ABU DHABI TO OPEN WORLD’S LARGEST SNOW PARK

BY GABRIELLE

The largest snow park in the world is to open in Abu Dhabi in 2020. Known as Snow Abu Dhabi, the venue will cover 125,000 square feet and will comprise of different zones, including a Snowflake Garden, Blizzard’s Bazaar and Flurries’ Mountain.

A total of 13 rides and attractions at the park will be themed around a snowy, enchanted world.

The Blizzards’ Bazaar retail area will be located at the park’s entrance, next to the Snowflake Garden, where visitors can participate in a range of activities, including snowman building, labyrinths and more.

A Crystal Carousel with winter forest-themed animals is a key feature of the park, alongside Flurries Mountain and an Enchanted Tree.

The snow park is being built on Reem Island by the property developer Al Farwaniya, in collaboration with Thinkwell and Majid Al Futtaim Ventures.

The project is costing $1.2 billion. The snow park is part of the Reem Mall, a two million square feet retail centre comprising of 450 shops and numerous dining and entertainment options.

Reem Mall is under construction and is due to be completed in early 2020.

WORLD’S LONGEST WATERSLIDE DUE TO OPEN THIS SUMMER

BY GABRIELLE

At more than 1km in length, the world’s longest waterslide is due to open in Malaysia this summer. Riders will take a full four minutes to slide down the 1,140-metre attraction.

The slide winds through a slope covered in natural trees on the Malaysian island of Penang. The slide will be a new feature of the island’s Escape Theme Park, which is home to zipwires and obstacle courses.

The new waterslide is to be 500 metres longer than the current longest waterslide, located in Action Park, New Jersey.

Unlike the New Jersey giant waterslide, which is inflatable, the Malaysian slide will be a permanent feature of the waterpark, made from fibre-reinforced polymer.

The slide will also feature a cable car that carries riders to the top of the attraction so they can whiz back down again.

Sim Choo Kheng, CEO of Sim Leisure Group, which operates Escape Park in Penang, commented about the slide in a statement.

“Breaking the world record was never our intention. I’m always baffled by how rides are made so short and quick. I wanted to build rides that last a good few minutes with non-stop smiles and giggles as visitors fly through the rainforest,” Sim Choo Kheng said.

Opening alongside the world’s longest waterslide are two other new attractions, the Tubby Racer and the Hill Rider.

The opening of the new rides is expected to increase visitor numbers at Escape Park, which attracted 185,000 guests in 2018.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE AND SPECIAL EVENTS ANNOUNCED FOR IAAPA EXPO EUROPE 2019

BY GABRIELLE

IAAPA Expo Europe, EMEA’s largest conference and trade show dedicated to the attractions industry, has announced its program schedule and a series of special events for the forthcoming show in Paris on 16 – 19 September 2019.

The events include an Opening Reception at the d’Acclimatation and a Leadership Breakfast, which will feature Nicolas de Villiers, président of Puy du Fou.

On September 16, an Indoor Entertainment Day will be taking place, designed for visitors with an interest in indoor leisure facilities, such as mini-golf, escape rooms, VR parks and more.

Also on the 16th is the Water Park Forum, a networking educational event designed for water park owners, operators, designers, and manufacturers. Following the networking session, a tour will take place at Villages Nature Paris, home to the Aqualagon indoor water park.

On the same day visitors can participate in the EDUTour to the popular amusement parks on the outskirts of Paris, the Mer de Sable and Parc Astérix. The guided tour includes a networking reception.

The Opening Reception is taking place on 17 Sept, at Paris’s amusement park, the Jardin d’Acclimatation.

The Opening Reception will be followed by a Lunch and Learn on the French Attractions Industry session, featuring well-known leaders of Europe’s park groups, including François Fassier, director of Leisure Parks Operations at Compagnie des Alpes, and Laurent Bruloy, président of Looping Group, who will talk about the attractions industry in France.

On September 18, a string of informative events and networking sessions will be taking place, including the Leadership Breakfast with keynote speaker Nicolas de Villiers from Puy du Fou on 18 September, a Lunch and Learn on the Middle East and Africa Attractions Industry session, and a Young Professionals and Students Forum and Reception.

The following day the Future Feature: The Future of Disneyland Paris event will invite guests to experience a unique look into the future of Disneyland Paris, a leading European tourist destination.

From 19 – 22 September, a Post-Tour to Cité du Vin, Cité de l’Huître, Puy du Fou, and Zoo de la Flèche is taking place, where guests will experience France’s unique and world-renowned attractions.

With over 15,000 professionals from the leisure and attractions industry, IAAPA Expo Europe will be the largest show in event history, covering more than 17,500 net square meters of exhibition space at the Paris Expo Porte De Versailles.

ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE PARK TO BE LAUNCHED IN DUBAI

BY GABRIELLE

A 65,000 square foot Zombie Apocalypse Park (ZAP) is coming to Dubai. The park will feature more than 12 attractions and activities, including VR, escape rooms, live acts, games, haunted experiences, events, battles and more.

The amusement park is being created through collaboration between Nakheel Malls and the Sharjah Golf and Shooting Club. It will be located at The Night Market at Deira Islands, Dubai.

Visitors of different ages will be able to enjoy a host of fun, interactive activities at the venue, including a VR 9D cinema, paintballing, axe throwing, a haunted house, archery, laser tag, zombie runs, a haunted corn maze, target shooting, and much more.

Glow-in-the-dark technology will be featured throughout the theme park, which will also be home to a zombie-themed shop and café.

Omar Khoory, Nakheel Malls’ managing director, commented on the ZAP project.

“We are committed to creating unique, unforgettable experiences, attractions and facilities at our existing and upcoming retail developments.

“The Zombie Apocalypse Park will be a huge draw at The Night Market, attracting tourists, businesses and schools for team-building events and families and individuals for a new kind of entertainment.

“We are delighted to partner with Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club for this exciting new venture at our latest retail project,” said Khoory.

Joseph Estephan, general manager of Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club, said:

“Sharjah Golf & Shooting Club aspires to be recognised as the leader in providing high quality facilities in sports, recreation and hospitality, delivering diversified, innovative and unforgettable experiences for individuals, families and companies.

“With this collaboration, we are expanding our reach to provide a phenomenal entertainment experience at The Night Market and are honoured to be partnering up with Nakheel Malls.”

BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG CELTIC FYRE RATED TOP THEME PARK SHOW

BY GABRIELLE

The popular Irish dance show known as the Celtic Fyre, performed at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, has, for a second time, been hailed as the number one theme park show in the United States.

The show, which features energetic Irish dances accompanied with electrifying music, was announced the winner of USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Award 2019 in the ‘Best Amusement Park Entertainment’ category.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, the 383-acre theme park located in James City County, Virginia, also made it into the top ten of the ‘Best Amusement Park’ category.

Featuring Irish choreography, singing, music, and storytelling, the Celtic Fyre show never fails to pull in the crowds. The show is performed daily during the summer and is held in the Abbey Stone Theatre.

Guests are made to feel like they are park of the Irish culture the show brings to life, as the storyteller invites the audience into his inn to witness authentic Irish entertainment.

Kevin Lembke, park president at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Water Country USA, shared his excitement about winning the award for the second year.

“Winning this award for a second time is incredible. Celtic Fyre continues to be our most popular show and this award proves it.

“This talented cast and production crew deserve all the accolades for making this a must-see performance,” Lembke added.

MERLIN AGREES £6 BILLION ACQUISITION

BY GABRIELLE

Merlin Entertainments has agreed to be acquired by Berkeley Bidco Limited, a recently-formed company owned by Blackstone Core Equity Partners and Kirkbi.

The acquisition has been agreed at £6 billion.

Blackstone is a private equity company, and Kirkbi is the investment arm of Lego’s Kirk Kristiansen family. The Canadian pension fund, CPPIB, is also investing in the deal.

50% of Merlin Entertainments will be owned by Blackstone and CPPIB and the other 50% will be owned by Kirkbi.

The acquisition places Merlin shares at 455 pence per share, meaning the company is valued at £5,905 billion.

Sir John Sunderland, Merlin Entertainment’s chairman spoke about the deal.

“Merlin is a global leader in location based, family entertainment, with a unique portfolio of brands and attractions spanning 25 countries and four continents, and with a proven strategy that has delivered over many years.

“The company has generated meaningful value since IPO, with significant growth in revenue, earnings and cash flow. Following an unsolicited approach by a consortium of investors, and after rejecting a number of their proposals, the Merlin Independent Directors believe this offer represents an opportunity for Merlin Shareholders to realise value for their investment in cash at an attractive valuation.

“We are therefore unanimously recommending it to our shareholders.”

Søren Thorup Sørensen, chief executive officer of Kirkbi, said:

“As the long-term owner of the LEGO brand and as a strategic shareholder in Merlin since 2005, we have great pride and passion for this amazing company, its management team and its employees.

“With a shared understanding of the business and its culture, we believe that this group of investors has the unique collective resources necessary to equip Merlin, including the Legoland Parks and Legoland Discovery Centres, for their next phase of growth.

“We are committed to ensuring Legoland and the other activities in Merlin reach their full potential, which we believe is best pursued under private ownership, in order to deliver fantastic experiences to visitors of all ages around the world.”

Joe Baratta, global head of private equity at Blackstone, commented:

“We are pleased to partner with Kirkbi and CPPIB to acquire a business we know very well.  We are prepared to commit the substantial resources required to support the long-term objectives of Merlin, which will require significant investment to ensure its long-term success.

“We believe we are uniquely placed with our long-dated investment fund, Core Private Equity, to make this investment alongside our partners at Kirkbi and CPPIB.  We look forward to backing Nick Varney and his strong management team in driving Merlin into the future.”

POLIN GROUP TEAM UP WITH MCC TO BRING RAINFOREST-THEMED WATERPARK TO CHINA

BY GABRIELLE

Amusement park suppliers Polin Group are collaborating with MCC Group to develop a new rainforest-themed waterpark in Yunnan, China.

The Kunming Indoor Rainforest and Snowpark will feature a waterpark centred on a rainforest with a sauna, spa and folklore theme throughout.

The project will also include an outdoor adventure park and an indoor snow park, featuring a snow and ice world, with skiing and other winter sports for all ages.

The new attraction will be developed in three phases. The first being the creation of the indoor snow park, the second the rainforest waterpark and the third the outdoor adventure park.

The partnership between Polin Group and MCC was made official at this year’s IAAPA Expo Asia in Shanghai with a press conference and a ribbon cutting ceremony.

LEGOLAND BILLUND TO OPEN THE LEGO MOVIE WORLD IN 2020

BY GABRIELLE

2020 will see Legoland Billund in Denmark open The Lego Movie World, comprising of new rides and the first flying theatre in Scandinavia.

The flying theatre will take visitors on a floating journey as they watch movies with a number of special effects, including smells, wind and fog. Asides experiencing well-known features from the Lego Movie franchise, guests will fly into space and past pirates and other fascinating fantasy worlds.

The Lego Movie World will cover 5,000 square metres. It will also feature a ride designed for older children that allows them to control their own aircraft.

A space theme playground and a drop tower centred on Unikitty from The Lego Movie 2 will also be key elements of the new extension at Legoland Billund.

The expansion of the popular family amusement park is being carried out in collaboration with Warner Bros Consumer Products.

Christian Woller, director of Legoland, spoke about the Lego Movie World expansion at Legoland Billund.

“We are very pleased to have another new land and three new rides here in Legoland.

“It will be a unique and thoroughly exhilarating experience, and our guests will no doubt feel that they are entering the amazing universe they know from the Lego films.”

PORTAVENTURA WORLD BRINGS NEW ADDITIONS TO SUMMER 2019 PROGRAMMEALICE IN WINTERLAND COMES TO LIGHTWATER VALLEY THIS CHRISTMAS

BY GABRIELLE

The enchanting Alice in Winterland is coming to Lightwater Valley this Christmas, inviting guests to embark on a magical journey with festive lights, the Mad Hatter, the Queen of Hearts, Alice and much, much more.

The family theme park in Ripon, Yorkshire will be lit up with hundreds of giant illuminated lanterns, as visitors encounter stories and characters from Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass.

Families can enjoy watching the Mad Hatter preparing for his tea party, discovering the giant chess board, becoming acquainted with a four-metre high Alice lantern and coming face to face with the legendary Alice in Wonderland Queen.

A glowing garden with huge mushrooms, brightly lit tulips, flamingos and other curious objects, will play centre stage at the Alice in Winterland season.

It is believed that the town of Ripon played an influential role in Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s story. Carroll’s father was the canon of Ripon Cathedral where he carved figures of Alice and the Mad Hatter. The figures have been found on a number of the choir stalls.

Asides meandering round illuminated scenes from the much-loved books, guests can have fun on a traditional fairground, including a carousel and the Skyrider.

There will also be an Indoor Play Area and Young Fun Rides for younger guests.

Food and drink will be available, alongside tasty, festive drinks to warm visitors up as they experience the light experience.

Alice in Winterland at Lightwater Valley will run from 22 November until 30 December 2019.