PW NOV08 P46-47.qxd:PW NOV08 P46-47.qxd 3/11/08 09:47 Page 46
Supplier Profile
www.parkworld-online.com
Since its founding in
Gary Goddard on site at Monster Plantation,
2001, Gary Goddard
Six Flags Over Georgia
Entertainment has
established itself as
one of the leading
design sources for
themed attractions
and destinations
across the globe.
Goddard has built his
career on creating
attractions that form
emotional connections
with their audience.
He recently took time
to discuss his current
projects and some
emerging trends with
Park World
INDUSTRY TRENDS
"We have really worked hard to take the theme park
Goddard notes that new casinos, hotels and other
experience apart and redefine certain elements. While
public facilities are taking the best theme park
we cannot yet detail what we're creating for Six Flags
elements and adapting them for use in their projects,
Dubailand, I think we can say it will have unique
raising the expectation for guests. "Theme parks are
offerings for younger kids and young parents, as well
still competing as if it was 1960 and 1970,” he
as parents and grandparents. This park also takes into
observes. “They are recycling coasters, dark rides
consideration both the international aspect of the
and other 'tried and true' elements for which they
Dubai market and the equally important sophistication
have become known. And yet, this misses the point.
of audiences today.
Theme parks were different when they started. Places
“Our goal is to bring back the wonder that we all felt
like Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm and Universal
the first time we visited Disneyland, when Walt Disney
Studios were interesting for the kids and the parents."
and his team were inventing something the world had
"Now," he continues, "with the plethora of offerings
never experienced before. It's a lofty goal, but we are
at retail malls, casinos, resort hotels and so on, the
really trying to sets a new standard for theme park
perception from guests is that much of what a theme
experiences in a way that will surprise and delight
park offers can be found elsewhere 'for free.' Parks
everyone who pass through the gates. As the saying
have to meet the challenge of the next generation and
goes, 'This is not your dad's theme park.'"
to do this a shake up is required. 'Higher, steeper,
with
GODDARD
faster' is no longer enough to create long-term value in
MORE WITH SIX FLAGS
the theme park experience. Parks should offer
GGE's Glow In The Park Parades, installed this
experiences not found anywhere else."
season at three Six Flags parks, were featured in our
up
Y
June issue as transforming "each park into a fantasy-
DUBAILAND
Goddard once said, "Everyone wants to be an
Orlando," and singled out Dubailand as a good
example. Here he is currently working on a project
for Six Flags. "In Dubai, we are working now to
redefine the Six Flags experience for what will be first
new Six Flags Theme Park designed in some 40
years. Dubailand is allowing Six Flags to take its
strong foundation and heritage in thrill rides, and to
Catching GAR
expand upon that by creating an entirely new kind of
Glow in
park experience.
the Park
46
NOVEMBER 2008
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