PG14 Park News Final 3/26/07 3:49 PM Page 14
Park News
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7th IAAPI Trade Show
Kernels
Indian exhibition moves to new venue
The Indian Association of Kepong Metropolitan Park in Kuala Lumpur is to be turned into a
Amusement Parks & Industries – waterpark, local reports suggest. It is one of three parks which will use
IAAPI – staged its 7th annual water sport as the main attraction for Visit Malaysia Year 2007, says
Trade Show back in February at a Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique. “We hope to
new venue, the Bombay Exhibition complete work at the Kepong Metopolitan Park by this year. The other
Centre in Mumbai. two parks might be the Batu Metropolitan Park and Kuala Lumpur’s
The new home was thanks to the oldest and most popular park, Lake Garden."
increasing number of exhibitors
coming every year and there was a Schwaben Park in Germany is to add a crocodile mini flume from ABC
mixture of good and bad of Switzerland. This semi-portable attraction, delivered with pre-
experiences for all those involved – fabricated steel channels requiring no foundations, will be the
organisers, exhibitors and visitors. Kaiserbach park’s second flume ride, in addition to a full scale
The positive aspect was with the participation of more than 80 version.
companies and 2,000 visitors from 15 countries, it remained the region’s
number one business platform. The amusement and leisure Industry in A second Funtasia FEC is to open in Ireland. Bernard McCormick,
India is on the verge of explosive growth, growing by more than 25 per who transformed his fun fair and arcade at Bettystown into a well-
cent. Although it’s just eight years since IAAPI was incorporated, and appointed indoor, year-round venue a few years ago is to start a new
therefore can be termed as still in its infancy state, the growth and FEC in Drogheda, close to Dublin city centre. The new venue will
achievement is laudable. include a selection of waterpark equipment by Whitewater West. Jora
The three-day event, February 21 to 23, brought together a Vision of the Netherlands is to help with theming.
comprehensive range of products and services from exhibitors
representing Argentina, Belgium, Canada, China, Dubai, Germany, Kennywood, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, will add a Zamperla Mega
Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Singapore, Switzerland, Disk ‘O’ for the 2007 season called Cosmic Chaos! Themed as a
Taiwan, Thailand and the USA. flying saucer from outer space, the 24-seat flat ride stands 50ft tall
The IAAPI Trade Show provided an exciting opportunity for industry and has 120ft of concave track.
leaders to discuss several critical issues related to the business. An
exemption from entertainment tax, for example, would serve as an Thorpe Park, London, England, is about to reintroduce the Flying Fish
immense boost to the industry through increase in volumes as a result of to its guests. Originally built by Zierer, this powered family coaster was
lower ticket prices. once one of the only coasters in the park but has been in storage for
IAAPI is striving to get the amusement and leisure industry several years. Following a refurbishment by Mack, it is ready to fly
acknowledged as a vital part of India’s social infrastructure. Comprising again. Improvements include a new bus-bar pick-up and fresh colour
operators, manufacturers, importers, traders, suppliers and distributors, scheme. Meanwhile Stealth, the Intamin launch coaster installed last
the association’s very existence has been essential to bring the entire season at Thorpe, has been upgraded for 2007 and will now features
amusement industry under one umbrella and give it a united voice. increased acceleration.
Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina, is the latest park in the Cedar
Deluge at Splashwater Kingdom Fair group to lower its admission prices. The former Paramount
When Splashwater Kingdom reopens this season at Six Flags property will mark its 35th season by dropping in the price of one-day
Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, Kentucky, it will introduce a thrilling regular admission tickets by $5.
new water coaster called Deluge. From ProSlide Technologies, this
much anticipated cutting-edge attraction is powered by LSM-based Discovery Cove, Orlando, Florida, is offering guests an all-new
“rocket booster” technology. Trainer for a Day programme. Participants will enjoy the ride of a
Deluge will become the world’s only four-person hydro-magnetic lifetime through the water on the front of two Atlantic bottlenose
rafting experience. Riders will experience multiple coaster-like drops then dolphins. This deep-water interaction, known as a double-foot push,
rocket uphill into an enclosed tunnel while getting blasted with water is the highlight of the new promotion and grants Discovery Cove
from all sides. The journey ends as riders splash into the pool finale. guests their greatest wish: More time with the dolphins. The
“Proslide, the creator of Deluge, leads the industry in product programme is limited to 24 people per day.
development, safety, entertainment value and capacity,” reckons Jay
Thomas, president of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. The Christmas-themed 3D feature film Polar Express is now available
This season Splashwater Kingdom will also in a shorter version with added 4D special effects for the attractions
introduce Crocodile Isle, a new interactive play market courtesy of SimexIwerks. The animated Warner Brothers
area for young children. Here they will production, in which a little boy boards a train to the North Pole to
experience a giant water-filled tipping see Santa Claus stars Tom Hanks and was a big hit at movie theatres
coconut by Water Park Experts, an last winter, It has already been running for four or five months at a
elephant and flamingo slide, croc, handful of venues. SimexIwerks is also marketing a new production
crab and shark squirts, plus called Monster Trucks 4D. “Kids like trucks!” notes the company’s
palm trees that spray cool David Needham. “And they like branded content. We’ve got them
water on a hot summer’s day. covered.”
14 APRIL 2007