NEWS
US
Luna Park visitor numbers soar above expectations
THE Luna Park amusement destination on New York’s Coney Island attracted more than 400,000 visitors this summer, according to reports. The figures are understood
Luna Park during its first weekend in 2010
to be the highest in the region since Coney Island’s iconic Steeplechase Park closed in 1964. The 3.1-acre park, designed by
Italian manufacturing giant Zamperla, was opened in May this year by the city of New York and Central Amusement International as part of the Coney Island Revitalisation Plan. It features 19 attractions, both traditional and state-of-the- art, which saw in excess of 1.7 million rides taken. Based on the success of its inaugural season, the city and
Central Amusement International extended the park’s 2010 season by three weeks until the end of October. The second phase of Luna Park - the Scream Zone - is on track to open for summer 2011 with an additional four rides.
Landmark installation for Sacoa
SACOA, the South America-based debit card and point of sale systems company, has installed its flagship PlayCard System at the National Pinball Museum in Washington DC, US. The 14,000 sq. m National Pinball Museum, which
opened in October, houses more than 850 pinball machines. It is the first venue of its kind in the US to include innovative educational programmes, permanent and touring exhibitions that depict the history and art of pinball. The museum features a pay-to-play area with 40 iconic
machines - from the 1950s to the latest models - all working entirely under Sacoa’s PlayCard system. Visitors are able to enjoy coin-free play using rechargeable cards and the system will also handle the museum’s retail sales, admission tickets and annual passes. Commenting on the installation, Sacoa director Sebastian
Mochkovsky said: “The games remind me of when we started the business back in 1957. We are proud to be a part of this project. Our latest technology will work between a unique fusion of more than a century of innovation.”
ANIMALIVE, the UK-headquartered developer of live interactive animation systems for the amusement and leisure industries, has installed its first Party Room in the US. The interactive system, which allows party guests to
participate in a live animated show, has been installed at iTZ family entertainment centre in Houston, Texas. The Party Room sees visitors interact with iTZ’s popular
beagle mascot, Buddy, through live conversation that combines motion capture and real time animation rendering software. The interaction is recorded and made available to guests on a take-home DVD. “Animating your mascot and allowing live interaction is
truly special,” commented iTZ CEO Mark Moore. “Families love it.”
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Vortex plans several new installations
VORTEX International is set to increase its footprint in North America over the coming months through the installation of multiple waterplay systems across the country. With a range of innovations including the zero-
depth Splashpad series, the Poolplay interactive system and Spraypoint features, the company remains a leader in interactive play
aquatic landscape
and urban solutions.
Commenting on one of the group’s recent installations,
James
Briggs, park planner for the Oklahoman city of Norman, said: “Since installing the Splashpad, park attendance has increased exponentially. Not only did local residents flock to this new activity, the Splashpad also drew in groups from day camps and daycares who were excited about the safe and high energy experience.” Vortex is now planning installations in several locations
across North America, including the Coeur D’Alene KROC Centre, Idaho; City of Gladstone, Oklahoma; Mill Lake, Alberta; Cape Girardeau, Georgia; and St Cloud, Minnesota.
AnimaLive installs first US Party Room
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