Manufacturers enjoy growth, momentum from IAAPA Expo 2024
AT: Tim Baldwin
tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com
ORLANDO — Meetings, shopping, exploring and sales made IAAPA Expo 2024 a solid week for the amusement industry. The aisles were busy and exhibitors saw great interest and activity. Amusement Today spoke to several.
Clair Hain of Great Coasters International, Inc. reflected on the company’s 30th anniversary. “It was a long haul, but it goes by so fast. It doesn’t feel like 30. We accomplished a lot with a lot more to come.”
GCII’s coaster at Six Flags Qiddiya City will begin testing in the spring. According to Hain, GCII had to address the intense heat. He says the solution was an extra feature the park wound up receiving as a courtesy. The coaster will sport Infinity Flyer trains.
Opening in 2025 is a woodie at Xiangyang, an OCT park in China.
Another 2025 opening is Wild Buffalo at Mer de Sable outside of Paris, France. This is a family woodie for what is a children’s park. The length is 1,640 feet. Two trains of six cars will run on the rails.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on with this ride,” Hain said. “It goes underground in a tunnel and has some wild banking. It’s going to be fantastic.”
GCII is selling more Titan Track than ever, with many contracts signed at IAAPA Expo 2024. When asked if it was only on their rides, Hain said it was being applied to any wooden coaster designs.
Intamin has a broad portfolio of rides, and it showcased many of them. Late in 2025, when Six Flags Qiddiya City opens, it will debut Intamin’s record-setting Falcons Flight.
“The sheer facts of the largest project in our company history are exciting, and we’ve done several large projects,” said Sascha Czibulka, executive vice president. “The installation is completed and now the time of proof starts with commissioning.”
An additional launched coaster and a 100-person flying island from Intamin are also on tap for Six Flags Qiddya City.
“This flying island does not have a counterweight,” said Gerard Slenders, vice president. “You don’t have a deep pit that the arm goes into without a counterweight.”
“When we do a ride we haven’t done in a while, we can look at it and see what new technologies can be applied,” added Czibulka.
The company also promoted its new family LSM coaster to potential customers. “Our own developed LSM system compared to any other propulsion system is contactless, therefore no wear and tear. With more and more applications, the cost goes down. We also have looked at applying linear synchronous motors to family thrill rides,” Czibulka told Amusement Today. “I call it a family coaster with lots of pepper and spices.”
Intamin shared that customers are looking at the company’s wide portfolio.
“People are coming for both water rides and coasters,” he said. “But we see an increasing demand for immersive rides. The last multi-dimension coaster that opened — Uncharted — triggered more interest. Some are in the works. The dome ride theater at SeaWorld Abu Dabi and Danse Macabre at Efteling have also been popular. Regarding the dome ride theater, some customers have looked at it, but have said, ‘We don’t need that high capacity; can you do it smaller?’ We have introduced a 40-passenger dome ride theater.”
Mack Rides is exceptionally busy. In addition to two coasters and a water attraction at the upcoming Epic Universe, another project in Florida will debut in 2025. SeaWorld Orlando is opening an Airific flying theater, which will actually be comprised of two units. Each theater will seat 30 guests at a time in two rows of 15 in the flying theater. However, while those 60 passengers are experiencing the media content, 60 more passengers are loading behind them, and then the theater seating rotates to maximize capacity. Special effects in the seating are possible with this type of theater. This will debut in the spring of 2025.
For 2025, Prater will be adding a Big Dipper coaster, which features two rows of four seats, with the outer seats cantilevered from the track. “It’s the first big coaster to come to the Prater in a very long time,” said Maximilian Roeser, marketing, Mack. “It’s a very compact layout. One column actually goes into the ghost train ride.”
At Fantasiana in Austria, a new Stryker coaster called Helios is under construction for 2025. Another coaster will find its home at a water park, Aquashow Family Park in Portugal. This will be a dry ride, a launched roller coaster.
A water coaster planned for Freizeitpark Plohn will feature launched sections and other features. (See page 10.) The LIMS are being tested at Mack Rides Rocking Boat facility. That new product has been in development for numerous years. According to Roeser, the Rocking Boat will see its debut at Futuroscope in the summer of 2025, with a second one in contract. Carowinds’ water battle is another water attraction for 2025.
Another new concept is Flow Ryde, a trackless dark ride conveyance system. It is currently used at Europa-Park’s VR experiences.
In addition to coasters, two gameplay theaters — one for Paultons Park and one for Europa-Park will debut in 2025. The one at Paultons Park is termed a medium-sized version, while the one at Europa-Park will be larger. The attraction at the latter will replace the circular Historama.
Lagotronics will do the targeting system for the two aforementioned dark rides. Europa-Park’s will be mounted to the cars, while Paultons will have a cable to the shooting mechanisms.
“Paultons Park is the way we are revolutionizing dark rides,” said Michael Thiesen, account manager, Lagotronics. “We started collaborating with Mack Rides a little more than a year ago. Ever since, the concept has been growing.”
The story at Paultons Park surrounds a doctor who is fascinated with ghosts. In acquiring collectibles, ghosts escape, and the goal of the guests is to recapture them. Five vehicles have four passengers back-to-back on each side, with an inner circle and outer circle. Riders go around twice. Five physical scenes, which also involve media, and three large outer scenes have 30-square-meter screens that engage visitors on a large visual canvas.
At Europa-Park, the system will be much larger with 144 players in the ride at one time. The engagement there, using the IP of the new cinema movie involving the Europa-Park mascots, is a racing theme, with the players focused on fuel.
Rocky Mountain Construction took the top prize, the Image Award, among exhibitor booths. Paired with Larson International for the first time, the booth was surrounded with buzz and energy.
Two raptor coasters are under construction for 2025. The popular compact model will be going to Lost Island Theme Park and will feature a 12-car train. The one for Walibi Holland appears to be a showstopper with a dueling/racing concept. One side (blue) is deemed more family-friendly as it doesn’t go upside down, while the green track features six inversions. Interactivity is what really sells this ride.
“It’s all about the line of sight,” said Joe Draves, coaster designer. “You have to see the other train as much as possible. We wanted two drastically different rides.”
Just after IAAPA Expo closed, Gyeongju World in South Korea opened a raptor track coaster before 2024 closed out. It is the popular compact model.
Larson, now under the RMC umbrella, was showcasing the Telescoping Flying Scooters.
“The concept is taking two things we’ve done for years that have proven to be successful for our customers,” said Hunter Novotny, ride consultant. “We’ve combined the Star Dancer and the Flying Scooters, which addresses some of the shortcomings of both and creates something really special for the guests. With the telescoping feature, it creates stability during loading, and there will be an automated release of the lap belt which will increase capacity.”
This new idea goes from eight gondolas to 12.
At Gerstlauer, projects are happening globally. Awaiting commissioning is Palindrome at COTAland, at the Circuit of the Americas venue.
“We have a family coaster going in Jardin d’Acclimatatation in France, which has a surprise,” said Jan-Phillipe Roelle, project manager. “The layout of a family coaster at Holiday Park (Germany) will have a decent length with a backward section.”
For more thrills, a spinning coaster is going into Parc Asterix. “It will be very well themed and have something unique as well,” he said.
At Walibi Belgium, a triple-launched family coaster will join a neighboring Gerstlauer coaster at the park.
An Inverted Infinity Coaster is going to Parque del Café in Columbia.
Two heavily themed Sky Fly attractions will debut in May at Epic Universe.
New on the market for Gerstlauer was the Airtime Coaster. “It’s a family coaster but it can do airtime, which is new,” said Roelle. “It has a class-5 restraint, so it can do inversions, but we really consider it a family coaster because the height requirement is only one meter.”
Gerstlauer is represented in North America by Ride Entertainment.
“We’re very excited about the new additions to the Gerstlauer lineup —The Infinity Inverted Coaster and the Airtime Coaster,” said Kris Rowberry, marketing. Ride Entertainment. “We’re really excited to be working with a park in North America that is looking to bring it here for the first time.”
He feels the Infinity Inverted Coaster fits into any park’s portfolio owing to the flexibility of a chain lift, a forward launch or a swing launch.
RE represents numerous companies in North America. “We’re always looking forward to working with our other partners KCL Engineering, Lagotronics, Metallbau Emmeln and Funtime to continue to bring their attractions here to the U.S., where so many parks in Europe are loving them there,” Rowberry said.
“We’re looking forward to Ziptrack Switchback, coming to the United States. It’s the next-generation zipline, but I can’t go into further details on the first installation,” he said.
In terms of RE’s installation abilities, Rowberry told AT, “We are busier than ever. No matter who builds the ride, we can still install it.”
Vekoma wowed onlookers with its vehicle going to the just-announced BON Luxury Theme Park in Mexico. Called Tecuani Beast, it is one of five Vekoma attractions going into the park, scheduled to open in 2026, four of which are coasters. The other attraction is the dual, interactive Beat It shoot-the-chute introduced in 2023 at the Expo.
“Tecuani Beast sets a lot of records. It’s a double-launch coaster,” said Ricardo Tonding-Etges, North American sales. “This layout incorporates all the best parts of the best layouts of the coasters we have out there. And then we added some more. It’s going to be really impressive. We expect it to be one of the best in the world.”
Furthermore, North America’s first Super Boomerang, The Flash: Vertical Velocity will open at Six Flags Great Adventure and a Family Boomerang Rebound, ShootOut, will open at Oasis at the Lake of Ozarks. Santa’s Village in Canada is opening a custom-design family coaster, Yeti Trek, and a Suspended Family Coaster will open at Aztlán Parque Urbano in Mexico.
In Poland, an indoor family coaster is going into an expansion of the Mandoria retail shopping center. The ride will be called Aquila.
Triotech announced in cooperation with Seven in Saudi Arabia that the company was chosen to do one of the attractions in the new discovery centers. “It will be Warner Bros. IP,” said Christian Martin, VP communications. “They are going to be entertainment/educational-themed indoor parks. For our attraction, you’ll be essentially going on a journey, simulated with giant screens and motion platforms.”
The experience will be immersion within 100 square meters.
“You’ll feel like you’re moving — and you do up and down — but the attraction doesn’t move. Twenty-four people experience it at a time. People are seated back to back with media content all around,” Martin said.
Triotech had previously worked with Seven on a Transformers attraction.
Triotech is a part of Six Flags Qidday City by providing a dark ride attraction called Into The Deep. “it’s the biggest attraction we’ve done.”
Sally Dark Rides opened a SpongeBob dark ride in Las Vegas in 2024. Following that, two similar installations are under construction or in development in Turkey.
“An idea I’m pitching in a meeting is an original concept,” said Drew Hunter, vice president of creative design. “However, many of the parks are using IPs because that resonates with the public. Right now, the company is doing better than ever.”
Sally also promoted its Mini Dark Ride concept. “Over the years, we've spoken with clients who were interested in purchasing an ‘E-Ticket’ style/level dark ride attraction but didn't have the space in their park or FEC for a massive show building,” said Rich Hill, chief creative officer. “We ended up with a two-vehicle, four-room layout that used theatrical trickery like rotating stages, projection mapping, invisible UV paint and other fun effects to completely change the look of those four rooms every time we pass through them.”
Maurer Rides had rides going in, as well as new ideas.
The Spike coaster system has new incredible maneuvers and elements for a train of riders.
“I like that they are eye-catchers, and you can really see the marketing,” said Steve Boney, executive business development. “We are able to make the newer elements with the new motor design. You see this shamrock or Kraken element, and it’s really identifiable — a selfie moment.”
While single vehicles have been seen on cruise ships, the drive for capacity has innovated the system. Train length is scalable.
“What’s different this year is everyone has seen our motor, but now we’ve added a second motor, a redundant motor,” Boney told Amusement Today. “What this allows us to do is very similar to a jet airplane. You have two motors on a jet that gives you more power, but more importantly, on our roller coaster, you don’t need an evacuation platform anymore — which is very good for attractions with theming.”
Maurer Rides has an installation at Six Flags Qiddiya City called Sea Stallion that will operate with eight, two-seater vehicles.
Also new for the show was the Spike Tower, which showed riders accelerating around the side of the tower, and then once at the top, it becomes a drop tower. The drop can be controlled, so the customer could opt for the speed of gravity or a controlled, slower speed, which could be varied throughout the day. A customer-driven idea was an observation platform at the top of the tower, which would be three attractions in one.
S&S Worldwide stretched the typical vehicle reveal — literally. Instead of a coaster car, a 20-person Screamin’ Swing vehicle heading to Hersheypark made for a gigantic photo op.
“We’d brought in coasters going on 10 or 15 years,” said CEO Jason Mons. “This achieved what the others had done, but it was exciting to let people see just how big it is.”
“We are getting closer to our first Axis opening,” said Trever Dyer, marketing. “Exit 10 in Riyadh is waiting for the rest of the building to be finished, but the coaster structure is in.”
Interest across the S&S portfolio continues. “The trend right now is the family side of things,” added Dyer.
At the Expo, management said two leads were nearing signing the next family concept. S&S leadership plans to erect a complete model of the company’s Rail Ryder concept, which will allow for full cycling, as well as being able for customers to see exactly what they were buying.
They also noted they were hoping to reach out to further venues such as ski resorts and cultural centers. A skywalk experience has been fully engineered.
“A Rail Ryder can be used with an LSM system, so there wouldn’t be a need for a big lift hill,” Dyer added. “It can all be close to the ground. You could have that for summer guests who go to the resorts that aren’t skiers.”
The drop tower from S&S at Six Flags Qiddya City will be the world’s tallest.
“We’ve re-engaged with customers with whom we haven’t worked with in some time; we have some very exciting contracts,” Mons told AT. “We’re excited with where everything’s going.”
Sunkid was eager to speak on a new ride concept at the Expo called Rocking Tower. “We are enthusiastic because it is an addition and an expansion of our family ride portfolio,” said Johannes Wiedorfer, marketing. “It’s a combination of a tower and a swing, which approaches children a little older — higher, taller and a little more thrill than the rides we have in our portfolio.”
The new concept won a Brass Ring Award at the Expo.
Also introduced in 2023 was the Mountain Coaster 2.0. Sunkid has more than 70 installations of mountain coasters worldwide. With the newer model, they consider it the “smart version,” where the carts maintain an anti-collision system. In addition, Sunkid feels the new design “looks cooler.”
The mountain coasters are viewed as a “singe-rail” type. Sunkid opened a 2.0 version in Norway in 2024. One followed in Poland and Kazakhstan after that. Two more are being installed in France, one that opened prior to Christmas.
“You are still able to get it to go as fast as it can. It still gives you the opportunity to operate it as a rider,” said Wiedorfer.
Brogent announced a new attraction coming to Niagara Parks. Opening in 2025, a new flying theater will open just steps away from the world-famous attraction. It replaces the previous 4-D theater.
Chih-Hung Ouyang, chairman of Brogent, expressed the company’s excitement about the collaboration: “This is the world’s first flying theatre located within a renowned, globally known park, a symbol of how this unique experience can blend culture, geography, history, and technology to tell captivating stories in an entirely new way.”
Brogent will provide Niagara Parks with theme design, flying theater film production and theater construction.
Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters Inc. reported to be very busy with winter rehab work on trains from numerous parks. In addition to annual overhaul, Tom Rebbie, owner, told AT that a meeting was scheduled with a park operator overseas to replace existing rolling stock by another manufacturer with new trains from PTCI.
In 2024, PTCI also provided new trains for Adventureland in Iowa for its reimagined Underground attraction. “We had to re-engineer in reverse to make our trains fit their track,” Rebbie said.
New trains went to Hersheypark’s Comet as well.
ETF had its Dynamic Mover vehicle in motion. “This is our first trackless system without a wire,” said Rob Reignen, area sales manager. “We have built trackless systems for 25 years, as well as track bound. We feel trackless has more possibilities. Without a wire, the technology scans the environment, so you don’t need to clear the floor. The movement is also omnidirectional. There are two motors, one for the ride and the other for turning. We noticed big parks needed more, so it has much more acceleration, higher speed and higher turning of the cabin.”
Vehicles can seat either six or eight. According to Reignen, the batteries only need to be charged overnight for 14 hours of operational use.
Zamperla echoed the family trend with the announcement of Naruto, a family thrill launch coaster at Parc Spirou Provence in France. The tire-launched coaster has a maximum height of 103 feet, a top speed of 47 mph, switch track and a track length just shy of 2,200 feet (but with a reverse spike, it travels almost 2,400 feet). It is set to open in 2026.
“We are squarely looking at a very popular market,” said Adam Sandy, roller coaster sales. “With that 42-inch requirement, you’re looking at a 5-, 6-, 7-year-old. Following COVID, we looked around — even in our own portfolio — and saw a lot of good product for thrill at 48 inches and 36 for kiddie, but nothing in that broad appeal middle part. Dovetailing with that, we didn’t want to just bring out product with a chain lift that didn’t really move the needle.”
The project, based on the anime character Naruto, has been 18 months in development.
Two of the company’s double-heart coasters are opening in 2026 as well.
Michael Coleman, North American sales, told AT that from the ride side, there is more of a cohesive approach to business growth. “The days of individual ride purchases as marketable investments have turned into redevelopment of areas and creating immersive environments,” he said. “It’s about developing revenue in other areas of the park. It’s not about using the ride as the star but as a component to boost per caps. Visually stunning rides increase dwell time in a space.”
Accessibility is also a big driver for Zamperla. “Accessibility is often referred to as ADA compliance. Our internal mantra for years has been providing rides that go beyond compliance,” Coleman said. “We spent some time at Morgan’s Wonderland, and being able to have people in wheelchairs roll on and roll off without having to transfer provides an opportunity to guests who otherwise wouldn’t have it. Our mission is to provide smiles and shared experiences.”
The Gravity Group has seen enormous success with its engineered pre-cut track.
“Two years ago, we had 10 projects; last year we had nine projects plus the new ride. This year is looking to be very busy as well, comparable to those,” said Michael Graham, principal. “Because of that, we have had a need for improving our facility. We have just moved. We bought a building this past year and renovated it with our team. It’s our new home; it’s wonderful and beautiful and everyone loves it.”
Graham said meetings at the Expo went the full range of The Gravity Group’s products, the engineered pre-cut track and new coaster installations.
“Two-thirds of our track business is repeat business every year,” he said. “They want to do more areas, so that tells people that our customers are very satisfied with engineered pre-cut track.”
RES Rides is opening three attractions in 2025. The company’s first Air Loop coaster is going to Serengeti-Park in Germany. There, riders will be in control of their own seat on an inverted, powered coaster. Guests will be able to flip upside down at their choice.
“The Oracle will open as a traveling ride with a German showman, and it is also a world’s first,” said Roman Rothe, CTO.
Wave Twist L is the third world’s first in 2025. This ride will open at Adventureland on Long Island. Called Wave Twister by the park, the attraction features two gondolas that shuttle back and forth on an L-shaped undulating track. The gondolas spin on a rotating platform that boomerangs back and forth on the track.
“We are expecting high interest, with clients wanting to go see it,” Rothe said. “We are very happy to have this ride in our lineup.”
Other attractions showcased at the Expo were Air Diver, a new flat ride and La Ola, which can seat two, four or eight per seat, totaling up to 32 passengers per ride cycle. RES prides itself on being able to customize the thrill level to the customer’s wishes. In 2025, Gröna Lund is installing an RES Super Swing called The Pump. Rothe said the park wanted the highest level of thrill.
Zierer enjoyed some sales on the show floor. The company was promoting its new Drifter attraction, a dry version of its popular Jet Ski ride. One was sold to Tobu Zoo in Japan during the Expo. Another sale made was a coaster for a family park in The Netherlands.
Regarding the Drifter, Area Sales Manager Jeroen Nijpels told AT: “For some parks, having water in contact with the ride is something they aren’t comfortable with because the park is in an area where the weather is not so good for getting splashed or perhaps the cost of having filtered, clean water is prohibitive.” Four Drifters have now been sold.
Nine gondolas on Drifter each seat two, and the interactive nature of the ride lets passengers swing out.
The upcoming season gives Zierer a satisfying workload.
A family coaster going in at SeaWorld San Antonio will be a part of a new Rescue Jr. Area.
For 2025, a Force 190 family coaster and Roundabout Ride are for projects also in Texas.
Many deliveries will take place in Europe: a Wave Swinger to France; two coasters and a Drifter Ride to Great Britain; A Kontiki and Family Tower to Belgium, Plopsa Coo; a Force Two family coaster and Family Tower to Poland, Majaland Danzig. A Family Tower is opening soon in The Netherlands, Bommelwereld. Several rides were delivered for Legoland Shanghai. A Kontiki Boat will be delivered to a family park in the north of Germany. Zierer noted there are several other projects but the information could not be released yet.
Marina Ernst, marketing and sales, also spoke on accessibility. “Getting access to all people on our rides is very important to us,” she said. “To feel included. I went to the breakfast with Morgan’s Wonderland. It was something I really felt was impressive.”
Sustainability is also top of mind at Zierer. “The things we focus on is the sustainability of our materials and processes in terms of environmental,” said Nijpels.
Chance Rides awaits the opening of Mattel Adventure Park, now predicted for the fall of 2025. Two Chance coasters are a part of the park and resort complex.
When asked about what was on the horizon, Jay Aguilar, vice president of sales and marketing, told AT that their meetings were broad, as Chance has a portfolio that covers wheels, transportation devices, flat rides and coasters: “I’m going to say it’s a mix. Some of the big boys are looking at transportation. Carousels and trains are still core products.”
Aguilar estimates that 80 percent of the sales of electric trains are replacing those with fossil fuels. The remainder is new sites that don’t have a train at all.
The company was pleased to see founder Dick Chance inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. “Obviously, it’s a great honor,” said Heidi Knotts, marketing. “It reflects well on the company he’s built. We’re pleased, honored, and excited for him.”
Looking ahead, Aguilar reported that Chance has locked two contracts with what he refers to as “quite interesting sites” in 2025. One project he says is a very unique carousel, the likes of which the company has not done. The 2026 project is a carousel he gestures as “mindblowing.”
Altitude Attractions brought something new to the show. A six-seat mobile Hammered was displayed. “We had a lot of guys who wanted it on wheels,” said Logan Checketts, president. “Now we’ve got it.”
Since the introduction of the four-passenger Soaring Eagle zipline, Altitude Attractions has sold four. Also in development is a new Rock On swing. “It’s kind of a resurrection of the Swinging Cages,” said Checketts. “We’re making it a sit-down version of it. We’re wanting it on the market next year.” Powered by people, the reimagined version brings a novel attraction to modern safety standards. When available, it will be distributed through Rides 4 U.
“I’ve been (at the Expo) 39 years, and this ranks as one of the top five IAAPA shows I have attended, said Len Soled, owner, Rides 4 U. “The energy level and the amount of people interested in our equipment and buying our equipment — it has just been a fantastic show.”
Rides 4 U hit all three of its markets — carnival, parks and FECs.
The showstopping ride on the floor was Zero Gravity, a modern version of the old Rotor-style ride. With plexiglass walls and captivating lighting, onlookers were stopped in their tracks, seeing riders pressed against the walls. Rides 4 U sold six just prior to the show and sold six more on the trade show floor.
Everything Rides 4 U brought sold. The Zero Gravity was a portable model and was sold to North American Midway Entertainment. A Pirate 32 is going to both Poor Jack and Stewart Amusement on the carnival circuit.
The spinning coaster on the floor went to Malibu Jacks in Northern Colorado, and four were sold on the floor.
A drop tower and Dance Party 360 were sold, but the owner didn’t want their name divulged. An additional Dance Party 360 was also sold at the show.
“I used to come out of these shows, and my dad — who unfortunately passed away a year ago — would ask me, ‘Hey, Lenny, did you sell any rides?’ And I’d say, ‘Dad, give me a week or two.’ We had such a big success at this show. I woke up this morning on fire.”
