Park News
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TEA conference for Disneyland Paris
How do you create successful and engaging guest experiences? Find out from the masters of their trade at this September’s SATE (Storytelling/Architecture/ Technology/Experience) conference at Disneyland Paris. Organised by the TEA (Themed Entertainment Association), SATE 2012 follows separate events last year in North America and Europe, and promises a stellar international line-up of speakers. Charing the three-day event will be industry visionaries Yves Pépin (ex-ECA2) and Joe Rohde (Walt Disney Imagineering). The theme for the conference is “Cultural Diversity in Creating Successful Guest Experiences: Obstacle or Opportunity?” Whether dealing with theme
Hippo in Windsor
Hippo Leisure Products has launched an interactive play platform at Windsor Leisure Centre in the United Kingdom. The structure comprises of three multi-level platforms with a combination of high, low, bright and innovative water features and a 6-metre long slide with two parallel paths. “The driving force behind the investment was to create a feature with a large capacity that was inclusive to all abilities,” notes leisure centre manager Jes Spencer. “Everyone is drawn to the water
movement, bright colours and interactive elements. The throughput of bathers on a busy Saturday is greater than our two
existing flume slides and the new platform exceeds our expectations.” Features
include a high
mast complete with tipping bucket, four hand- operated Squirtems, a spray rail and several interactive play panels. The design enables Windsor Leisure Centre to expand the structure in future with more interactive elements to keep it fresh and exciting.
Jerome L Albert
1937–2012 The founder of Coney Island’s Astroland amusement park has passed away. Jerome L (Jerry) Albert died on March 15 at the age of 74 from complications resulting from Parkinson’s
Disease. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Carol, son Bradley, daughter-in-law Amy, grandson Tosh and several nieces and nephews. Jerry, along with his father Dewey, founded Astroland in 1961. The New York City attraction revived and maintained Coney Island’s amusement area after the closing of the Steeplechase Park in 1964. Jerry brought in a number of rides that had never been seen in Coney Island, including the Astro Tower.
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parks, museum exhibits, live events or corporate brand lands, the clients, the creative team and, most importantly, the guests and visitors are often highly diverse in culture and background. Speakers and delegates will explore and illuminate key issues related to working in the diverse global market, both in the conference sessions and many networking opportunities. SATE 2012 will take place from September 19 to 21 at the Newport Bay Hotel, Disneyland Paris. The deadline for sessions proposals has now passed, but more details on the event, travel information etc, can be found at
teaconnect.org.
ProSlide 2012
Around 60 new ProSlide attractions will open this year around the world, including large new installations in China, Russia and the United Arab Emirates. Launching as part of the new Equarius waterpark at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore will be the Canadian company’s first HydroMagnetic Hornet, a two-person waterslide coaster, while a duelling version is planned for the new Happy Valley park in Wuhan, China. The latter project, which will become the fifth park in the Happy Valley chain, will feature a package of 10 ProSlide attractions including a TornadoWave, Tornado60, Behemoth Bowl, double SuperLoop 60, double FreeFall, 8-lane Octopus Racer, KidZone, Tantrum Alley and a “Mach” complex comprising a double Pipeline, Topsy-Turvy and CannonBowl. At the new White Sphere waterpark in Krasnodar, Russia, ProSlide is supplying a BulletBowl, double SuperLoop 60, and double Freefall, Topsy-Turvey, Pipeline and RideHouse. The much anticipated Yas Waterworld at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, sister attraction to FerrarI World, will feature a ProSlide HydroMagnetic Mammoth and HydroMagnetic Tornado, in addition to a number of slides by WhiteWater. For the full list of ProSlide installations for 2012 read this article online at
bit.ly/HdIhLt.
British park figures pass away
Jimmy Jones, who managed England’s Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach for many years, has passed away at the age of 73.
Jimmy came from a fairground background, having worked on his parent's fun fair in Bristol from an early age. He took control of the park on the East coast of England in 1975 following the death of his father-in-law Albert Botton and had previously helped the Botton family at Olympia in London.
In October 1992 the various Botton Bros companies were brought together to form the Pleasure & Leisure Corporation and Jimmy Jones relinquished the role of Pleasure Beach managing director to his son Albert, who runs the park to this day.
A passionate football fan, Jimmy also served as a director and vice-chairman of Norwich City Football Club during its glory days in the 1980s. He died on March 27 at The Heart Hospital in London and leaves a widow Jane, son Albert, daughter Elizabeth and six grandchildren.
Former Dreamland (Margate), Rotunda (Folkestone) and Ramsgate Pleasure Park owner Jimmy Godden passed away on the same day, aged 66.
The entrepreneur, who established a wide portfolio of amusement arcades and other businesses in the Kent area, served as chairman of the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA) from 2000-2002 but closed his parks soon after. Since then fans of the Dreamland, which Godden acquired from Bembon Bros in the winter of 1995/6, have campaigned to reopen it as a smaller nostalgia- focused operation.
Diagnosed with cancer some years ago, he was receiving weekly treatments of chemotherapy at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London until his death. Jimmy is survived by his wife Rochelle and sons Jeremy and Jordan, as well eldest son James from a previous marriage.
APRIL 2012
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