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Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Sea Life success Zip on over to Wisconsin
Solid start for Portugal aquarium
Wisconsin’s first tree top zip lining adventure, spanning nearly 2,500ft, is now
open at the Wilderness Hotel & Golf Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
Merlin Entertainments’ first attraction in Portugal, Sea Life Porto welcomed Riders plunge from 60ft towers above the Dells’ famous Lost Canyon. With
100,000 visitors in its first two months (to mid-August). So popular is the new depths of up to 55ft, some of the zip lines are 115ft above ground level. The
aquarium that some weekends it even stayed open until midnight! five zip lines run 356ft, 314ft, 426ft, 488ft and 907ft respectively. The
Situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, the marine exhibits are attraction’s supplier was Experience Based Learning.
complemented by theming from TAA Industries. Sunken shipwrecks and a Neptune Wildnerness guests wanting to give the zip line a try must weigh between 70
sculpture are two of the scenic highlights at this, TAA’s seventh commission from and 240 pounds. Tours, which run daily dependent upon the weather, consist
Merlin. of up to 10 people and two guides. They take approximately two hours to
Rockwork and lifelike corals create an authentic underwater ambience. In the complete and include a mandatory pre-zip safety briefing.
River Zone, a traditional “Rebelos“ boat used for the transport of port wine barrels The Wilderness development is America’s largest waterpark resort.
was built out of wood in order to frame one of the fish tanks and create a passage
to the Harbour Zone.
In creating some of the theming, TAA had to produce props that would
withstand the pressure of 50,000 litres of water. Materials used throughout the
aquarium included textiles, fibreglass, cement, steel and wood.
TAA boasts representatives in Portugal, Spain, Germany and Romania, where it
carries out much of its production work.
Themng by TAA
IAAPA Latin America
IAAPA has established a regional office in Latin America, staffed by executive
director Paulina Reyes. IAAPA Latin America is based in Mexico City, and
opened for business October 1.
Reyes’ objectives will be to represent the interests of the Latin American
attractions industry with the support of various national associations in the
region, plus offer IAAPA products and services to local members.
A dedicated section of the IAAPA website has been created
(www.IAAPA.org/latinoamerica) and social networking opportunities will be
offered in the region. Reyes will also implement regional advocacy and
education efforts to promote safety standards and assist with an Institute for
Executive Education in Latin America.
Reyes, who has served on various IAAPA committees since 2001, is the
former general manager of the Latin America Association of Amusement Parks
and Attractions and the Mexican Association of
Amusement Parks and Attractions.
“The establishment of a regional office in Latin
America is a continuation of our commitment to serve the
needs of members around the world,” says IAAPA
president and CEO Charlie Bray. “Paulina brings a
tremendous knowledge of the region.”
As well as the new office in Mexico, IAAPA intends
establish a Latin American Advisory Committee. Paulina Reyes
OCTOBER 2009 17
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