Sesame Place San Diego debuts, becomes year-round destination

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — To rewrite an old adage: the fourth time’s the charm. A water park known by multiple names has finally hit its stride by transforming into a Sesame Street-branded children’s wonderland. California has no shortage of theme parks, but the latest appears to have struck gold.

Sesame Place San Diego opened in late March, and crowds have flocked in to see all the changes. To fully understand the transformation, one must turn back time to 1997 when the water park known as White Water Canyon opened to the public. The San Diego suburb welcomed the water park, but for whatever reasons, it was soon sold to Cedar Fair after three seasons and renamed Knott’s Soak City U.S.A., a sister park to the one in Buena Park. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment found success with its Aquatica water parks in Orlando (2008) and San Antonio (2012). While 20 minutes from SeaWorld San Diego, the water park still made a viable cross-marketing option, and SeaWorld purchased the facility from Cedar Fair and gave it its third identity as Aquatica in 2013.

Announced in 2019 — and delayed one year as a result of the pandemic — the transformed Sesame Place San Diego now brings a synergy of the Sesame Street brand and dry rides to the former water park.

“All the water rides that were previously here are all still here,” said Jim Lake, park president. “When we put in the dry rides, we lost some seating areas for our food and beverage spaces, but we have recaptured that. An area that used to be a sand beach is now a grassy area.”

In the transformation, new relaxation spaces were created in addition to a retheme of all existing attractions.

The waterslides have all been freshened visually with new colors and new signage, most of which was done in-house.

“They’ve all been rethemed and now have the bright colors of the Sesame palette,” said Lake.

Because the former Aquatica had attractions to fulfill all tastes, even older kids can continue to enjoy the park.

“We believe there is something for everybody,” he said, even with the beloved children’s characters taking the spotlight. “That’s our hope. When we move into the summer season, we’re hoping to broaden that audience. The older siblings have a couple of thrill rides they can go on, and the younger siblings have things they can do.”

One complex saw alterations that broadened the audience. “We worked with the manufacturer to make modifications in order to take the height requirement out so anyone can ride,” Lake told Amusement Today. “With our transformation really focusing on young kids, we wanted to create as much capacity for them as possible.”

3dx Scenic was tasked to bring many of the iconic scenes from the program to life.

“Sesame Street is such an iconic brand that’s been a part of the childhood of so many generations. Being able to create a world where kids can go and experience the lessons the show teaches in real life was very special,” stated Rachael Claxton, 3dx’s scenic charge artist. “We hid a few fun Easter eggs throughout the park, which was cool to observe guests discovering them. Every paint treatment was meticulously planned and crafted. This is easily the most rewarding project I have taken part in.”

“The teams at SeaWorld Parks and Sesame Workshop are some of the most professional partners the team at 3dx is privileged to work with,” said Nate Thieme, 3dx’s vice president of scenic experiences. “They have a very defined vision as to what the final product is to be which makes delivering the vision a joy and pleasure, both here and at SeaWorld parks across the country.”

3dx created the floats used in the wildly popular parade held twice a day.

“We relish opportunities to work closely with our clients to bring their plans to reality. Over two years in the making, the rebranding of Aquatica to Sesame Place San Diego saw all of 3dx’s various disciplines in action as we fabricated a full set of character sculpts, scenic flats, the incredibly detailed Sesame Neighborhood and Elmo’s sandcastle,” said 3dx’s Senior Account Executive Mark Rosenzweig. “From fabricating the first Sesame Parade float for Sesame Place Langhorne back in 2017 through this incredible park transformation, the entire 3dx team is thrilled with the results.”

Several new dry rides complement the existing water attractions from ProSlide and WhiteWater West.

Zamperla provided a Crazy Bus, Samba Balloon and Midi Family Swinger, all themed to the Sesame IP. Chance Rides provided the Sunny Day Carousel, which it had done in several SeaWorld parks. Elmo’s Rockin’ Rockets was supplied by IE Parks.

“Although traditional horses are fun, a new and specific theme allows our team’s creativity to flourish,” said Jay Aguilar, vice president of marketing, Chance. “When working on custom projects such as the Sesame Place carousel, our artistic wings expand, and we get to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work on something new and enchanting. We also enjoy the challenges that come with bringing our customers’ visions to reality.”

Interaction is key and lets kids burn off energy on Cookie Climb, manufactured by SunKid.

“Much of my career involved overseeing rides for the SeaWorld parks. The projects I worked on with Sesame Workshop were some of my favorites,” said Tim Viox of Leisure Labs LLC, which represents SunKid.  “The characters are so iconic, so timeless, and so endearing … you can’t help but smile when you see them transformed into amusement rides! The trademark of the Sunkid product line is ‘unique and interactive family rides.’ The Sunkid Tower is perfectly designed to encourage parents to enhance their child’s experience by becoming part of it. The active participation by child and parent results in more and longer lasting memories for both.”

Parents also eagerly ride the roller coaster, Super Grover’s Box Car Derby, with their kids. It was supplied by Zierer.

“Zierer has had a long standing relationship with the SeaWorld group going back to various rides such as coasters that range from Verbolten at Busch Gardens Williamsburg to our kids coasters at SeaWorld and now Sesame Street,” said Bill Olsim, North America sales, Zierer. “This coaster hits the spot we were looking for when working with the SeaWorld design team. I had an opportunity to ride this coaster during the Grand Opening event. The kids I saw riding that night looked a little apprehensive while loading but transformed into a celebrating, conquering kid that wanted to ride again and again.”

Because the transformation was from a water park to a theme park, Sesame Place created a Know Before You Go video so that people had a better understanding of what to expect.

“At every attraction there is a sensory guide, and it rates every ride from one to 10 for each of the senses,” said Lake. The park is a certified autism center. “We also have two quiet rooms to offer decompression areas for those who need that.” There is a special viewing area for the parade for those with autism.

Employees receive training for autism, as well as the traditional SeaWorld impressions at orientation and the Sesame brand training.

“I had no idea how many Sesame Street fans there truly were,” laughed Lake. “People have come in with their Sesame Street shoes and everything they wear. The retail is very popular.”

Sesame Place is the second park by that name, with the original being in Langhorne, Pennsylvania. Lake said that management from that property came over to help open the California property. “It really confirmed what we had learned from them,” he said. “[That team] helped advise on managing tight spaces of the parade.”

With an operational calendar stretching far beyond the typical summer “water park season,” the park is planning kid-friendly Halloween and Christmas events. The lazy river, island play area and wave pool have heated water and can potentially remain open off-season.

Compared to the seasonal nature under which the park previously operated, the year-round aspect of the new Sesame Place San Diego can create growth like never before.

“We have unused space we’re already talking about,” said Lake.

Vekoma, Disney redefine ‘dark ride’ with new EPCOT omnicoaster

AT: David Fake

Special to Amusement Today

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The new Vekoma-manufactured indoor roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, at Walt Disney World’s (WDW) EPCOT officially opened to the public on May 27, 2022.

Disney bills the attraction as “a new family-thrill coaster that matches the ‘grandiosity’ and fun of the blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise, featuring those legendary cosmic outlaws – Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord (a.k.a. Peter Quill).”

As with the Guardians of the Galaxy films, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind has its own mix tape of classic pop, alternative and disco music woven into the fabric of its experience. The attraction’s onboard audio cranks one of six hit tunes from the ’70s and ‘80s each time guests groove through the cosmos.

The songs, which randomly play on the attraction, include “September,” “Disco Inferno,” “Conga,” “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” “I Ran” and “One Way or Another.” Guests won’t know which song they’ll hear each time they ride until they jump into space with the Guardians.

The attraction is located on real estate which formerly housed the EPCOT opening-day-attraction, Universe of Energy (1982-2017) as well as a new show building built between the park’s parking lot and the attraction and connected by the coaster’s launch. In total, the attraction is enclosed in over 200,000 square feet state-of-the-art theming. By volume, Disney estimates that four Spaceship Earths would fit inside the show building.

While Disney modestly touts Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind as “one of the longest indoor coasters in the world,” Roller Coaster Database (RCDB) lists the coaster at 5,577.4 feet, which would make the new attraction the world’s longest enclosed roller coaster (RCDB states the previous recordholder to be Vekoma’s 3,855-foot-long Crazy Bats at Phantasialand in Germany).

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind also offers several Disney “firsts,” including: The first coaster attraction at EPCOT, the first reverse launch for a Disney coaster, and the first Walt Disney World attraction to feature Guardians of the Galaxy.

Still, there are many Disney “purists” who, ever since the attraction’s announcement at the D23 Expo in 2019, have asked, “Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind really ‘fit’ at EPCOT?”

"EPCOT," an acronym for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, was an original concept outlined by Walt Disney during the early development of Walt Disney World. The experimental planned community was intended to serve as a center for American enterprise and urban living.

The original concept was abandoned by the company after Disney's death in 1966 but resurfaced in the mid-1970s when WED Enterprises (now known as Disney Imagineering) began developing a second theme park for WDW to supplement Magic Kingdom.

The new park revived Disney’s idea of showcasing modern innovation through avant-garde “edutainment” attractions in the Future World area of the park, as well as a world nations exposition area referred to as World Showcase. However, the new park, which opened as EPCOT Center in 1982, steered away from the residential aspect of Disney’s original idea.

Many of the park’s original attractions, especially those in the Future World section, were dark rides that utilized unique, slow, continuously moving, circuitous loop ride systems. These attractions had the capability to swivel cars independently and directionally focusing the visual focus of its passengers. This ride system was coined an “omnimover” by iconic Imagineer Bob Gurr, patented by WED Enterprises in 1968 and originally used on such attractions as the Haunted Mansion.

Since the early 2000s EPCOT has been gravitating away from its education-first focus, especially under the company’s new directive to not create any new intellectual property (IP) for its parks. At EPCOT this began when Finding Nemo was added to The Seas pavilion in 2006. That move really paved the way for other pavilions to be retrofitted with Disney IP tie-ins, such as the Norway’s Maelstrom, now Frozen Ever After, and Mexico’s El Rio Del Tiempo, now Gran Fiesta Tour starring The Three Caballeros.

The addition of a Marvel cinematic universe Guardians of the Galaxy attraction at WDW was not a surprise, but the addition of such a ride at EPCOT, was. However, Imagineers have attempted to create relevance by making the attraction part of the Wonders of Xandar installation. Located in the park’s newly renamed World Discovery neighborhood, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first “’Other-World’ Showcase” pavilion at EPCOT.

Within the pavilion, EPCOT guests experience, Xandarians, who have traveled from their homeworld in the Andromeda Galaxy to Earth – or Terra, as they call it – to create the Wonders of Xandar pavilion. The “attraction” is an invitation for EPCOT guests to ride through an omnimover attraction to learn more about the Xandarian people and their advanced technologies. Well, at least until something goes wrong and the Xandarians call the Guardians of the Galaxy and enlist the guests of the pavilion to help save the galaxy.

With that, Guardians of the Galaxy character Rocket reprograms the pavilion omnimover to be a space transport. Cars on the newly designed Vekoma coaster ride system can be independently directed/positioned to where guests see the sets and scenery during the journey.

Guests ride on this omnimover, er, omnicoaster, while (cue classic tune) launching, turning and rocking through a Space-Mountain-for-a-new-generation coaster experience to save the galaxy.

So, to return to the search for an answer to the question, “Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind really ‘fit’ at EPCOT?”

For the answer, we turn to a Twitter comment to Disney fans by retired Imagineer, Joe Rhode which read: “Yes. The ultimate ultimate goal is to bring happiness. Are people happy?”

•disneyworld.disney.go.com

A whole new world

SANTA CLAUS, Ind. — Holiday World & Splashin' Safari's Director of Communication — and great-grandaughter of founder William Albert Koch, Sr. — Leah Koch (left) wedded Matthew Blumhardt (right), the park's vice president of operations and chief operating officer. The couple exhanged vows on April 2, 2022, in front of friends and family at West Baden Springs Hotel in West Baden, Indiana. COURTESY Stacy Able

Time to refocus, play a little catch up

EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, gslade@amusementtoday.com

All of us at Amusement Today hope your park/facility, attraction, traveling show, firm or industry supplier are on the road to recovery following the extensive challenges during the COVID pandemic.

Amusement Today has continued to make adjustments, as needed, to keep the news flowing to you — our loyal readers.

We immediately suspended our biggest expenses, print and issue postage, and moved the issue into a FREE digital format that became an immediate success.

We then created steeply discounted advertising rates during the 2020 and 2021 years that allowed our advertising base to stay in front of their customer base during this slower time for our industry.

This year, AT brought back the printed product in a smaller size format and distributed only to those who signed up during IAAPA Expo 2021 and those who were still owed issues based on their past paid subscriptions.

We also started to slowly increase our advertising rates, while still hearing the request to keep low rates on popular smaller sizes. We honored that request and the industry has responded with the largest turnout of smaller display ads and economy ads in AT's 26 year history.

But, while we are excited for the rebirth the industry is seeing, it's now our turn to also play catchup.

With this issue, AT begins our three-month summer run of fresh news from the parks, carnivals and all the new excitement of the 2022 summer season. Sadly, these three issues (June, July and August) have, at best, just broken even.

So we start playing catchup. In the publishing world, it's very simple: each issue must generate more advertising space/revenue than editorial space per overall page count.

To make this happen, AT is adapting yet again for this three-issue summer run as we are suspending all editorial columns, regular features/profiles, and the Amusement Views page so we can focus the editorial staff on just the coverage of the newly opened summer attractions.

This keeps the news fresh and hot off the press to you, while helping us keep our overall page count down while revenues are lean.

Our regular assortment of columns and features will return in September and we hope you understand the moves we continue to make to keep a steady flow of quality editorial stories coming your way until we can all say we are back 100%!

Thanks you to all for your understanding.

•

A quick reminder: we have an exciting two days scheduled for the annual Golden Ticket Awards event weekend, September 9 and 10 in San Antonio. This is a FREE event open to all industry professionals and we would love to see you there. Registration is now open. you can find all event details at:

GoldenTicketAwards.com.

Lone Star State's Joyland Amusement Park celebrates its 50th season

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

LUBBOCK, Texas — With a population of just over a quarter of a million people, the birthplace of Buddy Holly has its local areas of interest and entertainment for a small “big” city. Among them is Joyland Amusement Park. The park is celebrating its 50th season in 2022.

The park has been a family affair for five decades. Established in 1973, Joyland was a fresh venture for Jimmy and Katie Dean. Having experience of owning several rides at other amusement venues — Funland Park (Wichita Falls, Texas), Cliff’s Amusement Park (Albuquerque) and Wonderland Park (Amarillo), the pair brought new life to an amusement area located in the city’s Mackenzie Park. Dating back to the late 1940s, amusement rides had been enjoyed under the name of Mackenzie Park Playground. By the late 1960s, both the city park and amusement park seemed to have seen better days. The Deans had been eyeing the park for some time and opportunity allowed them to take the leap.

A new name was given to show Lubbock’s citizens that this was something new and different. Joyland Amusement Park opened with 13 rides in 1973. In its 50th season this year, that number has grown to more than 30 rides and attractions.

A second generation now leads the park. The Deans’ son, David Dean, had been working the park in various sorts of management and maintenance. Following the death of his father in 1993, David became president. He and his wife, Kristi, now see that the hometown favorite continues to be a great place for families to come and be entertained.

“My very first job was at Wonderland,” said David. “I ran rides and swept trash, so I learned all that from my early teen years. When my parents bought [the Lubbock park], I thought, ‘What in the world are they trying to do here?’ I was graduating high school and wasn’t really hip on it. I had to leave behind all my friends.”

He was contemplating an automotive career, but the purchase of Mackenzie Park Playground changed all that. “I had to question their sanity,” he laughed.

The gentleman from whom the park was purchased kept sheep to keep the grass trimmed. Dean jokes that the sheep were a mess, as they loved to congregate in the train tunnel. Although that person stayed a few years to help the Dean family get off the ground, the tenure of the sheep didn’t last long.

“I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into [marrying David],” Kristi said. “I didn’t know if it would be fun, so it was an adventure at first.”

Among the growing ride selection is a wide range to offer something for all tastes. Classics such as an Eyerly Rock-O-Plane and 1905 C.W. Parker Co. carousel (curently featuring Chance Rides horses) to modern thrillers such as a Larson freefall tower and X-Factor Extreme (KMG Freak Out). The park is laid out in linear fashion with a Hopkins sky ride traversing much of its length. A Miniature Train Co. train also carries numerous passengers along the back edge of the park spotlighting many of its attractions. Joyland’s train was purchased from Wonderland in the mid-1970s. Having grown up with the train, David was thrilled to get it. He feels everyone rides the train, so it is among the park’s most popular.

In addition to the train, three rides in particular resonate with the park’s guest. The Mack Rides Musik Express is the park’s most popular. The Galaxi roller coaster offers an iconic presence for the park, and the Wild River log flume offers a way to cool off.

Over five decades, several rides have come and gone. When asked if a retired attraction was really missed, David recalls the park’s Paratrooper.

“It was one of those rides that had a lot of soul,” he told Amusement Today. Part of the character of the ride was during a certain period of time when they dubbed it “Aquatrooper” by adding a simple hose with a spray nozzle so passengers would shriek as they plummeted into the spray.

Three roller coasters offer suitable thrills for those who are young to those who crave something bigger. Because of the West Texas climate, the “dry heat” sometimes demands a ride on the park’s flume or water coaster.

“The Vortex [water coaster] made a noticeable jump in attendance when we added it,” said David. “So did the Musik Express. It’s popular with the teens. The younger kids may have been too short to ride, but they come back when they’re older so they can ride it.”

It’s quite common for parks to celebrate milestones. Often certain seasons are noted, while other times parks add fanfare to the anniversaries (which are a year apart). This year is Joyland’s 50th season.

“Just the fact that we made it to 50 seasons, particularly after the times we’ve just gone through, seems to be a pretty big milestone,” David said. “I think that’s true of everyone in the industry, having just come through COVID. We’re still here.”

The past two years have had some challenges for Joyland. In addition to the industry situations that all parks had to deal with, Joyland also experienced some flooding.

“We’ve had flooding through the years,” said David. “We had a major flood last year and an even bigger one in 2015. We’ve had a couple fairly recently that really took a lot of push to come back from.”

The park knows that plans to alleviate flooding concerns begin with the city — and the wheels of progress can sometimes be slow. For the park to create its own solutions would be a major expenditure with little return on investment. The Dean family does not own the property. It operates on leased land.

Even with the speedbumps the 2020s have thrown at the park, the Deans have felt support from the citizens of Lubbock.

“The community as a whole loves us,” Kristi said. “They are very supportive of us. They offer to do GoFundMe pages, they’ll come out to help when we flood, to do cleanup — they’re there. The community is wonderful. We get emails and feedback all the time of how grateful they are that they have Joyland. When you have a hard day or someone has given you a piece of their mind, those emails really turn your day around.”

In contrast to the major theme parks, the smaller family-owned traditional parks have their own spirit. A kinship between operators helps each to be stronger when they have an opportunity to network.

“Paul and Alethea Roads [of Wonderland] started a get-together with my parents, and Bell’s became a part of it, along with Indiana Beach. They were very instrumental in doing that. That gave a lot of other small parks a big boost in the arm when they shared ways to increase revenue and boost attendance. That’s been wonderful. Our association with Wonderland has been huge. I consider Wonderland a mentor, Cliff’s a mentor … I’ve learned a lot from them,” said David.

Now in its 50th season, it’s a challenge to look too far in the future. The Dean family has children, but each is pursuing careers of their own. Kristi and David are still hard at work bringing smiles to families in West Texas, but the family aspect may have to change in the years ahead. Until then, visitors can enjoy taking a spin, plunging down a drop or screaming through a splash.

“Joyland is far bigger than myself or Kristi or any one or two people,” said David. “When you see the people on the midway, and they stop you to thank you and give you the love of the place they’ve come to, you really come to believe how important fun is. You cannot put a price on that.”

Land of Make Believe opens season with new Zamperla ride

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

HOPE, N.J. — The Land of Make Believe amusement and water park has reached new heights for the 2022 season with the addition of a 70-foot-tall Hot Air Balloon ride by Zamperla.

This 30-acre park, with a 2022 operation schedule running from Memorial Day through Labor Day, has catered to families since its 1954 founding.

The new ride, along with the addition of other rides over the last few years, has been drawing not only smaller children but their older siblings as well.

The Hot Air Balloon ride is based on Zamperla's Samba Balloon ride, a circular suspended balloon ride with spinning baskets. Kicking it up on the thrill level, yet still a ride a family can enjoy, Zamperla added the height to the tower.

The combination of height and the spinning of the cars appeals to a wider range of children and also gives older siblings and parents excitement.

“The Hot Air Balloon is a ride that everyone in the family can enjoy,” Land of Make Believe Owner Christopher Maier said during the announcement of the addition of the new ride. “This is a cross-over ride in that anyone in the family, regardless of age, can get excited about.”

Last year, Maier added a family spinning coaster from SBF Visa Group that the park named Twisting Timbers. He also recently added a Scream Machine 360, another SBF Visa Group ride.

Land of Make Believe offers free admission into the water park with admission into the amusement park. Parking is free and bringing a picnic is encouraged even though the park has various food locations offering hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, sweet treats and more.

Along with the 20-plus rides and attractions, the park offers seasonal attractions including mazes, hayrides and petting farm.

•lomb.com

Edaville Family Theme Park will not open in 2022, future uncertain

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

CARVER, Mass. — This spring, it was quietly made known that Edaville Family Theme Park would not open for the season. The current ownership had decided to retire, so the question remained: What would happen to the charming park?

The roots of the park date back to 1947. Edaville Railroad is one of the oldest heritage railroad operations in the nation. Built by Ellis D. Atwood on a cranberry plantation, the narrow gauge line ran excursions for tourists. (Incidentally, the railroad and park get their names from Atwood’s initials.)

As an amusement park, the history of Edaville had its ups and downs. It was purchased by George E. Bartholomew, a former employee, in 1970. The typical summer season found tourists enjoying the park for a trip aboard the train. Under Bartholomew’s tenure, the Christmas Celebration, “Festival of Lights,” was incredibly popular. The park closed in 1992, and subsequent attempts to reopen and revitalize the park were not successful.

The railroad reopened in 1999 when Jon Delli Priscoli leased the park with two partners, but it was the purchase of the 250 acres in 2002 that really caused the park to see growth. Under his leadership, rides were added, including a carousel, Ferris wheel and roller coasters, among other vintage amusement rides. The Christmas celebration was joined by a Halloween festival. Dino Land was added.

A big boost to attendance was the addition of Thomas Land in 2015. The intellectual property of Thomas the Tank Engine was welcomed by children and their families. This section saw 11 rides added.

In his more-than-two-decade run, Delli Priscoli had invested more than $25 million in the park. The COVID-19 shutdown heavily impacted Edaville.

Upon the owner’s decision to not open in 2022, speculation of a new buyer caused concern. Most people hoped a new owner would step in and continue to operate the charming facility as a park. However, the potential for new housing developments was always a possibility. Indications in the spring were that among interested parties, a decision would be made during the spring. However, as this issue of Amusement Today goes to press, a buyer has not been announced.

Despite the park being closed for the season, an event did take place in April. What would have been Edaville’s 75th anniversary (and technically is), a train festival was held in partnership with Maine Locomotive & Machine Works. In addition to the park’s train, locomotives of all sizes were on display, including model trains. However, the park itself with all the amusements did not operate.

Delli Priscoli has stated that he still loves the park and hopes a potential operator will surface, but for now, the park’s future is still uncertain.

Quassy adding

Super Himalaya in 2023

MIDDLEBURY, Conn. — Quassy Amusement & Waterpark, Middlebury, Conn., announced it will add a Super Himalaya ride for the 2023 season. The family thrill ride will be provided by Bertazzon of Italy. Ital International LLC, of Nashville, Tennessee, represents the manufacturer in the U.S. COURTESY QUASSY AMUSEMENT PARK

ACE donates $10,000 to Lakemont Park's Skyliner

ALTOONA, Pa. — Lakemont Park’s Skyliner roller coaster, an American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) Coaster Classic is due for a makeover. Shawna Gailey of Lakemont Park approached ACE for assistance from ACE’s Preservation Fund, donations set aside to ensure parks have the needed funds to guarantee the continued operation of historically significant coasters.

According to ACE Preservation Director David Dragun, the coaster is in desperate need of painting. Painting the coaster helps to waterproof it — preventing the elements from affecting the wood properties and performance — helping to ensure a better ride experience and a longer life of the wood structure.

Skyliner is the second full-size coaster operating at Lakemont Park, which is also the home of Leap The Dips, the world’s oldest operating roller coaster and one of only two remaining side friction coasters in the world.

Skyliner first opened in 1960 at Roseland Park in New York before being relocated to Lakemont Park in 1987. Built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the coaster features a 45-foot drop, with a maximum height of 60 feet and 2,400 feet of track. The trains are painted to feature the logo and colors of the minor league baseball team, the Altoona Curve.

Lotte World Adventure Busan opens as South Korea's newest park

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

GIJANG, Busan, South Korea — Lotte World opened in Seoul in 1989. Since that time, the incredibly popular park has grown and now draws more than five million visitors annually. Today, that park has also expanded into a theme park chain, with its newest offering being Lotte World Adventure Busan. The parks are owned by Lotte Corporation, a South Korean multinational conglomerate.

Lotte World Adventure Busan opened to the public on March 31 and bears little resemblance to its Seoul counterpart. The park was designed by Hollywood-based Legacy Entertainment. The designers were clear that they intentionally didn’t try to duplicate the original.

“In Busan, we wanted to create environments that would be timeless, and that meant not adhering to any particular time or place,” says Taylor Jeffs, one of Legacy’s owners, as well as the park’s creative director. “Our goal was to give our guests a stage upon which they could step away from reality and, for a brief moment, forget about the pressures of their everyday lives.”

“For over 30 years, Lotte World has set the gold standard for family entertainment in South Korea,” said Yaeli Chung, Legacy’s managing director of Korea. “Our entire team feels very fortunate and humbled to help Lotte World write its next chapter in Busan.”

Contrary to the international themes of the larger park in Seoul, the 25-acre “boutique theme park” in Busan has six immersive areas that feature realms that are more timeless and imaginative. Also in contrast to the Seoul property, all attractions are outdoors.

River Village of Tinker Falls is the first zone and features the park’s Ogre Flume, which was supplied by Switzerland-based abc rides. The whimsical village has an iconic centerpiece — a talking tree.

Rainbow Springs is the first zone when turning right. A swing ride themed to bees, supplied by Zamperla, swirls with colors of purples and blue. At night, flower beds are illuminated with planted “lights.”

Wonder Woods in the far right corner offers one of the most refreshing thrills, Giant Splash. Provided by Mack Rides, the PowerSplash model stands 147 feet tall. With 20 passengers per boat and turntable operation, the high-capacity coaster/splashwater attraction features a multi-launch sequence with a culmination of a huge wall of water.

In Queen Lorry’s Royal Garden, beautiful landscaping accents Lorry Castle, one of the park’s most recognizable iconic features. Queen Lorry’s face is displayed in beautiful flowers. A long linear fountain makes for wonderful photo ops. Swan Lake is a Zamperla Telecombat ride themed to swans. Asia’s first roller coaster restaurant is also here.

Among the rides and attractions in Joyful Meadows is Mysterious Cookie Train, a family roller coaster from Preston & Barbieri. With a height of 33 feet, young and old enjoy a quick spin in a fanciful 20-passenger train. Other rides in the area sport a farm theme. Dairy-Go-Round (Preston & Barbieri) is a carousel featuring cows and other farm animals. Fox in Henhouse, a Zamperla Flying Tigers, features chicken faces with various comical expressions on each car. Galloping Goats offers another animal motif. Party Animals and RamPage are a hilarious take on bumper cars. Dancing Pony is a pair of children-sized drop towers. (All are from Zamperla.)

Underland has the biggest thrills. Giant Digger, also from Mack Rides is the latest installation of the company’s incredibly popular Blue Fire coaster. Giant Digger launches riders to 62 mph, through 2,464 feet of track. Four inversions make it one of the park’s biggest scream producers. Two trains seat 20 passengers each. At night, lighting on the trains gives them a particular allure. Also in Underland is Giant Swing, a Zamperla Giant Discovery. It swings riders up to 147 feet. An impressive light package gives this ride special presence as well.

“Working closely with the team from Lotte World, we aimed to redefine what an Asian regional theme park can be,” said Chung. “All across Asia, countless theme parks have popped up in recent years, each one more drab and forgettable than the last. This will not be the case at Lotte World Adventure Busan. Instead, guests will find an emotionally warm and inviting garden park sporting a brilliant layout and a perfectly balanced attraction program. Guests will never want to leave.”

Those guests staying until nightfall will also enjoy a lighted parade, although the parade is also offered during the day. The parade floats are notably colorful and have imaginative creativity behind them. Costumed performers also have outfits that light up in addition to the floats.

“The last decade has seen an influx of joyless, soulless parks all around Asia, and Lotte World Adventure Busan is proof that it doesn’t have to be that way,” adds Jeffs. “Just as happened at Lotte World over three decades ago, I believe visitors will make an instant and lasting emotional connection with this beautiful park from the moment they first step through its gates. It will grow stronger and more beautiful with time.”

Legacy’s innovative design is on display everywhere. The settings transport visitors to faraway worlds that only exist in one’s imagination.

Lotte World Adventure Busan is the centerpiece of Busan’s Osiria Tourism Complex, located about 45 minutes by train outside of the city center.

Festivals act as bumpers to grow, strengthen the pinball industry

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

FRISCO, Texas — The sounds are unmistakable. Whether the nostalgic bells of machines past, the clack of flippers or the rambunctious noise of steel balls bouncing between bumpers, pinball is a passion all its own.

Paul McKinney, one of the principal organizers of the annual Texas Pinball Festival, has been a lifelong fan. Like many enthusiasts, he remembers times when the outlook of the pinball industry wasn’t necessarily favorable.

“When we first started the show, it was nine of us that connected via meeting at the Super Game Auction and lamenting that there weren’t any places to play, and the industry was down to only one vendor, Stern Pinball,” said McKinney. “So that was our sole reason for starting the festival was to share our games, and ‘save pinball.’ Ever since, that has remained the goal of our show. There are hundreds of private collectors that call TPF ‘my show,’ because it is, and it wouldn’t exist without their generosity and hard work.”  

The first Texas Pinball Festival was held in 2002. There were an estimated 60 machines that brought in approximately 200 attendees. A well-known designer, Steve Ritchie, also spoke. In perspective, in the spring of 2022, the festival brought in close to 5,000 people from around the country filling more than 40,000 square feet of the Frisco Convention Center. Close to 500 games, 50 vendors and more than 20 speakers, designers and celebrities are testament to the popularity of pinball festivals.

“It makes you forget your troubles,” Jack Guarnieri, founder of Jersey Jack Pinball, told Amusement Today. “Several years ago, it was the enthusiasts — us freaks and geeks — that came to festivals. Now it is the whole families, wives and children, girlfriends and boyfriends — a really gigantic cross section, and not in just the regional places but all around the world. You have all these multigenerational people that love pinball and are learning about it. It’s a great fun and learning experience.”

As festivals have grown and become more popular around the world, there is an energy to be felt via camaraderie.

“Without a doubt, the festivals are good for the industry,” said Zach Sharpe, director of marketing, Stern. “Not everyone has access to these games. You may not have an arcade near you or didn’t grow up with machines near your house; this is just the community getting together, sharing in the joy and love of pinball. Pinball is the universal language of fun, and when you can congregate with people of similar interests — or bring new people into the hobby — it is a win for the industry and everyone involved.”

“Festivals strengthen the industry in several ways,” said McKinney. “This is a place to come see what is the latest from manufacturers and who might win a best-of-show award. Now there are many more manufacturers, several of which got their starts or were significantly impacted by our show.”

One example was Multimorphic out of Austin. Developer Gerry Stellenberg exhibited a prototype at the Texas show, and after listening to feedback from attendees eventually became a full-blown manufacturer.

“He had lines 10 people deep almost the whole show this year to see his first branded ‘Weird Al’ game,” said McKinney.  

Like a movie premier, some displays may be elaborate, and multiple machines of a new game are in demand.

Guarnieri notes the attractive allure of today’s games of LCD screens and thematic props. “It’s not your grandfather’s pinball machine anymore,” he said.

Jersey Jack was an exhibitor more than a decade ago with promises of a better quality game and sold out $1,000 deposits on a game that did not exist yet. With the release of “Wizard of Oz” in 2013, a new player had entered the market, growth that had been assisted by the festivals. Jersey Jack Pinball has gone on to win several industry awards.

Not every manufacturer wannabe finds immediate success, but they see the rabid market as evidenced by the festival fanbase.

“Most vendors that come to the show for the first time have said it’s the best show they have done and where can they sign up for next year,” McKinney told AT. 

Family vacations are now centered around festivals around the country. The Texas event has visitors from almost every state, as well as attendees from Latin America, Australia and the EU. Attendees received a 22-page booklet of articles, advertisements and information with their registration.

“Women’s tournaments are something that came into existence at TPF,” said McKinney.

While the festivals sound professionally done, McKinney admits they are still organized much like the first, led by passionate hobbyists.

“Everybody feeds off each other’s energy. They show their appreciation for the product. [The manufacturers] absorb that. It may not be curing cancer, but we’re providing fun to the world. On our own little level, we’re making people smile,” said Guarnieri.

New MB2 Entertainment center opens doors, welcomes guests

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. — Hosting its grand opening to the public on May 7 and 8, MB2 Entertainment promised to deliver endless fun to the Santa Clarita, California, area.

Having formerly brought the MB2 Raceway experience to north L.A. county, the same team was utilized to up the ante for Santa Clarita Valley’s latest FEC.

Trifecta Management Group (TMG), the management group for MB2 Entertainment, has worked in partnership with the center’s owners to bring this exciting concept to life. TMG is a locally based company with nationally acclaimed experience in entertainment, retail, restaurants and many other industries.

Locally owned by Chris and Martine Brooks, as well as Will and Stefanee Miller, in the location that used to house a Mountasia Fun Center, the fully-renovated and expanded MB2 Entertainment stretches across seven acres of indoor and outdoor entertaining space with activities, attractions, food and drink options for guests of all ages.

“We've been eager to open our doors and bring a huge variety of new experiences and attractions to our community,” said owner Chris Brooks. “From endless entertainment options to delicious food and drinks, MB2 Entertainment is your one-stop entertainment shop for an amazing, memorable time.”

During its grand opening weekend, M2B Entertainment guests were able to enjoy the fully renovated venue, high-tech attractions and experiences and also win prizes. On May 7 and 8, the first 25 guests received a free $20 Play Card.

MB2 Entertainment offers over 65 interactive and prize games, as well as a wide range of activities and attractions including axe throwing, mini golf, laser tag, duckpin bowling, a golf simulator, bumper boats, go karts and drift racing.

Along with the games and attractions, MB2 Entertainment offers a variety of dining options to choose from. The full menu features classic American cuisine including appetizers, hand-tossed pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and more. Guests can order off the full menu, including beer and wine, at the center’s indoor 65-seat restaurant, bowling alley and outdoor beer garden. Grab-and-go food and drinks are also available at The Counter.

Designed with an open concept and ample land, the entertainment center does not lack space. With an indoor area for more than 1,000 guests and four private party rooms, the facility is able to host everything from corporate meetings to birthday parties. In addition to the outdoor attractions, MB2 Entertainment features an elevated beer garden. With communal tables, live music and lawn games such as beer pong, Jenga and cornhole, the beer garden was designed for tasty food, drinks and relaxation.

To kick off its opening, MB2 Entertainment began the first of many charity fundraisers to give back to its local community. On June 5 and 12, a portion of the days’ total play card sales will benefit Carousel Ranch and The Michael Hoefflin Foundation.

Pima County Fair attendance rises, ride revenue increases in 2022

AT: B. Derek Shaw

bdshaw@amusementtoday.com

TUCSON, Ariz. — With the theme “Reunite Under the Lights!” the 11-day Pima County Fair experienced a 6% increase over the 2019 edition — the last time one was held. “After two years of not having a fair, the people of Tucson and Pima County came out in big numbers. “It was a very successful and SAFE fair!” said Chris Lopez, vice president, Ray Cammack Shows, (RCS).

“We had gusty winds almost every day of the fair,” said Launa Rabago, entertainment and marketing manager. “Wind makes it hard but not impossible to operate. We spent a lot of time filling sand bags and tying things down each morning before [the] doors [opened]. The wind would normally die down by late afternoon and did not impact attendance or carnival ride operations.”

All the work was worth it, as it turned out to be the biggest Pima County Fair, in sheer attendance, in its 109-year operation.

Rabago talked about early days at this years’ fair. “We had an unusually slow opening day and unusually slow presale. I feel this was due to hesitancy and caution on the part of the attendees. I feel people wanted to make sure the fair was really going to happen. Once we got into day three, we saw record breaking numbers in time and money spent at the fair.”

RCS brought 57 rides to the 640-acre fairgrounds, located on the southeastern edge of the city. Nearly half were kiddie rides. The carnival provider also operated 38 games. New rides on that spot were the Liberty Wheel (Lamberink), New York New York fun house (Gosetto) and Winky the Whale (Hampton).

The top three rides included Wild River (Reverchon Industries), Crazy Coaster (Zamperla) and Titan booster (Fabbri Group).

The top three games were Rising Waters, Bottle Up and Bank a Ball.

RCS has played that spot for over 40 years. “We have a long-standing partnership and friendship with southwestern fair commission board members and CEO Jon Baker and his staff. It’s always a pleasure to be in Tucson and after two years a long-awaited and anticipated fair and reunion,” said Lopez.

Rabago was asked about their experience with the carnival provider. “RCS is like family to the Pima County Fair. We are always happy to see them arrive, sad when they leave and miss them when they are gone. I try to stay in touch throughout the year and wish them much success the remainder of the fair season.”

Special promotions included three wristband days; pay one price and unlimited ride options. The fair also had two food drives, where gate admission was waived the first hour if a fairgoer brought three cans of food. “This year, we generated enough food for 80,000 meals. Additionally, we hosted a fair food happy hour, Monday through Wednesday with $3.00 menu items until 5:00 p.m.,” said Rabago.

With a $350,000 total advertising budget, some was spent with digital, streaming and OTT (over the top). The latter is a term used to refer to content providers that distribute streaming media as a standalone product directly to viewers over the internet. The rest of the budget was spent on local radio, television, print and outdoor.

During the fair, the county had lifted all COVID-19 restrictions. “However, we have a full E.coli management plan in place with signage, website, handbills, online ticketing waivers etc. We had masks available to whomever asked for one, adding more hand sanitizing stations to supplement our hand washing stations,” said Rabago. “I kept temperature scanners in the production trailer located at the stage, along with masks, gloves, a portable handwashing station and sanitizer, as well as documentation sheets for talent who required it for all concert staff.”

The fair gave out 1,478 free COVID-19 test kits and partnered with the Pima County Health Department on vaccine equity, distributing COVID-19 and vaccine information in Spanish, as well as in English. The health department administered 33 doses of the vaccine onsite.

A few of the more popular food items were Dole Whip tacos and hot Cheeto floats. “Craig Sawyer, Piggly’s Barbecue, ran a Welcome Back Special and gave away nearly 6,000 Piggly fries to anyone with the fair mobile app who showed Piggly’s ’Welcome Back to the Pima County Fair!’ message,” said Rabago.

Entertainment included Scotty McCreery, Easton Corbin, Los Tucanes de Tijuana, Fiesta Fuego with Baby Bash, Frankie J, MC Magic and Frost — all drew record crowds. “We booked an electric violinist as seen on America’s Got Talent, Svet. Svet performed near the entrances on a roof top bar, entertaining attendees as they entered and lined up for food. Svet was awesome and I highly recommend him!” said Rabago.

Three key things set this fair apart from others. Due to heat, it takes place earlier in the fair season than most west coast fairs. The fair is known for booking edgier talent and provocative exhibits that lead to discussions and awareness of social issues. Finally, the Pima County Fair is not afraid to try new things to attract new attendees.

“We’ve missed everyone so much and many of us have lost so much since March 2020,” added Rabago. “Opening day was very emotional for me and I could barely get through a TV interview without crying. RCS and Annie Kastle brought game operators, Emilie from the petting zoo brought the llama and Craig Sawyer from Piggly’s sent his team of cooks to line the entrance of the main admission [area] to applaud and high five the first 100 people through the gates. It had been three long years and it was finally here! [It was] time to reunite under the lights of the Pima County Fair!”

The 2023 fair is set April 20–30.

•pimacountyfair.com

Clark County Fair enjoys good return, breaks record

AT: B. Derek Shaw

bdshaw@amusementtoday.com

LOGANDALE, Nev. — Although this small burg (population 3,534) in southeastern Nevada is the better part of an hour away from the casino capital of the U.S., more than 109,000 attendees visited the five-day Clark County Fair & Rodeo in mid-April. The previous best was 88,000 fairgoers in 2008.

“The two best days of the year for a kid are Christmas and the day the fair opens. We’ve tried to keep this a true country fair,” Kevin Willard, fair manager told KVVU, Fox 5 News. “It’s just been great for them to be back, to see the laughing, smiling faces.”

What sets this fair apart from others is the rural area, as well as operating earlier in the year than most other fairs.

It has been two years since the last edition, courtesy of the pandemic, so the theme, “Back in the Saddle Again,” was quite fitting. Near-perfect weather certainly didn’t hurt in generating a crowd to the 190-acre fairgrounds.

“The weather was breezy (on Wednesday) but nice [for] the event. We had a very busy fair,” said Danny Brown who along with his wife, Sherry, are co-owners of Brown’s Amusements, the carnival midway provider. Carnival ticket purchases were up 30% from the last fair held in 2019.

The Mesa, Arizona-based carnival brought a total of 25 rides: 11 adult and 14 kiddie ones. Along with that, they operated 17 games and had three food joints. Four of the rides were new to that spot: Orbiter (Tivoli Mfg.), Construction Zone (Eli Bridge), Music Express (Wisdom Rides of America) and Jumbo Elephants (Kolmax). Orbiter and Music Express along with Freak Out (KMG) proved to be the most popular rides. The Browns washed and maintained each ride daily as part of the ongoing COVID-19 protocol.

“Clark County Fair is one of our favorite fairs to work with. The fair personnel are so friendly and helpful. It is one of the highlights of our season,” said Danny.

The key to the success of the fair is the more than 100 volunteers, as Willard explained to the Fox 5 news team: “This just could not happen in a lot of other places, because the local community comes together, and they help us put this on.” He explained why there are so many fair attendees for such a small locale. “We have a lot of people in Las Vegas who have come from other parts of the country, where they are used to going to a county fair. This brings them back.” (Las Vegas is also in Clark County).

The only special promotion utilized this year was presale tickets. When asked about the media mix and advertising budget, Shannon Zobrist, office manager, said, “We advertise mainly with radio stations and newspapers, which incorporate online advertising. Probably two-thirds of the budget goes to radio and one-third to newspaper.”

Some of the new food items included a Hibachi food truck, grilled shrimp on skewers and caramel apple fries. The most popular food items were funnel cakes, gyros, corndogs, BBQ and Navajo tacos.

Grandstand entertainment included Flashback Heart Attack, Legends of Rock and Mutton Bustin.

“We were very pleased with how things went this year,” said Todd Robison, fair executive director in an interview with The Progress. “It was a great reset button for us to push and get going again. We couldn’t be more grateful.”

The 2023 fair dates are scheduled for April 12–16.

•ccfairnrodeo.com

Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival features rides, parades, guests

AT: Ron Gustafson

Special to Amusement Today

WINCHESTER, Va. — The 95th Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival featured more than 40 events during its 10-day run, April 22 – May 1.

The 95th theme "Bloomin' Good Time" artwork was once again designed by the Festival’s graphic designer, Erik Zimmerman, of White Spider, Inc. The artwork and message reflected the grand return of festivalgoer favorites including crowd-filled parades, Queen Shenandoah royalty, popular celebrities, carnival games and delicious food at the midway, and marching bands filling the streets with joyful sounds that resonate the fond message that “Bloomin’ Good Times” are back.

Highlights included two parades, a variety of contests and dance parties. Grand marshall for this year’s festival was National Football League Hall Of Fame quarterback Terry Bradshaw, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers and led the team to four Super Bowl victories in the 1970s.

Powers Great American Midways (PGAM), which has provided the midway at the event for several years, fielded 26 rides, including the show’s new Air Maxx, a spectacular piece from SBF/Visa Group of Italy.

Other spectaculars brought in were Skyhawk (ARM), F5 (KMG), Itsy Bitsy gondola wheel, and Air Raid (KMG).

PGAM offered ride wristbands for $30, which included all of the mechanical rides except for Air Raid.

•thebloom.com

Adventure Island debuts two new attractions, park enhancements

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

TAMPA, Fla. — The 2022 season at Adventure Island, a sister water park to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, is really making a fresh impression on guests.

Leading the way are two new attractions, or more accurately, a brand new waterslide and an upgraded slide experience.

“It hurt to shut down Wahoo Run for a little bit because it was a fan favorite,” said Brandon Thom, vice president of Adventure Island. “We’ve totally revamped it. Those who knew what it was before [will see] a brand new tower, brand new paint and synchronized lights and music on the inside — LED lights are like every 10 yards — and we have a track loop playing that we can switch out whenever we want. The raft sets off those sensors at the start of the ride. You get your own personalized soundtrack synced to your raft. Every ride you do can be different — until you’ve done all 10 songs.”

The enhanced version is now called Wahoo Remix. The slide itself was manufactured by ProSlide, and Adventure Island partnered with iSlide for the light and music upgrades. The playlist of songs ranges from modern hits to classic rock to techno.

“We have a lot of body slides, some thrill rides and some family raft rides, but this just adds to the mix. Even toddlers in life vests can ride as long as they can sit upright,” said Thom.

Completely new is Rapids Racer, also from ProSlide. The side-by-side racing attraction has several rally points that allow passengers to look over at their competitors. At the same time, the curves are shared in saucer turns.

“It’s the first dueling saucer attraction of its nature,” said Thom. “You only separate for the last turn, where you go in opposite directions.”

“It establishes a completely new category of ride feature and is poised to create a monumental shift in the water ride landscape,” said Ray Smegal, ProSlide’s chief commercial officer. “We’re thrilled to partner again with Adventure Island to debut this one-of-a-kind ProSlide water ride.”

Guests can ride single or double. Thom feels the double riders gain some additional speed.

“It has been exciting. Solar Vortex [was added] in 2020. We opened it three days in March before we had to shut down,” said Thom. “We started planning shortly after we reopened. So to have three new attractions in three years is kind of unheard of — it’s good growth.”

The park’s refresh didn’t stop at just new rides. Freshly landscaped seating areas bring lush beauty to spaces that were just previously sand. Hammocks and family-sized games accent those spaces, as does a shaded bench swing.

New photo ops and an entrance makeover were also underway in the spring.

“At our parks, it’s all about the experience,” said Neal Thurman, park president for both Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. “At Busch Gardens you have all the animals, the shows, the festivals and all the rides; at Adventure Island you can escape and come relax. You can have a thrilling day on the new slides; the new seating areas are lush and green; you can read a book and relax or just jump in the lazy river and enjoy your day. We’ve got a little bit of everything.”

Thurman feels the new “postcard” photo op inside the park is very Instagrammable.

“That’s what it is designed to do — to capture your moment and remember your day at Adventure Island,” he said. “It’s a huge iconic photo op. People love to be on social media. It’s a good welcoming message.”

A new tiki bar features 40 international rums and offers other beverages and snacks.

“It’s one of the best places to hang out at the water park,” smiled Thurman. “We have great bartenders. It’s a great place to relax. It was actually a space we hadn’t used in a while. It was a snack stand, then an arcade at one point. We haven’t used the spot in a couple of years, so it’s an opportunity to add additional food and beverage locations.”

Vacationers are sure to enjoy the getaway, but loyal fans are sure to embrace all the new changes.

“Both parks are getting complete transformations,” Thurman told Amusement Today. “We’ve painted buildings and rides and slides. We’re adding these front gate features. We’re just upping the game at both parks.”

Camelback Resort announces new attractions for 2022 season

AT: Jeffrey Seifert

jseifert@amusementtoday.com

TANNERSVILLE, Pa. — A couple of new attractions will make their debut this summer at Camelback Resort in the Pocono Mountains vacation area of Pennsylvania. In July the new Rival Racer waterslide will open at Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark. Rival Racer, a ProSlide RallyRacer, offers adventurers the excitement of racing friends through twists and turns on enclosed tracks — seeing each other at side-by-side multiple rally points — and then entering back into individual chutes and meeting at the bottom of the challenge to see who is the winner.

Those who are looking for relaxation but may not want or need a full cabana rental have the opportunity to be assured of a spot in which to settle for the day. Additional reserved VIP seating has been added adjacent to the Kahuna Lagoon Wavepool.

Earlier this year, the resort’s Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark opened Mountain Mayhem, an immersive waterslide that features flashing lights synchronized with sound. Thrill seekers riding in a two-person raft through an enclosed tube can choose from four different adventures that are projected onto the slide.

The resort has also added two new Sky Flyer ziplines. With a length of 4,000 feet, they are said to be the longest in Pennsylvania. The two new Sky Flyers join two existing 1,000-foot Sky Rider ziplines. The original Sky Rider offers a more traditional zipline experience while seated; the new Sky Flyer has riders flying down the mountain Superman-style in a prone position.

Camelback Resort dates back to the 1950s with a solitary ski run cut into the mountain. In the 1960s, developers negotiated with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources to use a portion of the state park for a ski area in exchange for maintaining the entire state park. In 1963, Camelback Ski Area opened for business with 14 trails and three lifts. It hosted 41,656 skiers that first season.

As with many ski areas, summer activities such as scenic chairlift rides, mountain biking and dining options were added to the mountain in an attempt to keep the facility operating year-round. In 1998 Camelbeach Outdoor Waterpark opened with a full-complement of waterslides, lazy river, waterplay structure, bumper boats, swimming pool and mini-golf. Over the years, a number of attractions were added including a wave pool, splash pad, FlowRider and several high-profile slides. The last significant waterslide attraction was High Noon Typhoon, a ProSlide Tornado, which opened in 2018.

In 2015 the resort expanded with the addition of a 453-room Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark. The resort provided year-round lodging options, and the indoor water park helped keep guests at the resort on days when ski conditions are less than ideal or during the shoulder seasons between summer activities and winter skiing. Along with the indoor water park, the resort includes multiple dining venues, a fitness center and 20,000 square feet of convention and meeting space.

Today, Camelback Resort is a year-round recreational destination for adventure-packed multi-generational family travel and experiences. Its wooded hills and valleys serve as the background for almost two million outdoor enthusiasts and nature-loving visitors annually. The 560-acre resort includes Camelback Mountain for unsurpassed skiing, snowboarding, and snowtubing; Camelback Mountain Adventures for ziplining, a treetop obstacle course, and alpine mountain coaster; Camelbeach Mountain Waterpark, Pennsylvania’s biggest outdoor waterpark; and Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark, the latter voted USA Today’s 2019 #1 Indoor Waterpark.

•camelbackresort.com

After 40 years, Knoebels park has a new in-house pizza recipe

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

ELYSBURG, Penn. — Change can be hard, but it doesn't have to be bad.

When Angela Cesari Martini decided to hang up her apron and forgo another season of pizza making at Knoebels Amusement Resort, park owners knew it was going to be hard to replace the beloved Cesari pizza. It had been a mainstay at the park for 40 years.

But the park-owners also knew they needed pizza at the park, and it still had to be good. So the Knoebel family went shopping.

"I ate pizza all winter long," said Brian Knoebel. "I loved it."

Knoebel said he learned a lot about pizza and about pizza recipes from his many shopping adventures.

"There are so many variables," he said. "There are so many different spices. So many sauces. We shopped for pizza all winter long."

The park opened April 30 with a new pizza and with new pizza consultants, a husband-and-wife team Vito and Trish Piazza.

And even though the pizza stand had yet-to-be-named when the park opened, they felt it was so far, so good.

"Our fans love it," Knoebel said. "Sure, there will be growing pains, but customers came away smiling. That is a good sign."

Vito Piazza, a native of Sicily, Italy, said prior to the park opening, he felt confident that he and his wife would be able to step up to the plate, so to speak.

"We can handle it," he said. "It's all fresh ingredients," said his wife. "Fresh garlic, fresh dough. Everything is fresh."

Vito and Trish Piazza lived in New York City until 10 years ago when they moved to Pennsylvania. They operated a pizzeria in Tresckow, Pennsylvania, just a little over 45 miles east of Elysburg.

When they heard that the park was looking for a caterer for birthday parties, they signed on. They had planned to do that until it was announced that the Cesari family was retiring.

Their role at the park changed pretty much before it got started. They worked with Knoebels staff and family to develop the new recipe, tasting and changing it until it was to the liking of everyone.

The two will work in the stand this season. The plan is to offer whole pies and slices of plain and pepperoni and then expand as the season progresses.

The stand is being managed by Nick Heaps, Knoebels food service manager.

The Knoebel family feels they have done well with their new recipe, but they know they and their guests will miss the Cesari family.

Knoebel said his dad brought the Cesari family into the pizza business in the park in 1981.

Carmen "Chuck" Cesari had been booking Monday night dances at the Hawaiian Bandshell and became a friend to Dick Knoebel.

"My dad told Chuck that he needed pizza in the park and wanted him to do it," Knoebel said.

Chuck took on the challenge. It ended up being a family undertaking for him, his wife, Donna Cesari, and his children.

Cesari eventually became manager of the park’s Alamo restaurant and surrounding stands. Prior to his passing in September 2019, he ordered food for Knoebels Caterings, while his daughter, Martini, operated Cesari’s Pizza, with the help of her mother.

Martini recalled the family’s start with the Italian dish.

“As a young child, I remember my grandmother making pizza for the grandkids every Sunday,” she said. “While we had to change up that recipe just a bit to account for serving a crowd instead of a family, we still used fresh ingredients.

“We made our own sauce and shredded the mozzarella cheese,” Martini said. “What I’ll miss most is coming in every morning to make all of the fresh dough for the day.”

Knoebels Amusement Resort is known not only for its attractions but it's food offerings also. Admission is free into the park so that guests can just enjoy lunch and/or dinner without a gate price.

They hope their guests will come out and enjoy the new pizza.

Knoebels Amusement Resort opened full time for the 2022 season on May 26.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company announced that its unitholders reelected Louis Carr, D. Scott Olivet and Carlos A. Ruisanchez to the Board of Directors of its general partner, Cedar Fair Management, Inc., for three-year terms expiring in 2025.

The limited partners also confirmed the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm and approved an advisory vote on the compensation of the company’s named executive officers.

“We are pleased to announce the reelection of Louis, Scott and Carlos to our Board,” said President and CEO Richard A. Zimmerman. “Since the pandemic began, all three have contributed valuable insight and their own unique, well-informed perspectives that helped position Cedar Fair for a strong and expedited recovery. We greatly appreciate our unitholders recognizing the value they provide the company through today’s reelection of our Class I directors.”

Anthony Van Dam — a long-serving executive with experience design firm Forrec — has announced his retirement after 34 years with the company.

Joining Forrec as a junior designer in 1988, Van Dam quickly worked his way up the ranks, spending 20 years on the company board and 10 years as head of global business development. Van Dam also spent time on the board of the Themed Entertainment Association’s Asia-Pacific region, holding the role until 2019.

According to Forrec, Van Dam was “instrumental” in opening the Chinese market for the company — an area he has continued to nurture into one of its strongest and most important markets.

“Anthony is an industry veteran and recognized global leader in large scale entertainment planning and design,” said Cale Heit, president, and CEO, Forrec. “As a senior executive and leader of Forrec’s global business development efforts, Anthony’s big picture, strategic thinking and strong leadership in an ever-evolving world marketplace is highly sought after. We will greatly miss his expertise and intuition, which helped Forrec build some of the best, most rewarding client relationships.”

SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. announced that after a nine-year tenure with the company, Elizabeth Castro Gulacsy intends to retire from SeaWorld in order to move on to the next chapter of her career effective on December 31, 2022, or upon the appointment of her successor, if earlier. She will continue to serve in a consulting capacity with the company for an extended period thereafter to ensure a smooth transition. The company has retained a nationally recognized recruiting firm to conduct a search for this position. 

"On behalf of the management team and our Board, I want to thank Elizabeth for her significant contributions and her leadership over nearly a decade at SeaWorld, including during the last few years as we have navigated the unprecedented environment brought about by COVID," said Marc Swanson, chief executive officer of SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. "Elizabeth's extensive financial and leadership skills, unwavering commitment and tireless efforts have helped deliver significant value for stakeholders. We are proud she has called SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc. home for the past nine years and appreciate her dedication to help us through an extended transition period while we search for her successor.  We wish her much success going forward."

Enchant Christmas — a fast-growing, live-entertainment concept in America — has named Cirque du Soleil pioneer Jerry Nadal as chief operating officer as the growing holiday extravaganza prepares to unveil an expanded series of 2022 dates in key cities throughout the U.S.

“To have a legendary entertainment executive like Jerry joining our team ensures our future success and the tremendous growth trajectory we are on,” said Enchant Christmas founder and CEO Kevin Johnston.

Nadal, who spent 21 years as an executive with the Cirque du Soleil organization and most recently served as interim president and CEO of Nevada Public Radio, offered: “I’m thrilled to join Kevin and this team. Lightning can strike twice, or in this case, more appropriately, ‘lighting,’” he said. “Cirque introduced its unique brand to audiences, and Enchant is another of those very special live-entertainment concepts people everywhere love.”

The Ralph S. Alberts Company Inc. has announced the promotion of Andy Vogelsong to operations manager.  

Vogelsong joined RSA in 2011.  During his tenure he has been a positive contributor to many areas of operations including foam production, shipping, receiving and most recently as customer service manager, for which he will continue to have oversight.

Key aspects of this new role will be to ensure internal customer-driven initiatives such as on-time delivery and product quality to achieve RSA’s strategic goals, Vogelsong will serve as a liaison between the RSA leadership team and production operations with his laser focus on customer-centric solutions. 

Vogelsong will report to the COO Donita Rudy for operational oversight.

"Andy possesses the work ethic, attitude, intelligence and skill set to lead our operations through the next growth phase and for years to come," commented Seth Alberts, president and CEO of Ralph S Alberts Company.  "I personally couldn’t be prouder of his achievements, and I look forward to the additional value he’ll bring to our leadership team!

Fun Spot America Theme Parks has revealed Reece Youmans as senior vice president of food and beverage. Reece brings more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry at theme park properties, hotels and restaurants, most recently with Landry’s Restaurants/Rainforest Café at Disney Springs.

Reece received a BS in Hospitality Management from Southern Illinois University, working closely with Marriott Food Services.

“With Reece joining Fun Spot we are adding another seasoned expert to our leadership team; we are confident that we are moving in the right direction for our future,” said John Arie Jr., chief executive officer, Fun Spot America.

Reece is a lifelong hospitality professional, having grown up in a family that owned and operated two resorts on the beaches of St. Petersburg, Florida. During his career, he has been involved with some very high-profile and high-volume operations such as Seasons 52, Fulton’s Crab House and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, as well as owning two independent restaurants in his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida.

“Reece strongly believes that serving the highest quality items using the highest quality ingredients, along with serving our guests the way we would want to be served is the key to our success,” said Jorge Cabrera, senior vice president of human resources.

Merlin Entertainments announced that Nick Varney, chief executive officer, has informed the board that he intends to retire.

Varney has a 12-month notice period during which the board will identify his successor and ensure an orderly handover. The board is starting a process that will consider both strong internal candidates, as well as external talent, and the board expects that a successor will have been appointed and an orderly handover will have taken place within this period. Mark Fisher, chief development officer, has also decided to retire in the same time period.

Merlin Entertainments was formed in 1999 following the management buyout of Vardon Entertainments led by Varney, who subsequently became CEO of the rebranded group. Since then, Varney has grown the business from 19 attractions to a global leader in location based, family entertainment, operating 140 attractions, 23 hotels and six holiday villages in 24 countries and across four continents.

“I would like to thank Nick for his outstanding leadership of Merlin Entertainments over the last 23 years. He has created one of the best leisure businesses in the world through his passion, dedication, and talent,” said Roland Hernandez chair of Merlin Entertainments. “The growth has been incredible, particularly through a period of such macro change. He will leave Merlin in strong shape to continue creating and delivering memorable experiences to our millions of guests around the world. We are extremely grateful to Nick and Mark for their remarkable service to the company and wish them all the best.”

Nominations sought for 2022 Golden Ticket industry categories

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

ARLINGTON, Texas — The return of The Networking Event of the Year brings about the opportunity for experienced professionals to spotlight the best of the industry. The Golden Ticket Awards will take place on September 9 and 10 in San Antonio. In addition to the multitude of “getaway” offerings of the charming city, host parks Morgan’s Wonderland and Six Flags Fiesta Texas will welcome industry professionals for a weekend of social interaction, the sharing of best practices and the networking of creative ideas each park can offer.

While the ongoing planning is focused on making the event an engaging and entertaining one among industry colleagues, much information is already available. Interested industry professionals can find tentative schedules, registration information and more at goldenticketawards.com.

The Golden Ticket Awards have core categories offered annually, but certain categories are voted on specifically by industry professionals. Best New Innovation, Best Installation and the Leadership Award are the result of feedback from those in the know. Nominations are being accepted for these categories, in addition to nominations for Best New Show of 2022, which is reviewed by an elite panel of show fans.

For these categories, please follow these steps to nominate worthy candidates:

Leadership

In 300 words or less, summarize a person, park or company that has brought exemplary leadership practices to the industry describing the skills of an individual or improvements or growth brought on by his or her leadership. For a park, what practices or changes have been implemented to improve the guest experience? For a company, what initiatives have been taken to offer a superior product or advancements in safety? In all of these instances, does the nominee help improve and guide the industry via leadership?

•goldenticketawards.com/leadership

Best New Innovation

Is there a new procedure or product that has improved safety? Has a new addition improved throughput or traffic flow? Has a food product taken the park by storm thanks to an innovative introduction? Has a new invention made a park better for the guests? What changes are taking place or being implemented that are moving the industry forward? In 300 words or less, nominate what deserves recognition.

•goldenticketawards.com/innovation

Best Installation of 2022

Great new attractions are happening this year. Which particular attractions are clearly noteworthy because of the quality of ride, the efficiency of capacity and the operational procedures? Has theming elevated an attraction to world class? In 300 words or less, summarize what new installation of the past year surpasses others.

•goldenticketawards.com/installation

Best New Show of 2022

Nominations for this category are different. In an email communication to Golden Ticket Awards Communications Coordinator Tim Baldwin, state an interest to nominate a show by June 27. A recorded version of the show in its entirety must be uploaded to Amusement Today no later than July 3, 2022. Any show produced after last year’s Golden Ticket Awards is eligible. To be nominated, it must be a brand new show.

•email: tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

VAI Resort is taking shape in Arizona, future home of Mattel Adventure Park

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The new entertainment development that is bringing both water and a plethora of attractions is taking shape and is expected to open in late spring of 2023.

VAI Resort will feature more than 1,200 luxury hotel suites and rooms, a large state-of-the-art 360-degree concert stage, 13 elevated fine-dining concepts, flowing white sand beaches, and pristine Caribbean-blue water. A 52,000-square-foot island will be the center point for this unique 60-acre entertainment resort.

Previously announced as Crystal Lagoons, VAI Resort has transformed into Arizona’s first multi-dimensional entertainment mecca.

“Growing up in Arizona, it’s always been my dream to bring some of the best attractions from around the world right to our doorstep,” said Grant Fisher, president of VAI Resort. “From the vibes of Mykonos and Tulum to the beaches of Miami to the concerts and parties of Las Vegas to the ultra-modern attractions of Dubai, we’re bringing the best of the best to VAI Resort right here in the heart of Glendale.”

VAI Resort will host top artists with more than 100 events annually and is expected to offer rides into the sky on a tethered balloon for guests to take in the views.

The resort also will be home to the first-ever Mattel-themed park called Mattel Adventure Park.

In Amusement Today's July 2021 issue, it was announced that the park will include an indoor family entertainment center along with some outdoor features.

In addition, the article that ran in that issue stated that there would be a Hot Wheels looping coaster and a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine electric-battery-powered passenger train. Both rides are being supplied by Chance Rides.

It also stated there would be a Hot Wheels racetrack and Hot Wheels go-karts.

No further information or updates on the Mattel Adventure Park have been disclosed.

The groundbreaking for the development took place in June 2021. The property is located just south of State Farm Stadium, home to the NFL's Arizona Cardinals.

•vairesort.com

La Feria de Chapultepec demolition almost complete

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — The demolition of La Feria de Chapultepec amusement park in Mexico City entered its final stage in April as the dismantling of the park’s Montana Rusa coaster began, the last of the attractions of the former park making room for the new Aztlan Urban Park.

La Feria closed in October 2019, a month after a fatal accident occurred on the La Quimera coaster, killing two people and severely injuring two others.

The incident involved the derailment of one of the cars. Investigations found the coaster, a triple loop by Schwarzkopf, had not been maintained adequately. There was damage in several areas. Investigators also found bolts that did not match the ride’s specifications had been used which ultimately caused the derailment.

Portugal-based Mota Engil México and real estate development company Thor Urban Capital were awarded the concessions contract after Mexico City officials revoked the license of Ventura Entertainment after the accident.

Mota Engil Mexico is a nonresidential building construction company.

The demolition process of the park started in July 2021.

A historical theme will run throughout the new Aztlan Urban Park. Plans for the park include mostly mild thrill attractions, art exhibitions, gardens and live entertainment stages.

It also will feature museums such as the Dolores Olmedo Museum. Dolores Olmedo was a Mexican art collector who turned her home into a museum devoted to paintings by Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. She died in 2002.

The new facility, with slightly more than 14 acres, will include sustainability elements, such as the use of solar panels, reuse of construction materials, conservation of green areas, and reuse of treated water, among others.

Aztlan is expected to open at the end of October this year as part of the Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Mexico City. The entire theme park is projected to open sometime in 2023.

The Montana Rusa coaster had become an iconic sight in Mexico City. It was built by the National Amusement Device Company. The structure was mainly made of wood and at its highest point, it reached 33 meters in height. It was designed by the Dutchman Aurel Vaszin and, at the time, was considered the largest in the world.

Guests hop onto Kennywood's restored, revitalized Kangaroo

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

WEST MIFFLIN, Pa. — With much anticipation, Kennywood's iconic Kangaroo ride has bounced back into the park for its official season opening over Memorial Day weekend. In its same park location and appearing much like the vintage ride it is, the beloved ride is refreshed, updated and ready for generations of families to hop aboard.

Its understated appearance and longevity is the very thing that has created its endearment to Kennywood guests. It was even the inspiration for the park's mascot, Kenny Kangaroo.

“It’s simple but not too dull,” said Nick Paradise, director of corporate communications. “People really look forward to riding it year after year. You never get too old to ride the Kangaroo.”

But that understated appearance should not be taken for granted. It was with great work between Kennywood and Premier Rides, the company that took on the task to completely redo the ride, to keep that look. But underneath it all, it is state-of-the-art.

“Our goal was to update Kangaroo, but, more importantly, ensure we preserved the long-standing history of this timeless ride,” said Jim Seay, president, Premier Rides. “By modernizing the Kangaroo, we can provide many more generations of Kennywood fans the opportunity to happily hop aboard for decades to come.”

The Kangaroo debuted in the park in 1962. It was dubbed early on as a coaster even though it wasn't ever officially considered one. But its creator, John Norman Bartlett, tagged it a “Flying Coaster” due to the single, sharp slope in its circular track that would move its cars up into the air.

At the end of the 2020 season, Kennywood officials announced they were retiring four rides including the Kangaroo. Fans weren't happy about that decision. But Paradise said park officials had left a door open.

"The pandemic led to plans changing a number of times throughout 2020 and 2021, when it came to adding and retiring rides at Kennywood," Paradise said. "While the decision to retire Kangaroo after the 2020 season was made with the intent of being final, we left the door open for the possibility of bringing it back, based on cost of needed modernization enhancements and guest response."

Based on the outcry from the Kangaroo fans, officials began looking at the cost of redoing the ride.

The ride had already been dismantled and the site where it had been located sat empty for the 2021 season.

Officials reached out to Premier Rides for help. Seay said they received the ride dismantled and began going through it.

"They asked Premier to review the ride from top to bottom and to use the latest cutting edge analysis technologies and safety standards to both verify the condition of the ride and also to confirm the ride’s ability to continue running for the years to come," Seay said.

According to Seay, Premier was brought onto the project as a result of other rehabs Premier Rides Service Department had performed on other attractions that were similar in scope, such as the Honker Dinger Derby at Sesame Place in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.

"The official decision was made last summer," Paradise said. "While we do not disclose costs, I can say that we analyzed the projected return on investment for reviving the Kangaroo with its established guest affinity compared to bringing in a new attraction."

The project turned out to be a nine-month team effort between Kennywood’s maintenance department and Premier’s engineers and shop craftsmen. The project was completed ahead of the initial schedule.

Unique to Kennywood, which is part of Palace Entertainment, Premier also was tasked to work with the highly respected German TUV SUD organization to get their input and recommendations for the ride.

Premier engineering produced a very accurate Computer Aided Design (CAD) model of the ride that was based on extremely detailed measurements using the newest ultrasound techniques.

Park officials not only shared the model with park fans, they also let them choose between two different coloring palettes as well as the overall theme. The winning choice, by a landslide, was to honor the ride's history and keep the attraction “vintage.”

Kangaroo’s throwback styling will extend to the motif of each flying coaster car and a new LED lighting package.

"The modeling guided the rehab efforts and, combined with an extensive upgrade to current state-of-the-art ride control system electronics, the Kangaroo will reopen with a near-new appearance and an impressive amount of new technology," Seay said.

Park officials were pleased the ride could be situated in its original location in the park. Paradise said some nearby trees had to be removed to allow for a larger display and to light up the area to really highlight the attraction.

With its return, Kennywood officials said it is the last ride of its kind operating anywhere in the world.

"I think it is important to point out that Kennywood’s management deserves a lot of credit for making the decision to restore the ride as opposed to replacing it with a ride that didn’t have the same generational appeal as the Kangaroo," Seay said. "Their investment means generations to come can still enjoy the legacy attraction which is very special."

•kennywood.com

Palace takes park properties cashless

HOMESTEAD, Pa. — In what appears to be a growing trend within the amusement industry, multiple amusement parks owned by Palace Entertainment are taking their midway offerings 100% cashless.

As of its April 16 opening day, Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster, Pennsylvania) will only accept credit, debit and prepaid cards or secure mobile payments throughout its property. The park is stating that the switch allows for a smoother and safer experience for guests, who can make payments with cards in addition to using secure mobile payment systems such as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Dutch Wonderland accepts all major credit and prepaid debit cards including MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover.

Dutch Wonderland guests that prefer cash have no cause for concern as they can use new, free Cash to Card Kiosks conveniently located throughout the park. There, guests can convert up to $500 cash onto a prepaid card. This prepaid card can be used to purchase tickets, frequent stores and stands throughout the park. The cards can also be used free of fees outside the park anywhere credit cards are accepted.

“Becoming a cashless park will provide guests with a better and safer experience throughout their entire day here at the Kingdom for Kids,” said Dutch Wonderland's General Manager James Paulding. “We expect to see wait times decrease for food and retail stores.”

In Connecticut, Lake Compounce will convert to cashless operations. Beginning on its April 30 opening day, the park will also only accept prepaid, credit or debit cards, as well as secure mobile payment systems like Apple Pay and Google Pay. The park is hopeful that the switch will cut down on wait times and create a better in-park experience. Guests can also convert their cash onto prepaid cards at several free kiosks conveniently located throughout Lake Compounce. Any leftover balance on cards can be used outside Lake Compounce anywhere that Visa is accepted.

Story Land of Glen, New Hampshire, also made a similar announcement, that park operations would all be cashless beginning with the 2022 season.

Lynsey Winters, marketing director for Palace Entertainment, said the company has plans for a few of its other amusement parks to go cashless but is not announcing which ones yet.

“During COVID-19, a lot of restaurants have gone cashless because of the potential for money carrying germs,” commented Winters. “And by going cashless, we reduce the possibility of coins flying out of someone’s pocket on a ride and hitting somebody else.”

•palaceentertainment.com

Legoland Florida Resort earns unique designation

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Legoland Florida Resort became the first theme park resort to become a certified autism center (CAC). This resort-wide CAC designation includes Legoland Theme Park, Legoland Water Park, Legoland Hotel, Legoland Pirate Island Hotel, Legoland Beach Retreat and Peppa Pig Theme Park, which opened in February just steps away from Legoland. The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) awards the CAC certification to organizations that complete guest-facing staff training and certification, as well as other requirements including offering accommodations for visitors with cognitive differences.

IBCCES conducted an onsite review resort-wide to provide additional recommendations and options for autistic visitors and their families, as well as sensory guides to help guests understand and plan for the sensory impacts of each ride or attraction.

“We are proud that Legoland Florida Resort has partnered with IBCCES to earn our designation as a certified autism center,” said Kelly Hornick, head of marketing and communications for Legoland Florida Resort and Peppa Pig Theme Park. “We are passionate about being the resort for families to build awesome vacation memories, and we are thankful to our partners at IBCCES for helping us be more welcoming and more inclusive to more families, including those with sensory needs.”

“IBCCES is thrilled to partner with Legoland Florida Resort to help them enhance the guest experience in this unique setting,” said Myron Pincomb, IBCCES board chairman.

Six Flags’ Pirates of Speelunker Cave reinvents a dark ride classic

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

ARLINGTON, Texas — What’s old is new again. Six Flags Over Texas returned to its roots, reinvigorating a 1960s dark ride attraction by manufacturing new sets and effects, creating a new storyline and updating to a safer and more efficient loading system.

In 1964, one of the earliest rides at Six Flags was The Cave, a float-through dark ride built by Arrow Development. The ride was an exclusive Six Flags original. For 28 years, it was a cherished favorite among families. The Cave involved curious inhabitants called Speelunkers. Whether it was the whimsical imagination, the air-conditioning, or the cozy snuggle of a Tunnel of Love-type ride, what became lovingly known as Speelunkers Cave was adored by generations.

In 1992, the park embraced its Looney Tunes IP branding and did a complete overlay called Yosemite Sam and the Gold River Adventure. This ride, too, built many fans in its 28 seasons. But its operation came to an end in 2018 when a severe flood overtook the back part of the park and caused extensive damage to the dark ride.

Having sat dormant for a few years, operation returned once again on May 14. Returning guests will easily identify that this is a completely fresh experience from the moment they step into the newly sculpted entrance portal. The queue warns to keep a lookout for scurvy pirates, which sets the stage. Once in the loading area, guests find a thematic makeover to further immerse them into the experience. An adventurous soundtrack further sets the tone.

Two differences to enhance safety is the removal of all staircases around the loading area and a portion of each boat has been carved lower to allow guests to step in and out more easily. A big change is the implementation of a moving conveyor which increases capacity and dispatches boats in a timed sequence.

“We really wanted to modernize the loading process for the guests, which stabilizes how you get in and out of the boat,” said Chris Baker, director of operations. “It’s a slow movement — and we can stop it for anyone that needs us to — but that constant movement allows the ride to keep running. It increases our hourly throughput.”

The first step in the re-theme was to tell a good story. The pirate component added a sense of adventure and having them plunder the cave of the delightful Speelunkers made for a tale to engage passengers.

Visitors board one of 26 boats that can seat up to six passengers. From there, they embark on an indoor journey of 17 scenes that use numerous physical sets, projections, fog effects and an original soundtrack.

The park partnered with Magic In The Sky to help bring the story to life.

“It was a great honor to be selected by the Six Flags team to reimagine The Cave ride, while updating the storyline to include an epic battle to thwart Capt. Morgold and his scrappy band of scallywags from stealing the Speelunkers’ treasure,” said Jacob Dell, president. “We have worked hard to present an adventure story with broad appeal while taking guests through several emotional scenes with the hopes of creating a connection to the beloved Speelunker characters. Magic in the Sky composed the tune ‘In the Mine’ which is featured in the mining scene with the Speelunkers. It’s great to watch folks smile as they pass through that area of the attraction.”

Within the ride, there are 64 Speelunkers, which is a nod to 1964. Fans of both earlier versions of the ride will find throwbacks and Easter eggs to pay tribute to those earlier incarnations.

“I was very young when I first rode the original ride,” said Sam Rhodes, VP of design, Six Flags Entertainment. “It was very family friendly, and I remember it was where you would want to take a girl. It was so iconic with the park.”

“The original Cave ride came on early in the 1960s and became a beloved ride for many of our guests,” said Baker. “Those parents and grandparents who rode it as children have that fond memory from the 60s, 70s and 80s. The Speelunker characters you see in today’s rendition are a tribute to those original Speelunkers that are going to tug at heartstrings and bring back those fond memories.”

“It’s amazing in our industry — I don’t think I’ve ever seen this happen before — to have such a well-loved ride that has been closed for 25-plus years and to have the opportunity to bring it back … it’s just never been done,” Rhodes told Amusement Today. “It would be like taking It’s a Small World and closing it for 25 years and then bringing it back. To me, it’s that iconic.”

Those unfamiliar with the history of the ride have a new opportunity to enjoy and embrace this one-of-a-kind attraction, just as guests did in the 1960s.

“It’s a kind of mystical and whimsical adventure. The pirates bring that adventure tone to it,” said Baker. “The cave-dwelling experience and the joy of this ride — as it has always been — is that it appeals to everybody.”

“When we decided to bring this back, I was warned about doing it because of the challenges that lied ahead,” said Rhodes. “There’s a whole generation that missed this ride. The challenge was to pay homage to [the memories of] the hardcore original guests and make it feel right to them but to introduce it to two generations of guests. I think we’ve done an amazing job.”

Pirates of Speelunker Cave has no height requirement, so all guests can enjoy it.

•sixflags.com/overtexas

Valleyfair's High Roller coaster white,

shiny and refreshed for the season

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

SHAKOPEE, Minn. — Valleyfair park officials had every expectation that the painting project on the 2,982-foot-long High Roller wooden coaster would be completed by the 2022 opening of the amusement park on May 20. The park is located less than 30 miles southwest of Minneapolis, Minnesota.

"We are so close," said Kelsey Megard, public relations and communications manager, Valleyfair Amusement Park, on May 9. "We have had some crazy spring weather that slowed our team down, but it will be finished by opening day on May 20."

The High Roller coaster, constructed by Rauenhorst Corporation (now known as Opus Development) in 1976, is 70 feet tall and features a top speed of 50 mph.

The coaster opened with the 125-acre-park that year.

Valleyfair's painting foreman, Scott Wagner, who has been with Valleyfair almost 30 years, had expected the project to take about three to four weeks, but weather conditions had caused some delays.

The wooden structure first needed degreasing where grease was present. The coaster was then pressure washed with scraping needed in the areas that the pressure washer couldn't reach.

Latex paint was used on the coaster. Wagner expected to use about 1,200 gallons of paint on the project.

Wagner said it had been about 10 years since the ride was last completely painted.

He said painting the coaster involves covering a structure that has no large flat surfaces. Wagner and his crew used sprayers, rollers and brushes.

"You finish a spot, and you go back and look at it, and you say, 'How did I miss that spot or how am I ever going to reach that,'" Wagner said, as the project was progressing.

•valleyfair.com

Merit Fasteners honored

Merit Fasteners was honored to be presented with the Small Manufacturer of the Year Award on March 3 at the MACF 30th Annual President’s dinner. Merit Fasteners is a local, family-owned business proudly serving Florida manufacturers for over 45 years. The company stocks a full line of fasteners and industrial products. Merit Fastners provides all of the bolts and other fasteners for Great Coasters International. With locations in Tampa and Longwood, the company prides itself on helping its clients "...hold it together." COURTESY Merit FASTENERS