Copy
International Theme Park Services, Inc. ("ITPS") delivers the news you want regarding the amusement and leisure industry! 
View this email in your browser
Tuesday September 10th, 2019
Thank you for reading ITPS Leisure News
 

1.  Coney Island removing all rides, hopes to become 'premier swim and play destination'

CINCINNATI — Coney Island will shut down all its rides at the end of September to pursue what officials described Monday as a “new singular focus on (the) water park experience.”  Instead of an all-purpose amusement park, CEO and president Rob Schutter Jr. said he hopes to transform the park into “the region’s premier swim and play destination” in time for Sunlite Pool’s 100-year anniversary in 2025.

2.  Halloween events show theme parks the value of live entertainment

It might be September, but that’s already Halloween season at the nation’s theme parks. I just returned from Orlando, where Universal Studios Florida opened this year’s edition of the nation’s largest theme park Halloween event — Halloween Horror Nights. Soon, the nation’s original theme park Halloween event will return at Knott’s Scary Farm.

3.  From the theatre to designing attractions to Professor: a conversation with Bob Shreve

“What is this guy’s deal?” This is what I thought as I got off my first conference call that included Bob Shreve in 2005. At the time we were discussing the concept of Mystery Mine with Herschend Family Entertainment and I was hearing a designer who seemed to have a lot of opinions about how the ride should work because of the show. That was Bob.

4.  Disneyland Paris presents artwork on a new Frozen theme: First Details Revealed!

Over the next few years, Disney's Disneyland Paris Walt Disney Studios Park will open a new Frozen theme area, which will take you to the Kingdom of Arendelle. Now an artwork and new details have been revealed.

5.  The amazing story of the biggest bust in theme park history

What is the one theme park you most wish you could have visited... but now it's too late?  Since theme parks are multi-million (and sometimes, multi-billion) dollar capital investments, the companies that own them tend to perform exacting market research before opening them. That's why major theme parks stick around for decades. But a few parks don't pass the test of time and close before some of the fans who had wished to visit took advantage of that chance.
 

6.  Inquest into Hong Kong ‘haunted house’ death: visitors had clear instructions on attraction, show director says

A Hong Kong theme park director has told an inquest there were clear instructions for visitors inside a haunted house where a student died two years ago.  Cheung Chiu-kit, 21, died after he was hit by a movable coffin slide at the Halloween attraction “Buried Alive” in Ocean Park in September 2017.

7.  Legoland Windsor Resort announces expansion plans for Duplo Valley

Legoland Windsor Resort has announced plans to extend the park’s Duplo Valley with the addition of the Duplo Dream Coaster.  The Duplo Dream Coaster, which will open in March 2020, will be crafted especially for kids ages 2-5 and will take them on a wild journey filled with dreams and imagination. The coaster will travel through a topsy-turvy world of color and magic, and riders will meet all kinds of creatures along the way.

8.  Polish amusement park is building another spectacular new roller coaster

The Polish amusement park Energylandia does not know when to stop. In recent years, the amusement park has already created one spectacular rollercoaster after the other. Next year, another sensational roller coaster will be added to the impressive range of attractions: a tens of meters high launch roller coaster. 

9.  Bobbejaanland presents new "Land of Legends" in 2019: these spectacular attractions shine in new splendor!

With the opening of the new Land of Legends theme area, Bobbejaanland has not only enhanced its 2019 offer with a spectacular rollercoaster, but has also helped to revitalize two existing attractions. We show what has changed in these.

10.  Chessington World of Adventures plans a free-fall tower with a fall into a giant crocodile's mouth

Chessington World of Adventures plans to build a new free-fall tower that drops passengers into the mouth of a crocodile. For the novelty, however, an old attraction must make room.

11.  Disneyland Paris replaces 2020 "Disney Junior Live on Stage!" With interactive "Studio D" show

Disneyland Paris has announced a new interactive show for 2020. "Disney Junior Live on Stage!" At Walt Disney Studios Park is being replaced by the "Studio D" show, aimed at a young audience.

12.  11 new artworks: How to design "Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel" at Disneyland Paris!

Disneyland Paris has been working on the redesign of "Disney's Hotel New York" since early 2019 to the Marvel Hotel "Disney's Hotel New York - The Art of Marvel". New concept graphics now show what overnight guests can look forward to.

13.  Tower of Terror at Disneyland Paris is being renewed: three new story lines

Disneyland Paris renews The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The popular free-fall tower in the Walt Disney Studios Park is equipped with three new storylines. Visitors can discover the changes from Saturday 28 September. In the meantime, the attraction will remain open as usual. 

14.  IAAPA ADVISES ON HAZARDS POSED BY LOOSE ARTICLES ON ATTRACTION RIDES

Following its awareness of the recent viral video showing a guest catching a flying cell phone while riding a roller coaster, IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry, is encouraging members to refer to the association's advisory about the serious hazard loose articles can pose on amusement rides.

15.  Six Flags America introduces the 30-hour couples coffin challenge

WASHINGTON (SBG)- Would you be able to be with your significant other in a tight space without technology for 30 hours?  That is the challenge at Six Flags America near Washington, D.C. The event is called 'Six Flags 30 Hour Couple Coffin Challange.'

16.  Parques Reunidos hopes to raise its revenue to 693 million in 2019

Madrid, Sep 9 (EFECOM) .- The Parques Reunidos group, on which the company Piolin Bidco, integrated by EQT, Corporación Financiera Alba and GBL, has launched a bid, estimates that in fiscal year 2019 it will have revenues of 693 million euros, 18.8% more than in 2018, according to the figure that communicated to the market in November of this last year.

1.  Novotown announces grand opening of the National Geographic Ultimate Explorer Hengqin

Lai Sun Group has announced the grand opening of the National Geographic Ultimate Explorer Hengqin, the latest attraction at the Novotown cultural development in Hengqin, China.

2.  Walt Disney Archives kicks off 50th anniversary with exhibit at Bowers Museum

The Walt Disney Archives is celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, and to kick things off, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, Calif. will host “Inside the Walt Disney Archives: 50 Years of Preserving the Magic,” an exhibit that shares a rare look at some of the treasures of the Archives.

3.  Permanent mirror installation offers new perspective for San Francisco waterfront

Seeing Spheres, a new and permanent artwork by Olafur Eliasson featuring five reflective silver orbs has been opened on San Francisco's waterfront.  The Mission Bay installation by the Danish-Icelandic artist is situated at a plaza next to the city's new Chase Center sports complex, where the Golden State Warriors basketball team will play. 

4.  Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood celebrating 25th anniversary of ‘Friends’ with ‘Friendsgiving’

This holiday season, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood will celebrate the 25th anniversary of NBC’s “Friends” with a special ‘Friendsgiving’ offering at the Studio.  The Friendsgiving event includes an exclusive “Friends”-focused 90-minute tour through the Studio backlots, highlighting iconic filming locations for the show.

5.  US Space & Rocket Center’s new INTUITIVE Planetarium

“Huntsville deserves a world-class planetarium,” said U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) CEO and Executive Director Deborah Barnhart at the ribbon cutting for the new, 248-seat INTUITIVE® Planetarium on Feb 28, 2019. And now they’ve got one.

6.  Immotion reports “encouraging” trading from partner sites over the summer

Immotion Group PLC (LON:IMMO) has cited “encouraging” trading from partner sites over the summer as it continued its focus on high footfall locations.  The AIM-listed company, which specialises in ‘out of home’ virtual reality entertainment pods, said over the summer months its aquarium partner sites had performed “particularly strongly” and that there remained considerable interest from potential new partners as well as new developments with existing ones.

7.  Dreamscape Offers A Destination Virtual Reality Experience You'll Want To See Again And Again

Last week, TheGamer was invited to Dreamscape, a virtual reality experience in Los Angeles that is steadily growing a massive following. We had the opportunity to try out all three of Dreamscape's current selection of adventures, and we're absolutely blown away by the immersion and attention to detail put into the attraction.

8.  'Another piece of the story': Canalside carousel on track to open in July 2020

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said four years ago that a carousel "should be the jewel on the top of the Canalside crown."  That day is getting closer.  The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. on Monday approved the $5.3 million attraction, putting the solar-powered carousel on track to open at Canalside in July 2020.

9.  Pixar putt mini golf coming to Perth’s RAC Arena

Perth’s RAC Arena is set to be overtaken by movie magic.  A putt-putt golf course will be set up at the arena’s forecourt from late September, with all 18 holes inspired by a different Disney Pixar movie.  Organisers have promised a course that is quirky, fun and a challenge for kids and adults.

10.  Kengo Kuma-designed Odunpazari museum opens in Turkey

Kengo Kuma's latest creation – the Odunpazari Modern Museum in Eskisehir, Turkey – has opened, with the architect striving to create a sense of intimacy and warmth through its wood-clad buildings.  The inspiration for Kuma's design, which is based on a cluster of boxes clad with stacked, interlocking timber beams, comes from the history of the location, which used to be a centre for timber trading. The word odunpazari means firewood market in Turkish.

11.  Why a Plan to Redefine the Meaning of 'Museum' Is Stirring Up Controversy

When you visit a museum, chances are you think more about the items you’re there to see than about the museum itself — much less about the meaning of museums in general. But while art and antiquities are what draw millions of curious visitors to museums each year, that last matter has long preoccupied the people who work in them. Is a museum simply a building to house objects? Is it there to engage with the public? To take an active stance on political issues? All of the above?

12.  Maintenance Workers at Metropolitan Museum Receive 63% Pay Increase

Either the Metropolitan Museum of Art maintains climate control across its 2-million-square-feet of space or irreparable damage could befall its collection of ancient artifacts and delicate artworks.  Last week, the maintenance workers responsible for keeping that fragile balance of heating and cooling intact received a 63 percent pay increase across the museum’s three campuses, which include the Met Cloisters and the Met Breuer. The agreement comes after more than a year of negotiations between the institution and Local 1503, a chapter of DC 37 that represents HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) workers.
Waterpark / Aquatics News

1.  WhiteWater brings continuous innovation to parks

Based in Vancouver, Canada, WhiteWater has been supplying waterparks since 1980 and is well known for waterslides, play structures, pools, surfing rides and other waterpark and theme park attractions. Increasingly, they are also being recognized as problem solvers and partners on some of the market’s most promising technologies and projects. From engineering feats to ride management and safety features, the company is living its motto, “Be Boundless.”

2. Coney Island to remove all amusement park rides to focus on water park

Coney Island announced Monday that it will remove all of its amusement park rides to center its attention on its water park and special events going forward.  The final day for guests to ride the park’s rides will be Saturday, Sept. 21 following the annual Fire Up the Night event.

3.  The latest customer engagement trends making a splash

There’s nothing better than splashing around on a hot summer’s day. And with a whole range of innovative new developments in the attractions sector, there’s more to keep customers happy than ever before.

4.  Try a drop of this: Ten innovative technologies for water attractions

A veritable tide of versatile technologies has triggered a deluge of creative and operational advancements in waterparks and wet attractions, offering operators and designers new options for improving guest experience and safety. Based on conversations with leaders in the field, we identified ten wet technologies currently making waves in themed entertainment.

5.  Tampa's Adventure Island opens new floating film series with 'Aquaman' screening

Floating in a wave pool while “Aquaman” is fighting a shark is probably the best way to spend a night with the fam at Tampa’s own water park.  Starting next week, Adventure Island will show free movies at the end of the night for all pass members, Fun Card holders and single-day ticket holders. 

6.  Bellewaerde adds water

After an investment of 17 million euros and nearly two years of construction, the brand-new Bellewaerde Aquapark in Ypres, Belgium officially opened its doors in June 2019. Designed to complement the Bellewaerde amusement park, it follows a strategy that more and more European amusement parks are employing to attract additional visitors and extend the park season.

7.  Hard hat tour of Rulantica & Krønasår

Rising out of the fields on the edge of the town of Rust, Germany, a new hotel and indoor waterpark are taking shape. Krønasår, a hotel themed as a Scandinavian museum, recently began welcoming guests at the end of May. Behind it stretches the indoor waterpark Rulantica, connected physically and narratively to the hotel.

8.  Daytona Lagoon Announces Record-Breaking Summer Season

PRNewswire/ -- As summer comes to a close, Daytona Lagoon, Daytona Beach's Premier Waterpark and Family Entertainment Center, announced the results of its best summer season yet. Attendance increased by 30 percent this summer, breaking previous park records. Florida families and area visitors came out in droves to try Daytona Lagoon's two brand new slides – Kraken's Revenge and Shaka Halfpipe. Both new slides debuted in April, just in time for the summer season.

9.  Clear Leisure Plc - Acquisition of Sipiem's €10.8m Claim

The Company is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Clear Leisure 2017 Limited (“CL2017”), has entered into a binding agreement with Sipiem SpA (“Sipiem”) to buy the €10.8m legal action against the former Sipiem directors, which was filed in the Italian courts on 26 February 2019. The agreement also includes a €238,000 credit due to Sipiem by TLT SpA (“TLT”), the parent company of the Ondaland waterpark. Clear Leisure is a 50.17% shareholder of Sipiem, whilst Sipiem owns a small stake in TLT SpA.
Aquarium / Zoo News

1.  Detroit Zoo penguins moved, out of sight to visitors until June 2020

The penguins have left the building. The Detroit Zoo's Polk Penguin Conservation Center will remain penguin-free for the next nine months as the center closes to undergo waterproofing repairs. A zoo spokesperson confirmed that the repairs started Monday right on schedule, and the penguins had been removed from the center. They'll live in the zoo's old penguinarium, away from visitor viewing, while their newer exhibit is repaired. 

 

2.  A new $1.5 million jellyfish exhibit is coming to Melbourne Aquarium

This summer, be prepared for a stunning new display of jellyfish at the Aquarium’s brand-new Ocean Invaders exhibit. Launching in December at SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, this new $1.5 million jellyfish exhibition features a number of new jellyfish species never before seen at the Aquarium.

3.  Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Announces Birth of Two Snow Leopard Cubs

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium announced the birth of two Snow leopard cubs, one female and one male on Monday. The cubs were born on May 22.  Mom and cubs are not currently available for viewing.

4.  Turtle Back Zoo ‘Habitat’ Amphitheater Has Been Scaled Back, County Official Reports

Plans for amphitheater that would carve about one acre out of the South Mountain Reservation to serve students visiting the Turtle Back Zoo have been scaled back, according to Kate Hartwyk, Deputy Director of the Essex County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.  However, the revised plans are not available to the public at this time.

5.  Jacksonville Zoo, Miami University partner for master’s degree

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and Miami University have announced that the university is now accepting applications for a new master’s degree program that features experiential learning locally with the zoo.

6.  BREC hosting meeting to move forward with Zoo, Greenwood Park master plan

BREC is moving another step forward towards improving Greenwood Community Park and the Baton Rouge Zoo.  Less than a month ago, BREC hosted a celebration for the community to see their vision of what’s in store. At that event, Baton Rouge residents were able to see how Greenwood Park and the zoo are coming back to life.

7.  The Abandoned Zoo Ruins of Griffith Park

Roam the grounds and explore the abandoned animal haunts of the Old Zoo at Griffith Park, which closed over 50 years ago. Serving as the city zoo from 1912 to 1966, the L.A. Zoo contained thousands of animals and hosted tens of thousands of visitors each year at its peak. The site under Griffith Park's Bee Rock Trail is now filled with fascinating ruins, empty animal enclosures, "natural" habitats, secret stairways, and hidden paths. 

8.  Belgian zoo celebrates twin pandas' first month

The two twin pandas babies, born in early August in the Belgian zoo of Pairi Daiza, have just celebrated their first month of existence, while the caretakers continue to monitor their health.

9.  UK aquarium decides to raise penguin chick gender neutral

A four-month-old penguin chick at Sea Life London will become the first in the aquarium's history not to have its gender assigned.  The Gentoo chick, which is yet to be named, will not be characterised as male or female.  Sea Life explained that gender neutrality is common among penguins in the wild, and that it would be natural for the chick to develop into a mature adult without a gendered name.

10.  Maine State Aquarium reopens after closure for repairs

The Maine State Aquarium has reopened after being forced to close last month because of an unexpected problem involving its filtration system.  The Maine Department of Marine Resources made the announcement Saturday, tweeting that the aquarium in West Boothbay Harbor would continue to operate during its normal business hours through Sept. 29, when it will close for the season.
Tourism / Other News

1.  Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Says Most Islands Open for Business

Despite the devastation of Hurricane Dorian on Grand Bahama and The Abacos, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation announced 14 of the country’s most commonly visited islands remain unaffected by the storm.

2.  When describing airline seats, Spirit wants to ditch the pitch

Pitch, defined as the space between a point on one seat and the same point on the seat in front of it, is the most-referenced metric when it comes to cabin configurations. 

3.  Cruise lines come to the Bahamas aid in wake of Hurricane Dorian

Cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Norweigan and Bahamas Paradise are using their vessels and finances to help the Bahamas in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. The category five storm, which sat stationary over the islands for a day and a half, has devasted parts of the Bahamas, a place where the three cruise lines do most of their business and have staff stationed. Thousands of people are still thought to be missing, with 45 confirmed dead. Some 70,000 people have been left in need of shelter, according to the United Nations. 
Not a Subscriber? Subscribe to ITPS Leisure News Here!
News Releases can be submitted to Shawn at
shawnhaas@interthemepark.com 

 
Copyright © 2019 International Theme Park Services, Inc., All rights reserved.


unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences 

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
Garfield © Paws, Inc. All Rights Reserved.