Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Disney dreams New hotel and cruise ship launched in Florida
The newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet launches later this month. The family-friendly Disney Fantasy makes its maiden voyage from Port Canaveral in Florida on March 31. The entertainment line-up on board includes two Broadway-style musical stage shows, Wishes and Aladdin, a detective adventure game featuring the
Muppets, princess makeovers at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and regular pirates nights. Meanwhile the Thea Award-winning Animation Magic is a new dinner show in Animator’s Palate restaurant that brings guests’ cartoon drawings to life. After dark, the Europa entertainment district will come alive with its many bars and lounges.
Built for 4,000 passengers, the Disney Fantasy offers seven-night Caribbean cruises, including a stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. The German-built vessel is 1,115ft (340m) in length and weighs 128,000 tonnes.
Meanwhile a new resort hotel is due to open at Disney Fantasy at the shipyard in Germany
Walt Disney World near Orlando. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort features wings with dedicated family suites themed around classic Disney or Disney- Pixar films – Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King – with a fourth wing featuring standard guest rooms dedicated to The Little Mermaid.
New report examines US parks/FECs market
The United States amusement park and family entertainment centre (FEC) industry produces annual revenues of around $16 billion, according to a report published in February by the company Research & Markets. The market is also highly concentrated, with 85% of the revenue from the nation’s c.3,000 individual amusement outlets generated by the top 50 companies. This capital intensive industry relies on strong marketing of new attractions combined with a healthy economy stimulate demand, says the report. The industry is also labour intensive with average revenue per employee standing at about $100,000 for large parks or half that for smaller operations such as FECs.
Amusement parks get about 55% of their income from admissions and about 30% from food, beverage and merchandise sales, continues the report. The remainder is made up from a mix of parking fees, commission income from third-party exhibitors, advertising and fees for hosting parties and other events. The report, entitled Amusement Parks & Arcades, is available for $129 via
researchandmarkets.com
Little Mermaid room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Pixilated patterns and wavy ribbons of colour decorate the hotel’s exterior, while pencil drawings of Ariel, Lightning McQueen, Nemo and Simba adorn the entryway. A chandelier composed of animation storyboards enhances the lobby. The property, situated adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, will open in phases beginning in late May 2012. The 1,120 family suites include two bathrooms, a kitchenette and three separate sleeping areas that can sleep up to six. Some 864 standard rooms sleep up to four each.
‘Eye do’
Local girl Sharon Fuller provided a great PR opportunity for Blackpool Tower when she chose to make a leap year proposal to her boyfriend from the top of the UK seaside landmark. Taking advantage of the special date – February 29 – the 31-year-old popped the question to her partner of six years, Simon Dunkerley. Over 500ft down below, the words “Marry Me!” were written in the sand on Blackpool’s famous beach. Simon said yes. Blackpool Tower was relaunched by Merlin Entertainments and Blackpool Council last September, complete with a “Eye” branded glass floored observation deck and Blackpool Tower Dungeon.
12
MARCH 2012
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40