.com www.alesuk.org www.embedcard.com T ICKETING www.technicalpark.com C OIN H ANDLING E QUIPMENT www.rtp.com/pos/products/ticketing.aspx www.severn-lamb.com www.mack-rides.com P LANNING & DESIGN www.cumminsallison.co.uk

D ARK R IDES www.accesso.com www.intaminworldwide.com www.forrec.com www.gatewayticketing.com www.sallycorp.com

E XHIBITIONS www.kcc.be www.vekoma.com P LAY S TRUCTURES www.nationalticket.com S HOWS www.hauntcom.com

FAMILY/CHILDRENS www.omniticket.com ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES www.iplayco.com V ISITOR V IDEO S YSTEM www.falconshow.com

R EVIEWS AND I NFORMATION 4 D ATTRACTIONS & www.whitehutchinson.com S IMULATORS www.tapemyday.com H IGHWAY 66 COIN O PERATED S CALED D OWN www.simworx.co.uk W ATER R IDES B OWLING S OLUTIONS R IDES S NOW & ICE

www.Interlink-lg.com www.amusement.qubicaamf.com www.gerstlauer-rides.com W ATER R IDES & PARKS www.snow.biz I NTERACTIVE P ROJECT D ISPLAY S PECIALIST P RINTING www.mondialrides.com www.proslide.com

www.eyeclick.com www.syndicateprinters.com www.vanegdom.nl

I NTERACTIVE R IDES www.tschu-tschu.de S PECIALIST T ELECOM P RODUCTS www.whitewaterwest.com

www.trio-tech.com www.prestonbarbieri.com www.teleacoustics.co.uk www.wiegand-maelzer.de

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