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ParkHoppin’ with Paul Ruben
Orlando beyond IAAPA
With so many of you in Orlando this month for IAAPA Attraction Expo 2012, you might also consider visiting one or more of the local theme parks or attractions to see what’s new. It is such a good idea that I decided to visit before IAAPA and tell you what’s new. My first stop was SeaWorld Orlando, to see the new TurtleTrek attraction. Here you can get close-up to manatees and sea turtles before wandering into a spell-binding show. TurtleTrek lets you follow a sea turtle’s epic and astounding journey in this first-of-its-kind 3D 360 domed theatre immersive experience by Falcon’s Treehouse. The next day I went across the street from SeaWorld to what is one of my favourite, and perhaps most expensive, waterpark experiences. Discovery Cove is a limited-admission, all-inclusive tropical resort. New this year is Freshwater Oasis, featuring swimming and wading adventures and face-to-face encounters with otters and marmoset monkeys. But these animals just ignored me. Must have been the heat. So I went over to the Grand Reef. It features a white-sand beach, palm-lined island and underwater grottos filled with moray eels, reef sharks, and scores of other tropical fish. I donned the complimentary snorkel gear, which transformed me into the Creature From
The Black Lagoon. See the photo? Judge for yourself. Once in the water I tried to pet the fish, but they just swam away. On day three I headed over to the Universal Studios at Universal Orlando Resort to check out Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Using the same building as the former Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast, it’s a brand new show combining the humour and characters of Despicable Me animated film with the latest 3D technology. Families join Gru’s minion army and experience the world’s-first minion-inspired dance party. The kids loved it. Me? I just don’t have the moves. On my final day in Florida, I headed over to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland is being expanded to nearly double its former size. New additions already operating are double Dumbo rides, a water play are called Casey Jr Splash ’N’ Soak station, plus a Storybook Circus stop on the Walt Disney Railroad. But the really exciting stuff is still to come. Thanks to my friends at Disney, I was given a tour of the construction that continues beyond a fenced-off area. I was told to wear steel-toed boots and long pants, despite the fact it was 89 degrees (32°C) with high humidity. I was escorted through a door in the fence, where I was met by two Imagineers. I was given a hard hat, safety glasses, and a fluorescent vest. “Safety is our number one priority,” I was told. I’m perspiring and thinking to myself, comfort is my number one priority. Armed with renderings and diagrams, the Imagineers showed me where the new attractions – including a world’s first-of-its-kind coaster called the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – would be located and what they will feature. They will open in phases, starting soon after this year’s IAAPA Expo through until 2014. Everything the Imagineers are building is amazing. It’s surprising what you can do with a spare $425 million. From what I was shown, I’m convinced the new Fantasyland will be a can’t-miss corner of the Magic Kingdom for years to come.
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Yas Waterworld The award-winning waterpark
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Glenn Davidson of ALDAR Properties, Yas Waterworld general manager Mike Oswald and WWA vice-chairman Jim Basala
It hasn’t even opened yet but the United Arab Emirates’ newest waterpark has already picked up a prestigious award from the World Waterpark Association (WWA). Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi has been honoured with the WWA’s inaugural Leading Edge Award, recognising collaborative projects that demonstrate industry leadership and innovation. “Each year the World
Waterpark Association polls its membership in search of
projects that stand at the forefront of the water attractions industry,” notes WWA vice-chairman Jim Basala of Deep River Waterpark. “Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi has been recognised for demonstrating this leadership and innovation through its storyline, park and ride design, theming and attention to every detail. The commitment to developing a sustainable operation was further appreciated by the WWA nominating committee. In short, Yas Waterworld is an incredible waterpark that will inspire everyone in the industry.”
Built on a 15-hectare (40-acre) site at the heart of Yas Island, Yas
Waterworld Abu Dhabi has, like neighbouring Ferrari World, been developed by ALDAR Properties and will be operated by Farah Leisure Parks Management. It will open before the end of the year, thrilling visitors with 43 rides, slides and world-record breaking attractions. Suppliers include WhiteWater, ProSlide, WaveLoch and Vekoma Rides Manufacturing. Attractions include Vekoma’s first Splash Party water coaster, the first
ProSlide six-person hydro-magnetic waterslide in the world and the largest sheet wave surf ride ever. Thrill-seekers will love the Liwa Loop, the only looping waterslide in the Middle East, while the tech lover will surely enjoy the PearlMaster, the world’s only SplashQuest interactive game inside a waterpark.
The venue’s bespoke theme centres around “The Legend of the Lost Pearl,” telling the story of Dana, a young Emirati girl on a quest to find the
A taste of things to come at Yas Waterworld NOVEMBER 2012
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