2013 SEASON PREVIEW — PAGES 6–9 Q&A WITH HERSCHEND’S JOEL MANBY — PAGES 41–42 © TM Your Amusement Industry NEWS Leader! Vol. 17 • Issue 2 MAY 2013 Merlin Entertainments’ U.S. Legoland Hotel a brickwork bonanza Southern California leap into the destination cat- their perspective that has gone egory. into the planning first and park becomes Officially opened April foremost.” full-fledged resort 5 after several days of me- AT found this in abundant dia previews, the three-story, evidence during a visit to the STORY: Dean Lamanna Special to Amusement Today 250-room inn, like the park, brightly multicolored hotel is designed to immerse fami- — beginning with the giant, CARLSBAD, Calf. — With lies with children aged two breathing green dragon made its unique toy theme and se- to 12 in the creative world of from some 400,000 Lego bricks ries of tasteful, steadfastly Lego toys. Guests of the hotel, that welcomes lodgers while kid-focused additions over its which is located adjacent to guarding the porte cochere 14-year history, including an Legoland’s entrance gate, will from a clock tower. Inside the aquarium in 2008 and a water- have early-morning access to lobby, which contains a “wad- park in 2010, Legoland Cali- the park of up to an hour be- ing pond” filled with Lego fornia has established itself as fore the general public is ad- bricks, several of the more a serious player in Southern mitted. than 3,500 elaborate Lego California’s heated amuse- “This is a one-of-a-kind models adorning the hotel’s ment market. property,” said Frank Idris, public spaces, hallways and Now, with its debut of the Legoland Hotel general man- accommodations greet guests. Legoland Hotel workers, in- Legoland Hotel, the San Diego ager, formerly director of ho- The rooms, some offering cluding one made entirely of metro-area park — newly and tel operations at the JW Mar- balconies and premium ame- the classic toy bricks, over- confidently rechristened the riott Las Vegas Resort and Spa. nities like dynamic Lego char- see finishing touches at the Legoland California Resort — “Everything here is designed acter wall murals, are mini- new inn. is poised to make a successful with children in mind — it’s 4See LEGO, page 4 AT/DEAN LAMANNA Kings Dominion’s new Planet Snoopy is a record setter New area should Dominion this spring, Snoopy is full of bright colors AT spoke with KD Public and stands out like it never challenge sister Relations Manager Gene has before. The biggest chal- park Kings Island Petriello about the scope of lenge was the massive size of this major addition to the park. the project. Spanning nearly for Golden Ticket “We are thrilled to open the 14 acres, everything in Planet STORY: Scott Rutherford bigger, better Planet Snoopy. Snoopy had to be linked up [email protected] With 18 total rides, there is and run through one system, something for everyone. The including the eight new rides, DOSWELL, Va. — Some best part is that all of the new Family Care Center, the reno- records are made to be bro- rides are designed specifically vation of the restrooms and ken. And Kings Dominion did for families to ride togeth- more.” just that when it kicked off the er,” said Petriello. “Kings Located on the site of the 2013 season on March 29 with Dominion is known for its park’s former Kidsville, this the introduction of its “Bigger, roller coasters, including the ambitious multi-million dol- Kings Dominion’s new Planet Snoopy, the world’s largest Better” Planet Snoopy, the towering Intimidator 305, but lar project expands that sec- Peanuts-themed children’s area, features 18 rides including world’s largest Peanuts- this year we wanted to focus tion from its original seven Snoopy’s Rocket Express (a Zamperla Aerial Tramway), that themed children’s area. on our little thrill seekers and acres to an impressive 14. gently glides over the action below. During a visit to Kings their families. The new Planet 4See SNOOPY, page 5 AT/SCOTT RUTHERFORD SUBSCRIBE TO Dated material. material. Dated AMUSEMENT TODAY RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE 25, 2013 April Thursday, Mailed (817) 460-7220 PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT CONTINUING COVERAGE: FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. com PAID amusementtoday SUPERSTORM SANDY US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT SEE PAGES 36-37 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2013 NEWSTALK OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint SFHH celebrates 30th anniversary While driving by Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Arlington, Texas, the other day, I can tell that the 2013 daily summer waterpark season is near. Painters from Baynum Painting were smoth- ering one of the park’s big slide towers with a team of workers who were busy giving the Slade slides and tower a complete paint makeover and color change. The park, originally opened in May 1983, under the direction of George Millay as Wet ‘n Wild, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. With all the paint, TLC, and a new slide tower complex (CannonBowl and PipelineWave) from ProSlide the park is currently building, SFHH should be set for a banner year. When the park opened in 1983 it was billed as the new “king” of waterparks. It was built for capacity thanks to its wide walkways, multiple slide towers, a massive wave pool and a Lazy River that encircled the wave pool. George learned much from the first first park in Orlando that has made the Arlington park a lasting success. Interesting “Texas-Size Facts” from the opening year EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] press materials issued by then Marketing Manager Joe Gib- bons are: Riding together •The 35-acre park was built at a cost of $19.5 million, the most expensive waterpark built to date at that time in Spring is in the air ... final- history’s greatest thrill rides — the incompara- the U.S. ly! I am more than ready to say ble Shooting Star at Coney Island on the Ohio •Plumbers installed 22 miles of pipe underground farewell to Old Man Winter. River near Cincinnati. Back then, at the tender ranging in size from 1 inch to 48 inches in diameter. He outlasted his welcome by age of nine, I was already fully obsessed with •More than 100 pumps were used to constantly move several weeks. everything carnival/amusement park-related. the park’s water through filtration pits. My early assignments But it was a life-changing ride aboard the •42 miles of electrical wiring would be housed in this spring included a visit Shooting Star that truly ignited my life-long 14 miles of underground conduit pipe in the park. Rutherford to Virginia’s Kings Dominion passion and love for the roller coaster, espe- to cover that park’s 2013 cially those of the wooden variety. •More than 15,000 yards of concrete were used to build improvements. KD, like many of the Cedar I recall standing for what seemed like the Arlington park. That’s enough concrete to pave Fair properties, boasts some of the biggest, hours watching the trains slowly climb the 5 1/2 miles of residental street to a depth of six inches. baddest and most unique thrill rides on the lift and then become like rockets as they tra- Many great industry names worked with George at planet. But this year’s focus was on the oppo- versed that soaring mountain of white-washed either the Orlando or Arlington parks and remain in the in- site end of the spectrum – the park’s young- wood. I proclaimed it was something I simply dustry today. A few of those early day trendsetters are Mike est visitors. In KD’s case, the park opened had to do. Because of my young age back Black, Ron Sutula, John Seeker, Joe Gibbons, the world’s largest Peanuts-themed children’s then, I would never have been allowed to ride Bob Gallagher, Walt Hawrylak and Rick Faber. George area. There was specific attention paid to alone. Fortunately, my Dad was more than surrounded himself with the best of the best, evident adding rides designed so that parents can happy to accompany me for the journey. It today by the success of the Arlington park and the enjoy them along with their children. It was a was a traumatizing yet unbelievably wondrous continued success by those mentioned above. real treat to stroll through Planet Snoopy and adventure and one for which I am eternally see nearly every ride populated with an equal thankful. I am glad my Dad was there with me. Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement number of adults and kids. Here’s wishing everyone a safe and pros- Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six when he Witnessing this phenomena sparked a perous season filled with that same wonder first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career helped lead to memory of my early experience aboard one of and joy. the launch of AT in 1997. 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 [email protected] (615) 662-0252 Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $75 in the USA; $100 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $140/$180; Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $200/$250.