Saturday, May 18, 2024
Home Blog Page 773

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Hit By Typhoon and Tsunami

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Hit By Typhoon and Tsunami

62174-DSC-0461-original

Arlington, TX, USA /PRNewswire/ — Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, the largest water park in North Texas, prepares to offer bigger, better and wetter thrills for guests this summer heat with the opening of two phenomenal water slides. Typhoon Twister and Tsunami Surge.

62174-DSC-0945-originalTyphoon Twister allows guests to board slides built for two for an entertaining ride down a 68-foot enclosed tunnel and into a bowl-shaped slide. After spinning around multiple times in the belly of the slide, riders are thrust through a corkscrew exit into a splash pool. Guests looking to take their thrill-seeking up a level will enjoy Tsunami Surge. Riders are sent twisting and turning down an enclosed tunnel while they build up speed to take on a 40-foot wave slide on the other side. Guests experience zero-gravity as they surge to the top of the slide before gliding down to the landing pool.

“This is a very exciting time for our park and our guests. These new slides, along with the overall enhancements that have been made to the park this season, should make for a more enjoyable, thrilling and overall fun-filled experience for our guests during their visit,” said Steve Martindale, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor park president.

62174-DSC-0904-original

Each slide is decked out with a colorful design beckoning guests to take a ride: Typhoon Twister is wrapped in vibrant orange and green and Tsunami Surge is black, white and green. The new slide complex is in the southwest corner of the park.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is now open for daily operation and continues through August 25. Visit sixflags.com/hurricaneharbortexas for more information about tickets and operating hours.

Detroit Rock City Meets Science

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Detroit Rock City Meets Science

603979_499635490054305_1672242245_n

Detroit, MI, USA /PRNewswire/ — “The Science of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” a 10,000 square-foot traveling exhibit that celebrates the great history of the music genre and the key role science plays in its development, has taken the stage at the Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci). This new, upbeat exhibit was developed by Elevation Productions and engages visitors with seven interactive galleries.

IMG_0353

Detroit, which has a long history of churning out rock ‘n’ roll legends, is the second city to host the exhibit. Visitors can expect to learn about a variety of topics relevant to the music industry, such as the art of music composition and careers in music. Exhibit components include hands-on activities, historic artifacts, animated videos, instrument displays, kiosks, information walls and more. Attendees will continually come back to the exhibit’s core topic, how technology and science have evolved over time to change the way music, especially rock ‘n’ roll, is made today.

842940_543070052377515_846187448_o

“This exhibit is captivating because music is so influential to people of all ages, and ‘The Science of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ does a great job of reminding us that science plays a critical role in everything that we do, including music,” said Jim Issner, interim executive director of Mi-Sci. “We are thrilled to be the second stop on the exhibit’s tour and expect rave reviews from our Detroit Rock City attendees.”

774822_533186120032575_1566428120_o

While walking through the exhibit and learning how to compose music and its evolution, guests will have the chance to get a backstage pass and record themselves singing, guitar playing and drumming away like rock stars. After their jam session, visitors will receive a link to share their content through social media channels.

857013_546497615368092_2019146389_o

To coincide with the launch of the exhibit, Mi-Sci is holding laser shows daily in its Dassault Systemes Planetarium. Each show features artists, spanning many generations, such as Lady Gaga and Led Zeppelin.

The exhibit runs through December 31, 2013. For more information, visit www.mi-sci.org.

www.elevationproductions.com

NASA Launch to Be Broadcast Live to Global Immersion Theater at Ames Visitor Center

Joe Kleiman
-
0
NASA Launch to Be Broadcast Live to Global Immersion Theater at Ames Visitor Center

964595_10151437005756394_1154947701_o

Sussex, England (June 24, 2013) –– On Wednesday, June 26, NASA’s newest mission, the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS), will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This exciting launch will be broadcast live inside the Global Immersion digital theater at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, to a VIP audience. Supporting the event, international digital theater specialists, Global Immersion, will be in attendance and providing on-site technical supervision and direction.

Global Immersion designed and integrated the digital reality center at the NASA Ames Research Center in California. The theater, a part of the NASA Ames Visitor Center, features a 14-ft/4.2 meter tall by 36-ft/11-meter wide spherical screen and high resolution multi-channel display. The theater is used to take visiting members of the public on a journey through Mars missions, simulated flights through the Universe and science contributions of scientists at the NASA Ames Research Center.

On Wednesday, the theater will be used as the host location for a VIP delegation including members of the United States Government, media, and Senior Executives from technology companies, to experience a live NASA TV broadcast feed of the IRIS mission launch on the big screen. The event will also feature special keynote speakers and commentary with Ames’ IRIS mission personnel.

Global Immersion will be supporting the event, working with the on-site team to deliver the digital experience.

NASA Ames Research Center
NASA Ames Research Center

Speaking about this prestigious event, Martin Howe, Vice President of Global Immersion said, “We are thrilled to be supporting the NASA Ames Research Center on such a special occasion. The theater has offered many thousands of visitors a unique insight into the work of NASA scientists and will now serve as a digital viewing portal for the latest NASA research mission. We are proud to be working with, and supporting, the team in California.”

Two hundred and fifty miles away, the launch itself will be taking place at the Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. IRIS will take flight using a Pegasus XL rocket, carried aloft by an Orbital Sciences L-1011 aircraft.

The launch of the IRIS spacecraft is scheduled for 7:27 p.m. PDT on Wednesday June 26, 2013.

www.globalimmersion.com

EnterTRAINment Junction Opens 1/24th Scale Replica of Cincinnati’s Historic Coney Island

Joe Kleiman
-
0
EnterTRAINment Junction Opens 1/24th Scale Replica of Cincinnati’s Historic Coney Island

EJ_Coney_North to South overview

West Chester, OH, USA — A replica of Cincinnati’s famed Coney Island Amusement Park in the mid-1960s opened June 21 at EnterTRAINment Junction family entertainment center in the northern Cincinnati suburb of West Chester, Ohio. Built to a 1/24th scale, the Coney replica includes a dozen of Coney Island’s classic rides, such as the legendary Shooting Star roller coaster (40′ long, 4′ tall), the Haunted House, the Wild Mouse rollercoaster and the overhead Sky Ride. All of the rides are interactive with visitors pushing buttons to make the rides work, music play and screams abound. All of the rides were hand-built from scratch based on historic records.  EnterTRAINment Junction is also home to the world’s largest indoor G-Scale model train display (25,000 square feet) and a carnival midway-designed A-Maze-N FunHouse. Coney Island Amusement Park, hard along the banks of the Ohio River, 10 miles east of downtown Cincinnati, has been continuously operating and a family favorite destination for 127 years.

9105603531_64388782da_b

www.entertrainmentjunction.com

IAAPA Announces International Panel of Speakers for CEO Speak Event at Attractions Expo 2013

Joe Kleiman
-
0
IAAPA Announces International Panel of Speakers for CEO Speak Event at Attractions Expo 2013
Amanda Thompson
Amanda Thompson

Alexandria, VA, USA — Amanda Thompson, managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the UK; Bob Rippy, president of Jungle Rapids/Wrightsville Farms Management Group, Inc. in the USA; and Tom Mehrmann, chief executive of Ocean Park Corp. in Hong Kong will participate in CEO Speak, a leadership panel discussion on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC), as part of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 in Orlando, Florida.

Thompson, Rippy, and Mehrmann will share insights on creating success by increasing personal leadership capacity. Discussion topics will include how to lead to create high-impact guest satisfaction and service on a daily basis, increase employee retention and workplace satisfaction, and strategically bring brands to life.

“This year’s CEO Speak panel features three of the industry’s most interesting and insightful leaders hailing from all over the world,” said IAAPA president and CEO Paul Noland. “This is a must-see event.”

Bob Rippy
Bob Rippy

Amanda Thompson became managing director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach in 2004 after serving as deputy managing director of the family-owned resort complex since 2000 and as a director for 15 years prior. Thompson also serves as president of Stageworks Worldwide Productions, an entertainment and production company she formed in 1982. She is a member of the IAAPA Board of Directors and the IAAPA European Advisory Committee.

Bob Rippy held positions as a school science teacher, a car wash owner, and a Wall Street executive before he became a partner at Jungle Rapids, a family entertainment center in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1985. Rippy purchased Jungle Rapids in 1990, and today it’s a 16-acre FEC that employs 40 year-round employees and 125 seasonal employees. Rippy served as IAAPA Chairman in 2011.

Tom Mehrmann
Tom Mehrmann

Tom Mehrmann has been in the theme park industry since 1977, when he began his career as a park service attendant at Knott’s Berry Farm in California. From there, he has worked his way to upper management, holding positions as vice president of park operations and entertainment at Knott’s Berry Farm, vice president and general manager of Six Flags Marine World, and vice president and general manager of Warner Brothers Movie World. Mehrmann joined Ocean Park Corp. in 2004 and serves as its chief executive.

For more information about this event, please visit www.IAAPA.org/expos/IAAPA-attractions-expo-2013/education/education-programs-tuesday.

RealD Introduces Premium Giant Screen Auditorium Brand “LUXE: A RealD Experience”

Joe Kleiman
-
0
RealD Introduces Premium Giant Screen Auditorium Brand “LUXE: A RealD Experience”

luxe_real_d

Barcelona, Spain (June 24, 2013) /PRNewswire/ — CINEEUROPE — At a special presentation to European cinema exhibitors at CineEurope, RealD Inc.  today introduced “LUXE: A RealD Experience,” a premium large format (PLF) initiative aimed at unifying the exhibition community under a single brand with a goal of becoming synonymous with the ultimate out of home entertainment experience.  Minimum standards will assure all “LUXE: A RealD Experience” auditoriums feature massive screens, ultra bright 2D and 3D, enveloping audio and luxury seating for a premium movie-going experience.  “LUXE: A RealD Experience” auditoriums will provide full flexibility with content, allowing exhibitors to show any movie at any time for optimized profitability.

“Disparate premium large format brands have limited the potential of today’s high-end cinema offerings,” said Joseph Peixoto, President, Worldwide Cinema at RealD.  “With an alphabet soup of brands and differing amenities in each auditorium, moviegoers have been left unable to truly equate their PLF experience with a single offering.  ‘LUXE: A RealD Experience’ intends to solve this puzzle by unifying the exhibition community under one brand with one set of industry leading technology standards for an exceptional entertainment experience moviegoers will seek out for years to come.”

“LUXE: A RealD Experience” auditoriums are expected to launch this winter beginning in Europe and will include the rebranding of existing PLF locations as well as new auditoriums upgraded to minimum technology specifications.  Exclusively available to RealD licensees, the “LUXE: A RealD Experience” brand is projected to expand into other territories around the world thereafter.  Additional details on participating exhibitors and availability are to be announced.

“The studio and exhibition communities have long called for a PLF unification strategy to best capitalize on the profit potential of this fast growing premium cinema segment,” said Robert Mayson, Managing Director of RealD Europe.  “RealD is uniquely positioned at the intersection of content, exhibition and technology, allowing us to best serve the industry and moviegoers alike with a singular premium cinema experience we believe will become synonymous with out of home entertainment at its finest.”

Paul Heth, CEO of Karo Film, who anticipates installing multiple “LUXE: A RealD Experience” auditoriums across his circuit added, “One of the first major changes I made after acquiring Karo Film, one of Russia’sleading cinema circuits, was to greatly upgrade our 3D technology by using only RealD for our 3D screenings.  Audiences that are paying premium prices deserve a premium experience. We are investing substantial resources and capital to ensure our millions of patrons have the very best movie-going experience.  For Karo Film’s larger state-of-the-art auditoriums we plan to use ‘LUXE: A RealD Experience’ to even further segment and improve our 2D and 3D premium offering. This initiative from our company and RealD is important because we have the chance to present a unique, quality experience under a global brand and be able to program those screens as we need. Having a universal standard coupled with our market leading cinemas will be the quality assurance consumers need to know they are experiencing a true luxury cinema experience.”

All “LUXE: A RealD Experience” auditoriums will meet minimum technology specifications to assure a premium cinema experience, such as: usage of RealD 3D, the industry’s brightest 3D projection technology; wall-to-wall / floor-to-ceiling screens of at least 16 meters in width; 3D sound; auditorium rakes to optimize patron’s views and more.  Additional exclusive new technologies to be announced are expected to be incorporated into “LUXE: A RealD Experience” auditoriums.

Stefan Minchev, CEO of Arena Cinema, added “Arena adopted RealD during 2012 as our 3D technology of choice. We have been delighted with the premium quality of our offering and our customers echo that.  We have been looking for a brand to promote our new Premium Large Format screens. We plan to use ‘LUXE: A RealD Experience’ initially in 7 of our largest auditoriums and then expect to add another 6 screens as they open over the next year or so. Having the power of a global brand is very exciting to us here inBulgaria.”

Motion picture studios have helped drive the “LUXE: A RealD Experience” unification strategy as the singular platform to best drive moviegoers to a more profitable large format offering where moviegoers can be assured of an entertainment experience that delivers the true intent of the filmmaker.  Jeffrey Katzenberg, DreamWorks Animation CEO said, “RealD is a great partner dedicated to delivering the highest quality movie-going experience to consumers and to that end we are wholly supportive of their new ‘LUXE: A RealD Experience’ premium large format brand.”

“With premium large format box office figures growing double digits year on year, it’s clear that a greater number of moviegoers are demanding a premium cinema experience. RealD’s new initiative, ‘LUXE: A RealD Experience,’ delivers the ever increasing quality expected in the evolving PLF market for premium viewing of 2D and 3D content alike,” said Anthony Marcoly, President, Paramount Pictures International.

RealD is the world’s most widely used 3D cinema technology with approximately 22,700 screens equipped with RealD 3D by approximately 1,000 exhibitors in 68 countries around the world (as of March 31, 2013).

www.reald.com

e date

IAAPA Delegation Enjoys Themed Malaysian Dining Experience at Lat’s Place

Joe Kleiman
-
0
IAAPA Delegation Enjoys Themed Malaysian Dining Experience at Lat’s Place

Lat IAAPA visit 130603

Johor, Malaysia –During this year’s Asian Amusement Show, an IAAPA delegation visited the new themed restaurant show ‘Lat’s Place’ at Puteri Harbour, the latest in a line of attractions from Malaysia’s Themed Attractions and Resorts (TAR).

The restaurant show takes its theme from the highly regarded work of Dato’ Lat, the famous Malaysian cartoonist, whose portrayals of life in the kampungs – Malaysia’s distinctive countryside villages – and his Kampung Boy characters are loved throughout the region.

532321_198693693612382_744941998_n

The show recreates kampung life with Lat’s unique cartoon characters brought to life in real-time with a funny, fast-moving and memorable musical experience. His unique illustration style is carried through to the full scenic treatment of the restaurant, totally immersing guests in his world. During the show fine Malaysian food is served by talented staff who join in with the songs and engage with the guests.

164232_182302235251528_1851335645_n

The project was produced and directed by Esme Jesudason from Singapore, with Nick Farmer from  Farmer Attraction Development providing the planning and creative design. Animalive’s real time animation technology brings Lat’s cartoon characters to life interacting directly with the guests. Thescenery was built by Sanderson International, with a team of artists hand painting the scenery precisely recreating the style of Lat’s illustrations.

www.farmer.co.uk

One World Trade Center to Rise Above MINILAND at LEGO Discovery Center Westchester

Joe Kleiman
-
0
One World Trade Center to Rise Above MINILAND at LEGO Discovery Center Westchester

spire05_large

Yonkers, NY — With New York City’s skyline growing to include One World Trade Center and its magnificent, recently installed spire, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Westchester has announced that MINILAND — the venue’s signature re-creation of landmark locations and buildings throughout New York City and Westchester County — will experience a similar change as a LEGO® model of the historic building will be unveiled for the first time and installed in the attraction on Friday, June 28 at Ridge Hill in Yonkers.

“One World Trade Center is a marvel of design and construction that is a perfect addition to the New York City skyline,” said Chris Mines, General Manager of LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester.  “Similar to its real world counterpart, our model of One World Trade Center is a beautiful feat of engineering, but with LEGO bricks, and we know everyone will enjoy seeing this new addition to the MINILAND skyline.”

The model was painstakingly re-created by a team of expert LEGO® model builders entirely out of 4,873 LEGO bricks, taking more than 260 hours to design and build.  Standing at 11.45 feet tall and weighing-in at nearly 100 lbs., the model re-creates One World Trade Center’s distinctive architecture and design with LEGO bricks, from its dynamic, shimmering glass surface all the way up to its incredible spire and beacon, for the creation of which the Port Authority provided guidance in order to accurately be duplicated in LEGO bricks.

At 1,776 feet tall, One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere and third tallest in the world. Built by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey this building sets new standards of design, construction and prestige, and heralds the renaissance of Downtown Manhattan.  One World Trade Center is the new icon of New York’s magical skyline and the most recognized and desirable office address in the world.

Farmer Attraction Development Scares Up New Haunted Dark Ride for Linnanmäki

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Farmer Attraction Development Scares Up New Haunted Dark Ride for Linnanmäki

Linnanmaki ghost ride A

Linnanmäki, Finland’s largest theme park, has opened a new haunted ride ‘Hotelli Kyöpelinvuori’.

Based on the story of an hotel operated and inhabited by witches, the ride is ‘gently frightening’ with touches of humour, giving the ride wide appeal for the Helsinki park’s family visitor profile. The ride replaces an old ghost train which has been a favourite at Linnanmäki over many years, but had become uneconomic to maintain. Technical Director Anssi Tamminen said “I am very pleased with our new ride and our guests have received it well. We had to satisfy guests who wanted something new and exciting, and traditionalists who wanted us to keep the old ride they remembered from when they were children”.

Nick Farmer at Farmer Attraction Development designed and built the complete show, with Gosetto providing new cars and track. Farmer commented “the ride’s name is inspired by Kyöpelinvuori, a place of legend in Finland where annoying elderly relatives are taken and pushed off a cliff. As a grandparent myself, I am hoping this doesn’t give young guests any ideas!”

The ride features a laser spell fight between the witches and an intruding wizard, video effects and plenty of traditional scares. The ride system is by Gosetto, and includes a back poke, vibration and wind effects.

www.farmer.co.uk

Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld Show that Penguins CAN Fly

Joe Kleiman
-
0
Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld Show that Penguins CAN Fly

20130620_Southwest Penguin Plane Reveal_36

Orlando, FL, USA (June 20, 2013) — Southwest Airlines and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment celebrate 25 years of partnership today with the unveiling of the airline’s newest specialty aircraft, Penguin One—a Boeing 737-700 co-branded with images of one of SeaWorld’s iconic animals — penguins.

Southwest and SeaWorld revealed the aircraft at a ceremony this morning at Orlando International Airport (MCO) with real penguins, Southwest and SeaWorld Employees, community members, and executives, including Southwest Airlines Chairman, President, and CEO Gary Kelly, and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment President and CEO, Jim Atchison. The plane, filled with Southwest and SeaWorld employees, will be making stops in two other SeaWorld cities, San Antonio and San Diego.

The partnership between the two companies dates back to 1988, which began when SeaWorld opened in San Antonio. Southwest and SeaWorld launched their partnership in a high-flying way—with the introduction of a new Boeing 737, Shamu® One!

The featured penguin species on the aircraft is a gentoo, one of the species found at SeaWorld Orlando’s new Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. The attraction includes a first-of-its-kind family ride that transports guests into the penguins’ icy world.

1...772773774...1,099Page 773 of 1,099

InPark Magazine (IPM) covers the intersection of themed entertainment and technology. We specialize in creating custom-crafted content designed to appeal to the industry’s top designers, creators, developers, owners and operators.

Contact us: email
Read our privacy policy