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Six Flags Announces 2016 Attractions

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[tab title=”Six Flags St. Louis – Fireball”]gallery_keyart_sfsl

Six Flags St. Louis, the “Coaster Capital of Missouri,” will heat things up in 2016 with the new Fireball. This looping thrill ride will give guests a pure adrenaline rush as they go forward, backward and upside down.

Fireball features a single loop that riders will travel back and forth in, pendulum style, as they build up speed to soar head over heels. Seated back to back, guests will rocket through a series of 360° revolutions stopping upside down for some insane hang time before reversing directions.

“This high-thrill attraction combines suspense and anticipation, and will be a hit with teens and families alike” said Dave Roemer, park president. “With the forward and backward motion as well as the inverted hang-time, Fireball will deliver the kind of intense thrills our guests have come to expect from Six Flags St. Louis.”

  • –7 stories tall;
  • –24 seats in unique “face-off” design, with guests seated back to back and face to face
  • –360 degree revolutions;
  • –Inverted hang time with riders suspended upside down.

This new thriller will be located in the Illinois section of the park where the Rush Street Flyer currently sits. Fireball is set to open late spring 2016.

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[tab title=”Six Flags America – Splashwater Falls”]splashwater_falls_2

Six Flags America, the region’s largest theme park, announced the addition of Splashwater Falls in spring 2016.  The giant new interactive water playground will feature dozens of slides, nets, sprays, geysers and thrills for the whole family to enjoy. To top off the fun a super-sized, tipping bucket atop the huge play structure will dump water on guests throughout the day.

Parents can relax on a freeform deck surrounding Splashwater Falls complete with new lounge chairs and umbrellas. The little ones will enjoy exploring a variety of water play platforms, fountains, jets and water curtains, plus open and enclosed slides keeping everyone cool in the hot Maryland summer.

“Our guests recognize Six Flags America as a favorite destination for having fun with friends and family, and our Hurricane Harbor water park is the perfect place to play and beat the heat,” said Rick Howarth, park president. “The addition of Splashwater Falls demonstrates our commitment to giving guests something new to experience every year.”

Splashwater Falls will complement the variety of experiences for the whole family including thrilling attractions like Tornado, a six-story funnel of fun; Bonzai Pipelines, the high altitude drop slide, Castaway Creek lazy river and the largest wave pool in the region. With the addition of this new attraction, Hurricane Harbor will keep its place as the favorite summer destination for families from Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and beyond to cool off.

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[tab title=”White Water – Wahoo Racer”]HHAR 2014 Wahoo Racer Photos

Recently named one of the Top 10 Amusement and Water Parks in the country, Six Flags White Water is off to the races in 2016 with the addition of the all-new Wahoo Racer. The thrilling multi-lane water slide complex will be the largest in the world and add to the park’s impressive line-up of more than 50 slides and attractions at the South’s Most Thrilling Water Park.

“This new massive water slide complex will provide our guests the chance to challenge friends and family members for the ultimate crown of Wahoo Racer champion,” said Six Flags Atlanta Properties Park President Dale Kaetzel. “Our new slide complex continues our commitment of providing Six Flags White Water guests with the best water park in the Southeast.”

The two-tiered mat slider will send racers through an intense, snake-like stretch of multi-colored tubes and then into track-like style sprinting lanes and will feature:

  • –A tower standing nearly 60-feet and easily visible from Interstate 75 where the park is located;
  • –Speeds of up to 40 feet per second; and
  • –Six aero-dynamic designed water toboggans for the ultimate competing thrill.[/tab]

[tab title=”Six Flags Over Georgia – Bugs Bunny Boomtown/DC Super Friends”]SFOG super Friends KA

Thrilling family fun is in the works, as Six Flags Over Georgia announced the all-new DC SUPER FRIENDS themed area and the all-new Bugs Bunny Boomtown for the 2016 season. The two new areas will feature 12 rides and attractions, in what will become the perfect family destination spot within the Thrill Capital of the South.

“These two new sections of the park will offer families hours and hours of fun with attractions mom, dad and the kids can experience together,” said Park President Dale Kaetzel. “This latest expansion continues our multi-year plan to provide thrills for guests of all ages and includes the addition of Hurricane Harbor in 2014, two new devious rides in Gotham City in 2015 and other additions planned for the future.”

The original Dolphin Show area, which has remained at the park since the 1990’s, will be transformed into the epicenter for the all-new DC Super Friends kids’ area and will feature 5 new attractions, including:

  • –Superman Tower of Power, which releases the dare devil in the bravest of souls throughout this 65-foot tall bouncing thrill ride;
  • –The Batcopters, an opportunity to help save the City of Gotham by flying high in the sky;
  • –Wonder Woman Flight School, where pilots can take flight and control their own invisible jet;
  • –Harley Quinn Mirror Maze, filled with disproportioned mirrors and devious stares; and
  • –The Joker Funhouse Coaster, the ultimate family thrill ride to show no fear and conquer the Super-Villain through 900 feet of track at 30 miles per hour.

SIx Flags Over Texas

The park’s current children’s area, Bugs Bunny World, will be re-themed to Bugs Bunny Boomtown and feature seven attractions, including:

  • –Daffy Ducks Bucket Blasters, a wild and crazy family water battle;
  • –Speedy Gonzales Speed Boats, where guests will be screaming “Andale Andale” on six speed boats;
  • –Bugs Bunny High Sea Adventure, a chance to fly through the air on a junior sea-worthy quest;
  • –Yosemite Sam’s Wacky Wagons, an old western spin on a junior ferris wheel perfect for junior cowpokes;
  • –Looney Tunes Adventure Camp, an interactive playground with Bugs Bunny and all the Looney Tunes characters;
  • –Acme Trucking Company, a monster truck driving voyage to help Wile E. Coyote try to capture the Road Runner; and
  • –Tweety’s Tweehouse, a 20-foot up and down journey into the little chirping bird’s nest.

Bugs Bunny Boomtown is scheduled to open for the 2016 season in early spring and the DC Super Friends themed area is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend.

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[tab title=”Six Flags Great America – Battle for Metropolis”]jlbfm-ka

Six Flags Great America — in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment — has announced the next generation of interactive thrills with the debut of an all-new 4D interactive thrill ride, JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis. This amazing thrill ride was named by USA Today readers as one of the Top Ten New Amusement Park Attractions of the year and was most recently awarded Best New Attraction by Theme Park Insider.

Slated to open at Six Flags Great America in 2016, guests will become members of the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve Team, and engage in a full-sensory journey as they battle alongside BATMAN, SUPERMAN, WONDER WOMAN and GREEN LANTERN against Lex Luthor, The Joker and his henchmen. Traveling in six-passenger vehicles, riders must outsmart Lex Luthor and The Joker and save the city of Metropolis.

“Introducing an attraction that combines this level of technology and the iconic DC Comics characters will bring an unmatched, interactive experience to our guests in 2016,” stated Hank Salemi, park president. “The addition of JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis is another example of our park’s commitment to delivering new and innovative thrills every year.”

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis will feature:

  • –A 22,000 square foot HALL OF JUSTICE to house this full-sensory thrill ride;
  • –A 4D ride experience with wind, fire, mist and fog effects, plus life-like animatronic characters;
  • –A dramatic fight as the JUSTICE LEAGUE Reserve Team travels through laughing gas and flames in 10 high-intensity scenes;
  • –One of the first-ever virtual loops, giving riders the feeling of going head over heels;
  • –High definition 3D animation that fully immerses riders into the city of Metropolis;
  • –State-of-the-art gaming elements;
  • –6-passenger vehicles with multi-degrees-of-freedom to transport riders through all the exciting twists and turns without limitations.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis is scheduled to open to the public at Six Flags Great America in the spring of 2016.

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[tab title=”Six Flags Mexico – Battle for Metropolis”]DCIM100GOPROG0141166.

Six Flags México, parque tématico de clase mundial en sociedad con Warner Bros Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, anunciaron el la nueva generación de juegos interactivos en México, la totalmente nueva  atracción interactiva en 4D  JUATICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS este 2016.

Los visitantes podrán ser parte del equipo de apoyo de la LIGA DE LA JUSTICIA , serán parte de un viaje completamente sensorial mientras pelean junto con BATMAN, SUPERMAN, LA MUJER MARAVILLA, Y LINTERNA VERDE en contra de Lex Luthor, el Joker y sus secuaces. El recorrido es través de vehículos para seis pasajeros, en donde tendrán que ser más astutos  que Lex Luthor y Joker para cumplir su misión: salvar la ciudad de Metrópolis.

“El día de hoy estamos presentando una de las atracciones más emocionantes, con la más avanzada tecnología en combinación con los personajes icónicos de DC Comics, en el 2016 los visitante de Six Flags México tendrán una experiencia interactiva nunca antes vista en México” comentó Les Hudson, VP de Diseño y Mantenimiento de Six Flags. “La adición de la JUATICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS es otro ejemplo del compromiso de nuestra compañía en ofrecer cada año a nuestros visitantes nuevas, innovadoras  y emocionantes experiencias en cada parque.” puntualizó.

Ha sido nombrada como la mejor atracción por Theme Park Insider y elegida como una de las diez mejores nuevas atracciones de Parques de Entretenimiento  por los lectores del USA Today y 10 Best.

JUATICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS cuenta con:

  • –Una fila de espera y área de carga interactiva donde los visitantes recibirán las instrucciones, los lentes 3D y el arma  para detener  a los villanos.
  • –Una dramática pelea en el que como parte del equipo de reserva de la LIGA DE LA JUSTICIA los pasajeros se adentrarán en un recorrido de 10 escenas, para sortear el gas de la risa y flamas.
  • –Una Conexión de nuevas tecnologías que pondrán a los visitantes en el centro de esta batalla interactiva.
  • –Animación 3D en alta definición que te adentra completamente en la ciudad de Metropolis.
  • –Elementos de video juegos de última tecnología.
  • –Vehículos de 6 pasajeros que llevarán a los visitantes a través de giros sorprendentes y vueltas sin límites.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: BATTLE FOR METROPOLIS abrirá al público en Six Flags México en el 2016.

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[tab title=”Six Flags Magic Mountain – The New Revolution”]PSD SFMM The New Revolution KA

Six Flags Magic Mountain, the “Thrill Capital of the World,” and voted by USA TODAY readers as America’s Best Theme Park, has unveiled plans for 2016 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the world’s first 360-degree looping coaster. The New Revolution, featuring newly designed trains, special ride effects and a new look, will highlight the Valencia theme parks’ 45th operating season.

The New Revolution, the beloved steel roller coaster that has thrilled over 45 million guests in its 40-year reign at the park, will be repainted a brilliant white and blue color, while newly designed trains will be fitted with lap and calf bars, and feature Americana red, white and blue colors with a silver eagle hood adornment. For coaster fans, the elimination of shoulder harnesses will provide a smoother, sleeker ride experience with more airtime.

“We are thrilled that one of our signature coasters is getting the innovative ride updates that Six Flags is known for. With the new trains and beautiful paint colors, The New Revolution is certain to be around for many more generations of coaster fans to enjoy,” said park president Bonnie Weber.

With its new trains and makeover, The New Revolution will also feature:

  • –The world’s first giant loop – 90 feet high and 45 feet in diameter;
  • –Fast and furious dips and dives, built into the park’s lush hillsides;
  • –Speeds of 55 mph;
  • –Two minutes of thrills on 3,457 feet of track.

The original Revolution steel coaster opened on May 8, 1976 as the Great American Revolution, in honor of the country’s bicentennial celebration. Its farewell run will occur on September 7, 2015 after which the transformation will begin.

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[tab title=”The Great Escape – Greezed Lightnin'”]SFGE Greezed Lightnin Key Art

Six Flags Great Escape announced the addition of the hair-raising Greezed Lightnin’ in 2016. The all-new super looping thrill ride will rocket guests 360 degrees, reach exhilarating speeds and leave them hanging, waiting for more.

Greezed Lightnin’ will seat 24 riders in “face-off” position and begin to rock forward and backward, pendulum style. Once the train reaches maximum height, guests experience one of the longest suspended hang-times – over 70 feet in the air, upside down. Thrill seekers are then hurled through a series of seven full inversions, both frontward and backward, offering sheer looping mayhem.

The new attraction will be located across from Thunder Alley in one of the most historic and visible sections of the park. Greezed Lightnin’s impressive lights and flames will transport guests back in time with its 1950’s theme and hot rod inspiration.

“From high speeds, to suspenseful hang time and countless inversions, Greezed Lightnin’ will rev up the engine of every thrill seeker,” said Eric Gilbert, park president, Six Flags Great Escape Resort. “We are also excited that the ride will have a flashy 50’s theme to ‘recharge’ this historic section of our park.”

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[tab title=”Six Flags Over Texas – Harley Quinn Spinsanity/The Riddler Revenge/Catwoman Whip”]Kennywood Amusement Park

Six Flags Over Texas, the Thrill Capital of Texas, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Entertainment, have announced plans for an expansion to the GOTHAM CITY section of the park that will include three new rides in 2016. The area will become the ultimate battle of BATMAN versus the Rogue’s Gallery of Super-Villains with the opening of The Riddler Revenge, Catwoman Whip, and Harley Quinn Spinsanity. These exhilarating rides will stand alongside MR. FREEZE: Reverse Blast giving guests an epic dose of villainous coasters after enjoying BATMAN The Ride in this portion of the park.

“We are excited to offer our guests these premium attractions, thanks to our partnership with the popular DC Comics brand,” said Steve Martindale, Six Flags Over Texas park president. “These rides are an excellent addition to our already impressive line-up and the expansion of Gotham City will offer a uniquely villainous experience.”

The Riddler Revenge, Catwoman Whip, and Harely Quinn Spinsanity will taunt and beckon guests as they make their way through Gotham City. Characteristic of The Riddler’s flamboyant and unpredictable style, the intriguing and oversized pendulum shaped ride — The Riddler Revenge — will send guests on a dizzying journey by swinging them back and forth while rotating counterclockwise. The ride will propel 40 riders at speeds of nearly 70 miles per hour higher and higher until they experience a feeling of weightlessness at 147 feet in the air. On Catwoman Whip, 48 riders, sitting in rows of two, will spin and tilt in a circular motion, building up speed as the ride whips around, mimicking its namesake. Harley Quinn Spinsanity will have riders spinning, twisting and swirling around and around in a thrilling and classic ride experience for the entire family.

The Super-Villains are set to make their presence felt in Gotham City in the spring of 2016.

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[tab title=”La Ronde – Le Vampire Backwards/Avenue Aventure”]La Ronde-Adrenaline and Adventure at La Ronde in 2016!

La Ronde, Quebec’s leading destination for thrills and family entertainment, is set to bring guests exciting new adventures in 2016. The park is flipping the iconic Vampire backwards and adding two rides in an all-new section of the Park called Avenue Aventure.

Fans from around the world come every year to experience Vampire, the park’s very own exciting bat-inspired inverted roller coaster. Next season, the journey will begin with a 32 meter climb to the top of the lift hill.  Next, riders will soar beneath the track through five daunting inversions turning at speeds of up to 80 km/h per hour….backwards. Yes Backwards!

Avenue Aventure makes its park debut in 2016, providing fun and thrills for the entire family. The area will feature two new innovative rides. Phoenix, a flying scooter ride that puts guests in control as they soar against the wind and Gravitor, a fun adventure that lifts guests high above the ground as they turn around and around in an ocean of lights and sounds for a real dance party in the sky!

With family-packed fun, other highlights include:

Phoenix:

  • –8 flying scooters
  • –2 passengers per scooter
  • –High speed rotation
  • –Interactive flying that appeals to all ages

Gravitor:

  • –8 suspended gondolas
  • –2 passengers per gondola
  • –1 Joystick per 2 seats for 360 degree gondola rotation
  • –1500 lights on seats, arms and main column

“The 2016 season at La Ronde will provide guests with new reasons to visit again and again” said Phil Liggett, president of La Ronde. “Avenue Aventure is the perfect complement to our exciting lineup of rides and attractions and Vampire backwards will take thrills to a new level.”

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[tab title=”Six Flags New England – Fireball/SUPERMAN The Ride”]SFNE 2016 Fireball Key Art

Six Flags New England, the “Coaster Capital of New England,” announced plans to add a giant looping roller coaster to its already impressive lineup of thrills. The Fireball will offer the ultimate in adrenaline and thrills as the theme park continues to introduce the latest in ride technology for its guests in New England.

“We take great pride in creating incredible, one-of-a-kind ride experiences for our guests here at Six Flags New England,” said John Winkler, Park President. “Every year, we are excited to offer something new for our guests and this year is no exception. Our team is beyond thrilled to introduce our 12th coaster Fireball, opening in spring 2016.”

Fireball adds a unique ride experience to Six Flags New England featuring:

  • –An exciting looping coaster seating 24 passengers in face-to-face positions;
  • –A pendulum style takeoff with multiple 360⁰ revolutions;
  • –An additional 360⁰ revolution when the train reverses mid-course;
  • –Heights of over seven-stories tall;
  • –An approximate two-minute ride time.

The giant, looping coaster will be located in the Rockville area of the park. Fireball is expected to open in late spring of 2016, and riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.

SFNE Superman the Ride Key Art

The park is also thrilled to announce a change to the iconic steel coaster BIZARRO. The ride will be relaunched as SUPERMAN the Ride in spring 2016 and BIZARRO will be overwhelmed by his powerful arch nemesis, SUPERAN. The iconic coaster has been named Best Roller Coaster by the 10 Best Readers’ Choice travel by USA TODAY in 2015 and is the winner of five Golden Ticket Awards. To create an even better ride experience SUPERMAN the Ride, will offer superhero music and theming throughout this epic coaster. Riders will feel like SUPERMAN as they climb over 20 stories in to the air and race down like a speeding bullet at 77 miles per hour. Guests will also experience twists, turns and weightlessness along the coaster’s one mile of track. Thrill-seekers will not want to miss this heroic coaster as SUPERMAN regains his title at the Coaster Capital of New England.

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[tab title=”Six Flags Great Adventure – Total Mayhem 4D”]total_mayhem_1

Six Flags Great Adventure will dominate as the “king of chaos” in 2016 when the world’s largest theme park debuts the 14th and most unique scream machine in its history, Total Mayhem.

After being lifted straight up a 12-story, 90-degree hill, this 4-D, free-fly coaster will wreak havoc as riders flip head-over-heels at least six times along the weightless journey. Thrill seekers will experience exhilarating leaps and dives along a horizontal plane, along with unexpected drops as they tumble from one level to the next. The wing seats amp up the pandemonium since riders will experience all of this chaos with no track above or below – just the sky, ground and adjacent Great Lake churning around them.

“We are thrilled to unveil one of the newest concepts in roller coaster engineering with Total Mayhem,” said Park President John Fitzgerald. “Six Flags Great Adventure’s world-renowned coaster collection will expand into the realm of insanity – or spinsanity – with this new, vertical coaster that delivers gravity-defying somersaults with utter unpredictability. It is the perfect addition to our dynamic line-up of award-winning roller coasters because this ride delivers next generation, cutting-edge thrills.”

The unique design of Total Mayhem features:

  • –Massive, imposing, floating and twisting I-box track frame in a unique two-tone design
  • –One-of-a-kind onboard magnetic technology featuring smooth head-over-heels free-fly flips providing guests the feeling of weightlessness as they soar outside the confines of a traditional track
  • –4-D wing vehicles that seat up to 8 per vehicle with a total of 5 vehicles
  • –Face-off seats that allow riders to face each other as they tumble head over heels
  • –A 120-foot-tall, 90-degree hill that is ascended by an elevator-style, chain link lift
  • –Two beyond 90-degree “raven” drops giving the sensation of free-falling

Total Mayhem is expected to ensue spring 2016, and joins the ranks of legendary roller coasters like El Toro, Kingda Ka, Nitro and 2015’s El Diablo.

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[tab title=”Six Flags Fiesta Texas – Fireball/Hurricane Force 5/Spinsanity”]SFFT Fireball Force 5 Spinsanity KA

Prepare for sensory overload as three new mind-bending rides anchor an exciting new Fiesta Bay Boardwalk in 2016 at the “Thrill Capital of South Texas,” Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Guests will find themselves looping, spinning, and soaring as they experience the new high-adrenaline thrills on Fireball, featuring a massive 7-story looping frenzy; Hurricane Force 5, where riders take on the power of a storm and swirl round-and-round while soaring high into the air; and Spinsanity, the ultimate whirling adventure for daredevil riders.

“The entire Fiesta Bay Boardwalk area at Fiesta Texas will undergo a spectacular transformation in 2016. The three incredible new attractions will bring completely new types of thrills for our guests, as will our new culinary and interactive games offerings,” said Park President Neal Thurman. “The new Boardwalk will have all the excitement and ambiance of a favorite seaside getaway.”

Headlining the 2016 roster of thrills is a Texas-original, Fireball. With its unique seating pattern, Fireball will deliver an unanticipated weightless swirling action as guests encounter:

  • A “face-off” with 24 riders seated face-to-face to begin their journey;
  • The thrill of being rocketed both forward and backward, through a bedlam of loops;
  • Being suspended upside down 72 feet in the air.

Another distinct offering in this new trio of thrills – Hurricane Force 5 will rotate both clockwise and counter-clockwise with guests sitting on motorcycle-like seats facing outward. This giant 24-passenger hurricane-shaped disc will arc from side to side on an almost 5-story high half-pipe track while rotating at 14 revolutions per minute. This innovative attraction is a first-of-its-kind in the state.

A third new attraction, Spinsanity, will send riders spinning, twisting and rolling through a cycle of classic, thrilling fun. This modern adaptation of a traditional Tilt-A-Whirl will provide more panoramic, unobstructed views and will be unveiled the same year as the 90th Anniversary of the original boardwalk favorite.

In addition to these three new thrill rides, the entire Boardwalk area will receive additional guest amenities, including new, brighter facades for all current Boardwalk offerings; new food and games locations; and refreshed wooden planking underfoot throughout.

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[tab title=”Six Flags Discovery Kingdom – The Joker”]1172804

In Spring 2016, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will open one of the most-anticipated new roller coasters in northern California in over 10 years, The Joker. This state-of-the-art extreme coaster will be the “must ride” coaster of the season, adding to the park’s status as Northern California’s “most thrilling theme park.”

“The Joker will be the most talked about new coaster in 2016,” said Don McCoy, park president. We are excited to introduce this innovative technology that marries the best of both classic and modern coaster designs to offer our guests an unparalleled and unique experience.”

The Joker ride is the second DC Comics-themed attraction at the park after SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight opened in 2012 and the villainous character’s personality is evident in the coaster’s chaotic twists and turns including a first ever “step-up-under-flip inverted roll” that takes riders horizontal. The Joker ride also features the ultimate “fake-out” with a unique breaking wave turn, the only one of its kind on the West Coast.

Additional highlights of The Joker include:

  • –3,200 feet of dual-colored purple and green track;
  • –A wild Zero G barrel roll;
  • –3 inversions;
  • –15 extreme airtime moments; and
  • –Maximum speeds of 53 mph.

The Joker ride is being transformed from what was the park’s iconic and traditional wooden coaster Roar which closed on August 16, 2015.  The Joker ride is scheduled to open in Spring 2016. For

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Pete Barto Joins S&S as Director of Sales for North America and Europe

Logan, UT, USA  (September 1, 2015) – The Sales Team at S&S Worldwide announces that Pete Barto has joined their group as the Director of Sales for North America and Europe. For more than a decade, Pete has called the amusement and attractions industry home, having gained unique experience working for a park, a manufacturer and the association that represents the industry.

Pete BartoAlthough always a lover of the amusement and attractions industry, Pete officially entered the industry with the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) where he worked his way up to Vice President of Exhibitions, Conferences and Sales and was responsible for operations and revenue generation for all three IAAPA trade shows (IAAPA Attractions Expo, Euro Attractions Show and Asian Attractions Expo), as well as advertising sales for FunWorld magazine.

He first transitioned to the manufacturer’s side of the business as the Director of Sales for Premier Rides and has worked more recently on the park side of the business for Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. There he managed the group sales team responsible for increasing admissions and picnic revenue for Hersheypark. While at Hersheypark, Pete was a member of the very first graduating class to receive a Certificate of Achievement from Hershey Entertainment and Resorts’ Character Centered Culture Program. Prior to finding his permanent home in the amusement industry, Pete developed his skill set and understanding of customer trends through invaluable hands-on training in sales, marketing and public relations with corporate giants, Domino’s Pizza and McDonald’s.

Pete is an avid golfer, enjoys playing ice hockey, and is currently pursuing his MBA in Strategic Leadership at Messiah College. He received his undergraduate degree from James Madison University in Virginia where he met his wife, Heather. Pete and Heather have been happily married for over 20 years and have a 15-year-old daughter named Madison that loves the fact that her Dad sells roller coasters.

Newly appointed Executive Director of Sales, Gerald Ryan, said, “We are excited to have Pete as part of our team. He brings with him the enthusiasm and industry knowledge that will make a great asset to our company.”

Indiana Beach Joins Apex Parks Portfolio

Aliso Viejo, CA, USA (September 1, 2015) — California-based Apex Parks Group (“Apex Parks”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Indiana Beach Amusement Resort (“Indiana Beach”). This is the second significant addition to the company since its founding less than a year ago.

Indiana Beach is located on the banks of Lake Shafer in Monticello, Indiana. 2016 will mark the 90th anniversary of the park which has established itself as a true family vacation destination, spanning a total of 376 acres. The amusement park boasts a broad array of family entertainment and thrills; including one of the top wooden roller coasters and steepest drop steel roller coasters in North America. The theme park boasts children’s rides, zip lines, a waterpark, an arcade, miniature golf, traditional amusement park games and much more. Indiana Beach also offers more than 1200 accommodation alternatives, including 42 in-park motel rooms, 114 cabins, cottages & townhomes, over 1180 campsites, and 100 boat docks.

Apex Parks Group CEO, Al Weber, Jr. explains: “Indiana Beach is a fabulous addition for us. We are pleased to work with the park team and local community to grow this jewel of a resort in mid-state Indiana. We look forward to building upon the 90 year heritage of this park and providing families with a life time of great memories.”

The General Manager of Indiana Beach, John Collins, is optimistic about the future of the park. “This is a very big and meaningful step for Indiana Beach. In our 90-year history, Indiana Beach has developed a loyal following of family visitors. We believe the resources that Apex Parks brings to Indiana Beach will provide us opportunity for expansion and improved infrastructure. We’re very confident that, as part of Apex Parks Group, we will take this great property and take it to the next level.”

“Over the past 8 seasons we have prided ourselves in keeping the history and nostalgia of Indiana Beach while investing in the future of the resort by upgrading and adding amenities, accommodations and attractions.  This is an exciting time for Indiana Beach,” said Bob Moser, former owner of Indiana Beach. “With the decades of experience Apex Parks brings, we are certain they are committed to providing a high quality experience for our guests for years to come.”

Al Weber adds, “Our management team and investor group led by Broad Sky Partners and the Edgewater Funds Group are committed to building Apex into a valuable out-of-home entertainment business. The addition of Indiana Beach is a leap toward achieving this goal.”

Indiana Beach will continue to operate the remainder of its regular 2015 schedule and will be open September 4 – 7 for Labor Day weekend, and September 12, 13, and 19. For park information and operating hours, please visit www.indianabeach.com

Alcorn McBride’s A/V Binloop Uncompressed Wins Award at InfoComm 2015

Orlando, FL, USA – Alcorn McBride’s new A/V Binloop Uncompressed is a winner of the 2nd annual Sound & Video Contractor Best of Show Awards at InfoComm 2015.  A/V Binloop Uncompressed, which made its debut at the convention, is the latest in the popular Binloop family of synchronous video players.

“We are delighted that one of our newest products was among the Best of Show winners at InfoComm this year,” says Alcorn McBride Director of Sales Scott Harkless.  “The A/V Binloop Uncompressed is a brand new product and we’re pleased that it is being so warmly received by the industry and already earning awards!”

A/V Binloop Uncompressed meets the increasing demand for products supporting 4K high frame rate uncompressed content.  In their citation, the judges for Sound & Video Contractor (SVC) said, “A classic market-driven product, this latest incarnation of the industry-standard solid-state A/V Binloop uniquely plays 2 channels of up to 4:4:4 10-bit 60 fps 4K.”

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Unlike the video servers on the market that provide this level of uncompressed playback, the A/V Binloop Uncompressed is a solid-state design that is not based on a PC architecture.  True to Alcorn McBride’s philosophy of reliable product design, this product is purpose-built to ensure consistent high-quality playback with the ability to synchronize perfectly between multiple channels.  A single product is able to provide up to 2 channels of 4K60 playback and up to 8 channels of 2K60 playback.  Thanks to the Genlock input feature, multiple units can be easily combined and synchronized to achieve higher channel counts.  This makes the A/V Binloop Uncompressed the perfect solution for high-quality flat-panel arrays, LED walls, or large screen projection applications where quality and maintenance-free operation are critical.

The SVC judges saw and tested each entered product on the floor at InfoComm.  Judges represented a select panel of industry experts, AV designers, integrators and end users.  They awarded points based on a series of criteria, including innovation, performance against category standard, richness/relevance of feature set, ease of installation/maintenance, network friendliness, and value/ROI.  Products with the highest total points were named the winners.

D3D and Christie Complete Testing on Laser-Illuminated Digital Giant Dome Projection System

Evanston, IL, USA (September 1, 2015) – D3D Cinema and Christie are pleased to announce the completion of R&D testing on a laser-illuminated digital giant dome projection system. Client demonstrations will commence this fall, with the first installations on target for 2016.

“After a year of development, the final dome test phase was conducted last week alongside engineers from Christie, D3D, and selected third-party technology partners,” said Derek Threinen, VP of Sales and Business Development at D3D Cinema. “This dome solution, at long last, will bring the economic and qualitative advantages of digital and laser to our dome partners – a contingent that was largely excluded from the digital revolution without laser projection capability. We listened all along to the priorities of dome representatives and worked closely with Christie to deliver an outstanding, ultra-bright single projector solution that takes advantage of existing theater and doghouse configurations, warrants no theater capacity loss, limits construction requirements, and assures regulatory approvals. Theaters have asked for a system that was simple and open: no multi-projector calibration issues, no real-time warping complications, no closed-system distribution source limitations.”

“With an in-house team comprising multiple former museum dome operators, D3D was able to create a system design that met a number of qualitative and operational criteria,” said Bryan Boehme, Director of Location Based Entertainment, Americas, Christie. “First and foremost, we needed to achieve a picture quality that D3D’s dome clients and their customers deserved, taking advantage of the full dome real estate. Second, it was imperative that the system be future proof, allowing for modular, scalable upgrades as new cinema technologies and production trends come to market. These include high frame rate playback up to 120fps, Rec2020 support, and high dynamic range (HDR) – a powerful technology on the horizon that allows lasers to deliver on their promise. Christie offers a solution that checks off all the boxes and we are thrilled to introduce our laser dome solution to the market.”

The Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, Florida graciously provided D3D and Christie access to the theater to conduct the most recent technical tests. “I was able to peek in for a quick look,” said Molly Demeulenaere, President and CEO of MOSI. “Honestly, it was stunning! Bright, sharp, beautiful!”

“As a former museum dome theater operator, I know firsthand how incredibly unique giant domes can be in their communities, providing a level of immersion unequaled in the home or multiplex,” said Andy Wood, Senior VP at D3D Cinema. “In the interest of retaining an extraordinary experience but with an eye on the bottom line, our dome theater clients are wisely reevaluating their options–exploring the new economic possibilities and working out the long-term math. I’m proud that D3D can now offer these dome theaters a new morning, saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in operating costs, eliminating, among other things, the high maintenance fees and brand licensing costs of the past. And with D3D’s ability to provide upfront lease financing, we can offer a CFO-friendly business model. In short, we are doing our very best to make our dome theater partners prosperous again, allowing them to redeploy some of these valuable operational savings into marketing a theater experience that is truly extraordinary.”

AAM Launches Application Period for Small Museums Accreditation Academy

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ABOVE: AAM member Folsom History Museum, Folsom, CA, USA

Washington, DC, USA (September 1, 2015)  The American Alliance of Museums (AAM) announces the opening of the Small Museums Accreditation Academy application period today.

The Academy—a new initiative funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and guided by a 15-member Advisory Panel of leaders in the museum field—is a year-long readiness program to make museum standards, accreditation and assessment programs more accessible to America’s small museums. At the end of the program, a museum will emerge with a stronger culture of excellence and be poised to apply for Accreditation.

“The NEA is pleased to have supported AAM in the expansion of accreditation opportunities for smaller museums,” said Wendy Clark, NEA Director of Museums, Visual Arts, and Indemnity. “The program will provide participating museums with a clear road map to improve their credibility and value through accreditation.”

“I’m so proud of the esteemed Advisory Panel  that we have assembled to help us create this opportunity for small museums, and I applaud them for offering their expertise to our field,” said Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer Laura L. Lott. “A full 70 percent of our member museums are small museums. We designed this program to help museums with limited staff and resources prepare to apply for accreditation, a true mark of distinction.”

The Academy is a guided online experience combining live sessions, mentoring and collaborative activities for both board members and staff at small museums. This program is aimed at museums with approximately five or fewer staff that have Accreditation as a goal.

The application deadline for the Academy is November 1. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance into the Academy in January 2016, and will be set to begin the program in February 2016. Ten museums will be selected to comprise the pilot group.

Electrosonic’s New Technology Event Returning to UK Headquarters

Dartford, UK — Electrosonic will once again be hosting their ‘New Technology’ event at its EMEA head office in Dartford, Kent, on the 9th and 10th of September. With over 30 leading audio-visual companies participating, the free event is designed to provide visitors with an in-depth look at the latest technology solutions for the Corporate, Control Rooms and Entertainment markets.

Electrosonic is a leading audio-visual systems integration and service solutions company with offices and resources located throughout the world. During its Technology Days, all guests are guided around the show by a member of the Electrosonic team who can discuss how the new technologies can be integrated into the visitor’s current and future facilities. There will also be a series of education sessions taking place over the two days from Google, Paradigm Audio Visual and SiliconCore Technology.

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In addition to the technology demonstrations and presentations, there are lots more for visitors to do. There will be the opportunity to experience the power of a Lamborghini, a supercar capable of 0-60 mph hour in three minutes, attend an after-event networking BBQ to meet Electrosonic staff, other guests and manufacturers, and enter a draw to win a track day at Brands Hatch race track.

Confirmed suppliers include 7thSense, Adder Technology, Amigo, AMX, Array, Ashton Bentley, Barco, Cabletime, ClearOne, Christie, Crestron Electronics, CTOUCH, Cyviz, Draper, Eyevis, Helvar, Imago, Kramer Electronics, Medialon, Medium UK, Mitsubishi Electric, NEC, NanoLumens, Onelan, Panasonic, Paradigm Audio Visual, Planar Systems, Polycom, QSC Audio, Revolabs, RGB, Samsung, Shure, Sony, Tukans and Unicol.

Visitors will have the opportunity to see a number of demonstrations including a traffic control room from Mitsubishi, Eyevis and Adder Technology, an easy to use telepresence experience from Polycom, Array and Ashton Bentley, curved LED products from NanoLumens that can wrap around columns, Google Chromebox which allows users to meet with up to fifteen participants at a time on any device, and multiple collaboration tools including Kramer’s VIA wireless presentation device and the Barco NRC-200.

An additional feature to this year’s event includes a large digital projection area. Barco are bringing their ultra-bright 6P laser cinema projector for premium large screens. This high-brightness laser projector is capable of showing 4K content at 60 fps and 3D movies in full 4K resolution. Additional demonstrations include wireless audio solutions from Revolabs, LED lighting from Helvar, projection mapping from 7thSense, a 105-inch ultra-high definition display capable of creating 5K content from Samsung, and an intuitive eight mega pixel visual display system from Cyviz.

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“As technology evolves, so do our annual Technology Day events.” Said Colin Lemmings, Corporate Solutions Director, EMEA at Electrosonic. “This is not just another Technology Show. We aim to provide our visitors with a unique and unforgettable experience, where they not only get their own host to guide them round the latest technology demonstrations, but have the opportunity to network with people with similar challenges, hear insightful presentations from global companies such as Google, and most importantly, have a fun and worthwhile day out.”

A series of presentations will take place each day. Google will present ‘Google’s Role in Changing Digital Signage and Videoconferencing’, which will explain their vision around digital signage and videoconferencing device management for Chrome OS devices. SiliconCore Technology will discuss the future of LED in their presentation ‘The LED Road Map’ and Paradigm Audio Visual will be looking at how the PISCR standard can help companies to deliver the perfect projected image.

Electrosonic’s Technology Days will take place at Electrosonic’s EMEA head office in Dartford, Kent, on the 9th and 10th of September 2015 from 10:30am to 5:00pm. The event will be complemented by a BBQ at 4:00pm on both days.

For additional information, please visit the event page at http://www.electrosonic.co.uk/events/electrosonics-technology-day.  Admittance is free of charge, but pre-registration is required. To register for the event, call the Events team on +44 01322 282353, email [email protected] or visit the registration link on the event page.

Brick-or-Treat Returns to Scare Up Spooky Fun at LEGOLAND California Resort

Carlsbad, CA, USA — Brick-or-Treat Party Nights at LEGOLAND California Resort, presented by Shutterfly, returns for 2015. The biggest kids’ Halloween celebration in San Diego offers children and their families trick-or-treating and entertainment throughout the Park, including the new LEGO Friends Heartlake City. Every Saturday night (Oct. 3,10,17 & 24) plus Friday Oct. 30 starting at 5 p.m., the Park transforms into a not-too-spooky Halloween festival featuring a variety of fun activities including the new Candy Quest walk-through at the Adventurers’ Club in Fun Town, a Fall Festival complete with Pumpkin Patch Building and blue-grass style music in LEGO Friends Heartlake City, interactive story-telling, seven treat stations with specialty items including a  LEGO NINJAGO giveaway and commemorative Brick, new roaming candy carts throughout the Park and two bonus treat stations inside SEA LIFE Aquarium. LEGOLAND Hotel joins in the fun with its own Halloween party on Oct. 31 with candy giveaways, a dance party and a special visit from the Mail Order Monsters exclusively for Hotel guests.

Brick-or-Treat Party Nights is a special event and admission can be purchased for as low as $35 if purchased online in advance. Special event ticket holders can enjoy costume contests, trick-or-treating for children 12 and under at treat stations and candy carts throughout LEGOLAND California Resort where kids can gather tasty goodies and other surprises. The LEGO themed treat stations and candy carts offer a safe, fun and entertaining trick-or-treating experience for all to enjoy with festive music, live entertainment including the hilarious “Boo Crew,” a dazzling animated Spirits of Brick-or-Treat light show, and family favorite, the Ghost Cruise Scavenger Hunt.

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Guests can also “boo-gie” down at frighteningly-fun dance parties: Hubble Bubble’s Dance Party atop the Model Shop in Miniland, Wanda’s Jellyfish Disco at SEA LIFE Aquarium, plus sing and dance along to the music and mayhem in the Monster Fighter Mash featured on the main stage in Miniland U.S.A.. Special event guests can also enjoy entertainment from The Witchettes, Bluegrass Band Jamboree and a special LEGO Friends meet and greet in Heartlake City.

In the Halloween spirit, community sponsor Union Bank is donating 300 tickets to allow winners to visit this year’s Brick-or-Treat festivities during the first weekend of the month-long celebration. LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on select dates throughout October. With special event admission to Brick-or-Treat Party Nights on October 3, 10, 17, 24 and 30 guests can extend their day until 9pm at both LEGOLAND California and SEA LIFE Aquarium to enjoy all the Halloween festivities. AWESOME AWAITS…at the Park after dark during Brick-or-Treat Party Nights. For exclusive savings and more information, visit www.BRICKORTREAT.com.

Polin Again Named Among Leading 100 Companies in Turkey

Istanbul, Turkey (August 31, 2015) — Polin was recently identified as among The Turkey100, a prestigious list of “game-changing entrepreneurs” identified by AllWorld Network. AllWorld cited Polin among the businesses it referred to as one of the Turkey’s fastest-growing companies that “are pioneering solutions in old and new industries.” The organization noted that the distinguished firms had collectively created 11,000 jobs in three years.

This is the second time that Polin has been privileged with an appearance on the list, as one of the 100 fastest growing companies in Turkey. It was included for the first time in 2013. In total, only 16 companies have received the honor more than once.

Polin is one of the world’s leading firms in the design, engineering, manufacturing and installation of waterparks, waterslides and water-play attractions. Specifically, Polin has been a pioneer in the advancement and application of closed-molded manufacturing technology in waterslide development. Polin’s signature rides, like King Cobra, Sphere, Space Shuttle and Turbulance and its forward-thinking innovation in manufacturing technologies have led to the firm expanding its operations throughout Asia to Europe, China, Canada, Australia, the United States and beyond in 93 countries under Polin brand.

The list of honorees was announced during the AllWorld Turkey100 Awards Gala, which took place in Çırağan Palace Kempinski on August 10. The event was opened by the president of TOBB Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu and the president of TEPAV Ozan Acar. It was hosted by AllWorld Network, the Ministry of Commerce, the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey.

Impressive numbers
Hisarcıklıoğlu said the total combined turnover of all the companies on the list was $2.7 billion, with an average of $25 million. Specifically, for the 2011-2013 period, the average growth rate was 358 percent – 15 times faster than the entire economy’s growth rate.

In total, the companies on the list employ nearly 18,000 people, with an average number per company of 185 – an increase of 88 percent between 2011 and 2013. “These companies provided jobs for more than 8,000 people during this period,” Hisarcıklıoğlu said.

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Identifying the best of the best
Baris Pakis, President of Polin, and Sohret Pakis, Director of Marketing and Communication of Polin, attended the awards ceremony. Baris Pakis said his company was honored to be among the top 100. “Polin strives to stay at the forefront of technology, as well as providing the highest quality of service to our clients and partners,” he added. “It is truly a privilege to receive this commendation, and we are humbled to be named alongside some of the most-well-respected business leaders in our country.”

Facts about the Turkey100
Fifteen companies offering information technology services topped the list. That number was followed by foodstuffs manufacturers (eight); computer programming, consulting and related activities along with “other manufactures” (seven each); textile-product manufacturing (six); “machine and equipment manufacturing – not elsewhere classified” (six); and human healthcare services (four).

More on Allworld Network
Founded in 2008 by Deirdre M. Coyle Jr., Anne S. Habiby and Harvard Business School Professor Michael E. Porter, AllWorld’s mission is to find and scale all growth entrepreneurs of the emerging world by 2015. AllWorld systematically identifies and ranks the fastest-growing private companies. In addition to the Turkey100, it has created the Arabia500, Africa500, Asia500, Eurasia500 and America500. An AllWorld ranking puts companies on the world map, attracting new investors, customers, growth partners and talent. The company refers to these advantages as Visibility EconomicsTM.

More on Tepav
The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey is a nonpartisan, nonprofit think tank based in Ankara, Turkey. It was founded in 2004 by a group of businessmen, bureaucrats and academics who believe in the power of knowledge and ideas in shaping Turkey’s future. Aiming to contribute to public policy design, TEPAV seeks to enrich the knowledge content in Turkey’s discussions. What sets TEPAV apart, however, is its active involvement in economic and political development. TEPAV carries out projects that actively contribute to economic development and bring together key policy and opinion makers to tackle the problems of the day. TEPAV sticks to academic ethnical principles and quality in all activities.

Overview: The Turkey Fast Growth 25|100
The Turkey Fast Growth 25|100 aims to move markets in real time, generating new wealth and expanding development. It finds and advances the growth of private companies and focuses on changing the way the world sees and invests in Turkey. The Turkey Fast Growth 25|100 is a definitive record of the fastest-growing, most dynamic entrepreneurs. By shining a light on these emerging business leaders, the list improves access to capital and markets for entrepreneurs, provides real-time feedback to policy makers, points the way forward for large-scale job creation and puts momentum behind these entrepreneurs as they create the next economy for their countries and regions.

Issue 58: Technology 2015

Read the entire issue in pdf format

Issue 58 Editorials

The projection mapping revolution

An insider’s guide • by Jeevan Vivegananthan

Worlds of opportunity in themed entertainment

Interview with Monty Lunde • by Kimberly Rily

Print photography: it’s still here

Ways to integrate photo sales opportunities into your attraction • by Belinda LoPresti

A meaningful American presence at Milan 2015

Ambassador Doug Hickey, Commissioner General, USA Pavilion • interview by James Ogul

The immersion game

Holovis: virtual environments, real-world business • by Judith Rubin

Three Holovis projects

Interactive steampunk

Cedar Fair and Triotech collaborate on “Iron Reef” media-based attraction at Knott’s Berry Farm• by Joe Kleiman

Solar Superstorms

Big data, big movie, big stars • by Judith Rubin

Please remain seated…

The unique demands of AV design in themed entertainment • by Scott Harkless

Unique Interactives

Educational exhibits at the National WWII Museum, Expo 2015 Milano and Graceland • by Eli Kuslansky and Gregory Peduto

JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis 4D

Merging technologies and moving dark rides forward • by Martin Palicki

IAAPA returns from Hong Kong

InPark reports from the 2015 Asian Attractions Expo • by Martin Palicki

Interview with IAAPA CEO Paul Noland

At SATE, T stands for Technology

TEA’s annual conference on themed entertainment design and development

WWA full