PENGUIN-THEMED DIVE COASTER UNVEILED AT SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

BY GABRIELLE

A new attraction has been announced for SeaWorld San Diego in 2020. Known as Emperor, the penguin-themed dive coaster will be the first floorless dive coaster in California.

The ride is named after the Emperor penguin, which can dive at an incredible depth of 1,800ft. The attraction is 153ft. tall and will be the fastest and tallest floorless dive coaster in California.

Riders will reach speeds of over 60mph and will be suspended and then dropped at heights of over 150ft. Thrill-seekers will be plunged 90 degrees into loops resembling the motions of Emperor penguins diving from cliffs into the sea.

Rollercoaster design specialists Bolliger & Mabillard, which are based in Switzerland, have built the Emperor.

The new penguin-themed dive coaster will be launched at SeaWorld San Diego in the summer of 2020. The ride will be next to the park’s Journey to Atlantis attraction.

Emperor will be the third new coaster to open at SeaWorld San Diego in three years, following the opening of the Electric Eel in 2018 and the Tidal Twister in 2019.

LEGO FACTORY ADVENTURE ANNOUNCED AT LEGOLAND NEW YORK RESORT, HOLOVIS AND ETF RIDE SYSTEMS

BY GABRIELLE

Lego Factory Adventure, the first ride experience in the world to feature technology which turns visitors into Lego minifigures, is to be implemented into Legoland New York Resort, Holovis and ETF Ride Systems.

Using the world’s first on-ride tracking technology, Lego Factory Adventure will identify the characteristics of riders,  while mapping their position in the virtual space. It will then transform riders into Lego Minifigures.

Utilising motion tracking, the Lego Minifigures will be able to move as the guests move.

Legoland New York will be implementing this innovative technology. The new Legoland is opening on July 4, 2020 in Hudson Valley. With over 50 rides, attractions and shows stretching across 150 acres and seven themed lands, Legoland New York will be the largest Legoland ever built.

The news was revealed by Holovis and Merlin Entertainment at IAAPA Expo 2019 in Orlando.

Julie Estrada, head of PR North America for Merlin Entertainments said: “Merlin Entertainments continues to grow in North America with more than 30 attractions and is already pushing boundaries with the Lego Factory Adventure before Legoland New York even opens.

“Imagine traveling through a Lego Factory and suddenly seeing yourself as a Lego Minifigure! With vision in hand, we looked to two of the world’s leading developers, Holovis and ETF Ride Systems, to create this first of its kind dark ride experience.

“I can’t wait to see the looks on our guests’ faces when they experience it,” Estrada continued.

Peter Cliff, creative director at Holovis, a leading experience designer, shared his enthusiasm for the new technology: “At Holovis, we pride ourselves on the ability to own the entire technical experience, so the delivery of the Lego Factory Adventure is the perfect project for our turnkey, in-house capability,” said Cliff.

“Working alongside Merlin Entertainments, we have created the ultimate in on-ride guest personalisation and the ETF trackless motion vehicle integrates perfectly with the non-linear ride experience.

“The Lego Minifigure transformation is the textbook use for our HoloTrac technology, and since it’s completely invisible to the guest, the experience feels like real magic when the moment occurs,” Cliff added.

Lego Factory Adventure vehicles have been created by ride manufacturer, ETF Ride Systems. As guests spin in their vehicles, they will face a screen, where they will watch their vehicle turn into Lego as they transform into a Lego Minifigure.

Ruud Koppens, CEO of ETF Ride Systems, said: “The vehicle we created for the Lego Factory Adventure is meant to make guests feel as if they are a part of the automatic robot machinery that you would see in a Lego factory.

“We’ve never done this kind of ride before that is based on reality versus fantasy and we are very excited to work with Holovis and Merlin Entertainments to make this happen!”

MIDDLE EAST THEME PARK MARKET TO WITNESS ROBUST EXPANSION BY 2027

BY GABRIELLE

The theme park market in the Middle East is to undergo significant expansion by 2027. According to a comprehensive analysis of the Middle East theme park industry, an increasing number of foreign visitors and a number of new theme parks in the pipeline, will foster future growth for the market in the Middle East.

The report shows that the total number of visitors who arrived in the UAE increased from 15.4 million in 2016 to 17.8 million in 2019. This registers a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of +7.5% during the period of 2019 – 2027.

The analysis continues that theme park market growth in Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, has been predominantly responsible for the increasing number of ticket purchases into attraction sites.

Some of the key players in the Middle East’s burgeoning theme park market include Bollywood Parks, Dreamland Aqua Park, Fantasia Land, Ferrari World, DXB Entertainment, Legoland Dubai, Legoland Waterpark, Luna Park, Yas Waterworld, among others.

NEW DUELING WATER SLIDE IN THE PIPELINE FOR AQUATICA ORLANDO WATERPARK

BY GABRIELLE

SeaWorld’s much-loved Aquatica Orlando waterpark will be home to a new dueling water slide in 2020, known as the Riptide Race. The slide will be the first dueling racer in Florida and will take visitors on a high-speed journey through tunnels.

After launching from a 68 ft. tower, riders will slide face-to-face and side-by-side, as they race down lanes which can hold two rides in a raft. The lanes will twist and turn around tight loops and beneath low walls. The slide is 650ft. in length and will boast both indoor and outdoor sections.

The Riptide Race is to be situated next to Aquatica Orlando’s Banana Beach Cook Out. Riders will need to be at least 42 inches high.

David Heaton, vice president of Aquatica Orlando, said: “Riptide Race will offer a ride experience you won’t be able to get anywhere else in Florida.

“Aquatica will be the first waterpark in the state to have a thrilling, and more importantly, dueling water slide.

“Riptide Race is the perfect addition to our attraction portfolio, complementing what is already one of the most family-friendly water slide lineups in Orlando,” Heaton added.

A CHRISTMAS THEME PARK IS COMING TO GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

BY GABRIELLE

A Christmas themed amusement park brimming with festive lights, fake snow, ice-skating, exhilarating shows and more, is coming to Guadalajara in western Mexico.

Known as ‘Navidalia,’ the theme park is divided into four Xmas-inspired worlds, each playing host to much-loved Christmas traditions from around the world.

One key highlight of the theme park will be the recreation of Baby Jesus’s birthplace in Bethlehem. One of the worlds at the park is to feature the three wise men, known as ‘Los Reyes Magos’ in Mexican. Another world will celebrate the festive traditions of Europe and another will recreate the customs of the Middle East.

At the heart of the Christmas amusement park will be a giant nativity scene, a huge Christmas tree and an ice road designed for ice-skating around the park. Another focal point will be a large lake, where boat rides and dance shows will take place.

AARDMAN ANNOUNCES NEW CONCEPT FOR THEME PARKS

BY GABRIELLE

Aardman, the multi award-winning animation studio and storyteller, has announced a new concept for the theme park industry. The concept will be delivered in partnership with P&P Projects, the Netherlands-based attraction design and turnkey solution specialists.

The project is inspired by the fishermen of the Li River, ‘A Fish Tale,’ and tells a humorous and dramatic coming-of-age adventure of a determined young fisher-boy, and his playful cormorant sidekick.

As the two characters try and catch their first ever fish together, their inexperience and naivety prevail, with potentially calamitous consequences. However, through persistence and determination, the couple manage to land the catch of their dreams.

This heart-warming family tale is directed by Aardman’s Darren Dubicki. Developed by P&P Projects, ‘A Fish Tale’ is designed to be incorporated into amusement parks, to potentially be used on dark rides or for 4D cinema experiences.

Ngaio Harding-Hill, head of attractions and live experiences at Aardman, comments: “Aardman is delighted to be developing so many exciting projects for global theme parks and attractions and to be working with some of the most renowned partners and experts in the industry.”

‘A Fish Tale’ is being showcased at this year’s IAAPA Expo in Orlando, where visitors will have the chance to talk to Ngaio Harding-Hill to discuss Aardman’s projects.

PUY DU FOU GEARED UP FOR GROWTH IN 2020

BY GABRIELLE

Puy du Fou, the historical theme park in the Vendee region of Western France, is gearing up for significant growth in 2020.

Hailed as a “record investment”, next year will see the theme park substantially developed, with a new night-time show, a sixth hotel and a conference centre.

Next year will see the theme park operators invest 52 million euros in France and “push the boundaries,” by putting on even more spectacular experiences for visitors through a number of large-scale innovations.

The new evening show is known as ‘Les Noces de Feu’ – ‘The Wedding of Fire.’  Romanticism and poetry take centre stage, as the show focuses on the love-struck protagonists (the Muse and the Pianist) on their wedding day.

This original new show is the sequel to ‘Les Orgues de Feu’ and takes visitors on a lyrical night-time journey, against a musical backdrop. The music in the show is performed by the Berthollet sisters, whose performance is brought to life by fire and water staging.

Also new to next year at Pou du Fou is Le Grand Siècle hotel. This 4-star hotel offers 96 family rooms, ‘La Table des Ambassadeurs’ restaurant and three hectares of French formal gardens.

Next to ‘Le Grand Siècle’ will be ‘Le Théâtre Molière,’ a huge new 3,500 sq. mt. convention centre, featuring a 500-seat central auditorium, 11 fully modular meeting rooms and a large multi-purpose space designed to host any type of meeting.

The investment follows a highly successful 2019 season for Puy du Fou. Asides being France’s second most visited park and ninth most visited tourist site, Puy du Fou is making its mark overseas, with its ‘El Sueno de Toledo’ show being one of the biggest shows in Spain.

Puy du Fou has also recently signed its first contract in China, with the first Puy du Fou show opening at the foot of the Great Wall in 2022.

IRELAND’S FUNTASIA THEME PARK ADAPT CASHLESS, RFID TECHNOLOGY

BY GABRIELLE

Funtasia Theme Parks in Ireland have adapted Semnox Parafait for cashless payments. The first phase of automation has now been completed by Semnox at the Funtasia Theme Park Drogheda centre.

Instead of having to use cash and coins at the popular attraction sites, which are home to a number of rides, indoor arcades and food and drink outlets, payments are made through RFID cards. The RFID cards are simply tapped on readers, enabling Funtasia to turn cashless through an integrated bank card payment processing system.

Bernard McCormick, owner of Funtasia Theme Parks, commented on the new automated payment system: “We chose to work with Semnox to adopt a cashless solution after seeing their 360° solution at some amusement parks in the UK. We are keen to utilise all the solutions that Semnox has to fully automate our parks. The first phase of installation has gone well, and we are looking forward to the next.

“The implementation that was carried out in phases has been very well-planned and executed. Semnox has been able to provide solutions for different kinds of business operations at Funtasia,” McCormick added.

Vinayaka Kamath, business head – Europe and CIS at Semnox Solutions, said: “Funtasia is one of the popular and large indoor theme parks in the Dublin region. We are extremely proud to add Funtasia to our clientele list and it has been a great association with Mr Bernard McCormick and Mr Connor over the last eight months.

“We have been able to completely automate the operation at Funtasia – from arcade management to stock management to digital advertising and ticketing. We look forward to Phase 2 of the project where many more functions such as online ticketing, self-service kiosk, and RFID lockers will be automated using the cashless solution from Semnox.”

NEW WATERPARK IN THE PIPELINE FOR THE BAHAMAS

BY GABRIELLE

Baha Mar, the 1,000-acre resort complex on the island of New Providence in the Bahamas, is to be expanded with the development of a new waterpark.

The $300m waterpark project will be built on a 14-acre site, which was formerly home to the Wyndham resort and the Crystal Palace casino, both of which have now been demolished. As well as a waterpark, the development will feature enhancements to the beach and new food and drink facilities at Long Cay, Baha Mar’s private 15-acre island.

Graeme Davies, Baha Mar’s president, said that a Bahamian company has been instructed to conduct the construction of the pools for the waterpark. The new waterpark is due to be completed in the next 1 – 2 years. The project is expected to create around 500 permanent and direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs.

SEAWORLD ANNOUNCES 36,000TH ANIMAL RESCUE SINCE OPENING IN 1965

BY GABRIELLE

Since it first opened its doors in 1965, SeaWorld has rescued 36,000 animals in its ongoing mission to help stranded, ill and injured marine and terrestrial animals.

Working in partnership with animal care experts, rescue specialists and veterinarians, the much-loved amusement park has been successfully rescuing and rehabilitating animals for almost 55 years.

As Donna Wieting, director of NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Protected Resources, said: “SeaWorld’s work rescuing and rehabilitating wild animals is of the highest calibre and the reason why the rescue team has been a long-standing and valuable partner.

“We also value SeaWorld’s mission to educate the public about marine wildlife conservation and the role they play in protecting animal habitats,” Wieting continued.

Jon Peterson, senior leader of Zoological Operations at SeaWorld Orlando, describes SeaWorld’s commitment to animal rescue: “Our teams remain on the frontlines of marine mammal rescue because of our enduring commitment to supporting rescue, rehabilitation and return,” said Peterson, adding: “In a perfect world, animals would never need to be rescued, but until that changes, our teams will continue to work closely with our partners to help save these animals.”

For every ticket purchased for SeaWorld Orlando, San Antonio and San Diego, funds go towards the rescue and rehabilitation of the animals that are rehomed at the resort.