#54 • volume 10, issue 4 • 2014 www.inparkmagazine.com 12 WhiteWater’s Geoff & Paul Chutter on the family business & innovation in water attractions 18 Zoos and aquariums expand offerings 30 Waterpark attendance figures www.inparkmagazine.com #54• volume 10, issue 4 Revisit, revitalize, reinvest 6 The operational lifecycle of waterparks • by Glenn A. O’Connor Designing for bears, dogs, lemurs, humans, and other living things 8 JCO creates habitats for all • by Judith Rubin Opening a new chapter at WhiteWater 12 Geoff Chutter & Paul Chutter join forces • by Martin Palicki A tough year 18 Report from AZA 2014 • by Judith Rubin Liquid profits 21 Operators discover the benefits of adding water • by Joe Kleiman Around the world in 80 slides 24 A photographic look at Polin’s global installations A return to the Wet ‘n’ Wild 28 Behind the scenes at the Vegas hit waterpark • by Judith Rubin, Martin Palicki and Jill Bibby 2013 attendance figures 30 A look at global waterpark attendance numbers • courtesy of TEA and AECOM The art of COST 38 IPM does a little Midwestern bonding and visits COST of Wisconsin • by Martin Palicki staff & contributors advertisers EDITOR DESIGN All Things Integrated 38 Martin Palicki mcp, llc IAAPA Attractions Expo 5 The J Co 10 CO-EDITOR CONTRIBUTORS Judith Rubin Jill Bibby Polin 2 Glenn A. O’Connor Weber Group back CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Joe Kleiman SALES WhiteWater West 20, 17, 7 Mitch Rily Martin Palicki Zebec 39 Kim Rily COVER: Father and son team Geoff and Paul Chutter pose on a prototype of WhiteWater West’s Slideboarding attraction at the European Attractions Show. Full story on p 12. Photo credit Martin Palicki. www.inparkmagazine.com 3 Just add water. Water: something we Judiciously. can all relate to Martin Palicki, Judith Rubin, IPM editor IPM co-editor ater goes with everything. Hotels first realized his issue of InPark has a spotlight on zoos and Wthe benefit of adding an indoor waterpark Taquariums as well as waterparks. All three types in 1994, further strengthening the bond between of facilities are geared to families. All are providing hotels and water leisure. In recent years, malls, zoos ever more integrated attractions and environments. and even cruise ships have beefed up offerings And all are making the most of water features. with slides, lazy rivers and water play structures. We are drawn to the water, it seems, and more visitor Our best zoos and aquariums are always improving, destinations are realizing that. working to create ever-better habitat for the animals in their charge. They also work to foster an The traditional waterpark is still popular, but the emotional connection and learning experience for scope of water play is expanding rapidly. Waterparks the humans who visit, to spur and support action on are popping up in new, unexpected places. Who urgent conservation issues and the threat of species would have thought the Black Sea region would be extinction. an up and coming waterpark market? And the desert of Las Vegas is now home to two waterparks: Wet Water provides a universal connection - something all ‘n’Wild and Cowabunga Bay. creatures on Earth need for survival, and seek out for play and respite. As human lives become more urban, These are prime examples of how the water leisure and water resources more precious and endangered, industry continues to expand even as access to both people and animals are affected. There are fewer water sources is tightening and conservation efforts opportunities to have water experiences in nature. increase. The limited supply of fresh water in many parts of the world will only become more important Waterparks help people fulfill their natural inclination to communities, media and governments. Our to get in the water to play and relax. Animals have industry must be on the forefront of this issue, or it the same needs, and environments that serve will come back to haunt us later. animals’ full range of needs and behaviors must include suitable water features. We’re seeing zoos As more markets turn to our industry to help them and aquariums accommodate that need more fully, “just add water” it is up to us to do it responsibly and make the most of the bonding opportunity by and with an eye towards long-term success and designing in ways that people can feel a part of it. sustainability. • • • Because everyone likes to go for a dip. • • • InPark News Editor Joe Kleiman inTHEMED ENTERTAINMENT ([email protected]) corresponds for IPM online and in print, specializing inWATERPARKS in design and technology for attractions, museums and giant screen cinema. He lives inMUSEUMS in Sacramento with his dog, Bucky. inDOME THEATERS InPark Magazine (ISSN 1553-1767) is published Such material must be accompanied by a five times a year by Martin Chronicles Publishing, self-adressed and stamped envelope to be LLC. 2349 E Ohio Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207. returned. inAMUSEMENT PARKS Shipping address: 2349 E Ohio Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207. Phone: 262-412-7107. Printing by Postmaster: Send address changes to InPark what are you into? Short Run Printing Magazine 2349 E Ohio Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53207. Subscriptions are available annually for Subscriber for free @ inparkmagazine.com Contents © 2014 InPark Magazine. All rights $40 per year ($55 international). reserved. Nothing in the magazine may be reproduced or used in any manner without the Opinions expressed in editorial matter are not prior written permission of the magazine. InPark necessarily those of InPark Magazine or its Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited publishers, Martin Chronicles Publishing, LLC. manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. 4 www.inparkmagazine.com BIG STARTS HERE Want big results? Look no further than IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014. HOUSE AD Whether you are investing in a new ride or simply searching for your next big idea, everything you need for your attraction is waiting for you in Orlando. IAAPA Attractions Expo delivers super-sized results for everyone — no matter the size of your facility or budget. Go big in 2014 with IAAPA Attractions Expo. REGISTER NOW! CONFERENCE: NOV. 17–21, 2014 • TRADE SHOW: NOV. 18–21, 2014 ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER • ORLANDO, FLORIDA USA www.IAAPA.org/IAAPAAttractionsExpo www.inparkmagazine.com Revisit, revitalize, reinvest by Glenn A. O’Connor, OALA, CSLA ASLA decisions and prioritize the revitalization of assets, program decisions Water parks have an operational life cycle. must be objective, based on professional experience and solid data. ake a critical look at your water park facilities to determine whether Revisiting Tthey are reaching a critical stage in their operational life cycle. Is the guest experience still exciting and appropriate? Is attendance all In order to increase attendance and overall park revenue, take a close, it could be? objective look. What is the mix of rides/attractions? What are the existing ride capacities? What about program, circulation, creative Declining attendance and guest experience are influenced by many theming and all related facilities? What is the current attendance interrelated factors. Rather than asking “What things can I add to the – annually, monthly and daily peak in park – and what should the park?” it is better to approach the problem in a more systematic way, targeted attendance be? In addition, we need to understand what following a few simple steps. The owner and operator can maximize rides and attractions are most popular and performing well at capacity, Return on Investment (ROI) by revisiting, revitalizing and reinvesting which are at an acceptable capacity and which are below capacity. in an objective, appropriate and creative way. There is more to it than Understand what you have today, in order to build for tomorrow. water and fiberglass. It starts by putting yourself in the shoes (or perhaps flip-flops) of the guest. Part of the process, when planning for park revitalization, is to gauge regional and local market demographics. Only by examining With the passage of time, not only do park facilities mature, but guest current and future capacities, carefully and objectively, can we begin demographics may change. With a shift in demographics may come to make informed decisions about which rides and attractions a shift in guest needs and recreation habits, necessitating a shift in the require refurbishing, removal or replacement and which new rides guest experience provided. By imagining ourselves as guests, we are and attractions we might consider adding. This same in-depth in a better position to consider what things we might be looking for: examination needs to be applied to all existing infrastructure family needs (especially those of small children), food and beverage – anything and everything that contributes toward enhancing the service, merchandise, washrooms and of course an appropriate level overall guest experience. of entertainment. Revitalizing Ideally, the guest experience you provide will keep guests coming back for repeat visits, enjoying longer stays and even tempted to Once the analysis and evaluation of the existing water park have been spend more freely. Here’s a summary of how a professional analysis completed, the planning and creative design work begin: addressing is conducted and implemented to revisit, revitalize and reinvest the issues that have been identified, understanding the opportunities meaningfully in a water park. In order to make prudent business and constraints, and formulating solutions that will enhance the 6 www.inparkmagazine.com park’s performance and guest experience. In particular, the mix of The planning and design phase will also help to identify areas where rides and attractions needs to be precisely balanced in order to meet park expansion can occur, if applicable, and what the sequence the current and desired demographic profiles. should be. Operational costs also need to be considered and strategies for water conservation, energy use, placement of rides and Other issues may have been identified within the existing lifeguard staffing.