TM Vol. 16 • Issue 1 APRIL 2012 Parks in transition Steel Pier initiates three-year, $102 million redo, expansion STORY: Dean Lamanna Group last summer, call for a Special to Amusement Today $102 million renovation and expansion to be completed by ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — 2015. With a history anchored in the The Steel Pier project is shifting sands and fortunes part of a proposed 10-year of Atlantic City for 114 years, citywide redevelopment push Steel Pier — that storied icon called the Tourism District of diving horses and daredevil Master Plan. Established last amusements — is further for- year, it includes the revitaliza- tifying its berth on the Jersey tion of the entire boardwalk. Shore. “This is the beginning of New plans for the amuse- Atlantic City’s renaissance,” ment landmark unveiled in said Anthony Catanoso, presi- February by Steel Pier As- dent of Steel Pier Associates, sociates, which parlayed its whose long-held mission has tenuous, two-decade Steel Pier been to promote the resort’s Steel Pier’s 2013 season will bring a Funtime StarFlyer tower, tenancy into ownership with tradition of family amuse- an Intamin ZacSpin coaster or similar ride, and a nightclub in its purchase of the 1,000-foot- ments alongside its latter-day the 20,000-square-foot skybridge connecting the pier to the long structure for $4.3 million gambling industry. “It’s go- Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort across the boardwalk. from Trump Entertainment 4See STEEL PIER, page 4 COURTESY STEELMAN PARTNERS Lease approval moves Kentucky park Palace Ent. acquires Noah’s Ark closer to possible 2013 re-opening NEWPORT BEACH, Ca- World,” Noah’s Ark is the re- CEO, comments, “We are very LOUISVILLE, Ky. — On us and the community at large lif. — Festival Fun Parks LLC, gion’s most popular family happy to be adding such an February 23 a unanimous vote for their tremendous cheers of doing business as Palace En- attraction and has two hotels iconic waterpark to Palace’s by the Kentucky State Fair support.” tertainment, announced on on the property featuring over array of family parks across Board to approve a lease with Following the lease ap- March 2 that it completed the 300 rooms. the nation. We understand Bluegrass Boardwalk, Inc. proval, Bluegrass Boardwalk’s acquisition of Noah’s Ark wa- Noah’s Ark offers the how important this park is moved the reopening of the next steps are to secure financ- terpark, located in the popu- greatest variety of water rides within the Wisconsin Dells closed 57-acre amusement and ing and continue the appli- lar, family vacation spot of in the nation, including the community, and we are dedi- waterpark (formally Six Flags cation process for economic Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Black Anaconda watercoast- cated to enhancing the Noah’s Kentucky Kingdom) in Louis- development incentives from Noah’s Ark bills itself as er. The Travel Channel hailed Ark brand. We look forward ville closer to reality. Kentucky’s Tourism Cabinet. America’s largest waterpark Noah’s Ark as “The place for to meeting our new neighbors “We can’t wait to get start- Bluegrass Boardwalk will not with 70 acres, 51 water at- water in the Midwest,” and and community leaders and ed!” says Bluegrass Board- request public monies from tractions, including two wave TripAdvisor.com named Wis- forging lasting relationships walk’s Dan Koch. “We’ve the Kentucky Legislature. pools and two lazy rivers plus consin Dells the number one and partnerships.” got a lot of work to do to get Bluegrass Boardwalk’s dozens of other various at- family vacation destination in Tim Gantz, one of Noah’s the park reopened in just 15 plans are to invest $15-$20 mil- tractions. Located in the city the U.S. Ark’s previous owners stated, months, but we’ll get it done. lion to reopen the park in May of Wisconsin Dells, known as Fernando Eiroa, Palace “When we considered the sale We’d like to thank the fair of 2013, with continued invest- the “Waterpark Capital of the Entertainment’s President and 4See PALACE, page 4 board for putting their faith in 4See KENTUCKY, page 4 SUBSCRIBE TO JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER! Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY 2012 RUSH! NEWSPAPER TICKET P. POSTMASTER: PLEASE 19, 2012 March Mailed Monday, (817) 460-7220 GOLDEN I. AWARDS PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT V. SEPTEMBER 7-8, 2012 FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com BEST OF THE BEST! PAID amusementtoday US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT GOLDENTICKETAWARDS.com 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY April 2012 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint Slow economy? Amusement industry analysts have always reminded us that in tough financial times, the amusement industry is usually the one industry that thrives. As North Americans see the price of fuel continue to rise and their finances con- tinue to shrink from the lack of an improv- Slade ing economy, it appears the analysts may indeed be correct again. While it’s too early in the new season to project how guests will attend or spend at parks this summer season, one trend has certinly emerged, and that’s spending by the parks. This summer, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, SeaWorld San Diego, Canada’s Wonderland, Dollywood and Six Flags Great America are all rolling out multi-million dollar state-of-the-art roller coasters to draw guests in. The Disneyland Resort is wrapping up a massive, and perhaps the biggest expansion on property ever, with the June launch of its new Cars Land. Sister park, the Magic Kingdom in Orlando begins opening phases of its new Fantasyland expansion and overhaul. SeaWorld San EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] Antonio is wrapping up a complete makeover and massive expansion of its waterpark, transforming it into its Here comes the sun Aquatica brand. Legoland Florida reopens a bigger and Spring is upon us. This is ers. The off-season is when these teams work better waterpark this summer. And then, Landry’s the time of year that folks in the away from the public eye. reveals plans for its new $60 million Pleasure Pier, opening outdoor entertainment busi- But then there are the year-round parks, this Memorial Day weekend, that will mark the return of ness prepare and look forward those facilities in south Florida and California that amusements to Galveston. to. Though the downtime after operate 365 days a year. Here the maintenance a long, hot summer season may crews have only the late night and early morning But the spending is not stopping there. Plans have be a welcome respite, those who hours to take care of business. Somehow they do already been announced by the Arie family to expand live and breathe the amuse- it and make if look effortless. its Action Park facility in Orlando for next season. The Rutherford ment industry can hardly wait This past February, while enjoying a much- Catanoso family of N.J. Steel Pier fame has announced a for “Opening Day.” They begin to get antsy once needed winter break at Walt Disney World, I found $102 million redo and makeover of the Atlantic City Pier the traditional winter holidays are finished. And by myself walking through the Magic Kingdom and amusement park. Universal Orlando has removed Jaws to the end of February and the beginning of March, contemplating the Herculean effort that must go many are chomping at the bit to get back out into keeping this place in such perpetual pristine make room for a new major attraction. And those are just there. condition. Not a flower is out of place, not a single the projects AT is allowed to talk about. Though some employees at the seasonal light bulb on an attraction or building is allowed Slow economy during a political campaign year? One parks may have enjoyed several months off, the to remain dark. If construction is going on –– as is would not know it by the announced spending plans in same cannot be said for those who work behind the case with the current Fantasyland expansion the amusement industry. the scenes. I’m referring to the construction and –– Disney makes every effort possible to keep —Gary Slade maintenance crews who kick into high gear once the guests separate from the disarray behind The the summer crowds have moved on to more se- Wall. They are masters at maintaining the illusion date diversions. These are the people who make and keeping the magic alive for their guests. Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement it happen. The high-flying steel workers who con- So, kudos to the unsung heroes who toil in Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six struct their towering edifices like enormous erec- the dark of night and less than ideal weather con- when he first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement tor sets, and the carpenters and craftsmen who ditions to maintain and bring to life the rides and Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career hammer and drill to lovingly build the complex attractions that summer guests expect and enjoy. helped lead to the launch of AT in 1997. constructions that become wooden roller coast- Have a great season! AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF Gary Slade, Founder Tim Baldwin Sammy Piccola Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation (817) 460-7220 [email protected] (817) 460-7220 [email protected] [email protected] Deliveries Member of: Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd, Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, Stacey Childress / Childress Media Editorial Sue Nichols Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA, Web & Graphic Design [email protected] Advertising NAARSO and IISF (817) 889-4441 (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $75 in the USA; $100 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $140/$180; [email protected] Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $200/$250.