PW July 09 P5.qxd 6/24/09 9:57 am Page 5
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
BigQuestion
Figures
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The London Eye reinvigorated the Ferris Wheel.What other ride or
attraction is ready for renewal and why?
50of Fun
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Jim Seay, Premier Rides: The carousel is poised to follow the exciting
resurgence of the Ferris Wheel. Until recently nostalgia had been a
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significant force in keeping the carousel market alive. However, nostalgia
can only support a product for so long especially with younger generations
million pounds – cost of new log flume
at Sea Life Adventure Park in
who are more focused on iPhones. There are several reasons why the
Weymouth, England. The water ride
carousel has a bright future. The market for a carousel has broadened
passes through a crocodile enclosure
significantly in part because the non-traditional facilities like museums,
zoos, aquariums and shopping centres recognise the need to provide
entertainment to enhance the experience. New fabrication techniques also allow buyers to
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purchase highly customised models at very reasonable prices. Think about a sea life-themed
number of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!
carousel located near an aquarium. Development of the models can be created on
attractions in the world. Four more are
computer, allowing a much wider range of figures. Finally, technologies like onboard
expected to open by mid-2010, leading
communications, laser/water guns and special effects more commonly seen in 4D theatres
Ripley’s to face a shortage of oddities
allow designers to take a passive carousel ride and turn it into an interactive adventure. No
for the first time in its history
longer is “grabbing the brass ring” the only activity.
Werner Stengel, Ingenieurbuero Stengel: It is hard to
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think of anything, but it would be a big advantage for some of the
number of professions children can
companies we work with if they could find something! In these
role-play at Kidzania Lisbon. The
economically sensitive times, we may find more parks making the best of attraction, which opened in June, is the
what they’ve already got. The only renewal which is really necessary in sixth Kidzania and the first in Europe
our eyes is to use more modern wooden rollercoaster track, such as
prefabricated, to end the jerky and very uncomfortable wooden
rollercoasters you can find worldwide. This would result in less
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maintenance, less complaints and a better time for park guests.
degrees – angle of first drop on steepest
wooden rollercoaster in the world –
Chuck Bingham, Martin & Vleminckx: I’ve always thought
T Express at Everland, South Korea
certain old rides should be brought back; one of those is the Flying
Scooters. Now I see a guy from New York intends to resurrect the Whip.
Some of those old rides were really simple but they delivered a great
3,500+
experience. I remember some years ago talking to Jac Houben and asking
why we can’t put the coaster train on the other side of the track and, low
estimated preliminary attendance (“more
and behold, Vekoma did the suspended coaster a few years later. Water
than 3,500”) at last month’s Asian
rides are another area where you wonder what can be done that’s new,
Attractions Expo in Seoul, South Korea
because it’s been the same basic idea for years. Actually, we do have new concept but I
can’t tell you about it yet. It’s a twist on an old favourite so look out!
Figures by Economics Research Associates
(ERA)
www.econres.com
Ups &
Sno-Joke - Four people were served sno-cones
topped with commercial degreaser at Sedgwick
Downs
County Zoo in Kansas. An employee mistook a bottle
Full Steam Ahead - Drayton Manor in
of the liquid for sno-cone syrup
England has secured approval for a 148-
room hotel next to its park/campsite. Due
to open in 2011, the property will feature
two Thomas Land rooms – perfect for fans
of the famous train
Well-Heeled - Alton Towers in
England is to ban children wearing high
Ticket To Ride - Rides will reopen at
heels as it clamps down on riders
Pennsylvania’s Conneaut Lake Park after
flouting height restrictions. Thick-layered
being closed for two years due to
Park Goes Dark - Kiddieland Amusement
socks have also been used by cheeky
financial problems. The park’s trustees
Park, Melrose Park, Illinois, which has
guests
have reached an agreement with carnival
entertained Chicago-area children for more than
operator Steve Lisko
80 years, will close after this season after its
lease expires
JULY 2009 5
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