NEWS
IAAPA forecasts ‘blockbuster year’ in 2012
US
THE International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) has predicted 2012 to be a bumper year for US entertainment attractions, as 400 parks and resorts across the country prepare for the key summer trading period. It is thought that in excess of 300 million guests will
be delighted with the new experiences and technological advances
that have brought an added dimension to waterparks, roller coasters and 3D attractions which have been opened or upgraded across the country. “The more than 135 new rides and
attractions opening this year highlighted by
remarkable exceptional guest roller experiences,
coasters, and
multiple waterpark additions makes 2012 the perfect year to rediscover your local amusement park,” said outgoing IAAPA president and CEO, Chip Cleary. The industry is constantly looking for ways to bring new experiences to guests
and technology is one of the ways in which they can do so. The new rides and expanded attractions are designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of people, such as adrenaline seekers, water enthusiasts and families. New, highly sophisticated designs, especially in roller
coasters, mean that many attractions can offer numerous different and distinct experiences with each ride. Many of the new rides opening over the summer will use this approach, including the ‘winged coasters’ which are appearing for the first time in the US. These use a system which suspend the seats on both
sides of the track and gives visitors the feeling of being in flight - choosing a different seat will enable guests to have a different experience every time they ride. Immersive experiences are also thought to be a good
draw and offer guests the chance to fully interact with their surroundings, in some cases. This type of attraction includes theatre, in-park games and shows and 3D rides. It’s not just in-park attractions that are likely to give
the US amusement industry a boost though; technology enhancements surrounding ticketing, mobile apps and social media are all conspiring to make planning a trip far easier than it has ever been in the past.
Zoomers amusement park opens
FOLLOWING 10 years of development, a new amusement park has opened in Florida. Zoomers theme park includes a range of rides, an indoor entertainment area, mini bowling,
arcade 125 people, games,
party rooms and a banquet hall. The park, which employs is run entirely
on a cashless system and also offers laser tag and go- karting, as well as a Pit Crew Challenge and summer camp opportunities.
New attraction for Universal
8 InterPark July–August 2012 Cars Land opened on June 15
the much-anticipated opening of Cars Land. Group chief executive Bob Iger recently admitted
that California Adventure, which was supposed to turn the Disneyland Resort in California into a multiple-day destination similar to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, had become a source of embarrassment for the company almost from the moment it opened in 2001. In an interview with the Washington Post, Iger said
the park had been a “brand eyesore,” telling investors the revamp would fix what was “clearly a problem” and lift business across the resort area, which includes Disneyland next door. The park’s revamp started in 2008, with most of its new
features relying on characters that come from Disney’s $7.4bn acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios. The $1bn overhaul of the park is now complete and
June 15 saw the grand opening of the resort’s latest attraction, Cars Land. The largest piece of the five-year expansion at Disney California Adventure Park adds 12 acres of immersive excitement to the facility and offers freewheeling fun for everyone as it brings the animated town of Radiator Springs to life.
UNIVERSAL Orlando Resort has cut the ribbon on the eagerly anticipated Despicable Me Minion Mayhem 3D ride. Based upon Universal Pictures and Illumination
Entertainment’s film Despicable Me, the ride includes the latest in ground-breaking 3D technology, taking guests on a fun-filled adventure as they join Gru, Margo, Edith and Agnes and a host of other ‘mischievous minions.’ Aimed at adults and children alike, on entering the living
room and sporting 3D minion goggles, visitors are scanned in the ‘Minionisation Prep Room’ for ‘human germs.’ They then begin their training aboard Minion Transformation Pods and as things start to go wrong, mayhem ensues. An extraordinary trip through Gru’s lab follows, as the hilarity continues and the anarchy grows. The ride concludes under a sparkling, glowing disco
ball, where guests can show off their skills as they dance with the minions. With giant interactive projection screens, visitors can watch themselves as they join in the revelry with the minions to the renowned ‘Boogie Fever.’
A new era for California Adventure
THE Walt Disney Company has completed its five-year US$1bn overhaul of Disney California Adventure, following
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