InPark Magazine

Perfectly Polin

Martin Palicki

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September 18, 2013

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With over 2,000 waterpark installations Polin has global experience and a unique perspective

interview with Sohret Pakis, Director of Marketing

Let’s talk a bit about Polin’s history. When was the company founded?

Polin was founded by Enver Pakis in Istanbul in 1976. Enver received undergraduate and master’s degrees in Architecture from Istanbul Technical University. After graduation, he worked at Pirelli as an architect for 5 years and then decided to establish his own company. The company produced GRP (fiberglass products) for the construction industry. They manufactured composites like air conditioning cabins, water tanks, and roof decorations. In the 1980s, when Turkey moved to an open economy and holiday villages were being built, Polin started producing waterslides.

What were some of the first projects/clients?

When we started the waterslide business, our first slides went to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We consider this fortunate since German standards are some of the strictest in Europe and from the very beginning our slides complied with DIN and TUV norms (for safety standards and testing methods). We then started to expand in Eastern Europe. On the Black Sea Coast of Russia, for example, you can find a Polin waterpark in each city. Then we continued to expand throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia and America.

How big is the company today?

Polin has a very high plant capacity. We continue production in three existing plants in Turkey. Our fourth facility will be open by the end of this year. We have a team of 400 people dedicated to the waterslide industry at headquarters. We have five offices: Polin Russia, Polin Morroco, Polin China, Polin Colombia and Polin Macedonia and together with our offices our team is 500 people.

Today Polin is one of the leaders in design, production and installation of waterparks, waterslides and water play attractions. We have more than 2,000 waterpark projects in over 82 countries around the World. Today Polin is a major supplier in Eurasia both in terms of the number of projects and geography.

The company seems very proud of its Turkish heritage and you have two waterpark resort projects that just opened in Turkey. Tell us about those two projects and what the waterpark market is like in Turkey.

Turkey is our home country. Our inspiration comes from Turkey. As you know, Turkey has an important logistics advantage due to its geographic location. Turkey is at a place where West and East meet, where you can still feel the trace of hundreds of cultures who have lived in this region and where you can fully experience all four seasons. Living in such a beautiful, multi-cultural environment creates a synergy among our team. Turkey is a land with vast amounts of cultural and historical heritage, having been influenced by European, Asian, Middle Eastern, Balkan, Slavic, and North African cultures at some point. This brings together an important flexibility while working with different cultures.

Projects in Turkey mean a lot to us, but Turkey’s share in our total production is just 10%, although the market is growing. In Turkey, the resort market and resort waterparks are very popular. For example, in Antalya, every single resort has its own waterpark. In 2013, we announced the opening of two major waterparks in Antalya both belonging to the same group: Crystal Hotels. One project is Sunset and the other is Waterwold.

You have an impressive list of projects in Europe, including a project in Ukraine and the high profile Aquaventure Avonturenpark in the Netherlands. Can you talk about the differences between the two projects and what it is like working in both Eastern and Western Europe?

In Europe, our total number of projects is now about 750. Because of the inherent cultural flexibility we have as a Turkish company as already mentioned, we adapt readily to the diverse needs of customers in different countries, climates, cultures and physical environments. What works in one country may well not work in another.

In 2013, we had some remarkable projects in Europe, including Avonturenpark Hellendoorn Slide Park, as you mentioned. This park features eleven waterslides all designed and built by Polin. This was a surge of new improvements and a fresh start for a park that had in previous years averaged one new ride per annum.

All of our slides at the park are produced by the latest technology in manufacturing: Resin Transfer Molding. This technology enables a smooth and shiny finish on both sides of the slides. Plus, the tunnel slides at the park feature Polin’s patented Natural Light Effects technology.

From Eastern Europe, one project we completed in 2013 was for Aqua Park Odessa in Ukraine. The park’s development first began in January of 2013, and resulted in what is now south Ukraine’s largest waterpark, boasting an amazing 20,000sqm of project space. Owners Valerij Avdeev and Evgenij Krasnov worked closely with us to design and manufacture over 27 attractions within the park. Aqua Park Odessa’s most notable feature, however, is the variety of water slides. With a €20 million budget to work with, we were able to develop a truly unique design for the park, implementing a great variety of water rides. Plus, we had the opportunity to launch our new Space Shuttle slide at the Odessa park.

Asia is a huge market for waterparks. Thailand’s Santorini Water Fantasy just opened. Tell us what products you provided there and what makes this property unique.

Santorini Water Fantasy, which opened in August of this year, is part of a large complex, Santorini Park, an amusement park adjacent to the Cha-Am Premium Outlet Mall. The group plans to add another 8 acres adjacent to the site and also build a three-star, low-rise resort with about 150 rooms. The project is expected to be completed next year.

There are many signature attractions at the park, including our King Cobra. We also installed three other exciting attractions: a Looping Rocket, a Space Shuttle and a Windigo. Other rides that we installed include a Freefall, Aquatube, Rafting Slide, Black Hole, Kids Freefall, Space Hole, Kids Octopus Slide, Mini Pirate Slide, Turtle Slide, Rabbit Slide, Mini Rainbow Slide, Giraffe Shower, Mushroom, Aquatower Type 600, Frog Slide and Baby Octopus Slide.

The rides are unique and are new to that region. We also see this project as being indicative of a trend with amusement parks expanding their waterpark brands.

What types of waterparks do you think are most successful in Asia?

The Asian market is increasingly important to us and we’ve spent a lot of time in the field there over the last 12 months. The primary trend we have observed in Asia is towards larger traditional waterparks similar to ones you might find at tourist destinations in the United States.

Does Polin do its manufacturing entirely in Turkey?

We do all of our production in Turkey, at Polin plants and under strict quality controls. Our plans for the future are to continue doing 100% of our production in Turkey, thereby ensuring that quality is maintained.

You’ve also done some work recently on the Carnival Sunshine. We heard a lot about cruiseship waterslides in the past few years. Do you see that as a continuing trend?

We supplied Carnval Sunshine’s new waterpark. The project features three Aquatube slides —including the cruise line’s longest — and a water play structure with 40 different interactive water features. What is unique about this Project is its racing theme. We applied Magic Shine Technology, Natural Lights Effects, and Special Pattern Effects to create the racing theme that is featured in the black-and-white coloring on the Sunshine’s Speedway Splash racing slides.

We also recently completed a magic shine tube slide and themed water play structure for the MSC Cruise Preziosa. It appears that the cruiseship waterpark trend is still rising. Older ships are adding themed waterparks and new ships are adding signature rides to their waterparks.

Your King Cobra slide is very popular, with 20 installations globally so far. It is also a highly themed waterslide. How important is theming in the waterslide market?

King Cobra is very popular for a few reasons: it is a high capacity ride. It is interactive with two double tubes racing each other. And it has a strong visual impact and a spectator appeal. Special effects are integrated. There is water spraying, a hissing sound – it is creatively themed. King Cobra is the first to offer a theme story built into its fiberglass design, which—by the way—doesn’t have to be based on a cobra. Right now, for example, we are creating a dragon-themed version for a project in China, we completed a ship theme in Indonesia for Bugis Waterpark, and a Humangaosur theme for the Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark project.

I believe we will be witnessing several major changes in the waterslide world in the near future. One major rising trend is “theming”. Customers want waterslides to tell them stories. The rides that tell the best stories will be the most popular.

How is advancing technology integrated into your waterslides?

Providing attractions with special effects and technology built in is very attractive to park owners. That’s why we are putting a huge emphasis on this in our product line. For example, we do not want customers to have to purchase traffic light products separate from the rides themselves. Instead, we develop attractions with these components already designed into them. Plus, our patented Natural Light Effects, Special Pattern Effects offerings are available for almost all our products.

In closing, what do you feel is Polin’s main competitive advantage?

Overall, with 37 years of experience across the globe in the composites sector, we’ve developed an unmatched business and technological expertise. With over 2,000 projects in our portfolio, our wealth of experience continues to grow.

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Sohret Pakis studied Economics at Bogazici University in Istanbul, and went on to receive her master’s degree in Economic History at the same university. Her first work experience was at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals. In 2003, after working at Pfizer for 3 years Sohret joined the Polin team. Sohret is the Director of Marketing and Communications.

Chris Conte and Paul Kent of Electrosonic Will Light Up the Room at SATE 13

Joe Kleiman

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September 17, 2013

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Chris Conte and Paul Kent of Electrosonic Will Light Up the Room at SATE 13

Los Angeles (September 17, 2013) – Chris Conte and Paul Kent of Electrosonic will moderate the session, “The Death of Halogen and the Rise of Coherent Light,” at SATE ’13, the Themed Entertainment Association’s (TEA) annual experiential design conference. The two-day event is slated for October 3 to 4 at the Savannah College of Art & Design in Savannah, Georgia.

SATE ’13 is expected to draw creative thinkers, producers, suppliers and decision makers in the attractions industry. Among the speakers scheduled to address attendees are visionary architect Chuck Hoberman, the Warhol Museum’s Josh Jeffery, Walt Disney Imagineering’s Asa Kalama, and Roger Gould and Liz Gazzano of Pixar Animation Studios. MK Haley of Disney Research is the Technology Chair of the conference.

“The Death of Halogen and the Rise of Coherent Light” will look at the history of technologies traditionally used in themed environments, and then move on to address recent advances in lighting and projection technology. The panel will discuss how these technologies can be applied in new and creative ways in the world of themed entertainment.

“The session will look at the emerging technologies for the sources of illumination in immersive environments,”

comments Kent. “For both lighting and projection, the change from halogen to laser will have an impact on both the design and production of these environments. Our session will take a look at the major changes in technology that have advanced the entertainment industry over the years, and we will also look forward to where we see it going.”

Chris Conte is Electrosonic’s Vice President of Entertainment and Paul Kent is a senior consultant in the company’s entertainment team. The panel that Conte and Kent will moderate mixes manufacturers, designers and end users of the technologies. Currently they include Ray Hole of Ray Hole Architects Ltd. (as a virtual attendee), Bryan Boehme of Christie Digital, and David Gray of Oasis Enterprises, Dubai.

Learn more about SATE ’13 visit sate2013.blogspot.com

Slides as Art

Martin Palicki

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September 17, 2013

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The new Palm Atlantis recently unveiled a six waterslide complex overflowing with features not seen anywhere else in the world. The complex includes a number of world’s firsts including two AquaTubes™ which fly through the Anaconda™, the world’s largest diameter waterslide at 9m (30ft). This flume-thru-flume technology offers a revolutionary waterslide within a waterslide experience, allowing Anaconda™ riders a spectacular view of the AquaTubes™ right above their heads.

photography courtesy of WhiteWater West

“We are thrilled with the opportunity to work with Atlantis, The Palm, and proud to have created innovative attractions which offer thrilling and unique experiences to their guests,”

– Geoff Chutter, WhiteWater president & CEO

Waterpark Attendance Figures

Martin Palicki

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September 17, 2013

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Download a PDF of the attendance figures from the visited parks in the world

Science Museum of Virginia to Upgrade to 8K Stereoscopic Digistar 5 from E&S

Joe Kleiman

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September 16, 2013

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Science Museum of Virginia to Upgrade to 8K Stereoscopic Digistar 5 from E&S

Salt Lake City, UT, USA (September 16, 2013) — Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation (E&S) announced that the Science Museum of Virginia, in Richmond, VA, has selected the E&S Digistar 5 digital projection (“fulldome”) system for its new dome theater set to open in early 2014. Featuring near-8K resolution and active 3D stereoscopic projection, Digistar 5 is one of the most advanced digital cinema systems available today – and the newest, top-of-the-line system offered by E&S since introducing the Digistar line some 30 years ago.

“This is an historic occasion for E&S, as it was the Science Museum of Virginia that purchased the very first Digistar system from E&S in 1983 (and later upgraded the system to Digistar II),” said Kirk Johnson, E&S Vice President and General Manager. “Our long-time customer, the Science Museum of Virginia will give visitors a state-of-the-art cinematic experience with the new E&S Digistar 5 system upgrade,” added Johnson. “In resolution, brightness and 3D quality, Digistar 5 represents a technical peak for digital dome theaters and planetariums that will become the gold standard others want to emulate.”

“The Science Museum will be opening up the full expanse of the cosmos to our guests – inviting everyone to explore the universe with us in a truly spectacular fashion, ” said Richard Conti, CEO/Chief Wonder Officer, Science Museum of Virginia.

The upgrade will also include the re-skinning of Science Museum of Virginia’s existing 23 meter (75 foot) diameter dome with Spitz NanoSeam™ perforated aluminum panels matched so precisely edge-to-edge that they disappear under projection, and E&S’ auto alignment and auto blending technology to combine all five 4K projectors into a seamless fulldome image.

The Digistar 5 fulldome 3D system will include five 25,000 lumen DLP projectors at 4K resolution running at 120 Hz. The combined resolution of these projectors will produce over 29 million pixels on the Museum’s giant 23 meter (75 foot) diameter dome, almost three times the resolution of a 4K fulldome theater, and over 14 times the resolution of HDTV. This system will offer a brightness of 4 fL on the dome, currently the highest brightness ever projected in a giant screen digital fulldome theater. The system meets and actually exceeds the DIGSS (Digital Immersive Giant Screen Specifications) standards recently ratified by the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) for giant screen digital fulldome theaters.

What is fulldome 8K?

In digital cinema parlance, one “K” refers to a 1024 x 1024 pixel flat screen (each K is rounded to the nearest thousand). Translating that to dome screen display with a multi-projector system, about 25% of pixels are lost from the corners, and additional pixels are lost in edge-blending. In the case of the Science Museum of Virginia’s new Digistar 5 system, each of five 4096 x 2160 pixel projectors will produce more than 8 million “raw” pixels, of which nearly 6 million “unique” pixels will be visible on the dome screen. Combined, the unique pixel output of the Digistar 5 is therefore more than 29 million pixels. In comparison, the typical 4K fulldome system has a unique pixel output of about 11 million pixels and the typical HDTV has a resolution of just over 2 million pixels. For more information, visit the E&S “8K Demystified” page.

www.es.com

Waterpark Innovation

Martin Palicki

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September 16, 2013

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InPark’s Martin Palicki speaks with ProSlide founder Rick Hunter on creating bigger, more impactful attractions to drive attendance and differentiate

ProSlide founder Rick Hunter turned his love for skiing into a passion for waterslides. That might be why his company is known for thrilling waterpark attractions. InPark spoke to Rick about the industry and what operators need to know to take advantage of the latest innovations in water attractions.

Why is continued innovation so important for waterparks?

Parks cannot survive unless they drive repeat visitors. There are many ways to guarantee repeat visits, starting with ensuring the guest-experience is positive and memorable from start to finish, and any problems are resolved quickly and conscientiously. Adding new attractions is another way operators can stimulate repeat attendance. It’s then up to us to push the boundaries of ride innovation and impact.

Where is your focus of innovation right now?

Our response to operators wanting more is to develop new rides that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. In fact, we’ve invented an entirely new category of rides called hybrids – where two, three and even four separate rides are combined into a single ride path.

Since 2008, we have installed 19 hybrid rides. The most recent example is the HydroMAGNETIC MAMMOTH™ + TORNADO™ 60 that opened at Yas Waterworld in January 2013. This ride combines a massive LIM-powered water coaster as an in-run to the world’s first six-person TORNADO. Both are IAAPA Impact-award winning rides on their own; the combination of the two is amazing in terms of entertainment value, thrills, speed and performance. In fact, as soon as this ride – named Dawwama –opened at Yas Waterworld, it was voted the #1 ride in the park.

It seems as though the thrill factor has been important in recent years, with kiddie attractions being less important. Is that true?

Not true. Large multi-person attractions are getting a lot of attention but young family/ kiddie attractions are a key focus in growing the waterpark industry. We have seen a significant increase in demand for kiddie-sized versions of our iconic attractions (funnels, bowls, racers, etc.), and KIDZ Zones.

We’ve re-engineered our iconic thrill rides into pint-sized attractions with the same smooth, safe transitions; easy, low-grade landings; shallow water; optimal sight lines and much more.

I remember riding the very first LIM-powered water coaster with you at Great Wolf Lodge in Mason, OH years ago and thinking this was one of the most thrilling slides around. How have you expanded on that product?

You were right! The 2006 Great Wolf Lodge HydroMAGNETIC ROCKET™ definitely reset the new gold standard in water ride attractions – and water coasters specifically. By adapting linear induction motors for use in water, we have created coasters with longer, steeper & faster uphill and downhill sections. Many waterpark customers claim they are even more exciting than roller coasters – with boats that aren’t attached to rails. We’ve also learned how to make these slides be effective line-eaters: our largest six-person coasters deliver capacities of up to 1,080 guests an hour.

In 2013, we launched nine HydroMAGNETIC™ water coasters, which almost doubled our total installations of this technology since 2006.

In theme parks there seems to be a desire to have the biggest, tallest and fastest of everything. Is that as important in your products?

Breaking records always adds a certain sizzle to marketing a new attraction at a waterpark, but it isn’t always feasible for a number of reasons. Many parks are limited in expansion areas or only have a set number of towers from which to run slides. Smaller footprints can be a challenge, but that doesn’t mean we can’t pack a thrilling ride into a small space- and allow parks to customize the experience for their guests.

For example, the new ProSlide PIPElineWAVE reinvents the wall-style category by introducing the first curved wall-ride for two-person tubes. Because of its truly innovative curved shape, riders on the PIPElineWAVE experience the longest hang times and zero g-forces as tubes sweep up and across the wall, virtually defying gravity, before sweeping back down. The beauty of this ride is its compact size. It can stand alone but it’s also designed to be included on a multi-ride custom complex (two or more rides starting from the same tower) or as part of a multi-feature hybrid ride (two or more rides in a single ride path). This versatility allows parks around the world to create vastly different experiences with the same PIPElineWAVE feature.

Speaking of customization, how important is it for parks to be well themed and do you offer theming for your slides?

Parks are finding that theming can really help differentiate them from the competition. The new Yas Waterworld in Abu Dhabi is a great example of that. The Dawwama LIM water coaster ride at Yas Waterworld takes an amazing slide and wraps it in an incredibly themed storyline based on the pearl diving heritage of the United Arab Emirates. It is unlike anything ever seen in a waterpark before.

What is the biggest trend you’re noticing now in waterparks?

More and more, people want to experience slides and attractions with their friends and family, so larger multi-person rides are becoming increasingly more popular. Parks such as Holiday World, Splish Splash, Yas Waterworld and Dollywood have all invested in larger, expansive water attractions that can be enjoyed by groups together. This requires a great deal of sophistication and planning on the part of the manufacturer, but we are equipped to handle these larger slides.

What do you think is the next big thing for the waterpark market?

The next 5 – 10 years in the waterpark industry are guaranteed to be the most dynamic we’ve seen. With more interactive, creative, well-landscaped waterparks being developed, they are becoming the new theme parks. There is a high demand for day long family entertainment that is strengthening the waterpark business model. Waterparks are now capable of delivering stronger ROIs than ever before, as proven by the global surge of investments into both new and existing parks.

It doesn’t matter what scale of attraction (single rides, water coasters, family rides), the industry is demanding innovative concepts to distinguish their parks. We are coming into a new era of waterparks, one that demands more creative applications of traditional ride technology, producing better performing attractions.

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Rick Hunter founded ProSlide in 1986 after succeeding as an Alpine skier and working for Alpine Products Company. Rick prides himself on designing attractions that thrill and please the entire family. ProSlide is based in Ottawa and employs 100 people.

LEGOLAND California Resort Brings World of Chima to Life with New Waterpark in 2014

Joe Kleiman

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September 16, 2013

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LEGOLAND California Resort Brings World of Chima to Life with New Waterpark in 2014

Carlsbad, CA, USA — Coming off a successful year with the launch of the nation’s first LEGOLAND^® Hotel, LEGOLAND^® California Resort General Manager Peter Ronchetti proudly announced another big addition for guests to enjoy next year: LEGO^® Legends of Chima Water Park!

The LEGO Legends of Chima Water Park is based on the LEGO Group’s newest hit product “Legends of Chima”, where animal tribes battle in a mystical land for control of the precious energy source called “CHI”. Plunging a shovel into the sand to break ground in the new area, Ronchetti discovered a treasure box full of CHI and with the help of lifeguards and Laval, the warrior prince of the Lion tribe, he announced LEGO Legends of Chima Water Park is opening in summer 2014.

“2014 is a big investment year for us. A great corner stone to the Resort’s success is listening to our guests and striving to increase the value of their experience,” said General Manager Peter Ronchetti. “We are excited to build an entirely new Water Park based on the LEGO Chima product line immersing children and their families into an interactive world of play!”

Four of eight main areas of the 3 acre Water Park were introduced today: Lion Temple Wave Pool – The centerpiece of the new Water Park where guests make their way through a LEGO^® archway and into an interactive wave pool designed for families with young children. Water cascades down an iconic 30-foot tall floating “Mount Cavora” which shows the eight animals representing each animal tribe. Cragger’s Swamp – This hands-on water play area invites guests to ride water slides, blast water cannons and jets and slide through the head of a massive crocodile. Eglor’s Build-A-Boat – Following in the unique interactive play experience introduced with Build-A-Raft River at LEGOLAND Water Park, Eglor’s Build-A-Boat gives children the opportunity to use their creativity and bring their imaginations to life. Young guests can build their own boat and learn how to change the currents, build and dodge obstacles and race against their friends. Wolves’ Cantina – This is the place to grab a bite when guests get hungry! Enjoy tasty food surrounded by collectibles gathered by the clever wolf tribe.

“LEGOLAND California opened its gates in 1999, expanded with SEA LIFE^® Aquarium in 2008, we opened the world’s first LEGO themed Water Park in 2010 and the nation’s first LEGOLAND Hotel this year. It only seems fitting that we give our guests another ‘present’ and reason to keep coming back in our fifteenth year!” Ronchetti stated.

LEGO Legends of Chima Water Park is included in the cost of admission to LEGOLAND Water Park. For ticket prices, operating schedule and additional information, visit www.LEGOLAND.com

Gettin’ wild in Las Vegas

Martin Palicki

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September 16, 2013

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Las Vegas revels in Wet’n’Wild’s return to town (in a new location)

by Mitch Rily

Known for its nightlife and its high temperatures, Las Vegas has found a new way for visitors to spend their days and beat the heat. Opened the weekend of Memorial Day, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas features 41 acres of new rides for lounging locals and adventurous vacationers, and with a successful first season under their belt, the future is looking even wetter and wilder.

Though one of the most popular tourist locations in the world, Las Vegas has not always been well known for its family appeal. Las Vegas Boulevard (“The Strip”) was previously home to a Wet’n’Wild waterpark (Owned by Wet’n’Wild Co., operated by Palace Entertainment), that closed in 2004. When SPB Partners, a private equity fund under the direction of Las Vegas brothers Roger and Scott Bulloch, began looking into the concept of building a new waterpark in the area, local sentiment and business sense brought out two very important ideas: the new park should find its home off of the Strip, and the park should bring back the spirit and the moniker of the well-loved Wet’n’Wild park.

SPB Partners worked together with Village Roadshow Theme Parks, the largest theme park operator in Australia and owners of the Wet’n’Wild brand name, to develop a new park for a new generation of visitors and Las Vegas locals. Village Roadshow would act as the day-to-day operator and majority owner of the park, giving them a third U.S.-based water park under their operation, alongside Wet’n’Wild Hawaii and Wet’n’Wild Phoenix. Under a lease agreement with the Howard Hughes Corporation, LLC, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas found its new home within sight of the Strip but not on it – on the desert’s edge within a community that has continued to grow and thrive despite recent tough economic times.

In order to create a spectacle worthy of Las Vegas, the Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas team contracted entertainment industry experts and local professionals to design and build the new park. “We knew we wanted to bring the feeling of a southern Baja beach to the middle of the Nevada desert,” said designer Jayne McGuire, Creative Director for signage and exterior color selections on the project. “This allowed us to incorporate Cabo coastal colors inspired from the brightly painted talervera pottery of vases, geckos, frogs and flower pots, the soft dusty shades of perennials and cactus flowers, and the zesty richness of woven blankets and baskets onto the attractions, buildings, graphics and shade structures.”

Veteran waterslide manufacturer WhiteWater West became an integral part of the park’s development. “WhiteWater had identified Las Vegas as an untapped market for several years when we were approached by Roger and Scott Bulloch, who were interested in developing a major waterpark in the area,” said Geoff Chutter, WhiteWater President and CEO. “They were also wanting to partner with a serious and experienced operator. Village Roadshow and Tim Fisher (Village Roadshow CEO) were the obvious choice. We introduced the groups and the partnership was born.”

WhiteWater West designed and installed more than 25 slides and attractions for Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas, adding to their portfolio of approximately 5,000 projects. Included in the park’s new array of slides is North America’s first horizontal-rocking slide of its kind, appropriately named The Rattler. Engineered to fling a raft of riders up and down the walls of the ride, The Rattler sits right next to its snake-themed sibling, The Constrictor, the tight-turning corkscrew ride that leaves riders spinning by the time they reach their final splash down. Whether riders are looking for a heart-pounding plummet down the Canyon Cliffs, a pair of near-vertical drop slides, or a leisurely lounge along the Colorado Cooler, the lazy river that wraps around the family-friendly Paradise Falls multi-level play structure, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas has plenty of attractions for visitors of all ages.

To give guests the best opportunity to make the most of their time, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas has installed and implemented Lo-Q’s virtual queuing Q-bands. Branded “Xpress Bands,” the Q-band allows visitors willing to pay a premium to decrease their time spent standing in line (and the hot desert sun).

When visitors do find themselves in need of a break, the park is designed for relaxing downtime. Unique fiberglass molded umbrellas provide plenty of shady areas for the general public, but for the best way to kick back and cool down, over 30 hosted cabanas surround the Red Rock Bay wave pool and the Splash Island children’s area. Local Las Vegas company PHP Inc. provided nearly all the pool furniture, cabanas, tables and umbrellas for the park. “Comfortable furniture and durable shade protection is a must in the Las Vegas desert climate,” explained PHP Inc. President Eric Glaser. “We were able to match the right product lines to the needs of the demanding environment.”

For visitors looking to lock away everything except their sunscreen or sandals, two necessities in the hot Nevada sun, Smart Carte lockers are equipped with their new Locker Link system. Locker Link prints waterproof barcode wristbands to allow all-day locker entry, preventing guests from losing keys, and providing easy storage access for groups and individuals alike.

The dry climate is ideal for the effective use of mist cooling. Wet’n’Wild collaborated with MistAMERICA, a leader in outdoor comfort solutions, to transform every area of the park into a cool destination. Over 60 Skyspan shade structures, misters, and Mist360™ fans can be found throughout the park. The fans help guests remain cool and comfortable whether retrieving items from a locker, grabbing a bite to eat at the food court, or waiting to experience one of Wet’n’Wild’s 25 slides and attractions.

For families visiting Las Vegas who are looking for wholesome evening entertainment, Dive’n’Movies are shown outside the Red Rock Bay wave pool on select Friday nights. Kids and parents can swim up or lounge poolside to recent Hollywood hits at no additional cost to their general admission.

Community interest has been so high for the new park that, by the end of their opening day on May 25, 2013, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas capped their season pass sales to ensure the park was always able to provide the best possible experience for both pass holders and daily visitors. The OmniTicket Network, with over 400 sites and attractions across 24 countries, developed and hosts all of the park’s online ticketing, including season pass sales. OmniTicket also provided on-site ticketing software, turnstiles and a biometric identification system for season passes.

Current plans have the park open all week throughout the summer, and weekends until the end of September. Should the temperatures remain hot, the water remain cool, and the tourists to Las Vegas keep coming, Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas may find itself in the right atmosphere to someday operate year-round. As the love for the park continues to grow, the lease for the land also allows for the option of expansion, leaving plenty of room for Las Vegas to become a bit more wet and wild. • • •

For more information about Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas, visit wetnwildlasvegas.com.

Noah’s Ark to be Centerpiece of New FEC From Adventure Golf Services

Joe Kleiman

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September 15, 2013

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Noah’s Ark to be Centerpiece of New FEC From Adventure Golf Services

Traverse City, MI, USA — Adventure Golf Services returns to owning and operating highly themed family entertainment centers with the launch of Noah’s Adventure P-Ark. The entertainment complex designed for not only domestic and wild animals, but for exciting family fun includes an elevated go kart track and large game room according to Scott Lundmark, president.

“Noah’s Adventurer, a 100’ long by 40’ wide three-deck cruise ship anchors Noah’s P-Ark and is the brainchild of my father Arne Lundmark, CEO and chief designer,” states Scott. “The ship is part of two interactive, ADA compliant miniature golf courses, and features twelve golf holes themed around various cruise ship activities, for critters”

“Scheduled for launch in 2014, Noah’s P-Ark Traverse City is the first location selected for what will be a chain of family entertainment centers based on the Noah’s P-Ark theme, all of which will provide a full range of indoor and outdoor entertainment customized to each market,” says Scott.

To launch and develop the international chain of entertainment centers the Lundmarks have joined with past IAAPA Chairman Bob Masterson, the former President of Ripley Entertainment, who will assist with operations, development and site selection.

Scott Lundmark views Noah’s as an ideal anchor for large residential or tourist market entertainment centers, or as free standing miniature golf courses. “We also believe this is the ideal vehicle for Zoos to generate interest in specific animals, sell more souvenirs, increase per capita spending and length of stay:” comments Lundmark.

www.adventureandfun.com

Expert Opinions

Martin Palicki

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September 13, 2013

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industry leaders weigh in on current trends in the waterpark industry

What sort of attractions are most popular with your guests?

Mike Fijas: Our most popular attractions are shared experience rides like our family raft rides or unique experience rides like our Cannon Bowl.

Lori Gogel: Our water coasters – Wildebeest and Mammoth – are the most popular with our Guests.

Tim Morrow: The most popular attractions at Aquatica San Antonio are attractions that integrate animal experiences into the ride and our guest’s day. One of our signature slides is Stingray Falls. This ride takes riders down a family raft ride, then under water through a grotto for a slow float with a face to fin view of hundreds of tropical fish and stingrays. At ground level of Ke-Re Reef families can view, feed, pet and even wade in with these majestic animals. This year we added a Tortoise exhibit and a Conservation Cabana where guests can learn about the natural world we share and meet a wide variety of animals. We have open-air bird exhibits and even started free flying Macaws and other tropical birds over our guest areas this season. All of the Aquatica parks feature different and unique animal experiences. They are truly parks only SeaWorld could build.

Jim Basala: Our wave pool still remains the number one attraction at our park for all age groups. After that we follow the classic mix. Older guests prefer the lazy river while our younger guests enjoy our slides with the bowl rides being very popular.

Kristie Moses: Our guests find our larger slide attractions to be the most popular. We have a relatively small park, but our two most popular attractions are our Boomerango slide and our children’s activity structure (tipping bucket play feature).

How do you think technology is or soon will be impacting waterpark operations?

Mike Fijas: Technology is always impacting our operations with new developments. The POS systems get better and more diverse all of time, the filter technology has improved with the regenerative filters, the chemical controller systems are constantly changing and adding features, social media is changing how we communicate with our guests and online ticketing / sales is changing how we do business. I’m sure a lot more is on the horizon.

Lori Gogel: I think technology will start to really change and improve our daily operations. We’ve already seen some huge improvements with remote chemical monitoring of the pools, lifeguard tracking, and waterpark ride technology, not to mention all the benefits of RFID technology.

Tim Morrow: I think it is incredible how fast technology is integrating and changing the waterpark industry. I feel these technological advances will help produce a wider variety of attractions while increasing safety in an already very safe industry.

We have seen great advancements on the dry ride side of the industry for many years, and now there seems to be a new focus of utilizing technology in waterpark attractions. On the attractions side we are seeing things such as LIM launch raft rides, floor dropping body slides and rides that have special effects not seen before in our industry. Ride photo eye systems, rider count systems and other technological enhancements to dispatching and other aspects of operation are improving safety as well as providing quantitative ride analysis for operators in the industry. I am very excited to see what the future brings as every year we see the ride manufactures work to “one up” each other!

Jim Basala: Technology has changed and will continue to change how we operate. We continue to market more and more through our web site and social media. Our mobile web site version continues to grow in popularity. Our guests access our information more and more through their smart phones. How we continue to interact with our guests is primarily a function of how many resources we are able to commit to keeping up with and managing that technology. Operationally, we are able to access more and more data through our mobile devices on how the park is running. Whether it’s attendance, water temperature or chlorine levels, staff is able to access that information at any time no matter where they are. Moving forward we will continue to gain efficiencies by becoming more connected to our park and to our customer base.

Kristie Moses: I think an area for improvement in technology in waterpark operations is going to be felt in the maintenance area with new guidelines for water treatment, etc. coming out of the MAHC. I think older parks are also going to be looking for cost effective solutions for maintaining and updating older rides and creative ways to expand in smaller footprints.

What is one practice or idea that you think would help make the industry stronger?

Mike Fijas: I think that we need to really advocate adult supervision of small children at all water facilities. Too many children are left to fend for themselves at parks and pools because parents think that the lifeguards will take care of their kids. If we can improve safety at our facilities, we are all better for it.

Lori Gogel: I would like operators to continue to look to each other for advice and support and not as competition.

Tim Morrow: I think in our industry the sharing of best practices like many of us are doing right now at the World Waterpark Association Symposium is making the industry stronger and safer. The waterpark industry is very open when it comes to sharing newer and better ways of doing things. Leaders from different parks and different companies from all over the world learn from each other and develop relationships that prove to be invaluable. Learning from each other in aspects of safety, operations, revenue and more, and the spirit of openness is what keeps our industry strong and moving forward on all fronts.

Jim Basala: I believe the most important concept is, as it has been, the sharing of ideas and knowledge between operators. Whether through online forums or at the annual WWA show our businesses stay robust by working together to build a strong water attractions industry. We may compete locally but together we continue to build a very strong and vigorous industry.

Kristie Moses: For the Waterpark Resorts specifically, the more cross training that can be done between the theme park/waterpark operations leaders and the hotel leaders will make us all stronger. For growth in our leadership in this particular sector more of our park operations people need to become educated about the hotel business and vice versa. Coming from an amusement background afforded me the opportunity to have a very solid foundation in safety, guest service, and general logistics and operations, but as I transition into leadership positions on the hotel side I am needing to learn more about the sales and marketing areas, revenue management and overall direction of the business end of the hotel in order to best support our financial success on both sides.

How do you feel about queue management technology at waterparks?

Mike Fijas: We don’t offer this at my park but I know it has been very successful and well received at other facilities.

Tim Morrow: Queue management is something visitors to theme parks are coming to expect as the norm, not something special. Waterparks offer a unique challenge in this aspect in comparison with dry rides since in most cases we don’t have built in accessible entrances at an exit like a traditional coaster or other ride. Several parks have come up with unique ways and several companies are offering this service. I think we are at the very infant stages of this product and new and innovative ways to manage this service will continue to come about.

Jim Basala: We have no experience with queue management and have only marginally investigated it. Though it looks very promising and would aid operations I cannot speak to the programs with any authority.

Kristie Moses: Queue management isn’t really necessary in my park’s environment due to our lower capacity and demand.

What role does theming have at your park and is it important for success?

Lori Gogel: We have been very conservative with the use of theming. I think theming adds to the experience but it also adds a significant increase to capital dollars.

Tim Morrow: For us theming is a huge part or our success. We feel that integrating animals, a resort like experience, tropical landscape, world-class rides and a true “theme” of South Seas is something our guests really embrace. We offer a get-away from the everyday with the fun colors, to the whimsical characters and even South Seas accented announcements and ride spiels. The park is truly immersive and sets us apart from a traditional steel and concrete park. I think you are seeing more and more creative theming in waterparks as the industry grows. With so much competition you really have to set yourself apart.

Mike Fijas: I am a big fan of theming and believe the more the better. At a park, we are trying to transport our guests and take them on a journey away from their everyday lives. Theming can really make that happen and change a guests’ perception of your park. I think you can have a nice park without theming but when you theme it, it can become great. I am always trying to add theming to our park.

Jim Basala: We are not a heavily themed facility. Our theme is based upon a general Victorian style of architecture that reflects parts of our community. Our children’s play structure is themed to match our county courthouse with the appropriate towers and roof lines. Besides those basic themes we strive to keep our look clean with a lot of landscaping. We are a facility of the Lake County Parks Department and try to hold true to some of our basic concepts of open space and landscaping.

Kristie Moses: Theming is important, but I don’t think that it impacts our success as much as other issues. We have a standard Caribbean theme and it seems to work well for our environment.

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InPark MagazineServing the themed entertainment industry

InPark MagazineServing the themed entertainment industry

InPark MagazineServing the themed entertainment industry

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