Park News
parkworld-online.com
Space Shuttle returns Atlantis exhibit opens at Kennedy Space Center
Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC), has opened the doors to Space Shuttle Atlantis, a comprehensive attraction devoted to NASA’s 30-year Space Shuttle programme.
Visitors come literally nose to nose with an actual Space Shuttle orbiter that flew in space 33 times and still bears the scars, scorch marks and space dust of its last mission. Tilted on its side at a near 45° angle with its payload bay doors open and its robotic arm extended, as if it has just undocked from the International Space Station, guests can enjoy an almost 360° view of the spacecraft.
The $100 million, 90,000 sq ft (8,361 sq m) exhibit also contains four multimedia and cinematic productions and over 60 interactive experiences that invite guests to “be the astronaut” as they celebrate the people, passion and patriotism behind the Shuttle project and only at Kennedy Space Center can guests say they saw a shuttle at the home of human spaceflight. Located in Cape Canaveral, from where all 135 space shuttle missions
Choo-choo, zoo-zoo!
Severn Lamb recently completed the delivery of two new rail trains to Louisville Zoo in the USA. A train ride has been a central part of the experience at the zoo in Kentucky for many years, but UK-based Severn Lamb won the tender for the new trains after those of a domestic manufacturer derailed in 2009. The two Texan model trains operate on a 24 inch (610mm) gauge track and are made up of locomotives and diesel tenders, each pulling three open-style coaches accommodating up to 21 seated passengers. One of the carriages is also wheelchair accessible.
The trains run continuously on a 1.2 mile oval track around the zoo’s perimeter and each ride takes approximately 17 minutes. A team of over 12 workers have been trained to staff the trains by amusement industry consultant Ken Vondriska.
louisvillezoo.org severn-lamb.com
were launched and processed from 1981 to 2011, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts in
partnership with PGAV Destinations and NASA.
A further two Space Shuttle orbiters were donated to other institutions in the US, but the KSCVC installation is the most elaborate.
Maurer announces
themed coaster concept German ride manufacturer Maurer Söhne has partnered with the US company RavenSun Creative to provide themed rollercoasters to parks on a turnkey basis. The two companies first collaborated on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, and RavenSun has also worked on Universal’s Transformers ride. “Even small to medium size park owners are keen nowadays to offer a coaster with some sort of USP,” notes Maurer’s Wolfgang Brost, “however to create a custom ride element is very expensive. So we thought we could create something unique with the theming.”
The early concept artwork (pictured) shows a space-themed dark ride using Maurer’s Spinning Coaster system. The company’s X-Car equipped range of rides could also be used. Although the theming will be immersive it need not utilise expensive animatronics because, as RavenSun chief creative officer Louis Alfieri puts it,” when you are racing past on a coaster at 30/40mph you will not see it.”
Whilst Brost says there has been interest in the concept since it was unveiled recently at Asian Attractions Expo in Singapore, he also believes it is well suited to Europe where there is “a need for more indoor attractions.” With an estimated design/build time of 12-15 months, it is likely we will see the first attractions in 2015/16.
New stead at Wicksteed
Alasdair McNee is the new managing director of Wicksteed Park in England. Formerly commercial director of leading UK animal attraction Chester Zoo, where he oversaw a re-branding and a doubling in profits, he hopes to broaden the appeal of the small to medium sized park founded 90 years ago by Charles Wicksteed near the town of Kettering, Northamptonshire.
McNee’s plans include a £2 million investment
($3m/€2.2m) to improve the lake, the first stage in a wider scheme that will see the creation of a large amphitheatre, new pathways around the lake, an
16
arboretum and water play areas. Other plans include a zip wire for older children and teenagers and opening up the islands on the lake. Meanwhile the park’s elegant Edwardian pavilion and wedding venue has just been renovated as part of the continuing work to strengthen the attraction. ”Increasing the educational side of what we do is also key,” adds McNee. “The park status as a charity means there are not large cash reserves to draw on but we still have ambitious plans to broaden the appeal of Wicksteed away from just the rides.”
wicksteed.co.uk
Alasdair McNee AUGUST 2013
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