NEWS
Vekoma coaster opens at Drayton Manor
EUROPEAN
Disney veteran to provide SATE keynote
A BRAND new junior roller coaster themed on Cartoon Network’s popular Ben 10 children’s adventure cartoon character, was officially opened on April 23 at the UK’s Drayton Manor Theme Park. Ben 10 - Ultimate Mission, supplied by Dutch company Vekoma Rides Manufacturing, is based on the company’s junior coaster system and takes its design influences from the classic Vekoma Boomerang coaster, but without the inversions of the larger ride. It features an out and back track layout that first takes riders on a forward facing tour of the track before they return along the same route travelling backwards. The attraction is fully themed
on Ben 10 and his adventures and guests are immersed in the storyline as soon as they enter the main queue line area, all
of which is inside. Riders enter Asmuth’s laboratory where they learn that the earth is under attack from the evil Vilgax. Interactive screens provide information on the show and opportunities to play games while in the queuing area, as Asmuth also speaks to guests on TV monitors. The new coaster, which covers a total area of 60m x
22.5m in the Aerial Park section of the park, features a 180m long track which rises to 20.5m at its highest point. A single train incorporates 10, two-seater coaches, each seat having its own individual lap bar and an open design. The train reaches a maximum speed during the ride of 55kph and the hourly capacity is 640 passengers, who have to be a minimum of 1m in height to ride. “It has been very well received by everyone,” commented
Edward Pawley, general manager park operations for Drayton Manor. “All ages are going on the ride from children of 1m upwards - so around four years old - to teens, mums and dads and grandparents. It really is a genuine family coaster and is the first family boomerang in the world, which adds to the many other ‘firsts’ we’ve had in the past.”
Celebrating Easter with Rainbow
THIS year’s Easter weekend saw Rainbow Productions provide family entertainment at two heritage attractions in the UK. As part of Blenheim Palace’s Special Events Calendar for 2011, visitors were able to see the stars of the BAFTA award-winning television shows
Peppa Pig and Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom on
Easter Sunday and Monday. Also on the same days, classic character Paddington Bear made special guest appearances at Nunnington Hall, a National Trust Property situated in North Yorkshire.
88 InterPark May-June 2011
Global Immersion scoops business award
GLOBAL Immersion, the leading immersive experience specialist, has been awarded the prestigious title of International Business of the Year at the 2011 Gatwick Diamond Business Awards in the UK. The awards recognise businesses or people who have
shown innovation and inspiration in their work and have demonstrated a commitment to the fast-developing Gatwick Diamond sub-region within the south east of England. The
Gatwick
Diamond is one of the UK’s key economic regions and is home to a vast range of businesses, which span all sectors of the economy, from household names to niche companies, and from multi-nationals to sole traders. Leading with innovation for rapid international growth,
Global Immersion specialises in the design and integration of high performance immersive theatre solutions ranging from state of the art planetarium and full dome theatres through to complex 3D, 4D and large-format experiences. With a vast international installed base, the company has
been awarded some of the world’s most prestigious immersive theatres across countries including Russia, the US, Taiwan, the UK, Egypt, Turkey, France, Sweden, UAE and Greece. Michael Andrews, chief financial officer at Global
EURO
Immersion, commented: “To be recognised and accredited with such a prestigious award from within such an economically dominant and competitive geographic area is a truly outstanding achievement and reflects the continued dedication and support of our team members, clients, partners and stakeholders alike.”
MARTY Sklar, the renowned Disney ‘imagineer,’ will provide the keynote speech at SATE Europe, which takes place in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on June 16 and 17. Organised by the Themed Entertainment Association,
SATE Europe is an intimate knowledge‐exchange and networking event for the world’s most creative and experienced themed attraction professionals. Sklar was The Walt Disney Company’s international ambassador and principal creative executive for Walt Disney Imagineering, the company that designs Disney theme parks and resorts across the world. With a career spanning 48 years, Sklar has supervised
the design and construction of Tokyo Disneyland, the Disney-MGM Studios, Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and, most recently, Hong Kong Disneyland.
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