Gillian's Wonderland Pier shuttered, but memories it created will remain forever

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusemaenttoday.com

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Jay Gillian, the owner of Gillian's Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, doesn't feel defeated. Even though his family-owned park is now permanently closed after 94 years, he is looking forward with excitement.

“I really feel blessed,” Gillian said in mid-October, just days after the park's closing. “I feel lucky. We had a great, long ride.”

The 2024 season was a good one for the pier park. Gillian said everything was working well. He had gotten all the rides, except for two, up and running after maintenance delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had some new paint. The park looked really good,” he said. “But I just thought, 'I have got to get off this hamster wheel.'“

The amusement attractions on that pier began in 1930 by Gillian's grandfather, David Gillian. His father, Roy Gillian, took over from his father. He and his brothers, James, Steve and John worked on that pier.

“I was out there by the time I was seven years old,” Gillian said. “I have great memories.”

But for the last 10-plus years, Gillian began to see some writing on the wall.

It all started when Super Storm Sandy made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey, on October 29, 2012.

It was huge. And the entire area, including Ocean City, sustained significant damage. It wasn't easy moving ahead with so much having to be rebuilt. But Gillian strived to move ahead.

Then, of course, insurance premium costs began to rise. Along came an increase in state regulations and laws for businesses such as his.

Maintenance of his rides and attractions continued to be a challenge. Salty air is hard on metal, wood and mechanics.

Over the years, rising wages became a burden, essentially doubling over the past years. The demographics began to change in Ocean City.

Then COVID hit. The pandemic shut down businesses country-wide, and when things reopened, supply chain delays remained. The economy started to turn.

All of this was making it difficult for Gillian to make payments on an $8 million loan. The bank foreclosed on the loan and at the beginning of 2021, a buyer stepped in and bought the property, rides and all.

The new owner leased it back to him and was willing as of this past summer to continue the arrangement beyond the original three-year lease. But, mid-summer, after looking at the finances, Gillian knew the time was closing in.

Then, he lost his dad in August, a man he describes as “the best dad ever.”

It was time to move on. On August 9, Gillian made the announcement that the park would close on October 13, early enough for those with tickets already purchased to come out and use them.

And as workers began painting over the iconic Wonderland Pier mural on October 17, Gillian felt at peace.

“I don't know how I will feel come February/March of 2025, but right now, I really do feel positive,” Gillian said. “I am used to closing down for the off-season. I am doing what I have been doing for a long time.”

And what he has done during the off-season involved shutting down the park and continuing as Ocean City's mayor, a position he has held for 14 years.

The beginning

David Gillian first came to Ocean City in 1914. His first job was playing the trap drums in the orchestra at C. Elwood Carpenter’s Dance Club, sometimes called the Casino, according to the history of Gillian's on its website. The club was located over the Moorlyn Theater on the old boardwalk.

The park's website states: "In 1917, he transferred to the Hippodrome, Ocean City’s largest pier. Here he played with Robin Robinson’s Orchestra. The Hippodrome was a variety pier with movies, vaudeville, dancing and amusements for children."

The Gillian family would only spend the summer seasons in Ocean City. When the season was over, they would return to Philadelphia where David Gillian played with hotel orchestras.

When fire destroyed the Hippodrome in October, 1927, it changed David Gillian's career and the family history.

The park's website history states: "The pier was never rebuilt and when the burned boardwalk was replaced in 1928 there were few amusements. David Gillian decided in 1930 that it was an opportune time to open a Fun Deck at Plymouth Place and the boardwalk."

It’s two main attractions were a Ferris wheel and a merry-go-round.

"By 1957, the better part of a quarter century has passed since the business had been established and now David Gillian decided to retire," according to the website. "David sons, Bob Gillian and Roy Gillian had worked with their father at the Fun Deck."

The two sons that had been working stayed with the business.

The next change came in 1965 when Roy Gillian left the family business to start his own amusement pier at 6th Street and the boardwalk where Stainton’s Playland had burned down 10 years prior, according to the Gillian's website, which also states: "He opened Wonderland Pier with 10 rides and a parking lot. With Roy Gillian's dream becoming a reality, it was now up to him to continue the legacy. Roy Gillian became mayor of Ocean City in 1985. He spent 18 years in politics."

David Gillian passed away in March of 1993 at the age of 102.

Roy Gillian and his children, the third generation of Gillians — John, Jimmy, Steve and Jay — continued the operations at the pier.

Some of Jay Gillian's fondest memories were of working with his family at Wonderland, which they all did when they were young.

But John Gillian went off to Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tragedy struck the family and he died at age 19 from injuries due to a falling accident.

Gillian said his brother continued either with concessions or in mechanics. James Gillian died in 2014 at the age of 57 and their mother, Jean Marie Young Simpson, passed away in 2019.

The brothers partnered in many of the businesses over the years, but when Jay Gillian bought his father out of Wonderland, that ended. He stuck with just Wonderland Pier.

Gillian is looking forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren. He knows he will miss Wonderland Pier. He also knows his wonderful memories will serve him for the rest of his life.

EDITOR'S NOTE: As this issue went to press, it was announced that New Jersey's Rides 4 U will be handling the sale of Wonderland Pier's equipment. See ad on pages 50-51.

New land,Tír Na nÓg, dazzles at Emerald Park

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

ASHBOURNE, Ireland — Suitably proud of its first fully themed land, Emerald Park has taken steps to be “immersive.” As spring transitioned to summer, the park opened its newest area: Tír na nÓg, Irish for Land of Eternal Youth.

The new land is home to Europe’s longest intertwining family and thrill coasters, Na Fianna Force and The Quest.

“We wanted to create a product that we knew all ages could and would enjoy,” said Managing Director Charles Coyle. “As Ireland’s only theme park, we offer something totally unique to the country. We are the sole location here where our domestic guests can get their theme park fix without venturing further afield to the U.K.”

The two interacting coasters were supplied by Vekoma.

“We initially wanted to build something at the higher end of the thrill scale like a launch coaster. However, after discussion, Vekoma suggested we do something a little different,” Coyle told Amusement Today. “They came back with a suggestion of the suspended thrill coaster and family boomerang combination, and it all made sense to us.”

“We started with a green field, not having any restrictions from existing buildings, roads or trees. This enabled us to create something from scratch and let our thoughts run wild, creating elements and synergy like never built before,” said Stefan Holtman, sales manager, Vekoma. “Having maximum interaction with the family boomerang resulted in a fun and thrilling layout. With a rideability of 95 centimeters (37.5 inches) for the family boomerang and 1.20 meters (47 inches) for the suspended thrill coaster, both rides enable almost every guest visiting the park to be part of this experience. The combined capacity of over 1,500 people per hour was the key decision maker for Emerald Park to partner up with Vekoma.”

The larger of the two coasters is Na Fianna Force, named for the legendary band of Celtic warriors. It is now the tallest coaster in the park at 102 feet tall. It features three inversions and a top speed of 56 mph. Riders, 20 at a time, soar on 2,454 feet of overhead track. One of the exhilarating moments is when riders soar through the roof of the family boomerang coaster station.

“Close-to-the-ground maneuvers are my favorites. A good reading of the landscape and detailed mapping is key in making a perfect ground-hugging experience,” noted Holtman. “My personal favorite moment is the second part of the ride with again close encounters with the landscape and creating rare airtime for a suspended coaster. The huge amount of sudden direction changes contributes to the unique and spectacular layout, resulting in (judged by others) one of the best suspended coasters in the world. The extreme smoothness of the ride further makes this an enjoyable re-ridable experience!”

The Quest, geared more toward the less adventurous, has a height of 82 feet and a track length of 780 feet, although passengers do ride forward and backward over the length of track. Its train also seats 20 passengers.

“The encounters with the suspended coaster have been increased and narrowed down by means of clearance envelope to enhance possible encounters with the [other coaster],” Holtman said. “Last but not least, the medieval tower with the vertical spike creates a unique signature piece.”

The opening of Tír na nÓg marks a substantial investment of €22 million at the theme park and zoo. In addition to the two coasters, The Celtic Dreamer is a Wave Swinger provided by Zierer. It seats 56 riders.

“The reaction has been so positive, we couldn’t have asked for better,” Coyle told AT as fall arrived. “Guests from all over, both domestic and internationally, have visited the park this year to experience Tír na nÓg. The feedback we’ve received is overwhelming, and we are just delighted to be able to finally see the happy faces (and hear the joyful screams) of our guests! Our visitor numbers have seen a 17.5% increase year-over-year, and we expect this to continue as we head into our Halloween and Christmas event season.”

The new land also includes new food outlets, retail spaces and an entrance that generates real excitement and wonder with Irish mythology and fantasy theming across the site. According to the park, it has been a seven-year project.

“We encountered a couple of bumps along the way to the completion of Tír na nÓg,” explained Coyle. “Some of which include a planning appeal and, of course, the pandemic, which slowed everything down. As Ireland’s only theme park and zoo, we knew that we wanted to promote and incorporate our Irish heritage and Irish mythology into the story. We have a couple of rides themed with other Irish legends and tales, such as the Cú Chulainn coaster, but this expansion would be our first fully themed, immersive land.”

The park partnered with Jora Vision on the theming. “We were delighted to work on the theming strategy of Emerald Park’s biggest expansion yet,” said Robin van der Want, business development director, Jora Vision. “Where the coasters already are nothing short of impressive, we are incredibly proud of the dedicated team behind the Tír na nÓg theming at Emerald Park. Their creativity and passion have brought this enchanting vision to life, ensuring an immersive experience that captures the magic and mythology of Tír na nÓg.”

Universal Rocks was also called upon to help theme the expansion.

As part of the development, Emerald Park commissioned a number of local suppliers for the theming of Tír na nÓg. The fully themed and immersive land includes over 30 swords, 70 shields, 120 arrows, 70 spears and 15 bows hand crafted by local blacksmiths. More than 500 mature native Irish trees were planted across the site with a further 50,000 plants used to create a wild natural landscape.

“Where Tír na nÓg is located was a 6.5-acre grass field at the back of our park,” said Coyle. “We had to remove one attraction to make space for the walkway down to the land. Other than that, thankfully we did not have to move anything too difficult, possibly some cattle were relocated into a neighboring field!”

Emerald Park’s late founder, Raymond Coyle, is Charles Coyle’s father. The park opened in 2010 as Tayto Park and carried that name through 2022. Charles feels he is carrying on the vision of his father.

“The family boomerang would appeal to our current core target market of families with younger children,” he said. “It was so important to us that even though we wanted to expand our offering, we did not alienate these guests. Whilst on the opposite end of the scale, the suspended thrill coaster would allow us to expand our target market, to reach teens, young adults, thrill-seekers and coaster enthusiasts alike. It was the perfect fit. Even though we do see some younger guests braving Na Fianna Force!”

Seeing the front lines of Helene

INDUSTRY VOICE: Brian Knoebel, Knoebels Amusement Resort

With Knoebels closed for a couple days, my wife and I seized a rare weekend off and made the decision to fly to Florida and visit our daughter Haley. However, Hurricane Helene was on her way, and while we arrived safely in St. Petersburg and did enjoy a day with Haley, the storm was coming.

We did some preparation such as purchasing dry goods, cases of bottled water, ice, filled the bathtubs with water just in case the water company shut off the water, charged our portable chargers, and got the candles and flashlights ready. As the sun set, the wind and rain picked up. We began to see the water rising. Then, in what seemed like the blink of an eye, there was a foot of water in the garage.

Waking up early, I just had to go for a ride around the area. I saw palm trees laying on the roads, power lines down, and swimming pools filled with green muddy water. I began thinking about my friends who live nearby. Were they safe?

I received a text from John and Tracy Arie (Fun Spot). Knowing they could not get to their place in Treasure Island; they were helping others back in Orlando. I’m proud of them both for their unselfishness and random acts of kindness!

Knowing Premier Rides’ Jim and Sara were on their way back from IAAPA Expo Europe, I reached out to them to see if I could help with anything. Arriving at the Seay residence, what I saw was unbelievable. I had to call them, but If any good news came from this phone call, it was that their dog Dolly was safe and sound and being cared for by Roger Berry (of Ralph S. Alberts Co.).

Later, I found Mary Chris Smith’s (Allied Insurance) garage door pushed in from the power of the storm.

I think to myself, “God is good.” Although this storm was terrible, it could have been much worse. Just 24 hours earlier, I downplayed the storm thinking the media was blowing this out of proportion. At 51 years old, I am still being given life lessons as my heart hurts for our dear friends effected by this hurricane and Hurricane Milton arriving just days later.

What is IAAPA Expo?

AT NOTEBOOK: John W.C. Robinson, jrobinson@amusementtoday.com

As I near 50 years old, I realize I've been attending the IAAPA Expo fairly regularly for nearly 40 years. The funny thing is, when I was 10 or 11 and first started exploring the trade show, I found it so difficult to relay to my friends back home what my eyes were seeing and all that IAAPA Expo encompassed. To a child, finding Dippin' Dots samples, animatronic characters, an array of new and licensed plush and — of course — new and dynamic rides all down the aisles of the showfloor was overwhelming and amazing.

After my nearly five decades on this earth, the IAAPA Expo has remained just as indescribable. The only change is, it's no longer just the lights and sounds of the massive (which honestly feels like an understatement as an adjective) showfloor that escape being fully explainable. It's that entire week and all that unfolds around IAAPA Expo that has become near impossible to define and relay.

It's saying hello and catching up with associates, customers, friends and new acquiantences from across the far reaches of the globe. It's discovering the new items on the showfloor that will be tomorrow's staples of the industry. It's endless education opportunties to learn what's new, what's working, how to be better, how to open new markets and more. It's evenings of socializing under the lights of The Orlando Eye or next to the roaring coaster tracks at Fun Spot America. It's sharing laughter and smiles while overlooking the city of Orlando from the top floor of the Hyatt.

It's going, working, networking and sharing from 6:30 a.m. until midnight or later every single day like a kid enjoying the college life, but not letting ourselves feel the wear-and-tear of exhaustion until the trip back to our original area code.

It's one event that builds, expands, celebrates, honors, develops, maintains, evolves and shares anything and everything that's possible in this amazing industry.

What is IAAPA Expo? For one week a year, for the select few of us who are lucky enough to be part of the amusement industry ... IAAPA Expo is home.

Working together to help

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. — The American Amusement Machine Charitable Foundation (AAMCF) and the AMOA Coin-Op Cares Education and Charitable Foundation unveiled a $20,000 charitable donation to Operation Blessing to assist with ongoing hurricane relief efforts. AAMCF Executive Director Tina Schwartz and AMOA Coin-Op Cares Executive Vice President Lori Schneider were on-hand at the AAMA headquarters for a check presentation to Operation Blessing representative Paul Mager (above).

Operation Blessing is a nonprofit, humanitarian organization providing hunger relief, medical care, clean water and disaster relief across North America and around the world. COURTESY AAMA and AMOA

Lost Island adding Rocky Mountain Construction coaster for 2025

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

WATERLOO, Iowa — For its fourth season, Lost Island Theme Park will be upping the thrills in 2025. The park is adding a new coaster.

“We asked the coaster community what they would like to see, instead of just trying to wing it. In our [original acquisitions], we were trying to put in rides that were missing from our part of the country and really didn’t do the research when choosing those rides,” said Eric Bertch, owner. “This time we reached out to those that know the most about rides. While there were some outlandish suggestions, it really boiled down to a family coaster or a Rocky Mountain Construction raptor. We ultimately decided on the latter. We know we are missing a family coaster; it was in our original design. We still felt that putting in something missing from this part of the country was more important. We wanted to differentiate ourselves from our nearest competitors before we rounded out a ride that people can ride at any other park.”

Located in the park’s Mura (fire) realm, the coaster is to be called Fire Runner. Combined with the award-winning Volkanu dark ride and the launched coaster, Matugani, that section will have major attractions at its core.

“The theming is going to be comparable to the Yuta Falls or Skyborne queues,” Bertch told Amusement Today. “There is going to be a breathtaking approach to the station, and the queue building itself will have significant theming to match the architecture. There will be a whole new story for people to delve into.”

The single-rail coaster will be designed for two trains that seat 12.

“RMC proposed the option of going with a 12-passenger train, and it made more sense to us. We can still get significant throughput of riders even if we run a single train,” said Bertch.

The layout is reminiscent of the original raptor design that debuted in 2018.

“Those first installations were designed for an eight-car train, but these will have 12,” said Jake Kilcup, COO, RMC. “Although very similar to the original raptor layouts, this compact raptor layout has been modified to allow a 12-coach train on the course. This just means that elements needed to be pushed and pulled a bit throughout the layout to maximize the fun level in every seat.”

“We think it should be the reason we see an increase in attendance,” said Bertch. “This ride is enough of an incentive for people who are on the fence about coming to visit us. Fire Runner is going to be a clear indication of how we plan to roll out attractions in the future.”

The length of the ride is just shy of 2,000 feet. It will reach speeds of 52 mph and include three inversions.

“This ride will utilize the Gen 2 raptor trains that are on other installations such as Jersey Devil,” said Kilcup. “We’ve made several modifications from the first generation based on feedback from our customers on the operations and maintenance side, as well as addressing overall comfort for the riders.”

•thelostisland.com

Pirate ship will soon sit atop arcade roof at Playland Castaway Cove

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — The iconic pirate ship that donned the arcade roof at Playland Castaway Cove, Ocean City, New Jersey, will soon be back.

It may not be the exact one that sat atop the attraction's arcade for several decades that was destroyed during an early morning fire on Jan. 30, 2021. But Scott Simpson, park owner, had a vision when he went to 3dxScenic, Cincinnati, Ohio, to recreate the iconic feature. He knew the importance of that ship with its pirate, parrot, Kraken, tall masts and cannons. He knew about the thousands of photos families had taken with the ship in the background. It was what guests expected to see as they approached the pier park.

“For several decades, the pirate ship had become iconic and synonymous with our park,” Simpson said. “When we suffered through the tragic fire in 2021, which consumed the old ship, we knew, as part of our rebuilding effort, that a new and improved pirate ship just had to be part of our plans as it was the top request from our guests.”

3dx is a precision manufacturing company capable of producing a wide range of products using additive and subtractive manufacturing processes.

Teams from both Playland Castaway Cove and 3dx began their collaboration.

“The new pirate ship facade with pirate, parrot and Kraken figures is the exact type of project our team at 3dx loves to take on,” said Ryan Mull, manager of CNC and digital operations for 3dxScenic. “From early on, collaborative sessions with Scott and his team took place through production and the eventual installation. This truly will be bringing their vision to reality, which is exactly what 3dx strives to deliver for each and every project.”

Mull said designs were passed back and forth until it met with Simpson's vision and approval.

“He had very specific ideas of how the characters would look,” Mull said. “He had specific ideas of the positioning of the characters and what direction they would be looking.”

Mull noted that going back and forth with the park wasn't challenging. “It was really more fun than anything,” he said.

The ship is about 50 feet long and 25 feet tall. The masts of the ship will rise above that. The parrot will move its head and open and close its beak. Periodically, the cannons will release smoke.

The installation of the pirate ship is getting closer. The arcade construction had been delayed due to the pandemic and supply chain problems.

But Mark Rosenzweig, chief business officer of 3dx-Scenic, said the ship should be finished over the next couple of months and will be in place, by the very latest, when the park opens in 2025, “hopefully before that.”

“It is an honor and thrill for the entire team at 3dx to partner with the team at Playland's Castaway Cove in bringing back the park's signature pirate ship,” Rosenzweig said. “Clearly the old ship had become a traditional symbol of fun for visitors and our hope is the new ship will continue on the tradition for many generations to come.”

•3dxscenic.com

New Spring festival, Plaza expansion coming in 2025 for Silver Dollar City

BRANDON, Mo. — Silver Dollar City has new fun slated for its upcoming 65th season.

The Plaza, a new happening hub of fun and entertainment, will double the size of The Grand Exposition in 2025. The redesigned space houses permanent shade structures, plus seating and a new entertainment stage and food booths.

The all-new Spring Expostion festival will come to life with new experiences to explore. Master gardeners will demonstrate techniques in raised beds and the new Kinfolk Bluegrass Band will host an old-fashioned hoedown on the oversized dance floor. Guests will be encouraged to gaze up at the new Parasol Sky over Valley Road as pops of color stretch two stories overhead or stop and listen to the new Ragtime Piano Showman on the Gazebo.

In addition, guests are encouraged to get ready for the debut of Night Sky, an all-new drone and fireworks spectacular. More than 100 drones flying overhead will dance and light up to a carefully choreographed show, sharing the sky with dramatic bursts of fireworks to tell the story of an Ozarks summer night. There will be a laugh-out-loud Wild West Comedy Stunt Show in Red Gold Heritage Hall featuring slapstick stunts.

Silver Dollar City’s season finale is An Old Time Christmas, which will now feature The Plaza’s new centerpiece, The Grand Plaza Fir. The living tree lighting ceremony will have all the feels of Rockefeller Center each evening with holiday cheer, music and the magical flicker of over 150,000 lights in a triumphant crescendo. An all-new stage production — "The Heart of Christmas" — promises to be amust-see.

•silverdollarcity.com

Gröna Lund announces

RES Rides super swing

Stockholm, Sweden — Gröna Lund revealed a new attraction to open at the park in April 2025. The RES Rides super swing — dubbed "Pumpen" (the water pump) — promises to deliver unforgettable fun and thrills to the park's guests. When the ride debuts at Gröna Lund in April 2025, it will be the second of its kind in the entire world and the first in Northern Europe. Its unique construction with pendulum movements creates a ride that offers weightlessness, falls and speed, giving a breathtaking experience for both ride experts and beginners. "[The ride] also incorporates Art Deco design elements and will be a perfect fit in our childrens area," says Jakob Fagerström, creative director at Gröna Lund Parks and Resorts. COURTESY Gröna Lund

Hersheypark, S&S Worldwide partner for "twisted" swing into 2025

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

HERSHEY, Pa. — Big, eye-catching rides are always reasons for excitement. Hersheypark has announced a record-setting ride for 2025. Called Twizzler's Twisted Gravity, it is a Screamin’ Swing manufactured by S&S Worldwide themed to one of the park’s popular candy brands.

The attraction will bring renewed life to The Hollow, one of the oldest sections of Pennsylvania’s largest theme park.

“We continue to invest in attraction experiences that leverage unique Hershey brands, so we are thrilled to add a Twizzlers-branded Screamin’ Swing to our unmatched ride portfolio next summer,” said Vice President Vikki Hultquist.

The ride will seat 40 passengers per cycle.

“A 40-seat swing lends itself to very high capacity,” said Preston Perkes, executive director of administration, S&S Worldwide. “Being that the ride is pneumatically powered, it gets up to speed faster than an engine-driven system, and we can slow the ride down fairly quickly. That capacity can go anywhere between 900 to 1,200 based upon the amount of swings the park would like to have.”

The one-minute and 10-second experience begins as air-powered thrusts send riders soaring 137 adrenaline-pumping feet into the air, swinging at speeds reaching 68 miles per hour and experiencing multiple exhilarating zero-G moments as they swing high above Spring Creek.

Hersheypark is enjoying the marketing niche of “World’s Tallest.” The arch is a foot taller than the other huge models that S&S has manufactured. However, its placement on the bank of Spring Creek should make it appear even taller when the booms are in motion.

“With a swing of that height, it almost doesn’t matter where you place it,” Perkes said. “Because of the power that comes with it, you can put it anywhere and have an amazing experience.”

An amphitheater was removed to make space for the installation.

Interestingly, S&S chose this attraction to be “unveiled” at the IAAPA Expo in a press conference.

“It’s always fun to do a reveal of a ride vehicle of something opening the next year,” Perkes told Amusement Today. “This is the first time we’ve ever unveiled a swing. This is a huge swing — bigger than most. It’s probably going to stand out more than most of our vehicles because of its sheer magnitude.”

The first Screamin’ Swings were introduced in the mid-2000s.

“We did a lot of swings throughout the years in various sizes. The first installations were four-seat and eight-seat rides. Then the attraction grew dramatically in size. They sold well for more than a decade, then other attractions rose to the forefront before a revival occurred a few years later.

“We did a 32-seat swing for Busch Gardens Williamsburg (2019) and then SeaWorld [parks] followed suit with the two 40-seat swings (SeaWorld San Antonio and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay). They are picking up pace in coming out again. The swinging experience hasn’t changed other than the height. The restraints have been updated to meet current codes. Removing welding components in place of machined components has facilitated maintenance. People have experienced the swing and see how it can fit into their parks and have decided to move forward with that experience.”

More than 20 Screamin’ Swings have been placed into operation around the globe, but the majority remain in the U.S., with single installations appearing in Russia, the United Kingdom, Sweden and Japan.

Cedar Point, Vekoma to unleash America’s first tilt coaster in 2025

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

SANDUSKY, Ohio — With one of the largest collections of coasters in the world, Cedar Point is part of an elite group of parks that has to push itself creatively to keep new coaster installations fresh.

The park has certainly done that, even catching many people within the industry off-guard with its latest announcement. Siren’s Curse will be a tilt coaster from Vekoma Rides. It will be the first such installation to open in America.

Riders will ascend an old 160-foot-tall tower, listening to the siren’s call as they climb. Their fate will hang in the balance as they encounter the roller coaster’s signature moment: a dead stop on a “broken off” section of track. The platform holding the train of riders will slowly tilt into a 90-degree vertical position, forcing riders to peer straight down with the hope their train will connect to the twisted track below.

As the track locks into place, riders plunge into the abyss, speeding through 2,966 feet of track at a top speed of 58 mph.

Cedar Point boasts a diverse lineup of coasters, with a balanced mix of family offerings and true thrill rides. For adrenaline junkies, Siren’s Curse will be the most intense.

“The exciting part of Siren’s Curse is that a lot of our guests have never seen anything like this,” said Tony Clark, director of marketing. “The fact that we are going to get one in our lineup is truly spectacular. We say this about a lot of our rides, but they are just as much fun to watch as they are to ride. We placed the ride in such a way that you can stand on the midway and see that train tilt every single time. We have many different kinds of coasters here — at the Roller Coaster Capitol of the World, something we’re proud of — and when you add different styles of coasters, this is something we’ve wanted for a while, and now we get to have it in 2025.”

Industry insiders have speculated that this particular project was ordered for Six Flags Mexico, but once complications caused that to fall through, the new Six Flags/Cedar Fair merger opened up new possibilities. Employee dormitories were demolished several years ago, and that land has been cleared for future development. Because the tilt coaster was something the park had been looking at, Cedar Point adjusted its long-range plans once the ride was available.

“We have been talking to Cedar Point (Cedar Fair) about a tilt coaster for a couple of years already. The tilt coaster model is the most iconic and unique thrill coaster innovation in years in our industry, and we could not be more excited to bring this engineering marvel to the Roller Coaster Capital of the World,” said Ricardo Tonding Etges, vice president sales and marketing – Americas, Vekoma. “Siren’s Curse combines the exhilaration and the visual impact of the seesaw element with a solid ride layout that will excite passengers from beginning to end, featuring 13 weightless airtime moments, two 360-degree, zero-gravity barrel rolls and a high-speed ‘triple-down’ element with twisted and overbanked track.”

The trains offer some firsts for Cedar Point.

“Both trains will have onboard LED lighting, consisting of four LED strips on each coach,” Tonding Etges told Amusement Today. “The onboard light effects and shows are fully programmable and will generate a visual impact not yet seen. With the uniqueness of the tilt element and tower, combined with the onboard light, this is probably going to be one of the most visually impressive rides ever built.”

But that’s only the beginning of what elevates the trains into cool features.

“The onboard audio is also something brand new at Cedar Point that our guests have not experienced before,” Clark said. “We are in the process of creating the audio story that goes along with the ride. Essentially, the siren is beckoning you to ride. The sounds of the siren are calling you to the top of the lift. Obviously, the adventure begins when the track starts tilting, so the audio will play an important role in that.”

“The scale of the onboard audio system of this ride is impressive; it consists of one sub-woofer per coach and two full-range speakers per seat. Yes, it is loud — it will feel like you are in a DJ booth!” smiled Tonding Etges.

XDS, the creative department of Cedar Fair located in Charlotte, is currently producing the storyline and effects. The coaster’s tower is being designed to resemble a Lake Erie shipping crane that lifts heavy cargo, with the queue leaning into that theme.

“We looked at other themes with the motion of the tilting,” Clark told AT. “But we really went back to our place on the lake. The water is what makes this part of Ohio special. We’ve heard about mythical monsters below Lake Erie and people have called it different things, but we decided to go with the siren to give it some female prowess in our lineup. Because sirens use their voice to entice sailors kind of matched up with our history with the lake.”

According to Clark, the wide midway where Siren’s Curse’s station will be located will be reimagined. Where in recent years, there has been a large outdoor stage show with grandstand seating, those structures will be removed. “Just because Celebration Plaza Stage will be removed doesn’t mean our show lineup shrinks,” he said. “We’ll be looking at different ways to bring entertainment to our guests in 2025. Entertainment will still be an immersive experience for guests in the park.”

“Resort Drive will be relocated to accommodate the new ride’s footprint,” added Clark.

The park waited until the end of the operating season to begin the road relocation. Plans are for an early summer debut in 2025.

Huangshi Dinosaur Dream Factory opens Zamperla vertical-lift coaster

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

DAYE, Huangshi, China — In June, Huangshi Dinosaur Dream Factory reopened after a temporary closure. Now under the operation of the OCT Group, the park had a new roller coaster to help relaunch the property. It was previously known as Huangshi City Expo Park.

Gliding Dinosaur is the park’s star attraction. It is supplied by Zamperla.

The exhilarating coaster borrows the layout from Zamperla’s original Thunderbolt coaster from Luna Park at Coney Island in New York. The new version is slightly longer and taller, but inversions remain the same. Four elements — a vertical loop, zero-G roll, dive loop and corkscrew — turn riders head over heels. The track length is 2,260 feet and the ride stands 128 feet tall.

“The thrills of this coaster cannot be beat,” said Antonio Zamperla, CEO, Zamperla. “What is extremely fun for our team is that this layout is similar to others we have manufactured with our previous Thunderbolt system. We promised our clients that we would provide coasters that were just as thrilling as our old experiences but have significantly improved track quality and more comfortable vehicles. We believe we have exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

Zamperla has manufactured more than a dozen rides for Chinese parks. Gliding Dinosaur is the largest project for that country.

“Our clients chose us in part because the Lightning train offers a long-term return on investment,” said Davide Donadello, sales and operation manager for the China and Korea region. “The combination of a coaster that offers marketable thrills and reduced maintenance cost is extremely popular.”

The coaster, according to Zamperla, is the first to use the company’s new track design.

“This track design is not only beautiful but also some of the best we have fabricated in our company’s history. This was fully manufactured at Zamperla’s roller coaster hall in Europe,” said Adam Sandy, roller coaster sales and marketing director. “The new design requires less materials, which helps keep costs down, while also allowing us to manufacture to extremely tight tolerances.”

The coaster operates with three trains. In contrast to the original Thunderbolt system, these vehicles seat riders four across in two rows. The original installations seated three rows of three.

“At the time [of Thunderbolt’s introduction], Disney and other large destination parks were seeing a lot of families with one child and two parents as a big part of their visitor makeup. This is what prompted us to do a three-by-three arrangement on the Thunderbolt,” Sandy told Amusement Today. “At Coney Island it worked quite well because there are a lot of individual riders at that property, so we rarely send vehicles with seats empty on busy days. However, at traditional pay-one-price parks, we noticed that our coaster’s theoretical and actual capacities were different. We found that a two-by-four arrangement offered a lower theoretical capacity (eight vs. nine seats), but it was easier to fill an eight-seat vehicle more consistently and get a better actual hourly capacity, so we went that direction for the Lightning trains.”

The version in Huangshi even uses the color scheme of the Coney original.

“This was the park’s choice,” noted Sandy. “The orange track really pops against the sky and buildings at Luna Park. The client wanted the coaster to stand out since it is the marquee attraction.”

The park also reopened with two other coasters, a Super Spinning Coaster from Jinma Rides and a hanging coaster.

Disney Adventure, Maurer announce longest roller coaster at sea

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

SINGAPORE — Set to embark on its maiden voyage on December 15, 2025, the Disney Adventure will be the first Disney Cruise Line ship to partner with the Singapore Tourism Board. As indicated by reports from Disney, the cruise line is dramatically expanding its fleet in the years ahead.

In November of 2022, Cruise Industry News reported that Disney had acquired an unfinished-at-the-time ship from Dream Cruises. Previously, the ship was to be called Global Dream.

While it was under construction, a roller coaster had been contracted to be a part of the design. Disney had the option of whether to keep the attraction or not, and considering its primary market, it seemed like a good fit — to test the success for future ships if nothing else.

After setting sail, passengers can immerse themselves in luxury or in a variety of things to do based on Disney IP. The cruise line has announced that the Disney Adventure will have seven themed areas.

One of those is Marvel Landing. Superheroes will have their day with the Marvel Comics set of characters finding their home aboard the ship. This “adventurous” area offers rides for families. The most notable attraction is Ironcycle Test Run, themed to the character of Iron Man.

Built by Maurer Rides, the Spike coaster system is touted as the “longest coaster at sea.” The deck footprint will limit the physical space on any ship in which to construct such a ride, but Ironcycle Test Run will be 820 feet long, standing 30 feet above the upper deck. It is one of three rides in the Marvel Landing area. Groot Galaxy Spin, a flat ride, and Pym Quantum Racers, a race car ride, are the other two.

Maurer introduced the first roller coaster on a ship back in July 2021 with Carnival’s Mardi Gras. It was called Bolt: The Ultimate Sea Coaster. It is 800 feet long. Carnival’s Celebration was the second ship to feature a coaster in November 2022.

Also on the upper deck is Toy Story Place, which is a thematic overlay to a water play area. The water features and slides are geared to families with young children. A large family pool, whirlpools and interactive splash pads will also be in the area, embracing the Toy Story theme.

Other areas within the ship include San Fansokyo Street (referencing the film Big Hero 6); Disney Imagination Garden, a large open space in the heart of the ship that features three-story video screens, a stage and amphitheater-style seating for high-energy shows; Town Square, where royal princesses provide celebrations; and Disney Discovery Reef, where water-related Disney films (Luca, Lilo and Stitch, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid) come to life in an open-air breezeway near the stern of the ship. This latter area will be particularly captivating at night when bioluminescent features make the area feel even more magical.

Multiple meal venues let guests enjoy three distinct dining experiences: Hollywood Spotlight Club and Navigator’s Club, Animator’s Palate and Enchanted Summer Restaurant.

The Disney Adventure is a 208,000-gross-ton ship. It is designed to carry a capacity of 6,000 passengers. According to Disney, the ship is fueled by green methanol (a low-carbon fuel that’s produced using renewable energy sources and emits little to no greenhouse gases), a recent innovation in the cruise industry.

Disney Cruise Lines is excited to tailor an experience to the Asian market.

Universal Epic Universe sets opening date, begins ticket sales

AT: David Fake

dfake@amusementtoday.com

ORLANDO — Universal Orlando Resort has officially announced that its long-awaited theme park, Universal Epic Universe, will celebrate its official opening on May 22, 2025, slightly earlier than its previously announced “mid-summer” projected opening.

Universal Orlando Resorts is already home to three parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Volcano Bay, and seven resort hotels. The opening of Universal Epic Universe will mark a transformative moment for Universal as it expands its park portfolio and becomes a four-park destination.

“This is such a pivotal moment for our destination, and we’re thrilled to welcome guests to Epic Universe next year,” said Karen Irwin, president and COO of Universal Orlando Resort. “With the addition of this spectacular new theme park, our guests will embark on an unforgettable vacation experience with a week’s worth of thrills that will be nothing short of epic! Our Universe will never be the same.”

Universal Epic Universe will feature five immersive themed realms: Celestial Park, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, Super Nintendo World, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, and Dark Universe. Each themed area will be accessed by guests via themed portals from Celestial Park, which anchors the additional realms to the park’s main entrance through the Cronos, a portal of its own kind, and the Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a Loews Hotel — opening May 22, 2025 — which overlooks the park and will offer exclusive amenities, including a dedicated entrance to the park.

Offering more than 50 experiences across its themed worlds, Universal Epic Universe is positioned to be a landmark achievement in Universal’s history. It promises groundbreaking attractions, immersive dining and entertainment experiences that are next level in creativity and technology. The park’s multi-sensory environments and innovative ride designs aim to elevate the industry standards for theme park experiences.

The company launched multi-day tickets and vacation packages on October 22. These ticket offerings include admission to Universal Epic Universe as part of select packages, allowing guests to experience all four of Universal Orlando Resort’s theme parks. Specifically designed packages feature three, four or five-day admissions that give guests access to Universal Studios Florida, Universal Islands of Adventure, Universal Volcano Bay, with one day dedicated specifically to experience Universal Epic Universe.

The two additional new hotels, Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort are scheduled to open on January 21, 2025 and March 25, 2025, respectively.

Visitors looking to extend their time at the Universal Orlando Resort, can purchase a 2025 Unlimited Plus Ticket, which will provide 14 days of unlimited access to all four Universal parks and include a single-day visit to Universal Epic Universe. Additional ticket options, including single-day tickets and passes exclusive to Florida residents, will be released in the coming months.

There has not yet been an announcement regarding annual passes for the new park; however, Universal has hinted that current passholders may have the opportunity to experience Universal Epic Universe at some point during a soft opening period, which is expected to occur prior to the official opening date for Universal team member’s family and friends and media representatives.

Story Land celebrates 70 years of family-driven smiles and fun

AT: Ron Gustafson

Special to Amusement Today

GLEN, N.H. — Bringing children's stories to life was more than a dream for Ruth and Bob Morrell.

Returning from Germany in the 1950s after Bob completed a stint in the U.S. Army, the Morrells brought with them a collection of handmade dolls based on popular fairy tale characters. The dolls provided the impetus for the couple to launch an endeavor that, to this day, is a treasured New England attraction.

The Morrells opened their property in 1954 as Story Town, featuring a few buildings themed after nursery rhymes, costumed actors and small farm animals. Park admission in the initial season was 85 cents with children under 12 admitted free.

“The first ride (1956) was Freddy The Fire Truck, then located in the Cinderella's castle area,” noted Lauren Fullerton, Story Land's current marketing director. The truck was actually a 1923 fire engine built in Massachusetts with rides costing 15 cents for kids and a quarter for adults.

According to Fullerton, the park was renamed Story Land in 1955 to avoid any possible conflict with late industry icon Charles (Charley) Wood's Storytown U.S.A. in Glens Falls, N.Y., which also opened in 1954. Story Land and Storytown U.S.A. made their debut as theme parks a year prior to the opening of Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif.

Owned by family

for more than 50 years

Ruth and Bob Morrell remained active in the daily operation of the park until their passing, Ruth in 1990 and Bob in 1998. Under their leadership, Story Land grew by leaps and bounds into the family destination property it is today. The couple were posthumously inducted into the then-New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (NEAAPA) Hall of Fame in 2007.

Son, R. Stoning (Stoney) Morrell Jr., served as president of Story Land for more than 20 years until his death in 2006. Sister, Nancy, knowing her brother was terminally ill, helped to facilitate the sale of the park to Kennywood Entertainment Company, West Mifflin, Pa., which was completed in 2007. The following year, the Kennywood organization was acquired by Parques Reunidos of Madrid, Spain, which operates some properties — Story Land included — under the Palace Entertainment brand.

70 and still counting

Story Land, nestled on 100 acres in this White Mountains community, wrote another chapter in its history this year as the park celebrated its 70th anniversary.

“It's a multi-generational experience,” General Manager Chris Kearsing said of the venerable property. “All of our attractions are designed for families to enjoy together and for many, reliving their past as they came here when they were children.”

It's been said that if you are a New Englander, a visit to Story Land is a “rite of passage” — a notion both Fullerton and Kearsing are in line with.

And the anniversary season didn't slip by without Story Land making a big splash as the property unveiled a new major water attraction.

Moo Lagoon, an interactive water play area from Vortex Aquatic Structures International, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada, opened in mid-June in the heart of the park.

“It marked the single largest investment in Story Land's history,” Kearsing said. “There's a 28-foot tower with three slides, interactive water playground with a dumping bucket and a splash pad for younger children.”

With a barnyard theme, Moo Lagoon features more than 50 individual elements in the play area encompassing 6,000 square feet. The interactive play structure has smaller body slides, cascading fountains and farm-themed sprayers.

Complementing the new attractions were a bathhouse, Stock Yard retail store with locker rentals and Barn Yard Pizza concession.

“It's very popular with the heat of the summer,” Kearsing said of Moo Lagoon.

Also new to the property was Happy Hauntings, a Halloween-themed event held weekends in October. The child-oriented celebration had a trick-or-treat trail with the park's themed characters handing out candy along the way. The extended schedule made 2024 the longest operating season in the park's history.

Inside the park

Of the more than 50 attractions in Story Land, 14 are mechanical rides.

“The experience here doesn't rely entirely on rides,” Kearsing said. “We have many hands-on elements in the park and a lot to offer when it comes to animatronics and character interactions.”

One of the most cherished experiences is riding the pumpkin coach to see Cinderella in her castle, Fullerton noted. The ride and castle area date back to 1957.

“We have a great end-of-day celebration with our characters, and Daniel Tiger's Grrific Day is one of the most popular shows,” Fullerton added.

Some of the rides are unique in their own regard, including the antique German carousel with horses mounted on springs, Cuckoo Clockenspiel (Wisdom Rides of America tea cups), and Alice's Tea Cups, a rare Philadelphia Toboggan Company Crazy Daisy.

“Our rides are themed and really different than anything else,” Kearsing asserted. “Nothing really off the shelf.”

The park also has a fleet of Chance Rides C.P. Huntington trains, which run on the Huff Puff & Whistle Railroad and take guests on a tour of the entire park.

“On a normal day, we operate one train, and when it's busy we have two running,” Kearsing said of the popular ride. “We have four gasoline-powered engines, so they can be swapped out as needed.”

Story Land acquired its first C.P. Huntington train — engine No. 2 from Chance — in 1967, replacing a wood-fired steam engine that ran on the rails since 1959. At one time, the park had five of the Chance engines in its possession. To date, Chance has produced more than 400 of the trains since 1961.

Among the newer attractions is Roar-O-Saurus (The Gravity Group), a family wooden roller coaster that opened in 2014 at the back of the property. Also, a Larson International Flying Scooter themed as Flying Fish (2006), and SBF/Visa Group farm tractors (2003).

O.D. Hopkins Associates Inc., a former ride manufacturer in Contoocook, N.H., played an important role in providing major attractions to the park, including the Polar Coaster steel roller coaster in 1987. Hopkins installed Dr. Geyser's Remarkable Raft Ride in 1998 and built Story Land's Bamboo Chutes log flume in 1993. All three rides remain among the most popular in the park.

Other long-time attractions at the property include Dutch Shoes, mounted on an Allan Herschell helicopter center; antique cars, Great Balloon Chase wheel (Zamperla), and Swan Boats on a pond in front of Cinderella's castle.

Admission pricing varied during the 2024 season with tickets as low as $39.99 on select days — a savings of more than 40 percent. Combo tickets included Story Land and the Living Shores Aquarium, which is adjacent to the park and is also operated by Palace Entertainment. The 32,000-square-foot aquarium has a year-round schedule and features interactive tide pools and a variety of exhibits and activities.

Looking ahead

Commenting on Story Land's 70-year milestone, Fullerton said, ”It's a very generational park with new parents and grandparents continuing to bring their own kids and grandkids to a place where fantasy lives. We look forward to another 70!”

•storylandnh.com

*EDITOR'S NOTE: NEAAPA is now known as The Northeast's Entertainment Association as parks and attractions located in New York State have become active members in recent years.

Story Land carousel is a standout

GLEN, N.H — The antique German carousel at Story Land is as unique as the park itself.

According to Story Land’s Lauren Fullerton, the Friedrich Heyn carousel (circa 1892) is one of only two such existing attractions in the world.

The ride was originally steam-powered and toured in Bavaria during its early days and made its way to North America in 1960 when it was purchased by a Canadian carnival operator, who put it into storage.

It operated at the Canadian National Exposition (CNE) in Toronto in 1965 and ‘66 before Bob Morrell acquired it in ‘67 and had it operational at his Story Land the same year, Fullerton noted.

The carousel is unique in a number of ways. Its 36 hand-carved horses are mounted on individual springs, which allow them to rock rather than jump on camshafts as most traditional carousel animals do. It originally had two rocking boats and two spinning tubs, which were removed in 2005 to make the ride wheelchair accessible.

It also operates clockwise, instead of counterclockwise like most carousels.

For a brief period of time, Morrell ran the ride counterclockwise as he wanted to emulate American carousels, Fullerton noted. Morrell changed the ride back to clockwise rotation around 1969, and it has operated that way ever since.

“It is cherished and part of what gives Story Land its nostalgic element,” Fullerton said of the classic ride.

Six Flags Qiddiya City rises, moving rapidly closer to completion

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

RIYADH PROVINCE, Saudi Arabia — When Qiddiya City, just outside Riyadh to the west, was announced in 2017, it was part of Saudi Vision 2030. This government program’s mission is to diversify the region’s economy, as well as make an impact socially and culturally, eventually reducing the dependancy on oil.

Qiddiya City’s attractions are bold and world-class. When plans were announced for Six Flags Qiddiya City, it almost seemed so beyond belief that many industry insiders wondered if such grand plans could ever come to pass.

Well, they are.

As with any plans that overlapped the global crisis owing to the COVID pandemic, things have stretched further than envisioned, but progress has been made. In fact, construction has reached spectacular levels, which is only building excitement for what the final product will bring. No official target date has been set for opening, but sometime in 2025 is expected.

Six Flags Qiddiya City is being built by a joint venture between Bouygues Batiment international and Almabani General Contractors. The park is 320,000 square meters (3,444,450 square feet).

The Six Flags brand is known worldwide, so having the name on the park gives it some notable prestige. But investors didn’t just ease into it; they have swung for the fences with some record-breaking rides.

Among the 28 attractions are an impressive eight roller coasters. The mix of family rides (18) and thrill rides (10) will provide fun for every visitor. Working with numerous industry suppliers, the theme park gives a shot in the arm to numerous companies that were emerging from the pandemic.

Guests enter the park into the Citadel, a canopy-draped plaza that serves as a portal to the six themed lands. While no rides will be in the Citadel, it will offer night shows, food outlets and shopping opportunities.

Among the lands is Discovery Springs, an area that combines the tranquil beauty of a coral wonderland with the enjoyment of water. Six attractions find their home in this land. Sea Stallion will be the largest and fastest rider-controlled roller coaster (Spike system) from Maurer Rides. Its path will journey behind waterfalls and over rivers. WhiteWater West has supplied Zoomaflooma, a 43-foot-tall flume ride. The six-minute journey will tell a story of the Nahari and their efforts to conserve and protect the water surrounding the land. Zamperla provides two rides in this area, Big Splash and Water Wheel. The former is a Big Wavez 15-meter (50-foot) splash ride that drops 20 riders at a time. Water Wheel is an interactive shooting ride that lets passengers aim at targets and other people. Triotech is the creator of Into the Deep, an interactive dark ride through mysterious caves. Rounding out the area is Aquatopia, a water playground for young children.

Steam Town has a steampunk vibe that merges the past with the future. The area boasts five attractions, one being a record-breaker. Iron Rattler, one of three roller coasters supplied by Vekoma, will be the world’s tallest tilt coaster, standing 63 meters (208 feet) tall. Mack Rides supplies Saw Mill Falls, a combination roller coaster/water ride. Flat rides from Moser (Steel Stampede) and Zamperla (Sprockenator, a popular NebulaZ) provide some spinning action. Adventure Junction is a play area for kids in this area.

Twilight Gardens lowers the thrill quota with enchantment in its place. Announced at IAAPA Expo Europe, Joravision, partnering with Alterface and ETF, bring The Enchanted Greenhouse to life. Riders awaken creatures inside with a “magical dew sprayer.” Six-passenger vehicles travel through the ride. Vekoma’s second coaster, Twilight Express is geared toward the families. Amirat Al Buhayra, an interactive water-play boat ride from Mack Rides, lets passengers squirt at creatures and avoid being squirted back. Zamperla also provides a balloon ride in this area.

Valley of Fortune is steeped in mystery surrounding buried treasure and secret discoveries. The star attraction is the record-breaking Spitfire from Intamin. This triple-launch coaster features the world’s tallest upside-down top hat element on a coaster — 240 feet. Skywatch, also from Intamin, is a 99-passenger observation platform on a raised arm. Zamperla provides another flat ride in this area with Canyon Charters. Treasure Trail by P&B is a jeep ride that lets families drive through an off-road adventure with surprises around every turn.

Grand Exposition is a land where history and innovation collide, pulling from the spirit of World’s Fairs from the past. Dominating the landscape is Colossus, a wooden coaster from Great Coasters International, Inc. Airtime and directional changes will delight all riders as they roar over and through this 29-meter (95-foot-tall) beast. Gyrospin from Zamperla is a record-setting thriller, being the tallest pendulum attraction of its type. Zamperla also provided the bumper cars, Roundabout, in this land, as well as Expo Flyer, a spinning flat ride themed with Asian art. The Arabian Carousel from P&B fits in nicely with the exposition theme.

City of Thrills, is (as Six Flags terms it) a “heart-pounding metropolis where adrenaline junkies unite.” Sirocco Tower from S&S Worldwide is the world’s tallest freestanding tower ride. Standing 475 feet tall, riders have a ride height of 120 meters (almost 400 feet). While square in configuration like most S&S towers, each side is 32 feet wide, with eight riders on each side. The four carts are not launched together but in pairs. A surprise awaits guests as the ride begins as well. Adrena-Line is the third Vekoma coaster at the park, this one is a high-speed suspended coaster. Windrider, a WindstarZ from Zamperla, offers a fun flat ride themed to the Falcon Industries storyline. And above all else is Falcons Flight. Capturing the attention of the world, this Intamin spectacular is the longest, tallest and fastest roller coaster on the planet. Once it opens, it will travel to heights of 193 meters (640 feet — with a 519-foot drop), race over 4,325 meters (13,943 feet) of track and reach speeds of 250 km/h (155 mph). The world will be watching. Windshields are placed on the front of each car. Because of its speed, innovative energy-efficient cooling technology will be used on the wheels.

During its construction, the park plans to divert more than 80 percent of construction waste away from landfills.

Six Flags Qiddiya City will be the first attraction to open in the entertainment and sports district. It is the only Six Flags park outside of North America.

“Six Flags Qiddiya City marks a transformative milestone for the entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East region,” said Six Flags Qiddiya City and Aquarabia Park President Brian Machamer. “Standing as the first Six Flags outside of North America built from the ground up, the park will offer visitors of all ages an unparalleled world-class experience. With millions of visitors expected a year, Qiddiya City will be a unique destination like no other on the planet where families and thrill seekers can create and share unforgettable memories.” 

Circuit of the Americas expands offerings with miniature golf

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

AUSTIN, Texas — Circuit of the Americas (COTA), which opened in 2012, has established a reputation for being the premier destination for world-class motorsports and home to Formula 1, as well as NASCAR and MotoGP.

Outside of major events, the complex hosts year-round entertainment that includes concerts and family offerings. The latest addition is a racing-themed miniature golf course at the COTA Karting portion of the venue, called simply COTA Mini Golf.

“We are a year-round operation. We have events like F1, but this is for the families who live here in Austin and the surrounding area,” said Matt Hughey, vice president of operations, COTA. “We have a high-speed go-kart track, now called Speed City, and not everyone wants to do that. It may be a sibling or any family member, and this allows the family to come together and do things together and give them options.”

The new miniature golf course is immediately striking as it sports a suitable racing motif.

“We looked at several different companies. A lot of them do great jobs. At the end of the day, Greenspan out of the U.K. is who we went with,” said Hughey. “They offered a few things that just hit home with us. We felt they could deliver.”

The red-and-white curbs to each hole set the tone.

“We wanted a racing theme that gave nods to the track and actual racing but also some old-school fun things you saw at the courses from when I grew up — the loop-de-loop and jump-the-water holes,” Hughey told Amusement Today. “When you look at some of the unique courses that are out there in the world, you’ll see things such as caves and waterfalls, so we wanted to have a little of that as well.”

Amusingly, Austin is known for its bats, and COTA put some whimsical bats in its cave.

“I think we put that all together. It’s very eye-catching. It hits home as a racing course that has that miniature golf fun to it.”

The course has a traditional 18 holes, but COTA took it a step further.

“The other thing we wanted to do was offer a different, more-challenging course,” Hughey said. “We have a nine-hole putting green that has different berms and mounds to it. I really enjoy that course as well. It’s fun hitting through unique themed elements, but that course is about skill.”

There are themed holes, such as specific curves inspired by the official track just beyond the golf course, racing helmets, lug wrenches and numerous tires.

“We’re here because the track is here; everything started with that, so you want to give nods to that and give it fair justice,” he said. “The United States Grand Prix is here. We have some curves from our own track [as holes] and our iconic tower, which is the tallest thing here. I think that came out beautifully. It lights up at night just like the big tower does.”

While tires are used for some of the obstacle elements, those in the know find an extra layer in the cool factor. Authentic tires that have been used on the racetrack have been incorporated into the themed holes.

Also, specific areas of thicker turf create a bit of “rough” not commonly found on miniature golf courses. The themed elements and unique qualities make this new addition a standout.

“It’s been talked about for the last two years,” Hughey noted. “For me, having a great go-kart track was fantastic, and we have the zipline here. We don’t have an arcade, but we’re becoming an entertainment center. The next step was to give families the putting course and more to do here, to draw more people — and it definitely is going to do that.”

COTAland, a theme park with significant rides, is under construction on a portion of the 1,500 acres owned by Circuit of the Americas. This entertainment complex will complement visitors to that venue either before or after their visit.

Embed, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza reshaping business of fun in Kentucky

AT: David Fake

dfake@amusementtoday.com

PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, a Pikeville, Kentucky family entertainment center (FEC), recently celebrated its 40th anniversary — a milestone that highlights decades of community engagement, family fun and entertainment. From hosting countless birthday parties and field trips to adding special events like Pirate Day and Project Prom, Mr. Gatti’s has evolved beyond a pizza parlor to become a cherished FEC to its community.

For over 10 years Mr. Gatti’s Pizza has partnered with Embed, a leading technology provider for the entertainment and amusement industry, enabling the FEC to implement advanced systems such as the Mobile Wallet and other ancillary products like GoTrain. These tools have proven transformative, offering increased convenience, revenue and guest engagement.

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza initially engaged Embed to implement technology solutions to simplify transactions and elevate their guest experience. Since then, Embed’s Mobile Wallet has enabled guests visiting Mr. Gatti’s Pizza to reload game cards online, reducing wait times and allowing guests to jump straight into the fun. According to Will Blackburn, floor operations manager at Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, the Mobile Wallet’s ease of use has significantly boosted the guest experience. “The Mobile Wallet is a time saver,” Blackburn notes, adding that it has helped repeat customers streamline their visits by bypassing traditional reloading stations.

Because of its ease of use, guests are spending more with Mobile Wallet and the data backs up its impact. Since engaging with Embed’s Success Squad, Mr. Gatti’s has seen a remarkable 27% increase in registrations and an astounding reload revenue increase of 250%. Prior to working with Embed’s Success Squad, monthly reload revenue was minimal with an average of 24 reloads per month. Since implementing Mobile Wallet enhancements and using Embed's targeted consultation of their Success Squad, monthly reload revenue has increased by 61%.

One key aspect of Embed’s Mobile Wallet is that it appeals to today’s digitally savvy guests who prefer managing their transactions independently. “Guests aren’t just spending more; they’re also spending more conveniently,” Blackburn explains. “Parents, for instance, can remotely load funds onto their child’s game card without needing to step away from the dining area or interact with staff.”

For Mr. Gatti’s Pizza owner-operator Deb Slone, the adoption of Embed’s suite of tools aligns with her mission to maintain their Mr. Gatti’s franchise as a top destination for families in Pikeville. Slone, who has been part of the FEC for more than 40 years, understands the importance of adapting to new technologies that keep customers coming back. “Embed’s customer support has been phenomenal, and their system’s interface is so user-friendly,” she shares. “Even when we encounter questions, Embed’s team is there to guide us, making the entire experience seamless and hassle-free for our guests.”

Slone also credits the Mobile Wallet for encouraging guests to spend more as it minimizes friction during transactions.

Mr. Gatti’s Pizza has also seen substantial benefits from utilizing Embed’s free training resources such as GoTrain, which offers both in-person and remote training for staff on how to assist guests with the Mobile Wallet. These no-cost resources are part of Embed’s free, value-added program designed to help businesses optimize their use of Embed products without incurring additional costs. GoTrain has not only improved customer interactions but has also equipped staff with enhanced communication skills. Blackburn also emphasized the value of GoTrain: “The training is straightforward and easy for our staff to pick up, allowing them to focus on creating memorable experiences for our guests,” he noted.

Beyond the Mobile Wallet, Embed’s ancillary offerings such as tailored marketing support have been pivotal for Mr. Gatti’s. With free access to a creative kit, marketing assets and consultation, Mr. Gatti’s can seamlessly integrate promotions that drive guest engagement and retention. This support has been essential in creating a consistent brand experience and keeping customers informed about new events and promotions.

A recent period of inclement weather attributed to hurricane Helene resulted in short-term cellular and internet service outages across the Pikeville area. Mr. Gatti’s realized an additional advantage of Embed’s technology. Embed’s in-house server provides a crucial operational lifeline, allowing Mr. Gatti’s to keep its systems running even when internet and cell service were disrupted. Blackburn explains that while many systems rely on cloud connectivity, Embed’s system remained fully functional, enabling guests to continue using their game cards without interruption. “Our community relies on us, especially during times when they need an escape. Embed’s resilience was key during these power outages,” Blackburn recalls.

The success of Embed’s solutions at Mr. Gatti’s is evident in the location’s loyalty to the brand. As they look to the future, Mr. Gatti’s Pizza Pikeville aims to continue enhancing its offerings to keep pace with the ever-evolving entertainment industry. Slone reflects on their enduring journey: “We’ve been part of this community for decades, and it’s incredible to see families who grew up coming here now bringing their own children. Embed’s technology allows us to focus on what we do best — creating unforgettable experiences for our community.”

Betson Southeast announced that its Georgia office has relocated to a new building on October 23, 2024. The new larger space is located at 3380 Town Point Drive, Kennesaw, GA, 30144.

“We are excited to announce the relocation of our Georgia office to a new, larger space in Kennesaw,” said David Capilouto, regional vice president at Betson Enterprises. “This move reflects our continued growth and commitment to providing the best possible service and support to our customers in the region. Our new facility will enable us to operate more efficiently and better meet the needs of our customers.”

•

After successfully being able to recharge its electric go-karts in under five minutes for a five-minute race, Amusement Products now has the ability to recharge a fleet of electric go-karts in under 3.5 minutes, eliminating the need for a double fleet of karts.

“In the past, the biggest issue with purchasing an electric go-kart fleet was the necessity to buy twice as many karts to allow for recharging of the karts after every race,” said Dutch Magrath, president of Amusement Products. “In our ongoing effort to improve our products through innovation and technology, we are proud to bring this breakthrough to the karting industry and to our customers.”

Using a combination of a better charger, a better charging profile, more efficient lithium batteries and progressive regenerative braking, Amusement Products’ new system recharges the batteries to 100% in less than 3.5 minutes.

•

The Four Oaks Golf Course at Lincoln Park in Pittsburg, Kansas, opened a new 18-hole ADA compliant miniature golf course this summer. The course was designed and built by Adventure Golf & Sports (AGS) using its Modular Advantage Mini Golf System. It replaced a traditional style concrete course that had been rebuilt in 1996 that had poor drainage.

“It had affected playability enough that our numbers were decreasing,” stated Toby Book, director of parks and recreation for the city. “It was not economically repairable. With the Modular Advantage, you get good subsurface drainage to take the water away so it’s not pooling. That appealed to me because we knew the traditional (concrete) style was going to present some challenges financially, drainage-wise and maintenance-wise.”

•

Strategic consulting firm Amusement Entertainment Management (AEM) has begun work on two new project initiatives recently launched by Cinergy Entertainment Group of Dallas, Texas.

Cinergy’s recent purchase of 5.1 acres of real estate adjacent to its 106,000-square-foot Odessa location will permit expansion of the Company’s leisure footprint to include new attractions and experiences deemed complementary to its current cinema, entertainment and restaurant offerings.

“Since 2016, Cinergy-Odessa has served as the region’s gold standard for families, adults and corporate groups that are seeking premium-quality amenities,” commented Jerry Merola, AEM’s managing partner. “By acquiring additional acreage, Cinergy gains the ability to add even more entertainment styles to its portfolio of cutting-edge dining and leisure options.”

•

The People’s Choice Family Fun Center recently implemented a complete conversion from its legacy point-of-sale system and technology software to Semnox Solutions.

With more than 80,000 square feet of arcade games, a large redemption center, individual attractions and hard rides, the entire process of transforming this Chicago-area venue took only four days to finalize, marking a significant achievement with no downtime for the facility as Semnox installed a modern system with cutting-edge equipment that enhances the guest experience, increasing revenue and helps manage staff shortages.

“Before COVID, we employed over 50 people, and we were half the size we are now,” explained John Sarantakis, president of The People’s Choice. “Today, we have on average 20 employees.”

Pittsburgh event features first-ever Ferris wheel on a bridge

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – For 10 days in October, the city of Pittsburgh held its first Oktoberfest event on Market Square, downtown, as well as the nearby Roberto Clemente Bridge. There, from noon to 10 p.m., an average of 1,500 people each day rode a 60-foot Nittany Manufacturing, 16-seat, all-electric wheel, experiencing the city and its skyline from a unique perspective — smack dab on the middle of the bridge. The Allegheny River was 30 feet below the structure. It is believed this is the first time anything like this has been done in North America.

“It was absolutely awesome. It was so popular, practically everyone in the city wanted to ride it,” said Rick Janesky, owner of ferriswheelrent.com, the company that was contracted to bring it in. “The weather was great, except for a couple of little rain showers.”

The operator felt the Sixth Street Bridge (its original name) was solid and had a good arch to it. The bridge is a suspension type with eye-bar chain and no expansion joints in the ride operation area.

“The bridge is built well. It was dead level when we dropped it — that rarely happens. It was better than grass (locations),” said Janesky.

According to the Blacksburg, South Carolina, operator, he felt the wind was not any worse on the bridge than at traditional locations. Two ride operators alternated running the wheel each hour.

The company plans to return next year.

— B. Derek Shaw

Tulsa State Fair lives up to slogan, experiences "11 Days of Awesome"

AT: B. Derek Shaw

bdshaw@amusementtoday.com

TULSA, Okla. — “All 11 days of the Tulsa State Fair were sunny and beautiful; overall (we) were fortunate to have incredible weather and support from our community,” said Amanda Blair, vice president and chief operating officer. “11 Days of Awesome” is the fair’s annual moniker.

Attendance totaled slightly higher than in 2023, with more than one million fairgoers passing through the turnstiles.

North American Midway Entertainment (NAME) brought in 65 rides. of which 25 were of the kiddie variety. The new ride to play that spot was Tidal Wave (Avalanche, Wisdom Rides). The most popular rides included Giant Wheel (Chance Rides), Crazy Mouse (Zamperla) and Polar Express (Mack).

There were two ways to experience the carnival midway, either with a mega-ride pass for all 11 days, or a single-day ride wristband. Midway express access was offered daily for those who were interested. For a fee, fairgoers could go to the head of the line. On Monday and Wednesday, discounts were available on a pay-one-price wristband through a partnership with Mazzio Italian Eatery and Arby’s area locations.

Final ride midway revenue came in at $4,521,812.

“We were proud to provide a comprehensive and entertaining experience for fairgoers of all ages. The Ferris wheel continues to be one of the top-performing and favorite rides, drawing in families and thrill-seekers alike for the breathtaking views and classic fair experience,” said Lynda Franc, corporate marketing director.

“Our close partnership with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office ensured the fair remained a safe, family-friendly environment, with proactive security measures like advanced monitoring and crowd control,” Franc added.

“We’re grateful to the fair organizers and the Tulsa community for their warm welcome and look forward to enhancing the midway experience with even more exciting offerings in the future,” she said.

“Working with NAME is always a professional partnership. Both parties strive to create environments for our guests to have a positive experience, and we are appreciative of the culture and collaboration we have built,” said Blair.

On Thursday gate admission was only $6 (normally $15) with a coupon from local Ford dealerships with rides only $2 each.

There has been a shift and increase in the fairs’ advertising buy toward digital advertising and social media.

A popular food in the savory arena was Rick’s Flamin’ Hot Cheetos pickle pizza, while the sweet nod went to watermelon pie.

The top-selling VIP tickets in the entertainment circle included 38 Special, Hinder and Jesse McCartney. Add to that stunt dogs and diving show, jetpack flying water circus, pig races, circus stilt walkers and a fiddle contest, all free. Both Saturday evenings featured fireworks shows.

Employment is always a challenge; however, the fair had a strategy to attract new workers.

“Overall, this is a consistent challenge each year due to the volume of positions needed. Our current focus has been to incorporate a job fair staffed by our internal team, about three to four weeks prior to the start of the event,” said Blair.

She went on to describe what makes their fair stand out. “The Tulsa State Fair is unique in a way that our team is laser-focused on cohesive branding and overall guest experience. Each year we strive to incorporate additional layers to elevate our professionalism while creating engaging programming.”

The 2025 edition returns, September 25 to October 5.

•tulsastatefair.com

2024 North Carolina State Fair has an 11-day run filled with success

AT: Ron Gustafson

Special to Amusement Today

RALEIGH, N.C. — The 2024 edition of the North Carolina State Fair recorded its sixth-largest attendance in the expo's 156-year history.

A total of 998,926 persons passed through the gates during the 11-day event (Oct. 17-27), missing the million mark by a mere 1,074. Record attendance was set in 2010 at 1,091,887 and the last time a million attended was in 2017.

"We're proud that we provided a safe, great family experience this year," G. Kent Yelverton, director, told Amusement Today. "The weather was perfect the first 10 days with only a light morning shower the final day of the fair. We're certainly happy that we had nearly a million enjoy the fair."

He also made a point of saying the N.C. State Fair Cares online donation tab collected $32,370 to assist the flood victims in western North Carolina. Dozens were killed when Hurricane Helene unleashed more than a foot of rain in less than three days in the mountain region. Entire towns were washed away by raging river waters.

In addition, Smithfield Foods Hunger Relief Day was held Oct. 24 and guests who donated six canned food items were admitted to the fair for free. Much of the donated product has been earmarked for people affected by the flooding. Seven trucks were packed with donations from the day, and Smithfield Foods also donated 500,000 servings of protein to families in North Carolina.

PGAM run continued

For the 18th year, Powers Great American Midways (PGAM) provided a huge arsenal of equipment at the fair.

"We had 91 mechanical rides here," said show owner Les (Corky) Powers. "It was a great fair for us again and ride revenues were up."

He added that PGAM's fair season saw an increase in ride grosses at all but one location, citing rainy weather as the determining factor there.

Frank Zaitshik's Wade Shows again supplied a complement of rides to the PGAM lineup in Raleigh — a partnership that has existed since Powers landed the fair contract in 2006.

The exposition featured three separate midways where spectacular and thrill rides were the focus, with the largest display of big equipment appearing on the main midway, which ran parallel to the grandstand. There, fairgoers were greeted by PGAM's lighted marquee and a large redemption area for ride wristbands and individual ride credits.

The main midway highlighted these PGAM spectaculars: Inversion 12 themed as KHAOS, Freak Out themed as F5 and Speed decked out as Air Raid — all KMG attractions; Wave Swinger (Zierer); Rock Star and Sky Hawk (A.R.M.); Inferno Loop (Larson); and Techno Jump (Sartori).

The show also brought in its SBF/Visa Tekno Fly with a dazzling Lunartic theme on its scenery and lighting decor. The ride is the only one of its kind in North America. Powers also presented a Flying Bobs (Chance Rides), Sea Ray (Mulligan), and Tivoli Orbiter themed as Tesla AC on the two other midways.

Giant wheels upfront

PGAM's 33-meter Lamberink wheel overlooked the fairgrounds near Gate 1 and kiddieland entrance, while its Itsy Bitsy (AMC Rides) 24-meter wheel was positioned on the western midway. Wade provided its Chance Rides Giant Wheel on the main midway and its Friendly Wheel (Technical Park) on the eastern midway.

The State Fair SkyGazer wheel, a 155-foot Lamberink, returned to the 344-acre fairgrounds near the Graham exhibition building. The wheel is operated by Wade Shows and Wood Entertainment (San Antonio, Texas) and required a separate $7 ticket to ride ($6 pre-sale). The massive attraction requires 12 trailers to move and has three support vehicles.

Wade's Mighty Mouse (Zamperla) and Super Cyclone (Interpark) roller coasters were highlights on the main midway as were the show's Super Himalaya (Reverchon), Alpine Bobs (Chance) and Mega Drop (Fabbri). The show's Street Fighter 360 (Technical Park) and Wave Swinger (Bertazzon) were spectaculars on the eastern midway.

New to the fair were the Big Apple Slide (SBF/Visa) and Candy Adventure funhouse, both Wade attractions. The 210-foot, eight-lane slide was featured as the Toboggan Run during 2014 Super Bowl activities in New York and was re-themed by Zaitshik following his acquisition. Candy Adventure has a 120-foot front with colorful slides, a revolving barrel and soft-play obstacles. It was built by Chuck Wheeler of Ohio's Amusement Wraps.

For the kids

A complete kiddieland was assembled separate from the other midways and included a double-deck carousel along with a traditional three-abreast. Two unique PGAM attractions were Crazy Cabs and Reverse Time 12 themed as Wipeout, both from SBF/Visa. Dragon coaster (Jung-Max), Fun Slide (Frederiksen), Jumbo Circus (Kolmax), Wacky Worm (Fajume), Mini Trooper (PWS) and a variety of spin and other rides were among the extensive offering for youngsters.

Powers reported that the four top rides at the fair were PGAM's Lamberink wheel and Wave Swinger along with the two large Wade coasters.

"They do a fantastic job for us," Yelverton said of PGAM. "They have great equipment, and we have an outstanding partnership with them."

The fair had a strong discount pre-sale program for the midway. Tickets were 18 for $10 ($1 each during the fair), with unlimited ride wristbands for $30 ($40 at the fair). A combo pre-sale pass included fair admission and a wristband at $48.

Fair admission was $10 pre-sale, $13 at the gate; kids 6 to 12: $5 pre-sale, $7 at the gate; 5 and under free; and seniors $5. Military, active and retired, paid $8 gate admission.

Other pre-sale offers were State Fair Flyer/fair admission $17, which included one gate admission and a round trip on the State Fair Flyer sky ride. For those just wanting a State Fair Flyer ride, pre-sale was $6 one way, or $9 round trip ($7 and $10 respectively at the fair). State Fair SkyGazer/fair admission was $14, which included one gate admission and one SkyGazer ticket.

Seniors, 65 plus, were admitted to the fair free on Tuesday and the promotion set a record for the day with 85,738 attending.

The Great Pumpkin

Weigh-Off

A highly-anticipated event was the Great Pumpkin and Watermelon Weigh-Off with entries welcome from any state. It was held Tuesday before the fair opened.

Long lines formed in the Agri Supply Expo Center during the fair's 11-day run to see the prize winners with the monstrous, first-place pumpkin weighing more than 2,200 pounds drawing the most attention. It was grown by Chris Rodebaugh of Greenbrier, West Virginia.

Daily free entertainment on the fairgrounds included the “Homegrown Music Fest” on two stages, The Red Trouser Show acrobats, “Hog Diggity Dogs & More Show,” “Rock-It The Robot,” “Agricadabra: The Magic of Agriculture” and “Strolling Piano.” Ember Fire Arts and fireworks capped off entertainment each evening.

Tractor and draft horse pulls and “Motorsports Mayhem” were the featured grandstand events with $10 admission.

Sunday, Oct. 20, was accessABILITY Day with rides and games opening at 9 a.m. with no lights or music. Musicians on stages performed using only acoustic instruments with light amplification.

A special Chill Out Zone was located in the Graham Building with tables, chairs and soft music for participants to take a break. The fair offered noise-canceling headphones to check out for those in need.

The fair reported having 24,514 entries in general competitions and 4,067 in livestock competitions.

The 2025 North Carolina State Fair is slated for Oct. 16-26.

•ncagr.gov

Texas adds a new Great Wolf Lodge Resort in the Houston area

AT: Jeffrey Seifert

jseifert@amusementtoday.com

WEBSTER, Texas — On August 7, 2024, Great Wolf Resorts Inc. opened another of its unique brand of family lodges in the state of Texas. This 21st edition of a Great Wolf Lodge targets the tourist area outside the city of Houston — currently the fifth most populous metropolitan statistical area in the country and the second-most populous in the state, after Dallas/Fort Worth. It is the second location in the state of Texas with Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine opening in 2007 near the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.

Great Wolf Lodge Webster offers a plethora of family activities, but the highlight has to be its Great Geyser Water Park, a 92,000-square-foot climate-controlled indoor water park that is kept at a perfect 84 degrees year-round. The water park offers 13 high-profile water rides provided by ProSlide Technology of Canada. This lodge marks the 20th project in ProSlide’s long-standing partnership with Great Wolf Resorts. In addition to the large indoor aquatics space, this lodge also includes The Great Lagoon, an outdoor paradise that offers a three-foot, six-inch deep water play area, with fountains and plenty of poolside seating for soaking up the sun. Also located outdoors is Hot Springs, a large hot tub for soaking and relaxing.

“Working with Great Wolf Lodge on the Great Geyser Water Park has been an incredibly rewarding experience. This project truly embodies our decades-long collaborative spirit and shared vision that define our partnership,” said Nik Paas, ProSlide vice president, business development and strategic accounts.

Among the larger attractions is Texas Twirler, a five-person family raft Tornado 24 / BehemothBowl 40 hybrid that is unique to this location. Three distinct ride complexes offer a variety of slides to create memorable guest experiences. The largest complex features Rapid Racer, ProSlide’s renowned Dueling RocketBlast water coaster. Other notable slides include Mammoth — the originally family raft ride, a FlyingSaucer 8, TurboTwister and a Pipeline.

In addition to the thrilling waterslides, Great Geyser includes several family-friendly features commonly found at most Great Wolf Lodge locations including Slap Tail Pond, a zero-depth entry wave pool with maximum depth of five feet and gentle wave swells. Crooked Creek is a lazy river that winds its way under many of the slide attractions. Big Foot Pass challenges kids to test their agility as they cross a pool stepping on giant floating lily pads, using an overhead cargo net for balance. Great Geyser also features two custom-designed RideHouse structures. Otter Cave Waterworks, the larger RideHouse, includes four Twister slides and a 600-gallon tipping bucket, while the second, Otter Springs, is designed for younger guests with a Kidz Twister and Kidz ProRacer.

“We’re thrilled to see our water rides come to life in such an exciting way, and we look forward to continuing our partnership, delivering innovative and memorable experiences for guests for years to come," added Paas.

As is typical, admission to the indoor water park is included with a resort stay. Guests not staying at the resort have the option to purchase a day pass. Availability may be limited, and day passes may be restricted during certain times of the year.

Although Great Geyser Water Park is the star attraction, Great Wolf Lodge Webster offers many “dry” attractions and activities, too. Among the staples is MagiQuest, which turns the lodge into a live-action game where adventurers set off on a quest utilizing a magic wand with special powers. Ten Paw Alley offers real bowling but on a smaller scale. Smaller balls and shorter lanes make it ideal for the entire family. At Oliver’s Mining Company kids can pan and sift to uncover beautiful gemstones that they get to keep.

For the adventurous, Howlers Peak Ropes Course has guests ascending to various levels, balancing on ropes, crossing bridges, climbing through obstacles, and even ziplining down a curved rail — all while safely attached to a harness.

Dining is also an adventure with several themed eateries including Woods End Creamery for ice cream and other treats; Dunkin’ for classic donuts and coffee specialties; Freshwood Market with pre-made grab-n-go meals; and Hungry Wolf Food Hall that includes standby favorites such as pizza, burgers, chicken fingers and more. Sit-down dining locations include Fireside, an outdoor-themed restaurant that offers fire-cooked delicacies, including steaks, burgers, salmon, and chicken. Timber Table and Kitchen offers breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets with several entrees and sides as well as a build-it-yourself taco bar.

Great Wolf Lodge Resorts started in 1997 as a small indoor water park hotel in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, called Black Wolf Lodge. The lodge was purchased in 2000 by Craig Stark. He built a second location in 2001 in Sandusky, Ohio, and called it Great Bear Lodge. Two years later he opened two more lodges under the name Great Wolf and decided to rename the original two to have an identifiable brand. Lodge number 22 in Naples, Florida, just celebrated its grand opening.

•greatwolf.com

WhiteWater West's new Moosehorn Falls debuts at Canada’s Wonderland

VAUGHAN, Ontario — The new attraction at Splash Works, the water park in Canada’s Wonderland, got off to a late summer start. Moosehorn Falls, a Boomerango slide from WhiteWater West of British Columbia opened in August at the tail end of the season.

The new attraction takes up to six guests down a rushing river cascade of twists, turns and drops before being propelled to the summit of a zero-gravity, 13-meter (42-foot) wall. As rafters crest the vertical apex in a moment of weightlessness, the raft reverses direction and sends them downstream to a splash pool where their journey ends. The rafts are transported to the top via a conveyor. The guests on the staircase walk across a bridge that spans the width of the slide, giving those waiting in line great visuals of the riders as they crest the wall. At the top, guests are weighed so that the combined weight of each raft does not exceed 1,000 pounds. Depending on loading, the attraction has the capacity to handle 1,080 riders per hour.

“The addition of Moosehorn Falls helps diversify our water park attractions and, between Splash Works and the rides park, really gives guests a two-parks-in-one experience that they can’t get anywhere else,” said Phil Liggett, general manager of Canada’s Wonderland.

Moosehorn Falls is inspired by waterfalls on the Broad River along the Moosehorn Trail in Fundy National Park in New Brunswick, within the UNESCO-designated Fundy Biosphere Region. The area is a popular scenic route due to the gorgeous waterfalls and pleasant hiking trails.

“The new water slide is the park’s latest addition of Canadian-themed attractions, venues and events,” said Liggett. “As Canada’s premier amusement park, we want to celebrate the best this country has to offer, including its natural diversity as well as the adventurous spirit of its people.”

Canada’s Wonderland opened in 1981 as the last park built by Taft Broadcasting. It shared similarities with Taft’s previous parks, Kings Island in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia. The Splash Works water park was added in 1992 covering four hectares (10 acres). It included four adult slides, a lazy river and a kids' area. Four years later, a 4.1-hectare expansion more than doubled the size of the park. It has steadily expanded over the past three decades and now covers more than 8.1 hectares (20 acres). In addition to a wave pool, lazy river, and two children’s play areas, the water park has 17 waterslides from a variety of manufacturers.

•canadaswonderland.com

Family helping family

St. Petersburg, Fla. — I am no stranger to flooding (Knoebels has been devastated a few times by severe flooding), but receiving texts from the Pinellas County EMS warning people to evacuate without our trusted team near, I had very limited knowledge of what might be coming with Hurricane Helene headed toward my daughter’s home as I visited.

We did some preparation for the basics and took Premier Rides’ Sara Seay’s advice and parked Haley’s SUV on the Bayway Bridge (alongside more than 300 other vehicles). As night came, the storm picked up. I learned the definition of a “surge” with a foot of water in the garage almost instantly. Then, no power. Having no air conditioning and being 87 degrees in the condo was not fun, but we were safe.

In the morning, my ADHD was running at full speed, I just had to go for a ride around the area. I had no idea what these eyes were about to see: palm trees laying on the roads and furniture from hotels 200 yards from where it belonged. I saw brick pavers thrown 75 yards from a hotel pool and forced through the windshields of eight different vehicles. Shipping containers were moved across parking lots and wedged against some healthier palm trees and boats smashed into living rooms. How selfish of me to gripe over no a/c.

Thankfully, our family was safe. But I quickly began to wonder about my industry family. Texting with John and Tracy Arie (Fun Spot), I was able to confirm that their boat — which was docked not far from me — was intact. They were working to help others in Orlando. I reached out to Maegan Wallace (Maclan Corp.) who was stuck in Europe due to recent IAAPA Expo and gave her my word that I would do my best to get to her home and relay its condition. I did the same for Jim and Sara Seay’s (Premier Rides), journeying to their home and relaying devastation that my eyes were bearing witness to. I found a back door open at McGowan Allied’s Mary Chris Smith’s home, and while I feared the worst — and the call to relay the damage was a hard one — she was delighted to discover the open door was from one of her sons; no looters had targeted her home.

That evening, before even visiting their own house, the Seays showed up at my daughter’s home bearing gifts of groceries, additional bottled water and paper towels! The selflessness had almost brought me to tears.

Through all of this, all I kept reminding myself — and my industry family — was to stay positive. Knoebels has been all but decimated by floods in the past only to shine again, and I am confident my friends will have their homes repaired much like our family’s business.

With IAAPA Expo starting in just a couple weeks, I’m looking forward to looking my industry family in the eyes, and share with them what positive influences they were and continue to be in my life.

—Brian Knoebel, Knoebels Amusement Resort

Parks survive back-to-back hurricanes, but lives changed forever

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

FLORIDA — On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm near Florida's Big Bend. It cut a devastating 500-mile path across the southeastern U.S. Almost two weeks later, on October 8, 2024, Hurricane Milton cut a path of destruction through Florida from Sarasota to Palm Coast, affecting nearly every town and city in the state.

The back-to-back hurricanes took lives, homes, business, livelihoods as well as the security and safety many had felt before the events. Damages from both storms are still being accessed, and it will be some time before any of that is final.

For the amusement industry, photos of the devastation has been heartbreaking. Parks closed and/or flooded. But, it seems, for the most part, they reopened and are back making people smile.

Speaking to those in the amusement industry who were there makes it even more personal and real.

"We were indeed significantly impacted by both hurricanes," said Jim Seay, Premier Rides. "We had both our St. Petersburg office impacted and our house in St. Petersburg Beach impacted."

"We are all still deep in the evaluation and damage mitigation phase, nowhere near the recovery phase just yet," added Sara Seay, Premier Rides. "Getting insurance claims processed, FEMA, appraisals and even professionals to inspect damages is an ongoing challenge for everyone in the area.

"There are so many with their lives in wet, moldy and now decaying piles along the streets," she continued. "The emotion, devastation, uncertainty is hard to convey and the photos don’t do any of it justice. The anxiety I felt when at home alone at night last week was high as I watched three grown men looting and digging through our piles and then the neighbors'. I was so glad the neighbors have German Shepherds who scared them off."

Maegan Wallace, Maclan Corporation, St. Petersburg, Florida, was at the IAAPA Expo Europe 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, when Helene hit. She knew her family was safe, but it was extremely stressful for her to be so far away. Wallace's home is on Treasure Island, Florida. She felt very lucky as her home did not see significant damage.

When Milton was forecasted, she and her husband decided to stay put. Her children were inland with her parents.

"Helene did way more damage than Milton," she said. "Again, our house was good. We didn't even lose power during Milton."

Roger Berry, president, RW Berry Corporation, field sales engineer, Lithionics Battery Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida, has an altogether different tale to tell. He decided to stick both storms out on his 50-foot boat, docked at Madeira Beach, Florida. He said he stayed quite busy during the storms. He had tripled tied down to the dock but the wind and water rising and falling, stretched the lines such that he had to continue to pull them in.

"I looked out of the window and I saw this thing coming toward the boat," Berry said. "It was a dumpster. I saw propane bottles and cabanas banging around the boat."

But in the end, Berry was glad he stayed because it allowed him to be the first one out on the island to help others since he had never left. He still had running water, electricity from his generator and internet.

"Getting bleach was a big thing for disinfectant," he said. "It was all very devastating, though. One of my neighbors who is five feet tall stayed nine hours in four feet of water. She has nothing."

There were many others affected. But right now they are trying to get their lives back. However, their stories will eventually come out.

Hotel planned as part of official resorts of Hersheypark expansion

HERSHEY, Pa. — Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company plans for Hershey Inn & Suites, its first select service hotel slated to open in spring 2026. Hershey Inn & Suites will feature 130 rooms with seven suites, including complimentary continental breakfast with an indoor pool. Construction has begun on the site located in the West End development in Derry Township, Pennsylvania.

“Hershey Inn & Suites will provide our guests with even more diverse lodging options when they visit The Sweetest Place On Earth,” said Jason Heath, Hershey's vice president of resort operations. “This new select service hotel with unique amenities to Hersheypark will continue to expand the resort offerings you can only enjoy in Hershey as we continue to grow our destination.”

Hershey Inn & Suites will be the first select service property as part of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark, joining The Hotel Hershey luxury accommodation, Hershey Lodge resort and Hersheypark Camping Resort campground. Guests of The Official Resorts of Hersheypark receive free resort benefits, including the best price on Hersheypark amusement park tickets, extra morning and evening hours at Hersheypark, front gate shuttle service to an exclusive resort drop-off location, destination activities and more.

Construction of the four-story select service Hershey Inn & Suites continues the momentum of resort expansion following the announcement of The Villas at The Hotel Hershey elevated luxury accommodation experience with all-new exclusive amenities.

Phase one opened in May 2024 as the hotel’s 10 existing cottages with 48 rooms were reimagined as The Villas at The Hotel Hershey. The Villas featured refreshed furnishings and unmatched amenities, including an all-new concierge lounge and tailored Hersheypark experiences.

Nine new Villas are slated to open in fall 2025, adding 50 new sleeping rooms and even more luxury as part of this official resort of Hersheypark.

IAAPA announces Hall of Fame inductees

ORLANDO — IAAPA announced the four newest members to be inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame. Established in 1990 to honor legends and pioneers for their significant contributions to the growth and development of the global attractions industry, dozens of industry pioneers from around the world have been inducted to the IAAPA Hall of Fame.

This year’s honorees include:

•Dick Chance who — following his college graduation in 1970 — joined Chance Rides, the company founded by his father, Harold Chance, in 1961. After purchasing the company in 1985, he took over as CEO, leading the business through significant growth, including the expansion of its product line to feature ornate carousels. A dedicated industry leader, Dick served as president of AIMS International and led the Showmen’s League of America in 2000.

•Geoff Chutter, founder and CEO of WhiteWater, revolutionized the water park industry with his vision and determination. In 1980, he opened a water park in British Columbia, Canada, building the slides himself. Under his leadership, WhiteWater transformed into a global one-stop shop for water park needs, growing to seven regional offices and 500 employees. Through strategic acquisitions, innovation and a commitment to safety, WhiteWater currently has more than 5,000 projects for leading entertainment brands worldwide.

•Rick Hunter, a 40-year veteran in the industry, continues to drive innovation, share expertise, and uphold a legacy of excellence as the current President and CEO of ProSlide. Throughout his career, he has been at the forefront of pushing boundaries and setting new industry standards, from the early creation of the groundbreaking Mammoth River to his latest advancement with the Rocket Blast. Hunter’s global influence on water parks and rides spans countless distinctive designs and cutting-edge solutions that have not only revolutionized the guest experience but have also introduced efficient, sustainable innovations that significantly reduce the environmental footprint of waterslides.

•Clark Robinson, former president and CEO of IAAPA, has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of the organization. Before assuming the role of president and CEO in 2002, Clark dedicated over 27 years of his life to IAAPA in various volunteer leadership positions. His leadership was instrumental in key milestones such as IAAPA's relocation from Chicago to Washington, D.C., the enhancement of its governance and committee structures and the expansion of its global membership. Robinson's outstanding contributions to IAAPA, its members and Lagoon Park make him a truly deserving inductee into the IAAPA Hall of Fame.

“We could not be more thrilled with this year’s Hall of Fame inductees,” said John McReynolds, chairman of the IAAPA Hall of Fame Committee. “These four individuals truly represent more than 100 years of influence and imagination that has resonated throughout our industry."

Sky Zone expands footprint

PROVO, Utah — Sky Zone announced its plans to further expand with the opening of 10 new parks in high-demand markets, including the Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Henderson, Nevada; Brooklyn, New York and the Atlanta, Georgia metro areas. This growth welcomes new franchisees into the Sky Zone network, while further strengthening the portfolios of seasoned partners expanding their successful multi-unit operations.

"We're proud to build on the success of our dedicated franchisees while embracing new partners who share our vision for bringing fun to families across the U.S.," said Mike Revak, president of Sky Zone Franchise Group. "2024 has already been a record year for growth, and we are looking forward to continuing this momentum into 2025."

Lipkin, Naughton to be inducted into the

NEAAPA Hall of Fame in March 2025

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Northeast's Entertainment Association (NEAAPA) announced that two of the organization’s past presidents will be inducted into the NEAAPA Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Stephen Lipkin served as NEAAPA president in 2005 and 2006. During his address after receiving the gavel, he said one of his goals was establish a treasury with enough backup funds to ensure the organization’s future. Under his leadership, NEAAPA was able to accomplish this goal, providing the solid financial footing that has allowed the association to grow and offer more benefits to its members. Lipkin was no stranger to NEAAPA. Working for his family’s business, Nancy Sales (a.k.a. NANCO) in Chelsea, Massachusetts, he was the company’s president during his time as NEAAPA’s president.

Kevin Naughton served as NEAAPA’s president in 2001 and 2002. During his time as president, he worked with the board to reshape NEAAPA’s mission, making sure that it stayed relevant in a changing industry. This work allowed for members other than amusement parks to join, such as family entertainment centers, roller skating centers and more. NEAAPA now boasts more than 200 member locations throughout the region and around the United States and Canada. Naughton grew up in the industry as part of Naughton Insurance, the family business started by his grandfather in Rhode Island. Naughton is currently the president of Naughton Insurance.

NEAAPA will honor these two outstanding leaders of the attractions industry on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at the Hilton Mystic Hotel in Mystic, Connecticut, as part of NEAAPA’s 112th Anniversary Education Conference and Annual Meeting, held March 3-5, 2025.

•neaapa.com

Cetera to lead Mobaro's North American Expansion

ORLANDO — The newest addition to Mobaro’s U.S. team further consolidates the software company’s efforts to grow and ensure the quality of presence in North America.

With more than 30 years of experience in sales, operations, process improvement and executive leadership, Greg Cetera — Mobaro’s new managing director of North America — is dedicated to enhancing guest experiences across the leisure and entertainment industry.

"Greg's appointment reflects our strategic commitment to expanding our North American presence and bringing Mobaro closer to our rapidly growing U.S. client base," said Christoffer Borup, co-CEO of Mobaro. "His proven track record in scaling technology solutions for our industry, combined with his collaborative leadership style, provides us with a strong foundation to sustainably grow both our U.S. team and market share in the years to come."

Cetera has worked extensively with clients in theme parks, water parks, zoos, museums, aquariums and ski resorts, where he has successfully implemented solutions that elevate guest engagement.

His deep expertise in the software sector adds a valuable layer to his ability to support complex operational needs across various venues. This goes hand in hand with the Mobaro solution, scalable to venues of all sizes, serving as a vital tool for daily operations.

•mobaro.com

Rides 4 U, Fun Spot America celebrate and extend partnership

SOMERVILLE, N.J. — Success in the attractions industry is not just about dollars and cents, its about relationships and continuing working towards success together. New Jearsey-based attraction supplier Rides 4 U is celebrating its mutually beneficial relationship with Fun Spot America. The latter's three locations — owned-and-operated by the Arie family — feature multiple attractions provided by the ride broker and that partnership looks to continue in the coming seasons.

"We are honored to continue our longstanding business relationship with Fun Spot, America which has spanned more than 25 years," commented Len Soled, owner of Rides 4 U.  "It is always a pleasure to work with the Arie family, and to bring new excitement to their Orlando, Kissimmee and Atlanta locations."

Recently, Fun Spot America has acquired five additional rides from Rides 4 U, adding to the parks' already impressive lineup. The Hook and Slice (an SBF Mini Reverse Time) will be going to Atlanta, a Teacup ride (Visa) will be added to the Orlando location and an Umbrella Swing (Visa) will be coming to Kissimmee location.

Two additional attractions — a Tower Planes ride from Visa and SBF Space Guns attraction — have been purchased and are awaiting final placements by the Arie family.

"We are thankful and appreciate the trust and support the Arie family has shown us," added Heller. "We look forward for many more projects together in the future."

Rides 4 U celebrates 30 years in the amusment industry in 2024, and Soled attributes that the company's success and its ongoing relationships to the loyalty of his personnel and the relationships they build, both with one another and with customers.

“We have eight people in-house who have been here for years, a couple of satellite sales staff and around a dozen subcontractors," stated Soled. When I need them (contractors), they drop everything to get on our job.”

rides4u.com

Roller Coaster Musuem announces two new

board members

PLAINVIEW, Texas — At its annual board meeting, the National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives (NRCMA) board members voted to add Mark Rosenzweig, principal and chief business officer of 3dxScenic, and Kris Rowberry, long-time museum volunteer, to its ranks.

“Bringing aboard these two gentlemen was an easy decision,” said Jeff Novotny, president of the NRCMA Board of Directors. “Both of them have shown unparalleled commitment to the ideals of our industry. Their shared passion for sharing it with others will make our organization even stronger as we work towards finishing this dream.”

Through his long-lasting career in themed entertainment that started back in 1998, Rosenzweig has worked both on the operations and supplier side of the industry with roles ranging from operations to project management to business development having worked on the development and installation of more than 50 major attractions around the world.

Mark Rosenzweig joined the 3dxScenic team in August of 2020 and in the fall of 2023 became co-owner of the company.

Initially volunteering his time with the NRCMA for social media duties back in 2020, Rowberry has overseen remarkable growth in the museum’s digital presence. He also oversees the organization’s retail operation, both in the creation of merchandise and order fulfillment. Rowberry has previously worked in the attractions industry with Paramount Parks and Six Flags. He currently serves as the communications manager for Ride Entertainment.

•rollercoastermuseum.org

Classic Fire in the Hole vehicle donated to coaster museum by Silver Dollar City

PLAINVIEW, Texas — "Fire in the Hole!"  The immortal words yelled before the finale of Silver Dollar City’s iconic attraction echo from the memories created on Silver Dollar City’s original thrill ride.  After more than 50 years in operation, Silver Dollar City replaced the classic ride for the 2024 season.  The company then gifted an original wooden Fire in the Hole vehicle to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives (NRCMA).

 “This is a really unique addition to the collection,” said Richard Munch, NRCMA historian. “Silver Dollar City invented this attraction in 1972, and these are handmade, wooden vehicles that are self-powered.  Other than Blazing Fury at Dollywood — a vehicle which is currently in the NRCMA Collection — there are few examples of a ride vehicle like this.  It will have an honored place in our collection.”

 The classic story-driven attraction is steeped in Ozark folklore and is centered on a town built on the edge of Marvel Cave that is burned down by a group of vigilantes called the Baldknobbers.  Filled with great music and unforgettable character lines often shouted back by patrons, Fire in the Hole is a classic theme park attraction.

With the addition of the new artifacts, the museum continues to execute its mission of preserving and protecting the history of the amusement industry. While construction continues at the museum’s main facility in Plainview, Texas, it is still reliant solely on the generosity of industry suppliers, fans and facilities.

Ital International, Bertazzon America founder Carlo Guglielmi passes at 73

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — With deep sadness, the family of Carlo Guglielmi announced his passing on October 13, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 73, after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Guglielmi was born on July 1, 1951, in Vicenza, Italy, to Mildred and Dante Guglielmi, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his beloved brother, Roberto Guglielmi.

Guglielmi led a life rich in love, adventure and accomplishment. From a young age, his larger-than-life personality and energetic spirit captivated all who met him. Known for his ability to speak five languages — Italian, English, Spanish, French and German — Guglielmi had a unique gift for connecting with people from all walks of life.

His journey took him from serving in the Alpini (the Italian mountain infantry) to pursuing higher education at the University of Padua, where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

In the 1970s, Carlo ventured to the United States as a sales representative for Zamperla. This marked the beginning of a career in the amusement industry that would see him become the president and founder of Ital International and Bertazzon America, an amusement ride brokerage firm. Guglielmi’s expertise as a new and used rides salesman brought attractions to traveling carnivals and amusement parks around the world. He is well-known in the amusement industry as proficient, hard-working and loyal.

Guglielmi’s life was filled with the love of family and friends. In March 2009, he married the love of his life, Cindy, with whom he shared countless cherished moments. He had three wonderful daughters — Giuliana (Avery), Nicoletta and Logan — who survive him and will carry forward his legacy of love, warmth, integrity and adventure.

Carlo’s passions extended beyond his professional achievements. He found joy in hiking, swimming, watching sports and traveling. His ability to inspire and uplift those around him was a testament to his character, and he was loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors has named James P. Gorman as chairman of the board, effective January 2, 2025. He will succeed Mark G. Parker, who is departing the Disney Board on January 2 after nine years of service.

Gorman is executive chairman of Morgan Stanley and will be stepping down from that role on December 31, 2024. He is currently chair of the Disney Board’s Succession Planning Committee.

“James Gorman is an esteemed leader who has become an invaluable voice on the Disney board since joining earlier this year, and I am extremely pleased that he has agreed to assume the role of chairman upon my departure. Drawing on his vast experience, James is expertly guiding the extensive search process for a new CEO, which remains a top priority for the Board,” said Parker, who is executive chairman of Nike, Inc.

Gateway Ticketing Systems celebrated Executive Vice President and Head of Product Tom Chiarella’s appointment to President of the Executive Board of the OCTO Organization.

OCTO, a nonprofit organization, is redefining connectivity standards in the travel experiences sector with its open-source API specification. Gateway Ticketing Systems serves as one of its members and uses OCTO API integration with its award-winning Galaxy Connect platform.

“I am excited to continue my executive board service with the OCTO organization as president, supported by an incredible board of directors with diverse industry experience,” said Chiarella.

Sammie Schaefer

Museum of Illusions

Phoenix, Arizona

Social media is no illusion for gifted storyteller Schaefer

PHOENIX, Ariz. — Few people can say a character mascot was named for them. For Sammie Schaefer, it’s a special part of her life. “When Great Wolf Lodge was expanding ‘The Great Wolf Kids’ backstories, I helped with Sammie the Squirrel,” Schaefer said. “She always has a camera with her because she is creative and likes to capture moments and memories with her friends, just like I did while growing up.”

Today, as the social media and events manager for the Museum of Illusions, Schaefer acknowledges her passion for taking photos was probably an early glimpse into her career future.

Schaefer’s entry into the attractions industry began with her family. “My mom worked for Great Wolf Resorts for most of my childhood,” she said. “I grew up experiencing the brand firsthand. I learned that the guest families would save and plan their trip to Great Wolf Lodge. They trusted Great Wolf to provide great hospitality and entertainment from the start of that trip until its last moments. I had the chance to spend summers working at various internships with Great Wolf. While I learned about so many areas of the company, I was drawn to marketing, particularly the creative side. I also had incredible mentors who gave me the opportunity to use my voice and suggest ideas.”

After earning her bachelor’s degree from Edgewood College, Schaefer continued her education by enrolling in the inaugural class of Arizona State University’s Master of Administration in Social Technologies program. “Social media is an important part of marketing,” Schaefer said, “And it also keeps changing. At Great Wolf, we focused on selling the experiences of our resorts and showing our guests how we could fulfill their family’s vacation dreams. In graduate school, we explored social theory and application. It was a new degree program and exciting to be a part of.”

Recognizing that creating content for overnight stays is different from speaking on behalf of attractions focused on short-term visits, Schaefer’s next role was with the start-up company, Two Bit Circus.

“The first location opened in Los Angeles and offered something different,” Schaefer remembered. “Two Bit Circus created many original games and attractions, applying technology with shared experiences, all targeted at millennials. It was an out-of-the-box concept and we had to use out-of-the-box approaches to drive awareness. It could have been intimidating, but instead, I worked for a great leader who encouraged me to speak up and be confident in my work and my approach. I learned the best way to learn anything is to just do it!”

During her time with Two Bit Circus, a call from rapper and actor 2 Chainz gave Schaefer the chance to use her voice to lobby her leaders to partner with the star. “2 Chainz had a show on the Vice channel called, Most Expensivest,” Schaefer recalled. “He heard about Two Bit Circus and the unique experiences we provided and reached out. I worked closely with our founder and the show’s producers to help guide and highlight what would work best for the episode and our brand. An entire episode was filmed at Two Bit Circus. We shared the content across all of our social channels and also had our story presented to a large national audience. I trusted my gut it would be a good move for us, and the result was amazing.”

Today, Schaefer brings that same energy and confidence to the Museum of Illusions. The Museum of Illusions has been in an incredible season of growth, and Schaefer is involved with each grand opening. “My first day in this role was at the opening of the museum in Cleveland. By the end of this year, we’ll have opened five new locations. We are moving forward!

“The Museum of Illusions appeals to a broad audience,” she said, “My focus is on promoting the fun experiences and showing people having that fun together. I want everyone to see our content and say, ‘We must go there!’”

Schaefer embraces working for a company that is expanding and has a unique experience. “I once got to assist with a marketing project at Great Wolf that involved many Lincoln Logs,” she laughed. “As we put everything together, I thought to myself, ‘This is way better than crunching numbers.’ That project also demonstrated that you never say, ‘That’s not part of my job,’ — everyone was helping it all come together. It was also a great example of how being creative leads to results. Here at the Museum of Illusions, every day is different, and every day brings the opportunity to connect with guests in a new way. We get to be creative, and we are a team united in our approach to tell our story.”

When she’s not capturing, editing and posting, Schaefer says networking is an important part of her role.

“While so much of what I do is focused on what happens inside our museums, it’s the opportunity to connect with and meet others that inspires a lot of what I do. It allows me to continue to learn from others, while also sharing my insights and input. Networking helps me feel empowered. It’s a way to say to myself and show others: I am here. I’m doing my job. I belong in the room. No matter what role any of us has, we must always remember to get out there and be bold.”

—Susan Storey

Gateway introduces Galaxy 8 update, new e-commerce platform

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

GILBERTSVILLE, Pa. — Tom Chiarella, executive vice president and head of product development, has been with Gateway Ticketing Systems, a world leader in ticketing, admission control and revenue-generating solutions within the attractions and experiences industry, for 10 years. But during the most recent user group conference hosted by the company when they made announcements about its newest products, he said he had never seen attendees more alive.

“It was incredible,” Chiarella said. “Our customers were very excited. They were very vocal. We have a very committed customer base that I feel will always lead us down the right paths.”

The announcements were made at the onset of the conference. The first included the latest updates to its flagship application, Galaxy, being called Galaxy 8. The other was the introduction of a new e-commerce platform.

These developments highlight Galaxy's commitment to deliver top-quality solutions that meet the needs of the more than 500 customers served around the globe.

Chiarella said all Gateway's current customers will have access to Galaxy 8 when they choose to upgrade their systems.

There are several key highlights of Galaxy 8. Chiarella said one is the completely new interface. The redesigned interface is more intuitive and visually appealing to users. The new look makes it easier for users to navigate and complete their tasks.

“We wanted to come up with a way to make our point-of-sale more enjoyable for our operators,” Chiarella said. “We also put a lot of work into the performance. It is a faster processing.

The system will now run more smoothly, providing a reliable user experience. The application continues to handle complex tasks efficiently, facilitating speedy guest services whether at the point-of-sale, access control or in a call center.

Numerous small enhancements also have been added to delight end users, making their interactions with Galaxy more enjoyable and productive.

“We hope this will help cut down on lines,” Chiarella said. “We know there have been staffing issues, so we wanted to have a system to help that.”

Galaxy 8 is laying a foundation, the architecture, to support future cloud-based services. The new design ensures Galaxy can seamlessly integrate with future cloud-based services, allowing scalable solutions that grow with a customer’s needs.

Galaxy’s modular architecture makes integrating with other applications and services easy, offering a more adaptable solution.

The enhanced security features protect user data from new threats, ensuring peace of mind.

Gateway will continue supporting offline modes, ensuring users can access and work with Galaxy without an internet connection. This feature is crucial for maintaining productivity in point-of-sale and access control environments.

The new e-commerce platform already is being supported by Galaxy 8.

“We have been providing an e-commerce platform but the biggest difference in this new one is the page builder application,” Chiarella said. “Management can make the pages look the way they want. They can create their own and they don't have to contact us to do that.

“Of course, for those clients choosing not to create their own pages, they can come to us, and we will have templates they can use,” he said. “But we are really looking at the self-service aspect of this.”

The new e-commerce platform is easy to use, even for those with little technical knowledge, making e-commerce management straightforward.

Advanced features include detailed analytics to seamless payment options.

Chiarella said they are also working to upgrade and enhance its kiosks for food and beverage and retail.

“We have had kiosks, but we like to make them more user-friendly as well,” he said. “We think the most successful situations are for locations to be able to offer both kiosks and point-of-sale service.”

gatewayticketing.com

Sesame Place Philadelphia joins Sunflower Program

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — After becoming the first theme park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center, Sesame Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, once again paves the way as an industry leader in accessibility as the first theme park in the U.S. to join the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program. The program, which helps people with nonvisible disabilities, will launch at the park in early 2025. The Sunflower, a global initiative, is a wearable tool that signals to Sesame Place ambassadors that a guest of the park may need extra help, understanding or time because of a disability that may not be immediately apparent. The Sunflower program is completely voluntary, and guests who choose to participate are not required to disclose any personal information or a diagnosis. COURTESY SESAME PLACE

Precision Chains assists with chain operation, replacement needs

AT: Susan Storey

Special to Amusement Today

DUDLEY, West Midlands, U.K. — Founded in 1957, Precision Chains Ltd., part of John King Chains, has had a long tradition of sharing its expansive knowledge and expertise with a diverse array of industries, including the theme park, entertainment and attractions industries. The largest manufacturer of chain products in the United Kingdom, Precision is known for its detailed attention to design and precise in-house manufacturing skills. With 65% of its work is exported around the world, this allowing the company to serve parks, large and small in all regions, year-round.  

The company’s dedicated team, coupled with its skilled manufacturing processes, enables Precision Chains to provide solutions for client needs regarding pulling or chain lift replacements, upgrades to current parts, the application of zinc coating to help reduce rust formation and more. Fully certified under the ISO 9001:2015 industry standard, as well as British and American standards, Precision keeps safety at the forefront of everything it does. Exemplary service and support are paramount and for the team, no project is ever too big — or too small. Serving as full partners with its clients, Precision can supply and replace chains for every ride in the park. In addition, with manufacturing facilities in both the United States and the United Kingdom, clients can get replacement chains quickly so park operations can safely and seamlessly continue.

As park mechanics conduct inspections on every aspect of a ride, chain inspection includes looking at everything from the gaps in the chain link itself, to the pins as well as measuring pin-to-pin distance. Precision’s expert team understands the complete inspection process and helps advise park clients who may have questions about the lifespan left in its original chains.

While visual inspections are just one part of ongoing chain maintenance, Precision’s team understands that theme park chains have their own unique traits that set them apart from traditional chain mechanics —most rides operate outside. From rain to high heat, strong winds to steady sun, the natural elements play a role in a chain’s operation and lifespan. Precision’s conveyor chains are durable and built with seasonality in mind, as well as a park’s operating calendar, ensuring they work efficiently and safely in their environment. This helps clients see a reduction in the need for frequent maintenance and costly replacement.

In addition, a ride’s manufacturer specs and guidelines include its duty cycle. The duty cycle gives the park an estimated number of cycles a ride can run before deeper, proactive searches for part wear and cracking should begin. Precision understands a duty cycle doesn’t consider if a ride runs consistently or sporadically. Knowing this, the Precision Chains team communicates with clients to help them best understand proper chain management for their individual needs.

From rain to high heat, strong winds to steady sun, the natural elements also play a role in a chain’s operation and lifespan. Precision’s conveyor chains are durable, built with the seasons in mind, as well as each park’s operations calendar, ensuring they work efficiently and safely in their environment.

As manufacturers, Precision’s durable and customizable chains can also be tailored to the specific needs of the ride, from classic coaster to the latest in flat ride fun. Precision Chains also understands a ride’s original manufacturer may no longer be in operation and therefore cannot be looked to for the replacement of original parts. This can be a tough position for parks, as most manufacturer safety requirements and many safety standards do not recommend using a different manufacturer for replacement parts. Precision’s incredible customization capabilities allow its team to easily meet spec and safety design standards so it can create new products that mirror existing, original parts. Precision’s Solid Works 3D modeling software, complete with fully automated CAD/CAM links ensure its replacement products seamlessly fit and operate as well — if not better — than the original. At the start of the process, the team works closely with its clients to understand what needs to be replaced so it can build close to manufacturing tolerances. From there, the new chains undergo rigorous quality control tests at every stage of the production process.

Once a new chain and its corresponding parts have been built, it becomes part of Precision library, ensuring park clients will continue to have a partner who will meet any future replacement needs. Clients can then operate their rides with peace of mind knowing that the new product built for them meets every safety requirement and standard for their particular ride.

Along with reputation, design and the production of safe and dependable chains, Precision Chains' success comes from its people. While based in the U.K., Precision’s global footprint of support includes an expert team that works tirelessly to fully understand clients’ problems and needs. Always solution-oriented, Precision’s teams are there to meet with clients anytime, anywhere in the world. It is through a combination of global agents and distributors who work together that allows Precision to provide full technical support at a moment’s notice. Enhancing this service, earlier this year, Precision hired Marthinus (Matt) Janse van Rensburg as U.K. country sales manager. Originally from South Africa, his extensive experience in sales and expertise working with chain and materials handling made him the right partner for Precision’s theme park clients. As regional parks are closed for the season, and a lot of work is currently focused on annual inspections and ride rehab, he and the entire Precision Chains team are ready to partner with new park clients to help ensure success for the 2025 operating season.

•precision-chains.com

Coat Your Pool provides longevity, aesthetics to splash, wave pools

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

FREDERICKTOWN, Mo. — Safe Slide has serviced some of the largest water parks in North America. From specialty coatings to certified inspections and slide installations, the company has a wide breadth of services.

Safe Slide has a sister company, Coat Your Pool. With 20 years of experience, Coat Your Pool uses the same certifications and training, essentially applying it to a different arena of aquatics.

Between the two companies, they have clients among the water park industry, cruise lines, commercial and residential.

Coat Your Pool is a solution provider for fiberglass, concrete and plaster pools using thermoplastic for repairs. Thermoplastic begins as pebbles. Once applied, it is melted to the surface in a uniform fashion.

“Thermoplastic is actually a barrier coating; it’s not porous like gelcoat,” noted Tony Perry, vice president of customer relations, Safe Slide. “It’s like a mini liner to protect the substrate, like a membrane.”

Fiberglass maintenance helps ensure that the pool is safe for use. Coat Your Pool believes that qualified technicians in the industry are able to spot ways in which operators can save money and prolong the infrastructure.

“The first industry to reach out to us was the cruise line industry,” Perry said. “They have a unique challenge not only with the seawater environment but also because of the 365-days-a-year board load experience. That industry was the catalyst for us to start investigating a better coating than gelcoat. They were experiencing fiberglass blistering and plaster popping. Jacuzzi tubs were needing to be recoated. That’s how we landed on thermoplastic.”

“Failures are when you need to consider recoating, but this also works for prevention,” said Preston Watts, administrative director, Safe Slide and Coat Your Pool. “Since this is a coating that needs to go on a solid substrate to protect a pool, this is going to protect the concrete or plaster.”

Durability is key.

“In terms of this coating, in terms of expansion and contraction, it has more of a flexibility,” said Watts. “With joints, such as in a lazy river, this coating is not going to crack and split as much as plaster would. It’s got more give after you apply it because it is a membrane coating.

“Aesthetics is a standout,” said Watts. “There are a lot of different colors and options. The selection ranges from blues, black and green — those are the most common colors — but there are several different colors to choose from.”

“We’ve had people come to us and say, ‘I’ve got this new concrete pool. Can you coat it to protect it? Can we have that surface; can we have that color?’ — even before they fill it,” said Perry.

Water-Zoo in Clinton, Oklahoma, turned to Safe Slide/Coat Your Pool for solutions.

“It was a medium-sized wave pool and a medium-sized lazy river,” said Watts. “They were receiving a $20,000 savings a year with their chlorine usage. People in the aquatics industry know that plaster sucks up minerals from chlorine and water chemistry. It makes it more challenging to balance and requires more chlorine to be used. The thermoplastic doesn’t, which gave them the savings.”

The PH-neutral surface uses 40 percent less chemicals. A big advantage is that there is no cure time with the Coat Your Pool method. Having attractions down can be an inconvenience for operators.

“Spray it, apply it, and then immediately start filling it with water,” Watts told Amusement Today. “It’s instantaneous. With plaster and concrete, you have a long cure time.”

“As soon as the technician steps out, you can begin filling,” added Perry.

Another safety element to this coating, which lends itself to bathrooms and shower facilities, is that it is anti-microbial.

“Some facilities use it for their restrooms to have a nonslip surface, that ‘orange-peel surface,” said Perry. “But there is an anti-microbial element as well.”

Safe Slide and Coat Your Pool can provide services to any commercial facility in North America.

Texas Skilled Carpentry retracks Waldameer's popular Ravine Flyer II

Waldameer Park’s popular Ravine Flayer II received annual track work in 2023 and 2024 from Texas Skilled Carpentry in Fort Worth, Texas. Work this year included the entire lift hill track replacement (above left and right), including walk boards, steps and handrails. Last year, work included retracking the return curve that’s across the street, before entering the bridge (right and far right). COURTESY

TEXAS SKILLED CARPENTRY

The development of ASTM Standards for the water park industry

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

WINTER PARK, Fla. — Franceen Gonzales has had a multi-faceted career within the amusement industry. Today, Gonzales is the park president of Legoland Florida, but her knowledge of the water park and aquatics industry is unparalleled, having worked in both the operator and supplier sides of the business. She began her career at the age of 14, proving herself worthy to work in the (male-dominated) field of maintenance at a local water park. Over time, she excelled at lifeguarding and management, eventually working as a general manager in water parks. She also enjoyed a successful role in the manufacturing side with WhiteWater West.

Gonzales has spoken at seminars and workshops about the evolution of standards within the industry. No stranger to the rare but possible situation of a fatality at a park under her purview, she relayed that it is these standards that help people deal with such tragic occurrences.

Amusement Today sat down with Gonzales to talk about the development of these standards.

AT: When did your career materialize in the aquatics industry?

FG: Even in college, I felt this was still my “summer job.” I was intending to go to med school. The owner sent me to a World Waterpark Association trade show, and that was when I fell in love. I realized these water parks were everywhere; they are all over the world; I could do this as a career. These people are general managers and are perfectly successful. They seemed like they were having a good time. I thought maybe I should do it, and I stayed in the industry.

What made you become aware of standards and the lack of within the water park industry?

We had an emergency in the mid-1990s in a landing pool of a waterslide. We did [treatment] on him, but it ended up being a medical condition and we didn’t know. Having gone through that, I realized it was something I couldn’t avoid, but it was still traumatic. I learned it isn’t always about being able to prevent but being prepared. I carried that with me — prevent and prepare.

As a general manager in 2001, we had a horrific situation where a rider was killed instantly on a waterslide. I had to deal with the sheriff’s department, do my own press release and deal with the press and do countless interviews. Thankfully, we had a plan for that.

I was in this business and had an affinity for it, but I had an experience that not a lot of people had. I’ve given safety classes, and when I ask that question, thankfully the number of people who have experienced a fatality is a small one. I was on the WWA Safety Committee, and I had been working with Ellis and Associates as an instructor and trainer. I was told there was an ASTM meeting coming up and that they were writing safety standards for the industry. I was encouraged to go.

I was surprised by the [small] number of people there — engineers and roller coaster mechanical-ride stuff. I didn’t realize there was already this small group that was talking about doing waterslide standards. And why did we need that? Mind you, this was the late 1990s before the fatality I had experienced in 2001. I got involved; it was like five of us.

How did the standards develop?

It was about 2007 before we had it final. There was a lot of consensus building and balloting, and we had to go through [the big major parks] and that was intimidating at the time. Today it is a piece of cake, but at the time, it was intimidating for a young general manager from a local water park. But we got it to go through.

We all felt that everyone was trying to be safe, but we had never given anyone the primer — on waterslides specifically, on how to make sure they stay safe. I was very proud of that effort and proud of that outcome. An aquatic play standard had been written and was a bit of a mishmash from a lot of contributions from a lot of people. Because I had helped with the waterslide standards, I offered to help. “Let me help you clean this up and be very concise.” And that one was passed much faster. And now that committee has grown quite a bit. We have a lot of participation. Now we have standards for stationary wave systems — Flowriders and that sort of thing, standards for conveyors used on water attractions, and they are continuing to look at things like accelerations and how you measure that on a waterslide. This group is very engaged. We have people who are manufacturers, people who have a general interest as consultants, and park operators. All of them are coming together.

Is it a smooth process?

It's definitely not an us-versus-them situation. We’re going to collectively make the world better. Having been a supplier and an operator, I’ve had the opportunity to give that perspective on how standards have been developed, and that is pretty amazing.

How did the industry embrace them?

Kind of my own mea culpa, [back in the day] I remember somebody talking about putting in regulations for water parks, and I thought, “We don’t need regulations. It’s in our own best interest to be safe. We don’t want people to get hurt.” I look back on that with such a different mindset today. I see regulations as the partner, the one that helps level the playing field. The quality is higher.

Standards aren’t regulations but are often quoted in regulations. For anyone thinking they are perfectly safe and questioning why standards are needed, what they needed to realize is new manufacturers were entering the marketplace, and they weren’t always following the standards the major players were. In a sense, this sets the tone of the minimum standard of what you need to do — you need the right materials, you need the proper clearances so if someone sticks their hand out, they aren’t going to get hurt. All these things at first weren’t necessarily embraced, and some people weren’t even aware they were being written. When I faced that incident in 2001, there were no waterslide standards at that point. So, what do you point to? Having the standards is really the measuring stick. In our situation, everything we were doing would have complied with the standards.

Comment on today.

Today, ASTM standards are being used more and more in regulations. The end result is they are better off for it, and everyone is doing the same thing.

I feel 100 percent good about where we are today. Back in the day, the approach to designing these rides was a little more trial-and-error. They would build something where people weren’t getting hurt, so then you’d build more of that. So, rides were very similar in style because you knew they worked.

As design tools changed, now you could be doing something a little more different and novel. You had a method to go in and see if actually worked. And now we are seeing rides that are much more thrilling with higher Gs and more banked turns and oscillations. All of it is within parameters, so we know it is still safe. The safety of waterslides improved because there was a standard in place. If you have these dynamics, then you know what the guest needs to do. Signage with requirements is now more consistent as well. Today, water attractions are much more predictable in their nature. The track record shows standards have made it better.

Gonzales will be the first to say she didn’t participate in this development for any recognition. Her husband, Michael Turner, encouraged her to do a “Me Wall.” It gave a space for numerous plaques she had received to remind her of the work she had done to make the world better. In the recent hurricanes, Helene hit their house. She told Amusement Today that for Hurricane Milton, she packed up her “Me Wall” among other personal items because she knew she couldn’t replace those reminders of the hard work to make the world better.

“Even if it made one family safer, it’s all meaningful,” she said.

Extreme Engineering provides comfort, safety with FLX Shade

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

ATHENS, Texas — A common criticism from park guests is having to stand in the direct heat from the sun’s rays. Extreme Engineering introduced a new product in 2022, and it is finding favor within the amusement industry.

“FLX Shade won an IAAPA Brass Ring Award for Best Technology,” said Phil Wilson, chief development officer. “It was our 17th industry award and since then has been a very popular shade option for our industry.”

A selling point is that the FLX Shade system is easy to install, but at the same time, the poles can be easily removed and stored away during the off-season.

“The FLX Shade was designed to provide more shade with less structure, using our patented FLX pole technology,” said Wilson. “Made from a strong yet lightweight extruded poly resin, the FLX poles have a compact 2.5-inch diameter. They can easily slide in and out of their sockets, making seasonal storage or adjustments for sun positioning a breeze.”

Both above- and below-ground mounting options are available.

“For the above-ground option, only five inches of concrete is required, while the below-ground setup needs pilings that are just 3 feet deep,” Wilson stated. “The FLX Shade is built to withstand high winds and extreme weather conditions, and it comes with a 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects.”

If specific colors are needed to match a particular palate or theme, clients can choose from a wide array of sail colors, including two-tone options. 

But the product goes beyond comfort.

“UV exposure poses a significant risk to skin cancer, and with rising global temperatures, the threat of cancer increases,” Wilson told Amusement Today. “Ensuring safety in parks is crucial, where prolonged sun exposure is common. Without adequate shade, both staff and visitors face the dangers of sun damage and heat-related illnesses. OSHA now mandates proper shade for employees and guests when temperatures reach 80°F or higher. Additionally, associations like AZA stipulate shade requirements for animal exhibits. Unfortunately, it’s often an afterthought in park design, leading to inadequate coverage. The FLX Shade presents an ideal solution that is cost-effective (40% less than the alternative) and is designed without bulky support structures that could obstruct scenic views and other park features.”

Extreme Engineering first found success with “flexing” in some of its attractions. That said, the poles have a pull strength of over 5,000 pounds.

“This technology has been utilized for decades with our award-winning amusement rides, and now it has been adapted to shade using our FLX pole technology,” said Wilson. “These poles are engineered to be flexible, capable of handling tension and significant side loads and withstanding thousands of pounds of force before failure. The forces involved in shade applications are minimal compared to those experienced on our attractions, ensuring that the shade is exceptionally durable.”

•extremeengineering.com