Park News
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MERLIN RELEASES ANNUAL RESULTS
The world’s number two attractions operator has released its financial results for the year to December 31, 2011, revealing strong and resilient growth in turnover and profitability, delivered against a tough economic backdrop. As in other recent years, this was achieved through a sustained programme of investment in its existing attractions, opening of new attractions and strategic acquisitions. Combined visitors for the year were 47.3 million, up from 41.6 million in
2011. Revenue was up by over 18% from £856.1m to £945.7m ($1.5bn/€1.14bn). Operating profit was £231.4m ($367.2m/€279.2bn). Merlin invested £174.1 million last year, including £76 million on its existing estate and nearly £100 million on new developments, all funded from operating cash flow.
One of the highlights of the year was the company’s largest new theme park
opening, Legoland Florida. There was also a record number of new “Midway” attractions, with seven new outlets in four countries including the Blackpool Tower
Nemesis Sub-Terra
According to research conducted by Alton Towers 75% of Brits have a phobia of being trapped underground and as many as one in five adults are scared of the dark. The British park’s new Nemesis Sub-Terra attraction plays heavily on both of these fears.
Central to the experience, which launched on March 24, is a drop tower believed to be by ABC Rides, similar to that used
by Merlin Entertainments in a number of its Dungeon attraction. But it is also accompanied a back-story based on the park’s famous Nemesis inverted coaster.
“If you are going on the attraction for the drop alone you will be disappointed,” reported one park fan on a web forum. “The point of the attraction is that it's an overall experience with the drop adding to that experience.”
Rainbow MagicLand reopens for 2012
Italy’s newest theme park, Rainbow MagicLand attracted 721,316 guests in its inaugural season – less than half the initial projected annual attendance of 1.8 million.
The park debuted last May adjacent to the Fashion District shopping outlet in Valmontone near Rome. According to several observers that was too soon, and a number of the park’s 35 rides and attractions were still awaiting commissioning after opening. The 2012 season was due to begin on March 31.
With most ride availability issues now sorted out and more than a month’s extra opening in the calendar compared to 2011, the park’s operators anticipate a more realistic – but still ambitious – 1.3 million guests, rising to 1.8 million by 2014. According to local press reports, developer Alfa
Park now plans to invest an additional €80 million in the park and its infrastructure including the creation of two themed hotels.
16 Eye and Dungeon in the UK.
There was an encouraging start for Merlin’s first year of operations in Australia following the acquisition of the Sydney Attractions Group and a further move into the Asia Pacific market with announcement of plans to acquire Living & Leisure Australia with businesses in Australia, South Korea, Thailand and China. By the end of 2012, the company will have 94 worlwide attractions located across four continents. “Last year was the most exciting in the history of Merlin Entertainments,” states chief executive Nick Varney. “This year we will open our sixth Legoland park in Malaysia, further strengthening our rapidly growing business in the Asia Pacific region; we have opened a hotel at Legoland Windsor; and we will add six new Midway attractions. We will continue to invest for growth under our proven strategy of growing our strong brands in a portfolio of attractions balanced by geography, product and demographics.”
Sealions save energy!
The Sealion House, one of the most popular attractions at England’s Knowsley Safari Park, has been fitted with solar panels to help reduce electricity bills and the park’s carbon footprint. The energy generated from the solar panels helps reduce what would otherwise be rising bills for heating and lighting the Sealion House. Spare energy from the panels, which were installed by Eco Environments, will also be used to power adjacent children’s fairground rides. “We are trying to make the most of every opportunity we have to be
greener,” says Edward Perry, director of operations for Knowsley Estates, which runs the safari park.
It is estimated that the solar installation will save Knowsley Safari Park over
£800 on electricity bills every year and generate a £1366 annual income through “feed-in” tariffs. It will help the park reduce its carbon emissions by over 4423kg per year.
Wild water!
A small park in Germany is aiming to make a big splash in 2012 when it unveils a new water ride from ABC Engineering.
Set to be completed later this month, Zum Rittersturz at Wild und Freizeitpark in Klotten will be the country’s longest, steepest and fastest water coaster, standing 24-metres tall and reaching speeds of up to 75kmh.
The attraction features a turning, vertical lift and a spectacular drop that coasts above the park’s existing Gerstlauer Bobsled coaster. Each ride will last three and a half minutes from start to finish, as the six-abreast boat travel along a 240-metre path. Hourly capacity is 400 passengers. Apologies for the poor quality of this picture but we thought readers would appreciate a sneak peak ahead of a larger feature at a future date.
APRIL 2012
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