PW OCT08 P22-24v4.qxd 9/24/08 11:11 am Page 24
Waterpark Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
manufacturer’s catalogue names are used for most of park’s daily capacity to 50,000. Both this summer
‘Revenues
the rides in English, but in Chinese they have more and last, the park experienced peak days of 35,000
imaginative titles. The Tornado, for example, is called and while the extra capacity hasn’t been needed yet,
to match’
“Big Loudspeaker.” it did at least prevented thousands of disappointed
The park also includes Whitewater’s largest people being turned away at the gate this summer.
It’s not just the attendance figures RainFortress play structure outside of North America. Such dizzying figures have presented a number of
that are impressive at Chimelong This 18-metre-high fully themed attraction features operational challenges for the team at Chimelong.
Water Park, but the revenues over 300 interactive water toys and play elements, “There’s a lot of people herding that goes on,”
too. “Most people tend to think seven water slides and two giant tipping buckets. confides Mahony. To get crowds through the Bowl
of China as a place with lots of Almost a waterpark in itself, this particular feature is quicker, for example, a jet of water has been added
people but no money,” notes capable of entertaining over 1,500 guests at any one to stop riders whirling round more than once, and
Andrew Wray of Whitewater time. twin entry tubs have been added to a number of rides
West. “That is far from true, A 5,000 square-metre dual wave pool, comprising a to speed up loading.
particularly in some key family and boogie board area, is circled by an 800- Educating riders has also presented a learning
locations. This park did its first metre-long continuous lazy river, which also provides curve: “It’s their ability to swim and ride the rides that
million guests last year in under access to most of the other attractions. As guests float makes our safety and life-guarding challenging.
three months, with an average along on single or twin tubes, they pass beneath exotic There is a lot more ride instruction that goes on than
per capita income of $25!” overhanging fruits and through a themed ice tunnel I have seen in some other waterparks. As you know,
Revenue this summer was up reminiscent of a dark ride. people don’t read signage, so we use microphones
30% thanks to the introduction The large children’s area at the lower edge of the and loudspeakers; as people are coming up the
of a new “Starlight” ticket which park, which includes its own slides, pools, fountains stairs, they are hearing people getting loaded and
allowed guests to enter for a and channels, was expanded by 10,000 square know what to do. This is useful one for safety and
reduced rate after 5pm. Between metres this season with the addition of a mini water two for ride capacity; you need to do it when you’ve
4,000 and 10,000 took playground and some brightly-coloured spray got our numbers.”
advantage each day. features from Unite Art of Shenzhen, plus the But how just how do you keep guests happy on
This is not a cheap ticket,” aforementioned Mini Tornado. 35,000 attendance days? “You know what?” asks
confirms general consultant Alan Mahony, “we have a really big wave pool here, and
Mahony. “We are now RMB180 Phase II now we have the expanded kiddie area too. If we are
($26.30/Euro.03118.50), pretty much Adding a phase II expansion just one year after soaking people up in relaxing areas, then they are
similar to the main amusement opening may sound a little ambitious, but it was okay with the wait times on the rides. Some guests
park nextdoor [Chimelong necessary after those large crowds that swamped the just relax all day and then go to the rides at six or
Paradise]. We are targeting a waterpark last season. As well as putting in the seven at night.”
market that brings in the front Behemoth Bowl and new children’s features, the Although there are other waterparks in
gate and brings in the in-park programme also included opening the entrance area, Guangzhou, Big Hippo Water World for example,
revenue. I’ve heard people say putting in more ticket counters, new changing Chimelong Water Park has clearly raised the bar and
many times that it’s not possible facilities and a colour coded locker allocation system is sure to stimulate the market throughout the entire
to generate big per caps in using supermarket style checkouts. Guangdong Province. And the Chimelong Group,
China, but again you’ve got to “Last year there was too much congestion around which has already hinted it plans to expand outside
look at the market. On the entrance,” remembers Mahony, “Now when Guangzhou when the time is right, is sure to want a
merchandise, on food and people buy their ticket, they come through the gate slice of a slice of any new waterpark development in
beverage, on tube hire, we are and straight into a big open courtyard. Although the region.
doing well. And when it comes most of the guests go straight to the changing rooms, For the time being, Mahony and the team intend to
to food, it’s simple: rice and about 20% go to retail.” concentrate on climbing a little higher in those
noodles.” All these improvements, which were overseen by TEA/ERA rankings: “It is our goal to become number
Forrec, were designed with the goal of expanding the one.” They call it making a splash.
The Behemoth Bowl: new this season The world’s first Mini Tornado from ProSlide
24 OCTOBER 2008
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