Park News www.parkworld-online.com


Lo-Q ‘fair for all’


As guests pack into theme parks this summer, the British company Lo-Q reckons is hoping there will be increased demand for its “virtual queuing” services. “When you consider that the average family of four probably pays around £90 ($140/€107) for entry into a theme park, avoiding time spent in long queues is an attractive option,” notes Lo-Q director Leonard Sim. Although they have to pay to use the system, which is also available as a text service for mobile phones, Lo-Q insists it is fair to all because wait times are the same as those for other park guests. The key difference is that Lo-Q users do not waste time standing in line but are free to relax with friends, enjoy other attractions or maybe grab a bite to eat. Users are updated in real time when their queue slot is available, and can even be informed if their chosen ride breaks down. Lo-Q systems are currently in use international parks including at 11 Six Flags properties in the USA and Canada, Dollywood and Lake Compounce, also in the USA, Isla Magica in Spain, Mirabilanda in Italy and Dreamworld in Australia. A waterproof product is currently in development for waterparks. Park World sent Becci Knowles along to Legoland Windsor near London to try out the Q-Bot. Here is her account of the day:


“The


frustrations associated with queuing for rides can detract from


the fun of a family day out. Legoland Windsor introduced the Q-Bot in 2008. The “virtual queuing” device knows exactly where the visitor is in the park and will vibrate to alert them when they should make their way to the ride in question, where they simply hop straight on via a special entrance. New this season, the Q-Bot Express takes this one step further. Though more expensive for the guest (£30 each), it allows them greater freedom to enjoy the day. Users can select more than one ride at a time and are not restricted to a pre-given time, as with the standard Q-Bot. Potentially, this means they can hop from one ride to another with just minutes between. Should an alert be missed, another will follow soon after.


I can't recommend Q-Bot Express enough. As a


family, we got on so many more rides and there were none of the complaints about having to wait for them either. It totally changed the whole the experience and I would definitely use it again!”


OCT orders duelling coaster for Wuhan


Following the popularity of China’s first ever wooden coaster at Happy Valley Shanghai, Martin & Vleminckx (M&V) has been contracted to supply a duelling coaster for the OCT group’s new park in Wuhan. Designed and engineered by the Gravity Group, the new ride will be delivered to Happy Valley Wuhan, in China’s


Hubei province, ready for opening in late 2011. The first wooden coaster of its kind in Asia, it will comprise two tracks and ergonomic Timberliner trains by the Gravity Group. M&V has also designed several innovative new elements, including the “high five” section you see pictured here.


What did that zebra just say?


San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is captivating its guests with a new exhibit – a “talking” zebra called Robert. Developed by Living Pictures, the computer- animated animal is based on a character from the California park’s TV commercials and interacts with children to teach them about wildlife and conservation. With his clever antics and goofy personality,


Robert explains what life is like at the park from a zebra’s point-of-view and reveals the steps the audience can take to help protect his animal friends.


“We are proud that our technology has found a home at the Wild Animal Park,” adds Living Pictures CEO, Daniele Colajacomo. “We feel that live animated characters are a powerful asset for education as well as entertainment, with an ability to


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communicate on a personal level with the audience.”


www.livingpicturesinc.com


Kernels


The creative mind behind a number of major Hollywood branded attraction experiences has been honoured with a Brand Laureate Award in Malaysia. Lynton V Harris, founder and CEO of the Sudden Impact! Entertainment Company, was recognised by the Asia Pacific Brands Association for work creating attractions including Terminator X: A Laser Battle for Salvation, The Mummy LIVE!, Lara Croft - Tomb Raider LIVE! and Alien Vs Predator Vs You. Lynton picked up the award at Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur, where his company produces a “scream park” attraction, on July 15. www.thebrandlaureate.com


The American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) have donated $5,000 towards the restoration of the Scenic Railway in Margate, England. The ride is UK's oldest surviving rollercoaster and will be the centrepiece in the world's first heritage theme park, being developed on the site of Margate's former Dreamland park. www.dreamlandmargate.com


Crealy Great Adventure Park's website has had a revamp courtesy of Evado Media. A new design has been implemented together with better marketing with the aim of increasing traffic to www.crealy.co.uk and ultimately driving more bookings and longer visits to Crealy's two parks in the South West of England. Crealy was also keen to build newsletter readership and increase engagement via its Twitter and Facebook channels. Newsletter subscribers have since lept 500%.


The Vitala Group is to finance a $1.5 billion condominium, hotels and leisure project in South Korea called Paradise City. Located in Daejeon City, the 13.25- hectare development will include ponds, river features and an arboretum to enhance the on-site accommodation. As well as financing, Vitala will also finalise all feasibility studies and provide an architectural re-design. Construction is pencilled to start in June 2012, with opening due around the end of 2016.


A mystery shopping firm has helped England's Port Lympne wildlife park improve business. As a result of feedback from Shopper Anonymous' 20 undercover guests, a range of improvements were instituted, from changes to signage and the introduction of staff name badges to changing the ticketing location for the park's African Experience four-wheel drive safari. The latter contributed to a 10% uptake in safari bookings. Mystery shoppers also reported that they preferred the African Experience with live rather than pre-recorded commentary. Port Lympne, based in Kent, is now using Shoppers Anonymous for a second year.


Robert the Zebra gets interactive!


Wildfire, a market leader in UV effects for theatres, themed entertainment and visitor attractions, has supplied Ferrari World Abu Dhabi with a lighting package to provide atmosphere and enhance the guest experience throughout the park. The installation includes 86 Effects Master Deluxe series fixtures, 48 Long-Throw floods and 181 SableLux linear fluorescent lamps. Ferrari World opens at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on October 28. The world's largest indoor theme park, it is dedicated to the passion, excellence, performance and technical innovation of the famous Italian marque. See page 12.


AUGUST 2010


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