SPOTLIGHT: 2015 Park Preview Pages 6-9 TM & ©2015 Amusement Today, Inc. May 2015 | Vol. 19 • Issue 2 www.amusementtoday.com Europa-Park celebrates four decades Carowinds unveils of success with new attractions AT: Tim Baldwin B&M Fury 325 [email protected] RUST, Germany — Call it a birthday, call it an anniversa- ry, but Europa-Park has made it a celebration. On March 28, Roland Mack, the Mack family, the mayor (burgermeister) of Rust and special guests opened the park with a ribbon-cutting amid a flurry of showering confetti, balloons, and songs of celebration. The ceremony included a welcome from co- founder Roland Mack that reflected not only on how the park had changed over four decades, but the European community as well. Relation- ships across borders back in 1975 were a far cry from what they are today. It is that in- vigorated sense of European connectivity that has helped Germany’s largest theme park find astounding success. The mayor presented the park with a special gift for its 40th: a framed site permit drawing from when the park opened in The Dream Dome showcases the beauty of Europe in a relax- 1975. Appearing in flash mob ing high-definition film experience for Europa-Park guests. style, costumed entertainers, COURTESY EUROPA-PARK as well as staff from the vari- ous departments within the ment. “light” year blossomed into park and the resort got the New attractions dozens of construction proj- crowd clapping and energized For what was supposed ects. Jakob Wahl, director of for the opening. The official to be a “light” year in terms communications, reports, “We ribbon cutting sent the crowds of investments, following the had days with more than 2,000 running forward. Germany’s enormous expenditures of contract workers on site dur- largest theme park was open 2014, the park still had lots of ing the off-season to prepare for the 2015 season. new things to offer, as well as all the new additions.” Amusement Today was on enhancements for guest satis- New attractions for hand to experience the excite- faction. Quite surprisingly, the 4See EUROPA, page 4 4See Story – page 26 Dated material. material. Dated RUSH! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: 24, 2015 April Mailed Friday, PLEASE PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT (817) 460-7220 FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY May 2015 NEWSTALK EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint Tidbits While in Las Vegas recently to attend Amusement Expo 2015 and the Interna- tional Pizza Expo, I had some free evening time to catch up with a few of the major new attractions that have opened in Sin City. First up was the VooDoo Zip Line atop Slade the Rio on W. Flamingo Road. It spans the resort’s two hotel towers and, with the launch pad 510 feet above the ground, the view is unbe- lievable and the thrill factor is revved to the max. This Soar- ing Eagle ride, which seats two passengers side by side with a very secure but minimal restraint system, is one that creator Stan Checketts is most proud of, and he should be: it’s a Vegas must-do. Also on the don’t-miss list are the high-capacity zip lines of SlotZilla, an attraction that has bumped up the amusement factor at the Fremont Street Experience big time. Four lines guide harnessed riders in the traditional vertical zip line position from a height of 74 feet along an 850-foot course. This scenic trip above the historic street is a mere warm-up, though, to the four “flight lines” at the 114-foot level, which send riders Superman-style much INDUSTRY OPINION: Scott Rutherford, [email protected] faster along a 1,700-foot course just beneath the flashy Escapism Fremont Street canopy. It’s truly exhilarating, and I recom- Working on issues of Amusement expansion taking place there. Corporate mend night rides for all the zip line locations. Today often requires me to travel to sponsorship in the form of theme park I was impressed by the attention paid to the safety of various locations, which I always enjoy. tickets, accommodations and other zip line riders and employees alike. These attractions have This month, though, it was geographi- amenities is what makes it all come well-trained attendants and sophisticated computer sys- cally challenging. Since moving to Key together. tems multiple-checking every aspect of the harnessing and West for a two-year assignment with my Granted, the amusement industry “other” job (FedEx), I’ve not been as is all about escapism. It exists solely to braking, just like roller coasters and other thrill rides do. close to the parks on the mainland as provide people with a chance to forget Congratulations to VooDoo Zip Line and the Fremont I’m accustomed. And escaping to and Rutherford their daily cares for a little while, to Street Experience for delivering such well-executed and from this tiny island can be an arduous perhaps face their fears and live life on memorable outside-the-box fun. process. But it was worth it. the edge. During my visit, I saw that GKTW • Along with covering Carowinds’ new Fury also offers escapism but on a far more intimate Quick reminder that all amusement industry profes- 325 (trust me, it’s a stellar new roller coaster), level. As I toured the Village, I realized that sionals are invited to attend this year's 2015 Golden Ticket one of my other tasks was to check out the living on the edge means something totally dif- major improvements taking place at Give Kids ferent for the children there. This place allows Awards in the Big Apple on Sept. 11 & 12. Our host parks the World in Kissimmee, Florida. Several years them to forget the illnesses that brought them are Victorian Gardens in Central Park and Luna Park at the ago, I tackled a similar story there, and I recall there, to let go and simply embrace being a kid birthplace of American amusements — Coney Island! Look how deeply it affected me on an emotional again who want nothing more than to have fun. for complete details coming soon at: GoldenTicketAwards. level. I witnessed first-hand how selfless volun- Witnessing them escape their pain and suffer- com. Plan on attending and plan on plenty of quality net- teers work to bring a bit of happiness into the ing is a beautiful thing. working time in what is sure to be our biggest event ever! lives of children for whom life has dealt a less- GKTW Founder Henri Landwirth escaped See you soon! than-desireable hand. his past and should be proud of what his dream During this most recent visit to Give Kids has become. His legacy will live on in the form the World Village, I was quite impressed by the wishes made real. Call (817) 460-7220 for advertising, circulation or editorial inquiries Amusement Today is an independent, privately- Founder, Publisher and Editor Editorial Print Issue & Extra Extra owned trade newspaper published 14 times Gary Slade • (817) 460-7220 x3 Tim Baldwin Desktop Edition Production per year by Amusement Today Inc., P.O. Box [email protected] [email protected] John Robinson • (513) 256-1441 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Print issues are [email protected] $50.00 per year and are mailed Presort Standard Postage (permit No. 2069) Pre-Paid Fort Worth, Accounting & Classified Dean Lamannna • (310) 795-2734 Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper, Sammy Piccola • (817) 460-7220 x1 [email protected] Website Maintenance and its related web sites, are Copyrighted and [email protected] Stacey Childress Trademarked 2015 by Amusement Today Inc., Scott Rutherford • (704) 497-4557 [email protected] all right reserved. Advertising [email protected] Sue Nichols • (615) 662-0252 Association Memberships Address: P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas [email protected] Pam Sherborne • (615) 308-3310 AIMS International, IAAPA, IISF, IRT/iROC, 76005-5427, USA [email protected] NAARSO, NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, PAPA, Deliveries: 2012 E. Randol Mill Road #203, PACE, TTIA, WWA Arlington, Texas 76011, USA Special Projects & Editorial Phone: (817) 460-7220 Jeffrey Seifert • (817) 460-7220 x2 Monthly Contributors Industry Affiliated Charities Fax: (817) 265-NEWS (6397) [email protected] Dan Feicht, Bubba Flint, Andrew Mellor, Give Kids the World Village, Web Sites: www.AmusementToday.com, Richard Munch, B. Derek Shaw, Morgan's Wonderland, www.GoldenTicketAwards.com Janice Witherow National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives May 2015 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 THIS MONTH MINUTE IN HISTORY Presented by the National Rollercoaster Museum DRILL COMPILED: Richard Munch 2 COMPILED: Janice Witherow Jeff Novotny, Larson International MAY For Jeff Novotny, work- •1907: Golden City Park, in Canarsie (Brooklyn), New York ing in the amusement officially opened for its maiden season on May 30 to an esti- industry isn’t a job, it is mated crowd of 25,000 people. The eight-acre resort was the a passion. As president brainchild of partners William Warner and Harry G. Traver, and owner of Larson and would eventually grow to 36 acres under several different International, Inc., manu- owners. Built on Jamaica Bay, in an area known primarily for facturer of such rides as its excellent fishing and fish dinners, it was within sight of an- drop towers, interactive other local park, Bergen Beach. The opening was delayed a flying rides and the clas- week, and even after the gates were opened, workmen were sic Tilt-A-Whirl, Jeff is still finishing the buildings. Designed to compete with Coney also a great ambassador Island, the big holiday crowd who arrived mainly by trolley, saw for the business serving the area outside the park transformed with hotels, restaurants as a board member and and other attractions.