Weekly Rewind 11.26.11

WhiteWater was bestowed IAAPA's Image Award, given out for the most outstanding presence at the trade show.  The company's booth focused on Innovation, something the manufacturer is quite proud of with new slides like the Family Python, transparent flumes, AquaCourse, and the AquaPlay Giant RainFortress.

Speaking of the 2011 IAAPA show, this year has been deemed a success with over 25,800 registered attendees, up 3 percent from last year.  The event also raised $81,000 for Give Kids the World through various special events.

Curious to see the color scheme of PortAventura's new Bolliger and Mabillard mega coaster?  Check them out at this link - the ride will feature dual color track, and some nice contrasting supports.  This is going to look great!


Fans of Waldameer Park's pair of classic dark rides will love this new DVD, just released by Laff In The Dark.  The DVD takes a guided tour of both of the rides, a preview of the film is above.  Check out more about the title here.

It took this update from Westcoaster for me to finally be able to understand how the layout of SeaWorld San Diego's new Manta coaster will fit in the park.  If you go and take a look, you'll also see that a big station for the coaster has been set in place as well.

The ever excellent Amusing the Zillion has an exclusive look at what's new on the Coney Island boardwalk in 2012 - including Zamperla's new Speed Zone development.  Check out the details on what's coming.

With track now complete, the Swarm at Thorpe Park is starting to have its elaborate theming put in place.  The ride's Developer Diary is following this for us quite nicely, showing off some recent clearance tests.

There are eight companies that have submitted proposals for what to do with the former Six Flags New Orleans site.  The plans range from a theme park, water park, movie backlot, and even to a power station. 

The future of Lo-Q and Six Flags is bright - the contract for the skip-the-line access program to stay at the theme parks has been extended for another six years.  Also, the use of the bots in water park, which started this past year, will quickly be rolled out to additional parks.

Scott And Carol Present - Day Two At IAAPA

Now that we can breathe, here is how all of Orlando, or at least the people who drove by the convention center, knew the show was in town.


Here is a view of part of the show floor from one of the upstairs offices.


This map shows the locations of the companies registered for IAAPA 2011. Who knew this many states would be represented?


Here is the new train for the S & S El Loco. It was redesigned for more capacity for larger parks. It even includes a sound system, because for some thrillseekers, the natural roar of a coaster isn't enough. This is Green Lantern car is headed to Warner Brothers Movie World in Gold Coast Queensland, Australia, the coaster is scheduled to open in December of this year.

The extent of the theming will only be legible from the station, because it will be difficult to read as the car goes upside down.


All in favor of bringing on of these coasters to North America raise both your hands!


Here is a scale down version of the new track from Rocky Mountain Coasters.

And this was the coolest conference table at the whole show. We suggested that they consider offering these to those of us in the north who can't stay "on track" all year long.


Here is the end-on view of the track. They won the award for the "Best New Product for Major Theme and Amusement Park Ride. Congratulations.


This is something completely different, the coating on the inside of the light lets you look at it in the dark without being blinded. Soon to be in a night construction zone near you. It would also be useful for park maintenance workers who do much of their work at night.


The fire marshal looked long and hard at this booth. Just another example of the wide variety of things parks use to entertain us.

This is the latest idea from the creative mind of Stan Checketts. It takes one operator and the restraints a radio controlled for safety. Double seat belt allow for almost anyone to try a zipline.

Since nothing simulates a relationship like flying downhill together, you can ride with your significant other and find out who screams first.


How about a family ride? The smaller set can go for a spin with mom or dad for their first "thrill ride."

Coming to a park or other attraction near you, henna tattoos are so passe.


A peel off stencil, sprinkle on your favorite colors, some time to dry.

Voila, Carol's first tattoo.


This was as close as we got to the latest design from Bolliger and Mabillard. Scott lost a bet on this one.


We tried this game but we stunk at it, so good bye from IAAPA 2011. From all the reports we heard on the floor, we should have some exciting things to talk about in 2012 when the rest of the announcements come through. A big thanks to all the companies who answered our questions.

Scott And Carol Present IAAPA 2011

Greetings from sunny Orlando and IAAPA 2011. We are sub-titling this year IAAPA light, as we were only able to attend the convention two days. But we start off our coverage with big news from Great Coasters International.


The GCI guys were showing off a model of their latest creation, Big Fun compact coaster! At 65 foot tall with a track length 1800 feet, this baby is tight. The footprint with fit in a space 275 feet x 90 feet. And with the height restriction set at 43" Big Fun is a high quality wooden coaster for riders of all ages.


The Mack Rides booth proudly featured one of the cars from their launch coaster, Sea World San Diego's Manta.


The car is beautifully themed and looks like it will provide a very comfortable ride. We may just have to may a trip to California in 2012.


TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) is celebrating their 20th Anniversary. TEA is an international non-profit association, representing the top creators, developers, designers and producers.

TEA members are the catalysts behind the experiences, engaging storytelling and entertainment in many casinos, restaurants, retail stores, museums, zoos, theme parks and an ever-growing list of destinations that are focusing on giving their guests a higher level of experiences world wide. These are the people who put the theme in theme parks, happy 20th and thank you!


We stopped by the Sally booth to see the displays for their latest project. We tried out the display of their new video based interactive family, Power Blast 11. We were lucky to have John Wood, Sally's Chairman and CEO, to give us instructions. While no Power Blast 11s are currently located in the US, hopefully one will be installed soon.


Sally has recently partnered with Merlin Entertainment to bring us Lost Kingdom Adventure at Legoland Florida featuring Legoland characters. We hope to experience this attraction next week.


At IAAPA in 2009 we reported on the Gravity Groups new prototype coaster car, the Timberliner.




This car from Quassy's Wooden Warrior is the finished product. The design has come along way in two years and these cars ran all season long with little or no wear and tear.


While we didn't walk all seven miles of aisles, it sure seemed like it! Stayed tuned for more from IAAPA tomorrow!

IAAPA Names New Hall of Fame Inductees

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions has named their new inductees into the IAAPA Hall of Fame.  John P. C. Collins, Frederick W. Pearce, Sr., and Wally Boag and Betty Taylor were celebrated for their "significant and lasting contributions to the worldwide attractions industry."

John Collins of John Collins Leisure is a 30 year veteran of the industry, having initially developed Barry Island Pleasure Park, and later working for the Tussauds Group.  An active player in  IAAPA, he served as chairman in 2003.

Wally Boag and Betty Taylor are best known for their performances in Disneyland's "Golden Horseshoe Revue" as Pecos Bill and Sluefoot Sue, respectively.  Together they appeared in more than 40,000 performances at the park.
 

Of special interest to coaster fans was the induction of Fred Pearce (aka The King of the Roller Coaster), of the F.W. Pearce Company, credited with single handedly creating giant wooden roller coaster.  He went on to build 27 rides over his fifty years in the industry.  Pearce was also a founder of IAAPA and President in 1928.

Fred's rides were some of the first to use pressure treated lumber during construction to protect them over time.  His last standing coaster was the Chippewa Lake Big Dipper.

Read more about the inductees from the IAAPA Show Daily.

18th Annual TEA Awards Winners Announced

In line with traditional, today marks the start of the 2011 IAAPA Expo and also the announcement of this year's recipients of the Themed Entertainment Association's Thea Awards.

Regarded in the industry as one of the most prestigious awards to receive for having created a themed attraction, the awards represent a 'who's who' of industry players.  Many of the rides, attractions, experiences, and themed areas that we love have been awarded a Thea over the years.

"The Thea Awards honor teamwork at its very best - the creative handshake between the visionary project owner and the multidisciplinary collective of designers, artisans and technicians who realize the vision. TEA's Thea Awards celebrate storytelling across the globe - educational and entertaining stories of heritage, history, fiction, fantasy, magic and even hard science - delivered with artistry and the appropriate use of technology at museums, theme parks, world expos, special events and other settings."

Each year the Buzz Price Thea Award is also given out for a lifetime of distinguished achievements.  This year that was awarded to Imagineering's Joe Rhode, a 30 year veteran of the Walt Disney Company.  His work as a principal on Animal Kingdom, and most recently Disney's new Aulani resort (among many other accomplishments) has merited the award.

Here's a full list of the Thea award that will be given out at the Awards Gala, to be held at the Disneyland Resort on March 17th, 2012.

THE BUZZ PRICE THEA AWARD
Recognizing a Lifetime of Distinguished Achievements (formerly the Thea Lifetime Achievement Award)
Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering

THEA CLASSIC AWARD
Puy du Fou: Le Grand Parc and Cinéscénie, Vendée, France

THEA AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT 

Space Fantasy The Ride at Universal Studios Japan (Attraction)

Barnas Brannstasjon (Children's Fire Station) at Kongeparken, Norway
(Attraction on a Limited Budget)

Arthur, L'Aventure 4D at Futuroscope (Attraction)

Star Tours - The Adventures Continue at Disneyland and Disney's Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World (Attraction Refresh)

NatureQuest at Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta (Museum Exhibit)

YOU! The Experience at Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (Museum Exhibit)

The Changing Climate Show at Science North (Science Center Attraction on a Limited Budget)

Ghost of the Castle at Louisiana's Old State Capitol (Cultural Heritage Attraction on a Limited Budget)

Crane Dance at Resorts World Sentosa (Show Spectacular)

The Magic, The Memories, and You! at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom (Show Spectacular)

Yo México, Celebration of the Century of the Mexican Revolution, Mexico City (Live Show Event Spectacular)

The House of Dancing Water at City of Dreams, Macau (Live Show Spectacular)

FoodLoop at Europa-Park (Themed Restaurant Experience)

Animation Magic in the Animator's Palate Restaurant aboard Disney Cruise Line's Ship - Disney Fantasy (Ingenious use of Technology)