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Amusement Industry Helps Light the Way for Hope SPECIAL DIGITAL EDITION: Industry reacts to COVID-19 TM & ©2020 Amusement Today, Inc. pandemic April 2, 2020 | Vol. 24 • Issue 1.1 www.amusementtoday.com Amusement industry helps light the way for hope As the nation — and the world — battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the amusement and attractions industry is doing its best to keep people's spirits up, remind them that better days are ahead and to be the light at the end of the tunnel. Demonstrations of hope by the attractions industry are being seen and enjoyed worldwide. Kentucky Kingdom took out bill boards throughout Lousiville reminding the community that they were in this together with them (above left). Playland's Castaway Cove showed everyone they can always look forward to the future by keeping its Ferris wheel illuminated (above right). Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort illuminated several of the resorts' hotel towers with hearts (Universal's Aventura pictured right). Carnival Cruise ships were seen off the coast of Florida with the message "We will be back" lit up across them (below right). Entertaining guests in their homes, Disneyland's Dapper Dans (below left) performed live via the internet, taking requests and harmonizing from their living rooms. COURTESY KENTUCKY KINGDOM, PLAYLAND'S CASTAWAY COVE, WEAR-TV, DISNEY PARKS; AT/ DAVID FAKE Industry Voices...Pages 2-3 Get the most up-to-date industry news from Theme parks find silver linings...Pages 4-5 Amusement Today, Manufacturer's and suppliers forge on...Pages 6-7 Insurance, finance companies find solutions...Page 8 AmusementToday.com and Industry organizations guide members...Page 9 EXTRA! EXTRA! Your Desktop Edition Family-owned parks display hope...Pages 12-13 INSIDE: Carnivals, midways strive onward...Pages 14-15 daily email newsblast! FECs eager to welcome back families...Page 16 Water parks look to keep flowing...Page 17 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY COVID-19 Special Edition 2020 AMUSEMENT VIEWS AT NOTEBOOK: John W.C. Robinson, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint The queue is forming I know we're all looking forward to parks opening their gates again and welcoming guests. We're eager to show off new attractions, get the carousels turning and hearing the familiar clicking of a coaster's lift hill. I'm here to remind all of Robinson us, that we aren't the only ones. As much as we're a part of the amusement industry, we often lose sight of just how much parks and attractions mean to the world at large. They aren't just random rides, entertainment and distractions. Theme and amusement parks are the first job for many teenagers. Roller coasters and Ferris wheels are where kids of all ages learn the payoff for conquering their fears. At some point in everyone's life, they've tried to win a prize at a midway game for a date or a child and, if won, that prize held a special place in someone's heart. Even if Tunnel of Love rides have been phased out, taking a date through a dark ride is still part of our pop culture. Reaching for the brass ring remains a symbol INDUSTRY VOICE: Tim Baldwin, [email protected] of achieving excellence, even with only a precious few brass ring dispensers still in operation on carousels. Picture the day Kids cheer when their parents surprise them with a Walt We’ve been in this new state of them one day.” Confined to our homes, Disney World trip. A season pass to a theme or water park normal for just mere weeks. Each of several people have accepted that “one is an easy holiday gift for parents they know children will us — the park operator, the vendor, day” is staring each of them in the face. love. Any teen on a date wanting to buck the dinner-and-a- the manufacturer, the fan — are all They have embraced the fact that now movie trend immediately suggests mini-golf or laser tag. waiting for everything to return to the is the time. real normal. Forced into working from Each state and business have their Parks and attractions are woven into our world. our homes, we’ve all undoubtedly own set of restrictions and circum- Baldwin They've been that way since the days Coney Island first given some thought to the weeks and stances. Some workers are required to welcomed guests in Brooklyn for an evening out. months ahead. be at home. Others have a little leeway to My parents met in an amusement park. My As we slog our way through the restraints go into the park and accomplish certain jobs. grandmother's sister met her husband at one. My uncle of this outbreak crisis, we should be mindful of Regardless of your situation, is there a task helped build one. And so on. I've been around the one thing — the amusement industry will open you may have wanted to accomplish but just amusement industry my entire life. I even learned to play again. We need to picture that day. We need to put it off for another day? It may be to paint t-ball behind the kiddieland of the local park and took picture how we will greet those first returning a certain bench, a door or a railing. It may be several of my first dates there when I was a teen. customers when things resume. We need to to organize a history project you have wanted It wasn't until recent weeks that I realize how much envision the exciting charge of completing the to have on hand. Is there long-overdue com- of my life — how much of everyone's life — we've taken new projects. We need to hold on to the feel- munication in which you need to connect to a for granted. The coasters aren't rolling and the Ferris ing of hearing people scream and laugh. We colleague or friend? Is there a marketing pitch need to picture that; it will help get us through. you were wanting to develop? Dive in. When wheels are turning ... yet. But, they will. Social media is thick with stories of people that one day arrives when the music starts and It's with all those years around parks behind me that getting some significant spring cleaning done the rides whirl and the popcorn pops, you’ll I know the industry will survive this current shutdown as they are confined to their houses. So many be glad you’ve accomplished it. and I know the world around it is looking forward to it. tasks are put aside thinking we will “get to That day is coming. Picture it. Opinions expressed on this page are those of the columinst(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Call (817) 460-7220 for advertising, circulation or editorial inquiries Amusement Today is an independent, privately- Founder & Publisher Editorial Editor & Production Manager owned trade newspaper published 14 times Gary Slade • (817) 460-7220 Tim Baldwin • (972) 697-9745 John Robinson • (513) 256-1441 per year by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Print issues are $50 per year and are mailed Presort Standard Postage (permit No. 2069) Pre-Paid Fort Worth, Accounting & Classified Dean Lamanna • (817) 460-7220 Monthly Contributors Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper, Sammy Piccola • (817) 460-7220 [email protected] David Fake, Bubba Flint, and its related websites, are Copyrighted and [email protected] Lottie Minick, Richard Munch, Trademarked 2020 by Amusement Today Inc., Jeffrey Seifert • (817) 460-7220 Janice Witherow all rights reserved. Assistant Office Manager, Circulation [email protected] Association Memberships Address: P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas Savannah Breen • (817) 460-7220 B. Derek Shaw • (717) 843-3050 ACE, AIMS International, ASTM, IAAPA, IISF, 76005-5427, USA [email protected] [email protected] IRT/iROC, NAARSO, NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, Deliveries: 2004 E. Randol Mill Road #502, PAPA, PACE, SLA, TTIA, WWA Arlington, Texas 76011, USA Advertising Pam Sherborne • (615) 308-3310 Phone: (817) 460-7220 Sue Nichols • (615) 477-5432 Industry Affiliated Charities Fax: (817) 265-NEWS (6397) [email protected] [email protected] Give Kids the World Village, Morgan's Wonderland, Websites: www.AmusementToday.com, National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives www.GoldenTicketAwards.com COVID-19 Special Edition 2020 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 Industry Voices Unprecedented Midways will shine again Hal McEvoy, President and CEO, IAAPA Sharon Barlow, Editor, Midway Magazine Unprecedented. That is the word on everyone’s mind. In early For more than a century, the travel amusement industry has January, IAAPA began responding to COVID-19 and its unprecedent- logged millions of miles, served countless sticks of cotton candy ed effects around the world. First, the coronavirus began affecting and candy apples, and given even more rides on merry-go-rounds, the attractions industry in the Asia-Pacific region, and now, its effects Ferris wheels, Tilt-a-Whirls, or Himalayas. Generations of great can be felt in just about every city and every country. While we are show owners have welcomed generations of guests to their mid- doing our part to “flatten the curve,” we are also remaining positive ways, eliciting smiles bright enough to rival the most brilliant lights. and looking ahead with hope. This is a time of uncertainty. The global Yet 2020 will now always be remembered as the year the lights attractions industry, along with so many other industries around the McEvoy went out. The music of the carousel was silenced, and the Ferris Barlow world, has all but stopped.
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