JANUARY 2013 Cowabunga Baby! Polin lands Las Vegas contract

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4 Park Word Editor’s comment

5 Front Gate

Setting the agenda for the month ahead P32 6 Park Hoppin’ Paul Ruben is seeking Santa

7 Park Bloggin’ Food for thought with Dennis Speigel

6-22 Park News Your monthly update

24-26 IAAPA Attractions Expo Show review If you add an attraction that infringes 29-31 Q-Lines on another party’s intellectual property Chip Cleary on IAAPA’s new IP policy rights, you may be faced with a demand “ to have the attraction removed or shut down 32-33 Shock & Shore IAAPA’s Chip Cleary offers a warning to park operators, P29 ” Hurricane Sandy – the aftermath

34-35 Puteri Harbour P34 FEC profile

36-38 Marine Dream Singapore attractions

41 Kim Jong-fun Park profile from North Korea

42 Camelback Mountain Ride profile

44-45 Ride Guide At Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights, New products for parks and attractions 90% of the pier was destroyed. We had a Sling Shot, which was a total loss. We “ also had a brand new ride destroyed in 45 Show Guide the Port of New York. Our losses are Calendar well over a million dollars Tony Catanoso and other New Jersey park operators reflect on Hurricane Sandy, P32-33 ” 46 Web Guide Online resources for the amusement industry P38

THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas

ARY 2013 represents the first North American turnkey supply contract for Polin JANU Cowabunga Waterparks & Pool Systems. The new park, opening this spring, will Baby! Polin lands

Las Vegas contract take its inspiration from the beach scene of the 1950s and ‘60s. Featured across three themed zones will be a selection of Polin slides and attractions including the company’s first Surf Safari. See page 22 for more details. www.polin.com.tr

Hurricane Sandy ttractions Singapore A Malaysia Puteri Harbour + more! parkworld-online.com

ParkWord December 2012/January 2013

During the recent IAAPA Attractions Expo, I attended a very thought-provoking presentation by the Themed Entertainment Association entitled TEA Presents Future Legends 2012: Engaging The Senses. Starting before the main Expo opened, the same session last year was a lockout, so I made sure I was there in good time on this occasion by grabbing a coffee and a pastry rather than the usual breakfast buffet back at the hotel. Frankly, after one week, I’d had enough of queuing each morning for the toast machine. You know the kind: you place your bread onto a conveyor and about 10 minutes later it pops out onto the tray below, slightly warmer than it went in but still not toasted. So you put the bread back in, wait another 10 minutes ... and then it comes out burnt. So you go and get a pastry instead. Free of such toast-related trauma, I arrived ready for what I thought would be a showcase of new creative talent within the themed entertainment industry. Now, BRC Imagination Arts’ Christian Lachel, Susan Bonds of 42 Entertainment and Thinkwell’s Dave Cobb are relatively young, but nevertheless they’ve got a good few years’ experience behind them. It turned out the session was in fact a round-up of new attractions and events that the panel thought worthy of our attention. As with the TEA’s Thea Awards, it was the projects rather than the people that were the ‘legends’. Those chosen ranged from haunted, location-specific theatre productions (smarter than your average scare attraction) to an endearing penny arcade created from cardboard by a 9-year-old in LA, and then elaborate, multi-channel marketing campaigns for the Tron Legacy and a new brand of chewing gum. Starting off with online activity and then building towards real life meet-ups and events, the latter two projects attracted a following from between 5 and 8 million people. That’s more than most amusement parks receive in a single season. However unrelated such activities may seem to our traditional idea of an ‘attraction’ – and one that has a physical location – they are nevertheless competing for the same people’s leisure time. The challenge in future will be how to monetise those millions of followers. It can’t be any more difficult than toasting bread. 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 Dennis Speigel, Justin Garvanovic, Tony Catanoso 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, DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Kent ME16 8LY, UK ISSN 1462-4796 Tel: +44 1622 687031 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.

@ParkWorldMag DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Front Gate parkworld-online.com

24 26 Everyday scenes through the operator’s eye 32 28 ParkPatrolParkPatrol Figures 20 1234of50 Fun 38 41 12 number of days operated during Nickelodeon Land Christmas celebrations at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, England 330 square metres (3,353ft) size of ice rink operated over the festive season Allou! Fun Park in Athens, Greece

The Mediterránia is the first area you'll find on arrival at PortAventura. It recreates a charming Mediterranean fishing village, it’s just so relaxed and quiet …except for Furius Baco! 100,000 1) This is a queuing area for the Port de la Drassana boat ride that takes you around the lake, number of marine animals at new Marine and we also have some coin-operated, remote control boats for guests while they are waiting. Life Park/SEA Aquarium in Singapore, the 2) Furius Baco is our winged Intamin launch coaster, which runs out over lake. For me it offers world's largest oceanarium a very intense feeling but at only 20 seconds the ride is too short; I would like to have more! 3) This large boat is mainly just for theming but is also acts as a terrace area for Il caffè di Roma. 666,000 4) Beyond these buildings are Hotel PortAventura and Hotel Gold River, two of the most important hotels at the PortAventura resort. They are linked directly to visitor numbers in 2012 at Tripsdrill in the park and are also close to the convention centre, allowing us to cater for Germany – a 1.5% rise over 2011 both tourists and business travellers. Luis Valencia, PortAventura, Spain 5,000,000 sales of butterbeer since June 2010 at THIS MAGAZINE FOR FREE EVERY MONTH Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of ON YOUR COMPUTER, IPAD OR IPHONE Harry Potter. The 5 millionth glass of the AND NOW AVAILABLE AS AN APP sweet, non-alcoholic drink was served on visit parkworld-online.com and the Apple App Store December 12

& Don’t Drink & Swim – Therme Erding Ups (Bavaria, Germany) is to limit alchol sales Beast Defeated – Son of Beast, the after a number of drunk and disorderly world’s first looping wooden coaster, Downs guests were reported at the waterpark has been demolished at Kings Island in Ohio. Thankfully two new generation looping woodies will open elsewhere in the US in 2013

Santa’s Back – After ceasing to Tivoli NYE – Tivoli in Copenhagen State Fair Fun – State Fair fans trade as a year-round attraction, will open on New Year’s Eve in Texas will be able to get an Santa's Land in Vermont for the first time in over 10 years added fix of fun thanks to a reopened for weekends during summer attraction opening at Fair the festive season Park in Dallas

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 5 Park News parkworld-online.com

ParkHoppin’ Two-way traffic with Paul Ruben Chinese plan park in Australia, Aussies plan park in China! Seeking Santa The Australian theme park operator Village Roadshow has announced that it Having survived the holiday season and recently returned from a visit to plans to open a marine park in China as a result of a RMB 3.5 billion Santa's Land in Cherokee, North Carolina, I thought it might be fun to (US$560m/ 430m) deal with Guangzhou R&F Properties. write about this family theme park and zoo, featuring the famous (their € Scheduled to open by 2015, Hainan R&F Ocean Paradise will be claim, not mine) Rudicoaster. They offer a collection of classic children’s located on Hainan Island in the southern Chinese province of the same rides, some fun shows, and a beautiful mountain setting. That’s me standing by the Bambis that pull Santa’s sleigh. name and adopt a similar format to Village Roadshow’s (VR) Sea World park This is not, however, the only festive-themed park in the United States. on Australia’s Gold Coast. A Wet ‘n’ Wild waterpark will also be developed Santa’s Land, a 55-year-old attraction in Putney, Vermont, has re-opened on the same site. for the holiday season after closing as a year-round attraction due to the Village Roadshow has been recession. The 41-acre (17-hectare) park features meet-and-greets with appointed lead consultant on Santa Claus, a reindeer petting zoo, a train ride and an Elf House. the project, offering design, It got me thinking. Christmas has been a popular theme for many development and construction parks. Created in 1949, Santa’s Workshop near Lake Placid, New York, expertise, as well as operating bills itself as the USA’s oldest theme park. the two parks for up to 20 It was designed by Arto Monaco, a former years. It will not, however, Walt Disney artist. Santa’s Workshop was have any ownership interests. ahead of its time and spawned many “Our key involvement in imitators. every aspect of this project Santa’s Workshop, Colorado Springs, represents significant reward Colorado, is a Christmas-themed family and recognition our Village amusement park that has been in Roadshow Theme Parks existence since 1956. The village was to branding and capabilities,” Village Roadshow will use expertise from Sea be identical to the one built in Lake Placid. states VR chairman Robert World in Australia for the new park in China Famously, Holiday World in Santa Kirby. “We look forward to Claus, Indiana – what a name for a town! working closely with R&F, one of China’s leading property developers, to – began life as Santa Claus Land in 1946 deliver a world-class destination theme park.” and changed to its current name in 1984. Located south of Guangdong and to the east of Taiwan, Hainan is China’s The park remembers Santa Claus (the smallest province, but the country’s largest special economic zone. After a man, not the town) with a large statue at less than salubrious past, it is now enjoying new found status as a holiday the entrance of the park, a large island. Just the time, then, for new tourism development such as Ocean Christmas Tree and Nativity Scene. Paradise. Santa’s Village was a theme park that operated in East Dundee, Illinois The new park is one of seven national ocean parks approved across the from 1959 to 2006. It was built by Glenn Holland, who also built two country. At the opposite end of the Guangdong province, facing Macau, the other Santa’s Villages in California, one located in San Bernardino Chimelong Group is preparing later this year to open Chimelong Ocean County and the other in Santa Cruz County. Santa’s Villages were the Kingdom, while in the neighbouring province of Fujian construction work is first franchised theme parks in the world. about to start on Xiamen Ocean World. There is another Santa’s Village in Jefferson, New Hampshire. This Meanwhile a new Chinese-backed enterprise, Australian Chinese Santa’s Village was the brainchild of Normand and Cecile Dubois who, Theme Park Pty Ltd (ACTP), has received local approval to develop a in the early 1950s, wanted to create something novel to their region. It theme park in New South Wales, Australia. ACTP will purchase 15 hectares opened in 1953 and continues to thrive today. (37 acres) of land in Wyong Shire for AUS$10 million (US$560m/€430m). Outside the States, SantaPark, Rovaniemi, Finland, opened in The first stage of construction is expected to begin in 2015, with completion November 1998. The park is designed to emulate the cavern residence due by 2020. Reports suggest the park will be based on Chinese life and of Santa Claus on the Arctic circle. Popular culture often depicts Santa culture, including a replica of the gates of Beijing's Forbidden City and with Claus (or “Joulupukki” in Finnish) coming from Lapland. Therefore, special areas set aside for weddings and events. tourists come every year to Rovaniemi to meet Santa. It’s closer to the Previous attempts at recreating the county’s landmarks on foreign shores, North Pole than Indiana. such as at Splendid China in Orlando, Florida, have failed to have any long Santa’s Village & Sportsland in Ontario, Canada, is a holiday theme term viability. It remains to be seen if tourists in Australia – which is of course park operating during the summer. It is over 50 years old. Another much closer to the ‘real’ China – will be sufficiently curious for such an Canadian park, Village du Père Noël, Val-David, Quebec, offers children the chance to visit Santa at his summer residence. In 1953, Réal attraction for it to become a success. Rousseau and Jacques T Melchers built in the beautiful Laurentian Mountains, and the park has since welcomed over three millions visitors. *According to local press reports, plans exist for a park in England called I’m sure I’ve overlooked some others, but that’s more parks Visions of China. Rotherham Council has apparently approved the sale of a celebrating Christmas than celebrate an imaginary mouse or the number former coal mine near Rother Country Park in South Yorkshire to China of flags they fly. The appeal of Christmas-themed parks is based on the Visions Ltd and MCD Developments. The two firms want to spend £118 three ages of man. There’s the age when you believe in Santa Claus, million ($190m/€144m) creating replicas of oriental lakes, gardens and when you don’t believe in Santa Claus, and when you are Santa Claus. temples, together with a theatre, hotel, spa and other facilities, and believe they can attract 1.5 million visitors a year.

6 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Park News parkworld-online.com

Antarctica comes to Park Bloggin’ Orlando with Dennis Speigel SeaWorld Orlando has revealed the vehicle that will take guests at the Food For Thought Florida park on a South Pole-themed adventure next season. Food, glorious food is as much a part of the amusement/theme park Talking about the new attraction experience as riding a rollercoaster or playing a midway game. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, However, since the birth of American theme parks, food service has been SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment by and large ghastly! This is not just my belief; it is the belief of millions creative director Brain Morrow of park-goers around the world. boasts: “There’s nothing else like this There are some exceptions with which I am familiar in the United in the world. It will take families on States, such as Silver Dollar City, Knoebels Grove and Dollywood. an epic adventure and allow them to Nevertheless, for too many years, parks have got it wrong. But why experience and interact with the should they bother improving when food and beverage remain the best thrills, wonders and dangers of generator of a park’s revenue after ticket sales? This fact is accounted Antarctica.” for probably only because guests are a captive audience and have to The eight-seater trackless ride eat, not because they like what they are being offered. SeaWorld’s Brian Morrow unveils the new vehicle was displayed at the recent Recently, it appears some parks have seen the light. Incidentally, ride vehicle at IAAPA IAAPA Attractions Expo on the booth European parks have in my opinion always offered better food. I of Oceaneering Entertainment Systems, the same company responsible for the remember a meal 30 years ago at Phantasialand in Germany that transport system on Universal’s Spider-Man and Transformers 3D dark rides. Each would rival any New York restaurant! For Europeans, meals in parks can car on Antarctica is actually a mobile simulator, with movements that allow the be a different prospect than for Americans, who riders to become at one with the storyline as they follow and mimic a young are more inclined to “grab and go.” But things penguin’s adventures. are changing. Meal times are now becoming Opening in 2013 and already under construction, Antarctica: Empire of the an integral, part of a guest’s visit. They want it Penguin is the biggest new attraction in SeaWorld history and promises a state-of- and demand it as part of a group visit with the-art family adventure combined with a real life penguin encounter. Guests will their friends and loved ones. be able to choose from two levels of adventure to guide their experience. As parks introduce new themed lands, a Although Antarctica will not be the first theme park ride combining penguins – little bit more thought it being given to both Merlin has already done it at Legoland Billund and will launch another attraction the quality of food and beverage offered, and One of the dishes on this season at Oberhausen in Germany – SeaWorld’s big budget approach is the environment in which it is served. Recent offer at Disney’s new likely to result in an experience that lives up to its billing as, “Orlando’s must-see examples include the restaurants at Be Our Guest Restaurant 2013 new attraction.” Universal’sWizarding World of Harry Potter, including the Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head Pub. Food is getting better. It’s actually tasty and people like it! And who can forget those Do you speak Beluga? Butterbeer sales, which exceeded $5 million the first season alone? At Walt Disney World’s newly expanded Fantasyland, which opened Set to open this January at Lotte World un South Korea, Do You Speak last month, the Be Our Guest Restaurant is not only extraordinarily Beluga? Is an interactive theatre within the Aqua Plaza section of the beautiful, but it has a great menu too. It offers French cuisine, as well as indoor park in Seoul. The experience will immerse guests in an animated sandwiches, salads and other healthy fare. The food is not cheap – with undersea environment in which they’ll be able to interact one-on-one with a digitally-created Beluga Whale. prices ranging from $15 to $36 – but the difference now from a few The new project, inspired just a little bit by Disney’s Turtle Talk with years ago is that the food is high quality and worth the price. It has not Crush, is the second recent attraction to be realised as part of a multi- always been like this, I can assure you. project collaboration between Lotte World and Hollywood-based design Disney even sells alcohol at its new restaurants – something only 20 firm the Goddard Group. Korean company Rayglyph is providing the years ago it vowed it would never do. Champagne, red or white wines show’s technology and media content. of very good quality, and a variety of beers from around the world are “'Do You Speak Beluga?' will not only be among the most all on the menu for Be Our Guest diners. And why not? Park visitors technologically-advanced attractions in the park, but in all of Korea,” says have demanded higher quality food and beverage for years, Plus, WG Choi, the attraction’s producer. alcohol sales deliver a great profit margin. Park food has come a long way from the cheeseburger served in a Styrofoam box, sweaty and stale. But it has taken far too long to get here. During the next five years, we are going to see more progress than we have in the last 40 years. It’s a win-win. The guest gets a better food experience – and so is more likely stay longer or come back on a repeat visit – and the parks see higher revenues as a result. Bon appetit!

Dennis Speigel is president of International Theme Park Services (interthemepark.com), a leading US-based attraction management/consulting firm based. A past IAAPA president, Dennis boasts over five decades of industry experience after beginning his career as a seasonal employee at local Cincinnati amusement parks Coney Island and Kings Island.

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 7 Park News www.parkworld-online.com

London Dungeon II New home for long-running attraction One of Merlin Entertainments longest-running combines theatrical storytelling, comedy, special Sweeney Todd: attractions, The London Dungeon is moving into a effects, exciting rides, jumps and a few surprises..” demon barber new home. As from March 1, it will entertain Founded in 1974, the London Dungeon is one visitors in the vast underground vaults of County of Merlin’s original ‘Midway’ attraction formats, Hall on the South Bank, next to Merlin’s London with which the company made its name before Sea Life Aquarium and EDF Energy London Eye. embarking on an aggressive programme of Visitors are promised a bigger, bolder and better acquisition and expansion. There are now eight attraction as result of a multi-million pound Dungeon attractions throughout Europe. The old investment that will bring 1,000 years of London London outlet on Tooley Street near London history to life across 18 scenes. Featuring such Bridge station is set to close on January 31. The notorious characters as Jack the Ripper, Sweeney new home at County Hall will allow Merlin to offer Todd and, for the first time, Guy Fawkes, the more cross-selling opportunities with the London experience will be suitable for families with older Eye and Sea Life, as well as removing it from the children, couples and mates on a day out. Two immediate neighbourhood of the London Bridge rides, a boat ride and drop tower, will be offered Experience/London Tombs, which it has been as part of the attraction. embroiled in rather bitter competition for visitors. “The Dungeons experience is fantastic and unique,” notes general manager Ben Sweet. “It the-dungeons.co.uk

JRA turns 25 chosen to provide planning and design for the Lo-Q acquires new Legoland Windsor near London. Soon JRA – or Jack Rouse Associates – is currently after, JRA began its first brand experience, the Accesso celebrating 25 years of planning, designing and CNN Studio Tour in Atlanta. Since then, the realising theme parks, museums, sports company has developed numerous British-based Virtual queuing specialist Lo-Q – attractions and visitors centres around the world. entertainment and cultural experiences around the company behind the Q-bot – has acquired While the Ohio firm did not formally the globe for a wide variety of clients, including leading North American attraction ticketing and incorporate until 1987, its founders Jack Rouse blue chip brands such as Coca-Cola, Jack e-commerce company Accesso in a deal worth and Amy Merrell had known each other since Daniels, Volkswagen and Ferrari, with whom £13.7 million ($22.3m/€16.8m). the ‘70s. That’s because, as a professor at the JRA collaborated to create the world’s largest Lo-Q’s directors hope the acquisition will allow them to strengthen management and University of Cincinnati, Jack taught Amy, and indoor theme park, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi. accelerate relationships with top park operators also Keith James and Dan Schultz, now JRA’s Keith James, who took over the company in in the United States, whilst introducing Accesso’s chief executive and chief operating officers. 2008, believes that the key to JRA’s success products to the European and Asian markets for begins with the firm’s people. “I started working After a stint at Taft Broadcasting and the first time. Current Accesso CEO (and 100% subsequently Kings Entertainment, Rouse with Jack in the 1970s, and many of our staff equity holder) Steven Brown, a Disney employee founded his own company. have been with us for over 20 years,” he says. for 16 years, is set to join the Lo-Q board as Originally focused on trade show “Without a doubt, the success of JRA is a direct COO of the North American business. production, Jack Rouse Associates completed result of the talent, dedication and loyalty of Both organisations believe mobile-based its first museum exhibit in 1990, the Public our staff. We are certainly proud of our services, including payment, ticketing, queue Landing Gallery at the Cincinnati Museum. portfolio, but we are line management and content, will become Four years later, the firm landed its first even prouder of our intrinsic to delivering a great guest experience European theme park project when it was people.” in the years to come.

Son of Beast RIP down the lift hill using cables, nearly two months world. Featuring a 214ft first drop and reaching after work began to dismantle the ride to make speeds up to 78 miles per hour, it offered a The final section of the Son of Beast wooden room for future park expansion. thrilling proposition at first became increasingly rollercoaster at Kings Island in Cincinnati came Son of Beast opened in 2000 as the tallest, uncomfortable to ride and expensive to maintain. down in late November as work crews brought fastest and only looping wooden coaster in the The attraction last operated in 2009.

8 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Park News parkworld-online.com

Quest the UK’s SHOWZAM! 2013 newest FEC

Blackpool’s annual festival of circus, magic and tricks before witnessing the colourful family A new family entertainment centre (FEC) has new variety returns to the English resort this comedy, Mr Albert’s Big Finish. opened in central England, featuring Europe’s February. Now in its sixth year, a packed Activities at the Pleasure Beach range from a tallest Sky Trail high ropes course. Quest at the programme of quirky entertainment is promised, face-painting festival and ice-skating sessions to Westfield Merry Hill shopping mall is the first of a featuring 150 performers over 10 days. an evening soiree at The White Tower with planned chain of venues from Paragon New for 2013 is is a specially commissioned showbiz favourite Christopher Biggins, plus Entertainment, and also youth circus from world famous impresario dance, magic, creative workshops and behind- comprises mini golf, a Gerry Cottle, whose WOW Circus earlier this the-scenes tours. Showzam! producer Professor ‘Nerf’ shooting game year at the Pleasure Beach left audiences open- Vanessa Toulmin will also be giving tours of the and more. mouthed. Mr Albert’s Trade of the Tricks Winter Gardens and Blackpool Tower. But it’s the ropes workshop at The Grand Theatre Studio will Open every day throughout the festival at course that takes centre teach children and adults a variety of magic the Winter Gardens, Showzam! Central will stage. Spanning four host a variety of free and paid-for freak shows, levels, the ropes course live entertainment and events. And Showzam! was built in the USA wouldn’t be Showzam! without the without the and provided by sharp wit of its wacky street theatre or the European agent flamboyant Carnival Ball at the Tower Ballroom Innovative Leisure. It on Saturday night (February 16). was designed especially Produced in association with the National to fit the building’s 17-metre-tall atrium and a Fairground Archive, Showzam! has become an special crane used recently on the new Shard important part of the event calendar for skyscraper in London had to be brought in to Blackpool, encouraging extra people to visit assist with installation. the resort at a traditionally quiet time of year. “The high ropes course is a fantastic The 2013 event takes place from February 15 centrepiece for our first Quest centre,” notes to 24. See showzam.co.uk for the full Paragon Entertainment’s Tim Rusby. “Our guests' Gerry Cottle and his Wookey Hole Circus crew programme. response has been amazing. They simply love it. We had to work closely with mall owners, local authorities, building control, fire officers and ride inspectors to deliver best in class design, build, training and operation. Innovative Leisure held 360° of fun at WhiteWater our hand at every stage.” Over the festive season, visitors to the FEC Mt Olympus enters the app could also enjoy an open air Christmas market Mt Olympus Water & and ice rink. A second Quest outlet will open business soon at the Istanbul Aquarium in Turkey, where Theme Park, Wisconsin guests will be able to go on a quest to save the Dells, Wisconsin, is Continuing to broaden rainforest, via such attractions as a mirror maze. modifying Hades, its the scope of its partly-underground services, WhiteWater thequest.co.uk wooden rollercoaster. In has acquired a 2013 Hades will company called transform to become Apptivations. As a result the world's first all- of the deal with Denise wood rollercoaster Chapman Weston and with an upside down Rick Briggs, WhiteWater barrel roll. will now offer waterpark Dubbed Hades operators a variety of 360, the new-look ride will feature both a mobile technology services – or “apps” – to 360° upside down barrel roll and a 110 engage their guests. degree over-banked turn. To perform these From live action storytelling to interactive elements, new state-of-the-art Timberliner games, Apptivations has created a range of trains will be added from The Gravity Group downloadable computer applications that will be added to the ride, which is also doing come to life in real time using devices already the engineering. Construction will be carried owned by consumers – such as mobile out in-house by Mt Olympus. phones. These apps are designed to engage Hades 360 will feature a total track length and entertain guests at waterparks and other of 4,725ft (1.4km), with1,400ft (427m) of that attractions while providing additional rewards underground, including a 90-degree banked and revenue streams underground turn in complete darkness. Some There are many opportunities to sell other features of the ride include a first drop of upgrades, reinforce a park’s marketing, and 140ft (43m) at an angle of 65°, a 110-degree create takeaway gifts including photo comic over-banked turn and a top speed of 70mph books and guest videos for sharing via social (113 kmh). media.

10 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Park News parkworld-online.com

Aquatica III SeaWorld acquires Knott’s Soak City SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has acquired the introduction of new animal exhibits. Knott’s Soak City in San Diego, California, and “We will make significant changes transforming plans to reopen it as the third Aquatica branded the park into Aquatica,” promises Jim Atchison, property within its group. The standalone waterpark president and CEO of SeaWorld Parks & was previously owned by Cedar Fair, operator of Entertainment. “These parks reflect the highest Knott’s Berry Farm outside Los Angeles. standard of quality in attractions, entertainment Located just south of San Diego in Chula Vista, and theming, but the presence of animals makes the park sits 23 miles (37km) from SeaWorld San the experience something truly special.” Diego. SeaWorld already operates Aquatica Aquatica San Diego will open in June. Terms of outlets close to its parks in Orlando, Florida, and the deal with Cedar Fair, which have been under San Antonio, Texas, and an extensive renovation is negotiation for several months, have not been planned over the winter in Chula Vista – including disclosed. Waterparks get social Santorini Water Fantasy Don’t be disturbed if you see a UFO next time you Santorini Water Fantasy is one of two new Thai waterparks opening in visit the local waterpark. India’s Arihant Industrial 2013 supplied by Polin Waterparks & Pool Systems. Corporation has announced plans for a new Set to open in May, the waterpark will complement an amusement space-age-themed attraction that will turn a park at the Cha-Am Premium Outlet Mall in the southern part of the corner of any waterpark into a social space for Phetchaburi province. The project is the brainchild of Supoj guests to interact and party. Tantichirasakul, chairman of the clothing company Pena House. The 77ft-diameter Space Disc consists of Waterpark attractions will include one of Polin’s signature King undercover disco with rain showers, fog effects, Cobra slides as well as a Looping Rocket, Space Shuttle, Windigo, fountains, sound and light effects including an Freefall, Aquatube, Rafting Slide, Black Hole, Kids Freefall, Space Hole, Kids Octopus Slide, Mini Pirate Slide, Turtle Slide, Rabbit Slide, Mini illuminated dancefloor. As well as helping waterparks extend Rainbow Slide, Giraffe Shower, Mushroom, Aquatower Type 600, Frog their opening hours, the attraction can also be rented out for conferences Slide and Baby and events for up to 130 people. Octopus Slide. Arihant has already built several similar products in Asia, but has Built at a cost of refined various features for the launch of Space Disc in Europe and the bt100 million USA. Following the unveiling of the concept at the recent IAAPA (US$3.25m/€2.5m), Attractions Expo in Orlando, the company is already talking to several Santorini Water interested parties according to marketing director Pranay Safari Fantasy will sit on about 4-acres (1.6 hectares). The existing amusement park Tivoli makes Merry occupies about double Six hundred square metres of additional that. A further 8 acres attractions will await guests in 2013 at Tivoli is already earmarked in Copenhagen as the famous Danish for a three-star resort. amusement opens a new themed land called the Merry Corner. Inspired by the Danish astronomer Tycho New for Knott's Brahe, the 1,200 sq m new area will three rides against a backdrop of feature California’s Knott’s Berry Farm will add three new family attractions to its Renaissance-era Copenhagen houses, stars Boardwalk for summer 2013. Chief among this will be Coast Rider, a Wild Mouse and planets. from Mack Rides. The coaster will feature 1,339ft (408m) of track including a 52ft Leading the pack will be Galaksen, a (16m) first drop, followed by a series of hairpin turns, twists and spins. highly-themed Zamperla Air Race featuring Surfside Glider, a giant eagle ride vehicles. Passengers will Flying Scooters from experience forces of up to 4G as they are whirled in a propeller like Larson International, will motion on the end of arms that circle the ride’s centre. The other two rides enable guests to pilot will be an 8-metre high drop tower and the Little Pilot, a classic Tivoli their own glider attraction with a new look. suspended from a height To make way for the Merry Corner, Tivoli has added an extra 6,000 sq of 28ft (8.5m). From Eli m to the park, as well as removing its Big Clock mini wheel. The new land Bridge, the Pacific is part of an renewal plan that will be implemented over the coming years. Scrambler is a The 2013 season starts on April 11. In the meantime, Tivoli’s Christmas boardwalk classic and season runs from November 16 to December 31. should be a hit with families.

12 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Park News parkworld-online.com

Texas Summer Adventures The State Fair that never stops!

Held in Dallas each September/October, the Eventually, the base of the tower will be home Texas State Fair is a three-week celebration of to a museum showcasing memorabilia from the live entertainment, livestock, sports, automobiles, State Fair and 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition. amusement rides and gluttonous food and drink The Texas Star (pictured right) and the Texas consumption. Skyway cable car will also feature as part of the But now locals don’t have to wait all year to summer attraction, which runs until August 18, in enjoy some of the fun of the fair. Summer addition to a SkyCoaster, log flume, boat swing, Adventures, opening this May, is a new seasonal high-dive show, swan boats, various water attraction encompassing approximately 18 acres features, a children’s aquarium and bird of the Fair Park property and using some of the encounter, plus a variety of State Fair games and State Fair’s resident rides and infrastructure. concessions. Soaring over Summer Adventures will be the Quite how the park will affect business for ride new Top o' Texas Tower, a 500ft-tall Intamin operators at this year’s State Fair remains to be Severn Lamb observation tower. More than twice the height of seen, but as one the largest events of its kind the Texas Star Ferris Wheel, it will also be regularly attracting over 2.5 million visitors, they in India available for private events. shouldn’t have too much to worry about. Located in the Gujarat capital of Ahmedabad, Outlaw captured Schlitterbahn Kankaria Lake is a popular recreation spot in Orlando! for hundreds of links Texas thousands of Indian families. At the centre of waterparks the manmade lake sits Just one year after opening Schlitterbahn an aviary, whilst along Beachfront Resort in Texas, its owners are to link its shore visitors can the indoor waterpark to the neighbouring enjoy a variety of simple outdoor Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark on pleasures including a South Padre Island (pictured below). tethered balloon ride, water attractions, a cycle Schlitterbahn’s Jeff Henry has confirmed that path and walkway. construction will start soon on a new water Top of many people's itineraries when they transportation system that will take riders visit is a trip on the railway that circles the lake. between the two properties via a series of slides, The attraction opened in 2009 with a single rivers, conveyors and a 380ft-long underground Lincoln locomotive and four coaches courtesy Here’s a shot of the new train that will be cavern filled with fog, sound and light effects. of the British manufacturer Severn Lamb, used on Outlaw Run, the new 2,937ft-long “It would have been far easier to build a whose local office operates and maintains the (895m) hybrid woods/steel coaster being simple walk-through underground tunnel to line on behalf of the Ahmedabad Municipal built at Silver Dollar City, Branson, Missouri. connect our two facilities, but that’s not the Corporation. A second train, the Swarnin The ride vehicle was revealed on the booth way Schlitterbahn does things,” explains Henry. Jayanti Express (pictured), was added in 2010. of Rocky Mountain Construction at the recent “Our guests expect world-class waterpark fun Between them the two trains, each with a IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. and we deliver by keeping them entertained 144 passenger capacity, have ferried over Rocky Mountain is building both the even as they move from one section of our three and a half million people around the coaster and the trains for th ride, which uses property to another.” lake. The 2km-long ride lasts 20 minutes, and steel track supported by wood structure and Access to Schlitterbahn Beach will be during peak times queues of over three hours will feature a series of unexpected drops, available in summer only, while Schlitterbahn have been reported. thrilling twists and rolling inversions. The two Beachfront Resort opens year round, offering a The success of the Kankari Lake installation custom-designed stagecoach trains will each 221-room hotel and heated indoor waterpark. has encouraged several other Indian cities to carry 24 passengers and use steel rather than South Padre Island is located near the city of open a train ride as a lakeside attraction. polyurethane wheels. Brownsville. Severn Lamb has already got one such project up and running in Kota, and another will open soon in Baroda ()Vadodara).

14 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 FERRIS WHEEL 55M Open or closed cabins www.technicalpark.com Park News parkworld-online.com

Camelot closes Another British park bites the dust The British park Camelot has closed for the final Over the years, Camelot has had a succession time. After shutting its gates after the summer of owners including Bass Leisure, the Granada season on September 2, it then failed to reopen Group, a management buyout and more recently as originally planned for the school holidays in Prime Resorts, fronted by former First Leisure boss October, and now management has pulled the Roy Page. Although Page blames the weather and plug on the 40-acre medieval themed attraction at competition from high profile events such as the Charnock Richard in Lancashire. Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee for The park was founded in 1984 by entrepreneur the park’s poor performance in 2012, its days investment has been made to the park in recent John Rigby. Located in the county of Lancashire, were surely numbered when it was sold in 2009 to years, its last major new attraction being the about half an hour from Blackpool, it featured the Story Group, which leased it back to Page second-hand Knightmare rollercoaster added in over 25 rides and attractions and became one of (trading as Knights Leisure). 2007. the first parks in the UK to boast an on-site A property developer from the north of England, Although it doesn’t exactly come as a surprise, accommodation in the shape of the Park Hall Story had planned to build houses on the site. Park World is nevertheless sad to see another Hotel. Attendance peaked during the mid 1990s Probably only the economic downturn has British attraction go. Read more about the ups and at around half-a-million per season. prevented it doing so yet. As such, very little downs of Camelot at bit.ly/127HXJ7 BARPL builds Get lost in New Zamperla Volcano Coaster Tennessee! coasters for 2012 Hannah’s Maze of Mirrors in Pigeon Forge, Dream Park, a new park outside Mumbai, Tennessee, is billed as the biggest project of India, will get a Zamperla mine train for 2013. its kind from UK “maze maestro” Adrian The ride will feature a very similar layout to the Fisher. 13-year-old Wild West Mine Train at Ocean The new attraction at the Hollywood Wax Park in Hong Kong. The Indian park's Museum comprises an animated pre-show developers have even created an artificial hill with changing scenery, various mirrored in an attempt to replicate some of the thrill of chambers, false thoroughfares and a rotating the Ocean Park ride, which is constructed on floor. Whichever direction you look, the the side of a mountain overlooking the South coloured lighting bathed on distinctive China Sea. A second coaster at the park will scenery changes and morphs from moment be supplied by Premier Rides. to moment, adding to the disorientation. The ride is one of several new Zamperla Bombay Amusement Rides (BARPL) recently “Each of our mirror mazes is custom- coaster confirmed for opening in 2013. At installed its first ever rollercoaster, in designed with a specific story, with dramatic OCT's Window of the World park in Shenzhen, Indonesia. The 350-metre-long Volcano features and chambers,” explains Fisher. China, a MotoCoaster will open. The ride will Coaster was built by the Indian manufacturer “The whole family goes in together, go round feature a lift hill rather than a launch start and to a custom design to incorporate an existing at their own speed, and for a short while they essentially be a mirror image of the ride structure at Jawa Timur Park in Batu. Five 4- get seriously lost.” Zamperla installed three years ago at China seater cars are supplied, offering an hourly “We are thrilled with the design and Dinosaur Land in Changzhou. capacity of around 250. CCTV cameras are complexity of the mirror maze,” says Tej Meanwhile at the Adventureland FEC in installed throughout the ride for monitoring Sundher, owner and operator of the Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, a 300-metre- purposes. At night, as an added spectacle for Hollywood Wax Museum. “We often hear long family coaster will be built three metres park guests, the volcano spouts smoke and screams of delight and frustration as people off the ground, so as to accommodate other light. lose their way. We appreciate that Fisher and rides underneath.. his group considered every detail to make the adventure both operationally efficient and challenging but fun for the customers.”

The new MotoCoaster at Window of the World, Shenzhen (China)

16 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Park News parkworld-online.com

MANUFACTURER UPDATE S&S Vekoma S&S Worldwide has several projects scheduled Vekoma Rides Manufacturing has several new coasters to open in 2013. The new Happy Valley scheduled to open in 2013. Opening any day now, Splash Tianjin park in China will open a four-seat El Party at Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Loco coaster (as pictured) in late May. Another Emirates is a suspended coaster with added water Chinese park, Fuzhou Happy World in interaction. A custom designed Motorbike Launch Coaster Fujian will open a 16-seat combo tower in early will open at the Great Mall of China near Beijing. As well May, while a launch coaster is destined for as the 395-metre-long ride already confirmed for Orlando’s Shandong Bingsheng Sunwu Culture Fun Spot America, a second Suspended Family Coaster Park. The new Sochi Park in Russia will get a (as pictured) will open at a park to be confirmed. Other 20-seat combo tower in late June. A second El projects are ongoing. Loco coaster is also destined for the United States, opening at Las Vegas’ Circus Circus Preston & Barbieri casino/resort in November. A Junior Swing ride displayed in the outdoor exhibit area at IAAPA Attractions Expo is now destined for a site in Daytona The Splash Battle continues to be a steady seller for Italian manufacturer Beach, Florida. Preston & Barbieri. Despite the many rival interactive water rides now on the market, P&B has secured three new orders for 2012, all in Europe. Developed in partnership with 3DBA, Splash Battle is available in a number Chance Rides of different themes and configurations. Pictured here is a Pirate-themed Chance has secured two orders for the R-80 version delivered this summer to Zoomarine near Rome. Together with Giant Wheel it is marketing in association with Alterface, P&B will supply a dark ride to a former Soviet country, set for Bussink Design. Versions of the 250ft-tall (76m) delivery late February. The ride will feature spinning cars and a variety of two- diameter attraction will go to a park in Pueblo, dimensional CGI scenes. Operated by the Future Kid, the Casper family Mexico, and an undisclosed US location. entertainment centre (FEC) in Kuwait is in line for a mini coaster and Meanwhile a 185ft (57m) R-60 wheel will soon rise monorail. An outdoor Middle East park will be home to both a 15-metre- as a standalone attraction in Pigeon Forge, diameter sea-themed carousel and family coaster. As part of its Rabbit Land Tennessee. Described as a “Trabant on steroids” expansion, Liseberg in Gothenburg, Sweden, will take delivery of a fleet of with outward facing seats (pictured) the first custom-themed bumper cars, while an indoor Freestyle, a portable model, has been sold to US park in the Netherlands is set for a junior carnival operator Ray Cammack Shows for spring delivery. Meanwhile a coaster. Meanwhile Preston & Barbieri is one of Chance Big Dipper family coaster is being prepared for Wildlife World and a handful of Italian manufacturers signed up to Aquarium, Litchfield Park, Arizona. The custom-designed layout will be 35ft supply rides to the new by Dream Park in (11m) tall and include 800ft (244m) of track travelling through an animal development near Mumbai, India. P&B’s exhibit. Chance will also deliver a CP Huntington train with diesel engine to contribution will comprise a Splash Battle, the same venue, while Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, will interactive tower, flying elephants and a 12- receive a Revolution 20 (Afterburner). metre carousel. Ride manufacturers battle it out on water Mack’s Twist ‘n’ There may be guns. New versions of Twist ‘n’ Splash will open Splash other “tea cups in 2013 at Etnaland in Sicily and La Ronde in Zamperla’s Water Mania, on water” about Canada. coming soon to to come onto As announced last issue, Moser’s Rides is also Coney Island the market, but having a go with a similar ride called Corsair Mack Rides Battle, available with one, two, three or six continues to rings of vehicles, set in a pond of water. The first evolve and be unit is already operational at Zoo Safaripark, enhance its Twist ‘n’ Stuckenbrock, Germany. Splash interactive water ride. “Our engineers Meanwhile Zamperla has just announced optimised the drive system,” explains chief plans for a ride called Water Mania. The first technical Günter Burger, the ride’s will be a double inventor. This new development installation at the seater spinning barrels on each of two rotating Moser’s Corsair Battle allows Mack to present a Twist ‘n’ firm’s Luna Park platforms, offering a total 48 passenger Splash with three huge boats rather presentation at capacity. Each barrel will have its own motor, than smaller spinning gondolas. Coney Island in and riders will board from the outside of the The massive pirate ships New York, opening platform without having to set foot in the water. accommodate a lot of space for in May. The ride will The Mack version, on the other hand, features many passengers on each of the feature a pirate platforms that submerge beneath the water once two decks equipped with water theme with six four- the ride starts.

18 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Park News parkworld-online.com

Kung Fu Panda kicks off Christmas at Dreamworld Kernels Just opened at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, is Investindustrial is now the sole owner of leading Spanish theme park Kung Fu Panda: Land of Awesomeness, the latest themed area to be realised PortAventura after the local La Caixa bank sold its remaining 50% stake to as part of the park’s partnership with DreamWorks. the Italian investment group in November for €150 million (US$190m). Based Our picture here, taken before the arrival of the Christmas/summer crowds, in Milan, Investindustrial originally purchased half of the park's capital in 2009. shows the Pandamonium ride (Zamperla Air Race) in action. Other attractions Germany’s number one theme park, Europa-Park is teaming up with French inspired by the Kung Fu Panda films include the Skadoosh bumper cars, Kung film director Luc Besson to realise an ambitious new dark ride project focused Fu Academy and Furious Five Fountain. around Arthur et le Minimoys (Arthur and the Invisibles). By exploiting this Elsewhere, Dreamworld guests can check out the Big Red Boat Ride, new particular intellectual propert), Europa-Park hopes to extend it popularity with for the festive season in the park’s Wiggles World kids’ area. French guests (the park sits just 5km from the border), who in recent years have contributed a growth in park/hotel visits of 20 and 2% respectively. Arthur The Ride will feature a ride system by Mack (who else?) but the media content is believed to be similar to the Arthur 4D attraction at Futuroscope in France. Schlitterbahn Kansas City Waterpark will introduce what is billed as the world’s tallest, fastest and most extreme waterslide in 2013. The four- person raft Meg-a-Blaster combines the best elements of Schlitterbahn’s Master Blaster technology with the steep drops of a speed slide. To ensure it's world-record status, Schlitterbahn is not going to confirm the final height and scope of the project until it opens. Premier Rides will install a hybrid dark ride/LSM launch coaster at the new Dream Park in Mumbai, India, in 2013. Featuring 480-metres (1,575ft) of track, it will have a highest point of 16m (52ft) with a top speed of 72 kmh (45 mph). Up to 600 riders per hour will experience two inversions during the ride. Merlin Magic Making (MMM), the creative arm of Merlin Entertainments, has appointed Michael Braithwaite as its new shows director. Reporting directly to Merlin creative director Paul Moreton, Braithwaite’s role will be to improve the quality and content of all live entertainment formats within Merlin’s resort theme parks, hotels and ‘Midway’ attractions, ensuring they reflect the brand positioning and audience profile of each venue. Braithwaite served most recently as a senior producer for the Mayor of London’s Outdoor Festival. Knoebels donate to Following the display at IAAPA Attractions Expo in of an eight-arm trailer- mounted Air Race, Zamperla is about to introduce a 6-arm version aimed Roller Coaster Museum at the FEC market. Orders have come in already from facilities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Larger, 12-arm park models of the ride Celebrating the life of an amusement park icon, the estate of Barbara are destined for Dreamworld in Australia and Tvoli in Copenhagen. Knoebel is donating $25,000 to America’s National Roller Coaster Museum (NRCMA) to help preserve the history of an industry she loved. Following the introduction of various Wicki/Vicky the Viking rides and The family presented the cheque to NRCMA chairman Gary Slade at the attractions at sister Plopsa parks in the Benelux, the original Plopsaland recent IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. De Panne in Belgium is introduce a Wicki Land for 2013. TAA Industries “Barbara loved the amusement business,” notes husband and partner will provide theming. Dick Knoebel. “To her, Gary Slade was more than a colleague, he was a The Pennsylvania amusement park Knoebels Amusement Resort will good friend and she respected the work the museum was trying to do. We add a drop tower ride by ARM/Larson for the 2013 season. know the donation is going to the right place!” The Swiss manufacturer ABC Rides has confirmed a number of new water The Barbara Knoebel Wing, ride projects for 2013 including 360-metre-long (1,181ft) River Splash ride including climate controlled archives, for Freizeitpark Plohn in Germany and a flume ride for a “big German park” will open in mid-2013. Although to be confirmed. headquartered in Texas, the Museum’s Severn Lamb has appointed Chris Freed to handle technical support of its first travelling exhibit will open at trains and people moving products in the United States. Chris, whose Dollywood (Tennessee) for the park’s company Rail Mechanical Services, also operates an rail freight service, will 2013 season. The National Roller handle installation and maintenance of the British company's equipment. Coaster Museum and archive is non- profit organisation dedicated to the The Hong Kong Government has just finished tendering for the operation preservation and protection of the of a giant Ferris Wheel on the city's Central waterfront. A prime site has been earmarked in front of piers 9 and 10 (close to the Star Ferry terminal) NRCMA’s Gary Slade (first right) history of the rollercoaster and the for a wheel of at least 50-metres in diameter. accepts a cheque from Dick and amusement industry. For more Rick Knobel (left) and Brian information, and to donate, see Gateway Ticketing Systems has been recognised as one of the best Knoebel (second right) rollercoastermuseum.org places to work in Pennsylvania. Good for them!

20 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Waterpark Preview parkworld-online.com

Polin tube slide complex for Cowabunga Bay Cowabunga Bay Polin supplies new Vegas waterpark

Polin Waterparks & Pool Systems has landed manager Shane Huish tells Park World he and his its first turnkey project in the United States partners chose Polin after visiting its factory in at Cowabunga Bay Las Turkey and a number of local waterparks kitted Vegas out by the firm. Huish says there was one reason in particular he opted for the Turkish manufacturer. “We have a big problem with oxidisation on our slides in Utah, so I was very pleased when I learned about Polin’s Magic Shine moulding as it means they have a Bucket with launch capsule), Good Vibrations, smooth finish on both sides. We’re very Surfin’ USA (Space Shuttle), Rock-A-Hoola (Uphill Las comfortable with their product.” Multisurf and Cowabunga Kids Cove, plus the Vegas will in Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas will take its design Cowabunga River by ADG. Premium experiences fact witness two new and inspiration from the beach scene of the will include VIP cabanas and a fast pass system. waterparks within the next 1950s and ‘60s and be divided up into three surf- Ben Howell insists that the team behind the new six months. Cowabunga Bay is themed areas. Aloha Shores captures the a slice park has got a winning formula: “This is a scheduled to open in time for Memorial Day in of Hawaii and will partnership that knows what the locals want and late May, joining Wet ‘n’ Wild Las Vegas feature a children’s play has the operational experience to make it a huge which the Australian operator area in addition to Surf success,” he says. Village Roadshow intends to open Safari, Polin’s first Surf “Not only does this park include all the the same month. Safari slide (see panel). elements of a world-class waterpark, but I wanted Construction on the 23-acre, In Surf City USA, to capture the fun images of the beach,” adds $23 million Cowabunga Bay was guests will be able to Huish. “This unique themed experience is what will due to start this December. Located relive the beach set us above others.” off I-95 and Galleria in Henderson, parties of Frankie and Cowabunga Bay will also offers one other around 10 minutes from the south Annette’s era. Here difference compared to Wet ‘n’ Wild: “We will be eastern end of the Las Vegas Strip, it two of the waterpark’s five dollars cheaper!” smiles Huish. will operate 120 days a year. The biggest attractions will project is being developed by Huish be located, a 35,000 sq ft Entertainment, operator of the existing wave pool by the Aquatic Surf Safari Cowabunga Bay in Draper, Utah, together Development Group The Aloha Shores play area Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas will feature the with local investors Ben and Marv Howell and (ADG) and a six- world’s first Surf Safari from Polin. Going by Shawn Hassett. Huish’s firm also boasts waterpark storey water playground called Cowabunga the name of Wild Surf, the attraction takes experience in California, Washington and Splash. Completing the offering will be The the popular Tornado/funnel slide format and Oregon. Boardwalk, featuring slides for all ages. opens it up into a unique, parabolic design. Selected as the supplier of the park’s slides and As well as the aforementioned, Polin slides and Four-person rafts will speed through twists attractions is Polin Waterparks and Pool Systems, attractions at Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas will and turns, as the unexpected changes in the project representing its first turnkey contract in include Beach Blanket Banzai (Family Rafting), momentum send hearts pounding before the United States. Cowabunga Bay general Point Panic (Black Hole), Zuma Zooma (Looping riders splash into pool or run-out exits. The unique slide path gives riders a longer voyage compared to other slides with similar offerings, plus the added thrill of a water shower from the overhanging “lips” of the structure. “It’s a combination of a proven idea with a creative twist and I like that you can see the riders in the funnel from the top of the slide tower,” notes Cowabunga Bay Las Vegas designer Shane Huish. “I also really like the way the water hits you in the face.”

Wild Safari will be the first Surf Safari slide by Polin

22 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Show Review parkworld-online.com IAAPA Attractions Expo This November’s IAAPA taged by the International Association of Still the industry’s no.1! Attractions Expo maintained SAmusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) at the its position as the leading Orange County Convention Centre (OCCC) IAAPA continues to raise money for Give Kids The international get-together for from November 12 to 16, this was the third straight World, the Florida resort for children with life- the theme park and year the event was held in Orlando, where it is threatening illnesses. As a result of a golf tournament, attractions industry, attracting scheduled to stay until 2019. There maybe wasn’t motorcycle ride, fun run and other activities during approximately 26,500 visitors quite the same buzz on the floor as some previous Attractions Expo, an additional $94,000 will now go to Orlando. Paul Ruben and shows, but nevertheless attendance was up from towards its running. Owen Ralph bring you 25,800 last year and 25,000 in 2010. The record in this report Orlando, incidentally, is 30,062, set in 2003. Party time A new addition to the show floor for was the IAAPA Just short of 1,800 people purchased tickets for Theatre, which hosted events including Tuesday Thursday night’s IAAPA event at Universal Studios. morning’s Kick Off Event, the Welcome Reception Sometimes it’s hard trying to check out all the and Brass Ring Awards. This meant there was slightly attractions, eat, drink and socialise at such gatherings, less booth space, though there were more exhibitors but around half the park was available to guests to – 1,176 versus 1,106 in 2011. Meanwhile a enjoy on the night – including Shrek 4D, Despicable selection of flat rides, zip lines and inflatables could Me Minion Mayhem, The Simpsons Ride, Men in Black be inspected in the largest outdoor exhibition area Alien Attack and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. for 10 years. There were official receptions for IAAPA members Attending Attractions Expo show is always exciting, from a wide range of geographical locations and not just for the exhibition but also for the many industry sectors, from Latin America and Asia Pacific to networking events and educational opportunities waterparks and family entertainment centres. BRC available during the week. This time there were some Imagination Arts, The Hettema Group, Rides 4-U and added fireworks, however, as two exhibitors were the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) were served with papers requiring them to appear for legal among those hosting parties in and around proceedings, and who subsequently left the show after International Drive during the week. violating IAAPA’s recently introduced Intellectual “IAAPA Attractions Expo is the one time of year Property policy. More details, plus an exclusive when the amusement park and attractions family interview with IAAPA’s Chip Cleary on page 29. gathers to conduct the business of fun and this year Normality soon returned to the OCCC, as visitors was a homerun for the industry,” proclaimed the ABOVE: As part of IAAPA’s new perused 494,770 sq ft (45,965m) of exhibits, and sat association’s outgoing president and CEO, Chip Intellectual Property policy, in on 115 seminars, panel discussions, half-day Cleary. photography was resticted on the show floor (don’t worry, we asked symposiums, multiple-day institutes and behind-the- “I’ve been coming to this show for many years, and permission) BELOW: Funky new scenes tours. In fact, there was a 14% increase in this was one of the best,” commented Alain Baldacci, IAAPA signage outside the Orange education attendance this year, with 9,100 people Wet ’n Wild, Brazil – and a former IAAPA chairman. County Convention Center participating in the various sessions. “It was a good turnout, and the seminars are getting better all the time. It’s a complete trade show; we can find anything we need and want.” “It is tiring on the feet, but it’s been a very interesting show,” remarked Dick Knoebel of Knoebels Amusement Resort in Pennsylvania. “We didn't specifically buy anything here, but did do some research for 2014.”

Roland Mack (right) hands over the IAAPA chairmanship to Will Morey

24 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Show Review parkworld-online.com

As well as those attraction operators walking the meeting point to have discussions with park owners show floor, a handful were also attending as and friends.” Seminar exhibitors. These included several companies from “We didn’t know what to expect having just come Soundbites Asia-Pacific keen to get their names known from EAS in Berlin, which was so good, and also Over 100 seminars and internationally, such as the Wanda Group from China because of the storm up on the [US] northeastern education opportunities were and Malaysia’s Themed Attractions and Resorts (TAR). coast,” commented Tami Dean of the Ride staged this November as part of The latter was hosting the internet lounge next to Development Company. “But it’s been our best IAAPA IAAPA Attractions Expo, tackling IAAPA Central, where details were available of new show for four years; I think it certainly helped having a wide range of industry topics. attractions including Legoland Malaysia, Little Big Club our new LED bumper cars on the booth.” Here’s just a snapshot of some and Hello Kitty Town. “It became clear during the show that the of the comments made inside “We’ve got off to a good start,” TAR CEO Tunku amusement industry is recovering from the economic some of the various sessions. Dato’ Ahmad Burhanuddin informed Park World. crisis,” observed KMG’s Peter Theunisz. “Ride owners “Mums don’t care so much “Legoland is getting up to 17,000 guests a day at understand that they have to invest so they will not about a new $20 million weekends and the retail is performing even better than lose their edge when better times arrive. IAAPA did a rollercoaster, but they do we expected at Puteri Harbour. We came to IAAPA last very good job with the organisation but the lack of notice if your washrooms year looking for interactive technology to use in our free WiFi on the exhibition floor is a missed aren’t clean” Lat’s Place restaurant, and we found it.” opportunity as the internet has become one of the Palace Entertainment’s Fernando most important sales tools. IAAPA brought out its own Eiroa (CEO Speak, Tuesday Operators exhibit app for the Expo but attendees couldn’t use it because November 13) Meanwhile the Australian operator Village Roadshow they couldn’t access WiFi.” “The number one threat Theme Parks teamed up with regular exhibitor “This has been a good show,” admitted Fred Miler to our parks is time Sanderson to showcase its portfolio of attraction of American coaster manufacturer E&F Miler poverty. It used to be that brands available for expansion worldwide. “We are Industries. “We’ve made got decent leads. We’re all if it rained one Saturday, happy to work together to explore new opportunities,” custom designed rides, so we make contacts here and the guests would come Village Roadshow’s Alistair Bennallack revealed. “We go home with proposals to prepare.” back next Saturday, but are not looking to do tonnes of parks in North “We were very busy for the first two days,” revealed now they are probably America, but are actively looking for sites here. We’ve Patrick Lamb from Severn-Lamb, ”and there was also busy next Saturday” made some good contacts during the show.” some great networking away from the show. IAAPA’s Cedar Fair’s Matt Ouimet (CEO “This year’s show proved the resilience of IAAPA’s new Intellectual Property initiative is really encouraging Speak, Tuesday) [member] base,” contended John Wood of the Sally for Western companies like us. I was even stopped Corporation. “We had successful Asian and European taking a photo of my own booth, but that’s great and “Contrary to popular shows, and yet the buyers still came, and the shows the association is taking this matter seriously.” opinion, the name of the park did not stand for enthusiasm on the floor has been contagious by both Back in 2006, the Belgian technology specialist “Every Person Comes Out buyers and sellers.” Alterface exhibited its ‘5D’ Interactive Theater at IAAPA Tired” “The show here has been fantastic,” smiled Peter for the first time. This year similar products from rival van Bilsen of Vekoma Rides Manufacturing. “Even manufacturers were much in evidence on the show BRC Imagination Arts’ Bob Rogers looks back on 30 years though the shows in Asia and Europe are getting floor. “They’re everywhere,” sighed Alterface of EPCOT (Legends 2012, larger, this show remains the biggest and best.” marketing man Olivier Vincent. “Fortunately, we move Wednesday) “The first two days of the show were pretty good,” on and have developed new innovations including our noted Sascha Czibulka of Intamin. “The third day was interactive shooting wall and interactive zombie “You can educate people quieter than normal. We didn’t see that many game.” in this business, but don’t European visitors, understandably, with Euro tell them you are doing it” Attractions Show (EAS) just a few weeks ago in Berlin. Innovative attractions Ex-Walt Disney Imagineering But we’ve never seen so many Asians here.” At the S&S booth, Bill Kitchen of US Thrill Rides chief Marty Sklar (Legends “The show has been great, an opportunity to meet unveiled his new PolerCoaster, which S&S will build. 2012, Wednesday) many people and have interesting discussions,” stated The reaction, according to Kitchen was, “Why didn’t “There’s a new audience Walter Bolliger of Bolliger & Mabillard. “It is a great we think of that? Everybody loved it. We should have out there” BRC’s Christian Lachel after a session that challenged the traditional perception of a physical attraction (TEA Future Legends, Thursday) “When we opened in 2001, we thought people were going to come and love it. They didn’t. We didn’t have enough Disney in the park” Disney California Adventure’s John Nicholson reflects on the park’s early years following its recent $1bn transformation Zamperla’s Air Race caught many people’s attention on the A general view of the show floor – and this is only about a (Generating Buzz, Thursday) show floor quarter of it!

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 25 Show Review parkworld-online.com

firm contracts signed by the end of the year.” “It was a very good show for S&S,” confirmed Rich Award time in Orlando Allen. “I think we received more attention this year as There were, as always, many winners at the Brass Rings Awards the result of our new ownership by Sansei. I anticipate a presented during IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando. See the full list sale of a PolerCoaster to open in 2014. I will be very if you’re interested at bit.ly/UeQCC7 surprised and disappointed if that does not happen!” In the meantime Park World is happy to highlight Ocean Park in "The show is slower than last year," added Mirko Hong Kong as the winner of the Applause Award presented by Schulze of Huss Park Attractions, "but we met some the Swedish amusement park very interesting people, so it was a very good show for Liseberg. Preseented at at IAAPA every us. We met clients from all over the world, including other year since 1980, this prestigious China – one of our key markets." honour recognises a park whose “There don’t seem so many people here but we management, operations and creative Dick Chance of Chance Rides with development have inspired the have made some good new contacts and did two the 1940 Indian Scout motorcycle industry with foresight, originality and he used this summer to set a new deals early on in the week,” said Michele Bertazzon sound business development. land speed record from the Italian ride manufacturing family of the same New inductees into the IAAPA name. “The US market is not as slow as it was a few Hall of Fame for 2012 are Bob years ago and as we are well established in the Masterson and the late PT Barnum,. market, we will already be on many customers’ lists On returning to the USA in 1973 when they look for new equipment.” after military service in Vietnam, Bob Ocean Park chief executive “There is no real atmosphere or buzz this year,” became manger of a Ripley’s Believe Tom Mehrmann (right) remarked Technical Park’s Marco Grigolo. “EAS Berlin It or Not! “odditorium” in San receives the Applause was an excellent show for us, but I think the people are Francisco. Over the 36 years that Award from Liseberg’s followed he built up Ripley less interested to come to Orlando after three years. Andreas Andersen Entertainment into a chain of 73 And now, with the internet and magazines, everyone museums, aquariums, 4D theatres and other attractions in 13 already knows what is out there anyway.” countries. A loyal industry ambassador, he has served on several It was nine years ago that another Italian A dazzling display of lighting from IAAPA committees, the IAAPA board of directors and as its 2008 manufacturer, C and S, last exhibited at IAAPA. Denny’s Electronics! chairman. Bob now serves as chairman of Amusement “There has been a sharp increase in the cost of Management Partners, overseeing several US parks and attractions. exhibitor services since we the last time we came,” PT Barnum’s name and legacy will forever be associated with the observed Giancarlo Bellotti. “The first day was OK mobile entertainment industry as part of both the Ringling Bros and but after that we had a lot of window shoppers. I Barnum & Bailey circuses – otherwise known as “The Greatest Show think even if there are the same number of people On Earth.” Barnum also pioneered The American Museum, which operated from 1841 to 1865 in New York City, using his legendary here, they are not all buyers because the big groups promotional skills to draw attention to this attraction of the strange, send only a few people do make their decisions, and educational and whimsical, which was recognised as the city’s most then the travelling showmen come with four or five popular attraction for 23 years. This and his general sense of family members.” showmanship are recognised as paving the way for many “We didn’t see too many American buyers on our attractions that followed. booth,” commented ABC Rides’ Stefanie Reumer. Recognised for their years of service to the attractions industry, “However we’ve just appointed a new representative Marcelo Gutglas of Playcenter in Sau Paulo, Brazil, lawyer and for North America [Steve Boney] so we hope to do safety expert Tom Sheehan, and Denise Beckson from Morey’s Piers more here in the years to come. Overall it’s been a in New Jersey, have all been given IAAPA Service Awards. good show, and we signed one order on the first They won’t officially be presented until April, at a gala ceremony at Disneyland in California, but IAAPA nevertheless provided the day.” backdrop for the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) to announce the winners of its Thea Awards for 2013. The Buzz IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 will take place at the Price Award for lifetime of distinguished goes to Frank Stanek of European Reception sponsors Jeroen Orange County Convention Center from November 18 Stanek Global Advisors. Previously, during a 25 career with Disney Nijpels (JNELC) and Michael Kreft through 22. If you’re in the industry, you’ll want to be he provided background and analysis for Walt Disney’s EPCOT (Mack/Europa-Park) enforse each there. iaapa.com/expos vision, helped guide the original development of Walt Disney World, other’s services! the expansion of Disneyland, and the choice of location and deal- making for Disney’s first parks outside the USA, in Tokyo and Paris. His work at the Osaka Aquarium in Japan opened doors when he later helped establish the country’s Universal Studios park. He also recommended and made the joint venture deal with Universal for PortAventura in Spain. The Thea Classic Award, meanwhile, goes to Europa-Park in Germany, continuing the Mack family’s proud tradition in the amusement industry, which can be traced back to its roots as a fabricator of showman’s wagons in 1780. The manufacture of rides followed, before the family opened Europa-Park in 1975 – now one of the top three parks in Europe (second only to Disney’s two outlets in Paris). Thea Awards for outstanding achievement go to Cars Land, Radiator Springs Racers and Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, Disney California Adventure, USA; Transformers The Ride 3D, Universal Studios Singapore and Hollywood; Canada’s Sports Hall Chad Miller and Larry Bill of The IAAPA chairmen past and present gather at the Chairman’s of Fame; Aquanura at Efteling, The Netherlands; The Big-O Show, Gravity Group Reception Yeosu Expo, South Korea; Tait Pixel Tablets at London 2012 Olympic opening/closing ceremonies; Warner Bros Studio Tour (The Making of Harry Potter) near London; Aulani Disney Resort & Spa, 26 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Hawaii. Find outDECEMBER why they won at2012/JANUARY bit.ly/TFz1Yy 2013

Intellectual Property parkworld-online.com Q Lines IAAPA on IP IT’S ABOUT TIME IAAPA’s Intellectual Property (IP) programme includes an agreement that all manufacturer IAAPA gets tough on intellectual property and supplier members must Over the years, the International Association of someone else’s product that will allow the person attest that they own the Amusement Parks & Attractions (IAAPA) has being copied to get some sort of relief. Our hope is intellectual property of their products. Should a viable claim received several requests from its manufacturer that with our first phase people will understand IAAPA of infringement be formally filed and supplier members to find a way to help is serious about enforcing intellectual property rights. with IAAPA, a third party will protect their intellectual property – such as When we decided to move forward with this then undertake an adjudication patents, trademarks and copyright associated with initiative, we had to find a law firm with experience in process. amusement rides. Following the introduction of this kind of work. They also had to be able to do it in As a result of the new policy, the association’s new Intellectual Property (IP) Asia, Europe, and the United States. Plus, we had to any IAAPA member or non- programme this summer at Asian Attractions Expo change the association’s bylaws and our Expo member that exhibits, purchases advertising or buys a in Hong Kong, IAAPA stepped up its efforts at contracts. These were very complex processes that took sponsorship at one of the Euro Attractions Show in Berlin and, proving that about a year to accomplish. association’s events must now it really meant business, at the recent IAAPA sign up to the IAAPA policy and Attractions Expo in Orlando. How many cases of intellectual property procedures on IP, promising that During the latter event, specially appointed infringement is the association currently own the intellectual property of IAAPA representatives addressed 40 cases investigating? their featured products. The involving the removal of trade show exhibits, Our focus is primarily on IP disputes that arise at our association’s outgoing chairman and CEO Chip Cleary and his catalogues, posters and other content believed to trade shows. The programme was approved by the successor, Paul Noland, expect be in violation of the new IP policy, with two IAAPA board of directors in November 2011 and to refine the programme as exhibitors subsequently leaving the show floor. introduced at Asian Attractions Expo this June where IAAPA and its members learn Park World spoke to Chip Cleary, IAAPA’s the team addressed 12 disputes. There were 13 more about the industry’s outgoing president and CEO who has been disputes at October’s Euro Attractions Show in Berlin needs. instrumental in driving the initiative forward, to and approximately 40 at IAAPA Attractions Expo in IP infringement issues or discover what it means for the association’s Orlando this November. questions that arise at other events or in the general members. marketplace are not within What steps should ride manufacturers that IAAPA’s remit and must be Why is IAAPA acting now on IP, and what has have fear their designs have been copied handled through appropriate prevented you doing it sooner? take, assuming they have not already legal channels, not through the When I arrived at IAAPA as president/CEO, there were contacted IAAPA? association. This was exactly the a lot of things that were pressing, and protection of The first step is to understand intellectual property route taken by Zamperla (see intellectual property was high on the agenda. What rights. A key component of our IP programme is to over the pagel). we’re trying to develop is a programme based on the educate members. We hosted two free member work of other associations that have similar initiatives webinars on the topic this year and will schedule to protect theirmembers. another in spring 2013. In addition, if a manufacturer There will be a voyage to get this programme to is unsure about their rights, they can always contact where we ultimately want it to be. In this first year there our IP team for some general information and will be mechanisms when someone blatantly shows up direction. on the trade show floor or in an advertisement copying The second component is dispute resolution. The IP programme was developed by IAAPA to respond to complaints on the trade show floor related to copying and infringement. If an exhibitor feels there is an infringement at one of our Expos they should call a special number, or go to IAAPA Central or the dedicated IP Office to report it. If an exhibitor feels their rights are being infringed upon they must have proof that they are the holder of the proper rights. There is a lot more detail on the process in the Exhibitor Services Guides for each show. We recommend exhibitors do as much as is possible to protect themselves and consult with specialists in this field before an issue occurs. Exhibitors should consider obtaining trademark, copyright, and if possible, patent protection for their 40 cases of IP infringement were reported at this year’s products, catalogues, brochures and other marketing IAAPA Attractions Expo materials. Chip Cleary

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 29 parkworld-online.com

Do you expect offending manufacturers to return either as the same companies, or with a new identity? We live in a complicated world so it would be inappropriate for us to comment on what may or may not take place in the future.

Is there an obligation on IAAPA and other publishers to stop offenders advertising in the trade press? As part of the IP programme, we will address any claims that arise out of content published in IAAPA-owned publications. One of the closed-down booths at IAAPA Attractions Expo Do you consider using photos from other manufacturers’ brochures as an offence? Every scenario is considered based on the facts that are presented and the rights of the complaining party. If the complaining party establishes they own the appropriate rights in a photograph, then this is something we would likely consider to be a violation of our rules.

Is there anything that can be done inside those countries where there are blatant IP infringements? Is it considered a problem by the relevant authorities in these countries? Intellectual property issues can occur in any country in any part of the world. We are committed to educating all of our members around the globe on these issues. We will also look for opportunities in each of our operating regions to help educate governments and regional associations and focus their efforts on protecting IP rights in their own regions.

It’s easy to single out certain countries as hotspots of IP infringement, but do you also see innovation emerging from some of these places too? There are thousands of companies who work diligently to produce and market innovative, high-quality items all around the world. Unfortunately, a few “bad apples” really are the cause of the IP problems within our industry. As the IAAPA Intellectual Property programme becomes more known, we hope those “bad apples” will get the message and focus more on creating their own unique products.

What would be your advice to any park operators tempted to buy a ride that looks like a cheaper replica of another manufacturer's product? You get what you pay for. If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is. Make sure you thoroughly review all engineering drawings and have them reviewed further by a third-party expert before you make a deal to ensure you are purchasing a high-quality, reliable attraction that is designed according to ASTM or EN standards. We’ve learned a lot as we’ve set up this programme and our IP experts have told us that if you ignore the “red flags” and buy a product that does not meet the applicable standards, or otherwise is counterfeit or performs poorly, you could be liable for any harm or damage that occurs while the ride is in use. In addition, if you add an attraction that infringes on another party’s intellectual property rights, you may be faced with a demand to have the attraction removed or shut down.

Readers wanting more information on intellectual property and IAAPA’s new policy should contact the association’s executive vice-president Susan Mosedale [email protected]

30 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 parkworld-online.com

‘183 designs copied’ says Zamperla At the beginning of November’s IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Zamperla SpA and Zamperla Inc (the company’s US operation) announced that they obtained judgments in the Federal Court of Orange County Florida against three Chinese ride manufacturers. In his ruling, Judge Roy B Dalton found the defendants’ actions in copying at least 183 Zamperla products to be “deliberate, willful and intentional”. The court further stated, “The public interest is served in this case because an injunction will ensure imitation amusement rides, which may not meet the safety standards of the Zamperla Plaintiffs' rides, are not passed off as, or confused with the amusement rides manufactured and sold by the Zamperla Plaintiffs”. The final judgment provided for triple damages worth in excess of $138 million (€107m). The defendants are Golden Horse Amusement Equipment Co Ltd, which was found to have illegally copied at least 83 rides and judged liable for $91,219,767; Beijing Jiuhua Amusement Rides Manufacturing Co Ltd, liable for $45,237,378 after copying at least 66 rides; and Beijing Tongjunweida Play Equipment Co Ltd, which copied at least 34 rides and is liable for $2,410,650.

On the afternoon of November 13 at IAAPA Attractions Expo, US Federal XLR8 Marshals seized all materials in the booths of Golden Horse and Beijing Jiuhua Amusement Rides and served them with papers requiring them to appear for First transportable additional legal proceedings. ‘GREEN’ amusement Zamperla was represented by amusement industry attorney Tom Sheehan of The ride in the world!! Sheehan Firm, working with Orange County Counsel, Ric Keller of Hill, Rugh, Keller & Main.

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DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 31 Hurricane Sandy parkworld-online.com

Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, took a severe beating

Hurricane Sandy, the Jack Morey, Morey’s Piers, The ocean pushed back the sand under the largest Atlantic hurricane Wildwood, New Jersey: We boardwalk and also under our arcade buildings and on record, devastated suffered minimal damage; we are miniature golf courses. What used to be six feet from portions of the very, very lucky. We will not know the boardwalk down to the beach is now just one-and- Northeastern United States for sure the effect on our business half-feet. We were scheduled for beach replenishment in late October. Estimates until summer, but do hope that all this spring and hopefully the project will be expanded put the full impact of the the national and international to replace all the dunes that were destroyed. damage at close to $80 media will give us an opportunity The effect on our business will not be known until we billion (€61bn). to rebrand the unique attributes of get ito our season next year. We were fortunate that we Several amusement Wildwood and the Jersey Shore. had already disassembled and stored all of the facilities were hit especially equipment for the winter when the storm hit. Knowing hard. Half-submerged off Scott Simpson, Playland’s many of the people from the New Jersey Amusement Seaside Heights, the Star Castaway Cove, Ocean City, Association that were on the wrong side of the storm I Jet rollercoaster at Casino New Jersey: The centre of the consider myself very lucky. Knowing full well the Pier has become an iconic eye passed about six miles north. enormity of the work ahead for them and realising that symbol of the storm’s Ocean City did not receive the could have also included our city makes me feel very destruction: a tombstone at brunt of the storm but hundreds of fortunate and feel terrible for what they are facing sea. Other parks escaped properties in town were flooded going forward. with less damage. and are no longer liveable. At the In this Big Question park, we lost a couple of signs on Jay Gillian, Gillian’s special, Park World asked top of the Double Shot and the centre canvas on the Wonderland Pier, Ocean 10 operators in New swing ride, which is a necessity to protect the motors or City, New Jersey: The impact Jersey, New York and we would have removed it. I had our crew remove all of Hurricane Sandy to our pier Connecticut: “How was low lying motors, lights, transformers, computer was quite minimal in comparison your park affected by systems and gearboxes that we knew could experience to neighbouring towns. We had Hurricane Sandy?” Their flooding. The only areas that did have flooding were some structural damage to our responses appear here in around our two rollercoasters. We had 15 men main building which houses 10 order based on their working for two weeks to clean the park. We children’s rides. Part of the roof facility’s location, from fabricated a plywood wall around the coaster fences blew off along with damage to our main doors along south to north. which kept the majority of sand out. Our homes that the boardwalk. We had a lot of debris strewn house seasonal employees had two feet of water. throughout the park and under the pier. Thankfully, we didn’t have any damage to our rides. We were left with a lot of clean-up, something we couldn’t be more relieved about.

Anthony Catanoso, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey: As you can see from the photos I took from our helicopter two days after Sandy, the Steel Pier

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 32 Steel Pier in Atlantic City escaped relatively unscathed, yet its operators the Catanoso family suffered losses elsewhere in New Jersey Hurricane Sandy parkworld-online.com

A Big Question special SHOCK & SHORE Hurricane Sandy wreaks havoc on US east coast structure was virtually unscathed even with the Fernando Velasquez, Luna our Wooden Warrior tremendous pounding it took from the surf. We Park, Coney Island, New rollercoaster, but fortunately the suffered minor damage to signage and some scenery York: The entire park was under ride was not damaged. on the deck. five feet of salty water. We are We were extremely fortunate in At Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights, 90% of the pier slowly going through every piece that we did not sustain was destroyed. We had a Sling Shot on that pier, which of equipment to be back in substantial damage, but after the was a total loss. We also had a brand new ride from operation for the start of the storm moved northeast it Italy in the Port of New York during the storm and the season on March 24. dumped a lot of snow in our trailers got flooded and filled with salt water destroying region and that created more of that ride. Our losses are well over a million dollars. Peter Tartaglia, Playland, a dilemma as we were just Since nearly 70% of our Steel Pier market comes Rye, New York: Playland was hit breaking ground for our from North Jersey and New York, the hardest hit areas, hard by Hurricane Sandy. There is waterpark expansion. I had to it potentially will have a severe impact on our business. approximately $12 million in cancel plans to attend the IAAPA damages including the total Expo due to these circumstances. Toby Wolf, Casino Pier, destruction of the north boardwalk Last year we had to deal with Seaside Heights, New and major damage to the main Hurricane Irene, which struck Jersey: Right now it is too early to boardwalk, which is closed New England while parks were make a full assessment of the indefinitely, plus significant still operational. That storm had impact of Sandy on Casino Pier. damage to the Ice Casino. The casino will remain profound impact on our We have been on site doing clean- closed until a new roof can be constructed and new community with severe flooding up and securing property. We boilers installed. Many of the ride motors were and power outages. Then, we currently do not have utilities and submerged in saltwater and have been damaged. This had a record October snowstorm therefore do not have a complete is still being assessed but should be repaired before which brought down more trees assessment of the total damage to Casino Pier. We are the park reopens in May. and power lines. hoping to have power and gas restored some time next This year we dodged the month. Then we’ll have a starting plan on rebuilding. Eric Anderson, Quassy bullet; others didn’t. The New Amusement Park, England Association of William Gehlhaus, Middlebury, Connecticut: Amusement Parks and Attractions Keansburg Amusement Quassy took all of the necessary quickly stepped to the plate and Park, Keansburg, New precautions it could when is offering assistance to the New Jersey: We were severely Hurricane Sandy was approaching. Jersey parks association. As we impacted. Other than a day off for Fortunately, we had just closed for all know, this industry is like Thanksgiving, we have been the season and many things family; we’re there to help when working seven days a week since subject to wind damage, such as others are in need. the hurricane. We are done with tents and signs, had been taken down for the winter. the first phase, which was moving However, we have many old trees on the property and Interviews by Paul Ruben. Aerial tens of thousands of tons of debris, and securing the winds gusted well over 70 mph during the height of photography by kind permission rides and building structures where necessary. We have the storm. A few larger limbs came down, one striking Tony Catanoso (steelpier.com) started to reset rides, and have had Chance come and inspect the Pharaoh’s Fury, Carousel and Chaos which had been pronounced structurally fit. We plan to reopen on March 24.

Dennis Vourderis, Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusements, Coney Island, New York: The Wheel is fine with the exception of the frequency drive. It was submerged in saltwater, as were the bumper cars and arcade games. The most water damage was to the Spook-a-Rama dark ride and our maintenance shop. We are in the process of cleaning up and ordering new equipment. We plan on reopening on our traditional opening day, Palm Sunday (March 24).

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 33

RIGHT: Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights FEC Profile parkworld-online.com

The latest Malaysian entertainment outlet to be realised by the government- backed investment vehicle Puteri Harbour Themed Attractions and Resorts was officially opened Malaysia says hello to Kitty, Barney, Thomas and Bob! on December 6. The Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park oft opened in November, the new facility follows features a multitude of Sthe October launch of Legoland Malaysia, just family-friendly intellectual 5km away in Iskandar. Key to the 5,500 square- properties (IP) packed into a metre (60,000 square feet) project are two separate four-storey building by the family entertainment centre (FEC) concepts, Saniro Johor Straits overlooking Hello Kitty Town and The Little Big Club, plus Lat’s Singapore Place, a unique interactive dining experience inspired by a local cartoonist. Directed by Forrec, the entire development took 10 months to design and 18 months to build. “Rather than simply showcasing their brands, the FEC gives HIT Entertainment and Sanrio an opportunity to expand these brands into fully themed spaces,” notes John Plumpton, Forrec’s principal and Pingu, Barney, Bob the Builder, Thomas and Angelina senior director of entertainment centre design. “This Ballerina – stars of The Little Big Club keeps the concept fresh and gives the companies a On the third floor, visitors can play on a special Bob stage to introduce new characters and stories. Puteri the Builder play structure, help Bob and the Can-Do- Harbour represents an excellent model for multi-brand Crew build a house or take a class with their favourite entertainment centres of the future.” ballerina at Angelina’s Dance Studio. Barney fans will The first Hello Kitty attraction outside of Japan, enjoy Barney's Playhouse, a recreation of the set from Saniro Hello Kitty Town occupies the second floor of the television series, or watch the pink dinosaur the building, featuring Kitty’s House, complete with perform in his own sing-a-long show. Also featured are living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. At the Pingu’s Igloo, Barney’s Yard and two event rooms. Wishful Studio, young visitors can make their own The top floor is given over to everyone’s favourite jewellery, decorate their nails, bake cookies or even smiling steam train, Thomas and his friends. Rides and make their own Hello Kitty doll. attractions include the Sodor Playground, Knapford Other Hello Kitty themed attractions include the Station Train Ride, Windmill Ride (mini-Ferris Wheel), spooky walk-through experience Black Wonder, Colin Crane Drop Ride, Harold’s Helitours, Bumping Purrfect Stage, Friendship Land play area, Tea Cups Buffies & Diesels (mini-bumper cars), Bertie The Bus ride, Cinnamoroll Café, a photo studio and two party (Flying Bus), the Mc Bunn Café and two station- rooms. themed party rooms. The main ride supplier is believed Developed in partnership with IP owner HIT to be Zamperla. Entertainment, The Little Big Club spans the top two On the ground floor of the FEC, meanwhile, guests floors of the FEC and features such characters as can enjoy an entertaining meal at Lat’s Place, the first Pingu, Barney the Dinosaur, Angelina Ballerina, Bob themed restaurant dedicated to the work of Datuk the Builder and Thomas & Friends – together under Mohammad Nor Khalid, more commonly known as roof for the first time – with numerous meet-and-greet Lat, whose comic book adventures and newspaper opportunities throughout the day. strips have been enjoyed by generations of Malaysian

ABOVE: The exterior to Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park LEFT, FROM TOP: Hello Kittty Purrfect Stage, Hello Kitty Tea Cups, Windmill Wheel at The Little Big Club, and the Thomas-themed top floor of The Little Big Club

34 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 FEC Profile parkworld-online.com

Above and below: Thomas and Friends at The Little Big Club

families. As diners enjoy their food, Lat’s Kampung Boy (Village Boy) character is brought to life around them in a funny, fast-moving and engaging musical show. nteractive technology was supplied by the British company Animalive, with production from Farmer Attraction Development. Lat’s Place is the first bespoke attraction concept to be developed by More Malaysian Themed Attractions and Resorts (TAR), attractions but if it becomes a hit it will be rolled out to other locations. Both Puteri Harbour and The lower level of the building is Legoland Malaysia form part of also host to ticketing and the Iskandar special economic zone in Nusajaya, just across the merchandise. According to TAR Johor Straits from Singapore. representatives, retail sales are Since its official opening on already performing ahead of October 15, Legoland has expectations here and at a recorded crowds between 15- neighbouring shopping mall, where 17,000 per day over key additional brands including Toys R weekend periods. A 250-room Us, Disney and Lego are represented. Lego-themed hotel will open in A pass allowing entry to both Hello 2013, modelled on the Legoland Kitty Town and The Little Big Club is Hotel at Legoland Windsor near available for RM110 (US$36/ 28), London, followed by Legoland € Waterpark in 2014. Legoland or RM85 to card-carrying Malaysian Malaysia is a joint venture residents. Each outlet can be visited between operator Merlin individually for RM65/50. Visitors Entertainments and investors wishing to dine at Lat’s Place are Themed Attractions and Resorts encouraged to book a table in (TAR) and Iskandar Investment advance. Projected annual Bhd (IIB). As well as Kidzania attendance to the entire Puteri Kuala Lumpur, which opened in Harbour Family Theme Park this spring, further attractions are development is in excess of 400,000 planned from TAR over the years visitors. to come on the Desaru Coast and in Kuala Lumpur. playtime.com.my

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Attraction Update parkworld-online.com

MARINE DREAM Water and nature take centre stage SEA Aquarium at Marine Life Park at new Singapore attractions – the world’s largest oceanarium

ew gaming legislation in 2010 paved the way and infinity pool, the lotus-leaf-shaped ArtScience It’s two years since for the opening of both Marina Bays Sands Museum, upscale shopping and dining, a nightly N Resorts Worlds Sentosa Singapore launched its first and multimedia spectacular. Marina Bays Sands also ‘integrated resorts’, (rwsentosa.com) Developed by the Malaysian-based features a conference centre that will host this bringing legalised casinos Genting Group at a cost of US$4.4 billion (€3.4bn), summer’s IAAPA Asian Attractions Expo. to this corner of Southeast the latter is the most ambitious of several tourism According to the Singapore Tourism Board’s Serene Asia for the very first time offerings on Sentosa island. The 49-hectare Tan, the development has contributed towards an – and with them a number development comprises the Universal Studios 11% uplift in visitors to the wider the Marina Bay area of other world-class leisure Singapore theme park, FestiveWalk entertainment since it opened two summers ago. Attendance to destinations. Known as a district, Maritime Experiential Museum, recently- Singapore attractions in general was up by 7.3% over city/country that doesn’t opened Marine Life Park, several live entertainment the last year to a combined 50 million. A second stand still, and one that spectaculars, six hotels, a spa, convention centre, international cruise terminal will open soon so that the places a large emphasis shopping, dining and of course a casino, revenues world’s largest ships can dock in the city, bringing on tourism, several other from which help Genting to bankroll the other thousands more visitors with them. attractions have opened development. Tan anticipates further growth, in spite of within the last 12 months, Situated across the bay from the Singapore Flyer competition from new attractions immediately over the and two more are about to observation wheel, Marina Bay Sands border in Iskandar (Malaysia) and some European come on tap. Park World is (marinabaysands.com) is a US$8 billion development travellers now choosing to break long haul journeys in pleased to give you the by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. As well as the Middle East rather than Southeast Asia. low-down gaming, it also comprises an iconic triple-tower hotel “Our guests are coming predominantly from Asia,” crowned by the spectacular SkyPark observation deck she says, “so there are still a lot of travellers transiting

Supertree Grove at Gardens by the Bay Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay

36 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Attraction Update parkworld-online.com

through Singapore, or making a special trip to come here. Although there are new attractions like Legoland Sesame Street Malaysia in Iskandar, I believe we can truly comes to complement one another. There’s still a lot to do in Sentosa Singapore, with much more on the way. In fact, some visitors even find it difficult to leave the airport as Since the park there is so much for them to do there!” debuted along with Here’s three major new attractions to look out for the rest of Resorts World Sentosa in next time you are in Singapore: 2010, a number of GARDENS BY THE BAY new attractions and intellectual “Singapore has always been known as a garden city,” properties have been says Tan. The opening this summer of Gardens By introduced to Universal The Bay (gardensbytheway.com.sg), a 101-hectare Studios Singapore, including Marine Life Park development on prime land in Marina Bay comprises Madagascar: A Crate Adventure three waterfront gardens – Bay South, Bay East and Cited as Singapore’s most costly public project to and Transformers: The Ride 3D. Bay Central. date, Gardens By The Bay was founded by the The latest, set to launch early Entry to the Bay South garden is free, including National Parks Board, and is now governed by an 2013, will be dedicated to the popular Children’s TV show such features as Tadpole Garden, Dragonfly Island independent organisation and registered charity Sesame Street. Universal Studios and Supertree Grove, which features 18 “vertical responsible for developing and managing this world- introduced live shows, meet-and- gardens” of between 25 to 50-metres-tall, each with class showcase of horticulture and garden artistry. greet opportunities and large canopies that provide shade in the day and merchandise featuring the various come alive with a exhilarating display of light and MARINE LIFE PARK Sesame Street characters within sound at night. Guests must pay to enter the two The final piece of the jigsaw at Resorts World Sentosa its New York themed area this climate-controlled conservatories Cloud Forest and is Marine Life Park. Launched on December 7 after a summer and will soon open Flower Dome, or to cross the 128-metre long soft opening period in November, it comprises two Sesame Street Spaghetti Space walkway that connects two of the Supertrees at separate gated attractions. Chase, a dark ride dedicated Supertree Grove. The Southeast Asia Aquarium (SEA Aquarium) is to Elmo.

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 37 Attraction Update parkworld-online.com

billed as the world’s largest oceanarium, home to 100,000 marine animals of over 800 species, living inside a 60 million-litre shipwreck-themed habitat. Adventure Cove Waterpark, on the other hand, is the region’s only waterpark fusing exhilarating water attractions with marine life elements, such as the chance to snorkel amongst thousands of fish in Rainbow Reef. Riptide Rocket, the region’s first hydro- magnetic waterslide coaster, is one of several ProSlide attractions featured. Meanwhile guest staying at Resorts World Sentosa’s Beach Villas can choose from 11 Ocean Suites for an unforgettable encounter with Marine Life Park’s underwater inhabitants. These special two-storey rooms Adventure Cove Waterpark’s Spiral feature floor-to-ceiling acrylic panels providing Washout (Marine Life Park) unrivalled views of the fish and rays inside SEA Aquarium’s Open Ocean habitat. Slide away the wooden decking on the floor and a hidden bath reveals itself. Climb inside and you can soak up the suds whilst watching the sea life float by the window – a pretty cool feature by any stretch of the imagination. The rack rate is for each Ocean Suite is US$2400 (US$2,000/€1,500). According to Resorts World Sentosa CEO (Mr) Tan Hee Teck, “Marine Life Park puts Singapore in the pole position as the number one family destination in this Children learn about food region for many years to come. This is the only preparation at Marine Life Park integrated resort in the world that a visitor can spend One of the stunning Ocean Suites at Resorts World Sentosa’s over three full days in.” Beach Villas 300 species – including pandas – set amongst 12 RIVER SAFARI hectares of parkland populated by over 150 plant Singapore Zoo is one of the longest established and species. Passengers will pass through replicas of most-loved attractions with local residents, whilst the some of the world’s most famous river habitats, city’s Night Safari is a popular destination for including the Yangtze, Amazon and Nile, during the tourists. Set within the same wildlife reserves, the 30-minute boat ride. new S$160 million ($130m/€100m) River Safari River Safari will also play an important role in the (riversafari.com.sg) will debut in the first quarter of global captive breeding programme, ensuring the 2013. long-term survival of endangered and threatened Adventure Cove Waterpark’s Pipeline Visitors will be able to float past over 5,000 land- species such as the manatee and the giant river Plunge (Marine Life Park) based and freshwater animals, representing over otter.

Adventure Cove Waterpark at Marine Life park River Safari – coming soon to Singaopore

38 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013

Park Profile parkworld-online.com

Kim Jong-fun! North Korean leader samples new amusement park

ungrado Park, or the Rungna People’s Pleasure RGround, was visited back in July by supreme leader Kim Jong-un – much to the interest of the world’s media. One of at least four amusement parks in the city, the state-run facility was opened earlier this summer and features a selection of up-to- It’s one date amusement rides and attractions, but little in the of the world’s most secretive way of theming or landscaping. countries, with one of the Responsible for 13 of Rungrado Park’s attractions youngest leaders. And maybe was Zamperla, which supplied such offerings as a it is the inner child in Kim Twister Coaster, Hawk, Zodiac, Vertical Swing, Air Race Jong-un that we have to and Twist ‘n’ Bounce. Also featured are a number of thank for a new amusement waterpark attractions. park in the North Korean Zamperla’s relationship with the North Korean capital of Pyongyang government goes back to 2009, when Kim’s father Kim Jong-Il was still alive, when it was invited to revitalised Pyongyang’s Morambong Park. The following summer it supplied six attractions including a Volare coaster, Mega Disk ‘O, Giant Discovery, Power Surge and Z-Force tower ride. Zamperla could not officially comment on the Rungrado Park installation when contacted by Park ABOVE: Kim Jong-un goes for a World, but it is not thought to be the first Western ride spin on The Hawk manufacturer to supply equipment to North Korea. Vertical Flyer at Rungrado Park

The Hawk at Rungrado Park The Zodiac The Zodiac in full flight at Rungrado Park

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 41 Ride Profile

Despite the fact that the essence of a rollercoaster ride Camelback Coastin’ is feeling out of control, there is one version of coasters, the mountain coaster, that puts Mountain coaster debuts in Pennsylvania the rider in control. n a mountain coaster, each vehicle comes Mountain Resort in New Hampshire. Paul Ruben visits a ski resort with its own hand brake so riders can control It was the only mountain coaster to in Pennsylvania to test a new O their speed. They can ride serenely and incorporate speed restrictors, system sedately down the mountainside at a leisurely pace, or collision avoidance systems, brake they can ignore the hand brake and – like a bobsled lights and audible warning alarms. on rails – fly down the mountain, slowed only by the Prefabricated to require little to no occasional cart in front of them. Either way, such rides field-welding, the stainless steel are gaining in popularity, at a variety of different kinds construction is engineered to of venue. accommodate all manner of There are now more than 150 mountain coasters mountain terrain. around the world (nine in the US), with more being Camelback's Mountain Coaster built each year. Because of their relatively low capacity consists of 4,500ft (1,372m) of they have appeared mostly in ski resorts and fun modular stainless steel track centres. German suppliers Wiegand, Brandauer and that’s 38ft (12m) up at its highest Erbschloe have been joined more recently by a new point, with two vast 360º turns manufacturer, the US-based Aquatic Development and a total vertical drop of Group (ADG). 350ft (107m). The coaster is a year- The first ADG installation is now open at CBK round attraction that provides amazing visibility of the Mountain Adventures, part of the Camelback mountains, skiers, swimmers, bungee jumpers, zip Mountains Mountain Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania, and it liners and more. of fun comes complete with a number of safety features. Get “The Mountain Coaster is on a low impact track that too close to the cart in front of you and the brakes will is staked to the ground, providing an environmentally ADG’s new Mountain Coaster automatically come on. Take your seat belt off, and friendly, ecologically-sound experience,” explains Ken was part of $3 million (€2.4m) again the brakes will come on for protection Ellis, president of ADG and also co-owner of expansion to CBK Mountain Barrelling down the mountain at high speed, it Camelback Mountain Resort. “This is the wilderness Adventures in 2012. It follows a offers a wild and breathtaking ride. Keeping the hand and it’s important to keep it that way.” similar investment the previous brakes unengaged we felt out of control, the sure sign A steel rope pulls each two-seater cart up the ski season at Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, which of a thrilling coaster ride. Then, as we approached slopes of Camelback on the track. The ascent takes operates from late May through the cart ahead of us, the collision avoidance system about five minutes. Then, as you get to the top, until early September. Other worked like a charm. It automatically slowed our gravity takes over, but you control the speed and the attractions at the Camelback descent as we approached the cart ahead of us and brakes as you head down, gaining maximum speeds Mountain Resort include winter stopped us dead in our tracks. Three times. Playing of 25 to 30 mph (40 to 48kmh). It carries from 150 skiing and snow tubing, a pair bumper cars was not an option. to 220 riders per hour. of 4,000ft (1.2km) Zip-Flyers, The Aquatic Development Group (ADG) acquired Adding the Mountain Coaster was an easy decision, twin 1,000ft (305m) zip lines, the assets of Alpine Products in 2011. This acquisition says Ellis: “In 2010 Camelback opened CBK six treetop adventure courses, expanded ADG’s portfolio of revenue-producing Adventure Park with ropes course and zip lines. We mountain Segway tours, plus a products for ski resorts, mountain attractions and thought the Mountain Coaster would be a perfect Hummer tour to the top of Camelback Mountain. A 453- aquatics-based recreation and leisure facilities addition. We are a very interactive resort; people want room Camelback Mountain (Camelback also operates a summer waterpark). to enjoy the outdoors, they want to recreate and be Resort Hotel, complete with a Founded by Stig Albertsson, Alpine Products’ roots entertained and the Mountain Coaster is an ideal 120,000 sq ft (11,148 sq m) were in manufacturing alpine slides for the ski product for that. It appeals to all ages, I’ve seen indoor waterpark, will open industry. Its first slide installed at Bromley Mountain, grandparents over 80 taking their grandkids with them soon. Vermont, in 1976 is still in operation today. and having a great time!” skicamelback.com In 2010, Alpine introduced the first US- manufactured Alpine Mountain Coaster, at Attitash cbkmountainadventures.com

42

Park Products

Products and services for parks and attractions

ZERO GRAVITY BY SBF/VISA The Italian SBF/Visa Group has taken a fresh spin on the classic Rotor with the introduction of Zero Gravity. The attraction comprises a 6.3-metre (21ft) diameter drum that spins anticlockwise before the floor falls away and riders are left pinned to the inner wall likes flies. By using a translucent material for the wall, and 36 strips of LEDS for illumination, spectators on the outside are able to the marvel at the passengers on the inside as they hurtle by, apparently defying gravity. Up to 24 people can be accommodated 10.4m (34ft) footprint. The first unit will go per ride, and a single staircase is provided to a park in the Middle East. for boarding/disembarkation. Together perimeter fencing, the attraction occupies a sbfrides.com

BOB’S FISHIN’ HOLE BY BOB’S SPACE RACERS LED BUMPER CARS One of seven new games from Bob’s Space BY RDC Racers, Bob’s Fishin’ Hole invites players to American manufacturer RDC has released a grab a net and dip in to catch a fish, place it new LED illuminated version of its signature on the scale, and see what they have won. The spinning bumper car. Available in both battery fish have RFID chips inside that determine their and electric floor versions, the cars come “weight” and which are read the moment they equipped with either single colour or vivid are placed on the special scale. It’s simple and multi-changing LED lights around the easy game to play. perimeter of the fibreglass seating. The cars Other new additions to the BSR catalogue for can also be supplied with patterned 2013 include the single player Puppy Jump, multicoloured bumpers for added visual Pirate Loot and Crazy Canz, plus group games appeal. Bazooka Blast, Strike Zone and Lucky Duck 8. Although LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been used in amusement rides for some years bobspaceracers.com now, RDC’s Tami Dean say it has taken some time to find the right LEDs that are bright enough for use in both indoor and outdoor AQUABATS/AQUATROPICA BY EMPEX installations. The new look bumper cars Leading supplier of ‘spraygrounds’ and of interactive water features with a tropical certainly fit the bill. shallow water splash areas, Empex Watertoys theme including zany fauna, tropical trees and Lights can also be retrofitted to existing RDC has introduced a series of interactive acrobatic flowers, caterpillars, butterflies, bugs, snails, bumper cars. The first shipment will be an water play sculptures that allow kids to push monkeys and birds. All can be paired up order for 16 cars, due for delivery this month and pull a hand lever to change the water various water playground elements, offering to Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier, flow. Well Suited to water playgrounds in great fun for children up the age of 12. California. recreation and athletic centres, waterparks and All Empex products are fabricated from non- amusement parks, AquaBats also make a ferrous materials and come complete with a bumpercar.com terrific addition to Empex’s award-winning lifetime corrosion warranty. AquaCircus range. AquaTropica, meanwhile is a funky new line watertoys.com

AquaTropica AquaBats

44 DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 Park Products/Calendar www.parkworld-online.com

RIDETRAXX BY ALCORN MCBRIDE More and more theme park attractions are ShowGuide equipped these days with audio to enhance the Exhibitions and networking for attractions professionals passenger experience. Yet ensuring that such soundtracks can be played back during a moving ride without any disruption is more difficult than it • January 23 to 25 may sound. TiLEIndia RideTraXX is engineered for up to 17 channels of audio playback in the Shilpakala Vedika Convention Centre, most harsh and demanding conditions, and is ideal for dark rides, Hyderabad, India simulators and rollercoasters. MP3 files are stored on CompactFlash +44 1985 846181 within a rugged, reliable, maintenance-free cabinet that operates +91 40 23357299 (India) smoothly in high vibration, high inertia environments. [email protected] Also available in the Alcorn TraXX range are the ProTraXX, for tileweb.org playback of audio in a wide range of settings from queue lines to retail • January 29 to 31 stores, and the TourTraXX, which triggers audio in tour buses and other IAAPI Amusement Expo sightseeing vehicles. Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, India +91 99674 99933 alcorn.com [email protected] iaapi.org CASHLESS EXPRESS • February 5 to 9 IISF Trade Show BY IDEAL SOFTWARE SYSTEMS International Independent Showmen’s Association, Club House, 6915 Riverview Drive, This new low-cost, turnkey debit solution from Ideal Software Gibsonton (Gibtown), Florida, USA Systems gives arcades and small-scale FEC operators a +1 813 677 3590 simple card-swipe system that enables them to easily make the switch to [email protected] a cashless environment for increased revenue and tighter controls. gibtownshowmensclub.com The back-lit LED reader draws customers in, and then reliable optical card-scanning technology with a double-sided bar-code reader keeps • March 6 to 8 IAAPA Leadership Conference them playing. Blinking lights, audio and even video can be triggered when they win. The full small screen can also be used to show a player São Paulo, Brazil how to activate the machine in question, the remaining value left on the +1 703/836-4800 card, or the number of tickets won. [email protected] iaapa.org/events-education idealss.com • March 7 to 10 Halloween & Attractions Show America’s Center, St Louis, Missouri, USA FIRE FIGHTERS +1 847 453 4285 BY IE PARK [email protected] This new interactive children’s ride is equipped with two water cannons, haashow.com featuring a choice of either automatic or manual functions, with riders March 17 to 19 aiming the water at various effects and targets within the centre as they • China Attractions Expo revolve around it. China National Convention Center, The speed of rotation is very slow in order to provide adequate time Chaoyang, Beijing for players to hit the targets and to enjoy the different scenes. Optional +44 1298 813148 extras include additional fire trucks, platforms and fences. Several units [email protected] have already been delivered. www.caapa.org “I am very happy that we have created yet another new and exciting interactive ride to complement our already extensive range of children’s • March 20 to 22 attractions,” says IE Park sales director Andrea RAAPA Expo Munari. VVTs, Moscow, Russia +7 495 234 50 15 or +44 1905 360169 iepark.com [email protected] www.raapa.ru

• April 23 to 25 DEAL 2013 Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE +971 4 3435777 [email protected] themeparksdubai.com

More events at www.parkworld-online.com

DECEMBER 2012/JANUARY 2013 45 WebWeb GuideGuide Online resources for the amusement industry

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

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

M AZES www.jaravision.com www.worldofrides.com www.pax.ru T HEMING AND D ESIGN B UMPER C ARS MAZES www.amazenmazes.com www.ridesandfun.com www.sarner.com P EOPLE M OVERS T RADE A SSOCIATIONS

www.bumpercar.com www.sbfrides.com www.dottotrains.com www.alesuk.org

T ICKETING www.candsrides.biz www.technicalpark.com C ASHLESS S YSTEMS

www.severn-lamb.com www.rtp.com/pos/products/ticketing.aspx www.mack-rides.com www.embedcard.com P LANNING & DESIGN C OIN H ANDLING E QUIPMENT www.accesso.com www.intaminworldwide.com www.forrec.com www.cumminsallison.co.uk www.gatewayticketing.com D ARK R IDES www.kcc.be www.vekoma.com P LAY S TRUCTURES S HOWS www.nationalticket.com www.sallycorp.com DESIGN AND www.omniticket.com CONSTRUCTION www.iplayco.com V ISITOR V IDEO S YSTEM www.falconshow.com www.sandersongroup.com.au R EVIEWS AND I NFORMATION E XHIBITIONS www.tapemyday.com

www.hauntcom.com www.olivershow.com W ATER R IDES R IDES FAMILY/CHILDRENS 4 D ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT CENTRES S IMULATORS www.Interlink-lg.com www.gerstlauer-rides.com www.simworx.co.uk W ATER R IDES & PARKS www.whitehutchinson.com S NOW & ICE I NTERACTIVE P ROJECT D ISPLAY www.mondialrides.com www.proslide.com

www.vanegdom.nl www.eyeclick.com www.snow.biz

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

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

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