PW Nov 09 P24REVISED:PW Nov 09 P24.qxd.doc 06/11/2009 12:29 Page 24
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
New Disneyland president
EnterTRAINment Junction –
one year on
appointed in California
The first 12 months of business have
George Kalogridis, a 38-year Disney veteran, has been named president
been positive for EnterTRAINment
of Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, California. For the past three years he
Junction in West Chester, Ohio. The
served as the chief operating officer for Disneyland Paris.
world’s only train-themed family
For Kalogridis the new role marks
entertainment centre (FEC) was built
a return to Anaheim, where he
at a cost of $10 million (€6.8m)
served as senior vice-president of
and covers 80,000 sq ft, including
resort operations from 2000 to
one of the world’s largest indoor
2002, overseeing the opening of
model train displays, a children’s
Disney’s California Adventure and
interactive play area, American
Downtown Disney.
Railroading Museum, event centre and seasonal themed maze.
Kalogridis began his career as a
“It’s been a successful and exciting first year,” says EnterTRAINment Junction
busboy in 1971 when the
CEO Don Oeters, “Our visitors from small children to grandparents seem to love
Contemporary Resort opened at
the experience. I am glad to say that guest satisfaction has been off-the-charts, so
Florida's Walt Disney World, and
we must be doing something right.”
has held numerous executive
So far EnterTRAINment Junction has hosted around 100,000 visitors. After just
positions throughout Disney Parks
three months it was voted Ohio’s best FEC.
and Resorts. He has, for example,
served as vice-president of Epcot at
Walt Disney World, as well as
Vekoma SLC for La Ronde
leading the Millennium Celebration
for The Walt Disney Company.
La Ronde, Montreal, Canada, will add a new Vekoma Suspended Looping
Kalogridis has also served as
Coaster (SLC) for the 2010 season. Half of the twisting 2,261ft course will be
vice-president of travel operations at
over water. Towering at 108ft, the new coaster will include five inversions and
Walt Disney World, where he
zoom along at close to 56 mph. Vekoma is well-known in Montreal, having
implemented a new customer relationship management system that continues
designed three of La Ronde’s most popular rides including the Super Manège,
to serve as the foundation for howguests book their travel to the Florida
Boomerang and Grande Roue.
resort.
As president of Disneyland Resort, he will now oversee a workforce of
20,000 and report to Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt
New rides from
Disney Parks and Resorts. Kalogridis replaces Ed Grier, who has retired from
the company after 28 years.
Amusement Technical
The British ride manufacturer Amusement Technical is working on a number of new
products including a mid-size panoramic observation tower, available up to 40-metres in
height, a 20-metre Ferris Wheel, monorail and dark ride transportation system. Also
available is a coin-operated version of the company’s Rodeo Trail pony ride.
The tower and the wheel can be supplied with a base frame, reducing the
need for any foundation work. “This is becoming a common request,” says
Amusement Technical’s Sean Brian. ”Many park operators, whilst not wanting to
pay the premium associated with a travelling version, do not want to invest
heavily in civil works and like the flexibility of being able to move rides around
the park and between locations.”
Making the most of his ride repair and refurbishment experience, Brian also
intends to offer an upgrade package to operators of Pinfari
rollercoasters. Included are a dual redundant lap restraint
system in accordance with PREN13814 and a modern
control system compliant with the UK’s HSG175
standard. The remodelling of coaster cars/trains is
also an option.
“There are still a large number of Pinfari coasters
in operation both in the UK and elsewhere,” notes
Brian. “A lot of people are finding that the control
systems on them, for example, are not compliant
with current standards and when they break them
down many parts are obsolete. We believe
therefore there is a need for upgrades.”
A Ferris Wheel design produced
for an animal park
24
NOVEMBER 2009
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