As some of you may know, the International Association of Amusement parks and Attractions (IAAPA) are holding their annual Euro Attractions Show (EAS) in London. It would have been rude if I didn't attend.
I tweeted most of the exciting news, but if you don't have Twitter or want more information, here's my report from Day 1.
The event is taking place at The Olympia in West London. It's a big venue with two halls. One dedicated to ride manufacturers and facilities, the other to side show/arcade games.
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"She's FAB!"
I caught Pleasure Beach Blackpool's MD, Amanda Thompson, talking to several of the theming companies. She was talking to One World Studios, a German company set up in late 2010, for a long period of time. They worked on Vengeance at the London Dungeon. I also heard that from a reliable source (who asked not to be named) that she was very interested in some indoor play area equipment.
I managed to get my photo taken with her. I was tongue-tied! She's fab.
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Amanda Thompson confirmed to me that they are not looking at getting any new coasters but "are always on the lookout for new rides."
Sweet Like Candy
Talking of powerful women working within the industry, I also spotted Candy Holland, the Merlin Entertainments Creative Director, at the event today. I didn't manage to talk to her (her two pretty boy assistants were flanking her every move), but I did see her having an in-depth chat with Vekoma and a theming company called Neverland. Her chat with Neverland (yes, I eavesdropped) was very much a first-time kind of chat. What's interesting about this is Neverland are responsible for several areas in Belgium - namely the new gorgeous looking Mayaland, Rollerskater and Anubis at Plopsaland.
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I spoke to the marketing chap who informed me that they are going to do the theming for the new B&M coaster at Parc Asterix. I pressed him about the name and theme. He said he would respect their privacy and leave it to the announcement which is due soon. Although with a wink, he did confirm that it will have an Egyptian theme. With Candy Holland sniffing about, who knows what's in the Merlin pipeline?
There was a massive emphasis on theming stands at EAS 2011. I think parks really understand the importance of a well themed ride and are capitalising on the trend. I'll cover the theming companies in more detail tomorrow.
Alton Towers' new ride
I spoke to Peter Ziegler of ABC Rides, a Swiss company responsible for the Extremis drop tower at the London Dungeon.
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Following a tip off (again from my unnamed source), I asked a couple of cleverly worded (if I do say so myself!) questions and he confirmed that Alton Towers are installing at least one of their drop tower rides next year. It will be themed to a catacomb, hence the excavation and enclosed nature of the ride.
I also noticed several Alton Towers people sharing a few beers with the Intamin staff. However, the Intamin staff didn't give anything away. In fact, the Intamin stand was pretty bland full stop. Then again, with their top rides adorning the walls, I suppose that does all the talking. There were no interesting tit-bits from Intamin following my brief chat with them, perhaps my "How come B&M can sell wingriders by the bucket load, but you guys can't" put them off? :lol:
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A Huss about nothing
Huss, the German manufacturers of rides like the breakdance, frisbee and Top Spin had no new ride concepts to report. The lovely lady I spoke to was rather open. They're currently fully booked until 2013! Business is booming for them (so she says). She fobbed me off when I quizzed her about the Dollywood Topple Tower fiasco.
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I spoke to Stefano Moser from Moser Rides. I was was mainly interested in the Pleasurewood Hills gravity tower. He told me that they bought the defunct one from Karolinelund in Denmark.
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Staying on the tower ride train, Mondial, the company behind the WindSeeker, had a stand at the show.
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The chap I spoke to on the stand was very enthusiastic about the WindSeeker. He said it will only be a matter of time until Europe gets one, albeit on a smaller scale than the Cedar Fair ones. The chance of the UK getting one is "slim". They also boasted about having a jam-packed production line, so their rides are proving popular.
A new ride!
New ride concepts seemed to be thinner than the hair on my head. One company, EOS Rides had two to show off. They had a full working model of their rotating frog-hooper ride aimed at kids.
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They also had a few pamphlets about their new tilting-tower ride, Volare, although the gent I spoke to didn't seem interested in telling me much about the rides, like who's bought one or how well they're doing. Meh.
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iPhone Nerds
Quick shout out to Theme Park Nerd
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These guys develop slick iPhone apps for theme parks. So far they've created apps for Flamingoland and Lightwater Valley. The Flamingoland one even has push notifications with live queue times. From chatting to Mark, one of the founders, there has been a fair amount of interest from other parks. I wish them all the best, it's great to see a fellow enthusiast group showing off a nifty product at the show.
There's still loads more to come - Gerstaluer, an awesome video interview with The Gravity Group, Mack, Vekoma, water rides, Mauer Sohne and the different theming companies. But if you'll excuse me, I'm in London and it would be rude to sit in an hotel room all night!
Live updates can be found on our Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/coasterforce and I'll post the second part of my report tomorrow.
I tweeted most of the exciting news, but if you don't have Twitter or want more information, here's my report from Day 1.
The event is taking place at The Olympia in West London. It's a big venue with two halls. One dedicated to ride manufacturers and facilities, the other to side show/arcade games.
"She's FAB!"
I caught Pleasure Beach Blackpool's MD, Amanda Thompson, talking to several of the theming companies. She was talking to One World Studios, a German company set up in late 2010, for a long period of time. They worked on Vengeance at the London Dungeon. I also heard that from a reliable source (who asked not to be named) that she was very interested in some indoor play area equipment.
I managed to get my photo taken with her. I was tongue-tied! She's fab.
Amanda Thompson confirmed to me that they are not looking at getting any new coasters but "are always on the lookout for new rides."
Sweet Like Candy
Talking of powerful women working within the industry, I also spotted Candy Holland, the Merlin Entertainments Creative Director, at the event today. I didn't manage to talk to her (her two pretty boy assistants were flanking her every move), but I did see her having an in-depth chat with Vekoma and a theming company called Neverland. Her chat with Neverland (yes, I eavesdropped) was very much a first-time kind of chat. What's interesting about this is Neverland are responsible for several areas in Belgium - namely the new gorgeous looking Mayaland, Rollerskater and Anubis at Plopsaland.
I spoke to the marketing chap who informed me that they are going to do the theming for the new B&M coaster at Parc Asterix. I pressed him about the name and theme. He said he would respect their privacy and leave it to the announcement which is due soon. Although with a wink, he did confirm that it will have an Egyptian theme. With Candy Holland sniffing about, who knows what's in the Merlin pipeline?
There was a massive emphasis on theming stands at EAS 2011. I think parks really understand the importance of a well themed ride and are capitalising on the trend. I'll cover the theming companies in more detail tomorrow.
Alton Towers' new ride
I spoke to Peter Ziegler of ABC Rides, a Swiss company responsible for the Extremis drop tower at the London Dungeon.
Following a tip off (again from my unnamed source), I asked a couple of cleverly worded (if I do say so myself!) questions and he confirmed that Alton Towers are installing at least one of their drop tower rides next year. It will be themed to a catacomb, hence the excavation and enclosed nature of the ride.
I also noticed several Alton Towers people sharing a few beers with the Intamin staff. However, the Intamin staff didn't give anything away. In fact, the Intamin stand was pretty bland full stop. Then again, with their top rides adorning the walls, I suppose that does all the talking. There were no interesting tit-bits from Intamin following my brief chat with them, perhaps my "How come B&M can sell wingriders by the bucket load, but you guys can't" put them off? :lol:
A Huss about nothing
Huss, the German manufacturers of rides like the breakdance, frisbee and Top Spin had no new ride concepts to report. The lovely lady I spoke to was rather open. They're currently fully booked until 2013! Business is booming for them (so she says). She fobbed me off when I quizzed her about the Dollywood Topple Tower fiasco.
I spoke to Stefano Moser from Moser Rides. I was was mainly interested in the Pleasurewood Hills gravity tower. He told me that they bought the defunct one from Karolinelund in Denmark.
Staying on the tower ride train, Mondial, the company behind the WindSeeker, had a stand at the show.
The chap I spoke to on the stand was very enthusiastic about the WindSeeker. He said it will only be a matter of time until Europe gets one, albeit on a smaller scale than the Cedar Fair ones. The chance of the UK getting one is "slim". They also boasted about having a jam-packed production line, so their rides are proving popular.
A new ride!
New ride concepts seemed to be thinner than the hair on my head. One company, EOS Rides had two to show off. They had a full working model of their rotating frog-hooper ride aimed at kids.
They also had a few pamphlets about their new tilting-tower ride, Volare, although the gent I spoke to didn't seem interested in telling me much about the rides, like who's bought one or how well they're doing. Meh.
iPhone Nerds
Quick shout out to Theme Park Nerd
These guys develop slick iPhone apps for theme parks. So far they've created apps for Flamingoland and Lightwater Valley. The Flamingoland one even has push notifications with live queue times. From chatting to Mark, one of the founders, there has been a fair amount of interest from other parks. I wish them all the best, it's great to see a fellow enthusiast group showing off a nifty product at the show.
There's still loads more to come - Gerstaluer, an awesome video interview with The Gravity Group, Mack, Vekoma, water rides, Mauer Sohne and the different theming companies. But if you'll excuse me, I'm in London and it would be rude to sit in an hotel room all night!
Live updates can be found on our Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/coasterforce and I'll post the second part of my report tomorrow.
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