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KINGS ISLAND’S 40th ANNIVERSARY – PAGES 19-22 TM Vol. 16 • Issue 3 JUNE 2012 Two traditional parks turn to Zamperla for thrill factor AirRace takes flight at Utah’s Lagoon Massive Black Widow swings into historic Kennywood Park FARMINGTON, Utah — Inspired by what they saw at Co- STORY: Scott Rutherford ney Island’s Luna Park last year, Lagoon officials called upon [email protected] Zamperla to create for them a version of the Italian ride manu- WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — facturer’s spectacular AirRace attraction. Guests visiting Kennywood Just as with the proptype AirRace at Luna Park, Lagoon’s Park this season will find new ride replicates the thrill and sensations of an acrobatic air- something decidedly sinister plane flight with maneuvers such as banks, loops and dives. lurking in the back corner of Accommodating up to 24 riders in six four-seater airplane- Lost Kennywood. The park’s shaped gondolas, AirRace combines a six-rpm rotation with a newest addition to its impres- motor driven sweep undulation that provides various multi- sive ride arsenal is Black vectored sensations. The gondolas reach a maximum height of Widow, a Zamperla Giant 26 feet above the ground while ‘pilots’ feel the acceleration of Discovery 40 swinging pen- almost four Gs, both right-side-up and inverted. The over-the- dulum ride. shoulder restraint incorporated into the seats holds riders during Overlooking the the simulated flight, and with a minimum height requirement of final swoop turn of the just 48 inches, AirRace is one of Lagoon’s most accessible family Phantom’s Revenge and the thrill rides. When operating at peak capacity, the new ride can Monongahela River far below, accommodate approximately 480 guests per hour. Black Widow is constructed 4See LAGOON, page 4 on the former site of Pittfall, the 251-foot-tall second-gen- eration Intamin freefall that operated at Kennywood from 1997 through 2011. Farewell Pittfall When asked about the decision to remove Pittfall, Kennywood officials agree that it was time for the ride to go. “Though it had its share of fans, the Pittfall just wasn’t that popular anymore. And the capacity was nothing com- Black Widow, a Zamperla Giant Discovery 40 swinging pen- pared to most of our rides.” dulum ride, has invaded Kennywood Park this season. Lo- said Kennywood General cated in the Lost Kennywood section of the park on the site Manager Jerome Gibas. “It of the former Pittfall free fall, Black Widow accommodates was also due for a major over- 40 guests per cycle. AT/SCOTT RUTHERFORD haul and we all knew its days were limited.” director of maintenance and is going to be a big hit with “That’s right. Ridership construction. “We looked at it our guests. We offer a lot of Lagoon’s newest thrill ride is this AirRace from Zamperla. was certainly down on Pittfall from several perspectives and different experiences here at Seating 24 riders per cycle, the ride swings ‘pilots’ up and and then there was the ongoing it just made good business Kennywood and this one fits over to reach 26 feet above ground while accelerating to maintenance issues,” added sense to remove Pittfall and in perfectly.” almost four Gs, both right side up and inverted. Rob Henninger, Kennywood’s replace it with something like COURTESY LAGOON assistant general manager and Black Widow. I think this ride 4See KENNYWOOD, page 4 SUBSCRIBE TO JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER! Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY 2012 RUSH! NEWSPAPER TICKET P. POSTMASTER: PLEASE 25, 2012 May Mailed Friday, (817) 460-7220 GOLDEN I. AWARDS PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT V. SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012 FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com BEST OF THE BEST! PAID amusementtoday US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT GOLDENTICKETAWARDS.com 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY June 2012 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Standard equipment? I know some are going to disagree with what I’m about to write, but after touring several new waterparks and slide towers this spring and all of last year, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s time for all of the waterpark slide suppliers to make a stand. Slade Too many times I have seen a beautiful new slide tower without a top roof cover- ing to protect the guests and the lifeguard/slide opera- tor from the sun. When a roof structure is added, many times it looks out of place or just comes across as an afterthought. I know parks view the roof (or covering) as an item they can install cheaper than purchasing new from the supplier, but it’s time for the suppliers to start pushing for their platform covering design more. Also, while on the subject of waterparks, I’ve reached the conclusion that suppliers should offer their slide towers to include the tube/raft conveyor as part of the total package on any slide that requires tubes/ rafts with a capacity of three guests or more. Park guests EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] seem to manage the single tubes and double donut tubes up the staircases fine, but anything more than that Showcasing history always seems to be an issue that clogs up the line and Anyone who knows me is well ers. Though viewing the collection can be somewhat slows down the overall capacity. Plus it takes away from aware of my penchant for history. heartbreaking when you realize just how much has the guest experience, as the soon-to-be rider is having Though my interests may encom- been lost, those of us who truly care about such things to work by carrying a tube/raft to just enjoy the slide? pass a broad range of subjects, can take comfort in the fact that at least some tangible none is more dear to me than my components of a favorite attraction have been saved. Roller coaster suppliers don’t allow parks to buy a ongoing research into and pres- While the NRCMA’s long term plan is to construct new coaster without a lift hill, it’s time waterpark ervation of amusement industry a permanent home to house the ever-growing collec- suppliers did the same. Yes, I know it’s a competitive heritage, particularly wooden roller tion, the immediate goal is to assemble and build dis- thing, an outlet for a park on a limited budget, but in the Rutherford coasters. plays for several temporary exhibits set to be opened So it should come as no sur- in 2012 and beyond. The exhibits will focus on local long run is it really worth it? prise how much I support and admire the efforts of parks and include both the story of the roller coaster Suppliers: please dig down a little deeper in your those behind the National Roller Coaster Museum as well as images of celebrated parks no longer in sales presentations and convince the waterparks that and Archives. Founded in 2001 by a group of industry existence. platform shade structure and the lift conveyor (to get professionals and historians, the NRCMA’s honorable The very first of these temporary endeavors – mission is to “discover, preserve, interpret and share The National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives tubes/rafts up to the dispatch point) are standard the historical heritage of the roller coaster for present Premiere Exhibition – is currently being assembled. equipment and included in the purchase price. and future generations.” Although many may have Over the past few months, a select group of histori- The guests will thank the park with repeat visits, and heard of the NRCMA, only those who have personally ans, collectors and artists have diligently worked to in turn the park will thank you, the supplier. investigated and examined the artifacts and memora- create this amazing and unique display, which will be bilia housed in the group’s massive Plainview, Texas unveiled later this summer within an existing structure —Gary Slade storage facility can truly appreciate the scope and at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. dedication behind this endeavor. And it should be mentioned that just as with the Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement Quietly and with too little recognition, the NRCMA itself, this “Premiere Exhibition” is possible Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six NRCMA has been steadily amassing items that range only because of dedicated volunteers who selflessly from historical photographs and postcards up to donate their time, energy and passion so that others when he first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement complete, full-size roller coaster trains and sections might enjoy and be inspired to begin their own quest Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career of the track on which they once carried excited rid- for historical preservation. helped lead to the launch of AT in 1997. AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Tim Baldwin Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation (817) 460-7220 [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd, Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, Stacey Childress / Childress Media Editorial Sue Nichols Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA, Web & Graphic Design [email protected] Advertising NAARSO and IISF (817) 889-4441 (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $75 in the USA; $100 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $140/$180; [email protected] Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $200/$250. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to Amusement Today, P.O.
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