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Park Hoppin’ with Paul Ruben
Help me, I’m falling In 1891 there was a new ride proposed for the 1893 W World’s
Columbian Exposition in Chicago. No, I’m not talking about George Ferris’ new-fangled observation wheel; this ride would be more thrilling. It was suggested that 12 people would climb into a bullet -shaped capsule, be towed to the top of a 1,000ft (305m) tower into a pool of water
r, r, then dropped r... Fortunately , or unfortunately , this ride was never
built, but the idea of a freefall ride has fascinated thrill seekers ever since. Now , of course, we can enjoy a variety of drop towers. The first drop towers evolved from observation towers when elevator technology was adapted for amusement as parachute drops, the first opening in 1937 at Riverview P ark in Chicago. P arachute rides became very popular in Russia in the late ‘30s. The iconic Parachute Drop at New York
the “Eiffel Tower of Brooklyn,” the 250ft (76m) tower was built for the orld’s F air and moved to its current site, then part of
1939 New York WYo ower of B
Yo ’s Coney Isla To
the Steeplechase Park, in 1941. I rode it in 1959, and the ride ceased operations in 1964. But it wasn’t a true drop tower since the descents were controlled by cables.
with taller
Unrestrained freefalls arrived in the early ‘80s when a proliferation of freefalls with large supporting towers structures appeared, built by Giovanola and sold by Intamin. Only a few remain today, replaced r,, higher-capacity and quieter drop towers, where the
ride vehicle travels up and down a central column, now offered by numerous manufacturers. The experience of falling faster than gravity provided by compressed air intensifies the thrill.
essed air as o the tower rides of S&S-Sansei, r,,, as on the tower rides of S
One of my most memorable drop rides was the Blue Fall at Japan’s Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise. When I rode it in the ‘90s it was the tallest in the world. It ’s a 107m (351ft) Intamin drop tower with a surprise.
Yo
It dropped about 33dt (10m), hesitated for a few seconds, then dropped the rest of the way. It was unexpected and unnerving. And memorable. To
Six Fla The ter
the tower to a hei ht of 415ft (126m). he gondolas are then re
released into a al velocity of 90
oday the world’s tallest drop ride is tamin’s Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom at x Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, ew Jersey. The ride is attached to the xisting Kingda Ka launch coaster ght-seat gondolas are hoisted up e tower to a height of 4 dolas are the
Today the world’s talles ture h coaster r.. Three
ve-second freefall descent, attaining a rminal velocity of 90 mph (140kmh). recently rode it, as pictu could see the
I rece tly rode it, as pictured here, and ould see the ground bel approached
d below.
It approached much too fast. Seeing the ground below and
uch too f
60 mph (97kmh). The 335ft (102m) Intamin traction was so wild I rod
pproaching it face-first are two different ings. Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens ampa, Florida, drops ride 0
attractio
My favourite drop ride is that ulti unpredictable Tower of error
t.Ir.T
My To was so wild I rode it twice.
p ride is that ultimate elevator nightmare, the Te
at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney California Adventure, To DisneySea and Walt Disney Studios P ark in Paris. Theming enhances rides, and this theming is perfect.
Tokyo 8
’s an accelerated drop tower located ture, T
pa, Florida, drops riders face-down at ph (97k h). The 335
The most powerful man in the theme park industry?
Bob Chapek (pictured) has been named the new chairman of Walt Disney P arks and Resorts, replacing T om Staggs who became Disney’s chief operating officer earlier this month.
To g A 22-year veteran of The Wa residei W year vetera of The Walt DisWalt Disney Compa y, Chapek pany,, Chapek
served since 2011 as president of Disney Consumer Products. Prior to that he was president of distribution for The Walt Dis also served as Pres dent of Wa Dis ey i 1993, Mr.
r The Wa ey Studios Wa Parks andResorts with immediate effect. Pa Walt Disney Studios and
joining Disney in 1993, Mr. Chapek worked in brand management at HJ Heinz Company and in advertising at J.Walter. Walter Thompson. He begins his new role with Parks a d R
t of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Before r
“Under Bob’s leadership, Consumer Products has seen great success, focusing on brands and a franchise-driven strategy while launching new products and retail experiences that combine technological innovation and creativity
y,,” notes Disney chairman and CEO B
and versatile executive well-suited to lead Parsuited to lead Parks and Resorts into the future.” During Staggs’ tenure, Disney P arks and R esorts launched two new cruise ships, opened the Aulani resort in Hawaii, added three new lands at Hong K ong Disneyland, doubled the size of F antasyland at the Magic Kingdom in Florida and completed a multi-year expansion of the Disneyland R esort in California, including the addition of Cars L and and Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure. “Bob is stepping into this role at an incredibly dynamic and exciting time for our Parks a Resorts business,” adds Staggs. “The ongoing construction of Shanghai Disney Resort as well as the new Avatar-ew Avatar-themed land at W alt Disney W orld [Animal Kingdom] continues an era of unprecedented growth and historic expansion.”
d CEO Bob I er Pa
Ko i esort as well as the r-the Pa arks and MARCH 2015 sland, however is the best kr,, , is the best known.. Ofte O n called
Universal Stud ud
Theme park celebrates 50 years Launched as a movie-making facility 100 years ago this month, Universal Studios
Hollywood (USH) is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary as a theme park. Since it first opened its gates to the public in July 1964, the Los Angeles tourist attraction has lifted the veil on Hollywood’s most illustrious industry, placing guests at the heart of their favourite movies and television shows – many of which are filmed just footsteps away from the rides and attractions.
And now big changes are afoot for theme park visitors: “We are re - imagining over 75% of our destination as we build upon our incredible success and expand our vision for the future,” reveals L arry K urzweil, president of Universal Studios Hollywood.
The “ glamour trams” of yesteryear that have taken transported millions of guests through the park’sfamous Studio Tour are undergoing a top to bottom makeover to coincide with the 50th anniversary and, by 2016, a fleet of new , contemporary new trams will be rolled out. Offered in multiple languages o
To our our remains
a hallmark Universal Studios Hollywood attraction. This summer
Located on the former site of Curse of the Mummy’sTo
r,, the park will launch the Fast & Furious –Supercharged thrill ride. Tomb tunnel, it will catapult
guests into a “high- stakes underground world of fast cars in an escapade to save one of their own from an international crime cartel.”
The hydraulic motion-based ride fuses realistic special effects with a state-of- the-art 3D audio system and 3D-HD imagery, projected onto the world’s longest and most expansive 360° screen. Spanning nearly 400ft (122m) in length, it will encircle the tramcar ride vehicle within a newly constructed 65,000 sq ft (6,040 sq m) structure on the legendary Universal Studios backlot. A total of
y,, p
Bob Iger. “He is a experie ced r.. “He is an experienced
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