Extra! Extra! Daily Edition - Amusement Today

40 Pages·2014·13.53 MB·English

December 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 1
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2 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2013
NEWSTALK
OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS
EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint
Tidbits
This issue of Amusement Today marks
the 17th edition of our Annual Holiday
Cooking Guide. For this year we thought
it would be nice to theme the guide to our
annual Golden Ticket Awards.
On page 4, recipes can be found from
our Best Food winners, a tie between
Slade
Knoebels Amusement Resort and
Dollywood. Also included is our 2013 Host Park, Santa
Cruz Beach Boardwalk and SeaWorld San Diego who
will host in 2014.
While on the subject of Golden Tickets, AT has now
posted three photo galleries from our 2013 GTA event at
SCBB, on www.GoldenTicketAwards.com. Look under
the tab “2013 Event,” and be sure to check out the
bowling event photos!
•
Thanks again to both Andrew Mellor and Pam
Sherborne for their work on giving us a small sampling of
what some parks are doing for this upcoming Christmas
season. See pages 6-7 and 11-13. Just as AT was going to
press we learned that Cliff’s Amusement Park in
EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected]
Albuquerque, N.M. is kicking off their first-ever holiday
Farewell 2013
event called Cliff’s Magical Christmas.
•
Some in the amusement the Rapids and a rider ejection on the New
When Superstorm Sandy hit the New Jersey shore
industry might consider the Texas Giant at Six Flags Over Texas. Both drew
and other parts of the East coast in Oct. 2012, it caused
number 13 — and by asso- plenty of media attention, especially the lat-
AT to shuffle our December issue editorial plans in order
ciation, the year 2013 — to ter incident, which also raised concerns about
to get the late-breaking news in. Two of the items pulled be unlucky. After all, when how to deal some riders’ physical dimensions.
to make room for Sandy editorial was our annual Page 1 this year dawned nearly 12 Yes, there were negative incidents but
Christmas cartoon as well as our page 2 cartoon. After months ago, many parks in the there were far more bright spots in 2013 than
pulling both cartoons out of the unused file, we thought Rutherford northeastern U.S. were deal- not. Personally, I finished another book –
both were still worthy of running in this issue. We hope ing with the destruction left Images of America’s Carowinds for that south-
you enjoy both, better late than never! by Superstorm Sandy. Over a year later, some ern themer’s 40th anniversary. It was written at
• properties still find themselves in recovery a breakneck pace last December and January
mode. And, of course, there was the devastat- but I’m happy with the result. But one of the
From the entire staff of Amusement Today, we wish
ing September fire that roared through the most amazing things for me was being there
everyone a happy and safe holiday season. We hope you
remains of FunTown Pier on the Jersey shore. to witness and be part of the grand opening
find time to not only relax a little, but to enjoy the company
Not only did it destroy businesses but flames of Knoebels’ Flying Turns. After so much work
and stories family members have to tell. It seems life is
devoured sections of the iconic boardwalk and effort, it was a real treat to see many of my
passing us by at “warp speed” these days, so take time
that had just been rebuilt. friends and the Knoebel family recognized for
this upcoming holiday break to slown down and enjoy at
Then there was a string of ride-related their indomitable spirit and will to make this
a little slower pace. incidents on the traveling show circuit includ- historic recreation a viable and exciting ride.
Our good friend Tom Rebbie at PTC always writes, ing a recent one at the North Carolina State Yes, the 2013 season was one of ups and
“Have Fun, Be Safe.” With that, we add industry Fair that left riders and an operator injured. downs. But isn’t that exactly what we expect
photojournalist Dan Feicht’s love of “Eat more pie!” But it was two high-profile ride accidents that in this wonderful and crazy business? Here’s to
Ahh. I smell that slice of pie calling me now... grabbed the majority of the negative head- saying farewell to 2013. Merry Christmas and
—Gary Slade lines: Cedar Point’s boat flipping on the Shoot Happy New Year to one and all.
AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF
Gary Slade, Founder Dean Lamanna Sammy Piccola
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation
[email protected] [email protected] [phone]
[email protected] Deliveries Member of:
Stacey Childress / Childress Media Pam Sherborne 2012 E. Randol Mill Rd., Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA,
Web & Graphic Design Editorial Sue Nichols Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA,
NAARSO and IISF
[email protected] [email protected] Advertising
[phone] Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $75 in the USA; $100 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $140/$180;
John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $200/$250. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to
Daily E-mail Newsletter Editorial Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt.
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[email protected] [email protected] Bubba Flint
Cartoonist Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O.
Tim Baldwin Jeffrey L. Seifert [email protected] Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Presort Standard Postage (Permit No. 2069) pre-paid at Fort Worth,
Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper and its related websites are copyrighted and trademarked
Editorial Editorial / Special Projects by Amusement Today 2013, with all rights reserved.
[email protected] [email protected]
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas
Contributors: Dan Feicht, Ron Gustafson, Andrew Mellor, Richard Munch, Janice Witherow, WHR Inc. 76005-5427.
December 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
2
MINUTE
•1905: In mid-December F. Presented by
W. Henniger and T. M. Har-
DRILL
ton announced the forma-
tion of a new park outside
COMPILED: Janice Witherow Pittsburgh. The 30-acre
Stefan Doomanis, Dynamic Advantage West View Park in West
View, Pennsylvania, opened
www.RollerCoasterMuseum.org
Stefan Doomanis grew up in May 1906, at a cost of
in the customer research $250,000. The highlight was
and retention industry, tag- a large Figure Eight (the park’s popular Dips would open
ging along with his father
in 1909). Theodore M. Harton passed away in 1919, and
on jobs as a child. He
while his family owned the park for the entire 71 year run,
started his first business in
they would eventually sell the property for commercial de-
high school and joined his
family’s corporation of Dy- velopment in 1980.
namic Advantage in 1994.
Today, as president, Stefan •1905: As advertised in the nation’s newspapers in early
is the visionary behind December, there was great interest in amusement park
each unique customer-cen-
toys. Beside the typical submarines and warships, Loop-
tric “mystery shopping”
the Loops and Scenic Railways were the principal nov-
experience integral to the
elties in the toy market for the Christmas season. Many
company’s success. He
Stefan and his son Pete, clown around in matching Batman stores filled their display windows with these wonderful
has extensive experience
in multi-national and multi- shirts while enjoying some quality father-son time. Spend- items, made of tin, where children of all ages dreamed of
location customer retention ing time with his family is one of Stefan’s favorite things to possessing. Today these extremely rare toys have become
programming, competitive do when not working on his mystery-shopping enterprise. highly sought after collector items, selling for hundreds of
intelligence and customer COURTESY STEFAN DOOMANIS FAMILY
dollars.
experience consulting. He
sits on the board of the Mystery Shopping Pro- If you could have three movies in your
•1914: In mid-December, Louis Berni, of Golden City,
viders Association, as well as several charitable collection, what would they be?
announced plans to build a new Philadelphia Toboggan
boards. When not hard at work, Stefan enjoys “Harold and Maude”; “It Happened One
vintage sports cars, family and friends. Night”; and “Monty Python & The Holy Grail.” Company wooden roller coaster for the 1915 season. The
Brooklyn, New York amusement center located in Canarsie,
Title What do you notice first when meeting which for several years competed with both Rockaway and
President. someone? Coney Island, was essentially land-locked. To get around
If they make eye contact. this, Berni, who was a musician by trade, purchased the
Number of years in the
park’s 1907 Scenic Railway and removed it to make room
industry If you could invite one famous (living)
for the new ride, erecting what he called a larger and bet-
18. person to dinner, who would it be?
ter ride with a 40-foot drop.
David Bowie.
Best thing about the Doomanis
industry You are at the mall. Where do we find you? •1945: The creation of a $1 million park project in Cali-
The attitude of those involved. I have always Hot Dog on a Stick or Williams-Sonoma. fornia was thwarted by the local planning board which re-
appreciated that everyone is out to see that a jected the project’s plan submittal. On December 21, the
good time is had by all. One place I have always wanted to travel to
Santa Monica City Planning Commission denied a zoning
is …
change that would have opened the doors to a large proj-
Favorite amusement ride Greece.
I will always take a spin on some bumper cars. ect being pushed by both Chicago and local interests. To
be located at the foot of Wilshire Blvd., the major park was
During my “down time”, I like to …
If I wasn’t working in the amusement Drive, actually repair, my old MG. After all, it never built because of local protest, including several film
industry, I would be … is an MG. notables who did not want the park in their backyard.
Baking bread at my sandwich shop.
—Compiled by Richard Munch, NRCMA Historian
Ten years ago, I was …
Biggest challenge facing our industry Still in my 30s!
Season’s Greetings
Continuing to meet and exceed the
expectations of the guests. If you could have a conversation with any
animal, which one would it be?
The thing I like most about amusement / California Condor. from the board of directors of the
water park season is …
Having fun with my family. My favorite time of day is … National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives
I am a night owl.
All-time favorite meal
I like to keep it simple, a great hot dog and a Pick one: rock ‘n’roll or country
bag of chips does wonders for me. I’m a little bit rock ‘n’ roll.
TM
P.O. Box 5427
5-time Award Winner
The first thing I do in the morning is … If I didn’t live in California, I would live … Arlington, Texas 76005-5427
Check my email. I need to unplug. In The Haunted Mansion! [phone]
Fax (817) 265-NEWS (6397)
It’s December! My favorite holiday song is … What season best describes your personal-
Find us on Facebook
“Christmas Wrapping” by The Waitresses. ity? facebook.com/amusementtoday
Spring.
The best new television show this year
seems to be … Favorite pair of shoes Follow us on Twitter
New? I am still stuck on “Survivor.” My Sanuks. twitter.com/amusementtoday
I always need help with …
Organization. Subscribe to our YouTube channel
G et a free QR Code scanner for your phone
youtube.com/amusementtoday
by visting www.mobiletag.com.
4 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2013
17th ANNUAL HOLIDAY COOKING GUIDE
. Best .
P GOLDEN 2 P GOLDEN 2
PRESENTED TO
I.AMKNUOSEEBMEELNST TICKET FBOEOSDT 01 I.DOLPRLESYENWTED OTOOD TICKET FBOEOSDT 01
V. RESORT AWARD 3 Food V. AWARD 3
Knoebels Amusement Resort Dollywood
Elysburg, Pa. Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Chicken & Waffles Orange Marmalade Roasted
Makes 50 waffles: To make Turkey Breast
16 eggs - beaten Chicken
1 skin on raw turkey breast- 4 to 5 lb. under the skin of the turkey breast.
3 quarts whole milk Gravy:
3 tbl softened butter Pre heat oven to 325 degrees. In a
16 cups flour
3 tbl olive oil roasting pan with a screen on the
3/4 cup sugar Makes 50
1 tbl kosher salt bottom place the turkey breast and roast
1 T salt Servings
1 tbl cracked black pepper for 2 to 2 ½ hours until internal
1 cup Baking Powder
2 cloves minced garlic temperature reaches 160 degrees. At
1 pound butter - melted 2 gallons Chicken Broth
½ cup orange marmalade this point remove from oven and brush
1/2 T Pepper
2 tbl orange juice rest of marmalade glaze over turkey and
Beat eggs, alternately add milk and flour. 2 T Chicken stock
2 tsp. honey place back in oven for 15 min. Remove
Combine other ingredients adding 3 cups flour
and rest turkey tented with foil for
butter last. Cool batter prior to pouring 1-2 cups water
Rinse Turkey breast under cold water approximately 30 minutes. Internal
into waffle iron. Yellow food coloring
and let dry for a few minutes. Rub with temperature should reach 170 degrees.
olive oil and season with salt, Slice and arrange on serving platter.
To make into Chicken & Waffles add Begin by bringing chicken broth, pepper
pepper and garlic. In separate bowl mix
desired chicken and ice cream to fill the & chicken stock to a boil. While
together the orange marmalade, orange Enjoy!
plate. coming to a boil, mix flour and water to
juice and honey until combined. Reserve
a creamy consistency in a separate bowl.
½ the marmalade mix and set aside. Chef Steve Carideo
Add this mixture, stirring very quickly
Rub butter and ½ of the marmalade mix
into the broth. When finished add a drop
of food coloring.
Host
.P GOLDEN TICKET 20
. 1
Parks I.V AWARDS 4
BEST OF THE BEST!
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Sea World San Diego
Santa Cruz, Calif. San Diego, Calif.
Sondra’s Holiday Sangria Turkey Ravioli
1 bottle of Wine (nice bold fruity Red One of the best things about SeaWorld’s First, combine
Blend, Zin or Cab) Christmas Celebration is the array of cooked
1 diced apple & pear food options available to guests. Chef ground turkey,
1 blood orange, peeled, cut into Axel Dirolf, executive chef for both Mascarpone
segments Directions: SeaWorld San Diego and Aquatica San cheese,
1 lime & 1 lemon cut into slivered circles Mix the wine, fruit, liqueur, and Diego, knows how important a delicious cooked
8 oz. Amaretto Liqueur cinnamon, and keep refrigerated for two meal is during the holidays. Here’s his chopped spinach, cran-raisins and
1/4 tsp. cinnamon hours. recipe for his famous holiday turkey parmesan cheese into a large bowl.
Lemon lime soda ravioli for you to try at home. Next, add salt, pepper and dried sage
Pour 1/2 cup of your wine mixture over to taste.
Garnish: ice and fill with1/3 cup of lemon lime The ingredients you’ll need are:
Blood orange, lime, & lemon cut into soda. Mix well. Ground turkey, cooked Then, fold the mixture into fresh or
slivered circles Mascarpone cheese cooked pasta sheet. Coat the bottom
Garnish with a fresh blood orange, Parmesan cheese of a casserole pan with your favorite
R lemon, and then lime slivered circle (a Spinach, chopped tomato sauce. Place the folded ravioli on
rainbow of sleek garnish) and serve. Cran-raisins top of the sauce; cover with some more
Pasta sheet (fresh or cooked) sauce and cheese to your liking! Finally,
Enjoy and drink responsibly! Your favorite tomato sauce bake it in the oven. You’re all set —
Salt happy holidays!
Pepper
Dried Sage
December 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 5
6 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2013
INTERNATIONAL
PARKS ATTRACTIONS RESORTS SUPPLIERS
Parks offer Christmas events with International flare
STORY: Andrew Mellor
CHRISTMAS SPOTLIGHT 2013
[email protected]
PortAventura Europe, 31 wooden stalls offer mas characters and the audi-
Salon, Spain visitors a plethora of Christ- ence are in charge of making a
From November 23 to Jan- mas treats, while visitors will sweet dessert for a child. They
uary 6 the Spanish resort Port also be able to watch an ice then follow the sweets across
Aventura will be transformed sculptor at work. Santa’s factory in a unique
into a winter wonderland for Another new element journey.
young and old alike with a for the Christmas opening is A packed program of
host of new features and spec- snow tubing on a snow slide festive family entertainment
tacular lighting, Christmas that follows the route of the includes musicals featuring
trees and festive decorations, park’s Wall of China, designed acrobatic displays and spec-
along with 17 daily shows cre- for children but fun for adults tacular outdoor ice skating,
ated especially for the time of too. Those who want to take to alongside performances of
year. the ice, a new ice skating rink live music filling all corners of
The biggest change for is available in the México area. the park with popular Yule-
2013 at the resort is a huge During the festive period tide tunes. The China area’s
Christmas market in the Med- opening, PortAventura has Gran Teatro will be the stage
iterrània area. Inspired by the also launched a new movie in for the musical Regalo de
traditional markets in some of 4D — Christmas Adventure, a Navidad (Christmas Present)
the biggest capitals of central story in which fairies, Christ- show, while another show on
offer is El Bosque Encantado
(The Enchanted Forest), where
goblins, wizards and fairies Belgium park Plopsaland will be transformed for the festive
roam at will. In China there is season and will offer a variety of family entertainment .
COURTESY PLOPSALAND
also Pushankina Daria, a sand
artist performing in the show ters like Woody, Betty Boop Christmas holiday in the Plop-
Christmas Sand Animation, and the cast of Sesame Street. sa Theatre.
and youngsters can meet some Additionally, the Samson
of their favorite characters in Plopsaland & Gert Show will also take
SésamoAventura. Andikerlee-De-Panne, place in the Plopsa Theatre
The most unmissable Belgium three times a day in the few
event, however, will be the Winter Plopsaland in Bel- days immediately before and
visit of the Royal Emissar- gium takes place December after Christmas. This year the
ies. Fresh from the East, these 7 to January 5 with a variety show moves from a theater in
envoys of the Three Kings of festive entertainment for Antwerp, where it has been
will visit the park collecting guests to enjoy. held for more than 20 years, to
Christmas letters from chil- Hundreds of Christmas Plopsaland De Panne.
dren in PortAventura before trees, thousands of lights, ani-
providing the finishing touch mation and an ice rink set the Europa-Park
to the Christmas Parade in scene while a Gnome show Rust, Germany
front of Mediterrània’s lake. with park character Plop will Germany’s largest theme
The Sesame Street
And on January 5, the Three provide entertainment for the park will be transformed once
characters show
Kings themselves will arrive youngsters — as will a visit to again into a magical winter
(above) is sure to be
to lead the traditional Kings’ see Santa Claus, of course, and wonderland from November
a hit with young visi-
Parade, delivering gifts to all a chance to enjoy many of the 23 to January 6 (closed on De-
tors to Port
the children who visit the park park’s attractions that will be cember 24 and 25). With snow
Aventura. Left, the
on what is promoted as the open. on the ground, festive smells
park will provide
most magical night of the year. On December 26-30 the in the air and thousands of
guests with a host
The finishing touch to Port Ketnet and Fireworks Show lights, guests are sure to be de-
of festive enter-
Aventura’s winter wonder- takes place. Ketnet is a chil- lighted with the atmosphere
tainment over the
land will be found at its four dren’s TV channel in Flanders and entertainment on offer
Christmas period.
hotels, fully decorated for the (Belgium) which will provide which will include many of
COURTESY PORT
occasion and hosting charac- shows at the park during the 4See EVENTS, page 7
AVENTURA
December 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 7
At left, a Christmas market will be one of the highlights at Europa-Park, while at right, the German theme park will be transformed into a winter wonderland
for the Christmas period. COURTESY EUROPA-PARK
EVENTS which guests will be able to buildings with two stories, Tigers is a cocktail style event productions that explore un-
saunter through stalls offering Zombie Evilution takes on with themed food stations, derwater life and a range of
Continued from page 6
old fashioned craftsmanship more excitement and thrills beverages and live entertain- yuletide celebrations, includ-
the park’s rides and attrac- as well as savouring the scents even for the most seasoned la- ment. A Very Dreamworld ing marine-themed Christmas
tions and a first-class show of fir trees, baked apples and ser combat fans. Christmas offers a festive buf- decorations, a tree lighting
program. toasted almonds, all combin- A new tiger show, Cub fet on Main Street, plus time ceremony, soulful carolers
Among the highlights will ing to create the perfect Christ- College with Baru and Ravi, is on rides and attractions and and an Ocean Santa.
be no less than 12 live shows, mas atmosphere. And with 2.5 also available to Dreamworld live entertainment, while a At the park’s Waterfront
five roller coasters, more than million lights and over 2,500 guests with cubs Baur and Dreamworld Challenge caters Plaza, guests will be able to
50 other attractions — includ- Christmas trees, the scene will Ravi, Tiger Island’s young- to those looking for some fes- see a world-class acrobatics
ing a 55 meter high Big Wheel be complete. est residents, now ready to tive team building activities. extravaganza set to dramatic
offering superb views of the A circus in the original cir- start playing with the big cats. scenery, while the Ocean The-
park — a giant light parade, cus tent will offer yet more en- However, they need some Ocean Park atre will feature an all-new
ice rink, the Bar Glaciar, a 4D tertainment for the whole fam- training first, which guests Hong Kong, China adventure featuring the dol-
movie featuring park mascot ily, while for those wishing to can watch in a brand new live Special festive activities phins and sea lions of Ocean
Euromaus and friends, Luna stay overnight, Europa-Park’s show starting on Boxing Day. at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park Park. Younger visitors will be
Magic presented by Gazprom five themed hotels provide the Dreamworld is also offer- this year take place from De- able to enjoy the new interac-
and a Winter Wonderland for ideal resting place after all the ing a range of corporate party cember 14 to January 1, with tive dance show taking place
children. activity of the park. opportunities this Christmas. Christmastime Beneath the at Whiskers Harbour and an
A Christmas market will Private parties can be had at Waves! ocean-themed lighting cer-
also be a major feature of Eu- Dreamworld a choice of venues within the Among the entertainment emony will take place every
ropa-Park’s winter opening in Coomera, Australia park while Christmas with the on offer will be three new evening at the Christmas Tree.
A host of well-known
characters from DreamWorks
will be appearing at Dream-
world for a Holiday Shrektac-
ular show over the Christmas
period.
Both Dreamworld and
sister park WhiteWater World
will be open every day of the
Christmas holiday season,
except Christmas Day, and
the new 20-minute show will
see Shrek learning how to cel-
ebrate the holiday season. Fea-
turing song and dance and a
host of other characters, it will
take place on the specially de-
signed Main Street stage, with
guests being able to see daily
shows and have their photo
taken with favorite characters.
Dreamworld’s newest
and scariest attraction, Zom-
Visitors to Dreamworld in bie Evilution, will also have
Australia this Christmas will evolved into stage two in time A variety of live show enter-
be able to see a variety of for the Christmas holidays — tainment is just part of the
DreamWorks characters in the Battle for Kevil Hill. Trans- festivities during the Christ-
the Shrektacular show. formed into a laser combat mas event at Ocean Park.
COURTESY DREAMWORLD challenge staged across two COURTESY OCEAN PARK
8 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2013
Toverland sets attendance record after major expansion
STORY: Tim Baldwin
[email protected]
SEVENUM, the Nether-
lands — As mentioned in our
previous issue, Toverland, the
relatively young theme park
in the Netherlands added an
astonishing eight new attrac-
tions for the 2013 season. As
the year winds down, Amuse-
ment Today takes a closer look
at the list of attractions and
talks with park personnel
about its recent success.
When asked why the park
decided to add eight attrac-
tions all within one season.
Teun Borst, Toverland Com-
munications, says, “Toverland
is very compact. That may be
an advantage for our visitors, The station for Dwervelwind (left) continues the imaginative theme with a thatched roof and beautiful landscaping outside.
because they can find a lot Inside, the station features a vine-covered ceiling highlighted with cascading, color-changing LED lights.
of attractions within a short AT/TIM BALDWIN & JEFFREY SEIFERT
distance walk. On the other in the Philipines by Theme Manufacturer: along the course, punctuating water. This ride is aimed at the
hand people also like to walk Builders and their movements Mack Rides GmbH the adventure with imagina- younger audience in the fam-
around and discover. In short: are done by Lagotronics. The Height: 21 meters tion. Tunnels, waterfalls and ily.
we needed more dwell time.” new expansion even has its Length: 462 meters landscaping make this addi- Manfuctuer:
Boorst continues, “If you visit own musical score. Imascore Speed: 75 km/hr tion quite impressive. Metallbau Emmeln
a theme park you expect to produced over two hours of Trains: 2 of four cars, Manufacturer: Hafema Diameter: 12 meters
stay a whole day in the park, magical music for different seating 16 passengers Height: 5.5 meters Gondolas: 8 gondolas
but if you can find all the rides zones of the area. Capacity: 925 pph Length: 460 meters seating up to 3 persons
close to each other you don’t The attractions added this Ride time: 92 seconds Speed: 16.2 km/hour Capacity: 450 pph
need a whole day. So we de- season are: Boats: 10 boats seating up to Ride time: 90 seconds
cided to add a complete new •Dwervelwind: This •Djengu River: A new nine passengers per boat
area of four hectare next to the spinning coaster offers a dif- rapids ride gives the park a Capacity: 918 pph •Coco Bolo: These rope
existing eight hectares.” ferent journey each time as the second family wet ride in ad- Ride time: Four minutes pull towers are seen more
What is striking is that the vehicles are free spinning. The dition to the flume, which is prevalently around Europe,
new area is not just simply an station is adorned with vines, partially indoors. During the •Tolly Molly: A circular but have made a few appear-
assortment of rides dropped plant life, mood lighting and a journey, observant riders will ride with arms and gondolas ances in U.S. parks. Once
in. Landscaping, theming and whimsical magical ambience. notice animatronic Dwervels suspended above a pool of 4See TOVERLAND, page 9
interactive areas of beauty all
serve their role in creating
an entirely new atmosphere.
Twisted vines and branches
make up railings to make it all
feel magical.
“A part of this new area
is filled with nice walkways,
bridges and waterfalls to cre-
ate the dwell time,” says Borst,
“but, of course, we also want-
ed to add rides. We added two
major rides — a Mack spin-
ning coaster and a Hafema
river rapids ride, along with
a fountain show and several
smaller rides. The total pack-
age is meant to offer the whole
family a wonderful time in the
park.”
Toverland is fortunate to
have its own designer, Peter
van Holsteijn. It was he who
made all the drawings of the
theming, the houses and the
funny little creatures who live The Djengu
in the Magic valley, called the River follows an
Dwervels. For the landscaping, elevated rock-
the park worked with Mark covered course
Heusschen, a landscaping ar- enhanced
chitect. The artificial rocks and with Dwervel
houses were made by TAA. dwellings.
The Dwervels were made AT/TIM BALDWIN
December 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 9
TOVERLAND and varying surfaces. Giggles doesn’t stop there. New walk-
are guaranteed. ways allow guests to stroll by
Continued from page 8
Manufacturer: gigantic waterfalls and be-
seated, riders pull themselves Velopa Omniplay come spectators to the rides
up via rope while assisted me- Total length of the course: and theming as they walk
chanically, so even younger 36 meters through rocky caves and sce-
children can accomplish the nic tunnels. Also in the addi-
task. Once releasing the rope, •Klimkasteel: This inter- tion is a thematically beautiful
the seats glide back to ground active playhouse offers lots of covered food court type res-
level. climbing and walkways. taurant. Around its perimeter,
Manufacturer: Heege Manufaturer: Eibe glass orbs tied in netting spark
Height: 10 meters Height: 13 meters imaginations as people step
Seats: 4 seats with Ground area: up to the eatery.
two passengers per seat 300 square meters When asked if a particu-
Capacity: 320 pph lar attraction seemed to create
•Katara, Fountain of a lot of guest feedback, Borst
•Airtrampoline: What Magic: While not a ride, this answers, “Not really; it was
looks to be a giant bubble ac- attraction may be the most more the whole new area that
tually serves as a laugh-in- interactive of all. Fountains did the magic. We received a
ducing bouncing adventure. not only beautify the area, but lot of compliments from visi-
As adults know, kids love to jumping streams leap over tors as well as from colleagues
jump and this trampoline- walkways and bridges testing from other parks. They really Every ride carries the rustic Dwervel theme and the entire
style attraction caters to nu- everyone’s sense of timing, like the whole atmosphere we Magic Valley features spectacular rockwork and water cas-
merous kids at one time. young and old. At scheduled have created with the them- cades. AT/TIM BALDWIN & JEFFREY SEIFERT
Manufacturer: Sidijk intervals, the fountain comes ing, the plants, flowers, rocks In determining if the ad- There are several ideas for
Diameter: 10 meters alive with a show of choreo- and music.” ditions have delivered results, future investment, but it will
graphed motions set to a soar- If one can measure suc- the answer is clear. “The sea- take some years before we
•Kids Survival: Dur- ing soundtrack. cess, Borst pridefully com- son went very well. It looks will realize all this. Toverland
ing AT’s visit, it was com- Manufacturer: GHESA ments, “On the Dutch website like we are going to end the already owns some land with
mented that this attraction Fuentes en Watergames Zoover, people can comment year with more than 600,000 a lake behind the park. This
would doubtfully be installed & More on their day trips. This year we visitors,” says Borst. “We had area is meant for future in-
in America. While rope type Number of water jets: 136 ended up with 8.6 points (out around 500,000 vistors last vestments. Besides new rides
courses have become a com- Height of water projection: of 10), just 0.1 point behind year. I think that’s quite an im- there are plans to build a hotel
mon addition, Toverland has 15 meters Efteling. The German Freizeit pressive growth.” resort as well. But for now, we
made theirs much more ad- Tester Team gave us the award Indeed. invite everybody to discover
venturous with splash ponds Clearly, this is a dramatic for best park addition 2013 in When asked about future our newest area, the Magische
below, along with fountains enlargement of the park. But it Europe.” plans Borst reports, “Not yet. Vallei.”
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10 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2013