December 2011 - Amusement Today

40 Pages·2012·10.56 MB·English

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2 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2011
NEWSTALK
OPINIONS CARTOON LETTERS AT CONTACTS
EDITORIAL: Gary Slade, [email protected] CARTOON: Bubba Flint
Save the stories!
This publisher made a comment to Larry
Cochran during the Six Flags Over Texas
50th anniversary gathering in August about
how we were losing too many industry
greats (Cleveland Smith was our reference
point) and losing them all too fast.
Slade Little did we realize that we were seeing
only the beginning of what would be a rash
of obituaries to run in future editions of AT.
Cochran’s response was short but true: “Our industry
is old, and we are going to lose a whole lot more in the
coming years.”
One of the problems our industry has is that we, as a
whole, have not done enough to record the stories that
these older park legends have to tell. I know I’m as guilty
as anyone for not recording conservations with the late
William L. Cobb, Luther Clark, Cleveland Smith and Ron
Toomer who were all in my local area. Now, their stories,
knowledge and ability to verify our industry history are
gone forever.
AT visited briefly at the Golden Ticket Awards with
EDITORIAL: Scott Rutherford, [email protected]
Rick Root, World Waterpark Association, and he too
Season’s end
agreed it was time to record the waterpark’s history
before more legends from that industry are gone.
Well, it’s that time of year North America’s best amusement and theme
This is not something Amusement Today, the
again – Season’s End. The parks as well as numerous fairs and carnivals
National Roller Coaster Museum or enthusiasts clubs can
long, endless days of sum- in 2011. From Florida to New Hampshire, the
do alone. It is something the entire industry must become
mer have passed. The sear- Carolinas to California, we enjoyed an amazing
active in, beginning with our three largest trade associa- ing heat and humidity of July array of thrills and adventures.
tions: IAAPA, WWA and OABA. and August gave way to cool But all good things must come to an end.
As businesses plan their 2012 budgets, we encourage Autumn nights where many The annual IAAPA Expo is behind us and it’s
all (suppliers to parks) to include the purchase of a video Rutherford parks were outfitted for their now time to turn our attention inward, toward
annual Halloween events, pursuits of a more personal nature.
camera for recording history. Then take the camera and
offering a chance for guests to take that cer- As I write this, a cold intermittent North
gets your firm’s legends to sit down and talk. The easiest
emonial Last Ride of the year. wind is moaning through the pines outside
way to start the recording session is with the basic tips
And with December now upon us, those my window while big downy flakes of the first
from Journalism 101, known as the five W’s and 1 H: Who,
venues that remained open on select week- snow have begun to fall from a dark, starless
What, When, Where, Why and How. After that, you will
ends for Christmas celebrations are about to sky. This is the unmistakable signal that a wel-
be switching tapes and batteries wondering where the wrap it up as well. Soon, these festive galas come respite is at hand.
last 3 hours went. will be over and it will finally be time for the Now is the time to gather with family and
Let’s make 2012 the year we saved the stories! seasonal parks to turn out the lights. In the friends, and to give thanks for all we gained
—Gary Slade same vein, most traveling shows have either and experienced over the past year. And final-
placed their equipment in storage or packed it ly, it’s a time to rest and to dream of glory days
all up and headed south or west to their winter past and those of the coming season when we
Gary Slade is the founder and publisher of Amusement
quarters. will be called upon to do it all over again.
Today. His love for amusement parks began at age six
In many ways, this is the time of year I like Happy Holidays to all. May the New Year
when he first visited Pontchartrain Beach Amusement
most of all. Don’t misunderstand; I live for the bring each of us what we most desire.
Park and Six Flags Over Texas. His long newspaper career
action-packed summer months. A close friend Peace.
helped lead to the launch of AT in 1997.
and I had the good fortune to visit some of
AMUSEMENT TODAY STAFF
Gary Slade, Founder Tim Baldwin Sammy Piccola
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Editorial Accounting / Circulation
[phone] [email protected] [phone]
Deliveries Member of:
[email protected] [email protected]
2012 E. Randol Mill Rd, Suite 203 IAAPA, AIMS International, PAPA,
Pam Sherborne
Arlington, Texas 76011 NEAAPA, NJAA, OABA, WWA, TTIA,
Stacey Childress Editorial Sue Nichols
NAARSO and IISF
Web & Graphic Design [email protected] Advertising
[phone] [phone] Subscription rates are: 1 year (14 issues) $50 in the USA; $70 elsewhere; 2 years (28 issues) $90/$130;
[email protected] Scott Rutherford [email protected] 3 years (42 issues) $130/$190. Send check or money order (U.S. funds only, drawn on a U.S. bank) to
Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005-5427. Your cancelled check is your receipt.
Editorial Please allow up to six weeks for your subscription request to be processed and the first issue mailed.
John Robinson / W.H.R. Inc. [email protected] Bubba Flint
Daily E-mail Newsletter Cartoonist Amusement Today is an independent newspaper, published monthly by Amusement Today Inc., P.O.
Box 5427, Arlington, Texas 76005. Presort Standard Postage (Permit No. 2069) pre-paid at Fort Worth,
[email protected] Jeffrey L. Seifert [email protected]
Texas. The entire contents of this newspaper and its related Web sites are copyrighted and trademarked
Editorial / Special Projects by Amusement Today 2011, with all rights reserved.
[email protected]
POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to Amusement Today, P.O. Box 5427, Arlington, Texas
Contributors: Andrew Mellor, Richard Munch, Janice Witherow, WHR Inc. 76005-5427.
December 2011 AMUSEMENT TODAY 3
THIS MONTH IN HISTORY
2
MINUTE
•1901: Walter Elias Disney Presented by
was born on December 5 in
DRILL
Chicago, Illinois. While taking
night courses at the Chicago
Art Institute he drew cartoons
COMPILED: Janice Witherow
for his high school newspaper.
Adam Kingsley, Universal Orlando
In 1919 he moved to Kansas
City where he landed a job www.RollerCoasterMuseum.org
Adam Kingsley has
making commercials using
spent his 15-year
cutout animations, and decided to become an animator. Un-
career working for
able to sell his animations in Kansas City, Walt moved to Holly-
Universal Orlando,
getting hooked on wood to be closer to the movie industry. He founded the Walt
the amusement indus- Disney Company in October of 1923 and eventually developed
try bug as a seasonal a new character, Mickey Mouse, whose popularity skyrocketed
ride/show attendant in the 1930s, and landed him an Academy Award in 1932. As
at the Florida resort early as the 1940s Walt wanted to build a children’s theme park
in 1996. He helped where his employees could spend time with their families. His
open The High in the
plans became more and more elaborate eventually culminating
Sky Seuss Trolley Train
with the opening of Disneyland in 1955. Today the Walt Disney
Ride as well as The
Company is the largest media conglomerate in the world with
Simpsons Ride before Universal’s Adam Kingsley is seen on stage with Golden
an estimated annual revenue over $38 billion.
being promoted to Ticket in hand during the 2011 Golden Ticket Awards at
his current position of Holiday World. AT/DAN FEICHT
director of operations •1912: Luna Park in Melbourne, Australia, opened to the pub-
for both Universal Stu- The first thing I notice when lic on December 13. The park has been in almost continuous
dios Florida and Islands of Adventure. meeting someone is … operation, closing briefly during World War I. Among the park’s
The self-professed workaholic enjoys Their body language. historic rides are a 1913 PTC carousel and a scenic railway that
spending time with his wife, family opened with the park. The rare scenic railway is one of the old-
and friends, traveling and checking What’s your take on the NBA and its est operating coasters in the world, and one of six or so scenic
out the latest movies. Adam’s efficient upcoming season? railways that still require an on-board brakeman to operate the
manner, friendly spirit and genuine Let’s just play ball! train.
interest in the industry serve him well
in his role at Universal Orlando. I love the sound of …
•1963: On December 17 the United States Patent Office grant-
An old wooden coaster cranking up
ed patent #3,114,332 to Karl Bacon and Edgar Morgan for a
the chain lift hill.
Title bobsled amusement ride. Originally filed on May 16, 1960, the
Director, Attractions In one word, my kitchen is … patent describes a number of objects of invention, the most
Operations (Universal Functional. significant of which is the design of a vehicle axle system that
Studios and Islands of utilizes urethane running wheels, inside guide wheels, and cy-
Adventure). The coolest place I have traveled lindrical upstops attached to a tubular steel track. The resulting
lately is … ride, Disney’s Matterhorn Bobsled was the first coaster to use
Number of years in the
Visiting our Universal parks in Asia. a tubular steel track.
industry Kingsley
15. Favorite appetizer •1993: On December 28 the United States Patent Office
Quesadillas.
granted patent #5,272,984 to Walter Bolliger and Claude
Best thing about the industry
Mabillard of Switzerland for an amusement ride of the roller
Our entire mission is to make sure If I could guest star on any TV show,
people have fun! it would be … coaster type that featured at least one seat rigidly suspended
on a bogie moving along at least one rail. This patent was for
Saturday Night Live.
Favorite amusement ride the new B&M ride known as the inverted coaster. The very first
Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. The last time I laughed out loud — Batman The Ride — opened at Six Flags Great America in
was … May of 1992. This revolutionary coaster is B&M’s most success-
If I wasn’t working in the Watching one of my favorite TV ful design with 29 coasters of this type currently in operation.
amusement industry, I would be …
shows.
Running my own restaurant … I love
•1997: After approval by the legislature, the Texas Department
to cook! My favorite time of day is … of Transportation, on December 5, renamed State Highway 360
Early morning; looking forward to a
the Angus G. Wynne Jr. Freeway. The state highway, one of
Biggest challenge facing our industry
new adventure!
the primary North/South routes through the city of Arlington,
Keeping our guests constantly
entertained, especially while waiting Growing up, my favorite cartoon was named in honor of the founder of the Great Southwest
in lines. character was … Corporation and Six Flags Over Texas.
He-Man. —Complied by Jeffrey L. Seifert/AT and Richard Munch/NRCMA
The thing I like most about
amusement/water park season is … If I didn’t live in Florida, I would live
Checking out all of the new here …
attractions. New York. P.O. Box 5427 TM
5-time Award Winner
Arlington, Texas 76005-5427
For lunch yesterday, I had … We are well into football season. [phone]
Grilled chicken wrap. What team do you root for the Fax (817) 265-NEWS (6397)
most?
It’s December! My favorite holiday Go (Florida) Gators! Find us on Facebook
movie is … facebook.com/amusementtoday
A Christmas Carol. If I could have drinks with one
famous person, it would be …
I always need help with … Follow us on Twitter
Gordon Ramsay.
twitter.com/amusementtoday
Fixing things around my house.
Pick one: Burger King or McDonalds
The last song I downloaded was …
Burger King.
The entire new Coldplay album. G et the free mobile app for your phone Subscribe to our YouTube channel
http://gettag.mobi youtube.com/amusementtoday
4 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2011
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Meme’s Buttermilk Pie
This recipe has been in the family for over 100 years. People don’t
make them much anymore, but get real excited when someone
does. The recipe makes two deep dish pies. The secret is to mix
15th Annual Edition
the ingredients with an electric mixer on medium, in the order
listed. For an even sweeter pie, invite a friend over to make them
with you!

Preheat oven to 350.

End of Season Potato Soup Mix the following in the order listed:
6 eggs well beaten
1 tsp. vanilla Melissa White
1 ½ cups diced onion 1 cup melted butter Director of Sales
¼ cup butter 1 cup buttermilk Schlitterbahn
4 cups potatoes, diced 3 3/4 cups sugar Galveston
(1/2 inch cubes or so) 1/2 cup flour
1 carrot (optional) 1/2 tsp salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt Pour into two deep dish pie shells. Bake 1 hr. at 350 degrees. Meme’s Tip: Place foil around
½ teaspoon pepper the crust on edges before you bake, it will not burn or overcook edges, but leave them a
1 teaspoon dried dill golden color.
weed
2 cups Half & Half
Instant potato flakes
Loaf of crusty bread
(French, sourdough, etc) Dave Roemer Tim’s Snickerdoodles Tim’s Kris Kringles
General Manager
Melt the butter and brown Six Flags Oven: 400 degrees 1 cup light corn syrup
the onion (unlike myself, St. Louis Mix: 1 cup sugar
most folks in my family are 1 cup soft shortening 1 cup peanut butter
not fans of onion pieces so 1 1/2 cups sugar 6 cups Rice Krispies®
2 eggs 1 package (6 oz., 1 cup)
I use a food processor to obliterate the onion).
semi-sweet chocolate morsels
Add potatoes, carrot (optional), broth, salt,
Stir in: 1 cup butterscotch chips
pepper, dill weed. Cook on low until potatoes
2 tsp cream of tartar
are fork tender. Add the Half & Half and stir
1 tsp baking soda 1. Place corn syrup and sugar
until heated thoroughly. Now the magic, to 1/4 tsp salt into 3-quart saucepan. Cook Tim Morrow
thicken the soup, add a ¼ cup of instant potato Tim’s touches: a couple Tim Baldwin over medium heat, stirring SeaWorld
flakes and stir. If you like thicker soup, add of grinds of ground Editorial frequently, until sugar dis- San Antonio
some more (you knew I was going to say that). pepper and a splash of Amusement solves and mixture begins to Director of
Now, ladle out a couple of bowls, sit down with vanilla Today boil. Remove from heat. Stir in Operations /
peanut butter. Mix well. Add
buttered bread (I am a fan of the sourdough), Special Events
Sift in: KELLOGG’S RICE KRISPIES
and watch the snow blow. I love to use this
2 3/4 cups flour cereal. Stir until well coated. Press mixture into 13 x
soup as a base, sometimes adding ham, bacon,
9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Set aside.
peas, whatever your taste buds desire.
Roll dough into ping pong size balls. (They
spread and flatten while baking.) Roll into cin- 2. Melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together in
namon/sugar mixture - about 3/4 sugar. 1-quart saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly.
Bake for appx. 12 minutes. (First half usually Spread evenly over cereal mixture. Let stand until
a minute longer than second half.) Tap with firm. Cut into 2 x 1-inch bars when cool.
spatula when removed from oven to flatten
completely. Cool on newspaper Note: Before measuring the corn syrup, coat your
measuring cup with cooking spray--the syrup will
Makes around 30 cookies. pour easily out of the cup
December 2011 AMUSEMENT TODAY 5
HOLIDAY COOKING GUIDE
Cuban Spiced Holiday Crown Roast of Pork French Cookies
This recipe accompanied my maternal
1ea Crown Roast of Pork (10-14#)
grandfather and great grandparents
1 to 2 Cups Chef Walter J’s Cuban Spice Rub®
from France when they immigrated
1 to 2 Cups Water
to the United States in the 1890’s and
has been a Holiday tradition in my
Method
family every year since.

1) Pre heat oven to 350°F. 1 pound softened butter
(not margarine)
2) Rub Crown Roast with Cuban Spice. Crumble about 3 feet of 4 cups granulated sugar
aluminum foil into a football shape and put into center of roast to 1 dozen large eggs
help cook evenly and to keep shape while cooking. Or, take a 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract
clean soup can with label removed and put in center of roast to hold 4 ½ cups of flour (not self-rising) Neal McCord
shape. Director of Facilities
Whip butter and sugar until smooth Give Kids The World
and creamy. Beat in the eggs, sev-
3) Place roast on a rack in a shallow roasting pan. Cover bone tips
with foil to keep them from burning. Pour water into pan. Wally Jurusz eral at a time, along with the vanilla.
Gradually beat in the flour, one cup at a time, until the mixture is of a
Executive Chef,
thick and creamy texture. Drop one tablespoon into each 4” square of
4) Bake for 2 ¼ - 3 hours (13-15 minutes per pound) or until a meat Morey’s Piers,
a preheated, non-stick waffle griddle and bake for approximately 80-90
thermometer reads 150oF when inserted into the thickest part of a Wildwood, N.J.
seconds (or until the red light goes out.) Cookies should be a light
chop. Check temperature after 2 hours. Remove foil from bones for golden brown. Cool on a rack.
approximately the last 30 minutes of roasting to brown.
Yield: About 70-80 3” diameter “waffle” cookies. Great with ice cream
5) Let rest outside of oven for 15 minutes and then carve for eating. or jam on top, or dipped in coffee.

6) The Crown Roast should feed about 14-20 adults depending on (For an adult variety, you may also try adding a cup or so of Kahlua,
their appetites and what side dishes you serve. Southern Comfort, or other libation for flavoring.)
6 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2011
P O BOX 638 • P lainview, Texas 79072
[phone] • www.larsonintl.com
Jumping Jumbos
Super Shot
F lying Scooters
TM
Tilt-A-W hirl
TM
December 2011 AMUSEMENT TODAY 7
INTERNATIONAL
PARKS ATTRACTIONS RESORTS SUPPLIERS
Festive fun on tap this holiday season at European parks
STORY: Andrew Mellor visiting his reindeer and see- New Year period.
[email protected]
ing elves in a busy workshop
where youngsters can help Europa-Park, Germany
As an increasing number them prepare for the big day! From November 26 to Jan-
of parks continue to extend Children can make a variety uary 8 (with the exception of
their seasons into the winter of Christmas goodies to take December 24 and 25) Europa-
months, opening in the run home as a memento of their Park will once again be trans-
up to Christmas, and in many visit too. formed into a spectacular win-
cases into the New Year, has A range of attractions will ter wonderland with a host
become a popular option for also be open within the park, of winter attractions, festive
venues around the world, not including the pirate-themed decorations and a varied show
least in Europe. 2011 is no ex- Sharkbait Reef by Sea Life, program on offer.
ception, and as a taste of what the spinning Marauders May- The park is a spectacu-
is available to park-goers, AT hem tea cup style ride, Old lar sight with around 2,500
takes a look at just a few of MacDonald’s tractor ride and decorated fir trees, 2.5 million
those venues that are offering the Berry Bish Bash foam ball lights and 1,440 Christmas
some festive fun this Christ- shooting attraction, to name tree balls, while for those who
mas. but a few. want to extend the experience,
The Splash Landings Ho- the park’s four 4-star themed
Alton Towers Resort, U.K. tel, one of two hotels along hotels will add perfectly to a
The U.K. park’s Christmas with the Alton Towers Hotel, visit. For the more adventur-
break experience is being of- also offers guests additional ous guests, the Camp Resort
Germany’s Europa-Park is completely transformed for the
fered once again for 2011 with fun in its indoor, Caribbean will also be available, where
Christmas period with festive decor and attractions.
a number of new additions. A themed waterpark, while on selected dates guests can
COURTESY EUROPA-PARK
Winter Wonderland area has a range of Christmas break stay in heated log cabins.
been created in which guests packages, including San- As well as a variety of Copenhagen open Christmas scapes featuring pixies, an-
can meet Santa in his secret ta’s Sleepovers and Santa’s rides to enjoy, such as the in Tivoli for the 18th year, now gelic choirs and extravagant
hideaway grotto in the farm lunches, are on offer on dates Euro-Mir coaster and the chil- with a new Russian theme and Fabergé eggs. New, suitably
area of the park, as well as throughout the Christmas and dren’s Sleigh Ride Snowflake, a 2,000 square meter (22,000 decorated stalls, lights, Christ-
additional activities will in- square foot) city. mas baubles and spruce trees
clude Snow Tubes, Children’s Among the attractions of will add to the festive ambi-
Skibobs and a large ice rink, the Russian city is Tivoli’s ver- ence, while for 2011 the tra-
while a children’s ski school sion of St. Basil’s Cathedral, as ditional Santa Claus will be
will also be on offer. A Christ- in Red Square in the Kremlin replaced by his Russian coun-
mas market, Après Ski Bar and and featuring a 21 meter high terpart, Father Frost.
the Ferris Wheel Bellevue in tower with onion domes and
the Portuguese area will pro- a carillon. The new Russian Drayton Manor
vide yet more entertainment, theme will contribute to a re- Theme Park, U.K.
while the new Enchanted For- newal of Christmas at Tivoli Following another suc-
est will also ‘wear its winter and help ensure an increase cessful season during which
dress’ and invite visitors on in the number of visitors dur- the park’s Thomas Land area
a journey through the world ing November and December. again proved to be a huge
of the Brothers Grimm’s fairy Christmas at Tivoli attracted draw, Drayton Manor will be
tales. almost 800,000 visitors last staging its Drayton’s Magical
Numerous hands-on ac- year. Christmas in Thomas Land
tivities will also be available The Russian city has been once more in 2011, featuring
for younger guests, as will two years in the making and spectacular decorations, fes-
brand new winter shows, a represents an investment of tive music and guaranteed
light show over the Europa- DKK 10 million (US $1.9 mil- snow at least three time a day.
Park lake and a parade of lion). Inside St. Basil’s Ca- With over 19 rides and
Alton Towers Resort in the U.K. has various attractions on lights. thedral, visitors can board a attractions, including the
offer in the lead up to Christmas as well as providing the miniature version of the Trans new Blue Mountain Engines,
chance to stay on site at one of its two hotels. Tivoli Copenhagen Siberian railway which takes Thomas Land will also play
COURTESY ALTON TOWERS November 11th saw Tivoli them through Russian land- 4See FESTIVE, page 8
8 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2011
FESTIVE
Continued from page 7
host to the Fat Controller and
friends in the park’s Christ-
mas Live shows which will be
held daily, while along with
all Thomas Land has to offer,
other attractions will also be
available.
Among these will be
Drayton’s new ride for 2011,
the Ben 10 Ultimate Mission
roller coaster, in addition to
the 4D Cinema, carousel, Jolly
Buccaneer and the Big Wheel.
Reindeer will also be found Tivoli Copenhagen has introduced a brand new Russian Thomas Land at Drayton Manor is a popular draw for visitors
among the other animals in themed area for Christmas 2011. in the lead up to Christmas.
the Drayton Manor zoo and COURTESY TIVOLI COPENHAGEN COURTESY DRAYTON MANOR
the Thomas Land shop, the
largest Thomas and Friends
retail outlet anywhere, will be
open each day of the Magical
Christmas opening period.
Liseberg, Sweden
Liseberg began its Christ-
mas opening 12 years ago and
each year around half a mil-
lion people visit the park dur-
ing November and December,
when five million lights illu-
minate the trees and buildings
to create a special atmosphere.
This year’s Christmas
market at Liseberg will fea-
Almost five million visitors have experienced Liseberg’s special Christmas atmosphere since the park began opening for the
ture around 80 cabins and
festive period 12 years ago.
shops providing everything
COURTESY LISEBERG
from ginger snaps and marzi-
pan to hats and hand-blown bits, while the rink will also and a 125 meter (410 foot) high café and a Lapland area offer- the Gasten Ghost Hotel in
glass. An ice rink will host be open to the public between Christmas tree will stand atop ing more northern food spe- winter guise and, of course,
the award winning show Vin- shows. the Liseberg Tower. An old- cialities and a reindeer sleigh Santa, will be among the other
tervirvlar, a figure skating A design and crafts mar- style grocery shop offering ride will also feature. attractions.
show with the Liseberg rab- ket will be another attraction Swedish specialities, a nearby Ice sculptures, an ice bar,
DP Associates adds expertise to new play center attraction
UNITED KINGDOM — DP Associ- the venue.
ates (DPA), the United Kingdom-based “The unique services we can offer,
leisure and attractions industry consul- as designers and operators, enabled us
tancy, has revealed details of its contri- to help Flambards visualize what they
bution to the new One2Eleven indoor wanted and needed and how it would
play center at The Flambards Experi- work. We helped them to create a sep-
ence in Cornwall, U.K., which opened arate brand with the new play center
this summer. too, which can be operated both as part
DPA was approached by the park’s of the main park or as a stand-alone at-
owners for help with plans for the chil- traction, 12 months of the year.”
dren’s play center, including design The new building features a range
and operational advice, and the com- of flexible internal spaces and incorpo-
pany concept planned the building for rates a host of children’s play activities,
the new attraction and how it would F&B facilities, seating areas for parents,
fit into the existing park. Additionally, a party room and carefully thought out
DPA provided detailed designs for the function spaces, till systems and people
interior and the various play activity el- flows.
ements. “DP Associates’ assistance was
“We used our theme park under- invaluable,” said Flambards Manag-
standing, our 360 Play operator’s un- ing Director James Hale. “We simply
derstanding and our design experience wouldn’t have got the same product
to advise on the project,” commented we have without them. Duncan’s plan-
Shown here is a general view of the interior of the One2Eleven play DPA Managing Director Duncan Phil- ning and design mind and the addition-
center at The Flambards Experience theme park. DP Associates as- lips, which in addition to adding a to- al assistance from his colleagues at DPA
sisted the park in the overall experience. tally new element to Flambards itself, all paid big dividends and I can’t speak
COURTESY THE FLAMBARDS EXPERIENCE was also designed as a second gate at highly enough of them.”
December 2011 AMUSEMENT TODAY 9
PARKS & ATTRACTIONS
RIDES ENTERTAINMENT REVENUE SUPPLIERS
Black Diamond — Knoebels’ re-imagining of Wildwood’s famous PTC-designed Golden Nugget dark ride/roller coaster hybrid — was previewed at a soft
opening during the Pennsylvania park’s popular Phoenix Phall Phunfest in October. Housed within an expansive three-story building, guests aboard the
ride’s multiple two-car trains encounter numerous high-end special effects as well as classic funhouse stunts tailored to reflect the ride’s coal mining theme.
COURTESY KNOEBELS
Knoebels rebounds from flood, opens Black Diamond dark ride
STORY: Scott Rutherford came in to help us,” Dick added. transferred to Pennsylvania, they was no easy feat, but the Knoebels staff
[email protected]
Guests visiting Knoebels’ dur- were lovingly restored and reassem- is well accustomed to such Herculean
ing its annual Phoenix Phall Phunfest bled inside an expansive new tri-level endeavors. After all, this is the same
ELYSBURG, Pa. — Despite hav- event on Oct. 8 were completely sur- building located in a corner of the team that brought the 1947-built
ing suffered catastrophic damage prised to be given the chance to check park between the History Museum Playland Rocket wooden coaster from
in the second-worst flooding in its out the Black Diamond with Dick and Bald Eagle habitat. San Antonio, Texas and transformed it
85-year history on Sept. 7-8, Knoebels Knoebel serving as ticket taker at the into the top-rated Phoenix as well as
Amusement Resort amazed the indus- ride’s entrance. And if the lengthy Second Life recreated their own version of Elitch
try and its guests by cleaning up and queue that lined the midway well Unlike the Golden Nugget where Gardens’ magnificent Twister coaster.
reopening in record time. In addition, into the evening was an indication, several sections were exposed to the
the park pushed ahead and even got Knoebels’ gamble on resurrecting outside, the new Black Diamond’s Conversations with
its new-for-2011 attraction, The Black another lost ride will pay off hand- course is — except for the loading plat- Dick and Jim
Diamond, up and running in soft- somely in the years to come. form — completely enclosed, which At the close of the season,
opening mode. greatly helps to reinforce the darkness Amusement Today sat down with Dick
Dick Knoebel explains the feroc- History central to the ride’s new coal mining Knoebel and Jim Martini to chat about
ity of the storm that nearly ended the The Black Diamond originally theme. The two-coach ore car trains the relocation of the Golden Nugget
park’s 2011 season prematurely. “With opened in July 1960 as the Golden are virtually identical to those that ran and its transformation into the Black
tropical storm Lee that hit us this fall, Nugget on Hunt’s Pier in Wildwood, on the Golden Nugget. Each car seats Diamond. When asked who’s getting
the water was just three inches shy of N.J. Designed by John Allen of the four riders for a total of eight per train. credit for bringing the ride back to
the level the remains of Agnes inun- Philadelphia Toboggan Company The Black Diamond works its life, the answer is ... complicated. Like
dated us with in 1972. With this storm, (technically, PTC’s only steel-track magic with the aforementioned dark- many of the unique rides and attrac-
we had a lot more damage because roller coaster), the Golden Nugget was ness, theatrical lighting and various tions at Knoebels, Black Diamond was
we had a lot more assets to be dam- a three-story dark ride/coaster hybrid. other high-end special effects as well an in-house project with plenty of
aged. On Sept. 7, the water started to With scenes and props created by leg- as classic funhouse stunts. Highlights input from the park’s carpenters, elec-
recede but overnight it came back up endary dark ride specialist Bill Tracy, of the experience include approxi- tricians and artists along with a lot of
with a hell of a velocity. That’s what the Golden Nugget featured an Old mately 20 sets with both static and ani- carefully selected outside contractors.
nailed us. Things we placed high up to West theme with an open-air “desert” mated effects; a satisfyingly long four- Dick: “It turned out to be a much
escape the water weren’t high enough setting on the top level. minute ride; two “drops,” a “fire tun- larger and more costly undertaking
anymore. Virtually every ride was Closing in 1998, the ride sat dor- nel” rotating barrel, water curtain and than I anticipated. The additions we
affected by the flood to some degree... mant and unused until 2009 when plenty of other surprises that won’t be added from the ride’s days on the
except, ironically, the Black Diamond. it was sold by the Morey family to revealed here so as to preserve the ele- Jersey shore were for the benefit of
“The credit for getting us back in Knoebels. Once the salvageable com- ment of surprise for riders. rider safety and making the operation
business in record time goes to the ponents — steel track, several of the Moving and recreating this more efficient. We interviewed three
4See KNOEBELS, page 10
staff, the contractors and people who two-car trains, various props — were beloved New Jersey shore attraction
Creating Memories & Profitability
• abc rides switzerland
• Cogan Kiddie Rides Train
• Moser Rides Z oo
•• WUsaetdtm Raidne Tsr &ai nGsames N ashville
www.intermarkridegroup.com Voodoo Interactive Raft, abc rides Hoopla, Moser Rides Wattman Mini Express
TEL [phone] FAX [phone]
10 AMUSEMENT TODAY December 2011
KNOEBELS
AMUSEMENT
Continued from page 9
MARKET PLACE
companies when we were
looking for someone to do the
interior set designs. We decid-
ed on Jim Melonic and his
J.M.M. Studios of Woodbine,
N.J. because he was able to
design and build the sets we
wanted. He is something of
a successor to [famed fun-
Black Diamond opened for sneak preview rides during
house/dark ride designer] Bill
Knoebels popular Phoenix Phall Phunfest. The building’s
Tracy who was responsible for
exterior still has signage to be added.
the Golden Nugget’s original
COURTESY KNOEBELS
sets and gags. On the Black
spare, if needed. We feel five
Diamond, he, his son Adam
to six employees are adequate Certifying a Legend
and their crew exceeded our
to operate it. “ Bringing a mid-20th
expectations in bringing to life
Jim: “Another improve- century ride up to today’s
what we had envisioned.”
ment over the original lay- code so that it can operate
Jim: “Though the ‘feel’ of
out is the addition of a slid- in Pennsylvania had its chal-
the ride is very similar to what
ing transfer track that allows lenges, but Knoebels good
it was in Wildwood, there are
Structural Technologies Inc plenty of technical upgrades trains to be quickly moved reputation with state officials
on or off the main line to a made the process relatively
for its new life here at
New Construction hidden storage area. Located glitch-free.
Knoebels. Chief among these
Renovations after trains are dispatched on Dick: “We had to get the
is an updated logic control
Daily Maintenance the course, just before they original blueprints for the ride
system, which was overseen
Relocations engage the first lift hill, this building OK’d by a certified
by Ed Ayan. This includes a
Track Replacement section where the trains are architect. He went over them
series of proximity switches
Demolition kept — cleverly concealed and only had to make a few
and brakes before the exist-
Inspections behind a sliding ‘barn door’ small changes. These included
ing [kicker] tires that serve
Emergency Work panel — is referred to by the adding a second set of fire
to create a blocking system
crew as the ‘mule stable.’” escapes and a complete sprin-
380 Bad Man Hill Rd. • Paxinos, Pa 17860 and maintain proper spacing
Dick: “This switch and kler system that was tricky at
[phone] or [phone] between the trains, which is
storage area was something first but we worked it out. The
[email protected] something the ride did not
John Fetterman came up with. Tuesday before we opened,
have at Wildwood. Another
Unlike at Wildwood where Jim and I attended the sched-
major update we added is in
they had to shut the ride uled quarterly meeting of
the station. In Wildwood, the
down, uncouple the cars and the Pennsylvania Ride Safety
loading area was one long
remove them one at time, we Advisory Board. We had to
manual braking section that
can add or remove a train present our ride to them for
allowed the trains to bump
quickly without interrupting certification. Officials from the
together. Here, we use tires
the operation. It’s slick and it Pennsylvania Bureau of Ride
along with a holding brake
works really well.” & Measurement Standards,
and proximity switches to
In keeping with the ride’s who had already examined
slowly move trains through
overall theme, which is based the Black Diamond, had to
five positions and keep them
on Pennsylvania’s rich coal give their stamp of approval
close but safely separated
energy industry, Knoebels’ that it adhered to ASTM stan-
in the boarding area. We’ve
electrical department devised dards. It passed without ques-
never believed in total auto-
a rather ingenious power con- tion.”
mation. While much of the
servation system. Jim explains: Jim: “We had to also build
interior sections of the attrac-
“Along Black Diamond’s lay- catwalks wherever the trains
tion are handled by the com-
out, there are a series of motor- have the ability to stop so rid-
puter system, we left the sta-
driven tires that either speed ers can safely disembark. At
tion under control of the ride
up or slow the trains at certain first, we were concerned these
operators.”
points. We interconnected the might detract from the them-
Aerial Tramway Design & Manufacture Dick: “Peter Rondeau,
DC busses on all the motors ing, but they actually fit in
the owner of Hauntbots of
that power these tires and cre- quite well. Though you can’t
SkyTrans Mfg.,L.L.C. Gettysburg, Pa. was terrific
ated a common DC bus. When see them in the dark, they will
in not only coming up with
106 Burnham Intervale Road the right product to animate a passing train is slowed by help tremendously if we have
Contoocook, N.H. 03229 one of these tires, energy is to evacuate the ride as well
several of our sets but he pro-
Phone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
produced. Instead of wasting as when we’re giving behind-
vided some of his software
that energy off to heat, our the-scenes tours.”
•Specializing in sales & refurbishment of used aerial tramways that has helped us maintain
system collects and redistrib- Dick: “We also installed a
the traditional feel of the ride.
•Replacement parts for aerial tramways and amusement rides
utes the current, allowing the $50,000 video system that uses
The two-car trains are the
•New ride control systems and modifications other motors in the group to 28 cameras equipped with
same as they were except for
•Rebuilt used chairlifts - one year guarantee use this excess power.” night vision placed through-
the addition of a seat belt for
Continuing the energy out the building. If we have
[phone] both riders, which was cus-
Parts and Service efficiency aspect of the ride an E-stop, we can see where
Jerry Pendleton or Dan Pendleton tom-designed for Knoebels by
is the park’s generous use every vehicle is and we can
Beam’s Seatbelts. The Golden
of LED lighting throughout communicate with the riders,
Nugget used five two-car
Black Diamond as well as flo- advising them that all is well,
trains; we’re planning to use
Keep our amusement park industry strong! rescent lights that can serve as to ‘stay seated,’ etc.”
seven two-car trains with the
Buy products and services from these suppliers. possibility of adding anoth- both work lights and evacua-
tion illumination.
er train, which we built as a