Park News
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Dubai’s largest coaster Mack signs deal for City of Arabia
The developers of a new theme park in Dubai are planning what will be the Emirate’s largest rollercoaster to date, courtesy of Mack Rides. The ride in question, destined for the IMG Theme
Park at City of Arabia, is a Mega Launch Coaster similar to Blue Fire at Europa-Park in Germany. Expected to become a signature attraction of the 1.2 million sq ft (111,500 sq m) air-conditioned facility, the ride will feature a partial indoor/outdoor construction. With the notable exception of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, almost all of the existing rollercoasters throughout the United Arab Emirates are indoor attractions pitched firmly at families with young children – so thrill seekers are in for a treat at City of Arabia. “We wanted to offer a new kind of coaster experience,” Ilyas AW Galadari, co-chairman of developer Ilyas & Mustafa Galadari Group, tells Park World. “The theme park will be built to the highest standards with the best vendors being selected to supply the rides.”
Construction has already started on IMG Theme Park, which will be a central component of the City
of Arabia, and completion is scheduled for some time in 2013. Located on Emirates Road, the master development is billed as, ‘The heart of Dubailand.” Also featured will be a Marvel theme park, the Mall of Arabia retail resort, Wadi Walk residential and entertainment district, plus a collection of residential/office towers.
“Dubai is coming back!” believes Galadari.
Tube Top at Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park, Denver Colorado, has launched its newest water ride. Tube Top, pictured, is a Tantrum Twist from ProSlide featuring a twisting totally-enclosed tube slide, a double spiral, zero gravity funnel and vortex turn. Passengers experience the colourful ride sat inside four-person cloverleaf shaped tubes.
Blue Fire at Eurpa-Park. Recognise any of the riders?
Mack Media makes 3D debut
Is there anything the Mack family can’t do? Castle Secret is the first 3D/4D attraction film from Mack Media. Now showing at Europa-Park, it tells the tale of the German park’s mascot Euro Maus and his friends Euromausi, Eurofant, Böckli and Louis. A food fight ensures as the characters attempt to solve the mystery of the mysterious Balthasar Castle. The enthusiastic response to the film from Europa-Park guests has encouraged the Mack family to make it available to other parks and attractions via its new media production arm. The 15-minute production has been realised together with the makers of Die Konferenz der Tiere 3D (Animals United), Germany’s most successful German animated film, and will be distributed worldwide by nWave. “We are very proud that we have made the leap to the international market with “Castle Secret,” says Michael Mack. “Thanks to the ability to adapt the language, the film can really be used anywhere and there is already a German and English version available. We have put a lot into this project and the positive feedback shows us that it has been worth it.”
Turtle Vision 2
Originally developed for the 4D theatre at Efteling in the Netherlands, Turtle Vision has gone onto become one of nWave’s most popular 3D attraction films, spawning the full-length animated feature film Sammy’s Adventures. In anticipation of Sammy 2, nWave is about to release Turtle Vision 2, following the adventures of Sammy and Ray as fully mature adults.
The two turtles have been snatched off the beach with their grandchildren and find themselves in a strange aquarium filled with all sorts of colourful characters. This magical Middle Eastern place has a dark side, however, and Sammy and Ray attempt to orchestrate an escape from the watch of evil keeper Big D. Reunited with their families on the beach, they recount their eye-popping adventures. nWave is now perusing a policy of developing as many of its productions in both feature film and attraction film formats. One of these will be the Belgian company’s first ever live action documentary film. Due for release in spring 2013, African Safari 3D was shot on location from the Skeleton Coast to Mount Kilimanjaro, Employing 24 cameras, infrared technology, hot air balloons and other techniques, the budget was €13 million. Sammy 2 will be released in regular movie theatres in 2015, but parks and attraction operators can license Turtle Vision 2 right away. nWave is also handling worldwide distribution of the new film by Mack Media, Castle Secret (see story to the right).
nwave.com JULY 2012 17
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