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MAY 2012

Polar X-plorer drop coaster anchors Legoland’s latest land Aquatica San Antonio 40 years of + more! ZEBEC fp - Nov 10:Layout 1 29/10/10 11:58 Page 1

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MAY 2012

6-7 Front Gate Setting the agenda for the month ahead

8 Park Hoppin’ Lost Lagoon was a prototypical steel Paul Ruben’s Great Wolf adventure and concrete waterpark. We really wanted to bring the Aquatica brand to “ this part of the country and give our 9 Kernels guests a waterpark unlike anything else Bite-sized news they have experienced Tim Morrow discusses SeaWorld San Antonio’s new waterpark, P22-23 ” 8-18 Park News Your monthly update P22

20 Show Preview Asian Attractions Expo

22-23 Q-Lines Aquatica San Antonio

24-26 Polar Land at Legoland Attraction profile

30-31 Pharaonique at Parc Astérix! Attraction profile P28

32-34 Fantasilandia Park profile

34-35 Seabreeze Park profile

36-37 Kings Island 40 years Park tribute

38 Ride Guide We were worried that this new park was Products and services for parks and attractions not going to attract any more guests than Coney Island. However, on July 4, “ 1972, the floodgates opened and we 41 Show Guide attracted approximately 40,000 guests Exhibitions and networking for amusement professionals Dennis Speigel remembers the opening of Kings Island, P36-37 ”

42 Web Guide P38 Online resources for the amusement industry

THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: Polar X-plorer by Zierer is the MAY 2012 highlight of Legoland Billund’s new Polar Land area. This unique coaster is one of two from the German manufacturer to feature a vertical drop, alongside Verbolten at Williamsburg in the USA. Turn to page 24 for more on Polar X-plorer. zierer.com

Polar X-plorer Fantasilandia Aquatica San Antonio Zierer drop coaster anchors 40 years of Kings Island + more! Legoland’s latest land PW_May12_p04:PW_May12_p04 14/05/2012 09:05 Page 2

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ParkWord MayMay 20122012

Around 15 parks and attractions professionals from across Europe gathered recently in the north of England as part of an ongoing quest to establish a worldwide standard for the safety of amusement rides and devices. Ranging from representatives of trade associations and amusement parks to ride inspectors and engineers, the people in question were all members of the ISO/TC254 committee’s working group 3, and I was invited to sit in on the first day of their meeting at the offices of Leisure Technical Consultants (LTC) near Manchester. You can read more on page 8 of this issue. What struck me, apart from what a nice lunch LTC had laid on for delegates, was how committed they were to the cause. That’s perhaps to be expected, as theme parks and other attractions rely on the safe transportation of millions of guests each and every day of the year. In the amusement industry, safety is no laughing matter, and without it there would of course be no industry. Nevertheless, I was encouraged by the time everyone had given up to formulate what will eventually be the ISO/TC254 N9 guidance document for theme parks, amusement parks, fairgrounds and other visitor attractions worldwide. Just as it’s a thing of wonder that people are willing to forge careers as nurses for the good of our health, I’m also very grateful to those helping to ensure we can continue riding rollercoasters carefree. As legislation varies from country to country, the document will be not become law, and restrictions within the USA will prevent it becoming completely global. Nevertheless, the TC254 committee is in close dialogue with the American ASTM F24 committee, and the guidance is expected to become the most authoritative international work published to date, pooling knowledge and best practice from around the world. Unlike yours truly, who will do anything for a ham sandwich, some people really do earn their lunch. 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 Richard Veldhuis, Thomas Clarke, Linda Hill, Dennis Speigel 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, Kent ME16 8LY, UK Tel: +44 1622 687031 MAY 2012 ISSN 1462-4796 datateam.co.uk © Copyright 2012. All materials in this publication remain the copyright of Datateam Business Media and no part of it may be Member of: 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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24 26 BigQuestion Figures32 28 What will be your biggest challenge in 2012? of50 Fun20 38 Gary Conroy, Old Town (Kissimmee, ), USA: As new 41 owners of Old Town we believe our greatest challenge will be rebuilding our brand to attract a larger segment of the tourist and local population 17 back to the park. Branding is a very scientific concept and it will be number of Gentoo penguins at Polar imperative we achieve a very unique and memorable experience for our Land, the latest addition to Legoland guest by ensuring a high standard through exceptional guest service. We Billund, (see page 24) must teach all our vendors to provide the same experience so our guest has one fluid experience. We will also invest significant capital in theming and getting the environment back to its iconic status. 20 Michael Mack, Europa-Park, Germany: Getting our new hotel, Bell per cent – increase in visitors this Easter to Rock, ready on time is our greatest challenge. I think we got the season off parks and attractions operated by Grupo to a nice start with out new wooden coaster Wodan, but the challenge with Xcaret, Mexico (compared to Easter 2011) that could be capacity, which our operations guys think is too low compared to Megacoaster. Apart from this we are looking forward to a great season as a result of the biggest investment in the history of 167,000 Europa-Park! euros ($219,587) – amount donated to charity since 1985 as a result of coins Bob Montgomery, Darien Lake, USA: Our biggest challenge this year thrown into the wishing fountain at will be educating our market that Darien Lake is more than just an Efteling, The Netherlands . Recent enhancements to our accommodation and our waterpark make Darien Lake a destination experience for families, teens and young adults. We have added $5 million in new attractions and entertainment to make 2012 our best season ever. Communicating our 20,000,000 value proposition will be especially important this year, as economic euros ($26m) – cost of new Pharaonique Egyptian-themed area at Parc Astérix in conditions and rising gas prices make close-to-home vacations particularly attractive for families. (see page 28)

Pascal Fliche, Parc Astérix, France: Oz Iris, our new B&M inverted coaster, is the big news for 2012 at Parc Astérix. Our main challenge is to 100,000,000 get as many visitors as possible to come and discover it! We are confident US dollars (€76m) – planned investment once they have ridden it they will become our new park ambassadors; in new attractions over next four years at flying over an Egyptian temple is definitely unique experience! The ride is Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey part our new land Pharaonique and integrates the worlds of Astérix and Cleopatra, leading comic and movie stars in France, and reinforces Parc Produced in association with AECOM. Astérix as one the top European theme parks. www.aecom.com/economics

Drop in Standards - Eleven people, Ups & including the park’s president, have been charged with manslaughter following the Downs death in February of a 14-year-old girl on the Eiffel at ,

Average Easter! - Mixed Kentucky Comeback - The weather over the Easter Koch family has received Cheers! - West Miffin City period meant varied business approval for tax credits in Council has approved a liquor Amazing Easter! - Great for theme parks and Louisville, Kentucky, bringing the licence for Kennywood, weather over the Easter period attractions across Western reopening of Bluegrass meaning the Pennsylvania meant bumper business for Europe Boardwalk (former Kentucky amusement park could sell beer theme parks and attractions on Kingdom) one step closer for the first time in its history the Gold Coast in Australia

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A global standard? ParkHoppin’ The quest continues with Paul Ruben A group of around 15 industry professionals from across Europe gathered recently in England as part of an ongoing quest to establish a worldwide standard for the Splashing With Wolves safety of amusement rides and devices. It was the dead of winter and I was suffering The meeting of the ISO/TC254 committee’s working group 3 took place on waterpark depravation. What to do? There April 12 and 13 at the premises of Leisure Technical Consultants in Hyde near were two options. Fly to a warm weather Manchester, addressing the topic of ride operation and use. The two-day get- destination with an outdoor waterpark, or together followed meetings during 2011 in Moscow, London and Munich. drive to an indoor waterpark. Allied to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the committee Driving meant I didn’t have to overpay for was formed in late 2010 following a proposal from the Russian national what should be a cheap flight, take my shoes standardisation body GOST R and now includes representatives from nine off in the airport, suffer flight delays or European countries, as well as South Africa, , Singapore and North Korea. endure those onboard who, as the plane An additional two working groups have been established to examine the lands and taxis to the terminal, phone to tell biomechanical effects of amusement rides and devices and their design, their friends waiting in the terminal that their manufacture and construction. Members of the committee also enjoy a close flight has arrived. Isn't that why God invented dialogue with the ASTM F24 committee in the United States. arrival boards? Represented in Hyde were various national trade associations, I decided to head to the Great Wolf Lodge inspection/certification bodies, plus operators including Pleasure Beach Blackpool Poconos in Pennsylvania. Because of its and . One of the main objectives of the meeting, chaired by proximity to the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, this is Ken Rundle, was to review the draft ISO/TC245 N9 document. In doing so, the most heavily attended lodge in the Great Wolf chain. But I went delegates set out to remove any ambiguities, particularly important considering during the week, and the facility was not full. Great Wolf Lodge is a many of those following the guidance once it is published may not necessarily themed 401-room hotel with amenities, lots of amenities, including a boast English as a first language. There was, for example, some acknowledgement massive indoor heated waterpark. It’s the perfect destination for families from the working group that the term “ride” is not suitable for all equipment due to with young children looking for a few days’ escape. I had no young emergence of certain new amusement devices. children, just moi. Recognising that many attractions are built within Europe and so conform to My Great Wolf Lodge adventure began in the 84°F (29°C) waterpark. I existing EN1318 standards, it is hoped that ISO/TC254’s efforts will lead to a splashed the day away in over 79,000 sq ft (7,339 sq m) of water- wider set of guidelines that will apply to all rides or amusement devices, wherever packed excitement, including some jaw-dropping slides. I floated along they are manufactured. By definition, an ISO standard should adopt the best the lazy river, but avoided the zero-depth entry areas for little ones. knowledge and practice from many different countries. During my visit I discovered a new second-favourite waterpark element. The committee hopes to finalise its work in around a year’s time, issuing a The lodge is filled with ProSlide attractions, including a Tantrum Alley. I document for the use of designers, manufacturers and operators of amusement had never been on one before. It begins with a high in-run into an rides and devices across the world. As legislation varies from country to country, enclosed funnel, followed by a dark slide before another funnel and a the content will be for guidance only; nevertheless it is the expected to be the most final splashdown. I’m a fairly jaded thrill-seeker, so when I dropped authoritative work published internationally to date. sharply into the first funnel and nearly flipped, it pulled a scream from my All three working groups of the ISO/TC254 are scheduled to meet this October throat. I don’t do that, but I did on the Tantrum Alley, twice. My first- during Euro Attractions Expo in Berlin. For more details please contact the favourite waterpark element is, of course, the hot tub. Pig heaven. committee’s secretary Anna Novikova: [email protected] Outside the waterpark, the fun continued, at least for the kids. They could play MagiQuest, an attraction that has been rolled out to several other Great Wolf destinations. The interactive treasure hunt game allows guests to fight goblins, slay dragons and interact with magical creatures. Using a magic wand as a wireless controller, visitors move throughout the hotel’s four floors finding clues and hints to solve problems and earn points. Kids can get an ice cream- themed manicure in Scooops Kid Spa before gathering their family in the Grand Lobby for nightly fireside Story Time, the perfect ending to a Great Wolf day. For me, the perfect ending was a visit to the lounge for an adult beverage, a cold one. The Delegates pictured outside the LTC offices, from left to right: Will Gilbert (LTC), bartender asks, “Would you like Eric Dudhout (AFNOT/SNELAC, France), Brian Tranter (British Standards your Shirley Temple with or without a Institution), Jimmy Williams (Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain), Vladimir Nikulin cherry?” It had been a long day. (Pax, Russia), Martin Booth (Merlin Entertainments), Vladimir Gnezdilov (Pax), Jens Dahlslund (DS/Force Technology, Denmark), Anna Novikova (Pax/ISO/TC254 sec- In the interests of taste and decency, retary), Gianni Chiari (Uni-EMASH/ANCASVI, Italy), Bob Nicholls (LTC/ADIPS, readers may prefer the picture of UK), Ken Rundle (ISO/TC254), Alex Nicolls (Ferrari World ), Alex Payne Paul Ruben to the right (Pleasure Beach Blackpool/BALPPA), Mark Wolstenholme (LTC/ADIPS/NAFLIC), Janet Nicholls (LTC)

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10 years of Belantis East Germany’s largest Kernels theme park has turned again to for a new ride to celebrate its Legoland Malaysia will open on September 15, it has been revealed. This, the 10th anniversary season first Legoland park in Asia, will feature seven themed areas including The Beginning, in 2012. Imagination, Land of Adventure, Lego Kingdom, Lego Technic, Lego City and Named after the Miniland. The location is Nusajaya in Johor, close to the border with Singapore. Belantis mascot, Buddel- Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, Ocean City, New Jersey, is introducing five new Tanz (Bottle-Dance, attractions for the 2012 season. These include a new Wacky Worm family coaster pictured) is a Crinoline from Fajume, a Disk 'O’, Wisdom , a black-light Mini Golf ride that seats up to 100 Course and an attraction to be confirmed. Gillian's Funland at nearby Sea Isle City passengers, making it the is adding three new attractions. An Eli Bridge , and Zamperla Demolition highest capacity attraction in the park. Existing Gerstlauer attractions at the Derby and Mini Telecombat by Barbieri. venue include the rollercoasters Huracan (EuroFighter) and Drachenritt Wilderness Territory, America’s largest waterpark resort located in Wisconsin (Dragon family coaster) and Götterflug (Sky Roller). Dells, will open two Lunar Loop extreme waterslides by WhiteWater later this month. Entertaining around half a million guests a year, Belantis is located in the In January, the resort unveiled the indoor Northern Lights Sky Ropes Course from city of Leipzig. The season continues until November 4. Ropes Courses Inc. New York’s Darien Lake is adding more than $5 million of new attractions and eventpark.de upgrades this season. The “Rowdy’s Ridge” family area will feature three rides including Moose on the Loose, a pony ride from Metallbau Emmeln, Heave Ho!, a Buddel performs the Heege Tower, and the Hornet’s Nest, a from . Buddel-Dance Seven new live shows will also make their New York State debut and guests can take advantage of numerous improvements to the park’s on-site lodging options. Mt Olympus waterpark in Wisconsin Dells, USA, is adding an AquaPlay Giant RainFortress by WhiteWater. Themed as The Lost City of Atlantis, it will feature an erupting volcano feature with water surging 100ft (30m) into the air. A Crazy Cups tea cup ride by Zamperla has been installed at , Middlebury, Connecticut. The Hettema Group has been selected to spearhead the creative design and production of the USA Pavilion at this summer's World Expo in . Central to the installation will be a 70ft-wide screen with music and film conveying the diverse beauty of the American coastline and the connections that Americans enjoy with it. Fourteen youngsters aged between 12 and 16 were inducted onto the Junior Board of Pleasure Beach Blackpool recently. Issued with their own uniforms and ID badges, they were given chance to check out some of the rides in Nickelodeon Land and taste some of the British park’s new food offerings. “I hope they all enjoyed their first board meeting and saw what Pleasure Beach has to offer because one day they could be making the decisions at an executive level should they choose a career in Introducing Europe’s the industry,” notes the park’s managing director, Amanda Thompson. Garner Holt Productions has become a diamond sponsor of the Themed tallest rollercoaster Entertainment Association (TEA) as it celebrates its 20th anniversary year. “As a Silver Star at Europa-Park in Germany has lost its crown: work is complete on the young entrepreneur 35 years ago creating a company in the themed entertainment newest tallest rollercoaster in Europe. Shambhala at Port Aventura in Spain stands business, I appreciate the need for an association to offer support and encouragement to emerging professionals in this field,” says Garnet Holt himself. 76-metres high and is set to open on May 13 following a nine-month construction period by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). Magic Memories, the tourism photography company, has launched its first At €25 million, the new coaster is the most expensive ride in the park’s history, operation in China providing holiday memories and storytelling photo books for snatching signature attraction status from the existing B&M coaster Dragon Khan. guests who visit the country’s largest aquarium, Shanghai Chang Feng Ocean World. Reaching speeds of up to 134km an hour, it features 1,650 metres of track. The ride features an 86° first drop, a tunnel section and five camelbacks, the shortest Blood dripping from walls, deathly screams, actors bound in chains and frothing at of which is the height of a 7-storey the mouth …what a great time Park World had recently at the local S&M club. We building. Plenty of airtime in jest of course; it was in fact the scene at Hawkshaw Farm Park in England as ensured! AtmosFEAR! Entertainment filmed a trailer for Scare Kingdom Scream Park. The “Doomsday” edition of the Halloween attraction will run for 15 selected nights Located near on the Costa from October 13 to November 3 and promises “gore like never before.” See the Dorada, Port Aventura is Spain’s trailer at scarekingdom.com. busiest theme park, welcoming 3.7 million guests in 2011. A full report The Producers Group has added five regional directors, giving the company representation in Europe and major Asian markets for themed entertainment and on Shambhala will follow in the destination attractions. The regional directors are Fumiyasu Yamakawa (), June issue of Park World. Peter Kim (Korea), Charlie Xu (China), Bear Zhang (China) and Jean-Michel Louis (Europe). producers-group.com Shambhala’s final piece of track is lowered into place

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Big plans for Steel Pier A record-setting Star Flyer, America’s tallest giant Seamour (SBF Airborne Shot), plus an SBF Dance wheel and a rollercoaster are destined for the Steel Party (mini- style ride), SBF Air Trip (Miami) Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, as part of a $100 and midi tea cups and a custom-designed Zamperla million (€77m) investment plan. Rockin’ Tug and beach buggies. In total, 11 rides, an arcade, nightclub, museum A 385ft-tall (117m) Star Flyer will be and ballroom will open over the next four years. The erected in 2013, becoming the tallest swing tower in Here’s how the pier should plan calls for two-thirds of the rides to be covered, the world. The 384ft Star Flyer at the Prater in look after the improvements allowing the pier to stay open 300 days per year. Vienna, Austria, holds the current world record. A Renovations are currently underway to make room new rollercoaster, possibly an ZacSpin, will and an LED lighting package, the latter will become for eight new rides this season including Water Circus be added in 2014, with a 250ft-tall (76m) giant the tallest in the US, taller than the 212ft ( Swing), Fuze (130ft/40m Fabbri ), wheel due in 2015. Featuring 42 enclosed gondolas Texas Star in Dallas, supplier yet to be decided.

A new conference DEAL 2012 focusing on digital out- Tokyo Disney of-home interactive entertainment event is makes quake scheduled for the US. Put back from its original May dates, the comeback inaugural DNA US event will take place in Los Tokyo Disney Resort experienced favourable Angeles on October 2 and 3 and examine the attendance in the last fiscal year, in spite of the emergence of technology into a variety of social Great East Japan Earthquake last March. The experiences and real life attractions, tackling resort’s two parks – Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo such topics as: DisneySea – appeared to recover strongly from •Fusion of real and virtual experiences the tragedy, attracting a combined 25,347,000 •The “next-neneration arcade” The 18th DEAL ( Entertainment And guests from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012. •New models of interactivity in movie theatres Leisure) trade show took place from April 17 to That’s just 19,000 fewer persons than the •3D interactive experiences in public places 19 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, with over previous fiscal year, or 99.9% of the last •Augmented reality's next stage 200 exhibitors representing 30 countries. recorded attendance figure. It was observed •Gesture-based experiences “The entertainment and amusement industry is that guests who could not visit due to park •Maximising social media in leisure facilities growing in the Middle East,” notes Mohammed closures or who had refrained from visiting Confirmed speakers include representatives of Falaknaz, vice-president of International Expo immediately after the parks reopened came , Kidzania, Thinkwell Consults (IEC). “We are expecting approximately later in the year. Instead. This lead to a record Design, Super 78 Studios, GestureTek, Total 18-20% growth this year, which is a remarkable 14,608,000 guests during the second half of Immersion, Blue Wave Media and many more. rate. Our show was completely sold out several fiscal year. As well as an “on the spot” session at a local months prior to the event and that is a great At Tokyo Disneyland, visitors were able to entertainment venue, a VIP reception and DNA indication that the industry was not impacted by enjoy a new night-time spectacular called mixer are also planned. the regional or the global situation.” Fantasmic In the coming months guests at the The venue is USC Davidson Conference According to IEC more than 6,000 people same park can look forward to the debut of Toy Center, Los Angeles, California, and sponsors visited this year’s event and more than AED800 Story Mania! and a brand new event featuring include Trade & Investment and million ($217m/€168m) of business was signed. Mickey Mouse and Daffy Duck. DEAL 2013 is scheduled for April 23 to 25. the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). themeparksdubai.com More information at thestingerreport.com/dna tokyodisneyresort.co.jp

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Antartica comes to Fishy fun at Familypark Orlando details revealed Neusiedlersee SeaWorld Orlando has revealed more details of its largest-ever attraction, Austria’s Familypark Neusiedlersee Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin. has unveiled a Flying Fish ride Scheduled to open in 2013, this first-of-its-kind family boat ride will utilise new courtesy of Zierer. With a giant technology to provide an experience that can change from visit to visit. Guess in as its centre, the new 12- each eight-seater car will be able to choose the level of thrill they experience on gondola attraction is surrounded the ride, with a young Gentoo penguin as their guide. The ride supplier is not yet by fountains that spray wild jets of known. water at various intervals. To ride, SeaWorld says that by immersing passengers must be at least 1.2 guests in the penguin’s environment, metres tall or accompanied by an Antarctica – Empire of the Penguin will adult. Each car seats two riders or be the coldest theme park attraction three children, providing an hourly in the world. The footprint for the new capacity of approximately 720 attraction is the biggest of any at a based on a 90-second ride time SeaWorld or Busch Gardens park. and 30 seconds for Considered as a new area of the loading/unloading. The attraction occupies a 17.3-metre diameter footprint. Orlando park, rather than a single Flying Fish forms part of the new Abenteurinsel (Adventure Island) area of ride, Antarctica will also include the the park, which also includes the Fischerhütte restaurant. The park is located in penguin habitat, a gift shop and the beautiful Burgenland area of Austria, close to Neusiedlersee lake. restaurant.

Djurs Sommerland Lake Winnie reaches for the sun adds tower ride The Danish amusement park Djurs Tennessee’s (“Lake Winnie”) Sommerland was due to start its amusement park has opened for the 2012 season. Solguden new season on May 4. The big Towering over the tree line is Oh-Zone!, a new news for 2012 is the addition of 14-storey tower from ARM/Larson a heavily-themed Flying Fish ride International. from Zierer. Solgunden (Sun And that’s not all: “We’re unveiling a thrilling God) features a Mayan Aztec new surprise later this spring,” reveals the park’s theme and is located, fittingly Talley Green. “We’ll be sending our guests head- enough, in the park’s over-heals with excitement with the new addition." Mexicoland area. Located in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Lake Each of 12 plane gondolas Winnepesaukah has been entertaining families for is controlled by the passengers over 95 years. within it. A special song plays during the ride, alerting riders to which sun statues around Dragon's Den at the the ride are about to shoot streams of water. It is then up to passengers to manoeuvre their plane in time to Sandcastle avoid getting wet. “Our goal is to continue the high level of theming that has characterised The Sandcastle in West Homestead, Pennsylvania, has added Dragon's Den, a the development of our popular Piratland the last few years into the rest of the ProSlide CannonBowl, to its family of water slides. The attraction represents the park,” notes spokesman Andreas O Hansen. “I think we biggest addition to the waterpark in nearly 10 years. have managed that quite well.” Guests catapult through a dark 45tt tunnel slide, which then plummets into a Djurs Sommerland is 35ft bowl where they located in Nimtofte, encounter a 9ft-tall dragon about 50km north of that spits mist at its riders. the city of Aarhus. Also After completing two to new for 2012 is a fleet four revolutions in the of Buffalo-themed mist-shrouded abyss, riders from suddenly disappear from Bertazzon. sight, splashing down in a landing pool. djurssommerland.dk The 2012 Sandcastle One of the new bumper season starts on May 26. cars from Bertazzon

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Ropes on water! AquaCourse opens in Alabama Put a ropes course in a waterpark? Why didn't anyone think of this before? Enter WhiteWater with its new AquaCourse, a multi-level play structure that sends safely harnessed guests through a course of ropes, towers, bridges and zip lines. The first unit has opened at Alabama's Splash Adventur (formerly Alabama Adventures in on the Theme Park) in the USA. action by pulling a rope that dumps a bucket of By removing all of the barriers of typical water onto the head of those paying on the waterplay structures, such as decks and handrails, AquaCourse. guests can safely interact with others without any Up to 20 different types of automated and obstacles in the way. Geysers bubble up from manually-operated water features can be combined below, sprays drop from overhead, water guns in a variety of ways to make each AquaCourse shoot from side to side and even spectators can get installation as wet or dry as the operator desires.

Rides revealed for Waterpark for Georgia’s Yas Waterworld newest city WhiteWater has revealed that it is supplying 12 Anaklia, which was awarded city status in August 2011, will welcome a of 14 waterpark attractions for Yas Waterworld waterpark as from this summer. The new facility will belocated at the Anaklia in Abu Dhabi. The other two will come from City Resort, a luxurious seaside development on Georgia’s Black Sea coast. ProSlide, including a Hydro Magnetic AquaPark Anaklia has been designed by WhiteWater and will feature of the Mammoth and . , meanwhile Canadian company’s newest waterslides, the Constrictor. The flume is installing an interactive Splash Party water expands from 4.5ft (1.3 m) to 7ft (2.1m) and back again, coaster. delivering a series of spirals which allow riders to Set on over 15 hectares at Yas Island – experience the tightest, highest banked turns in the adjacent to Ferrari World – the new waterpark waterpark industry. is expected to become one of the biggest in Other WhiteWater attractions will the Middle East, competing with existing include a Family Rattler, Master facilities such as Wild Wadi and Blaster, Boomerango, AquaPlay Aquaventure at Atlantis, Dubai. AP350, AquaLoop, family wave WhiteWater’s contribution includes the world's first Rattler Megatube pool, innertube slides, a waterslide, plus an AquaLoop, AquaPlay AP300, AquaPlay Giant RainFortress speed slide and (pictured below), AquaTune, Extreme River, Family Waves, FlowBarrel Ten SuperBowl. Double, FlowRider Double (pictured above), Freefall Slide, Inner-Tube Slides, Kids' Slides, Rattler, Speed Slide, SuperBowl and Whizzard. The Canadian company will also deliver the world’s first SplashQuest, a live Adventure Forest at action video game adventure using a patented waterproof AquaGlove or SplashBand. Players activate dozens of fun water effects to score points while Wilderness at the Smokies following clues to complete challenges as they actively explore the quest spread all over the waterpark. Following an exceptionally strong 2011 season, Wilderness at the Smokies in Sevierville, Tennessee, has opened a new attraction called Adventure Forest. “Unlike our other attractions, Adventure Forest is a ‘dry’ park,” notes Wilderness at the Smokies’ general manager Steve Cruz. “It features a three-storey ropes course, a multi-level enclosed laser tag arena, mini-bowling, black-light mini-golf, more than 100 arcade games, a laser maze, a 25ft tall spring ride, a 23ft climbing wall, party rooms, restaurant and lounge, plus other attractions that do not involve water – all of it indoors and open year-round.” The new addition will be open to the general public, whereas the all the existing amenities are available only to Wilderness at the Smokies resort guests. Wilderness at the Smokies is the largest tourism investor in Sevier County after . On June 1, Wilderness at the Smokies will open Wild Vortex, a 66ft-tall AquaLoop waterslide from WhiteWater.

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HEDGEHOG ENCOUNTER New adventures await Fårup Sommerland guests Guest visiting Denmark’s Fårup Facebook, however a hedgehog and a squirrel Sommerland will be able to enjoy (Egern & Pindvin) are also the new mascots of the an encounter with a hedgehog, a park and will feature in their own theatre show. squirrel and a Road Runner this A new look entrance awaits guests in 2012, in season. keeping with the park’s woodland theme, meanwhile Located on the northern a fresh film has been added to the 4D cinema in the Jutland peninsula, the park shape of the adventures of Wile E Coyote and Road reopened on April 30 with the Runner. Debuting in time for high season will be a addition of a new family high diving show. Supplied by the French company rollercoaster called Pindsvinet Sokol, it will feature six performers leaping into water (Hedgehog). from heights of up to 25-metres. In total more than DKK25 million ($5m/€4m) has Supplied by Zamperla, the Hungry Fårup Sommerland guests may wish to been invested in new attractions for 2012. For more ride seats 14 riders and travels take some time out in the new 350-seat details visit the park’s new look website. at a speed of up to 7 metres Spisekammeret restaurant, offering three separate per second. Its name was supplied by Fårup fans on food options. faarupsommerland.dk Dragonfly at Duinrell Biggest ever investment for The Dutch holiday park Duinrell Astrid Lindgren’s World has opened a new Gerstlauer coaster. Measuring 361m A 22,000 square metre new land featuring a turn of the 19th/20th century (1,184ft) in length, Dragonfly farm is planned for Astrid Lindgren’s World in 2013. The Swedish park is features a 15m (50ft) first drop ploughing (pun intended) SEK 95 million ($14m/€11m) into the Katthult and stands between the park’s project – its largest ever investment. Falcon (Gerstlauer EuroFighter)) Guests will be able to stroll under hundred-year-old oaks and see the coaster and Waterspin (Huss animals, hayfields, pole fences and stone mounds in a recreation of the ). Småland countryside. They will also be able to meet the character Emil and his family and sample homely local produce in a new restaurant. Next year will mark 50 years since Astrid Lindgren – the park’s inspiration – wrote his first book about Emil in Lönneberga. “The brand new family rollercoaster “In our attempts to bring stories to life, it feels important to be able to show sends you flying through hair-raising a farm and the Småland farmers’ curves on an exciting ride through the countryside, the way it looked in Emil’s trees,” says Duinrell’s Sabrina Menheer. day and when Astrid Lindgren grew Dragonfly has already secured an 8.3 up,” says the park’s managing director out of 10 rating from Duinrell guests on Mikael Ahlerup. “It feels important, not the park’s website. To view a video of the least today, when many children grow ride, which opened last month, visit up in a town environment and may not bit.ly/IVTQYp. Duinrell is located in go to the country very often.” Wassenaar between Leiden and The Hague. alv.se Mack Rides expands Following the appointment of its new executive board particularly important in times of a shortage of skilled (see Park World, March 2012), Mack Rides has personnel to find expertise in the domestic market." announced has begun construction of a new logistics Known these days for a wide range of centre in its home town of Waldkirch, Germany. rollercoasters, water rides and , the Mack The facility on Mauermattenstrasse will be complete family manufacturing business began as a supplier of by the end of October and give the manufacturer an fairground wagons and circus caravans. extra 2,000 square metres of space. This will make the flow of goods easier, enabling the company mack-rides.com greater flexibility in responding to customer orders. Pictured at the groundbreaking are, left to right: Mack "The great interest across the world in our quality Rides’ Günter Burger and Christian von Elverfeldt, products with the ‘Made in Germany’ seal circus priest and friend of the Mack family Ernst encourages us to invest in Waldkirch," says Mack Heller, Roland Mack, Mack Rides’ Thorsten Köbele, Rides managing director Christian von Elverfeldt. "It is Michael Mack and Christel Mack-Even.

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Goddard’s Ring of Harmony visual ‘centre’ to symbolise its place in China and in the world,” explains Gary Goddard. “I thought about the many iconic symbols throughout the world, and realised no one had really perfected the circle on a grand scale. So we designed the ‘Ring of Harmony’ as a unifying symbol for Shenfu.” While the 550ft stainless steel structure will be completed first, The Goddard Group’s masterplan also includes housing, retail, entertainment, civic buildings, parks, lakes and other community-based elements.

It might look like another giant wheel concept, but this is in fact the “Ring of Harmony” that will become a landmark for Shenfu New Town in China. Based in the north east of the country between Shenyang and Fushun, this entirely new city is being built in phases over the next four to five years. Around two square kilometres of the 10 sq km project will be built to a concept and masterplan by The Goddard Group, including two massive lakes. “I felt that this massive new town needed a IE Park puts Indian mall in the loop Pictured here is ’s first indoor looping while a Miniotto Cotroceni is due to open in rollercoaster – outside. The ride, now open as a Bucharest, Romania, any day now. Earlier this signature FEC feature of the Infiniti Mall in year, a JR40 coaster was opened in the , is seen below at the premises of Italian Anatolium Mall in Ankara, Turkey, complete with manufacturer IE Park, ahead of its shipment to the a Grand Prix theme. subcontinent. In the past eight years, IE Park has completed According to Prakash Vivekanand of over 40 coaster projects of various shapes and Amusement Services International, who ordered sizes for customers around the world. A young the ride on behalf of the mall, ”It is the star but experienced team of engineers and attraction and accounts for close to 40% of the technicians work within a dedicated rollercoaster revenue from the FEC. People are coming from division at the company’s 10,000sq m facilities far and wide to the mall just to ride the coaster.” in Praticello di Gattico, Reggio Emilia. Another loop coaster from IE Park will open this autumn in eastern region of Saudi Arabia, iepark.com

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Park News www.parkworld-online.com

Kiss the sky in Kissimmee! Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Following our tribute in March to 25 years of Old Town, Park World is pleased Panama City Beach to bring you this exclusive picture of a new attraction that has opened along- Here’s a shot of the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and 3D Moving Theater side the park in Kissimmee, Florida. in Panama City Beach, Florida. Opened in 2006, the attraction is housed inside a The Vomatron was provided by Funtime from Austria, which previously replica 1950s vintage luxury liner that had run aground on the beach – quite an installed a Sling Shot on the same site. The new addition stands 60-metres tall eye-catcher! and rotates like a giant propeller at speeds of up to 120 kilometres per hour. The Odditorium is one of four Ripley’s attractions brought in-house by Eight passengers are accommodated across two gondolas. Ripley’s Entertainment since 2010, in this case following an acquisition from The ride is operated by Old Town Slingshot Inc on an upcharge basis and is long-time franchisee Nole One LLC. The effective date of the acquisition was not included in the price of an Old Town wristband. A second Vomatron was April 20. installed by Funtime recently in Florida, this time at Panama City Beach. Amongst many other weird and wonderful exhibits in Panama City Beach, curious visitors can discover a 23ft long Lincoln Town Car covered with 23,000 gold-plated coins, an 11ft tall Eiffel Tower made of matchsticks and a six- legged calf from Robert Ripley’s personal collection. A new Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attraction, to be operated by Ripley Entertainment, is schedhuled to open in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 1.

ripleys.com

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Show Preview www.parkworld-online.com

HONG KONG CALLING Asian Attractions Expo ... just weeks to go! Around 4,500 industry professionals are expected in Hong Kong next month for Asia’s largest theme park and attractions conference and trade show

Ahead of the main show, a Young Professionals Reception will be held on Tuesday night at Sky 100 observation deck in Kowloon. Don’t worry if you’ve got the odd grey hair, you should still be able to get in so long as you’ve got a ticket! On Wednesday and Thursday night respectively, social events will be held at Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland. If, however you’d like to have a detailed look at either park you might be better visiting independently of AAE, as each event lasts only a few hours, including networking. A highlight of tour programme, just announced, is a “Disney at Dawn” backstage visit on Tuesday Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, morning, June 5. Buses leave the Renaissance host venue for the week’s events Harbor View Hotel at 0430, but those willing to Owned by IAAPA, Asian Attractions Expo (AAE) takes forego a few hours’ sleep should enjoy a unique place in the Chinese Special Administrative Region view of the park including a sneak peek of the for the first time in several years. Grizzly Gulch coaster and a question and answer “IAAPA’s Asian Attractions Expo is the attractions session with Hong Kong Disneyland executives. industry’s one event in Asia that offers participants Straight after the Expo finishes on Friday evening, countless sophisticated learning opportunities there will be a trip and behind-the-scenes access to combined with events designed to connect industry the Ngong Ping 360 cable car, and then on professionals,” highlights IAAPA president and CEO, Saturday there is a three day-tour (June 9 to 11) to Chip Cleary. Chimelong Resort in Guangzhou, for which In addition to more than 275 trade show participants will require a Chinese visa. exhibits from 30 countries, five days of education Since 1997, Asian Attractions Expo has appeared sessions and networking activities are planned in a variety of cities including Singapore, Kuala including tours and behind-the-scenes access to Lumpur, Seoul, Shanghai, Bangkok and Macau. local attractions, Leadership Breakfasts, a day-long However Hong Kong, with its rich mix of attractions, IAAPA Safety Institute and IAAPA Institute shopping, food, drink, and nightlife, plus excellent for Attractions Managers (June 3 to 5). public transport, make it a particularly popular Seminar topics include employee engagement, destination. So don’t miss it! attraction design/concept development, maximising revenue, marketing, industry trends and social media. AAE 2012 takes place from June 5 to 8 (trade show Speakers confirmed for the Leadership Breakfast June 6 onwards at the Hong Kong Convention and sessions, on June 7 and 8 respectively, are Hong Exhibition Centre. More information, registration fees, Kong Disneyland managing director Andrew Kam tour prices, travel advice etc can be found at and Wu Siyuan, chairman of OCT Vision. iaapa.org/AsianAttractionsExpo

Hong Kong Disneyland will host “Disney at Dawn” Ocean Park will host Wednesday night’s social

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Product News www.parkworld-online.com

Do you want a fast, reliable cotton candy machine? The Tornado with Variable Electronic Heat Control (#3005ED) is your answer. It has a built-in voltage booster system and huge auto transformer. It’s fast with a 1/3 HP heavy duty motor with sealed ball bearings and two 7” ribbons, producing about 50% more than a 5” model. Four large brushes and two extra wide slip rings ensure a long, dependable life. A Whirl Grip Stabilizer, aluminum floss bowl, and stainless steel cabinet are included. Stage the Tornado at concession stands or get mobile for more impulse buys. The Stainless Steel Candee Fluff® Lobby Master (#3118SS) is 68” (173 cm), has ample storage room, and includes a Lexan sneeze guard. Cones, containers, and Flossine are also available. Contact Gold Medal today for more information at 513-769-7676/800-543-0862, [email protected], or gmpopcorn.com For 80 years, we’ve helped amusement parks create the destination feel that keeps families coming back for generations. Go Gold Medal All the Way!

Emergency phones – vital for communication in any theme park Storacall TeleAcoustics range of emergency telephones and cabinets are an integral part of any theme parks crisis management plan enabling visitors to contact manage- ment immediately in the event of an incident. Provides extra safety cover if no staff are nearby or the incident takes place in a tunnel or location where radios do not work. The cabinets are rotationally moulded in medium density polyethylene; the RM cabinet is robust and resilient to impact and the special environment phones are also robust and weather resistant. Sales +44 (0)1242 578815 or [email protected] for product dimensions visit www.teleacoustics.co.uk PW_May12_p22_23:PW_May12_p22_23 09/05/2012 13:42 Page 22

Park People www.parkworld-online.com Q Lines Tim Morrow Aquatica San Antonio Why did Parks & Entertainment What were some of the biggest challenges in choose to roll out the Aquatica brand to San making the transformation? Antonio? Some of the big challenges were timeframe. We didn’t Lost Lagoon was an example of a prototypical steel want to go a summer in Texas without a waterpark so and concrete waterpark. We really wanted to bring the we had construction happening around the perimeter Aquatica brand to this part of the country and give our of Lost Lagoon all through the summer of 2011. This guests a waterpark unlike anything else they have allowed us to get started on the project while still experienced – a waterpark only SeaWorld could having the waterpark operational. create. Following the success of Prior to beginning this project we conducted focus What is your favourite part of the park? Aquatica in Orlando, groups across the state of Texas. Our guests, past, If I had to pick one thing that it would be Ke-Re Reef. Sea World Parks & present and future, told us they wanted something There is so much to do at this reef and it is so Entertainment has rolled out the waterpark brand different. They wanted a waterpark where they could beautiful. Guests can touch, feed and wade with rays. to Texas with a relax, feel like they could have their own “home base,” Then there’s Stingray Falls, which runs underwater multimillion dollar be able to interact with animals and experience through a grotto that gives guests a “face-to-fin” transformation of attractions with their entire family. Aquatica provides all experience like nothing else! SeaWorld San Antonio’s of this. former Lost Lagoon. Who were some of the suppliers? Representing the largest What changes have you made to the PGAV was our architect on the project. Theming single investment since waterpark? design was through Suzanne Sessions, with Weber the park’s debut in 1988, signature attractions We saved the best elements of Lost Lagoon that could Group doing all of our rock work and in-park include Stingray Falls and be incorporated into Aquatica, but we have given these theming. The building/installation was completed Ke-Ke Reef, along with legacy attractions new life with Aquatica’s theme. You through Guido Brothers Construction. Tubing was lush tropical theming and won’t be able to recognise them when you see them, provided by Zebec of Canada (Ke-Re Reef), Z-Pro up-close animal but they’ll be just as much fun as they were before. (Wahalla Wave) and Talburt & Associates (Loggerhead encounters. Ahead of the Lane and Kiwi Curl/WooHoo Falls). Chairs are grand opening on May Was there the same level of animal provided by Tropitone, whilst Water Safety Products 19, Aquatica vice- interaction previously? supplied our lifeguard uniforms and water safety president Tim Morrow (pictured) tells Park World There was no animal interaction previously at Lost equipment. why Lost Lagoon is lost Lagoon! One of Aquatica’s biggest points of difference forever is up-close animal experiences. Besides Ke-Re Reef, Are you expecting an increase in multi-day there are bird displays and we will have lots of visits and season pass sales as a result of appearances by other animals for our guests to meet. Aquatica?

Walhalla Wave Stingray Falls

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Park People www.parkworld-online.com

A scuplture from South Seas the waterpark oasis Aquatica San Antonio is designed as a South Seas oasis, with all the luxury and amenities of a beachside resort including terraced pools, expansive sandy beaches and private cabanas – all in a tropical setting. The waterpark’s signature attraction is the one-of-a-kind Stingray Falls, where guests in four-person rafts come face-to-fin with stingrays and tropical fish in an underwater grotto. Walhalla We believe with two parks at our location we are a We do not have any other Aquatica waterparks Wave, meanwhile, is the first true multi-day visit, and have high hopes for the planned at this time, but SeaWorld Parks & clover-tube ride of its kind in North America, featuring a zero- impact Aquatica will have for San Antonio’s thriving Entertainment is always actively seeking ways of gravity wall. tourism industry. SeaWorld San Antonio is huge on its extending our brands. Most recently, for example, our One of the park's most own with lots to do and a challenge to see in one company has branched out into movies, home exhilarating rides is Hooroo day. Now with the addition of Aquatica you can have entertainment, television, digital publishing and Run, where guests choose single or double tubes for their descent two totally separate experiences and easily spend a product licensing. down a 48ft-tall (15m) ride day or more at each park. featuring open and closed slides, What else is new this season at SeaWorld water curtains and lots of twists, How are you marketing the waterpark to San Antonio? turns and drops. Tassie's Twisters are a pair of slides, your guests? Due to a phenomenal 2011, we kicked off the 2012 each culminating in a large bowl We’re putting all of our efforts into promoting the new season on February 4, the earliest SeaWorld has Additional slides include Kiwi park, from an in-park preview centre and signage to a opened in 20 years. Aquatica is our biggest Curl and Woohoo Falls, all fully featured advertising campaign with TV, billboards, attraction this year. For that matter, it’s the largest by ProSlide. Walkabout Waters is the radio, print and tonnes of PR. It’s amazing the amount capital investment in SeaWorld San Antonio’s history. name of Aquatica’s 3-storey, of buzz we’ve been able to create with social media We’re strengthening our consumer events line-up interactive water fun house and public relations. Our social and traditional media this year with a new kids concert series called Just featuring geysers, sprays, giant contacts have shown great interest in the project since For Kids. We’re also investing more in our dumping buckets and spouts. In Loggerhead Lane, guests can we announced it in May 2011. established fall events, Howl-O-Scream and hop in a tube, swim, walk or float Christmas Celebration. as they enjoy a relaxing time Can we expect to see other Aquatica along a winding 1,200ft-long properties emerge in the US? AquaticaSanAntonio.com (365m) water route enhanced by tunnel jets, foam shooters and misters. The avid body surfer can A general view of the waterpark kick it up at Big Surf Shore, a huge wave pool with over 400,000 gallons (1.8 million litres) of water with swells of up to 5 feet (1.5m). Numerous other pools and kids’ activity areas can be found throughout the almost 20-acre (8-hectare) waterpark. Amongst Aquatica’s multiple animal habitats, Ke-Re Reef will offer guests a chance to see and feed several species of stingrays in a unique tropical reef. Macaws, roseate spoonbills and a multitude of colourful fish will also enhance the park’s atmosphere. In order to enter Aquatica, visitors must have a SeaWorld San Antonio ticket or pass. A two- park, two-day adult ticket will be available for $79.99 plus tax, or $69.99 plus tax for children aged 3 to 9. A SeaWorld/Aquatica annual pass is available at $129.99 plus tax.

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Attraction Profile Polar X-plorer

Legoland Billund has just pened on April 29 by explorer and TV brought out most screams,” adds the park’s CEO. “It’s launched a new Arctic- presenter Philippe Cousteau Jnr, Polar Land is a very nice coaster actually.” themed environment for the Othe biggest addition to the Danish theme Set around a giant mountain, the 111-second enjoyment of its young park since it opened in 1968, representing a DKK75 journey begins as riders board one of two 16-seater “explorers” – the first of its million ($13m/€10m) investment by operator Merlin trains themed as a snow mobile, before setting off on kind at any Legoland park Entertainments. a half-a-kilometre-long expedition (498m). On leaving worldwide. The highlight is At the heart of the new land, which can be found in the 20-metre lift hill, explorers dive beneath a frozen a unique Zierer rollercoaster the far right hand corner of the park, is Polar X-plorer. waterfall into a helix and through a series of twists and promising a penguin This one-of-kind Zierer rollercoaster features a vertical turns, reaching a maximum speed of 65kmh. Forces of encounter. Owen Ralph drop and a section that passes by the park’s up to 4.2G are experienced during the ride, countered reports newest arrivals: 17 live Gentoo penguins. by a surprising amount of airtime for a family-friendly “It was important for us to offer something unique,” offering such as this. explains Legoland Billund CEO Henrik Höhrmann. “As we are the original Legoland park, we already have all Polar Plunge the classic Lego themes such as Pirate, Kingdoms Yet – unlike most coasters – the attraction’s highlight (castle) and Adventure. Our research showed that the comes towards the end of the ride as the train re- polar theme was well accepted among our guests, plus enters the mountain and comes to a halt. A short it gave us the opportunity to include a new type of animated film accompanies this sequence as two Lego coaster. The majority of our guests will never have tried men are seen working on a frozen lake. Suddenly one anything like this before, and I think they will be quite of the men drops his pick, breaking the ice and the surprised to see the penguins too!” track, together with the train, plunges 5-metres. Unlike several Legoland attractions, Polar Land is not Passengers then proceed into a slower, dark ride based around a particular Lego toy range, but brick- section and see the penguins on the left hand side, built models of various Arctic animals reinforce the before returning to the station area. theme. As well as Polar X-plorer, the new land also Polar X-plorer’s storyline provides a particularly includes a brand new restaurant and Ice Pilots School, effective way of integrating a vertical drop, but the park’s former Power Builder (Robocoaster) Legoland Billund is not the first Merlin park to attraction. introduce this feature on one of its rollercoasters. Alton “We are very proud of our achievement,” says Towers (UK) did it in 2010 on Th13teen, its Intamin Höhrmann, “but at the end of the day the only thing Family Freefall Coaster. that matters is our visitors’ verdict. All of us were However it was actually an attraction at Busch therefore eavesdropping on opening day, and it seems Gardens Williamsburg in the USA that brought this Legoland Billund CEO Henrik that we have hit the spot with Polar Land.” particular ride system to Legoland’s attention. By the Hohrmann (left) with explorer And what about Polar X-plorer? “Most visitors found time you read this, the Virginia-based theme park will Philippe Costeau Jnr the ride fun and wild, but it was the freefall which have opened Verbolten, its new multiple launch

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Attraction Profile www.parkworld-online.com

Most visitors found POLAR LAND “Polar X-plorer Vertical drop coaster anchors Legoland’s latest land fun and wild, but it was the coaster by Zierer. It too features a vertical drop section. for Scandinavia, the Benelux, UK and Ireland. “This News of the ride’s development reached Billund due to type of coaster can be enjoyed by relatively small kids freefall which the good relations Busch Gardens owner Sea World – 1.2 metres and taller – because there are no brought out Parks & Entertainment enjoys with Merlin (both inversions, however there are still some nice speedy companies recieve financial backing from Blackstone elements and older kids will definitely not be most private equity). disappointed either.” screams. It’s a “At they have a hydraulic system for the “Our core age group is two to 12,” states drop, whereas the Zierer solution uses magnetic Höhrmann, “but we do have quite a number of kids very nice brakes,” notes Höhrmann. “Operationally we think this coming that are between 12 and 14 years. Power coaster is going to be more stable, with much lower Builder and X-treme Racers [a Mack Wild Mouse] maintenance costs. So far it’s been working really well were traditionally the major attractions for them, but actually and we feel quite comfortable about it.” we came to the point where we needed another The team from Legoland was invited to Zierer’s coaster at the top end of the age range.” Henrik Höhrmann, premises last July to sample a test vertical drop that Asked if Polar X-plorer could be rolled out to other Legoland Billund had been set up during construction of Busch Legoland parks, he replies: “That’s usually how we do CEO Gardens’ ride. things; we do all the development work on the first “It was a very special experience to try the one, but the coaster can be used with other themes rollercoaster in a factory building,” remembers depending on what kind of areas they have already in ” Höhrmann. “The drop took us completely by surprise the other parks.” the first time we tried it. It’s a great feeling and just right Revamped as the Ice Pilots School, Billund’s Power for our target audience, which was confirmed on April Builder/Robocoaster attraction had been integrated 29 when we had the first families riding Polar X-plorer.” into Polar Land and will also please the pre-teens. Its Zierer’s project manager on the ride, Martin new theme has been realised in co-operation with the Weichselgartner, explains how the vertical drop works: TV documentary series Ice Pilots, together with support “The train enters a piece of track on a platform held in from Arctic travel experts Buffalo Airways. place by an electro magnet, with some additional The penguins, of course, appeal to the whole family mechanical locks for safety purposes. When fully and are the first animal inhabitants of the park, save for loaded with the weight of the train, we have a load of a selection of marine life inside the Atlantis by Sea Life around 20 to 22 tonnes. The platform is then released aquarium. Sourced from Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland, and falls 5-metres, guided by polyurethane wheels. home to one of the world’s largest Gentoo colonies Magnetic brakes in the lower part of the drop bring the and breeding programmes, the birds take up residence platform to a complete stop. Once the train is sent on at Legoland in a 7-8ºC climate-controlled enclosure its way, the platform is winched back to the top ready with large panoramic windows on three sides. for the next ride.” Fabrication on Polar X-plorer stared in April of last Polar X-plorer year, with work on site beginning in September. The first pieces of steel were shipped this January, and Zierer completed commissioning (ahead of schedule) in late March, giving Legoland and its contractors enough time to finish the rest of Polar Land. “It was a very efficient co-operation with Zierer and everything worked out as it should,” notes Höhrmann. “We were very lucky this winter with just three weeks of frost, whereas the last two years were very cold with a lot of snow” – somewhat ironic given Polar Land’s theme.

Family-Friendly Whilst Polar X-plorer uses the same track and chain lift system as Zierer’s Elevated Seating Coaster, the vertical drop is an element that can be incorporated into the manufacturer’s full range of rollercoasters. At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, for example, it features as part of a much larger and longer launch coaster. “It used to be that you had kiddie rides and then you had teenager rides; there wasn’t really much in between,” notes Jeroen Nijpels, Zierer’s representative

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Attraction Profile www.parkworld-online.com

Polar X-plorer

One of those windows faces towards Polar X-plorer, Merlin now works together with Lalandia and Givskud Zierer at where separate foundations shield the penguins from Zoo to market the facilities together under the banner Legoland any vibration as the coaster’s train moves through of Legoland Billund Resort. one of slowest and smoothest sections of the ride. “Over the last few years this has allowed us to Polar X-plorer is These windows also feature dark one-way glass, so increase our share of foreign visitors from 35% to Legoland Billund’s fourth Zierer riders can see the penguins but they cannot see you. over 40% and we now include Norway, Sweden, attraction, in The other windows look out onto an Germany and Holland within our catchment area,” addition to the amphitheatre, in which the park will present talks on details Höhrmann. Timber Ride how the penguins live, and a new Pizza and Pasta There’s also 199 rooms available at Hotel ( Coaster), Restaurant. An audio system within the penguin Legoland, a former Esso motel that has been Jungle Racers habitat allows Legoland guests to hear the hungry transformed over the years into family-friendly (Jet Ski) and birds braying to be fed by their keeper, while accommodation offering direct access to the park. Duplo Airplanes. families can discover even more about the Fifty of those rooms are now themed following a In fact, the German penguins, Polar Regions and conservation in a quiz refurbishment of the property that was used to manufacturer has supplied rides trail throughout Polar Land. prototype several features of the new Legoland Hotel to all of the Legoland parks worldwide, including a double The design of the new era was overseen by Justin at Windsor near London. Jet Ski (as pictured) at each East at Merlin Magic Making (formerly Merlin Whilst Lalandia’s undercover facilities are open outlet in Denmark, Germany, the Studios) and Legoland Billund’s own Tom year round, Legoland Billund’s CEO says that the UK and USA. Christiansen, with theming and rockwork completed weather in Denmark does not permit a 12-month Four of the company’s rides by Theming and Animatronics Industries (TAA). operation at his park, and so the focus remains on will feature at the new Legoland optimising capacity during the key July and August Malaysia, opening on September Love Thy Neighbour holiday period. Since 2005, space has been made 15 near the border with Whilst Legoland enjoys legendary attraction status in for an extra 5,000 hourly guests. Singapore. These will include The Scandinavia and beyond (one particular Park World Good things are predicted this season for the Dragon and Dragon’s Apprentice reporter was always keen to holiday in Denmark as a grandfather of all Legoland parks and, as optimism coasters, Aquazone Wave Racers (Jet Ski) and Lego City Airport child), Billund and the surrounding area still has a slowly returns to the Danish market and Polar Land (plane ride). very low population. makes its mark, attendance should exceed last year’s This is why the construction of 829 holiday chalets record 1.7 million guests. Plus 17 penguins. zierer.de at the neighbouring Lalandia FEC/waterpark was welcomed when the development opened in 2009. legoland.dk

The new Pizza & Pasta Restaurant Children chill out with the penguins! Zierer’s test vertical drop in the factory

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Pharaonique Magnifique! Egypt arrives at Parc Astérix A B&M inverted coaster is the oining a line-up that already includes Roman, spectacular new attraction Gallic, Greek and Norse themed areas, anchoring the latest themed JPharaonique immerses guests in the spirit of land at Parc Astérix ancient Egypt. Its arrival at the park is perhaps outside Paris inevitable given that the territory already features in various Astérix comic books and films. “This new extension of our park is targeted at families and young adults,” reveals Parc Astérix manager Pascal Fiche. “Oz Iris is the highlight of this new land and already thousands of people have taken to this attraction and enjoyed the feeling of flight.” As visitors on the ground discover the land of the Pharaohs, Queen Cleopatra and Tutankhamen, thrill seekers fly overhead on Oz Iris. The new coaster is Astérix character Obelix stars in an Egyptian ‘tomb painting’ dedicated to an Egyptian magician and is featured as part of the Pharaonique environment surrounded by rich theming, taking riders on a journey through the bowels of the Temple of Iris. point is 40-metres, but to ride it guests need to be A haunting soundtrack, striking statues, ancient just 1.3-metres tall. antiques and murals set the tone as potential riders Covering a area of around three hectares, make their way through the queue line, coming face Pharaonique adds around 10% more surface area to to face with Iris and his hypnotic gaze. On the Parc Astérix and represents an investment for the second floor, the lights dim, the music becomes park’s owner Compagnie des Alpes of €20 million more intense and passengers prepare themselves for ($26m). The new land was two years in the making what is now one of the park’s most extreme for a passionate team of more than 300 park attractions. employees and contractors. Oz Iris was installed on The 1,030-metre-long layout was specially B&M’s behalf by the German company Rollercoaster designed for Parc Astérix by Bolliger & Mabillard Construction Services (RCS). (B&M). During the two-and-a-half minute Now in its 23rd year, Parc Astérix is located 30km experience, intrepid riders reach speeds of up to north of the French capital. The 2012 season 90kmh as they speed through an exciting series of continues until November 7. twists, turns and subterranean – and sub-aqua – dives, including five inversions. The coaster’s tallest parcasterix.com

Caption here? Caption here?

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Attraction Profile www.parkworld-online.com

‘B&M’s best for years’ In the one month it has already been open, Oz Iris has won many fans, not least Park World’s man on the ground Thomas Clarke: “The combination of an entirely unique layout with unusual elements and wonderful theming, typical of Parc Astérix, has lead to arguably the best B&M coaster for many years,” enthuses the photographer. “The ride’s well-paced layout gives just enough breathing space between elements and is packed full of intensity and surprises.” And he goes on: “While it's possible to see most of the track while queuing, an inline twist has been hidden behind the station building and comes out of the blue when riding. Incredibly this inverted coaster even offers two significant moments of airtime normally reserved for hyper coasters. The only negative aspect of Oz Iris is that is has been given exactly the same colour scheme as Montu at Busch Gardens Tampa.”

Egyptian theming as featured in the queue line area

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With adrenaline and antasilandia, Chile’s biggest amusement park, European theme park are limited. While the rides are people-watching is nestled within Santiago’s central Parque certainly as technologically advanced, the opportunities galore, FO'Higgins, a public park that takes its name atmosphere is distinctly Chilean. Instead of corn dogs Fantasilandia amusement from one of Chile’s independence leaders. The or cotton candy, vendors sell completos (a variation park in Chile’s capital city amusement park sits in the northwestern corner of on a hot dog) or mote con huesilllo (the national of Santiago packs a this 77-hectare recreation spot and covers 6.5 drink), alongside rides blaring out reggaeton and powerful punch. Linda Hill hectares, surrounded by lots of shady trees and cumbia rhythms. It’s a Luna Park with a Latin reports beautiful flowers, with landscaping set all throughout American twist. the park. For a tourist, it is a great way to kill an “We have a very democratic audience,” observes afternoon while seeing an entirely different side of Gerardo Arteaga, the park’s general manager and Chile’s cosmopolitan capital city. IAAPA’s current third vice-chairman, “almost the From the outset it’s obvious that similarities same as the socioeconomic distribution of the between Fantasilandia and your average American or country.”

Kids’ Zone – keeping the young ones happy! The is one of several Fabbri rides at the park

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Vendors Fantasilandia sell completos “(a variation Chile’s number one! on a hot dog) But most entertaining are the hundreds of Italian rides feature heavily throughout the park. rambunctious, good-humoured kids who flock to the Other highlights include Xtreme Fall, a Fabbri drop or mote con park on days off from school, taking their pololas tower; a Zamperla Disk ‘O’; Piratas del Caribe, a huesilllo (the (girlfriends) for a day out, or hanging out with their themed dark ride, and a walk-through Haunted House friends, playing music as loud as they can from walk-through. There’s a Huss Top Spin; Zierer Wave national mobile phones that double as boom boxes. Swinger; Fabbri Evolution, Kami Kaze and Crazy drink), Fantasilandia opened in 1978 with just eight rides. Dance; an SDC and Barco Pirata (), Today, the park boasts 41. According to Arteaga, the alongside most popular attractions are the suspended rides blaring rollercoaster Raptor and all the water rides. “People love coasters and like water rides so much,” he says. out reggaeton The Raptor was built by Vekoma in 2008. Water and cumbia rides include Tsunami, a 2007 Intamin Shoot-the- Chutes, a Rapid River ride built by a local company in rhythms. It’s a 2003 and equipped with rafts by Zebec, and Black Luna Park Hole, another locally-built ride. In addition to The Raptor, there are four other rollercoasters in the park. with a Latin These include a 1996 Vekoma Boomerang, a 1978 American Galaxy by SDC, a powered Zamperla Dragon coaster and a Zamperla Wild Mouse, which was the first to be twist! installed in South America when it opened in 2006. The park’s Vekoma Boomerang ”

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Rapid River, with rafts by Zebec

Xtreme Fall, by Fabbri

Meet Gerardo Arteaga IAAPA chairman 2015 Fantasilandia’s Gerardo Arteaga grew up in the Photogenic riders enjoy the Tsunami, by Intamin Huss Top Spin amusement industry. His Barbieri bumper cars, Zamperla Rockin’ Tug and a standards, and also look at the size of the ride since family built the Bongo-Train from Chance. The first of Zamperla’s new this is our main restriction.” Santiago-based amusement eight-arm Air Race rides is planned later this season. Boasting a permanent staff of 300 plus 200 park in 1978. Children’s rides include Mini Splash built in-house, seasonal employees, Fantasilandia receives an Twenty years Barbieri Mini Skooters (bumper cars), a , average of about 1.1 million visitors a year across no later, Gerardo Zamperla Super Trucks, Fire Chief and Toing & Boing more than 200 operating days. Arteaga reports that was named operations (Jumping Star); plus several other attractions. about 15% of the attendance is from group sales and manager for Happyland, a chain The latest attraction to be added was a Huss the park’s main competition is anything that can be of family entertainment centres called Ikarus. “We add something new each done on a holy day or on a weekend during the across Chile, moving back to the year,” explains Arteaga. “It’s important to ‘change the summer. In the winter, it’s football. But that’s a family park in 2000 to manage movie,’ and vital to keep the product fresh. When different ball game altogether. customer services. Two years adding a new attraction, we look at the experience later, he became general manager. the ride will give to the passengers, check the safety fantasilandia.cl President of the Latin American Association of Attractions and Amusement Parks (ALAP). From 2006 to 2008, Gerardo has served on various IAAPA committees, including the advisory committee for Latin America. Elected the international association’s third vice-chairman in November of last year, he will assume the role of chairman in late 2015. Gerardo is also an active member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Chile and part of the national council for the Hogar de Cristo, the country’s largest Catholic organisation. As part of the Navidad con Sentido programme, he hosts 5,000 underprivileged individuals at Fantasilandia each year.

Young Fantasilandia guests shake it up on the Tagada!

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In 1879, on the shores of Lake Ontario, a small lakeside trolley park opened offering picnic groves, band concerts and a hotel. Today Seabreeze is North America’s fourth oldest amusement park. Why did it survive? How did it survive? Gary Kyriazi goes to find out

Jack Rabbit

Seabreeze A shining example of survival

ocated in a district known as Sea Breeze, just Hard Work The Seabreeze north of the city of Rochester, New York, Seabreeze's evolution from picnic grounds to family LSeabreeze is the world’s twelfth oldest amusement park mirrors that of America’s other trolley amusement park, still entertaining guests after well parks: a steam-driven carousel in 1883, a switchback Seabreeze remains a family business, with the fifth and sixth over 100 years. coaster in 1887, a Figure Eight coaster in 1903, the generation now at the helm. Here “Reinvention is the only way to go,” declares Rob Long brothers’ carousel in 1904. Along came a Giant are the key family members Norris, park president and fifth generation of the family Circle Swing in 1908, the Laughing Mirror Gallery in keeping the fun alive: Rob which became involved with Seabreeze in 1904. 1914 and a succession of “modern” rollercoasters with Norris – president and general And reinvent itself it has. Like many of today's parks, the Dips (later renamed the Greyhound) from 1916 to manager. Focus on vision for the Seabreeze is two operations in one. Guests can enjoy 1933 and in 1920, Seabreeze’s surviving coaster, the future, government relations, association work, operations, both the rides of Seabreeze and the waterslides of superb Jack Rabbit, featuring John Miller’s signature design and engineering, Raging Rivers waterpark for a single price. Visitors to gullies and ravines. maintenance and leading the the ride park will find it has a turn-of-the-century feel, By the time the Jack Rabbit debuted, George W Long team. Anne Wells – Rob’s sister, with Victorian buildings, soft colours and floral Jnr, the amusement industry running through his veins, vice-president and treasurer. landscaping. The waterpark has a contrasting modern was aggressively managing the park. In 1921 he Focus on finance, office look with white structural steel, seashore landscaping replaced the old Figure Eight with the Virginia Reel, and operations, personnel, food and contemporary graphics. a dance hall was erected in 1924, followed a year later service, retail stores and insurance. George Norris – The family’s genesis in the amusement industry by the Natatorium, a large outdoor saltwater swimming Rob’s brother, vice-president. were brothers Edward F Long and Fielding Long, who pool. In 1926 Philidelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) Focus on operations, technology, began building carousels in England back in 1876, built what, in its time, was the park's tallest rollercoaster, research & development and and later operating them. Seeking new opportunities the 93ft-tall Wildcat, dismantled in 1935. In 1937, entertainment. John Norris – throughout the northeast United States, the Longs Long began renting Seabreeze from the trolley Rob’s brother, vice-president and began assembling and building carousels in company, until he finally purchased the entire park in secretary. Focus on marketing, promotions, public relations and Philadelphia in the late 1890s. One of the places they 1946 for $85,000, renaming it Dreamland Park. games. Suzy Hofsass – Rob’s settled was in Rochester, where Arthur Long operated “My grandfather was in love with the park,” George cousin, assistant treasurer. Focus a carousel on Ontario Beach from 1892 to 1907. W Long’s grandson and former IAAPA chairman Rob on accounting, payroll and taxes. George Long Snr, Arthur's brother, worked there Norris recalls today. “He was hard-working and driven. Deb Norris – Rob’s wife. In before operating his own carousel at Cape May, New It was his passion and scrutiny that drove Seabreeze’s charge of landscaping and assists Jersey, in 1899 and 1900. In 1901 he moved the growth after he bought it.” in retail merchandise buying. Genevieve Norris – Rob’s ride to Burlington Island near Philadelphia, where it So driven, and aided by his daughters Lois and Betty, daughter, attractions manager operated for two years. and their husbands Merrick Price and Bob Norris, and director of personnel. Focus In 1903, George relocated to Norfolk, Virginia, but George Long proceeded through the 1950s with a on operations, personnel and his ride wasn't doing very well there when Arthur wrote wooden Junior Coaster, a Fun House, a dark ride, train buyer for retail stores. Alex and to him about opportunities at Seabreeze. In 1904 they ride and the Over The Falls water chutes in 1958. Jack Norris – John’s children, brought one of their carousels to Seabreeze to currently in school. Work at the operate as a concession. Only the Trimper family of Hooked park during the summer. Aaron and Kyle Hofsass – Suzy’s Ocean City, Maryland, has been associated longer In George Long's drive and dedication to detail, one children, currently in school. with a park. But Edward's 12-year-old grandson, recalls a Walt Disney type of passion, and in fact, Work at the park during the George W Long Jnr, fell in love with Seabreeze, and Disney did have an unknowing influence in the creation summer. with Rochester, and dedicated his life to both. of Seabreeze's most unique ride. George Long visited

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Disneyland many times, and he loved its 1959 instituted, and we just couldn't operate profitably with Bobsleds. In 1961, he met changing public an open gate. Yes, there was some minor backlash, but Continual tastes when he converted the wooden tracks of his we've been fortunate to have a loyal following.” Junior Coaster to tubular steel tracks and added Continual free parking, letting people bring in their free parking, bobsled-styled cars. To this day, it's one of Seabreeze's own food and offering a cheaper spectator pass for “letting people most popular rides. non-riders have helped maintain and build Seabreeze's In 1973, at the age of 81, George Long was ready attendance, and the park has flourished. bring in their to retire and considered selling his beloved park for a The waterpark, opened in 1990, has been wildly own food and condominium development; Seabreeze could have popular, while new attractions such as the Whirlwind a cheaper become yet another statistic in the history of America's spinning coaster from Maurer Söhne, Revolution 360º great traditional trolley/amusement parks. But his (Disk ‘O’) from Zamperla, Moser Spring Ride, spectator pass grandchildren, Anne, John, George and Rob Norris, Bertazzon Musik Express and last season’s Twirling Tea for non-riders who later were joined by their cousin Suzy (Price) Cups brings guests back year after year. Today's Hofsass, decided to devote themselves to the industry Seabreeze is a clean, modern, beautiful park, with a have helped that they had grown to love. strong following within a 120-mile radius. It's a shining maintain and “My grandfather would take my brother George and example of survival in a very challenging industry. build me around the country to visit the other parks,” Rob “We usually add something every other year.” Norris recalls. “It enabled us to see the amusement industry in allows. “We are careful, and if we hit a soft time, we Seabreeze's its entirety, and we became hooked.” just tighten up and keep moving. We’re caretakers of attendance One of the first changes that the new regime made this institution that is Seabreeze, and we have to do it was to officially change the park's name from right. We keep it valid, and we keep it fresh.” Dreamland Park back to Seabreeze. After all, that was how the locals referred to it anyway. But the more Gary Kyriazi is the author of The Great American MAIN PIC, LEFT TO RIGHT: worrisome change they instituted was to put up a gate Amusement Parks and the writer/producer of America John Norris, Jack Norris, Alex” and charge admission. “We were concerned about that Screams, the first pictorial history and television Norris, Genevieve Norris, Rob one,” Rob Norris concedes, “but it needed to be done. documentary about American amusement parks. He has Norris, Anne Norris, George Norris and Suzy Hofsass The industry had evolved from ‘amusement’ parks into been a researcher and historian on amusement parks the 'theme' parks, pay-one-price policies had been for 40 years. seabreeze.com

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Happy Birthday King Island in 1972 Kings Island! 40 years of making Cincinnati smile

Dennis Speigel, who was es, 40 years ago this month, we welcomed the parks had ever “cracked” the two million attendance there at the very beginning, first guests to Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio. mark, particularly a regional park. At the time that asks “Can it really be 40 years YWhat a remarkable time it was for the theme included Six Flags over Texas, opened in 1961, Six since we opened the doors to park industry in the United States. We had just closed Flags over Georgia, opened in 1967, and Six Flags one of the greatest amusement Cincinnati’s Coney Island on Labor Day of 1971. We Mid America in St Louis, which opened in 1971. parks in North America?” had to literally move the entire park in about 45 We held our grand opening celebrations at Kings days. I am talking from knives and forks to flume Island on Saturday, May 27, 1972. Charles Mechem, rides, sky rides, and everything in between. chairman of the board; Dudley Taft, company Ed McHale and I, as assistant general manager, president, Bill Hanna and Joe Barbera (Hannah & were responsible for the move. We almost Barbera) and Earl Wilson, the New York Times completed the entire moving process in 30 days! An columnist, were all there on the day. amazing feat as I look back. We had to transport We released 2,000 balloons. We had a group of everything 26 miles up Interstate 71, using a local fighter jets flying overhead, almost breaking the glass company to handle the move. They came through of the International Restaurant when they hit their for us. after-burners. Thanks to Hannah & Barbera, we had I remember a conversation with Errol McCoy and a parade with the Flintstones, Yogi Bear and Scooby- Larry Cochran – both young general managers in the Doo. The Kings Mill High School band marched and Six Flags system at the time. We had them on played. We welcomed Miss America, Miss Ohio and speaker phone discussing our anticipated first year Junior Miss America. We also featured clown bands, attendance. Charles Thompson, a former Six Flags hot air balloon ascensions and sky divers. All in all, it employee, performed the feasibility study for Gary was a great and festive day enjoyed by about 5,000 Wachs, senior vice-president of Taft Broadcasting. attendees. Charles projected two million in attendance in our Then the season began and I’ll have to admit it first year. When we told Errol and Larry our projected started out very slowly. After that initial opening, we attendance, they laughed for what seemed liked welcomed about 5,000 visitors per day. It remained about two minutes. in that range until the first day of July. We were actually worried that this new and beautiful park The ribbon cutting ceremony in 1972 Cause For Concern was not going to attract any more guests than with project manager Charles Flatt, Kings Island president Ralph Wachs, Back in the office, Gary, Ed and I just looked at one Coney Island had. However, on July 4, the group vice-president Gary Wachs, other. Quite honestly we were a little concerned over floodgates opened and we attracted approximately Kings Island general manager Ed the response we received from that phone call. At 40,000 guests! It was unbelievable! And it never McHale and Fred Flintstone that point in time, no other park outside of the Disney stopped!

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Euphoric Feeling The crowds continued to come in enormous numbers. Having 25,000 up to 40,000 visitors every day the rest of our first season was not unusual. It was a euphoric feeling to say the least. Every day was spectacular. People were amazed at the park. In our region, they had never seen anything like Kings Island. It was huge, entertaining, exciting and fun. We offered new attractions such as the Racer (the first wooden coaster to be built since 1947). The Racer launched the renaissance of the wooden rollercoaster. Since 1972, over 1,000 coasters have been built, and I believe this resurgence was due to the enormous success of the Racer. Not only was it a new , it was a double racing coaster! The weight of the passengers in each train determined the winner of the race. There really were so many “firsts” associated with Kings Island’s opening year. It is difficult to list them all. Oh and, yes, on the final day of the season when we closed, our attendance count was 2,012,000! We were the first regional theme park to break the two million attendance barrier in an opening year. So, you can probably guess what we did. We had another speaker phone conversation with the Six Flags team. They asked what our final attendance was …2,012,000 we told them. You could hear the proverbial pin drop. It was fantastic! Those times were memories I will always cherish.

Dennis Speigel is president of International Theme Park Services, a full-service management/consulting firm. As well as Kings Island, he has served in senior positions at Cincinnati’s original Coney Island, (Richmond, Valencia) and the leisure division of Taft Broadcasting. A past president of IAAPA, last winter he was presented with an IAAPA Service Award in recognition of his dedication to the association and the industry. Reach him via interthemepark.com

Still going strong King Island as During its existence, Kings Island has had five it is today owners, Taft Broadcasting, Kings Entertainment, American Financial, Paramount Parks and Cedar , which has been at the helm since 2006. As the park celebrates its 40th anniversary season in 2012, attractions like the Racer rollercoaster and Grand Carousel are still going strong. Yet when Kings Island opened there were just over 60 attractions for the public’s entertainment. Now, after four decades of capital investment representing in excess of $250 million, there are more than 100 for guests to enjoy, including a waterpark. In 1972, five themed areas were highlighted. Today there are seven. The employment opportunities have changed dramatically as well. Where it once took 1,300 employees to operate the park on any given day during the inaugural season, approximately 4,000 are needed to keep the 364-acre facility in operation today. The changes have not been limited to the park itself. The surrounding area, once farmland, now thrives with commercial and retail businesses, as well as increasing population of homes. During the past 40 years, a day out to Kings Island has become an annual tradition for many families across the Midwest United States, with 120 million visits recorded since 1972. To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Cedar Fair is expanding and rebranding King Island’s waterpark as Soak City, as well as adding three new live shows. Remember When: The 70's! is a song and dance revue featuring songs from the decade Kings Island was born, British Invasion features the music of The Beatles, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Queen and many other, while for kids and families there's is Charlie Brown's All-Stars. visitkingsisland.com

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Park Products

Products and services for parks and attractions

amusement ride with a rechargeable power system. XLR8 BY KMG During deceleration, the returned energy is stored in LESOURDSVILLE LAKE by Scott Fowler Prolific European ride manufacturer KMG launched “Super Cap” capacitors ready for the next its latest compact thrill ride recently in the acceleration. This means the prototype attraction, Another book in the Netherlands. which uses just 80 amps (including LED lighting) can Images of America series, XLR8 (Accelerate) made its public debut at the connect to a 63 amp power supply, Lesourdsville Lake Easter fair in Drachten, Friesland, under the ownership KMG reports that Mr Otten was satisfied with the Amusement Park was of loyal KMG customer Jarno Otten. Arriving on site ride’s performance over Easter. Although the fair in written by the co-founder the previous evening, the trailer mounted construction Drachten suffered from bad weather and a low of the Southwest Ohio was assembled in just a few hours. turnout, XLR8 attracted several repeat riders. A Amusement Park Historical The eight-car attraction features a simple ride number of potential buyers were expected to view Society, and a former park employee. pattern with each swinging, twin seat suspended on the ride in Rotterdam, where it was appearing as Located in Monroe, Ohio, LeSourdsville Lake the end of an arm connected to the machine’s part of the Queen’s birthday celebrations from April opened in 1922 and from 1977 onwards was centre. During the ride, extreme acceleration and 21 to May 6. known as Americana Amusement Park. The park deceleration is experienced, giving a launch coaster •See a video of the ride in action at bit.ly/InSS97 or closed down after the 1999 season and sold in style thrust to the ride vehicles. The minimum by reading the digital version of this magazine. 2000. It opened briefly in 2002 but shut passenger height requirement is 1.2 metres. unexpectedly before the end of the season and XLR8 is believed to be the first transportable .nl has remained closed since. Despite being 15 miles from Kings Island near Cincinnati, Lesourdsville was for many years a popular recreational park in its own right. Emphasis on providing quality food and personalised catering enabled the park to host hundreds of annual company picnics, high school proms and family reunions. Classic rides included the Electric , Whip, and Screechin’ Eagle and Serpent rollercoasters, while the families visited “the Lake” as religiously as they drove the same route to work every day. arcadiapublishing.com

CRYSTAL BEACH PARK: A CENTURY OF SCREAMS by William E Kae This new publication from Cyclone Books is a must-read for anyone who has ever visited this now defunct Ontario institution. The book recreates the sounds, scents (really? – Ed) and screams that emanated from the midway over many generations. Wisdom Starting life as a picnic grove in 1890, Crystal JUNGLE TWIST Rides has Beach developed into a major amusement park introduced BY WISDOM serving the Buffalo metropolitan area through Jungle Twist, until its 1989 demise. All of the rides that a new populated the park through the century are spinning presented among more than 300 photographs. rollercoaster Original blueprints are shown of , intended for Magic Carpet, Laff in the Dark, and families. the dance hall, plus many site plans. Each of the Printed on high quality paper stock, the book five cars in includes a comprehensive index and bibliography, the train with images arranged meticulously in carry three adults or four children and travel over a chronological order. Author William E. Kae has 140-foot-long oval track with an eight-foot drop – just created a very user-friendly book. enough to give a little kick. buffalobooks.com wisdomrides.com

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Calendar

ShowGuide Exhibitions and networking for amusement professionals

• May 14 to 16 AALARA Conference Crowne Plaza, Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland, NEW SENSATIONAL Australia +61 7 3807 3508 PARK RIDE [email protected] aalara.com.au • June 6 to 8 “XLR8” Asian Attractions Expo Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, China SAR +852 3796 2568 [email protected] iaapa.org/expos • June 28 Vision XS Leisure Operators’ Conference Latimer House, Buckinghamshire, UK +44 1235 420327 [email protected] visionxs.co.uk • September 18 to 20 Leisure Industry Week 16 passengers • High speed (65 km/h) NEC, Birmingham, UK +44 207 955 3979 G-force (4G) • Extremely fast acceleration [email protected] liw.co.uk The “XLR8” gives riders the • September 19 to 21 experience as if they are SATE 2012 being launched (like in a Newport Bay Club Hotel, Disneyland Paris, France Launch Coaster). +1 818 843 8497 The Super Caps power [email protected] teaconnect.org system and LED lighting • October 9 to 11 package make it possible Euro Attractions Show that the ’XLR8’ will run on Messe Berlin, Germany just 80 Amps! +32 4927 20268 [email protected] Diameter: 53ft • Power: 80A, 400V euroattractionsshow.com Number of Gondolas: 8 • Capacity persons: 16 • October 1 to 5 Persons per hour: 960 WWA Symposium & Trade Show Paris Hotel & Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA +1 913 599 0300 Also available [email protected] waterparks.org as transportable • November 12 to 16 ride IAAPA Attractions Expo Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida +1 703 836 4800 [email protected] iaapa.com/expos

More events at www.parkworld-online.com ParkWorld_MAY12_p42.qxd:PW WEBGUIDE 10/05/2012 10:51 Page 42 WebWeb GuideGuide Online resources for the amusement industry

B UMPER C ARS M AZES R IDES S PECIALIST T ELECOM P RODUCTS

MAZES www.wiegandslide.com www.candsrides.biz www.amazenmazes.com www.teleacoustics.co.uk C ASHLESS S YSTEMS T HEMING AND D ESIGN PARENT & CHILD B ATTERY R IDES www.pax.ru

www.embedcard.com www.worldofrides.com www.jaravision.com C OIN H ANDLING www.ridesandfun.com P EOPLE M OVERS E QUIPMENT T HEMING AND D ESIGN

www.sbfrides.com www.cumminsallison.co.uk www.dottotrains.com www.sarner.com T RADE A SSOCIATIONS D ARK R IDES

www.technicalpark.com www.alesuk.org www.sallycorp.com www.severn-lamb.com T ICKETING E XHIBITIONS P LANNING & DESIGN www.mack-rides.com

www.hauntcom.com www.accesso.com www.forrec.com FAMILY/CHILDRENS www.intaminworldwide.com ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES www.gatewayticketing.com www.kcc.be

www.whitehutchinson.com P LAY S TRUCTURES www.nationalticket.com www.vekoma.com H IGHWAY 66 COIN O PERATED S CALED D OWN S HOWS www.omniticket.com B OWLING S OLUTIONS www.iplayco.com V ISITOR V IDEO S YSTEM R EVIEWS AND I NFORMATION

www.amusement.qubicaamf.com www.falconshow.com www.tapemyday.com

I NTERACTIVE P ROJECT R IDES 4 D ATTRACTIONS & W ATER R IDES D ISPLAY S IMULATORS

www.Interlink-lg.com www.eyeclick.com www.gerstlauer-rides.com www.simworx.co.uk W ATER R IDES & PARKS S NOW & ICE I NTERACTIVE R IDES

www.mondialrides.com www.proslide.com

www.trio-tech.com www.snow.biz www.vanegdom.nl www.tschu-tschu.de L EISURE E NGINEERING S PECIALIST P RINTING www.whitewaterwest.com

www.garmendale.co.uk www.prestonbarbieri.com www.syndicateprinters.com www.wiegand-maelzer.de

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