DISNEYLAND AND DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE PAUSE CONSTRUCTION DURING COVID-19 CLOSURE

 BY GABRIELLE

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have temporarily stopped construction during the closure of the sites amid the coronavirus outbreak, in-line with government legislation.

At Disney California Adventure, building on the Avenger Campus has been paused. The Avengers Campus, which boasts a Marvel theme, was due to open on July 18, 2020.

At Disneyland, construction of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway dark ride has also been halted. The Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction was due to debut in 2022.

When the park was closed on March 14 because of the coronavirus pandemic, Disneyland commenced a number of refurbishment projects, including the renovation of King Arthur Carrousel, Snow White’s Scary Adventures and the Haunted Mansion. Renovations were also set to be carried out on the theme park’s Indiana Jones Adventure attraction.

The news of the halting of construction at the site quells plans that one comforting prospect of the temporary closure of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure is that crew would have unrestricted access to concentrate on construction and maintenance projects.

SHIPWRECK ISLAND TAKES PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AMID COVID-19 CRISIS

BY GABRIELLE

The Shipwreck Island waterpark in Panama City Beach, Florida, has taken a series of precautionary measures in an attempt to protect its staff and prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The control measures include the sending home of employees. However, in a statement the park’s management said, employees at the waterpark would be able to return to the attraction site during the next couple of weeks to work on essential tasks.

Shipwreck Island also announced its lifeguard classes have been cancelled and that season pass holders will not be allowed to arrive at the waterpark to take photos for the passes they had ordered online.

The waterpark is due to reopen on April 18, 2020. Though the park’s management said such precautionary measures may delay the opening date for the new season.

HANGZHOU CHANGQIAO OCEAN WORLD TO BE BUILT ON ZHOUSHAN ISLAND, CHINA

BY GABRIELLE

Following a video meeting between the Putuoshan Zhujia Management Committee and the Hangzhou Changqiao Tourism Investment Group, the operator of Hangzhou Changqiao Ocean World, it has been agreed that Hangzhou Changqiao Ocean World will be built in Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China.

Some of the details of the project have been revealed. The site will extend over and area of 200 acres. Oceans and rainforests will be the key theme and resources of the island resort. Hangzhou Changqiao Ocean World will feature a Polar Ocean World, Rainforest River World, Dolphin Bay Water Park and Dolphin Bay Resort Hotel.

As well as the planned Hangzhou Changqiao Ocean World project, Hangzhou Changqiao Tourism Investment Group operates the Hangzhou Changqiao Polar Ocean Park, Hangzhou Changqiao Sea Turtle Paradise, Hangzhou Changqiao Underwater World, and Zhengzhou Changqiao Polar Ocean World Scenic Spot, Nanchang Changqiao Ocean Park.

ZIBO CITY TO INVEST 2.25 BILLION YUAN TO DEVELOP A THEME PARK AND COMMERCIAL COMPLEX

 BY GABRIELLE

The Wenchang Lake Investment Promotion Bureau of Zibo City, Shandong Province, China, has announced it is to invest in the development of a theme park and commercial complex. The investment is valued at 2.25 billion yuan (approx. US$0.32 billion).

The project will involve the development of the Zibo Wenchang Lake Tourism Resort, which will include a theme park and the Wenchang Lake commercial complex project.

The commercial complex project will cover an area of 60 acres and will feature a supermarket, shopping mall, gym, education and training centre, theatres and more.

Another 2 billion yuan will go towards the construction of a theme park, which will extend a 500-acre area. The theme park will be home to diverse attractions centred on local cultures and modern elements. As well as attractions, the theme park will be home to food outlets, hotels, shopping areas and entertainment.

IAAPA OFFERS COVID-19 EDUCATIONAL SERIES ONLINE

BY GABRIELLE

IAAPA’s online learning management system is offering e-learning courses to provide information about COVID-19.

Topics include pandemic planning, crisis management, coronavirus preparedness, infection control, precautions and prevention, working from home and other key topics to help members get through the current crisis.

Subtitles are provided with the courses in multiple languages, including European Spanish, European Portugal, Thai, US English, Chinese, Canadian French, European French and German.

In a statement on its website, IAAPA notes the importance of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: “eLearning provides an efficient path to rapidly educate employees about preventing the spread of coronavirus, as well as how to work and manage tasks remotely.”

The duration of the courses range from 3 minutes to 30 minutes. All the courses are free and are available to IAAPA members until May 15.

WILD FLORIDA’S DRIVE-THRU SAFARI PARK REMAINS OPEN

BY GABRIELLE

The Wild Florida Airboat, Gator & Drive-thru Safari Park is to stay open for guests during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. To help prevent the spread of the virus, the park is implementing several measures to encourage social distancing among visitors.

The measures follow the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations about social distancing.

Visitors can travel through the safari park in their own cars to witness the different species of native and exotic animals. Guests can book to visit the park and check-in online so no physical contact with members of staff is required.

All airboat tours and encounters with animals will remain suspended.

Sam Haught, co-owners of Wild Florida, commented: ““We are disappointed to suspend our airboat tours and close our Gator Park, but as a company, we feel compelled to take responsible steps to help control the spread of the virus.

“Fortunately, our Drive-thru Safari Park allows people to get out of the house and practice social distancing. We are glad to offer a safe activity that is fun and affordable for families during these unprecedented times,” Haught continued.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS CLOSES UK THEME PARKS AND ATTRACTIONS

BY GABRIELLE

In response to the COVID0-19 pandemic, Merlin Entertainments is closing its theme parks and attractions in the UK for a temporary period.

The sites suspending operations include Legoland Windsor, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Chessington World of Adventures.

Legoland Windsor was closed on March 20 but the Legoland Windsor Resort Hotel will remain open for now.

The opening of Alton Towers, due on March 20, has been postponed until further notice.

In a statement, Merlin Entertainments said: While we have been looking forward to welcoming visitors this weekend, we believe that this decision is the right thing to protect the health and wellbeing of our employees and guests. Alton Towers Resort will remain closed until further notice.”

Chessington World of Adventure Resort closed on March 21. The resort announced: “We believe that this is the right decision to protect the health and wellbeing of our guests and staff.”

This season’s opening of Thorpe Park has also been postponed from March 21.

SIX FLAGS CLOSING PARKS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK BY GABRIELLE

 BY GABRIELLE

Six Flags is shutting down its parks throughout the United States due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

In a statement, the park said it was to close its gates temporarily, suspending operation until the end of March when the situation will be reassessed.

Mike Spanos, president and CEO of Six Flags said: “Our goal is to support our team members and our communities by never compromising the safety of guests or employees.

“Since the onset of COVID-19, we have followed the guidance of federal, state and local authorities. As of today, many states have declared a state of emergency and are recommending that all non-essential gatherings of large groups be postponed or cancelled,” Spanos added.

MAX & MORITZ TO LAUNCH AT EFTELING THIS SPRING

BY GABRIELLE

Max & Moritz, the family rollercoaster launching soon at Efteling theme park in Holland, is near completion, with the arrival of the first of its two trains.

Each of the two trains will represent the characters, Max & Moritz, the two naughty schoolboys from the German rhyming story Max und Moritz. The train will travel in opposite directions, taking guests of all ages, but particularly children aged 4 – 10, on an exciting journey.

The ‘Max’ train is now in place on the track, weighing over 1,300 kg. Coen Bertens, director of Efteling Theme Park, said: “This is another major milestone for the project and is certainly exciting. It takes about three days to assemble the entire train, bringing the most important elements – track and train – together. The next step is testing the ride and we are all really looking forward to it.”

As well as the ride, a new restaurant, ‘Frau Boltes Küche’, will open at Efteling this summer, not far from Max & Moritz. Like the attraction, the area surrounding the ride, including the new restaurant, will be influenced by the Max & Moritz story.

ASTM F24 APPOINTS FRANCEEN GONZALES THE COMMITTEE’S FIRST WOMAN CHAIRPERSON

BY GABRIELLE

WhiteWater has announced the appointment of Franceen Gonzales, executive vice president, Americas, as chairperson of ASTM’s F24 committee – Amusement Rides and Devices.

Gonzales is the first woman to hold this position, symbolic of her ongoing commitment during the last 35 years to making parks safer for everyone.

Throughout her career, Franceen Gonzales has been dedicated to developing operating protocols, building leadership teams, consulting on the design of new waterparks and resorts, and working on aquatic risk management.

ASTM’s F24 committee’s new chairperson also holds leadership roles in a number of amusement industry groups, including International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) World Waterpark Association (WWA), Council for the Model Aquatic Health Code (CMAHC), Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), and AIMS International.

Talking about the importance of safety, Franceen Gonzales commented: “Safety in our industry is personal for me. Having been an operator of parks for 30 years and as a design/manufacturer with WhiteWater, I see every day why safety is so important. It’s fundamental to making sure park guests are enjoying places they will come back to and is a core driver of business success.”

“Today, we are seeing more recognition of the talents of women. I’m inspired by others in this business, especially by those who lead and those in technical roles. It’s exciting to know that this is an industry in which women can succeed,” Franceen Gonzales continued.