SILK ROAD DREAMLAND OPENS IN JIAYUGUAN, CHINA

 BY GABRIELLE

The Silk Road Dreamland theme park has now opened in the city of Jiayuguan in the province of Gansu, China.

The theme park is centred on some of the most iconic aspects of Chinese culture, including the Great Wall and Silk Road.

Fantawild’s Silk Road Dreamland features 45 themed attractions and more than 200 landscape designs.

The ‘Silk Road Saga’ attraction comprises of advanced technology to take guests on a guest down the ancient trade route.

Another key attraction is the ‘Lady Meng Jiang,’ which takes visitors to the story of Lady Meng Jiang, who, according to the story, caused the Great Wall of China to come crashing down with her tears.

Featuring multiple screen, the ‘Legend of Nuwa’ attraction provides guests with an immersive entertainment experience.

The ‘Butterfly Lovers’ attraction combines augmented reality with live performances and hologram projection technology.

The ‘Marvels of Chinese Culture’ attraction presents 5,000 years of China’s history on a huge screen. On the opening day of the resort, the attraction attracted around 10,000 visitors to its screen.

Aquatopia voted USA’s number one waterpark

BY GABRIELLE

Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark was voted the Best Indoor Waterpark in the country by USA Today. The Poconos waterpark at Camelback Resort is a premiere waterpark in Pennsylvania, featuring 125,000 square feet of rides and other fun attractions.

Aquatopia secured the top spot in USA Today’s Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards for the third time since the park opened in 2015.

The contest was launched in May and gave voters four weeks to vote for their favourite indoor waterpark in the United States.

It was the fourth time Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark was nominated for the prestigious award and the third consecutive year it won the top spot.

Ame Cameron, vice president of sales and marketing at Camelback Resort, spoke of winning the title again.

“It was a thrill to win this title last year and an even bigger honour to hold the title. We’re so grateful to everyone who voted and hope those who’ve yet to come will also get to experience the thrills and amenities that set Aquatopia apart from other indoor waterparks in the country,” said Cameron.

Aquatopia is housed under a transparent Texlon roof, meaning guests are showered in natural sunlight all year round, without being exposed to harmful UV rays.

The park features 13 waterslides, seven pools, the world’s first themed “next generation” multi-level play structure with 84 interactive water effects, and the United States’ longest uphill water coaster, the Storm Chaser.

Sopris Splash Zone opens at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, Colorado

BY GABRIELLE

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Colorado has opened a Sopris Splash Zone. The new, family-friendly attraction features three zones, including a fast-moving adventure river, a wade-in pool with waterfalls and a fountain designed for play and shows.

The adventure river is known as the Shoshone Chutes. This high-speed river twists and turns and is designed for older children and adults.

Fun for younger children is there for the taking at the Hanging Lake, a wade-in pool, which is fed by a waterfall.

The resort’s Grand Fountain is the spot for illuminated shows to take place during the evenings and acts as a fun splashpad in the day.

The Sopris Splash Zone also features a large pergola with seating.

John Bosco, chief operations officer and vice president for Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, spoke of the opening of the new zones.

“We’re like little kids ourselves. We have been anticipating this opening just like everyone else – waiting, watching, seeing the progress day-by-day.

“It’s finally time to let people experience it for themselves. The Sopris Splash Zone will add a whole new dimension to what you can do at our hot springs. It’s a game-changer,” Bosco added.

The Sopris Splash Zone has been developed by Cloward H2O, experts in aquatic design.

SOPRIS SPLASH ZONE OPENS AT GLENWOOD HOT SPRINGS RESORT, COLORADO

BY GABRIELLE

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort in Colorado has opened a Sopris Splash Zone. The new, family-friendly attraction features three zones, including a fast-moving adventure river, a wade-in pool with waterfalls and a fountain designed for play and shows.

The adventure river is known as the Shoshone Chutes. This high-speed river twists and turns and is designed for older children and adults.

Fun for younger children is there for the taking at the Hanging Lake, a wade-in pool, which is fed by a waterfall.

The resort’s Grand Fountain is the spot for illuminated shows to take place during the evenings and acts as a fun splashpad in the day.

The Sopris Splash Zone also features a large pergola with seating.

John Bosco, chief operations officer and vice president for Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, spoke of the opening of the new zones.

“We’re like little kids ourselves. We have been anticipating this opening just like everyone else – waiting, watching, seeing the progress day-by-day.

“It’s finally time to let people experience it for themselves. The Sopris Splash Zone will add a whole new dimension to what you can do at our hot springs. It’s a game-changer,” Bosco added.

The Sopris Splash Zone has been developed by Cloward H2O, experts in aquatic design.

AQUATOPIA VOTED USA’S NUMBER ONE WATERPARK

 BY GABRIELLE

Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark was voted the Best Indoor Waterpark in the country by USA Today. The Poconos waterpark at Camelback Resort is a premiere waterpark in Pennsylvania, featuring 125,000 square feet of rides and other fun attractions.

Aquatopia secured the top spot in USA Today’s Best Readers’ Choice Travel Awards for the third time since the park opened in 2015.

The contest was launched in May and gave voters four weeks to vote for their favourite indoor waterpark in the United States.

It was the fourth time Camelback Lodge and Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark was nominated for the prestigious award and the third consecutive year it won the top spot.

Ame Cameron, vice president of sales and marketing at Camelback Resort, spoke of winning the title again.

“It was a thrill to win this title last year and an even bigger honour to hold the title. We’re so grateful to everyone who voted and hope those who’ve yet to come will also get to experience the thrills and amenities that set Aquatopia apart from other indoor waterparks in the country,” said Cameron.

Aquatopia is housed under a transparent Texlon roof, meaning guests are showered in natural sunlight all year round, without being exposed to harmful UV rays.

The park features 13 waterslides, seven pools, the world’s first themed “next generation” multi-level play structure with 84 interactive water effects, and the United States’ longest uphill water coaster, the Storm Chaser.

SIMWORX APPOINTS MARK WHITTAKER AS FEC AND LBE SALES MANAGER

BY GABRIELLE

Simworx, UK-based specialists in designing and manufacturing dynamic media attractions, has appointed Mark Whittaker as FEC and LBE sales manager.

The newly created role is in-line with Simworx’s recent successes in the FEC and LBE sectors and the growing demand for these smaller attractions, with the market expected to surge in the coming years.

Whittaker is a seasoned industry expert, having worked as sales manager at Immotion Group and Elton Amusements.

With years of experience in the attractions industry Mark Whittaker will look to expand Simworx’s FEC/LBE product range and promote the current portfolio, focusing specifically on marketing the company’s 4DVR products, Immersive Adventurers and 4D Cinemas to smaller venues.

Talking about his recent appointment, Whittaker said:

“I’m really happy to be joining Simworx; it is a company I have always had a lot of admiration for. Having worked in the attractions industry now for over 15 years, I am looking forward to showing everyone what we have to offer.”

Simworx is a world leader in the design, manufacture and development of 3D/4D dynamic simulation attractions and 4D effects cinemas.

The company recently installed a number of its rides at the National Geographic Ultimate Expedition Centres in China and Mexico, as well as 4D Effects Cinemas at the Nickelodeon Adventure FECs in Spain.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS ANNOUNCE 2019 INTERIM RESULTS

BY GABRIELLE

Merlin Entertainments has announced its performance results for 26 weeks ending June 29, 2019. Merlin’s CEO said that performance has been “broadly in line with our expectations.”

During the period, organic revenue grew by 6.5%, driven by like-for-like growth, a diversified portfolio and new openings.

The interim results report shows that Midway and Resort Theme Parks (RTP) are “returning to better levels of like-for-like growth, with improved cash generation.”

The opening of eight new Midway attractions, including Peppa Pig World of Play, has contributed positively to the growth in revenue.

Merlin Entertainments’ new accommodation also influenced the growth in organic revenue.

“With eight new Midway attractions opened in the period, 372 new accommodation rooms, and the ongoing development of new Legoland parks, we continue to build on our position as a unique, multi-format international operator of strongly branded and IP-led location based entertainment,” said Nick Varney, Merlin CEO.

On a less positive note, Merlin referred to sales at Legoland theme parks as “disappointing,” with like-for-like sales for the first half of 2019 falling by 0.7%.

The disappointing trading at Legoland resorts has been pinned on the result of the film, Lego Movie 2, which has made $191.3 million at the box office, significantly less than the first Lego movie, which $469.1 million.

As Varney commented:

“Although we enjoyed a strong Easter and Spring Break performance, trading since then has been affected by poor weather in May and June, difficult market conditions in a number of countries and limited momentum from ‘The Lego Movie 2’.”

WAVETEK CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY AS WAVE TECH INDUSTRY LEADERS

BY GABRIELLE

WaveTek, an industry leader in the design and manufacturer of wave generation equipment, is celebrating being at the forefront of providing innovative wave products and pool technology for 50 years.

In the United States, ADG’s WaveTek wave generation systems represents more than 90% of recreational wave systems installed throughout the nation. Around the world, WaveTek’s systems are installed in more than 450 locations.

Developing industry ‘firsts’, such as the first pnuematic system to be installed in the US, the first six-foot pneumatic parallel wave, the first lazy river waves, the first double break wave pool floor, staggered caisson design, gutterless wave pool and the first tsunami solitary wave technology, alongside many other innovations, including the patented VaraWave technology, WaveTek has been smashing boundaries in wave system innovation in the US and around the world.

As Jim Dunn, president of ADG, commented:

“WaveTek waves are unmatched in the industry. We’ve combined creativity and technology to provide our clients with innovative wave pool shapes, technological advancements and creative applications that are not found anywhere else in the industry.

“WaveTek is continually evolving to meet the growing demands of our clients, and we are always working towards what’s next,” Dunn added.

To mark their 50th year at the forefront of the industry, ADG has launched a new WaveTek logo, designed to represent the brand and its modernisation.

ZIP WORLD TEAMS UP WITH SILICON VALLEY’S REVL TO OFFER ADVANCED VIDEO FOOTAGE

BY GABRIELLE

Zip World in Llanrwst, Conwy Valley, has partnered with Revl, adventure tech giants from Silicon Valley, to offer visitors advanced and personalised video and photo footage of their experience at the award-winning adventure site.

Using artificial intelligence, hardware and software, Revl’s automated video solution captures visitors as they fly down zip wires and speed round Mountain and Coaster Kart tracks.

The innovative videoing solution effectively does the job of five video editors in one system, which involves visitors wearing cameras on their helmets as they participate in Zip World’s activities.

Guests can take home multiple clips, edits, photos and boomerangs of the fun they had at Conwy Valley’s Zip World.

Revl’s partnership with Zip World in Wales is the start of the company’s push to expand in the European market.

Eric Sanchez, co-founder and CEO of Revl, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership with Zip World in Wales.

“We’re delighted to be basing ourselves in Llanrwst for the foreseeable future and are excited to embark on a European takeover in adventure experiences.

“We might be used to the dizzy heights of San Francisco – and the technological advances of Silicon Valley, but we’re excited to be at the forefront of adventure sites in the UK.

“It’s hard not to fall in love with the scenic mountains, lakes and Conwy River – they have a charm of their own.

“We’ve left the Silicon Valley smog behind and the fresh Welsh mountain air has switched on our ambition and drive to further our European market.”

Sean Taylor, co-founder and president of Zip World, shares Sanchez’s excitement, saying:

“We’re flattered by this amazing partnership with Revl and delighted to make them welcome in our home of North Wales. Whilst we offer the most comprehensive outdoor adventure experiences in the UK, we’re always looking for opportunities to increase customer experience.

“Visitors to our sites want to re-live their time with us – as well as showing off to their friends and family that they’re living their best lives!

“So the opportunity to film, record, edit and share quickly is paramount. The ease in which your video can be shared across social media is hugely important to our customers too, which is why we choose this tech,” Taylor added.