VORTEX INTERNATIONAL OPENS NEW HEADQUARTERS IN MONTREAL

 BY GABRIELLE

Vortex Aquatic Structures International, a world leader in the manufacturer of water attractions, has relocated to larger offices in the same area of Montreal the company’s former headquarters were located.

The new facility comprises of more than 220,000 sq. ft. of space, three times larger than its prior location. The larger premises are designed to cater for the growing global demand for Vortex’s products, while maintaining the quality of their products and lead times. As well as relocating its headquarters, Vortex is expanding its team to keep up with increasing demand.

In line with the company’s culture of innovation, the new facility boasts a state-of-the-art design studio and product testing labs, enabling Vortex to design and manufacture more complex products to meet the growing demand from waterparks for boundary-pushing solutions. With sustainability at the heart of the company’s ethos, the new facilities have been renovated to a high energy efficient standard.

Vortex’s bold vision and pioneering vision has seen the company win multiple industry awards, including a number of Leading Edge Awards from the World Waterpark Association and several International Design Awards (IDA) for its Water Journey and Explora collections, among others.

The relocation comes at the same time Vortex prepares to celebrate 25th anniversary in 2020. Stephen Hamelin, president of Vortex International who launched the organisation in 1995, commented on the new headquarters: “Our new facility will help us expand our capabilities in all facets of our business including manufacturing, R&D and sales.  We are investing in new equipment, technology and our people to prepare the organization for the next 25 years.

“This new location allows us to remain in Montreal, the city where we started and a place with an abundance of talented people in many disciplines. These talents have been one of the key contributors to our success over the years. We are also proud to have transformed a classic, 50-year-old industrial property into a modern state-of-the-art facility,” Hamelin added.

HOTEL AND ‘DRAGON VALLEY’ THEME PARK BUILT ON ABANDONED MINES IN NANJING, CHINA

 BY GABRIELLE

A hotel built on a former mine pit has opened in the Chinese city of Nanjing. The Laoshan Beehive Hotel welcomed its first guests in late 2019.

The hotel had an investment of 3 billion yuan and took three years to construct. The site of the hotel stretches across 105,000 sq. mt.

In July 2016, Shanghai Huachang Group acquired the land the hotel is now built on, which was a former mine pit, in a 66 million yuan bid. In December of the same year, the Group acquired 645 acres of abandoned industrial land for 585 million yuan.

As well as the construction of the hotel, Shanghai Huachang Group is building a large-scale theme park on the land known as ‘Dragon Valley.’

The theme park sits on a 300,000 sq. mt. site and had an investment of 8 billion yuan. Featuring a children’s playground, a science and technology museum, a tropical rainforest museum, ocean museum, treasure museum and a man-made cave museum, Dragon Valley will be the largest indoor playground in Asia.

Construction of the indoor theme park is underway, and the amusement park is due to open in June 2020.

TOVERLAND REVEALS WHAT’S IN THE PIPELINE FOR 2020

 BY GABRIELLE

Toverland in the Netherlands has given a preview of what visitors to the amusement park can expect in 2020.

One alteration will be the extension of the opening hours during the summer holiday when the park will remain open until 20:00 hours.

As well as longer opening hours, visitors will be able to enjoy an exciting programme comprising of more events than ever. 12 Midsummer Evenings and 14 Halloween Nights will be held in the park in 2020, eight evenings more than in 2019. On the evenings that these events take place, Toverland will remain open until 23:00 hours.

The summer season will begin earlier than normal, with the theme park opening during the carnival school holiday and the weekends that follow.

In November and December 2020, Toverland will open its doors to the public on the weekends and during the Christmas school holiday.

Jean Gelissen Jr., director general at Toverland, spoke about the new opening times: “We can create more magical moments of happiness by allowing our guests more time to visit us.

“Events that give an extra dimension to our guest’s overall experience. We want the ability to offer yet more guests the opportunity to come and experience this for themselves,” said Gelissen Jr.

Another notable feature of the 2020 season at Toverland is the return of the Youtubers x Toverland event, which is taking place on Sunday May 17, when guests will be able to meet their favourite YouTubers during their visit to the theme park.

2019 CHINA THEME PARK COMPETITIVENESS INDEX REPORT RELEASED

 BY GABRIELLE

The 2019 China Theme Park Competitiveness Index Report has been released revealing the best performing theme parks in China in 2019.

In top position was Shanghai Disneyland, which scored 75.99 points in the report. OCT East and Windows of the World ranked second and third respectively.

Also making it into the top ten performing theme parks in China during the last 12 months were Shenzhen Happy Valley, Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Village, Chimelong Happy World, Beijing Happy Valley, Shanghai Happy Valley, Wuhan Happy Valley, and Changzhou Chinese Dinosaur Park.

The Happy Valley brand occupied four of the top ten places in the report, showing the brand’s competitive edge in 2019.

The report was compiled by the China Theme Park Research Institute, the Leisure Research center of East China Normal University and Leisure and Tourism Research Center of Shanghai Normal University.

To feature in the report, the Chinese theme parks had to be large-scale resorts with total area of 600 acres or more, or with a total investment of more than 1.5 billion yuan. .

Around 92 theme parks in China met the criteria, 42 of which were included in the report.

UNIVERSAL BEIJING RESORT UNVEILS DETAILS OF KUNG FU PANDA LAND

BY GABRIELLE

Universal Beijing Resort has released details about its ‘Kung Fu Panda the Land of Awesomeness’, one of several lands that the resort will launch in 2021.

The land will be the first themed area in Universal theme parks to be themed on the animated film of Kung Fu Panda.

‘Kung Fu Panda the Land of Awesomeness’ is to vibrantly re-live the enchanting story of Kung Fu Panda, as Pando Po overcomes many an obstacle in his quest to become a master of martial arts.

With indoor attractions, the land will be devoted to providing visitors with a ‘Chinese legendary experience.’

Guests can enjoy a full immersive experience, with innovative technology and striking Kung Fu Panda sets. Among the iconic sets will be many a Kung Fu Panda favourite, including Emerald Palace, Panda Village and Peach Tree of Wisdom.

MK THEMED ATTRACTIONS TO RE-THEME WALIBI HOLLAND’S SPEEDZONE AREA

BY GABRIELLE

MK Themed Attractions to re-theme Walibi Holland’s Speedzone area, which is due to open in May 2020. The re-theming of the zone follows MK Attraction’s successful renovation of the theme park’s Untamed and Wilderness area.

The re-theming of the zones is part of an extensive refurbishment planned for the theme park. The Speedzone area will have two entrances. At one entrance gate is a steel structure featuring gears and a blue Volkswagen at the top. The second entrance is to resemble the arch of a racetrack with white body stripes.

MK Themed Attraction is working with Theming Engineers to secure the production of the gate. The two companies have worked together previously on the engineering of the large-scale tiger heads for the Tigeren attraction at Durs Sommerland.

As well as the new entrances, there will be a number of themed surprises for the zone’s Space Shot and G-Force attractions, as well as the mega coaster, Goliath.

Wiebe Damstra, project manager at Walibi Holland, praised the work MK Attractions did previously at the park: “For Untamed MK Themed Attractions did an outstanding job, so we believe they will be the correct main themed partner for this upgrade of our park as well, said Damstra.

René Hansen, Managing Director at MK Themed Attractions, commented: “It’s very exciting for us to expand the work we are doing at Walibi Holland to include yet another re-themed area of the park.

“This new re-theme of the park requires skills that are not just related to quality fiberglass production, which is very interesting for us, as we work with all kinds of material, and through this project we get to show our skills in that,” Hansen added.

NEW FILM ADVENTURE FABULA OPENS AT EFTELING

BY GABRIELLE

A new attraction has opened in Eftling, Holland’s fairy tale theme park – a film adventure known as Fabula.

In what was a 3.5-million-euro investment, the Fabula experience combines a 3D film that is shown within a 4D theatre and features 4D special effects, including wind, smell and water.

The story follows a grumpy young bear who is taken on a journey discovering different habitats around the world, meeting some colourful characters on the way that teach him the meaning of life.

The attraction comprises of both a main show and a pre-show. Visitors can wine, dine and relax in a new themed restaurant. The theme of the restaurant and adjoining play area where youngsters can be entertained, is the savanna, ocean and jungle.

The new film has been created by Aardman, the award-winning studio, known for creating much-loved British shows including Shaun the Sheep and Wallace & Gromit.

The official opening of Fabula took place on December 7, 2019 at the Eftling theme park.

Fons Jurgens, CEO at Efteling, spoke about the park’s latest attraction: “We are delighted with our newest attraction, which has been completed in just six weeks.  Working with Aardman on the production of Fabula has allowed us to combine the latest in film and animation technology with a new hospitality concept, meaning that the attraction is completely in tune with this time.

“From today, Efteling visitors can enjoy this indoor attraction 365 days of the year,” said Jurgens.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS TEAMS UP WITH EONE TO BRING PJ MASKS TO SEA LIFE AQUARIUMS

BY GABRIELLE

Merlin Entertainments has partnered with Entertainment One (eOne) to host a new PJ Masks marine-themed trail across 12 Sea Life venues in Britain.

Lining the trail will be artwork of underwater canals from PJ Masks shows. Costumed characters will also make an appearance, alongside a branded photo wall.

The PJ Masks themed trail will launch in Sea Life venues from February 2020, travelling between the centres throughout the year. PJ Masks products will also be available to purchase in gift shops at Sea Life centres.

Rebecca Harvey, EVP global brand and marketing, family and brands, commented on the new partnership: “Our latest partnership with Merlin Entertainments underlines our ongoing focus on live events and their ability to create unique touch-points for our brands.

“This exciting, interactive adventure will give fans around the world an unforgettable experience that will deepen their connection with PJ Masks and its heroic characters,” Harvey added.

Matthew Williams, senior brand director of Midway, Merlin Entertainments, said: “This is an amazing fit: fun and discovery are at the core of what we do at Merlin Entertainments and that is why PJ Masks is a perfect partner for us.

“The new trail will bring PJ Masks to life in a way that has never been done before. We are looking forward to bringing that magic to Sea Life,” Williams added.

STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE OPENS AT HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS, FLORIDA

BY GABRIELLE

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has opened to the public at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios in Florida.

The highly awaited immersive attraction opened on December 4, 2019.

Hailed as being one of the most advanced and ambitious attraction experiences Walt Disney Imagineering has ever created, Rise of the Resistance involves guests walking through a forest and past the remains of an ancient civilisation, until the eventually board an Intersystem Transport Ship (I-TS) to meet General Leia Organa.

Guests will feel like they’re travelling into space with Poe Dameron and his X-wing starfighter, Black One.

The journey sees guests intercepted by the First Order as the I-TS is forced into the hangar bay of a Star Destroyer. Riders will also have to dodge blaster bolts and AT-AT walkers and navigate their way past huge turbolaser cannons and the Star Destroyer’s bridge.

As well as featuring an innovative design and cutting-edge technology, this interactive experience is one of the longest experiences to have been created by Disney.

Bob Chapek, chairman of Disney Parks, experiences and products, commented on the new attraction: “Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the most ambitious, immersive, advanced, action-packed attraction we’ve ever created.

“We threw out the rulebook when designing this attraction to deliver experiential storytelling on a massive, cinematic scale,” said Chapek.

On January 17, 2020, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will open at Disneyland in California.

TRIOTECH TO CREATE INTERACTIVE DARK RIDE FOR VIETNAM THEME PARK

BY GABRIELLE

Triotech, a global leader in interactive media-based attractions, has announced it has been selected by Vinpearl JSC to design and build a media-based interactive dark ride for Vinpearl Land’s newest theme park, located on the resort island of Phú Quốc, Vietnam.

Designed entirely by Triotech, the attraction is known as Dragon’s Spell, and will be Vietnam’s first media-based Interactive Dark Ride (IDR). Among the attraction’s key features are a storyline, gameplay and pre-show.

The ride will feature full scenic theming and Triotech’s proprietary illusio™ interactive projection mapping technology, designed to bring the scenic theming to life and create an interactive, memorable experience for guests.

As Nol Van Genuchten, creative vice president of Triotech explains: “Making the theming interactive contributes greatly to the immersion of the guests in the story.”

Ernest Yale, founder, president and CEO of Triotech, said: “Being involved from the beginning for such a major project allows us to design and deliver a complete attraction that optimises immersion and interactivity.

“This allows us to focus on the guest experience on which we want to accept no compromise. In our philosophy, it is what should drive the attraction design,” Yale added.

The Vinpearl Phu Quoc complex features several different resorts including Vinpearl Amusement Park, Vinpearl Safari, an 18-hole golf course, an international convention centre and a large theatre.