ADM, Bob's Space Racers, Vertical Reality deliver new experiences

New rides and games keep Arnolds Park a summertime classic

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

ARNOLDS PARK, Iowa — Rare is the amusement park in the U.S. that can proclaim dating back to the 1880s. Among those, only one can also claim the name of the city as well. Arnolds Park is just such a place. Technically, it is called Arnolds Park Amusement Park, but many visitors simply know it as Arnolds Park.

Another distinction is that the historic property is a nonprofit operation. Supported by various donations and benefactors, considerable finances come in from its seasonal operation over the summer. With around two dozen rides and several activities, the park is an anchor to a tourist area that also includes boating, concerts and museums on Lake Okobji. Returning guests can notice improvements year after year to both the amusement park and the recreational area.

“Winters in Northwest Iowa are caught by arctic blasts, made especially brutal by cold air blowing over a frozen lake. Winters are hard on our equipment and having some equipment that can be stored indoors and be moveable is a benefit,” said CEO Jon Pausley. “Our season is short, though you can’t beat an Okoboji summer, we try to keep our classic Americana nostalgic charm while also providing updated ride and attraction offerings for our guests.”

Pausley’s remark regarding charm hits the nail on the head when it comes to old-fashioned character. New attractions are in place, but the amusement facility captures a “lost in time” feeling for having preserved classic rides from the past. Industry historians have praised the park’s preservation efforts, not just for its Legend roller coaster — which turns 100 next year — but also for amusement staples like the classic log flume and Mad Mouse coaster rescued from closed parks.

But for 2026, the amusement park is offering new things for visitors.

“We have had to unfortunately retire a few very classic rides of recent; most notably an Eyerly Roll-O-Plane. We have proudly had many classic amusement attractions in our historic park (the first amusement ride opened in 1889),” Pausley told Amusement Today. “When the decision is made to retire a classic ride, selecting a replacement is often about the footprint and future planning. The attractions that we brought in for 2026 included Dueling Bikes, Spider Mountain (climbing structure) and a bungy trampoline all from Vertical Reality. These pieces were chosen not because they replaced a classic ride. You just can’t replace an Eyerly Roll-O-Plane. They did, however, fit the footprint in our small park, provide some new excitement and have the potential to easily be moved to another location in the park in the future as needed. A few of these pieces are more attractions than classic rides but for the reasons mentioned fill the need at an affordable price while we continue planning permanent replacements.”

The Dueling Bikes challenge riders to race, but not on a track, but vertically. As they pedal, passengers can climb as high as 35 feet into the air.

The park also needed to retire its classic swing ride.

“We have replaced that ride for this summer with a ride from Amusement Devices & Manufacturing (ADM) that is a glider (Big Kahuna),” said Pausley. “The owner of ADM, Brian Woodke, has his facility just an hour south of Arnolds Park Amusement Park and is a good friend of the park. As ADM rolls out new rides, we often will partner with ADM to try them for a summer at Arnolds Park. Some of the rides we purchase, and some are sold by ADM after a summer of use. This great partnership helps us keep the ride offering fresh.”

Big Kahuna provides a new experience by offering a circular ride visitors board in a flying position.

Family fun was updated beyond rides.

“We did add three new bays of games from Bob’s Space Racers and two bays of games from Unis Technology,” Pausley said. “The entire games bays were refreshed and updated. Some of the games have moved to attendant-free but the entire update has updated plush and enhanced prizes.”

Arnolds Park Amusement Park’s Legend roller coaster can be seen from the street. Giving the ride further character, uplighting has been added this season, which beautifully illuminates the wooden structure.

A new ride picture opportunity on The Legend was also added this year. “Instead of the traditional action shot, a camera was added at the top of the lift hill,” Pausley told AT. “The picture is taken just before you crest the hill, and the beautiful lake and a portion of the amusement park is seen in the background. This has been a popular addition in partnership with StoriBox.”

New attractions are well received, but Pausley admits the older rides still resonate with guests.

“As with any changes, there is mixed reactions,” he explained. “It is always hard to retire classic amusement park rides because with them there is nostalgia and decades of memories. Guests do understand that rides do need to be retired, but there are mixed emotions. New rides and attractions always bring a level of excitement and people appreciate fresh offerings, while still missing some of the classics that had been in place for decades.”

The park’s team maintains a sense of pride when it comes to the summer experience it provides for out-of-town vacationers. Part of that comes from the park’s vibe as being “classic.” With that comes the multi-generational aspect for families.

“While some rides have needed to be retired, much of our history is documented, stories told about the rides and even displays are put up in our museum on site,” Pausley noted. “One gentleman grew up with a love for erector sets and built custom working models of rides we have in our park. There is an interactive display in our museum where kids and families can see the models working and learn about the ride’s history. We also underwent an entire fundraising drive called ‘Save The Park,’ where we rebuilt many of the classic structures around our property and added back in some classic rides. Most recently we refurbished The Legend roller coaster and The Tipsy House. These structures make up the front entry to our amusement park, and they were rebuilt with classic and historic themes. Our goal when coming onto property is to provide a clean, friendly, nostalgic and classic Americana experience.”

Being a nonprofit organization makes the park different than most amusement parks.

“Arnolds Park Amusement Park wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for being part of a non-profit corporation,” Pausley noted. “The season is too short, and the expenses are too high for the park to be insured, run, maintained and also be reinvested in for annual return. The property is the gathering point for our community and is an economic driver for our area. Our responsibility is to our community that ‘Saved The Park’ in 1999, after it was sold to a developer who had plans to raze the park. The private owner at that time invested millions of his own dollars into the park but could not sustain the annual ongoing costs and operations. The park property was in decline and needed significant investment to continue. In 1999 there was a small nonprofit museum on the property, The Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum, which raised the money to buy the park back from the developer in a matter of six weeks. It is an amazing story all on its own. Eventually the entire property became Historic Arnolds Park Inc., and that is how we operate today. The major difference is that we see ourselves with a mission for our community. Our investors give not for a return financially but give philanthropically. Today almost all of the new upgrades in the park and around the property are due to philanthropic gifts. The generous gifts from those in our community directly benefit our community through economic impact but also directly benefit the families of those who give. Memories, nostalgia and family are powerful motivators for philanthropic gifts. Our goal is to not only build toward the future but keep the history and story of this place alive and well.”

To do so, AT asked Pausley to gaze into his crystal ball to see what the future looked like.

“While continuing to honor our history and keep our classic Americana theme, we are planning to add additional rides and attractions for the teenager to young adult group,” he answered. “There is planned investment into more classic thrill rides in the park while also working on expanding our ride package for multiple ultra-inclusive rides; so guests of any ability can participate in the joy of an amusement park. We certainly are not done and plan to build nostalgic memories for every generation for generations to come!”

MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress launches again in California

Kumbak restores Knott's beloved Schwarzkopf coaster

AT: Jack Lathrop

Special to Amusement Today

BUENA PARK, Calif. — Knott's Berry Farm has reopened Montezooma's Revenge as MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress, a $20 million retrofit nearly four years in the making. The project swaps the coaster's original flywheel launch for a linear synchronous motor (LSM) system and wraps the ride in a new storyline tied into the park's reimagined Fiesta Village.

Montezooma's Revenge opened in 1978 as one of the world's first flywheel-launched shuttle coasters, a design from Anton Schwarzkopf that fired riders through a vertical loop without a traditional chain lift. Knott's Berry Farm President Raffi Kaprelyan, who joined the park a year after the ride debuted, remembers the buzz. "There was a big hype in town about this new looping coaster that was coming. It did a lot of good for the park during that time and has continued to do so."

Since originally opening, Monetzooma’s Revenge, or “Zoom” as it is affectionately known, has been a fan favorite for both locals and coaster enthusiasts. For many, it was their first looping coaster. Others remember it for being their first launching coaster. For quite a few, it was both!

However, by the early 2020s, the nearly 45-year-old coaster needed attention. Many Schwarzkopf-built attractions were in a similar situation: obsolete parts, outdated mechanical systems, and worn steel from decades of use. Most venues choose to bid farewell to their attractions. Knott’s Berry Farm had a different plan.

"Montezooma's Revenge was a beloved attraction," Kaprelyan said. "If you were a high-thrill seeker, you still loved it. If you were afraid to get on a coaster, you were going to get on Montezooma's and start getting into coasters. It was almost like a graduation level for kids.”

The park's tight footprint also shaped the decision, Kaprelyan said. "What can I put over there that's not going to impede Camp Snoopy or anywhere else? Also, knowing how historically important it is to Knott's, Montezooma's Revenge was an easy decision for us to make." He pointed to the park's recent removal of Boomerang in favor of Hangtime as an example of the opposite call. "Not all rides are equal," he said. "Some rides you've just got to take out and move on. But some, like Montezooma's Revenge, you've got to keep around, because it's such a unique attraction."

The retrofit's biggest technical change is the launch system; the original flywheel is gone, replaced by an LSM setup more common to modern launch coasters.

"I think part of it is the reliability," Kaprelyan said. "We also knew that LSMs had other capabilities besides just launching you forward and letting you come back into the station."

As the ride matures, Knott's will be able to program new launch sequences without touching the ride's hardware — a built-in refresh the park can market down the road without another major capital project. "That gives us even a new, fresh look for MonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress," he said. For now, the ride runs a standard launch sequence.

Structurally, the retrofit replaced more than it kept. "The station is the old Montezooma, and the track pieces are the old Montezooma," Kaprelyan said. "But everything else is brand new. The train is brand new. The launch system, as we talked about, is new, and the queue is brand new as well. When you look at the queue, it's more themed than it was before. Before, it was just a basic queue for an attraction. This one has a little bit more of a storyline behind it."

Kumbak, the Netherlands-based ride engineering firm that has built a niche restoring aging Schwarzkopf machines, led the technical execution. Kaprelyan credited the partnership for keeping the project on track. "Kumbak has been a good partner throughout this project," he said. "There were many challenges; the Kumbak team was able to navigate all obstacles to deliver a great product. The response from our fans has been incredibly positive, and the ones that remember the original attraction have noticed that this is a smoother ride."

Timo Klaus, Kumbak's managing director, said the launch system reshaped nearly everything else on the ride. "The launch system dictated the new trains," he said. "The flywheel system had reached the end of its lifespan. Choosing to go to LSMs necessitated a complete redesign of the train to minimize strain on the track. The park also wanted to integrate new features into the train, including theming elements." Klaus called the retrofit one of the more demanding projects Kumbak has taken on. "It was quite a complicated project as well," he said. "Getting an old ride back to the modern age took quite a lot of work, but it was worth it."

The storyline traces to Hernán Cortés' failed 1519 attempt to take the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, after which Montezooma is said to have ordered the empire's gold hidden rather than surrendered. Generations of treasure hunters chase the legend across centuries before a handful find its true resting place: a small fortress outside a California village, ringed with booby traps that have claimed every explorer who's tried to reach it: a boulder-triggered decoy relic, a quicksand pit, a net trap still holding early-20th-century adventurers who never made it out. A warning sign in verse greets guests near the stairs: "Those who seek only to gain / will find nothing but revenge and pain / as they hurtle to meet Montezooma / and are sent back out again."

Sara Gorgon, director of public relations for Six Flags’ west region, who worked on the ride's communications and theming rollout, said the character tying it together is Armando De Loro, a local entrepreneur and purveyor of goods who has set up a basecamp at the ruins and promises to split any recovered gold with guests willing to make the trip. The treatment casts the ride vehicle itself as De Loro's transport: a carved stone winged serpent, or Coatl, said to guard the treasure. "It alone decides who is worthy," the story reads. De Loro's name now marks a tequila bar in the land, and a nearby stand has been renamed the Flywheel Trading Company, a nod to the coaster's original launch system, alongside another stand referencing Schwarzkopf. Inside the station, added lighting and fog effects extend the theming into the ride experience itself.

"We really leaned into more theming throughout the ride and the queue line," Gorgon said, "because there was a story, but it was not really told. It didn't have a lot. Now, however, you will see that in the queue line."

The reopening had been years in the making. MonteZOOMa was originally slated to debut alongside the reimagined Fiesta Village, but pandemic-driven supply chain problems repeatedly pushed the timeline back.

"We just wanted to make sure it was a good, reliable ride," Kaprelyan said. "Safety is always going to be important, but I think part of the delays was from COVID as well. There were so many supply chain issues we were dealing with during that time, especially coming out of it. It didn't right itself for a long time afterward."

However, the wait appears to have been worth it. Guest reactions since opening have reinforced the decision to restore the ride rather than replace it.

"I was watching this guy get off the ride. He immediately called his wife and said, 'Honey, I just got off Montezooma's Revenge, I wish you were here with me right now,'" Kaprelyan recalled. "Every time we ask a guest how it was, they're thanking us for bringing it back."

Asked what advice he would give to other operators weighing a similar retrofit, Kaprelyan pointed to knowing the park's own audience. "Be in tune with your park. Understand what your guests are looking for and what your fans want," he said. "If you only look at it from your own feelings, you might make the wrong choice. You can't look at it from one filter, one lens."

Klaus said the project offers a broader lesson for the industry. "This is a perfect example of how to maintain a historic attraction," he said. "People have been following the development of this attraction closely."

Knott's is also turning parts of the old ride into keepsakes rather than scrap. Gorgon said the park plans to sell a limited run of commemorative pieces cut from the original flywheel cable and retired pieces of track, packaged in display cases, alongside the standard merchandise line. MoonteZOOMa: The Forbidden Fortress is now open at Knott’s Berry Farm, bringing the park's coaster count back up to 10, all while reopening a historic, beloved attraction.

The loudest voice

INDUSTRY VOICE: Kris Rowberry, Ride Entertainment

With the explosion of social media, it seems everyone’s a vlogger or so-called “influencer” these days. As a result, many facilities might be tempted to lean more into the online discussions and use them as secondary market research for their capital plans.

Here’s why listening to the loudest voices online might hamper your facility’s success...

They aren’t your target audience

In general, these commentators are not customers, let alone locals. They have rarely — or never — visited your facility. Nothing they say is going to drive your attendance up, but it could easily lead to a costly investment for you that never pays off.

Nothing will ever please them

You could build the world’s greatest roller coaster, and they’ll still say it’s not enough. “Needed more intensity or more length to be perfect.” To them, it’s just a game of RollerCoaster Tycoon. To you, it’s your life’s work and passion.

You already have

all the tools you need

From passholder emails to in-park surveys, it’s easier than ever to gauge what your guests want. Why rely on an outsider when your customers are already at your doorstep, ready to let you know what they think?

Always trust your own industry instincts. If you’re going to rely on any outsiders, let it be fellow attractions professionals, trained and forged in the industry.

Never forget that those with the loudest voices online are driven not by your success, but by the amount of content they can create off of your hard work.

Throwin' a little shade

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

Several years ago, I was working with a brand-new amusement park and stepped onto its midway just after opening day to work on filming its commercial. It proved to be a very long weekend for multiple reasons, but it was a very hot weekend for one reason in particular. The park was built in a slight valley, on a concrete pad ... with absolutely no foliage whatsoever. The film crew was eager to use the restroom just for the moment of air conditioning and escape from the sweltering summer sun.

Over the years, I've seen new small parks and high-end theme parks hold their ribbon cutting and open the turnstiles, only for guests to discover the exact same problem as above. Be it construction delays, budget constraints, poor planning or any number of reasons ... parks seem to continually forget that guests want to escape the sun and need a little shade.

There is somewhat of an irony in that reality, given that many of the roots behind the amusement industry are picnic groves that turned into amusement parks — "park" being the operative word — to entertain the populace who were coming to enjoy the lush natural settings.

In reality, landscaping and foliage are an attraction unto themselves and it's a tragedy that so many parks can overlook this. Knoebels remains known to longtime fans as "Knoebels Grove," the park's former name that was a nod to the lush grove of trees that the park still calls home. I actually remember visiting Cliff's in New Mexico and seeing guests lying in the grass, mimicking making snow angels, because they were delighted by the soft, green lawn. Locals were outraged when Paramount took over Kings Island theme park and massacred the immaculate Tower Gardens to create "The Paramount Story" walk-through.

With urban skylines and concrete jungles becoming ever more prevelant, it behooves the amusement industry to take a nod from its roots. Attractions should add — and maintain — landscaping, giving guests a greater escape from the steel and stone superstructures of modern city life.

That coaster might be too scary for some. Spinning may make some guests ill. But that tree will give shade to all, cool off everyone, and make every day at the park a little more beautiful.

Missing man formation

SPRING GROVE, Pa. — Dick Knoebel was respected by all in the amusement industry, including those from its mobile midways. Showmen have a tradition that when one of their own passes, they turn one of the carousel animals around to show respect for the departed. Huey's Amusements did this immediately upon learning that Knoebel had ascended that lift hill to the sky. This was seen at the Jefferson Carnival in southwestern York County, Pennsylvania. Knoebel had been named Showman of the Year in 2013. The sign on the Garbrick Manufacturing carousel read: "This carousel horse is facing backwards in memory and honor of Dick Knoebel 4/28/1939 - 7/15/2026 as is tradition for fellow showman." AT/B. DEREK SHAW

Kong x Godzilla deliver an immersive rampage to Lotte World

Legendary, Toho titans come to life courtesy of Sally

AT: Susan Storey

Special to Amusement Today

SEOUL, South Korea — For the first time ever, Legendary Entertainment’s popular “Monsterverse” has been brought to life for theme park guests. Kong x Godzilla: The Ride, the largest single-attraction investment in Lotte World Adventure’s history, is now open. To bring the immersive, multimedia dark ride to life, the park worked in collaboration with Legendary Entertainment, Toho Co., Ltd. and Florida-based Sally Dark Rides. The result is an experience that seamlessly integrates the cinematic world of the “MonsterVerse” with a thrilling dark ride unlike any other in the world.

Kong x Godzilla: The Ride is a massive attraction, spanning nearly 5,000 square feet. Guests move through three preshow scenes and 11 show scenes that effectively combine the use of physical sets, props, music, lighting and technologically advanced animatronics. The 11-minute journey also features massive LED multimedia screens and 15K laser projection to help tell the original story as guests travel on eight-pass-enger trackless, dynamic ride vehicles that spin, fall and fly along the way.

Sally Dark Rides designed and produced the massive attraction for Lotte World. The incredible project took nearly five years to complete. The Sally team oversaw all aspects of development, including the original story and script, sets and scenery, ride control, technical programming, CG media, special effects, ride vehicles, music and building some of the largest animatronics in the company’s more than 45-year history.

“To have the opportunity to work with Legendary’s team and take giant titans like Kong and Godzilla from screen to scene was incredible,” said Lauren Weaver, vice president of marketing and business development at Sally Dark Rides. “Collaboration and constant communication were key throughout the entire project. We remained closely connected with Lotte World in Korea and Legendary’s licensing, creative strategy, and filmmaking teams in California, every step of the way. The stories from the Monsterverse have inspired millions of fans for years, and with this attraction we were able to help make Kong and Godzilla more tangible than ever before.”

“Families can be fully satisfied by the attraction itself, but young adults feel an even stronger pull to content combined with IP,” said Lee Hae-yeol, head of marketing at Lotte World. “We hope this attraction will broaden our customer base beyond families to include movie fans, young adults and foreign tourists.”

The guest journey begins the moment visitors enter the elaborately themed queue, where they are immediately immersed in an original narrative rooted in Monsterverse canon. The queue recreates the Monarch research facilities and equipment fans will recognize from the films. The pre-show briefing tells guests they have been recruited to be rookie agents for Monarch — the secret cryptozoological government organization that tracks, studies and responds to the giant creatures living in Hollow Earth, the hidden subterranean world that is home to Kong, Godzilla and the rest of the Monsterverse’s Titans. As riders blast off from the high-tech Monarch base and enter the mysterious other world, they immediately find themselves in the middle of an action-packed adventure, which includes coming face-to-face with the Titans they’ve only seen on screen. Moments after the guest vehicles arrive in Hollow Earth, guests are spotted by Kong as he rises and turns his massive head.

Ki Su Jeong, a guest who experienced the attraction on opening week, loved the detail and storytelling, “As the safety bar lowers and the surroundings darken, the exploration vessel delves deep into Hollow Earth,” he said. “Initially, the ride passes through caves. Low vibrations and distant roars create a sense of tension. When the lights come on, a massive Kong animatronic appears right in front of the vehicle.”

“The Monsterverse has always invited audiences to imagine what it would feel like to stand in the presence of Titans,” said Amado Trevino, director of interactive media and experiences at Legendary Entertainment. “From the earliest stages of development, we built every element of Kong x Godzilla: The Ride to feel authentic to the world our fans know and love. That is the unique power of location-based entertainment: transforming fandom into a shared experience and giving guests the unforgettable feeling of standing among these iconic characters.”

To create the ride, Sally and its partners had to work within an existing space, on the third floor of the indoor park.

“This was a massive undertaking from every angle,” Weaver said. “This dark ride replaced a water ride, and our team dealt with unique challenges we had never experienced before in our more than 40 years of dark ride installations. The building’s steep slopes, dips, and valleys would not work for any existing standard ride system.”

In addition, Sally’s team created its two largest animatronics to date. Fully designed and constructed at its facility in Jacksonville, Florida, Kong stands 26 feet tall with shoulders that span 30 feet wide. His fellow Titan, Scylla, stands 20 feet tall and spans 22 feet wide, complete with claws!

“We partnered very closely with Legendary throughout the entire process to ensure brand authenticity,” said Rich Hill, chief creative officer at Sally Dark Rides. “Everything we designed and built had to remain true and relevant to the Monsterverse. As we developed the original storyline and guest journey, we began to envision a new creature. Legendary gave us the opportunity to extend its already incredible library of creatures, Titans and lore with the development of the Crystal Crawlers.

“We first introduce the Crystal Crawlers to guests in the queue and use them as the reason for their trip to Hollow Earth,” Hill said. “They are glowing, lizard-like creatures and the animatronics include faceted spikes that illuminate. While the Crystal Crawlers are currently exclusive to Kong x Godzilla: The Ride, they have officially been integrated into the Monsterverse. We hope that moviegoers, video gamers and fans might one day see them in future storylines.”

“This project reflects Legendary’s evolution as an entertainment company; it embodies the way we build worlds — through close collaboration, creative ambition, and authenticity,” said James Ngo, executive vice president of franchise management at Legendary Entertainment. “From the earliest creative to final production, our teams worked hand-in-hand with Sally Dark Rides and Lotte World to deliver an experience that feels truly cinematic and unmistakably Monsterverse.”

“Location-based entertainment brings consumers into the world on a physical level and puts them in the middle of that world,” Ngo finished. “This is becoming a very interconnected world and experience, and this attraction is the result of that interconnection and collaboration within our studio and partnership with Sally and Lotte World.”

●lotteworld.com

Vekoma supplies Vietnam with its first tilt coaster

Tilt of Thunder brings spectacular thrills to VinWonders Nha Trang

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

NHA TRANG, Vietman — Vekoma has a hit on its hands. After the debut of Siren’s Curse — the first next-generation tilt coaster — at Cedar Point (Sandusky, Ohio) in 2025, the company has now debuted its fourth installation globally.

VinWonders is the fortunate recipient of this dynamic new coaster.

“Tilt of Thunder represents a major milestone for both VinWonders and the regional attractions industry, positioning Vietnam among the world's most exciting destinations for thrill seekers,” said Carin Davits, marketing, Vekoma. “Tilt of Thunder is the fourth next-gen tilt coaster installation worldwide. It creates a unique ride experience that blends anticipation, suspense and high-energy thrills.”

The attraction combines a dramatic 90-degree tilting track section with a powerful layout featuring 13 airtime moments, two inversions and a top speed of 58 mph.

The layout is similar to Cedar Point’s Siren’s Curse.

Tilt of Thunder returns a partnership between the park and the manufacturer. Vekoma was the supplier of Mine Adventure, the park’s other major coaster, which was installed 10 years ago.

The new coaster's signature element occurs at the edge of the lift hill, where riders are held above a seemingly broken section of track before the track segment tilts vertically into place. Following a moment of suspense, the train is released into the tangle of steel track, delivering a breathtaking experience that distinguishes Tilt of Thunder from traditional roller coasters.

Standing 160 feet (48.8 meters) tall and racing 904 meters (close to 3,000 feet) of track, Tilt of Thunder has quickly become a new landmark at VinWonders Nha Trang, representing one of the most significant coaster investments in Vietnam's growing theme park sector. With the addition of Tilt of Thunder, VinWonders Nha Trang strengthens its position as a leading entertainment destination in Southeast Asia. There are no other roller coasters with inversions within three hours and almost 200 miles from VinWonders Nha Trang.

The ride officially opened on July 10.

“For coaster enthusiasts, Tilt of Thunder offers a new reason to visit Vietnam. For the industry, it demonstrates the continued demand for innovative ride concepts that combine headline-generating appeal with memorable guest experiences,” said Davits. “The opening of Tilt of Thunder not only marks a new chapter for VinWonders Nha Trang, but also an important milestone in the evolution of thrill attractions across the region.”

VinWonders is operated by Vinpearl. The park was previously known as Vinpearl Land from 2006 to 2019. It is situated on one of the world’s most stunning bays. According to the park, it enjoys more than 300 sunny days each year.

Cincinnati’s carousel: Kings Island’s Grand Carousel turns 100

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

MASON, Ohio — Ask any carousel historian, and they can rattle off a number of carousels that have had numerous homes, endured the test of time or have been lost forever. Interestingly, Kings Island boasts a carousel that touches just a bit on each of these aspects but still has its own story to tell.

The park's Grand Carousel was built in 1926, meaning it celebrates a century milestone this season. It was manufactured by Philadelphia Toboggan Company. The carousel is designated PTC No. 79 and is one of 87 carousels built by the company from 1904 to 1934. Today, only about 35 are still operating.

The carousel originally operated at Coney Island in Cincinnati. The beloved traditional park was notoriously known for its flooding owing to its location along the river. In the early 1970s, its owners were moving forward with the idea of becoming a new theme park, a trend that was sweeping across many cities in the United States.

Kings Island opened in 1972 with many of the rides relocated from Coney Island. Today, the Grand Carousel is one of 11 rides that remain from the opening year, as well as being the oldest ride in the park.

During its history, a disaster occurred that could have closed it forever.

“I guess the biggest known fact about the carousel is that it was washed away in a 1937 flood,” said Park President Tony Carovillano. “Coney Island asked folks to start returning [horses and parts] as they found them floating downriver. They were found as far away as Memphis, Tennessee. They got back enough pieces to put it back together.”

Considering the time period, just communicating where the carousel parts were from and how to get them returned was an astonishing feat even with the offer of rewards.

The Grand Carousel has always remained in Cincinnati with just the two parks being its only homes, making it “Cincinnati’s carousel.” It features 48 hand-carved horses and two chariots, also made of wood. The ride is a three-abreast carousel, 80 feet wide, with the outside row of horses remaining stationary, the two inside rows consist of jumpers. The carousel is adorned with 37 oil paintings depicting scenes from all over the world. There are more than 700 lights and hundreds of mirror accents.

“It’s an amazing piece for us,” Carovillano told Amusement Today. “It’s iconic. It’s a great carousel.”

Located centrally in the park, just below Kings Island’s famous Eiffel Tower, the carousel underwent a transformation in the off-season.

“We love the fact that it has been restored a few different times,” said Carovillano. “You know, the details on the horses, the artwork above on the canopies — we take a lot of pride in it. We love the fact that we’re a family/thrills park. We’ve got something for everybody. What park isn’t whole without a carousel?”

The Grand Carousel features a beautiful canopy with covered seating all the way around. Along with grassy lawns and shady trees, it offers a quintessential park setting.

“Plus, it is accessible, which we like. We can get our guests with mobility concerns or whatnot on the attraction as well,” he said.

Andrew Lucking is part of the park’s maintenance team and one of the artists who worked at painting each horse this past winter.

“Lily Reed helped me,” Lucking said. “We started on the murals in September. All the landscapes all around. We got halfway through [last fall]. When it gets too cold to paint the trim work, our paint freezes and we have to admit we’re done for then. On January 2, they brought us our first horse. It’s done in our paint shop. Eventually, they brought them all.”

Efficiency in painting was owed to working on colors not the sequence of the horses. Using repeated colors on certain figures made more sense.

“We had them all lined up, sanded them down, primed and prepped them,” said Lucking. “Then we just went through with color. They were full paint jobs — the whole thing. Everything that is spinning right now is 100 percent new paint.”

Music for the carousel is provided by a duplex orchestral band organ built by Wurlitzer in 1918. It was purchased by Kings Island in 1972 for the park’s opening.

“It’s an original soundtrack playing,” said Carovillano.

All the gold paint inside the carousel came at an expense. Lucking told AT that it was $600 a gallon. The park used five gallons of the automotive-grade gold paint in the restoration.

“It’s an honor to see another PTC carousel reach a 100-year anniversary milestone,” said Tom Rebbie, President/CEO of PTCI. “Kings Island takes great care in preserving this history for generations to enjoy. Congratulations to Kings Island and all of the staff who have maintained the carousel over its memorable history.”

At night, both the interior and roof have aesthetic lighting to beckon families to take one last ride together right down to closing time.

Freizeitpark Plohn's new innovative Dønnervind pushes boundaries

Mack water coaster features unique, customized elements

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

LENGENFELD, Germany — Celebrating a 30th anniversary in 2026, Freizeitpark Plohn has grown its roller coaster count over the three decades. When the amusement park opened in 1996, there were none. This past June, the park opened its newest roller coaster, bringing its count to seven. This one stands as something special.

Sporting a Viking theme, the water coaster is called Dønnervind, which is Norwegian for “thunderstorm.” Supplied by Mack Rides, the interaction with the water makes it different than all the other coasters in the park.

“Planning for the project began in September 2023,” explained Katja Martin, marketing, Freizeitpark Plohn. “This included the design phase, building permits and geotechnical surveys. Construction of the groundworks started during the winter of 2024.”

“The attraction at Freizeitpark Plohn was designed specifically for the park and its goals,” said Maximilian Roeser, marketing, Mack Rides. “In addition to the LIM launch, the layout features a number of highly customized elements, including dynamic low-to-the-ground sections, near-miss moments and a seamless combination of coaster and water ride characteristics. The project demonstrates how flexible the water coaster concept has become and how it can be tailored to create a signature attraction rather than a one-size-fits-all product.”

On Dønnervind, once dispatched, riders pass by sails and Nordic thematic elements in the station where they curve onto the first LIM launch, which bursts them to a speed of 33 mph through a cloud of fog. After zipping through several banked curves, the eight-passenger boats dip into the first splash zone. From there, a second launch speeds them to the top of the highest point at 33 feet. Snaking through more curves and directional changes, the boats eventually land in the biggest splashdown before floating back to the station.

Amusement Today asked why a water coaster seemed the right choice.

“One of our main goals was to better distribute guests throughout the park and reduce congestion around our major roller coasters, El Toro and Dynamite. The chosen location was ideal, as it already featured two existing ponds that could be integrated into the attraction,” Martin replied. “For that reason, a water ride quickly became the obvious choice. Combining a roller coaster with a water ride featuring a LIM launch created something truly unique — currently the only attraction of its kind.”

“Incorporating a LIM launch into a water coaster represents a new step for this type of attraction,” said Roeser. “Over the years, guests have come to expect increasingly dynamic experiences, and parks are looking for ways to combine the appeal of a water ride with the excitement of a modern coaster. The launch allows us to create an immediate acceleration experience right from the start while also opening up new possibilities for layout design and ride pacing that are not possible with a traditional lift hill.”

A water coaster combines the thrill of both styles of attractions. Add in some imaginative theming and guests are fully engaged.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Martin. “Dønnervind is simply a lot of fun. It isn't designed to be the tallest or fastest ride but instead offers an exciting and accessible experience for the whole family. Guests especially enjoy the magnetic launch and appreciate the detailed theming. At the moment, it is our most popular and most requested attraction.”

Landscape theming was done courtesy of Universal Rocks.

In creating the new attraction, Freizeitpark Plohn did not have to remove or retire any attractions. According to Martin, the site previously consisted mainly of an underused pond area near the park entrance. “This made it the perfect location to create an impressive visual centerpiece and give guests an exciting first major attraction as soon as they enter the park,” she said.

"We were immediately excited by this proposal from Mack Rides," Junior Managing Director Jan Völkel reported. "It quickly became clear to us that we had the opportunity to create something unique — something that fits perfectly with our park and our philosophy."

Mack Rides introduced a fully developed water coaster with Poseidon at Europa-Park in 2000. In the quarter century since, the ride has evolved.

“Poseidon was an important milestone because it successfully combined roller coaster and water ride elements into a single attraction,” Roeser noted. “Since then, the genre has evolved significantly through advances in ride technology, vehicle design, operational efficiency and theming integration. Today's water coasters are often designed as complete immersive experiences rather than simply rides that end with a splashdown. The addition of launch technology is another example of how the category continues to develop and offer new experiences for guests.”

The park had previously worked with Mack Rides on Dynamite, one of the manufacturer’s early Big Dipper-style of roller coasters.

Owing to the two LIM launches, speeding across the water makes Dønnervind a signature attraction for the park.

“One interesting trend we see today is that guests no longer think in terms of traditional ride categories,” Roeser told AT. “They are simply looking for unique experiences. Attractions like the launched water coaster at Freizeitpark Plohn blend the thrills of a coaster with the fun and unpredictability of a water ride, creating something that appeals to both coaster enthusiasts and families alike.”

●mack-rides.com

Bakunawa will rise from sea into Six Flags Great Adventure in 2027

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Something very big will be swooping into Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, New Jersey, in 2027. And officials there are sure it will become the signature attraction of the park’s transformed Boardwalk area.

Park officials unveiled Bakunawa, the world's tallest and fastest spinning launch coaster by Mack Rides, in late July with a media event that, said Ryan Eldredge, director of sales and marketing, went great.

“There is a lot of excitement and positivity surrounding this project,” Eldredge said. “No one has ever ridden or seen anything quite like it and we’re ready to shock the world. Guests, influencers and partners alike are excited to see Great Adventure build the next innovative thrill attraction.”

Elderedge said they are anticipating a spring opening of the ride.

“This concept was created collaboratively and in coordination with Mack,” he said.

Maximillan Roeser, head of marketing for Mack, said the first concept studies for this project started in 2024.

“From there it was several months of layout iterations with the Six Flags team before the final version was locked,” Roeser said.

Inspired by the lore of Bakunawa, the legendary sea serpent of Philippine mythology, Bakunawa blends cutting-edge engineering with immersive thematic design to deliver an experience unlike anything else in the world.
Standing 382 feet tall, the ride joins an elite class of giga coasters, ranking among the five tallest roller coasters in the world, while reaching speeds of 100 mph. Guests will board the world’s first free-spinning, floorless coaster trains that rotate naturally throughout the ride, ensuring no two experiences are exactly alike.

"Over the past year, we've made meaningful investments across our resort that continue to transform the guest experience,” said Mike Fehnel, park president of Six Flags Great Adventure. "From Shoreline Pier and the continued evolution of The Boardwalk to enhancements at Wild Safari, Hurricane Harbor New Jersey and Savannah Sunset Resort, every transformation is part of a long-term vision to strengthen Six Flags Great Adventure as the Northeast's premier destination for thrills, entertainment and family experiences.

“Bakunawa is our next defining milestone, an attraction that demonstrates our commitment to innovation while giving guests another incredible reason to visit, stay longer and return throughout the year,” Fennel said.

Officials have declared that every ride aboard Bakunawa will be different. One reason for that is that each vehicle rotates naturally throughout the ride.

The exhilarating journey begins with the first of three linear synchronous motor launches taking the train from 0 to 60 mph before climbing high above The Boardwalk.

Midway through the experience, riders encounter the second (and world's first) upside-down launch, accelerating from 60 to 80 mph while completely inverted before the third and final launch propels the train to 100 mph. At the top of the massive tower, the train enters a spiral into a 180-degree bank, giving riders unprecedented views of Six Flags Great Adventure below and endless sky above.

Each of the two 20-passenger trains surfaces from the depths and speeds through the 3,163-foot course with its free-spinning, floorless vehicles rotating independently, creating a unique combination of spins, views and sensations every cycle.

“The free-spinning floorless car was the piece that took longest,” Roeser said. “We had to prove that the rotation behaves predictably at 100 mph and through an inverted launch, and that took a full prototype program in Waldkirch before anything went into production.”

And, the ride was not without its challenges. Roeser said, first, the inverted launch.

“Accelerating a train while it is completely upside down means the whole restraint and vehicle dynamic has to be validated,” he said. “Second, combining that with cars that rotate freely. Every added variable multiplies the number of load cases you have to simulate and test. Also the forces for the drop had to be simulated multiple times as the passengers will face different directions.”

On site, Roeser said the heavy site contractors for the construction of the ride at Six Flags Great Adventure are hired separately, adding that Mack does not supply cranes or the civil works.

“But our supervisors are on site or in daily contact throughout the whole build,” he said. “Right now that involvement is at its highest. We are moving into commissioning and testing, so a large part of our team is joining on site to bring the ride into operation. Testing itself will start later this year.”

Roeser said Bakunawa is a one-off for Mack.

“It was designed around what Six Flags Great Adventure wanted to achieve at this specific site and the record-setting elements exist because that was the brief,” he said. “That is how we work in general. Every ride we deliver is a custom build, engineered for one park and one location. We are a manufactory, not a catalogue supplier.”

Bakunawa is just the latest attraction milestone in the ongoing transformation of The Boardwalk. The Boardwalk has opened five new family attractions, along with new gathering spaces and midway experiences. Boardwalk nights transform the district into one of the park's most vibrant destinations, with live vocalists, energetic dancers, musicians, specialty performers and immersive entertainment.

Six Flags Great Adventure had already started offering a 2027 Gold Season Pass at the lowest price available this year and next in August. Benefits include unlimited visits, free parking, access to other Six Flags parks in the region and admission to fan-favorite events such as Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park.

Passholders will also be among the first to experience Bakunawa when it opens in 2027.

●sixflags.com

Epic Universe finally gets evening-ending, climactic fireworks flair

Univeral dazzles with the all-new Celestial Goodnight

AT: David Fake

dfake@amusementtoday.com

ORLANDO — When considering producing a nighttime spectacular show in Central Florida that includes fireworks, one of the first subjects of conversation is certainly going to involve “neighbors,” especially for Universal Orlando Resort. Fireworks are a permitting problem before they are a creative one, and for more than three decades Universal has planned its evenings around them. The original resort sits close enough to homes that big nightly pyro was never on the table, so its entertainment team got good at working without it. Lagoon projections. Lasers. Hogwarts paints a castle with projection mapping instead of a sky. "CineSational" is lovely work, but it is unmistakably a show built around a fence line.

Universal Epic Universe changed the math. Its site in unincorporated Orange County vs. the City of Orlando puts some distance between the mortars and the complaints, and fans have wondered since opening day what Universal would do when it came to a nighttime spectacular. The answer arrived July 7.

"Universal Celestial Goodnight" now runs nightly for about 10 minutes at park close and treats all of Celestial Park as center stage. Nearly 600 synchronized light fixtures, more than 350 fountains and 7 million LED lights are threaded through the park’s hub land's architecture, walkways and stair rails. Then the five portals to the lands join in, each lighting in sync as the score moves through the Chronos, Super Nintendo World, the Ministry of Magic, Dark Universe and Isle of Berk before the finale breaks over Universal Helios Grand Hotel.

That it reads as one show rather than five medleys owes to how long it sat on the bench. “Our team worked on 'Universal Celestial Goodnight' for over a year and is so proud of what we brought to life,” said Jason Horne, assistant director of Entertainment Creative Development for Universal Orlando Resort. “The show was created in a phased approach, and we took the time to produce the type of show that lives up to the park's impressive scope.”

The phasing matters. The Cosmos Fountain went dry earlier this year while fans traded theories, and the finished show absorbs that display rather than competing with it. Universal built the venue first and the show second, which is a backward approach, but also probably why it works.

Sightlines were designed in, not discovered. Terraced seating around the Cosmos Fountain, facing Helios Grand Hotel, gives the postcard view, but Horne says the rest of the park is not cheap seats. “No matter where a guest is in the park, they are going to get an exciting perspective of the show,” he said.

Bottom Line: Universal did not add fireworks to a park. It built a park where fireworks were possible, then spent over a year making sure "Universal Celestial Goodnight" was worth the wait.

Belantis opens Idefix’ Abenteuerland area with three Zamperla attractions

Leipzig, Germany — Belantis has opened Idefix’ Abenteuerland, a new immersive themed area inspired by the world of Asterix & Obelix. Designed with families in mind, the new area features three attractions supplied by Zamperla.

With its vibrant theming and engaging attractions, Idefix’ Abenteuerland offers young guests and their families a new setting to enjoy exciting experiences together. The three Zamperla rides have been selected to complement the area’s playful atmosphere while providing family-friendly entertainment.

“We are proud that Compagnie des Alpes involved Zamperla right from the start for three rides in Belantis’ new area, Idefix’ Abenteuerland,” said Charles De Bruyne, sales manager Europe at Zamperla. “Their decision to partner with us for their first park in Germany reflects the trust built between our teams, and we are glad to seeing guests enjoy the new area.”

The new area features Aerobix'Flugmaschine (Magic Bikes 6), one of Zamperla’s popular family attractions. The ride includes six colorful hang-glider vehicles, accommodating up to 12 riders per cycle. Guests actively control the movement of the ride’s arms by pedalling, making the experience interactive.

Also part of Idefix’ Abenteuerland is Fahrschule Frischling, a Zamperla Speedway 6 family ride featuring two-passenger racing cars traveling around an oval track. With themed vehicles, flashing lights and an immersive racetrack environment, the attraction combines the excitement of racing with an experience suitable for a wide range of ages.

Completing the line-up is Gogo Bounze 6.4 which features individual arm movement and a compact layout. Gogo Bounze 6.4 offers an energetic bouncing experience and can be customised to fit any area’s theme. With a capacity of up to 24 riders, the attraction is also an ideal centerpiece for a family area.

The opening of Idefix’ Abenteuerland further strengthens the collaboration between Belantis and Zamperla, bringing three new family attractions to an immersive environment where storytelling, theming and shared fun come together.

RWS, Rolling Stone deliver new rock show to Holland America Line

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

NEW YORK — RWS Global, a world leader in groundbreaking live entertainment, along with Rolling Stone magazine, a multi-platform content brand, debuted a new rock show in July specifically created for Holland America Line’s Oosterdam cruise ship. This is the fourth production between RWS Global and Holland America Line, but the first in which Rolling Stone was involved. Rolling Stone has its name on some of Holland’s fleet music venues, the Rolling Stone Lounge.

The new rock show entitled "Rolling Stone Presents: All Access: The Songs That Shaped Us" celebrates music from rock legends including The Eagles, Janis Joplin, Van Halen and Fleetwood Mac. The new show is being touted as a one-of-a-kind experience at sea.

This new production is bringing together one of the world’s most iconic music brands into a live experience, according to Craig Laurie, chief creative officer, RWS Global.

“The extraordinary success of the Rolling Stone Lounge makes it clear that these guests crave authentic, brand‑driven entertainment rooted in nostalgia,” said Laurie during the announcement. “Building on a proven fan favorite, we’ve expanded the experience into a fully realized stage production featuring singers, dancers and live musicians.”

Joe Chantry, vice president of entertainment and enrichment for Holland America Line, is excited about the new production with RWS Global and Rolling Stone.

“We’ve developed an entertainment lineup that is bold, immersive and uniquely Holland America Line, giving guests even more reasons to make World Stage part of every evening,” Chantry said.

Julian Holguin, chief executive officer of Rolling Stone, said the company, which is operated and published by Penske Media Corporation, is also excited to be able to build on the momentum of the Rolling Stone Lounge with the live experience.

Holland America Line and RWS Global have produced three other shows in partnership. They are "Decadence," an exciting fusion of music, movement and spectacle where Las Vegas pulse meets New York sophistication, along with old-world Hollywood glamour.

Another is "Disco Fever," where guests step into a glittering, high-energy disco celebration. Featuring "Le Freak," "It’s Raining Men," and "I Love the Nightlife," iconic hits return with a modern flair. The stage is transformed into a shimmering, feel-good dance party.

The third is "Fosse And Verdon: The Duet That Changed Broadway." This production was created in partnership with the Verdon Fosse Legacy, a dazzling sequence of iconic musical numbers inspired by Bob Fosse’s original choreography, as well as never-before-seen archival audio and video content projected on a 270-degree surround screen.

RWS Global and Holland America Line have a more than 10-year partnership, with RWS Global instrumental in shaping the cruise line’s entertainment offerings. As RWS Global’s first cruise client, Holland America Line played a key role in the company’s expansion beyond theme parks and into maritime space.

RWS Global is headquartered in New York, London, Cincinnati, Shanghai, Riyadh, Orlando, and Sydney, with dedicated RWS Studios in New York and the U.K.

Rye’s Playland Park debuts Scorpios Swing Ship Ride

RYE, N.Y. — Playland Park debuted its new swinging ship ride, Scorpios, in August.

Metallbau Emmeln, the ride manufacturer, describes Scorpios as a classic “pirate ship” amusement ride that features an open passenger space in the shape of a ship, providing a thrilling, pendulum-style back-and-forth motion and seats 42 passengers. The custom scorpion-themed ship, paired with its old Mediterranean-inspired design, gives the ride a unique look and feel that elevates the overall experience.

“The opening of Scorpios is another exciting step in Playland Park’s continued comeback,” said Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins. “We’re proud to bring a new ride to one of Westchester’s most beloved destinations, giving families and visitors another reason to spend the day making memories together. Whether you’re a longtime Playland fan or visiting for the first time, we invite everyone to come experience the excitement and take a ride on Scorpios.”

The ride is powered by AC technology, which ensures jerk-free and full acceleration. Riders must be 50 inches to ride alone and those between 43 and 49 inches must be accompanied by a supervising companion 14 years of age or older.

“Scorpios is a wonderful addition to Playland’s collection of attractions and enhances the experience of our guests,” said Westchester County Parks Acting Commissioner William Bland. “As we continue investing in the park and building on its historic legacy, we’re excited to welcome visitors to enjoy our newest addition.”

Scorpios joins the park’s lineup of classic rides, which includes the Dragon Coaster, Grand Carousel and Sawmill River.

The new ride opening was accompanied by the park's launch of an End of Summer Sale by cutting the price on all-encompassing daily wristbands. The current season has seen the county back in charge of the park after having taken over from private operator Standard Amusements for the 2025 season.

●playlandpark.org

Excavator has arrived at Calypso’s Cove

OLD FORGE, N.Y. — Families visiting Old Forge have a new way to play with the addition of the Excavator ride experience at Calypso’s Cove, located next door to Water Safari. The attraction features three real JCB mini excavators brought to Old Forge from Water Safari’s sister park, Diggerland USA. The hands-on experiences put guests in the operator’s seat giving them the opportunity to dig, scoop and take on challenges using real construction equipment. The one-of-a-kind experience lets guests take part in something they typically only get to view from the sidelines. Designed for children and families, the excavator attraction combines hands-on play, coordination and problem-solving with the thrill of operating authentic construction equipment. COURTESY ENCHANTED PARKS

CJ Barrymore’s installs new SBF-Visa coaster from Rides 4 U

Ride replaces the park's Pinfari Zyklon, installed since 2016

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Visitors arriving at CJ Barrymore’s might do a double-take. Something might seem missing — a loop. For 10 seasons, the park operated a looping Zyklon from Pinfari. For 2026, the park has installed a new coaster from SBF-Visa. The former coaster had been relocated from the Jersey Shore.

“We bought the original coaster in 2016 and renovated it,” said David Dalpizzol, vice president. “It went upside down and worked really well for us. But all those years sitting on the coast with the seawater really did a number on the steel. It just became a lot of repair and maintenance issues. We really liked it, but it was just time to replace it.”

Rides 4 U was the supplier for the new coaster.

“It had been in the queue. We started this process negotiating it two years ago at IAAPA Expo,” said Len Soled, president, Rides 4 U.

“We’re really, really happy with it,” said Dalpizzol. “It’s basically the same design without the loop. The height requirement didn’t change; however, the ridership went up quite a bit because of the subtraction of the loop — more families, grandmas and grandpas. What we found out was not everyone wanted to go upside down. We have corrected that.”

“The loop was wonderful for the teenagers that want a lot of thrills, but it limits the crowd,” agreed Soled.

Dalpizzol shared that the new coaster uses the same foundation.

“It’s the exact same footprint,” he said. "We were able to make the queue line larger, so that was a bonus.”

By the time the order for the coaster was complete, Soled said it was a busy time with production. He knew someone who could help when it came time for setup.

“Jeff Brady has a carnival; he still operates as an independent operator,” Soled said. “Jeff brought in a crew familiar with setting this thing up. It usually takes about two and a half weeks. They had it set up in less than seven days.”

The new installation is simply called The Coaster.

“The last one was The Loop Coaster. So, since we deleted the loop, we deleted it from the name,” joked Dalpizzol. “There wasn’t a lot of scientific effort going through the naming process.

“It has been a very positive reaction. It’s not for the teenage thrill seeker,” Dalpizzol told Amusement Today. “That’s not what we’re going for. It’s not that big in stature, but once you ride it, you’re like: ‘Wow, that was a lot more than I was expecting.’ The response has been very, very nice.”

“Each train seats eight, and with three trains, that’s a good turnaround — 24. It’s got a high capacity,” added Soled. “They’re getting good volume. It has a nice block system. With all the flags, it is up around 40 feet tall. It gives a nice image, but it’s not overwhelming. It’s ideal.”

CJ Barrymore’s isn’t slowing down. More attractions are on the horizon. Up next will be a Zero Gravity, also from SBF-Visa. According to Dalpizzol, the new ride will be on display at the upcoming IAAPA Expo.

“They are shipping it right from Orlando to our place,” he said. “Last year, it was probably the longest line as far as the rides go, which was really impressive. We spent a lot of time watching the reactions of people getting off of it last year. It’s been on our radar for quite a while.”

In addition to spectator appeal, that ride will add capacity. It will replace a Euro Bungee attraction.

“We’ve had the Euro Bungee for quite a while now. It’s four trampolines, but it doesn’t do much volume,” reported Dalpizzol. “People like it, but it takes two operators for four jumpers at a time. [The new ride] will increase the volume of that space tremendously, and it’s a great way to freshen up that space.”

Even further, a second ride is coming for 2027.

“We have an agreement with Skyline Attractions,” Dalpizzol said. “We are bringing one of their coasters that was at Six Flags to our park. It’s going through a dramatic re-engineering process. We’ve been in negotiations about what we wanted to see changed on the ride for it to be successful. We got to the place that we needed to go.”

CJ Barrymore’s won the Golden Ticket for Breakout FEC in 2019. With the park experiencing considerable growth, it could almost be considered a small amusement park.

“We always look at ourselves as a hybrid between those two,” Dalpizzol told AT. “There’s nothing in our area like us. It’s fun to experiment, and we really started the growth and dabbling beyond the traditional family entertainment offerings of go-karts, miniature golf and bumper cars. 2019 was when we really started to get into the game, and we really enjoy it. It’s done really well for us.”

While the park hasn’t fully maxed out its available space, Dalpizzol said that refreshing and redoing older spaces is also a priority.

Zero Latency focusing on families, announces Jumanji: The Lost Levels

MELBOURNE, Australia — Zero Latency VR, is preparing to invite guests and families to step into the world of Jumanji: The Lost Levels on December 4, 2026. The experience, built in collaboration with Sony Pictures and tied to the forthcoming release of the latest film in the Jumanji franchise, will be live at Zero Latency VR locations worldwide.

New research shows just how well-timed it is. A survey of 2,386 adults across Australia, the U.S., Canada, France and Spain has shown that location-based VR has quietly become a family occasion. Today, 44% of respondents describe Zero Latency as “suitable for families,” a brand that was once almost entirely associated with young adults and friend groups. Currently 60% of people visit location-based entertainment with family. The biggest single group of Zero Latency visitors is aged 35-44 ... the exact ages of people who saw the original Jumanji in cinemas as kids, and watched the reboots with their own children.

“What this research tells us is that people want something they can truly do together as a social experience,” said Tim Ruse, chief executive officer, Zero Latency VR. “For a long time, VR was seen as a novelty, something you tried once to see what it was like. Now, families are our biggest audience, and what they’re looking for is something that gets everyone off the couch, into the same room, and then talking about it on the way home. That’s exactly why Jumanji: The Lost Levels will be the perfect immersive VR adventure, and the data backs that up.”

The experience, Zero Latency’s first fully hand-tracked title, opens worldwide on December 4, 2026. For the first time, there are no controllers to pick up, no buttons to learn, and no peripherals standing between players and the world they're stepping into. Players reach out, grab, throw, push and interact using nothing but their actual hands, making Jumanji: The Lost Levels the most instinctive and accessible experience Zero Latency has ever built.

For families, especially, that matters as there’s no learning curve, no explaining the controls to someone who’s never played a game in their life. Guests just reach out and play.

●zerolatencyvr.com

Seabreeze launches water park expansion with Reef Runners

AT: Jeffrey Seifert

jseifert@amusementtoday.com

IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — This past summer, Seabreeze Amusement Park opened Reef Runners, a twin-slide dueling PipeLine complex from ProSlide Technology of Ottawa, Ontario.

The twin-slide attraction, accompanied by newly expanded guest lounging areas, cost approximately $2.7 million and is the largest single investment in the park’s 146-year history.

The slides utilize both single innertubes and two-person, figure-eight-style rafts, allowing guests to ride solo or enjoy the excitement with an accompanying friend. The slides are mirror images of each other with adjacent start and end points, allowing families or groups of friends to dispatch at the same time and race each other through the course.

Reef Runners incorporates a pair of FlyingSaucer 20s and Hive 35s. The slides are mirror twins, but each side features a distinct color palette in either shades of purple or shades of turquoise.

After thrill seekers make the trek to the top of the 50-foot ride tower, they are faced with a choice of either the purple or the turquoise slide. The ride begins with a full 360-degree helix through an enclosed tube punctuated with thin translucent stripes to provide a distinctive lighting effect. Upon exiting the helix, the top opens up and thrill seekers plunge down a small drop with a low sidewall — a RallyPoint — allowing riders to see the tubers in the adjacent channel. A second enclosed section has more special lighting effects and leads into the FlyingSaucer 20, where riders feel increased G-forces as they curve around the outside edge of the open saucer. The two slides converge again for a second RallyPoint before entering the hive, which features a spiraling slide with an open section, allowing natural light to enter the mostly-enclosed slide. After accelerating through the hive, the raft negotiates one final enclosed curve before rushing into the final splashdown.

“Reef Runners is an exciting addition to our water park and a major investment in the future of Seabreeze! Families can share the experience together as they race, laugh, and create memories on an attraction unlike any other in the region,” said Genevieve Norris-Brown, COO.

“Watching guests experience Reef Runners this summer made the entire process worth it. Seeing the smiles on children’s faces as they raced through the twists and turns was priceless. The side-by-side racing added even more fun, as families and friends cheered each other on and came back for another run to see who could make it to the finish first,” added Brown.

When the park committed to adding the new attraction last November, the price was estimated at $2.7 million, but ProSlide is located in Canada, and the Trump administration raised tariffs on Canadian imports to 35%. Seabreeze sought relief from the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency in the form of a sales tax exemption. The county agreed to waive the county sales tax to help offset some of the additional cost induced by the tariff. State law generally prohibits the county agency from providing incentives to retail projects, but there are exceptions for tourism destinations like Seabreeze.

Chicago firm USA Inc. Waterpark Builders and the park’s in-house construction team handled installation next to the wave pool, assembling the more than 500 fiberglass pieces that make up the multi-lane waterslide.

Seabreeze is one of the oldest amusement parks in the country. Having opened in 1879, it was the northernmost stop on the Rochester and Lake Ontario Railroad Company’s line that ran from Rochester to Lake Ontario. The company established Sea Breeze Grove to attract customers on the weekend with picnic groves and nearby beach access as the main attractions. By the 1920s, the property, then known as Sea Breeze Park, had several rides, including roller coasters, a carousel, as well as a dance hall. In the 1920s, the park added what was claimed to be the world’s largest saltwater swimming pool.

The trolley line was acquired in the 1900s by New York State Railways, but eventually, as usage declined and automobiles became more popular, the line that went to the park was decommissioned. A local businessman named George W. Long, began renting the park from the railway in 1937 and officially purchased it in 1946. Long retired in 1975 and was succeeded by his grandson, Robert Norris. The park is still owned and operated by the fifth and sixth generations of the Long and Norris families.

Although water has always played an important role in the park’s history, it wasn’t until 1986 that the first waterslides appeared, ushering in a new water play area of the park. The addition of a wave pool in 2001 helped establish the area as a full-fledged water park and gave visitors an incentive to spend a full day at Seabreeze. The water park has since expanded with the addition of typical water park attractions such as a lazy river, body slides, tube slides and a water playground. However, it has never been given its own identity; instead, it is simply the water park section within Seabreeze Amusement Park.

Water parks have become victims of threat hoaxes

UNITED STATES — Several water parks faced disruptions this past summer due to hoax security threats called in by anonymous individuals.

On July 9, the Water Park at Wild Island in Sparks, Nevada, was evacuated after reports were made that someone with a gun was on the property. Sparks police initially responded to a call of an active threat of someone reported having a gun inside the water park at 11:48 a.m.

Officers arrived on scene two minutes later and immediately started helping staff clear the park grounds. The entire park was cleared, but it was determined the threat was unfounded.

On Saturday, July 11, 2026, visitors were safely evacuated from Water World in Federal Heights, Colorado, following a false bomb threat that was called into an employee landline by a robotic voice.

Commander Jason Schlenker of the Federal Heights Police Department said the call came in before noon Saturday. Police and park staff evacuated the roughly 4,000 guests in under an hour, Schlenker said. “They were able to evacuate within about 30 to 45 minutes,” he said, adding that investigators believe “this is more than likely was a fake threat or a doxing-type threat.”

Guests were asked to leave their belongings and walk to the adjacent Carstens Park while the park was inspected, according to the Federal Heights Police Department.

K-9 units and investigators searched the park but found no explosives. By 3:22 p.m., law enforcement had determined there was no credible threat.

At 4:15, guests were invited back into the park to retrieve their belongings. Those who left the premises were able to return to the park on Sunday at 8 a.m. before the park opened for the day.

Three days later, on July 14, officers at the Riviera Beach Police Department in Florida received a report of a bomb threat at Rapids Water Park. Police said an administrative employee at the park received a phone call from an individual who allegedly stated there was a bomb on the property. Three police officers were already on duty at the water park, and, with the help of the park staff, the facility was safely evacuated. By that evening, law enforcement had determined that the park was safe, and the water park reopened the next day.

On July 15, an alleged bomb threat was called in to the Water Ways water park in Julian, West Virginia. Lifeguards and staff, along with state troopers, safely evacuated the park, which remained closed for the rest of the day.

According to West Virginia State Police, nothing was found after a sweep of the water park. The incident took place around the same time as West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston reported a swatting incident. Authorities believe the water park incident was likely connected to the airport swatting.

Earlier this summer, a wave of coordinated hoax bomb threats targeted zoos and aquariums across the United States. Facilities in states including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Washington, and Georgia were forced to shut down or evacuate guests temporarily

According to police, swatting and doxing incidents are rising. The fake calls heavily strain public safety resources, waste thousands of dollars in emergency response costs, and interfere with public gatherings. Despite the significant disruption these false threats cause to park operations, law enforcement must treat every report as credible.

—Jeffrey Seifert

IAAPA Expo Europe set to be a hit with record-breaking numbers

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

LONDON, U.K. — This year’s IAAPAExpo Europe is set to be held on September 21 to 25 at the ExCeL London center in London, U.K. It has been forecast as a record-breaker. Returning to London after four years, IAAPA Expo Europe officials are looking at about a 50% increase in growth since that last visit in 2022.

Planners of the 2026 IAAPA Expo Europe are expecting a record-breaking show floor of 21,000 square meters (226,042 square feet), more than 800 exhibitors, 175-plus industry speakers and over 60 education sessions.

In 2025, the IAAPA Expo Europe was held in Barcelona, Spain. The exhibition space was 20,700 square meters (222,813 square feet) with more than 700 exhibitors.

Attractions industry professionals from across Europe and beyond will gather in the British capital city to connect, collaborate, learn and explore the future of entertainment, leisure and guest experiences. From next-generation innovations to immersive storytelling and operational excellence, IAAPA Expo Europe seems to be continuing to serve as the main event.

“Returning to London after four years is both exciting and humbling,” said Peter van der Schans, executive director and vice president, IAAPA EMEA. “The U.K. is home to IAAPA’s largest European membership base and continues to be a market with influence on indoor entertainment trends within neighboring regions. This return reflects both the strength of the U.K. market and the continued growth of our event. We’re proud to come back with our largest expo to date, creating even more opportunities for connection, collaboration and inspiration.”

According to information released by IAAPA, the U.K. attractions industry is forecasted to grow by almost 60% by 2027, making it one of Europe's strongest growing markets as consumers continue to prioritize experiences over possessions. The U.K. is forecasted to deliver annual spending growth of 9.8% through 2027, outpacing the wider European average of 8.6%.

Although the event technically kicks off on September 21, September 19 and 20 will offer the two-day IAAPA Institute for Attractions Professionals.

Registration begins on September 20.

Full-day experiences and adventures will greet guests on September 21. These events have become increasingly popular for IAAPA Expos.

One offering is an EDUTour to Chessington World of Adventures Resort. This will be a dedicated full-day event for professionals in the attractions community, combining education panels and guided EDUTours around Chessington World of Adventures Resort.

Another all-day educational opportunity is Indoor Entertainment Day. Guests will be able to join industry professionals for dynamic expert-led EDUTalks, panel discussions and interactive EDUTours. Attendees will explore the trends shaping the future of indoor entertainment and discover practical strategies for driving growth, enhancing guest experiences, and building resilient businesses.

Sustainability Day will take place on this day as well. It is set to be held at Legoland Windsor Resort. Guests will join other sustainability professionals, operational leaders and decision-makers from across the attractions industry for a full day of learning, discussion and networking. Throughout the day, participants will explore topics such as water management, carbon emissions linked to ride operations, food and beverage, diversity and inclusion and other sustainability challenges and opportunities facing the industry.

IAAPA Expo Europe officials were proud to announce that the expo has become a Certified Sustainable Event, which means it is internationally recognized for sustainability efforts in the events industry. This approval confirms that the exhibition show floor has met all mandatory requirements and, following an independent third-party review process, achieved a total score of 76%. The certification covers environmental, social and governance aspects.

Safety and Security Day will take place on this day at Thorpe Park, as will a Waterpark Forum at Lee Valley White Water Centre.

A final EDUTour is set for the final day of the expo. Also held at Thorpe Park, this event will showcase Merlin Entertainments’ Halloween attractions. Thorpe Park is celebrating 25 years of its Fright Nights.

IAAPA Expo Europe’s expansive trade show floor this year is set to showcase the latest in ride technology, guest solutions, design and operations, offering attendees a first look at innovations shaping the future of attractions. It will open on September 22 and run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. that day. Trade show hours for September 23 are the same, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and for September 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A first-timer’s welcome event is set for shortly after the trade show opens on that first day, with educational sessions lasting the remainder of the day until the Opening Ceremony, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Opening Ceremony will have a special extended format this year. It will consist of the networking reception with several drinks and snack stations, live entertainment and the ultimate pop concert exclusively for IAAPA Expo Europe Opening Reception participants, ABBA Voyage. The event is being held at the ABBA Arena. Transportation will be provided.

IAAPA Expo Europe will feature a focus on the importance of the food and beverage presence throughout both the education program and show floor. According to IAAPA benchmark studies, food and beverage can account for as much as 30 to 35% of total park revenue, reinforcing its growing importance as both a guest experience driver and business strategy. Attendees can expect dedicated discussions, emerging trends and innovative solutions focused on enhancing in-park dining and hospitality experiences. 

Attendees can also look forward to a dynamic lineup of special events designed to foster connection and celebrate industry excellence, including the Leadership Breakfast featuring Robert Dahl, CEO of Karls Erlebnis-Dorf and Wouter Dekkers, CEO of Momentum Leisure. The Leadership Breakfast is set for September 23.

The expo’s education program is being offered during the days of September 22-24. The sessions will feature insights from leading subject matter experts across key areas including sustainability, leadership, safety and young professional development, equipping attendees with actionable strategies to navigate an evolving industry landscape.

Some of the sessions are: GenAI in the Attractions Industry: Building a Secure AI Strategy at MACK Group; How Certification Can Shape Your Sustainability Journey: The GSTC Attraction Standard; Trends: What's Shaping the Industry Now?; Physical vs. Digital: Choosing Between Animatronics, Media and Emerging Technologies; IDEA in Action: Creating Better Experiences for Everyone; The Future Zoo: Can Digital and Traditional Experiences Coexist?; Designer and Creative Reception; Inspection Body Roundtable; Solution Spotlight: ROE Visual – Create True Immersion with Invisible Sound and If You Could See Your Influence: Measuring What Matters.

More sessions include: From Crisis to Leadership: Building Resilient Teams That Perform; The Future of Safety Training: Engaging and Coaching Your Team for a Strong Safety Culture; The Magic of Myth: Using the Subconscious Story Power of Commonly Misused Attraction Icons; Where Is Time Costing You Revenue?; Less Friction. More Visitors. Rethinking the End-to-End Journey for Museums and Attractions; Solution Spotlight: Outdoor Factory – Immersive Experiences That Drive Traffic: From Storytelling to Feasibility; Solution Spotlight: DOF Robotics –The Rise of Edutainment: Blending Immersion and Education in the Next Gen of Attractions; The Investment Playbook: Financing and Attracting Partners for Destination Growth and Why Your Digital Project is Taking Too Long (and Costing Too Much).

Guests can also expect numerous networking opportunities outside of the scheduled events.

●iaapa.org

Amarillo's Wonderland Amusement Park celebrates 75 years

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

AMARILLO, Texas — West Texas is known for its flat desert landscape. Amarillo boasts a bit of quirky Route 66 kitsch owing to Cadillac Ranch and The Big Texan, which offers a free 72 oz. steak — if you can eat it in one hour. Locals, however, know of another spot in town: Wonderland Amusement Park.

Founders Paul and Alethea Roads had hopes of building an amusement park. They traveled from San Angelo to Amarillo to check out an available site. It was disappointingly bleak. City officials promised transplanted trees and encouraged the Roads to give it a try. They did. Today, Wonderland Park is part of the city’s Thompson Park, which is lush with tall trees.

It was originally Kiddie Land when it opened in 1951. It offered three rides. Mr. Roads dedicated his energy full-time after working two jobs for a decade. When the park added several new rides in 1969 to appeal to all ages, Kiddie Land was renamed Wonderland Amusement Park.

Eventually, the Roads handed the park over to their daughter Paula and her husband Paul Borchardt. They remained at the helm through 2025 before retiring.

With no one left to operate it, Wonderland could have closed for good following last season.

New ownership this year brought new life to the park, now owned by 360 Parks of Amarillo, LLC, led by CEO Jimmy Holmes. While the family-owned company had managed water parks before, this was the first venture in owning a park.

With little more than two months to prepare for the 75th anniversary, park management, including General Manager Steve Thomas, dug in and got their hands dirty making repairs, painting almost all of the buildings in the park and ordering needed essentials for the season.

“What’s really unique about this park is the community involvement and the community ‘ownership’ of this park,” said Thomas. “Everybody has been amazingly supportive because they were really afraid that this park was going to close. With a family-owned park that has been open for 75 years, you have a huge responsibility to maintain that community spirit, the history that’s involved plus modernizing it with keeping the history and nostalgia at the forefront. It’s a delicate balance.”

With just a short timeframe to get ready, the short-term goal was to get rides up and running.

“Adam Hutchins [director of operations and maintenance] and his team have been working miracles daily,” said Thomas. “He’s been here five years, so he is very familiar with the park.”

Thomas admits that many of the rides are historic, so obtaining parts and making repairs can be time-consuming.

Long-term goals look toward expansion following this season.

“Amarillo is growing,” Thomas told Amusement Today. “A lot of big organizations are here. We’re the only amusement park for a long way.”

Wonderland has already purchased a Zamperla Disk’O to be added next. It had previously operated at an indoor facility, so the condition of the ride, including the quality of the paint was very favorable. According to Thomas, the city has offered the park up to 12 acres to expand, although he says it may take a few years for that to be realized.

“I do think we will be expanding and making this a much bigger destination, pulling a lot more from New Mexico and Oklahoma,” Thomas said.

For 2026, attendance has been strong. The introduction of a season pass for the first time, the inclusion of Fantastic Voyage (dark ride) and Texas Tornado (loop coaster) into the pay-one-price plan, and a stronger social media presence — from which Thomas says he gets recognized on the midway — have proven to be successful with guests. Foam parties have been a fun addition too.

“It’s very popular with the kids,” said Thomas. “You see the kids playing, and then the parents start sneaking in like they want to play with their kids, but they want to be in the foam party as well. Big kids and little kids — it has been a big success.”

Along with season passes, the refillable bottle has proved successful.

For this season, all but two rides returned to operation. Thomas said those two were beyond repair and would be retired.

“We’ve really worked hard on getting the park to where it is right now, but we have a lot more to go,” Thomas told AT. “We want to broaden our expansion to be able to do more group parties, company picnics, things like that. Some of our rides aging out will need to be replaced with newer rides, but we’ll still keep some of the really nostalgic rides. We’ll be renovating two concession stands and adding more. We’re looking at a sit-down pizza restaurant.”

Centennial celebration, golf highlight PAPA summer meeting

AT: B. Derek Shaw

bdshaw@amusementtoday.com

ELYSBURG, Pa. — The annual Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Attractions (PAPA) summer fun meeting took place July 20 and 21 at Knoebels Amusement Resort. During the two-day event, 134 members and guests enjoyed food, fun, networking and fellowship opportunities. Attendees were composed of 53% manufacturer and supplier personnel, while 47% were parks and attractions personnel. Some participants came from way beyond the Keystone State, including Florida, Kansas and Utah.

Knoebels Three Ponds Golf Course, adjacent to the park, was the site of the annual golf tournament, which raised nearly $4,000 for its landmark scholarship program. While traditionally a joyful kickoff to the association’s summer fun meeting, this year’s event transformed into a powerful, healing celebration of life following the passing of PAPA and IAAPA Hall of Fame patriarch Dick Knoebel just days prior.

Despite early apprehensions about navigating the somber loss, the event quickly became a source of deep comfort for both attendees and the Knoebel family. "What began with uncertainty ended with gratitude," said Brian Knoebel, president and a fourth-generation co-owner of Knoebels. "Every handshake, hug, story and shared memory reminded our family that PAPA is so much more than an association ... it's family. Thank you for helping turn what could have been a difficult few days into the beginning of a long celebration of Dad's life."

Industry peers shared video tributes throughout the day. Premier Rides, serving as the platinum beverage cart sponsor, hosted a moving tribute where players toasted Dick Knoebel with his favorite libation, Crown Royal Peach.

"Rick and Brian were wonderful hosts in an environment where people were unsure coming in whether a smile was even appropriate and left realizing they were part of the start of a long celebration of Dick’s life,” said Jim Seay, president of Premier Rides. “You saw the love for him and the Knoebel family. The Knoebel’s willingness to share their emotions with each of us made us all feel part of the family. We all miss him a lot; however, the spirit couldn’t have been stronger."

The shotgun start tournament welcomed 44 golfers of all skill levels. In a surprising turn of events, the Great Coasters International Inc. (GCII) team — comprising Ryan Felty, Shawn Felty, Ron Stablewski and Bryson Ebright —clinched first place. The GCII squad successfully dethroned the dominant, three-time defending champions from Hersheypark, who generously sponsored the post-event luncheon in honor of their longtime friend.

That evening featured a cocktail reception followed by a dinner buffet at The Pine Barn Inn in Danville. Attendees enjoyed the remainder of the evening in the ballroom, with lively conversation, networking and, of course, imbibing.

Day two started with breakfast at the park in The Alamo, followed by a board of directors meeting in that same space. When it came time for the treasurer’s report, Dick would normally say, “We are solvent.” Instead, Jeannie Reddie held up a visual aid.

To permanently honor Dick Knoebel's immense impact on the industry, the board voted unanimously to add his name to the scholarship fund. Moving forward, the program will officially be known as the PAPA Barbara and Dick Knoebel Memorial Scholarship Fund. "We are deeply honored and humbled that this scholarship will now bear both our parents’ names," remarked Rick Knoebel, fourth-generation co-owner of Knoebel’s. "Dick and Barbara believed in people, in service and in our industry. We can think of no finer tribute."

Next, for attendees who were interested, there were tours. Selections included the campground, band organ shop, Flying Turns, haunted mansion and the new history showcase housed in the former skating rink. 

The final official event was a luncheon consisting of park food favorites in one of the pavilions in the park. Attendees could then enjoy all the park had to offer until they closed at 8 p.m.

Ashland Technologies Inc. offered an exclusive open house that afternoon at their 47,000-square-foot Hegins manufacturing facility. Guided facility tours, manufacturing demos, historic attraction projects and meeting the team behind the ventures all took place. Numerous attendees stopped in to gain a better understanding of their procedures in CNC machining, fabrication, welding, finishing and assembly operations.

Rick Knoebel, PAPA’s 53rd president, reflected on the two-day summer meeting: “We had a lot of people here. It was the most amount of people we have had (at this event) in recent memory. We had a number of new members come to the park. Everyone had a fantastic time. I think we knocked it out of the park. I got a lot of comments about how clean the park was and how well the operations ran, how good the food was, the selection of food and the selection of gift shop items. We (also) had some behind-the-scenes tours that were very well received.”

Gary Chubb presented info on the upcoming PACE (Parks and Carnivals Education) ride safety seminar that takes place October 27 to 30 in Latrobe, with a “hands-on” training day (rain or shine) at Idlewild Park and Soak Zone, in Ligonier. This annual seminar is held in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Showmen’s Association (PSSA) and offers both 24- and 32-hour certification training sessions. The educational portion of the seminar is led by instructors from National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO). Inspector testing is also offered for Pennsylvania certified inspectors and/or NAARSO levels.

Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Attractions organization, formed in 1935, promotes the industry, allows for the exchange of knowledge among members, upholds a good public image and monitors legislation and regulatory concerns. The 2027 spring meeting will be held at the Hershey Lodge, February 22 and 23, while the summer fun meeting will take place July 19 and 20 at Sesame Place in Langhorne.

●paamusementparks.com

Amusement industry remembers legend, pioneer Richard "Dick" Knoebel

”Something I truly respected about Dick Knoebel is his desire to be in the park. He felt it was where he belonged, and that is testimony to his passion and dedication to what Knoebels Amusement Resort has to offer. I can clearly see how he instilled this in the whole family. The park is the sheer definition of a labor of love.“

—Tim Baldwin, Amusement Today

”Dick’s dedication and service to our industry was only matched by his dedication to his family, and the historic Knoebels Amusement Park. Dick never missed a chance to grab the brass ring. We should all remember him and that drive to keep the memories coming.“

—Walt Bowser, Baynum Solutions

”I can’t think of a more prominent supporter of the PACE Ride Safety Seminar than Dick Knoebel. Not only did he attend the seminars — along with about 50 of his maintenance team members — but he also recruited sponsors to offset the cost of the seminar. Dick graciously opened up his park to help in continuing the education of hundreds of inspectors over the years. When the PACE Seminar needed a place to hold classes, Dick was extremely instrumental in getting Bloomsburg University to open up some meeting space. Personally, I’ll truly miss having him in attendance at the PACE Ride Safety Seminars.“

—Gary Chubb, PACE

”I have known Dick since June 1993, when he convinced me that since we were already building a Balloon Race, we could also build a Flying Carousel. 'You just need to add another rotation,' he told me with the confidence and vision that would become so familiar to everyone who had the privilege of working with him. What sounded like a simple comment at the time was actually a reflection of Dick’s remarkable ability to see possibilities where others saw challenges.“

—Valerio Ferrari, Zamperla

”Dick Knoebel, so many memories, although my favorite is the 2013 Golden Tickets Award in Santa Cruz.  Dick invited my daughter and me to an early breakfast on the boardwalk, then a walk on the beach to collect sand.  This was something he did every time his feet hit an ocean beach, Oorah! This was one of Dick's core values, making you feel like family.  May that value live on in every Knoebel family member, and be an example of how we all should live.“

—Mike Gill, ARM

”Dick helped create a place where people make memories at a very early age that will last their entire lifetime. Those memories are priceless. I believe that is the most honorable thing a person can do in life. Helping others remember how good life can be with the people you love. My own memories and stories about Mr. Dick Knoebel are among my favorites to share, and I will always treasure them.“

—Chris Gray, Skyline Attractions

”Dick was a true visionary. He recognized early on that restoring The Rocket and resurrecting it at Knoebels as the Phoenix would help elevate the park into what it is today — the #1 amusement park in the country. His instincts were unmatched, and his lifelong passion for the industry shaped unforgettable experiences for generations of families. Our friendship began following the construction of the Phoenix, a connection that grew into a lifelong bond. Dick possessed an extraordinary gift: you could meet him just once, and decades later, he would still greet you by name. That rare, genuine warmth is why he was so widely loved. He was, without question, a legend. Dick’s impact on the amusement industry is permanent, and his legacy will remain forever etched in history.“

—Clair E. Hain Jr.,

Great Coasters International, Inc

”Dick Knoebel’s industry knowledge was vast, and that helped grow the park into the destination it has become. He also imparted that knowledge and insight, helping those who knew him continue to grow and innovate.“

—Ed Hodgdon, NEAAPA

”I will miss him dearly. His smirks, his laughs, his stories, his ideas, his famous grunts — we’ll miss it all. I’ll hold tight to our memories and funny 'Dick Knoebel stories,' for many of us have quite a few. He brought joy to so many people's lives and has left a lasting impact for many.“

—Janine Rebbie Matscherz, PAPA

”Dick had great stories, wonderful antidotes and strong opinions on many subjects that not everyone would agree with. But he was always fun to be around, mixing park business with life outside the park. His obstinacy paid off with the Flying Turns project, which took seven years to complete. There is likely no other person in the industry who would have spent both the time and money to complete a project few thought would ever operate. I’m grateful for every moment we shared. For me, I will always remember him for what he truly was, a legend!“

—Richard Munch, NRCMA

”I am proud to have called Dick Knoebel a friend. He was a force of nature. He was an innovator, historian and conservator while being a strong park operator and a fiercely loyal family man. The industry has lost an incredible 'character' but also a man with character who understands that our business is about the guests we serve. He will be missed.“

—Pete Owens, Dollywood

”Dick and I had dinner together about a year ago and I was lamenting our industry and how taxing and maddening it could be. I told him I was seriously thinking of getting out. I caught a glimpse of his face, and it made me sink back in my chair in embarrassment. This was Dick Knoebel. He likely worked harder in one week than I did in a year. He used the most gentle voice he could (this was Dick after all) and said 'stick it out, Jeff.' I could tell what he was really thinking was: 'Suck it up, man. We all go through it and you ain't special!' You were right, Dick … I’m not going anywhere.“

—Jeff Pike, Skyline Attractions

”The thing I always loved about Dick, he never demanded your respect but — as you got to know him — respect was earned quickly. And as time goes on you realize he gave his friendship freely to you, something I’ve always cherished about him. I will miss my friend.“

—Tom Rebbie, PTCI

”Dick embodied everything that made our industry great: a dedication to the craft, a get-it-done attitude, but above all else, a guest-first mentality. May that be his greatest legacy — to constantly remind us why we do what we do in this business.“

—Kris Rowberry, Ride Entertainment

”Dick Knoebel was a larger-than-life figure in the industry. Leader. Mentor. Father figure. Builder. Innovator. He treated everyone like family and his generosity and can-do attitude were unmatched by anyone else.“

—Samuel Shurgott,
International Rides Management

”Dick's pioneering vision led him to perform many research projects that would benefit his park as well as the industry. When it became hard to find the proper springs used on his W.F. Mangels Company The Whip ride, Dick made calls and took field trips until he found William Mangel's original spring supplier. Now, the Knoebels family keeps those rare springs on its parts shelf for their ride and when other parks need them for their Whip rides. He should be remembered for his collection of rare carousel horses and for saving, maintaining and operating countless carousel band organs which still utilize the authentic paper music rolls. His knowledge of so many rides, their suppliers and parts, was limitless and will never be matched again.“

—Gary Slade, Amusement Today

”Dick Knoebel will be remembered for many things, especially his love for the amusement industry. He always had a way to make you smile with his laughter. I only knew him for about 15 years, but he was an inspiration to me. Leaving behind such amazing children and grandchildren, his legacy will carry forward. We love you, Dick!“

—Maegan Wallace, Maclan

Silver Dollar City

resort moves toward

its 2027 opening

OZARK MOUNTAINS, Mo. — Progress is taking shape across Silver Dollar City Resort as pools are poured, craftsmen add handcrafted Ozarks touches and the destination begins building the operating team to welcome its first guests in 2027.

Veteran hospitality leader Erling Acosta has been named general manager of Silver Dollar City Resort, where he will oversee operations and assemble a team of more than 250 employees dedicated to delivering the genuine Ozarks hospitality that has defined Silver Dollar City for generations.

“We’re creating something truly special,” said Acosta. “Every decision we make is centered on delivering exceptional service and unforgettable family memories from the moment guests arrive.”

Acosta brings more than two decades of resort leadership experience, most recently serving as resort general manager of the newly opened Okana Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Oklahoma City. He has stated that the culture and views at the Silver Dollar City Resort, though, are unlike anything he’s seen in his career.

When it opens in 2027, the resort will feature 262 guest rooms, a two-story lobby overlooking Table Rock Lake, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a full-service restaurant open to both resort guests and the public, and more than 20,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. Guests will also enjoy exclusive resort perks, including VIP door-to-door transportation to Silver Dollar City, exclusive ticket packages, expedited ride access and other benefits designed to make every visit as seamless as it is memorable.

Group bookings are now open. Reservations are expected to open later this year for individuals, with the resort welcoming its first guests in 2027 as the flagship project in Silver Dollar City Parks & Resorts’ 10-year, half-billion-dollar strategic growth plan.

●silverdollarcity.com/resort

CEC Entertainment has promoted long-serving employee Randy Forsythe to the position of president and chief operating officer of the company, which operates the Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza family entertainment brands.

In his expanded role, Forsythe will lead CEC Entertainment’s field operations, global sourcing and purchasing, construction, learning and development, marketing, brand licensing, information technology, international franchise and games department, as well as the Peter Piper Pizza business.

"Over more than four decades, Randy has held roles across the company that have helped shape the Chuck E. Cheese experience that families know and love today," stated the company in a social media post. "He has always said that people are his greatest asset, and that the relationships built across this company are like family. That philosophy shows in everything he does.

Enchanted Parks has named Una de Boer chief marketing officer, adding an experienced attractions industry marketing leader to its executive team as the company continues to build its regional theme park portfolio and strengthen guest engagement.

In this role, de Boer will lead brand and marketing strategy for Enchanted Parks, build brand awareness, strengthen local park marketing programs and deepen connections between the company’s parks and the communities they serve.

“Una is a proven brand builder who understands how to connect business strategy with creative, effective marketing,” said James Harhi, chief executive officer of Enchanted Parks. “Her experience in the global attractions industry and her practical leadership style will be invaluable as we continue to build guests’ connection with our parks.”

De Boer joins Enchanted Parks from WhiteWater, where she served as chief marketing officer and helped build the global profile of the water park manufacturer and supplier.

The National Independent Concessionaires Association (NICA) has announced that Courtny Hinds has been selected as its next executive director.

Hinds begins her role on September 14, 2026, and will work side-by-side with current NICA Executive Director Rey O’Day through February 14, 2027. This transition period has been intentionally designed to provide continuity for NICA while allowing for a thoughtful transfer of knowledge, relationships, and strategic priorities.

“For the past 20 years, NICA has been an incredible part of my life, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has allowed me to serve this association in so many different ways,” stated O'Day. “Every Executive Director builds upon the work of those who came before them, and I have always believed we stand on the shoulders of the leaders who shaped NICA into what it is today. Now it is my privilege to pass that torch to Courtny.

Hinds most recently served as executive director and general manager of the Wyoming State Fair & Event Complex.

SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Discovery Cove announced that Brad Gilmour has been named park president of all three properties, effective immediately.

Gilmour has 23 years of experience with the company, having begun his career at Discovery Cove in 2003. He has since held multiple leadership roles across SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica, and has served as park president of Discovery Cove and Aquatica Orlando since 2023.

“Brad has consistently demonstrated the kind of leadership that puts our guests and our ambassadors first,” said Kyle Miller, co-chief operating officer, United Parks & Resorts. “His deep operational knowledge, combined with his proven track record across our Orlando parks, makes him exactly the right leader to guide our parks into their next chapter. I’m confident our teams will benefit greatly from his leadership.”

Gilmour succeeds Jon “JP” Peterson who most recently served as park president for SeaWorld Orlando.

Dave Schwartz has been named as the new director of sales for Iowa-based Pixel Plush and Prizes.

Having most recently served as vice president of sales for Good Stuff, Schwartz offers extensive experience in the amusement, redemption, plush and toy industries. He previously held sales and marketing leadership roles with BMI Merchandise and National Entertainment Network and Hasbro.

Disney Legend, innovator Donald Warren 'Don' Iwerks passes at 96

CAMARILLO, Calif. — Donald Warren "Don" Iwerks, the Oscar-winning film pioneer, Disney Legend, and son of Mickey Mouse co-creator Ub Iwerks, whose innovations helped redefine cinematic storytelling and immersive entertainment, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, just days before his 97th birthday.

Over a remarkable career spanning more than six decades of projects for The Walt Disney Company, along with his own studio Iwerks Entertainment, Iwerks pioneered innovations in projection technology, 3D and large-format filmmaking, as well as immersive attractions that transformed the way audiences experience stories. From Disney's pioneering Circle-Vision films and the groundbreaking 3D camera system for Captain EO to next-generation giant-screen theaters and motion simulator attractions, his work helped shape the future of location-based entertainment and inspired generations of filmmakers, Imagineers, and inventors.

Among Disney fans, he also became known as the model for the hands of the iconic Abraham Lincoln audio-animatronic figure in Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln at Disneyland, earning the nickname the "Iwerks Hands" that appear on countless similar figures at Disney parks around the world.

Born on July 24, 1929, Don grew up in Southern California in a family where imagination and innovation were part of everyday life. The oldest son of Ub Iwerks, and mother Mildred Iwerks, Don grew up in West Los Angeles before moving to the San Fernando Valley in 1936.

After graduating from Van Nuys High School in 1947, Iwerks worked for a few years as a machinist before joining The Walt Disney Studios’ Process Lab, the studio's center for film processing and photographic innovation. His work was interrupted in 1951 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War, serving for a year and a half in Germany as a Signal Corps photographer.

Upon his discharge in 1952, Iwerks returned to the Disney Process Lab, but was soon transfered to the Studio Machine Shop. Among his earliest projects was working on Walt Disney’s miniature Barbershop Quartet, one of the predecessors to the audio-animatronics program. He moved into the Camera Service Department in 1954, as camera technician for Walt Disney’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea where he spent three months maintaining the underwater cameras in The Bahamas. Ahead of Disneyland’s official opening in 1955, he was the camera technician on A Tour of the West, the first 360-degree Circarama camera system invented by his father and the Disney Machine Shop. It was followed by the America the Beautiful film for the Brussels World’s Fair in 1958. Iwerks also served as lead camera technician on Walt Disney's True-Life Adventures documentary series working with Disney’s top nature photographers, one of the most rewarding assignments of his Disney studio career.

Working alongside his father, Iwerks helped advance a remarkable range of innovations, including the Xerox camera system that transformed Disney Animation, the custom camera used to photograph the 200-foot murals projected inside The Hall of Presidents attraction at Walt Disney World, refinements to the pioneering sodium traveling matte process used in films such as Mary Poppins (1964), and sophisticated projection and automated film-handling systems for Disneyland, Walt Disney World, EPCOT and Tokyo Disneyland.

Over the course of his career, Iwerks earned many of the entertainment industry's highest honors for his groundbreaking contributions, including the Themed Entertainment Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his enduring impact on the industry.

Harry 'Henny' Henninger, Pittsburgh icon and former CEO of Kennywood, passes

PITTSBURGH — Harry W. Henninger Jr., known by many as Henny, passed away on June 2, 2026, at the age of 80.

Born on September 22, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Elizabeth Cannon Henninger and Harry Henninger Sr. Henny attended Edgewood Primary before going on to Gilmore Academy.

After graduating, he enlisted in the military. He often credited the U.S. Air Force as having helped shape his early life.

Following his military service, Henninger joined the family business at Kennywood Park. He started in his teens working in the men’s locker room of the swimming pool and retired as CEO in 2007. A visionary leader, Henninger guided Kennywood through a renaissance that balanced innovation with tradition, introducing exciting new attractions while preserving the nostalgia generations of visitors cherished.

“He had a tremendous passion for carrying on the Henninger and McSwigan legacy with respect to moving the park in a vertical direction,” cousin Bill Henninger commented to local media. “He also had a great imagination.”

During his tenure, Kennywood debuted its first million-dollar ride, the Log Jammer, and Henninger transformed a former steel mill site along the Monongahela River into what became Sandcastle Waterpark. Among his many creative marketing ideas was getting Myron Cope and Jack Lambert to star in a commercial riding the Raging Rapids before its public debut. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a single amusement park into a regional entertainment organization operating five parks across three states.

For many years, Henninger was the public face of Kennywood. Anyone flipping through television channels in the 1980s or 1990s might have found him sharing stories on PBS documentaries such as Kennywood Memories and Great Old Amusement Parks, helping to galvanize the park in the hearts of those in Pittsburgh and beyond.

Henninger was a Pittsburgh icon who seemed to know someone everywhere he went. Before Steelers games, he would often tie up his boat for a tailgate and spend so much time greeting friends that he occasionally missed the first quarter.

The only thing Henninger liked more than telling a good story was creating one. He was known for shenanigans that created memories to cherish such as those involving the borrowing of a historical paddle boat at Conneaut Lake or kidnapping his friend/the groom at his rehearsal dinner.

A philanthropist without fanfare, Henninger was especially generous with his time. He served on various non-profit boards including the Fred Rogers Company, Frick Museum, Pittsburgh Park’s Conservancy, The Children’s Home, St. Edmund’s Academy, PA Partnerships for Children and the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions.

Billy Lark of Miracle Strip's founding family has passed

PANAMA City, Fla. — William Edward "Billy" Lark, Sr., 79, passed away on June 9, 2026, in his hometown of Panama City.

Born on September 22, 1946, in Panama City, Florida, to James I. Lark and Carolyn Mann Lark, he was a lifelong resident of Bay County and a proud member of the community he loved.

A graduate of Riverside Military Academy, Class of 1964, Lark returned home after graduation and began his career with International Paper, where he formed lifelong friendships and earned the respect of his coworkers. He later worked alongside his father-in-law at Dixie Window Company for many years. Lark also worked at Miracle Strip Amusement Park and was instrumental in the long-term successful development of Shipwreck Island Water Park, helping create attractions that brought joy to generations of families along the Gulf Coast.

Miracle Strip opened in the 1960s and closed in 2004 after developers bought the property. The Lark family continued to operate Shipwreck Island until it was sold in 2025.

Though involved in projects that left a lasting mark on Panama City, Lark always considered himself a blue-collar worker. He took pride in working with his hands and could fix just about anything that needed fixing. His first car, a secondhand Ford Fairlane, became legendary in the family. His wife often joked that Lark spent more time underneath it than behind the wheel, constantly tinkering and repairing it.

Lark was a familiar sight around town, often driving his late-model Blazer and enthusiastically waving to everyone he passed — whether he knew them or not. He never met a stranger and believed that a friendly wave could brighten someone's day.

Lark was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He shared 57 years of marriage with his wife, Ruth Lark, whose love and partnership were the foundation of his life. Together they built a family that became his greatest joy.

Disney legend Joe Rohde pens book on creativity: Floating Mountains

REVIEW: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

Any Disneyophile immediately recognizes the name Joe Rohde. When such a legend writes a book, it should garner the interest of the fandom of the mouse, owing to the credentials of the author. The foreword by Josh Gates grabs the reader immediately, setting the stage for listening to someone who knows what they are talking about.

That said, many people would assume the book, Floating Mountains: The Art of Imagining the Impossible, would be about the nuts and bolts of Disney attractions. It's not that. Rohde quickly informs readers it is not a "making of" book. "This is more of a 'thinking of' book, full of observations, glimpses into the workings of the creative brain, and some principles derived from those insights," he writes. Floating Mountains is a book on creativity. It challenges established principles and assumptions so many figureheads have embraced.

Through the pages, he teaches that creativity must be nurtured, and it rarely happens alone. Success was found working in groups. Observing as well as listening are important.

"I believe that every creative person should be constantly accumulating knowledge, pure knowledge for the sake of knowledge itself," he writes. "Research shows that elevated levels of curiosity are directly connected to creativity. What you know directly impacts what you are able to create, so it is good to know as much as you can."

And Rohde knows his research from an abundance of reading, interviews and working relationships with some of the most experienced people in their fields.

Comparing creators to magicians, he says, "It's dangerous to ask people what they want and then turn around and give it to them. There is no surprise. Without surprise, there is no attention. Without attention, there is no experience. Without experience, there is no memory."

He tells the reader: "Creative projects are unique because the final shape of the product is not usually clear at the outset. Intentions may be clear, but the means of achieving them are not always obvious."

A creative ensemble must be open to dissent. Dissent is a part of participation. In his opinion, it is absurd to expect uniform consensus, and he uses Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom as an illustration. The acceptance of failure is key.

A basic thought in italics begins each chapter, almost serving as a refresher course once finished. Upon completion, Rohde hasn't provided a recipe or a set of steps to be creative, but he does summarize his insights on collaboration and creativity.

The book challenges the reader. Established concepts of organization and leadership are questioned by being seen through a thought-provoking lens. It goes without saying that Rohde's grasp of language and way with words is impressive, eliciting smiles and chuckles along the way. The reader doesn't finish so much informed as inspired to be different, to be creative.

The 352-page book from National Geographic retails for $35 and is available through most major booksellers such as Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble. It is released on September 8, 2026.

IATP, TheHopeLine partner to support young employees, guests

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The International Adventure & Trampoline Parks Association (IATP) has announced a new partnership with TheHopeLine, a free and confidential crisis chat service that connects students and young adults with a caring "Hope Coach" 24-hours-a-day.

Through this partnership, IATP will introduce its members to TheHopeLine’s services and free resources, helping park owners and operators provide an additional source of support for both their employees and guests. Many indoor adventure and trampoline parks employ teens and young adults while also welcoming thousands of young guests each year — exactly the population TheHopeLine is designed to serve.

“This partnership is especially meaningful to IATP because our park owners and operators work so closely with a younger generation,” said Alexis Kierce, executive director of IATP. “TheHopeLine gives our members a simple and accessible way to support not only the young people working within their parks, but also the guests and families they serve. We believe making these resources available can have a meaningful impact, and we are proud to help bring greater awareness to this important program.”

TheHopeLine offers young people a free, confidential place to discuss challenges involving school, relationships, emotional well-being, and other areas of life. Hope Coaches are trained, nonjudgmental guides who listen, provide encouragement and help individuals identify appropriate next steps. The service is available at no cost to parks, employees or guests.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with IATP and reach the young people who work in and visit its member parks,” said Jen DeJong of TheHopeLine. “A caring connection at the right moment can make a tremendous difference. Through this partnership, we hope to make it easier for park employees and guests to know that free, confidential support is available whenever they need it.”

As part of the program, IATP members may order complimentary resources to display throughout their parks. Available materials include posters, table tents, flyers, QR-code stickers and pocket-sized crisis cards that connect directly to TheHopeLine. These resources can be placed near front counters, in employee break rooms, restrooms, party rooms or other accessible areas.

TheHopeLine started out as a way to support listeners of the "Dawson McAllister Live" radio show and has evolved to become a premier resource for students and young adults in crisis. In 2023, TheHopeLine received 1.2 million visits while completing 20,350 live chats and 2,325 suicide interventions.

Members interested in ordering materials may email office@thehopeline.com with their organization’s name, telephone number, mailing address and requested quantity.

IATP is a nonprofit trade association dedicated to supporting the growth, safety and success of the indoor adventure and trampoline park industry through education, safety initiatives, networking and industry advocacy.

●indooradventureparks.org

Giant new Europa-Park food facility benefits employees, guests

AT: Tim Baldwin

tbaldwin@amusementtoday.com

RUST, Germany — It is sometimes easier to invest in expansion that is guest-facing, primarily because it is marketable. At times, back-of-the-house needs take a back seat. Europa-Park took a bold step by completing a new facility in August. The large building benefits employees in a dramatic new way and in turn, makes things more efficient for taking care of guests.

The ground floor is a new production kitchen that replaces an older, smaller unit. Its central location is designed for large-scale meal preparation — trays of cut vegetables, prepared meats, etc. — to be transported to various restaurants throughout the resort. Located adjacent to a food warehouse, ingredients are easily moved in from one side of the building, and large roll-up doors allow for the loading of prepared food ingredients into delivery vehicles to transport them to specific eateries to be prepared and cooked for guests. It is three times the size of the previous facility.

The head chef has particularly noted key points in the new facility: improved logistics, more space, optimization of workflow, more sustainable work practices, a better work environment and optimal conditions for HACCP compliance.

The second floor serves Europa-Park’s team members in a brand-new way. In a complete upgrade to previous break areas, the new canteen is dubbed “Coasteria,” playing off the word cafeteria.

Frederik Mack, director of human resources, tells Amusement Today, “It’s a great, great add-on for the employees. It’s huge. It will improve our standards even more. The food will be great, the areas to sit will be great. We have a big terrace where you can enjoy [outdoor dining] if it’s not too warm. You can enjoy sitting outside there with your colleagues.”

This new large dining area has seating for 560 people indoors. In addition, a staircase to the roof offers an additional 150 seats. The rooftop terrace has mesmerizing views of the adjacent Voltron Nevera coaster from Mack Rides. Its seven-train operation has riders continuously passing by. A retractable cover can provide shade or protection from light rain.

Coasteria offers a wide variety of foods. Among them is a “Feel Good Station” that emphasizes healthy foods. The serving line is a 40-meter (131-foot) counter, with a variety of cuisines.

“We have 101 different nationalities among our employees,” noted Mack. “We have people, of course, who just came here from three kilometers away from the French border or from a village nearby, but we also have people who come here from South Africa, 10,000 kilometers, or from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia.”

The Coasteria serves breakfast and lunch to all employees. Another feature of the canteen is a massive state-of-the-art dishwasher.

Because it is located very close to the employee entrance, the facility is convenient to those just arriving or leaving following their shift. In addition to the dining area, there are 1,500 lockers and showers available, divided into men’s and women’s areas.

“The completely new lockers, showers and changing areas are huge,” Mack told AT. “That will really improve the standards, and I think it will be acknowledged by our employees. Along with having lunch there, it just improves their work experience with a greater facility.”

The new facility stands on a portion of land that was previously used for office containers. Those employees have now moved into a new office building. The food preparation and employee canteen have been built exceeding the latest standards, equipped with air conditioning throughout. The seating area for employees sports modern, aesthetically pleasing décor, which includes better room acoustics and a sound system.

This new addition to Europa-Park opened in mid-August. Already, comments from employees provided to the resort include:

●“The new staff restaurant looks fantastic. You can really see how much thought and passion has gone into creating a modern place for employees to meet, eat and enjoy their breaks.”

●“We have always appreciated the staff dining options at Europa-Park, but this new restaurant feels like another level. It is something many of us are genuinely excited about.”

“The themed areas are really important — the attractions, the roller coasters, the restaurants and shows — but they are only as good as the employees are,” observed Mack. “They need to be skilled; they need to be in a good state of mind. [Visitors] are on their holidays; they don’t want to talk to rude people, to people who are not happy. You have to look for all the things they can deliver and do a good job. You don’t force them; it comes from an intrinsic point of mind. I think it’s really important that employees really like what they do. We really try to improve all of the different things we can do so that the employees can feel good, have a good time and do a great job at work.”

A view from the top…

Kelsi Goss spends her time focused on the space underfoot. As the vice president of design at Life Floor, she understands that safety and design should go hand in hand. She applies design to aquatic safety surfacing with whimsy, color and a bit of puzzle solving.

Goss has learned color, design and safety make for happy feet

Minneapolis — “I came to the industry in a nontraditional way via a traditional profession,” Kelsi Goss said. “As a kid, I loved Disney and thought I might want to design for them one day. I just didn’t know how to get such a position.

“Today there are college courses in themed entertainment and ride design classes and clubs for students interested in working in the industry,” she said. “But when I was in school, there really weren’t those kinds of opportunities. I remember reading a job listing for a position in Imagineering that included the ability to speak German as a desired qualification. I took that to heart and studied German. While learning the language did not lead me to a role at Disney, I did discover a love for the German culture and took part in a summer abroad program while in college.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban studies from Princeton University, Goss moved to California. “It was during the economic downturn, and it was tough to find a job,” she said. “I needed to work and knew I had to take what I could find. That led me to a role that focused mostly on interior design. It was not exactly what I wanted to do, but it was a job.”

During that time, Goss learned a lot about the importance of small details, different types of materials and the application of design on a smaller scale. She worked as the liaison with vendors, clients, contractors and the firm’s principal designer. “I learned to see design in a way that I would not have if my first role was with an architectural firm, as I originally planned,” she said.

She later went on to work at the technology and design firm, Applied Minds.

“Several former Disney Imagineers worked there, and I embraced learning about their experiences at the parks,” she said. “We were busy with a large number of projects. It was solid work, but it wasn’t whimsical.”

That desire eventually led her to freelance work that felt more playful and fun, and those projects introduced her to Life Floor.

“I knew our founders from college,” she said. “They created Life Floor with one goal: to make aquatic spaces safer. And while our product did that, our standard used a single-color concrete. At the same time, we were asking ourselves how we could get more work within themed entertainment. We began to add color and design to aquatic surfaces where it hadn’t been applied before.

“We started with our splash pads, particularly for our cruise clients, and saw results almost immediately,” she said. “Clients were happy, and our projects sold more quickly. Design sells.”

That statement is a central principle for Goss and her team. “Today we are a custom design house. We partner with our clients to apply design to a niche product that provides safe surfaces in aquatics.

“We create a bespoke type of design for our clients,” Goss continued. She points to the Aquaventure Waterpark at Atlantis The Palm as her favorite project to date. “To me, it is emblematic of what happens when you push boundaries. The project gave us the opportunity to create the first large gradient effect of its kind, with a design that included a combination of squares, triangles, inlays and color schemes. It required detail and focus throughout every step of the installation, ensuring we had the right materials, enough pieces and that the design effect and impact we planned for. It was — and remains — an amazing success.

“I’m really proud of the work we do,” she added. “The old standard was plain concrete. Today we apply color where there wasn’t any before. We add beautiful immersive design while making the guest experience safer.”

As Life Floor continued to expand its client base, Goss became more involved with attractions industry organizations, including the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA). She says the camaraderie and mutual respect among industry professionals inspire her.

“At first I was surprised at how open and accepting everyone was,” she said. “I’m a behind-the-scenes person, and networking does not come naturally. Regardless of title, position or company, the people in this industry are supportive and collaborative. They — we — really do help each other along the way.

“The caliber of talent that exists within this industry is amazing,” Goss continued. “There is so much diversity in the type of work and role, too. Everyone is passionate about what they do, and they are just crazy enough to keep pushing forward, inventing and creating.”

As a seasoned professional within the industry, Goss is often asked for advice from students and young professionals interested in following in her footsteps.

“It’s important to remember that a career path does not have to be in a straight line; it can meander,” she said. “Your first opportunity may not be the one you dreamed of. However, all experience is valuable and can lead you in a direction you may not have originally envisioned or even considered.”

For Goss, that unexpected path has allowed her to combine creative problem-solving with thoughtful design while making guest experiences safer from the ground up.

“I do not directly work for a major theme park or cruise line,” Goss concluded. “I do get to work on projects that support them, and that’s incredible. Getting to visit and experience those parks and projects as part of my work is the best part of my job.”

—Susan Storey

Coordinated multi-aquarium rescue effort saves 30 beluga whales

Euthanization had been threatened by park officials

AT: Susan Storey

Special to Amusement Today

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario — For almost two years, the plight of 30 beluga whales and four dolphins at the now-closed Marineland in Niagara Falls, Canada, has captured the attention of the zoo and aquarium community. When the beleaguered park closed to the public in 2024, questions immediately began to rise about what would happen to its large pod of belugas. With the closing, the whales’ dedicated caretakers relied on donations to help feed the belugas despite expenses that averaged $2 million a month. In October 2025, after the application to permit the belugas to be exported to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom in China was turned down, the park warned it might euthanize the whales if it could not obtain emergency funding or permission to move them.

This summer, the marine mammals’ story turned the page on a new chapter and fresh start at several globally recognized animal care facilities. Through an international, multi-institutional rescue operation, rescue transport events took place to safely relocate the belugas. The coordinated moves started in July and continued through August. To make the moves possible, a consortium of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited facilities was identified as having the ability to provide long-term proper care and habitats for the whales. The facilities include the Georgia Aquarium, Shedd Aquarium, SeaWorld San Antonio, SeaWorld San Diego and Oceanografic Valencia in Spain.

Before the rescue began, animal care experts from each of the participating aquariums arrived in Ontario to prepare with the Marineland teams and with one another.

“The rescue started with the needs of the belugas,” said Dr. Chris Dold, chief zoological officer at SeaWorld. “The plan was built, as much as possible, on understanding their overall health, social bonds and multiple other factors. Our plans naturally evolved as we learned more about the whales, and we will remain adaptive and responsive to the whales’ needs as we work to complete this unprecedented rescue.”

“This collective of aquariums is well positioned for this extraordinary task, thanks to decades of beluga care experience and having collaborated on several successful beluga rescues in the past,” said Johnny Ford, a spokesperson for the Shedd Aquarium and the rest of the consortium of facilities.

It took almost four hours to move the first six belugas from Marineland. With the support of dozens of animal care experts from the receiving facilities, cranes, custom-made slings, cold water-filled tanks on transport tanks, and even police escorts, they safely arrived at the Toronto Pearson International Airport and were safely loaded onto a 777 Qatar Airways aircraft, bound for Chicago and San Antonio. Two weeks later, an additional group of seven belugas also headed to Texas.

“Given this is the largest number of belugas being moved at one time, we are so happy that all went well and the second transport of this huge rescue effort is complete,” said Steve Aibel, vice president, animals and conservation for SeaWorld San Antonio, who accompanied both transports of whales. “They are receiving veterinary care, nutrition and attention as they acclimate to their new environment.”

The San Antonio park has a more than 2.5-million-gallon habitat made up of seven interconnected pools, and the relocated belugas joined the park’s existing pod of eight.

With each move, the belugas were never alone, accompanied by aquatic animal specialists, veterinarians and caretakers. The whales were moved in small groups, called sub-pods, based on their existing social bonds to help to minimize stress during the long journey and ease their adjustment.

"This moment marks a new beginning for these rescued belugas," said Dr. Karisa Tang, lead veterinarian and vice president of animal health at the Shedd Aquarium, in a statement. Through two transports, the Shedd received a total of eight belugas. "Now that they are here, the full attention of our care and veterinary teams is to get to know these whales and provide whatever supplemental support, treatment and care we can to help them acclimate to their new home."

"This is a really, really exciting opportunity for us to bring in these whales," Jason Jones, Georgia Aquarium’s senior curator of animal well-being, said when the facility received two of the animals. "This was a huge rescue effort; 30 whales coming to facilities in the U.S. is huge. It is a once-in-a-lifetime type of opportunity."

Georgia Aquarium welcomed two male belugas from Marineland. Upon arrival there, the Aquarium shared on its blog that they would join its all-female beluga pod once the animal care and animal health deem them ready.

“Helping animals in need is what we do — it’s in our nature,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of AZA, of the coordinated rescue project. “Time and time again, accredited zoos and aquariums step up to provide critical expertise, funding and sanctuary for animals in need. We could not be prouder of how our accredited member aquariums have risen to meet this moment and to welcome these rescued belugas into their care for a lifetime.”

Once a popular family destination in Niagara Falls, Marineland first opened in 1961. Its first belugas arrived at the park in the 1990s. By 2019, the park had 54 belugas in its care. Public scrutiny began to plague the park as it dealt with financial issues and sharply declining attendance. Animal welfare concerns drew additional attention when 20 belugas died between 2019 and 2024. When the remaining belugas are safely removed from Marineland, Canada will not have any facilities with whales or dolphins in their care.

Corporation seeks to build AI data center on adjacent land

Nashville Zoo among first of nation's attractions to combat new threat

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nashville residents, as well as surrounding community residents and Tennessee residents, love their zoo. Located just six miles from downtown, the Nashville Zoo has grown into one of the top tourist attractions in Tennessee.

In fact, said Leah Trice, communications specialist at the zoo, “We are the most visited tourist attraction in Nashville.”

“We saw 1.3 million visitors in 2025,” she said.

The Nashville Zoo houses more than 3,700 animals representing 350 different species, some of those endangered. The family-friendly zoo sits on 188 acres of which 90 are currently in use by the zoo. The land was donated to the City of Nashville by the Croft family. The city has leased the land to the zoo.

Annual events at the zoo have grown more and more popular. The Zoolumination holiday event, which ran from November 13, 2025 to February 8, 2026, set a record attendance, drawing 190,000 guests, making it the zoo’s most successful Zoolumination to date.

Other annual events include the Eggstravaganzoo, Summer Splash, Sunset Safari, Boo at the Zoo and Booze at the Zoo. There are summer camps and ample activities during regular zoo hours for the whole family.

What’s not to love?

So, it is easy to see how a massive, intense backlash was unleashed this past summer when zoo leadership discovered in early June that DC Blox, a company that develops and constructs AI data centers, planned to build a 69,000-square-foot data center on an adjacent site to the zoo, just 50 yards from sensitive animals’ habitats. Taking photos from the back area of the parking lot, just over some trees, to the DC Blox designated area, guests can clearly hear the Gibbons behind them.

The number of AI data centers in this country is growing by leaps and bounds. The argument for them is always, if the population wants AI, it has to have the data centers. But they are so new that there hasn’t been much time to really research what the centers may be doing to surrounding areas. However, increasingly, the data centers are being challenged.

The Nashville Zoo leadership stepped up and decided it didn’t want to wait and see what would happen. Once learning that the company DC Blox had applied for building permits and zoning changes and had already negotiated a purchase price with the property owner, the backlash from the zoo was swift.

On June 4, zoo leadership posted its position on its Facebook page, stating: “A proposed 69,000-square-foot data center is planned for property directly adjacent to the zoo. While developers claim the facility will have no impact, no environmental studies or impact assessments have been conducted to evaluate potential effects on our animals, visitors, staff or the surrounding community.

“Data centers consume enormous amounts of electricity and water, straining power grids, depleting natural resources, and damaging our watershed,” the statement continued. “With nothing more than the word of a profit-seeking developer, how are we to know this new data center will not lead to irreversible damage to the animals we exist to protect?

“We cannot afford to find out years from now how this facility has negatively impacted our 1.4 million annual visitors, our local community or the 3,000 animals entrusting us with their care. We are calling on the Nashville community to join us in our fight to stop this data center from being built, now.”

The Nashville community became quickly invested in the cause. Facebook showed that a petition opposing the center, started by the zoo, quickly garnered well over 500,000 signatures.

The issue also moved quickly into Metro Nashville’s government sector. News reports from all local news agencies began reporting continuously about events surrounding this issue. Information from the City of Nashville’s website provided updated reports.

According to the city’s updated information, a timeline soon emerged. On June 11, the City of Nashville held a public hearing centered around a proposed bill that would create a regulatory framework for data centers in Davidson County, of which Nashville is a part. Davidson County is a Metro government.

The bill that was introduced defines data centers based on size, electrical usage and infrastructure demands. It also would create standards for where they can be located. Nashville had not taken preemptive steps to ensure it would have some restrictions over data centers in the city. It has them now.

The public hearing, which allowed all residents who wanted to speak, was packed. It lasted for hours. All speakers were against the location of the proposed center.

It was later learned that, in addition to the almost 70,000-square-foot building, DC Blox documents that had been filed, referenced a second, larger data center building and an electrical substation on the property near the zoo. A news story that ran on WZTV Nashville, a Fox News affiliate, reported that, together, the two buildings could have up to 50 megawatts of power capacity, which is enough electricity to power roughly 40,000 homes.

City and news reports stated that on June 29, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell filed legislation to use eminent domain, aiming to block the proposed DC Blox data center next to the zoo.

On August 5, Metro Council gave final approval to the condemnation measure.

Now, the zoo’s Trice said they wait.

“With the eminent domain bill passed on August 5, we currently are in a waiting game,” she said. “The city is currently in a legal battle for the property.”

DC Blox, on its part, has tried to alleviate concerns of the community, but to little or no avail. Company representatives, however, have pushed back, saying that they are willing to listen to the community's concerns but stressed the center will be built.

The local WZTV Nashville agency stated that DC Blox company officials have said they have designs in place for sound-reducing enclosures, placing louder equipment away from neighbors and creating noise buffers.

According to the news story, the company said “the facility will meet the 65-decibel standard.”

“On water usage, DC Blox says it plans to pull 200,000 gallons of water from local resources one time and then reuse that water moving forward,” stated the news story. “On electricity, the company says it will pay for the additional power needed and claims those costs will not be passed on.”

At some point during the ongoing conversations with the zoo, DC Blox suggested they could reduce the footprint. This had Zoo Director Rick Swartz releasing this statement: “We will not turn our backs on the 563,000 of this community and beyond who have supported us, nor the 3,000 animals entrusted to our care. We stand by what we’ve said from the beginning: a data center this close to vulnerable species, schools and neighboring communities has not been proven safe.”

On August 11, DC Blox filed a federal lawsuit against Metro Nashville. The company is challenging the city's temporary data-center permitting moratorium, alleging that Metro illegally halted its vested building permits, violated equal protection and targeted the company following intense public opinion. The company feels that since it applied for the permits and zoning changes before Metro’s bill passed, it should be grandfathered in.

No, there really hasn’t been a lot of research on the side effects of the centers, but there are some certainties according to Nashville Zoo officials. The centers use massive amounts of water and electricity. The centers produce a continuous hum from cooling fans (HVAC). Backup diesel generators used at these facilities emit nitrogen oxides and particulate matter during outages and/or regular testing. All-night security lighting adds to light pollution.

These are the things that could very well be keeping zoo officials up at night. How will the animals react? Neighbors living close by have the same questions.

But right now, it is a waiting game. The probability is very high that, no matter what outcome is reached, it will come from the courts.

Disney's solar compactors build their safety case inside the hopper

AT: David Fake

dfake@amusementtoday.com

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — One of the most discussed (and photographed) new additions at Walt Disney World this summer is not a ride or attraction. It is a trash can, and the engineering behind it is grounded in safety and efficiency.

Disney began swapping its themed trash and recycling bins in June for new solar-powered compactors, starting around EPCOT's World Showcase and continuing into Magic Kingdom and Disney's Animal Kingdom. Disney has not named a vendor, but the units installed appear to match the Smart Max model from Bigbelly, a Massachusetts manufacturer, whose 150-gallon bin is said to be rated at five to 10 times the capacity of the conventional receptacles it is replacing.

For an industry that counts guest contact points, the spec that matters is the hopper.

Bigbelly's technical sheet lists five safety features, and most answer one question: how do you put a powered ram inside a container the public reaches into? The hopper is engineered as a physical barrier between the user and the compacting mechanism. The opening measures 15 inches wide by five inches high by six inches deep, and the ram travels to within nine inches of the bin floor. The geometry is the guard.

The rest reads like a lockout checklist. Access doors are interlocked to protect both guests and service personnel. The collection door locks automatically when closed. The foot pedal produces a soft-open response rather than a spring-loaded snap. Bigbelly states the design carries no pinch points, sharp edges or corners, and the units are CE marked.

Power draw is deliberately small. A 40-watt panel feeds a 28-amp-hour sealed lead-acid battery, and average operation consumes under three watt-hours per day. Compaction is chain-driven with no hydraulic fluid, which takes a leak path out of a machine parked in a queue line. Electronics are rated to survive 20 inches of standing water, not a trivial claim in Central Florida.

The enclosed hopper also shuts out rodents and pests and stops windblown litter. Each unit reports fullness, overflows, hopper activity and front door openings to Bigbelly’s CLEAN console over a built-in telecom link, with onboard GPS fixing its position. Face-mounted LEDs show collection readiness, machine status and error codes, so a jam or a fault visually surfaces on a dashboard, and a notification is electronically sent, no longer leaving the issue waiting to be found hours later.

Walt Disney Imagineering handled the theming, so the units match each one they replaced and its environments. Disney, in an official video posted to its Cast & Community page on Facebook, called the cans “designed to do more so cast members can focus on what matters most.”

One thing the spec sheet does not clearly settle is who can open the bin. The pedal option takes hands off the lid, but a wheelchair user may not be able to work it, and the flap sits higher than on the cans it replaces. Bigbelly lists a handle height of 41.8 inches, which they claim lands the product within ADA compliance.

The receptacle replacements are not unique to Disney alone. Universal Orlando Resort has also begun to install what appears to be the same Bigbelly hardware at CityWalk.

SeaWorld Rescue marks 43,000th save with orphaned sea lion pup

AT: Jack Lathrop

Special to Amusement Today

ORLANDO — An orphaned sea lion pup found on the back stairs of a beach house in Carlsbad, California, has no idea she just made history. In early May, the emaciated, dehydrated pup, rescued alongside six birds by SeaWorld's San Diego team, became the 43,000th animal saved by SeaWorld Rescue since the program's first save, a beached Dall's porpoise, in 1965. The sea lion is improving under the team's care, taking fluids and formula while learning to catch fish on her own.

Rescues like hers happen year-round across all three of SeaWorld's rescue teams, in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio. The first five months of 2026 give a sense of scale. In Florida, rescue teams treated 21 manatees, a baby dolphin, nearly 40 turtles and other reptiles, and several birds. SeaWorld Orlando runs the largest manatee rescue operation in the country and is one of only five critical-care centers for the species nationwide. A five-acre facility capable of housing up to 60 manatees at once. In San Diego, teams over the same stretch rescued more than 40 pinnipeds, a dolphin and nearly 150 birds.

Two recent stories showcase those figures. In July, SeaWorld Rescue returned nine rehabilitated green sea turtles to the Atlantic at River to Sea Preserve in Flagler County. They were part of a group of 38 turtles rescued this year after an unusually cold Florida winter left many suffering from cold, stress and malnutrition. Twenty-seven of those turtles have now made it back to the wild. In August, a manatee named Ralston went home after a rescue and rehab stint that included amputating his left pectoral flipper following a crab-trap-line entanglement. Also, in April, Melby, a manatee pulled from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, was released after packing on more than 100 pounds during his recovery.

"Our rescue teams, like all of our zoological professionals, are made up of compassionate and skilled animal care specialists who devote countless hours to helping animals in need," said Dr. Chris Dold, chief zoological officer at United Parks & Resorts, SeaWorld's parent company. "Rescue and rehabilitation can save the lives of individual animals, and in some cases support the preservation of endangered and threatened species, like the Florida manatee. That is why we do this work, and why it is so important for accredited zoos and aquariums like ours to continue efforts to help animals that cannot survive on their own."

The business model behind the program is straightforward: a portion of proceeds from SeaWorld tickets and in-park purchases funds the rescue and rehabilitation work, tying guest spending directly to conservation outcomes. Sadly, not every animal makes it back to the wild. When wildlife authorities determine a rescued animal can't survive on its own, it stays in SeaWorld's care permanently. Each SeaWorld park maintains a sea turtle habitat built around non-releasable rescues, and SeaWorld San Diego is a permanent home to five southern sea otters originally stranded and rehabilitated through the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Sea Otter Research and Conservation program. Those animals give guests a look at the specific threats their species face in the wild.

Many of the species SeaWorld handles are themselves threatened or endangered, including six of the seven sea turtle species, Florida manatees, California sea otters, and Guadalupe fur seals. This underscores that the rescue count isn't simply a milestone, but a measure of the broader conservation efforts carried out in partnership with state and federal wildlife agencies and other accredited zoos and aquariums.

Talley Amusements unveils new Reverchon coaster

Ohio State Fair shatters three long-standing records this year

AT: B. Derek Shaw

bdshaw@amusementtoday.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The 2026 final attendance at the Ohio State Fair totaled 1,025,190 – a new record resulting in a 5.8% increase over 2025. Alicia Shoults, deputy director of operations and experience, explained the weather and the bump in bodies through the turnstiles. “We had good weather this year, with some high temperatures and a few days of evening storms or light showers, but overall, the weather was good. Strong weather certainly contributed to increased attendance, but we don’t think it was the only factor — excitement and buzz over the new construction projects was significant this year.” 

The theme of the 12-day fair was, “More of the Fair You Love.”

Talley Amusements Inc. brought 70 rides, with 42 of them of the kiddie variety. They had 50 games along with 32 food stands. New rides included the Reverchon Industries Crazy Mouse roller coaster, Dominator, Levent Freedom 250 Wheel; Jung Max Loco Mouse roller coaster and Omes New Park Pirate Jet.

The three most popular rides at the 176th fair were the newly-commissioned Reverchon Dominator roller coaster, Lamberink Ferris Wheel, and the Levant Lunapark Freedom 250 wheel (the one that was at the Great American State Fair, in Washington, D.C.)

Ride Midway Revenue was $3,326,827, up 8.4% over 2025, and the second new record broken this year.

Mary Talley, vice president of the carnival, beamed about Magic Money, a cashless RFID wristband and card system to buy rides, games, and food without using physical cash. “Magic Money is the most beautiful platform for our industry. It is by far the most advanced of all of the ones that I have found. They’ve been doing it since 2017. I was the first carnival to ever have it.”

“Talley Amusements has beautiful, clean, and safe rides — something every fair dreams of! This year it was incredibly unique to feature the Freedom 250 Wheel, which had just been at the Great American State Fair,” said Shoults.

Talley had nothing but the highest praise for Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds Executive Director Adam Heffron: “I have a great relationship with the fair manager. He grew up around this industry, so he’s familiar with both sides. He’s open-minded to new things and better things. I’m always coming to the table with something because I’m an innovator. I always want to set the bar a little higher. I believe that our fair was better this year because of the leadership. They got their people (fairgoers) in the gates. I want to compliment Adam, as we are pleased with working with him. He’s an awesome fair manager. We attribute the increases in revenues and everything being up to him being the leader of an awesome team.”

“The Ohio State Fair continues to be one of our absolute favorite fairs in the country. Those 12 days are truly some of our favorite days of the entire year and seeing record-breaking attendance this year made it even more special,” said Taylor Talley, chief marketing officer, Talley Amusements. “Bringing the historic Freedom 250 Ferris Wheel to Ohio for the first time was such a great addition, and seeing how much fairgoers enjoyed it made the year even better. We’re incredibly grateful to the Ohio State Fair and everyone who came out, and we’re already excited for next year.”

This year was a unique one for the fair as they completed a series of multi-year, multi-million-dollar construction projects, including two new buildings, renovations to four buildings, a custom new Ohio-themed carousel, a new amphitheater and underground infrastructure work, among other things.

“For two years, the fair has looked a little different,” said Heffron. “Some things have been displaced, and there’s been some construction fencing up. But now, we’ve really transformed (the) Ohio State Fair. We're proud to open a new chapter with the completion of this work. From new infrastructure and green spaces to our new exhibition buildings, Ohio Children’s Carousel, and expanded guest amenities, this reimagined campus reflects Governor DeWine's vision, the dedication of our legislators, and the tireless work of our construction partners — OFCC, Hill International, Wellogy, Turner Construction, and the many subcontractors and individuals who brought it to life."

Special promotions included the always popular Senior Day, along with $3 Thursday food deals and the new $2 kiddie ride discount on Opening Day.

Shoultz talked about their media mix. “We made slight decreases in several areas in order to increase the overall digital spend. We continue to see growing success with digital spending, which includes social media, traditional digital, streaming audio, streaming television and more.” The breakdown included digital 48.6%, TV/cable 23.4%, radio 11.7%, outdoor 12.9%, print 1.8% and movie theater 1.6%.

Standout food items included birthday cake deviled egg, dirty sodas, matcha lemonade, deep-fried birria taco and tanghulu. Concession revenue (food and beverage) was $9.2 million, a 12.6% increase over 2025, which was the third record broken.

Entertainment included "Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder Tour 2026; Bailey Zimmerman with special guest Chandler Walters; Blues Traveler and the Gin Blossoms with special guest Spin Doctors, Styx with special guest Don Felder and For King + Country.

"The 2026 Ohio State Fair was a tremendous success, welcoming record numbers of Ohioans to celebrate all things Ohio," said Heffron. "None of this is possible without the year-round work of exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, youth organizations, state agencies, law enforcement, sponsors and, of course, the staff here at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. A successful fair would not be possible without all of those groups, as well as our fairgoers from across the state, the country and beyond, who came out in record numbers to make this year one to remember."

"The 2026 Ohio State Fair was a tremendous success, welcoming record numbers of Ohioans to celebrate all things Ohio," said Heffron. "None of this is possible without the year-round work of exhibitors, vendors, volunteers, youth organizations, state agencies, law enforcement, sponsors, and, of course, the staff here at the Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds. A successful Fair would not be possible without all of those groups, as well as our fairgoers from across the state, the country, and beyond, who came out in record numbers to make this year one to remember."

Next year, the fair will run July 28 through Aug. 8, 2027.

●ohiostatefair.com

Eden Corn Festival succeeds in harvesting crowds despite rain

AT: Ron Gustafson

Special to Amusement Today

EDEN, N.Y. — Some passing showers didn't put a damper on the 62nd Annual Eden Corn Festival (August 6 to 9).

“It went very well,” festival President Jeff Winter told Amusement Today. “We had some inclement weather — nearly an inch of rain Friday afternoon — but by 5 p.m. the sun came out, and the parking lots were full.

Saturday morning it rained again but cleared up by noon opening. All of the festival events came off as planned.”

Eden is one of the “Southtowns” in Erie County, just south of Buffalo, and Winter said this year's festival concluded, “without any major incidents or snafus.”

“It was probably in the top six for as many years as I've been doing it,” he said. “There is no admission to the festival, and we certainly had more than 50,000 in attendance.”

The corn festival, organized by a committee of volunteers, provides the opportunity for around 20 service organizations to benefit from it. The event is staged on the American Legion grounds in the heart of the community.

Corn at every corner

Local and area farms produce an abundance of sweet corn, and the festival takes full advantage of the summer harvest.

The Eden Fire Department had fresh-cooked sweet corn daily at the event, while the Eden Police Group sold fresh-picked corn to take home. Winter said the police group sold more than 1,500 bushels of corn.

The Eden Chamber of Commerce provided a chicken barbecue, and the Sons of the American Legion had fresh clams.

Corn husking contests for children and adults, as well as regional celebrities, were a highlight of the festival, which carried a theme of Corn in the USA. Other events included a corn growers’ competition, Corn-Q-BBQ Cook Off, corn hole, softball, horseshoe and baseball games and a garden tractor pull. Live music was provided daily, and more than 200 vendors participated in a craft show at an adjacent school property.

Sunday's parade is a festival tradition, and Winter reported 70 units taking part.

“We had the West Seneca Town Band, Erie County Fair Band and the Erie County Sheriff's Pipe Band participate,” he said. “And there were some fabulous floats in the lineup.”

According to Winter, the only downside to operating the festival this year was the cost of fuel for the seven generators — not counting the carnival — on location. He said upwards of 4,000 gallons of fuel were needed over the course of the event.

On the midway

Hammerl Amusements of nearby Clarence, New York, again provided the midway with a mix of more than 20 popular traditional rides, games and novelty food concessions.

“We took in pretty much the entire show, as we have been servicing Eden since 2018. We have a great relationship with them,” said Lynn Ritchie, Hammerl president. “We were on par with last year (revenue), and raising the ride special to $35 on Saturday and Sunday helped. We also signed a new three-year contract with Eden.”

Her late father, Lou Hammerl, was a Buffalo firefighter and founded the business in 1960 with a truck-mounted kiddie whip ride. Ritchie has been at the helm of the family business since 1991. Her father passed at age 91 in 2018.

“The first big ride dad bought was a Smith & Smith Ferris wheel,” she recalled. “At first it was a ground-mount, and Don Tenney (late carnival owner in the area) trailer-mounted it. We had that wheel for a lot of years, and we would rent it out after we got our Eli wheel. We sold the Smith wheel about eight years ago.”

The Smith & Smith Co. was a manufacturer of amusement rides in Springville, New York, and best known for its Chair Plane attraction. The Village of Springville is southeast of Buffalo.

Hammerl Amusements has built up its ride arsenal over the years, the latest addition being a Space Shuttle (Chance Rides), which was acquired last year.

Other attractions include a Paratrooper and Round Up (Frank Hrubetz & Co.), Octopus and Loop-O-Plane (Eyerly Aircraft), Traffic Jam (SBF/Visa), Wipe Out (Chance), Downdraft (Battech Enterprises), Fun Slide (Frederiksen Industries), and Tilt-A-Whirl and Dizzy Dragons (Larson International). Kiddieland features Hampton cars and motorcycles, a train, carousel and other attractions.

Most of the dozen game concessions are show-owned, with Ritchie's son, Alex, having six. He also owns a number of the carnival's rides and a new ice cream trailer.

Ride tickets are $1.50 each or a 30-pack for $30. Rides require three or four tickets. Wristbands are sold at most locations, priced at $30 on weekdays and $35 on weekends.

How Hammerl operates

“We're a family business and try to keep costs down,” she said. “We're 50-milers, staying close to the Buffalo area. Surprisingly, we get calls from all over the country from locations looking for a carnival.”

She and her husband, Frank, celebrated their 50th anniversary this year, and he has retired after more than two decades in the business.

John Mistretta serves as company vice president and has been with Hammerl Amusements for more than 30 years. Ritchie's cousin, Leo Mazur, is a show veteran of more than 20 years.

“I still do all of the meetings and contracts,” she added. “We are unique in that we don't depend on any foreign help — never have. We're still blessed that we have high school and college students working for us. We're going through the generations now as we just hired the granddaughter of someone who worked here years ago. Teenagers want to work, and we're fortunate that we can put a 16-year-old on a kiddie ride.”

The 2027 Eden Corn Festival is slated for August 5 to 8.

●hammerlamusements.com ●edencornfest.com

California State Fair enjoys final summer run, moves to fall in 2027

AT: Pam Sherborne

psherborne@amusementtoday.com

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The 2026 California State Fair, held July 17 to August 2, has wrapped up another year of a summer tradition at Cal Expo fairgrounds in Sacramento, California, bringing families and friends together from across California and other states. With the theme Wish You Were Here, this year’s event drew over 650,000 guests to create new memories.

And memories were a special part of this year’s event as 2026 is the last California State Fair to be held in mid-summer, at least for a while. The 2027, 17-day event will move to September 17 to October 3.  The fair has been held in mid-summer since 2009.

“This year's fair was especially meaningful, as it marked our final summer California State Fair,” said Tom Martinez, CEO of the California Exposition and State Fair. “We've been listening to our fairgoers, and we're excited to return the fair to its historic roots. The very first California State Fair was held in October 1854, and in 2027 we will proudly usher in a new chapter by bringing the fair back to the fall. It’s a true homecoming that honors our history while embracing our future.”

A California Expo survey found that 69 percent of people favored moving the fair away from July that is also when many kids are already back in school and busy with activities.

Weather conditions were favorable during the first 10 days of this year’s event, and attendance remained on par with the strong crowds experienced during the 2025 California State Fair. While the final weekend is traditionally the busiest, triple-digit temperatures contributed to a dip in attendance as the fair came to a close.

On the hot days, fairgoers took advantage of the Kaiser Permanente Cool Zones and the air-conditioned Expo Center buildings that housed two new exhibits, Tutankhamen: The King Tut Experience and The California First Peoples’ Art Showcase, an exhibit that celebrated the rich artistic traditions, cultural heritage and living history of California's Native American tribes from across the state.

The California State Fair features everything from cultural experiences and headline concerts to unique food offerings, thrilling carnival rides and family-friendly entertainment. There were daily theatrical presentations such as "My Fair Lady" and other live entertainment on multiple stages. These attractions, along with the fair's competitions, arts and crafts, agriculture and interactive experiences, were among the biggest draws for fairgoers throughout the 17-day event.

Butler Amusements fielded more than 70 rides and attractions this year along with carnival games. The carnival brought four new rides to the fair, including the Hip-Hop, the Atlantis Funhouse, the Sound Wave and Viva Las Vegas Funhouse, according to fair spokesperson Darla Givens.

“Butler Amusements will be the California State Fair ride operator again next year, even with the different dates,” Givens said.

Promotions abounded at this year’s fair. Social media and e-newsletter promotions played a significant role in helping fairgoers save before they arrived, with special offers including Black Friday, Mother's Day and Father's Day sales, as well as a half-price Season Pass promotion that resulted in record sales.

The Family Four Pack continued to be a popular value, offering four admission tickets, four ride tickets and one parking pass, a $93 value, for just $55.

The fair kicked off opening day with SMUD Giving Fridays, playing a dual role. Guests who donated a minimum of five non-perishable, non-expired food items gained entry into the fair. The donations benefited the Sacramento Family Food Bank and Family Services, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Fair guests donated a total of 35,774 pounds of goods. Those 35,774 pounds will provide 29,812 meals for families across Sacramento County.

The fair featured extensive open and junior agriculture competitions, including the Champion Challenge, statewide livestock shows, and specialized artisan and produce contests celebrating California's farming industry.

The featured livestock and animal competitions included beef and dairy cattle, Boer goats, dairy goats, pygmy goats, and fiber/Angora goats. Specialty animals were llamas and alpacas.

Specialty and produce contests included Agriscience and County Exhibits, Artisanal Food and Beverage Competitions and Culinary Challenges.

A popular event at the fair is the Home Wine Competition. There were 180 amateur winemakers at this year’s fair who submitted 615 entries. Judges include a wide variety of professionals, including sommeliers, university professors and professional winemakers.

The fair also featured the Toyota Concert Series on the Sky River Casino Stage with big-name entertainment. R&B icon Babyface and disco/funk group KC and The Sunshine Band performed as part of the series. Babyface performed on July 17, and KC and The Sunshine Band played on July 25, with both acts performing on the Main Stage.

Boyz II Men helped kick off the fair’s final weekend on Friday. The fair ended with performances by War on Saturday and Yacht Rock Revue on Sunday.

Concerts were free with a ticket purchase to the fair, but attendees could pay for reserved seating.

Strolling entertainment could be seen throughout the fairgrounds.

Included in some of the entertainment at the fair were traditional dances from members of the Miwok tribe that performed in an opening ceremony and land acknowledgement on the opening day of the fair.

For the first time, the California First Peoples’ Art Showcase allowed guests to learn about the diverse tribal cultures that have shaped California, while honoring the traditions, stories, and artistic expressions that continue to thrive today.

Other cultural events included the display of flags of federally recognized California tribes in the lagoon for the second consecutive year.
The CaLOWfornia Love Lowrider exhibit returned for the second consecutive year. Cars from across the state were represented.

 Viva el Mariachi Youth Competition brought seven teams from southern California to the Bay Area to share their musical talents. Cantares de Mi Tierra from Sonoma County placed first in the competition.  

Cultural dances, music and performances were displayed on the community stages across the fairgrounds. 

On-site ticket purchases this year were $12 for kids between the ages of 5 and 12 years and $18 for those 13 years and older. Seniors ages 62 and older could buy a ticket for $14.

●castatefair.com

$300 million project announced by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

AT: Ron Gustafson

Special to Amusement Today

HOUSTON, Texas — The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is embarking on the largest single facilities investment in the more than 90-year history of the organization.

A massive livestock and agricultural project will be constructed on rodeo property along Highway 288 and, according to rodeo officials, the new complex represents one of the most significant private investments ever made for agriculture and education. The price tag for the venture is estimated to be $300 million.

“For nearly a century, this organization has existed to support the students, exhibitors and families who make this event possible,” said Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “This represents the largest investment in rodeo history and a profound commitment to the future of our event, educational opportunities and agriculture. It’s about honoring the trust families place in us when they bring their animals, their students and their dreams to this show. We are investing in a facility that reflects the importance of that responsibility.”

When completed, structures on the property will occupy more than a million square feet on the 100-acre site.

Officials confirmed with Amusement Today that a 5,000-seat arena will replace the existing NRG Arena, which currently serves as the primary horse competition facility for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In addition, a 2,000-seat auction hall will be erected along with two large barns occupying 860,000 square feet. An outdoor covered cattle yard will take up an additional 105,000 square feet.

The organization emphasized that the new complex is designed to complement — not replace — existing operations and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo will remain at Reliant Park, where it has functioned for more than 65 years.

“For more than two decades, Reliant Arena has been at the heart of our horse and livestock show operations,” said Wesley Sinor, chairman of the board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “But as the facility where we host many of these events has reached the end of its useful life, it’s been clear that we need to act. This investment is a commitment to our students, our exhibitors and the future of agriculture. It’s required us to look ahead to our centennial and beyond to ensure we are meeting that responsibility for generations to come.”

When completed, the new complex will host all annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo horse show competitions, some livestock shows, junior and open breeding shows, archery competitions, agricultural mechanics, commercial auctions and educational contests, including 4-H and intercollegiate programming.

It was noted that some livestock events will continue to be hosted at Reliant Center, while many events will move to the new facilities. The new complex will support year-round use for educational programming, committee meetings, fundraisers, auctions and galas.

"None of this would be possible without the extraordinary dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our sponsors and donors, and the support of our community partners,” said Pat Mann Phillips, former chairman of the board of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “Together, we are building more than a facility; we are building a legacy that will serve our community and advance our mission for the next 100 years.”

Houston Mayor John Whitmire stated: “This investment is another strong example of Houston standing as a premier destination for agriculture, education and world-class events. It expands educational opportunities for young people, strengthens our city’s reputation, and does so without placing any burden on taxpayers. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues to be a great partner to the Houston community.”

A groundbreaking ceremony will be slated for later this year, with construction to last several years. Officials have a target of welcoming guests at the new complex in time for the 2029 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The rodeo is also preparing for its centennial in 2032.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo promotes agriculture by providing a family-friendly experience that educates and entertains the public, supports Texas youth, showcases Western heritage and delivers year-round educational support within the community. Since its beginning in 1932, the Rodeo has committed more than $660 million to the youth of Texas and education. The 2027 rodeo is scheduled for March 2 to 21.

●rodeohouston.com

Powers & Thomas Midway adds a new Bertazzon Wave Swinger

WILMINGTON, N.C. — Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, Wilmington, North Carolina, took delivery of its new Wave Swinger from Italian manufacturer Bertazzon in late May. The ride is shown racked on the trailer and operating following its initial setup. COURTESY POWERS & THOMAS

Embed, Bandai Namco renew exclusive distribution partnership

DUBAI, U.A. E. — Embed has renewed its long-term exclusive distribution agreement with Bandai Namco for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The renewed agreement reinforces a partnership built on more than 15 years of collaboration and shared success, ensuring operators across the U.K. and Ireland continue to benefit from the cloud-based Embed Ecosystem, delivered through Bandai Namco's established local sales, installation, training and customer support network.

Together, the companies provide their market with a combination of a fully integrated platform connecting bookings, waivers, point-of-sale, Mobile Wallet and real-time business intelligence with a deep-rooted presence and market expertise in the U.K. and Ireland. The renewal of the long-standing partnership provides confidence in working with a globally recognized tech platform backed by a trusted, responsive local partner that supports customers in their own market and time zone.

“Our 15-year partnership with Bandai Namco is a testament to what sustained collaboration can achieve,” shared Rob McMenamin, EMEA general manager at Embed. “We’re in good company together, and the decision to renew this long-term exclusive distribution agreement shows our commitment to layering value to operators across the U.K. and Ireland for another 15 years to come.”

The partnership supports a wide range of leading operators across the U.K — including recognized brands such as Park Holidays, Topgolf, Tenpin and Namco Funscape — reinforcing their joint role in powering high-volume, multi-location entertainment venues.

This longevity underscores a partnership built not just on distribution, but on continuous innovation, trust and a shared vision for the future of entertainment.

“Our recommitment with Embed is a product of years of trust, expertise and the customer-centric service we share,” stated Bandai Namco’s Director of Complete Solutions Business Division Trevor Sutton. “We look forward to reaching out to more customers and prospects in our market and helping them scale their operations to compete in a digital-first world.”

With the growing cashless system adoption in the U.K. and Ireland markets, Embed and Bandai Namco’s partnership hopes to set a benchmark for how entertainment venues future-proof their businesses with trusted tech partners.

●embedcard.com

Advertiser Index

Advertiser Page#

2026 Golden Ticket Awards 39

AERIA 20

AIMS International 51

ASTM Committee F24 57

Altitude Rides & Attractions 26

ADM, LLC 9

ARM 63

Baynum Solutions 53

Chance Rides 3

CPI 55

Eli Bridge Company 62

Embed 29

Fabbri Group 64

Frederiksen Industries, Inc. 68

Gateway Ticketing Systems, Inc. 21

Gerstlauer Amusement Rides GmbH 23

Great Coasters International, Inc. 2

Haas & Wilkerson 35

Hodgdon Consulting 26

Hoffman Consulting Group 57

IAAPA Orlando Expo 37

IAFE 67

IISF Gibtown 2027 71

Intermark Ride Group 12

International Rides Management 26

International Ride Training 2027 54

Irvine Ondrey Engineering 57

Kay Park Recreation 7

Kissel Entertainment 65

KMG Rides 25

Kiddie Bumper Boats 8

Kumbak Amusement Engineering 11

Lagotronics Projects 14

LJM & Associates, Inc. 26

Mack Rides 19

Maclan Corporation 50

Mobaro 56

Montgomery Inn 76

National Roller Coaster Museum 57

Naughton Insurance, Inc. 26

Northwest Coasters 57

Norton Auctioneers 74

Parks Plus Insurance 4

Premier Rides 49

RLI Insurance 47

Reverchon 36

Rides 4 U 69, 74

S&S Worldwide 59

Sartori Amusement Rides 70

Severn Lamb Trams International 60

Sippers By Design 22

Skyline Attractions, LLC 17

Star Guard Elite 30

SunKid 59

Valerity Automation 52

Vekoma 15

V Locker 46

Whitewater West 33

William H. Robinson, Inc. 73

Wiegand Sports USA 26

World’s Largest Swim Lesson 58

Worldwide Safety Group 57

WWA Symposium & Trade Show 34

Zamperla 5

Zebec 31

Zierer 75