Park News
parkworld-online.com
Lotte enters China
The Orlando design firm Falcon’s Treehouse is to masterplan a new indoor theme park for the Lotte group as it expands into China. Lotte World Adventure in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, is the first foreign project for the South Korean company “Anyone could import the most advanced facilities and equipment if he is financially successful,” notes Mr Kim, who has been appointed general manager for the Shenyang project. “However, Lotte has 25 years operation experience which will ensure Shenyang is the best entertainment experience.” The existing Lotte World complex in Seoul is one of Asia’s most popular theme parks, welcoming over 7 million guests a year. Falcon’s Treehouse will prepare designs and storylines for the new Chinese park using various fantasy themes.
Vikings invade Djurs Sommerland
Here’s the new pirate ship now thrilling guests as Djurs Sommerland in Denmark courtesy of Huss Park Attractions. Drageskibet swings riders up to 20m high at a 75º angle over a small lake in the newly-created Vikingeland area of the park. Up to 54 passengers can ride at a time. Children from 1.1m tall must be accompanied by an adult, but those over 1.2m are able to ride alone. Huss has sold another pirate ship to Romon World in Ningbo, China, as part of a four ride package that also includes a suspended Top Spin, Giant Frisbee and Break Dance.
djurssommerland.dk
Kernels
Bob Iger has been named 2014 CEO of the Year by Chief Executive magazine in the USA. The Disney leader was chosen for his had a three-pronged strategy to “fix” Disney’s brand, according to editor-in- chief JP Donlon. That strategy, which saw Disney stock soar to an all- time high this February, saw the company complete the acquisition of both Pixar and Marvel and agree a deal with Lucasfilm to develop the Star Wars franchise. Previous winners of the CEO award include Microsoft’s Bill Gates, GE’s Jack Welch and Dell founder Michael Dell.
S&S Worldwide is to deliver two tower rides to the new Dreamworld and Castle Resort at Hot Go Park, Fushun, China, planned to open in the spring of 2015.
Huss Park Attractions has secured contracts for two new suspended Top Spins and a Giant Frisbee for China, plus a King Kong ride for an unspecified Middle East destination. More details soon, or ask the Huss team next month at EAS in Amsterdam. Still to open in 2014 are suspended Top Spins for the Middle East and China, the latter undisclosed clients also getting a Sky Tower.
How’s this for an unusual but clever sponsorship deal? Blackpool Council has persuaded local company BES Commercial Electricity to provide free electricity to power the British resort’s annual Illuminations. Over the last 10 years new technology, including LED lighting has meant that energy consumption for the Illuminations has reduced by two-thirds. but it’s still a big cost for the local authority. BES will provide free electricity for the two-month festival of lights in 2014, and half-price power next year – equating to more than £100,000 of indirect sponsorship. The money saved will go towards the design and installation of new light displays for the Illuminations, which run from 29 August to 9 November.
Attractions industry image capture specialist Picsolve has appointed Colin Tenwick as a non-executive chairman. Previously chief executive and chairman of online restaurant reservation service Bookatable, he has been recognised as a Technology CEO of the Year and is currently serving also in non-executive positions with AVG and Addison Lee.
Rogers appointed
to Oscar board BRC Imaginations Arts chairman and founder Bob Rogers has been elected to the board of governors at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – the Oscars to me and you.
One of five new board members, he takes the place of outgoing governor John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios and principal creative advisor to Walt Disney Imagineering. Rogers will be one of three governors representing the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch of the Academy. “I’ve always wanted to start a speech with the words, ‘I’d like to thank the Academy for this great honour,’” quips Rogers, who has twice been nominated for an Oscar, for short films he produced and directed.
brcweb.com
18
Merlin Entertainments is to build a second Legoland Discover Centre (LDC) in Japan after agreeing a deal with the Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan. Legoland Discovery Centre Osaka will be located in the city’s Tempozan Market Place Mall and is scheduled to open in spring 2015. It will feature the usual LDC mix of a Miniland exhibit, Lego-themed dark ride, 4D cinema, play area, brick pool and Lego building master classes from a Master Model Builder, plus party rooms for birthdays and other celebrations. This will be Merlin’s third Lego attraction in Japan, and reflects the success of the company’s existing LDC outlet in Tokyo, where Merlin also operates Madame Tussauds. The country’s first full size Legoland theme park will open in Nagoya in 2017. As well as the adjacent aquarium, Kaiyukan also operates a Ferris Wheel at the Tempozan Market Place. Could Merlin perhaps have its eyes on these as potential Sea Life or Eye-branded attractions?
The theming specialist TAA Industries has appointed a new director of rocks and façades. Roberto Callerame joins the German company (with fabrication facilities in Romania) from Euro Disneyland Imagineering, where he supervised the entire cement façade to the new Ratatouille attraction (see page 36). His knowledge of rockwork is expected to be a huge asset to TAA, which already has considerable experience in this field.
AUGUST 2014
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