Aeronautica Landing
www.parkworld-online.com
The concrete path leading up to, and in front of Airwalker, matches the
colour of the sand dunes. It’s a subtle yet important detail that removes the traditional black tar found in most theme parks, and in its place, softens the space and extends the visual aesthetic immediately around the ride. Such details don’t stop there. Immediately behind Airwalker is longtime
park favourite roller coaster, Afterburn. While not officially part of Aeronautica, Allen pointed out the coaster’s original theme was tied to flight. Named Top Gun – The Jet Coaster when it opened in 1999, Afterburn continues to thrill guests today and given its close proximity, naturally looks like it’s part of Aeronautica. To subtly begin to envelope the coaster within the area, the park moved several background music speakers closer to the coaster to bridge and connect the themed land’s soundtrack with the Afterburn air - and ear - space. Quickly becoming a family favourite, and located next to Airwalker, Air
Racers races and rolls, turning guests into ace pilots soaring through the sky. A Zamperla Air Race installation, the area surrounding the ride features a themed and colourful entrance and a checkerboard-style painted cement floor. No visit to a theme park is complete without food, and Aeronautica
Landing features two new dining venues, Terminal A and Frequent Fryers. The fun play on words at Frequent Fryers is a re-theme of a previous food location and provides delicious grab and go treats including French fries and fried shrimp, in the middle of the Aeronautica airfield. Terminal A features craft beer and exclusive cocktails that can be enjoyed
in the new lounge-style restaurant, or outside on the beautiful open-air patio. Decorated with flight memorabilia that celebrates the Carolinas’
rich aviation history, including flight jackets and displays, Terminal A was modelled after high-end, exclusive airport sky clubs. The restaurant’s décor sets out to inspire memories of the golden age of air travel when top-tier service and luxury accommodations were the way to fly the friendly skies. “This is another example of how we give a nod to our history, but really
have our focus looking forward,” said Allen. “Our executive chef, John Loukas, and his team developed an exclusive menu inspired by an airport lounge. Pork belly sliders, balsamic grilled chicken sliders, bleu cheese wedge salad and smoked heirloom cauliflower steak are some of the most popular options, and choices not usually found in a regional theme park.” He also pointed out that many plates are meant to be shared with each
other, or rather, with guests’ entire flight crew. Allen describes Terminal A’s beverage menu as ‘alcohol forward’ with its
exclusive sipping drinks and themed names including the Aviation, the Pan Am Clipper, and a Low Ceiling. “We are also testing mobile ordering at Terminal A,” Allen continued.
“We are the first park in the company to do this, and we believe it is just the beginning.” After dining and snacking, guests return to Aeronautica under a canopy of
pink aeroplanes hanging from the restaurant, reaching across the taxiway pathway. The game zone at Aeronautica Landing, located between Hover & Dodge
and Gyro Force, features four new midway games. An innovative and creative new game, the new Sky High Wire Walk is an acrobatic challenge that challenges guests to walk a tightrope-like course. Guests needn’t worry
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