SARAHA SAM’S BUILDING FIRST U.S.  DIGGERLAND PARK — PAGE 11

© TM Your Amusement Industry NEWS Leader! Vol. 17 • Issue 12 MARCH 2014 Revamped exhibits, educational emphasis in play Amusement Expo 2014 to get a new ‘game on’ in Las Vegas STORY: Dean Lamanna [email protected]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The 2014 edition of Amusement Expo, the annual conference and trade show of the coin- Conference: Tuesday, March 25 • Trade Show: Wednesday & Thursday, March 26-27 op and revenue-generating amusement, music and family fered: management, operator benefit the American Amuse- entertainment center (FEC) in- rescue and FEC / technical. ment Machine Charitable dustry, is rolling out at the Las Two full days of exhibit Foundation. Vegas Convention Center on time will follow on Wednes- •Wayne E. Hesch Schol- March 25-27. And this year’s day and Thursday, March 26- arship Raffle (Wednesday, event will sport a new format 27. As with previous events, March 26): This fundraiser is featuring new programs. an enthusiastic and powerful the primary source of scholar- Co-sponsored by the buying audience is expected. ship monies raised. All attend- American Amusement Ma- Special marketing op- ees are encouraged to stop by chine Association (AAMA) portunities, including Show the Hesch booth, purchase and the Amusement & Mu- Specials and the Innovator raffle tickets and qualify for a sic Operators Association Awards Program, are expect- chance to win some great mer- (AMOA), this year’s expo ed to help generate buyer traf- chandise while supporting the will include a day of compre- fic at vendor booths. industry’s longest-running hensive industry education In another first for Amuse- charitable program. sessions in addition to two ment Expo, AAMA and •AMOA Breakfast & full days of exhibits. Vendors AMOA are partnering with Membership Meeting (Thurs- specializing in coin-op ma- the International Association day, March 27): The 2014 An- chines, electronics, go-kart of Amusement Parks and At- nual Meeting of AMOA will The American Amusement Machine Association (AAMA) and equipment, laser games, pho- tractions (IAAPA) to provide be conducted at this event. the Amusement & Music Operators Association (AMOA) are to booths, plush / novelties, free admission to the trade AMOA President John Pas- co-sponsoring this year’s Amusement Expo, which will in- redemption equipment / mer- show to all operator attendees caretti will update attendees clude a day of comprehensive industry education sessions chandise, sports games, tat- at the IAAPA FEC Las Vegas on current association busi- in addition to two full days of exhibits by a wide variety of toos, token dispensers, video program. The IAAPA pro- ness affairs and lead a presen- industry vendors and support businesses. AT FILE games and much, much more gram will be conducted March tation of service and industry 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 26; veniently near the convention are participating. 23-25 at the JW Marriott Las awards. and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thurs- center. Amusement Expo’s new Vegas Resort. •Industry Gala Recep- day, March 27. The event will once again format will commence with a Other scheduled Amuse- tion (Wednesday, March 26): The Exhibit Hall is open have the advantage of seeing full day of “Knowledge Ses- ment Expo highlights: This gathering will provide from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on additional buyers drawn by sions” on Tuesday, March 25, •15th Annual AAMCF guests with an opportunity Wednesday, March 26, and the co-located National Bulk at the nearby Las Vegas Hotel Charity Golf Tournament to mix and network with ex- Thursday, March 27. Vendors Association Confer- & Casino. These informative, (Monday, March 24): All trade hibitors and fellow operators. Official accommodations ence, which has continued to interactive and fun education- show attendees are invited to Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and for Amusement Expo are be- grow each year. For additional al sessions will address timely enjoy a day of sun and golf live entertainment provided. ing supplied by the Las Ve- information and hotel reserva- topics and provide useful in- prior to the event at the newly Registration is available in gas Hotel & Casino, Hilton tions, visit www.amusement- formation to attendees. Three renovated Las Vegas Country Hall N4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grand Vacations and Spring- expo.org. customized tracks will be of- Club. A portion of proceeds Tuesday, March 25; 8 a.m. to hill Suites — all located con-

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US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Remembering Bill Rea The day was August 4, 1961. It was media preview day for the sparkling new Over Texas theme park in Arling- ton, Texas, which would hold its official grand opening the next day. That preview was attended by Slade thousands of local media and their families as owner and de- veloper Angus G. Wynne, Jr. would showcase his new park to city leaders, investors and the media for the first time. Everything was in tip top order. All food and drink were on the house. The marching bands played. The show performers dazzled audiences while the rides told the stories of Texas and its rich history. Amusement Today’s own Bill Rea, then a member of the Morning News advertising staff, was among the media invited to the Wynne’s Six Flags party. This publisher spoke with Bill many times about that preview party during his 11-year advertising career with AT. He knew the park was something special, and little did he — or the rest of the media there that day EDITORIAL: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] — know the impact this new theme park would have on Impressive figures prove a point both the local economy but on the history of the amuse- ment industry as well. It’s always good to get out try is a significant driver of the U.S. economy, During his days of selling ads for AT, Bill worked from behind the keyboard to revealing that it generated a total economic attend different industry events impact of nearly $219 billion in 2011. hard to quickly learn the amusement industry. His vast and one I recently went to was As noted, attractions also generate a ripple advertising knowledge and experience was a blessing the annual general meeting effect of economic activity, and in the U.S. dur- during AT’s early years. But perhaps the best part of our of the U.K. parks association, ing the period covered the figures showed direct relationship was Bill’s vast newspaper knowledge. Hav- BALPPA. industry sales of $34 billion, capital expenditures In his annual report, of $5 billion and ancillary spending of out of ing a veteran newspaper man on staff to bounce ideas Mellor off of was a big key to AT’s early success. For that this Chairman Bob O’Connor men- town visitors at local establishments outside the tioned the continued work the attraction, such as hotels, restaurants and retail- publisher will always be thankful. association carries out in lobbying government ers, of $52 billion. Those that got to know Bill during the various trade on various subjects and in also trying to make The report also reveals that the U.S. attrac- shows knew him for his love of family, football (mainly “the powers that be” realize just how important tions industry grew at nearly twice the rate of the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs) and the the leisure and tourism industry is to the coun- the overall U.S. economy from 2004 to 2011. countless stories of his experiences as an aircraft radio try’s economy. Theme and amusement parks, Within the sector, amusement and theme parks operator during World War II. of course, play a huge part in many a country’s (including waterparks) had the largest impact, tourism industry and he also regaled his audi- generating $122 billion on total economic activ- Bill was a great man who had the heart the size of ence of some impressive figures relating to the ity, including $40 billion in total labor income Texas. I’m honored that I got to have him and his family income our sector generates for the economy, and 1.3 million total jobs. in my life. its importance for employment and the associat- I could go on, but you get the picture. Our I will miss my dear newspaper friend and will close ed benefits it creates for other, supplier sectors. industry in many, many countries is a key ele- by saying: Go TCU! While at last November’s IAAPA Expo in ment of the economy and governments should —Gary Slade Orlando I also picked up details of a recent study clearly be taking it more seriously. The figures that had been carried out on the impact of the prove it and they could be even better with a Bill Rea’s obituary — see page 33 and attractions industry in the better understanding from those who make the US. This too showed that the attractions indus- decisions.

AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Dean Lamanna Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation [email protected] [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Stacey Childress / Childress Media Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, Web & Graphic Design Editorial Sue Nichols Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA, [email protected] [email protected] Advertising NAARSO and IISF (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $75 in the USA; $100 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $140/$180; John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $200/$250. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Daily E-mail Newsletter Editorial Please allow up to six weeks for your subscription request to be processed and the first issue mailed. [email protected] [email protected] Bubba Flint Cartoonist Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Tim Baldwin Jeffrey L. Seifert [email protected] Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Presort Standard Postage (Permit No. 2069) pre-paid at Fort Worth, Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper and its related websites are copyrighted and trademarked Editorial Editorial / Special Projects by Amusement Today 2013, with all rights reserved. [email protected] [email protected] POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas Contributors: Andrew Mellor, Richard Munch, Janice Witherow 76005-5427. March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3

MAILBAG Email your letters to: [email protected] SeaWorld CEO Jim Atchison issues open letter Wiegand Sports Editor’s note: The following is an mother killer whale cannot care for the SeaWorld is a world leader in ani- issues statement on open response to the 2013 feature calf herself, we have successfully hand mal rescue. The millions of people who mountain coaster documentary Blackfish from SeaWorld raised and reintroduced the calf. Whales visit our parks each year make possible Parks & Entertainment. The film conveys are only moved to maintain a healthy so- SeaWorld’s world-renowned work in res- SALT LAKE CITY, Utah a negative depiction of SeaWorld’s orca cial structure. cue, rehabilitation and release. We are — Wiegand Sports, and its training and care program. To address SeaWorld invests millions of dol- constantly innovating when it comes to parent company, Wiegand allegations raised by the documentary, lars in the care of our killer whales. this care: Our veterinarians have created GmbH, would like to cor- SeaWorld also has created a detailed In the last three years alone, we have nursing bottles to hand-feed orphaned rect a recent press release by website: www.seaworld.com/truth. invested $70 million in our killer whale whales, prosthetics to save sea turtles, Aquatic Development in the ORLANDO, Fla. — Inaccurate re- habitats and millions of dollars annually and a wetsuit to help injured manatees February 14, 2014 issue of ports recently have generated ques- in support of these facilities. Our habi- stay afloat during rehabilitation. Wheth- Amusement Today. Aquatic Development an- tions about SeaWorld and the animals in tats are among the largest in the world er it’s the result of natural or man-made nounced that they are build- our care. The truth is in our parks and today. They are state-of-the-art, multi- disasters, SeaWorld is always on call and ing the longest mountain people, and it’s time to set the record million-gallon environments of cooled often the first to be contacted. We have coaster in North America at straight. and filtered water that allow for the high- rescued more than 23,000 animals with Berkshire East Ski Area, Char- The men and women of SeaWorld est and safest standards of care. We give the goal of treating and returning them lemont, Mass. However, the are true animal advocates. We are the our animals restaurant-quality fish, exer- to the wild. longest mountain coaster in 1,500 scientists, researchers, veterinar- cise, veterinary care, mental stimulation, Naturalist Baba Dioum put it best North America is the Wie- ians, trainers, marine biologists, aquar- and the company of other members of when he said, “In the end we will con- gand Alpine Coaster, which ists, aviculturists, educators and con- their species. serve only what we love; we will love only was installed in 2006 at Park servationists who have dedicated our SeaWorld’s killer whales’ life spans what we understand; and we will under- City Mountain Resort, in Park lives to the animals in our care as well as are equivalent with those in the wild. stand only what we have been taught.” City, Utah. those in the wild that are injured, ill or While studies continue to define the At SeaWorld, this has been our call- The Park City coaster has orphaned. Whether it’s a sea lion, mana- average life span of killer whales in the ing since we first opened our doors 50 a total track length of 5,850 tee, sea turtle or whale, we are on call wild, the most recent science suggests years ago. It is a responsibility we do not feet. The uphill track is 1,950 24/7. that our killer whales’ life spans are com- take lightly. More than 400 million guests feet and the downhill track Here are some important facts about parable — indeed, five of our animals are have visited SeaWorld. We are proud is 3,900 feet. The Park City SeaWorld and our work: older than 30, and one of our whales is that their experiences here have a last- coaster is 500 feet longer than the announced Aquatic ride. SeaWorld does not capture killer close to 50. ing and positive impact on them, and on Wiegand invented the moun- whales in the wild. Due to the ground- The killer whales in our care ben- the world in which we live. tain coaster in 1997 and has breaking success of our research in ma- efit those in the wild. We work with The truth about SeaWorld is right installed 200 mountain coast- rine mammal reproduction, we haven’t universities, governmental agencies and here in our parks and people. Our guests ers worldwide. Sixteen of the collected a killer whale from the wild in NGOs to increase the body of knowl- may enter our gates having never given coasters have been installed 35 years. In fact, only two of the whales edge about and the understanding of much thought to the remarkable animals in North American beginning in our care were collected by SeaWorld killer whales — from their anatomy and in our oceans. When they leave with a in 2006. and they continue to be in our care to- reproductive biology to their auditory greater appreciation for the importance Wiegand just wanted to day. In addition, our research has led to abilities. Some populations of wild killer of the sea, educated about the animals set the “record” straight to a much greater understanding of whales whales have been classified as endan- that live there and inspired to make a dif- the amusement industry. in the wild, giving researchers important gered or threatened, demonstrating the ference, we have done our job. scientific insights surrounding marine potential critical nature of these research Larry Hays mammal reproduction. opportunities. This type of controlled re- Jim Atchison Wiegand Sports North We do not separate killer whale search and study is simply not possible CEO and President, American spokesman moms and calves. SeaWorld recognizes in the wild, and has significant real-world SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment [email protected] the important bond between mother benefits to the killer whales that live www.seaworldcares.com (801) 277-2169 and calf. On the rare occasion that a there.

Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums issues statement on Copenhagen Zoo Editor’s note: This is a CAZA members work closely ensure responsible popula- credited zoos and aquariums While we understand that statement from the Execu- with other accredited zoos in tion management control (i.e. is to promote a better under- the Copenhagen Zoo saw this tive Director of Canada’s Ac- Canada and around the world birth control, separate males/ standing of the natural world. as a “teachable moment” and credited Zoos and Aquariums to ensure the healthiest and females to control breeding, Our members act as bridges an opportunity to educate (CAZA) in reaction to the re- most diverse genetic makeup relocation, and euthanasia). between an increasingly ur- visitors on what, in the wild, cent decisions by the Copen- for the animals in our care. The euthanasia of animals ban population and a natural is a natural occurrence, we hagen Zoo with respect to a In addition to helping is a very difficult and sensitive environment under growing believe that the educational giraffe in its collection. ensure the health of these practice that must be done human encroachment. value of such demonstrations OTTAWA, Canada — The animals, these practices have following careful reflection The animals in our care must be assessed very care- story from the Copenhagen resulted in a number of impor- and search of alternatives, in- are ambassadors for their fully against their potential to Zoo raises two key issues: tant conservation and species cluding transfer. Each CAZA species in the wild. They are shock and desensitize, and to whether euthanasia is an ac- reintroduction success-stories accredited zoo must have a key players in our education raise additional and difficult ceptable form of population — the black-footed ferret and detailed euthanasia policy in programs. And visitors to our questions, particularly among control among captive popu- the Rocky Mountain Northern place and follow generally ac- institutions interact with them children.” lations; and whether the de- leopard frogs being two ex- cepted procedures to ensure in ways that are appropriate Massimo Bergamini cision to use that event as a amples. the practice is carried out in a for the species involved and Canada’s Accredited Zoos teachable moment was ap- One aspect of any effec- humane fashion. that create a positive learning and Aquariums (CAZA) propriate. tive and ethical captive breed- Education: One of the environment and clear lessons [email protected] Population control: ing program is taking steps to key missions of Canada’s ac- for all age groups. (613) 290-5317 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 THIS MONTH IN HISTORY •1904: On March 25, a new roller Presented by MINUTE coaster and a Laughing Gallery were announced for Robison Park, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. 2 DRILL The announcement suggested STORY: Janice Witherow that the new would Wolfgang Brost, Maurer Söhne Rides GmbH be massive and erected by the Ingersoll Company of Pitts- After a successful career in burgh, Pennsylvania, for a May the automotive industry with opening. Considered one of the BMW as his client, Wolf- most delightful summer resorts gang Brost switched gears www.RollerCoasterMuseum.org and took a chance to begin of the Middle west, the beauti- working for Maurer Söhne ful park, on the St. Joseph River in 2011. He hasn’t looked park would operate through the back since making the move 1919 season. The “massive” new coaster was a Figure Eight design to the amusement industry and would be named Blue Streak. and is reveling in the chal- lenges and rewards that •1910: An early March announcement brought news to The Bronx, come with his job with one New York, that a new park, Fairyland, was being planned. Located of the leading premium ride at Clason Point, a peninsula in Long Island Sound, it would com- suppliers. Wolfgang’s can- do attitude, approachable pete with North Beach, Glen Island, Rye Beach and Fort George and easy-going personality for ferry traffic, although the park could also be reached by trolley. and responsiveness are ideal Planning included a complete midway, with roller coaster, traits for his position as Vice and scenic railway. It would go on to be one of two great parks in President of Sales and Mar- the county, the other being Starlight Park, which opened after the keting for Maurer Söhne. Bronx Exposition in 1918.

Title •1912: A March 16 announcement excited the growing popula- Director Sales and Market- tions of eastern Tennessee. Having had two Appalachian Exposi- ing worldwide. The worst movie I have ever sat through would tions since 1910, on the grounds of Chilhowee Park, Knoxville, Number of years in the industry have to be … Tennessee, the National Conservation Exposition was being or- Way too short (2011); if only I had known about the The English Patient. I found it tiresome and wanted ganized for 1913. It was expected to be larger with more educa- possibilities in this industry earlier. to leave the cinema after 15 minutes, but my wife tional displays than the former events. Many of the former exposi- insisted we stay (she felt sorry about that after- tion buildings would be reused, and the site would contain several Best thing about the industry wards, and we never ever saw the movie again). rides. The National Conservation Show Company organized the Seeing people enjoying our at- new exposition with $1,000,000 in capital and suggested it was tractions. Ten years ago, I was … Overwhelmed everyday by seeing my children necessary to bring attention to the area for the growth of industry and the population. Favorite amusement ride (back then ages 4 and 2) experiencing their own Maurer’s Skyloop … it’s amazing way into this world. how much thrill our engineers •1942: Herbert Schmeck and Frank Hoover, both of the Phila- squeezed out of 150 meters (450 I can’t stand being around people who … delphia Toboggan Company, Germantown, Pa., arrived March 16 feet) of track. Brost Are selfish and/or arrogant. in Port Arthur, Texas to supervise construction of the new roller coaster at the Port Arthur Pleasure Pier. Because this was If I wasn’t working in the amusement industry, I My favorite pizza topping is … wartime and supplies were limited, parts of the coaster were taken Salami and (swiss) cheese. would be … from another ride in Indianapolis, Indiana, and shipped by rail to Really sad. The last time I traveled more than 100 miles the Texas port. The ride is considered one of Schmeck’s best de- signs, full of curves, low high- sections, and fabulous views of Biggest challenge facing our industry away was to … Regulations, which unfortunately are necessary Kidding? I’d rather count the times I am within the the Gulf of Mexico. The coaster and the park closed after a June because of some people acting irresponsible 100 miles radius! 1957 damaged much of the property and the exposed otherwise. wooden coaster structure. My least favorite word is … The thing I like most about amusement/water Impossible! •1961: Management at Glen Echo Amusement Park in Glen Echo, park season is … Maryland made the announcement on March 14 that it planned to I am afraid of … To be able to have a look into parks in operation drop its ban on African American admissions when it reopened lat- and the reactions of the people coming off the Wasting too much time stressing about things that wouldn’t matter a week later. er in the month. The management announced that the park would rides. operate “on a completely non-segregated basis for the first time” My first car was … On my last birthday, I … after much criticism had damaged the parks credibility. It would be A Citroen 2CV, which could hardly be called a car Had a really nice evening having dinner with some one of the first urban parks to set the precedent to allow visitors even in these days (2 cylinders, 23 horsepower, friends and my family. of all races to enjoy the amusements, although several incidents maximum speed of less than 60 mph), but kind of afterward eventually hurt patronage forcing the park to close after a classic, and I was really proud about it because I Dream vacation the 1968 season. A space trip to see the world from above. had restored it all by myself. —Compiled by Richard Munch, NRCMA historian

A recent life-changing moment for me was … The last time I danced was … My wedding (at least this was the last time I danced The retirement of my predecessor Horst Ruhe TM at the end of 2013. He is such an energetic and that really counts). P.O. Box 5427 enthusiastic person, and he will be hard to replace. Arlington, Texas 76005-5427 5-time Award Winner There is still so much I need to learn about this I wish I would have invented … (817) 460-7220 industry and the people involved. The wheel; I could never imagine how we did with- Fax (817) 265-NEWS (6397) out it. However, I’d rather live these days instead of Favorite midnight snack back in time when I would have had the chance to Find us on Facebook Chocolate milk and cookies. become the inventor. facebook.com/amusementtoday

My perfect day is spent … Pick one: country house or big-city condo Country house. With my children in an amusement park. Follow us on Twitter twitter.com/amusementtoday The longest I have ever gone without sleep is … Favorite sports team A 72-hour drill in the German Federal Armed The German Soccer National team. Forces. Subscribe to our YouTube channel Get a free QR Code scanner for your phone youtube.com/amusementtoday by visting www.mobiletag.com. March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 5

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Country Email USA OUTSIDE USA  14 Issues (one year) $75 $100  28 Issues (two years) $140 $180  42 Issues (three years) $200 $250 Subscribe to AMUSEMENT TODAY’s Print Edition at www.AmusementToday.com/subscribe or mail the above form & payment to: Amusement Today • PO Box 5427 • Arlington, TX 76005 • USA March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 7 INTERNATIONAL PARKS ATTRACTIONS RESORTS SUPPLIERS Copenhagen to build new themed hotel STORY: Andrew Mellor meet the needs of business The price of the hotel, [email protected] guests as well as those of the designed by internationally- family market. The total ca- renowned Danish architect COPENHAGEN, Den- pacity of the Tivoli Hotel will Kim Utzon, will be “in the mark — Having enjoyed con- subsequently be 700 rooms hundreds of millions of kro- siderable success with the plus meeting facilities that will ner” and Dorte Krak, CEO of Tivoli Hotel and Congress be able to accommodate 6,000 the Arp-Hansen Hotel Group, Centre since it opened in 2010, guests. commented: “Arp-Hansen’s the world renowned park in “It makes perfect sense strategic collaboration with Copenhagen has teamed up to continue our collaboration Tivoli is a perfect match be- with the Arp-Hansen Hotel with the Arp-Hansen Hotel tween two experienced play- Group to continue their stra- Group, which is able to create ers in the Copenhagen tourism tegic partnership with the unique hotels in central loca- trade. Together, we are creat- construction of a new themed tions in Copenhagen,” says ing a new framework for tour- business hotel that will form Lars Liebst, CEO of Tivoli. ism and conference guests in an integral part of the existing “We have been working in Copenhagen. Tivoli Hotel. a focused manner for some “We are now in the pro- The 12-story hotel will be years to expand our business cess of fine-tuning the project. completed in 2016 and will areas in the tourism value In partnership, we will de- An illustration of the new Tivoli Hotel — to be sited on Kalve- be characterized by Tivoli’s chain and a Tivoli Hotel which velop and adapt parts of the bod Brygge at the Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center. spirit and design history. It is more in the family class, but hotel to ensure that emerging will offer 25 new meeting and also accommodates the busi- markets like and Russia COURTESY TIVOLI conference rooms and 288 ness segment, harmonizes will also find us attractive. We and holiday destination.” 1843 and today attracts almost guest rooms, which, as with well with our strategy to make believe that this will benefit Copenhagen’s Tivoli Gar- 4 million people each year. the existing Tivoli Hotel, will Tivoli a year-round business.” Copenhagen as a congress city dens first opened to visitors in Raving Rabbids 5D attraction debuts at Futuroscope STORY: Andrew Mellor [email protected]

POITOU-CHARENTES, France — Futuroscope in France has opened a new 5D attraction inspired by the world of the Raving Rabbids. Based on the hugely pop- ular video game from Ubisoft, the new attraction, La Ma- chine à Voyager dans le Temps (The Time Machine), takes visitors on a journey through time where they travel with the crazy little French rabbits, the Lapins Crétins. After a host of amusing experiences as they enter the ride, guests join a train in the company of the Raving Rabbids which is then sucked into a strong, spatial, temporal vortex and transported in time through Riders on The Time Machine at Futuroscope will enjoy a journey through time with the Raving Rabbids. 4See 5D, page 8 COURTESY FUTUROSCOPE 8 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 Magic Memories partners with new Melbourne Star Observation Wheel MELBOURNE, Australia ence. At the Melbourne Star, — The new Melbourne Star Magic Memories was the partnership will provide Observation Wheel, which founded in New Zealand in guests with the option of a opened in late December, has 1995 and partners with more personalized, high-quality, ex- partnered with Magic Memo- than 100 major tourism attrac- clusive photo book, allowing ries to ensure guests can leave tions around the world to offer them to take home a custom- with a special photographic unique photographic memo- ized detailed account of their souvenir of their Star experi- ries of tourism experiences. experience. The book will con- tain three photographs and an online access card to down- load their visit to, and ride on, the Melbourne Star. Melbourne Star Manage- ment Group CEO Chris Kelly said the partnership with Magic Memories was one of a number of new initiatives and features incorporated into the The Raving Rabbids has proved hugely successful as a video Melbourne Star that would game and is sure to be a popular theme for Futuroscope’s ensure it offered far more than latest attraction. COURTESY FUTUROSCOPE a ride on a giant observation and children alike and that in- wheel. 5D corporates a lot more humor “Melbourne Star will be a Continued from page 7 in our content,” said Domi- unique and important tourism five scenes from the Ice Age to nique Hummel, president of landmark for Melbourne and Ancient Greece, via the Indi- Futuroscope. “Our collabora- our focus has been on devel- ans, to the rabbits’ laboratory. tion with Ubisoft has allowed oping a memorable and com- Created as a fun attraction us once again to showcase prehensive guest experience,” for all ages, The Time Machine French expertise, both artistic he said. “Magic Memories will features a combination of 3D and technological.” be a key part of this.” projections, lighting effects, “We are absolutely de- The Melbourne Star Ob- customized ride vehicles and lighted to participate for the servation Wheel will be the the newest interactive dark first time in this new Rav- Southern Hemisphere’s only ride techniques, with Dutch ing Rabbids adventure with giant observation wheel and company and a theme park as prestigious the first, more complex, solid other companies within the as Futuroscope,” commented steel wheel design to be built group, namely Jora Enter- Yves Guillemot, president of in the world to this size. At 120 tainment and Jora Graphics, Ubisoft. “We have followed meters high, the Melbourne providing major input into and encouraged the creative Star is double the height of the the design of the attraction exchanges between our teams. West Gate Bridge carriage way and engineering production, We have concentrated on ar- and equivalent to a 40-story which includes a host of spe- riving at an exceptional, im- building. cial effects, animated scenery mersive experience for the The Melbourne Star is and moving backdrops. visitor that is both fun and yet The Melbourne Star Observation Wheel has selected New owned by Sanoyas Rides Aus- “Inasmuch as we are an respectful of the off the wall Zealand-based Magic Memories as the special souvenir pho- tralia Pty Ltd and is managed intergenerational theme park, character of the Raving Rab- tographic experience partner. The wheel opened in late De- by the Melbourne Star Man- we thought it essential to bring bids. This is a BIG first!” cember. COURTESY MELBOURNE STAR agement Group. content that addresses adults COMING IN MAY! AMusement today exclusively for D IGITAL EDITION iPad print subscribers Access all of the high-quality printed content you’ve come to expect from Amusment Today right on your tablet, phone or laptop! Plus, it’s Android and iOS compatible! Subscribe Now! www.amusementtoday.com/subscribe (817) 460-7220 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 9 Next-gen headlines at Wet’n’Wild Sydney STORY: Scott Rutherford in itself. The ultimate thrill [email protected] however comes after you pull the ripcord, drop 214-feet and SYDNEY, Australia —­ For find yourself flying over the more than two decades, the low point just six feet off the Skycoaster has remained one ground. That huge drop com- of the most unique and enig- bined with the ground rush is matic upcharge amusement at- what separates this ride from tractions available. The ride’s the others.” iconic arch is instantly recog- Over time, the Skycoaster nizable and becomes a land- has repeatedly demonstrated mark for each venue at which that it has incredible staying it is erected. This is perfectly power. Many upcharge rides illustrated at Wet’n’Wild Syd- tend to lose their appeal after ney where the skyline is domi- several seasons when the thrill nated by the lofty arch of its has worn off. But not Skycoast- new Skycoaster, which opened er; these attractions continue to eager summer crowds in to draw daredevils and gener- late 2013. ate income for their operators

Wet’n’Wild Sydney’s tow- wherever they are installed. ering 250-foot-tall dual model AT spoke with Skycoast- represents the next er’s Managing Director Mark of the popular Skycoaster Rosenzweig about this next- brand. While maintaining the gen model and the future of familiar arch and lattice, the the brand. “After the success- support structure has been ful launch of a 180-foot Single completely re-engineered by Skycoaster at the Brisbane Wet utilizing a tube/pipe system ‘n Wild park back in 2011, we instead of the former angle were thrilled to have the op- iron found on the majority of portunity to debut an even the earlier versions. Not only larger unit for the Sydney does this offer a sleek and park’s debut in late 2013.” said more aesthetically pleasing Rosenzweig. “With over 80 appearance, it requires less Flightlines on six continents, time to assemble and substan- we are elated that Skycoaster tially reduces wind resistance continues to serve as the At- compared to previous models. tractions Industry’s most The latter aspect was -espe successful extreme thrill up- cially important to Wet’n’Wild charge attraction and look for- Sydney since the park must be ward to many more installa- prepared to deal with the bat- tions in the future. tering winds generated by the “In addition, we are now occasional typhoon that roars offering single Summer crowds are enjoying in off the South Pacific Ocean. with this [pipe] structure, and the first installation of the “We are very excited about the new half-arch design al- next generation Skycoaster the opening of the 250-foot lows them to be built with only at Wet’n’Wild Sydney, which dual Skycoaster at the Sydney two foundations,” he added. opened in late 2013. This Wet ‘n Wild park,” said Mike And so, Skycoaster contin- 250-foot-tall dual model rep- Gutknecht, managing direc- ues to flourish. This winter, one resents the next evolution of tor of Ride Manufacturing Inc. of the most unique news in- the popular Skycoaster brand. (RMI), Ride Entertainment stallations is expected to open. While maintaining the familiar Group’s manufacturing and A custom monopole design, arch and lattice, the support design arm. “The beautiful it will be perched on the edge structure has been completely Skycoaster arch shape that has of Mexico’s world-famous re-engineered by utilizing a tube/pipe system instead of become an icon in amusement Copper Canyon. Located at the former angle iron. Addi- park landscapes steals your Parque de Aventura Barran- tional improvements include attention as soon as you walk cas del Cobre in Chihuahua, new electric winches that into the park. With the addi- Mexico, this Skycoaster will pull flyers to the top of the tion of new electric winches, swing out over a canyon floor 220-foot launch tower in 30 being pulled to the top of the that is 50 percent deeper than seconds. 220-foot launch tower in 30 the Grand Canyon. COURTESY RIDE seconds is an incredible rush •www.rideentertainment.com ENTERTAINMENT GROUP 10 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 /Merlin partnership to bring to STORY: Andrew Mellor group use its specialist knowl- will incorporate the latest AV [email protected] edge and expertise to enhance effects and will reflect the fas- the current visitor experience cinating and colorful culture SENTOSA, Singapore — of the IOS attraction. This will and history which can only Sentosa Development Corpo- include a significant invest- be found in Singapore. ration and Merlin Entertain- ment program to relaunch it Madame Tussauds Singa- ments plc has announced a as an exciting, contemporary, pore will join other popular new partnership which will world-class attraction aimed and successful Madame Tus- see Merlin take on the man- at visitors of all ages from sauds locations which cur- agement of Sentosa’s well- both the Singapore and inter- rently operate in — in known Images of Singapore national markets. Hong Kong, Shanghai, To- (IOS) attraction and the cre- Madame Tussauds Sin- kyo, Bangkok and Wuhan. ation of one of Merlin’s own gapore will be Merlin’s first “We are excited to partner iconic global attractions in Singapore-based attraction with Merlin Entertainments Singapore for the first time — and naturally complements Meike Schulze, divisional director of Merlin Entertainments to offer our guests two world- Madame Tussauds Singapore. the IOS. It will bring the best plc Midway Attractions in Asia, and Mike Barclay, CEO of class attractions at the same The world-famous celeb- and most life-like wax figures Sentosa Development Corporation, with some of the figures location,” said Mike Barclay, rity wax attraction will open in the world to the popular that will be featured at the new Madame Tussauds Singa- CEO of Sentosa Development at on Sentosa tourist destination and will pore. COURTESY MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS plc Corporation. “The develop- later this year and the two at- be uniquely tailored to reflect ment of these two attractions, tractions will operate along- the culture and excitement combination of historical and of the flagship London venue which will educate and en- side one another, bringing to of its Singapore and south contemporary figures from to incorporate a ride into the tertain in equal measure, is life Singapore’s rich history east Asia location. This will the region, as well as global experience. The unique ride, part of our ongoing efforts to with enthralling figures and not only be in its design but celebrities. which will be similar to the refresh Sentosa’s existing at- audio-visual technology. also in the choice of figures It will also be the only experience at Ma- tractions.” Merlin’s role will see the which will be included — a Madame Tussauds outside dame Tussauds in London,

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www.rideentertainment.com a ride entertainment group company 410-643-9300 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 11 PARKS & ATTRACTIONS RIDES ENTERTAINMENT REVENUE SUPPLIERS Sahara Sam’s building first U.S. Diggerland park STORY: Scott Rutherford [email protected] WEST BERLIN, N.J. — The owners and senior man- agement of Sahara Sam’s Oa- sis unveiled plans at a January 14 press conference to con- struct Diggerland USA, a con- struction-themed adventure park where children and their families drive, ride and oper- ate heavy machinery in a safe environment. Sahara Sam’s Dizzy, booms the arm of a 20 hopes to again set the bar for ton JCB JS220L excavator up amusement innovation as and down while spinning in Diggerland USA becomes the circles with eight passengers first park of its kind in North harnessed into the seats of a America. Four Diggerland ad- modified bucket attachment. venture parks currently exist In The Backhoe Adventure, in the United Kingdom. four riders and a ride mar- The new theme park will shal climb aboard the cab of a be centrally located behind modified JCB 3CX backhoe for the existing Sahara Sam’s Oa- a mystery tour while taking sis indoor and outdoor wa- turns behind the wheel. terpark in West Berlin, N.J. Other attractions include The facility footprint covers rock climbing, multiple train 14 acres and will feature over rides, a ropes course, an ar- 23 attractions, all slated for an cade, and a swamp buggy at- Diggerland USA is a 14-acre early summer 2014 opening. traction. Smaller guests will construction-themed adven- The majority of the attractions enjoy the playground equip- ture park that allows families are comprised of modified JCB ment in the Kid Zone, or may to drive, ride and operate heavy construction equipment opt to take a ride up on the Sky heavy machinery in a safe en- pieces. The rides have been en- Shuttle, a JCB 540 Telehandler vironment. The park will of- gineered to allow parents and capable of moving 15 guests at fer more than 23 attractions children the ability to safely a time five stories into the sky. and is slated for an early operate the machines by them- AT spoke with Chris Pe- summer 2014 opening. selves or together. 4See DIGGERLAND, page 12 COURTESY DIGGERLAND USA Diggerland incorporates hands-on operation of ma- chinery for the entire fam- ily. Children and parents alike have the opportunity to drive skid-steer loaders, backhoes, tractors, mini dumpers and small excavators. Diggerland’s equipment is JCB construction machinery purchased new from H.E. Services (www. heservices.co.uk) Modifica- tions to the machines is done in the U.K. by MasterHitch Europe Ltd. An amusement engineering marvel and staple attraction for the park, Spin Creating Memories & Profitability

• abc rides switzerland • Cogan Kiddie Rides • Moser Rides • Used Rides & Games • Wattman Trains Nashville Zoo Train www.intermarkridegroup.com Voodoo Interactive Raft, abc rides Hoopla, Moser Rides Wattman Mini Express TEL 615.370.9625 FAX 615.370.8852 12 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014

The majority of the attrac- tions are JCB heavy con- AMUSEMENT struction equipment pieces purchased new from H.E. MARKET PLACE Services with modifications made by MasterHitch Eu- rope Ltd. COURTESY DIGGERLAND USA DIGGERLAND Continued from page 11

ters, director of marketing and P.R., Diggerland USA and Sa- hara Sam’s Oasis, about the new project. ”Our entire facil- ity is ecstatic about this proj- ect. The opportunity to drive, ride on and operate construc- tion equipment in an afford- able and fun environment is a dream of children and parents alike. The buzz in the industry and in the market is tremen- dous. It’s levels of excitement like this that make all the hard work behind bringing a radi- cal entertainment concept like Diggerland to the U.S. well worth the efforts.” More information on the park can be found: www.Dig- gerlandUSA.com

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(603) 746-4446 Parts and Service Jerry Pendleton or Dan Pendleton Smaller guests will enjoy the playground equipment in the Kid Zone, which features Keep our amusement park industry strong! scaled-down attractions tai- Buy products and services from these suppliers. lored just for them. COURTESY DIGGERLAND USA March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 13

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PO BOX 638 • Plainview, Texas 79072 • (806) 293-1353 • www.larsonintl.com 14 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 Farm animals arrive at Legoland ’s new Duplo Valley WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A herd of cows, goats, chick- ens, and sheep arrived at Lego- land Florida to graze about in their new homes in the park’s latest expansion, Duplo Val- ley, specifically geared to tod- dlers ages two to five. Duplo Valley will officially open to guests on May 23, 2014, just in time for family-fun over Memorial Day weekend. The Duplo farm animals will be key features in two of the at- tractions, the mini tractor ride and the waterplay area. Duplo Valley will be the ideal place for park guests to play and relax with their toddlers with new farm-themed attractions, an air-conditioned indoor play area, and a water play area. The central feature of Du- plo Valley will be the Duplo Train where toddlers will be able to board a train on their own or with their parents to explore countryside-themed scenery passing through farms, fishing holes and camp- grounds. Just across the way, A herd of cows, goats, chickens, and sheep recently arrived toddlers will be able to jump at to graze in their new homes in the park’s on a tractor their size and help latest expansion, Duplo Valley. Slated to officially open to the farmers plow the corn- guests on May 23, 2014, the new section will feature a mini fields and hunt for missing tractor ride, waterplay area and Duplo Train. Existing attrac- farm animals. For those look- tions will be enhanced with additional Duplo farm-themed ing to cool off, the new splash play areas and a toddler room where parents can relax while and play area will be fun with kids build with Duplo bricks. COURTESY LEGOLAND FLORIDA intermittent water spouts and interactive water elements set enhancements to allow kids relax while kids build with bottle warmers, high chairs, family can enjoy including the among larger than life farm to play indoors in the comfort Duplo bricks. The barn’s Baby changing stations, cell phone newest attractions in The Lego animals with a soft deck for of air conditioning. Existing Care Center will continue to charging stations and more. World of Chima presented by safety. attractions will be enhanced provide all the amenities to During construction, park Cartoon Network. A complete Another key element will with additional Duplo farm- take care of young children. It guests with toddlers are en- list of toddler-based attrac- be the existing Duplo Barn themed play areas and a tod- offers private nursing stations, couraged to explore the many tions can be found at: www. which will feature significant dler room where parents can rocking chairs, microwaves, other attractions the entire Legoland.com/toddlers.

This Duplo Train ride (left) is just part of the fun kids will have when the new Duplo Valley area opens at Legoland Florida in May. COURTESY LEGOLAND FLORIDA March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 15 16 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 announces four new rides for 2014 season Each of the new attrac- the country, the Galaxi, our Popular Galaxi tions was acquired with chil- park’s first major steel coast- roller coaster dren and families in mind. er, is being retired. Fans and The ride package includes: thrill seekers can rest assured to be retired The Baby Baron bi-plane that plans are underway for (); Rockin’ Tug boat a new thrill coming in 2015,” MONTICELLO, Ind. — ride (Zamperla); Dragon Wag- continued Gallagher. “There’s Indiana Beach has announced on powered coaster (Wisdom still more in store for 2014; be the addition of four new rides Rides); and the Growler swing park president. “They add sidering a family vacation to sure to watch for funtastic ad- for the 2014 season. These are ride (Wisdom Rides ). something fresh and fun for Indiana Beach. ditional news.” just the first of several- up “We are excited to intro- the families who visit year “We also have to an- Indiana Beach will open grades planned for the park duce these new attractions after year, and we hope they nounce that after 42 years of for the season on May 10, this year. in 2014,” said Bob Gallagher, will be a draw for others con- thrilling guests from across 2014. Circus Circus Adventuredome is Loco for NRCMA display History of the Roller forced the NRCMA to out- Coaster on display at grow its current facility. The NRCMA’s mobile Las Vegas landmark exhibit completed its second through August year at in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The multi- LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The media installation was viewed National Roller Coaster Mu- by nearly 50,000 guests during seum and Archives is banking our guests to learn about the its limited two-year run. that some Las Vegas visitors fascinating history of the roll- “We are always looking are game for some history in er coaster and soon they’ll be for facilities interested in our 2014. able to experience the newest mobile or custom exhibits,” A timeline that features roller coaster technology with Slade said. “In order to con- milestones in the history of the .” tinue to acquire artifacts and roller coaster will be promi- The display is a labor of create exhibits like the one at nently displayed in the lobby love by a group of historians Dollywood, we need the in- of Circus Circus Hotel and Ca- and NRCMA board members dustry to support us and to sino through August 2014 as who felt the timing was ideal The History of the Roller Coaster, as presented by the Na- help us expand. If we don’t a part of their grand opening to remind the leaders of the tional Roller Coaster Museum, is on display in the lobby of preserve our history for gener- display for the El Loco roller amusement industry of its re- the Circus Circus Hotel through August. It is the same time- ations to come it will be lost.” coaster located inside the ca- markable past. line that IAAPA Attractions Expo attendees saw as a sneak Editor’s note: The new El sino’s Adventuredome. “Our organization is preview last November. Loco roller coaster at the Circus “With the opening of El committed to preserving and COURTESY CIRCUS CIRCUS circus Adventuredome was open- Loco just around the corner, protecting the history of this ing,” Gary Slade, NRCMA the expansion of its archive ing to the public just as AT was now is the perfect time for us industry. We hope visitors chairman said. building in Plainview, Texas. going to press with the March is- to have this exhibit on dis- to Circus Circus will see this Thanks to donations by in- Ongoing acquisition of arti- sue. Look for full coverage on this play,” said Tom Nolan, vice small installation generating dustry leaders Gary and Linda facts from , Knott’s S&S coaster on amusementtoday. president of operations for some interest in amusement Hays from Cliffs Amusement Berry Farm, Circus Circus Ad- com’s Extra! Extra! and in the The Adventuredome at Cir- park history and the impor- Park and by the Knoebel fami- venturedome, White Water April issue. cus Circus. “We’re excited for tant work the NRCMA is do- ly, the NRCMA recently began Branson and Adventure City COMING IN MAY! AMusement today exclusively for D IGITAL EDITION iPad print subscribers Access all of the high-quality printed content you’ve come to expect from Amusment Today right on your tablet, phone or laptop! Plus, it’s Android and iOS compatible! Subscribe Now! www.amusementtoday.com/subscribe (817) 460-7220 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 17 18 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 19 WATERPARKS & RESORTS INDOOR FACILITIES AQUATIC CENTERS RECREATION SUPPLIERS Wet ‘n’ Wild SplashTown will undergo multi-million dollar transformation STORY: Jeffrey L. Seifert [email protected]

SPRING, Texas — Fol- lowing the January announce- ment of the rebranding of Houston’s SplashTown as Wet ’n’ Wild SplashTown, Premier Parks LLC released details of a multi-million dollar expansion that aims to deliver a whole new, family-friendly experi- ence to the waterpark. Anchoring the transfor- mation will be the addition of three new rides: A WaveLoch double FlowRider will finally give Houstonians the ability to “surf” a perfect wave that rolls out at 35 mph. Flowboarding is quickly becoming an inter- national sport that appeals to both riders and spectators. The Big Kahuna raft ride, a ProSlide Dark , can seat up to five passengers in a round raft that traverses a dark, winding tunnel before emerging into daylight then sending the raft full of thrill- seekers through an S-shaped waterway that will have the raft climbing the high-banked walls. To be installed adjacent to the existing Tornado, both attractions will share a new conveyor that will transport the tubes to the top loading platform. sion of the kids’ area is a new Above, this overall Wet ’n’ Wild Jr, gives restroom building with two rendition shows the younger visitors their own private changing stations out- multitude of improve- wet world of thrills as new fitted with large shelves, baby ments that guests will pint-sized attractions are add- wipes, hand sanitizer and dia- discover when Wet ‘n’ ed to the existing kids’ area. A per disposal. Wild SplashTown opens new waterplay structure, with Along with the new at- for the 2014 season. eight new waterslides, will tractions are infrastructure At right, there may not be surrounded by seat walls improvements that will en- be any surf on the Gulf so parents can stay close to hance the guest experience. Coast, but two steady their children. Wet ‘n’ Wild Jr., Outside of the facility, guests waves at Wet ‘n’ Wild will also feature an exclusive will find a second parking lot Splashtown in North toddler-only play zone with for increased parking capac- Houston will give surf- shade and low-intensity ac- ity, more toll booth lanes, a ers a chance to strut tivities such as a floor bubbler circle drive for future tram their stuff. and clam shell toddler slide. service and an expanded pic- COURTESY WET ‘N’ WILD Also included in the expan- 4See SPLASHTOWN, page 24 SPLASHTOWN

• • •

20 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014

WATERPARKS Polin Mini Turbolance opens at MARKET PLACE China’s Paradise

WHAT DO YOU SELL FOR As first reported last year inAmusement Today, Polin’s Mini Turbolance opened at Chimelong Paradise in , China. Now, AT has these updated images of the new slide to share with the industry. The Mini Tubolance is a kid-sized version allowing children at least 1 meter (39 inches) in height to ride along with a parent. The ride offers FUN? the same thrilling ride experience scaled down for children. This first-of-its kind offering for Chimelong is themed with the image of a large pink and purple smiling snake. Now part of Polin’s ride catalogue, the Mini Turbolance can be designed to match whatever theme a park chooses. COURTESY POLIN

GET A FREE SAMPLE at Big Squirt! Inc. www.bigsquirt.com/freesample 1741 Torrance Blvd., Ste. D or call 1-888-388-8872 Torrance, CA 90501 Six Flags Hurricane Harbor adding Wahoo for 2014

ARLINGTON, Texas — Six Flags Hurricane Har- PATTY BEAZLEY bor, the largest in (615) 714-2617 North Texas, is going to the CINDEE HUDDY races with the introduction of (615) 545-8109 the all-new Wahoo Racer in 2014. The thrilling multi-lane complex will com- www.creativeoperationalconcepts.com plement the park’s already im- pressive line-up of more than • RIDE OPERATOR CERTIFICATION 40 rides and attractions. • MANUAL WRITING • SUPERVISOR & LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS Standing nearly 60 feet • OPERATIONAL SAFETY AUDITS tall, Wahoo Racer is a two- tiered slide mat racer that first sends riders on an intense, winding stretch through col- orful tubes before shooting them out into six racing track- styled lanes. Riders then zoom down head first, at speeds of up to 40 feet per second, on aero-dynamically designed water toboggans for the final Guests to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in 2014 will have the stretch. Each course is timed, opportunity to test their head-first downhill speed skills on allowing guests to challenge the all-new Wahoo Racer. themselves, along with family COURTESY SIX FLAGS and friends to reach the check- we are committed to deliver- includes a new retail location, ered flag for the win. ing a bigger, better and wet- season pass processing facility “This massive slide struc- ter experience to guests of all and redesigned restrooms. ture is a great addition to our ages.” Wahoo Racer is scheduled park,” said Steve Martindale, Wahoo Racer is supplied to open Memorial Day week- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor by Canada’s Whitewater West. end. Six Flags Hurricane Har- park president. “No other wa- It is part of the second phase of bor opens for the 2014 season Keep our amusement park industry strong! ter park in North Texas offers Hurricane Harbor’s multi-year on Saturday, May 10. Buy products and services from these suppliers. this much thrilling variety and enhancement project which March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 21 22 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 23 MEDIA

24 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 NEWSPAPER EMPLOYEE IN GOOD STANDING SPLASHTOWN lage Roadshow Theme Parks announced there will not be Continued from page 19 B.NEWS JEFFREYDEREK SHAW L. SEIFERTSPLASH any events scheduled at Wet ‘n’ Wild in the near future and EDITORIALEDITORIAL nic area. The front gate will COMPILED: Jeffrey L. Seifert, [email protected] the company is not currently taking any requests to lease the also be expanded with shaded venue for shows or festivals. MEDIAMEDIA • ticket booths, exclusive season After more than three decades of providing recreation for CREDENTIALCREDENTIAL After many years of planning amidst some controversy, pass processing and will be the residents of Silver Springs and Ocala, Wild Waters water VALIDVALID the city leaders of Fort Smith and Sebastion County in Ar- spruced up with new land- parkTHROUGHTHROUGH in Ocala,20122010 Fla. could end up closing. An advisory group kansas finalized plans this past January for a multi-million dol- scaping. charged with shaping the future of Silver Springs State Park lar water park. With a projected cost of $10.9 million the water Once through the gate, has recommended that the water park be dismantled. The park is expected to become a tremendous boon for the local guests will encounter an park opened in 1978 at a cost of $5 million. The State of Flori- GARY SLADE economy. Plans call for a 5,000-square-foot wave pool, lazy expanded entrance plaza, PUBLISHER,da, which AMUSEMENT owns TODAY the land, has been looking for a new operator river and towering water slides. The original proposal was $8 wider walking paths and re- after the previous owners, terminated million but officials decided to increase the amount in order configured stroller-friendly its lease. The report noted that although the park offered to add more features to attract more customers. The park is walkways, increased shaded something to do in the area, was highly visible and is located expected to be ready for Memorial Day weekend, 2015. lounge areas, additional pre- on already disturbed land, it has an aging infrastructure and • mium cabanas, an expanded was covered by too much pavement. The advisory group rec- Sandusky, Ohio, long known as the home of Cedar Point changing area, more women’s ommended using the area for cycling, hiking or horseback Amusement Park, is gaining notoriety for its collection of in- restrooms and updated men’s riding, in keeping with the long term goal to help beautify door waterparks. While nowhere near the number of indoor restrooms. An updated kitch- the area and return it to a more natural state. Local residents waterpark hotels in Wisconsin Dells, Wis., Sandusky comes complained the there are already enough places in the park en will improve the food and in with a respectable four, now that the once-bankrupt Maui for natural activities and the waterpark was one of the few beverage offerings at the park, Sands resort has reopened. Great Wolf Lodge took the first places where families with kids could spend quality time on a the air-conditioned dining ar- indoor plunge with the 2001 opening of a Great Wolf Lodge hot summer day. eas have been enhanced. on Route 250. Not wanting to be outdone, Cedar con- • “The substantial invest- verted the former Radisson Harbor Inn at the front of Cedar Problems continue for the new Wet ‘n’ Wild Sydney as a ment in this exceptional prop- Point into Castaway Bay, a 38,000-square-foot Caribbean- third festival scheduled at the waterpark has been cancelled erty represents our commit- themed waterpark resort. Then in 2007 , since the park opened in December. As reported last month ment to enhancing the overall having made a name for itself with its massive Wisconsin Dells in Amusement Today, promoters cancelled a planned New entertainment value and ex- Resort, built an even bigger facility in Sandusky, claiming to Year’s Eve event with just six hours notice. That event was re- perience for all our visitors,” be the largest in the U.S. Maui Sands also opened in 2007, scheduled for Australia Day just a few weeks later, but that too said Kieran Burke, president but soon ran into financial difficulty and closed on Thanks- was cancelled. Now a third event that had been scheduled in of Premier Parks LLC. giving Day 2008. According to statistics from TourismOhio, September, before the park opened, has been postponed at overnight trips have become more popular in the state with a least a year. All parties involved have been pointing fingers four percent increase in overnight leisure travel in the fourth at each other, but the reasons for the latest cancellation re- amusementtoday com quarter of 2012. main unclear. Darrin Davies, a spokesman for operator Vil- March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 25 26 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 27 BUSINESS REVENUE PEOPLE SAFETY SUPPLIERS Reconvening March 3-4 in Hershey, Pa. PAPA Spring Meeting to cover safety standards, state tourism

STORY: Dean Lamanna [email protected]

HERSHEY, Pa. — A new website, the latest ride safety standards and the possibil- ity of bolstering state tourism promotion with private fund- ing will be on the discussion this summer, and we’ll be docket at the Pennsylvania bringing everyone up to speed Amusement Parks Association on the NAARSO standards.” (PAPA) Spring Meeting Another key topic will be The annual conference, state tourism promotion. now in its 79th year, returns “We’ve been working to the Hershey Lodge in Her- with the state to create more shey, Pa., March 3-4. A cock- private promotion of leisure tail reception and dinner, tourism,” Bossyut said. “State a membership breakfast, a funding for tourism has gone board meeting and a general done considerably over the membership meeting are in- few years, so we’re trying to cluded in the itinerary. do what other states have done According to PAPA Presi- by combining money from the dent Brian Bossyut, who is also state with funding from pri- Above, The Hershey Lodge is once again the host hotel for the 2014 PAPA Spring Meeting. director of sales and marketing vate partners for promotion.” Below, PAPA Chairman of the Board Carl Crider, Jr., of DelGrosso’s Amusement Park (left) for the Camelback Mountain In addition to representa- and PAPA President Brian Bossyut of Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark at last year’s PAPA Resort in Tannersville, a high- tives of PAPA’s 19 member Spring Meeting. COURTESY HERSHEY LODGE AND PAPA light of the meeting will be the parks and the association’s introduction of a brand-new 65 other members comprised recreational realm of skiing, and more interactive PAPA mainly of manufacturers and Bossyut has found the confer- website. suppliers, the conference typi- ence valuable professionally. “Our current website is re- cally draws state representa- “All of us are moving so ally bad,” Bossyut said. “We’re tives, an IAAPA leader and fast,” said Bossyut, “and I find working with a company to a representative from Penn- value in getting to know more rebuild it and we’ll relaunch it sylvania’s Department of Ag- about the amusement industry at the meeting.” riculture. Vendor attendees every time I go to these meet- Chief among the topics to travel from as far as Florida ings. They keep me up to date be broached will be ride safety and California. on the safety standards and standards. Last’s year’s PAPA spring the new regulations for wa- “We’re trying to get the event drew about 100 attend- terparks. It’s also a great net- state in line with the national ees — one of its largest show- working tool for vendors. For standards,” Bossyut noted. ings. the last four years, we’ve had “We’re going to be talking Bossyut, who became a really well-attended round- about indoor waterparks in PAPA president last year and table discussion at the end of Pennsylvania, because there’s whose duties at Camelback the meeting.” a lot more coming online — Mountain Resort include PAPA has kept the event Camelback, Kalahari and Camelbeach Mountain Wa- at the Hershey Lodge because Great Wolf are among them. terpark, has been attending it’s “centrally located for ev- and opportunities remained 533-3311 or (800) 437-7439 and We’re also going to go over the association’s spring and erybody,” he added. available. Contact Bossyut at identify yourself as a PAPA the new World Waterpark As- summer meetings (the latter Although initial registra- [email protected] or member. sociation standards that have are held at a different park tion for attendees and spon- (570) 517-7137. For informa- AT will have a recap of the come out so that parks are up each year) since 2002. Hav- sors had passed as Amusement tion about accommodations at PAPA Spring Meeting in the to standard when they open ing worked primarily in the Today went to press, space the Hershey Lodge, call (717) April issue. 28 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 2014 iROC School draws 97 students, school a success STORY: Pam Sherborne [email protected]

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — There were 97 students rep- resenting 42 parks worldwide attending the 2014 Interna- tional Ride Operator Certifica- tion school held at Circus Cir- cus Adventuredome Feb. 5-7. The iROC school is pre- sented by International Ride Training LLC (IRT). Attendees that successfully completed this year’s course achieve an iROC Instructor License cer- tifying them to teach the pro- gram at their property.

iROC school students left this year’s program, which ran at Circus Circus Adventuredome, Las Vegas, Nevada, Feb. 5-7, with much enthusiasm. The presenting company, International Ride Training LLC, is already looking toward the next school, tweaking the program and finding new ideas.COURTESY iROC sessions designed with specif- course’s 10 critical compo- tended a tour followed by a tors who taught students the ic learner outcomes. Sessions nents to a standard of perfor- question and answer session core curriculum along with included learning and apply- mance using simulated ride at Zappos, an innovative Las spectacular speaks,” she said. According to IRT partner ing the 10 critical component scenarios and actual ride at- Vegas company. Two of those speakers this Patty Beazley, IRT launched concepts that ride operators/ tractions as props while teach- “All iROC attendees de- year were Erik Beard, Wiggins its course to provide students attendants need to perform at ing. parted the school with en- and Dana law firm, and Matt with new course materials in- a standard level while operat- Attendees also particiated thusiasm and new ideas to Heller, Performance Optimist. cluding detailed lesson plans ing any attraction. in an offsite learning experi- incorporate into their park’s “iROC is thrilled with the for teaching the ride opera- Other sessions included: ence. First year attendees were training program for the 2014 attendance, the participation tor/attendant 10 safety critical learning professional teaching able to relive what it feels like season,” stated Beazley in a and enthusiasm for the school components in a user friendly, skills that apply to training to be a new ride operator train- written statement about the and the program,” Beazley simplified format along with ride operators, a class focus- ee again by being placed in the school. said. “iROC school will con- a new electronic database to ing on updating attendees on “hot seat” without direction “We have received com- tinue to identify the needs of manage course certifications. industry related ADA guide- and expected to operate heavy ments such as ‘best three days the industry’s ride operators Beazley’s partner is Cyn- lines, and ways to manage construction equipment ma- of my professional career’ and and bring those needs to the thia Huddy. employee’s performance to a chinery such as an excavator ‘this was amazing.’ We attri- school annually so as one in- Over the course of the standard. or a bulldozer at the Dig This bute those comments to our dustry, we will be able to work three-day school, students par- Students demonstrated Las Vegas attraction. entire program and know that together to find solutions.” ticipated in hands-on learning applying and teaching the Returning students at- our volunteer facility instruc- NAARSO experiences huge turnout for 2014 inspection forum CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The “It was very challenging This certificate targets the com- Some of the other classes National Association of Ride due to the weather,” she said. plete operations side of perma- offered, other than those for the Safety Officials (NAARSO)- ex “We had to change it up a little nent parks, traveling shows and operations program, include: perienced its largest attendance but it worked out great. Char- rental facilities. Rigging Inspections, Go Kart ever during its 2014 Annual lotte had gotten about an inch Individuals taking this Inspection and Maintenance, Ride Safety Inspection Forum. of snow and it was very, very certification are tested on their Welding 360, Lubrications, The forum was held at cold.” knowledge of the safety opera- Wooden Coasters, Steel Coast- and at the Sheraton This was the second year tion procedures for amusement ers, Corrosion Analysis, Visual Charlotte (N.C.) Airport Hotel, for the added operations cer- rides, devices and attractions. Weld Inspections, Fasteners, Jan. 26-31. tification program, giving the A qualification to take the Bearings, General Midway “We were very excited to forum two main tracks, the in- Operations Level 1 exam is Safety, OSHA/Personnal Safe- have our biggest school yet,” spection certification program one year of experience in the ty-Lock Out/Tag Out Program, said Laura Windburn, public and the new operations pro- industry in the area of design, Non Destructive Testing, Foam Outgoing NAARSO Presi- relations for NAARSO. “We gram. manufacturer, maintenance, re- Padding, ASTM Standards, dent Clyde Wagner address- had over 310 attendees and Windburn said 50 people pair, operation or inspections Recognizing and Avoiding es the 2014 attendees of the over 60 instructors this year. took the operations program of amusement rides or devices Ethical Traps for the Inspectors, Annual Ride Safety Inspec- That means we had over 370 this year. along with a high school diplo- Dark Rides and Walk Through tion Program held Jan. 26- people on hand. The development of the ma or equivalment. Inspections, Water Park Inspec- “It tells us that we are do- Operations Certification Pro- Individuals can hold an tions, Miniature Trains, and 31, Charlotte (N.C.) Airport ing what our members want us gram was driven by the out- Operations Certification and Wire Rope Inspections. Hotel and Carowinds. Char- to do,” Windburn said. door amusement industry as it the Level I, II, or III Inspector The 2015 Annual Ride Safe- lotte, N.C. The incoming Windburn also gave a continues to strive to promote Certification. ty Inspection Forum is sched- president for the associa- “hat’s off” to those at Carow- safety not only for its patrons The Train the Trainer pro- uled to take place at Myrtle tion for this year is Jonathan inds, where the hands-on ses- but also for the employees gram has also been very popu- Beach, S.C. Brooks. sions were held. working within the industry. lar. COURTESY NAARSO March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 29 Resort to create nearly 3,500 new jobs In 2014 Growth includes new 1,800-room Cabana Bay Beach Resort, eight new CityWalk venues and summer opening COMPILED: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter—Diagon Alley Disney’s Bob Iger recently said Frozen is neaut Lake Park at the county tax claim sale in ORLANDO, Fla. — Universal Orlando Resort announced going to be showing up in lot of places very September. The county commissioners recent- in early February that it will hire nearly 3,500 new team mem- soon. With the animated film surpassingThe ly approved engaging a Pittsburgh law firm bers during 2014 for a wide range of managerial, professional, Lion King as Walt Disney Animation’s highest- to begin the process of legally preparing the high-tech, guest service and other positions. grossing feature to date, the company is de- various parcels of park property for sale. The The new jobs will be permanent positions due to growth veloping new ways to expand what it already historic amusement park consists of more than across Universal Orlando’s entire destination. They are in ad- considers a new franchise. He said there’s a 40 individual parcels of land. It all stands to be dition to more than 3,500 new jobs Universal Orlando has al- lot of active development on new iterations of sold September 26th because the park board ready created since 2009. Frozen including as an adaptation for Broad- of trustees has failed to find a way to pay more Florida Governor Rick Scott announced the new jobs Fri- way, sequels and integrations into its theme than $850,000 in back property taxes, penal- day during a news conference at Universal Orlando following parks, video games and other opportunities. ties and interest. a tour of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Al- Frozen has earned $865 million worldwide to • date and continues to play well overseas. Shedd Aquarium, a global leader in re- ley construction site. The more than 20-acre site will be home • search and conservation, announces the hir- to Universal Orlando’s newest theme park entertainment proj- The Birch Aquarium in La Jolla, Calif., has ing of Kristine Stump, Ph.D. as a postdoctoral ect. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley will reopened its large kelp forest one month after research associate for the aquarium’s Daniel be located at Universal Studios, one of two Universal Orlando it was temporarily closed and drained to give P. Haerther Center for Conservation and Re- Resort theme parks. It complements The Wizarding World workers time to repair a small leak that had search. Dr. Stump will oversee Shedd’s Marine of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade, which opened at the adjacent the potential to become a problem. Nigella and Island Ecology college course and lead Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park in 2010. Hillgarth, the aquarium’s executive director, field work in the Bahamas studying the Nassau Universal Orlando is also opening a new, 1,800-room hotel said that the 70,000 gallon tank developed grouper (Epinephelus striatus), an endangered called the Cabana Bay Beach Resort later this year. The new some rust on its rebar, which caused areas of fish listed on the International Union for Con- hotel will be Universal Orlando’s fourth on-site hotel and will concrete to expand and crack. The $120,000 servation of Nature (IUCN) feature 900 family suites and 900 standard guest rooms. In repair job involved removing all of the tank’s • addition, a transformation of Universal’s CityWalk began in creatures, including an old, giant sea bass. Hill- Theme Park and Zoo in garth said the problem never posed a safety Ripon and the University of York have de- late 2013 and will continue through 2014 — bringing a total of problem at the hillside aquarium, which at- veloped a blueprint to help zoos plan strate- eight new venues to the entertainment complex. tracted more than 440,000 visitors last year. gies for the conservation of native wildlife in The new positions will serve The Wizarding World of • and around their gardens. As well as housing Harry Potter — Diagon Alley, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach The Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt, Na- thousands of exotic species, modern zoos are Resort, Universal CityWalk and other areas. They include: tional Design Museum has received a $10 mil- playing an increasingly important role in native management opportunities in theme park operations, food lion gift from the Morton and Barbara Man- biodiversity conservation. Activities include and beverage, retail and hospitality; skilled technical posi- del Family Foundation on behalf of longtime conservation breeding and reintroduction, tions; culinary positions; hourly positions in guest services, trustee and board chair Barbara Mandel and community education programs and habitat theme park operations, food and beverage, retail, hospitality her husband Morton. The gift is the largest in improvement. and other areas. the history of the museum and will support the • About 40 percent of the new jobs will be managerial, high- new Cooper-Hewitt, which opens in fall 2014 Electronics manufacturer Panasonic has tech or other highly skilled positions. Hiring will begin im- with 60 percent more gallery space after a ma- become the first top-tier partner of the In- mediately. People can visit http://www.universalorlandojobs. jor renovation of the historic Carnegie Man- ternational Olympic Committee to extend sion and grounds. its deal through to the 2024 summer Olympic com/for information and to apply for the new positions. • Games. Panasonic, which has been a world- Polyfab USA LLC has released to their wide Olympic partner since the IOC’s global NEAAPA Annual Meeting scheduled customers a new seal, promoting the fact sponsorship program began in 1985, will con- STURBRIDGE, Mass. — The New England Association of that the complete product range of Polyfab tinue to enjoy exclusivity within the audiovi- Amusement Parks and Attractions (NEAAPA) will conduct its Shadecloth is 100 percent lead free as well as sual product category. The category includes 101st Anniversary Annual Meeting on April 1 & 2 at the Stur- Phthalate free. Just over three years ago, Poly- home entertainment equipment such as televi- bridge Host hotel and Conference Center in Sturbridge, Mass. fab answered the demands of the marketplace sions, cameras, professional video equipment, and began the process of testing and develop- professional displays including large in-venue Educational session, board of directors meeting, annual ing new compounds and replacing the heavy screens, professional audio equipment and meeting dinners and the 2014 NEAAPA Hall of Fame induca- metal in their pigments with lead-free compo- video surveillance equipment. tions of John & Beth bowen and Robert Harkins are all on the nents. This was not a quick or simple process, • agenda for the two-day event. since all variables — FR, color retention, UV re- Park is getting its first sit- Persons interested in attending may do so by contacting sistance — had to be in balance for the fabrics down restaurant in 30 years. The Pennsylvania NEAAPA at: [email protected] or by calling Ed Hodgdon to meet the stringent requirements of Polyfab traditional park is adding a Johnny Rockets at (877) 999-8740. worldwide. Polyfab fabrics are available in the for 2014. Known for its singing and dancing USA from their network of quality distributors. staff, the restaurant will serve burgers, melts, • hot dogs, salads, appetizers and desserts. Brass Ring Entertainment has new contact The Panama Canal celebrates its 100th Johnny Rockets will take over the spot for- SUN VALLEY, Calif. — Brass Ring Entertainment, carou- birthday in 2014. Along with lock expansion, merly occupied by the Carousel Food Court. sel.com and Daniel Horenberger have announced new website the Panama Canal Authority has been work- The building will remain, but the inside will be and contact emails. They ask the industry to update their ad- ing with Gateway Ticketing Systems over the renovated. dress books to reflect the following: past year to update the ticketing and access • New website: www.brassringcarousel.com control systems at the Miraflores Locks Visi- The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt New company email: [email protected] tor Center (Pacific Ocean side of the Panama Disney World, five miles outside the Magic Dan’s new personal email: [email protected] Canal) and the Panama Canal Expansion Ob- Kingdom, is now taking reservations before Daniel Horenberger servation Center (Atlantic side of the Canal). opening Aug. 3. A Tom Fazio golf course, spa, Brass Ring Carousel Company The expansion and update of its ticketing ca- three restaurants — including a rooftop steak 11001 Peoria Street pabilities will help enhance the Canal’s overall house with views of Disney’s nightly fireworks Sun Valley, CA 91352 customer experience. — and an elaborate fantasy pool will create • a virtual theme park for the 444-room hotel. 818-394-0028 Crawford County officials are moving Prices start at $645 per night. www.brassringcarousel.com forward with plans to sell Pennsylvania’s Con- 30 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014

Images of America Carowinds celebrates 40th anniversary of Carolina themer

STORY: Jeffrey L. Seifert [email protected]

Stop me if you’ve heard this before: A local businessman vis- its and is inspired to build a similar theme park in his local community. Those of you who have been reading these book reports know that is how Six Flags Over Texas, Frontier Village, Legend City and numerous other parks were conceived. Add to the list, Carowinds, the brainchild of real estate developer Earl Patterson Hall, who built a massive theme park Reprinted with permission from straddling the North Carolina, Images of America Carowinds, by South Carolina border. The Scott Rutherford Carolina themer is the subject of Carowinds, a new Arcadia Imag- tion of the park, the first years, es of America book — part of an the park under the ownership immense series that commemo- of Taft/KECO, the Paramount rates a town, region, or attrac- years and finally the new - mil tion with vintage photographs lennium. A foreword by Jerry captioned to tell a story. Helms, vice president of opera- This particular book was tions at Carowinds and an in- troduction by Scott Rutherford written by a name that should A view from one of the aerial ropeway towers shows the huge Carolina Sternwheeler, Gold- be familiar to most — Scott provide background informa- rusher mine train and Cable Skyway. Rutherford, a former employee tion. Most of the photos, placed of the park’s marketing depart- in chronological order, are of land straddling the North daily operation, which began gauge railroad with authentic ment is a well-known writer, from the park’s own archives. and South Carolina border and on June 2, 1973. steam engines, and a custom- photographer and historian Carowinds Images of America was by 1969 he was ready to involve Like many of the theme built triple-level paddleboat specializing in amusement released in 2013 to coincide the community. At a media con- parks of that era, Carowinds that traversed the manmade parks. Rutherford has been a with the 40th anniversary of the ference held in October, Hall was divided into themed Carolina Lake. A couple of flat staff writer and photographer park. announced his ambitious plans lands: Plantation Square, Con- rides from Chance, Eyerly and for Amusement Today since it After serving in the army of building a theme park resort temporary Carolina, Frontier other suppliers rounded out was founded in 1997. In addi- during World War II, Earl Pa- and hotel to newspaper, radio Outpost, Pirate Island, Indian the ride package. tion, Rutherford has authored terson Hall became a success- and television reporters. The Thicket, Country Crossroads Guests were entertained multiple books on the subject of ful real estate developer. He initial plans included high-rise and Queens Colony. The park at Harmony Hall, a large show amusement parks and has writ- discovered Disneyland in 1957 luxury hotels — complete with featured a variety of attractions venue that could seat up to ten articles for several journals while on a business trip to a monorail station, shopping including an Arrow Develop- 600 guests for musical variety including ACE News, Roller- California, and started think- center, golf course, and a sports ment Mine Train, shows. Across the park, the Coaster! and First Drop. ing about opening a park in stadium. Construction on the and Antique Cars. A Von Roll Magic Theater also featured The 128-page book is divid- the Carolinas. Over the next theme park began in early 1970 aerial ropeway, monorail, and musical shows, and a country ed into six chapters, providing decade, Hall researched the with an expected opening date one of the first Gyro 1200 ro- show entertained guests in the a pictorial account of the 40- amusement industry and kept of 1972. Weather and other tating observation towers to be Country Crossroads section. year history of the park. Chap- a close eye on the numerous problems caused delays and brokered by , all pro- Restaurants and shops were ter one introduces Carowinds’ theme parks that were sprout- the park held its grand opening vided overhead views of the scattered throughout the park founder E. Pat. Hall, followed ing up across the country. Hall on March 31, 1973. The mono- park. Ground level views could giving guests opportunities to by a chapter on the construc- acquired several hundred acres rail was completed in time for be appreciated from a 36 inch dine and shop for souvenirs. Despite the immense popu- larity during its first year of op- eration and the well-thought- out plan, the oil crisis of 1973 and 1974 had a negative impact on the park. Pat Hall convinced the Carowinds Corporation that in order for the park to suc- ceed it would need to be sold to an operator that could continue investing in the park. When Carowinds opened for the 1975 season, it was under the own- ership of Family Leisure Cen- ters, a joint venture of the Company and the Kroger Company. Taft also op- erated Theme Park in Ohio and along with Kroger had just completed construc- The monorail, with just one station, served as an observa- E. Pat Hall stands in front of the triple-deck Carolina Stern- tion of Theme tion ride as the planned hotel and second station were never wheeler at the opening of his dream park. Park in Virginia. Since Taft built. 4See CAROWINDS, page 31 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 31

Paramount brand was promi- the parks became the property CAROWINDS nently featured throughout the of the Entertain- Continued from page 30 property. Chapter five high- ment Company. Although the owned Hanna-Barbera Produc- lights the Paramount years with agreement allowed Cedar Fair tions, all three parks featured photos of the various movie to use the Paramount name the studio’s beloved characters company’s branded characters through 2017, that name was such as the Jetsons, Flintstones, including a Klingon riding a removed when the park opened Yogi Bear and Scooby Doo. kiddy coaster, and a new sec- for the 2007 season and the li- Taft followed the same for- tion of the park themed to the censed monikers were eventu- mula that made its first park short-lived Wayne’s World ally phased out, with little left successful introducing new franchise. The 13 Paramount of Paramount when the park rides and wooden roller coast- years would bring significant opened for the 2008 season. ers. By 1976 Carowinds had a hardware to the park, usually Cedar Fair added its brand junior wooden coaster and a themed to one of its properties. to the park and two more coast- massive racing coaster, similar By the time Paramount decided ers including a massive B&M in layout to the wooden coast- to exit the theme-park business, hyper coaster in 2010. Using ers at Kings Island and King seven new coasters, an interac- a license from NASCAR’s fa- Above, the track of the Arrow mine train dips below ground Dominion. Taft and its suc- tive dark ride, and a variety of mous Dale Earnhart, the ride in this construction photo. Below, Carowinds and sister park cessor, Kings Entertainment flat rides had been added to was named Intimidator and Kings Dominion opened the first two prototype launched Company (KECO), continued the park. Names like Top Gun, themed to the race-car indus- shuttle loops from German manufacturer Anton Schwarz- to invest in the Carolina themer Borg, Scooby Doo, Taxi Jam, Ru- try. It is with photos of the mas- kopf. It was sold in 1998 to a park in South Africa where it and over the next 15 seasons grats, Nickelodeon, Drop Zone, sive hyper coaster that the book continues to thrill guests. the park grew and matured, Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob comes to an end. becoming a major player in the and Wild Thornberrys were as- Images of America Carowinds regional theme park industry. similated into the original Caro- offers a remarkable collection However, as with most theme lina-themed lands. of vintage and modern images parks of this era, the founder’s Corporate changes at par- to illustrate the rich history original dreams never came to ent conglomerate Viacom left of this famous institution that fruition — the luxury hotels, the CBS Corporation with brought the Carolinas together. sports stadium and shopping ownership of Paramount Stu- The book retails for $21.99 and center were never built. dios and Paramount Parks. Not is available at local bookstores, On July 31, 1992, KECO an- wanting to be in the theme park online retailers or through Ar- nounced that it had sold all of business, CBS announced on cadia Publishing at www.arca- its parks to Paramount Com- January 24, 2006, it was selling diapublishing.com, (888) 313- munications. When the park the Paramount Parks division. 2665. opened for the 1993 season, the Less than five months later,

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Region As of Change from MARKETWATCH (U.S.) 02/10/14 year ago East Coast $4.116 -$0.036 Prices Prices 52 Weeks RIDING THE Company One Month Ago 02/14/14 High Low Midwest $3.969 -$0.111 Gulf Coast $3.788 -$0.044 MARKET Cedar Fair L.P. $51.54 $52.71 $52.71 $36.16 Mountain $3.868 -$0.096 MGM Mirage $25.78 $26.02 $26.70 $11.72 West Coast $3.901 -$0.286

Six Flags Ent. Corp.* $36.98 $37.97 $40.31 $31.79 DIESEL PRICES California $4.080 -$0.251 CBS Corp. $60.65 $64.96 $65.93 $42.05 Walt Disney Co. $74.45 $79.23 $79.47 $53.59 TOP 7 MOST TRADED On 02/14/14 $1 USD = CURRENCIES 0.7331 EURO Apollo Global Mgt. LLC $36.22 $30.82 $36.51 $20.86 0.6013 GBP (British Pound) Blackstone Group $32.07 $31.20 $33.41 $18.14 102.17 JPY (Japanese Yen) Village Roadshow $7.40 $7.40 $8.05 $4.34 0.8963 CHF (Swiss Franc) *Six Flags stock split on NBC Universal $26.97 $25.74 $28.09 $21.11 1.1147 AUD (Australian Dollar) CURRENCY June 27, 2013 SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. $30.78 $33.25 $39.65 $27.48 1.0994 CAD (Canadian Dollar)

PEOPLE WATCH CenterEdge Software sees increasing Cedar Fair announces organizational changes many years of service with the theme park. demand for products, adds to staff Sandusky, Ohio based Cedar Fair Entertain- The Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Service ment Company announced Carrie Boldman as the Award recipients are: Tom Berg, carpenter shop company’s corporate vice president, merchandise manager, 35 years, Chrisney, Ind.; Bethany Bailey, ROXBORO, N.C. — Entertainment facility solutions and games. In addition, the company announced sales manager, 10 years; Winslow, Ind.; Sean Strahl, provider CenterEdge Software (www.centeredgesoft- the promotion of Matt Shafer to corporate vice roller coaster maintenance manager, 10 years, ware.com) is celebrating its 10th year in business by hir- president, strategic alliances. Boonville, Ind.; Steven Weedman, IT technician, 5 ing eight new employees and expanding its office space “We are thrilled to have Carrie join our team years, Tell City, Ind.; Andy Buehler, marketing co- to keep up with demand for products and support. and to announce Matt’s promotion,” said Richard ordinator, 5 years, Huntingburg, Ind.; Adam Kuntz, Zimmerman, Cedar Fair’s chief operating officer. carpenter, 5 years, Ferdinand, Ind.; Tony Perkins, The added manpower is helping the company suc- “Our focus is on continually enhancing our guest director of maintenance, Lamar, Ind.; Dale Skinner, cessfully implement innovative point of sale and reserva- experience. We believe both Carrie and Matt pos- maintenance technician, Dale, Ind. and Tim Suiter, tion applications as well as reporting, cash and control, sess the knowledge and drive to help us elevate waterpark maintenance technician, Lamar, Ind. and time clock solutions for new customers including the high-quality entertainment value our parks are trampoline parks, theaters, water parks, skating facilities known for. We look forward to working with both of Sally Corp adds two to board of directors them in their new roles.” has announced the election and general FECs with attractions such as bowling, laser Boldman has 16 years of experience in the of former IAAPA president Tom Wages and Todd tag and climbing walls. amusement park industry, all of which were with the Gillrup, vice-president of operations at Sally Corpo- “We go on-site for eight or nine out of every 10 new Walt Disney Company. ration, to the company’s board of directors. client installations,” said Marcus Mayer, CenterEdge Shafer has 14 years of experience in the amuse- Tom Wages is a noted veteran Software director of operations. “Our new staffers are ment park industry and most recently served as cor- of the parks and attractions indus- porate director of marketing where he led the im- try: During his extensive career he going to enable us to keep up with increasing demand plementation of Cedar Fair’s e-commerce programs. served as president of The Great and make implementation smoother for all our custom- Escape in Lake George , N.Y., as ers.” Gateway names new marketing manager general manager of Lake Com- The new CenterEdge employees are Web and mo- Boyertown, Pa. based pounce (Conn.) and on the board bile device developers Chris Barrett and Bill Bailey; Gateway Ticketing Systems an- of Kennywood Entertainment Cor- nounced that Tricia Szurgot has poration. He was a founding mem- Wages technical writer Tim Jewett; bookkeeper Vicki Carr; joined the company to develop, ber and first president of the New and project managers Kris Echols, Henry Lopez, Crys- deepen and manage the com- York Parks and Attractions Association, and served tal Gusler and Charlie McNeill. pany’s image as the ticketing on the Governor’s New York Tourism Advisory Com- CenterEdge has seen an uptick in customer requests and access control expert for mission, in addition to serving on the IAAPA board, for help with issues related to online indirect competi- the amusement and attractions or as an officer, from 1980 until 2005. He became tion and labor costs, not to mention waivers as owners industries. Szurgot president of the organization in 1986, playing a ma- Szurgot comes to Gateway jor role in the acquisition of the Asian Expo and Euro and managers of laser tag and roller skating facilities in with a wealth of marketing experience, including Show and currently, even though he is officially re- particular are raising concerns about potential injuries more than 20 years of strategic planning, marketing, tired, he is again a member of the IAAPA board. and ways to mitigate liability. business development and relationship manage- Todd Gillrup, a graduate of “As our company has grown we’ve been doing the ment experience in both business-to-business and the Pittsburgh Institute of Art, business-to-consumer environments in North and joined the animatronics and dark best we can with our existing space, but we hit the wall in South America, Europe and Asia. ride company in 1992 as a staff recent months,” said Mayer. “After this major expansion She joins Gateway as marketing manager. artist. Rising through the ranks, we’re going to have a lot more elbow room — roughly he was promoted to operations three times more square footage in our North Carolina Holiday World celebrates employees service director in 2001, and named vice- headquarters, which we need for training, support, and Santa Claus, Ind. based Holiday World & Splash- president of operations in 2005. meeting with clients.” in’ Safari recently honored nine employees for their Gillrup SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

SLA (817) 460-7220 Continued from page 41 amusementtoday.com March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 33 Amusement industry loses two print advertising greats Bill Rea, World War II veteran and former AT ad manager dies at 90 CLIFTON, Texas — Bill lington-based AT — where he ate storyteller and, even among ford and James Rea. A. Rea, a retired World War served as advertising manager his advertising clients, an en- Survivors include Rea’s II U.S. Army Air Corps staff from 1997 through 2008. gaging personality. daughter and son-in-law, sergeant and the former adver- Rea graduated from Texas “I always enjoyed visit- Kathy Arbaugh and Wayne Ar- tising manager for Amusement Christian University in 1949 ing with Bill — especially at baugh of Hewitt; sister, Mary Today, passed away on Feb. 7 with a degree in journalism. the IAAPA Attractions Expo,” Bergman of Clifton; grandchil- after a short illness. He was 90. He was a sport journalist at said Marilee Grey of Kay Park dren, Jana Buckley of Virginia, Rea was born in Pottsville, the TCU Daily Skiff, where he Recreation, Rea’s last pre-re- Billy Rea II of Corpus Christi, Texas, on Jan. 26, 1924, to Wil- could be found interviewing tirement advertising account Kriste O’Shea of California, liam A. Rea and Alma C. Wied. legendary football coach Dutch with AT. “I got to meet his wife, Huck Arbaugh of Richardson, He married Bess Ivey Cum- Meyer during TCU’s football Bess, at IAAPA and found Dr. Jason Arbaugh of Austin mins in 1954 in Dallas and they season. them to be the perfect couple. and Dr. Jesse Arbaugh of Dal- remained husband and wife In addition to participat- We laughed many times and las; and great-grandchildren, until her death 54 years later. ing in U.S. history through his found out how much we had Natalie, Samantha, Kyle, Tyler, The couple had three children. military service and later writ- in common. I still think of Bill Corey, Devin, Taryn, Lexailee In the Pacific Ocean theater ing endeavors, Rea inadver- often — he was truly a great and Dayton; and a large ex- of WWII, from 1943-45, Rea tently found himself part of the Billy A. Rea guy!” tended family. served in the U.S. Army Air historic record in another way. 1924-2014 ”I first met Bill during our Funeral services for Rea Corps as Staff Sergeant, Aer- He was called to testify during working days at DFW Sub- were held Feb. 12 at First Unit- ial Radio Operator, in a C-47 the 1963-64 Warren Commis- tation with Oswald. urban Newspapers,” said AT ed Methodist Church, with military transport aircraft. At sion investigation into the as- Rea was a member of the Publisher, Gary Slade. ”When interment at Clifton Memorial different times during his life, sassination of President John F. Lutheran Church at Pottsville, I founded AT in 1997, Bill Park. He received full military he lived in the Texas communi- Kennedy regarding his knowl- First Christian Church of Lan- was the first call I made — he honors with a 21-gun salute. ties of Pottsville, Forth Worth, edge of Jack Ruby, the Dallas caster, First Christian Church agreed to come out of retire- Bill Rea was a respected, Lamesa, Dallas, Lancaster, nightclub operator who fatally at Richardson and First United ment and help guide me on enthusiastic and unflaggingly Richardson, Clifton and, most shot Lee Harvey Oswald two Methodist Church in Clifton. ad sales during my startup. amiable employee of AT since recently, in an assisted living days after the assassination He also was a 32nd degree Ma- We became huge friends and the publication’s inception — facility in Hewitt. and after Oswald had been son. shared the love of sports over always quick to laugh and hap- Rea’s civilian work encom- charged with the crime. Among Rea’s hobbies were many games watched together py to tackle the miles of aisles passed journalistic, editorial, Rea, then working in ad- writing articles for WWII Mag- on TV. I can’t thank him and at industry conventions in or- advertising sales and general vertising sales for the Dallas azine, golf, travel and flying. Bess enough for all they did to der to meet and befriend oth- publishing work with various Morning News, had dealt with He loved football and baseball, help AT through those early — ers working in the business of companies and print publica- Ruby on a newspaper adver- and he enjoyed talking about and very rough — years. I will fun. The entire AT staff extends tions, including Southwestern tising account. Rea was unable Texas Six-man football. (Rea miss my dear friend.” its condolences to Bill’s family. Dailies, Inc., the Dallas Morn- to offer any insight into Ruby’s himself played the latter sport Rea was preceded in death We will miss him, and we will ing News (1955-1969), Austin- character that would have shed at Pottsville High School.) He by his wife, Bess; sons, Sandy always value his contributions. based Travel Magazine and Ar- light on Ruby’s fateful confron- was known as both a passion- and Andy; and brothers, Wil- — Dean Lamanna and AT staff Long-time Amusement Business ad manager Ray Pilszak dies at 82 CHICAGO, Ill. — Ray appointed Ad Manager for advertising. learned to love him. He had Pilszak, 82, a long-time em- Amusement Business, pub- Former AB employees a good heart and, literally, ployee of Amusement Busi- lishers of Arena, Auditorium have been remembering would give you the shirt off ness, died January 18, 2014, and Stadium Guide, Calval- Pilszak by relating numer- his back.” in the city of his birth, Chi- cade of Acts & Attractions ous “Ray Pilszak stories” of Powell’s column is filled cago. He would have turned and FunParks Directory, in how he never took no for an with affectionate humor for 83 years old on March 5, addition to weekly issues answer and never knew a a friend he said he would 2014. of Amusement Business (this deadline. deeply miss…a friend with Known in the industry was in the late 1960s). He also was known to which he spent much of his as a tenacious ad salesman, “AB relocated to Nash- do anything he could for life. Pilszak had only one job his ville in 1970. I always ser- his friends and, according Jenkins said: “Ray was a entire adult life and that was viced ad accounts for arenas, to Beth Jenkins, who had leader in the fields that AB with Billboard Publications/ , talent and carnivals. known Pilszak since she covered. He was a valuable Amusement Business. Weekly ad campaigns in- began working in AB sales source in all industries and Pilszak had put together cluded Reba McEntire, shortly after the magazine was one of the leaders in the a bio most likely when he George Strait, Randy Travis, Ray Pilszak moved to Nashville, “he country music industry at a was inducted into the In- Barbara Mandrell, Louise 1932-2014 considered everyone he time when its growth was ternational Entertainment Mandrell, Alabama, Ricky worked with and did busi- taking off in Nashville.” Buyers Association’s Hall of Nelson. I served on the in 2001. He continued be- ness with his friends.” Tim O’Brien, a senior Fame in 2012. board of directors of Gospel ing a part of the industry Tom Powell, former editor for AB for 18 years In it, he stated: “After Music Association and the and remained in Nashville AB editor who now writes and who afterwards was eight years in the (United Academy of Country Mu- until the last couple of years for the Outdoor Amuse- employed by Ripley’s for 10 States) Marines, I joined sic. I received both the Mae when family members’ ment Business Association, years, worked closely with Billboard Publications in Boren Axton Award from health needed attention so worked with Pilzsak for Pilszak during his years at Chicago as a trainee in the the ACM and the Maynard he went to Chicago to help more than 40 years. In OA- AB. production department, L. Reuter Award from Bill- tend to them. BA’s ShowTime Xtra, Powell Upon hearing about Pil- then moved into advertis- board Publications.” Pilszak was well-known writes: “We used to joke that zak’s passing, O’Brien said: ing sales. I transferred to the Pilszak remained in in the industry and he ex- he drove everybody nuts, “Ray was loved by every- New York office and was Nashville until he retired celled in the talent area of but everybody eventually 4See PILSZAK, page 34 34 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014 Worldwide Ticketcraft Cedar Fair chooses eConnect for its POS system joins Top 400 List SANDUSKY, Ohio — Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, this negative behavior and believes this had a favorable im- based in Sandusky, Ohio, and eConnect, Inc., a leader in POS pact on food & beverage and merchandise revenues. eCon- BOYNTON BEACH, Flor- loss prevention software, have entered into an agreement to nect also provided the Cedar Fair parks with its LiveAnalyst ida — Worldwide Ticketcraft add a high-tech cash transaction monitoring system to their remote investigative services. This service combines a team recently announced that Print- POS registers across each of their 11 parks. of expert POS & Loss Prevention analysts who collaborated ing Impressions Magazine has eConnect’s POS Connect module proactively identifies with the loss prevention teams at each park to identify suspi- included the company in the potential cash theft transactions by park employees operat- cious cash register transactions. annual edition of its “Printing ing POS cash registers. The first phase of the roll-out included Mike Hasman, corporate vice president of compliance at Impressions 400” list of the installations at Knott’s Berry Farm, Cedar Point, Kings Domin- Cedar Fair said, “The investment in eConnect’s software let leading printing companies in ion & Dorney Park. eConnect’s cloud-based system harvested us leverage our investment in our POS system and we saw a the United States and Canada. live transactions from these parks’ POS systems and immedi- reduction in suspicious cash register transactions which trans- Erik Covitz, president & ately started to identify transactions indicative of cash theft. lated directly to increased revenue.” CEO of Worldwide Ticketcraft Park-level management was able to significantly curtail •econnectglobal.com said, “We are truly honored to be included in the Printing Impressions 400 list at No. 316. The magazine is highly respected within the printing industry and this is the 30th annual edition of their list. The list is compiled each year based upon annual sales vol- ume.” Worldwide Ticketcraft is a privately held company founded in 1999 and head- quartered in Boynton Beach, Florida.

PILSZAK Continued from page 33

one, but no one could really figure him out. As a sales- man, he was great because he really knew how to work the room, and he loved to drop names of celebrities! He knew a lot of them and would often invite them to come into the AB offices to impress us. “He kept his personal life close to his vest, but he could talk about the in- dustry and its history for hours,” O’Brien said. “I always felt that he had an issue with how the publi- cation was run and he was always quick to point out how it could be improved, but he hung in there and did his best because he loved the industry, especially the talent side. When I close my eyes now, I think of the kind smile he had, the annoying whistle that always seemed to emanate from his mouth, and how he could nurse one bottle of beer during an en- tire event. He was quite the man.“ At Pilszak’s request, no funeral services were planned. Survivors include his wife, of 56 years, Geor- gia, and a daughter, Krisa Pilszak, a dance instructor, and one granddaughter. March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 35 MIDWAY CARNIVALS STATE FAIRS REVENUE SUPPLIERS Attendance tops 1 million for Fort Worth third straight year STORY: Pam Sherborne [email protected]

FORT WORTH, Texas -— Attendance at the 2014 Fort Worth Stock Show and Ro- cord $3.3 million. Our Grand deo, held Feb. 8-17 topped the Champion sold for $200,000, one million mark for the third which isn’t a record but is very straight year. good.” Total attendance this year Weekends proved to be was 1,137,100. Record atten- very popular with fairgoers. A dance was set in 2012 when one-day record was set on Sat- 1,166,000 people attended the urday, Feb. 1, with 157,800 on show. the grounds. “We had a very success- For over a decade now, ful run this year,” said Shanna Talley Amusements has pro- Weaver, event spokesperson. vided the midway for this “We had a record 28,000 head event. Mary Talley and her of livestock that entered the husband, Tom Talley, set up livestock show. Sales in the about 50 rides there this year. junior livestock show was a re- New rides for the show was a Chance Zumur. Mary Talley said they have com- A very popular midway ride among many others on Talley Amusements’ midway at Fort FAST FACTS pletely refurbished the ride Worth (Texas) Stock Show and Rodeo, held this year Feb. 8-17, is this Fabbri Fast Trax Super adding Denny’s Electronics Slide. Mary Talley said her show has played this event since 2003 and working with the staff LED lights. 2014 Fort Worth [Texas] there has been great. She provided about 50 rides for the event this year. Also, last year they pur- Stock Show and Rodeo COURTESY FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW AND RODEO By the Numbers chased an SBF Groovy Bus and took delivery mid-season. tion to the rodeo lineup this 1,137,100 — total atten- “So, that was also new to year was a new tournament dance at the Fort Worth the Fort Worth event,” Talley style rodeo called the Super Stock Show and Rodeo. said. “We had great weather Shootout. Held for one night, the first half of the show but it featured champions from $3,305,919 — raised in then we lost a Sunday to sleet. each of eight legendary ro- this year’s Sale of Cham- It was about 24 degrees during deos, including the Calgary pions. the week so there were a few Stampede, Rodeo Houston, days the midway didn’t open. the Reno Rodeo, the San An- $3,700 — bales of prai- “The people at the Stock gelo Stock Show & Rodeo, rie hay distributed; 3,680 Show are absolutely lovely to Cheyenne Frontier Days Ro- bales of straw. work with,” she said. “They deo, Rodeo Austin, the Na- are a pleasure to work with.” tional Western Stock Show & 28,917 — head of live- Talley signed a new date Rodeo in Denver, Colo., and stock shown. this year, the De Leon (Texas) the Fort Worth Stock Show & Peach and Melon Festival, set Rodeo. 11,000 — steers, barrows, this year for Aug. 5-9. Other The champions competed lambs and goats shown in than that, they have been re- in bareback bronc riding, steer the junior livestock shows. newing contracts that have wrestling, saddle bronc riding, come up. barrel racing and bull riding 6,000 — sack lunches “For the next few weeks, in a tournament format with handed out by the Tar- we will be working a mall date each rodeo’s team wearing rant Area Community of in Dallas,” she said. “Since we the same colored shirt for easy Rodeo events draw a huge crowd at the Fort Worth (Texas) Churches to homeless never know what the weather identification. Stock Show and Rodeo. This is the third straight year the workers and other labor- will be this time of year here, “This was very success- event has topped out over one million, with 1,137,100 folks ers at the Stock Show. this is just a safe choice for us.” ful ,” Weave said. “It carried a attending during the 2014 run. Weaver said a new addi- $100,000 purse.” COURTESY FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW AND RODEO Factory wholesale pricing! • Over 100 designs available! • Made in the USA

Toll Free: (800) 395-9980 • email: [email protected] • www.sippersbydesign.com 36 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014

Seen at the 2014 Gibtown show... AT PHOTOS/GARY SLADE Maegan Wallace, Maclan Corp. and Jim Glover, White- water Attractions/ , visit during the show.

Don Hardin and Nikki Hardin re- ceived much inter- Bob’s Space Racers displayed three games including their est at the Wapello new 3-in-1 game seen in the left side of the photo. Rhode Island Novelty/ booth during the NANCo had this duck- show. themed plush playing off the popular TV show.

Tim O’Brien, Ripley’s and Dick Knoebel, Knoe- bel’s Amusement Resort catch up on news at a local ale house.

Led Soled, Rides-4-U, had much interest with his new SBF/ Visa Spinning Coaster. This unit, was heading to Western (N.M.) after the show. Richard Munch, The Paris Revue show set National Roller was just one of several new Coaster Museum displays added to the Carni- historian, and val Museum. Ramon Rosario, Zamperla, talk roller coasters.

Larry Wine was on hand at the Redbone Products booth pushing the River Duck concepts to both These puppy dog plush parks and midway ‘Noggin Doggies’ garnered operators. ARM is re-introducing an old favorite, the , much attention at the Classic much to the delight of the many operators who stopped by Toy display. to inquire about pricing.

Through the smiles, the seasons & the miles – Financing everything for the outdoor amusement industry since 2000. Prairie Financial The outdoor amusement Division of Boulevard Bank Paul Muller [email protected] Mark Walker A division of [email protected] Wade Muller blvdbank.com/outdoor-amusement [email protected] 816-554-3863 March 2014 AMUSEMENT TODAY 37 38 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014

MIDWAY Erie County Fair begins countdown MARKET PLACE for 175th edition of annual fair HAMBURG, New York — The Erie Coun- fair memories and the emotions they evoke. Gull Wing Industries ty Agricultural Society began its 175 days It will be a call to the anxiously awaiting pub- Working with the Carnival until the gates open campaign on Feb. 12 for lic to join the countdown and begin to share Industry since 1989 the 175th Erie County Fair, scheduled for their stories through social media outlets Contact us at: August 6-17th, 2014. The countdown to this such as Facebook and Twitter. www.gull-wing.com landmark anniversary will be accelerated as By using the tag “#ThinkFairThoughts,” the fair inaugurates a “Think Fair Thoughts” fairgoers are encouraged to post their mem- marketing campaign via social media. ories, stories and photos to the Erie County Pack-Man 175 kw or 250 kw “Only 175 days will separate Western Fair Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. Quiet Power–Tractor or New York from the food, rides, shows, blue The Erie County Agricultural Society is Trailer Mounted ribbons and livestock the fair brings,” said a private not-for-profit membership organi- Jessica Underberg, assistant fair manager. zation. Established in 1819, the society is the “Although snow covers the grounds and tem- oldest civic organization in Western New 309 N.E. 1st Street P.O. Box 128 Alta, IA 51002 peratures hover in the single digits, we invite York. The society does not receive funding GFlex 400 Amp Toll Free: 800-838-1482 Fax: 712-200-1936 fairgoers to think of hot August days filled from New York State or from Erie County. with friends, family and fun at the fair.” The mission of the Erie County Agricultural As excitement builds for the biggest and Society (ECAS), sponsors of the Erie County best fair in its history, the fair launches an Fair, is to preserve and enhance, by educa- interactive campaign to get the millions of tional endeavors, the agricultural and histori- fairgoersFrederiksen in Erie1/7x3 County b/w 3/14/02and beyond 11:22 ready AM Pagecal legacy1 of New York State. The fair strives for the upcoming celebration. The campaign, to fulfill appropriate aspects of the agricul- “Think Fair Thoughts” challenges guests of tural, educational, entertainment and recre- the fair to bring to top of mind all their best ational needs of Western New York.

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All eight motors and gearboxes We offerYOU the following services: BETCHA! Wanted used 90+ft. slides, FOR SALE Built in1977, 1977, Excellent excellent condition condition in are made to 100% / over 6,000 new •Ride setup Zamperlaportability Family Coaster not needed. T/M...... Wanted used 90+ft. slides, Scooter 1800 T/M (Majestic) ....$224,000 Paratrooper: $24,000 Indiana.Indiana. $100,000$200,000 Chaos -Chance T/M ...... $99,000 LED lights, new electrical wiring, new •Ride tear down portability not needed. •Ride painting : $65,000 ...... FUNHOUSES $79,000 ForFor photos photos and details: ScooterCrazy Bus 1400 T/M -Majestic (Zamperla) T/M ...... $99,000 ...... $109,000 PIC drive. All updates. Ask•Ride washing us how you can tap into over Calypso: $22,000 WantedChance Pharaohsused “Carnival Fury T/M Funhouses”, Completely [email protected]@vestil.comFUNHOUSES Tornado T/M (Wisdom) ...... $99,000 mobility not necessary Crazy Bus -Zamperla T/M ...... $99,000 Please call Gene Dean: (978) 375-2542 •Ride repair work House of Glass Maze: $1,000 2222 OtherOther RidesRides •Concession250 million cleaning potential customers. Rebuilt...... $695,000 (Moser) ...... $89,000 or e-mail [email protected] Dual Flume Water Slide: $15,000 Wantedwww.funspotpark.com used “Carnival Funhouses”, Tornado -Wisdom T/M ...... $129,000 •Concession work Contact Sunny (612) 332-5600 mobility not necessary Americana Carousel 28’ (Chance) ...$119,000 Bayern Curve: $19,500 Moser Flipping Action Arm P/M...... Angola, Indiana and much, much more. TFN Orient Express -Wisdom ...... $139,000 OPPORTUNITY Traffic Jam T/M (SBF) ...... $219,000 TO SIGN UP FOR affinitymm.com/twitterbook ...... $169,000 Contact Sunny 612 332-5600 Turbo Force -Zamperla T/M ...... $199,000 THIS2 Bob FREE Space NEWS Racers SERVICE WeWe will travel travel the the East East Coast. Coast. Our Our [email protected] 1989 T/M ...... $205,000 Vertical Water Race Games Tivoli Remix T/M...... $425,000 TFN GO TO WWW.AMUSEMENTTODAY.COM office hourshours areare M-FM-F 88 a.m.a.m - 5 p.m., Angola, Indiana BINGO / BEANO GAMES FOR SALE Americana Carousel 28’ ...... $199,000 1 14-player, 1 12-player park models Saturday 9 a.m. - noon. wanted for Bangor State Fair, Bangor, NEED RIDE HELP IN ALL AREAS Truck Stop (Zamperla) ...... $18,000 in mint condition. Saturdy 9 a.m. - noon. Zamperla Truck Stop T/M...... $24,000 Traffic Jam -SBF T/M ...... $219,000 Publication & Ad Design Maine 7/30-8/8 and Skowhegan Fair, Supervisor Foto leadR crewSale of five. Move Sea Ray T/M (Mulligan) ...... $249,000 AMUSEMENTTODAY.COM 1. SKEE BALLS CallPoint-of-Purchase (207) 825-3944 ask Materials for Jamie Design or FOR SALE Skowhegan, Maine 8/12-8/21. Call and maintain Chance/Wisdom rides; 1) Funny Freight T/M ...... $29,000 AMUSEMENTTODAY.COMRetiring - Priced to Sell! Danielle. Or call our cell at Call Len or John 2. CLAW MACHINES Kamikazi T/M (Fabbri) ...... $149,000 Century Wheel/Pharaoh’s Fury, , AMUSEMENTTODAY.COMGreat price. Call (718) 266-8384 or Web & Flash(207) 659-4069.Design Communications Gene(908) Dean 526-8009 - Fiesta Shows 3. STACKERS KiddieMini Rocking Tug T/M -Eli (Zamperla) T/M ...... $ .....$49,000 29,000 AMUSEMENTTODAY.COM(718) 614-0597 FAX:(978) (908) 375-2542 526-4535 Merry Go4. Round SPORTS 2) Super ARENAS Sizzler TV & Radio www.affinitymm.com DizzyDrop TowerDragon 806- (Sellner) Moser ...... $54,000 T/M ...... $99,000 AMUSEMENTTODAY.COM [email protected] Majestic Midways Equipment 5. AIR HOCKEY TABLES AMUSEMENTTODAY.COM Whatever Your Project Calls For • Basic hydraulic/electrician knowledge KamakaziPower Surge -Fabbri T/M T/M(Zamperla) ...... $149,000 ....$349,000 (817) 564-3843 JUN 6. POOL TABLES AMUSEMENTTODAY.COMFor Sale: Waterslide molds from AMUSEMENT TODAY • CDL Class7. AVIDEO license GAMES helpful For Sale: 1987 Huss Sellner Apple T/M ...... $29,000 reputable company. Four complete CLASSIFIEDS OPPORTUNITY • Drug test mandatory Call Len or John systems ready for production with 1) Chance “Americana” 2 Abreast Carousel ...... $135,000 Great Condition. YOUR USED RIDE • SeasonalQUARTERTIME position forAMUSEMENTS approximately Call(908) Len 526-8009 or John two additional systems available. Ground mount, B&K horses, handicap accessible, wood platform, like new Looking forclaSSIFIed a qualified and experienced Tower rehabbed in 2004. MARKETPLACE 9 months, could develop into annual FAX:(908) (908) 526-8009 526-4535 claSSIFIed all around maintenance person that Call employmentP/M. Michael: Excellent (410) ride 358-8311 for Please contact [email protected] 2) 2011 SBF / Visa “Hog Wild” Motorcycle Ride ...... $50,000 deadlIneS FAX: (908) 526-4535 MAY posses traveling amusement rides main- • Competitivemid-sizedpark. salary and benefits deadlIneS Like new tenanceAMUSEMENT and repairs. Full TODAY’S time position Ride package is operating and available 3) 2003 Seller “Monkey Mayhem” ...... $52,000 fromClassified April- October pages closeor year the round 10th in of the October 1st. AMUSEMENT TODAY’S Newmonth England prior area. to Wage the issue depends date. on Email Locationresume or -work Eastern experience USA. to Classified pages close the 10th of Spin ride, very nice experience. StartingRates: pay $15- $20/hour. [email protected] month prior to the issue date. • Rates: 4) 2007 Capco Football Toss ...... $30,000 •Regular classified ad– 99-year-old Carousel w/1924 Wurlitzer Please$20 email minimum resume up to: to 30 words; organ. Located in USA. Major rehab •Regular classified ad– Video and sound, stocked and ready to go [email protected]$1 per additional or mail word. to in 2004. Indoor location. Available $20 minimum up to 30 words; Fanelli Carnival September 2009. 5) Denny’s Electronic “Hot Stuff” Water Game ...... $25,000 •Display classified ad –$50 Arcade/Games Manager/Technician $1 per additional word. PO BOXper 249column inch. A 1-point •Display classified ad –$50 Excellent shape, new marquee Four rows, 35 jumpers, 23 standers, Rindgerule NH.03461 will appear around ad. per column inch. A 1-point Full time, year-round2 chariots. position at www.amusementtoday.com 6) 1926 Model “T” Ford Pickup with Ragtime Band Organ ...... $40,000 •Company logos, screens and Connecticut amusement park. rule will appear around ad. reverses also are available on ExperienceAvailable through with new International and classic arcade Ride •Company logos, screens and 7) Qty 2 – 96” Ford E-350 Cube Vans ...... $5,500 each Management display ads upon request. and group games equipment preferred. reverses also are available on 7.3-liter diesel display ads upon request. ManageCall (609)SUBSCRIBE large 920-0252 on-site or arcade (609) TODAY and827-1316 games RECEIVE 14 NEWS-PACKED ISSUES PER YEAR STAY INFORMED 8) 1996 Excalibur Cobra Sports Car ...... $34,000 WHITEWATERAT CLASSIFIEDS 10 YEAR INSPECTIONS concessions in-season and assist with 3rd party insurance and safety inspec- 7,000 original miles YOUR USED RIDE MARKETPLACE local rental/route business as needed. AT CLASSIFIEDS tions. California QSI inspections. Former YOUR USED RIDE MARKETPLACE Disney Safety Manager. Amusement and 9) 1997 Southwind 35’ Motorhome ...... $17,000 QualifiedGAMES candidates FOR maySALE e-mail LOOPING COASTER MAIL THIS FORM TO: AMUSEMENT TODAY • P.O. BOX 5427 • ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76005 USA waterparks. TO SUBSCRIBE FAX THIS FORM TO: 817.265.6397 • SUBSCRIBE ONLINE: www.amusementtoday.com 40k miles, generator, 2 AC, TV, awnings, one pullout, auto level [email protected] with “Arcade/ Games Manager”SUBSCRIPTION1. SKEE in BALLS subject line. Include FORMLaunch Loop Shuttle Coaster 10) Qty 8 – Paint Booth Ceiling Lights ...... $2,500 or $400 each www.safetycertify.com contact information,2.R CLAWNew MACHINES Subscription brief employment all steel with (916) 772-2698 history andR qualifications.3. RenewalSTACKERS G-Force 4, 56’FIRST high AND LAST x 635’ NAME long CREDIT CARD NUMBER Explosive proof – retail for $1,000 each 4. SPORTS ARENAS R Change of Address Built 1977, Excellent condition in 11) Qty 10 – Skat Cat Machines and Lanes ...... $2,000 5. AIR HOCKEY TABLES Indiana. $200,000 OPPORTUNITY 6. POOL TABLES USA OUTSIDE USAFor photosCOMPANY and NAME details: EXPIRATION DATE 3-4 DIGIT SECURITY CODE 7.R VIDEOOne Year GAMES $50 $70 [email protected] Phone: (717) 292-2556 R Two Years $90 $130 ADDRESS NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CARD (Company Name and/or Cardholder Name) QUARTERTIME AMUSEMENTS P.O. Box 5427 R Three Years $130 $190 Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 5427 Arlington, Texas 76005-5427 CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE (or Province and Postal Code) TELEPHONE NUMBER (REQUIRED) Call Michael: (410) 358-8311 Arlington, Texas 76005-5427 • R Payment Enclosed AMUSEMENT • FOR SALE FOR SALE OPPORTUNITY (817) 460-7220 COUNTRY EMAIL ADDRESS Charge to Credit Card: (817) 460-7220 Fax (817) 265-NEWS (6397) TODAY FREE SIGN ME UP FOR FREE EMAIL NEWS FOR SALE BAND ORGANS ELI #5 Fax (817) 265-NEWS (6397) SMOKEY MOUNTAIN AMUSEMENTS • QUESTIONS? CALL AT: 817.460.7220 NEWS! R EXTRA! EXTRA! YOUR DESKTOP EDITION “60 Horse Chance - 125 Wurlitzer band organ with 13 brass INC. Needs Ride Help In All RRSerial# 1161-69 RCLASSIFIEDS • Outside row of Bradley & Kaye horses. horns, 14 whistles and drums. All origi- Departments: We accept: G/M, sand blasted ready for repair and paint We accept: 2 loads (4 pup trailers) $425,000 nal - needs tuning. Ride Superintendent - For Green Unit. 45-foot trailer YOUR I WANT TO HELP BY MAKING A TAX DEDUCTABLE DONATION IN THE AMOUNT BELOW TO Electrician - For Green Unit. PRESERVING YES! THE NATIONAL ROLLER COASTER MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES. MORE INFO: ROLLERCOASTERMUSEUM.ORG Reverchon Flume II – Excellent condi- $15,000 MAKE A Contact: $6,000 cash ROLLER COASTER tion, 8 boats, new liner, Bob Kissel - (812) 839-3255 HISTORY USEDDONATION RIDE$10 $25 $50 OTHER AMOUNT: $ 5 trailers. $565,000 Brian (Beaver) Bitner R R R R (919) 272-5627 Call John Fanelli (978) 343-4881 MARKETPLACE Call EJ Dean 978-375-2542 com Billy Clark amusementtoday (863) 738-1689 40 AMUSEMENT TODAY March 2014

AIR RACE

WATERMANIA

MOTOCOASTER Antonio Zamperla Spa Vicenza - Italy Phone: 0444 +39 998400e-mail: [email protected] www.zamperla.com