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Merlin outlines US expansion plans


US


AT the 2014 IAAPA Attractions Expo in November, Merlin Entertainments revealed a large-scale Lego model that showcased three iconic brands coming to Orlando next year – The Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and Sea Life Orlando Aquarium. “This is the first 3D visual representation of the complex,” said Todd


Andrus, head of marketing for the three attractions. “We are excited to unveil this expansive and comprehensive Lego model as we move toward opening in spring 2015.” Poised to become Orlando’s newest icon, the 400ft Orlando Eye


observational wheel provides a new way to experience Central Florida. Sea Life Aquarium will offer a new wave of immersive underwater


experiences with colourful fish, rays, sharks and other creatures in floor to ceiling displays, bubble tanks, touch pools and a 360-degree underwater tunnel. Meanwhile, Madame Tussauds Orlando will roll out the red carpet for


celebrities from film, television, sports, history and pop culture, with its incredibly detailed and lifelike wax figures.


Chance Zipper makes a return


THE famous Zipper from Chance Rides is back with modern updates. A promotional video from the Kansas-based manufacturer highlights


the updated LED lighting package on this carnival-style thrill ride. The new Zipper also includes a segmented cable system that dramatically decreases maintenance time and wheel wear. An order for the ride has already been placed by Skinners’ Amusements of Illinois, Chance Rides said.


Funovation debuts Beam Buster


FUNOVATION, the Colorado-based attraction group, has launched a new laser game, Beam Buster. Making its debut at this year’s IAAPA Attractions Expo, Beam Buster


sees players try to break as many laser beams as possible in 30 seconds. Utilising the same space and components as Funovation’s Laser Maze Challenge, players must complete objectives in order to activate more lasers and earn bonus points. Unlike the Laser Maze Challenge, in which the lower the score the better, in Beam Buster, the objective is to achieve the highest score to earn a spot on the Top 10 leaderboard. Explaining the inspiration for Beam Buster, Funovation CTO, Ted


Ziemkowski, said: “One of our Laser Maze installer’s three-year-old son was playing in the maze while waiting for his dad. He played for what seemed like forever, just running around breaking lasers - not caring that the objective was to avoid them. “When we were recently challenged by Chuck E. Cheese’s to make a


gameplay mode more appealing to their target audience of three-to-eight year-olds, we instantly thought back to the boy’s delight and started to develop Beam Buster.” Beam Buster will now be included with the Laser Maze Challenge and will be available as an easy upgrade for existing customers, Funovation said.


Surfing the skies


THE Ride Entertainment Group has introduced AirSurfer, the world’s first standing zipline that can navigate turns and climb hills. US-based Ride Entertainment, which also owns the Skycoaster fly-


by-wire thrill ride, will manufacture the attraction using experienced amusement industry engineers and fabricators. “We are very excited about this technology,” said the company’s Adam


Sandy. “It offers a ride experience like nothing else in the market and can be utilised in so many different ways. From an upcharge attraction at an amusement or waterpark, to a ski resort installation, to a version that offers tours of a zoo, the AirSurfer technology is something special.” Project leader, Andy Greenberg, said: “The ride is so versatile and


unique that I can see AirSurfer growing in ways we simply cannot imagine. All of us feel that this technology will allow us to offer rider experiences unlike any other ride in the amusement industry and that excites our entire team. “We are currently in the process of re-engineering the entire ride system,


updating the control system and ensuring that every aspect of the ride meets or exceeds applicable ASTM standards. We know our customers will be impressed with the results.”


12 InterPark January–February 2015


NEWS


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