WATERPARKS
They’ll stay and play all day!
Exciting hands-on adventures for the entire family.
HIGH SEAS
W
hile the rate of waterpark devel- opment has slowed in the US, with the recession putting the
brakes on a number of proposed develop- ments, the Asian market has seen growth, with world class waterparks being commis- sioned. The Middle East is also in on the act, with both the region’s biggest water- park and Bahrain’s fi rst waterpark opening their doors this year. Adding indoor waterparks to larger
Hersheypark, Pennsylvania
developments, such as hotels or shopping malls, continues to be a trend, although the rate of US hotels opening waterpark resorts has slowed considerably. Only eight are planned to open in 2010, com- pared with 22 last year and a number of construction projects, originally due to open this year, have been delayed, mainly because of banks shutting off funding. However, China, the emerging mar-
ket, is very confi dent. Waterpark designer Forrec is currently working on China’s largest indoor waterpark, Happy Magic
Wet ’n’ Wild, Arizona
Empex offers a range of play structures for younger children including a Kiddie Lagoon (left)
Waterpark designers and ride manufacturers are being kept on their toes by the ambitions of operators. Kath Hudson reports on some of the new developments
Watercube, at Olympic venue, the Beijing Watercube. This 11,000sq m (118,400sq ft) project is expected to open in the summer. Attractions are being provided by Proslide, WhiteWater West and Empex and include an Aqualoop, Tornado, RideHouse, tube and body slides, wave pool, lazy river and pools with a variety of waterplay elements.
“The thematic environment is based on a truly magical underwater world, with col- ourful props throughout, and enhanced with LED ‘moving’ walls, theatrical lighting and live performance,” says Forrec vice president, Anthony van Dam. Forrec has two other Chinese water-
parks on the drawing board, one in Beijing and one in Nanjing. The Beijing Longmenzhen Water Park, scheduled to open in 2011, is being designed as the fi rst large-scale, world-class waterpark develop- ment in northern China. The attraction area alone spans 14 hec-
tares, and the project is part of a larger hotel, spa and commercial district, all being designed by Forrec. “The park will have one of the largest mix of attractions in all of Asia and the cli- ent has recently fi nalised agreements with some of the top western vendors,” says van Dam. “This includes more than 30 slides, along with water play attractions,
Wild Wadi, Dubai
The Waterpark Company
whitewater@whitewaterwest.com
Tel: +1 604 273 1068 •
www.whitewaterwest.com
AM 2 2010 ©cybertrek 2010
Cowabunga Bay, Utah
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