NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: Dated material. PAID PLEASE RUSH! Mailed Monday, November 22, 2010 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE FT. WORTH TX FT. PERMIT # 2069 DECEMBER 2010 • VOL. 14, ISSUE 9 • $5.00 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2009 TM Gary Slade Founder and Publisher [email protected] Parks ‘glow’ during holidays Theme parks all across the nation, and even throughout the world, are now using the Christmas season as a way to extend their season and keep the momentum rolling that was gained from their suc- cessful Halloween events. The special event seasons have become big busi- ness for the parks. It’s a way to keep the guests com- ing back to the parks for something new and differ- ent than what is offered during the summer months. As the themers continue to grow their Christmas events with more twinkle lights, more themed live show productions and more street entertainment, its clear that the Christmas season is becoming as im- Scott Rutherford portant to the bottom line as Halloween. One park Season’s end operator told AT that their Christmas event actually saved their season on numerous occasions, as they The end of the season. In our culture, park. The midways have been cleaned this transitional period has many mean- and swept and are now quiet save for were able to make up a decifit in attendance due to ings. Summer bows to fall as Mother the rustle of dry leaves skittering where spring or summer rains. He commented that guests Nature dresses up once more in all eager feet once trod. A lonesome breeze may not always come out during the regular season her finery, her forests exploding in a moans through the spokes of the bare if the weather isn’t 100 percent perfect. That’s not the final burst of autumnal brilliance. Wood Ferris wheel while the soaring trestles case at Christmas, as guests expect to visit the park, smoke fills the cooling air as the farmer of the wooden roller coaster creak and works to bring in the harvest. And the Rutherford sway – a towering giant settling in for a knowing it is cold, and after the sun sets there will general public’s attention quickly turns long winters sleep. be a nip in the air. It’s all part of the season. away from thrill rides and waterslides, moving So all of you who logged those long hot Now we are also seeing parks continue to find with determination instead toward the upcom- summer days and frantic nights making sure ways to open more rides to entertain guests. We are ing holidays and all the rush and madness they others had a good time, it’s your turn. Put up encompass. your feet, light a fire and sit back and relax. This also seeing holiday-themed films in the park’s 3D But for most amusement park and carnival is a time of reflection and chance to enjoy the and 4D theaters. folk (at least those not running year-round oper- silence. Instead of watching the sky with a wary No doubt about it, the parks that take on the ations in Florida and Southern California), this eye in case of rain, it’s time to let Mother Nature challenge of producing a Christmas event are adding is their opportunity to finally take a deep breath have her way. Let the north winds blow and the and a much-needed – and deserved – break. snow to fly and pile up on window sills and a ‘glow’ or a ‘special charm’ to their park not found Their season is finally at an end. The lights park benches and ticket booths. during its normal operating season. To that, we say have been turned off; buildings are locked down Now is the time to gather with family and job well done, and keep up the great work! and secured; and the many rides have been friends, and to give thanks for the bounty yield- lovingly disassembled and placed into storage, ed by the past year. And finally, it’s time to doze Happy Holidays to all. waiting until they will once more be called upon. and to dream of the coming spring when we get —Gary Slade Though maintenance and office workers quietly to do it all over again. go about their business in enclosed places most Happy Holidays and best of luck in the guests will never see, for the most part every- coming New Year. thing is winding down. A hush drifts over the AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF ADDRESS, SUBSCRIPTION, POSTMASTER INFORMATION Mailing Address Deliveries Gary Slade Sammy Piccola P.O. Box 5427 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd, Suite 203 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Accounting / Circulation Arlington, Texas 76011 (817) 460-7220 AWARD WINNER [email protected] Arlington, Texas 76005-5427 1997 • 1999 • 2000 • 2002 • 2004 • • [email protected] Member of: EDITORIAL (817) 460-7220 Fax (817) 265-NEWS (6397) IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA, ADVERTISING NEWSPAPER PRODUCTION NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA and IALEI Tim Baldwin Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $50 in the USA; $70 elsewhere; 2 years Sue Nichols Stacey Childress / Affinity Communications [email protected] (28 issues) $90/$130; 3 years (42 issues) $130/$190. Send check or money order (615) 662-0252 Graphic Design (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, P.O. Box 238 Scott Rutherford [email protected] Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt. Please allow up to six weeks Pegram, Tenn. 37143 [email protected] for your subscription request to be processed and the first issue mailed. [email protected] Terry Lind / TLCreative Design Pam Sherborne Website Design & Maintenance Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement (615) 221-5149 Beth Jenkins [email protected] Today Inc., P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Presort Standard Postage (Permit [email protected] (615) 794-7288 No. 2069) pre-paid at Fort Worth, Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper and its 2040 Belmont Circle John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. related Web sites are copyrighted and trademarked by Amusement Today 2009, with Bubba Flint Franklin, Tenn. 37069 Daily E-mail Newsletter all rights reserved. [email protected] [email protected] Cartoonist [email protected] POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Contributors: Andrew Mellor, B. Derek Shaw, Janice Witherow Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. December 2009 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 Favorite amusement park ride Three things I always carry in my purse are … I am definitely a traditionalist when it comes to rides. I Only three? My purse is much like my garage. Top three can’t help but get a kick out of the historic brass ring car- …cell phone, ipod and camera. ousels like the one at the Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Favorite reality TV show Compiled by Janice Witherow Biggest challenge facing our industry Oh so many, how can I pick a favorite? Okay, right now, At this moment, I would have to say the economy. People Survivor. Wendy Crain are really uneasy right now, and we have to really push San Diego Coaster Company to ensure that our guests can forget about their worries On my lunch hour, I typically spend time … when they visit our parks. Talking about TV shows and recent exploits with the gang. For Wendy Crain, a career in the The thing I like most about the amusement park season is … amusement industry came as quite The hustle and bustle, much like Christmas in the sum- It’s December! When it comes to Christmas trees … a surprise. With a background that mer. It’s great to be crazy-busy and see your park full of white or colored lights? includes being a shift manager for a fast happy people. Lots and lots of colored lights. food chain, an assistant director for a pre-school and a job at a resort hotel, In one word, my garage is … Favorite holiday tradition Wendy has found her home at the San A DISASTER! Santa hiding presents around the house for the kids to Diego Coaster Company for nearly the Crain find. last 20 years and is a perfect fit. Her Favorite sports team infectious personality, sincerity and I would have to say NBA’s Phoenix Suns, but only by If I didn’t live in California, I would live in … easygoing spirit make a great impression. A native of marriage. Phoenix … all of our family lives there. Arizona, Wendy is enjoying life in San Diego and adores her two young grandchildren. Dream car Proudest moment Since we’re dreaming, let’s go with an Aston Martin, any My son joining the Navy. Title model will do. General Manager. My Web obsession is … To me, this is so overrated Checking out other parks websites. There’s such a variety Number of years with San Diego Coaster Company Keeping up with the “Joneses.” out there and it’s fun to see what everyone is doing in 19 wonderful years and counting. their parks. My superstition is … Best thing about the industry When you make a wish before blowing out your birth- If I was marooned on a desert island, the one thing I I really enjoy the people, industry and guests alike. When day candles. You have to blow them all out at once and would absolutely have to have with me would be … you’re surrounded by people who are happy in general you can’t tell anyone your wish or it will not come true. My husband of course! Who else would do all the fishing it’s difficult not to appreciate that.