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INSIDE: RCS debuts Observation Wheel ANNIVERSARY PAGES 42-44 TM & ©2017 , Inc.

May 2017 | Vol. 21 • Issue 2 www.amusementtoday.com Great Coasters unleashes two thrilling woodies InvadR lands at Busch Williamsburg as park's eighth coaster AT: B. Derek Shaw nothing on here that is dangerous [email protected] — you don’t have to worry about being thrown around or getting WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — hurt. It’s very smooth with quick Amid the pomp and circumstance change of directions — a lot of of Viking-themed regalia, InvadR snappiness.” Fans agree with opened to the public at Busch Hain that InvadR is a fun, fast, Gardens Williamsburg on April smooth ride providing an out- 8. The ride, a Great Coasters, In- of-control feeling in a very safe, ternational, Inc. (GCII) designed controlled environment. intermediate-sized twister, was Williamsburg Crowdsourcing via social built between the entrance to the media was the mantra for this park president David Crom- New France station and Le ride from the very beginning. well welcomes guests to the Scoot in that section of InvadR, Viking Raider and Bat- InvadR opening ceremonies. the property. tle Klash were three potential COURTESY BUSCH GARDENS The ride is a fit for all family coaster names that were vetted A Viking actor portraying Magnus The Red takes a front seat members from kids to teenagers, everybody wants on this ride,” by the park and presented to fans ride on the new InvadR at Busch Gardens. mom and dad and grandma and said Clair Hain, Jr., President of 4See INVADR, page 6 COURTESY BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG grandpa. “It has everything that GCII. He continued, “There’s What's in the Shed? 's debuts AT: Tim Baldwin so smooth and seamless. “ [email protected] “I think Mystic Tim- bers brings the modern-day MASON, Ohio — Kings wooden to Island is no stranger to Kings Island, where The Rac- building world-famous er and The Beast were built roller coasters. From the in the ‘70s,” said Don Helbig, captivating when the public relations area man- park opened in 1972 to The Great America and, most re- ager, Kings Island. “GCII Beast — which still holds cently, the revamp of Knott’s brings different technology the record for world’s lon- Berry Farm’s GhostRider. for our guests.” gest wooden coaster — re- “Cedar has had an The thematic slant to the nowned thrillers have been incredible partnership with new ride involves “mysteri- a hallmark of the park for Great Coasters,” said Adam ous circumstances” dating more than four decades. House, senior design en- back to the 1980s at the Mi- Officially opening to the gineer, GCII. “It makes the ami River Lumber Company public on April 15, Mystic designing and building pro- on the edge of Rivertown. Timbers is the latest crowd- cess so streamlined when the Despite the audio and post- pleaser. Built by Great Coast- customer knows what they ed warnings to stay out — Kings Island Introduced its newest ers International, Inc. (GCII), want and what they are get- and certainly: Don’t go in to with the debut of Mystic Timbers on April 13. The Great the coaster is the company's ting. From the initial proj- the Shed — guests, of course, Coasters product features 16 airtime hills, 197 feet of over- latest project for , ect discussion to the point insist on forging on in their all drop and a mystery shed at the ride's end produced by following hits at , where the corporate guys Holovis. COURTESY KINGS ISLAND , California’s show up to ride, it just seems 4See MYSTIC, page 8 42017 AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY PREVIEW – PAGES 10-16

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EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint Coasters being designed for family-friendly thrills Is the North American roller coaster record-setting arms race over for a while? It would certainly appear so as the selection of new coasters opening across the U.S. this season is far from the record books. A new "family first" approach in thrills is the new trend as engineers and designers plug Slade in smaller designs that still generate the requested thrills, and now slower speeds, the parks are seeking. New this season are two new wooden thrillers from Great Coasters International, Inc. (GCII), that top out at speeds of only 48 mph on InvadR at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and 53 mph on Mystic Timbers at Kings Island. California's Great America transformed its B&M stand- up coaster into the more family-friendly floorless coaster with great fanfare. Later this spring/summer the U.S. will see: INDUSTRY OPINION: Dean Lamanna, [email protected] •Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster at SeaWorld is from . It will launch guests with a U.S. administration fuels foreign tourism fears maximum of 44 mph and take riders on a course over The summer high season is almost here. At the end of January, the travel stat- And with hundreds of millions of dollars in isticians at ForwardKeys.com reported an the park's signature lake. new technologies and attractions being in- 80 percent plummet in flight passengers •-designed Mine Blower is a super- troduced, optimism and expectation in the from the seven Muslim-majority countries compact wooden coaster currently under construction amusement industry have, indeed, never been listed in President Trump's original exec- at Fun Spot Kissimmee. It will feature a family-friendly higher. utive order, while Travel Weekly pegged compact layout. Our business has rebounded from the the overall drop in incoming foreign visi- recession. The American economy, as of this tors at almost seven percent. Forbes.com •S&S is supplying 4D Free Spin coasters to three Six writing, is strong. People are seeking fun and Lamanna noted a 12 percent dive in European tour- Flags parks as well as debuting its GaleForce launch coaster escape more than ever. Nothing to worry ist interest alone. at 's Castaway Cove in Ocean City, N.J. about, right? Any persistence of such numbers for a coun- • turned to Martin & Vleminckx for Not according to travel industry observers, try that saw an estimated 77.5 million international who see signs of what they’ve dubbed the “Trump visitor arrivals in 2015, Frommer said, “would reduce new trackwork on the historic wooden coaster while Slump” — a foreign tourism fall-off. They say it is the value of foreign travel within the U.S. by billions also outfitting the ride with new trains from GCII. the result of Donald J. Trump’s tough presidential of dollars.” (Over $7 billion, by one estimate.) • Park in Lubbock, Texas, retired its aging campaign rhetoric and his administration’s push to Repercussions on the amusement industry are Miler kiddie coaster with a newer Wisdom Dragon coaster, implement a temporary U.S. travel ban on refugees most likely to be felt in Central and Southern relocated from Santa's Village near . and immigrants from countries deemed terrorism California, where foreign visitors represent a signifi- hot spots. cant theme park and attractions admissions percent- The new coaster designs are proving that bigger is not Beyond any partisan debate, this is a problem age. A much-wider impact, though, may be felt by always better and that thrills can indeed come in all sizes. of perception. allied companies and workers. For a complete list of all the new-for-2017 projects Travel guru Arthur Frommer sounded the alarm How our business will fare stateside remains around the globe, be sure to check out AT's annual in February, declaring that “most travel experts are to be seen. But it’s not a leap to predict that a viral of one mind: They are currently drawing attention to view of the U.S. as unwelcoming won’t be good for Amusement Industry Preview, compiled by Jeffrey Seifert, the unintended consequences of the Trump-led ef- some domestic industries — particularly those that on pages 10 and 12 (North America) and pages 14 and 16 forts… pointing to a sharp drop in foreign tourism to depend in part on international tourism, not to men- (International). our nation that imperils jobs and touristic income.” tion American cultural appeal and goodwill.

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Amusement Today is an independent, privately- Founder, Publisher and Editor Social Media & Editorial Print Issue & Extra Extra owned trade newspaper published 14 times Gary Slade • (817) 460-7220 x3 Dean Lamanna Desktop Edition Production per year by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box [email protected] [email protected] Website Maintenance 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Print issues are John Robinson • (513) 256-1441 $50 per year and are mailed Presort Standard Postage (permit No. 2069) Pre-Paid Fort Worth, Accounting & Classified Editorial [email protected] Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper, Sammy Piccola • (817) 460-7220 x1 Tim Baldwin and its related websites, are Copyrighted and [email protected] [email protected] Association Memberships Trademarked 2017 by Amusement Today Inc., AIMS International, ASTM, IAAPA, IISF, IRT/ all rights reserved. Advertising B. Derek Shaw • (717) 650-8330 iROC, NAARSO, NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, PAPA, PACE, TTIA, WWA Sue Nichols • (615) 477-5432 [email protected] Address: P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas [email protected] 76005-5427, USA Pam Sherborne • (615) 308-3310 Industry Affiliated Charities Deliveries: 2012 E. Randol Mill Road #203, [email protected] Give Kids the World Village, Arlington, Texas 76011, USA Special Projects & Editorial Morgan's Wonderland, Phone: (817) 460-7220 Jeffrey Seifert • (817) 460-7220 Monthly Contributors National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives Fax: (817) 265-NEWS (6397) [email protected] Dan Feicht, Bubba Flint, Andrew Mellor, Websites: www.AmusementToday.com, Richard Munch, Janice Witherow www.GoldenTicketAwards.com 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

THE INDUSTRY SEEN A new zootopia in MINUTE DRILL 2 AT: Janice Witherow

Leanna Knoebel Muscato gives opening remarks as Knoebels Amusement Resort opens the 2017 season. COURTESY KNOEBELS Leanna Knoebel Muscato, Knoebels Amusement Resort Leanna Knoebel Muscato knows no other When I eat Mexican food, I typically order: life than being in the amusement industry. As a Tacos. third-generation Knoebel family member helping to operate the charming Knoebels Amusement The song I know all the lyrics to is: “Palisades Resort in Pennsylvania, Leanna was born into the Park,” but I sing “Knoebels Groves Park” business and has a genuine passion and pride in her work. She was recently named the first-ever The longest I have ever waited in line for female president of the Pennsylvania Amusement anything is: Three hours for Cars Land in Just coming off an event-filled centennial year, the world- . renowned San Diego continues its remarkable mo- Parks Association — a role to which she is bringing a lifetime of experience and diving into with great mentum as it undertakes the construction of an extensive enthusiasm. Leanna’s work ethic, approachable The coolest television commercial out right now new animal exhibit. The $68 million, eight-acre Conrad demeanor and fun-loving spirit shine through on is: All of the Capital One commercials with Charles Prebys Africa Rocks will showcase the continent’s diverse every occasion! Barkley during NCAA playoffs. The Melissa habitats and inhabitants, including African penguins, ba- McCarthy commercials for Kia are also great. boons, lemurs and honey badgers. Work was progress- Title: Vice President of HH Knoebel Sons and ing apace as shown here in mid-March; the attraction will Games Director. Choose one: steak or lobster debut later this year. AT/GARY SLADE Steak. Lobster is too much work! Number of years in the industry: My entire life. I started at 6 years old in the fishpond game. The last time I ate pizza was: Three weeks CHARACTER CORNER ago… Cesari’s at Knoebels isn’t open yet. Best thing about the industry: It offers fun, , USA relaxation and enjoyment for many people. And If I had an extra day in the week, I'd spend it: lots of memories are made in this industry. Reading or putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Shmoo, the cartoon creature created by , was Favorite amusement ride: I love wooden coasters, Your house is on fire. The three things you brought to life at Dogpatch but a good is always on my radar. grab first are: Joe, my two kitties and my USA, a theme park in Marble computer/Ipad. I guess that is more than three! Falls, Ark., based on the comic If I wasn’t working in the amusement industry, I strip Li’l Abner. The would be: Reading a good book on a sunny beach. When I say White House, you say: The family first made their appearance homestead. That is what we call our main office. in the comic strip on Aug. 31, Biggest challenge facing our industry: 1948. Dogpatch USA opened Offering an affordable family outing while Growing up, my favorite cartoon was: in 1968, but it wasn’t until making safety and excitement a priority. “Road Runner.” “Beep-Beep.” 1980 that a Shmoo became a theme park regular. Although, The thing I like most about amusement/water On Memorial Day, you will find me: Carrying initially successful, Dogpatch park season is: The warmer weather, and the the Knoebels flag in our family parade, and most USA never met its attendance challenge a new season brings each year. likely singing during my annual speech at 3 p.m.

projections. In 1977, Al Capp The first thing I do when I get to work is: retired and without the Li’l Favorite Superhero: Make sure my coffee cup is full and set out to Abner comic strip, the park Clark Kent ... the real . gather yesterday’s data. lost its connection to readers in more than 700 newspapers Summer is almost here. I am most looking forward to: Meeting new guests, and yet I love Coolest place to look at the stars: If I am home, throughout the country. The in my back yard. But if I’m working, my upper park struggled during the escaping to my giant warehouse. warehouse. 1980s under different owners and through the 1993 season. Besides, Knoebels, where is the one place you would take a visitor to Pennsylvania? You are at the mall. Where do we find you? It closed permanently Not sure! I really don’t shop much. on Oct. 14, 1993. Gettysburg. I love history.

CARTOON BY BUBBA FLINT My go-to summertime drink is: Water, but a gin HISTORY BY JEFFREY SEIFERT and tonic when not at work. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 5

MAILBAG Ride Entertainment Group issues statement concerning incident in Paris The following comments were sent to AT edi- • tor Gary Slade in response to the newspaper's 20th "Just seeing in your Extra! Extra! edition to- STEVENSVILLE, Md. — Ride Entertainment Group, own- anniversary issue, published last month: day that you are celebrating your 20th anniversary. ers of the brand, issued a statement concerning a ride Congratulations to you and the AT team from all mishap on an attraction at the Throne Fair in Paris, France, that "Congratulations on 20 years of publishing an your friends at AIMS! That is a major milestone, es- resembles of the company's products. amazing magazine — what an incredible amount pecially these days in the publishing business. We The company stated: of work and accomplishment. It continues to be an are all very proud of your accomplishments which "Yesterday (April 10) there was a shocking incident in Paris honor and a pleasure to work with you and the AT are many and also cherish the close important re- (France) on the ‘Adrenaline’ Extreme Ride, which is an unauthor- team. Thanks for all you have brought to our indus- lationship between AIMS and AT. As I have said on ized knockoff device which attempted to copy Skycoaster’s sig- try. Well done and thanks for mentioning Sherrie many occasions, people don’t realize how impact- nature flight experience. In the incident a young girl’s harness ap- Brammall!" ful your focus on safety is to our industry. Your ef- parently failed, leaving her hanging by her ankles as she rode the —Terri Adams, Waterpark Resorts forts to publicize the dedicated efforts of AIMS and 50-meter-tall ride. Thankfully, despite the dangerous situation, it • others results in a safer industry. Thank you for that "Thank you for 20 years of great industry and we all look forward to toasting your 20th when appears that there were no serious injuries. news!" we are next together." "The Adrenaline ride is not connected in any way to Skycoast- —Brad Thomas and the family —Jim Seay, er or Ride Entertainment. Skycoaster and Ride Entertainment • and AIMS board member have worked tirelessly to achieve its unmatched safety record, "On behalf of Knoebels Amusement Resort, I • including rigid equipment inspections and mandatory operator would like to congratulate Amusement Today on "I just wanted to reach out and say congratu- training." this milestone. For 20 years, AT has helped link our lations on 20 years of Amusement Today. When I If the amusement industry has further questions please con- family-owned-and-operated park in rural Pennsyl- moved on from the sports industry, I questioned tact Mark Rosenzweig at [email protected]. vania with the international amusement industry. whether I could find another career where there •rideentertainment.com Educating us on other parks’ successes and chal- was so much passion for the industry. I have found chosen as name of new Mack lenges, and connecting us with suppliers and man- that and more in the world and ufacturers have been just two of the ways AT has the work you do at Amusement Today is a shining coaster at Pleasure Beach helped us immerse ourselves in the industry. The example of that passion. Simply a great read every Golden Ticket Awards have helped us build upon issue. Here’s to the next 20 and I hope our paths BLACKPOOL, England — On April 11, Blackpool Pleasure and take pride in our strengths, and set goals for cross again soon in the future." Beach announced the name of its new £16.25 million rollercoaster the awards that we have yet to win (but are de- —Roger Ross, California's Great America as Icon. termined to). I would also like to add that AT is a • Speaking on the name unveil, Man- special publication to the entire team at Knoebels, "Congratulations on 20 years and all the best aging Director Amanda Thompson, OBE, said: "Icon is going to be as it's the most looked-forward-to industry mailing. in the future!" one of the most talked-about, iconic rollercoasters of the future. I, personally, wish to congratulate Gary, as I recall —Bill Alter, W. A. Alter Inc. The name speaks for itself as it will be one of the most iconic rides conversations at my bar with him, Barbara and my- • on the planet. This is Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s biggest invest- self when things weren’t so rosy." "I just learned in your most recent issue that ment to date and will have a real impact on the town and region —Dick Knoebel, Knoebels Amusement Resort you are celebrating 20 years of Amusement Today, as a whole." • to which I would like to congratulate you sincerely. Icon is being manufactured by at their factory in "Congratulations on your 20th year; it's hard Since the beginning, AT has always been a must- Waldkirch, Germany. It will open in spring 2018. to believe that much time has passed! Great-look- read for me and my team and I still enjoy going •blackpoolpleasurebeach.com ing new format for the magazine." through each edition in detail as soon as it arrives —Rick Bastrup, here. You are covering the diversity of the sector in EPR Properties wraps 12-park purchase; R&R Creative Amusement Designs, Inc. great detail and have been a true companion to our Premier gains 40-year operating lease • wonderful industry. "Big-time congratulations on your 20th an- I would like to take the opportunity and thank OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — EPR Properties, a specialty real niversary to you and your staff! Quite an accom- you for accompanying Europa-Park and Mack estate investment trust (REIT), announced on April 6 that it has fi- plishment. All of us in the amusement industry are Rides, and I really hope to welcome you soon again nalized the purchase of 12 theme and water parks under an agree- thankful for your dedication and excellence in pro- here in Rust to show you our latest additions, in- ment that also retains Premier Parks, LLC, as operator and awards viding a very professional publication that has been cluding our amazing flying theater Voletarium. I 40-year operating leases for each park. beneficial in so many ways. Keep up the great work wish you all the best for the upcoming 20 years and “Premier Parks has an even brighter future under this new and looking forward to seeing you soon some- beyond!" agreement with EPR Properties, as it gives us new resources to where down the road. Way to go, Gary." —Roland Mack, grow and improve our theme and water parks,” said Premier Parks —Ken Kobane, Apex Parks Group Europa-Park GmbH & Co. & Mack Rides CEO and President Kieran Burke. “The new 40-year operating leas- • • es awarded in conjunction with this purchase give our parks much "Just a quick note of congratulations on your "When Gary Slade and his team stepped to greater stability and investment in the years to come. Our parkgo- 20-year anniversary. I know it has been a labor of the plate 20 years ago to provide us with compre- ers won’t see any changes in the day-to-day operations of the park. love and at times frustrating. Also, the coated stock hensive reporting on events and important issues It is business as usual as we enter an exciting 2017 season!” on the April issue is sharp and I hope it generates related to our industry, it was certainly timely. The operating lease agreements impact 12 of the water and more ad revenue with those who shied away from immediately filled a Amusement Today (AT) theme parks currently managed by Premier Parks including Fron- the traditional newsprint." void left by the loss of longtime publication Amuse- tier City and in Oklahoma City; Darien Lake near —Gina Guglielmi, Intermark Ride Group ment Business, considered by many to be the Buffalo, New York; Wet ‘n’ Wild parks in Hawaii, Palm Springs, • “have to have” print copy of what was going on "Just reading my morning Extra! Extra! and in the world of amusement parks, carnivals, manu- and Houston; Rapids in West Palm Beach; Wild Waves in wanted to drop you a quick note. Congrats on facturers and suppliers. Fortunately, Gary knew the Seattle; Magic Springs in Hot Springs; Waterworld California in the 20th anniversary of Amusement Today! That’s ropes of the newspaper industry to help him launch Concord, CA; and Myrtle Waves in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. something you should be really proud of, as I’m Amusement Today at a time others might not have EPR Properties (NYSE:EPR) is a New York Stock Exchange sure it hasn’t always been easy." gambled on such a venture. publicly traded REIT with substantial resources, over $5 billion —Brian Witherow, It’s been a pleasure to watch AT grow over the in investments, and a proven track record in the entertainment Cedar Fair Entertainment Company years and spread its wings to incorporate news on industry with assets in golf entertainment venues, megaplex the- • numerous fronts important to many us. Personally, aters and ski resorts. "Congratulations on 20 great years of Amuse- AT keeps me abreast of the latest happenings in “Premier Parks has been successfully operating most of these ment Today! Quite the milestone. What a great the amusement park business and connected with theme and water parks for many years,” continued Burke. “In service you have provided for our industry keep- the carnival industry, where I got my start more anticipation of the EPR purchase, we were able to bring four new ing us informed and up to speed on happenings than 40 years ago. parks under the Premier Parks management umbrella last fall, in- throughout each leisure sector. Your contributions Congratulations, Gary, on this milestone and cluding the theme and/or water parks in Seattle, Concord, Myrtle have been greatly appreciated. Here’s to 20 more!" for making Amusement Today my “have to have” Beach and Hot Springs. We are confident the new ownership will —Dennis Speigel, publication! have a positive impact on each of our parks’ customers, staff and International Theme Park Services, Inc. —Ron Gustafson, community.” 6 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 INVADR so help us find the name. They Continued from page 1 came up with a great one with In- vadR. Then we went from there. for a vote. Over 12,000 people We had them involved in some of participated. Dan Dipiazzo, VP our marketing campaigns.” of marketing for Busch Gardens Fans were kept up to date explains this approach, “We have on the construction progress a loyal group of fans who really throughout the process. Holes want to be involved in every- were cut in the construction site thing. We thought, let’s involve barrier walls so visitors could them. Let’s not keep this a secret view the progress. “We weren’t like we normally do. Let’s get hiding anything. We wanted out there as soon as we can and them to be along for the ride, so be very transparent. From the to speak,” said Dipiazzo. This beginning when we announced even included a fan hard hat tour, that we were going to build a selecting the ride logo and con- wooden coaster (at Pass Member struction wall art. Most recently See more on there was a contest where fans Preview Day in 2016), we didn’t VideoTrack even know the name for it yet, could submit to be the faces of In- vadR. “They selected six people at AmusementToday.com FAST FACTS who are our Viking personas that we’re using in video and market- Name/Park ing. From the beginning (of the InvadR/Busch Gardens Decide the Ride campaign) all Williamsburg, Va. the way through the fan celebra- tion today, they have been along Type the whole way.” Intermediate size Dipiazzo feels the GCII roller wooden hybrid coaster coaster fills a vital niche for their with steel superstructure property: “We’re very excited to Height/Speed/Length have InvadR as part of our port- 74 feet/48 mph/2,118 feet folio. One of the things we try to Top, Vikings and local villagers take a ride on the new InvadR. The intermediate-sized wood- do is recognize that we don’t al- en coaster reaches a top speed of 48 mph. Above left, GCII's Clair Hain and son Hayden try Trains/Capacity ways have the most roller coast- out the test seat that is located to the right of InvadR’s entrance. Above right, InvadR's entry 2 16-passenger, ers, but we want to have the best, portal was created by Indiana-based Weber Group, Inc. The Viking-themed battering ram repurposed Gwazi well-rounded selection. I think took eight weeks to build, stands 20 feet tall and took 650 man-hours to construct. trains/700pph InvadR really fills that niche by COURTESY BUSCH GARDENS; AT/B. DEREK SHAW bringing us a wooden coaster and Special Features also a great family ride that can be for the brave! A day for the bold! nuts and bolts,” said Hain. ily [coaster] under my belt.” Nine airtime hills; two that first big coaster for kids.” It is a day for the Vikings!” Mag- The InvadR ride site was Hain’s favorite seat? “Al- tunnels; Saddle Helix; Due to the tight ride area nus urged his followers, some not without challenges. “There ways the back seat.” Which side? crosses railroad tracks GCII had to work with, InvadR draped in war paint, capes, weap- was no place to build structure,” “Right, I don’t know why.” four times and really layed itself out. “Engi- ons and shields, to be among the said Hain. “Our office was set Suzy Cheely, director of de- intertwines with neers used 3-D modeling to fit first to ride InvadR. The -invad up a mile from here. We built ev- sign and engineering for the Vir- LeScoot flume ride the coaster into the beautiful can- ing group included members of erything there and carried it in ginia properties was asked about Footprint vas that’s our park,” said David Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia with a fork lift and set it in place. working with Great Coasters Peninsula; Fenvald Vikings living Foundations were going in the International. “They are a great 300 feet by 520 feet Cromwell, president Busch Gar- dens Williamsburg and Water history group of Virginia Beach; same time as we were building company, with a lot of great en- Height Requirement Country USA. and select fans who voted online the ride. The and drop hill gineers. They’re very passionate 46 inches During the Opening Cer- in choosing the name and other we built out in the parking lot in about their work and their coast- emony, complete with numerous ride elements. two one-half sections. We had to ers. I think it was a wonderful Suppliers Viking invaders surrounding the While InvadR is completely block the road, then we had to partnership. I think the results Great Coasters Intl., Inc, ride entrance area featuring a bat- new, parts were used from the get a huge crane to fly everything show,” Cheely said. Sunbury, Pa. tering ram structure, Cromwell now defunct Gwazi from Busch over the top of these buildings, Also in attendance at the • touted the virtues of the new Gardens Tampa Bay. Hain ex- over the railroad tracks and ev- opening day festivities was Skyline Attractions and coaster: “It will deliver in all its as- plained: “Mainly the mechani- erything else. There were extra Hayden Hain, 15 year-old son of Ashland Technologies pects. It is fun, it is fast, it is thrill- cal stuff. They used some of the expenses none of us were re- Clair. He travels in the summer Orlando, Fla. ing. A wood coaster really fills the parts from the trains, the lap bar ally anticipating. Everything was and other times when school is • gap of an attraction mix. We’re release mechanisms, the brakes.” blocked in because of the fencing not in session with his father. Weber Group also excited because it appeals A spare chain, a few sprockets from the park with the train oper- When asked about his future Sellersburg, Ind. to a broad audience. It’s a family and a couple of the shafts from ating at the same time. There was aspirations, the younger Hain thrill ride.” Cromwell’s speech the Florida park were also repur- a lot of stop (and) starts. How- said, “I’m trying to go to college Opened was interrupted by a group of posed in Virginia. “Everything ever, it came out great. They are to be an engineer for my dad. April 7, 2017 Viking actors led by Magnus The was completely revamped. It was very happy, I am very happy. It’s So hopefully I can take it over Red who proclaimed: “It is a day completely rebuilt down to the always great to have a new fam- (someday).” May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 7 8 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 MYSTIC Continued from page 1 quest for adventure. What awaits is a wild and thrill- ing coaster ride in pickup themed trains. Raving ap- proval was a strong early in- dication that Mystic Timbers is a hit. The aforementioned Above, riders on Mystic shed is the ride’s finale and Timbers enjoy the the focus of the marketing 3,265-foot-long ride; right, tagline: #WhatsInTheShed. the ride's 54-degree first While no real spoilers will drop is on a curving angle, be found here, it is fair to say while below right, riders zip that it is themed video-based through the course at 53 content. The provider was mph in their train, themed Holovis. Because the content as a pickup truck. is programmable, Kings Is- COURTESY KINGS ISLAND; land currently has three dis- AT/JOHN ROBINSON tinct endings during the day, and another three at night. Shed?’ kept everyone guess- See more on Greg Scheid, regional ing and was a great market- vice president for Cedar Fair, ing ploy to keep interest lev- VideoTrack el high. But we knew once said, “When we originally at AmusementToday.com had started talking about everyone rode the ride, the the ride, we wanted to put ride [itself] was going to be a little kick at the end that the meat of the ride. Or you House commented, “Even would make it unique. The could look at it as the ride is though we have had a fairly campaign of ‘What’s in the the whipped cream and the mild winter, weather was ending is the cherry on top.” still a threat through the con- “We’re always look- struction of Mystic Timbers. I FAST FACTS ing for something more and think we had 24 days of rain Name/Park more for our guests, so we in January, so you can imag- Mystic Timbers knew we could build a great ine that there were some hur- Kings Island, Mason, Ohio coaster with GCII, but we dles there, especially with wanted to do something ex- concrete installation. Addi- Type/Opened tra. Just when you think it is tionally, the crossing of the la- Wooden coaster/ over, it’s not over,” said Rob goon, train, and White Water April 13, 2017 Decker, senior vice president Canyon ride all created some of planning and design, Ce- challenges for the layout. We Height/Speed/Length/ dar Fair. “We worked with had to have the station and Height Restriction Holovis, and they came up shed high enough to get over 109 feet/53 mph/ with some really compel- the train, we needed custom 3,265 feet/48 inches ling ideas toward the super- designed piles for the Trains/Capacity natural and the unexplained. crossing, and I can’t even tell 3, 24-passenger You go back into the woods you how many bridges are trains/1,200 pph that you haven’t gone be- throughout the ride to be fore. And it all focuses on the sure we stayed above [the Special Features shed. We knew that when rapids ride]. What’s great midway. The Beast and Mys- Timbers. We are excited for 16 airtime hills; 197 feet of the riders go into the trans- about all of these obstacles is tic Timbers are two totally the double camelback trick overall length of first drop; fer and storage area before that Mystic Timbers will inte- different experiences.” track which is two back-to- 54 degree angle of first drop; going back into the station grate seamlessly into the en- The out-of-control na- back bunny hops that switch mid-course tunnel, there would be a pause, and tire Rivertown area of King’s ture of the ride also features directions up and over each and themed Mystery Shed that was an opportunity to Island.” 16 moments of negative Gs element. There is also a qua- Wooden Track Note capture the riders’ imagina- AT asked Kings Island momentarily lifting people druple S-turn going back Mystic Timbers gives tion once again.” General Manager Mike from the seats, as well as a into the midcourse tunnel KI a combined total of “Just the overall pacing Koontz about the decision of curved tunnel at the back of that will catch everyone off 18,804 feet of wooden of the ride is awe-inspiring,” the location of the new coast- the ride. By running three guard.” track, the most at any said House. “The only sec- er. He said: “The whole pro- trains, the park is hoping “I love the first drop in park in the world tion of the ride that you can cess started a couple of years for a ridership of 1,200 peo- the back seat,” said Helbig. see from inside the park is ago. We knew we wanted to ple per hour. Because of the “Plus, when you do that Suppliers the lift and first drop. The re- do a coaster, which evolved show component, all three back turnaround at night Great Coasters Intl., Inc, mainder of the ride is so low into a wooden coaster. That trains can be stacked if nec- and start the stretch toward Sunbury, Pa. and tight that it flies through fits the theming of the Ri- essary. Audio up the lift the shed, you see the Eiffel • the entire course. What’s also vertown area, and then we prompts the chain to slow in Tower all lit up. I think it is Skyline Attractions and great about Mystic Timbers pulled in the story about Mi- two places so riders can hear going to be a difficult deci- Ashland Technologies, is that it feels like a com- ami River Lumber Company. the panicked warnings as sion at night now. Where Orlando, Fla. pletely different ride in the From our experience with they ascend the incline. This most people always head to • front seat compared to the The Beast and going back also helps with the proper The Beast, people are now Irvine Ondrey Engineering, back seat. I think there is still into the woods, it made this placement of trains in the going to have a tough time Ann Arbor, Mich. a toss-up right now of which kind of a natural. But with show element sequence. to decide. I think in time this • people prefer, but they are so The Beast, you have to go “Skyline Attractions ride has a chance to become Holovis completely different that it back to it to see it. We want- supplied the centerline for the ride they want to start Midlands, U.K. warrants a ride in both.” ed to make sure the guests us,” said House. “We tried a their day with and end their Regarding construction, could see the ride from the few new elements on Mystic day with." May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 9 10 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

2017 AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY PREVIEW | NORTH AMERICA

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Orlando…Pandora - World of Avatar — new themed Compiled by Jeffrey Seifert land with Avatar Flight of Passage 3-D flight simulator; Na'vi River Journey — CANADA indoor boat ride Alberta Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, Orlando…ProSlide Power River , ...Zero Gravity — Unicoaster Fun Spot America, Kissimmee…Mine Blower — Gravity Group wooden coaster British Columbia Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando…ADG Flowrider double and waterslides Playland, Vancouver...Bug Whirled — SBF Visa compact spinning coaster; Moser Gulfstream Park, Hallandale…Chance Rides 36' custom carousel Rides 10-meter tower ride; Flutterbye — Magic Bikes Florida, Winter Haven…New Ninjago World themed area with Ninjago Ontario The Ride — TrioTech interactive , Beach Retreat resort accomodations Canada's Wonderland, ...Soaring Timbers — Mondial Inferno; Muskego Old Town, Kissimmee…Fabbri wheel Plunge — SplashTacular body slides including DrenalinDrop capsule Sun Splash, Cape Coral…Pirate's Cove — interactive water play structure Santa's Village, Bracebridge…SBF/Visa Triple spiral spinning coaster Universal Studios Florida, Orlando…Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Wild Water Kingdom, Brampton…Reopening of closed ; two ProSlide Fallon — 3-D flying theater RideHouse waterplay structures Universal's , Orlando…New water park with 18 ProSlide attractions Québec including RocketBlast water coaster Camping Atlantide, Saint-Calixte…Polin Space Hole and Wave Slide Georgia Bora Parc, Valcartier…New indoor water park (December 2016) with ADG/ Rigby's Water World, Warner Robins…New water park for existing FEC; WhiteWater attractions including body slides with AquaDrop capsules. WhiteWater West AquaPlay, AquaSpray, Mini Body Slide, Wave River, La Ronde, Montreal…Titan — Zamperla Giant Discovery Boomerango, champagne bowl, Aquatube Pays des Merveille, Sainte-Adèle…E&F Miler family coaster relocated from Fort Over Georgia, Austel…: Battle for Metropolis — Jefferson Fun Park SallyCorp, Alterface, Oceaneering dark ride MEXICO , Valdosta…Ohana Bay — ProSlide Kidz ProRacer, Kidz Morelos MiniRiver, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Twister, Kidz Twister, Twister x2 Six Flags Oaxtepec, Oaxtepec… Re-opened park; ProSlide three new attractions Hawaii Wailea Beach Resort - Marriott, Kihei…WhiteWater West body slides Alabama Deep River Waterpark, Merrillville… — ProSlide 6-lane KrakenRacer Owa, Foley…New park, Rollin' Thunder — Zamperla coaster; Fox Valley, Aurora…Chance Rides C.P. Huntington train Zamperla gravity coaster; Zamperla Twister coaster; 21 Zamperla rides Santa's Village AZoosment Park, Dundee…Super Cyclone — Interpark Cyclon coaster Spring Valley Beach, Blountsville…ProSlide Twister x3 , Gurnee… — S&S 4-D coaster Arizona Indiana Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix, Glendale…WhiteWater West AquaPlay Holiday World, Santa Claus…The Raven and The Legend — PTCI overhaul of California coaster trains; Firecracker — refurbished Calypso California's Great America, Santa Clara…Patriot — conversion of B&M standup Kansas coaster to floorless coaster Parrot Cove, Garden City…New water park with ADG/WhiteWater attractions Disney California Adventure, Anaheim…Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: (opened Dec 2016) Breakout — remake of former Tower of Terror elevator ride Kentucky Emerald Glen Aquatic Facility, Dublin…New facility with indoor and outdoor pools; , Louisville…Thunder Run — New PTCI coaster train; Eye of WhiteWater West Champagne Bowl, AquaDrop, SpeedSlide, AquaPlay, 3 body slides the Storm - Larson Giant Loop Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park…Sol Spin — Mondial Maryland Knott's , Buena Park…Shore Break — Whitewater West Drop , Upper Marlboro…Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth — and Flatline Loop; The Wedge — WhiteWater 6-person open-flume raft ride Star Flyer; and Wildcat — PTCI overhaul of coaster trains , Carlsbad…Surfer's Bay — WhiteWater West 6-lane mat Waterpark, Ocean City…WhiteWater West AquaPlay racer; sprayground; Lego : The Force Awakens miniland addition Massachusetts , Santa Monica…Shark Frenzy — custom-designed Larson Tilt-A-Whirl Ecotarium, Worcester…Chance Rides C.P. Huntington train Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana…50 Monkeys — Chance Wheel with Edaville USA, Carver…Kersplash — E&F Miler water coaster relocated from custom-thatched roof gondolas Washington State Fair Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz…New main entrance; Shockwave — Six Flags , Agawam…Joker — S&S 4-D coaster Zamperla Mega Disk'O; Typhoon — ARM double-arm ; Fright Walk Southwick Zoo, Mendon…Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride — haunted walk through under the boardwalk Missouri SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego…Ocean Explorer — new themed area with Bigfoot on the Strip, Branson…New Bigfoot-themed entertainment center Submarine Quest — Chance Rides electric vehicle submarine simulation; plus with a Bigfoot Action Tower — Soaring Eagle 200-foot ; Bigfoot five new themed flat rides Adventure Golf, Bigfoot Adventure Maze, Bigfoot Discovery Expedition; inter- Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo…Wonder Woman Lasso of Truth — active cineman, arcade Zamperla Giant Discovery Six Flags St. Louis, Eureka…Spinsanity — Zamperla Mega Disk'O , Valencia…Justice League: Battle for Metropolis — Worlds of Fun, Kansas City…Mustang Runner — Huss ; Falcon's Flight — SallyCorp, Alterface, Oceaneering dark ride Huss Wild Water Adventure, Clovis…WhiteWater West speed slide New Jersey Colorado , Seaside Heights…Hydrus — custom Euro-Fighter 320 Banana's Fun Park, Grand Junction…Coconut Cove — WhiteWater West Clementon Lake Park, Clementon…HellCat — PTCI overhaul of coaster trains AquaPlay, AquaSpray, & Spray Features Morey's Piers, Wildwood…Great Nor'Easter — Complete retracking of SLC , …Star Flyer; Mega Wedgie — WhiteWater West Body coaster with new track Slide, Plus, Speed Slide Playland's Castaway Cove, Ocean City…GaleForce — S&S multi-element steel Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park, Glenwood Springs…The Haunted Mine coaster; Wild Waves — E&F Miler steel coaster; Chance Rides C.P. Huntington train Drop — Drop Ride designed by Stan Checketts Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson…Justice League: Battle for Metropolis — Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs…New water park with SallyCorp, Alterface, Oceaneering dark ride ADG/WhiteWater attractions (opened Dec 2016) New York Connecticut , East Farmingdale…IRG/Gosetto two-level dark ride Lake Compounce, Bristol…Martin & Vleminckx retracking on Boulder Dash and Peek'n Peak Resort, Clymer…Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride Wildcat roller coaster; New GCII trains on Wildcat; Ghost Hunt upgrade of Seabreeze, Rochester…Time Machine — Super Miami shooters, targeting and scoring system from Lagotronics Six Flags Great Escape, Queensbury…Bonzai Pipelines — ProSlide Twister x2 Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury…SBF/Visa mini The Castle Fun Center, Chester…Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride Florida , Daytona Beach…Enhanced indoor Lazer Tag arena, interactive ropes course 4NORTH AMERICA PREVIEW CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 11 12 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

2017 AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY PREVIEW | NORTH AMERICA

North Carolina Trader's Village, Grand Prairie…Village — Larson Loop; Chance Rides , Charlotte…Do-Si-Do — Huss Troika; Electro-Spin — Mondial Top and YoYo Scan; Rock'N'Roller — Mack Musik Express; Zephyr — Wave Swinger Typhoon Texas, Pflugerville…Rebranded park (former ); WhiteWater City Lake Park, High Point…Chance Rides C.P. Huntington train West AquaPlay H2OBX, Powells Point…New water park with ADG Adventure Lagoon, Twin Wet 'n' Wild Splashtown, Spring…Alien Chaser — ProSlide FlyingSaucer 30 Tides; WhiteWater Boomerango, Flatline Loop, AquaDrop, 3-line Multi-lane Wet 'n' Wild WaterWorld, Anthony…WhiteWater West 4-person open-flume kids, Mini Body Slide raft ride North Carolina Museum of Life and Science, Durham…Chance Rides C.P. Wonderland Park, Amarillo...Refurbished Huss Air Boat flat ride Huntington train ZDT's Amusement Park, Seguin…ThunderVolt Speedway Go Karts — Amusement Ohio Products electric go karts with turbo boost , Sandusky… — rebranded park (former Soak Virginia City); WhiteWater West Mini Body Slide, Flatline Loop and Colorado Drop Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg…InvadR — GCII wooden coaster Slide; Blue Streak — PTCI overhaul of coaster trains Wisconsin Kalahari Sandusky, Sandusky…ProSlide TornadoWave 45,FlyingSaucer 30, Action City Trampoline Park, Eau Claire…Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride 24/ Tornado 24 (Hybrid), Twister, TurboTwister with SkyBox Kings Island, Kings Mills…Mystic Timbers — GCII wooden coaster TRAVELING SHOWS Oklahoma All Around Amusements…Kolmax , Kolmax Tea Cups; Owen Trailers , Oklahoma City…Wildcat — PTCI overhaul of coaster trains; Gully Infernal Combustion Washer — ProSlide Twister slides x3 Amusements of America…Kolmax Tea Cups Pennsylvania Arnold Amusements…Downdraft Zero Gravity Dorney Park, Allentown…Thunderhawk — PTCI overhaul of coaster trains; Bates Brothers…Journey to Mars — VR augmentation to ARM drop tower Kaleidoscope — Huss Troika Blue Sky Amusements…Widsom Rides Polar Express , Lancaster…Merlin's Mayhem — S&S suspended coaster Crescent City Amusements…KMG Rock It , Hershey…S&S Worldwide Triple Tower Complex D.C. Lynch Shows…Luna-Park Ferris wheel Kalahari Poconos, Pocono Summit…ProSlide Tornado 60, , Pipeline Frasier Shows…Luna-Park carousel with Explosion, CannonBowl, FreeFall, TurboTwister with SkyBox, Pipeline, Funtime Shows…Kolmax Flying Elephants Pipeline,4-lane OctopusRacer, Kidz ProRacer, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Twister, Great American Midway Entertainment…Jung Max Rides Choo Choo Train ProRacer, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Twister Jack Jeffrey…Luna-Park Ferris wheel Knoebels Amusement Resort, Elysburg…Over the Top — SBF Visa Wave Rider James Gang Amusements…Luna-Park Ferris wheel , Erie…Battle of Lake Erie - custom-themed ProSlide Ridehouse Lisko Family Midway Amusements…Luna-Park Ferris wheel 500; The Vault - Funovation lazer maze challenge Mac's Carnival and Attractions…Flachs Rides Ferris wheel Rhode Island Newton Shows…Luna-Park carousel Roger Williams Zoo, Providence…Soaring Eagle Zipline Ride PBJ Happee Day Shows…Battech Ent Cliff Hanger; Ital International/Technical Tennessee Park Ferris wheel , Pigeon Forge…Whistle Punk Chaser — Zamperla family coaster; Playland Amusements…Kolmax bumper cars Drop Line — Funtime drop tower; Tailspin Racer — WhiteWater West 6-lane Powers Great American Midways…Kolmax bumper cars, Kolmax Tea Cups Whizzard Pride Amusements…Owen Trailers Haunted House Nashville Shores Waterpark, Hermitage…Barefootin' Bay — WhiteWater West Ray Cammack Shows...Ronald Bussink La Grande XL (R50XL) Observation AquaPlay Wheel; Zamperla Endeavor; Gold Star Manufacturing Puppy roll, Bob's Space The Island, Pigeon Forge…SBF Visa Wave Rider Racers 2 Water Race games; Waterloo Tent & Tarp new game tents (800 custom Wilderness at the Smokies, Sevierville…WhiteWater West Aquaplay, ramp slide, pieces in total) and Waymatic new ticket booths mini multi-lane, mini body slide; Cataloochie Creek adventure golf River City Amusements…Kolmax Tea Cups Texas River City Carnival…Flachs Rides Ferris wheel Epic Waters, Grand Prairie…New indoor water park; WhiteWater West FlowRider Schmidt Amusements…Luna-Park carousel Double, AquaPlays, Fusion Boomerango + Constrictor, Freefall, Waves, Skelley's Amusements…S&S Frog Hopper Whizzard, AquaSphere, AquaLoop, AquaTube Skinner Amusements…Battech Ent. Black Widow Joyland, Lubbock…Wisdom Rides family Dragon Coaster Talley Amusements…Beast — KMG Afterburner Kemah Boardwalk, Kemah…Hypnospin — Larson Tilt-A-Whirl; Windy City Amusements…Kolmax bumper cars, Flachs Rides Ferris wheel; SBF/ — PTCI overhaul of coaster trains Visa Drop n' Twist Morgan's Wonderland, San Antonio…New ultra-accessible water park with mul- Wood Entertainment…Sky Eye Wheel — Lamberink RL45 portable observation wheel tiple attractions from WhiteWater West Main Street Amusements…SBF Visa 360 Royal Splash Texas, Plainview…New water park with multiple slides from CRUISE SHIPS Advanced Coatings; relocated slides from Splash Amarillo Carnival Glory…WhiteWater West AquaSpray (Geyser Jets, Solid Stream Jets), SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio…Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster — AquaPlay, PoolSider, AquaTube Intamin LSM-launched coaster Pacific Dawn…Polin Aquatube x2 , San Antonio…Thunder Rapids Water Coaster — ProSlide Dawn Princess…Polin Aquatube x2 Rocket Blast/Fying Saucer; Celebrate — reimagined and enlarged night spectacular , Arlington…Joker — S&S 4-D coaster 2017 Amusement Industry Preview Splashway Water Park, Sheridan…ProSlide TornadoWave 60, Mammoth, pages are available for PDF download at TornadoWave 60, RideHouse 100, CannonBowl 30, TurboTwister with SkyBox, TurboTwister with SkyBox, Pipeline, 4-lane OctopusRacer, Kidz Twister x2, Kidz www.amusementtoday.com MiniRiver x2 under the "AT IN PRINT" button May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 13 14 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

2017 AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY PREVIEW | INTERNATIONAL

Fårup Sommerland, Saltum…Hvirvelvinden — Zamperla Discovery relocated Compiled by Jeffrey Seifert from Gardens, …Orangeriet — greenhouse/concert venue Albania Egypt City Park Tirana Water Park, Tirana…Polin Wide Slide, Multi Slide, Freefall, Festival Ceasar Palace, Cairo…Polin Rafting Slide, 2 x Compact Slide, Multi- , Body Slide, Blackhole, Aquatower, multiple kid's slides slide, Kamikaze, 2x Twister, Freefall, Space Hole, , multiple kid's Rostom Park, Tiaret…Galaxy-style coaster relocated from Parc d' attraction slides Sétif's Land Interplaza Mall Egypt, Sharm El Shiekh…Polin Body Slide, Kamikaze, Multi- Zina Beach, Mostaganem…Polin Space Hole, 2x Aquatube, Multislide, Tunnel slide, Space Hole, Tsunami,Windigo, Black Hole, Turbolance, Looping Rocket, Freefall, Compact Slide, Body Slide, Aquatube, Sprayactions, mutiple kid's slides Aquatower, Sprayactions England , Sunshine Coast…Crazy Mouse — Zamperla Twister coaster , Alton…CBeebies Land — new themed area with rides and hotel; BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Arlie Beach…New water park with muli- Go Jetters Vroomster Zoom Ride ple slides from TQ Aquatics Chessington World of Adventures, Chessington…Grüffelo-Ride — redesign of Splash, Craigieburn…Polin Tunnel Body Slide, Blackhole former Bubbleworks ride Warner Bros. Movie World, Gold Coast…Mack Rides multi-element coaster , …James and the Red Balloon — Zamperla bal- Austria loon ride Familypark, Burgenland…Gockeljagd — motorcycle ride; Waldexpress — train ride Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach, Great Yarmouth…Reverse Time — SBF Visa Prater, Vienna…Höllenblitz — Stein indoor, launched coaster with spinning cars Reverse Time (through August 2017) Gulliver's Warrington, Warrington…Polin Aquatube, Tipping Bucket, Sprayactions Bangladesh Legoland Windsor, Windsor…Ninjago the Ride — Triotech interactive dark Blueland Water Park, Dhaka…Polin Rocket Freefall+Kamikaze+Freefall, ride Kamikaze+Freefall, Wide Slide, Aquatube, Space Boat, Black Southport Pleasureland, Southport…Speed Loop — Zyklon ZL42 coast- Hole+Turbolance er relocated from , Leper…Dawson Duel — double Wiegand Alpine Coaster com- Särkänniemi Amusement Park, Finland…Hype — Premier Rides II pletely automated (no rider-controlled braking) France Comics Station Antwerp, Antwerp…New FEC/indoor theme park with over 60 Atlantic Park, Seignosse…Polin Turbolance, Flying Boat, Black Hole + Rafting attractions Slide De Panne, Adinkerke-De Panne…Heide the Ride — GCII wooden , Marne la Vallée…Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain — rede- coaster sign of indoor coaster; redesigned simulator; 25th Bulgaria anniversary parade Aqualand, Plovdiv…Polin King Cobra Festyland, Bretteville-Sur-Odon…Miolnyr — Zamperla Air Race China Fraispertuis, Jeanménil…Golden Driller — Intamin drop tower with varying Alpine Coaster Wuyuezhai, Wuyuezhai National Park...—Wiegand Alpine passenger vehicles Coaster Futuroscope, Jaunay-Clan…L'Extraordinaire Voyage — Dynamic Attractions fly- Atlantis Snaya, Hainan Island…ProSlide SuperLoop with SkyBox, SuperLoop with ing theater (opened December 2016) SkyBox, OctopusRacer, FreeFall, Tornado 18, Tornado 24/ Tornado 24, Behe- Parc Astérix, Plailly…Pégase Express — Gerstlauer launched coaster mothBowl 40/ Tornado 60, Tornado 24/ TornadoWave 60, RocketBlast, Ride- Parc Bagatelle, Merlimont…Silver Wings — Zamperla Air Race House 600, 4-lane Kidz ProRacer, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Twister x2, Kidz Bowl 14 Parc du Bocasse, Bocasse…Le Splash-O-Saure — Soquet flume ride Bai Se Bai Dong Waterpark, Guangzhou…ProSlide 8-lane KrakenRacer, Super- Parc du Petit Prince, Ungersheim…Serpent — Zierer Force Two Loop with SkyBox, MultiBump, FreeFall, Puy du Fou, Les Epesses…Le Grand Carillon — new musical spectacle featuring Bali Water World, Fushun…Indoor and outdoor water park expansion with Wie- 53-foot bell tower; La Citadelle — medieval-themed hotel gand Maezler tube slides, raft slides, body slides, wave machine, kids play area Germany Evergrande Ocean Flower, Sanya…ProSlide TornadoWave 60, Mammoth, Bayern Park, Reisbach…Pirateninsal (Pirate Island) — children's water sprayground SuperLoop with SkyBox, 6-lane OctopusRacer, RocketBlast, FreeFall with Sky- Chrupfalzpark, Loifling…Freefall Tower; Flying Dragon; Schauckelschiff Fantasy Box, Tornado 24/ Tornado 24/ Tornado 24, BehemothBowl 40/ BehemothBowl Train; Kids 40, Pipeline x2, Tornado 18, CannonBowl 40 Eifelpark, Gondorf…Käpt'n Jack's Wilde Maus — Maurer Rides Fantawild, Nanning...Vekoma Boomerang coaster; Martin & Vleminckx/Gravity relocated from Holiday Park Group wooden coaster Erlebnispark Schloss Thurn, Heroldsbach…SBF-Visa Freefall Tower Guangxi Water Park, Guangxi…Polin Family Rafting Slide, Surf Safari Erlebnispark Steinau, Steinau an der Straße…Erlis Wackelstein — Zierer Kon- Happy Valley Chongqing, Chongqing…S&S Power and Turbo tiki; Schubkarrenrennen — Metalworking Kirschner Wheelbarrow Race Drop , Cleebron…Höhenflug — Gerstaluer Sky Fly , Honk Kong...Iron Man Experience — 3-D motion simu- Europa Park, Rust…Voletarium — Brogent Technologies Flying Theater with lator audio video by Kraftwerk Husyi Brothers Movie World, Suzhou…S&S Power Combo Tower Ferienzentrum Schloss Dankern, Haren…Eine Reise durch das Mittelalter — Maya Water Park, Chongqing…New water park; ProSlide Tornado 60,Behemoth- abc Rides roller coaster Bowl 60, Kidz Twister x 3, 2-lane Kidz ProRacer x2, Kidz MiniRiver x2, Twister Fort Fun Abenteuerland, Wasserfall…New Funkid train for Speed Snake roller Oriental Heritage, Xiamen...Galaxy Express — Vekoma Family Suspended coaster; coaster Jungle Trailblazer — Martin & Vleminckx/Gravity Group wooden coaster Freizeitpark Geiselwind, Geiselwind…Multiple new children's rides; Extrem — Playa Maya Waterpark, Shenzen…WhiteWater West Master Blaster propeller ride; Tower of Fear — drop ride Sun Tzu Cultural Park, Shandong…Catapult — S&S Air-Launch coaster; Mine Car , Lengenfeld…Drachenwirbel — SBF Visa compact spinning — Golden Horse mine train coaster; S&S Power Space Shot and coaster Sweetland Egg Water Park, Dalian…ProSlide HydroMagnetic Rocket, Tornado Freizeitpark Ruhpolding, Ruhpolding…Wasserhüpfer and Wasserwirbel — raft 18, CannonBOWL 40, -KrakenRacer slides Weihai Rio Carnival, Weihai…S&S Power Space Shot and Turbo Drop Hansa Park, Sierksdorf…Kleine Zar — Preston & Barbieri mini coaster; Gerst- Columbia lauer Sky Fly Piscalago, Girardot…ProSlide TornadoWave 60 , Soltau…Ghostbusters 5D — Triotech interactive dark ride with ride Croatia system from Zierer Aquacolors Porec, Porec…Polin 6-lane Windigo Holiday Park, Hassloch…Wasserski Rondell — Zierer Jet Ski Mimovec Fun Park, Biograd na Moru…New park with mulitple rides and two Legoland Deutschland, Günzburg…Ninjago the Ride — Triotech interactive coasters, Alien 8 — Jiuhua Amusement Rides spinning mouse; Space dark ride Witch — unknown manufacturer Denmark 4INTERNATIONAL PREVIEW CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 , Nimtofte…DrageKongen — Intamin inverted coaster May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 15 16 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

2017 AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY PREVIEW | INTERNATIONAL

Movie Park Germany, Bottrop…Star Trek: Operation — Mack Rides Wonder Island/Divo Ostrov, Saint Petersburg…Intamin 10-inversion coaster launch coaster Skyline Park, Bad Wörishofen…Sky Dragster — Maurer Rides spike coaster; Kids Spin — SBF Visa compact spinning coaster Hampyeong Water Park, Hampyeong…Polin wide slide and compact slide Greece , Sokcho…ProSlide RocketBlast, ProBowl, Twister, RideHouse100 Amada Colossos Resort, Rhodes…Polin Body Slide, Rafting Slide+Blackhole, Park Habio, …ProSlide CannonBowl 30, Twister, Pipeline Freefall, Space Hole, Multislide Shinwha World Jeju, Jeju…ProSlide Double TornadoWave 60, FlyingSaucer30, Grecotel Olympia Riviera, Kuyllini…Polin Multisurf, Flying Boats+Blackhole RocketBlast, Tornado 32/ Tornado 32, Pipeline x3 Combo, Rafting Slide, Looping Rocket, Wave Slide, Space Hole, Aquatower, Sprayactions Land, …Red Force — Intamin LSM-launch coaster PortAventura, Salou…S&S Power Combo Tower Amaazia Water Park, Surat…New water park (December 2016) with Polin loop- Sweden ing rocket with launch capsule, Black Hole, Black Hole/Tubolance, Uphill Navi- Furuvik, Gävle…Fireball — Vekoma family boomerang coaster gatour/Black Hole, Space Boat, Twiester Racer/Windigo. Freefall/Body Slide Gröna Lund, Stockholm…Ikaros — Intamin Skyfall drop tower combo, water play structure, wave pool, lazy river, rain dance floor Liseberg, Gothenburg…Loke — Intamin Gyro Swing Iraq Vikingaliv - Life of Vikings, Stockholm…Ragnfrid's Saga — ETF Ride Systems/ Bagdadland, Baghdad…Polin King Cobra, Black Hole+Uphill Navigatour, Racer P&P Projects dark ride Slide+Space Boat Bowl, Turbolance, Surf Safari, Looping Rocket, Space Hole Taiwan Bowl, 4x Windigo, Aquatube+Body Slide, Black Hole+Flying Boats, Rafting E-Da World, Kaohsiung...Wiegand 38-meter dry slide Slide+Flying Boats, 2x Kamikaze, Freefall, multiple kid's products Ireland Siam Park City, Bangkok…ProSlide 4-lane Kidz ProRacer, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Tayto-Park, Ashbourne…Viking Village — new themed area with Viking Voyage Twister, RideHouse 300 — Interlink flume ride Trinidad and Tobago Italy Five Islands Waterpark, Chuguarmas…New water park; ProSlide RideHouse Etnaland, Belpasso…ProSlide 4-lane Kidz ProRacer, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Twister, 250, Kidz MiniRiver, 2-lane Kidz ProRacer, Kidz Tornado 12, Kidz Bowl 14, Kidz RideHouse 300 Twister Turkey Fuji-Q Highland, Fujiyoshida…Dodonpa — ride enhancements from S&S Worldwide Ankapark, Ankara…New park with 16 coasters and multiple rides — delayed Kijima Kogen, Beppu… — PTCI refurbishment of coaster trains from 2016 Legoland Japan, Nagoya...New theme park; Dragon Coaster — Zierer Force- Granada Luxury Belek Resort Waterpark, Antalya…Polin Kamikaze, Twister, Fly- Five; Dragon's Apprentice — Zamperla gravity coaster; multiple attractions ing Boats+Black Hole+Navigatour+Black Hole, Rafting Slide, Black Hole, Space including Merlin's Flying Machines — Zamperla Magic Bikes; submarine attrac- Hole, Body Slide, Freefall, Rafting Slide, Jungle-themed AquaTower tion; observation tower; splash battle Royal Seginus Resort Water Park, Antalya…Polin King Cobra, Body Slide, Kami- Nagashima Spa Land, Nagashima…S&S Power 4-D Free Spin coaster kaze, Freefall, Multislide, Rafting Slide, Sphere, Flying Boats Kazakhstan UAE Climket Hotel, Shymkent…Polin Freefall, Aquatube, Space Hole, Body Slide, Al Montazah, Sharjah…Polin Wide Slide, Freefall, Aquatube, Body Slide, Space Black Hole, Multi Slide, Aquatower, multiple children's slides Hole, Mini Turbolance, Kids Wideslide, Kids Aquatube, kid's slides Kosovo Atlantis the Palm, …ProSlide Kidz ProRacer, Kidz Bowl 14, Twister, Kidz Ujevara Waterpark, Ferizaj…Polin Multislide, Black Hole, Body Slide, Space MiniRiver, Kidz Pipeline Hole, Kamikaze, Aquatube, Rafting Slide, Wave Slide, Splash Touch, Aqua- Ferrari World, …Turbo Track — Intamin LIM-launch coaster tower, multiple kid's slides Motiongate Dubai, Dubai…New park (December 2016); Capital Bullet Rain — Malaysia Mack Rides launch coaster; Dragon Gliders — Mack Rides powered suspended Big Adventure Waterpark, Desaru…ProSlide Tornado 60, Tornado 24/ Tornado dark-ride/coaster-style system; Green Hornet — Gerstlauer bobsled coaster; 24/ Tornado 24 (Hybrid), Tornado 18, CannonBowl 30, KIDZ Twister, 2-lane Kidz Hot Pursuit — Gerstlauer Infinity coaster; Smurf Village Express — Gerstlauser ProRacer, 4-lane Kidz ProRacer, Kidz MiniRiver, Kidz Bowl 14, Kidz Tornado 12, family coaster; Shrek's Fairy Tale Journey — interactive dark ride; Panem Aerial RideHouse 500 Tour — 3-D ; King Fu Panda: Unstoppable Awesomeness — Borneo Samariang Resort City, Kuching…Proslide Mammoth, SuperLoop with 3-D motion simulator SkyBox, 6-lane ProRacer, Pipeline,Twister, CannonBowl 30, RideHouse 200, Ukraine Kidz Twister x2, Kidz MiniRiver, KIDZ ProRacer, Kidz Bowl 14 Cherkasy Waterpark, Cherkasy…Polin Aquatube, Aquatube, Space Hole + Tun- Langkawi Water Fantasy, Kuala Lumpur…Polin Surf Safari, Multi-Slide, Body nel Body Slide Slide, Aquatube, Flying Boats+Black Hole, Navigatour+Black Hole, Turbolance, Respublika, Kiev…Vekoma junior coaster; Maurer Rides spinning coaster Family Rafting Slide, Wide Slide, Aquatower Vietnam Movie Animation Park Studios, Perak…Casper Birthday Blast — Sally interactive Alpine Coaster Halongbay, Halong City...Wiegand double Alpine Coaster dark ride; Asteroid Attack — SBF Visa spinning coaster; Mr. Peabody & Sher- Asia Park, Da Nang...Highway Boat ­— Premier Rides suspended coaster relocat- man's Time Adventure — indoor coaster; Intamin 10-inversion coaster ed from Hard Rock Park; Paradise Fall — Premier Rides Ferris wheel lift coaster relocated from Hard Rock Park Attractiepark Duinen Zath, Appelscha…Roller Coaster — Pinfari Zyklon Z47 Dragon Park, Ha Long...New park; Dragon's Run — B&M roller coaster relocated from traveling showman from Hard Rock Park; Little Dragon's Flight — Vekoma Suspended Family , Slagharen…Gold Rush — Gerstlauer Infinity coaster Coaster; Mysterious Journey — Vekoma junior coaster , Kaatsheuvel…Symbolica: Palace of Fantasy — ETF dark ride Typhoon Cove Waterpark, Ha Long Bay…ProSlide Tornado 60, BehemothBowl 60, , Biddinghuizen…Der Rapids Ride — new boats from Vekoma TornadoWave 60, Tornado 24/ Tornado 24/ Tornado 24 (Hybrid), RideHouse 600 , Zator…Speed — Intamin Water Coaster; Boomerang — Vekoma Wales Family Boomerang coaster; Dragon Coaster — SBF Visa M600D powered train; , Nartberth…Flight of the Peach — Pinfari RC40 coaster Slaskie Wesołe Miasteczko, Chorzów…Lech Coaster — Vekoma multi-element coaster relocated from M&Ds Scotland Russia Zip World, Betws-y-Coed…Pforest Coaster — Wiegand Alpine Coaster Aquaworld Water Park, Novosibirsk...New water park (October 2016); White- Water West Manta, AquaCouse, AquaLoop, AquaSphere, Constrictor, Space Bowl, body and tube slides. 2017 Amusement Industry Preview Grozny Waterpark, Grozny…Polin Windigo (3 lanes), Aquatube, Looping Rock- et, Black Hole, Magic Hole, Aquatower and multiple kids slides pages are available for PDF download at Lermonovo, Krasnodar…Polin Windigo (4 Lanes), Looping Rocket, Body Slide, www.amusementtoday.com Blackhole + Flying Boats + Rafting + Slide + Black Hole Combination, Space Boat, Sphere, Blackhole + Flying Boat + Black Hole + Turbolance, kids'pirte under the "AT IN PRINT" button ship and other kids attractions May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 17 18 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 19 INTERNATIONAL

 Disneyland Paris celebrates 25th anniversary / Ferrari World Abu Dhabi adds Intamin coaster— Page 20 ‘Hype’ is building for new launch coaster at Särkänniemi AT: Andrew Mellor [email protected]

TAMPERE, Finland — The “hype” is building at Finnish park Särkänniemi as the venue’s latest attraction, a spectacular new roller coaster, is completed for the 2017 season. Designed and manufac- tured by Premier Rides, the ride is the first high-tech, triple-launched coaster ex- perience in the Nordic re- gion. Hype is a multilaunch coaster that is based on the award-winning Superman Ultimate Flight located at Hype will be a standout attraction at Finland’s Särkänniemi theme park. COURTESY SÄRKÄNNIEMI THEME PARK Six Flags Discovery King- dom in Vallejo, California. It “Hype is the first triple- has the most current launch launch roller coaster in the system technology available Nordic countries and also in the industry and with the highest launch coaster the exception of the coaster in Finland. It accelerates to train itself, there are virtu- a maximum speed of 100 ally no moving parts on the kmh and launches passen- ride, making it extremely then drop toward ground gers vertically to 45 meters reliable and maintenance level where the train once (147 feet) above the ground. friendly. more speeds through the At its highest point the track Riders are first launched station and then is smoothly makes an inversion and out of the station up to a braked using magnetic tech- drops passengers straight height of 15 meters (49 feet). nology as it comes to a stop down into a Gravity then pulls them in the station. before returning to the sta- rapidly back into the station Hype is the first new tion.” where they are launched roller coaster at Särkänni- Miika Seppälä, manag- backward up to a height of emi in nearly a decade and ing director of Särkänniemi, 30 meters (98.5 feet). Again is the largest investment in commented: “We selected gravity takes control and the park’s history. Premier Rides because we brings the train through the “A professionally wanted to make a major station once more where the themed Hype Square, an statement and to a sig- final launch is energized urban, modern and vividly nature experience at Särkän- and riders shoot up a ver- colorful area, will be built niemi Theme Park that will tical twisting track to the around the ride,” the park be appreciated by our loyal highest point on the ride stated. “This area will host guests. Hype is just that. where a tantalizing slow roll a new two-story restaurant The collaboration with Pre- places guests upside down with a lakeside terrace and mier Rides has allowed us approximately 45 meters souvenir shop, along with to produce something that (147 feet) in the air — a re- many other Hype-themed will be truly iconic for the cord for the Nordic region. elements. The marketing park.” After executing the roll, campaign for Hype will Särkänniemi’s summer guests enter a face-first ver- feature a famous Finnish season began on April 29 The new Hype coaster is the largest single investment in the tical drop, ending in a twist- pop-singer, whose identity and Hype will be operation- history of Särkänniemi and the park’s first new coaster in al- ing loop where they experi- will be revealed later in the al in mid-June. most a decade. Hype has been designed and manufactured ence exciting Gs. The riders spring. by Premier Rides. COURTESY SÄRKÄNNIEMI THEME PARK 20 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 Disneyland Paris celebrates 25th anniversary in style AT: Andrew Mellor [email protected] PARIS, France — Disney- land Paris marks its 25th an- niversary this year and to cel- ebrate the milestone the resort has some special attractions and entertainment available to guests visiting in 2017. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue has a number of sur- prises in store, including new experiences, new destinations, new characters, a new pilot to take passengers on their jour- ney and more. The attraction returns in 2017 with an all-new, action-packed, epic intergalac- tic voyage, all set in 3D. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue gives guests the op- portunity to explore the galaxy far, far away through a selection of new journeys in 3D that fea- ture the arrival of a multitude of Above left, a wide range of new live shows have been intro- new scenes. With more than 70 duced for this special anniversary year at Disneyland Paris. different mission combinations Left, there’s a new epic space mission for all coaster fans from the Star Wars saga, Star to enjoy this season with Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. Tours invites guests to enjoy an Above, one of the new shows for 2017 sees Mickey present experience that is unique on ev- “Happy Anniversary Disneyland Paris” in front of Sleeping ery flight. Beauty Castle. COURTESY DISNEYLAND PARIS After Star Tours: The Ad- ventures Continue, which was suals and breath-taking special “In Disney Stars on Pa- and Pixar animated films that night-time show specially cre- launched in March, the next ea- effects. rade, we follow Mickey and have proven to be a huge hit ated for this anniversary year. gerly anticipated event was the also pres- Friends on a journey of discov- with the public.” The show, which features cut- opening of Star Wars Hyper- ents ery to the land of imagination” Disneyland Park is also ting-edge technology includ- space Mountain. From spring, for 2017, a brand new parade explains Emmanuel Lenor- introducing two new shows in ing projections, light effects, Star Wars took over the legend- featuring a plethora of Disney mand, the show director. “We front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, water jets, special effects and ary space attraction to provide a characters to celebrate the 25th started with the words that are each celebrating the 25th an- fireworks, transforms Sleeping new adventure in which guests anniversary in style. Mickey most frequently used by our niversary of Disneyland Paris Beauty Castle on a daily basis. can join, in a brand new ambi- and Friends journey through guests when they talk about and the magic of Disney — Every evening, Mickey takes ance, the famous Rebel Alliance Disney and Pixar masterpieces Disneyland Paris. This helped The Starlit Princess Waltz and guests on a journey to a land and a sensational ride with to- to the land of imagination with us to create a story with eight Mickey presents “Happy Anni- of Disney and Pixar films and tal immersion in the Star Wars new floats, new music, new cos- chapters and as many emo- versary Disneyland Paris.” Ad- for the first time, the show also universe, utilizing music from tumes and never-before-seen tions. We then associated these ditionally, the park will present features the projection of live the Star Wars saga, amazing vi- choreography. emotions with major Disney Disney Illuminations, a new action film images. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi launches Turbo Track shuttle coaster Intamin supplies LIM-launch coaster

ABU DHABI, UAE — meters (210 feet) above Yas Is- Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has land, Turbo Track turns guests unveiled Turbo Track, a new, into new recruits, and Ferrari shuttle roller coaster that World Abu Dhabi into a futur- opened at the end of March. istic testing facility for aspir- The three-stage experi- ing test drivers. The opening ence, which gives guests an two stages of the experience authentic feel of what it’s like include an on-screen training to become a Ferrari test driver, and performance analysis. Re- is the latest addition to the cruits then board Turbo Track park. and burst through the Ferrari Adults and children will World Abu Dhabi iconic red get a glimpse into the ad- roof at 63 mph, before experi- “At Ferrari World Abu Ferrari World launched its vanced world of the Ferrari encing hair-raising zero grav- Dhabi, we’re passionate about newest coaster, Turbo Track Driver Academy, where driv- ity as they plummet vertically creating thrilling and inspiring in March. the LIM-launched ers get an all-round, extensive back down. If guests are still experiences, and we can’t wait shuttle coaster was supplied technical, athletic and cultural thirsty for more thrills, they to share this incredible new by Intamin and is highlight- training to make them ready can ride it again backwards, experience with our guests. ed by this 210-foot tall spike to join the world’s best-in- with the experience including Not only does this unique ride shown at right. It is the third class driving talent. front-facing and back-facing offer heart-pounding thrills launched coaster Starting in a briefing seats, offering two unique per- at the park. room, and culminating at 64 spectives. 4See FERRARI, page 21 COURTESY FERRARI WORLD May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 21

was created by Intamin, the FERRARI INSIDE: Ridewerks to represent Preston & Barbieri Continued from page 20 same team that built . IAAPA Attractions in North American market for all riders, it also gives them Turbo Track becomes the Expo 2016 recap the chance to see the world third ride to be launched at SEE SECTION B

through the eyes of a Ferrari Ferrari World Abu Dhabi in www.amusementtoday.com test driver, creating once again a 12-month period, following a strong connection with the the opening of Flying Aces legendary brand,” said Jesse and Benno’s Great Race in TM & ©2017 Amusement Today, Inc. Vargas, general manager, Fer- 2016. A second coaster, Mis- rari World Abu Dhabi. January 2017sion | Vol. Ferrari, 20 • Issue 10 is scheduled to “This exceptional rideMark is openMoore later Memorialthis year. Fundraiser tops $322,490 going to be another first, andNational I Roller Coaster Museum plans new building honoring Moore; am sure that our guests, youngindustry donations ongoing and old, will be excited to rideThe Mark Moore Memorial Fundraiser kicked off Nov. 17, at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 with a $100,000 donation from Uremet, the company founded by the late Mark Moore. Turbo Track – if they dare,” heOn hand to receive the generous donation were several board members of the National Roller Coaster Museum & - added. Archives (NRCMA), along with representatives from Uremet time," said AIMS Executive Director Karen and Moore's family. The fundraising campaign — still ongo- Oertley regarding the increase in sessions on - ing — has sinceTake welcomed additional a donations,ride bringing on active shooters and terrorism. The completion of Turboin $322,490 total as of press time. NRCMA is proposing to AIMS International is a non-profit organi - double the size of its current archive facility. zation dedicated to industry safety. It consists Track was a monumental feat SEE STORY/HOW TO DONATE, PAGE 46 AT: Pam Sherborne of manufacturers, suppliers, organizations 4 ideo [email protected] V T and individuals that have an interest in sup plying products or services to the amusement of engineering, following a NORTH AMERICA — As 2017 gets un - industry. at derway, so do the various annual seminars In early December, Oertley said seminar highly complex process that focusing on safety, maintenance, certification registration was ahead of last year during the 2017 MARKS START OF SAFETY SEMINARS - and education. same time period. Holly Coston is the AIMS Here is a preview of five upcoming key required the creation of an seminar manager and Karen Strahl is the cer AmusementToday.comseminars: tification manager. Classes are taught by vol- AIMS Safety Seminar unteers. Orlando, Fla. The 2016 seminar hosted about 350 at opening in the glass funnel Jan. 8-13, 2017 Francesco Ferrari (left), president of Preston & Barbieri, met with Jim Glover of Ride- tendees. The annual AIMS International Safety 2017 AIMS Safety Seminar will offer — a signature design feature The - werks during the recent DEAL exhibition in Dubai. Ridewerks will now represent Pres- Seminar is a comprehensive safety-training a variety of new topics during its annual run experience for individuals responsible for the at the center of Ferrari World set for Jan. 8-13, at the Doubletree by Hilton at care and safety of the amusement industry's ton & Barbieri in North America. Providing turnkey services for the Preston & Barbieri Holly Coston (left), AIMS Sea-World, Orlando, Fla. guests. Abu Dhabi. The top of the 210- International seminar man- Some of the new areas to be covered in Attendees build4 tailoredSee SEMINARS, course curricula page 4 attraction sales throught the entire process, Ridewerks will handle all logistics, installa- ager, and Karen Oertley, clude security, active shooter, terrorism, total AIMS executive director, productive maintenance programs, ASTM foot twisted spike becomes promoted the upcoming standards and guest behaviors, as well as tion, and after-sales support. COURTESY RIDEWERKS AIMS Safety Seminar during classes specific to ride accessibility, climbing Yas Island’s highest point, and IAAPA Attractions Expo. walls, family entertainment centers and more. The seminar is set for Janu- "I guess it is a sad commentary of our ary 8-13 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld in Florida.

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US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 22 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 IAAPA economic impact study released on Latin America parks ALEXANDRIA, Va. — According to the report, Paulina Reyes, IAAPA vice 87.9 million visitors each year. the attractions as well as visi- The International Association the industry has a direct or president, Latin America op- Mexico and Brazil top the total tors' off-site spending at hotels, of Amusement Parks and At- indirect impact on more than erations. "Our industry does numbers of visitors, with at- restaurants, retail stores, and tractions (IAAPA) recently 142,000 jobs and generates a more than create fun and tendance of 21.3 and 18.4 mil- other venues equaled U.S. $1.9 released the results of an eco- total economic impact of U.S. memorable experiences for lion visitors respectively. At- billion across the 11 countries nomic impact study for the $3.6 billion in economic activ- all ages, we also create jobs, tendance drives the economic examined. Brazil's attractions attractions industry in Latin ity. The full report is available stimulate tourism, and gener- impacts of the attractions. generated U.S. $681 million in America. The IAAPA Econom- free to IAAPA members, and ate money toward local econo- direct revenue, followed by at- ic Impact Study of the Latin U.S. $999 for non-members. mies." Direct Revenues tractions in Mexico that gener- American Attractions Indus- "The amusement parks Direct revenues, which in- ated U.S. $530 million. try evaluated the economic and attractions industry is se- Attendance clude admission fees, food and conditions of 556 attractions in rious business and a key part The estimated 556 attrac- beverage sales, retail sales, ho- Employment 11 countries. of the region's economy," said tions in Latin America draw tel charges, and other sales at There is an estimated to- tal of 98,208 jobs as a direct result of the attractions indus- try across the 11 countries ex- amined. When including the jobs generated indirectly, total employment driven by the at- tractions industry is approxi- mately 142,679.

Fiscal Impact Collectively, the attrac- tions in the 11 countries ex- amined contributed U.S. $844 million in taxes to their respec- tive countries annually. This included employment taxes (those paid by employees and by employers), sales taxes, and corporate taxes based on total economic impacts. This does not include other taxes and fees that may be paid to gov- ernment agencies at various levels, including federal, state, and local — such as capital gains, withholding taxes, real estate/property taxes, permit- ting and other fees, and other fiscal revenue sources which have not been calculated but are also paid by the attractions industry.

Total economic impacts Across all 11 countries, there is a total of U.S. $3.6 bil- lion in revenues/sales gener- ated as a result of the attrac- INSIDE: tions industry. Brazil's total revenue impacts reach U.S. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 recap $1.4 billion, followed by Mexi- SEE SECTION B co at U.S. $840 million. www.amusementtoday.com The 11 countries examined in the report are: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Cos- TM & ©2017 Amusementta Rica,Today, Inc. Ecuador, Guatemala, January 2017Mexico, | Vol. 20 • Peru, Issue 10 Puerto Rico, and Mark Venezuela.Moore Memorial Fundraiser tops $322,490 National Roller Coaster Museum plans new building honoring Moore; industry donations ongoing The Mark Moore Memorial Fundraiser kicked off Nov. 17, at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2016 with a $100,000 donation from Uremet, the company founded by the late Mark Moore. On hand to receive the generous donation were several board members of the National Roller Coaster Museum & - Archives (NRCMA), along with representatives from Uremet time," said AIMS Executive Director Karen and Moore's family. The fundraising campaign — still ongo- Oertley regarding the increase in sessions on ing — has sinceGet welcomed additional the donations, bringing app - active shooters and terrorism. in $322,490 total as of press time. NRCMA is proposing to AIMS International is a non-profit organi - double the size of its current archive facility. zation dedicated to industry safety. It consists SEE STORY/HOW TO DONATE, PAGE 46 AT: Pam Sherborne of manufacturers, suppliers, organizations 4 TODAY! [email protected] and individuals that have an interest in sup plying products or services to the amusement NORTH AMERICA — As 2017 gets un - industry. derway, so do the various annual seminars In early December, Oertley said seminar focusing on safety, maintenance, certification registration was ahead of last year during the 2017 MARKS START OF SAFETY SEMINARS - and education. same time period. Holly Coston is the AIMS Here is a preview of five upcoming key seminar manager and Karen Strahl is the cer seminars: tification manager. Classes are taught by vol- AIMS Safety Seminar unteers. Orlando, Fla. The 2016 seminar hosted about 350 at Jan. 8-13, 2017 tendees. The annual AIMS International Safety 2017 AIMS Safety Seminar will offer The - Seminar is a comprehensive safety-training a variety of new topics during its annual run experience for individuals responsible for the set for Jan. 8-13, at the Doubletree by Hilton at care and safety of the amusement industry's Holly Coston (left), AIMS Sea-World, Orlando, Fla. guests. International seminar man- Some of the new areas to be covered in Attendees build4 tailoredSee SEMINARS, course curricula page 4 ager, and Karen Oertley, clude security, active shooter, terrorism, total AIMS executive director, productive maintenance programs, ASTM promoted the upcoming standards and guest behaviors, as well as AIMS Safety Seminar during classes specific to ride accessibility, climbing IAAPA Attractions Expo. walls, family entertainment centers and more. The seminar is set for Janu- "I guess it is a sad commentary of our ary 8-13 at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Orlando at SeaWorld in Florida.

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WATER PARKS & RESORTS

 Epic Waters in Grand Prairie, Texas aims for new record — Page 28 Beautiful indoor water park, AquaWorld, opens in Russia WhiteWater West chosen to supply 13 total slides NOVOSIBIRSK, Rus- sia — Europe’s first Manta can be found at Kvarsis’ AquaWorld “Akvamir” Wa- terpark in Novosibirsk, Rus- sia. The impressive 12-me- ter-high, blue-and-white wings of the Manta dwarf the riders in their raft, mak- ing great photo ops for the guests standing on the view- ing platform. It’s one of 13 create the biggest and most A 40,000-square-meter indoor water park has recently opened in Novosibirsk, Russia. The slides, all from WhiteWater, unique water park in Rus- park is part of the 100,000-square-meter complex by Kvarsis that opened in October 2016. in the 40,000-square-meter sia,” commented Vladislav. WhiteWater West was selected to provide 13 slides to the indoor water park. Above, this indoor water park. Howev- Checking all the boxes, vista shows the various slides, stairs and wave pool. Below, the highlight of the water park is er, it is the company's Manta AquaWorld is an impressive the massive 12-meter-high Manta slide. Bottom left, the park's AquaLoop,AquaSphere and that has really become the assortment of attractions de- Constrictor slide. Bottom right, the park's wooden ceiling design hovers over the pools and iconic attraction. signed to entertain and thrill lounge chair areas. COURTESY WHITEWATER The ride experience is guests of all ages. as exciting as its appear- “It was great to work ance. As riders near the end with a team who has the vi- of the enclosed flume, the sion to bring their city the monstrous walls of the ride very best water park pos- are revealed, building the sible, and the result is one anticipation for what’s to of the most beautiful in- come. What happens next door parks I have seen,” is a heart-pumping drop commented Valentin Elson, into the Manta valley below, WhiteWater’s vice president before the raft rises up the of business development for other side to reach a zero- Russia and Eastern Europe. gravity apex followed by a Open year-round, Aqua- drop back down, then up the World aims to attract 1.5 mil- other side, and so on, until lion guests this year from reaching the Manta’s tail, for the Siberian capital and sur- a total ride length of 138.5 rounding area. meters. AquaWorld is part of a larger, 100,000 square me- ter complex, which opened in October 2016, after three years of construction. The largest water park in Russia not only features a Manta, but other high thrill rides such as AquaSphere, Con- strictor, and Space Bowl. “With a total length of one kilometer, our 13 water- slides, including Europe’s first Manta, were designed, constructed, manufactured, and installed to world safety standards,” said Shurupov Vladislav, deputy director of AquaWorld by Kvarsis. To build a world-class water park, Kvarsis tasked WhiteWater with helping them create no ordinary destination. “WhiteWater understood our ambition to 26 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 Daytona Lagoon prepares to make a Splash for upcoming 2017 season NEWSSPLASH DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. Lagoon is an important part of AT: Jeffery L. Seifert — Daytona Lagoon, the fam- the Daytona Beach community [email protected] ily-friendly water park and and we cannot be more grate- year-round family entertain- ful for the support we have Hotel Cascada in Albuquerque, N.M., is dubbed "Mega Wedgie." The three body slides ment center located in Daytona received following undergoing a $5 million renovation that will offer different experiences: straight speed Beach, Fla., opened March 10 Matthew. We are thrilled to be include upgrades and design changes to the slide, straight slide with speed bumps and an for the 2017 season. opening on time and providing existing indoor water park, ABQ Surf n' Slide. enclosed body slide with multiple curves. The On the heels of an excep- a full day of family fun at a fam- When completed, the water park will be called slides are part of a $4 million capital improve- tional inaugural season under ily price.” Q Waters and it will have its own gated en- ment program. United Parks ownership, Day- Daytona Lagoon opened in trance separate from the hotel. • tona Lagoon is upgrading its 1998 as at a • The Wave, a new Aquatic Center for Dub- attractions for the 2017 season, cost of $15 million. Adventure The city of Pecos, Texas, hopes to have lin, Calif., is set to open at the end of May, including an enhanced indoor landing closed in the early 2000s its $750,000 splash park up and running by despite controversy arising from a multi-year lazer tag arena and a new fully and sat idle for more than two mid-summer. The city had originally planned drought. Plans to replace the existing 45-year- interactive ropes course, which years before reopening as Day- to build a $4 million water park supported by a old pool have been in the works for a decade, is expected to open this sum- tona Lagoon in 2005. On Sep- hotel/motel tax, but it was determined the wa- long before the start of the current drought. mer. These additions are part tember 30, 2015, the property ter park would not bring in enough visitors to When the new aquatic center project was ap- of Daytona Lagoon’s ongoing was sold to Miami-based United pay for the park. By city law, a project funded proved in February 2015, the district did not $2 million-plus renovation de- Parks. United Parks pledged to by the lodging tax must generate the income anticipate any problems acquiring the 480,000 signed to enhance the park’s dry spend $2.3 million in enhance- needed to pay for itself over the next 15 years. gallons of water needed to fill its pools and and aquatic infrastructure and ments over the next two years The splash pad was built as a compromise and slides. However, the drought worsened in entertainment offerings. Addi- including an overall facelift of was paid for out of the city's general fund. 2016 and many residents asked the city to ei- tional elements of the project in- the property, new attractions • ther cancel plans or scale back on the project. clude expanding the park’s food and broader food offerings. In To celebrate its 25th season, Sun Splash Voluntary conservation efforts and a slightly offerings and catering options, addition to the water park, the Waterpark in Cape Coral, Fla., added a new wetter winter season have lifted most water re- adding cabanas, and installing location offers go-karts, minia- water park component specifically for children. strictions. Although the city's water operations many new and exciting games ture golf, lazer tag, a rock wall, Pirates Cove is a waterplay structure with 32 department has the authority to delay filling, to the mega arcade. and an arcade. interactive features including water cannons, there are no plans to do so. “With the addition of our Upgrades began immedi- slides, and, of course, the ubiquitous tipping The new facility includes an 11-lane Olym- new ropes course and upgrad- ately and by the start of the 2016 bucket. The new attraction was opened the pic-sized pool, splash pad, interactive water ed lazer tag arena, Daytona season, the park had fresh coats second weekend of the season. A water flow play structure with wading pool, indoor pool Lagoon will feature 12 best-in- of paint, new lounge chairs, problem prevented the new feature from op- and a six-slide tower from WhiteWater West class wet and dry attractions, in- bright blue fabric shade sails, erating during the park's opening weekend. of Canada. The slide complex features what cluding a full arcade with over 10 new cabanas, tables covered • the city is referring to as high thrill "amuse- 70 games,” said Barrett Byers, with chalkboards tops for chil- The borough of Chambersburg, Pa., ment-park-style" slides including an AquaDrop director of park operations for dren to draw on. Behind the broke ground March 25, on a new Memorial with AquaLaunch capsule, Champagne bowl, United Parks. “Our expansion scenes were 10 new water cir- Park Aquatics Center. The center replaces and twister slides. The city is currently holding and facelift initiatives continue culation pumps, new coils and an aging community pool that has been in use a naming contest to name each of the slides apace and we look forward to air handlers on the AC units for almost five decades. The aquatic center prior to opening. further enhancing Daytona La- and new greasless fryers in the will feature a lap pool for those that just want • goon’s attractions for our guests kitchen. The park also spent to swim, but will also include water slides, a U.S. District Judge Jose Martinez has in- at Daytona Beach’s premier wa- $30,000 on 10 brand new movie- lazy river, splash pad, and a tot pool to make validated the city of Fort Lauderdale's agree- terpark and family entertain- based video games for the ar- the facility more appealing to a broader range ment with Schlitterbahn Waterparks & Re- ment center.” cade. of guests. To fund the facility, borough citi- sorts of New Braunfels, Texas. Schlitterbahn Tyler Currie, general man- In addition to Daytona La- zens approved a $9.75 million bond financed had planned to build a $110 million water park ager of Daytona Lagoon, added: goon, United Parks also oper- through a three mill recreation tax. The bond on a 64-acre parcel of land near Fort Lauder- “2017 is shaping up to be the ates Hydro Adventures in Pop- will help finance improvements to a number dale executive Airport. The suit was filed by most exciting season in Daytona lar Bluff, Mo. — and is poised of recreation sites around Chambersburg, in Premier Parks LLC, the owners of Rapids Lagoon’s history, with the most to become the next operator of addition to aquatics facility. The new aquatics Water Park in Rivera Beach, Fla. In the law- wet and dry attraction activities historic Rye Playland in West- center is expected to open on Memorial Day suit, Premier Parks claimed it was not given in Daytona Beach including The chester County, N.Y. Falfas' son, 2018. an opportunity to present a competing pro- Lagoon Waterpark, go-karts, Brock Falfas is the general man- • posal. Judge Martinez ruled that the city failed miniature golf, laser tag, Mega ager of Daytona Lagoon. Following a successful first season for the to follow its own charter when it awarded the — Jeffrey Seifert Arcade and rock wall. Daytona floating obstacle course/water park, Aqua contract to Schlitterbahn without seeking com- Park Rutland in Oakham, England, owners petitive bids. have decided to make the park bigger and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seiler said of better for the second season. The inflatable the ruling: “I am disappointed and frustrated, aqua course attracted 20,000 visitors during and I believe that many families feel the same its limited eight-week run. Two new areas will way.” He could not say yet whether the city be added to the existing course, making it the would challenge the ruling. largest in the U.K. Some of the new attractions The project has been in the works since from Wibit of Germany are geared toward 2010 and has already faced multiple delays. adrenalin junkies and offer extreme thrills with The property was once part of the executive pieces that are nearly 20 feet high. The new airport and getting approval from the FAA to high-course area will be restricted to guests use the land took five years. In 2015, the FAA 16 years of age and older. The aqua course is allowed the airport to sell the land to the city. expected to open May 27. In October 2015, the city finalized plans with • Schlitterbahn, but since the city now owned Island Kingdom Water Park at Elitch the land, the City Charter required competi- Gardens, Denver, Colo., will open three new tive bidding, which the city failed to do since extreme water slides from one six-story tower. it already had an agreement with Schlitterbahn The attraction with its three slides has been dating back to 2010. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 27 28 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 Epic Waters in Grand Prairie, Texas, aims for new records WhiteWater, OpenAire Despite the space age feel key suppliers; ARM of the architecture, plants and landscaping will help create to manage facility a warm and inviting atmo- sphere. AT: Tim Baldwin [email protected] With a projected opening in fall of 2017, Amusement To- GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas day asked if debuting shortly — The city has a vision. With after most people have moved more than 170 acres of land set past the mindset of swim- aside for concentrated recre- ming would be a problem. ation use, Grand Prairie, Tex- Coleman said, “In the sum- as, began a master plan of an mer, we’re among 20 competi- area that is sure to put the city tors counting the [small water on the map on a nation-wide parks]. What we’re going to scale. Transitioning from Cen- do is be very competitive with tral Park in Grand Prairie to pricing. With that roof struc- Grand Central, the park land ture, we’re weatherproof and welcomed its first notewor- we’re going to pull the tem- thy contribution to citizens in perature down 10 degrees. 2010 with The Summit. This Above, The lazy river begins From Labor Day to Memorial 50-and-older fintess facility its path through the massive Day, we only have one com- gained nationwide attention construction at Epic Waters. petitor in the market and with for its groundbreaking ap- Right top to bottom: super- us you won’t have to rent a proach to providing a healthy vising construction (l to r) room to enjoy the park.” lifestyle to the city’s seniors. are Michael Hays, general Coleman added, “As for The multi-use facility has manager; Chelsey Lamar, weekdays, we’re currently a gym with state-of-the-art director of marketing and tracking 2,000 churches and fitness areas, a second-floor events, and Rick Coleman, 1,200 schools. They all be- walking track, infinity pool, principal and senior VP of come users. You create your water exercise vortex and development and opera- programs. You have a day of more. The 60,000-square-foot tions; colorful slides provid- swimming after you do your Summit also contains ball- ed by WhiteWater West are 90-minute education lesson. rooms, a small theater, food on site awaiting erection We’re looking at swim clubs. areas and classrooms. and the retractable roof We can have ‘Mom and me’ With the Summit’s suc- supplied by OpenAire start- mornings where even a cess, the city took bolder ing being installed as spring small crowd and light staff- steps. Across a manmade arrived. AT/TIM BALDWIN ing can still pull a profit.” pond, two new buildings are “I want to bring in the now heavily under construc- park. There’s this really cool educational component,” tion. The Epic is an innovative partnership between public said Chelsey Lamar, director recreation center that will con- and private going on as a way of marketing and events. “I tain not only recreational and to make this profitable. Our want to teach water safety. exercise offerings, but also goal is to never ask for anoth- I also want to work on re- a recording studio, library, er dime as we go.” quests for team building.” culinary classes, enrichment ARM will also oversee Currently Epic Waters is areas and extreme sports ven- the food and beverage at the projecting to be closed be- ues. Epic Waters is placed ad- adjacent Grand Lawn amphi- tween 20 to 30 days a year jacent to the Epic and will be theater during events held for maintenance. During a new water park for the city. there. the school season, the hours The scale of this one aims big. WhiteWater West is the shift to afternoon/evening. The project was voted supplier for the slide attrac- ment looks forward to surf- retractable,” said Coleman. Management feels being upon by the citizens of Grand tions. Truly fitting for its ing competitions in the years “It is the largest single span open for more than 325 days Prairie financed through the name, some of the attractions ahead. An outdoor wave pool OpenAire roof.” a year makes the property continuation of a quarter cent are epic sized. is projected to eventually be Canada-based OpenAire attractive to passholders sales tax. Through the process, “WhiteWater says there also enclosed in the second designs, manufactures and in- and group outings. The first- the city held 40 town meet- will be three first-of-its-kind phase of the project. stalls maintenance-free retract- year attendance projections ings asking residents what attractions in America,” said “Surfing is a competition able roof systems for aquatic are shooting for 380,000 - they wanted in the facilities. Coleman. “There is the tallest sport in the next Olympics. centers, water parks, malls and 450,000. The city will own both prop- indoor Aqua Loop, the first Flow Riders should see an in- various other properties. •epicwatersgp.com erties. The master plan also two-person Aqua Sphere, and crease in attention. They have includes a nearby all-access then there is a Constrictor/ such an impact. We can cor- About American Resort Management playground, available to all Boomerango fusion. The drop don off that area at night and ERIE, Pa. — American Resort Management is a full- people regardless of physical capsule slide will also be the create a Flow House environ- service hospitality management company located in Erie, limitations, called PlayGrand tallest version in Texas.” ment,” said Coleman. Pennsylvania and provide services nationwide. Adventures. Along with the nine In addition to water activ- American Resort Management, LLC specializes in the Rick Coleman, principal slides, there will be a water ities, Epic Waters will have a development, consulting, operation and long-term man- and senior vice president of play structure with the ubiq- retail shop, 4,000-square-foot agement contracts for independent and franchised full- development & operations uitous tipping bucket, as well arcade and a grille/conces- service hotels. Types of resorts include but are not limited for American Resort Manage- as a 650-foot lazy river and sion area. A second floor will to: indoor water parks, outdoor water parks, family enter- ment (ARM), said, “The city activity pools. The lazy river offer party/event rooms, as tainment centers, as well as destination resort properties will own the dry park and will also feature waves in it. well as management offices. including golf, skiing, and various other activities. the water park, so ARM will A Flow Rider is currently un- “What makes us special •americanresortmanagement.com be the operator of the water der construction and manage- is 39 percent of our roof is May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 29 30 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 keeps its uniqueness after 17 years AT: Pam Sherborne lation for the animal popula- [email protected] tion." When the 50-acre park ORLANDO, Fla. — opened 17 years ago, the Guests arriving for the dolphin swim program and check-in procedure at Sea- the aviary were the main at- World's Discovery Cove sus- tractions. In 2004, two more pect right away they will not snorkel reef area, white-sand rooms were added to the have a typical theme park beaches and aviary, it can be aviary along with additional experience. a once-in-a-lifetime adven- guest space on the west side It was set up for just that ture. of the park. purpose, according to Re- "The Discovery Cove Over the years, the in- becca Romzek, publicist for team works diligently stallation of the Grand Reef, SeaWorld Parks & Resorts. throughout the year to main- Fresh Water Oasis, and un- And, for the thousands tain the park’s serene beau- derwater SeaVenture experi- that have experienced all this ty," Romzek said. "This year, ence were added to offer ac- theme park has to offer since new coral formations were tivities for guests to fill their it opened in 2000, such as added to Grand Reef, bring- day. the dolphin swim program, ing in fresh color and stimu- The guest capacity at Discovery Cove is kept low, at 1,300 visitors per day to ensure that guests do not ex- perience the lines or crowds associated with other parks. The entire check-in proce- dure was created to add a personal attention unique to Discovery Cove. Guests are met at the door of the entrance by a representative. When a rep- resentative at one of the Amusement Today's Pam Sherborne enjoys her time in the check-in desks is available, Top, new coral formations were added to the Grand Reef for 2017 pool with dolphin Kayla during a visit to SeaWorld Discov- that representative comes to at SeaWorld Discovery Cove, Orlando. The reef allows guests ery Cove in Orlando. COURTESY DISCOVERY COVE the guests and leads them to swim among a variety of tropical fish as well as rays. Above, back to the counters. SeaVenture lets guests use air tanks to walk along the bottom of SeaWorld Discovery Cove: Guests are able to ask one of the park's pools. Below, the dining area creates a great at- questions and give informa- mosphere for guests. COURTESY SEAWORLD DISCOVERY COVE a perspective from the water tion without anyone behind them forming a line. ORLANDO, Fla. — In my arms, I felt the dophin roll "At peak times, the re- onto her back, enough so I could rub her belly, which I did, ception team can check-in of course. approximately 600 guests per The small group of people I was with participating in the hour," Romzek said. "To help dolphin encounter at SeaWorld's Discovery Cove, Orlando, offset this morning rush, the laughed, as did the trainer who was in the water with us. check-in and breakfast be- The trainer told me he hadn't told Kayla, the dolphin, gins as early as 7:15 a.m. so to do that. Then, he faced the dolphin and said, "Do you guests have time to settle in like Pam?" before the 9:00 a.m. opening Kayla raised her head and nodded, yes, while seem- of the waterways." ingly smiling and laughing. Water activities end dai- It was the cutest thing I had ever seen. ly at 5 p.m., but that doesn't Last November, my AT colleague, Sammy Piccola, and mean guests have to make I had the opportunity to visit Discovery Cove in Orlando. a dash to the door. There is Both of us had always wanted to take part in one of the time for them to shower and dolphin swims, somewhere, sometime. change. The dolphin swim pro- the lazy river that twists and That opportunity opened when our publisher, Gary There are a variety of gram lasts about 30 minutes. winds for one-third mile Slade, asked for a story on the park. admission packages offered There is a short orientation throughout flora and fauna. What we found at Discovery Cove was an entire park at to guests. The resort pack- prior to this activity. Expert And, then there is the our fancy, or at least that is the way it felt. From the moment age includes all food, bever- trainers take groups of about food and drink available all we arrived, it seemed our hosts had anticipated our ques- ages, equipment rentals and 10 out into the dolphin pool. day. Breakfasts consists of tions and they were answered before we asked. activities with the exception Guests meet several dol- freshly prepared dishes as Our park ambassador, June Staley, was knowledgeable of the dolphin swim pro- phins and end their experi- well as sides such as oatmeal and helpful. All those associated with the dolphin encoun- gram and the underwater ence with a dorsal fin ride. and yogurt. Lunch includes ter, from orientation to the dorsal fin ride, were professional SeaVenture. SeaVenture can The SeaVenture offers burgers, Hawaiian chicken, and, at the same time, relaxed and friendly. be added to any package for a complete underwater ex- grilled fish, sandwiches, It is a beautiful park with a lot to do but not too much $49. In addition, all packages perience with guests using salads, hot dog, pasta, and that there is any stress. And, I feel it was hard to tell who include unlimited admission helmets and air tanks to take steamed veggies. is luckier — the employees that work among the lush flora, to SeaWorld and , a dive. It lasts about 45 min- Some beverages include exotic birds, happy dolphins and really good food or their SeaWorld's water park in utes with the orientation. coffee, water, Coke products, managers who have found a great staff. Orlando, for 14 consecutive The park's other activi- the Island Sunrise and Alada Kudos to Discovery Cove. It was great fun. days around the date of Dis- ties include snorkeling at the Colada daiquiris and An- —Pam Sherborne covery Cove reservations. Grand Reef, floating down heuser Busch products. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 31 32 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 33 34 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 PARKS, FAIRS & ATTRACTIONS  Larson Intl. supplies two new Tilt-A-Whirls — Page 38 / Fairs — Pages 42-48 Flurry of pre-season developments at theme park Knott’s dives into VR game, retires Boomerang shuttle coaster AT: Dean Lamanna and parent company Cedar [email protected] Fair Entertainment, in collab- oration with Bellevue, Wash.- BUENA PARK, Calif. — based VRstudios, previewed More than two months before VR Showdown in Ghost the official start of summer, Town. The first permanent and well before it was set to installation of a free-roaming unveil several previously an- berry Festival. The increas- multiplayer virtual reality nounced new rides in both ingly popular event itself, experience in a U.S. theme its theme park and adjacent with food and entertainment park, it officially opened to Soak City water park, Knott’s centered around the historic the public April 1. Berry Farm was making news former farm and roadside “We are always looking in earnest. stand’s signature berry, was for new and exciting ways The developments oc- extended a full week this year to entertain our guests,” said curred before and during the — running April 1-23. Christian Dieckmann, VP of park’s annual Knott’s Boysen- In late March, Knott’s strategic growth for Cedar Fair. “By using a free-roam- ing system, we can take full advantage of the capabilities of VR and let our guests be the stars of the show. A ma- jority of people have not yet experienced VR, and we an- ticipate there will be a lot of interest from guests to have their first taste at our park.” Located inside the Board- walk Arcade, the custom in- stallation invites guests on a time travel adventure that transports them to a futuris- Knott’s Berry Farm retired Boomerang, its 1990-built Veko- tic version of Knott’s western ma reverse shuttle coaster, on April 23 — the last day of the town of Calico. Players will park’s 2017 Boysenberry Festival. No word yet on what will be met by robotic creations replace the ride. AT FILE and characters as they em- bark on a mission, with up to score while pursuing shared giving its final rides on April three other players, to defend team goals. Participants are 23. the town. able to view and compare Boomerang replaced the The experience, which scores at the end. park’s landmark, 1975-built incorporates the old Knott’s VR Showdown in Ghost coaster, designed time travel character Profes- Town is available to guests at by , in sor Welles (whom the park’s an introductory price of $6, in 1990. The two-minute, dou- fans will recall from the King- addition to park admission. ble-lift ride sent its single dom of the Dinosaurs dark While it’s in with the new train forward and backward ride previously housed in the at the Boardwalk Arcade, through three inversions arcade building), combines elsewhere in the Boardwalk along 875 feet of track. VR technology with a com- section at Knott’s, it is — to Knott’s had not revealed VR Showdown in Ghost Town, a collaboration between petitive, 360-degree gaming the likely dismay of roller what will occupy the space Knott’s Berry Farm, parent company Cedar Fair Entertain- realm. Armed with state-of- coaster enthusiasts — out vacated by Boomerang be- ment and virtual reality technology leader VRstudios, is lo- the-art wireless VR headsets with the old: Boomerang, the fore Amusement Today went to cated inside the park’s Boardwalk Arcade. and futuristic blasters, play- park’s Vekoma reverse shut- press. COURTESY KNOTT’S BERRY FARM ers compete for the highest tle coaster, was retired after •knotts.com May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 35 Flagship of planned high-tech ‘VRcade’ chain IMAX opens virtual reality experience center prototype in L.A. AT: Dean Lamanna [email protected]

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Imax Corp. has been syn- onymous with the big picture in movie theater experiences since at least 1970. Now, the Ontario, Canada-based com- pany is bringing its trademark immersive showmanship — heretofore seen primarily in the form of IMAX-branded movie theater presentations — to the burgeoning VR mar- ket. The IMAX VR Experience Centre, a sleek, high-tech kind of “VRcade,” opened Jan. 6 at The Grove, an out- With 14 experience spaces, Imax Corp.’s VR facility offers high-resolution imagery, 360-degree sound and so- door retail and entertainment phisticated room tracking — transporting players into new virtual worlds. COURTESY IMAX CORP. complex in the Fairfax Dis- trict of central Los Angeles. synchronized motion seating would for an IMAX movie. were between seven and 25 content. Among the compa- The location-based, state-of- supplied by D-Box Technolo- Upon arriving, users will minutes in length. nies with which it is collabo- the-art VR facility features gies of Quebec, Canada. check in and then proceed During a media preview rating (and in which it has a combination of premium The mini-multiplex-like to a lounge for a quick brief- at the center, Richard Gel- already invested) is Los An- technology and content that facility houses 14 partitioned ing about the particulars of fond, CEO of Imax Corp., geles-based startup Dream- lets guests see, feel, move and spaces, or “pods,” where the the play experience. They are was frank in his assessment scape Immersive, which has play in new worlds in an in- VR experiences unfold. Upon then led to the pods, where of VR’s commercial progress. strong participation from tensely realistic way — much entering the sci-fi-ish lobby, they are helped into IMAX “Whether it’s the lack of name Hollywood talent and the way IMAX theaters offer customers are greeted by a VR gear and the headsets in content or consumer access is hoping to open its own moviegoers a differentiated curving wall of movie-style preparation for their chosen to headsets, the industry has VR venue in nearby Century film experience. posters advertising some of experience. been in a holding pattern, City this fall. With cutting-edge VR the available pay-to-play ex- The venue’s initial con- slow to go mainstream,” he Imax itself said it was headset technology (courtesy periences, which are designed tent menu included “John said. “It’s a complex ecosys- planning to roll out five more of HTC Vive and StarVR from to appeal to a range of ages. Wick Chronicles,” “Star tem that’s in need of a jump- centers in the U.S. and China Starbreeze), high-resolution Customers can buy tick- Wars: Trials on Tatooine” start, and we’re here to start this year; as Amusement Today imagery, 360-degree sound ets (priced $7-10) and select and a wild “Rabbids” roller to provide the spark.” went to press, the company and sophisticated room track- the experiences and show coaster ride, with Lionsgate, In addition to building was considering additional ing, players are transported times of their choice via the Sony, Survios and Ubisoft the venue, Imax reportedly locations in Europe, the Mid- into new virtual settings. Re- IMAX VR website or at the among the content develop- has committed $50 million to dle East and Japan. alism is enhanced further by venue itself — just like they ers. These VR presentations the creation of premium VR •imaxvr.imax.com Mandalay Bay adds Polar Journey 3D experience to Shark Reef LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Guests and visi- seats under a dome screen, transporting tors at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino them to the Arctic and Antarctica through an can explore greater depths of the oceanic engaging and informational film. unknown via a temporary, first-of-its-kind •Fractured Beauty: Visitors explore exhibit at the property’s nature attraction, cracked ice structures in 3D without wear- Shark Reef Aquarium. ing glasses. Called Polar Journey, the new high-tech •Feeding Krill: Families get in touch experience —a collaboration between the with underwater polar creatures by engag- aquarium and media-based attraction de- ing with an interactive wall projection. Kids veloper Attraktion! GmbH of Vienna, Aus- can explore further by virtually feeding krill tria — provides an unusual and educational to the animals and seeing the response simu- window into the Earth’s polar regions and lated through artistic moves. the animals that inhabit them. It will run at •Polar Science: Media-based interactive Shark Reef through March 2018. games provide players information about “Polar Journey offers curious guests an the polar regions in an entertaining way. up-close look at a vital part of our world that Visitors can listen to Arctic sounds in spe- they may not otherwise experience,” said cial cocoon chairs and challenge each other Adrienne Rowland, the aquarium’s director through memory games. of animal care. “Visitors are encouraged to Covering more than 90,000 square feet explore the many fascinating aspects of the and holding nearly 1.6 million gallons of polar regions, and we expect they will walk fresh water and saltwater in massive view- Looking to sink its teeth into an even bigger chunk of the Las away with a greater appreciation for their ing tanks, Shark Reef features over 2,000 Vegas family attraction market, Shark Reef Aquarium at the importance.” dangerous animals, such as sharks, croco- Mandalay Bay Resort has opened a year-long exhibit called Upon entering the exhibit, visitors are diles and piranhas. It is accredited by the Polar Journey. The high-tech edutainment experience takes immersed in the polar regions through sev- Association of and Aquariums. visitors to the planet’s remote polar regions. eral interactive scenes, including: •sharkreef.com COURTESY SHARK REEF AQUARIUM •Ice Caps: Guests settle into reclining 36 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 SeaWorld Orlando is ready to rush the rapids with

This rendering of SeaWorld World’s tallest river mer. Thrilling white water will Orlando's new-for-2018 roar through the new rainforest Infinity Falls shows the ride's rapid drop coming river experience, as adventure- 40-foot drop, making it the summer 2018 seeking guests plunge down the tallest river raft ride drop in world’s tallest river rapids drop. the world. ORLANDO, Fla. — Sea- “We are constantly look- COURTESY World Orlando announced on ing at new ways to amaze our SEAWORLD ORLANDO April 13 its latest attraction, In- guests — Infinity Falls will do finity Falls, will debut next sum- that, and more,” said Jim Dean, president of SeaWorld Orlando Parks. “From the excitement of the thrilling rapids, to the unique vertical lift element, it will be an adventure that ap- peals to the entire family. Infin- ity Falls continues our commit- ment to investing in our park, and developing new ways to entertain and inspire our guests with meaningful, fun-filled -va cations.” To bring Infinity Falls to life, designers were inspired by the rainforests of South America and the flowing rivers found within. Each raft will twist and turn through a lush jungle en- vironment as guests experience the feel of exhilarating Class IV rapids. A unique vertical eleva- tor will lift each raft for a dra- matic launch into the river, 40 feet below. “Water makes up more than 70 percent of our planet,” said Brian Morrow, vice president of theme park design experience. “We developed Infinity Falls to tell new stories that showcase the beauty and sheer power of water and the amazing wild- life that lives in it. The result is a new river rapids adventure for our guests to explore, and actively help freshwater eco- systems in a way that only Sea- World can bring to life.” Infinity Falls is being de- signed and supplied by Swit- zerland-based Intamin Amuse- ment Rides. It will feature eight-passenger rafts; a course of 1,520 feet that will deliver a four-minute ride experience; a first-of-its-kind vertical elevator lift and a 40-foot drop height, the tallest river raft ride drop in the world.

on May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 37 38 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 supplies two new Tilt-A-Whirls Kemah Boardwalk and Pacific Park go for a spin AT: Tim Baldwin [email protected]

KEMAH, Texas and SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Larson In- ternational of Plainview, Texas, acquired Sellner Manufacturing in 2011, obtaining the rights to produce new Tilt-A-Whirls and has done so since 2012. Jeff No- votny, president of Larson Int. said, “The Sellner purchase has proven to be a good decision in Kemah Boardwalk in Texas the Kemah Boardwalk, and flat Larson International recently delivered two new Tilt-A-Whirls that it expanded our product of- was the first to open their instal- rides like this fit our overall foot- to two seaside parks. The Hypnospin (above left) is enter- fering immediately without the lation in 2017. To do so, they re- print,” said Keith Hermann, se- taining guests at the Kemah boardwalk in Texas. The cus- associated development costs tired a Wipeout ride, which was nior sales manager. “We always tom-designed Shark Frenzy (above and below) has riders at andFrederiksen time.” 1/7x3 b/w 3/14/02similar 11:22 in size. AM Page 1 lean towards rides that have a California's Pacific Park riding in the mouth of a shark. Two new seaside properties “The classic Tilt-A-Whirl broad appeal among multiple AT/GARY SLADE; COURTESY PACIFIC PARK AND LARSON INTL. have stepped up for the latest fits perfectly with the family de- age groups. We also felt a tra- spin. mographic that we have here on ditional ride like this enhances

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That’s how rently offer.” we put a new spin on the classic Asked if the Boardwalk was Tilt-A-Whirl ride to create Shark able to customize their installa- Frenzy.” tion, Hermann told Amusement When approached with the Today: “We were able to add creative theme, Novotny loved our own unique artwork on the it. “A shark theme had never actual ride units as well as the crossed our minds, as we had custom skirting around the ride. focused on an automotive theme There are additional enhance- for an alternative to the standard ments planned for this ride like Tilt-A-Whirl themed unit. The a canvas canopy to improve the sharks add a unique element to creature comforts on the ride, an the ride which is a photo oppor- enhanced sound system and a tunity with the Pacific Ocean as special lighting package to en- your background,” he said. hance the overall experience.” Novotny told AT, “The As this issue of AT went to sharks are pretty cool and they press, Pacific Park was preparing really, really spin with the added to open their customized version. fiberglass weight and associated Called Shark Frenzy, the spin- weight location. The teeth are ning vehicles have taken on the made of silicone and are flex- persona of man-eating sharks. ible with dye in the silicone so “We are a two-acre amuse- no paint to peel off. One vehicle ment park that entertains more also has an ADA accessible door. than eight million visitors annu- We have completed accelerom- ally on the Santa Monica Pier. eter testing and made higher Due to our footprint on the sev- strength shafts for the vehicle en-acre pier, we are limited to 12 pivot due to the additional spin- rides, so as a team we have to ning speed.” maximize the interest, demand According to Novotny, the and compatibility for each ride,” themed units will have riders says Jeff Klocke, vice president feeling 2.7 Gs. and general manager at Pacific In addition to the shark Park on the Santa Monica Pier. motif, the ride features a set of “It’s important to look at the surfboards mounted in the mid- original design of a ride under dle with shark bites out of each consideration and then imagine board. The center will have a its potential adaptation and fit to decorative canopy, as well. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 39 40 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 41 Park’s rezoning win paves way for bigger attractions California’s Great America debuts coaster redo, plans future AT: Dean Lamanna The rezoning additionally can make that bigger and bet- [email protected] will allow the park to build ter, and really build off of that an entertainment and retail opportunity.” SANTA CLARA, Calif. complex just outside its gate He added that the water — California’s Great America and expand to year-round park is just one focal point of (CGA) kick-started its 41st operation. (Currently, thanks several areas he and Cedar season with a refashioned steel in part to its debut in 2016 of Fair can’t wait to address. roller coaster and, thanks to a , CGA is operating “Those planning sessions are successful recent city rezoning 10 months a year.) It will also happening now, and it’s excit- bid, a bracing new outlook. mean additional investment in ing.” Officially opening to the CGA’s water park, Boomerang CGA begins daily opera- public April 1, Patriot, a con- Bay, which begins daily opera- tion May 25. To celebrate the version of the park’s 1991 tion May 27. opening of Patriot, all cur- stand-up , “For all the years when rent and past military service Vortex, to a floorless seating there were questions about members will be offered free experience, was rolled out for Patriot, a floorless conversion of Great America’s 1991 stand- what would happen to the admission now through May the media the day before in a up roller coaster, Vortex, has a 91-foot-tall lift and 1,920 feet theme park, it was really the 29 (with valid identification), burst of fireworks. The -com of track, with a throughput of 680 riders per hour. Military water park and the affinity along with special $30 tickets pletely refreshed ride sports service members enjoyed the first circuit amid fireworks dur- our guests — particularly our for up to six guests. The park’s two newly reconfigured, ing the made-over attraction’s March 31 media preview. season pass holders — have new Red, White & Brews festi- 28-passenger trains with a COURTESY CALIFORNIA’S GREAT AMERICA had for it that helped sustain val runs Memorial Day week- sleek Old Glory color scheme us,” Rehnborg said. “So now end (May 27-29) and June 3-4. and bright-blue track on white work, while the trains also got rezoning of the site by the City we’re thinking about how we •cagreatamerica.com structural supports. urethane wheels for smoother, of Santa Clara, along with the The makeover compli- quieter operation. Rehnborg city council’s unanimous ap- ments the name of the park it- described the park’s collabo- proval of a 20-year park mas- self and the theming of CGA’s ration with B&M as “fantastic. ter plan. Celebration Plaza section, They are completely support- Now, the sky is virtually Soaring Eagle’s where the coaster is located. ive, just great working part- the limit for CGA. Uniformed military person- ners.” “Until that rezoning ap- nel from the U.S. Marines, Air Patriot represents a transi- proval was completed, we Combo Towers Force and Coast Guard were tional project of sorts for CGA didn’t have the ability to build treated to the first ride during — the final one advanced by new attractions and intro- the press preview. the park’s parent company, duce new product because we Raul Rehnborg, vice presi- Cedar Fair Entertainment [faced restrictions] doing any- dent and general manager of Co., under previous build- thing over 35 feet,” Rehnborg CGA, told Amusement Today ing limitations at the 112-acre said. “We’ve now unlocked Multiple that the difference in the expe- leased property and its own the possibilities of building rience offered by the modified restrained investment. In Jan- higher and bringing in new coaster is “dramatic.” uary, Cedar Fair won a long- technologies, and really en- rides… “When you go from a in-the-works bid for favorable hancing our overall offerings.” stand-up train to one in which 1 Tower! you’re seated with your feet dangling, the sensation of fly- ing a few inches above the track is a whole new one,” Rehnborg said. “It’s a great addition for our park.” Several factors influenced CGA’s decision to work with the coaster’s original manu- facturer, Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) of Monthey, Switzer- land, to transform Vortex into Patriot. “This particular attraction had become pretty tired and rough,” said Rehnborg. “Plus, this playbook had been run at our sister park, Cedar Point [in Sandusky, Ohio], when it converted its stand-up coaster, Mantis, to Rougarou. B&M had that technology; they’ve gotten a favorable response from Cedar Point’s guests. So, we anticipated that we would reap some of the same ben- “Rides to look up to” efits.” Apart from the more obvi- Soaring Eagle . Logan, Utah 84341 ous changes, the coaster also 435-754-7807 . www.soaringeagle-inc.com underwent some needed track 42 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 2017 Houston Livestock Show draws largest crowd ever AT: Pam Sherborne [email protected] FAIRS with a single-day attendance HOUSTON, Texas –– of 185,667, when the show had Whether the 2,611,176 visitors more people on the grounds to the 2018 Houston Livestock than Texas’ 16th most popu- and Rodeo, March 7-26, came lated city. to see what was touted as the Ray Cammack Shows largest portable observation hosted more than 2.4 million wheel in the western hemi- riders during the 20-day run sphere or whether they came of the show. Of the almost 80 for the various rodeos with rides on the midway, the top its all-star musical lineups or five most popular included the to take part in one of the many carnival's new Ron Bussink other competitions and attrac- portable R50XL La Grande tions, those visitors pushed Wheel, which stands 50 me- the annual event past any pre- ters tall (164.042 feet). vious attendance record. The other rides on the Fair management is very top five list from this year's pleased. Houston event included: the “Powered by more than Skyride, manufactured by 33,000 volunteers, the 2017 Seatrek; Windstorm, SDC; Houston Livestock Show and Rave Wave, Reverchon and G- The 2017 edition of the Hous- Rodeo successfully provided a Force, KMG. FAST FACTS ton Livestock Show and Ro- deo drew 2,611,176 guests, record number of visitors with The Houston Livestock 2017 Houston Livestock a new all-time record. Ray a world-class entertainment Show and Rodeo committed Show & Rodeo Cammack Shows provided experience,” said Joel Cowley, $2.17 million to its rodeo con- March 7-26, 2017 Houston Livestock Show and testants this year. The Super • 80 rides on the midway. New Rodeo president and CEO. Series athletes competed for Attendance was the Bussink portable 50 “During the 2017 show, fans a share of $1,748,000 in prize 2,611,176 total paid meter wheel (above) and the were immersed in one-of-a- money. Each event champion guests a new record; Zamperla Endeavor (below). kind educational and agricul- rode out of NRG Stadium with 185,667 guests on NIGHT MIDWAY COURTESY RCS; AT/GARY SLADE tural exhibits, larger-than-life $50,000, plus winnings from March 18 is a new entertainment, and nightly the preliminary rounds. single day record; celebrations of Western heri- The livestock and horse 1,370,263 was total tage during RodeoHouston." show competitions drew paid rodeo attendance Paid rodeo concert atten- 32,793 entries. The junior auc- Midway dance reached 1,370,263 this tion sales totaled $15,239,356 Ray Cammack Shows year. Two of the performances including the sale of the provided 80 rides which gave landed on the list of the show’s Grand Champion Barrow for a total of 2.4 million rides Livestock Show top 20 paid rodeo/concert at- $212,000, a record, and the sale Number of livestock and horse tendance records. Those were: of the Reserve Grand Cham- show competitions entries was Go Tejano Day, Banda El Re- pion Barrow for $133,000, an- 32,793 codo and Siggno, placed first other record. Food with 75,557 people and Luke The Show committed Visitors ate: Bryan's, 75,033 was enough $26,065,510 to the youth of 47,480 tamales, for 17th place. Texas in 2017. 38,000 cinnamon rolls Another record was bro- and 29,196 potatoes ken on a Saturday (March 18) 4See HOUSTON, page 44 Ray Cammack Shows' new Bussink Observation Wheel huge at Houston New wheel stands 164 feet tall; a very good year. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo requires 22 trailers to transport broke their previous attendance record this AT: Pam Sherborne year, drawing 2,611,176 visitors. [email protected] "It was our best year ever there," said RCS owner Guy Leavitt. HOUSTON, Texas – Ray Cammack The new R50XL wheel is being touted Shows (RCS) is serious about its business. as the largest portable wheel in the Western The show's 2017 debut at the Houston Live- Hemisphere. Response to the ride was great, stock Show and Rodeo, March 7-26, - Leavitt said. Standing 50 meters in the sky strated just how much. (164.042 feet), it weighs 616,000 pounds. New rides, including the La Grande XL There are 36 climate-controlled cabins that Observation Wheel, a Ronald Bussink of can hold up to eight riders as music plays. Professional Rides AG R50XL model, new "Most of the wheel arrived at the port in Ray Cammack Shows debuted the largest portable observa- games, and new tarps were just some of the Galveston, Texas, (about two weeks before tion wheel in the Western Hemisphere during the Houston things that greeted visitors at the Houston the Houston show)," Leavitt said. "There Livestock Show and Rodeo, March 7-26. The wheel stands event this year. were some parts that were actually packed 164 feet tall, features 36 climate-controlled cabins and takes And, if that event is any indication how 22 semi trailers to move. COURTESY RCS the year will go for the carnival, 2017 will be 4See WHEEL, page 44 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 43 44 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 HOUSTON Continued from page 42 And, the event's social media was successful as well. Since March 1, 2017, more than 357,000 public mentions online were recorded; 281,259,000 fans were reached online; and more than 287,683,000 addi- tional fans were reached due to shares of the show’s online content.

The La Grande XL Observation Wheel was carefully placed on the midway by Ray Cammack Shows to serve as a focal point from the freeway against the dual backdrop of NRG Stadium and the historic Astrodome. COURTESY RCS WHEEL FAIRS Continued from page 42 28-30; Orange County Fair, and flown here to make sure Costa Mesa, July 14-Aug. 13; they got here in time." Los Angeles County Fair, Po- It was erected using an mona, Calif., Sept. 1-24; and 80-ton crane with a 10-man the Arizona State Fair, Phoe- crew. There is a 20-foot con- nix, Oct. 6-29. vex LED screen on the center The R50XL wheel, al- Waymatic provided new tick- axle of the wheel. though a giant new touch for et booths to Ray Cammack It is adorned with over the carnival, was not the only Shows in time for their Hous- 500,000 LEDs. The LED RCS improvement and/or ton Rodeo dates. package came installed on addition for this season. At AT/GARY SLADE the wheel and part of Ronald Houston, he debuted a new Bussink's design, said Char- Zamperla Endeavor ride, a 2018 IISF Trade Show lene Leavitt, Leavitt's wife. new Puppy Roll from Gold and Extravaganza Along with the 50-me- Star Manufacturing, and two reduced to 4 days ter wheel, RCS brought two new water race games from more portable wheels to the Bob's Space Racers. GIBSONTON, Fla. livestock show. Both are 33 Also new, the carni- — For the first time in the meters high and both are val has replaced all of their event's history, the 2018 an- from the same manufac- game tarps. Waterloo Tent & nual International Indepen- turer as the XL wheel. The Tarp Co. sent 800 new pieces dent Showmen's Foundation La Grand Wheel was in- of tarp to the carnival prior Trade Show and Extrava- troduced in 2001. The Big to the Houston livestock ganza (IISF) will run for only four days. Wheel was purchased last show. The tarps were made The show will be held year and was new to the from the typical polyvinyl Feb. 6-9, 2018, at the Inter- Houston livestock show this chloride material, but also national Independent Show- LED light showcase the La year. included metal flecks that men's Association (IISA) Grande XL Observation According to informa- gives the fabric a highly re- club grounds in Gibsonton. Wheel at night (above) while tion RCS provided, this was flective characteristic. The IISF is the foundation riders enjoy their climate the first time an American ro- In addition, the tarps arm of the association. controlled ride in their cabin deo or fair had three wheels are adorned with custom Organizers of the event (left) thanks to Sieman con- of this magnitude operating fiberglass finials made by said reducing the show to trol system (below). at one venue. Leavitt's brother, Mark four days has been a request AT/GARY SLADE Leavitt said the 50-me- Leavitt and patterned after made by exhibitors over the ter wheel takes 22 trailers to the finial top on the carni- last several years. move. val's carousel. LED lights "It is the outdoor exhibi- "Our Big Wheel takes were installed in the finials. tors who were overwhelm- 19 trailers, but those cabins This year, the carnival ingly wanting the change," are collapsible for moves," purchased new ticket booths said Teresa Rimes, one of Leavitt said. "The cabins on from Waymatic. The old the persons on the event this new wheel are not." ticket booths were converted committee that makes show Leavitt had booked the into Guest Service stands. decisions. "With more peo- wheel into five spots this This year, they integrat- ple working, hotels getting season and hoped for a sixth, ed food sales into their com- more expensive, and travel- a holiday event sometime puter program, which al- ing getting higher, we decid- during November, Decem- ready tracked ride and game ed to give it a try. "Of course, this change ber and/or January, 2018. sales. The carnival has 288 isn't in stone," she said. "It Along with Houston, food points-of-sale. could change again down other events are: the Coach- "Now, we can, at any the road." ella (Calif.) Valley Music and time we want, go into our The 2018 show marks Arts Festival, April 14-16 computer program and find the 50 years of the show's and April 21-23; Stagecoach out what the sales are at any existence. Festival, Indio, Calif., April of our stands," Leavitt said. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 45 Waterloo delivers over 800 tarp pieces to RCS AT: Pam Sherborne [email protected] FAIRS WATERLOO, Iowa – It project Downs' company pro- took a village to get more duced this year. He has big than 800 pieces of tarp to Ray orders for Reithoffer Shows, Waterloo Tent & Tarp Co. deliv- Cammack Shows prior to the Butler Amusements and Wade ered 800 tarp pieces to Ray Cam- Houston Livestock and Rodeo, Shows. mack Shows in time for the 2017 March 7-26, the former debut- "But, we have a lot of Houston Livestock Show and ing its rebranding at the latter. smaller projects as well, and I Rodeo. The pieces included a And, it took a lot of plan- can tell you every one of them special design to fit around each ning, said Pete Downs, owner is important to us," he said. tent's peak, which were outfit- Waterloo Tent & Tarp Co. His company has gone ted with LED lights (above) for "We began receiving the from taking about 70 orders the first time. AT/GARY SLADE; fabric in our shop last Novem- weekly to 120. NIGHT COURTESY RCS ber and December," Downs said. "But, when we got it, we were ready to go. We were able to plan around it." First, the fabric had to be tested for its flammabil- ity. Then, it had to be tested to make sure our machines would be able to handle it. The fabric is made from the typical polyvi- nyl chloride Waterloo normally used. However, this fabric also has specks of a metal that gives it a red sparkle as well as mak- ing it highly reflective. Downs said because of the fiberglass peaks donned with LEDs show owners Guy and Charlene Leavitt wanted to use atop the tarps, they had to change the pattern they usually use, increasing the top plate from four inches to 10. "Cody and I had to make three separate trips for mea- surements," Downs said, refer- ring to his son, Cody Downs. "There were so many different parts and pieces. It was like a puzzle." Waterloo delivered a full semi of tarps to Houston one week ahead of the livestock show. Each piece was pack- aged with the exact ride and/ or game denoted so each piece made its exact location. Once the tarps were put in place, the peaks, patterned after the show's carousel peak, and the LEDs were put into place. Mark Leavitt made the peaks. This wasn't the only big CORRECTION In AT's April issue, un- der a photo identifying Waterloo Tent & Tarp Co. representatives, two errors were made. Lisa Newman should be Lisa Kemmerer and Bryan Schmitt was mis- identified as Eric Hamann. AT regrets the error and is happy to set the record straight. 46 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 MIDWAY CARNIVALLIGHTS MARKET PLACE COMPILED: Pam Sherborne [email protected]

Bates Amusements Inc. announced ear- take over management of the Placer County Fair- lier this year that the 2017 season will be its last grounds in Roseville, set to take place June 22-25. season. Geary Bates, owner of the carnival, was The Placer Valley Tourism plans to renovate quoted as saying the reason for this decision: "... the fairgrounds in an effort to bring in more it is just time." events. Renovation plans include repairing and Bates started in the outdoor amusement in- updating buildings and parking lots, and to ex- dustry along with his brother, Eric Bates − the plore building an indoor sports and events center. latter owns Bates Brothers Amusements − when Placer County will provide $2 million to help working with Gambill Amusement Co. in Win- renovate the 79-year-old fairgrounds, under an tersville, Ohio. agreement approved last month by the county The brothers took over that carnival in 1975 board of supervisors. Placer Valley Tourism will and continued to grow it, running two units by put another $4 million into the renovations. 1981. In 1993, the brothers decided to split off The management agreement has a 35-year with Bates naming his show Bates Amusements term for the main 61-acre fairgrounds. A separate and his brother retaining the name Bates Brothers agreement for management of the neighboring Amusements. All American Speedway will run 15 years. The All For the first part of Bates' final season, the American Speedway is a one-third-mile NASCAR- carnival splits with one unit playing eight events sanctioned short-track oval racetrack. and the other 10 during the months of May, June The operation and management of the fair- and July. The carnival will come back together as grounds was previously handled by the Placer one for the remaining dates, which will run for the County Fair Association, which used to be funded months of July, August, September and October. by the state. That funding stopped with the re- Bates has assured his clients there is path- cession, and staffing and maintenance were cut way for securing rides for their events with Bates back at the fairgrounds. Brothers Amusements. The county stepped in with $200,000 in 2015 Along with maintaining his show, Bates' to pay for deferred maintenance. The county has brother, Eric Bates, also owns ARM Rides, a ride since been seeking an operator and manager of manufacturing company based in Wintersville, the fairgrounds since. Ohio. Mike Gill is that company's president. Wold Amusements is the midway provider. • • Stephen Swika III began a new chapter of The Kentucky State Fair Board has launched his life and his outdoor amusement industry busi- a new branding initiative that officials say better ness when his show set out in March for the 2017 reflects the organization's standing as the man- season. ager of two major Louisville convention centers The Pennsylvania-based Swika family has and numerous conventions and shows. roots in the outdoor amusement business indus- Kentucky Venues is the new brand identity try dating back to the 1930s. In 1957 his father, for the Kentucky Exposition Center, Kentucky Stephen Swika II, founded S&S Amusements. International Convention Center, Kentucky The two ran the company together until the death State Fair, National Farm Machinery Show, of the elder Swika last August. The impending es- North American International Livestock Expo- tate challenges caused Swika III to almost give up sition and Kentucky Hoopfest. on the outdoor industry completely. The rebranding includes not only the new However, advice from other veteran show- name but a new logo and a newly designed web- men had him thinking in other directions, thus the site that has already launched. birth of a new show and the continuation of old The Kentucky State Fair Board, established ties, SwikaS Amusements. in 1938 as a state governing body to produce the Of course, it is a more streamlined business Kentucky State Fair, will remain the governing en- for now. Instead of an arsenal of 32 rides and 50 tity while Kentucky Venues will serve as the public employees, the show now has 15 rides and 20 face of the organization. employees. S&S Amusements played about 26 The organization manages the state-owned dates annually and a large majority of these event Kentucky Expo Center on Phillips Lane as well as managers decided to renew their contracts with the downtown convention center, which is closed the young Swika. He will subcontract with other until summer 2018 for an expansion and renova- carnival companies for additional rides as needed. tion that will cost more than $200 million. • • Canyon County Commissions, Caldwell, Parents who bring their young children to Idaho, announced last month the appointment of the New York State Fair, Syracuse, will now have Diana Sinner as the new director of the Canyon special areas to clean, feed and care for the tykes. County Fair. She is replacing former fair director New York Governor Andrew Cuomo an- Rosalie Cope. nounced in March that the fairgrounds in the Syra- In a press release, county officials said Sin- cuse suburb of Geddes will feature four baby care ner has more than 20 years of experience working centers placed around the property. The air-con- P.O. Box 238 with state and county fairs, including with the Iowa ditioned structures will include private space for State Fair. She has been with the Canyon County nursing mothers and a clean area where parents Merino, CO. 80741 Fair since 2009 and most recently served as the can change diapers or relax with their children. exhibits supervisor and bookkeeper for the fair. Fairground employees will staff the build- 800-634-6097 970-522-7515 Fax: 970-522-2902 The 2017 Canyon County Fair will run July ings, which are A-frame structures constructed by 27-30. Brown's Amusements is the midway pro- Amish Structures, a Syracuse area company. State [email protected] www.wisdomrides.com vider. fair carpenters are finishing the interiors and the • grounds crew will landscape the exterior. Keep our amusement park industry strong! Placer Valley Tourism, Roseville, Calif., a This year's fair runs Aug. 23-Sept. 4. Buy products and services from these suppliers. nonprofit regional tourism marketing bureau, will Wade Shows is the midway provider. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 47 48 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 49

BUSINESS, SAFETY & CLASSIFIED  Obituary — Page 54 / MarketWatch — Page 55 / SAFETY — 56-59 / CLASSIFIEDS — Pages 62 At organization’s 104th Annual Meeting NEAAPA inducts Justine Brewer into Hall Of Fame AT: Ron Gustafson different calling and they left NEAAPA Awards Com- Special to Amusement Today Mendon that summer. mittee Chairman John Within a year, Justin Guertin, Guertin Graphics SPRINGFIELD, Mass.— passed from a heart attack. & Awards, Worcester, Mass., Justine Brewer, who, along However, Daniel remained presented the following with her family, owns and with the business. The de- awards: operates Southwick’s Zoo in mand to keep a private zoo- •The Paragon Award, Mendon, Mass., was inducted logical park was intense, but for excellence in graphic pro- into the New England Asso- Dan nurtured the business motion, was awarded to Six ciation of Amusement Parks until his untimely death in Flags New England, Aga- and Attractions (NEAAPA) 1977. wam, Mass. for its GradNite Hall of Fame during the orga- Dan’s passing put a seri- promotion. nization’s 104th Anniversary ous strain on the business and •The Pinnacle Award, Annual Meeting and Educa- Southwick’s went through presented to a student em- tion Conference. some troubled years. ployee that has demonstrated The March 28 gala had In 1981, with the re- "peak perfection in guest/ 104 in attendance at the Sher- quest of family and Clarice customer service" was given aton Springfield Monarch NEAAPA Hall Of Fame inductee Justine Brewer (left) holds Southwick, Justin’s widow, to Frank Hamedl, ride super- Place Hotel here. the award with new association president Dorothy Lewis. At the Brewers returned to the visor at Quassy Amusement “It’s a great honor,” she the podium is Hall of Fame committee chairman Ed Connor, homestead to help rebuild & Waterpark, Middlebury, said of the tribute. “It left a past president and Hall of Fame member. the family animal farm. It Conn. He also received a $500 me speechless and totally COURTESY NEAAPA was renamed Southwick’s cash award from the associa- amazed! I can think of many Zoo, and Robert remained as tion. members that are more de- birds and migratory water- miles away to view what was president until his death in •The Alan E. Ramsay serving than me.” fowl. He was a true wildlife happening in Mendon. It also 1995, when Justine then took Safety Award was presented As a former member of conservation pioneer and became apparent that Robert over the position. to Marie Provost, Six Flags NEAAPA’s board of direc- would become a leader in the and Justine were needed to Under the direction of New England. tors, Justine and her family field of migratory waterfowl. help with the growing busi- Justine Southwick Brewer, •The Meritorious Ser- have also supported the asso- Justine married Robert ness. her son, Peter, took the po- vice Award was presented to ciation for many years. Brewer in 1955 and it wasn’t They moved with their sition as president in 2016. Paul Cavanaugh, Daly Cava- The Southwick’s home- long before they were busy four children to Justine’s Southwick’s Zoo remains the naugh, LLP, Wellesley, Mass. stead dates back to 1803 raising a family in Westbor- original home and soon had largest zoo in New England when its founding Southwick ough, Mass. During this time, their fifth child. In 1965 the with more than 850 animals New president family acquired the land, Sandra married and moved farm was officially incorpo- on 200 acres of prime land in Those in attendance also planted vegetable gardens, to Connecticut and Daniel rated as Southwick Wild the Blackstone Valley. A half- elected a new president: Dor- established peach orchards, married but continued to Animal Farm. With Robert’s million visitors come through othy Lewis, Xpress Posts, and milked dairy cows for work beside his father. business expertise and Jus- the gates each season from Danbury, Conn., during the the local community supply tine’s ability to juggle family April thru October. general business meeting. as well as for the family. Exotic animals added and work, the farm became Justine became the 37th Workshop topics during It grew as a working With a donation box out quite successful. In addition, person to join the prestigious the day included social me- dairy farm through 1952. Jus- to gather some much needed with Daniel traveling all over Hall since it was founded in dia and livestreaming, ADA tin Southwick, his wife Cla- income, Justin and Daniel ex- the world as an expert animal 1998. compliance, tourism market- rice, along with their three panded the farm to include dealer and Justin with his vi- ing, birthday parties, region- children Justine, Sandra and exotic animals. Together sion, the farm was develop- Others honored al employment regulation Daniel, all worked together they constructed enclosures ing into a highly respected The evening included changes, and networking to keep the farm viable. to house the new residents zoological park. other annual awards present- with new people. With the high school of what was now fondly re- ed by NEAAPA. NEAAPA will hold its graduation of his daughter, ferred to as Southwick Ani- Another venture Outgoing President Ryan Annual Summer Meeting on Justine, and the other chil- mal Farm. In 1970 the Brewers were DeMaria, Canobie Lake Tuesday, July 25, at Edaville dren soon to follow, Justin Southwick’s grew rapid- offered an opportunity to Park, Salem, N.H., presented USA in Carver, Mass. decided to sell the dairy herd ly, especially through word of purchase Santa’s Land in Put- the President’s Award to Erik •neaapa.com and concentrate on his pas- mouth. It was not long before ney, Vt. Leaving Southwick’s Beard, Wiggin & Dana, LLP, sion and interest with exotic visitors traveled from many wasn’t easy but they heard a Hartford, Conn.

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PHONE: (716) 839-4791 FAX: (716) 839-4506 EMAIL: [email protected] www.nap-inc.com SERVING THE AMUSEMENT INDUSTRY WE’VE KEPT YOUR RIDES IN MOTION SINCE 1982 50 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 Amusement Expo International 2017 benefited from new territory

AT: Tim Baldwin spaces sold were 471 compared [email protected] AEI 2017 Awards SEE PAGE 51 to 409 last year. There was also an increase in new exhibitors: , Texas — Orga- 37 in 2017, 29 in 2016. How- nizers admitted there was a one’s emotional quotient is ever, there was a slight dip in slight bit of hesitation in se- what really reaches customers registered buyers. This year lecting Dallas as the site of the and makes them return. saw 1,010 buyers compared Amusement Expo Interna- Chris Reynolds, owner to 1,234 the previous year. tional 2017 (AEI). It had been of Funky Monkey Pub, said, This may have been affected enjoying a long run in Las Ve- “His sales techniques were slightly by blizzard conditions gas, but the decision to relocate good to hear. Customer service in the northeast which affected for a year seemed to bear fruit. skills are always useful.” travel, but the most noticeable “Dallas turned out to be a From there, the Expo of- discrepancy was a drop in at- good destination,” said Brian fered two course tracks — one tendance of buyers from the Glasgow, W.T. Glasgow, show aimed at FECs and one geared West Coast. Non-buyers and management. “Exhibitors met toward Street outlets. exhibitors increased by a hand- new customers, and I haven’t Mike Abecassis, owner ful — 1,356 compared to 1,350. heard that in some time.” and CEO of GameTime, re- Despite a small drop in “The CEO of Chuck E. marked during his presenta- buyers, most vendors were Top, Bay Tek having recently Cheese is walking the floor to- tion: “We didn’t steer [custom- enjoying finding new custom- acquired Skee Ball show- day. That’s a good ‘get’!” said ers] to what made the most, ers and the “right” customers. cased the game among Peter Gustafson of the Ameri- but what would bring them With headquarters for Main its offerings. Right, Bob's can Amusement Machine As- back the most.” GameTime Event, Chuck E. Cheese and Space Racers' Jersey Wheels sociation (AAMA). had just undergone a major Dave & Busters located in Dal- offered suspense and inter- The three-day event was renovation. “Our restaurant las, there were new opportuni- action. Bottom, TrioTech held on March 14-16, with a became a destination.” ties presented in 2017 not seen brought a four-seat X-D first day of seminars and class In both tracks, Food and in years past. motion theater that sessions, followed by two days Beverage became a dominant Once again, the show in- featured 3-D gaming. of the trade show. topic as one of the highest ar- cluded co-location with the AT/TIM BALDWIN The education courses eas of revenue. National Bulk Vendors Asso- were filled, much to the delight Todd Louthain of Bay Tek ciation (NBVA) and the Laser of organizers. was co-chairman of educa- Tag Convention. Tony Leone, sales master tion for the AEI. “Every year A common comment from The Sales Funnel, was we start with a clean sheet of among organizers was the in- the keynote speaker, kicking paper with classes,” he said. creased networking among off a full day “We brainstorm. We only have operators at the show. The gala of informative five slots to fill [for each track]. following the educational ses- sessions. “You As we talk to customers on a sions was well attended with can always daily basis, we see what are more than 500 enjoying food, work on your some hot topics with them. drink, live music and industry EQ and make We narrow it down from those discussion. Even more so, the it better,” said to address big attractions and bar at the host hotel — Shera- Leone, speak- Leone trends.” ton Dallas — was full each ing toward Show numbers reflected night with attendees sharing building the rapport with cus- both some positives and nega- experiences. tomers and employees, noting tives. The 2017 Expo saw an Gala sponsors were Play- that a person can’t do a lot to increase of exhibitors: 157 change his or her IQ, but that compared to 151 in 2016. Booth 4See AEI, page 51 Amusement Today visits with Gary Stern, Stern Pinball DALLAS, Texas — Find is still producing captivating also collectors and enthusiasts, Busters was so strong we only any trade show that features games each year. AT sat down and the rec room buyers. Dads made that one. pinball machines and you’ll with Gary Stern, company tell wives, “It’s for the kids,” Today, pinball machines find players positioned at those CEO and president, at the and get the okay. are themed after licensed machines during all opening Amusement Expo Interna- How hard is it for you brands compared to broader hours. Pinball’s Golden Age tional. to compete with flashier -re themes of earlier years of pin- was considered to be in the late demption games? ball. Why is that? 1940s following World War II. Compare the audience at We’re a growing segment If I call up distributor For more than half a century, a AEI to the IAAPA Attractions of the market. We’re very friends and say I have a new dedicated following was built Expo. trendy to barcades. Instead of machine called Zombies from around this game of skill. This has a lot of street op- DJs, the entertainment there is Hell, they’ll say “send me two As arcades evolved, partic- erators — bars, bowling alleys, games. and I’ll test ‘em out for eight ularly in terms of redemption movie theaters, etc. There are Gary Stern at the AEI show Would you disagree with to 10 weeks.” But if I say I games dominating the rev- now more FEC operators here. in Dallas. AT/TIM BALDWIN people who say they can’t have The Walking Dead, they enue streams, pinball changed IAAPA will have more of our produce revenue with pin- say “Here’s $300,000, send me as well. By 2002, Stern Pinball export customers — West- Business in 2016 was up ball? some games.” Licensing is a was the only company manu- ern Europe, Austraila, a little for you over 2015. Why? I would. We are seeing bet- big part of retail. The title at- facturing new games and is Middle East and Russia. We’re We are not only in the ter and better earnings, as well tracts somebody. It is more credited for keeping pinball working on China. And that’s coin-op arena. We have three as better reliability. We typical- corporate today, but it is im- alive. While that has changed important because almost half market segments. We have ly produce three cornerstone portant to what we do. in recent years, Stern Pinball our business is export. commercial operations, but games a year. Last year Ghost —Tim Baldwin May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 51 AEI alone locations.” AEI 2017 Awards Continued from page 50 Bob Cooney, head of glob- al business development for DALLAS, Texas — Nu- er One Amusement Group; Zero Latency, said, “It’s a so- merous awards were pre- TouchTunes Music Corpora- cial experience within virtual sented during the Amuse- tion; Firestone Financial and reality. A lot of VR is very iso- ment Expo International AMI Entertainment Network. lating.” Zero Latency oversim- 2017, they are: Lai Games brought two plified is a concept in which Amusement & Music new games to the Expo which virtual reality meets laser tag, Operators Assoc. (AMOA) had debuted at IAAPA. Here but Cooney feels that descrip- Innovator Awards: they won awards. A particu- tion sells the experience short. Hypershoot and Let’s Bounce, larly captivating game was “Six to eight people enter a LAI Games; Launch Code, Team Play called Let’s Bounce. Allison Two separate education tracks had full classes the entire day. room together. You see avatars AAMA Awards: Timberlake of LAI Games AT/TIM BALDWIN of your friends and other play- said, “It’s visually stunning to ers and you can work on tactics Supplier of the Year, look at — full of LED lights, solutions. “Harbortouch in- David Swoffard, national together.” Multiple storylines, Suzo Happ colors, wonderful vests everything free of charge sales director for Triotech, was such as a zombie apocalypse, Distributor of the Year, music…it attracts players to it. receiving return on investment optimistic about the XD Dark a space station gone rogue or a AVS Companies Once they play, it is really fun. of that product over four or Ride experience the company puzzle scenario where players Manufacturer of the Year, It is easy to pick up the game five years. So, the more we can brought to the AEI. On the are connecting platforms in the Apple Industries play and it is easy to get real improve profitability and effi- show floor, a four-seat model sky are examples of available Lifetime Achievement Award, David Cohen close to winning, so they want ciency of a customer, the faster demonstrated the ride system. environments. “I consider this NBVA Awards: to play again.” Another award- we receive our ROI. That aligns “We’ve gone into a number a luxury millennial attraction. Most Innovative Opertaor, winning game was called Hy- our customer service, our POS of FECs that have been very The average age of our players Tyler Vance, pershoot, a flashy reimagining support, and development and successful. We’re going into is 30 who have a lot of dispos- Gardner and Lose of the classic basketball game technology with the success of our fifth season and people able income. Our first installa- Playmeter Magazine Award: where LED arches follow the our customer.” are really considering us right tion has been a destination at- Operator of the Year, throw of the basketball. Rides are not as evident at along with laser tag. You’re traction now for 18 months. We Michael Martinez, Harbortouch, a first-time this particular trade show, but looking at less than 600 square really feel 30 minutes should N2 Industries, Inc. exhibitor, who took an award there are still options for those feet. This is a four-seat theater be minimum for the best expe- Booth Design Awards: for their booth, found the show looking. Earl Heller of Rides- here, but most locations will rience and that allows you to Large booth, worthwhile. “Foot traffic was 4-U commented how the new take eight seats minimum and charge [high dollar].” AMI Entertainment very heavy the first day and to- SBF/Visa Group spinning some will do 12. It’s all really The 2018 AEI will return to Medium booth, day we saw new customers we coaster has been an ideal fit about the mom and the family Las Vegas February 27 – March Harbortouch didn’t see the day before,” said for a park looking for a coaster getting in there. That’s really 1 with the same three-day for- Small booth, Sean Berg, director of educa- experience that can easily be where we found our niche, not mat. The host hotel will be The Suzo Happ tion. Harbortouch offers POS placed indoors. just with FECs, but the stand Westgate Las Vegas. 52 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 New emphasis on edutainment, top-flight attractions Marilyn Hannes leads refocused SeaWorld San Diego into future AT: Dean Lamanna its One Ocean orca show ate a personal experience [email protected] in January. What was your for guests where they can sense of the overall guest interact with bioluminescent SAN DIEGO, Calif. — reaction to the last perfor- algae that lights up. Our SeaWorld Parks & Enter- mance? visitors will learn how these tainment has been making The final One Ocean had organisms play a vital role in company history on several a very, very special energy our oceans while at the same fronts during the past year. level I had never seen in the time be dazzled by their bril- And Marilyn Hannes, park stadium, as well as an emo- liance. president of SeaWorld San tional connection among enjoy learning visually and The park’s forthcom- Diego, is part of it. the whale trainers, our they learn more when they ing Ocean Explorer section A California native who team members and all our are having fun. Based on appears to be an especially grew up in Buena Park — in As the first female presi- guests. It was truly a once- killer whale behavior in the ambitious project. What the dynamic midst of Or- dent of SeaWorld Parks & in-a-lifetime experience and wild — how they move, hunt excites you the most about ange County’s theme park Entertainment’s San Diego thousands of people wanted and navigate, what they eat this multifaceted new at- country — Hannes, having operations, Marilyn Hannes to be part of it. There was a and even how they com- traction area? already worked in tourism oversees two parks, the strong sense of love for killer municate — Orca Encounter Ocean Explorer is a and hotel marketing region- management of more than whales and SeaWorld, and will be a documentary-style whole new realm that will ally and at the state level, be- 4,600 peak-season employ- certainly a feeling of nostal- presentation helping our take explorers on a deep-sea came general manager and ees and the care of some gia. It was one of those mo- guests gain a deeper under- mission. Submarine Quest sales director for that city’s 12,000 animals. ments in time that I know I standing and appreciation will be the signature explo- Wild Bill’s Wild West Din- COURTESY will never forget. for orcas. A giant, first-of- ration experience — a one- ner Extravaganza. In 1997, SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO How do you feel about its-kind infinity video screen of-a-kind, high-tech, interac- she landed in SeaWorld San the closing of this chapter will augment a new Pacific tive digital journey that will Diego’s sales division, rising attractions while continu- in SeaWorld’s history? Northwest-themed back- carry guests on a scientific within the corporate ranks ing its lauded conservation I will always have in- drop displaying imagery of expedition to learn about over the next two decades efforts. At the San Diego credible memories watching orcas in the wild in addition some of the most mysterious to vice president of global theme park, this summer and being part of SeaWorld’s to orca graphics and infor- ocean creatures. sales, handling 12 SeaWorld will see the introduction of over the years, mation about the whales. Visually, I think Subma- parks. Orca Encounter, an exhibit and I have many personal At the same time, the or- rine Quest will add so much Hannes was named to that replaces the One Ocean favorites among exhibits, at- cas living at SeaWorld will to the realm, as will the giant the top post at SeaWorld and killer whale show; Electric tractions and shows we no display similar natural be- jellyfish-themed swing ride, its companion water park, Ocean, a nighttime spectac- longer have. But when one havior right in front of our Tentacle Twirl. There are Aquatica, in San Diego in ular; and Ocean Explorer, an chapter is over, I’m excited guests. Our behaviorists will three more kiddie rides that April 2016 — becoming the immersive, three-acre area for the next one to begin. It’s also help guests better un- will delight younger guests. first woman to fill that role with several new rides and inspiring to be part of our derstand how we each play a But what excites me within the company’s Gold- interactive displays. company’s vision going for- key role in the future health the most is not only having en State operations. “We have tremendously ward. and vitality of the ocean. children learn while having A past chair of the Cali- passionate people at Sea- What we can contrib- It is the next generation fun on Submarine Quest, fornia Travel Industry As- World caring for our animals ute to the world is bigger of sea life experience. We are but also giving them the op- sociation and the Visit and our guests every day,” than our parks, such as be- very excited about present- portunity to immerse them- California International said Hannes, who lives in ing global leaders for ma- ing these amazing animals in selves in our new, uniquely Committee, Hannes re- Chula Vista, Calif., with her rine life rescue and tackling a natural way for our guests. designed aquariums. Little ceived the 1994 Leadership husband, Phil, and son Bran- ocean health issues. Those What can we expect ones will be able to pop up Award for General Manager don, the youngest of her five core values of SeaWorld per- from SeaWorld’s new sum- in the middle the giant Pa- Excellence from the South- children. In conversation sonally inspire me. As far mer nighttime presenta- cific octopus aquarium and ern California Hospitality with Amusement Today, it be- as specifically transitioning tion, Electric Ocean? move like a crab through a Sales and Marketing As- came clear that she is very from One Ocean to our new Electric Ocean is an all- crawl tube at the giant Japa- sociation. In 2014, she was much one of those people. Orca Encounter, I’m excited park entertainment overlay, nese spider crab aquarium. appointed to the board of Congratulations on to be sharing these amazing with bright colors, move- Guests will also enjoy the directors of the San Diego your first year as president orcas in a more natural way ment and a high-energy par- moray eel exhibit, where Convention Center Corpo- of SeaWorld and Aquatica that stays focused on educa- ty atmosphere. Guests can they can learn about these ration; she currently serves in San Diego. How does it tion and conservation. dance at the Deep Sea Dis- elusive animals. on the boards of the San Di- feel to represent such an We can’t wait to com- co and have body and face I’m thrilled about the ego Regional Chamber of iconic attraction? plete the Orca Encounter paint applied at the Glow cohesive theme Ocean Ex- Commerce, the San Diego It’s an honor and a privi- venue, which looks like a Bar. Replacing fireworks will plorer brings to the park. It Tourism Authority and the lege to lead the passionate Pacific coastal inlet with be high-tech, 3D projection will truly enhance our over- Hubbs-SeaWorld Research SeaWorld team. Leading waterfalls, rockscapes and mapping and laser shows. all guest experience. Institute. SeaWorld San Diego specifi- trees. I’m also excited about Our signature nighttime Looking beyond this Hannes is leading Sea- cally was my career dream our $10 million commitment experience will be Cirque season, SeaWorld has a new World San Diego at a criti- for years, and there are days to help killer whales in the Electrique, a next-gen Cirque roller coaster, Electric Eel, cal time for the park and I still can’t believe how lucky wild; there’s a nice connec- de la Mer show on Mission on the drawing board for its embattled parent. After I am. Even in my early days tion to inspiring our guests Bay that integrates an LED- 2018. What will this bring years of criticism and evolv- working in the hospitality in- to care about killer whales lit cast. to the park’s mix of offer- ing public opinion — and dustry and living in Orange and the ocean, plus using One of the coolest ele- ings? subsequent attendance and County and Los Angeles, I our resources to directly ments of Electric Ocean will I can’t wait to open stock market declines — the always told myself that if I help orcas in the wild. be bringing our “Real… Electric Eel, our most thrill- company has begun moving ever had a chance to work at How does Orca Encoun- Amazing” vision to life in ing ride in 2018. It will be away from orca and animal SeaWorld, I would jump at ter present a fresh and valu- partnership with BioPop 150 feet tall and will have a shows toward more educa- it. Nearly 20 years ago, that’s able opportunity for the [Biological & Popular Cul- loop inversion. It will twist tional, exhibit-style wildlife exactly what I did. park? ture, Inc., of nearby Carls- presentations and themed SeaWorld discontinued We know that our guests bad, Calif.]. BioPop will cre- 4See SEAWORLD, page 53 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 53

SEAWORLD Knott’s Berry Farm and Dis- What we do is amazing. Lakemont Park shuttered for 2017 season; Continued from page 52 neyland every weekend; of But we can’t keep doing all course, we also frequented the great work we do un- park in the process of re-inventing itself and turn at speeds of more [Six Flags] Magic Mountain less we are successful. The ALTOONA, Pa. — On March 21, Lakemont Park announced than 60 miles per hour, rac- and Universal Studios Hol- people of SeaWorld inspire that it would not be open for the 2017 summer season in an ef- ing both forwards and back- lywood. me; their commitment to the fort to re-position itself as a “pay-as-you-go” amusement park wards. It’s totally something Before that, my earliest animals humbles me, and and recreational area. This is the second time in the history of new and different for our amusement memories were I am proud to serve them. the eighth oldest park in the country − it began operations in park and for San Diego, and of the Kern County Fair, Every time we return a re- 1893 − to be closed for a season. The last time was 1936. it will have great appeal for where my mom would take habilitated animal to the Pa- Closed for now are Leap the Dips (1902, E. Joy Morris, coaster enthusiasts, teens me on every ride they would cific Ocean, I get even more side friction Figure 8) coaster and the Skyliner (1960, John Allen and young adults. It will let me on. My mom still inspired. out-and-back designed) coaster. Leap the Dips is the oldest op- offer the only upside down rides roller coasters with me There’s never been a erating roller coaster in North America. In 1996, the coaster was view of Mission Bay, too! at age 75! SeaWorld is per- more important time for this added to the list of National Historic Landmarks by the National At SeaWorld, we are al- fect because it combines my park, and it’s important to Park Service. ways looking for unique love for theme parks with keep educating and inspir- Information and details are very limited now as the park ways to theme rides so that my love for animals and the ing future generations. I hopes to have a clearer picture of exact renovations by mid-May. guests learn about and see ocean. see the light bulb go on for Starting with the 1937 season the park became a Blair what it’s like to move as a What inspires and en- children in the park every County operation. The name changed briefly from 1986-88 particular animal — in this ergizes you in your role at day. They learn, they start when it was called Boyertown USA, with operations being han- case, an Electric Eel. SeaWorld San Diego, par- to care… they will grow up dled by the Candy Company of Altoona. Currently the Are you a roller coaster ticularly at this point in the and make a difference. Every park is run by the Lakemont Partnership, headed by Ralph Al- fan? park’s evolution? time we make great memo- barano. Daughter Melissa Vyborny has been general manager I am a total roller coaster Helping chart the course ries happen for guests, it’s since 2010. and theme park enthusiast. of SeaWorld’s future inspires very fulfilling. The historic amusement park will reopen daily late May I grew up mowing lawns me, and I’m all in on that •seaworldparks.com through early September in 2018. to buy admission tickets to mission. —B. Derek Shaw 54 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 OBITUARY Industry veteran John Fitzgerald Chuck Barris, who immortalized N.J. park in song, dies at 87 named Apex Parks Group CEO U.S. amusement park Hosted TV’s and FEC company also ‘The Gong Show’ announces new CFO ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — PALISADES, N.Y. — Tele- Apex Parks Group has tapped vision personality and author John Fitzgerald as the compa- Chuck Barris, who penned ny’s new CEO. He succeeds the the 1962 pop song “Palisades late Al Weber, an innovative Park,” died at his home March and widely respected amuse- 21. He was 87. ment industry executive. Although best known for Fitzgerald, an industry vet- creating and hosting the most- eran with more than 30 years John Fitzgerald takes over the CEO role at Apex Parks Group. ly-for-laughs, 1976-launched Chuck Barris of experience, most recently TV talent showcase The Gong served as a consultant to Apex Jackson, N.J., where he began ris has been named CFO on a Show and producing, among Amusement Park in Bergen on strategic initiatives and as his career as a ride operator. permanent basis after serving others, the popular reality- County, N.J. As sung by Fred- park president and general Before assuming managerial as interim CFO since Novem- based game shows The Dating dy Cannon, the tune became a manager at Six Flags parks in positions at Six Flags, he was a ber 2016. Game and The Newlywed Game, hit — landing at No. 3 on the New Jersey. general manager and executive Previously, Morris served Barris also was a prolific au- Billboard Hot 100 chart in June “John is a proven leader at several domestic and inter- as a senior finance executive thor. He wrote several novels 1962. It was the singer’s big- with an impressive track record national theme parks. and CFO at several retail busi- and a controversial, self-de- gest success. of success across our industry,” “Apex has a platform and nesses including Hot Topic scribed 1984 autobiography, Numerous other record- said Tyler Zachem, chairman a team dedicated to providing Inc. / Torrid, LLC, 5.11 Tacti- Confessions of a Dangerous ings of “Palisades Park” were of the board at Apex. “He was outstanding family entertain- cal, Love Culture and Zumi- Mind, in which he said that he made thereafter, including the clear choice to lead our or- ment, and I am thrilled to join ez. Morris also serves on the was an assassin for the C.I.A. renditions by Shelley Faba- ganization, and we have every the company,” Fitzgerald said. board of directors of two pub- during the 1960s. (The agency res, Jan and Dean, The Beach confidence that John and our “Al Weber was my very close licly traded companies: Du- refuted that claim.) The latter Boys and The Ramones. Can- talented team at Apex will con- friend and a mentor of mine luth Trading Company and book was adapted into a 2003 non himself re-recorded the tinue to deliver the operational in this industry, and I am hon- Boot Barn. film of the same name direct- song in 1987 as “ excellence and growth that ored to carry on his legacy to Founded in 2014, Apex ed by George Clooney. Park,” named and adjusted were hallmarks of the company continue building Apex into Parks Group is a privately Prior to his TV success, for the still-operating amuse- under Al Weber’s leadership.” the premier operator of family- held company with 13 fam- Barris, who was born in Phila- ment park in West Mifflin, Pa. For more than six years pri- oriented amusement parks and ily entertainment centers, two delphia and graduated from Barris is survived by his or to joining Apex, Fitzgerald entertainment centers.” amusement parks and two wa- Drexel University, wrote the wife of 16 years, Mary. was park president of Six Flags In addition to appoint- ter parks in California, Texas, song “Palisades Park,” which —Dean Lamanna Great Adventure & Safari and ing Fitzgerald CEO, Apex Florida, New Jersey, Indiana was inspired by Palisades Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in announced that Brenda Mor- and New York. SeaWorld announces long-term investment by Zhonghong Group ORLANDO, Fla. — SeaWorld Enter- Zhonghong Group has entered into About Zhonghong tainment, Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) announced a stockholders agreement with SeaWorld Zhonghong Group was on March 24 that a wholly owned sub- and, effective upon closing of the transac- founded in 1993, and is a diver- sidiary of Zhonghong Zhuoye Group tion, SeaWorld will increase the size of its sified holding company head- Co., Ltd., a diversified holding company board to 11 and Zhonghong Group execu- quartered in Beijing, China, focused on strategic growth opportuni- tives Yoshikazu Maruyama, president of with investments in real estate, ties in the leisure, tourism, and culture in- to grow the company and a shared com- Zhonghong Group's American operation, leisure, culture, and tourism dustries, will acquire an approximately 21 mitment to protect wildlife and the en- and Yongli Wang, chief strategy officer of industries. Most recently, the percent equity interest in SeaWorld from vironment," said Joel Manby, president Zhonghong Group, will join the SeaWorld Zhonghong Group acquired certain funds affiliated with Blackstone and CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. board providing long-term shareholder Abercrombie & Kent, Group Group at a price of $23.00 per share. "Zhonghong Group has a strong track perspectives and substantive expertise in of Companies, S.A., a major SeaWorld and Zhonghong Hold- record of performance in the leisure and global themed entertainment and busi- international luxury and ad- ing Co., Ltd., an affiliate of Zhonghong travel industries, and a solid manage- ness development in China. venture tour operator. Zhong- Group, have also agreed to advisory ment team with valuable experience in The agreement also contains cer- hong Group has over 13,500 employees globally with var- services and support agreements under theme parks, family entertainment, and tain restrictions on Zhonghong Group's ied backgrounds ranging from which SeaWorld will advise Zhonghong real estate development in Asia." ability to sell its interest in SeaWorld for tourism, finance, real estate, Holding exclusively on the concept devel- "We are delighted to engage with Sea- a period of two years, limitations on its hospitality, leisure, and recre- opment and design of theme parks, water World to bring this iconic, world-class ability to acquire more than 24.9 percent ation. parks, and family entertainment centers family entertainment brand to China. Sea- of SeaWorld's outstanding shares without • to be developed and operated by Zhong- World's commitment to inspiring guests the approval of the independent direc- Zhonghong Holding Co., hong Holding, including exclusive rights to protect animals and our oceans is in- tors of SeaWorld's board and other cus- Ltd. (SHE: 000979) is an af- in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. creasingly relevant to people all around tomary restrictions including voting and filiate of Zhonghong Group "Zhonghong Group is making a sig- the world," said Yoshikazu Maruyama, standstill to protect SeaWorld and all of and was listed in 2010 on the nificant, long-term investment in Sea- president of Zhonghong Group's Ameri- its stockholders. Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The World, reflecting their appreciation of can operation. "Zhonghong Group hopes Upon receipt of regulatory approvals company is principally focused the strength of our brand, our potential to contribute our experience and resourc- and satisfaction of other customary clos- on real estate development es in global tourism and project develop- ing conditions, the transaction is expected and management of leisure, ment to enhance long-term value to all to close in the second quarter of 2017. Fol- culture, and tourism projects of SeaWorld's shareholders. We look for- lowing the closing contemplated by the throughout China, with a large ward to a highly collaborative relation- agreements, Blackstone and its affiliates portfolio of land holdings in ship and to serve as a key partner to grow will no longer hold any interests in Sea- China's most strategic tourism its business and further its mission." World or have seats on SeaWorld's board. destinations. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 55 BUSINESS WATCH MARKETWATCH Disney extends Robert A. Iger's contract BURBANK, Calif. — The Company (NYSE:DIS) COMPANY SYMBOL MARKET PRICE HIGH LOW board of directors announced on March 23 that it has extended 04/12/17 52-Week 52-Week Robert A. Iger’s contract as chairman and chief executive of- The Blackstone Group BX NYSE 29.26 31.69 22.45 ficer to July 2, 2019. “Given Bob Iger’s outstanding leadership, his record of suc- Group/ MERL LSE 483.50 507.50 316.79 cess in a changing media landscape, and his clear strategic vi- Legoland sion for Disney’s future, it is obvious that the company and its Cedar Fair, L.P. FUN NYSE 68.25 69.81 56.17 shareholders will be best served by his continued leadership as the board conducts the robust process of identifying a suc- Comcast Corp./ cessor and ensuring a smooth transition,” said Orin C. Smith, CMCSA NASDAQ 37.29 38.43 29.8 NBCUniversal Media independent lead director of the Disney board. During his tenure, Iger has created enormous value for DIS NYSE 113.04 114.25 90.31 shareholders, with total shareholder return of 448%, compared to 144% for the S&P 500, and a dramatic increase in the com- Dubai Parks & Resorts DXBE:UH DFM 1.00 1.77 0.98 pany’s market capitalization to $177 billion from $46 billion. “Leading this great company is a tremendous privilege, and EPR Properties EPR NYSE 75.36 84.67 64.00 I am honored to have been asked to continue serving as CEO through July 2, 2019,” Iger said. Fuji Kyoko Co., Ltd. 9010 TYO 975.00 1525.00 950.00

Haicahang Holdings Ltd. HK:2255 SEHK 1.70 1.95 1.52 New 10-year bonds, others priced by Six Flags GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Six Flags Entertainment Cor- Leofoo Development Co. TW:2705 TSEC 8.20 9.00 6.62 poration (NYSE: SIX), announced on March 30 that it has priced $500 million of newly issued 5.50 percent Senior Notes due MGM Resorts International MGM NYSE 27.57 30.62 21.12 2027 at an offering price of 100 percent of the principal amount thereof and also issued an additional $700 million of 4.875 per- Servicios ES:PQR MCE 16.05 17.41 11.99 cent Senior Notes due 2024 at an offering price of 99 percent Centrales S.A. of the principal amount thereof, for a yield to maturity of 5.039 SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. SEAS NYSE 16.01 21.04 11.77 percent, in a private placement. The 2024 Notes will be issued as additional notes under Six Flags Entertainment Co. SIX NYSE 57.60 62.69 47.61 the indenture governing the outstanding $300 million of the company’s 2024 Notes that were issued on June 16, 2016. The Skyocean International HK:0593 SEHK 16.22 17.4 7.95 net proceeds from this offering will be used to repurchase any and all of the outstanding 5.25 percent Senior Notes due 2021 Tivoli A/S DK:TIV CSE 615.00 629.00 401.90 through a tender offer and consent solicitation announced ear- lier on March 30, 2017. Village Roadshow VRL ASX 4.02 5.57 3.22

STOCK PRICES ABOVE ARE GENERALLY QUOTED IN THE FOREIGN Family Entertainment Group acquires facility CURRENCY IN WHICH THE COMPANY IS LOCATED ITASCA, Ill. — Family Entertainment Group recently an- nounced that it had acquired Hollywood Park Family Entertain- Worldwide Markets: ASX, Australian Securities Exchange; CSE, Copenhagen Stock Exchange; LSE, London Stock Exchange; NYSE, New York Stock Exchange; NASDAQ, National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations; SEHK, Hong Kong Stock ment Center in Crestwood, Ill. This transaction is one of many Exchange; SZSE, Shenzhen Stock Exchange; TSEC, Taiwan Stock Excange, Corp.; TYO/TSE, Tokyo Stock Exchange acquisitions by FEG and the third in the last 12 months. Hol- —SOURCES: Bloomberg.com; Wall Street Journal lywood Park joins other successful parks and entertainment cen- DIESEL PRICES ters owned by FEG including Bonkers Fun House, in Peabody, Mass., Funtrackers in Corpus Christi, Texas, and GameRoom Region As of Change from Sawgrass located in Sunrise, Fla. (U.S.) 04/10/17 1 year ago Hollywood Park is a very successful family entertainment East Coast $2.620 +$0.433 center located in Chicago’s south suburbs. The entertainment Midwest $2.515 +$0.433 center features a fun collection of Hollywood memorabilia, a Gulf Coast $2.446 +$0.454 family restaurant, large multi-level game room, bumper cars, Mountain $2.640 +$0.498 electric go karts and two award-winning mini golf courses. West Coast $2.772 +$0.572 Hollywood Park was owned and operated by Chris Paliga and his family since the mid-90s and when the opportunity came California $2.935 +$0.498 to sell the business he knew it would be in good hands with CURRENCY FEG. Paliga commented, “I might not have sold my property to anyone other than George Smith and FEG. I have a commit- On 04/13/17 $1 USD = ment to this business, the Hollywood Park leadership team and 0.9423 EURO the community − and FEG has the resources to improve on the 0.8002 GBP (British Pound) park.” 109.56 JPY (Japanese Yen) As part of the acquisition, Family Entertainment Group will 1.0067 CHF (Swiss Franc) enhance the facility over the next year with a completely new 1.3343 AUD (Australian Dollar) games package, four lanes of mini bowling, restaurant seating 1.3314 CAD (Canadian Dollar) expansion, addition of four new private party rooms, renovation of the façade and addition of outdoor entertainment elements. 56 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 SAFETY, MAINTENANCE & EDUCATION Skyline Attractions annual Skynext 2017 a big success Next generation FAST FACTS gets a taste of the Skynext 2017 amusement industry by the numbers AT: B. Derek Shaw • [email protected] 2 high school students 11 women participated 13 professionals currently ORLANDO, Fla. - For the employed in a technical third year in a row, Skyline At- or engineering position tractions, LLC has hosted Sky- of which five are next, a weekend event held on a currently working in the first-come, first-served basis for theme park industry young professionals who want 24 U.S. states represented to work in the amusement at- along with three other tractions industry. countries represented: Each succeeding offering Canada, China and Austria has outdone the previous year, 55 college students or according to Chris Gray, part- recent graduates ner and vice president of Skyline 70 total attendees Attractions: “Our attendance for the event started at 32 the first year, 54 the second and this year Three take-aways we capped it at 70 due to space from Skynext 2017 in our Orlando facility.” 1: Participant growth and Above, Skynext 2017 at- Gray said Skynext had al- expansion of purpose. Initially tendees enjoyed an evening most 50 of the 70 seats filled Skynext was created as a talent at SeaWorld Orlando where before any of the speakers were recruitment program for Skyline they rode the B&M-supplied announced. Jeff Pike, partner Attractions; however this semi- roller coaster. Right, and president, enthused:, “This nar has become much bigger a tour was provided by year, we opened our doors to than that. The Gravity Group of its more than 70 eager attendees “Each of the attendees had new wooden coaster under [referred to as Skyliners], and access to many employers in this construction at Fun Spot in Skynext 2017 officially became industry, most of whom have Kissimmee. Bottom right, really, really big!” been hiring aggressively to meet Mark Rosenzweig and Adam Held the weekend of March the increased global demand for Sandy give a presentation 10-11 at Skyline’s headquarters theme park equipment. We're on the Ride Entertainment in Orlando, Fla. the event fea- proud to say that Skynext has Group of Companies. tured eight guest speakers from seen its share of young people COURTESY throughout the industry as well who promptly went on to start SKYLINE ATTRACTIONS as representatives from IAAPA careers in the design and manu- and Themed Entertainment As- facturing side of the business,” more to each of them. Some have sociation (TEA.) Evening events explained Pike. full-time jobs outside the theme and a few surprises capped off Gray shared last year’s re- park industry, and are looking the jam packed two-day seminar. sults. “Out of the 54 attendees for ways to network with park The genesis of this event we had last year, 12 of them are people and peers, hoping that at goes back to when Gray and now working in the amusement some point an opportunity may Pike worked at Great Coasters industry.” arise. Some are students, mem- International. Fred X, as it was 2: Attendees are anything bers of their school's "Theme dubbed, proved to be a success. but typical. Pike explained: Park Engineering Groups," who (That program is still continued “Skynext isn't attended by traveled together to learn more today, although not every year.) theme-park enthusiasts. Make about applying some relevant Fred X became the basis for the no mistake, these people all love real-world ideas to their school- first Skynext in 2015. theme parks, but there is a bit work. Some are high-school stu- dents (yes, high school!) who are doing some early planning and strategizing.” ; Mark Hat- Spot Kissimmee's Mine Blower 3: Skynext presenters are ton, Orlando; Jack coaster to tell stories of what it also anything but typical. “Our Kilcup, Rocky Mountain Con- took for him to get into the roller presenters have spanned just struction; Mark Rosenzweig coaster business. about every aspect of this in- and Adam Sandy, Ride Enter- As of press time, the dates We ARE your dustry, from manufacturing, to tainment Group; Saham Ali for Skynext 2018 at Skyline At- theme design, to technology to and David Consolo with Fal- tractions in Orlando, Fla. have Safety News Source! operations. And there is always con’s Creative Group; Justin not been finalized. There is a $20 one common element that vir- Thom an IAAPA ambassador registration fee. Travel and lodg- tually guarantees they will con- and Justin Ruka a participant in ing are the responsibility of the Subscribe Today! nect with the Skyliners: their the TEA NextGen Initiative. In participants. story,” said Pike. addition, during an on-site tour, Skynext 2017 sponsors This year’s cast of present- Korey Kiepert, partner at the were Skyline Attractions, Dy- www.AmusementToday.com ers included Jack Morey, Mo- Gravity Group, took time out of namic Attractions and Amuse- rey’s Piers; Bob Sharpe with his busy schedule building Fun ment Today. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 57

Amusement Industry Manufacturers and Suppliers International, Ltd. P.O. Box 92366 • Nashville, Tenn. 37209 Phone: (714) 425-5747 • Fax: (714) 276-9666 Karen Oertley • [email protected] www.aimsintl.org Holly Coston, (714) 697-6654, [email protected] Up close: AIMS International Board President, Timothy Viox Tim Viox is a partner at Leisure when I took an internal position at Kingsmill Resort in experts gather to teach, learn, and exchange best practic- Labs, LLC, which represents Mack Williamsburg, Va. Had I come from any other industry, es. With a growing international presence at recent AIMS Rides, Great Coasters International, working at a golf and tennis resort would have seemed the Seminars, we are expanding the pool of contributors. Cer- Mondial Rides, and I.E. Park/Soli. His ultimate. But, it wasn’t quite an adequate replacement for tification is an excellent gauge for owners, operators and term as board president of AIMS Inter- our industry! Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to evaluate an indi- national began April 1, 2017, following vidual’s understanding in the areas of Amusement Industry Timo Klaus, who worked diligently and How did you learn about AIMS and become in- Inspection, Maintenance, Operations, and Aquatics. AIMS tirelessly on behalf of AIMS as board volved as a member of the board of directors? Level II Certified Ride Inspectors and Level III Professional president for the past two years. Viox Julius Sais and the maintenance team at SeaWorld Ride Inspectors represent the cream of the crop of Ride Tim resides in Columbia, Mo. with were excellent mentors in helping me understand how im- Inspectors. his wife Shari and two daughters Cassidy (17) and Eva (11). portant it was that my projects complied with BEC best AIMS News & Notes recently had the opportunity to sit practices and amusement industry standards. AIMS and What do you hope to accomplish in your term as down with Tim to learn a bit more about him and his plans ASTM were the two organizations Busch Entertainment board president of AIMS? for AIMS International: stayed plugged into as part of their efforts to utilize the With the tremendous amount of growth in the interna- global network of industry experts who gather at their tional amusement industry, I envision AIMS playing a ma- Tell us about your background in the amusement events. From an attendee perspective, I have always ad- jor role in providing education to our growing network of industry. What brought you into it in the first place? mired AIMS for being well organized and having top notch peers. While challenges related to language and cultures I was in my fifth year working for Anheuser-Busch as a instructors. I was honored when given the opportunity to do exist, our common interests related to amusement project manager when I answered an internal job posting become a member of the AIMS board of directors. industry safety provide the platform necessary to work for a Florida Regional Project Manager with AB’s Busch through these differences. Entertainment Corporation (BEC). I had already worked Everyone agrees, safety is of utmost importance I’ve been handed the keys to an organization whose in breweries, aluminum can plants, bakeries, salted snack to the amusement industry worldwide, how can AIMS identity, goal, and purpose has been forged by some of the plants and Busch Stadium. I thought it might be fun to make a difference in terms of safety education and cer- greatest contributors in the history of amusement industry build theme park attractions instead of production facili- tification? safety — from the founders, Watson Brey, John Allen, ties — to build something I had never built before. Dur- The manual on how to best operate and maintain an Harold Chance, Lee Sullivan and Art Sellner, to the more ing my first stint at SeaWorld Orlando, Ray King, Mack amusement ride has never been static. As an industry, we recent major contributors like John Hinde and especially, Ride’s project manager for , told me are constantly learning better practices, means, and meth- Mark Moore. I hope to build upon the foundation laid by that once you get into this industry, you never leave. He ods. The AIMS Safety Seminar is an excellent venue for them while expanding AIMS International’s global impact. was right! Well, mostly. I did leave, for about eight months the dissemination and sharing of that knowledge. Industry —Karen Oertley Space for this AIMS page is provided courtesy of Amusement Today as a corporate partner of AIMS Intl. Content is provided by AT & AIMS. 58 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

SAFETY SAFETY, MAINTENANCE & EDUCATION MARKET PLACE Royal Caribbean rolls out new lifeguard program

Certification programs the first ship to employ new it comes to safety. But like supplied by IAM, lifeguards and implement everywhere, there is always the program. room for improvement. Most Star Guard Elite Lyan Sierra-Caro, man- cruise lines follow policy AT: Tim Baldwin ager of corporate communi- set by many resorts where [email protected] cations, emphasizes Royal guests swim at their own Caribbean International is a risk without lifeguards. Even MIAMI, Fla. — As the family brand. “Pool-based with a strong safety record, cruise line business slowly activities are an important as- incidents can happen, and ventures into amusement pect of the cruise vacation for almost always involve chil- attractions, it is no surprise all guests, and we are doing dren. In “close call” cases in to see ships becoming ever everything we can to ensure past years in the cruise line more safety conscious. But they have the safest vacation business, it is documented even before rides and slides possible,” she said. that frequently it is other pas- were being added, swim- Mike Friscia, president sengers who have rescued Aerial Tramway Design & Manufacture ming pools have been a con- of Star Guard Elite, as well as children, as parents are of- sistent staple on cruise ships. Innovative Attraction Man- ten less apt to pay attention SkyTrans Mfg.,L.L.C. Royal Caribbean Inter- agement (IAM), said, “We while relaxing on vacation. 106 Burnham Intervale Road national has implemented a have a comprehensive life- This new program is aiming Contoocook, N.H. 03229 water safety program across guard risk prevention pro- to reduce even the remote Phone: (603) 746-4446 Fax: (603) 746-4447 its fleet to raise awareness gram. With Star Guard Elite, chance of an incident. among guests about the im- we provide lifeguards and “Any facility that em- •Specializing in sales & refurbishment of used aerial tramways portance of vigilance while lifeguard-structured training ployees the additional layer •Replacement parts for aerial tramways and amusement rides enjoying water features on programs both in the U.S. of protection by having life- •New ride control systems and modifications the company’s ships. This and internationally. We are guards… that is incredibly •Rebuilt used chairlifts - one year guarantee program incorporates gear supporting Royal Caribbean important to the general safe- and safety guidelines pro- by training and certifying ty of the public,” said Friscia. (603) 746-4446 Parts and Service vided to guests throughout lifeguards.” Children under On embarkation day, the Jerry Pendleton or Dan Pendleton their cruise. These include the age of 12 will still require water safety program will in- lifeguards on duty at all a parent or guardian to be clude a 15-minute presenta- pools during opening hours, present when swimming in tion for children and parents Gull Wing Industries swim vests for children 4 – 12 any pool. during the Adventure Ocean Working with the Carnival years old, a water safety pre- “We believe it critical open house session. Industry since 1989 sentation in the Adventure for aquatic facilities to have Disney Cruise Line had Contact us at: Ocean kids program, as well properly trained and certi- recently employed lifeguards www.gull-wing.com as a teen 411 session on wa- fied lifeguards. It’s -some for its four ships. Royal Ca- ter safety. All lifeguards have thing we believe in. We think ribbean will be the largest been trained and certified by all facilities employing this cruise line to do so when the Pack-Man 175 kw or 250 kw StarGuard Elite, an industry [program] is great,” added program has been fully ini- Quiet Power–Tractor or leading International Aquat- Friscia. tiated on all 25 ships in the Trailer Mounted ic Risk Prevention and Life- The new program will fleet this summer. guard program. also see the introduction of AT asked about Friscia’s The new safety program water safety instruction signs concurrent company, IAM. 309 N.E. 1st Street P.O. Box 128 Alta, IA 51002 was rolled out in March and throughout the ship. “We are a fully turnkey GFlex 400 Amp Toll Free: 800-838-1482 Fax: 712-200-1936 is expected to be on all Royal Like the amusement in- amusement manager and op- Caribbean ships in June. The dustry, the cruise line busi- erator of theme parks, water Oasis of the Seas vessel was ness has a solid record when parks and FECs,” he said.

Casters / Wheels

• Fixed and Swivel Types • Optional Brakes • Inch and Metric Size Top Plate • Variety of Wheel Materials Royal Caribbean Interna- Visit www.jwwinco.com to explore these new additions to our wheels and casters lines, or contact us with your application requirements. tional has started staffing lifeguards at its ship pools. 2815 S. Calhoun Road When completed, its fleet New Berlin, WI 53151 Phone: 800-877-8351 of 25 ships will all be life- Fax: 800-472-0670 [email protected] guard staffed. Shown here is Splashaway Bay on the Harmony of the Seas ship. COURTESY Keep our amusement park industry strong! ROYAL CARIBBEAN Buy products and services from these suppliers. May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 59 SAFETY, MAINTENANCE & EDUCATION Following PAPA Annual Meeting, Proposed ASTM Intl. standard will educational open roundtable discussion held at Hersheypark support land-based obstacle courses W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — ASTM In- The scope of this proposed standard also ternational’s committee on amusement rides includes removing obvious hazardous condi- and devices, and its subcommittee on adventure tions by logically applying existing standards attractions are developing a standard that will and model codes. Also according to its scope, provide guidelines for building and operating this standard will not address attractions such as obstacle racing courses. Anyone interested in ropes courses or zip lines, nor will it purport to helping develop this standard is welcome to join address all of the safety concerns associated with and get involved. the standard’s use. (It will be the responsibility of The obstacle course racing community has the user of the standard to establish appropriate grown significantly in recent years. Designers, safety and health practices prior to use.) owners, builders, and operators could benefit ASTM Committee F24 on Amusement Rides from this proposed standard, currently known and Devices next meeting is scheduled for Octo- as the work item: “New Practice for Design, ber 11-14, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Construction, Operation, Inspection, Safety, and For more information contact ASTM's Kat- Maintenance of Land-Based Pedestrian Obstacle erina Koperna at (610) 832-9728 or by email at Courses.” [email protected]. LaserTag 360 education event scheduled INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — LaserTag 360 agement; Dave Wallace, Turfway Entertain- is a two-day event designed to help owner/ ment; Kevin Williams, KWP; Beth Standlee, A packed room at the Hersheypark Service Center for operators open a laser tag attraction at a new TrainerTainment; Sean Stormes, Redemp- the always popular open roundtable discussions, was or existing facility. The event brings together tion Plus and Lauren Turner, TrustWorkz. held immediately following the PAPA breakfast meet- experts from every facet of the entertainment For full event information and registra- ing in March. More than 45 people were in attendance industry to deliver a well-rounded educa- tion visit: www.lasertag360.com. this year. Discussion topics included seasonal labor staff- tion program. The event, hosted by Creative ing strategies, drone policies, security operations, guest Works, has been scheduled for May 16 & 17 scams, employee recognition, best food items and more. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 8910 Hatfield Drive Hersheypark, Hershey, Pa., hosts the educational meet- in Indianapolis, Ind. Cost is $100 per person. ing each year. This year's speaker lineup includes: Jerry AT/B. DEREK SHAW Merola, Amusement Entertainment Man- 60 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017

ThisM spaceuseu is provided courtesym of Amusement P Todayrogress, a corporate partner of the National R Roller Coasterep Museumort & Archives. Side friction coaster car mystery solved! THIS MONTH The identity of the anonymous graphs: red and green roller coaster car in "An old friend returned to IN HISTORY the March issue AT (page 37) ap- our office and has found a home in Presented by the National Rollercoaster Museum pears to be no longer a mystery. It our conference room. This beauti- seems the car has been well trav- ful antique PTC coaster car once AT: Richard Munch eled and is survived by two siblings. rode the tracks of The Nickel Sce- While it has spent most of its mile- nic Roller Coaster, one of Willow MAY age in the Philadelphia area, the Grove Park’s famous rides. The •1906: The new amusement center, Luna Park, opened on May 28, in longest trip it ever took was from back used to state that old and Four Mile Run in Arlington, Va. What was just a field with some rocky the loading dock at Philadelphia now famous line, 'Life is Lark.' In outcroppings six months earlier was now a full-fledged park with nu- Toboggan Company in Lansdale, the late 1970s, Sam High III, then Above, PTC's fully restored side merous rides and attractions. The Washington Post reported: “There Pa., to Santa Cruz Beach Board- president of PTC, headed to Wil- friction coaster car from Willow are 30 places of entertainment along the great trail waiting to wel- walk in beautiful Santa Cruz, Calif. low Grove Park...he brought along Grove Park. Below, NRCMA's come large crowds of pleasure seekers. The new Ingersoll enterprise, Tom Rebbie, president of Phil- with him three employees, one of car from the same ride, donated will open on Monday…everything is in readiness for the opening, and adelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC), whom was coaster shop foreman by Charles Canfiled, Santa Cruz thousands will doubtless make their way to the summer amusement was surprised to see the photo of Tom Rebbie. They brought the Beach Boardwalk. city built in the hills, to enjoy the cool breezes and numerous attrac- the car, and quickly called both coaster car back to the PTC shop COURTESY PTC; NRCMA FILE tions of the place.” The park also opened with a Figure Eight roller the NRCMA and AT to explain the and two employees refurbished it rich history of the wayward side to its former glory. Once the resto- coaster and a Chutes among its rides. Unfortunately, a disastrous fire friction car. He claims that in late ration was finished, Sam took the in April 1915 would spell the end of the famous park, which was lo- 1980, during the demolition of Wil- two-seat coaster car to his home. cated just south of Washington, D.C. low Grove Park, in Montgomery It was placed in Sam’s family room, •1907: Opening on May 29, Atlanta, Ga.’s newest park, the White County, Pa., the late Samuel H. providing his grandchildren over High III, then president of PTC, ac- 20 years of enjoyment, and was City, brought another amusement center to the growing metropolis. companied him along with a crew quite a conversation piece. After The advertisements for the new season would suggest the new fa- to rescue some early equipment Sam passed away in 2011, the fate cility was a pleasure resort, park and picnic grounds combined. The at the park. High had permis- of the coaster car found its way Atlanta Constitution claimed the park was built at an immense capital sion to remove some side friction to auction. This spring, Tom Reb- expense and included all kinds of new and fine pleasure devices. This cars from the old Scenic Coaster. bie, company president, Janine would include a Figure Eight roller coaster, the second in the city (the The ride, built in 1896, had a few Kings Island after Charles Dinn Rebbie, administrative assistant, other at Ponce De Leon Park). The auspicious opening, despite the replacement cars sitting near the mentioned his interest in having and Alex Nagel, company archi- cloudy weather, had thousands of people in attendance, with the trol- station. Tom remembered load- the artifact, during the construc- vist, discovered the coaster car up leys lined up at the main entrance. Those who visited had only words ing the company truck with three tion of The Beast. He doesn’t know for auction and attended with the of praise for the new amusement resort, culminating with the brilliant side friction cars from the Nickel what happened to the Kings Island goal of bringing a piece of history scene after dark when artificial light made the midway glow. Scenic, while a short distance away car, but the restored car, adorned home to PTCI. It was a successful a wrecking crew was busy bring- with the company logo and paint- trip. After arriving back at PTCI’s •1908: Electric Park, in Baltimore, Md., opened the season on May ing down the Alps, the last L.A. ed white and gold, has been shop, the coaster car was touched 30 with a new line of attractions and buildings, including a new Sce- Thompson Scenic Railway in the moved into the company’s confer- up and given a little tender love... nic Railway, the Dazy Dazer, designed by Breinig Construction Com- Western Hemisphere. ence room for all visitors to admire. [afterward] moving this stunning pany. At 50 feet high, with a track length of 2900 feet, it opened in Back in Lansdale, the best Meanwhile, the Canfield donation piece of history into our office con- early June, headlining a new group of attractions presented during car of the three was rehabilitated, now sits in Plainview, Texas, waiting ference room." the 1908 season. With a new management team in control, they hired while the other two cars sat on the for its own spot in the limelight. Thanks, Tom, for clearing up architects Copeland and Dole fresh from their design work at the end of the loading dock for several Rebbie pointed to his com- one mystery. For me, that’s one Jamestown Exposition to assist with park expansion, including a new years. According to Rebbie, High pany Facebook page for more in- down and thousands of unidenti- ballroom. The park also added a , Shoot the Shoots eventually sent one car to his friend formation. The painstaking move fied cars and photos to go! (Chutes) and . It marked the park’s largest expansion in Charles Canfield in Santa Cruz. of the car into the conference room —Richard Munch, its short history. The second car found a home at is well-documented with photo- NRCMA Historian May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 61 Dollywood properties fulfill Images of America economic promise Michigan's Tashmoo Park featured in book PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. — The Dollywood Co. parks AT: Jeffrey Seifert times steamers were brought in This space is provided courtesy of Amusement Today, a corporate partner of the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives. and businesses set records in 2016, including the highest at- [email protected] BOOK REVIEW even from competing lines such as tendance level ever for Dollywood theme park. Dollywood those servicing Bob-Lo Island or and Dollywood’s Splash Country exceeded a combined HARSON'S ISLAND, Mich. Put-In-Bay near Sandusky, Ohio. threshold of three million guests for the first time since 2007. — Those familiar with amuse- Sadly, in 1936, on one of the Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa and Dollywood’s ment park history are likely famil- popular evening dance cruises, Smoky Mountain Cabins set occupancy and revenue re- iar with the term "trolley park." the Tashmoo struck an uncharted cords, as well, while Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede set an An amusement park or other underwater obstruction shortly attendance record. All of Parton’s businesses combined en- recreation facility was often built after leaving Sugar Island. It be- tertained more than five million guests last year. at the end of a city trolley line to gan to take on water and the crew headed to nearby Amsterdam In 2013, Parton promised to deliver $300 million in generate business for the trolley Dock where passengers and crew Smoky Mountains region investment within 10 years; at on the weekends. Less well known are parks disembarked. The next morning, its current rate of expansion, her company is exceeding that were built or owned by ship- the beloved steamer was sitting that goal. A study commissioned that year to project Dolly- ping lines for pretty much the half submerged at the bottom of wood’s economic impact and future growth put its impact same purpose. Steamships that the river in 18 feet of water. on the region at $1.1 billion annually, creating more than provided commuter service during Divers determined the hull 12,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs. It was projected the week, often needed a destina- was beyond repair and the ship that Dollywood’s 10-year investment would create 2,500 tion for the ships on the weekends. was scrapped. The White Star additional direct, indirect and induced jobs in the area and One such park, just outside Line chartered boats from other produce $7 million in additional state and local taxes. of Detroit, is the subject of an Im- The park became so suc- companies to provide service to An update to the study completed in early 2017 by ages of America book from Arca- cessful, the White Star Line com- Tashmoo park, but it was a los- the University of Tennessee shows that Dollywood already dia Publishing. The book is titled missioned a new steamship, The ing effort. The combination of the has exceeded those levels after setting earnings records Tashmoo Park and The Steamer Tash- Tashmoo, to bring passengers to loss of the steamer, the Great De- in each of the previous five years. It now is projected that moo. The book follows the original the park. pression and the uncertainties of Dollywood’s impact will exceed $1.84 billion annually and Images of America format with Much of the publication is World War II were too much. The create more than 23,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs black & white photos portraying dedicated to the steamer Tash- park struggled for 15 more years, in the region. the history of the park along with moo, as well as some of the other eventually closing at the end of it's namesake steamship popular Great Lakes steamers and the 1951 season. See more on VideoTrack Tashmoo Park, on Harsen's destinations popular at the time, Historian Arthur Woodford at AmusementToday.com Island in the St. Clair River, just including Bob-Lo Island. selected images from a variety of outside of Detroit, was devel- In 1916, a Merry-Go-Round sources including libraries and a oped as an amusement park by was added but the park never fea- number of private collections to Universal Studios Hollywood the White Star Line. The shipping tured a lot of rides. Instead it was tell the story of a park from a far line started out small — investing popular for its picnic grounds, simpler time. boosts park, CityWalk offerings a few thousand dollars in a pavil- baseball fields, dining halls and The 128-page softcover book, ion, picnic grounds, baseball dia- the swimming beach. Images of America, Tashmoo Park AT: Dean Lamanna garitaville restaurant, the first monds and a bicycle track. As the Company outings were ex- and The Steamer Tashmoo is avail- [email protected] in the destination eatery chain popularity of the park increased, tremely popular with some, such able for $21.99 from online book to be located in California. more attractions such as a dance as the picnic for Packard Car retailers or directly from Arcadia UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. Sporting a tropical para- hall, bathhouse and swimming Company employees, requiring Press at arcadiapublishing.com. — After breaking attendance dise theme described as “a beach were added. the use of extra steamers. Some- records last year, thanks large- state of mind” — one inspired ly to the debut of its Wizarding by Buffett’s hit 1977 song of World of Harry Potter themed the same name — Margarita- land, Universal Studios Hol- ville serves lunch and dinner lywood is aiming for another in a casual environment amid summer of Los Angeles free- palm trees, thatched enclaves, way-level foot traffic with im- surfboard tables and the cen- proved and new offerings on tral, enigmatically named both sides of the gate. Somewhere Bar. In the theme park, the Along with handcrafted Harry Potter and the Forbid- cocktails, the menu features den Journey dark ride has signature dishes such as Land- received a significant techno- Shark Lager Fish & Chips, logical upgrade in the form Jimmy’s Jammin’ Jambalaya, of enhanced 4K-HD (high Volcano Nachos and Cheese- definition) ride film projec- burger in Paradise. tion. Originally projected at The restaurant also offers 60 frames-per-second, the new live entertainment. In fact, the ride media now displays at 70-year-old Buffett himself twice the frame rate — deliv- delivered an invitation-only ering more clarity and depth grand opening celebration than previously displayed. performance on March 30. At the adjacent Universal Among other recent up- CityWalk entertainment dis- grades at Universal CityWalk trict, which over the last two is a complete redesign of the decades has become a tour- 19-screen Universal Cinema, ist magnet unto itself, many now featuring state-of-the-art millions have been spent on projection and deluxe recliner recent expansions and im- seating in screening room- provements. The investment quality auditoriums. continues with the newly •universalstudioshollywood.com opened Jimmy Buffett’s Mar- 62 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017 CLASSIFIEDS

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Call Len or John (908) 526-8009 FAX: (908) 526-4535 May 2017 AMUSEMENT TODAY 63 64 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2017