W-MAR20-03-Contents.qxp_Contents 30/03/2020 18:15 Page 3
future projects as best we can, while prioritising the health and safety of guests and staff by keeping gates shut until our respective governments advise it is safe to do otherwise. In this month’s extended ‘Industry Influencer’ (pp30 -
MARCH 2020 WINTER 2026
33), Frank Stanek, looks back on his life in the industry and addresses the current economic climate for the planning and development of attractions and new entertainment real estate developments. In ‘Stay in the Game’ (p49) Scott Sherod CEO of
6 Park Hoppin’ The latest from Paul Ruben 6-20 Park News Your monthly round-up 22-23 Cover Story PolinWaterparks 25-26 ParkWorld Excellence Awards Make some noise! 28-29 Ride Profile Mickey andMinnie’s Runaway Railway 30-33 Industry Influencer Frank Stanek and The Producers Group 35-42 Special Feature Theming 44-45 Attraction Profile Kalahari Resorts 46-47 Company Profile Aquatic Development Group 48 Guest Article Debbie Evans:Manging your brand through socialmedia
Intercard, picks up on the theme of keeping calm and carrying on by exploring the ways which operators, manufacturers and suppliers can support each other through the crisis. In this month’s Big Question (p5) we find out how
Dreamworld,WhiteWaterWorld, SkyPoint, Efteling, Linnanmäki Amusement Park, Toverland and Ripley Entertainment are managing to keep guests entertained while gates are shut. We also hear from Stefano Cigarini, CEO of Cinecittà
World in Rome (52-54) and Daan Duijim, director of operations and set-up for SunWorld, a series of leading amusement parks and entertainment complexes in in Vietnam, (pp56-77), while regular contributor Astrid González Nariño gives us an update on the situation in Latin America (pp60-62). Throughout the issue we also highlight projects that
went live before the crisis or were due to go live in the coming weeks and months – let’s continue to talk about them, as when gates re-open, they will undoubtedly be (or continue to be) a success. This includes SuntagoWater World in Poland, where PolinWaterparks has installed 15 of its signature slides (pp22-23), and all of the other fantastic theme parks, water parks, FEC’s and location- based entertainment mentioned throughout the issue.
North American Editor: Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012)
parkw@rochester.rr.com
Contributors this issue: Bryony Andrews, Scott Sherrod, Debbie Evans
s
ut the ns of
49 Guest Article Scott Sherrod: Stay in the Game 50-51 FEC Profile Langer’s 52-54 Park Profile CinecittàWorld 56-57 Asia Pacific Daan Dujim, SunWorld 58-61 Latin America The region’s response to the pandemic 62 NewProducts Your monthly round-up 70Web Guide Online Resourses
Sales & Events Manager:
© Copyright 2026. 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.
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P
THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: A small village in Gaul is set to expand across Europe, with Asterix, Obelix and company marching toward Germany. In this issue we explain why he thinks this will mark a major shift for Europeʼs theme park landscape.
Becci Knowles, editor
Editor: Becci Knowles (+44 1622 699140)
bknowless@datateam.co.uk
Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
mburgess@datateam.co.uk
WINTER 2026 • ISSN 1462-4796
Julian Davies (+44 1622 699106)
jdavies@datateam.co.uk
P18 5 Park Hoppin’ 6-16 Park News
18-19 Super 6 20-21 Industry Insider 22-23 ROLLER iQ 24-25 Tom Anstey Column 26-28 Technology Features 30-35 Park World Updates 36-40 Product Showcase 41 Web Guide 42 Show Guide
P35 P52 Editor: Matt Broughton
mbroughton@datateam.co.uk North American Editor: Susan Storey
Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
mburgess@datateam.co.uk
Publishing Director: Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk Managing Director: Parvez Kayani
pkayani@datateam.co.uk
Publication Secretary: Tracey Reader (+44 1622 699109)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Head Office: Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY, UK Tel: +44 1622 687031
P56
Park Word
Welcome to theMarch issue. I hope you are all safe and
keeping well. With parks beginning to re-open in China and Japan a number of industry voices have said they can see a light at the end of the tunnel and that’s very much what this issue is all about – continuing to work on f “2025” and had
Hello and welcome to another cracking issue of Park World! It’s been a weird start to 2026 (and that’s ignoring the fact I just typed
uture projects as best we can, while p tro back space and
ioritising the health and safety of guests and staff by k correct myself – THAT’s how confused I am!)
ssue much earlier, but the first issues of 3 a3) n, Frank Stanek, looks back on his life in the industry
and addresses the current economic climate for the p tlhe after-effects of Christmas and New Year tertainment real estate developments.
spIectacularly as they have for us!
Intercard, picks up on the theme of keeping calm and carrying on by exploring the ways which operators, manufacturers and suppliers can support each other through the crisis. In this month’s Big Question (p5) we find out how
eeping gates shut until our respective governments advise it is safe to do otherwise.
I originally t ought that we’d have closed thIin ts ihis month’s extended ‘Industry Influencer’ (pp30 - ew year are never easy, especially when
anning and development of attractions and new e (nyou remember that don’t you?) hang over as n ‘Stay in the Gam ’ (p49) Scott Sherod CEO of But here we are, comfortably launching our
Dreamworld,WhiteWaterWorld, SkyPoint, Efteling, Linnanmäki Amusement Park, Toverland and Ripley Entertainment are managing to keep guests entertained while gates are shut. We also hear from Stefano Cigarini, CEO of Cinecittà
first issue of 2026 like a beautiful cruise liner sliding down the dock ramps into the sea. What a beautiful visualisation that was. You’re welcome. #theatreofthemind. We have some pages you’d expect, such as
World in Rome (52-54) and Daan Duijim, director of operations and set-up for SunWorld, a series of leading amusement parks and entertainment complexes in in Vietnam, (pp56-77), while regular contributor Astrid González Nariño gives us an update on the situation in Latin America (pp60-62). Throughout the issue we also highlight projects that
an Industry Insider interview with BoldMove Nation’s Benoit Cornet and Tom Anstey’s always-interesting column, but we also have ROLLER launching a first-of-its-kind application to report on as well as “Super” six new projects to get excited about in 2026. Add to that some other corking features and
went live before the crisis or were due to go live in the coming weeks and months – let’s continue to talk about them, as when gates re-open, they will undoubtedly be (or continue to be) a success. This includes SuntagoWater World in Poland, where PolinWaterparks has installed 15 of its signature slides (pp22-23), and all of the other fantastic theme parks, water parks, FEC’s and location- based entertainment mentioned throughout the issue.
chocolate (I recommend eight Freddo Frogs in a mug in the microwave) and enjoy the issue.
TTFN. Matt
Becci Knowles, editor
Editor: Becci Knowles (+44 1622 699140)
bknowless@datateam.co.uk
MAXIMUM SMILES PER HOUR
North American Editor: Paul Ruben (+1 585 381 1012)
parkw@rochester.rr.com
Contributors this issue: Bryony Andrews, Scott Sherrod, Debbie Evans
MARCH 2020
Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
mburgess@datateam.co.uk
Sales & Events Manager: Sliding
into action!
modernwoodencoasters Frank Stanek and
The Producers Group Park World
Excellence Awards
Polin Waterparks supplies Europe’s largest covered water park with 15 of its signature slides
Stefano Cigarini, Cinecittà World Theming + more
THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT:
SuntagoWaterWorld, which claims to be the largest covered waterpark in Europe, opened its doors to the public in February. Featuring 15 of PolinWaterpark’s signature water slides, it’s a tropical paradise for guests of all ages. Takes a look on pages 22&23.
WINTER 2026
MARCH EDITION • ISSN 1462-4796 © Copyright 2020. All materials in this publication remain the copyright of Datateam BusinessMedia 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 BusinessMedia Ltd’s conditions of trading, copies of which are available on request.
Annual subscription (11 issues): UK £67, overseas £161 +44 1825 765 250
datateam@c-cms.com
3
Julian Davies (+44 1622 699106)
jdavies@datateam.co.uk
Publishing Director: Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk
Managing Director: Parvez Kayani
pkayani@datateam.co.uk
Publication Secretary:
Tracey Ballard (+44 1622 699109)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
Head Office: Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY, UK Tel: +44 1622 687031
Member of:
our usual round-up of some of the key updates in the industry and you’re onto a winner (and just in case you don’t believe me, I’m sorely tempted to award myself something come the next Park World Excellence Awards – but more on that later in the year!) For now, pour yourselves a hot cup of melted
in association with
in association wit
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