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P14


Park Word


OCT/NOV 2015


4 Park Hoppin’ Paul Ruben toasts Knoebels’ succession plan


6-16 Park News Your monthly update


19 Euro Attractions Show Review


20 IAAPA Attractions Expo Preview


22-24 Wanda Xishaungbanna International Resort Profile


24-26 Wanda Water Park Profile


26-28 Istralanida Waterpark profile


31 Aquacolors Waterpark profile


32 Singapore Splash Cover story


34-35 Chimelong 5D Castle Theater Attraction profile


36-37 Thomas Land USA Attraction profile


38 Huck Finn’s Playland Park profile


40 Asia Guest Trends Park research


44-47 Latin American Waterparks Park profiles


48 Ride Guide Book reviews


49 Show Guide Calendar


54 Web Guide Online resources


P37 P34 P22


This edition of Park World arrives somewhat late due to factors outside my control so please think of it as an early November issue rather than late October. As is if to prove the point, we will have both this and the next issue on our booth (#4720) at IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando from November 17 to 20. Come and say hello and pick up your copy. Anyway, the delay has allowed us to sneak in a few last minute stories, such as news of Merlin’s plans for a Legoland park in Shanghai together with the rollout of further “Midway” attractions in the Middle Kingdom (see page 10). In fact, we shine the spotlight on several Chinese projects in this issue. Leading the pack is the new Wanda Xishaungbanna International Resort in Yunnan province (see page 22) Run by China’s richest man, Wang Jianlin, the Dalian


Wanda Group spans several business sectors, from performing arts and cinemas to luxury hotels and real estate. Arguably it doesn’t need to be in the park business, but like other men that have made their fortunes elsewhere, Wang has clearly been enticed by the “sexy” image of the themed entertainment industry. Yet unlike those who have lost their shirt even before their dream leaves the drawing board, he’s in it for the long haul. Many more Wanda theme park and “cultural tourism”


projects are planned across China. The group already boasts overseas assets including the US cinema chain AMC, and we shouldn’t rule out it building parks abroad too. Wang is even on record as saying he’d like to outshine Disney. Wanda is certainly one to watch. In the meantime, we tip of our hat once again to Chimelong Group founder Su Zhigang. After wowing us last summer with his new Ocean Kingdom resort at Hengin Island, the one time crocodile farmer has gone on to add a ‘5D’ theatre to the attraction line-up (see page 34). So what, you might say? The colourful castle- like exterior, 1,002-seat auditorium and world’s largest projection screen (88 metres/288ft in width) mean that this is more than just your run-of-the mill 4D cinema. And if you’ve ever thought that’s what’s missing from such facilities is an animatronic lion flying over the audience on a massive bird then, don’t worry, Mr Su has that covered. See you in Orlando!


Owen Ralph – editor


Editor: Owen Ralph (+44 161 438 2934) parkworld@btopenworld.com


North American Editor: Contributors this issue:


Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012) parkw@rochester.rr.com


Becci Knowles, Baz Slatter


Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124) mburgess@datateam.co.uk


Publication Manager: Jacqui Hunter (+44 1622 699106) jhunter@datateam.co.uk


Publishing Director: Managing Director: Publication Secretary:


Paul Ryder pryder@datateam.co.uk


Parvez Kayani p.kayani@datateam.co.uk


Ashley Parnell (+44 1622 699109) parkworld@datateam.co.uk


Head Office: Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY, UK Tel: +44 1622 687031 datateam.co.uk


OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2015 • ISSN 1462-4796


© Copyright 2015. All materials in this publication remain the copyright of Datateam Business Media Ltd and no part of it may be reproduced without the written permission of the proprietors. A request to insert an advertisement is deemed to be an acceptance of Datateam Business Media Ltd’s conditions of trading, copies of which are available on request.


Member of:


THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: Empex Watertoys recently completed an exciting splash park in Singapore. Working together with Playpoint Singapore, the Canadian company created an exciting array of water features to be enjoyed by children to age 12 at the city’s Sports Hub. See page 32 for more pictures of this colourful installation. www.watertoys.com


Annual subscription (11 issues): UK £67, overseas £161 +44 1825 765 250 datateam@capsule-group.com


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