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Waterpark News


How to plan a successful event


ALEATHA EZRA I


n Februar y, t he Wo rl d Wa t e r p a r k As soci at ion


c on v e n e d it s European Waterpark Symposium, hosted by The Time Capsule, in Coatbridge, Scotland. T is two-day educational and networking event welcomed waterpark owners and operators from parks through- out Europe including the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy. Issues covered during the event included


water quality, new developments in attrac- tions, memorable marketing campaigns, safety in operations and more. One par- ticular topic that led to lively discussion among the group centered around in-park event planning and how waterparks are an


“We must equip ourselves with the skills


to read and pick up every sign of change within the market of desires”


event in and of themselves because of their unique combination of innovative rides and attractions and their mass appeal to all age groups and families. During his presentation, “Taking Your


Revenue to the Next Level,” Enrico Muccioli discussed how Aquafan in Riccone, Italy created unique special events to appeal to key target markets that the park wants to draw on a daily basis. Highlighted events included Ciao Michael, a tribute to Michael Jackson, Cartoon Network Day, where pop- ular Cartoon Network characters visited the park and interacted with young fans, and the World’s Biggest Foam Party, which gen- erated thousands of pictures shared across the globe via social media. According to Muccioli, the key to event


success lies in, “betting on creativity and on the people who know how to make it work as a system”. He went on to say: “We must equip ourselves with the skills to read and pick up every sign of change within the ‘market of desires’ as it gets more and more sophisticated and complex.”


Aleatha Ezra, WWA membership manager 14 Apollo to take over Great Wolf


Apollo Global Management appears to have won the race to purchase US-based waterpark group Great Wolf Resorts after increasing its bid to US$7.85 (£4.80, 5.92) per share. T e improved price agreed by Apollo represents a 171 per cent premium on the six-month average share price of Great Wolf prior to its orig- inal bid earlier this year. KSL Capital Partners had


entered the race to acquire the business, which oper- ates a total of 11 waterparks across the US and Canada, with what had been referred to as a “superior” off er. However, Great Wolf Resorts said at the time


that Apollo had been given an opportunity to submit a new bid in light of KSL Capital’s US$7 (£4.31, 5.28) a share proposal. Great Wolf Resorts has now revealed that KSL does not intend to submit any further bids


Great Wolf currently operates 11 waterparks across North America


for the company, which leaves the path clear for Apollo to complete the purchase. A Great Wolf Resorts spokesperson said:


“T e Apollo off er was unanimously approved by the Great Wolf board of directors. “T e board recommends that Great Wolf


shareholders tender their shares into Apollo’s revised tender off er.”


Palace Entertainment acquires Noah’s Ark


Palace Entertainment has completed the acquisition of Noah’s Ark waterpark in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, US for an undisclosed price. The 70-acre attraction is


one of the largest waterparks in the US with 51 water rides, two wave pools and two lazy rivers. T e park also has two hotels, totalling 300 bed- rooms. Palace Entertainment will operate the park under its Festival Fun Parks arm. Palace currently operates 40 theme and waterparks across the US. Noah’s Ark will be the fi rm’s fi rst in the state of Wisconsin. T e park was sold by brothers Tim and Dan


Noah’s Ark is one of the US’ largest parks with two hotels and 51 slides


Gantz, who bought the attraction from its founders, Turk and Jack Waterman, in 1994. Tim Gantz said: “When we considered the sale of the park, we were excited that a


company such as Palace Entertainment, with so much experience in waterparks, theme parks, animal parks and family entertainment centers, would come to this area.” Palace Entertainment is owned by Spain-


based, international visitor attractions operator Parques Reunidos.


Polin to supply rides for Cartoon Network’s Thai park


Turkish supplier Polin has secured a deal to supply water rides for the new Cartoon Network Amazone waterpark being built in Bang Saray on the East Coast of T ailand. Scheduled to open in 2013, Cartoon Network Amazone will incorporate rides themed


Read Attractions Management online attractionsmanagement.com/digital


according to popular animated series and toon heroes such as Ben 10, T e Power puff Girls and Johnny Bravo. T e park’s attractions will include a family wave pool, a winding adven- ture river, speed-racing slides, family raſt slides and a large interactive water play fortress.


AM 2 2012 ©cybertrek 2012


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