In a year of ups, downs, loops and scoops, Attractions Management looks back at some of the biggest stories to hit the headlines, giving possible indicators at what’s still to come in the year ahead.

The year might be coming to a close but the attractions industry continues to roll on, with some major deals announced for the year, while hope rose from one tragedy following a major fire at a UK zoo.

Margarita in Kissimmee

The final month of the year has seen the Aquatic Development Group selected to design and build the Orlando area's newest waterpark – part of the US$750m (€661m, £589.6m) Margaritaville Resort currently under construction.

Called Island H20 Live!, the waterpark element of the resort in Kissimmee will open by the end of Q2 2019.

Given a tropical theme, the US$40m (€35.3m, £31.5m) waterpark will cover 46,500sq m (500,000sq ft) and will be home to 15 water attractions.

Included will be a 24,000sq ft (2,200sq m) dual beach wave pool, a 1,300 ft long (400m) lazy river with a 500sq ft (46.5sq m) apron beach entry, a basketball and crossing lagoon, a multi-level play structure, kids activity pool and nine water slides.

The waterpark, which is the first to open in Kissimmee in more than 13 years, will be the first in the area to include an adults-only section. In this part of the waterpark will be a 2,500sq ft (232sq m) pool surrounded by a large deck and lounge area will feature. The space will also feature DJs and be used as event space and for dance parties.

Parques Reunidos acquires Tropical Islands

Spanish operator Parques Reunidos acquired the world’s largest indoor waterpark – Germany’s Tropical Islands – from Malaysian firm Tanjong for €226m (US$257.3m, £203.3m).

The move marks the largest single-park acquisition in Parques Reunidos’ history and is a huge addition to its portfolio.

Tropical Islands is a combination of a water park and other leisure offerings, with various lodging facilities that stay open year-round due to its indoor setting. It's located approximately 60 kilometres (37 miles) south of Berlin, close to the cities of Dresden and Leipzig, as well as the Polish and the Czech borders. The waterpark welcomes around 1.3 million visitors annually and generates revenues of around €71m (US$80.5m, £64m) per year.

Chester Zoo fire

Money raised on the wake of a devastating fire at Chester Zoo on 15 December will be spent on conservation projects, says its management.

The fire, which destroyed much of the roof of the British zoo's monsoon forest area and took the lives of some of its animals, has been declared an accident, though the exact cause has not yet been determined.

Following the blaze, the zoo launched an online fundraising appeal to support repairs. Seeking £50,000 (US$63,000, €56,000), the zoo has more than doubled its target, nearing £120,000 (US$151,000, €133,500). That full figure will now be spent on conservation efforts, with the cost of repairs to be covered by insurance.

"The remarkable efforts from the zoo team and the emergency services meant the fire was extinguished as quickly as possible," said the zoo's chief operating officer, Jamie Christon.

"Visitors were evacuated immediately and we would like to thank them for their understanding and cooperation. Thankfully, no staff or members of the public were harmed in the incident.

"We will support each other in rebuilding this part of the zoo and continue our mission of preventing extinction."

The zoo reopened on 16 December. Animals that were able to be saved were rehoused in different enclosures in the zoo.