Park News
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ParkHoppin’ with Paul Ruben
The Porpoise of Manta
(and other fishy tales) SeaWorld San Diego’s new Manta rollercoaster stalled on its second day of operation. SeaWorld said not to worry, they’d call in a manta fix it. They had a ray of hope it would work, but instead it stung them where it hurts. But what’s the porpoise of a rollercoaster at SeaWorld? There’s so much otter stuff to sea.
I will not take credit for any this lame humour. The so-called honour goes to my shameless friend (anyone who knows me has no shame), Tony Gonzalez Jnr. His puns that were simply too bad to ignore. But I will take credit for making my way to SeaWorld San Diego to ride Manta (pictured below); it was an exhilarating experience. From Mack Rides, it’s the perfect attraction for SeaWorld as it immerses you into the world of rays. The double-launch ride begins in a tunnel with a 270º screen. Rays are projected all around you. The music builds, the train starts to rock back and forth, making you feel like you’re in the ocean. More and more rays surround you, and then you blast out into sunlight and reach maximum speed within two seconds. It’s one of the most stunning beginnings to a coaster I’ve ever experienced. The rest of the 2,835ft-long ride isn’t shabby either. You feel like you're a giant manta, gliding, twisting and diving through the ocean.
Adjacent to Manta, more than 60 rays and hundreds of fish are on display in a reef-themed aquarium, animal encounters being a hallmark of the SeaWorld experience. Manta’s 100,000-gallon aquarium is filled with three species of rays
(California bat rays, diamond stingrays and shovelnose guitarfish) and hundreds of fish native to the California coast. There was even a fish with no eyes, a fsh. So why, you may ask, am I not pictured by Manta, but rather in front of the Giant Dipper at the nearby Belmont Park? Because I was thirsty. After riding Manta a few times I was suffering beer depravation, so headed to Belmont down at Mission Beach, less than a mile from SeaWorld.
There, in the Coaster Saloon across the street from the Giant Dipper, I went in search of an adult beverage. The Dipper, I’m happy to report, was wonderful as always, and the park never looked better. General manager Wendy Crain is justifiably proud of her Dipper, and her new Chance Rides’ Unicoaster, too. Yet I was still in a Manta mood. The Coaster Saloon is a real dive, but the place was rockin' with a very popular tuna, Salmon Chanted Evening. And the stage was surrounded by screaming groupers. Probably there to see the bass player.
8
IAAPA’s new CEO Noland to succeed Cleary
Paul Noland
You can take a man out of the amusement park, but you can’t take the park out of the man. Leading IAAPA is one of the highest profile jobs within the industry, but for Chip Cleary it appears park operation on the front line has come calling once again. Cleary will leave his role as IAAPA president and CEO this autumn/fall for a leadership position within the theme park industry, set to be replaced by Paul Noland. An attractions industry consultant with RPN associates, IAAPA
board member and former Walt Disney Parks and Resorts executive, Noland will take to the helm of the association on Jan 1, 2012. “I have enjoyed my experience as president and CEO of IAAPA and I am proud of all we have accomplished,” says Cleary. “We have more work to do and we will continue to move the association forward between now and the end of the year. I look forward to once again planning and developing attractions and entertaining guests so I am excited about returning to the theme park industry.”
Boasting masters and bachelors’ degrees in, respectively, Business Administration and Journalism & Speech Communication, Noland served in several leadership positions with Marriott International before joining Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. There he led a team evaluating future growth opportunities for Disney’s US operations, as well as serving with Walt Disney World’s financial team. Noland has been an IAAPA board member since 2009. “We are fortunate to have Paul lined up to lead IAAPA after Chip leaves,” notes current IAAPA chairman Roland Mack. “Chip has made a real difference in our association and we greatly appreciate all he has done. Paul’s proven track record, analytical acumen and leadership skills will allow him to build on Chip’s success.”
Chip Cleary
Ripley’s hosts world’s tallest man
This is the world’s tallest man. At just over 2.5m in height (8ft 3in), Turkish-born Sultan Kösen has held the Guinness World Record for the last three years and was in Hong Kong recently to help launch Ripley Entertainment’s new Guinness World Records Attractions brand in Asia.
The interactive concept will allow guests to attempt to break and set official world records during their visit. Ripley’s is searching for franchise opportunities throughout Asia. Each attraction should typically be around 2,000 sq m in size and located in a high visibility area with substantial tourist traffic and favourable zoning and signage regulations. Kösen suffers from a rare disorder called acromegaly, which causes his body to continually produce the growth hormone. In 2010, researchers at the University of Virginia Medical Center in the USA believe they discovered a treatment for the 29-year old – who also boasts the world’s largest hands (27cm wide) and feet (35cm-long) – to stop him growing.
ripleys.com JULY 2012
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