INSIDE: Remembering the first lady of Wonderland Park, Alethea Roads SEE PAGE 41 TM & ©2016 Amusement Today, Inc. September 2016 | Vol. 20 • Issue 6.1 www.amusementtoday.com Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort on the upswing under Apex Parks Group 4SEE PAGE 26 RMC Lightning Rod blazes new terrain at Dollywood AT: B. Derek Shaw Pete Owens, director of com- [email protected] munications for the Dollywood Companies. He continued, “In PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. Lightning Rod we achieved two — After numerous setbacks, — first wooden launch coaster Lightning Rod appears to have and fastest wooden coaster.” opened at Dollywood. Most When asked why this type of recently, park officials have roller coaster was selected, Ow- described the wooden launch ens said, “Thematically, a wood coaster's status as being in “tech- coaster made the most sense, nical ride rehearsal” (an op- and the design best utilized the erational mode that lets riders unique terrain we have in the know that they will have an op- best way. The launch and the col- portunity to ride, however the lection of elements in this ride ride might close to allow adjust- design were all factors.” ment for optimal operation). Rocky Mountain Construc- Dollywood’s planning cycle tion was the manufacturer of typically starts about two years choice due to its track record of The control system por- before a new ride attraction innovative designs. “RMC’s pat- tion of the new attraction was Lightning Rod riders are opens. Jukebox Junction was the ented track technology and the handled by Irvine Ondrey Engi- blasted up a 200-foot-tall location in the park that was se- capability it adds to the design neering. “We had been in touch hill before racing along lected. Amusement Today asked elements, were key factors,” Ow- with Rocky Mountain Construc- 3,800 feet of hillside track why that particular location: ens said. “If you add Alan Schil- tion since IAAPA the year before at speeds of up to 75 mph. “We were looking for a ride that ke’s knowledge of our park (he on their need of a control system COURTESY DOLLYWOOD; would fit the 1950s theme of the designed Tennessee Tornado for engineering firm. And given the BOBBY NAGY area, provide a family thrill expe- Arrow) and his understanding of size of the project, and the desire rience and would bring another what we wanted to provide our 4See DOLLYWOOD, page 4 superlative to the park,” said customer, RMC was the choice.” REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! www.GoldenTicketAwards.com Dated material. material. Dated RUSH! NEWSPAPER POSTMASTER: PLEASE 19, 2016 August Mailed Friday, PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID US POSTAGE US PRSRT STD PRSRT 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY September 2016 NEWSTALK MAILBAG FLINT’S VIEW: Bubba Flint Polin issues open letter to industry friends This note has one purpose: to deliver our endless thanks to you. Most days, our team works on creating experiences that we hope make YOU — and your guests — smile. But, over the last few days, it was YOU working to make US smile. And, for that, we are incredibly grateful. Your outpouring of concern and compassion regarding our safety during the mid-July uprising events in Turkey gave us great hope and optimism for the future — not only for our country but for the world as a whole. As a company, we've always believed strongly in peace, democracy and human rights. We are thankful to report that all members of the Polin team are safe. As we face the future, your kindhearted messages will remind us of the many wonderful people who share our vision for a future of peace and hopefulness. You give us strength to remain focused on our goal of bringing joy to people's lives and delivering posi- tive, happy experiences. We are so proud to have developed such a large number of strong friendships with good people in countries all over the world. We know that no matter what our different cul- tures or locales, we are all connected through our hopes, our be- liefs for a better, peaceful world and single-minded hearts. We remain committed to our promise of offering the best products and service to you all — our thousands of past partners, current partners and future partners all over the world — and we will be working even harder to build a better world for everyone INDUSTRY OPINION: Andrew Mellor, [email protected] with whatever means we have. Again, thank you for your messages, e-mails and generous ges- Thanks for the bathtub memories tures of kindness. We are so grateful to have you in our world. Change is a fact of life and we all face of thousands of visitors who have fond Kind regards, it in many different ways as the years go by. memories of enjoying trips in its bob- The Polin Team, Kocaeli Dilovasi, Turkey It’s something the theme park and attrac- bing bathtubs. • tions industry witnesses constantly, too, as First opened in 1990 and manufac- Mark Moore's ASTM contributions remembered each year parks add new attractions, rede- tured by Mack Rides, Bubbleworks has Gary, velop whole areas or renew and revitalize since completed over 15 million circuits I just read my hard copy of AT and enjoyed reading your edito- different facilities. and welcomed over 32 million people rial on Mark Moore’s passing and his industry contributions. I got to A surefire fact in the industry is that Mellor aboard its bathtub-themed boats, im- know Mark at ASTM meetings and his task group, which was formed rides come and go. Some last for many, pressive figures in anyone’s book. to bring about training standards in this industry. I hope his hard work many years, indeed in some cases for decades, But after 26 years it’s probably time to call and dedication will continue by someone who is equally as passion- while others, for whatever reason, have shorter it a day. Of course, something new and I’m sure ate about amusement ride training as Mark was and new ASTM stan- life spans in their original homes before being re- equally as enjoyable will replace it in the near fu- dard on this subject get consensus approval by the members. moved and maybe reinstalled elsewhere. What- ture. As with any such ride, and particularly those Thank you, ever the reasons behind an attraction’s removal, that have been operating for so long and have Robert W. Johnson, President it is often a sad time for many guests who have become somewhat iconic, it’s a shame but it’s a Outdoor Amusement Business Association, Inc. ridden a ride over the years, perhaps when they fact of life that things eventually need updating • were younger with their parents and now as par- and, in this industry for certain, replacing or at MAILBAG POLICY ents themselves with their own kids. least renewing in some way (Bubbleworks was in A case in point that recently came to the fore fact revamped 10 years ago when a new sponsor Amusement Today welcomes letters from our readers. Please is a ride at Chessington World of Adventures in got involved with the ride). send letter to: Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas the U.K. The park announced that the popular So on behalf of all those millions of guests 76005-5427. Letter may also be emailed to: gslade@amusement- Bubbleworks dark water ride, originally called who have ridden this fun ride over the years, today.com. Please include your name, address and current email Professor Burp’s Bubbleworks, is to close at the thanks for the memories and here’s looking for- address so we can contact you for a clarification if needed. Letters end of this season, much to the disappointment ward to whatever will replace it. may be condensed and edited for style, content and usage. Call (817) 460-7220 for advertising, circulation or editorial inquiries Amusement Today is an independent, privately- Founder, Publisher and Editor Social Media & Editorial Print Issue & Extra Extra owned trade newspaper published 14 times Gary Slade • (817) 460-7220 x3 Dean Lamanna 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 per year and are mailed Presort Standard Postage (permit No. 2069) Pre-Paid Fort Worth, Accounting & Classified Editorial Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper, Sammy Piccola • (817) 460-7220 x1 Tim Baldwin Website Maintenance and its related websites, are Copyrighted and [email protected] [email protected] Stacey Childress Trademarked 2016 by Amusement Today Inc., [email protected] all rights reserved. Advertising B. Derek Shaw • (717) 650-8330 Sue Nichols • (615) 477-5432 [email protected] Association Memberships Address: P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas [email protected] AIMS International, IAAPA, IISF, IRT/iROC, 76005-5427, USA Pam Sherborne • (615) 308-3310 NAARSO, NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, PAPA, Deliveries: 2012 E. Randol Mill Road #203, [email protected] 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, Janice Witherow Morgan's Wonderland, www.GoldenTicketAwards.com National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives September 2016 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3 THIS MONTH MINUTE IN HISTORY Presented by the National Rollercoaster Museum DRILL COMPILED: Richard Munch 2 COMPILED: Janice Witherow Timo Klaus, KumbaK – The Amusement Engineers SEPTEMBER For Timo Klaus, the transition from working in the wind turbine •1900: An article in the Washington Post on September 30 high- industry to being employed in the lighted the U.S.