parkworld-online.com
P10
Park Word
JULY 2015
4 Park Hoppin’ Paul Ruben’s Riverside reminiscences
5 Front Gate Setting the agenda for the month ahead 7 Park Law The legal risks of F&B
6-18 Park News Your monthly update
10-21 Made In Italy Supplier update
24 BALPPA Summer Meeting Event review
26 Asian Attractions Expo Show review
28-30 Dubai Parks and Resorts Exclusive interview
32-33 Twisted Colossus Ride profile/cover story
34-36 Wicked Cyclone Ride profile
38 Rocky Mountain Construction Company profile/cover story
40-42 Holiday World’s Thunderbird Ride profile
44-46 Tayto Park Park profile
52-55 Latin America Argentinean waterparks
58 Show Guide Calendar
59 Web Guide Online resources
LY P40 P40 P24
It was a grim tu n of events that resulted in two passengers requiring leg amputations after riding aster last month at Alton Towers in
It was a grim turrn o pg
The Smiler rollercoaster last month at Alton Towers in England. I have never known of an amusement park accident –– even one where there were fatalities – attract so much attention from the public.
passengers requiring leg amputations after riding The Smiler rollercoa lh l
of events that result gg p
hl ll To
England. I have never known of an amusement park accident –– even one where there were fatalities – attract so much attention from the public.
By closing the entire park, and not just the area containing the ride in question, for several day wards, operator Merlin Enter
containing the ride in question, for several days afterf wards, operator Merlin Entertainments arguably played its part in sustaining media coverage of theplayed its part in sustaining media coverage of the
story.Yet alongside ‘traditional” media, there is of course now also social media, where users are free to post their thoughts without checking their facts. Whose p
By closing the entire park, and not just the area g
ys . Ye Yet alongside ‘traditional” media, there is of
course now also social media, where users are free to post their thoughts without checking their facts. Whose pdates or photos taken out of context ed had guests been free to roam
ht have appeare to know kind of upd
to know kind of updates or photos taken out of context mighh
might have appeared had guests been free to roam the park freely in the days immediately after the event? In the meantime, Merlin did its best to explain what it is was doing to investigate the accident, compensate the nd ensure it never happens again. eptions from friends and colleagues h hh dl
dh
the park freely in the days immediately after the event? In the meantime, Merlin did its best to explain what it is was doing to investigate the accident, compensate the families involved and ensure it never happens again.families involved an Anecdotal percepg ld
Anecdotal perceptions from friends and colleagues would suggest that the company handled an awful situation pretty well, reducing the chances of it having a knock-on effect at other Merlin parks and attractions (although I’m not convinced the general public realises e firm’s p tfolio). Certainly it has df h
avoided the kind off backlash that resulted from the less- than-sensitive handling of an incident by the travel agent n two children died from carbon
avoided the kind of backlash that resulted from the less- than-sensitive handling of an incident by the travel agent Thomas Cook when
s portfolio). Certainly it has kl h
y
Thomas Cook when two children died from carbon monoxide poising while on holiday in Corfu.
monoxide poising while on holiday in Cor
I get why things going wrong at amusement parks make the news: it’s the paradox of what should be hh
make the news: it’’s a fun day out sudde
a fun day out suddenly tur than that. Unfortunately,
taken its tanks of suggesting the noto
suggesting the notoriously vicious British press hasn’t fh
taken its tanks offthe industry’’sf the industr s lawn just yet. For al masterclass in how
gg g kk f
d
than that. Unfortunately, routine ride stoppages – whf e
when a safety system does exactly what it shouldit shouldld – frequently make th
hen a safety systtemdtl
s the paradox of what should be de lnly turning into something other y, routine ride stoppages – does exactly what it
– frequently make the headlines too. Two from Altonhe headlines too. Two To
Tw from Alton
Towers surfaced in the same week earlier this month, p
owers surfaced in the same week earlier this month, y
masterclass in how to respond to such “news” stories I refer you to a quote from the team at Carowinds in th Carolina:
bit.ly/1NV17Zt
I refer you to a quote from the team at Carowinds in North Carolina:
bit.ly/1NV17Zt
riously vicious British press hasn’ to respond to such “news” stories
Owen Ralph – Editor Owen Ralph – Editor
Contributors this issue: Heather Eichenbaum, Ela Bailk, David Lavene
Contributors this issue: Heather Eichenbaum, Ela Bailk, David Lavene
Editor:i or:Ed t North American Ed ttor:th American Editor:i Contributors this issu Contributors this issue: Sales Manager: ue: Sales Manager: Publication Manager: Publication Manager: Publishing Direc Managing Direc Publishing Director:tor: Managing Director:tor: Publication Secreta Secretar Head Offic ary:y:
parkworld@btopenworld.com Pau Ruben (+1 585 381 1012) Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012)l
parkw@rochesterr..rrr..com
Heather Eichenbaum, Rick Bastrup, Ricki Chávez-Muñoz
R k Ch MChávez-Muñoz g
jhunter@datateam.co.uk Paul Ryder
h@d Paul Ryder
y
pryder@datateam.co.uk Parvez Kayani
d@d py
Ashley Parnell (+44 1622 699109)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
p.kayani@datateam.co.uk y
vez Kayani k@d
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Y 2015 • ISS
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THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: Twisted Colossus at California’s Six Flags Magic Mountain is the world’s longest hybrid wood/steel rollercoaster and one of two innovative new offerings from Rocky Mountain Construction thrilling Six Flags guests this season. Read profiles of both rides and an exclusive company profile starting on page 32.
rockymtnconstruction.com
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p
I get why things going wrong at amusement parks p
would suggest that the company handled an awful situation pretty well, reducing the chances of it having a knock-on effect at other Merlin parks and attractions (although I’m not convinced the general public realises the true extent of the firthe true extent of the
JULY 2015
Twisted Colossus
Rocky Mountain remixes Six Flags classic
Tayto Park
Holiday World’s Thunderbird Dubai Parks & Resorts + more!
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