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 31st MARCH 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 and Minnie’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 social media
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:
THIS MONTH’S COVER SHOT: Colossus at Six Flags combines classic wooden coaster feel with modern engineering, and the reaction from guests has been very positive. Great Coasters worked closely with Six Flags to meet their expectations; itʼs a ride the company is very proud of.
Editor:
Bryony Andrews, Scott Sherrod, Debbie Evans
Sales Manager: Mark Burgess (+44 1622 699124)
mburgess@datateam.co.uk
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.
Publishing Director: Paul Ryder
pryder@datateam.co.uk
Managing Director: Parvez Kayani
pkayani@datateam.co.uk
Publication Secretary:
Head Office: Datateam Business Media Ltd London Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 8LY, UK Tel: +44 1622 687031
Annual subscription (11 issues): UK £67, overseas £161 +44 1825 765 250
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Member of:
Tracey Ballard (+44 1622 699109)
parkworld@datateam.co.uk
P MARCH 2026 • ISSN 1462-4796
Julian Davies (+44 1622 699106)
jdavies@datateam.co.uk
Becci Knowles, editor
Becci Knowles (+44 1622 699140)
bknowless@datateam.co.uk
P18 4 Photorealistic Humans 6-16 Park News
18-19 Cover Story 22-23 Industry Insider 24-25 Tom Anstey Column 26-32 Theming 34 Alterface
P35
36-42 Park Updates 46-50 Product Showcase 52 Show Guide 54 Web Guide
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 the March 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 pr ‘our Susan’… she is
Hello everyone! Welcome to a new issue of Park World magazine. We’ve got a belter for you this month, as well as some good news about
ioritising the health and safety of guests and staff by k returning! Yes, after a brief br ak, our Nor th American Editor, Susan Storey, is re-joining
eeping gates shut until our respective governments advise it is safe to do otherwise.
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 This issue is as packed as always, as we bring
thIn this month’s extended ‘Industry Influencer’ (pp30 -
e magazine next issue, so you can look forward to all the ins and outs on the activity in the USA as she somehow blags her way into anything vaguely cool (we’re not jealous, honest!)
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 V invested billions into building world-class González Nariño gives us an updat on the situation in Latin America (pp60-62).
ietnam, (pp56-77), while regular contributor Astrid attractions, theme parks and enter tainment
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.
districts designed to draw visitors from across t Throughout the issue we also highlight projects that We also take a dip into the world of theming
he globe.
while still finding time for all the usual news and updates. So, buckle up, make sure you’ve taken off your
glasses, and immediately regret having onions on your hot dog as we strap you in for another white-knuckle issue of Park World. Scream if you want to go faster!
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: MARCH 2020
Bryony Andrews, Scott Sherrod, Debbie Evans
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.
31st MARCH 2026
MARCH EDITION • ISSN 1462-4796 © Copyright 2020. 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.
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:
you an interview with Great Coasters’ CEO Clair Hain Jr. as well as a great chat with MV Rides’ Chuck Bingham – a man with more than 50 years of experience (and stories!). Be sure to check him out in our Industry Insider feature. Tom Anstey looks at the impact the conflict in the Middle East is having on the enter tainment sector. Tourism has been positioned as a defining pillar of future growth, with cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Jeddah having
in association with
in association wit
Becci Knowles, editor
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