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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 SUMMER 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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THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: This summer, Aquopolis Villanueva de la Cañada unveiled Kilauea, a groundbreaking RocketBLAST water coaster and one of the most dynamic water ride experiences in Europe.
Becci Knowles, editor
Editor: Becci Knowles (+44 1622 699140)
bknowless@datateam.co.uk
Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
mburgess@datateam.co.uk
SUMMER 2026 • ISSN 1462-4796
Julian Davies (+44 1622 699106)
jdavies@datateam.co.uk
P18 5 Park Hoppin’ 6-16 Park News
18-19 Cover Story 22-23 Industry Insider 24-25 Tom Anstey Column 26-27 Bacho 30-31 Asia Update 32-33 Horror forever 36 Phantom Theater
P35
34-46 Park Updates 47-51 Product Showcase
P52 Editor: Matt Broughton
mbroughton@datateam.co.uk North American Editor: Susan Storey
Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
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Publishing Director: Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk Managing Director: Parvez Kayani
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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 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 -
Hello everyone. I’m writing to you this month while sat in complete darkness, as I have to keep all the curtains closed for fear of bursting into flames under the burning sun.
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
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
I should remind you that there’s definitely no such thing as global warming, but – coincidentally and unrelated to that statement – the UK is experiencing an incredibly rare RED weather warning, meaning that opening the front door could possibly lead to instant death. My car said it was 36 degrees at 9:30 this morning, but it then turned into a red puddle of metal on the driveway, so could have been out by a degree or three. Anyway, absolutely nothing to worry about, but JUST in case… REMAIN INDOORS! So, to this issue of Park World Magazine – and
it’s as hot and tasty as my ginger friend’s forehead. There’s quite a lot to get excited about this
issue, and it’s tough to zero in on particular highlights, but I’d certainly encourage you to check out Tom’s article on horror-themed attractions that appear to be flourishing well outside of the usually associated season. Tom also drops his usual column while we
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.
in Asia, while also dropping tons of news and updates across the industry. Other than that, you’ll just have to pop on your flip-flops and waddle through the rest of the issue while pressing an ice cream cone into your mouth flap. Enjoy, Matt
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.
SUMMER 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:
welcome Bacho founder, Nikolai Tolstykh, to the Park World pages as he delivers a report on designing themed environments to keep guests returning. We bring you an update on the state of business
in association with
in association wit
Becci Knowles, editor
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