Park News
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ParkHoppin’ with Paul Ruben
Walking the floor at IAAPA
What caught your eye during the recent IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando? I’ll tell you what caught mine ... Miss Germany, Anne- Kathrin Kosch. It was Tuesday morning when the trade show opened for the first
day. I headed over to the Mack Rides booth where they were about to unveil their new Manta coaster car destined for SeaWorld San Diego (see page 18). The car was beautiful, but then they unveiled Ann-Kathrin. That’s her with me in the photo. She’s a tall drink of water, and I was instantly smitten. I don’t speak German, but gave her my best imitation. “Sprechen Sie englisch?” “Yes,” she replied, and our friendship was off and running. But there was more to see at this show. Did you ever notice how good ideas happen in pairs? For example, two exhibitors showed new raing simulators with wrap-around viewing screens consisting of three flat-screen TV monitors. Cruden showed is new Hexathrill simulator, while Evotek displayed the Evotek Sym 026, also a racing simulator.
I discovered Anne-Kathrin is 23-years-old and was crowned Miss Germany 2011 on February 12 during the annual pageant held at, where else? Europa-Park; proprietor the Mack family. Another pair of good ideas, new spinning coasters, were found at the Zamperla and Wisdom booths. Zamperla showed two versions of its new Junior Twister Coaster (see page 22). A scaled down version of the company’s Wild Mouse style ride, it uses four or five-car trains, carrying up to four riders per car around a 170 or 230-metre (558/755ft) track. Wisdom’s Jungle Twist, meanwhile is a new family spinning coaster consisting of five cars in a train that each carry three adults or four children over a 140ft-long oval track. One of my favourite all-time
treats, Rita’s Italian Ices, exhibited at this show and was offering franchises to park operators. Rita’s is the best Italian ice in the world. Sure, they deliver instant brain freezes, but you need Rita’s. Anne-Kathrin works as a pharmaceutical technical assistant in a pharmacy in her hometown of Weimar. Beauty and brains, what a combination.
At least two vendors showed off new zip lines. Stan Checketts had set up his new Soaring Eagle zip line in the show’s outdoor exhibit area. I rode it, and enjoyed every moment of the flight. It featured a unique reverse lifting system so that a single operator can load and unload guests at ground level. Extreme Engineering introduced its Zippin Zone portable zip line and climbing structure. It features a large inflatable slide, a chicken exit for those wimps who get cold feet before zipping. This was Anne-Kathrin's first time in America, and she loved it. Who wouldn’t, having left the cold, overcast Germany for the warmth of sunny Florida? Come back next summer, babe, when it’s sweltering hot and in the middle of hurricane season. But during IAAPA season, what’s not to like? With Miss Germany on the stand, Mack Rides got my vote for the show’s most beautiful booth. I’m easily distracted.
6
KidZania Kuala Lumpur Latest brand signs up in Malaysia
A kids’ role-playing city will open soon in Kuala Lumpur as part of the Malaysian government’s push to establish international branded theme parks and attractions within the country.
Set to debut in January 2012, the 80,000 sq ft KidZania Kuala Lumpur will be the latest global outlet for the Mexican franchise, where children learn about the adult world by taking up different professions inside a themed metropolis. The multi-award winning concept, which does not feature any rides, will include 59 individual establishments on its debut in Malaysia including shops, businesses, a mini fire station, police station and TV studio. Young guests will even be able to use their own currency.
KidZania’s arrival in the country is the latest feather in the cap for Themed Attractions and Destination Resorts, a pair of government- backed companies that have already brought on board world-class names including Legoland, Hello Kitty and Little Big Club. “We are proud to attract some of the world’s leading theme park brands,” says
A child in role-playing mode at KidZania
Themed Attractions CEO, Tunko Dato’ Ahmad Burhanuddin. “We will focus on attractions that will position Malaysia as the destination of choice for family- focused activities.”
The country is already the world’s ninth most visited nation, famed for its flora, fauna, lush rainforest, pristine beaches, shopping and mix of many cultures. Many of the planned parks and attractions will be located towards the south of the Malaysian peninsula in the state of Johor. Here a cluster of five flagship zones have been established under the Iskandar banner, strategically located at the border of Singapore and within easy reach of Indonesia.
Opening late 2012 along the straits of the Johor will be a 60,000 sq ft indoor theme park at Puteri Harbour. It will house Hello Kitty Town, the first Hello Kitty attraction in southern Asia, and Little Big Club, featuring a collection of HIT Entertainment characters including Bob the Builder, Pingu and Barney the dinosaur. Complementing these will be a themed restaurant based on Kampung Boy, a creation of the local cartoonist LAT. Also set to debut in 2012, Legoland Malaysia will open its gates in the Nusajaya district of Iskandar towards the end of the year. This 76-acre theme park will be the sixth Legoland worldwide and the first in Asia, featuring over 40 rides and attractions including miniature replicas of iconic buildings from across the continent. Operator Merlin Entertainments, which is building the park as a joint venture with Iskandar Investment, is hoping to attract 1 million guests in he first year of operation.
Also planned within in Johor is a 17km beachfront development called Desaru Coast, promising a variety of leisure offerings including Water World, Ocean Quest, a shopping mall, convention centre, hotels and golf course. Both Desaru Coast and the Malaysia Truly Asia project in Kuala Lumpur are scheduled to open in 2014. The latter is described as, “an iconic world class integrated cultural attraction offering an immersive cultural experience and gastronomic delight.” In the north east of the country, in the state of Kedah, Langkawi Island will become home to The Datai, a luxury resort featuring beachfront residencies and golf courses amid UNESCO-accredited eco park.
www.tar.com.my DECEMBER 2011/JANUARY 2012
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