SIMTEC MANUFACTORY PRESENTS NEW FUNRIDE 30 SYSTEM

BY GABRIELLE

The first newly developed product has been assembled at Simtec’s new Manufactory in Braunschweig, Germany, which opened earlier this year.

The Funride 30 System is a unique closed cabin simulator, developed specifically for a customer in Qatar. The simulator is designed to seat 30 visitors on a Simtec motion system.

This immersive experience involves the omission of special effects, including spray, wind and scent, alongside a 3D projection.

Following the completion of the Funride 30, a Funride 40 will be assembled at the Simtec Manufactory as a serial product for a number of different locations in China.

As a way of showing gratitude to the partners and suppliers involved in the development of the Funride 30 system, Simtec invited held a Funride 30 celebratory event at the Simtec Manufactory, with test rides on the new immersive experience and finger food.

The Simtec Manufactory comprises of 5,500 metre squares of assembly and test space, designed to build, test and install more and bigger systems and meet the requirements of customers.

FANTAWILD ORIENTAL LEGEND OPENS IN HANDAN, CHINA

 BY GABRIELLE

Fantawild Oriental Legend, Fantawild Holdings Inc.’s first high-tech cultural theme park in the Hebei province, has opened in Handan.

The theme of the park is centred on a concept known as Chengyu, a form of expression that’s traditional in China and comprises mostly of four characters.

The park is home to 45 Chengya themed indoor attractions and more than 200 landscape designs. One key attraction of Fantawild Oriental Legend is the ‘Legend of Nüwa,’ which, using innovative technology, tells the story of Nüwa, the mother goddess of Chinese mythology.

Other leading attractions at the new Chinese theme park include the ‘River of Tales,’ ‘Bear’s Mission,’ ‘Merry Go Round’ and ‘On Top of the World.’

Set in a domed theatre with seating platforms that lift into the air, is ‘Bridge to Love,’ whilst ‘Lady Meng Jiang’ tells a moving story about Lady Meng Jiang. In what is one of the most widespread and famous legends about the Great Wall of China, Lady Meng Jiang is believed to have brought down the Great Wall with her tears.

SEAWORLD ENTERTAINMENT REVEAL ATTENDANCE AND REVENUE GROWTH FOR 2019

BY GABRIELLE

SeaWorld Entertainment, the family-friendly entertainment, amusement park and attraction company headquartered in Orlando, has announced attendance and revenue growth for the second quarter and first six months of 2019.

During the second quarter of 2019, the company’s attendance grew by 0.8% to 6.5 million guests. Revenue during the same period increased by 3.6% to $406 million.

In the first six months of 2019, attendance rose by 1.7% to 9.8 million guests, as revenue saw a 2.9% increase, taking the total revenue in the first six months of 2019 to $626.6 million. 

Gus Antorcha, CEO of SeaWorld Entertainment, spoke about the rise in attendance and revenue.

“We are pleased to report another strong quarter of financial results and continued progress towards our 2020 Adjusted EBITDA goal of $475 million to $500 million,” said Antorcha.

“Our second quarter net income of over $52 million and Adjusted EBITDA of over $149 million and our trailing twelve-month net income of over $100 million and Adjusted EBITDA of over $443 million were record-setting results that were driven by both revenue growth and our cost efficiency initiatives,” SeaWorld Entertainment’s CEO added.

SeaWorld Entertainment has continued to add new attractions, rides and events to its resorts, resulting in an increase in both attendance and revenue.

Antorcha noted the new rides, attractions and events the company has introduced at many of its venues this year.

“Our exciting summer events are currently in full swing including our one-of-a-kind Sesame Parade in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio, our award-winning Electric Ocean event at each of our SeaWorld parks and our Summer Nights event at each of our Busch Gardens parks, giving our guests even more reasons to visit,” said Antorcha.

SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE BECOMES ONE OF THE WORLD’S FIRST SOLAR-POWERED THEME PARKS

 BY GABRIELLE

Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey has become one of the first theme parks in the world to operate on solar power.

Six Flags, together with its sustainable energy partner, KDC Solar, have completed the joint 23.5-megawatt solar energy project.

The ambitious solar project at Great Adventure comprises of 11MW of solar carports, 12.5MW of solar panels across 40 acres and a net metering system which enables Six Flags to produce its own green energy and export power to the grid to provide homes and businesses in the vicinity with energy.

Another key eco feature of the project is the preservation of over 200 acres of wetlands and forests. The solar facility will mean Great Adventure will witness a dramatic reduction in its reliance on fossil fuels.

John Winkler, president of Six Flags Great Adventure Park, said the resort was continually looking for new ways to operate more efficiently and become commendable stewards of the environment.

“This is a thrilling day for our company. The project represents a giant step towards becoming a net-zero carbon facility,” Winkler commented.

“Clean energy is right for the environment and our future, and we look forward to decades of environmental stewardship with our partner, KDC Solar,” he added.

Alan Epstein, president and CEO of KDC Solar, said:

“Six Flags demonstrated its unwavering commitment to clean, solar power by its steadfast partnership with us throughout this process.

“This groundbreaking project perfectly aligns with both Governor Murphy and the New Jersey Senate and Assembly’s support of renewable solar energy. We look forward to a long-continued partnership with Six Flags Great Adventure,” Epstein added.

GENTING MALAYSIA REACHES AGREEMENT WITH WALT DISNEY COMPANY AND 21ST CENTURY FOX

 BY GABRIELLE

Genting Malaysia, a leading Malaysian integrated leisure and entertainment resort operator, has reached a settlement agreement with The Walt Disney Company and 21st Century Fox over the outdoor theme park that is being built at Resorts World Genting (RWG).

Genting had signed a licencing deal with 21st Century Fox in 2013. However, Genting Malaysia filed a complaint about Fox, after the company spent $750 million developing what was then known as the Twentieth Century Fox World theme park.

Fox had made a counter claim against Genting in relation to the outdoor theme park at RWG.

An agreement has been reached that the theme park can use Fox intellectual property but will not operate under the Fox World name.

All parties involved in the collaboration over the outdoor theme park have agreed to dismiss the claims and counter claims they had put forward.

“Genting Malaysia is currently updating its development and construction plans to complete the outdoor theme park utilising both Fox and non-Fox intellectual properties.

“The outdoor theme park shall also be renamed,” the filing stated.

The new theme park at Resorts World Genting in Malaysia could open as early as 2020.

SCARECROWS, ZOMBIES, WITCHES, VAMPIRES AND MONSTERS GEAR UP FOR GARDALAND MAGIC HALLOWEEN

BY GABRIELLE

Gardaland Magic Halloween will be returning to Gardaland, Italy’s biggest amusement resort, once more.

From 31st October to 3rd November, a whole host of scary creatures, including zombies, witches, vampires and monsters of all guises, will ascend on the park, bringing havoc and fun to the resort’s popular rides and attractions.

New to this year’s show, is Venerdì da Paura (Fearful Fridays). On the 11th, 18th and 25thOctober the Park will be open from 6pm until 11pm, for guests to enjoy a memorable night of scarily fun and interactive events.

On 31stOctober, Gardaland will host its Halloween Party, featuring an open-air disco in the Piazza Ramses, where witches, ghosts, skeletons, mummies and many other scary creatures will go wild to the melodies of iconic DJs.

Each day of Gardaland Magic Halloween will start with a Halloween show, starring Prezzemolo and several friendly vampires, who will welcome visitors to the resort with music.

Themed decorations will adorn the park’s streets, including unique scarecrows, impressive pumpkins, huge spider-webs, scary skeletons, haystacks and more.

Many Halloween-themed shows will entertain guests during the event, with live exhibitions and performances.

Following the success of 2018, the Gardaland Theatre will feature once more, with “Horror Hotel”, a Halloween-themed musical with unique songs, choreography and music.

Hurricane Harbour New Jersey expands with 100,000-gallon activity pool

BY GABRIELLE

Hurricane Harbour in New Jersey has undergone a significant expansion with the addition of Calypso Springs, which features a 100,000-gallon activity pool.

The Calypso Springs activity pool is home to an erupting geyser and obelisk-style fountain. The pool is Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbour’s biggest new attraction since the waterpark was launched at the Six Flags Great Adventure site in New Jersey in 2000.

The popular, family waterpark is already home to a lazy river that stretches for half a mile, a million-gallon wave pool, over 25 rides and two interactive playgrounds for children.

John Winkler, Six Flags Great Adventure president, spoke of the expansion.

“Hurricane Harbor is an industry leader with the biggest and best water slides and thrilling interactive family attractions.

“This is the perfect time to debut our largest new addition to date with Calypso Springs. Its enormous new pool, expansive lounge deck and dining area offer the best place in the region to cool off, play and relax Six Flags style with family and friends,” Winkler added.

HB LEISURE TO MATCH MONEY RAISED FOR CHARITY CLIMB

BY GABRIELLE

Tim Batstone, chairman of HB Leisure, is currently attempting to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, for charity.

Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is a huge physical and mental challenge, involving many obstacles, including, not least, altitude sickness.

Standing at 19,341ft, Kilimanjaro is one of the most majestic sights on earth.  It’s also the world’s highest free-standing mountain and truly is the challenge of a lifetime.

Over the last few months, Tim has put in a huge amount of preparation.  This has included work on fitness, fund-raising and logistics.

Money raised will go via the Bacta Charitable Trust to Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity.  They do marvellous work and brighten the lives of children aged between 3-18 who are living with serious or life-threatening illnesses.

In support of Tim, all money raised before his descent (Saturday 17 August) will be matched by HB Leisure.  As the fund is currently approaching £15,000, excluding the HB Leisure donation, the final amount should really make a difference.

You can help Tim raise money for Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity by donating here:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/supporttimbatstonekilimanjaroclimb

Tidal Twister proves a hit at SeaWorld San Diego

BY GABRIELLE

SeaWorld San Diego’s new rollercoaster the Tidal Twister is proving to be a hit with visitors of all ages. The coaster opened at SeaWorld San Diego in late May this year.

The horizontal duelling coaster experience is the first Skywarp Horizon from Skyline Attractions at SeaWorld San Diego. The ride was launched in partnership with Ride Entertainment.

According to Ride Entertainment, the attraction has started off well with visitors young and old enjoying riding on the coaster.

As Adam Sandy of Ride Entertainment commented:

“We are honoured that SeaWorld put their faith in us to help deliver a world’s first attraction. In a park with so many different types of coasters, the Skywarp Horizon really defines itself as a different attraction.”

The attraction has a marine theme, centred on coral reef protection and sustainable aquaculture. It takes guests on a journey of twists and turns along a figure of eight track as the trains reach speeds of 30 miles per hour.

Tidal Twister features two trains, each of which holds 16 passengers, who face one another in forward and backward facing seats.

The new rollercoaster is situated next to the resort’s aquarium and Aquaria touch pool.

OBSERVATION TOWER WITH AQUARIUM PROPOSED FOR SEAPORT SAN DIEGO PROJECT

BY GABRIELLE

Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), Copenhagen and New York based architectures, builders and designers, have proposed to make a 500-foot cylindrical observation tower part of the Seaport San Diego project.

The Seaport San Diego project is a 70-acre waterside development planned to revitalise a currently disused area of the Port of San Diego.

The hourglass-shaped tower will join 261-411 square feet of retail space, as well as offices, hotels and leisure space.

A 170,822 square-foot aquarium will be located within the tower. The aquarium, also designed by BIG, will provide visitors with the opportunity to embark on a deep-sea diving experience available for visitors, known as the OdySea San Diego.

The aquarium will also be home to a living sea carousel, a 4D movie theatre, high-tech touchscreen tanks, transparent slides in a shark exhibit, an underwater escalator and a penguin park.

A marine learning centre will provide guests with the opportunity to learn more about the marine life housed in the aquarium.

Seaport San Diego will also be home to water sport facilities, an outdoor gym, boating and swimming and a beach with volleyball.

There are plans for the tower to house a tropical rainforest butterfly habitat. ‘Butterfly Wonderland’ will provide 3D immersive nature experiences for guests.

The Seaport San Diego project is estimated to cost $2.4 billion. A formal project proposal has been submitted to the Port of San Diego and preliminary approval is expected later this year.