NEWS
EUROPEAN been disclosed.
Simworx completes Futuroscope installation
FUTUROSCOPE theme park in France has turned to UK-based motion simulation specialist Simworx to provide key elements in one of its latest attractions. Arthur, the 4D Adventure, was introduced at the park for 2010 and
takes guests into the fairytale world of the Minimoys, tiny beings living a hidden life beneath the soil, riding on the back of flying lady buggies. Created by renowned film director Luc Besson and based on the Arthur
and the Minimoys trilogy, the new attraction boasts a cutting-edge combination of technologies, including the 3D animated film viewed on a 9,700 sq. ft Imax dome screen, synchronised motion simulator platforms, from Simworx, and multi-sensory physical effects in the theatre. “Our motion simulator platforms are wowing guests at Futuroscope,”
said Simworx managing director Terry Monkton. “We have carried out a major overhaul of the existing ride with a new control system, motion programming and, of course, the platforms themselves, which have played a key role in the success of the attraction.” Elsewhere, Simworx has also recently installed a new 4D effects
theatre at the iconic Land’s End site on the southern tip of Cornwall, UK. The historic site, operated by Heritage Attractions, features a variety of elements for visitors, one of which, Return to the Last Labyrinth, has now been replaced with the new 100-seat, 4D effects theatre, which opened on March 29.
H1 ski lift for CDA
COMPAGNIE des Alpes has reported a 33.6 per cent increase in net income for the first half of fiscal 2010, as weakened performance in the group’s leisure parks division was offset by an upswing in the company’s core ski resort operations. Revenue for the group totalled
€343.9m, up 10 per cent on the first half of 2009. Profits for the group amounted to €37.8m, up on the €28.3m booked in the prior-year period. CDA’s leisure parks business, which
includes Parc Asterix in France and Walibi World in the Netherlands, took a slight knock, with sales dipping 1.5 per cent to €38.3m. This, however, was offset by an 11.7 per cent increase in revenues from the group’s ski resorts business, which accounts for the vast majority of the company’s top line earnings. Dominique Marcel, chairman and CEO, commented: “The quality of
these results show again the strength of the CDA’s business model and induce us to carry on in a determined way the group’s adaptation to the new economic environment and to assure its development in the best efficiency and profitability conditions.”
Swedish park launches free fall attraction
THE 146m-high tower at Liseberg Amusement Park in Sweden is to be turned into a free fall attraction. Called AtmosFear and to be constructed by Intamin, the
installation will be the tallest free fall attraction in Europe in terms of both the fall height and the structure in which it is housed. The ride, which is due to open in the spring of
2011, will start underground in the basement of the tower and from there it will take around 100 seconds to reach the top. The return journey will take riders
up to a speed of 110kph, creating a G-force of four-positive when the brakes go on and being in free fall for just over three seconds.
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Palamon offloads German Movie Park
PALAMON Capital Partners has sold Movie Park Germany to Spanish entertainment operator Parques Reunidos. The private equity group acquired the film-themed
attraction as one of seven parks bought from Six Flags in 2004. It sold the other six in 2006. Commenting on the sale of Germany’s third largest
theme park, Palamon partner Jonathan Heathcote said: “The business has seen substantial profitable growth over the past three years, driven by strong attendance levels.” Financial terms of the transaction have not
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