ACCESSO ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF STEVE BROWN AS CEO

BY GABRIELLE

accesso Technology Group, a leading provider for solutions for attractions and entertainment venues around the world, has announced that Steve Brown has returned to the company as CEO, replacing Paul Noland.

The change in leadership is part of accesso’s renewed focus on its strategic objective of delivering revenue and experience-enhancing solutions through market-leading technology.

Bill Russell, executive chairman of accesso, commented on the recent appointment: “We are thrilled that Steve has decided to return to the leadership role as the CEO.  His understanding of the company’s core business along with his vision and passion for Accesso are unparalleled.

“We look forward to working with him as we re-energise the group, our clients and the marketplace and move forward with our on long-term growth plan.”

Brown founded the company’s namesake accesso business in 2008. In 2012, the company became part of what is now accesso Technology Group PLC. From 2013 and 2017, accesso underwent rapid expansion, acquiring Siriusware, ShoWare, Ingresso and TE2.

From 2016 to 2018, when he left the business, Steve Brown served as president and CEO of accesso. Talking about the company’s plans to fully leverage the range of assets within its portfolio and deliver value-enhancing solutions to the marketplace, Steve Brown said: “Accesso has an incredible team of talented professionals, a vast array of innovative technology and a global reach that is unmatched by any other company in our industry.

“I look forward to reacquainting myself with our clients and the Accesso team as we regain the momentum of this truly unique company,” he added.

CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY FOR EXTREME ENGINEERING’S CLOUD COASTER AT VINPEARL LAND PHU QUOC

BY GABRIELLE

Extreme Engineering, a world leader in the design and manufacture of adventure attractions, has announced its Cloud Coaster attraction is currently being installed at Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc, Vietnam.  The ride will be the first Cloud Coaster to be installed in Asia.

The attraction features jungle theming and immerses guests on a high-altitude journey that provides memorable views of the whole of the theme park. The ride has a track length of around 122 metres.

The installation will be the largest outdoor Cloud Coast project that Extreme Engineering has worked on in Asia. Because of the climate in Vietnam, custom paint coatings and finishes are required on the coaster in order to maintain its condition.

The coaster boasts a bright green design, so it blends in with the design of the rest of the theme park. Phil Wilson, executive vice president of Extreme Engineering, commented: “We were able to find a way to fit the coaster in a very tight space, minimising the impact required real estate from the park.

“The Cloud Coaster was designed to allow post-install anchoring eliminating heavy-duty construction costs that you would typically experience on other attractions.,” Wilson added.

The family suspended coaster is due to open at Vinpearl Land Phu Quoc later in 2020.

SEVENTH WANDA PLAZA TO OPEN IN XINJIANG

BY GABRIELLE

The Wanda Group has signed an agreement with Xinjiang Jinyangyu Real Estate Company for the construction of the ambitious ‘Kashgar Wanda Plaza’ project. Covering an area of more than 1,000,000 sq. mt., the project will integrate leisure facilities, shopping, cultural education and entertainment, including international studios, a children’s park, indoor boutiques, pedestrian streets, and much more.

The Plaza is located in the centre of the new district in the city of Kashgar. It is the first Wanda Plaza in Kashgar, and the first in southern Xinjiang and is likely to be the largest commercial centre in southern Xinjiang.

There are currently three Wanda Plazas in operation in Xinjiang, including Wanda Plaza in Urumqi Economic Development District, Urumqi Dehui Wanda Plaza and the Wanda Plaza in the Urumqi high-tech zone.

Additionally, there is the Karamay Wanda Plaza, the Wanda Plaza in Urumqi White Bird Lake New District and the Shihezi Wanda Plaza, which were all signed for or began construction in 2019.

SMURFS AND DRACULA AMONG THE MEET-AND-GREET CHARACTERS COMING TO DREAM ISLAND

BY GABRIELLE

Dream Island has announced the characters that will meeting and greeting guests in 2020.

Smurfs, Dracula, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Hello Kitty, among others, will be meeting guests is a series of regular meet-and-greet sessions planned for the Moscow theme park this year.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle favourites, including Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo, will be entertaining guests arriving at the park during the sessions.

Olya and Maxim will be mingling with visitors at the park’s Dream Race zone, while the three snowmen and a polar bear will be regular characters at the Snow Queen’s Castle.

Dracula and his cronies Frankenstein, Murray the Mummy and daughter Mavis, will be greeting guests at the park’s Hotel Transylvania.

The Lost World of Dinosaurs will be home to Mowgli and Baloo, as Smurf favourites including Papa Smurf and Smurfette will be causing a stir at Smurfs Village.

Dmity Ragozin, head of shows and entertainment at Dream Island, commented on the new sessions: “Meet-and-greet sessions with animated heroes is an essential part of theme parks all over world and our Dream island won’t be an exception.

“In each of the eight themed zones visitors will be greeted by favourite heroes, with whom it will be possible to take photos, take autographs or just hug,” Ragozin added.

GARDALAND RESORT’S EXCITING NEW SEASON TO KICK OFF ON MARCH 28

BY GABRIELLE

Gardaland Resort has announced its new season is to start on Saturday March 28. What promises to be more spectacular than ever is to include a raft of new additions, including Wonder Woman – the 4D Experience, 44 GATTI Rock Show, Aqua Fantasia Show and the Gardaland Awards.

On March 28, the whole of the Gardaland Resort will open, including the theme park, the three themed hotels and the Gardaland Sea Life Aquarium.

On the weekends of March 14 – 15 and 21 – 22, a pre-opening event for little ones will take place. The Prezzemolo & Friends event will see Gardaland transformed into rides and attractions dedicated to young visitors, particularly in Peppa Pig Land, Fantasy Kingdom, Prezzemolo Land, Prezzemolo Magic Village, the Medieval area and Foresta Incantata.

Throughout the 2020 season, there will be meet and greet sessions, large-scale events like the Gardaland Awards, and dazzling water tricks displayed Aqua Fantasia – Storie di acqua, luci e colori – Stories of water, lights and colours.

Wonder Woman – The 4D Experience is scheduled in for June 2020, providing Wonder Woman fans with the opportunity to re-live the antics of the superhero through a powerful, high-tense cinematographic story, enhanced by special effects and special glasses.

Though it has to be said, one of the most eagerly awaited new additions of the season will be the opening of Legoland Water Park Gardaland, the first Legoland waterpark in Europe and the first in the world to be built inside theme park that doesn’t bare the Legoland brand.

The waterpark will extend over an area of 15,000 sq. mt. and will be located near the Peppa Pig Land and Fantasy Kingdom zones.

The highly awaited Legoland Water Park Gardaland will open on May 28, 2020.

LEGACY ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES TWO PROJECT DEBUTS FOR 2020

BY GABRIELLE

Legacy Entertainment, a leading entertainment design firm, has announced it will debut two high-profile projects in 2020 – China’s Chimelong Marine Science Park in May and Vietnam’s Vinpearl Sea Shell in July.

The news of the project debuts follows a record-breaking year for Legacy Entertainment in 2019, which saw the opening of three new theme parks and the design of two ground-breaking dark rides.

The Chimelong Marine Science Park is a hybrid theme park and indoor aquarium. The park will extend nearly 4,000,000 sq. ft., making it the world’s largest indoor theme park.

Barry Kemper, Legacy’s chief operating officer, commented: “Under the guidance of Su Zhigang, Chimelong has become the standard-bearer for domestic theme parks in China, both in terms of quality and safety. We believe this latest undertaking will secure Chimelong’s place at the forefront of location-based entertainment, not just in China, but for the world.”

The opening of the Sea Shell on the island of Phú Quốc’s Vinpearl Land resort in July, will mark Legacy Entertainment’s first project in Vietnam. The 300,000 sq. ft. site features a sleek turtle-inspired motif and takes guests on a journey through five themed galleries.

Taylor Jeffs, Legacy’s president and chief creative officer, spoke of the dramatic exterior design, commenting: “Our primary goal has been to create a signature icon for the island of Phú Quốc and for our client, Vinpearl – something wholly-unique that will capture the attention of potential visitors from all around the globe.”

AMERICAN WAVE MACHINES UNVEILS NEW LEISURE DESTINATION

 BY GABRIELLE

American Wave Machines, a leader in the design and manufacturer of wave technology, has announced a new leisure destination located in Richmond, Virginia – the LAKE.

Working alongside Flatwater Companies in Chesterfield County, Virginia, the LAKE will provide visitors with innovative surfing, retail and entertainment facilities.

The LAKE will comprise of 100,000sq. ft. of retail and entertainment space, a 170-room hotel and more than 1,000 townhouses and apartments.

The new leisure destination will also be home to PerfectSwell Richmond, a new world-class surf facility, featuring American Wave Machines’ world-class surfing technology.

Construction of PerfectSwell Richmond is to begin in 2020 and part of Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the autumn 2021.

Brett Burkhart, co-founder and vision leader of Flatwater Companies, commented: The LAKE is more than just a new development. Our vision is to create a unique destination that will cultivate greater connections and shared experiences with surfing being a key component.

“By partnering with AWM to create PerfectSwell Richmond, we can offer recreational surf for beginners as well as world-class surfing for elite athletes. PerfectSwell Richmond will be a global surf destination,” Burkhart added.

Mike Lopez, senior vice president of AWM, said: “We’re extremely pleased to add The LAKE to a quickly growing list of PerfectSwell surf destinations.  Having recently announced PerfectSwell Surf Stadium Japan, scheduled to open June 2020, our vision for a global network of high-performance surf pools is materialising.”

ATTRACTIONS ANNOUNCED FOR LEGOLAND WATER PARK GARDALAND

BY GABRIELLE

Gardaland has announced some of the exciting attractions that will feature in its new Lego-themed waterpark – Legoland Water Park Gardaland.

The Lego River Adventure will flow through most of the waterpark, allowing visitors to navigate the park on customisable rafts made by guests out of large, soft, floating Lego bricks.

The river will flow past a series of attractions, including a cave with undersea theming and the Miniland area adorned in iconic Italian monuments made from Lego bricks.

Other notable attractions include the Beach Party children’s play area with colourful slides and water cannons, the Lego Creation island where young guests can have fun building personalised Lego boats, and Duplo Splash where little ones can experience their first water slide.

Legoland Water Park Gardaland will also be home to Jungle Adventure slides, the Pirate Bay swimming pool, the Legoland shop selling all the favourite Lego merchandise and the Harbour Restaurant where guests can refresh themselves for more water-filled fun.

Commenting on the attractions, Luca Marigo, director of sales and marketing at Gardaland, said: “Legoland Water Park Gardaland will have so many attractions that visitors will be thrilled, whether young or old.

“There will also be special themed areas, with lots of colourful water slides for youngsters and kids of all ages, as well as a creative area where children can discover the fun of building with Duplo and Lego bricks, swimming pools equipped with sunbeds, deck chairs and large gazeboes where families can relax.”

Legoland Water Park Gardaland is to open on May 28, 2020.

CONSTRUCTION OF JINGZHOU FANTAWILD ‘ORIENTAL DAWN’ THEME PARK BEGINS

 BY GABRIELLE

onstruction of the Jingzhou Fantawild ‘Oriental Dawn’ theme park is now underway. The park will be the second large-scale, high-tech cultural theme park in Jingzhou, Hubei, following the opening of Jingzhou Fangtawild Oriental Heritage on September 12, 2019.

The project is the second phase of the ‘Beautiful China Trilogy,’ developed by the Huaqiang Fangtawild Group.

The park is centred primarily on modern history since the Opium War, when China sought national independence and rejuvenation. Its name ‘Oriental Dawn’ is inspired by the famous poem of Maozedong – ‘Qingpingle  Huichang’, which explores the theme of national liberation and renaissance.

CONSTRUCTION OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS BEIJING EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE 2020

BY GABRIELLE

The construction of Universal Studios Beijing is expected to be completed by the end of October 2020. According to Miao Lewen, president and general manager of Universal Resort Beijing, Universal Studios Beijing is due to open by the end of the year, with the main construction work planned to be completed by the end of October.

Universal Studios Beijing will be home to seven themed areas, including ‘Transformers Base’ and ‘Kung Fu Panda World.’  The Universal resort will be a new landmark in Beijing and will play a vital role in the tourism industry of Tongzhou, Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei.

Asides Universal Resort Beijing, several municipal infrastructure projects in the Tongzhou Cultural Tourism Area are under way, including 54 municipal roads, cross-river bridges, power networks, and more. 17 roads are currently under construction and are planned to open to traffic by the end of 2020.