VIRTUAL GAMING SECTORS SHOW HIGH LEVELS OF INTEREST IN EAG INTERNATIONAL EXPO 2020

BY GABRIELLE

Organisers of the EAG International Expo that’s taking place in London’s ExCeL in January, are reporting high levels of interest from potential buyers within the AR, VR and eSports gaming technology sectors.

The EAG show is poised to become a platform to showcase a range of innovative technology and products in the burgeoning eSports industry.

Martin Burlin, Chairman of EAG Expo commented: “It has been very interesting to see a surge of interest and enquiries about AR, VR and eSports gaming.

“Our EAG event is on course to become an important meeting place for developers and buyers of products in these new areas.

“We’re now starting to see developers pushing the boundaries of all these technologies – AR, VR and Mixed Reality games, where reality and virtual reality happen at the same time.

“It’s a thrill for us to provide opportunities for new developers to find new international markets. I encourage any established gaming companies or startups to get in touch about exhibiting,” Burlin added.

The EAG International Expo is one of the UK’s major trade shows for the leisure amusements industry. It provides suppliers to the industry the chance to showcase their products and services to more than 5,000 leading leisure industry buyers.

The event is taking place at ExCel London from January 14 to 16, 2020.

WHITEWATER PICKS UP MULTIPLE AWARDS AT 2019 WORLD WATERPARK ASSOCIATION SHOW

 BY GABRIELLE

WhiteWater, leaders in the design and manufacture of innovative waterslides and attractions, celebrated multiple wins at the 2019 World Waterpark Association (WWA) show.

Leading Edge Awards, which are awarded by the WWA to individuals and parks for creativity in the development of new facilities, themes, programs and services, were presented to WhiteWater for its work on Perfect Day at CocoCay and on Island H20 Live!

Thrill Waterpark at Perfect Day at CocoCay is part of the Royal Caribbean’s $250m transformation of CocoCay, a small island in the Bahamas that is used exclusively for tourism by Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The waterpark opened in May 2019. Its most iconic feature is the ‘Daredevils’ Tower,’ which is the tallest water slide in North America.

Island H20 Live! opened in Kissimmee, Florida in June 2019. The waterpark features a host of WhiteWater slides, as well as the company’s award-winning technology, Vantage. The technology enables Island H20 Live! to deliver a more personalised, tailored experience to visitors, through the use of relevant data so they can make more informed decisions.

By wearing a Vantage wristband, guests can purchase food and drink seamlessly without having to use cards or cash. They can also upload photos onto social media on real-time, personalise music, lighting effects and more.

Waterpark’s president and CEO, Geoff Chutter, spoke about the companies they had worked with to make Perfect Day at CocoCay and Island H20 Live! such success stories. Chutter said: “What we created with Royal Caribbean International and Aquatic Design & Engineering at Perfect Day at CocoCay is truly exceptional. The park is already receiving an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from guests.

“Island H20 Live! on the other hand, is pushing boundaries by introducing new levels of interactive guest technology with Vantage on their slides.

“Working with Horizon Waterpark, LLC, Aquatic Development Group, and Innovative Attraction Management has been a pleasure and enabled us to bring to life our clients’ vision to make memorable experiences for their guests.

“Our goal is to create an extra dimension of fun and thrill with innovative products and technology, and it is our belief that both Perfect Day at CocoCay and Island H20 Live! really showcase this,” Chutter continued.

WhiteWater’s multiple wins at this year’s World Waterpark Association show, follows Geoff Chutter success at Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Pacific, where he was both the Business to Business category and the overall Pacific Regional winner.

ADG AWARDED WORLD WATERPARK’S 2019 LEADING EDGE AWARD

BY GABRIELLE

Aquatic Development Group (ADG) has won the World Waterpark’s Leading Edge Award 2019 for two innovative waterpark projects – the Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark and Island H20 Live!

The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Waterpark was designed and built by ADG, in partnership with Architectural Design Consultants (ADCI). The Kartrite Resort is located on the Resorts World campus in the Catskill Mountains area of New York.

The site opened in May 2019. It spans an area of two acres, comprising of a four-season indoor waterpark and a luxury hotel.

Greg Silver, president & CEO of EPR Properties, owners of the Kartrite resort, said: “As you can see from this beautiful property, as well as with their portfolio of other successful projects, we know we made the right choice in choosing ADG as our partner. They are first class, best in the country, and that’s the quality of a product we were looking to deliver here at the Kartrite.”

ADG also designed and built Island H20 Live!, Central Florida’s newest waterpark. The park covers 11.5 acres, boasts a tropical theme and is home to more than 20 different attractions.

The centrepiece of the waterpark is a 24,000sq.ft. wave pool, which is powered by ADG’s Wavetek wave system.

Other key attractions include a 1,300ft. long lazy river with a 500sq.ft. beach entry, family raft rides, water coasters and a gated pool escape for adults.

DREAM ISLAND COMPLETES INSTALLATION OF FLIGHT IN THE TUNNEL ROLLERCOASTER

BY GABRIELLE

MMoscow’s Dream Island has completed the installation of the Flight in the Tunnel rollercoaster in the park’s new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle zone

The Flight in the Tunnel is been manufactured by thrill ride design and manufacture specialists, Intamin.

The immersive rollercoaster takes thrill seekers on a high-speed journey through New York’s underground tunnels, in what is said to be one of the most extreme attractions in the new themed zone.

The rollercoaster hurtles down a 500-metre track of loops, turns and free falls, reaching heights of 24 metres. At a speed of 80kph, riders will fall into a dead loop, where they will be greeted by lighting and sound effects.

Dream Island’s technical director, Ivan Shol, said: “At Dream Island, we primarily focus on using the latest trends – such as interactivity, multimedia content, VR technology.

“This will allow guests not only to enjoy the speed, dead loops and technical components of the rides, but also be transported to the fairy tale world, where each of us dreamed of visiting in childhood.”

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themed zone is due to be completed in October. As well as the Flight in the Tunnel, the area will be home to a drop tower ride and the Hammer of Doom.

HALLOWEEN HAS ARRIVED AT NICKELODEON UNIVERSE

BY GABRIELLE

For October only Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe will be transferred into Boo-niverse, for a Halloween extravaganza.

Visitors to the indoor amusement park in Bloomington, Minnesota, will be able to experience the park’s Fright Lights Halloween Spectacular.

Taking place at the South Entrance of FNickelodeon Universe, a spooky disco with strobe lights, fog effects and Halloween dancers, will invite guests to join in and boogie to spooky music.

The Fright Lights Halloween Spectacular will be taking place on Friday and Saturday evenings from October 11 until the end of October.

Guests can also participate in the Double Dare Challenge, involving navigating through a Spooktacular obstacle course, taking on physical challenges, answering trivia questions and dodging getting slimed!

For the Halloween period, the park’s Log Chute will become a haunted Fog Chute, with bats, cobwebs ghosts travelling alongside guests in the watery mill.

Youngsters are invited to make their own slime when they purchase an all-day Nickelodeon Universe wristband.

Other spooky fun includes watching local pumpkin carvers compete in the Nickelodeon Universe Amateur Pumpkin Carving Championship, picking up treats when walking down the Treat Trail and going trick or treating around the Mall of America.

ERNST & YOUNG NAME WHITEWATER’S PRESIDENT & CEO, GEOFF CHUTTER ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2019 PACIFIC

BY GABRIELLE

WhiteWater’s president & CEO, Geoff Chutter, has been awarded with both the Business to Business category and the overall Pacific Regional winner, in Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2019 Awards in the Pacific NorthWest.

The awards are among the most prestigious business recognition program in the world, designed to recognise business leaders excelling in innovation, showing a personal commitment to their business and communities, and more.

Geoff Chutter founded WhiteWater as a waterslide park in 1980 in Penticton, BC. The resort was one of North America’s first waterparks.

Chutter quickly went on to use his knowledge in the waterpark industry to create a company which designed and built waterslides and other water attractions. Henceforth WhiteWater was born.

Over the next four decades, WhiteWater evolved into an international business, with offices in Dubai, Shanghai and Barcelona, designing and manufacturing slides, wave machines, rides, play structures, and more.

During the awards ceremony, Chutter thanked those who had helped him get to where he is today, stating: “Thank you to my grandfather for exposing me to entrepreneurship my parents for introducing me to globalisation, and my colleagues for finding the right people. What we do is make families happy, and that makes us happy.

“I realised that being an expert in life was knowing just a little bit more than the fellow beside you. It all comes down to the people. To my colleagues at WhiteWater and the clients who have believed in us and supported us throughout the years, I say a tremendous thank you,” Chutter said.

Lui Petrollini, director of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Pacific Program, acknowledged how the judges admired Chutter’s positive approach to challenges and his unwavering perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit.

“When an economic downturn comes knocking, consumer discretionary spending is typically the first to go. But Geoff didn’t let this stop him in the early 2000s. Instead, he turned it into an opportunity and has made WhiteWater a force to be reckoned with ever since,” Petrollini said.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO LAUNCH NINTENDO THEME PARK IN JAPAN IN 2020

BY GABRIELLE

Universal Studios is to launch a Nintendo theme park in 2020. Super Nintendo World is to open in Osaka, Japan in the spring, in time for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

The theme park will feature rides based on Super Mario Kart and Yoshi. Nintendo fans will be able to experience an omnimover-style ride, which will propel them down a track with animatronic scenes and views of the park.

Yoshi-themed cars will take guests on a journey through the land. The site will also be home to Bowser’s Castle and Princess Peach’s Castle.

Tom Williams, chairman and CEO of Universal Parks & Resort, announced plans for the new resort during Comcast’s 2019 Media, Communications and Entertainment Conference in September.

Williams shared the news that Super Nintendo World will be coming to all Universal worlds across the global, except for Beijing, during the next few years.

Williams also disclosed plans for bringing a magnetic bracelet element to the park that will enable guests to interact with the land’s environment.

By wearing the wristband, guests will be able to track their scores accumulated on the interactive environment of the park.

“You will be able to go up and keep score and play with the various games and that also translates to a score-keeping capability, if you choose to do so within the rides and it actually interfaces back with your game console,” said Williams.

OPENING DATE ANNOUNCED FOR LEGOLAND NEW YORK

BY GABRIELLE

The opening date of the highly awaited Legoland New York Resort has been announced. Guests will be able to pour into what will be the world’s largest Legoland theme park on July 4, 2020.

Merlin Entertainments have revealed there will be a grand opening event on July 4, when the eight-land, 50-ride resort will open to the public.

The different themed lands at Legoland New York including Lego Ninjago World, Factory, Heartlake City, Bricktopia, Lego City, Knights’ Kingdom, Miniland and Pirate Shores.

Legoland New York is being constructed on a 500-acre site in the town of Goshen, around 60 miles from New York City.

As well as shows and attractions, the theme park will be home to a Legoland Hotel with 250 rooms.

Matt Besterman, PR manager of Legoland New York, spoke about some of the attractions that will be on offer at the new site. “Kids can celebrate their own independence by riding their first rollercoaster, the Dragon, or driving their first car at Legoland Driving School.

“We’re thrilled to invite families across the northeast, the country and the world to make our theme park a tradition for summer fun,” said Besterman.

Construction of the site is well underway, ready for the grand opening on July 4,2020. As John Ussher, senior divisional director of Legoland New York, noted: “This is a truly global effort, with thousands of people working together to build the ultimate Lego theme park destination here in the Hudson Valley.”

SWEET-THEMED DINING AND SHOPPING TO FEATURE AT HERSHEY’S CHOCOLATETOWN

 BY GABRIELLE

Details have been announced about Hershey’s Chocolatetown, a new 23-acre development that is opening in the summer 2020 at Hersheypark, Pennsylvania.

Hersheypark’s $150 million Hershey’s Chocolatetown expansion is to include a unique dining and shopping experience, with the Chocolatier, the biggest themed restaurant and full-service restaurant and bar at Hershey Park.

The Chocolatier will offer dishes with chocolate twists, as well as cocktails. Up to 300 guests will be able to sit indoors and 100 guests outdoors in the huge new restaurant.

Other key features of the new eatery include a carousel-themed bar, an open kitchen, character-themed breakfasts, seating with views of the park’s attractions and a second-story bar and patio.

A vintage-style Milton’s Ice Cream Parlor will be another highlight of the park, where ‘Ice Creamologists’ will serve up unique ice-cream concoctions, alongside shakes and sundries.

Sweet-toothed guests to Hershey’s Chocolatetown will be able to enjoy a further sweet fix at the Sweeterie confectionary kitchen, serving over 50 hand-crafted sugary treats.

Visitors will be able to take home mementos of their day at Hersey’s Chocolatetown purchased from Hersheypark Supply Co’s 10,000 sq.ft. flagship store. The huge themed shop will sell toys, gifts, apparel and more.

As well as gorging and shopping of sweet-themed delights, guests to Hershey’s Chocolatetown will be able to experience the Candymonium hypercoaster, the tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster at the theme park.

ROOM ON THE BROOM ATTRACTION COMES TO CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES

BY GABRIELLE

Julia Donaldson’s enchanting children’s book, Room on the Broom, has been brought to life at Chessington World of Adventure, with a new attraction themed on the much-loved book.

The Room on the Broom Animated Movie Experience involve guests starring in their own personalised journey through Donaldson’s bewitching world.

Room on the Broom fans climb aboard a broom in the theme park’s Animated Movie Experience studio. A voiceover and video instructions tell youngsters what do to, in what resembles a real-life movie set.

Wearing RFID wristbands, the children create a movie poster starring themselves, choosing the characters, background and props.

Parents are also invited to step onto the witch’s broom. The customised movies and are sent to guests instantly by SMS or email to enable them to share their experiences on social media.

Natalie Fox, Chessington World of Adventure’s commercial director, spoke about the innovative animated experience. Fox commented:

“We had looked at green screens, and we had looked at other operations. But we decided we really wanted to create a green screen movie. We wanted to do something unique to Chessington, particularly with our fantastic IP. We have the Gruffalo, and we’ve got Room on the Broom.

“We thought the idea of a movie rather than a standard photo would be really exciting. It’s also the first of its kind in a Merlin attraction.

“We worked with Andrew Porter from our Merlin Magic Making Team for the storyline. He was pretty key because he lives and breathes the story and understands the world of Room on the Broom so well. It really enhances the overall experience. And it launches you into the world that Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have created,” Fox added.