SKY TRAIL OPENS AT NICKELODEON UNIVERSE INDOOR THEME PARK

BY GABRIELLE

On October 25, 2019, the 92ft. tall Sky Trail opened to the public at Nickelodeon Universe indoor theme park, part of the wider American Dream Mall and entertainment complex.

The Sky Trail project took years to perfect and involved a collaboration between RCI Adventure Projects, RCI licensed distributor RIDE Entertainment and American Dream developer, the Triple Five Group.

The style of the custom 6-pole, 5-level Sky Trail Explorer and an integrated 4-pole, 3-level Sky Trail Seeker, resembles Legends of the Hidden Temple, the much-loved 90s’ TV game show, which was broadcast on Nickelodeon.

Adam Sandy, president of business development for RIDE Entertainment, described how the Sky Trail works. “Like the classic show, adventures suit up to climb through history and explore ancient mysteries. As the tallest aerial attraction in the world makes a statement with its impressive collection of different elements,” Sandy commented.

“Once at the top participants are then able to free-fall down with a controlled descent or touch the treasure on a precarious platform,” he added.

The attraction is designed to accommodate different heights of users. The lower section is for explorers between 34 – 36 inches tall, while the upper part is for those 48 inches and above.

A total of 90 participants at a time can climb on the attraction, traversing more than 50 interactive features at their own pace.

Jon Weston, chief sales officer for RCI, spoke about the ride opening to the public. “To finally see the Sky Trail be fully realised and open to the public is highly rewarding and signifies a job well done by everyone involved. We couldn’t be happier with how it turned out,” said Weston.

LEGOLAND NEW YORK RESORT, HOLOVIS AND ETF RIDE SYSTEMS TO UNVEIL ATTRACTION THAT TURNS GUESTS INTO LEGO MINIFIGURES

BY GABRIELLE

Yes, you did read the title correctly!

Legoland New York Resort, Holovis and ETF Ride Systems are to unveil the world’s first attraction experience, which features technology that turns riders into Lego minifigures.

Named the Lego Factory Adventure ride, the new attraction is to be revealed at IAAPA Expo in Orlando on November 19.

It will be the first ride in the world to feature Holovis’ proprietary HoloTrac technology, which enables visitors to view themselves transformed into Lego minifigures.

The Legoland New York resort is due to host its Grand Opening event on July 4, 2020, which will be home to the ground-breaking new attraction.

Attendees visiting IAAPA Expo Orlando will be able to receive exclusive demonstrations of this revolutionary technology and listen to keynote speakers talking about Legoland New York Resort’s Lego Factory Adventure ride.

Attendees will have the opportunity to speak to Julie Estrada, head of public relations North America at Merlin Entertainments, Stuart Hetherington, CEO of Holovis, and Ruud Koppens, CEO of ETF Ride Systems.

All three companies have collaborated to develop the highly awaited Lego Factory Adventure ride.

BRAIN MACHAMER NAMED PRESIDENT OF SIX FLAGS QIDDIYA

BY GABRIELLE

Brian Machamer as been given the role of park president of Six Flags Qiddiya, the first theme park from Six Flags Entertainment Corporation in Saudi Arabia.

The park will be the most expensive and largest of Six Flags theme parks to date.

Having started his career in 1990 at Universal Studios Florida, where he remained for over ten years, Machamer has decades of experience in the industry. He has overseen major theme park developments around the world, including Singapore, Malaysia and the UAE.

As president of Six Flags Qiddiya, Machamer will have responsibility of all aspects of the site, including budgeting, operations and strategic planning.

Speaking of the new appointment, Brain Machamer said:

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime and I am excited to join this impressive team to help introduce Six Flags’ signature brand to thrills to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“The Six Flags name is synonymous with innovation at the highest level and Six Flags Qiddiya will be a game changer in the region.”

David McKillips, international development president at Six Flags, commented:

“I am thrilled to welcome Brian to the Six Flags International team to lead one of the most ambitious theme park and entertainment projects on the planet.

“Brian’s extensive development and park operational experience will be invaluable as we move forward to create a world-class global destination.”

Six Flags Qiddiya will stretch over 32 hectares, comprising of six different lands. Within the lands will be 28 themed rides and attractions, including Falcon’s Flights, poised to be the tallest, fastest and longest rollercoaster in the world.

Six Flags Qiddiya is due to open in 2023.

LEGOLAND THEME PARK TO OPEN IN SHANGHAI

 BY GABRIELLE

Shanghai is to be the home of one of the largest Legoland resorts in the world.

During the second China International Import Expo, which took place on November 6, 2019, construction of a Legoland in Shanghai was agreed.

It has been estimated that the new Legoland resort will cost around $55 million. The site will combine traditional Lego elements with Chinese culture, to create an immersive experience for families to enjoy.

The resort will provide children from the ages of 2 and 12 with an interactive program, comprising of many imaginative attractions and activities.

A key highlight of Legoland Shanghai will be a huge immersive themed hotel.

Legoland Shanghai is part of the Merlin Group’s aim to develop a number of new Legolands around the world.

The Shanghai site will be unique in combining classic Legoland projects with local themed attractions.

DATA-DRIVEN VR PARKS, ARENA SPACE, TO LAUNCH IN LONDON AND NEW YORK IN 2020

BY GABRIELLE

ARena Space, a chain of data-driven VR parks for the entertainment and retail industries, has announced it plans new launches in New York City and London, due in mid-2020.

In 2018, Arena Space raised more than $8 million to fund its international expansion. The company is now planning to raise an additional $30 million for further expansion.

ARena Space plans to launch in several other locations by the end of 2020, including Los Angeles, Berlin, Barcelona, and Dubai. During the next five years, the company intends to develop its own data-driven VR parks in more than 20 cities around the world.

The standard ARena Space park features ten zones, which focus on different target audiences and occupy various sizes of sites.

Since the start of 2016, more than 150,000 people have visited ARena Space parks. With a data-driven approach, the company enables customer retention to be increased at a rate of five times that of traditional entertainment. The firm’s management system analyses sales to maximise efficiency while providing a personalised experience to customers at traditional shopping malls and amusement parks.

Vasily Ryzhonkov, ARena Space founder and CEO, said: “Our data-driven approach gives us and our partners insights into our customers and their preferences.

“Family entertainment centres and cinemas are becoming less profitable. They require more investment, but their lifecycle is shortening because consumers are bored of existing entertainment and are looking for more immersive and engaging experiences,” Ryzhonkov added.

ARena Space launched in 2015. The company currently operates four VR parks in Europe.

PROGRESS MADE ON SUZHOU AMUSEMENT PARK FOREST WORLD, CHINA

BY GABRIELLE

Construction of the Suzhou Amusement Park Forest World in China is now underway, with the main gate to the park having been erected.

The gate is symmetrically designed with steel piping and tree-shaped tubes, designed to resemble rattan in a forest.

Suzhou Amusement Park closed in 2017, after being a popular attraction site for locals for 20 years.

The Suzhou Amusement Park Forest World will replace the Amusement Park and is aimed at being the only forest-themed eco-tourism destination in China.

The park is also set to be one of the leading amusement destination sites of the Yangtze River Delta. The forest-themed resort will feature six themed areas, covering 379,900 sq. mt. A total of 49 buildings and 24 amusement facilities will be built on the site.

It has also been announced that the Suzhou Amusement Park Forest World will feature a number of world-class rides. 17 of the park’s rides have already been installed.

The remaining rides are due to be installed soon and will be fully commissioned after the Spring festival of 2020.