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Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
ParkHoppin’
WWA Symposium
with Paul Ruben
Waterpark owners converge on Disney
Despite a difficult season, in which many operators experienced one of
Just Horsin' Around
the coolest summers on record, the 29th Annual World Waterpark
Association Symposium & Trade Show was deemed a success
This was to be my big Park Hoppin' adventure of the year, eight
according to organisers.
days visiting parks and attractions in middle America. It was a
The event took place in Florida, at Walt Disney World’s Coronado
glorious part of my 52-week summer vacation, which is what this
Springs Resort, from October 20 to 24. While many association trade
job feels like.
shows have accepted decreases in attendance this year, WWA was
Flying into Cincinnati, Ohio, my first stop was at the Newport
aggressive in going after new faces and attendance matched that last
Aquarium. Nextdoor was Ride The Ducks, amphibious vehicles that
year in Las Vegas, with representatives from 22 countries.
carried me through the streets of downtown Cincinnati and along
The education sessions are an important part of the symposium, a
the Ohio River. Next stop was Coney Island, where I spent some
once-a-year-opportunity for the global waterpark community to come
time with Vic Nolting, then finally on to EnterTRAINment Junction,
together and learn from and about each other. In total, 108 speakers
an FEC that houses one of the world's largest indoor train displays.
appeared in the workshop and symposium sessions. Hot-topics
Day two took me to Kings Island to write, photograph, and, oh
included “Safety: What Aren’t You Doing and Why?,” “Successful
yes, ride Diamondback, the park's new mega coaster. Vice-
Marketing Strategies in a Down Economy” and “Emergency Response
president and general manager Greg Scheid has a winner on his
Plans Made Easy.”
hands. A top 10 ride.
In addition to 50 break-out sessions, including 30 new topics, this
The next two days were spent at Indiana's Holiday World &
year’s event offered attendees the chance to experience two special
Splashin' Safari. I was working hard in the waterpark. On my tan,
workshops facilitated by Disney: The Disney Institute’s Leadership-
that is. Then over to photograph and ride Pilgrims Plunge, Will
Disney Style Workshop and the Innovation In Action Tour.
Koch's new record-setting water ride. It doesn't get any better than
During the two-day trade show held as part of the event, the WWA
going fast and getting wet.
hosted 342 booths in the 100,000 sq ft exhibit hall, including many
Then off to Bowling Green, Kentucky, with stops at the Corvette
new exhibitors keen to gain access to the waterpark industry.
Museum and historic Railpark train museum before spending the
“As a first-time exhibitor we were pleasantly surprised and
day at Beech Bend amusement park, where I rode four new
impressed by the quality and quantity of attendees,” reported Dan
coasters. That's 766, not that I keep count.
Gundrum of eProfit Solutions.
Because Kentucky has many caves I also did some cave hunting,
"The quality of the leads obtained exceeded our expectations,”
visiting Mammoth Cave, Lost River Cave and Mega Cavern on
noted David Kiem of the Aquatic Development Group. “The show
successive days. Dark,
proved that projects continue to be developing, albeit slowly, and that
mysterious, and easily
there are active plans for park expansions and new projects."
accessible; I couldn't pass up the
“As an international developer, I believe being at WWA is a healthy
opportunity.
endeavor,” said Mohammed Khoursheed of Aqua Park/Al Jazera
But Cave City, Kentucky, also
Entertainment Enterprises. “Learning about the newest products that
boasts other roadside
improve things like water quality is imperative. Plus, you get hands-on
attractions. Kentucky Action Park
experience and you get to share your ideas with suppliers and other
has the appeal (for me at least)
operators.”
of an Alpine Slide, like the one I
The WWA has announced it will head to San Antonio, Texas (always
rode a decade ago with no
a popular choice with its members) for its 30th anniversary Symposium
hands on the brake and went so
and Trade Show from October 6 to 10.
fast my sled left the track. Well,
live and learn. This time I
braked minimally and made it to
the bottom in one piece. Then
operator Ricky Carey invited me
to ride a horse at the adjacent
Jesse James Stables. So here I
am with Blaze; she's a
sweetheart. I'm the one on top. I
tried to be a cowboy, but this
hat doesn't cut it. It's from
Australia, with little corks
dangling from two-inch strings to keep flies off the Australians'
faces. But they keep doinking me in the head. Don't the Aussies
realise that's why God invented fly repellent?
Final stop on the tour was Louisville, where I stopped by Six Flags
Kentucky Kingdom before heading to the Frazier International
History Museum to see the exhibit on Fontaine Ferry Park, which
operated from 1905 to 1969. I love Kentucky Kingdom, but I
miss the old parks. And the pony rides. Waterpark owners and operators shopped for new products and services on the
WWA trade show floor at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
12
NOVEMBER 2009
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