PW OCT08 P06-07v4.qxd 9/24/08 10:17 am Page 6
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
ParkHoppin’
Bush ‘n’ Beach!
by Paul Ruben
Riding Astride
New theme park resort
planned for South Africa
I now count 46 variations in my list of rollercoaster types, and
perhaps the hottest style these days is the sit-astride coaster. These Ruwaad Destinations has submitted a proposal to build a theme park
include the Vekoma Motorbike Coaster, Intamin Family Launch resort in South Africa. The Dubai-based real estate developer headed
Coaster, Schäfer Amusement Technology's motorcycle version and by Darrell Metzger wants to construct two parks, 20 hotels and a
Zamperla's MotoCoaster. number of residences on the coast in KwaZulu-Natal.
This year two of Zamperla's came to the US, one at Darien Lake as One park will apparently portray an African wildlife theme, while the
the MotorCoaster and the other at Knott's Berry Farm as the Pony other will concentrate on Zulu culture. The self-contained destination
Express. I was one of the first to climb aboard Darien Lake's, and will also have access to a game reserve, offering guests a “bush-beach
enjoyed it very much. What a great feeling; it reminded me that real experience” in a malaria-free zone chosen for its excellent year-round
motorcycle riders understand best why dogs love to stick their heads climate.
out of car windows.
I don't want to damn the MotoCoaster with faint praise by calling it
a "family coaster," but in reality this is not too aggressive. Almost
everyone in the family will enjoy it. Mid-sized parks would enjoy it,
too, because it's compact, not too expensive, and has broad appeal.
It's fast, smooth and nicely paced, with a catapult launch and a very
comfortable restraint system.
It was surprising that in this age of electromagnetic, hydraulic and
compressed air launch systems Zamperla would revert to the earlier
flywheel launch pioneered more than 30 years ago by Anton
Schwarzkopf. These had fallen into disfavour because of their
excessive maintenance, but Zamperla has engineered an improved
version that appears to be nearly maintenance-free.
It was back in 1959 that I learned what it was that has two heads,
four eyes, six legs and a tail. Do you know? A horse and rider. It was
then I rode my first sit-astride coaster, the original Steeplechase
horseback ride at Coney Island. Remember that this was the same
park that featured the human roulette wheel, which you rode at your
own risk. Back then the only seat belts were on race cars, and they
Cirque du Soleil debuts
weren't always effective, either.
On the Steeplechase, the restraint system was a bar to hold. Since
Zaia in Macau
then I've ridden the Steeplechase at Blackpool, the old Cycle Chase
The first permanent Cirque du Soleil production to open in Asia
at Knott's Berry Farm, and now Darien Lake's MotoCoaster. Most
premiered recently at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel on the Cotai
impressive on these newer rides is the progress made improving the
Strip in Macau, China.
restraint systems.
Opened to celebrate the first anniversary of The Venetian on
In this era of wild and crazy
August 28, Zaia is staged inside a purpose-built 1,800-seat arena
bragging rights, we note and
and brings to life a young girl’s dreams of going into space. Taking
congratulate Knott's Berry
its title comes from the Greek word for “life,” the show fuses
Farm for the distinction of
innovative acrobatics, dance, spectacular costumes, lighting and a
being the only park on the
panoply of out-of-this-world creatures.
planet with not one, but two
Zaia plays daily from Tuesday to Sunday, with two performances a
flywheel launched coasters,
day from Thursdays onwards. Creating the show, including the
the Montezooma's Revenge
theatre, has cost in excess US$150 million (Euro.031106m).
Schwarzkopf shuttle loop
“We are extremely excited to bring this unique show to the Cotai
coaster and now Pony
Strip as our first permanent step in Asia,” says Cirque du Soleil
Express. Named after the
president and CEO, Daniel Lamarre. “The creative challenge is very
famous Pony Express mail
interesting for us as this area has yet to be developed for its
delivery between Missouri
entertainment offers.”
and California, Knott’s new
Cirque du Soleil’s arrival in Macau is expected to stimulate the
coaster promises a horseback
casino market where, despite gaming revenues higher than Las
relay at speeds never
Vegas, there are so far few of the additional entertainment options
imagined in the Old West.
associated with its American counterpart.
Wouldn't it be great if guests
Prior to this permanent production, Cirque du Soleil presented
could watch these ponies run
touring shows in 13 Asian cities including Hong Kong, Singapore,
on saddle-lite TV?
Shanghai, Seoul and Tokyo.
6
OCTOBER 2008
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44