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SeaWorld San Antonio opens Texas Stingray; closes park


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eaWorld, San Antonio in Texas kicked off the season with one of the first new attractions to open in the country, Texas Stingray. From Great Coasters International, the tallest, fastest and longest wooden


roller coaster in Texas began thrilling guests on 29 February. On 16 March, however, the park closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Everything is bigger in Texas, and Texas Stingray is no exception. When the park


re-opens, riders will face an initial 100-foot drop at 57º, reaching speeds up to 55 mph over 3,379 feet of track. Sixteen gravity defying airtime moments and a 100- foot tunnel are just some of the other superlatives this ride will offer guests.


“We are really pleased that guests to SeaWorld San Antonio can experience


this record-breaking thrill coaster so early in the 2020 season, giving them more reasons to visit the park again and again,” explained Byron Surrett, San Antonio park president. “Texas Stingray is one of the best new coasters in the world and we’re excited to have our first wooden roller coaster join our portfolio of unique ride experiences here in San Antonio.”


Benoit Cornet launches BoldMove Corporation


Benoit ‘Ben’ Cornet, known for his role as CEO and founder of Alterface, the market leading creator of interactive technologies and dark rides, has announced the launch of BoldMove Corporation to the entertainment market. With his team he will be advising theme parks and leisure venues on selecting the best technology for their digital attraction, building it with a dedicated team and guiding them through budgeting and procurement processes. Benoit and his team also advise


technology vendors and ride manufacturers in applying the most suitable technology for visitor experiences. They support all those rolling out IPs in entertainment or other markets, and corporations looking for the ultimate brand experience. BoldMove brings two decades of experience in the field of media-based


and interactive attractions, combining a close connection in the research and academic world with a permanent technology watch on the market. This provides a better understanding of emerging technologies such as VR, AR, MR, Multi Agent technologies or Artificial Intelligence, and how these can be applied in a smart way to enhance visitor experiences.


Cedar Fair outlines its COVID-19 measures


Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a US-based operator of regional amusement parks, water parks and immersive entertainment, revealed the proactive cost- reduction measures it has taken to provide enhanced financial flexibility during the uncertainty of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, while its parks remain closed. “As we work to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees, guests


and business partners from the effects of COVID-19, it’s important we also embrace measures that will ensure our financial flexibility through this difficult period,” said Richard Zimmerman, president and CEO of Cedar Fair. Measures include eliminating nearly all of its seasonal and part-time


labour costs until its parks prepare to reopen, suspending all advertising and marketing expenses, and reducing the CEO’s base salary by 40% and the base salaries of all other executives by 25%, effective April 27, 2020, among others. Cedar Fair has also reduced its capital spending for calendar year 2020,


including the suspension of at least $75-100 million of non-essential capital projects planned for the 2020 and 2021 operating seasons. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the magnitude and duration of the


COVID-19 pandemic at this time, Cedar Fair has withdrawn its previously provided long-term Adjusted EBITDA target of $600 million by 2024.


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APRIL/MAY 2020


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