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Park Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Ferris Wheel/Mine Train Twister Moutain (spinnning coaster)
The entire area is underpinned by a 1908 carnival Starting with Sardinia, Minitalia is now being renovated
theme, with swirls, candy stripes and classic fairground to provide a more authentic miniature experience.
motifs adorning most of the attractions. There’s even Special events at the park include Mamy Day and
some upbeat music to keep teenage guests happy. Giro di Minitalia (a mini bike tour of “Italy”) in May
Key rides here include the Twister Mountain spinning and HalLeoWeen, which will extend the season
coaster, Cannonball (35-metre-tall tower ride), Electro through until November 1. A Euro.03760 season pass allows
Spin (Mega Disk ‘O’); Sedie Ballerine (family Wave entry to all these events and more. A Euro.02221 single
Swinger) and, new for 2009, Strabilia Kong, a themed admission (Euro.02216 for those under 140cm/over 65
Regatta ride. years) permits guests to visit on two consecutive
Other Zamperla additions in recent years include a frog- days, should they so choose.
themed Jump Around in the park’s children’s area and a The new owners are probably wise keeping prices
new Galleon to replace a Pirate Ship from another Italian low while they build attendance. The park was
manufacturer. While there’s a certain amount of pride
Cannonball
attracting just 120,000 guests when Zamperla and
involved, it’s obviously much more convenient for Zamperla to his partners took over, but last season they grew
be able to service its own rides at the park. that to 260,000 and they hope this year to break through
300,000. “We will increase the numbers by 20% each year and hope
Secondary Spend eventually to get back to 800,000,” says Alberto.
Installed last season as an experiment was the manufacturer’s new Taga On the park’s side is its location, en-route to Lakes Garda and
J, a hybrid Tagada/inflatable aimed at young kids. Though the park Como and just 25km from the centre of Milan. Over seven million
operates a pay-one-price admission policy, this particular attraction costs people are located within an hour’s drive, and the park is just minutes
extra, and so far plenty of parents have been willing to pay so their from Orio Al Serio (Bergamo) airport. Milan’s main Malpensa airport is
children can enjoy it. also within easy reach.
Secondary spend opportunities elsewhere are relatively few and far Flying in next month will be a selection of Zamperla’s best customers,
between. There are just six midway games, for example, and even which the manufacturer is inviting to visit the park, see the rides in
though new catering facilities were added and then outsourced last action and enjoy the local surroundings.
season, many guests still bring their own picnics. Merchandise sales, Such indirect sales initiatives, says
however, have increased since the introduction of the Leo Monster Alberto, are becoming increasingly
mascot and associated gifts. important and as the costs of trade
School groups are an important part of the park’s business and the show participation increase. Are you on
model exhibits inside Minitalia provide a useful educational resource. the guest list?
Surf’s Up
The park without a Tug
Although a wide range of the company’s products can be found there,
believe it or not MinitaliaLeolandia does not yet boast one of
Zamperla’s ubiquitous Rockin’ Tug rides. Maybe they were too busy
knocking them out at the factory for existing clients.
The park does, however, contain two variations on the theme
including a Mega Disk ‘O’ and one of the first worldwide installations
of Surf’s Up (pictured left), the stand-up surfing attraction unveiled last
winter at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.
Despite the riding position, this is actually the tamer of the two
rocking rides at Leolandia, providing a gentle but exhilarating thrill
as it traverses the camelback hump in the middle. A pool of water
and a windsurfing board complete the simple but effective theming.
32 AUGUST 2009
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