EXPANSION OF HERSHEYPARK’S CHOCOLATETOWN RESUMES

BY GABRIELLE


Construction of Hersheypark’s Chocolatetown in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has been resumed, though an opening date for the park’s 2020 season remains unknown.

The $150 million expansion of Chocolatetown includes the installing of a number of new attractions. The extended area will be home to Hersheytown’s 15th rollercoaster, Candymonium. The ride promises to be the theme park’s largest and faster rollercoaster.

New facilities are being added to the park, including restaurants, food vendors and shops. Fountains and the Hersheypark Carrousel are also being relocated to the new area.

Construction of the extension was suspended at the beginning of April due to the coronavirus outbreak. Garret Gallia of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company, commented on the decision to commence building work: “Given the guidance and permission from the Commonwealth, construction on the Chocolatetown project resumed as of May 1st.

“All enhanced health and safety processes and necessary operational protocols set by the Governor, CDC and the construction industry are being carefully followed to ensure the safety of our team members and the contractors onsite,” Gallia added.

DISNEY PARKS DEBUTS DROID DEPOT APP

 BY GABRIELLE


To celebrate May 4 – otherwise known as Star Wars Day – Disney Parks has debuted its new Droid Depot app.

The app is designed to bring the magic of Droid Depot at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge into the homes of Star Wars fans everywhere. Users will be able to interact with droids at home. The app enables fans to build their own droids, enjoy virtual experiences and create a digital astromech companion.

Through the interactive app, users can customise their droids by name, programme the droids, see their profiles, and put them on virtual tours around their own home, while manoeuvring through the app.

Star Wars enthusiasts can even choose their favourite galactic songs by DJR3X and programme their droid to dance to their melodies of their top space songs.

The app is free to download on the Google Pay and App store for a limited time.

ZAMPERLA CARE TEAM INITIATIVES INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS TO SUPPORT CUSTOMERS DURING COVID-19

BY GABRIELLE


Like many companies, Zamperla, specialists in amusement rides design and manufacturing, has been busy reinventing its way of work and how it interacts with customers during the restrictions set by the coronavirus pandemic.

Zamperla’s Care Team has initiated a new solution to support its customers throughout these difficult times. Through advanced technology, Zamperla has reinvented the way it assembles rides, despite the limitations and restrictions of travel caused by the pandemic.

Zamperla’s ride mechanical supervisor, based in the company’s headquarters in Altavilla, is utilising extended collaboration software. The software enables the direct sharing of video, audio and remote augmented reality interactions, as well as document sharing, to provide clear instructions on how to assemble Zamperla rides.

The advanced, remotely communicated instructions, are designed to help customers assembly rides even during social distancing enforcements.

KINGS ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK TURNS 48

BY GABRIELLE


Kings Island, the 364-acre amusement park in Ohio, is celebrating its 48th birthday. The theme park opened on April 29, 1972.

On opening, Kings Island was home to around 60 attractions. The family-friendly amusement site and waterpark now boasts more than 100 rides. The park’s Orion giga coaster, one of only seven giga coasters in the world, is set to open in 2020.

Initially, the park was operated with around 1,300 employees. Today, the huge theme park and waterpark requires around 5,000 members of staff.

Kings Island is operated by Cedar Fair, which has announced that during the COVID-19 pandemic as the park remains shut, 2020 Season Passes for Kings Island will be valid for the 2021 season.

Once the park reopens, Regular, Gold and Platinum Season Passes, as well as 2020 Pass Ad-Ons, will be automatically valid and will be extended into next year’s season.

THEME PARKS IN FLORIDA COULD DECIDE WHEN TO REOPEN

 BY GABRIELLE


The major theme parks in Florida, including Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, could reopen at their own discretion.

The possibility of allowing theme parks to reopen under their own judgement was discussed by a group associated with the Orange Country Economic Task Force. The group met to talk about the guidelines for reopening businesses in Orange county.

During the call, Chuck Whittall, president of Unicorp National Developments and co-leader of the working group within the Orange County Economic Recovery Task Force, read a draft approach which would enable theme parks to determine their own reopening schedule.

According to the draft: “Theme parks and other venues of that magnitude shall each develop their own specific and unique set of guidelines following the CDC recommendations and using best practices that will protect the life, health, and safety of their employees and guests. They will be permitted to open at their own discretion with their internally determined level of safe capacities throughout the various phases.”

Universal Orlando, SeaWorld and Disney World have been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

SIX FLAGS’ HURRICANE HARBOR SPLASHTOWN PLANS MID-MAY OPENING

BY GABRIELLE


Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbor Splashtown has announced it is planning to open in mid-May or “as soon as possible thereafter.”

The family waterpark near Houston, Texas, delayed the opening of its 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mike Spanos, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corp. spoke about the impending reopening: “The top priority at Six Flags is the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members.

“We continue to monitor and follow the guidance of federal, state and local officials regarding COVID-19. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we all work through this challenging situation,” Spanos continued.

There are currently 22 Six Flags parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada that have temporarily closed or delayed opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

RIDE ENTERTAINMENT PROVIDES CLEANING SOLUTIONS FOR RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

BY GABRIELLE


As theme parks and attraction sites around the world prepare to ramp up cleaning and maintenance efforts to reopen safely, Ride Entertainments is offering two services to help – Skycoaster and attraction maintenance.

Skycoaster provides cleaning solutions for flight suites. As Lance Beatty, Skycoaster’s managing director explains: “As our industry faces an unprecedented chain of events, Skycoaster remains open and committed to supporting our customers as you navigate these challenges times.

“We want to especially thank High Energy Sports for their tireless effort to find solutions regarding the sanitisation of our flight suits and establishing a procedure to help guide you during operations. We wish everyone a safe and healthy season and hope to be flying soon.”

Ride Entertainment also offers installation and maintenance services, designed to supplement parks’ maintenance teams or project manage and complete projects so that the required maintenance of rides are completed on time.

Whether it is train rehabs or chain replacements, Ride Entertainment’s installation and maintenance team can assist theme parks to ensure they are up, running and safe when it is time to reopen.

NANOCOASTERS AVAILABLE OF ICONIC SEAWORLD AND BUSCH GARDENS RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

BY GABRIELLE


For theme park enthusiasts missing their favourite rides and attractions during lockdown, they may be able to have some kind of fix by building model nanocoasters.

The miniature replicas of famous rollercoasters from SeaWorld and Busch Gardens parks are being sold as being easy to assemble.

As well as some of the most well-known rides, buildable models are also available in attractions that have yet to be opened, including Iron Gwazi in Busch Gardens Tampa, Pantheon at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando.

Each nanocoaster model costs $37.99.

LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA RESORT CREATES SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR FRONTLINE WORKERS

BY GABRIELLE


Legoland California Resort has built a special Lego feature. The structure says a special thank you to those working in the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The feature boasts a white Lego background that starkly contrasts to text made from black bricks that reads ‘Thank You’. Accompanying the text is a yellow ribbon. The feature was made from 640 Lego bricks and is over three feet in length and two feet in height. The special Lego structure was made by model builder Tim Sams.

A number of Merlin Entertainments resorts, including Legoland Discovery Centres and Legoland Resorts, are sharing similar messages to show appreciation and thanks to those risking their lives by working on the frontline during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

ALTON TOWERS TOGETHER LAUNCHED

BY GABRIELLE


Anew social campaign known as ‘Alton Towers Together’ has been launched. The initiative is designed to bring the fun of Alton Towers into homes in Britain during lockdown.

The campaign shares behind-the-scenes content of Alton Towers’ operations, as well as learning resources and family activities and challenges. The ‘Thrilliant Fun’ feature involves participants creating their perfect virtual Alton Towers theme park, featuring their favourite rides and attractions from the past, present and future.

By using the #AltonTowersTogether hashtag on social media, fans of the Staffordshire theme park can stay up to date on the latest announcements, news releases, and more.

Fans can also keep on top of the Alton Towers Blog written by the team at the resort and featuring some guest bloggers. The regularly updated blog provides information and tips about the resort and explores its 40-year history.

Alton Towers is also encouraging people to participate in the ‘Towers Challenge’ and build the resort’s iconic towers out of household items.