Image by Bern@t via Flickr
Dollywood’s Splash Country win IAAPA waterpark award
Dollywood’s Splash Country won the Must-See Waterpark Award on Monday, Nov. 16, at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo 2009 in Las Vegas.
The program recognizes outstanding waterparks around the world that provide visitors with a unique and memorable experience, top-notch guest service, operations, and safety.
“IAAPA’s Must-See Waterpark Award truly is an honor for our entire Dollywood’s Splash Country team and all of Herschend Family Entertainment, which is dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind guest experience in a wholesome family setting,” Dollywood’s Splash Country Vice President and General Manager Gene Scherrer said.
Three Attractions Industry Pioneers Inducted into Hall of Fame at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009
Today, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) inducted Ricardo Castillo, Frederic Thompson, and Elmer “Skip” Dundy into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Each year, IAAPA honors leaders who have made lasting contributions to the global attractions industry. The award was presented Tuesday, Nov. 17 during the Kickoff Event for IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“From the early development of Coney Island in the United States, to the pioneering efforts to create a unique and viable theme park model in a third world country, the Hall of Fame Class of 2009 colorfully personify the amazing pioneering visionaries of our industry,” said Tim O’Brien, VP Communications for Ripley Entertainment Inc. and chairman of the IAAPA Hall of Fame and Archives Committee. “We are quite proud to welcome them into this prestigious Hall of Fame!”
Now that it has the land it needs, the city is turning to the sea for its Coney Island rebirth.
Aiming to make the new Coney a year-round destination, the city yesterday announced it is seeking a firm to study bringing commuter ferry service back to Coney Island. The study would concentrate on three possible sites for a pier: West Eighth Street — near the New York Aquarium — where an amusement pier for the old Dreamland Park once stood; the existing Steeplechase Pier at KeySpan Park; and at Coney Island Creek.
The city last week announced a $95.6 million deal to buy 6.9 acres of boardwalk real estate to eventually build a spectacular new amusement park. The Post reported last year that many Coney Islanders want the ferry review to concentrate on a new Dreamland pier that would also include amusements, but the study is solely focused on ferry service.
Disney wishes big upon a new star
The Walt Disney Co.’s newest princess doesn’t arrive in movie theaters until next month, but she is already easy to find at Walt Disney World.
Theme-park guests can meet Princess Tiana and watch her perform in a musical riverboat show. They can buy Tiana dolls, undergo Tiana makeovers, and eat Tiana’s Magical Kisses – bite-size, white-chocolate-covered graham crackers. They can even get vouchers for a child’s ticket to Tiana’s movie.
The in-park promotional blitz, extensive even by Disney standards, is part of a companywide push to pump up "The Princess and the Frog," the animated film that is one of Disney’s most important movies in years.
IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament Raises $45,000 for Give Kids The World
Attractions industry professionals raised $45,000 for Give Kids The Worl (GKTW) today at the seventh annual IAAPA International Charity Golf Tournament. The tournament was near-capacity at Angel Park Golf Club [www.angelpark.com] in Henderson, Nevada, and allowed participants to network, socialize, and enjoy a round of golf to benefit GKTW, a charity organization that creates dreamlike experiences for children with life-threatening illnesses. The event was the first of many during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009, which runs from Nov. 16 – 20.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is pleased to announce the return of its winter celebration, Holiday in the Park, featuring yuletide cheer and excitement through January 3. Guests will have the opportunity to experience the park transformed into a winter wonderland with the best in live entertainment, tasty holiday treats, and excitement for the whole family – all while surrounded by tens of thousands of colorful lights. With the return of favorites such as The Majesty of Christmas and the Frosty Chutes Snow Hill, there is no doubt Six Flags Fiesta Texas is the premier destination for holiday entertainment.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas offers the best award-winning live entertainment in the U.S. with the return of the season’s most popular show, the Majesty of Christmas. The story of the Nativity is brought to life with a manger including live animals, angels flying through the heavenly skies and the unforgettable vocal performances of Mary and Joseph. Guests may enjoy the Majesty of Christmas in the Zaragoza Theatre for a nominal fee (in addition to park admission).
Kings Island asks for help to protest the new tax
Kings Island has sent out a news letter to their staff and passholders protesting the proposed new tax (3%) on park admission and on parking fees (5%). They claim that councilman Tony Bradburn is trying to rush approval for this through before anyone knows the difference, with a final council vote expected to take place now on November 23rd, which would put the new taxes in place for the 2010 season. Voice your opinions on the matter and attend the meeting if your local to the area at the Mason City Building located at 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 7pm.
Chip Cleary to Chair IAAPA Board of Directors for 2010
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) today announced Chip Cleary, senior vice president of operations at Splish Splash/Palace Entertainment/Parques Reuinidos, was officially elected IAAPA chair of the board for 2010.
A veteran of the industry, Cleary has managed attractions ranging from amusement parks to waterparks for more than 30 years. He has served as vice president of Adventureland Amusement Park in Farmingdale, New York, United States, where he oversaw the rebuilding and operation of the park, and in 1990, he supervised the construction of Splish Splash Waterpark in Long Island, New York, United States, and acted as the park’s president until 1999. Cleary and his partners sold the park to Palace Entertainment in 1999, when Cleary joined the company as vice president of the waterpark division. Palace Entertainment was purchased by Parques Reunidos and Cleary was named senior vice president to oversee 10 waterparks and three theme parks in the United States.
Space Mountain rehab illustrates differing approaches of Disney World, Disneyland
After a seven-month makeover, Walt Disney World is about to formally reopen Space Mountain, its iconic indoor roller coaster.
Crews have installed video games in the waiting area of the 34-year-old Magic Kingdom attraction, recalibrated its tracks to make the ride smoother and quieter, and darkened the interior to make it more difficult to anticipate sudden turns and sharp drops.
But the re-launched attraction, now in the midst of a preliminary “soft opening,” is also notable for what it doesn’t include — an entirely new track, next-generation ride vehicles with on-board audio speakers, or other features that were added to the Disneyland version of Space Mountain during a roughly two-year rehab completed in 2005.
Free Gift for Military Families
Arlie Adams is getting a jump start on her holiday baking, hoping her chocolate chip cookies impress Santa Claus. "I’ll know Christmas morning if I have something under the tree!" she chuckles.
Santa is Adams’ boss at Santa’s Workshop on the slopes of Whiteface Mountain in the Adirondacks. What’s often called "the nation’s first theme park" is celebrating its 60th year, and not much has changed since 1949. Even the actual "North Pole" here is still frozen as it always has been. But Santa’s Workshop is offering a first this weekend: free admission for military personnel and their families.
Matt Stanley, the operations manager of Santa’s Workshop, says, "I’m hoping anyone who can take advantage will."
IAAPA Presents 2009 Souvenir Awards
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) presented its 2009 Souvenir Awards during IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 today. The awards honor excellence in merchandising by recognizing the most creative and innovative items offered at an IAAPA member attractions during the 2009 season.
IAAPA’s Merchandising Committee judges selected winners on the basis of creativity, memory, impact, and theme, and in the categories of Best Hat, Best T-Shirt, Best Toy, Best Keychain, Best Gift, Best Drinkware, Best Visual—Overall Store Design, and Best Visual—Feature, Focal Display, or Window.
Lola Staar shop to shine again on Coney Island boardwalk
Lola’s back in town.
Lola Staar, the offbeat Coney Island boutique and gift shop that got the boot from the Boardwalk, may be coming back, owner Dianna Carlin told the Daily News.
After Mayor Bloomberg announced a $95.6 million deal to buy 6.9 acres of land from developer Joe Sitt, Carlin sent off an e-mail to Borough President Marty Markowitz and Coney Island Development Corp. President Lynn Kelly begging for her old store back.
Fort Smith To Take Over Park Operations
Board members are expected to take on managing a downtown Fort Smith amusement area.
The owner of the Park at West End has asked the city to take over operations of its ferris wheel and merry-go-round.
On Tuesday night, city leaders plan to draft a lease agreement that should be signed next month.
IAAPA Presents 2009 Brass Ring Awards to Recognize Excellence in Attractions Industry Marketing
Winners of the Brass Ring Awards were announced today at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009, taking place Nov. 16 – 20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The awards honor originality, creativity, and excellence in marketing, advertising, and public relations in the attractions industry. Award recipients consist of amusement parks, waterparks, ecological parks, resorts, leisure centers, museums, zoos, and aquariums from Austria, Canada, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States.
New exhibit opens at Virginia Aquarium
It’s a project that’s been in the works for nearly a decade and under construction for the last three years, but Tuesday it became a reality as the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach opened the curtain on its newest exhibit, "The Restless Planet."
It features four habitats from around the world – a Malaysian peat swamp, the Sahara Desert, the Red Sea and the Flores Islands – habitats that, millions of years ago, could be found in Virginia.
In the exotic Malaysian habitat, the Exhibit Curator pointed visitors to a rare sight.
York officials discuss future of York Beach land
The future development of York Beach came under the microscope earlier this month as town department heads gathered to discuss how to plan for an estimated 200 acres between the beach and Route 1.
Part of the land currently is home to York’s Wild Kingdom, which Massachusetts developer Oscar Plotkin formerly had under option.
The land is in the town’s "growth area," east of Interstate 95.
South Carolina Theme Park Welcomes New Coaster
The Southeast’s tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster is expected in spring 2010 at Carowinds theme park. The $23-million, racing themed roller coaster will be named the Intimidator in honor of NASCAR’s most beloved driver, Dale Earnhardt, "The Intimidator." It will be the single largest capital improvement project in Carowinds’ 37-year history. Guests will be put in the driver seat for a wild ride that begins with a 211-foot drop at 74 degrees. The 23-story-tall ride will speed through the park in excess of 75 m.p.h. The Charlotte-area park is located on the South Carolina-North Carolina border. The roller coaster is on the South Carolina side of the line.
Sebastian County Mulls New Water Park
Residents from all of Sebastian County can voice their opinions on a proposed water park.
County officials are considering Ben Geren Park for its location.
Residents can hear the options being presented by the County Parks Department and give feedback and suggestions at Tuesday night’s public meeting.
We’ve rounded up festive events in Texas and its neighboring states to help you plan holiday excursions.
How do you like to celebrate? Looking at twinkling lights? Some of the light displays listed here are described in millions of lights, not just thousands. Music? Take your pick from traditional, classical, Cajun, cowboy, American Indian and German.
Etheredge case in need of new lead attorney
Thomas Etheredge’s trial on securities fraud charges is set for Jan. 19, but the status of the Wild West World founder’s lead defense attorney is in doubt.
Etheredge’s attorney, Steve Joseph, said Monday he’s looking for an attorney to take over the lead role in the case as he battles health issues that require a lessened workload.
Original plans called for Chris McHugh, an attorney with Joseph and Hollander, to assume the lead counsel role with Joseph assisting.
TN state fair’s closing brings regret of Nashville leaders
Metro Council members expressed a mixture of regret and understanding Tuesday over Mayor Karl Dean’s decision to shut down the century-old Tennessee State Fair and the equally historic racetrack at the city-owned fairgrounds.
The council committee that keeps an eye on the fairgrounds heard a presentation from the facility’s management a day after Dean gave other tenants, like the flea market and Christmas Village, an additional six months to find new locations. The mayor wants to redevelop the fairgrounds after concluding that the fair and racetrack are no longer financially viable, but he said the other long-standing events should have until the end of 2010 to relocate. Dean had originally said the city would take control of the fairgrounds on June 30.
Plans for presidential center thrill Bushes
Designs for former president George W. Bush’s library and policy institute will be unveiled today in Dallas, highlighting a brick-and-limestone affair to be capped by a lantern-shaped roof that will glow at night.
The complex, which will include the 43rd president’s archives and a museum, will be built along the eastern edge of Southern Methodist University, the alma mater of former first lady Laura Bush. She will appear with architect Robert A.M. Stern at a Dallas news conference today to discuss the designs.
Size Matters: Big Media Coverage For The World’s Biggest Cruise Ship – Oasis of the Seas
Before Royal Caribbean’s new “Oasis of the Seas” begins its first voyage on December 1, it will already have drawn more pre-inaugural media attention than any cruise ship in modern history. To begin with, WABC’s top-rated “Good Morning America” show will be doing a live national broadcast onboard the Oasis from 7 am to 9 am on Friday, November 20. Then, there are special preview segments on Travel Channel and just about every major newspaper and travel magazine in the U.S. is doing a feature article about this magnificent ship.
What’s the big attraction? Well, to begin with, at 225,000 tons, “Oasis of the Seas” is, by far, the largest cruise ship ever built. Longer than New York City’s famed Chrysler Building, Oasis is SO big that it has “neighborhoods” such as Central Park, Royal Promenade and the Boardwalk. Like a city at sea, each neighborhood has its own unique “personality” along with numerous attractions that everyone onboard can enjoy, such as the huge AquaTheater, an amusement park, an ice-skating rink and countless other innovations that you would never expect to find on a cruise ship. Together, the neighborhoods also contain a total of 2,700 staterooms (including two-story loft suites) that will accommodate the 5,400 passengers that Oasis will indulge each week on 7-night Eastern Caribbean and 7-night Western Caribbean cruises round-trip from Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), Florida.
Economic water is fine for McMinnville water-park project
Apparently, the Evergreen Water Park planned for McMinnville is ready to make a splash in the local construction market. Hoffman Construction, the design-build contractor for the project, has issued a call for sub-bids for work related to construction of the 60,000-square-foot, one-story building that will house the water park.
Word about the water park first surfaced this past spring. That was right about the time McMinville residents voted to bring 30 acres of land inside the city’s boundaries so the folks behind the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum could build the water park and an 80- to 90-room lodge on the property.
Project developers in July even flew in a 747 that they planned to incorporate in the water park design.
Evergreen Water Park Bid Package No. 5 Sub-Bid (all other work)
This project consists of new construction of an approximately 60,000-square-foot, one-story building at 3850 Three Mile Lane in McMinnville. The building is a slab on grade with concrete tilt-panel walls, aluminum curtain walls and single-ply roofing system. The project includes the construction of the building shell and interior build-out, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.
A wave pool, a play pool with vortex, waterplay structures, three tube slides, and one body slide will be part of the construction. The project also features a 747 aircraft on the roof from which multiple waterslides will emerge.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Lo-Q announces proximity marketing now available on Q-bot virtual queuing wireless devices
Lo-Q announces proximity marketing now available on Q-bot virtual queuing wireless devices.
Lo-Q plc, the leading supplier of virtual electronic queuing systems to theme parks, has announced the availability of proximity marketing the latest marketing initiative on its Q-bot virtual queuing system. Proximity marketing on a Q-bot enables theme parks to send free, text promotional messages to visitors within specific areas of the park on their hand held Q-bot.
The Q-bot allows visitors to make reservations for their favourite rides from anywhere within the theme park and then places them in a virtual queue. Instead of standing in line visitors are free to enjoy the rest of the grounds, other attractions, shops or restaurants until it is their time to ride.
Chessington World of Adventures unveils plans for new land
Sketches of an ambitious new kingdom have been unveiled by Chessington World of Adventures.
The new land, called Wild Asia, features the Kobra, a new spinning disc ride and promises to be the Leatherhead Road theme park’s most ambitious venture yet.
Ticket prices for Universal Studios theme park start from S$32
Visitors are one step closer to visiting Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park opening at Sentosa’s Resorts World, now that ticket prices have been revealed.
Sale of tickets should not be too far on the horizon, with Resorts World Sentosa announcing on Wednesday its one-day, two-day and express pass ticket prices that range from S$32 to S$118 to access all attractions.
"We have pegged ticket prices for Universal Studios Singapore at an incredible value compared to major theme parks worldwide," said Shirly Chen, Vice President (Sales Development), Resorts World Sentosa.
Will Ferrari World Win the Coaster Race?
When it opens next year, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, will be among the first of a number of high-profile theme parks planned for the UAE. (Many United Arab Emirates park projects are in limbo or have fizzled amid the world’s economic tailspin.) Among its 20-plus attractions, the hybrid Epcot-type pavilion/Six Flags-type amusement park/corporate hospitality center will feature the F1 Coaster (tentative name), which the park claims will be able to reach 150 mph–yikes!–and lay claim to the world’s fastest coaster crown. But, officials from the park have also stated that they may operate the coaster at slower speeds.
UK’s winter wonderland opens for Christmas
The air is crisp, the stars are shining bright, and the howl of huskies echo in the distance. An elf leads us through an enchanted, snow-covered forest, past a herd of reindeer and a Sami herdswoman. As we enter Santa’s grotto, my two-year-old son is in awe at his first meeting with Father Christmas, whilst we parents are whisked back to the wonderment of childhood.
No, this isn’t an adventure north of the Arctic Circle, but a lost corner of southeast England that has been transformed into Santa’s very own winter wonderland thanks to a Nordic makeover by the team behind the Harry Potter movies.
Now in its third winter, LaplandUK is the country’s leading winter theme park, and the best attempt around to bring the magic of Santa’s homeland to Blighty.
BRC Imagination Arts, the leader in the design, creation, and production of innovative and immersive educational, entertainment, and brand experiences, has been chosen as the experience design firm for several new global visitor attractions, including two major pavilions for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai: The U.S.A. Pavilion and the Information and Communications Pavilion, sponsored by China Mobile and China Telecom.
Now celebrating its 28(th) year, BRC Imagination Arts continues to delight clients and visitors alike with its award-winning design and production for some of the most recognizable brands, corporations, cultural and regional institutions around the globe.
Gravel company fined for dumping at Cotswold Water Park
A gravel company which deposited waste soils illegally at the Cotswold Water Park site in Gloucestershire has today been fined £10,000. The company director was also given a 12 month conditional discharge.
Moreton C Cullimore (Gravels) Limited, and its company director, Roger Neville Cullimore, pleaded guilty to charges of depositing waste without a waste management licence or exemption certificate.
The company was also ordered to pay £5,500 prosecution costs to the Environment Agency.
Kent to get World’s first vintage amusement park
Dreamland amusement park, slated to be the ‘latest’ tourist attraction, is going to be one of the world’s first vintage amusement park. Rides from various other parks are going to be salvaged and reconstructed at this unique amusement park. One of the main attractions of the park will be Britain’s oldest wooden roller coaster. It is also said to also be the fourth oldest in the world.
Dreamland was originally built as a seaside resort in the 1920s. It drew a large number of visitors until most of its major rides were dismantled in the 1990s and the resort shut down entirely by 2003. In 2005, the resort was sold for a reported twenty million pounds to Margate Town Centre Regeneration Company. Many locals were not very pleased and they started a save dreamland campaign. They initially put forth the suggestion that Dreamland be converted to a vintage amusement park.
The Prince’s Regeneration Trust has taken over the control of the group and petitioned the government for extra funding. The government currently okayed the plans and issued funding worth 3.7 million pounds which happened to be a grant from the Sea Change fund.
After more than a year in the making; after pumping in 750,000 litres of water; and after introducing more than 7,000 aquatic creatures from all over the world, Bristol’s new Blue Reef Aquarium is about to open its doors.
The £4 million attraction, which has taken over the former Wildwalk/Imax building in Millennium Square, will welcome its first paying visitors on Friday.
As builders are busily putting the finishing touches to the attraction and staff are introducing fish to their new tanks, general manager Susie Unsworth agrees to give me a sneak preview of the site.
New Report Just Published Theme Parks – A Worldwide Market Review
As the theme parks market recovers poise in coming years, the growing popularity of mass entertainment and the tendency of families to spend a large portion of their discretionary free time on outdoor fun, will continue to drive growth. Future growth will stand enthused by the numerous advancements made in entertainment technologies such as real life simulations, virtual reality, and high quality visual imagery, among others. Examples of innovative simulations include intergalactic space races, runaway sports cars in the Italian Alps, river rafting in New Zealand, and aquariums with acrylic tunnel concepts involving underwater rides with a scuba diver’s view. The concept of indoor theme parks combined with retail shopping centers is also emerging. Examples of this type of theme parks include Mall of America located in Minneapolis USA, Lotte World in South Korea, and West Edmonton Mall in Canada.
These and other market data and trends are presented in "Theme Parks: A Worldwide Market Review" by BizAcumen LLC. Our reports are designed to be most comprehensive in geographic coverage and vertical market analyses.
Reaching Sunway Lagoon theme park, full of smiles and happiness, we went inside and stood in awe. “We are really here!” we all thought out aloud.
Spotting a roller coaster at the corner, we ran full speed to the changing rooms, changed, looked for a locker, threw everything inside, and went on all the rides.
The combination of our delirious happiness, colourful personalities and pure madness, guaranteed we had tonnes of fun.
Dubai: Glamour, excess and conspicuous consumption define Arabian metropolis
In less than a couple of decades, Dubai has managed to out-bling Vegas. Colour televisions were rare until the late 1970s, but now it boasts the tallest, longest, shiniest, biggest and newest of everything in a sprawling look-at-me metropolis.
The glass-and-steel city rising out of the desert beside the Persian Gulf has a way of inspiring superlatives. Even amid the global recession, from which Dubai has not been immune, barely a month goes by without yet another pronouncement of the grand opening of a mine’s-bigger-than-yours structure. It makes a sport out of imitating, but then outdoing, themes and ideas based on iconic structures in some of the world’s glitziest cities: Manhattan, Las Vegas, Disneyland, Hong Kong, and London.
In Dubai’s wildly ambitious master plan is a theme park called Dubailand. It aims to be more than two times the size of Disney World and will include a London Eye-like wheel (albeit bigger), sports world, a Universal Studios and an underwater hotel, and three man-made islands. The audacious super-sized projects list goes on and on.
