Issue 6: November/December 2026

Based in the Canadian capital Ottawa, ProSlide is an internationally established manufacturer of water slides and water attractions. Founded in 1986 by former ski racer Rick (Richard D.) Hunter, the company marks four decades in business this year. Hunter drew inspiration for his designs from alpine ski racing: flowing turns, steep descents and significant elevation changes were to become part of the water slide experience. To achieve this, he worked with a Canadian designer and manufacturer of fiberglass sailboats. To mark the company’s 40th anniversary, we spoke with Rick Hunter and Ray Smegal about pivotal decisions...

Since this summer, visitors to Dollywood have been able to experience the new “NightFlight Expedition” attraction, which the park describes as an “Immersive Indoor Adventure Coaster”. The attraction is a Rocking Boat ride from Mack Rides that combines elements of a roller coaster with a whitewater rafting experience. NightFlight Expedition expands the existing “Wildwood Grove” themed area and is embedded in an imaginative story centred around the search for the “Secret Lake”. Accompanied by two explorers, guests embark on a nighttime journey through the Smoky Mountains, following bioluminescent clues to uncover the mysterious source of the Wildwood Tree...

20 minutes, 45 minutes, 90 minutes: Waiting times are among the most important pieces of information for theme park visitors throughout the day. For a long time, parks relied on analogue methods to determine these times. Well into the 2010s, fixed signs were often placed along queue lines, indicating the approximate time guests could expect to wait before boarding an attraction. Despite the introduction of digital information boards and apps, some parks still rely on estimates based on experience to determine waiting times today. However, as visitor numbers rise, park structures become more complex, staffing pressures increase and technology continues to advance – particularly given the growing ubiquity of artificial intelligence – automated waiting time monitoring is becoming increasingly important for operators...

IAAPA reported record attendance at its Expo Europe 2026, which brought together the international leisure and attractions industry in London from 22 to 24 September, welcoming 16,530 industry professionals and more than 870 exhibitors. Across more than 22,800 square metres, exhibitors showcased their products, technologies and services, making it the largest exhibition floor in the history of the European attractions trade show. Feedback from exhibiting companies was largely positive. Alongside product premieres and project announcements, numerous professional exchanges and personal encounters characterised three successful days on the show floor...