Show Daily - Tue, Nov. 15
Soaring Eagle Zip Line Flies Over Expo
This year’s Expo marks the debut of a new family-style zipline called the Soaring Eagle (Booth #7027). Created by industry veteran Stan Checketts, the Eagle does away with harnesses in favor of an actual ride vehicle that seats two people.
What’s more, the Eagle only requires one operator because it ends at the same place it starts. How? The vehicle is drawn backward along the line via motor, then released back toward the ground. And instead of having to slow the riders down before they reach the end (like a traditional zipline), Checketts’ new attraction uses a patent-pending spring-enabled braking system, and the vehicle absorbs all the energy so riders come in “hot” and slam into the spring for a thrilling yet relatively gentle finale.
Checketts has already installed the Soaring Eagle at a few friends’ attractions, and he said it’s fully versatile. It can be placed alongside a mountain and load at either the top or bottom of the incline; the Expo version is also available, using a tower at one end to provide the change in altitude.
“I got the old out-of-the-box creative juices going and came up with this one,” Checketts said.
www.soaringeaglezipline.com
Mack Rides Unveils ‘Manta’ Car for SeaWorld San Diego
Just after the Expo opened, Mack Rides (Booth #2240) threw back the cover on its brand-new custom ride vehicle for its upcoming “Manta” roller coaster, which will debut in 2012 at SeaWorld San Diego.
Though it shares the same name as the steel coaster atSeaWorld Orlando, this is an entirely new concept based on Mack’s “Blue Fire” prototype at Europa-Park in Germany. Like “Fire,” the new coaster will feature a show element, multiple launches, and, both manufacturer and park promise,will fill a niche for an aggressive, yet family-friendly experience.
“We are so excited for this partnership with Mack,” said Mike Denninger, director of rides and engineering for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “For San Diego this is a huge step—a major attraction. It’s not just a launch coaster; there’s a whole experience.”
“I love the body—it’s one of the most beautiful ones we’ve ever built,” said Mack Rides shareholder Roland Mack, speaking of the sleek blue-and-white nose of the train shaped like a manta ray. “The seats are so comfortable, you’ll want to stay on forever.” www.mack-rides.com, www.seaworld.com
Personal Jetpack Can Give Business a Boost
With a dose of inspiration from James Bond, the Jetlev R200 by Jet South East LLC (Booth #3186) debuted at the Expo this year. This water-propelled personal jetpack, invented 10 years ago, went into full production six months ago, said Jay Oosterhouse, national sales manager.
So far, resorts make up his top customers, with strong potential at other large sites. The Jetlev runs $99,500, but it can be a hefty earner, he said. Facilities generally charge $200 a person, and two or three people can ride an hour. (People can learn to ride in just five minutes.) Some venues make up to $4,000 a day.
Geared for guests age 16 and up, the jetpack can reach top speeds of 22 miles per hour; most customers, though, only go about 5 miles per hour. Unlike a jet ski, noise won’t be an issue, Oosterhouse stressed:-- “You can fly and talk to someone right next to you.” www.jetlevsoutheast.com
Fried Dough, on the Go
Traditional funnel cakes can be messy and time-prohibitive, said Tom and Tomi Newberry, the husband-and-wife co-owners of TNT Confectionery LLC (Booth #4258). As an alternative, they created Funnel Sticks, which they said is the only fried dough product on a stick on the market.
They’re pre-baked and cook in only 60 to 90 seconds. (The process is patent pending.) Plus, the Funnel Stick absorbs virtually no oil, which means no flavor transfer. “This allows you to prepare our product in any fryer in the park,” said Tom, motioning to his fryer. “You could cook catfish in there.”
Beyond portability, the Funnel Stick offers variety, Tomi noted. Guests canchoose from four glazes (vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and caramel), as well as add powdered sugar and sprinkles. With that many choices, the Newberrys find a greater chance for increased profits. Guests will order several different Funnel Sticks, rather than just one funnel cake and splitting it. www.funnelsticks.com
New Show from Orlando-based Cirque Bravo
Cirque Bravo (Booth #2071), a new circus production company based in Orlando, plans to debut a new traveling theatrical show in 2012. Currently available for entertaining at private events, the 90-minute production, called “City Dreams,” combines Broadway-esque dance and theatrics with the performance elements of a circus, including clowns, acrobats, and trapeze artists. The show is the brainchild of Andrei and Irina Roublev, former Cirque du Soleil veterans who also founded the Orlando Circus School.
“Our dancers have a certain finesse and stage presence that other shows don’t have,” said Brittany Reynolds, Cirque Bravo’s marketing director. Pulling performers from around the world, including former Broadway and Cirque du Soleil performers, the show’s cast offers a diverse mix.
“For private and corporate events, we can mix and match acts to create a custom experience,” said Reynolds, who brought the show’s choreographer, Rachel Foster, to perform aerial tricks at the company’s booth during the Expo.
www.cirquebravo.com
Belay System, Mobile Ropes Course from Altus
Altus (Booth #4358), a manufacturer of custom high-wire adventure courses, introduced two new products at the Expo. The company’s children’s adventure course now features a newly designed continuous belay system, which straps children in using a wire rope (also called a lifeline) for the duration of the entire activity for added comfort and security.
“We clip them in at the start of the course before they ever leave the ground,” said Dawn Comte, a representative for Altus, who added that they developed the system themselves. Users will stay strapped in until they safely reach the ground at the end of the course.
Also new from Altus is a mobile nine-obstacle children’s course that can be easily transported to events and set up indoors or outdoors. The course takes about two and a half hours to construct (using two people) and can accommodate up to 80 users per hour. www.altuspro.com
Instant Printing Solutions from Mitsubishi Electric
A new photobook maker and kiosk, along with a new dual-deck professional photo printer were among the items Mitsubishi Electric (Booth #3477) had on display at Expo. The new DPS Kiosk 7000 and Mini Photobook Maker lets users instantly create, customize, and print a 2-inch-by-6-inch pocket-sized photo book on the spot, with easy downloading from a website or photo storage device.
“The photo books are ready in five minutes,” said James Sheppard, a sales representative for Mitsubishi Electric who added that users love the multitude of ways the books can be customized with graphics, borders, and more.
Another new option for those looking for on-the-spot printing is the dual-deck CP-D707DW professional photo printer. Ideal for photo booth applications, the printer prints 2-inch-by-6-inch photo strips and photos of other varying sizes at the same time (utilizing its two separate paper paths) for quick and easy output.
“Since it prints so quickly, this printer is great for photo booths, events, or anytime you want to sell a package of photos,” said Sheppard. “The printer may cost a few bucks more than other models, but they’re built like a tank. And if they do break, we’ll ship you a new one in 24 hours so you’ll have as little downtime as possible.” www.mitsubishi-imaging.com
Safe and Comfortable Zipline Braking from zipSTOP
With new zipline attractions popping up all over the world at theme parks, zoos, extreme sports parks, and even some standalone sites, the technologies on which they operate need to be able to handle the high usage brought about by their increasing popularity. This includes their braking systems, and that’s where TRUBLUE Auto Belays (Booth #1642) intends to make a mark with its new zipSTOP Zipline Braking System.
The company’s president, John McGowan, says zipSTOP is a revolutionary improvement over the current “analog” systems using compression springs, brake trolleys on a bungee cord, or even manual human braking to decelerate the zipline riders. “This is the first legitimate zipline braking system,” he said. “It uses eddy-current braking to gradually and smoothly brake the zipline. Also, tests have shown that zipSTOP can experience tens of thousands of zipline [runs] without wear to components.” He says the system is also not affected by wind conditions,
which can greatly increase the operating time of ziplines.
McGowan notes that the industry is moving toward high-speed ziplines—up to 60 miles per hour or even faster. For the sake of rider safety and comfort, he said operators should seriously consider the zipSTOP.
www.thezipshop.com
Bronx Toys Supports
New York City
There are a lot of ways to give back to your city and community. Bronx Toys (Booth #340), a New York City-based company and first-time exhibitor at IAAPA Attractions Expo, is doing so by creating themed toys that benefit the city directly.
Bronx Toys, based in Queens, New York, released a line of hard and soft goods themed after the New York City police and fire departments, the department of sanitation, and taxi and limo services. “They carry the marks of the city,” said Mark Santus, creative consultant for the company. “And 15 percent of the proceeds of what we sell actually goes back to the departments or back to the City of New York. When you buy one of these toys, you’re supporting the department [depicted on the toy.]”
Toys include FDNY and NYPD footballs, and plush vehicles modeled after police cruisers, department of sanitation trucks, and EMTs.
www.bronxtoys.com
Avius Offers Method to Instantly Respond to Customer Complaints
Avius Insight (Booth #1569), a supplier of customer feedback systems, showcased its iPad survey and texting customer feedback components, which allow for nearly instantaneous response times for operators to address an issue in their attractions.
“We’re trying to get as much customer feedback as possible without it being a barrier to entry,” said Ben Story, general manager for Avius.
The company’s iPad survey, which can be graphically customized to any park, allows park team members to quickly get feedback from customers, while the texting system allows guests to send a text message to a dedicated number that immediately alerts a park’s customer relations team.
These processes all funnel feedback through Avius’ Optimus dashboard software, delivering it to key people in the park for immediate response. “It allows you to manage any sort of feedback, be it from one of our original touchscreen kiosks, an iPad, a web survey, an e-mail inquiry straight to the park, a text message, and integrates it into one dashboard view,” said Story.
The company also recently announced a social media component, which interfaces with Optimus. “If anyone tags [a park], it will come up and feed into the system as well so if the park wants to tweet back or retweet … they can respond,” he said. www.aviusinsight.com
Specialty Vehicles Unveils Sleeker, Greener Tram
Specialty Vehicles (Booth #5165) showcased its new Metro Tram at Expo. This more modern, sleeker design answers the call from the industry, said Nancy Munoz, CEO of the company. The new tram could be used for shuttles, tours, etc., at amusement parks, zoos, and other large attractions.
“Basically [it was the] market demand for something new and different; something that didn’t look industrial; something that looked more futuristic and modern.”
Metro Tram also provides a “green” solution to eco-conscious companies, as it is designed to accommodate alternative fuels such as biodiesel and propane.
Specialty Vehicles is a family-owned business, and Metro Tram is completely American-made, said Munoz.
www.specialtyvehicles.com