ParkWorld - 04 APR 2013

Sunway Lagoon
KidZania Bangkok
Plaswijckpark
+ more!
Introducing the iDR
interactive dark ride
Triotech partners with Zamperla
APRIL 2013
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APRIL
2013
THIS MONTHS COVER SHOT: Triotech, the Canadian company
known for its market-leading XD motion based theatres, is to bring its
know-how to a new product sector as it partners with Zamperla to realise
the iDR interactive dark ride. See page 20 for more details.
www.trio-tech.com
4 Park Word
Editors comment
7 Front Gate
Setting the agenda for the month ahead
8 Park Hoppin
Paul Ruben tacks trackage
9 Park Bloggin
Dennis Speigel on the Middle East
8-18 Park News
Your monthly update
20 Cover Story
23-25 Q-Lines
Sunway Lagoon
26-27 Huis in de Heuvel
Park preview
28-29 Angry Birds Activity Parks
Attraction profile
31-32 KidZania
Attraction profile
34-35 Big O Show
Multimedia profile
36 Ride Guide
Products and services for parks and attractions
38 Show Guide
Calendar
41 Web Guide
Online resources for the amusement industry
Sunway Lagoon
KidZania Bangkok
Plaswijckpark
+ more!
Introducing the iDR
interactive dark ride
APRIL 2013
P10
P26
P36
P28
I have to be frank and say at the

beginning we were quite difficult to deal
with! But then there became a point
where we both knew that we were
producing something special
Plaswickparks Ot Ciolina discusses the Dutch parks
relationship with Jora Vision during the design of Huis in
de Heuvel, P26
Fusing cutting edge technology with

impressive technical infrastructure, the
Big-O Show played to daily audiences
of up to 10,000 during last summers
Expo, making it the events most
popular feature
Park World profiles a multimedia spectacular in
South Korea, P34
parkworld-online.com @ParkWorldMag
ParkWord ParkWord
Editor Owen Ralph (+44 161 438 2934)
parkworld@btopenworld.com
North American Editor Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012)
parkw@rochester.rr.com
Contributors this issue Dennis Speigel, Eugene Sloan
Sales Manager Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Publishing Director Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk
Data Development Manager Alex Wetton
awetton@datateam.co.uk
Managing Director Parvez Kayani
p.kayani@datateam.co.uk
Publication Secretary Jennifer York (+44 1622 699109)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Head Office Datateam Business Media Ltd
London Road, Maidstone,
Kent ME16 8LY, UK
Tel: +44 1622 687031
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Member of:
APRIL 2013
ISSN 1462-4796
Copyright 2013. All materials in this
publication remain the copyright of Datateam
Business Media and no part of it may be
reproduced without the written permission of
the proprietors. A request to insert an
advertisement is deemed to be an
acceptance of Datateam Business Media
Ltds conditions of trading, copies of which
are available on request.
April 2013
As the season kicks off at theme parks and attractions
around the world, we turn the spotlight this issue on some
very interesting new play experiences; the type I wish they had when I was a kid.
Since it was founded in Mexico City back in 1999 (I wasnt a kid then either),
KidZania has developed into a global attraction brand, with 12 outlets in nine
countries and many more on the way, not to mention several copycat versions.
The KidZania concept is simple children get to role-play at their chosen career,
whether that be doctor, dentist, firefighter or journalist. Its what the little ones
have always done, only here they get to do it in their own kid-sized city. I
recommend they opt for the medical profession; theres no money in
journalism. The latest KidZania has just opened in Bangkok, see page 31.
At Plaswijckpark in Rotterdam (page 26), children can indulge in another
favourite pastime not doing what they are told. The Huis in de Heuvel is the
house of fictional grandparents Oma and Opa Van der Plas, where young
visitors are encouraged to bounce on the beds, slide down the stairs and
make a mess in the bathroom. But hang on, if youre actually allowed to do
this stuff, doesnt that make it less fun?
Over in the States, Floridas Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the
latest venue to install an attraction featuring the intellectual property Angry
Birds (1.7 billion downloads and counting). Angry Birds Space Encounter
features a variety of interactive games and experiences, and follows the
opening last summer of the Angry Birds Land themed area at Srknniemi in
Finland and several smaller Angry Birds Activity Park playgrounds in China,
Finland and England. More details on page 28.
All these attractions are engaging experiences that are sure to resonate
with young guests in their respective markets. Yet heres some enlightening
news for parents, and indeed the operators that have just spent millions of
dollars/euros/baht installing the experiences described above. According to a
recent British survey, children would rather enjoy simple pleasures like playing
in the garden or climbing a tree than visiting a theme park. Read the
evidence at bit.ly/N81kaY. You could say it puts the cat among the pigeons,
or angry birds as I like to call them.
Owen Ralph Editor
Annual subscription (11 issues): UK 67, overseas 161
+44 1825 765 250 datateam@capsule-group.com
Front Gate
7
parkworld-online.com
APRIL 2013
2
4
2
6
3
2
3
8 5
0
2
8
2
0
4
1
Figures
of Fun
Figures
of Fun
5
number of individual parks now
accessible with pay-one-price ticket at
Sunway Lagoon, Malaysia (see page 23)
30
million Danish Kroner ($5.2m/4m)
budget for renovation of Tivolis
(Copenhagen) Rutschebanen scenic
coaster
50
years anniversary season being
celebrated in 2013 at Dutch Wonderland,
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
300
per cent increase in profits at Sea World
Parks & Entertainment. The US park
operator is being prepared for a public
offering by the Blackstone Group
5,000
number of workers or cast members
expected to be recruited at Shanghai
Disney Resort by the time it opens in
2015
BigQuestion BigQuestion
What do you expect will be the biggest challenge this season at your
park, and how will you overcome it?
Nick Thompson, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, UK: Fuel prices remain an
issue, as does VAT, but we dont have any competition this year from the Olympics or
a major summer football tournament, so I think we have a chance. The weather last
season was the worst for 100 years, so hopefully that cant be as bad either. The big
challenge will be to counter the depression created by people talking down the
country every time your turn on the television, however with our new Wallace &
Gromit Thrill-O-Matic ride I am confident we can put a smile on everyones face.
Eric Gilbert, The Great Escape, USA: In this economy we are all challenged
to stay top of mind with families as they decide where to spend their leisure dollars.
Six Flags parks are a place where people can escape and spend quality time with
their families. We need to provide something new every year and deliver
tremendous value for money. We will meet this challenge in 2013 with the
introduction Screamin Eagles interactive flying ride. We also have a new all-season
dining pass and a membership programme with low monthly installments.
Ot Ciolina, Plaswijckpark, The Netherlands: We need to level out
demand from the customers over the season, and we hope to do this with our
new Huis in de Heuvel (House of the Hill) attraction, which children can enjoy
whatever the weather. Unless the whole nation falls apart, I think we will be OK.
Another challenge we be the staff. We should provide a really good customer
experience but, to be frank, some of our staff can be quite hostile towards the
customers. We have some people who have been here 35 years and when you
ask them why they do something a certain way they reply its because that's the
way they have always done it.
Matt Eckert, Holiday World & Splashin Safari, USA: Our biggest
challenge each year is in finding new ways to improve our level of guest experience.
We dont ever want to say good enough and rest on our laurels. We study our
cornerstones: safety, service, friendliness and cleanliness and set company-wide and
departmental goals to help us exceed the previous seasons results. Im confident
we can continue to improve.
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Casino Pier, the oceanfront New
Jersey amusement park whose
boardwalk and pier was famously
dismantled by Hurricane Sandy
last October remember those
striking photos of a rollercoaster
stranded at sea? has hired JRA
(Jack Rouse Associates) to
provide masterplanning and
associated services for a two-
phase rebuilding effort.
Originally opened in 1960,
Casino Pier housed 38 rides in addition to a rooftop miniature golf course,
concessions stands and boardwalk games. JRA has worked closely with the
Casino Pier owners on the proposed masterplan, which calls for the
boardwalk and pier to retain those attractions that were salvaged after the
hurricane, including a Disk O ride, Skyscraper ride, Pirates Hideaway
coaster, chair lift and several treasured kiddie rides.
Casino Pier is also using this opportunity to update its ride mix with new
family attractions and to refresh its food, beverage and retail offer. The first
phase, comprising the boardwalk and piers lower deck, is scheduled to
open on 24 May in time for the Memorial Day weekend, with the phase II
upper deck due for completion a year later.
JRA enjoys a long relationship with the various New Jersey amusement
facilities, having completed previous projects at Keansburg Amusement
Park, Moreys Piers in Wildwood and Jenkinson's in Point Pleasant.
Weve always enjoyed working on projects along the Jersey Shore, says
the Cincinnati firms senior project designer, Jeff Lichtenberg. The property
owners are passionate people that care a great deal about the
entertainment business they have devoted their lives to. Generations have
lived, worked in and built these places.
Casino Pier is excited about working with JRA in the rebuilding of the
pier, adds owner Vincent Storino. Eventually Casino Pier is going to be
bigger and better! Thats what we do on the Jersey Shore. We fight and we
come back.
casinopierNJ.com
Parks and a-track-tions
The Great Escape in Queensbury, New York, is home to a
rollercoaster of my youth, the Comet. It first opened in 1948 at
Crystal Beach on the Canadian shore of Lake Erie outside Buffalo,
New York. It remained until the park closed in 1989, then reopened
five years later at The Great Escape. This will be its 60th year of
operation, and I have ridden it every year it has operated, not that I'm
compulsive.
When I talk to people who have ridden the Comet or seek out and
enjoy riding other coasters, I find that most also enjoyed playing with
toy trains as a child. I know I did. Many who ride coasters also share
this fascination with trackage. We like to watch the train manoeuvre
along the twists and turns of the layout, whether it be a toy train or a
coaster train.
Travelling across the nation and around the world for Park World, I
also seek out model train exhibits to satisfy my fascination with
trackage. While visiting The Great
Escape I learned that just a few miles
away, in scenic Pottersville, New York,
there was a model train venue,
Railroads on Parade. Right there in
the middle of the Adirondack
Mountains. I couldnt resist.
This amazing 5,000 sq ft (465 sq
m) railroad is housed in a
reproduction of an art deco train
station. It features more than 50
electronically controlled trains
operating on five separate layouts. There are 16ft-high (5m) cloud-
filled backdrops, dozens of animations and automations, 2,500ft of
track, hundreds of vehicles, large and small bridges, and thousands
of trees.
You can explore the Station Exhibit seen for over 20 years in New
York City, and marvel at the 100ft-long Hell Gate Bridge Exhibit
including a 16ft-long model of that bridge. There's the 1939
Worlds Fair Exhibit, a NYC subway, a Prince Edward Island Exhibit,
a Manhattan skyline of the 1940s, a drive-in theatre showing a real
movie, a travelling carnival and many, many, many tiny people.
The creators of Railroads on Parade are Broadway set designer
Clarke Dunham and his artist/writer wife, Barbara, who along with
their band of artists, craftspeople, modellers, painters, carpenter and
electricians, made this a reality. As a set designer, Dunham knows
how to use forced perspective. He employs three different gauges of
model trains, large ones in the foreground, smallest ones in the back,
to give added depth to the exhibits. Prepare to be amazed; I was.
I was further amazed when Barbara offered me a chance to inspect
the layout from beneath and inside. I scrambled onto a dolly like
those used to work underneath automobiles, and scooted beneath
the track and wires. Then I popped up in the middle of the layout, as
you see here. I felt like Gulliver in Lilliput. Everything was so neat and
tidy, and the detail was unmatched by any other train exhibit Id ever
seen. There were even tiny lobsters on the dock in the Prince Edward
Islands. Lights dimmed at night and neon signs appeared. There were
even ice skating dogs. This was the best train exhibit ever! [Try visiting
Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg Ed]
Best of all, I discovered that Elvis Presley was fond of toy trains.
Thats why he sang Love Me Tender.
8
Park News
APRIL 2013
ParkHoppin ParkHoppin
with Paul Ruben
New era in
New Jersey
Casino Pier gets another
roll of the dice
Casino Pier the clean-up continues
That infamous rollercoaster at sea
Park News
9
APRIL 2013
Worlds
Largest
Swimming
Lesson
get involved!
On Tuesday 18 June, visitors to
aquatic facilities around the world
will unite as they strive to set a
world record. Now in its fourth
yeasr, the Worlds Largest
Swimming Lesson (WLSL) attempt
will take place at 3pm GMT (4pm
CET/11am ET/ 8am PT).
Team WLSL holds the current
Guinness World Record for the
largest simultaneous swimming
lesson, with 24,873 participants
representing 15 different countries
across five continents. The 2012
WLSL event
generated more
than 29 million
media
impressions,
spreading the
events
important
message.
Tragically,
drowning remains the leading
cause of unintended injury-related
death for children ages one to five,
and the second leading cause of
accidental death for those under
14. Formal swimming lessons can
reduce the risk of drowning by
88% among children under five,
yet many do not receive formal
swimming or water safety training.
A wide range of waterparks and
aquatic facilities, from Disneys
Typhoon Lagoon near Orlando to
locations in Brazil, Dubai and the
UK, are participating in the event
to help send the message that
swimming lessons save lives.
The World Waterpark
Association is one of around 20
organisations promoting this
laudable initiative. The greater
the participation, the more families
were able to reach with this
crucial message, says WWA
president Rick Root.
To find a participating venue
near you or to put your
waterpark or attraction forward as
an official host location visit
www.wlsl.org.
Its time has come. Ten years ago was too soon. The
Middle East while wanting, hoping and trying just
wasnt ready for the true launch of major theme
parks. Immaturity, poor economy, lack of population
all of these factors played a role in the false start
that parks were experiencing in the region.
Dubai was the location that spawned a feeding
frenzy for theme park development. Here, in the
United Arab Emirates (UAE), there was a race to be
the first to develop parks as other major parts of the
world had done already. Until recently, no one did.
The race was bizarre.
At International Theme Park Services (ITPS) we
watched the many announcements and proposed
developments with great scepticism. Over a dozen
themed attractions were being proposed in Dubai
alone. At that time, we queried, How could a
city/country with a population of just 2 million
support more than one major theme park? It was a
crazy time. Large sums of money were being paid to
park organisations to obtain their intellectual property
rights. Companies like Warner Bros, Six Flags, Sea
World, Universal, Dreamworks, Marvel and Merlin
were all being encouraged to build or licence parks
in Dubai.
What happened two years later was that all of
these projects were halted, cancelled or abandoned
altogether. Reality set in as the global economic crisis
dealt the crowning blow. For those of us who follow
the industry closely, it was an inevitability that was
greatly anticipated.
Seven to 10 years later, a more realistic approach
to theme park development is being forged in the
Middle East. Projects are being revisited in Dubai, Al
Ain, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Qatar. Each of these
emirates and countries is looking at and studying
carefully the types of parks that can realistically be
built and prosper in their respective markets.
Ferrari World is the classic Middle Eastern theme
park case study for all to observe. A 200,000 square
metre indoor attraction located on Yas Island in Abu
Dhabi (the UAE capital), it was and still is the largest
indoor theme park in the world. Located inside a
beautiful building, it opened to disappointing reviews
by many visitors. Comments like boring, lame
and disappointing plagued the project. Attendance
was enormously below projections. After several
attempts to re-energise Ferrari World including
various management changes it is rumoured that
the parent company, Aldar, is planning a major
expansion to boost attendance. An adjacent
waterpark, Yas Waterworld, has already opened.
Hopefully these developments will reignite interest in
Ferrari World and the wider Yas Island development.
Other Middle Eastern countries are also
planning parks. This time, it seems there is a more
realistic approach to design, planning and costing.
While this area of the world is incredibly wealthy
(as we all know), proper planning must be utilised
when considering the development of a theme
park. Parks must be planned based on local
population and tourism, and must have supporting
infrastructure. It has been our experience at ITPS
that government support for projects in this region
is being provided at the highest level. In an
emerging region for theme park development,
history has shown that success breeds success.
When properly planned, built and operated, theme
parks will work anywhere in the world. Proper sizing
at every level is key. Parks must be built based on
what the market will support during the first five
years of operation.
The Middle East had a rough start 10 years ago
when everyone was in the frenzied race to out build
one another. I believe the people in this region have
learned a lot, are smart, and have been educated as
to the correct way to develop parks in the future. I
believe this time they will get it right.
From 23 to 25 April, the Dubai World Trade
Centre will host DEAL, the premier theme park trade
show in the Middle East. It will be interesting to see
what new ideas are presented. During this and the
supporting conference programme, I bet that there
will be a major dose of reality exhibited by both
developers and exhibitors.
The time is right for the Middle East to get it right.
Now that the region has got over those inevitable
growing pains, we will see what has been learned
and how it can move forward. Inshallah, it will.
Dennis Speigel is president of International Theme
Park Services (interthemepark.com), a leading US-
based attraction management/consulting firm. A past
IAAPA president, Dennis boasts over five decades of
industry experience after beginning his career as a
seasonal employee at Cincinnati amusement parks
Coney Island and Kings Island.
Park Bloggin Park Bloggin
by Dennis Speigel
The Middle East its time has come
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi the classic Middle Eastern
theme park case study
10 APRIL 2013
Park News
All six Legoland parks
worldwide will debut a new
4D movie this season
centred around Legos
Legends of Chima
brand, which
encompasses toys, a
television series, video games
and smartphone apps. The 12-minute Lego Chima
4D Movie Xperience, complete with high-impact
special effects, promises to immerse audiences in
a world where tribes of animal warriors compete in
epic battles for Chi, a mystical energy source of
limitless power and destruction.
The 4D production will play inside 3D theatres
at Legoland Billund in Denmark, Lego
Deutschland, Legoland Windsor near London,
Legoland Florida, Legoland Caifornia and
Legoland Malaysia. It will also play at all 10
Legoland Discovery Centres worldwide, including
three new outlets in Toronto, Westchester (New
York) and Oberhausen (Germany).
Meanwhile at Legoland Florida, an entire corner
of the park will be given over to the Chima
franchise. Presented by Cartoon Network, which
will air The World of Chima in the United States
this summer, the new offering will include an
interactive boat ride by Mack called Quest for Chi
and the action-packed Speedorz Arena, where
guests can meet the Chima characters, watch the
new 4D movie and build their own Lego Speedorz.
Families will enter The World of Chima through a
fantasy-
themed stone and
moss covered entrance
which leads to the Lion Temple and Mount Cavora.
Adding the new area was an easy decision, says
Legoland Florida general manager Adrian Jones,
based on how well Lego Legends of Chima has
been received by children and those who are
young at heart around the world.
legoland-chima.com
Legoland
Discovery Center
Westchester
Merlin Entertainments has opened its first
Legoland-branded attraction in the state of
New York. The $12 million Legoland
Discovery Center Westchester is the fifth
indoor location of its kind in the United
States, geared towards children between the
ages of three and 10.
The 32,300 sq ft facility features a mix of
educational and interactive experiences
including hands-on play areas, a 4D cinema,
Lego master classes, Knights Quest
interactive dark ride (by Alterface, ETF and
P&P Projects) and Merlins Apprentice
(Zamperla Magic Bikes). In Miniland,
landmark locations and buildings throughout
Westchester County and New York City are
recreated from more than 1 million Lego
bricks.
Additional LDC outlets in the United States
are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort
Worth and Kansas City. In Canada a new
facility has just opened in Toronto.
Legends of Chima
New 4D film at Legoland
The World of Chima coming
soon to Legoland Florida
The USAs first Legoland Hotel officially opened
its doors on 5 April at Legoland California
Resort in Carlsbad.
The 250-room, three-storey property, which
follows a similar format to the Legoland Hotel
that opened last May at Legoland Windsor near
London, features themed rooms and suites
based around the popular Lego toy lines
Kingdom, Adventure and Pirate. Each room
contains at least eight Lego models and there
are 5,000 Lego mini figures lining the wall
behind the reception desk.
Throughout the entire property there are
more than three million Lego bricks. Interactive
features include an outdoor Castle Play area, a
talking and water-spraying dragon, a Lego play
pit in the reception area and a treasure hunt
inside the rooms where younger guests search
for clues to open a locked safe filled with Lego
treasure. The outdoor pool area gives guests a
place to cool off after a fun but tiring day at the
park. Swim-up movies are shown poolside
Friday and Saturday nights during peak season.
Legoland Hotel features a variety of healthy
and flavourful food options for the whole family.
Bricks Family Restaurant serves a breakfast and
dinner buffet with a station
designed specifically for
kids to reach. Minis
Lounge provides quick
snacks, while the Skyline
Caf features a Lego city
skyline with 35 scenes
including a woman
fighting a turkey that
came out of her oven,
a man swimming in his
apartment being
chased by a shark and
a woman holding a banana to try to entice a
monkey off her balcony. Quirky, huh?
The hotel was built as part of Legoland
operator Merlin Entertainments strategy to turn
its sites into multi-day destinations, and
following feedback that showed it took more
than one day to explore all the California resort
has to offer.
Legoland Hotel is the perfect complement
and extension to the experience guests enjoy
when they visit Legoland California, Sea Life
Aquarium and Legoland Water Park,
highlights hotel general manager Frank Idris.
Legoland California Hotel
12 APRIL 2013
Park News
Gorki Indoor Waterpark is a new aquatic facility
that opened late last year just outside the Russian
city of Ryazan, 120 miles south of Moscow. Part
of the wider Oka Gemchugina Family
Entertainment Resort, the undercover waterpark
designed and supplied by Polin Waterparks and
Pool Systems covers a 7,200 square-metre area
spread over two levels.
On the upper level, families with small children
can lounge in an artificial lake with mini slides,
fountains and showers, while down on the main
level its all action with extreme waterslides, two
pools, a solarium, leisure river, whirlpool and a
variety of other amusement rides.
Days before the waterparks official opening,
thermometers in the local region were measuring
highs of -18C. Pipes were bursting, schools
were closed and flights had been disrupted due to
the extreme weather. But inside the gleaming new
facility officials basked in balmy temperatures!
Polin, which now operates a Russian office in
Krasnador, installed a variety of slides. The most
extreme is a 30m-long kamikaze slide, with a
chicken exit available for those who have second
thoughts once they get to top. Also featured are a
Space Hole/Black Hole combination, Magic Hole,
Aquatube, double tubes and a tunnel slide.
The wave pool is popular with both children and
adults, while the Leisure River takes guests on a
floating journey through dark, magical caves and
tunnels. Kids attractions include smaller versions of
Polins classic body slides, tunnel sides and wide
slides, as well as themed octopus, frog, cobra,
turtle, rabbit and rainbow slides, not to mention
various showers and spray features.
Built by a public-private partnership. the new
waterpark can accommodate as many as 1,000
guests a day and is part of a programme to
encourage increased domestic tourism. Besides the
waterpark, the Oka Gemchugina complex also
includes a hotel spa and several restaurants. Other
new projects planned for the region over the next
two years include a fishing village, yacht club, a
complex of guest houses and a second hotel.
oksgem.ru
Gorki Indoor Waterpark
New venue spearheads Russian tourist development
Gorizont Aquapark adds
to mall offering
Another new Russian waterpark designed and installed by Polin will open in
May at the Horizon Megacenter mall in port city of Rostov-on-Don.
Gorizont Aquapark will feature some of the Turkish companys most
popular rides including a Windigo, Navigatour, Looping Rocket, Black
Hole, Magic Hole, Aquatube, KamiKaze, Tunnel Body Slide, two Twisters
and a Multislide mat racer. Each of these waterslides is constructed using
the companys Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) technology, which gives its
products a shiny, appealing interior and exterior that is especially
attractive when combined with Polins natural light and special pattern
effects.
Among the other facilities that Polin is incorporating into the facility are
spa pools, a three-level spa complex and a swimming pool for training,
water aerobics and games. Younger family members will be able to enjoy
a themed AquaTower playground, an octopus and a frog slide, giraffe
shower, mushroom and a dolphin fountain,.
Gorizont Aquapark will appear at
the Horizon Megacenter (the regions
largest mall) alongside a variety of
other entertainment amenities
including a family entertainment
centre, multiplex cinema, bowling
alley, swimming pool and fitness
centre. Owner NGO Gorizont LLC is
investing 1.393 billion rubles (US$45
million) into the all-season complex,
which will be able to accommodate
up to 1,800 people at a time. The
Don, you may be interested to learn,
is a major shipping lane connecting
southwestern Russia with the north.
Big investment
at SplashDown
Beach
SplashDown Beach Waterpark in Fishkill, New
York, is to add two new attractions including an
interactive Zamperla water ride and a ProSlide
mat racer as part of a $12 million expansion
for the 2013 season.
Operator Mega Funworks will open one of
the first Zamperla Water Mania rides in the
United States (a double version is planned at
Luna Park at Coney Island) as part of its Bob
the Builder Splash Works area. Dizzys Water
Whirler (pictured below) will accommodate up
to 24 guests in one of six-four seater spinning
tubs, with 30 interactive water elements adding
to the fun.
Close-by will be the new Arctic Plunge, a
multi-lane ProSlide Mat Racer including a 360
horizontal loop. Riders will be launched into a
head-to-head drag race to the bottom, flying
over vertical curve humps, experiencing
weightlessness, and gaining even more speed
before the smooth deceleration run-out.
This will be the largest single expansion at
SplashDown Beach since Shelley and Steve Turk
purchased the park in 2004.
splashdownbeach.com
14 APRIL 2013
Park News
Floridas Walt Disney World (WDW) is to embark on a multi-year
transformation of its Downtown Disney entertainment district, to become
known by the new name of Disney Springs.
The area, which comes alive each night after the four WDW theme parks
close, will feature roughly double (150) the current number of themed
restaurants and retail outlets. Drawing inspiration from Floridas waterfront
towns, Disney Springs will include four neighbourhoods interconnected by a
flowing spring. The Town Center will offer a sophisticated mix of shopping
and dining along with a promenade, The Landing will be a commercial
district with waterfront views, the Marketplace will be a family-friendly area
featuring Disney characters and an expanded World of Disney store, whilst the
West Side will be the entertainment hub.
Disney Springs will be a timeless, vibrant place where Walt Disney World
guests and local residents can relax, shop, dine and be entertained in an
imaginative setting where theyll instantly feel at home, says Tom Staggs,
chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. an estimated 1,200 construction
jobs and nearly 4,000 operational roles.
Construction has begun with new areas opening in phases. Disney Springs
is expected to be completed in 2016.
Disney Springs
Downtown Disney evolves
Rides and Fun
The Italian manufacturer Rides and Fun got its
2013 production schedule off to a flying start
with the delivery of an 8-arm (16 passenger)
Magic Bounce to an FEC in Mecca, Saudi
Arabia, a double Ranger (looping boat) to Iraq
and 16-seat Top Flip to an operator in Oman.
Further orders for the Middle East include Top
Sky and Surf (Miami) rides. Due to be
despatched soon to Asia will be a Twist & Sun
Revolution 360 and Twist Tower, meanwhile in
the company will deliver another Magic
Bounce. Learn more about the companys
attractions on Rides & Funs Twitter feed,
Facebook page and YouTube channel all
accessible via ridesandfun.com
Jules Verne at
Slagharen
The Dutch amusement park Slagharen is to
introduce a themed area featuring four new
rides. Jules Verne Adventureland will open in
May as part of the parks jubilee year
celebrations.
P&P Projects will be responsible for the
theming of the area and its attractions. The
new rides include the Netherlands first Twist
n Splash by Mack, called Expedition
Nautilus, Foggs Trouble (Rockin Tug) and
Magic Bikes by Zamperla and a driving
school attraction named Passepartout Explorer
using cars from the Italian manufacturer Sela.
Acquired last year by Parques Reunidos,
Slagharen is located in the north east of the
Netherlands near the border with Germany.
slagharen.com
Top Flip in Oman
Magic Bounce
in Mecca
Is this the
smallest ropes
course youve
ever seen?
After installing Europes tallest Sky Trail High
Ropes Course at the Quest family
entertainment centre at the Westfield Merry
Hill shopping centre near Birmingham (UK),
Innovative Leisure recently supplied its first Sky
Tykes junior ropes course to the same venue.
The 1-metre high, six-pole, triangular
course opened just before the February half-
term school holidays and has proved
extremely busy from the outset. Built by the US
company Ropes Courses Inc, the attraction is
suitable for children aged two upwards.
Sky Tykes gives young children the chance
to try out the Sky Trail experience but without
the extreme heights. Children are harnessed in
the usual way and once connected to the
overhead track, are handed back to the
accompanying parent who walks with them
through the course. Challenges along the way
include rope bridges, balance beams and lily
pad platforms.
innovativeleisure.co.uk
Tivoli 2013
An extra 600 square-metres of fun now awaits
guests at Tivoli in Copenhagen, which opened
its gates for the main 2013 season on 11
April. Three rides can now be enjoyed inside a
new area of the park inspired by the Danish
astronomer Tycho Brahe.
Leading the pack is Galaksen, a highly-
themed Zamperla Air Race featuring giant
eagle ride vehicles. Passengers experience
forces of up to 4G as they are whirled in a
propeller like motion on the end of arms that
circle the rides centre. The other two rides are
an 8-metre high Star Tower and the Little Pilot,
a classic Tivoli attraction with a new look. The
three attractions are set against a backdrop of
feature Renaissance-era Copenhagen houses,
stars and planets.
Whilst the new corner of the park is
accessible to everyone, particularly families
with children, elsewhere Tivoli has a very
exclusive new offering. Suite Louise at Nimb is
Denmark's most expensive hotel suite.
Measuring 240 sq m, it features a 60 sq m
private terrace overlooking the Tivoli gardens.
In honour of Tivoli's 170th birthday on 15
August, a firework display is promised every
Saturday night. Something else new for this
year is a large floating stage by the Tivoli
fountain.
Legoland
Deutschland
2013
Germanys Legoland Deutschland is the latest
Lego park to add an Egyptian-themed
interactive dark ride. Tempel X-Pedition is the
highlight of the new 6,000 square-metre Reich
der Pharaonen.
Using a ride system by Mack, it takes
passengers on a jeep-bound treasure hunt
through the chambers of ancient Egyptian
temple. Laser guns allow riders to shoot at
targets along the way.
Similar dark ride attractions, called Lost
Kingdom Adventure, already exist at Legoland
California, Florida and Malaysia, as well as
Laser Raiders at Legoland Windsor near
London. All four feature theming by Sally.
Also fresh for 2013 at Legoland
Deutschland is the Legends of Chima 4D
movie at Lego Studios and the a new 34-room
Ritterburg castle within the parks holiday
village. Each room, which accommodates up
to six people, is lavishly appointed with many
Lego models and separate parents and
childrens areas. In 2012 the number of
overnight stays at the park in Gnzburg,
Bavaria, increased 11%.
16 APRIL 2013
Park News
A breakfast address from Disneyland Paris
president Philippe Gas and a party at a museum
celebrating the amusement industry are promised
for visitors to this Septembers Euro Attractions
Show (EAS) in Paris.
Organiser IAAPA Europe has revealed that over
300 companies have already confirmed their
participation. In fact, exhibitor numbers are up
10% over the successful EAS last October in
Berlin, consolidating the events position as the
largest European trade show, conference and
meeting place for the theme park and attractions
industry.
Gas will be the keynote speaker at the
Leadership Breakfast on the second day of the
show, 19 September. Topics outlined so far for the
wider EAS education programme include
technology, storytelling, safety, in-park spending,
human resources and waterparks. A separate
programme of seminars and workshops on 20
September will focus on FECs and indoor play.
Ahead of the main event, Disneyland Paris will
host the three-day (15 to 17 September) IAAPA
Institute for Attraction Managers, as well as a
special Safety Summit on 17 September. Together
with Parc Astrix, the resort will also host a behind-
the-scenes tour for EAS attendees.
As always, there will be some great networking
opportunities during the week at EAS. The
Opening Reception is always a great night, but
this years fixture on 18 September should be a
real treat, taking place among the historic
carousels and other fairground artefacts at the
beautiful Muse des Arts Forains.
Euro Attractions Show 2013 takes place at Paris
Expo Porte de Versailles from Wednesday to Friday,
September 18 to 20.
iaapa.org/expos
Paris event to celebrate best of the
amusement industry
Galaskan (Air Race)
by Zamperla
Tempel X-pedition
It was so cold in much of Europe this spring that several parks were forced to
delay the start of their season, including the German venues Belantis and Fort
Fun, which had to clear large amounts of snow before it finally opened its gates
to the public on 4 April a week later than planned. For many of those park
that did open on time, the Easter weekend was relatively quiet thanks to the
single digit C temperatures. Its like spring had never sprung!
Connecticut's Quassy Amusement Park has announced that its
transformation of the former Saturation Station into a fully fledged waterpark
will be called Splash Away Bay.
Premier Rides has been chosen by Ocean Park to provide aftermarket ride
support via its Premier Service division. Premier will work with the Hong Kong
venue to incorporate new ride technology into some of its legacy attractions, as
well as upgrading controls and braking technologies to ensure the rides can
operate reliably and efficiently for many years to come.
Following the introduction last year of Despicable Me Minion Mayhemat
Universal Orlando, the 3D ultra high definition movie motion-simulator
adventure at Universal Florida will be repeated at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The attractions is set top open in 2014.
Theming and Animatronic Industries (TAA) has revealed that it is creating a
major part of the theming at the new Turkish theme park Vialand, Turkey. The
German company, with production facilities in Romania, is building a 25m-tall
Viking ship and 21m Viking warrior for the parks big Intamin water ride as well
as a dragon sculpture that will cover the tunnel that the boats travel through. In
addition TAA will create facades for Fun Zone Street, the Happy Farm and
arches for several other rides. Eight of the largest rides have been chosen for
express access using Lo-Qs virtual queuing system.
South London newspaper the Wimbledon Guardian ran a fishy-sounding story
recently about plans to turn Wimbledon Stadium site into a theme park called
Wombledonia. Dedicated to the litter-collecting rodents that were stars of
80s British kids TV, the 1 billion ($1.5bn/1.2bn) park would apparently be
funded by Oligarch Oil Ltd, whose spokesperson Apdilli Fay Soor was quoted
in the article. If that didnt sound suspect enough, there was also a comment
from Wyn Dup-Merchant and a rather crude artists impression. Published on
1 April, the story was of course an April fools joke. Read it yourself at
bit.ly/14hWi9O. Whilst the story failed to trick many online readers, it did fool,
er, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA),
which duly provided a link for member in its News Flash e-newsletter. Oops!
Though trading conditions were tough for many
of its existing operations in Europe, the opening
of seven new attractions in Asia Pacific, North
America and Northern Europe helped Merlin
Entertainments achieve record turnover and
attendance in 2012.
In announcing its financial results for the year
ending 29 December 2012, the worlds second-
largest visitor attraction revealed that its turnover
was 1.074 billion ($1.5.1.2m) with operating
profit 258 million (($392m/305m), an
increase of 16.1 and 16.5% respectively over
2011s figures. Like for like, excluding
businesses owned and opened before January
2011, growth was 0.5 and 1%.
We are particularly pleased to have
announced both record sales, which broke the 1
billion barrier for the first time, and a record
number of visitors 54 million, highlights Merlin
chief executive Nick Varney. In Northern Europe
our theme parks were hit by the wettest weather
on record through all of our key trading periods
while those in southern Europe felt the impact of
the continued euro zone crisis. In the UK our
attractions had to compete with the London
Olympics a 10 billion [$15bn/12bn], once
in a lifetime event that attracted more than 10
million visitors in the middle of our peak
season.
Merlin now operates almost 100 attractions
across four continents. New openings planned
for the next 12 months include Legoland
Discovery Centres in Toronto (Canada),
Westchester (New York) and Oberhausen
(Germany), a Sea Life aquarium in Manchester
(England), Madame Tussauds in Tokyo, and the
new Berlin Dungeon attraction in the German
capital.
The business continues to broaden its
international footprint, notes Varney, diversifying
irevenues and providing further exposure to faster
growing economies in Asia Pacific and North
America. All this means our iconic brands will
attract more visitors in more locations around the
hrough 2013 and we look forward to a
challenging but exciting year.
The company is now preparing for
a initial public offering (IPO)
by 2014 and has chosen
London as its preferred stock
market listing location.
18 APRIL 2013
Park News
Merlin breaks 1 billion turnover barrier
Kernels Kernels
Realm of the Lions
A taste of the Savannah has just come to central England. Realm of the
Lions is the latest animal feature to be incorporated into the four-mile
(6.5km) self-drive safari at West Midland Safari Park.
The exhibit has been fully landscaped to create the appearance of
savannah grassland and themed with boulders, plants and sculpted lion
head rockwork from which a waterfall cascades into a pool below.
Spanning almost seven-and-a-half acres, the exhibit will provide important
and essential enrichment for the parks pride of 13 African lions.
The exhibit, which cost 750,000 ($1.35m/880,000) to build, was
designed in-house, built under the watchful eye of creative designer David
Powner.
wmsp.co.uk
20 APRIL 2013
Supplier News
The two companies will collaborate on the Interactive
Dark Ride (iDR), a media-based game play attraction that
immerses players in a virtual world, while enjoying the
real life thrills and speed of a ride vehicle crafted
uniquely for the experience.
Bringing together companies with complementary
experience and know-how is exciting for the operators
but also for the whole industry, declares Triotech vice-
president of business development Gabi Salabi. On
one side you have Zamperlas tremendous heritage and
expertise in building innovative, reliable ride equipment.
On the other side, Triotechs competitive edge is its real
time, interactive technology and licence content. The
winners will be our customers.
Triotech feels the attractions will have broad market
appeal yet will be particularly suited to amusement
parks and other large leisure, tourist and entertainment
locations. Offering a rich multi-dimensional experience,
iDR will be different to more traditional dark rides by
emphasising group game play. The iDR offer has been
designed to be enjoyed by different age groups, with a
full family riding in one vehicle.
Operators will benefit from media content that is
changeable at the push of a button. Parks and
attractions will be able to provide different ride
adventures within the same day, week or season. This
variety offers incredible marketing potential for the
operator, encouraging repeatability from the guest.
The iDR system will allow destination and regional
theme parks, even large FECs, to offer an advanced
interactive dark ride experience, says Triotech CEO
Ernest Yale. The required investment is only a fraction of
the cost compared to major interactive rides of the past.
The specs speak for themselves: 500 to 800 persons per
hour within an approximately 700 square meter footprint.
Add on top of that industry leading interactivity and the
flexibility to continuously add and refresh content and you
have a great value proposition for the market. Our vision
is to install a network of Interactive Dark Rides across the
world.
Triotech has already confirmed two park projects
opening within the next 12 months. The upcoming
Hello Kitty park in Shanghai will be feature the iDR
system (the first of its kind in Asia) when it opens in
early 2014, while in Europe Tivoli Friheden in Denmark
will also offer the experience to its guests.
We are also in the process of upgrading an existing
traditional dark ride to our iDR attraction, adds Yale.
This is slated for opening to the public this coming
May. The initial response and feedback from the market
has been phenomenal and flattering. We are working
on some very exciting innovations. Stay tuned!
trio-tech.com
Triotech partners
with Zamperla
Interactive dark ride coming soon
Triotech, the Canadian
company known for its
market-leading XD motion
based theatres, is to bring its
know-how to a new product
sector as it partners with
Zamperla to realise a next
generation interactive dark
ride, the iDR
XD to iDR
Founded in 1999 by Ernest Yale,
Triotech has developed several
award-winning products,
installed at parks, FECs and
attractions in over 70 countries
worldwide.
The companys flagship
product, the XD Theater
(pictured), is a
multi-seat 6D motion simulator
ride, providing an intensely
thrilling and realistic experience.
It is also one of the highest
revenue generators in its sector.
Now, with its move into dark
rides in partnership with
Zamperla, Triotech is hoping its
got another hit on its hands with
the iDR system.
Our relentless drive to
innovate, to push, means never
sleeping on our laurels and of
course, strong continuous
investment in R&D, says Yale.
Triotech and its partners have
created one of the most
technologically advanced motion
actuator systems in the world and
maintains exclusive rights for its
deployment in the entertainment
industry. We are very excited
about our first two iDR park
projects for this coming year.
Triotech is a privately-held
company based in Canada, with
sales offices in Montreal, Texas,
as well as strategic partners in
Europe and Asia including Sega
Amusement Europe which
distributes Triotech's products as
far as the Middle East.
The iDR experience
an artists impression
Opened in April 1993 in
Petaling Jaya outside
Kuala Lumpur, Sunway
Lagoon is home to one of
Asias busiest waterparks.
Over the years the resort
has grown to encompass
an amusement park,
wildlife park, extreme park
and scream park in addition to hotel and
conference facilities entertaining a combined
annual attendance of 1.5 million guests. To
celebrate its 20th anniversary, Sunway Lagoon
has splashed out on two new attractions
Vuvezela and Waterplexx 5D. Here consultant
director Bill Holman tells us why these
improvements will help Sunway stay on top.
Why did you decide to add Vuvuzela and
Waterplexx 5D?
All in all, the decision was part of our continuing
initiative to keep the reputation and competitive edge
that Sunway Lagoon has etched itself in the last 20
years, and to maintain relevancy to the general
public, whose expectations and demands have
increased over time. To coincide with our
anniversary, we wanted to bring two world-class
attractions to our visitors to thank them for their
support through the years. Vuvuzela is the largest
water ride in the world and Waterplexx 5D is the first
of its kind.
What makes Vuvuzela special?
One major feature is that Vuvuzela [by WhiteWater]
comes equipped with its own elevator, which takes
the rafts up to the launch deck 30-metres-high (11-
storeys). Passengers in the 6-seater rafts splash
down the flume until they experience up to five
thrilling oscillations inside the 22m-high funnel,
being shot out back into the enclosed flume. The
ride ends in the splashdown pool. Riders are able to
experience zero gravity as the swing from one side
of the funnel to the other.
Please describe the Waterplexx 5D
experience
The Waterplexx 5D theatre [by Kraftwerk] immerses
guests directly in the movie by adding special effects
including moving seats, wind, fog, strobes, lasers,
LED lighting, a backlit wall and ceiling panels and
a lot of water! In fact, the water comes from
everywhere from the front, from the roof and even
the walls. Further features include 3D HD projection,
a professional audio system, waterproof pneumatic
motion base, novel seats as well as a state-of-the-art
server allowing us to licence digital film files.
What were some of the installation
challenges?
For Vuvezela we had to look into logistics and
construction challenges such as working within a
relatively small area. Also, stringent testing had to
be conducted to adhere with international safety
standards before the ride could be opened to the
public. On Waterplexx 5D the seats and motion
base have been enhanced for operation in wet
environments. Weve focused a lot on integrating
safe water effects. Using reverse-osmosis, UV
treatment and, if necessary, heat sanitation, we can
ensure no bacteria is present in the system.
Bill Holman Sunway Lagoon
Q Lines
23
Park People/Profile
Vuvezela
As a fully
Malaysian-
owned and
operated
company,
Sunway
Lagoon aims
to stay
relevant while
being ahead of
the times with
the latest rides.
However, we
also see the
new
international
operators
coming into
the country as
an opportunity
for us to co-
brand and
attract more
tourists to the
region
24 APRIL 2013
24 persons
LED lighting
30 metres
high
2 semi-
trailers
set up
without
crane
one semi-trailer mounted
16 seats
2 hours set up
LED lighting
Super Caps system (63 Amp)
High Speed 3.5G Thrill!
Extreme Acceleration!
S
I
C
K
O
X
L
R
8
NEW!! NEW!!
Rotating Rotating
seats seats
First transportable
GREEN amusement
ride in the world!!
How are you marketing the
new attractions?
We have adopted an integrated
approach which covers both
traditional and digital marketing
channels. Something as exciting as
this is also generates a lot of
positive word of mouth and public
relations. We have also worked
together with Tourism Malaysia and
Tourism Selangor and have invited
international media and bloggers to
experience the park.
What boost do you expect in attendance/ business as a
result of these new attractions?
We expect a growth of 15-20% as a result of these new world-class
attractions together with our aggressive and focused marketing
activities.
What charging structure are you currently operating?
As the name suggests, Sunway Lagoon is still predominantly a
waterpark, however as of November 2012 we have introduced a single
admission rate for all the five components the Waterpark, Amusement
Park, Scream Park, Extreme Park and Wildlife Park. We believe that with
the addition of Vuvuzela and Waterplexx 5D, the new all-inclusive
admission fee of RM120 ($40/30) for adults and RM90 ($30/22) for
children offers great value for our guests.
A number of big attraction operators have recently entered
Malaysia and neighbouring territories such as Singapore.
Do you view these as competition to Sunway Lagoon and
how do you remain competitive?
As a fully Malaysian-owned and operated company, Sunway Lagoon
aims to stay relevant while being ahead of the times by bringing in the
latest rides and creating unique experiences and events. However, we
also see the new international operators coming into the country as an
opportunity for us to co-brand and attract more tourists to the region.
See Waterplexx 5D experience in action at bit.ly/17oKelZ
sunwaylagoon.com.my
Amusement
Park
25 APRIL 2013
Wildlife Park
Scream Park
Sunway
selection
Already home to the worlds
largest wave pool, Sunway
Lagoons Waterpark now
boasts the worlds largest water
ride, Vuvezela. Constructed by
WhiteWater, the 30m-tall Abyss
slide features a 22m wide-funnel.
After dark, the red and yellow-
coloured structure comes alive
with LED light effects. Meanwhile
Waterplexx 5D is the first effects
theatre of its kind by Austrias
Kraftwerk Living Technologies,
seating an audience of 36 who
enjoy the 10-minute Pirates
Adventure film enhanced by
multiple special effects and water
features.
Surrouding the waterpark,
which is built isnide a former
quarry, is a Wildlife Park
featuring 150 amazing and exotic
species. Up at ground level,
overlooking the waterpark, is an
Amusement Park featuring
such attractions as the Lost City of
Gold mine train, Grand Canyon
rapids, Pirates Adventure looping
pirate ship and Chuck Wagon
Ferris Wheel. All manner of
adrenaline-pumping action is on
offer at the Extreme Park
including Asias largest Slingshot,
a bungee jump, zip line, off-road
vehicles and archery target
shooting. Produced by renowned
Australian entertainment producer
Lynton V Harris, the Scream
Park offers two walk-through
scare attractions including
Horrorwood Studios 2: The
Zombie Apocalypse and
Terminator X: A Laser Battle for
Salvation.
Waterplexx 5D
Waterpark
Waterplexx 5D
Vuvezela
Park Profile
26
Attraction Profile
APRIL 2013
Imagine a house where you could jump on the
bed, slide down the stairs and crawl through
secret tunnels. Wouldnt that be every childs
dream come true? At a small family park in the
Netherlands its just become a reality. Owen
Ralph reports from Rotterdam
O
riginally known as Theetuin Hillergersberg,
Plaswijckpark was founded in 1923 by the
entrepreneur CNA Loos and is located on the
edge of a lake in the Rotterdam suburb of
Hillergersberg. For years it has provided low cost
recreation for local families and schools, an escape
from the hustle and bustle of this famous port city. Open
seven days a week, it attracts visitors from a roughly 30
to 40km radius, including a loyal band of season pass
holders, who visit an average of six times year.
Plaswijckparks name comes from a slang spelling of
the Dutch words for lake and place and today the
15-hectare facility, a third of which is made up of
water, is divided into three zones: Dierenwijck (Animal
Place), Wandelwijck (Canal Place) and Speelwijck (Play
Place). It is in the latter are that the Huis in de Heuvel
(House in the Hill) is located and it represents one
the most ambitious undertakings ever for this not-for-
profit enterprise.
As its heart is a play facility designed and themed by
Jora Vision. The Plaswijck Foundation has spent over 4
million ($5.2m) on the complete project, much of it on
an unconventional leaf-shaped building that also
includes restaurant facilities and an exhibition space.
The glass-coated structure is supposed to blend in with
the natural surroundings, and a giant hill has been
constructed from earth outside, which children will
eventually be able to play on. Grass will be also be
grown on the roof. Come back in a few years and you
wont recognise it; you might not even be able to find it!
Joras Visions designs for the play area inside, which
accounts for around a quarter of the budget, is a bit
more in-your-face. The concept behind the Huis in de
Heuvel is that kids are entering their grandparents
house where, unlike in their own home, they can do
exactly what they want.
Explore like never before
What my own children told me, says Plaswijck
Foundation chairman Ot Ciolina, is that they like to
have fun exploring things. Here they can explore like
never before by climbing into a cuckoo clock, getting
lost inside the cupboards and drawers, or even going
right up to the top of the house and peeping out of the
chimney!
In the centre of the main room is a big birdcage,
with ropeways that link it to many of the other play
features inside the house. A giant plant is another
effective piece of theming. Oversized sweets, food
cartons and cushions litter the floor.
It would of course be very cheeky of any visiting
children to bounce on their grandma and grandfathers
bed, but two trampolines allow them to do just that. A
highlight of the attraction is expected to be the
bathroom area, where kids climb inside one of two
bath tubs and fire foam balls at each other via canons
themed as shampoo bottles. Other features include a
HUIS IN DE HEUVEL
The house where anything goes!
Opa and Oma (grandfather and
grandma) Van der Plas are the hosts
at the Huis in de Heuvel
Climb inside the cupboards!
Teeter-totter on a toothbrush!
Slide down the stairs!
Attraction Profile
27
APRIL 2013
toothbrush-shaped see-saw (teeter-totter), distorting
mirrors, a cake-themed climbing wall and several
interactive sounds children can trigger including an
alarm clock, cuckoo clock and crashing crockery.
Most of the play equipment (except for the
trampolines) was supplied the Dutch company Ijreka,
with theming fabricated by Jora Vision at its production
facilities in Rijnsburg, roughly halfway between
Rotterdam and Amsterdam, and less than an hours
drive form the park. However the company was
chosen, Ciolina reveals, not for its location but rather
its enthusiasm for the project.
We were talking to several parties, he explains,
but it became clear that we should go with Jora Vision
because they knew what we wanted, even if we didnt
know ourselves. I have to be frank and say at the
beginning we were quite difficult to deal with, but there
became a point where we both knew that we were
producing something special and what I liked most is
that their passion increased as the project progressed.
Unique theme
The biggest challenge was probably working within
the confines of the building says Jora Vision creative
director Simeon van Tellingen. There are a lot of
columns in there but we have been quite clever and
disguised some of them with branches from a
decorative plant. Most of the play centres in the
Netherlands have soft play equipment and very few
have impressive theming, in this case we had the
chance to design customised play equipment with a
very specific theme which makes the playground
unique in the world."
Upstairs there are some giant suitcases that younger
children can step inside and play with big building
blocks and various games, while their parents (or
grandparents) can relax with a cup of coffee or grab a
bite to eat. Beneath the restaurant on the lower level of
the building is an exhibition area where children will be
able to explore 50 things to do before youre 12. The
Huis in de Heuvel is part of Plaswijckparks strategy to
become an all-weather attraction and to reduce
reliance on public subsidy.
Because we are a relatively small park in the
suburbs, we cannot grow physically; there are houses
and parking places all around, explains Ciolina. At
our peak we get about 2,500 people in the park, but
thats only about 10 days a year. Hopefully with House
in the Hill we can level that out over the year and have
things for people to do even when the weather is not
so good. We got a reasonable amount of money from
the government to build this attraction, but we also
paid 1.5 to 2 million ourselves. From now on we
should be able to fund things like this from the
entrance fee, because we cannot guarantee any
subsidies in future.
Thankfully the park has been able to keep admission
prices low for 2013 at just 11 per person for guests
between the ages of two and 65, or 7.20 for those
65 and over. Season passes are priced at 44.00, or
30.00 for senior citizens. Think of it as a subsidy for
bouncing on their bed.
plaswijckpark.nl
Simple
pleasures
Plaswijckpark
founder CNA
Loos
envisaged the
Rotterdam
destination as
a place for
local families
to enjoy simple
pleasures in a
natural setting.
We think this should be a
park where you can find the
atmosphere of 50, 60 or 70
years ago, highlights Plaswijck
Foundation chairman Ot
Ciolina, so we dont want all
kinds of electronic equipment;
children should play with their
own imagination.
Attractions include boat rides,
a land train, driving school with
pedal cars, a water play area,
adventure playground, small
carousel and various animal
exhibits. Following the
introduction this spring of the
Huis in de Heuvel, Plaswijckpark
is expecting an increase in
attendance from 240,000 to
280,000. The ultimate target is
300,000.
That I think will be the limit,
says park manager Fred Nijveld.
If you go too high you have to
invest in additional
infrastructure.
Bounce on the beds!
Shoot shampoo at your pals!
Plaswijckpark manager Fred Nijveld (left) and Plaswijck
Foundation chairman Ot Ciolina
An artists impression of how the house will look once the grass is fully grown
28
Attraction Profile
APRIL 2013
T
he new attraction at NASAs popular visitor facility in Cape
Canaveral is the first comprehensive, interactive Angry Birds
attraction in the United States. Designed just like the Angry Birds
smartphone/tablet games for people of all ages, Angry Birds Space
Encounter is based around the Angry Birds Space app.
The 4,485 sq ft attraction, which is included in the price of regular
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC) admission, brings to life
the space adventures of the Angry Birds as they follow their kidnapped
eggs into an inter-galactic wormhole, come face-to-face with Space Pigs
and gear up with heroic superpowers.
Visitors encounter six interactive activities. These include Create Your
Own Angry Bird, where users create their own Angry Bird by choosing
from an array of body styles and accessories. When the bird is complete,
guests can print their bird as a keepsake. The Danger Zone is a mirror
maze challenge in which guests musts find the hidden Angry Birds, while
the Red Planet Lazer Challenge is a laser maze in which participants need
to watch out for laser beams as they help the Angry Birds finding their
prized golden eggs.
Cold Cuts Tile Puzzle features three levels of difficulty, while at
Angry Birds
the next frontier
Rovio rolls out latest attraction concept
One of the worlds fastest growing consumer brands continued
its push into the parks and attractions market with the opening
recently of Angry Birds Space Encounter at the Kennedy Space
Center Visitor Complex in Florida. Its the latest of several
attractions worldwide to bring Rovio Entertainments intellectual
property to life in physical form and more are on the way
LEASE FOR SALE
Situated on the east coast in Bridlington UK
Successful family run business for over 20 years
Prime location along the seafront
Genuine reason for sale
No time wasters please
CAROUSEL PARK AMUSEMENTS
Contact
07802566874/ 07714309325
or
Carouselparkltd@gmail.com
Sundown
Adventureland
Kennedy Space Center
Visitor Complex
Angry Birds Activity Parks
Opened last August at the small family park
Sundown Adventureland in England, Angry Birds
Activity Park is one of several Angry Birds-themed
play areas realised by the Finnish company
Lappset. According to Sundown park manager Paul
Tomlinson its already become one of the most
popular features at the Nottinghamshre facility,
which caters exclusively to children under 10. In
fact, its been such a hit that park matriarch Mrs
Rhodes has already given the green light to an
expansion including themed Angry Birds rides,
including Sundowns first rollercoaster. These could
open as soon as this summer. Opening later this
spring, Lightwater Valley in North Yorkshire will be
home to the UKs largest Angry Birds Activity Park, an
indoor/outdoor attraction covering 30,000 sq ft.
Thanks to Angry Birds
merchandise this shack
now outsells Sundown
Adventurelands main
retail store
Attraction Profile
29
APRIL 2013
Eggsteroids Slingshot players take their best slingshot at King Pig and
Corporal Pig. In the Angry Birds Game Zone, guests can play the Angry
Birds Space game in a tournament against fellow KSCVC guests,
mastering selected levels and discovering little known hints to zap the
pigs. An Angry Birds Space photo opportunity also is available, as is
Angry Birds merchandise an important revenue source for all Angry
Birds attraction operators.
Angry Birds Space Encounter is both a fun and educational
experience, notes Bill Moore, KSCVC chief operating officer. Kids will
love interacting with their favourite Angry Birds Space characters, while
parents will appreciate that their children are enjoying the learning
experience.
The KSCVC installation was developed, built and installed by the
Entertainment Design Group of Georgia and follows the debut last
summer of the Angry Birds Land themed area at Srknniemi in Finland
and several smaller Angry Birds Activity Park playgrounds in China,
Finland and England. Many more attraction concepts are in
development featuring this juggernaut entertainment brand (1.7 billion
downloads and counting), more details of which will be highlighted soon
in Park World. In the meantime we hope you enjoy these pictures of
Angry Birds Space Encounter and also Angry Birds Activity Park at
Sundown Adventureland in England.
Sundown
Adventureland
Sundown
Adventureland
Attraction Profile
31
APRIL 2013
T
he largest attraction of its kind in Asia, KidZania Bangkok opened on
March 29 at the Siam Paragon shopping mall. This 10,000 square-
metre indoor city features a mix of miniature replica environments,
complete with kid-sized streets, buildings, utilities and vehicles. The
attraction endeavours to empower, inspire and entertain children from four
through to 14 years of age as they practice more than 80 adult
professions.
We believe KidZania Bangkok is an exceptional addition to the Thai
community delivering real-world, learning moments that inspire kids to be
their best selves and make their world better, says KidZania founder and
president Xavier Lopez Ancona.
Young visitors enter KidZania through a signature mock airport and pass
into the sprawling city before them. Once inside inside they can take up
their chosen career from one of 65 establishments including a city hall,
bank, restaurant, hospital, sports stadium and more. Aspiring pilots and
aircrew can climb into a real Air Asia Boeing 737 fuselage and cockpit for
a test flight. Future auto mechanics can learn new skills at the B-Quik
auto repair shop. Or children can explore KidZania Bangkoks more
unique establishments, such as the Green Tea Factory or Drinking Water
Research Center. Sponsorship is a key part of the KidZania business model
and partners at the
new outlet in
Bangkok include
Air Asia, Canon,
Honda, Hoya, 7
Eleven,
McDonalds,
Coca-Cola and 15
other companies.
At KidZania,
kids role play as
teachers, chefs,
surgeons to learn
about careers,
KIDZANIA BANGKOK
KidZania, the interactive
childrens city, has just
opened its 12th global outlet
in Bangkok. With the arrival
of the attraction in the Thai
capital, the KidZania concept
can now be enjoyed by
families in nine different
countries. Park World brings
you up to speed
Role-playing fun in the
radio studio
THE TYM COMPACT TRACTOR RANGE THE TYM COMPACT TRACTOR RANGE
FROM LELY FROM LELY
The TYM range of tractors
has gone from strength to
strength since Lely UK took
on its distribution last year.
South Korean company
Tong Yang Moolson
(TYM) specialises in
the design and
manufacture of
high-quality
compact tractors,
with the brand having
established itself as the tractor of choice among
customers across in the USA, Australia and Europe.
And Lely says the products are providing just as
popular with UK and Ireland turf professionals.
Models range from 23hp to 100hp, but the 40hp and
50hp tractors are particularly suited to the turf sector.
A popular choice is the 40hp T433, with its top
working speed of almost 20mph making it ideal for
general turf management. Or, for a mid-duty model,
opt for the 50hp T503, which has a top speed of just
over 20mph and is perfect for larger venues.
For more information, call Lely on 01480 226800,
email janguige@lely.com or visit www.lely.co.uk
32
Attraction Profile
APRIL 2013
W
hilst the majority of KidZania outlets are
indoor attractions allied to a shopping mall,
last summer the company trialled a new
concept when it opened its first indoor/outdoor facility
in Mexico. At 14,000 square metres, Kidzania
Cuicuilco in Mexico City is the largest attraction
created by the company to date. Its also billed as,
the largest and most environmentally sustainable
childrens entertainment destination in the world.
Kids navigate the city with their own battery-
powered car, but not before they are given driver
training and awarded a licence. Featured are an
unmatched range of 120 different role-playing
opportunities from acting and animal training to
climbing, cookie-making and fire-fighting. See the full
selection at bit.ly/Xi0NvM.
At KidZania
Cuicuilco experiences
for children of all
abilities are located
together, highlights a
KidZania spokesperson.
Kids can have fun and
learn about environmental
and social stewardship,
while parents choose to
relax in the adjacent
parents lounge/spa.
cuicuilco.kidzania.com
highlights Scott Schubert, vice-
chairman of franchisee Kids
Edutainment Holdings (Thailand)
and CEO of KidZania in
Thailand. Its this type of active
learning that instils self-
confidence, builds self-esteem
and ultimately prepares a child
for a bright future.
Founded in Mexico City in
1999, KidZanias 11 existing
worldwide attractions have
hosted more than 20 million
visitors. New outlets will open
over the next two years in Sao
Paulo, Kuwait, Jeddah, Istanbul,
Mumbai, Singapore, Moscow,
Manila, London and various US
locations. Many of these will be
franchised operations, and the
company is always interested to
hear from experienced and well-
connected potential operators
who may be keen to expand the
brand into new territories.
bangkok.kidzania.com
KIDZANIA al fresco!
Every kid that visits KidZania gets their own passport (above)
34
Attraction Profile
APRIL 2013
F
using cutting edge technology with impressive
technical infrastructure including an iconic O-
shaped centrepiece the Big-O Show played to
daily audiences of up to 10,000 during last summers
Expo, making it the events most popular feature.
Having withstood a typhoon last autumn, the 41-metre-
tall construction is now ready to come back to life as
an integral part of a twice-nightly entertainment
experience for visitors to this ocean city, where it
survives together with other former Expo features such
as an aquarium.
Set inside a sea water lagoon, the Big-O Show's
distinctive circular sculpture has already become a local
landmark. During the downtime over the winter, the
attraction has picked up a Thea Award from the
Themed Entertainment Association (TEA), as well as
being nominated for an excellence award from Live
Design magazine.
Featuring a compelling narrative, this immersive 22-
minute show uses many breathtaking and original
multimedia effects and its notable for having the
largest sea water curtain ever attempted in a
multimedia show, viewable from a 180 angle.
Although they were able to use various existing show
elements like lighting, flames, lasers and video
projections, ECA2s engineers spent countless hours
over a 16-month period designing, fabricating and
resting the pressurised water nozzles and custom-made
housings and technical structures necessary for the
show. Furthermore the salt water environment required
that all elements be fabricated in high grade, anti-
corrosive steel.
Developed as part of the show was a patent-
pending cascade screen that provides a 35m-high
water curtain without the loss of water pressure or
image clarity, regardless of wind. Meanwhile more
familiar effects have been used in new ways, including
downwards flame projectors and water jets that spurt
towards the audience.
Produced by ECA2 CEO Jean-Christophe Canizares,
the Big-O Show's storyline touches on human reaction
of the unexpected, taking viewers on an emotional
journey that resonates with audiences of all ages and
walks of life.
The story is about a young girls dream trip meeting
the ocean's many faces, says an ECA2 spokesperson.
Through this trip, we are asking to everybody to
consider their responsibility for guarding the oceans.
See the Big-O Show under construction and in action at
bit.ly/130xKxu
O
B
i
g

S
h
o
w
S
o
u
th
K
o
re
a
s

a
w
a
rd
-w
in
n
in
g
m
u
ltim
e
d
ia
s
h
o
w
!
Originally produced for Expo
2012 in South Korea, the
Big-O Show is one of the
latest multimedia
spectaculars from acclaimed
French show producer ECA2.
As it prepares to reopen this
month as a standalone
attraction, Park World takes
a look at the award-winning
production lighting up the
city of Yeosu
All images ECA2
Attraction Profile
35
APRIL 2013
Big kit
Here is some of the hardware
that makes the Big-O Show
possible:
Main Big-O structure: 410m
high, 35m across
Mist: 3,000 water mist nozzles
Water effects: 350+
Lasers: 4
Video: 14 high definition
(35,000 ansI lumens) projectors
Flames projectors: 24 units,
flame height from 12-10m
Lighting: 80 units with
115,000+ of combined lighting
power
Robotic effects: 24, each with
360 DoF movement
All images ECA2
36
Park Products
RECYCLED FURNITURE BY MARMAX PRODUCTS
ZSL London Zoo is one of the latest UK attractions to install outdoor furniture made from recycled
plastic. The 80 picnic benches and sofas supplied by Marmax are credited with preventing over
200,000 plastic bottles from going to landfill. In addition to the environmental benefits there are also
practical advantages. Recycled plastic is extremely durable there are no maintenance costs and the
material has a lifespan five times that of timber, with little sign of visible wear.
As part of its ongoing sustainability efforts, London Zoo already recycles over 2,500 tonnes of zoo
poo each year. Waste from herbivores such as camels and giraffes is composted to create fertiliser
whilst carnivore waste is converted into useable energy in a special plant.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has already been using Marmax products for over 10 years
at Whipsnade Zoo. The company's range also includes planters, fencing and boardwalks, all made
from 100% recycled plastic.
marmaxproducts.co.uk
BUBBLE
TROUBLE
BY WATERPLAY SOLUTIONS
This new product can be featured as a main attraction or as an addition to a
larger aquatic play pad. With multiple tiers for water to flow down, toddlers
will be drawn in by the interactive nature of the rotating columns, and can
work together to keep water flowing continuously from bubble to bubble.
waterplay.com
DARK ESCAPE 4D
BY BANDAI NAMCO
This new interactive 4D game in a cabinet offers a
combination of terrifying graphics playing on the players
fears. Vibration, wind and surround sound will test any
user to their limits. Sensors on the gun grip measure
players heart rate and panic levels, shown at the end of
the game for the pleasure and ridicule of their friends.
namcobandaigames.com
Due to its ride pattern, the Top Spin is one
of several big rides you probably wouldnt
think of scaling down for children. But that
hasnt stopped the folks at the SBF/Visa
Group in Italy.
The eight-seat Mini Top Spin lifts to just
3.5-metres in height tall enough for most
FECs and features a flipping rather than
looping gondola. So maybe it is kid-friendly
after all!
sbfrides.com
A TOP SPIN FOR KIDS?
Products and services for parks and attractions
AQUATOTS BY EMPEX
Leading sprayground supplier Empex
Watertoys has introduced a new product line
for preschool children, to accommodate the
growing need for water features in preschool
water playgrounds. Aquatots are a series of
small childlike spray people in the form of
pirates, cowboys, firefighters, police, nurses
and more.
New Aquadek play structures designed for
the preschoolers will be available to
accompany each Aquatot theme to create a
playful and educational water playground for
this young age group.
All Empex water toys are fabricated from
non-ferrous materials and offer a lifetime
corrosion warranty.
watertoys.com
APRIL 2013
May 7 to 9
AALARA Trade Exhibition
Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre,
Queensland, Australia
+61 7 3807 3508
info@aalara.com.au
aalara.com.au
May 21 & 22
TEA (Themed Entertainment Association)
Europe & Middle East Event
Port Aventura, Salou, Spain
emeevents@teaconnect.org
teaconnect.org
June 4 to 7
Asian Attractions Expo
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
+852 3796 2568
alee@iaapa.org
iaapa.org/expos
June 20
ScareCon
Islington Metalworks, London
+44 7712 440361
scarecon@btinternet.com
scarecon.org
September 18 to 20
Euro Attractions Show
Port de Versailles, Paris
+32 2 609 54 45
europe@iaapa.org
iaapa.org/expos
September 24 to 26
Leisure Industry Week
NEC, Birmingham, UK
+44 207 955 3979
joel.willmore@ubm.com
liw.co.uk
September 30 to October 3
WWA Symposium & Trade Show
(trade show Oct 1/2)
Marriot & Palm Beach Country Convention
Center, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
+1 913 599 0300
aleatha@waterparks.org
waterparks.org
November 18 to 22
IAAPA Attractions Expo
(trade show Nov 19-22)
Orange County Convention Center,
Orlndo, Florida, USA
+1 703 836 4800
convention@iaapa.org
iaapa.com/expos
ShowGuide
Exhibitions and networking for attractions professionals
More events at parkworld-online.com
38
Calendar
APRIL 2013
42
APRIL 2013
PL ANNI NG & DESI GN
RI DES
THEMI NG AND DESI GN
DARK RI DES
BUMPER CARS
TI CKET I NG
SPECI AL I ST TEL ECOM
PRODUCT S
PL AY ST RUCT URES
PEOPL E MOVERS
www.vanegdom.nl
www.proslide.com
SHOWS
SNOW & I CE
4D AT T RACT I ONS &
SI MUL ATORS
www.falconshow.com
www.snow.biz
www.joravision.com
www.simworx.co.uk
COI N HANDL I NG
EQUI PMENT
www.cumminsallison.co.uk
BAT T ERY RI DES
FOR PARENT & CHI L D
www.worldofrides.com
www.mondialrides.com
www.trio-tech.com
www.tschu-tschu.de
www.prestonbarbieri.com
EXHI BI T I ONS
FAMI LY/CHI LDRENS
ENTERTAI NMENT CENTRES
www.whitehutchinson.com
DESI GN AND
CONSTRUCTI ON
www.sandersongroup.com.au
www.severn-lamb.com
www.nationalticket.com
www.gatewayticketing.com
www.accesso.com
www.omniticket.com
www.hauntcom.com
WAT ER RI DES & PARKS
www.Interlink-lg.com
www.tapemyday.com
www.teleacoustics.co.uk
WAT ER RI DES
VI SI TOR VI DEO SYST EM
REVI EWS AND INFORMATI ON
www.sbfrides.com
www.technicalpark.com
www.sarner.com
www.pax.ru
www.gerstlauer-rides.com
www.maurer-rides.com
www.wiegandslide.com
www.whitewaterwest.com
www.abc-engineering.ch
TRADE ASSOCI AT I ONS
www.alesuk.org
www.dottotrains.com
www.forrec.com
RI DES
THEMI NG AND DESI GN
www.ridesandfun.com
www.mack-rides.com
www.intaminworldwide.com
www.rtp.com/pos/products/ticketing.aspx
Web Guide Web Guide
Online resources for the amusement industry
www.sallycorp.com
CASHL ESS SYST EMS
www.embedcard.com
LEI SURE ENGI NEERI NG
I NT ERACT I VE RI DES
I NT ERACT I VE PROJ ECT
DI SPL AY
www.garmendale.co.uk
www.eyeclick.com
www.olivershow.com
www.vekoma.com
www.iplayco.com
www.bumpercar.com
www.kcc.be
www.candsrides.biz
MAZES
www.amazenmazes.com
MAZES

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