issue 83, september 2020 inparkmagazine.com
Polin creates something clearly different for waterparks Coaster Fun Theme Park Storytelling Two intertwined roller Five lessons from a large-scale academic study coasters open in Germany covering 60 different parks around the world Stoneface Inc. The Sculpted Rock Artisans CA License 1001362 - AZ License 308722 - UT License 10614867-5501
Animal Exhibits Concrete Theming Water Features Wall Finishes Artificial Rock Work Stamped Concrete Decking www.stonefaceinc.com 949-370-9880 [email protected] 2 inparkmagazine.com issue 83, september 2020
Meet the press Inside Action League 4 The IPM editors interview one other, round two 16 Alterface’s novel mix of tournament, interactive gaming and motion • by Martin Palicki
Engineering the aquarium Planning for 2021 6 EXP helps create the new St. Louis Aquarium 18 WhiteWater offers scalable options to parks by Daniel Christman & Brandon Lemonier getting ready for next season • by Martin Palicki
Photo booth serendipity Forged in steel, tempered by imagination 8 Innovative FOTO kiosks help visitors preserve the 24 Vekoma opens two intertwining roller coasters in memory with minimal risk • by Judith Rubin Germany • by Martin Palicki
I can see clearly now Theme park storytelling 10 Polin’s new Glassy product adds transparent 26 Five lessons from my large-scale study • by charm to a new waterpark • by Joe Kleiman Carissa Baker, Ph.D.
Transitions 2020 Festival of licensing 14 Nathan Jones & Christine Kerr • by Martin Palicki 30 Anna Knight discusses the 2020 Festival of & Judith Rubin Licensing • by Judith Rubin
team & contributors COVER: Polin’s Glassy slide utilizes a new proprietary composite technology to create a PUBLISHER DESIGN Martin Palicki Martin Palicki clear slide for Candyland waterpark at the Vogue Hotel Bodrum in Bodrum, Turkey. EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS Photo courtesy of Polin Waterparks Judith Rubin Carissa Baker, Ph.D. Daniel Christman NEWS EDITOR Brandon Lemonier Joe Kleiman
InPark Magazine (ISSN 1553-1767) is published by Martin Chronicles Publishing, LLC. 2349 E Ohio Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA. Shipping address: 2349 E Ohio Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA. Phone: +1-262-412-7107. Printing by Johnson Press of America. Contents © 2020 InPark Magazine. All rights reserved. Nothing in the magazine may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the magazine. InPark Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Such material must be accompanied by a self-adressed and stamped envelope to be returned. Postmaster: Send address changes to InPark Magazine 2349 E Ohio Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207, USA. Subscriptions are available annually for $45 per year ($70 international). Opinions expressed in editorial matter are not necessarily those of InPark Magazine or its publishers, Martin Chronicles Publishing, LLC.
inparkmagazine.com 3 Meet the press Learn what drives the InPark editorial inner circle in our second installment of this four-part series
Joe Kleiman, Martin Palicki, news editor publisher
Question from Judith Rubin Question from Joe Kleiman
hat is the value of a media outlet such as InPark in hat did you learn about the industry working at Six Wthe age of rampant social media? WFlags? I’ve been asked a few times over the years what the difference My experience at Six Flags cemented my love for the industry. is between my blogging and what I write for a publication such Anyone who has worked in a park knows how magical the as InPark. The three same words keep coming up - “editorial environment can be - especially when the park is empty early oversight” and “vetting.” There are a lot of websites - in the morning or late at night. At the end of the day I would mainstream media and trades among them - that publish rumors, purposefully take the long route out of the park just so I could because rumors mean impressions and impressions mean ad walk along the wooden bridges over the Yankee Clipper’s (flume sales. We’re not about that. People respect us because we’re a ride) pond. Creaky boards, flickering lamps, period colonial great B2B resource. They read us because we’re reliable. When we music, the unique smell of that chlorinated water – it may sound wanted to find out when California’s theme parks might reopen, goofy to some, but if you love theme parks, you’ll know exactly we spoke with the Governor’s office and two state agencies. what I’m talking about. We went to California’s only open theme park and interviewed their spokesperson. For our readers, that’s important. Vendors I was lucky to work at Six Flags Great America when workers all working with these parks need to know these things. So we go sported themed costumes, background music fit the lands and to the source, instead of repeating a rumor from a rumor site theming was detailed. While I miss those days, I also understand that repeated it from yet another rumor site. That would be a that times change and businesses have to evolve. Six Flags is a disservice to our core readership. great example of a company that has had its fair share of ups and downs and has successfully reinvented itself. That’s a big lesson, and it has certainly been applicable to our media outlet – especially this year! Judith Rubin, editor I think we already overuse the term “pivot” but it’s pretty accurate. Maintain core values and identity – your grounding – but be willing to turn in the direction things are headed. Question from Martin Palicki Collectively we are still figuring out what that looks like for the industry, but we are committed to helping communicate that as ublic relations is also a specialty of yours. How should we discover and forge a path forward. Ppeople or companies successfully market themselves with so many options and an expanding social media world?
With so many online platforms it’s easy to create a bubble where it appears that you’ve got a lot of exposure, but you’re really just advertisers talking to yourself. Not only does this give illusory results, it fosters a loss of objectivity. If you don’t really know how the world would Alcorn McBride 7 receive your story outside of your bubble, you can’t know whether Lagotronics 29 you are telling it effectively. A responsible industry publicist will take the time to understand your specialty and ask questions to DNP 5 help bring out the important points and identify target markets, so that media outlets will recognize its value to their own audiences Polin back cover and share it. That’s how you break out of your bubble. Good PR Stoneface 2 isn’t just hitting “Send.” And don’t fall into the gush trap. You don’t value gushy, subjective articles from others, so don’t make an Vekoma 31 exception for your own company’s stories. Be meaningful, clear, accurate and to the point.
4 inparkmagazine.com Alcorn McBride 7
Lagotronics 29
DNP 5
Polin back cover
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Vekoma 31
inparkmagazine.com 5 Engineering the aquarium EXP helps create the new St. Louis Aquarium by Daniel Christman, Vice President I EXP I Brandon Lemonier, Principal I EXP
quariums are fascinating. They have their own unique Due to the pandemic, the new St. Louis Aquarium was obliged Aand distinguishing characteristics, aquatic specifics and to temporarily close in early 2020, as were many venues around hidden stories. Visitors to aquariums are mesmerized by marine the country, but re-opened in June and is currently operating with life and their designed environments. For our part at EXP - as timed ticketing and new protocols in place. mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineers - we are fascinated by constructing the building systems of aquariums Designed by PGAV Destinations, the new, 120,000-square- to host the animals and protect their safety outside their natural foot St. Louis Aquarium is home to more than 13,000 animals habitat. and celebrates regional history and local river culture. PGAV Destinations designed the new Aquarium to celebrate St. Louis’s Part of a downtown revival past and present, showcasing the city’s global impact via the In January 2020, the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station nearby Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. Visually rooting the opened to the public as the centerpiece of a $187 million family visitor experience at the Aquarium in early train travel, the entertainment complex at the historic train terminal. St. Louis journey transports visitors to the Mississippi to learn more about Union Station began train operations in 1894; in the early 1900s the animals found in St. Louis, then heads downriver to see was one of the busiest passenger terminals in the country, unique creatures from around the world’s waterways and oceans. and ceased train operations in 1978. It now joins a number of A simulated train ride takes guests to the confluence of the celebrated developments expanding and upgrading the leisure Mississippi and Missouri rivers narrated by St. Louis native and options in downtown St. Louis - including the St. Louis Arch, celebrated actor John Goodman. the National Blues Museum and Ballpark Village. St. Louis based Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM) acquired and has been The design process renovating the Union Station property for several years; in 2014 Our team at EXP was proud to have joined PGAV Destinations its indoor projection mapping show, the Grand Hall Experience, in this achievement, having provided the MEP, fire protection was recognized with a TEA Thea Award. and low voltage design services for this renovation of historic Union Station.
The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station - Photo courtesy of EXP
6 inparkmagazine.com We joined PGAV’s team early in the design process and were With every highly themed environment we work in, a big part of briefed on the story envisioned and the historical elements our role is to support the story. Sometimes we support the story to dictate the structure of the new experience. We brought by playing an active part where our systems are front and center. our prior experience on other world-class animal and aquatic More often, we best support the story by integrating our systems attractions, including Georgia Aquarium, Ripley Entertainment into theming and rockwork. In the new aquarium, our close and SeaWorld. relationship with PGAV Destinations helped to establish a ‘hide and seek’ of systems and ensure we were up-to-code with every When people think of aquariums, we certainly hope they do not element. In addition, the combined expertise supported triple think about fire protection, mechanical, electrical or plumbing checking the minimal risk to aquatic life. systems. Mostly invisible to the guest, these are integral services to ensure their protection and the protection of the marine Aquariums are fascinating design achievements. They are the species housed in the facility. Our teams have gained a strong combination of interacting MEP systems, aquatic life support foothold in the industry as MEP leaders. This role is our home systems, multidisciplinary design and construction achievements base, where we excel for our clients and deliver world-class and creativity. The St. Louis Aquarium puts versatility and solutions. As a multidisciplinary engineering firm with over 3,500 innovation on full display, along with 13,000 animals. We were employees across North America, 75 of whom are dedicated to extremely proud to have been on the team to make this come to entertainment, we know our way around an aquarium and MEP life. • • • systems are foundational elements to the success of a project, whether an aquarium, theme park or other visitor attraction. Our About EXP role is to deliver these services to enhance the end-goal – the With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP guest experience. No one wants a “fishy” situation. provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world’s built and natural environments. Today, thousands of One million gallons EXP professionals across North America provide the passion and At the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station, the MEP systems experience needed to deliver successful projects around the world. For and fire protection required more intricacy than a typical building more information, visit www.exp.com. project – and resulted in a large, complex scope. For the St. Louis Aquarium, we would be responsible for systems that managed more than one million gallons of water.
inparkmagazine.com 7 Photo booth serendipity Innovative FOTO kiosks help visitors preserve the memory with minimal contact risk by Judith Rubin ttractions are doing their best to Areopen - and then stay open - to safely receive, serve and entertain visitors in today’s altered environment. Due to changes wrought by the pandemic, some aspects of the guest experience have suddenly lost their application or relevance. Operators have been experimenting with new products and technologies, site configurations and other solutions. But some things have kept their currency and not had to change - such as the tried-and- true, guest-operated photo booth.
The humble photo booth (or not-so- humble, depending on the technology investment made by the operator) remains a classic element of a day at the park, museum or zoo. In today’s changed world it has retained and arguably increased its DNP photo kiosks can place guests in a variety of environments with ease. All photos by DNP utility and value for guests and operators alike. fancy PGS greenscreen kiosk or the company’s new, freestanding Taking and posing for souvenir photos, whether solo or with kiosk with Background Segmentation technology, installed in friends or family, is an inherent part of the guest experience at an August 2020 at the Texas State Aquarium. Being freestanding attraction. In addition to the fun of the experience itself, visitors and compact, the kiosk can be installed in high-traffic areas; the gain a shareable takeaway and the option to order additional, technology allows guests to select a custom background and high-quality prints. Preserving the memory of the day or the visit apply a custom filter, with no need for an actual greenscreen or in photos is as essential as ever, if not more so, as outings with to enter a confined space. family and friends have become more novel and important. All models, according to Innovative FOTO Director of Sales Ed Yet photo opportunities are more restricted due to social Stewart, are fully guest-operated with no need for staff contact, distancing requirements and protective measures for guests and and branded to the venue. “Our in-house graphics department staff. You can’t get close to characters; you can’t get close to works closely with each client to customize the look of each photographers. But you and your group can use the photo booth booth or kiosk and the photo backdrop choices,” said Stewart. or kiosk to capture the moment, the feeling and the sense of The units are also fully monitored and serviced by the company’s place. maintenance fleet, which is 300 strong in the US. “They are all connected wirelessly, so that software upgrades can be handled Innovative FOTO, a leader in the field, reports that its from the home office and real-time information is transmitted customized photo booths and kiosks are getting ample use in to the service techs,” said Stewart. Maintenance also includes zoos, aquariums, museums, science centers, theme parks, retail a regular, 19-step deep cleaning process, and the design of the venues and various small attractions in the US that have resumed kiosks makes it simple for operators to clean regularly through operations in recent months [see sidebar for a partial list]. the day, Stewart explained. Some venues own their units outright, but most opt for a lease arrangement. Call it serendipity. Innovative FOTO reports that their photo booths, supported by a whole-product business model, are Guests can print photos immediately as the booths are integrated showing themselves an excellent fit with the needs of attractions with DNP printers utilizing dye sublimation technology, a and their guests today - whether the traditional style booth, the non-smudging, dry technique that diffuses dye onto paper and
8 inparkmagazine.com Photos in action
A partial list of venues currently open for business with existing Innovative FOTO photo booths or kiosks:
Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, NJ
Kennywood Park - West Mifflin, PA
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - Tampa, FL
Pacific Park - Santa Monica, CA
Downtown Aquarium - Denver, CO
Texas State Aquarium - Corpus Christi, TX Ed Stewart, DNP Blue Zoo Aquarium - Spokane, WA produces a long-lasting matte or glossy print. Access to view Oklahoma Aquarium - Jenks, OK and download the photos to save, share online and to order additional, high-quality prints is provided to each user with a code Denver Zoo - Denver, CO to input at blababooth.com (recently updated to streamline and improve the user experience). This part of the process is also Franklin Park Zoo - Boston, MA completely handled by Innovative FOTO. Jacksonville Zoo - Jacksonville, FL As to the enduring value of souvenir photo prints in a digital age, those professional, custom prints from vacations, staycations and Stone Zoo - Stoneham, MA special occasions may well be the only physical photos on display in many households nowadays. (If you are over a certain age, you Space Center Houston - Houston, TX may have noticed that the collection in your photo album ended suddenly in the 1990s. If you are younger, your photos may live Museum of Science - Oklahoma City, OK entirely on devices and social media streams.) International Spy Museum - Washington, DC Even in these economically challenging times, Stewart reports that some Innovative FOTO customers are finding it worthwhile St. Louis Science Center - St. Louis, MO to expand their photo booth offerings. Photo booth technology is a relatively inexpensive way for operators to reinvest in their Harbor Walk - Destin, FL property and catch the notice of visitors. “We’ve been working with partners on getting booths in new locations for them, The Gulf Orange Beach - Orange Beach, AL or upgrading existing booths, with an understanding of their current needs and situation,” he said. “Some attractions are doing Rainforest Café – Grapevine, TX exceptionally well in these times. Booths located outdoors have more wear and tear. And a new or upgraded photo booth can tie into and help draw attention to a new attraction or feature at the venue. It can also be updated with the seasons and holidays.” • • •
About Innovative FOTO Innovative FOTO was founded in 1995 and is the largest full-service designer, manufacturer, operator and distributor of digital imaging photo kiosks in the United States, with over 2,000 booths in North America. The company supports thousands of booths at a variety of venues worldwide, yielding nearly 30 million interactions annually. Innovative FOTO merged with DNP Imagingcomm America Corporation (DNP IAM) in 2020. For more information, please visit https://www. innovativefoto.com/.
inparkmagazine.com 9 I can see clearly now
Polin’s new Glassy product adds transparent charm to a resort’s new waterpark by Joe Kleiman
n the shores of the Gulf of Gökova sits the city of Candyland and the integrated resort model OBodrum. The town is one of Turkey’s major tourist Over the millennia, Bodrum has been the home of a number destinations, with its combination of historic sites, pristine of significant landmarks. It was built upon the site of the Greek beaches, and welcoming hospitality. Bodrum plays an important town of Halicarnassus, birthplace of the historian Herodotus, role in Turkey’s $40 billion tourism economy. According to the and home of the Tomb of King Mausolus (from which the Bodrum Hotelier’s Association, foreign tourists flock to the city term “mausoleum” is derived), one of the Seven Wonders of from throughout Europe, primarily from the UK, Germany, The the Ancient World. In the 15th Century, Knights Hospitaller Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, and Poland. These foreign travelers constructed the Castle of St. Peter at the water’s edge. The small supplement an already robust domestic tourism comprised town within the castle’s fortifications would grow to become the of both overnight vacationers and day trippers, and help fill modern city of Bodrum. vacancies during off-peak times.
10 inparkmagazine.com Five kilometers outside Bodrum sits the village of Torba. Lush The Candyland complex features a small amusement park and forests of pine and olive trees dot the hillsides, providing a 5D cinema, but its centerpiece is its waterpark, with 25 slides breathtaking backdrop to Torba’s luxury beachside resorts. In provided by Polin Waterparks. Among these are the award- 2020, one of these resorts, the Vogue Hotel Bodrum, opened an winning King Cobra, and a new wonder of the waterpark entertainment center called Candyland to expand its offerings to industry – the world’s first fully transparent composite waterslide, family guests. the Looping Rocket. Called Glassy, Polin’s new transparent composite is the result of a two-year R&D effort. In 2018, the With this expansion the Vogue Hotel Bodrum reflects a product was officially previewed at a number of industry trade continuing and successful trend among hotel and attraction shows, including the IAAPA Expo in Orlando. operators worldwide: the diversification of offerings that make properties into fully integrated resorts, catering to overnight Composite creativity guests as well as day visitors and even accommodating business Founded in 1976 by architect Enver Pakiş the Polin Group is a groups and conferences. Whether from the standpoint of leading innovator in developing and manufacturing composite hospitality or entertainment, regular reinvestment and expansion materials. It began by serving the construction industry and in helps keep guests coming back year after year and expands the 1989 the company began manufacturing composites for the property’s market potential and destination status. European waterpark sector.
Entertainment operators benefit by adding a second or even a Serving multiple business sectors fuels innovative thinking, and third gated attraction, giving guests more activity options and Polin is able to apply what it learns from one space to another. encouraging them to turn a day visit into a multi-day affair, which Innovations in the attractions industry often happen with a leads to an increased need for on-premises lodging. Likewise, creative new use of materials and technologies that originated hospitality operators find that investing in a leisure option such as in other fields. By 2006, Polin had begun applying specialty a high-quality waterpark or other leisure option enriches the guest techniques, such as light-resin transfer molding (LRTM), typically experience and differentiates the resort from its competition used in industries such as automotive, aviation, and spacecraft, while promoting longer stays and increased guest spending. to its pioneering R&D work in waterslides, to the benefit of its clients and the industry. The newly adapted procedure allowed
ABOVE & OPPOSITE: Polin’s Looping Rocket, created with their clear composite Glassy, is now open at Candyland park at Vogue Hotel Bodrum. All photos courtesy of Polin.
inparkmagazine.com 11 for symmetrically perfect parts on slides that were lighter, yet strength for the slide. The top and bottom molds are clamped stronger than their traditional composite counterparts. By the together and filled with a resin composite. A vacuum pulls the end of the year, the company had converted its entire waterslide liquid resin through the mold, which is then left to cure. Once manufacturing operation to LRTM. finished, the molds are released and the slide piece is ready for finishing and assembly. A key part of Polin’s success remains its research into new ways to manufacture composite materials. In 2018, Polin was This is an efficient and effective way of producing opaque slides, designated as a Research & Development Centre by the Turkish but something more was needed to go transparent and maintain government, affirming that the company’s R&D operations are the same high quality. For years, there have been two ways to consistent with government standards for safety. More than fifty manufacture see-through slides. The first and most common engineers are on staff developing new uses and construction method involves colorful translucent composites, where the methods for composites. Meanwhile, the company’s Polin strength-to-thickness ratio in the manufacturing process allows Composites division remains one of the top manufacturers for a semi-transparent portion of the slide. This allows light to in Europe for aerospace, construction, automotive, hotels, shine through and illuminate the translucent composite but does transportation, wind energy, and, yes, waterslides. not provide a fully clear slide. Sliders (people riding the slide) can see light coming through the slide and observers can see shadowy The fiber of transparency shapes moving through the slide, but not much more. Some background and technological detail helps convey the significance of what Polin has achieved with Glassy, and why For fully transparent slides the industry has generally relied on Ali Cansun, Director of R&D at Polin says, “Glassy will make a acrylic tubes. However, unlike fiberglass, acrylic has a much dynamic difference in the industry.” lower fracture toughness. To compensate, acrylic parts are often thicker, resulting in a much heavier slide part. Because of this Polin traditionally uses a process called Resin Transfer Molding extra weight, additional cost and added maintenance, acrylic (RTM) to create waterslides. Once molds are created for a often is found in limited markets, such as where slides traverse slide piece, the shiny outer layer containing the slide’s color is an aquarium or aboard cruise ships. More often than not, these sprayed onto the mold and dried. This is done to both the top factors result in only partial use of acrylic in the overall slide and bottom molds. Next a sheet of white fiberglass fabric is construction. placed on top of the mold. This fiberglass layer is what provides
Sunlight streams through Polin’s Looping Rocket waterslide constructed with their clear Glassy composite.
12 inparkmagazine.com The slide includes different levels of transparency throughout the ride. Polin has developed a third solution to what it calls “the Holy Grail” of waterslides – completely transparent composites. The beyond waterslides - in ways that Polin’s internal teams and other Glassy transparent material has a reflective index where the resin industry creatives will discover and utilize in months and years to and the fiber of the composite are nearly the same. This allows come. Dark rides? Haunted houses? Ride vehicles? Observation the fiber to disappear from view. This “invisible” fiber gives an attractions? Immersive experiences? extra toughness to prevent fracture. Polin is a company that has grown, adapted and diversified Another differentiating factor between acrylic and Glassy to succeed over nearly a half-century, from its beginnings as a involves the connection between different ride segments. Acrylic manufacturer of composites for the construction industry to a slide parts do not have any connection flanges and therefore pioneer and leader in the international attractions industry. In require special steel flanges and insulation materials during addition to designing and building rides, the company also offers assembly. Glassy, on the other hand, uses its own connection wave pools and spray parks, and designs and operates aquariums flanges made from the same material as the Glassy slide. This and safari parks. For those who don’t have internal design teams, results in a completely unobstructed view down the slide, inside Polin has in-house creative facilities. Polin Design Studio works and out. with clientele to suit their budget and location. Polin Attractions creates vehicle-based waterborne adventures. Through Polin From a maintenance standpoint, Glassy proves friendly to Game Technologies, the company provides high-tech, water- park operators. According to Polin, through the use of special based interactive gaming and VR waterslides. additives and coatings, Glassy has a higher resistance to wear from sunlight and chlorine than the competition’s composite and As Sohret Pakis, Polin’s Director of Marketing and acrylic products. Polin’s R&D division has also developed special Communication, says, “Guests mostly want something to get repair techniques which will fix most damage to the Glassy slide their hearts pumping a bit, interactive experiences to share with in a short period of time. one another, and fun themed attractions that make their day more interesting.” Creative possibilities These characteristics open up new possibilities for how Glassy We look forward to seeing how the industry and its creatives can inspire new things in design - for waterslides and, we imagine, embrace Glassy. We know it’s going to be interesting. • • •
inparkmagazine.com 13 Transitions 2020 Industry professionals exploring new outlets interviews by Martin Palicki & Judith Rubin Nathan Jones Attractions man
ith a substantial track record at both WhiteWater and WVekoma, Nathan Jones recently took the COO role at CAVU Designwerks. CAVU’s specialty is in designing and engineering new immersive ride systems. CEO Peter Schnabel heads up the company, based in British Columbia, Canada. Visit cavudw.com.
What led you to this opportunity at CAVU Designwerks? come together to turn the seemingly impossible into something that is real. Leading and being part of such diverse teams has I have known Peter Schnabel for many years and always had a defined my passion for the industry. These teams and their healthy respect for his contributions to the industry. Peter has members, many of whom have become lifelong friends, have consistently delivered on attractions that have helped shaped a inspired me to continually seek out organizations that have a generation of rides and attractions and helped introduce and winning combination of cutting-edge portfolios and passionate integrate new technologies. I wanted to be part of the team at employees who love coming to work every day. CAVU pursuing those exciting and ambitious goals. In what direction is CAVU heading and how will you help Tell us about your new role and responsibilities. achieve that vision?
My primary focus will be on the operations of the company. Pushing the boundary of what is possible with dark rides, flying I will ensure we deliver on contracts from signing through theaters, and other high-tech attractions has CAVU uniquely commissioning and completion. The complexity and integration positioned to deliver on their ever-expanding portfolio of of CAVU’s attractions requires a rigorous, process-driven attractions. Ultimately, the goal is to produce an unforgettable, implementation involving contributions from a multidisciplinary fun experience for the audience. Combining just the right amount team. Our customers expect projects to be on-time and on- of technology, motion, content, and storytelling into one package budget and I will be working with the team to ensure that. is where CAVU really excels and being able to deliver on those experiences is where I will be focusing much of my time. How has your previous experience prepared you for this position? How are you and CAVU approaching business during the pandemic and how are you planning for the post-pandemic I have been fortunate enough to work for two preeminent market? companies in the industry: WhiteWater and Vekoma. My experience with highly engineered attractions at both Like most businesses we have adjusted our business model organizations laid the foundation for me to come in and really hit and reacted to the current global environment. We want to be the ground running with that foundational knowledge in hand at cognizant of how much change many of our customers and CAVU. Additionally, my participation on the International Board colleagues have had to deal with in such a short time. To alleviate for the Themed Entertainment Association has allowed me to some of those pressures we have rolled out our Bluesky Services interact with industry leaders including operators, suppliers, and as part of our way to remain connected with our clients. We are specifiers. It has helped me better understand how international offering two distinct services: A Creative Charrette includes a leaders conduct business. technical brainstorming session on new products or attractions moderated by CAVU. Our Engineering Think Tank is a Who or what things have inspired you in your career? complimentary engineering consultation and design service for a product or attraction. These services provide the opportunity to Before the ribbon cutting and grand opening of any attraction engage with our Engineering team to brainstorm technically on a there is a hardworking, dedicated team of professionals that new or existing product/project. •
14 inparkmagazine.com Christine Kerr Operations, design and beyond
hristine Kerr started off her themed entertainment career Con the operations side, working for Canada’s Wonderland, CN Tower, and LEGOLAND (Windsor and California). After helping with the design for LEGOLAND projects, she moved to the creative side as Vice President for Toronto-based BaAM Productions. After nearly two decades at BaAM, she recently made the move to focus on her own business, Kerr Creative Company.
Tell us what it’s like to transition from a larger company to a sole proprietorship.
I gave BaAM more than two months’ notice so had time to close out certain things, pass on others and complete most projects. I actually remained on contract with BaAM as an Executive Producer for a year after my VP role ended. This allowed me to continue to work on a few projects that were not finished by my departure day and really helped make this a smooth transition. I highly recommend this as a way to ease out of a long-term role Gardens. It includes a live show featuring a troupe of performers (18.5 years in my case). It helped make BaAM comfortable that who are based at a beautiful Birthday Clubhouse and activate things would be fine without me. celebration events throughout the park. We brought together a team of industry experts to bring the celebration to life with How would you summarize Kerr Creative Company? scenery and décor including an eco-friendly approach to a birthday card made up of fence panels that guests will be able to Kerr Creative has existed since my husband Matt began working sign and the park will use for future installations. The party has as a writer and director in the industry back in the late 1990s. We unfortunately been delayed until 2021 as Gilroy Gardens will not have now incorporated as Kerr Creative Company Limited and open this year. But we’ll need a party more than ever when they brought my skills into the business as an Executive Producer and do re-open! Project Leader (Project Director/Manager). I have also been working with Little Canada, a new attraction Where do you see the company in terms of its place on a opening in late 2020 in downtown Toronto. I’ve been project project team and in the project process? managing the guest experience, working with the architect/ experience designer and supporting the guest operations team as I act as owner’s rep and bring together project teams. Sometimes they prepare to open this brand-new, indoor attraction that will I advise and guide those new to the industry through a project’s occupy 45,000 square feet. development and into operations. Matt and I work together to lead creative development for event and entertainment projects. Have your years as a leader in the Themed Entertainment Association influenced the way you think about the industry How does this change your role in terms of how you serve and conduct business? the industry and pursue professional fulfillment? Definitely! My work with TEA has made me highly aware of the incredible people and resource pool I’m connected to. During My work through Kerr Creative allows me to use all of my my time with BaAM we always tried to bring those resources into experience and apply it to new projects – leading creative our projects whenever possible and now I enjoy introducing new development and production for events and entertainment clients to the amazingly skilled and talented people I know. It or attraction development from site selection through design, actually feels a bit like a super-power… • construction and into operations. It’s wonderful to be able to share a client’s journey of discovery as their project comes to life.
Please tell us about some current projects. InPark 杂志订阅网
We have been working with Gilroy Gardens [California] to www.inparkmagazine.com executive produce their 20th birthday celebration – a summer- long event that brings “The Best Birthday Party Ever” to the
inparkmagazine.com 15 An artist rendering for the gaming arena of Action League - All photos courtedy of Alterface Inside Action League, The Interactive Revolution Alterface’s unique mix of tournament, interactive gaming and motion interview by Martin Palicki
lterface recently introduced its latest ride, ‘Action League,” once on the ride they duel against one another, in three to five Aoffered as a turnkey attraction. This new interactive different scenarios. attraction pits multiple teams against each other while utilizing a dynamic multi-axis rotation system to provide physical thrills. Screens are installed around the arena and the ride system Etienne Sainton, Product Manager of Alterface, answers will shuffle the teams in the rotation phase, and then remain questions about the new offering. stationary during the shooting phase. Each shooting phase contains one game and two teams compete against each other per Tell us about the Action League guest experience. screen, using the shooting devices on their vehicle. Each game takes around 30 seconds. After that short duel, the vehicles move The attraction runs like a tournament where each team competes around for the next round of competition. The rotation and against the others until a final winning team is determined. The shooting phases will alternate until each team has played against whole concept has been designed around that idea. every other team, and the final winner can be announced!
For example, the show is set up as a stadium or arena, with the Are there different modes of gameplay? action all in one large room. The queue surrounds the ride area so guests in line can watch the action below and cheer riders on As this is a fast-paced tournament it is very important that during as they progress in the queue. The effect is to create a high-paced, the shooting phases the visitors are playing an intense game. energetic environment. Guests are separated into teams and So we will always have an easy-to-use shooting device and a lot
16 inparkmagazine.com of interaction on the screens. Each game will have a different a total of 36 players and throughput up to 500 people per hour. theme and different role, but always the same gameplay. The full There is built-in flexibility to this: operators can change the experience has been tailored to match the concept of real-world number of shooting phases to adjust throughput, allowing more competition. visitors at busy moments or giving more time to players during quiet periods. But it is also possible to change the content to have media related to an IP, or to calibrate it for a particular age group such as young Where did the inspiration for the attraction come from? children or teenagers. While the gameplay will not change, the whole feeling and the games themselves will change. Based on our experience with interactive rides and feedback from the market, we decided to develop this new tournament formula. Do all players get to play all rounds, whether or not they are We wanted to add another layer of competition to traditional winning? interactive dark rides. We also wanted to add some thrilling motion sequences between the gaming elements. Every team plays the same number of matches! The tournament is not using a “bracket” style of competition, but a “pools” It is our belief that the most popular interactive attractions are system. This means that every duel will give a team the chance to either strongly story-based (for example Basilisk) or “game” score points and gain places in the ranking. based (for example Maus Au Chocolat or Popcorn Revenge). Our company is focused on both. We continue to work on Of course, the final duels will feel more important to some teams innovations for story-based attractions, as well as strong (a chance to be the winner, or not rank last), so the content will alternatives for shooting attractions (which Action League ramp up in intensity from one round to the next. The games is designed to be) employing elements that are inherent to themselves become more intense each time, and the music and amusement parks: motion and group entertainment. lighting will reflect that. Is there IP for the attraction? Even those not in competition for first place will enjoy their gaming experience. Everyone will board and depart the The media content can vary, including existing IP or custom- experience at the same time. developed characters. Alterface delivers the ride as turnkey solution, but we work with the client to create an attraction that How many players does Action League accommodate? fits their specific needs.
It’s a scalable attraction. The largest format accommodates 72 Where can people experience Action League? players across 12 teams in vehicles seating six people each, which results in an impressive 1,000 persons per hour throughput. The We already have multiple customers interested and we hope to standard format hosts six teams of six people per vehicle, with give a definite answer to this question by the end of the year. • • •
Vehicles compete against one another in a series of shooting challenges.
inparkmagazine.com 17 Guests enjoy a ride on Solar Vortex at Adventure Island, a WhiteWater Double Tailspin slide upgraded with Aqualucents. Photo courtesy of Adventure Island Tampa Bay Planning for 2021 WhiteWater offers scalable options to parks getting ready for next season by Martin Palicki s many waterparks around the world finish up this most Knowing that most parks will be coming off a slower year Aunusual pandemic season of 2020, attention is being turned and budgets are being scrutinized, WhiteWater aims to help by to 2021 and planning for capital expenditures. How operators are providing practical solutions that can help parks attract customers approaching next year varies greatly depending on a variety of back next season. Their team has identified three areas operators factors, including their location and size. can invest in:
David Bogdonov of WhiteWater, a leading supplier of waterpark • making a bigger experiential impact with what already exists rides as well as “dry rides,” predicts most venues will spend by improving and enhancing looks in different ways for the coming year. As VP of Business • adding new experiences to existing attractions Development for WhiteWater, Bodgonov has worked with small • adding attractions that can be scaled up over time as budgets municipal pools, regional water playgrounds and huge themed allow waterparks. “I expect parks will focus on renewing and upgrading their infrastructure,” says Bogdonov. “On the customer-facing Here are some suggestions offered for each approach. side, they might be looking at small investments that can enhance existing attractions to make them seem like new.” Transforming with light, color changes, and new effects WhiteWater’s EVP Sales for the Americas Andrew Mowatt agrees. “Many properties are improving both visual and creature Sometimes the attraction just needs to be presented in a different comforts for guests and also making changes for better physical light, literally. distancing, providing a park experience more conducive to returning guests.” Existing attractions using WhiteWater’s 32” AquaTube or 54” Giant AquaTube slides can go from opaque to translucent with
18 inparkmagazine.com Sharing knowledge in the reopening process
With many years of experience on the waterpark operations side, Franceen Gonzales, Executive Vice President, Business Development at WhiteWater, understands how waterparks work and relied on that community to help guide others through reopening. “If anyone knows how to deal with germ mitigation, it’s waterpark operators,” she says. “We deal with proximity issues and water quality on a daily basis. As I began to speak with our clients and Life Floor installed at Trailhead Park Splash Park in Winter Haven, FL my colleagues in the industry, I listened to them and asked myself ‘How can we help one another?’” an AquaLucent upgrade. Sections of the original opaque slide are removed and replaced with the new AquaLucent pieces that One solution include colorful translucent patterns and shapes, allowing light WhiteWater developed to shine through into the slide. The experience for the rider is was to create reopening psychedelic, and the AquaLucent shapes can be customized for guidelines for the park. “Parks can market the AquaLucent as an upgraded WhiteWater attractions. Reopening ride experience for guests, who will view it almost like a new Gonzales’ team worked Solutions for attraction,” says Bogdonov. internally to develop a Water Parks document that worked
SeaWorld Parks & Resorts recently added AquaLucent slides to hand in hand with A Collaboration Between: two of their parks. Solar Vortex at Adventure Island (Tampa, FL) guidelines from CDC, and Tonga Twister at Aquatica (San Antonio, TX) are Tailspin IAAPA, WWA, EPA, slides upgraded with custom AquaLucent patterns that enhance and others. Though the theme of the areas in each park. “A panoply of light and it was intended for 1 color surround you as you go through the slide,” says Director of WhiteWater attractions, Global Marketing and Strategy at WhiteWater Una de Boer. “It’s it was appropriate for all types of operators. quite beautiful and a completely different experience – it feels even faster than normal.” The guidelines were helpful for the industry at large, especially as operators and suppliers alike It is also possible to change the color of a slide with were struggling with the implications of new health WhiteWater’s resurfacing service, making it look and feel brand regulations on their business. WhiteWater’s outreach new. Existing slides and AquaPlay attractions can be updated with showcased some of the best elements of the a new color scheme, a re-gelling of the fiberglass, or additional industry: coming together to support each other theming. “Sometimes a simple refresh can make an existing and problem solve in times of crisis. “We sent that element look like a new structure altogether,” says Mowatt. resource to all of our clients, as well as to any other operator that wanted it, even if they didn’t have any Extended operating hours - into the evening - is prompting WhiteWater product. People saw us as a resource operators to think about lighting attractions in ways they and we hope it helped facilities understand there is a path to reopening safely,” says Gonzales.
In terms of advice for the future, Gonzales sums it up best: “What I’ve learned from the cycle of ups and downs in the business is that you have to look forward and plan for the future, but also don’t forget to look back and use what you’ve learned to plan for the next challenging period. People just want to be done with COVID, but now is exactly the time to examine how you responded, think about what you would have done differently, and get that on paper so you have a guide for your business on how to handle similar problems in the future.” • Resurfacing a slide can make an attraction look new again.
inparkmagazine.com 19 may not have considered before. Because of reduced capacity requirements, many are looking at ways to cycle “Crisis is a place where you call more people through the park, including a longer operating day accommodating two shifts of guests. “We see parks upon courage, intelligence and experimenting with lighting effects,” adds de Boer. “Typhoon collaboration. You see so much Texas and Chimelong spring to mind as great examples how they talent in times of crisis. I saw so have put the spotlight on star slides to attract attention.” many great things from parks in Adding to the experience such a short period of time.” -Franceen Gonzales Parks with existing 54” slides can be retrofitted for WhiteWater’s Slideboarding gaming technology (2017 recipient of a TEA Thea Award for Technology). This next-generation version of Slideboarding utilizes easy-to-maintain innertubes rather than Existing splashpads or play structures can be given a visual boards and features a simplified playing experience which is a makeover by adding the Life Floor system. A patented, durable quicker and easier install for the park. foam-like flooring material provides a safe surface for guests to play on. Although intended primarily as a safety-enhancing “Slideboarding initially tracked user scores via a player profile, technology, the product also serves to help define a space. but the new version is more of a walk-up-and-play attraction,” The Courtyard Marriott Anaheim recently added Life Floor says Bogdonov. This has the added benefit of removing the to its outdoor waterpark. “It was a small investment that really touchscreen interface associated with the original attraction. brightened up the space,” says Bogdonov.
“Adding a Slideboarding overlay to an existing slide is an easy way According to de Boer, Life Floor is currently the only aquatic to create buzz for a new experience,” says Bogdonov. Of course, flooring system that complies with new NSF50 safety protocols Slideboarding can be added to a new slide just as easily. [For more in the US. “Additionally, operators can expect to recoup their information on how Slideboarding works, see “Changing the investment through a reduction in slip and fall claims within only waterpark game,” InPark Magazine issue #59.] a few years,” she says.
Aqualucents in Solar Vortex allow sunlight to shine through colorful, themed shapes, creating a specialized ride expereince. Photo courtesy of Adventure Island Tampa Bay
20 inparkmagazine.com AquaForms is a fresh take on the common waterplay structure that is modular and can be modified over time. All photos courtesy of WhiteWater, escept where otherwise noted. Building a new experience to the park. Although the modular system is more standardized, it can still be themed to fit into any park. According to WhiteWater, For those parks not ready to build a huge new AquaPlay while AquaPlay requires a completely flat floor, AquaForms are structure, WhiteWater recently introduced AquaForms, a designed to be able to handle a slightly variable surface. Each streamlined alternative to its AquaPlay product. AquaPlay is footing has adjustable rings to account for nearly 7” of slope traditionally made of a painted galvanized carbon steel structure. across the structure, meaning an expensive level foundation is not It frequently is adorned with heavily themed elements and required. waterslides. “For the operator, AquaForms uses monopole supports and AquaForms is a smaller stainless-steel version, scalable and clear panel barriers, making the structure much easier to see and streamlined. The flexible design allows park operators to add monitor, designed with reduced lifeguards in mind to safely staff sections over time to expand the play structure as guests return the play area,” says de Boer.
Technology at play In addition to making physical Features such as Dynamic Crowd Control improvements to a park, investing in will ensure that areas within the park stay technology can also help entice guests within prescribed density management back into parks. WhiteWater’s software and guidelines, and Virtual Wait Times can help technology suite, Vantage, can provide avoid overcrowding in queue lines. ways to create safe experiences for guests that also instill confidence. Designed and Parents can also easily plan their day at the implemented long before the pandemic, park in advance, and while they are there, Vantage’s architecture provides solutions for parks know where their kids are at all times. “This gives seeking to manage social distancing and contact guests a level of security and confidence and is an tracing requirements. obvious way parks can show they are taking COVID precautions seriously,” says de Boer. Every guest that enters the park is associated with a unique identifier, tying a wrist band to an app on their “Vantage also offers the flexibility of being scalable,” phone. As they arrive and check-in at the park, guests says deBoer. “Parks do not need to buy a complete can answer a health and safety questionnaire on system. Instead, they can activate whichever modules their phone. Staff will be able to manage attendance they need for now, and add on to the system later as in real-time, knowing who entered and who exited. time and budgets allow.” •
Christie’s Larry Paul and AMNH’s Benjy Bernhardt
inparkmagazine.com 21 Some parks may be looking to add a completely new attraction, but have a limited space available, a short timeline, a limited budget, or all of the above. WhiteWater works with the client to create the attraction that best fits their needs. There is a lot of communication back-and-forth between the park and WhiteWater: updating plans, revising pricing, sharing schematics, and more.
For clients that are working in a limited timeframe, WhiteWater has assembled packages of popular slide complexes that exist in a small footprint and within a specified budget. Each package includes much of the information that a client typically would ask for: foundation layout, mechanical schematics, electrical sketches, scope of work specifications, construction timeline, detailed drawings and concept videos. Each package Follow Me Falls at Island H2O Live! waterpark in Kissimmee, Florida is WhiteWater’s Blasterango slide. includes Rough Order of Magnitude installation pricing. open bowl for added thrills. The other is a family raft ride “These are individual slide towers we can make available in a featuring AquaLucent. This tower requires a raft conveyor. very tight timeframe,” says Bogdonov. The pre-designed towers are available with various configurations and include all the costs Each slide uses existing molds, further accelerating production and parameters. “Because a lot of the project development work time. “These are tried and true rides - exciting and thrilling is already done, we can deliver them for opening next year at a attractions that have great marketability,” adds Bogdonov. competitive price point.” “Our goal is to make the decision-making process easier for the Each tower consists of one or two slides that are popular with client. All of our normal safety engineering and planning applies WhiteWater’s customers. Examples include: to these rides as well,” explains Bogdonov. “We are expecting that clients may want to make some changes to these packages too, • BLASTERANGO combines the roller coaster-style Master but this provides a lot of answers and information right upfront Blaster and a Boomerango element, which provides for them.” moments of weightlessness. Whether it’s plussing current rides or investing in new scalable • HEADRUSH is a 32” AquaTube racing mat ride where riders attractions, operators have plenty of options for reaching out to use mats and slide head-first down to the bottom. It has an their customer base and enticing them to return to their park. extremely compact footprint and includes some AquaLucent sections. “Over the years the model of annual reinvestment into a park has proven to be effective and guests look forward to returning to see • The TAILSPIN and KALEIDOSCOPE tower includes two what is new each year,” explains Mowatt. “We think these options slides. The first features drops with a tight turn radius in an are ideal ways to maintain that appeal for guests without breaking the bank.”
“We recognize there is a market “Next year is going to be better,” adds de Boer, “and WhiteWater for having some unique rides that will be there continuing to provide the solutions that best fit park are ready to go when the client operators’ needs.” • • • is able to make a decision.” For a limited time, visit whitewaterservice.com to register for a -David Bogdonov special discount on WhiteWater’s refurbishment services and parts.
22 inparkmagazine.com inTHEMED ENTERTAINMENT inWATER PARKS
inMUSEUMS © batwin + robin productions inAMUSEMENT PARKS
inparkmagazine.com Forged in steel, tempered by imagination Vekoma opens two new intertwining roller coasters in Germany interview by Martin Palicki
nown for a variety of high-profile coaster installations “Volldampf ” (“Full Steam Ahead”) is a Family Boomerang Karound the world, Vekoma has quietly been innovating and Coaster and “Hals-über-Kopf ” (“Head over Heels”) is a planning their next generation of rides. We asked Vekoma’s Peter Suspended Thrill Coaster. The two coasters feature a unique van Bilsen (Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing) and intertwined layout, crossing each other several times. Both rides Benjamin Bloemendaal (Unit Manager Concepts Engineering) have exclusive theming that has been created in cooperation with about their latest offerings. Erlebnispark Tripsdrill to reflect regional culture.
How is Vekoma addressing business in the pandemic? Tell us more about the rides.
Peter van Bilsen: Vekoma is working together with its clients Peter van Bilsen: The Family Boomerang is designed in the preparing for the post-COVID-19 era. We are operating as style of a 19th Century steam locomotive, inspired by the famous normal as much as possible, following the guidelines of the Swabian folk song, “Auf de Schwäbische Eisenbahne” (“On the authorities. Where travel and restrictions permit, the assembly Swabian Railway”). The train seats 20 people. On a track length and installation of new rides and attractions continues. of about 500 meters and speeds up to 60 km/h, passengers are taken through a break turn, camelback and twisted camelback, What rides are you working on currently? S-curve and a curved stall up to a height of 22 meters.
Peter van Bilsen: We are happy to announce that two new The theming of the Suspended Thrill Coaster refers to the Vekoma coasters have officially been opened to the public at local heroic story of the “Sieben Schwaben” (“Seven Swabians” Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Germany! was one of the fairy tales collected by the Brothers Grimm).
Volldampf and Hals-über-Kopf coasters at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Germany.
24 inparkmagazine.com It was important for us to limit the amount of G-forces. Most turns and drops are around 3Gs with a max of 3.4Gs on the ride. A few airtime segments peak at around -0.4Gs. This force range makes the coaster very accessible outside the typical target group for thrill coasters, but still allows for a dynamic mix of aerobatics. The focus throughout the design is on speed and pacing – we don’t like to slow down -- and constant changes between positive and negative forces.
The new trains for the STC meet all of the latest safety standards and are ready for decades to come. Unlike any other inverted Peter van Bilsen Benjamin Bloemendaal coaster, our STC is equipped with seats that can swing slightly to the side via a double redundant hinge point connected with a Each individual car is designed with a shield and lance and on specially developed tuned spring-damper system. This ensures a the back of each seat you can find a rucksack with equipment super smooth ride experience! like a pan, map and blanket. This Suspended Thrill Coaster is newly developed by Vekoma. We used the latest technology The ergonomic seats can be equipped with a lap bar or if the with machined chassis and steering wheel bogies to create a very customer desires, with an “over-the-shoulder” lap bar especially smooth ride with less maintenance. Two trains with ten double designed to comfortably withstand both positive and negative seats each will be running on this track, which is more than 30 G-forces. Additional damping on all running wheels improves the meters high and features numerous inversions, airtime moments, ride comfort even more. sharp turns and twists at a top speed of 80km/hour! Peter van Bilsen: As you can see, our goal was to create an One final unique feature will be the glass-domed roof in the unforgettably smooth and thrilling ride experience, which we are station of Volldampf where guests in the queue will be able to certain will be high on the bucket list of many coaster enthusiasts see the rides above them. around the globe. • • •
How is the Suspended Thrill Coaster different from the Suspended Looping Coaster?
Peter van Bilsen: Vekoma’s Suspended Looping Coaster (SLC) has been one of our most successful coaster models, with more than 40 built all over the world since the mid-1990s. The combination of high thrill, compact footprint and great cost benefit helped make the SLC a signature coaster for many parks. As time passed, we wanted to completely overhaul the SLC and develop the next generation version of the ride, which we call the Suspended Thrill Coaster (STC).
The STC was designed to fill the gap between the SFCs (Suspended Family Coasters) and SLCs (Suspended Looping Coasters) - even though the latter model is now discontinued. Creating a thrill coaster that can be enjoyed by a wide audience was key in creating both the new vehicle and the track design.
Benjamin Bloemendaal: A major difference to the old generation design is how we develop and manufacture the ride. With our in-house design tool we are able to fully account for G-forces in the track design - resulting in a smooth symphony of turns, twists and inversions throughout the ride.
Please tell us more about the design specifics in this upgrade.
Benjamin Bloemendaal: For example, in the vehicle design process, guest containment for smaller guests was a must-have. The STC allows for different passenger heights from 1.05 m (the The Suspended Thrill Coaster “Hals-über-Kopf” has an exclusive Volldampf and Hals-über-Kopf coasters at Erlebnispark Tripsdrill in Germany. Tripsdrill layout) to 1.20 m depending on the layout and G-forces. theming with a regional reference. All photos courtesy of Vekoma
inparkmagazine.com 25 The Fairytale Tree at Efteling theme park in The Netherlands - All photos courtesy of the author and her spouse Theme park storytelling Five lessons from my large-scale study by Carissa Baker, Ph.D.
s a child growing up in Los Angeles, I regularly visited and technologies. Results were divided into time periods, with ADisneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios the early industry, the maturing industry, and the contemporary Hollywood. I was awed by the attractions at the parks and they industry represented. The following points are five lessons I left a lasting impression. What I did not understand at the time learned from this lengthy study: was that elements of storytelling were what so appealed to me, whether narrated or environmental. Fast forward to now, where I Lesson #1: Dark rides and stage have two college degrees centered on stories, a Ph.D. where most shows are powerful storytellers of my research focused on theme park narratives, and classes I teach that emphasize the power of storytelling for great guest Attractions that tell stories range from a walkthrough with static experiences. The stories in theme park spaces that I encountered scenes to a nighttime spectacular with projection mapping and over the years were major inspirations for my career path. pyrotechnics. There is good variety in theme parks globally, but the two most pervasive types of attractions are dark rides One of my large-scale research projects involved determining and stage shows. Many stage shows are couched in the theater the characteristics of theme park narratives and how they have tradition with overt narration and stories told through musical changed over time. In my study, I examined narrative attractions numbers, dance, and stunts. Shows can be small and intimate, as at the top 60 parks (by attendance) in three main regions (USA, the ones at Disneyland’s Royal Theatre; grand, such as Romance Europe, Asia); to compare these to an emerging market, I of the Song Dynasty at Hangzhou Songcheng; or epic, like conducted the same analysis on the parks in the United Arab Cinéscénie at Puy du Fou. Stage shows are appealing to visitors Emirates. A total of 871 attractions were studied to determine because of their human element. Since they are often more common attraction types, source material, narrative techniques, temporary and may be held in the same venues as previous
26 inparkmagazine.com efforts, some parks have produced dozens of stage shows over most common, followed by scenes and visual storytelling. One of the years, especially as new intellectual properties (IP) appear. the attributes that distinguishes a theme park from other forms of entertainment is that element of movement, of physical and Dark rides, a unique feature in amusement parks and themed sensory immersion. When traversing Dollywood’s Craftsman’s entertainment, use motion and environmental scenes to create Valley, a guest is a visitor to the Smoky Mountain environment micro storyworlds. Some of the most compelling experiences and culture. The immersive and interactive theater production at parks are dark rides. Whether simple or cinematic, dark rides of Ghost Town Alive! at Knott’s Berry Farm has a fun storyline appeal to guests’ imaginations and the desire to be inserted in and interesting characters, but it is situated in the town of Calico a story. Dark rides might be drawn from culture, as of those and the narrative revolves around the place. Themed space is in the Fantawild Oriental Heritage parks (ranging from local what many guests desire, as they want to live inside of a different legends to popular epics like “Journey to the West”); important context or world for those hours they visit. It has been especially literary stories, such as rides based on One Thousand and One impactful for fans who can now inhabit fantastical places such as Nights, Peter Pan, or Alice in Wonderland; fairy tales, as in The the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios parks, Flying Trunk at Tivoli or Disney’s Fantasyland classics; IP such or Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While entertainment as JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis at several Six Flags technologies can increasingly be brought into the home (3D, VR, parks; or original stories such as Disney’s Mystic Manor, Holiday drones, even projection mapping), the dimensional aspect of the World’s Gobbler Getaway, or Six Flags Over Georgia’s Monster theme park cannot truly be replicated. Mansion. Parks leverage stage shows and dark rides as powerful vehicles for storytelling experience. Lesson #3: IP has been the go-to for 60 years
Lesson #2: Setting is the most common Stories in theme parks are drawn from various source material, and important narrative technique from culture to history to science and technology. By far the most frequent source, however, would be intellectual property, When looking at narrative techniques, I studied components generally novels, movies, and video games. The study shows like the prevalence of allusion, narrators, plot, symbolism, and that IP-based experiences have always been prominent. When other terms. Perhaps not surprising because of the theme park’s Disneyland opened in 1955, for example, it relied on synergy inextricable tie with space, it is setting that turned out to be the with Disney movies and television shows to draw guests to the
Romance of the Song Dynasty, Hangzhou Songcheng
inparkmagazine.com 27 Forbidden Frontier at Cedar Point
site. Sometimes a story is repeated in a theme park iteration, for same park, stories can be told through varying mediums from instance a stage show recapping a particular film. Other times, architecture to film, animatronics to music. Another trend has it is a new story in that world, such as E.T. Adventure. Many been the addition of storylines in parks that are stereotypically times, stories from familiar properties are told with the shift that less concerned with storytelling. This can be with thrill rides and now the guest is involved in that story. Attractions may bring even roller coasters, with a few recent examples being Cobra’s new audiences to a property, for instance the Arthur-themed Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa or Mystic Timbers and Orion at land at Europa-Park, the Tron Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Kings Island. Variety allows guests to enjoy stories in different Disney (and soon Magic Kingdom), or Universal’s Waterworld- forms and not get fatigued, and now many smaller parks and based shows. Attractions using IP allow for less exposition and places like museums and heritage sites employ similar techniques backstory work. They draw on appealing stories that guests to stay competitive. already know and may have an emotional connection to. Lesson #5: Storytelling reflects Lesson #4: A variety of storytelling changes in society techniques is best Changes in theme park narratives over time are due to industry Parks are filled with stories, and the most successful parks have shifts, design paradigms, new technologies, and changes in stories told in a number of ways. Theme parks might have visitor preferences. One of the crucial aspects of shifts in explicit narrative, where the story is told to the guest through attraction design is because of transformations in society, verbal or written means as in The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley some of which were also affected by technological innovation. Train Ride at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. They may Gamification became a part of sectors from education to themed have implicit narrative, where the story is told to the guest entertainment, including interactive dark rides (such as those of through visual or environmental means such as the Tree of Life Sally Dark Rides) and quests in the vein of MagiQuest at Great Awakenings at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Parks may also have Wolf Lodge Resorts. Interaction, role-playing, and immersion interpretive narrative, where the meaning of a story is meant to became greater values in media in general, which trickled to be determined by the guest as in Efteling’s Dreamflight. In the themed entertainment with such experiences as Forbidden
28 inparkmagazine.com Frontier at Cedar Point or Evermore Park. Similarly, transmedia again to see where parks have gone and the new ways that stories storytelling, or extending storylines across multiple channels and will be expressed. Looking at the progress illustrated in the study, platforms (books, films, video games, etc.), became the desired it is clear that in the future, there will be new and unexpected way for consumers to connect to their favorite brands and IPs ways to create superb narrative experiences. I look forward to and gain the affordances of each media type. This has led to seeing what the industry delivers next! • • • theme park lands (e.g. Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter or Disney’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge) being conceived Carissa Baker ([email protected]) of as extensions of synergistic storytelling across large narrative received her Ph.D. in Texts and Technology from networks. The trend has encouraged parks to create transmedia the University of Central Florida. Her primary extensions of their attractions, for example Europa-Park’s game research focuses on narratives in the theme park and website about the Voletarium ride or Efteling’s television space. She presents at academic conferences productions. Attractions mirror changes in society, and the or themed entertainment industry events and industry itself can have influence on entertainment desires by publishes interdisciplinary work on theme parks. continuing to raise the bar for enjoyable experiences. Dr. Baker has taught and researched in China in addition to being a visiting scholar at Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Through my study I learned many things, but one vital result Netherlands. She is an Assistant Professor of Theme Park and for my work has been that storytelling is a major component of Attraction Management for the Rosen College of Hospitality successful theme parks over time and around the world. There Management at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. may be a debate about how to tell stories and what level of stories to add to attractions, but storytelling itself is widespread and central to the most impressive experiences. To stay competitive, operators employ themes and stories that engage the imaginations of guests beyond that of only thrills. They tell meaningful stories in diverse ways, and some theme park fans embrace this through remembering, recreating, or co-creating these stories at home. In the future, I will conduct this study
y H it m i c R r gh pa o o ca t tf a la t ting p S n m ri all footp
leisure facilities and other A new and unique interactive media-basedFECs, museums dark ride for all ages!
attraction concept developed specifically for A turnkey www.lagotronicsprojects.com inparkmagazine.com 29 Festival of Licensing Anna Knight of Informa Markets discusses the 2020 Festival of Licensing and the attractions industry
interview by Judith Rubin he licensing of intellectual property (IP) is a key factor Tin the creation of visitor attractions today. Providing an environment for networking and business conversations that can lead to IP- and brand-centric LBE and themed entertainment projects is the Festival of Licensing, a month-long, virtual celebration of the global licensing industry running from 6-29 October. It includes regional-specific events for Europe (6-8 October), Asia (14-15 October) and the Americas (20-22 October), and closes with the global C suite Licensing Leadership Summit (28-29 October). Anna Knight, Vice President of the Global Licensing Group at event organizer Informa Markets shared information about the event and current trends. Visit www.thegloballicensinggroup.com.
What kinds of trends are you currently seeing for licensing in the visitor attractions space? Would you say this was a hot spot for these opportunities? Tell us about some of the innovations designed to make the Festival of Licensing platform deliver a meaningful As the world attempts to adapt alongside the ongoing pandemic, experience to participants in multiple regions, particularly we’re seeing an emerging trend amongst consumers who are in attractions. looking to licensed consumer experiences and products to invoke the sense of nostalgia within them. Millennials and younger Virtual conferences and events have certainly lifted one barrier consumers are especially seeking familiar brands for support to entry that attendees commonly face, location. Yet, time zones and direction during these uncertain times. Brands that carry can be a hindrance to many working professionals across the legacy behind them have a good opportunity now to re-enter globe. Hence why we purposely curated specific content to cater the attractions sector to connect with consumers looking to to specific regions in their own time zone as the first step to best experience branded entertainment as a source of entertainment support and address a global licensing audience. and comfort. The evolution of the event platform is something we, as the What are some of the ways that Festival of Licensing will be event organizers, are constantly working on with our platform a valuable forum and networking space for companies in the provider to create and drive the attendee experience to something attractions sector? as close to an in-person event as we can make. For Festival of Licensing in particular we want to create a robust exhibition Networking is the prime component of the brand licensing hall experience that one can experience at any of our in-person ecosystem. Apart from the multitude of educational content events. offerings, Festival of Licensing will feature plenty of networking opportunities for professionals in the attractions sector. Many of our exhibitors have ties to the attractions industry such as Hasbro, Herschend Entertainment Studios, Natural I highly recommend interested attendees completely fill out their History Museum, Aardman Animations, The Pokemon Company Matchmaking profiles for our Festival Matchmaking Service to International, and ViacomCBS to name a few. Additionally, maximize their time at the event. What’s also brilliant about the several of our Live Stage sessions will touch upon location-based Service is that attendees can schedule pre-planned meetings and experiences and how they will evolve during and post COVID-19. impromptu booth drop-ins—all virtually. Moreover, we recently One particular session of interest I would recommend announced our Hasbro Happy Hours Program, which provides attendees tune into is the “Hasbro + eOne: Fueling Franchises attendees the opportunity to engage with one another through Together” panel which will feature the Hasbro Vice President of fun activities such at the end of each ‘work day,’ including trivia, Location Based Experiences, Matt Proulx discussing with eOne cocktail hours, and a Licensing Mask-arade Party. representatives on brand licensing strategies for franchise growth. • • •
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