Larson International uses pandemic to prebuild rides, ready for delivery — page 35 INSIDE: CELEBRATING Castle Park restores 25 historic carousel TM & ©2021 Amusement Today, Inc. YEARS! PAGES 44-45 August 2021 | Vol. 25 • Issue 5 Digital Edition Phoenix family thrill New offerings spotlight coaster is located very close to the Cedar Point's long history iconic Wonder Wheel. Throwback ride, top. Snake River Expedition is COURTESY DENO'S a throwback to a beloved (and WONDER WHEEL PARK parade celebrate missed) family attraction. For summer nights, the park has daz- anniversary and zled crowds with the Celebrate delight guests 150 Spectacular, a parade with massive floats that culminates AT: Tim Baldwin with a street dance party. [email protected] Debuted in 1960, the Riverboat Cruise took pas- SANDUSKY, Ohio — sengers on two stern wheelers Patience is a virtue, or so it is around the park’s lagoon. Over said. The milestone of a 150th time, the sets and animatronics anniversary is quite simply a cen- — as well as the route, owing tury and a half in the making. to additions to the park’s real 2020 was to be a big celebration estate — changed quite a bit. for Cedar Point. Unfortunately, With alterations to the attrac- masks, social distancing and lim- tion came name changes, and ited attendance didn’t exactly many longtime fans of Cedar Phoenix rises at Deno’s Wonder Wheel scream “party.” Last summer, Point will remember a journey park officials made the call to or two on the Western Cruise AT: B. Derek Shaw and discussed all the different options we had. host the festive event this year. By or Paddlewheel Excursions. [email protected] We talked about everything from go-karts, flat moving it to 2021, the anniversary The final trip of that attrac- rides to, of course, roller coasters. In the end BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The July 4th holiday extravaganza could be done right. tion was taken in 2011. While we felt a single major attraction would be best. weekend marked the opening of a family- “It’s time. We’ve all waited Snake River Expedition will We wanted something unique to the area, and style Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV sus- more than a year to share this entertain many first-time pas- pended roller coaster aptly named Phoenix, therefore decided a suspended coaster would momentous occasion, and we sengers, there are still some as it is meant to symbolize rebirth into a more be perfect. We also wanted something that fit couldn’t be more excited,” said nods to the Western Cruise and accepting and loving world. The project took well with our park. As we are a more family- Carrie Boldman, vice president Paddlewheel Excursions that the better part of three years as a lot of dif- oriented park, a family thrill coaster made the and general manager. will bring a smile. ferent pieces had to be put in place. most sense,” said Vourderis. While there are many com- “One of the things we talk- From opening day remarks at the rib- The park owners did their due diligence ponents to the actual celebra- ed about with the 150th anni- bon cutting festivities, third-generation fam- when it came to research. “We talked to several tion (see page 38), two big addi- ily member D.J. Vourderis said, “New York manufacturers and received lots of ideas and tions for this season rise to the 4See POINT, page 8 is known for its ability to take a punch and interesting concepts. We went to Dollywood, bounce back; I don’t think any place on earth Six Flags Fiesta Texas [and] Fun Spot and does this better. And Coney Island is its great- rode different coasters from different manu- est example of resilience, even in the darkest facturers. We even sought input from the roller of times. It is a place people have always come coaster enthusiast community.” to find comfort, and to remember what it feels Vekoma from Vlodrop, Netherlands, was like to smile. We need this now more than ever. the company selected for the job. “The custom I don’t believe these are uncertain times for design they created for us is not only accessible us. They are critical and painful and trying, but for all ages but thrilling and packs a serious we will, most certainly, rise from the ashes and punch! This roller coaster was going to sit, (and give birth to the best of times.” dive under) the official New York City landmark To make the project happen, land acquisition Wonder Wheel. It had to be unique and worthy had to occur. “The property that we purchased of such a historic location. I asked Vekoma to is adjacent to the Wonder Wheel and had shared build something enthusiasts would enjoy but a fence with our existing park. We always had it wouldn’t scare younger children. I think we in our sights, as it would make a perfect addition got exactly that. You’re never sure with custom to Deno’s,” explained Vourderis. designs, but we are extremely happy with how Next came the discussion on what to do Floats captured numerous aspects of the park’s history. with the new parcel. “We sat down as a family 4See PHOENIX, page 6 COURTESY MARK ROSENZWEIG/3DX SCENIC AMUSEMENT VIEWS PARKS & FAIRS WATER PARKS BUSINESS SAFETY CLASSIFIEDS Page 4 Pages 11-30 Pages 31-34 Pages 35-43 Pages 44-49 Page 50 Get the most up-to-date industry news from AmusementToday.com! 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY August 2021 August 2021 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 4 AMUSEMENT TODAY August 2021 AMUSEMENT VIEWS AT NOTEBOOK: Gary Slade, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint Remembering Paul Ruben Amusement Today has published countless obituaries since our beginning in 1997, both as a service to the family and our industry but also as a matter of public record for future generations, who we hope continue the tradition of amuse- ment industry research, just as we do today. All published obituaries are difficult, even Slade more so when they are of someone our AT staff knows. The most difficult ones are when they are one of our own. Paul Lewis Ruben, 84, never wrote for AT, but his editorial contributions included Amusement Park Journal, RollerCoaster! (ACE) and Park World. I had the pleasure of knowing Paul through all those media journeys and I always enjoyed his stories and his friend- ship. We shared many rides together at various park media events and always found time to catch up at the various trade shows. Two media events come to mind: •On April 4, 1998, Six Flags Magic Mountain opened Rid- dler’s Revenge, a B&M stand-up coaster. This was Bonnie Weber’s media event and she convinced INDUSTRY VOICE: John W.C. Robinson, [email protected] Paul to let her spray paint his hair green for a TV Hope for tomorrow is stronger than ever shoot, which he gladly I remember all too vividly the feel- globe are announcing new attractions accepted. I think this was ing in the air one year ago. This industry for 2022 and 2023, showcasing high- a good example of Paul’s was nervous, many of its members gen- dollar investments and their committ- humorous side, for those uinely fearing for what each day, each ment to continue and deliver the fun. of us who got to see it. round of the news cycle would bring. In recent weeks, owners are breaking •On June 15, 2012, Disneyland’s California Adventure Unemployment? More shutdowns? We ground on new FECs, theme parks, water Park opened its new $1.1 billion Cars Land and, as fate would all waited with bated breath as parks Robinson parks and other attractions. The footprint have it, Paul and I took one of the early media rides together and attractions started to open (to lim- of the industry is expanding once again, aboard Cars. The event was spread out over the entire day ited capacity, in parts of the country that would promising to keep wowing guests with thrills and giving media free downtime to enjoy the park or just enjoy the allow them to open) just trying to salvage what putting smiles on the faces of families worldwide. new section, where I ran into Paul again. He was a little flus- could be of the 2020 season. There's still a lot to be done. The hiring tered as he could not find a Kodak Picture Spot to get a close Even as 2021 started, we were excit- crisis is very real. The struggle to return the H1 up of the Cars vehicle on the track due to all the media trucks ed to hear when Cedar Fair and Six Flags Visa program to its normal levels and ensure and support equipment blocking key vantage points of the announced opening dates for all of their com- proper staffing is ongoing. Suppliers and ride. I told Paul I had found his angle. We ventured over to the pany-owned parks. But we were also tapering manufacturers are still waiting on payment elevated TV stage for KTLA where I had a contact. Since they that news with caution, having seen things for orders made in 2019 or 2020, and eagerly were in between live shoots, we were allowed on set where change entirely on a moment's notice. awaiting more orders for 2022 and beyond to we had a beautiful view of the ride from 25 feet in the air. Paul Thanks to vaccination efforts, we are final- get their books back into the black.