From the Underworld to Outer Space, New Parks and Attractions Are Out of This World By Jessica Downey Mummifying Universal Studios Combine fantastic storytelling with dark ride, animatronic, and roller coaster technology and you get the new ride debuting at Universal Orlando next month. The much-anticipated indoor ride Revenge of the Mummy, based on the films The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, incorporates pyrotechnics, projected CGI animation, and stunning illusions. Jim Seay, president of the ride’s manufacturer, Premier Rides, describes Revenge as an “incredibly advanced, next-generation, scream-inducing attraction.” Premier designed the indoor ride by collaborating with Universal theme park designers, Mummy director Stephen Sommer, and both films’ producers. Revenge features a linear induction motor (LIM) to create the coaster’s blastoff effect, as well as a modified version of the LIM—VSLIM, variable speed linear induction motor. VSLIM technology enabled the design team to create a “high-velocity show immersion system,” which operates as a slower, more flexible version of the LIM. The VSLIM downshifts momentum when vehicles pass through the dark ride part of the attraction, where many of the special effects kick into high gear, says Seay. VSLIM also enables the vehicles to move in all directions. Scott Trowbridge, vice president of design and creative development for Universal Parks and Resorts, calls Revenge the ultimate psychological thrill ride. He says that although there have been attempts to combine elements of dark rides and coasters—Disneyland’s Indiana Jones and Disney Animal Kingdom’s Dinosaur attractions boast speedy cars and bigger thrills—“there is no other ride like this anywhere.” For more information, visit http://themeparks.universalstudios.com. Space Park Bremen Is Far Out What: Space Park Bremen Opens Where: Bremen, Germany When: February 11, 2004 The long-term fate of the International Space Station might be up in the air, but Space Park Bremen’s successful debut ensures years of sci-fi adventures. Billed as the largest indoor entertainment park in Europe, Space Park Bremen opened February 11 after a six-week soft opening. The park’s main attraction is the Space Center, an entertaining collection of high-tech rides, virtual alien encounters, and science education. Sharing the 62-acre plot with Space Center are the INN SIDE Residence-Hotel (a galactic-themed lodging experience), a shopping complex, a food court, and a 10-theater cineplex, which is the largest in the country. The Space Center, which charges $22 admission, also holds northern Germany’s first IMAX theater, offering science exploration and adventure by day and IMAX 2D and 3D blockbusters by night. The main ride attractions include Stargate SG 3000, MGM’s theme park attraction based on the hit series Stargate SG-1; Star Trek Borg Encounter, a 4D movie based on Star Trek: Voyager due to open in December; and Galaxie Express, a roller coaster that takes riders into space, dodging asteroids and shooting past planets along the way. Bremen, one of the most significant space exploration locations in Europe, seemed a fitting spot for the indoor park, and, with all the international interest, it seems the venue is just about to take off. For more information, visit www.space-park-bremen.de. Everland’s House of Spirits Samsung Everland, Korea’s biggest theme park, spent the better part of the winter trying to rectify a violation of environmental regulations that was found to be a result of the facility’s car wash. But the park is now in full swing, debuting a Mack/Heimo collaboration in the form of a ghoulish Mystery Mansion. The $835,000 dark ride leads guests throughout the home of Lord Reginald, the Earl of Strathmore, from the armory to the crypt. Armed with laser guns, riders zap 97 targets in the form of pneumatic movable figures. The park sprawls across 3,700 acres and consists of three themed areas: Festival World, Caribbean Bay, and the Speedway. Everland set the world’s fastest growth rate in attendance for the past three years. Quassy’s Spring Swing Last year, Quassy Amusement Park completed the most significant financial investment in its 96-year history with the addition of the 30-foot-tall Saturation Station, an interactive waterplay area. The Middlebury, Conn.-based park, led by the Frantzis family, is continuing its efforts to keep up with the New England market. The park’s 2004 repertoire will include a Chance Rides Yo-Yo, which will be revved up for the park’s opening on April 24. The whirling Yo-Yo will operate near the Saturation Station. Quassy features more than 24 rides and attractions, including a Tilt-A-Whirl, a Paratrooper, and the Monster coaster. In 2003, Quassy also added the Extreme Zone, a 24-foot-high rock-climbing wall. George Frantzis II, vice president of Quassy, says the family has made a commitment to give their guests new elements and features to look forward to each year. “We’re a family amusement park and we’re next to Six Flags New England and Kennywood Group’s Lake Compounce,” Frantzis says. “We want to give our guests all the elements of the big parks but keep them in a small traditional family park setting. We’re trying to stay with the times.” Looking ahead to 2005, Frantzis says Quassy would like to add to the waterpark. “Going into our 100th year, we’ll continue with the upgrade of the facility.” It’s a BLING Thing Despite a decline in visitor numbers at top British attractions reported in early 2004, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is still on top. With $6.3 million invested in new rides and park improvements, Blackpool Pleasure Beach is a month into its 2004 season, which began March 6, and has thrilled 7 million visitors since last season. Among the new themed areas and rides is the $2.5 million BLING, a 100-foot-high Zierer Star Shape ride that Blackpool managing director Geoffrey Thompson acquired during the IAAPA Trade Show and Convention in November. “BLING will be the latest exciting jewel in the crown of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s many treasures,” Thompson says. “And we are sure that tickets for the first ride will be like gold dust.” But that’s not all. In addition to BLING, Pleasure Beach has added the charm of the Swiss Alps in the heart of the park. The new eateries are small chalets with deep-eaved roofs and weathered wood, all amid the streams and gorges that replicate the majestic Swiss scenery. Food choices include hot bratwursts and seafood. Space Invaders, one of the park’s popular dark rides, got a $1.2 million makeover, which included the addition of state-of-the-art rocket cars from ride manufacturer Kumback Coasters. Not surprisingly, the new ride will be renamed Space Invaders II. Plus, a new kid’s area called Can You Fix It? lets little builders drive junior forklifts and supertrucks. Children can also race remote-controlled Formula One racing cars around a track. This spring, Stageworks Worldwide Productions will debut two new shows—Xylatomia, and the Mystique Cabaret and Illusion show—at the park. For more information, visit www.bpbltd.com. Tivoli Demon Rises Denmark’s fastest, tallest roller coaster, The Demon, is set to arrive at Tivoli later this month. The coaster, which will replace Slangen (The Snake), is a floorless, looping, full-circuit roller coaster that will reach speeds of 50 mph and will loom nearly 90 feet aboveground. The $13 million coaster is a Bolliger & Mabillard creation that gives riders a weightless and free sensation as they whiz through three loops, says Stine Lolk, spokesperson for Tivoli. The park’s 161st year in operation will kick off on April 16, the same day The Demon is set to debut, Lolk says. She expects the ride to offer another worthy opponent to the oldest coaster, Bjergrutschebanen (The Mountain), which first opened in 1914 and is still the most popular amusement in Tivoli. More than 3 million visitors visit Tivoli each year to enjoy the rides and live entertainment, including high-profile performances by Sting, the Beach Boys, Phil Collins, and Cher, all of whom have performed on the Plænen open-air stage. The annual Copenhaen Jazz Festival held each July also brings fans to see stars perform. Past headliners have included Ray Charles, Diane Reeves, Natalie Cole, and Tony Bennett. For more information, visit www.tivoli.dk.