Interview: Dominique Cocquet
Euro Disney’s Villages Nature is
a next-generation approach to
park accommodation with leading
eco credentials. Resort manager
Dominque Cocquet tells all
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the second part of our series,
industry-leading manufacturers tell us
about the latest trends in family-friendly
coasters and child-friendly rides
Workplace Apps: Work Mates
Apps that manage an attraction’s
workforce make life easier for operators.
Could this software help you?
3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions
From zombie-themed dark rides to
3D films about supersonic cars, its the
latest news, products and launches
from the world of 3D/4D/5D
ZIERER Jeroen Nijpels Principal Zierer has a wide portfolio of more than 20 family rides and has invented some perennial favourites including its flying chair ride and the free fall tower, both of which sell strongly despite being in circulation for a number of years.
“We’re different because lots of family ride manufacturers design rides which only children can go on, whereas we have rides which parents can go on with their kids to share the emotional experience,” says Zierer principle Jeroen Nijpels.
Nijpels says Zierer is seeing an increasing interest in using intellectual property to differentiate an off-the-shelf ride. This year it completed a new ride for Norwegian family park Hunderfossen based on the car from the famous Norwegian movie Jul I Flåklypa.
The Il Tempo Extra Gigante represents the park’s biggest investment in over 30 years. “They wanted a car which would be suitable for all the family, including teenagers, so they didn’t want it to be too small or too tame,” says Nijpels. “They’ve had very positive feedback. The ride has increased attendance tremendously.”
On the request of Legoland Billund, Zierer adapted one of its major rides for the family market this year. The result was the Polar Express, which is suitable for children over six years old.
Nijpels says the family ride market is buoyant, partly due to the activity in Asia, but also because family rides are always popular. “Our rides are evergreens – every park wants to have them, so it makes us more resistant to crisis,” he says. “Every start-up park needs some family rides. When times are bad the big parks invest in a family ride because they can’t afford a big ride and in the good times the smaller parks invest.”
A main concern for Nijpels is the copying of patented ideas in China. “It’s not so much about loss of income than that the rides are made to look like ours but are inferior quality. If there was an accident it could damage our reputation,” he says. “China has less respect than Europe for intellectual property so they see no harm in it. Legal action is difficult, costly and has repercussions. One manufacturer took a Chinese company to court and found themselves cut out of the Chinese market altogether.”
During the next 12 months, Zierer is re-engineering its portfolio to meet new European regulations. After that, it will turn its focus to creating new concepts.
Jeroen Nijpels
Zierer’s Wave Swinger ride, with an apple tree design, at Nigloland in France
S&S Tim Timco Vice President of Sales & Marketing S&S Sansei Technology has a broad portfolio of family rides, ranging from the entry level Frog Hopper to tower rides and the Screamin’ Swing, up to those rides which push the envelope in terms of thrills.
Vice president of sales and marketing Tim Timco says the company focuses on quality and performance and produces high-capacity rides to a small footprint.
The El Loco coaster is a popular ride, which includes a steep first drop, barrel rolls and a 45-degree outwardly banked turn. “Our El Loco coaster has been a real hit. The combination of a small footprint, unique elements and economical price point has made this ride extremely attractive,” says Timco.
A new ride was unveiled this year at IAAPA, using the company’s patented 4th Dimension Technology. Like El Loco, the 4D Free Spin family thrill coaster, is aimed at an older age group and even promises to give parents a few thrills.
It’s a modified – and cheaper – version of its standard 4D Coaster, X2, introduced at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2002. Through magnetic technology, each rider gets the right amount of thrill, regardless of weight. Independent seat balance technology gives a superior ride experience. The pivot centre of gravity is in the front part of the stomach, making for a natural spin rotation, rather than behind the rider, which causes whip and puts pressure on the chest, stomach and front of shoulders.
“The response at IAAPA was fantastic. There was non-stop interest in the 4D Free Spin coaster which led to several inquiries, resulting in three new installations in contract negotiations,” says Timco. “Family rides with unique elements and small footprints seem to be popular now and I personally don’t see trends changing much in the future.” Timco believes the amusement industry is robust at the moment. “It’s probably in the best place I can remember in many years,” he says. “There was great energy on the show floor and upbeat spirit in those in attendance at IAAPA. My only concern would be that the industry may be growing at too fast a pace and that can only be sustained for so long.”
In the short term, S&S is increasing its internal resources to comfortably take on the surge in business it’s experiencing. It’s expanding the brand in Europe, with an aggressive new marketing campaign.
Tim Timco
The first installation of a 4D Free Spin will be Batman: The Ride, at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 2015
Older children enjoy rides like S&S’s El Loco rollercoaster
Zamperla Marco Mazzucchi Marketing Manager Zamperla has a long tradition of family rides, with over 35 rides, including the popular Magic Bike and Disk’O, which both appeal to a wide range of people. Marketing manager Marco Mazzucchi says Zamperla is best known for its custom-built rides and characterisation: “We make a reliable partner and can build exactly to the brief of an attraction.”
Because the rides need to be very simple, there aren’t many breakthroughs in this market. Mazzucchi says there’s also increased interest in interactivity to further involve people in the experience. For example, in the ride Watermania, families battle by shooting water at each other.
The Magic Bike ride has people seated in bikes and the harder they pedal, the higher they fly. If they stop pedalling the bike goes down. “This is great fun for families to do together,” he says.
At IAAPA, Zamperla unveiled a version of Magic Bike that’s been modified to allow wheelchair access. “We want to open our rides up to the widest market,” says Mazzucchi. “Ten per cent of people suffer disabilities, so it’s important to respond to this market. We’ve created an all-access programme to understand the accessiblity of our rides and to find ways to widen accessibility. We’re also working on solutions for blind and deaf people.”
Mazzucchi believes the attractions market is healthy at the moment, boosted by the fact that people have cut back on second holidays, but are spending more on days out. China and the Far East are increasingly important, making up around 35 to 40 per cent of Zamperla’s income.
“The challenge now is applying the new EN regulations to rides,” he says, “we’re still trying to find the right solution for the market, without making rides too expensive.”
Marco Mazzucchi
Zamperla’s Watermania takes the form of a duelling tea cup ride on water
The standard ride seats 24 passengers in total, for a theoretical hourly capacity of 480
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs
Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
Painting With Light
By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
DJW
David & Lynn Willrich started the Company
over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual
Department [more...]
Alterface
Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
Interview: Dominique Cocquet
Euro Disney’s Villages Nature is
a next-generation approach to
park accommodation with leading
eco credentials. Resort manager
Dominque Cocquet tells all
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the second part of our series,
industry-leading manufacturers tell us
about the latest trends in family-friendly
coasters and child-friendly rides
Workplace Apps: Work Mates
Apps that manage an attraction’s
workforce make life easier for operators.
Could this software help you?
3D/4D/5D: New Dimensions
From zombie-themed dark rides to
3D films about supersonic cars, its the
latest news, products and launches
from the world of 3D/4D/5D
ZIERER Jeroen Nijpels Principal Zierer has a wide portfolio of more than 20 family rides and has invented some perennial favourites including its flying chair ride and the free fall tower, both of which sell strongly despite being in circulation for a number of years.
“We’re different because lots of family ride manufacturers design rides which only children can go on, whereas we have rides which parents can go on with their kids to share the emotional experience,” says Zierer principle Jeroen Nijpels.
Nijpels says Zierer is seeing an increasing interest in using intellectual property to differentiate an off-the-shelf ride. This year it completed a new ride for Norwegian family park Hunderfossen based on the car from the famous Norwegian movie Jul I Flåklypa.
The Il Tempo Extra Gigante represents the park’s biggest investment in over 30 years. “They wanted a car which would be suitable for all the family, including teenagers, so they didn’t want it to be too small or too tame,” says Nijpels. “They’ve had very positive feedback. The ride has increased attendance tremendously.”
On the request of Legoland Billund, Zierer adapted one of its major rides for the family market this year. The result was the Polar Express, which is suitable for children over six years old.
Nijpels says the family ride market is buoyant, partly due to the activity in Asia, but also because family rides are always popular. “Our rides are evergreens – every park wants to have them, so it makes us more resistant to crisis,” he says. “Every start-up park needs some family rides. When times are bad the big parks invest in a family ride because they can’t afford a big ride and in the good times the smaller parks invest.”
A main concern for Nijpels is the copying of patented ideas in China. “It’s not so much about loss of income than that the rides are made to look like ours but are inferior quality. If there was an accident it could damage our reputation,” he says. “China has less respect than Europe for intellectual property so they see no harm in it. Legal action is difficult, costly and has repercussions. One manufacturer took a Chinese company to court and found themselves cut out of the Chinese market altogether.”
During the next 12 months, Zierer is re-engineering its portfolio to meet new European regulations. After that, it will turn its focus to creating new concepts.
Jeroen Nijpels
Zierer’s Wave Swinger ride, with an apple tree design, at Nigloland in France
S&S Tim Timco Vice President of Sales & Marketing S&S Sansei Technology has a broad portfolio of family rides, ranging from the entry level Frog Hopper to tower rides and the Screamin’ Swing, up to those rides which push the envelope in terms of thrills.
Vice president of sales and marketing Tim Timco says the company focuses on quality and performance and produces high-capacity rides to a small footprint.
The El Loco coaster is a popular ride, which includes a steep first drop, barrel rolls and a 45-degree outwardly banked turn. “Our El Loco coaster has been a real hit. The combination of a small footprint, unique elements and economical price point has made this ride extremely attractive,” says Timco.
A new ride was unveiled this year at IAAPA, using the company’s patented 4th Dimension Technology. Like El Loco, the 4D Free Spin family thrill coaster, is aimed at an older age group and even promises to give parents a few thrills.
It’s a modified – and cheaper – version of its standard 4D Coaster, X2, introduced at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2002. Through magnetic technology, each rider gets the right amount of thrill, regardless of weight. Independent seat balance technology gives a superior ride experience. The pivot centre of gravity is in the front part of the stomach, making for a natural spin rotation, rather than behind the rider, which causes whip and puts pressure on the chest, stomach and front of shoulders.
“The response at IAAPA was fantastic. There was non-stop interest in the 4D Free Spin coaster which led to several inquiries, resulting in three new installations in contract negotiations,” says Timco. “Family rides with unique elements and small footprints seem to be popular now and I personally don’t see trends changing much in the future.” Timco believes the amusement industry is robust at the moment. “It’s probably in the best place I can remember in many years,” he says. “There was great energy on the show floor and upbeat spirit in those in attendance at IAAPA. My only concern would be that the industry may be growing at too fast a pace and that can only be sustained for so long.”
In the short term, S&S is increasing its internal resources to comfortably take on the surge in business it’s experiencing. It’s expanding the brand in Europe, with an aggressive new marketing campaign.
Tim Timco
The first installation of a 4D Free Spin will be Batman: The Ride, at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in 2015
Older children enjoy rides like S&S’s El Loco rollercoaster
Zamperla Marco Mazzucchi Marketing Manager Zamperla has a long tradition of family rides, with over 35 rides, including the popular Magic Bike and Disk’O, which both appeal to a wide range of people. Marketing manager Marco Mazzucchi says Zamperla is best known for its custom-built rides and characterisation: “We make a reliable partner and can build exactly to the brief of an attraction.”
Because the rides need to be very simple, there aren’t many breakthroughs in this market. Mazzucchi says there’s also increased interest in interactivity to further involve people in the experience. For example, in the ride Watermania, families battle by shooting water at each other.
The Magic Bike ride has people seated in bikes and the harder they pedal, the higher they fly. If they stop pedalling the bike goes down. “This is great fun for families to do together,” he says.
At IAAPA, Zamperla unveiled a version of Magic Bike that’s been modified to allow wheelchair access. “We want to open our rides up to the widest market,” says Mazzucchi. “Ten per cent of people suffer disabilities, so it’s important to respond to this market. We’ve created an all-access programme to understand the accessiblity of our rides and to find ways to widen accessibility. We’re also working on solutions for blind and deaf people.”
Mazzucchi believes the attractions market is healthy at the moment, boosted by the fact that people have cut back on second holidays, but are spending more on days out. China and the Far East are increasingly important, making up around 35 to 40 per cent of Zamperla’s income.
“The challenge now is applying the new EN regulations to rides,” he says, “we’re still trying to find the right solution for the market, without making rides too expensive.”
Marco Mazzucchi
Zamperla’s Watermania takes the form of a duelling tea cup ride on water
The standard ride seats 24 passengers in total, for a theoretical hourly capacity of 480
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii
is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder
Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while
remaining actively involved with the company.
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th
anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s
longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
Taylor Made Designs Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
Painting With Light By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
DJW David & Lynn Willrich started the Company
over thirty years ago, from the Audio Visual
Department [more...]
Alterface Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
