TM www.AmusementToday.com Vol. 13, Issue 11 FEBRUARY 2010 $5.00 Manufacturers optimistic for good IISF trade show Mary Wade Burnside survived last year. Maybe Amusement Today they just barely survived, but the sky didn’t fall in. I think Bob’s Space Racers will people are more relaxed than be taking five mobile game a year ago. There was all this trailers to the International EXHIBITOR LISTING ..PAGE 26 gloom and doom throughout Independent Showmen’s the country, not just in the Foundation Trade Show and TV and the radio. We’re going industry but everything. But Extravaganva, which will be forward with a new attitude I think a lot of shows made it held Feb. 9-13 in Gibsonton, for 2010.’ I have park people through.” Fla. traveling and carnival people The Sterling, Colo.-based If that seems optimistic for traveling. We sold a new piece, company anticipates having a product that often is the last a double-decker water game, two rides at the show, a mon- one a carnival patron will pay the Water Whopper.” ster truck kiddie ride and a money to play, then opera- Cassata admits that if Cobra conversion. Last year, tions manager Tony Cassata is customers are playing games, Wisdom had three rides at happy to own up to that. then things must look up. Gibtown. “We did IAAPA (the “We’re at the bottom end “We’re looking forward International Assn. of of the totem pole,” he said. to seeing the customers we Amusement Parks and “People pay to get into the haven’t seen in a while,” Attractions) in Las Vegas this park or the carnival, they pay Wisdom said. year, and believe it or not, for rides and they pay for Although the economy AT FILE PHOTO we had one of the biggest food. Games are the last item was a universal problem last Most manufacturers exhibiting at this year’s IISF trade shows we’ve ever had,” said on the list. But good operators year, many carnivals encoun- show, Feb. 9-13, believe business will be good and that Cassata of the Daytona Beach, are coming up with different tered weather that some say the economy is showing signs of improving. Fla. amusement game man- merchandise to entice people was worse than the financial ufacturer. “We were caught to play games, or they’re com- woes the country encoun- optimistic that it was a fluky lot of product,” including the off guard, which was a good ing up with different bargains. tered. year as far as the weather.” alien sipper, cowboy boots thing. So our activity over the If a game is $3, they are charg- “The weather was the Lisa Dominique, owner and longneck yards. holidays has been very busy.” ing two for $5 or whatever it real problem,” Wisdom said. of Miami-based Sippers By “I think a lot of stayca- While the economy might takes to get the person up to “Pretty much the people I talk- Design, also said that the tioners are going to more of be a factor that will prompt the counter.” ed to that got good weather economy can work in favor of the carnivals and festivals, so some potential customers to Victor Wisdom, presi- overall said they were as good the industry to which she pro- I think it’s going to pick up,” keep their wallets in their dent of Wisdom Rides, also or better than the year before. vides plastic drinkware and Dominique said. “Instead of pockets, Cassata believes there expressed optimism for The problem was, others had stadium cups with prints on people traveling and going are others who are seeing a this year’s extravaganza at months of tragic weather. That them. out of state, I think fairs and brighter future. Gibtown. was a serious problem for “I’m hoping it’s going festivals are going to be doing “To tell you the truth, a lot “I would hope to do bet- people throughout the year. to get better this year,” said a lot better.” of people are saying, ‘We’re ter this year,” he said. “We But they did make it through. Dominique, who will have Carlo Guglielmi, chief tired of listening to this on the always hope for that. People I think a lot of people are more a booth at Gibtown with “a 4See IISF, page 3 INTERNATIONAL AMUSEMENTPARKS WATERPARKS BUSINESS MIDWAY/CLASSIFIEDS SEE PAGES 5-6 SEE PAGES 7-14 SEE PAGES 15-18 SEE PAGES 19-22 SEE PAGES 23-31 FREE Dated material.Dated RUSH! NEWSPAPER PLEASE POSTMASTER: 29, 2010 January Mailed Friday, PERMIT # 2069 # PERMIT FT. WORTH TX WORTH FT. PAID NEWS EVERY DAY US POSTAGE US 2,000 SUBSCRIBERS AND COUNTING! PRSRT STD PRSRT Never miss out on the lastest news! Sign up at www.AmusementToday.com 2 AMUSEMENT TODAY February 2010 TM Gary Slade Founder and Publisher [email protected] Cypress Gardens is saved, again The up and down roller coaster like ride that Cypress Gardens has been on the last several years appears to be heading into a non-stop full speed run, thanks to U.K.-based Merlin Entertainments. The well respected theme park company announced that it had sealed the deal to purchased the Winter Haven, Fla. theme park and plans to rebrand the facility into Legoland Florida for the 2011 season. Cypress Gardens first opened on Jan. 2, 1936 featuring 8,000 varieties of plants from more than 90 different countries. It was founded by Dick Pope. All three elements of the property will remain, the theme park, the waterpark and most importantly the historic botanical gardens will give the Florida Legoland a uniqueness that none of the other Legoland parks can ever Scott Rutherford duplicate. A new season is at hand While we are sure that Merlin will treat the gardens with respect and manicure them into an even greater beauty The second decade of the 21st cen- ing the cold, snow and torrential rains, than they have been before, Amusement Today urges Merlin tury is upon us, and with it comes plenty several parks and traveling shows in the to look at two other pieces of Florida history that must be of challenges. Chief among these is the southern half of the lower 48 are trying kept in the new designs for the property. weather, which has long been a concern to prepare their facilities and equipment Cypress Gardens was built on the gardens. It was and determining factor for outdoor enter- for a rapidly approaching season. also built on the water ski show and the famous pyramid of tainment operations. Old Man Winter Fortunately, northern parks like skies it became known for. The water ski show first has been having his way these past Kennywood and Knoebels still have a few months with much of the northern few months to get things in order before debuted in 1943 in front of a crowd of military soldiers. Rutherford hemisphere. Arctic blasts wreaked havoc they open their 2010 attractions, but Soon after, Cypress Gardens was named the “Water Ski throughout much of Europe, closing landmarks several southern facilities are racing against the Capital of the World.” Up until the last few years, the park such as the Eiffel Tower and disrupting inter- clock to wrap it up. Among the parks introduc- also held the record for the world’s longest continuously national air traffic and commerce for extended ing major multi-million dollar roller coasters are running entertainment show. If the gardens are the heart of periods. Carowinds and Kings Dominion. Construction Cypress Gardens, then the ski show is it’s soul and must be Here in North America, it was much the crews battled the worst of nature’s wrath in an included for future generations, young and old, to enjoy. same story. One of the most brutal winters in effort to complete their towering rides in record Another historical attraction that must be saved is the memory swept down from Canada, freezing time. Both Intimidator steel coasters (B&M and Starliner wooden roller coaster. Operating for more than all in its path and hampering everything from Intamin-supplied respectively) are now com- 41 years at the Miracle Strip Amusement Park in Panama transportation to agriculture. Icicles dangling plete and should begin testing by the time you City, Fla. this classic, but simple out-and-back, was moved from Florida’s citrus trees along with gloves and read this in preparation for their much antici- heavy coats at Walt Disney World perfectly illus- pated late March/early April debuts. to Cypress Gardens by then owner Kent Buescher where it trated these strange climatic events. Soon enough – hopefully – winter will thrilled guests once again. Florida is not known as a wood- Despite the sustained adverse weather, the finally bow to spring, and before we know it en roller coaster state, but the Starliner is a woodie worthy affected amusement and theme parks had no summer will be here. And that’s when the real of keeping and one that MANY age groups enjoy riding. recourse but to push on with the knowledge that fun begins again. springtime and its warmer weather will eventu- Here’s to wishing everyone best of luck and —Gary Slade ally arrive. a spectacular 2010 season! While many areas of the U.S. are still brav- AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF ADDRESS, SUBSCRIPTION, POSTMASTER INFORMATION Mailing Address Deliveries Gary Slade Sammy Piccola P.O. Box 5427 2012 E. 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