Park News www.parkworld-online.com


Figures of Fun


2


million+ – number of visitors to Plopsa Indoor Hasselt, Belgium, since opening in 2005. Attendance is up 50% so far this year


60


metres – height of Divertical, the world’s tallest water coaster, now open at Mirabilandia, Italy


87


US dollars – new price of single park day ticket at Disneyland Resort in California (previously $80)


89


US dollars – new price of single park day ticket at Universal Orlando Resort (same price as Walt Disney World)


525


feet (160 metres) – length of Route 66 at Cars Land, Disney California Adventure – 2,449.9 miles (3,942km) shorter than the real Route 66


2,500


number of disabled children entertained at Tibidabo, Barcelona, as part of recent Day of Solidarity


85,000


number of incandescent bulbs that will be replaced over the coming years at Tivoli in Copenhagen – saving the park millions of Krone in energy bills


Produced in association with AECOM. www.aecom.com/economics


6 Up at the O2


The Up at The O2 (theo2.co.uk/upattheo2) experience begins at the Base Camp briefing area before guests are kitted out in climbing suits, shoes and safety harnesses ready to make their way to the base of the tent to start their climb. From here, climbers are guided in groups of 30 to a central observation platform via a 190m-long fabric walkway suspended between The O2’s distinctive yellow masts.


At 52m above ground level, guests can enjoy spectacular views of London and its many landmarks, including the Olympic Park, Thames Barrier and the Shard and Canary Wharf skyscrapers. Participants must be at least 10-years- old, 1.2m-tall and medically and physically fit. Tours for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users, are planned at a later date. Adult tickets cost £22, and advance booking is recommended. Meanwhile London residents and visitors can enjoy views of The O2 from even higher up


JULY 2012


Love the view!


As London gears up for the Olympics later this month, three new high altitude observation experiences await visitors to the British capital


L


ocated in the heart of Olympic Park, East London, the ArcelorMittal Orbit (arcelormittalorbit.com) was designed by


Anish Kapoor and Cecil Balmond and part-funded by the world’s largest steel producer. Standing 114.5-metres-tall – almost twice the height of the adjacent Olympic Stadium – the Orbit is billed as, “the tallest sculpture in the UK.” Its twisting steel structure, coated in 19,000 litres of red paint, has been criticised by some as being ugly, while Kapoor has gone on record saying it doesn’t matter it looks like. Park World couldn’t possibly comment. Tickets to access the Orbit’s two indoor viewing platforms cost £15 ($23.20/€18.90). On a clear day, the upper platform will offer views of up to 20 miles (32km). The tower has the potential to attract around 1 million visitors a year. Roughly 5 miles (8km) away in Greenwich, visitors to The O2 concert venue (formerly the Millennium Dome) can now enjoy a breathtaking climb across the roof of this famous tented building.


London attractions soar to new heights


The Orbit towers over the Olympic Stadium


onboard the Emirates Air Line (emiratesairline.co.uk), the UK’s first urban cable car system. Sponsored by the Dubai-based airline, this high altitude form of transport links Greenwich Peninsula and The O2 with the Royal Docks (serving the ExCel exhibition centre).


Allowing pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists to cross this section of the River Thames within five minutes, the journey previously involved transit by a combination of London Underground/Dockland Light Railway. The structure has a cable span of just over 1.1km and is supported by three towers. At its highest point, passengers will be 90m above the Thames. Though designed primarily as public transport and as a means of encouraging local regeneration, the Emirates Air Line also has obvious tourist potential. Outside peak times, the cable car will operate at reduced speed to allow passengers to take in the views. Adult fares are £4.30 one-way, or £3.20 for Oyster card users.


The Emirates Air Line soars over The O2


24 26 28 50 32 20 3841


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  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48