PW NOV08 P06-07 v4.qxd:PW NOV08 P06-07 v4.qxd 3/11/08 09:31 Page 6
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
ParkHoppin’
Merlin bolsters ‘Mi
by Paul Ruben
Burn Baby Learn
Short stay attractions key
The 2008 season was full of disasters for coastal parks in the UK and on
to group growth
both coasts in America. On April 7 an arsonist struck the 1920 Scenic
Railway at Margate, England. A security fence has now been erected
Merlin Entertainments plans to continue the aggressive growth of its short
around the ride to prevent further attacks.
stay attractions following the reorganisation of its “Midway” division into
On May 11 and 12 an intense northeast storm did significant
four geographic regions, and the appointment of a new site search and
damage to Ocean Oasis, the waterpark and beach club at the end
acquisitions director in the shape of Steve Shears.
of Morey’s Surfside Pier in Wildwood, New Jersey, destroying about
In his new role, Shears will work with the MIdway team to identify sites
15% of the park.
for up to five new short stay and city centre attractions a year. These will
On June 2 a fire at Universal Studios Hollywood destroyed the
comprise new Madame Tussauds, Sea Life, Dungeons and Legoland
King Kong attraction and a New York street scene. Damage was
Discovery Centres outlets, as well as tactical single site acquisitions like
estimated in the tens of millions, but luckily the park tour resumed
the London Aquarium, bought by Merlin back in May.
the next day.
Replacing Johannes Mock, who has now left the company, Shears has
An early morning fire on June 16 damaged the north side of Morey’s
both financial and operational experience, having been involved in a
Mariners Landing Pier. The intense blaze was quickly brought under
number of Merlin’s major acquisitions, as well as managing attractions
control and the damage was limited to the three rides and the damaged
like Madame Tussauds.
portion of the pier quickly closed off.
James Burleigh, meanwhile, is the new Midway divisional director for
Finally (I hope) a fire on July 28 at the Grand Pier in Weston-Super-
Europe. His responsibilities include all Merlin attractions across Europe
Mare in England destroyed the Pavilion – where most of the rides were
excluding London. He is supported by three business unit heads: Meike
housed. Pier owners Kerry and
Schulze (Germany), Iain Hawkins (UK) and Roland Maes (rest of
Michelle Michael had taken over
Europe). David Sharpe retains his existing role as divisional director for
just weeks before. Also in the UK, a
Midway attractions in London, where the London Eye and London
blaze at the start of September
Aquarium are included alongside Madame Tussauds and the London
almost completely destroyed
Dungeon.
Fleetwood Pier near Blackpool,
although it had already closed
down and was earmarked for non-
amusement-related redevelopment.
My father used to tell me to fight
fire with fire, but I think that's why
he was asked to leave the fire department. I did, however, travel to
Wildwood to see for myself and get photo evidence of the damage at
Morey’s. You can't begin to imagine the rigors of this job, dear readers.
Upon meeting Jack Morey, he arranged a massage for me by
masseuse Holly Jackson, pictured above. Holly was much nicer than one
fellow I knew who was fired from a massage parlour because he rubbed
everyone the wrong way. Holly’s soothing hands eased away the aches
and pains of a demanding day at the beach riding coasters. A massage-
by-the-sea is not in my job description, but I endured it. After that it was
off to the Ocean Oasis hot tub for more therapy and adult beverages. Roland Mack elected
All these parks and attractions, however, missed a golden opportunity
to capitalise on their misfortune. They should have charged an added
IAAPA 3rd vice-chairman
admission to see the devastation. It is not without precedent. In Robert
Cartmell's book The Incredible Scream Machine, he recalls that in 1907
Roland Mack will become the first German to join the board of
Steeplechase Park at New York's Coney Island burned during an 18-hour
directors at IAAPA (the International Association of Amusement Parks
fire. Owner George Tilyou, always the showman, erected a sign the next
and Attractions), when he is made third vice chair during the
day that read:
upcoming IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando.
This means the managing director of Europa-Park, who is also a
I have troubles today
director of Mack Rides, will automatically become chairman of the
That I did not have yesterday,
I had troubles yesterday
association in three years’ time. The board voted unanimously in
That I have not today,
favour of Mack’s appointment during the recent Euro Attractions
On this site will be erected shortly
Show in Munich, and he will take up the vice-chairman role on a
A better,
voluntary basis on November 21.
Bigger,
IAAPA will welcome in a new chairman this November when
Greater Darrell Metzger replaces Bob Masterson. Chip Cleary from Parques
Steeplechase Park. Reunidos will then move up to the position of first vice-chairman as
Admission to the Burning Ruins --
Bob Rippy from Jungle Rapids/Wrightsville Farms Management
10 cents
Group becomes second vice-chair.
6
NOVEMBER 2008
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