Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFE) operates a total of 26 theme parks and leisure attractions in the USA including Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. Now HFE is also the new owner of (...) read more
“RIO Rainforest Adventure” is the name of the adventure area opened late this past September at the San Diego Zoo in California. Taking its cue from the 2011 3D animated film “Rio” (produced by Blue Sky Studios in collaboration with Fox Animation), (...) read more
Legoland opened its first water park in Asia to the public this past October 21st. The new park features more than 20 water attractions and over 70 Lego models (cp. EAP news from 20 Sept 13). It can be visited as a stand-alone attraction or in (...) read more
Germany’s Eifelpark Gondorf near Bitburg, which had filed for bankruptcy by the end of 2012, was acquired by the family Alexander Goetzke/Nadine Löwenthal from Munich (pictured). The young family, who took over operations of the wildlife and (...) read more
On November 2nd, 2013 Snow Dome Bispingen celebrated its reopening at the facility’s premises, located directly on the A7 autobahn in Bispingen, Germany. As we previously reported, this indoor ski hall had to shut down operations completely late (...) read more
The European team of the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) was recently reinforced with a new team member. Nico Reynders (pictured) joined IAAPA Europe at the start of this past October as Junior Program Manager. (...) read more
SENIOR MANAGER, EUROPEAN OPERATIONS Closing Date for Applications: November 25, 2013 The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), www.IAAPA.org, is seeking a Sr. Manager, European Operations. The Sr. Manager, European (...) read more
The IAAPA Attractions Expo held in Orlando truly lives up to its description as the world’s largest international trade show for the leisure and attractions industry: According to the organizers, this year’s expo, taking place from 18 to 22 November (...) read more
As announced this summer, Merlin is planning the opening of a Legoland Discovery Center (LDC) in the Greater Boston region of New England. The new attraction, the first LDC in Massachusetts, should open in late spring of 2014. Assembly Row has been (...) read more
Yesterday, Bad Lippspringe, Germany’s Westfalen-Therme thermal spa facility opened two new waterslides as well as a new wellness area in the presence of the mayor of the city, Andreas Bee. The new wellness area features a natural brine/salt SPA area (...) read more
On 15 September 2013 the Siam Park, located in the southern part of Tenerife, celebrated its fifth birthday. Since opening in 2008, the themed water park has drawn more than three million visitors and has received multiple awards from the leisure (...) read more
Visitors to Germany’s Zoo Safaripark in Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock can now get a first impression of the park prior to their actual visit: the park can be found via Google Street View. By clicking on the following link (Zoo Safaripark at Google Street (...) read more
The Dolfinarium Harderwijk, operated by Compagnie des Alpes (CdA), has offered a new dolphin show to its guests since mid-year. The new show, entitled “Aqua Bella”, is shown in the dolphin theatre called “DolfijndoMijn”. In preparation for the new (...) read more
“DUPLO Valley” is the name of a completely new themed land opened in mid-2013 at Legoland Windsor Resort. The exciting new water play area for provides fun for both pre-school children and older kids. While “DUPLO Splash Safari” is the ultimate wet (...) read more
Just two-and-a-half months after opening in late June (we reported in EAP 5/2013), the new Bostalsee holiday park, part of the Center Parcs Europe brand, surprised guests to the Saarland in early September with a new attraction. The “High Adventure” (...) read more
Beginning July 2014, visitors to the Holiday Park in Hassloch will experience a new, one-of-a-kind attraction in Europe. For an investment of eight million euros, the amusement park is receiving a new Thrill Coaster, delivered by American roller (...) read more
Since this summer, “Almzeit Sölden” has beckoned visitors to play, have fun, rejuvenate and enjoy. Fourteen cabins and pastures are involved in this concept and present their diversity in the form of special attractions revolving around the theme of (...) read more
The Hannover Adventure Zoo celebrated the opening of its latest theme world “Kibongo” on 27 September. The new chimpanzee themed area was created in a 2,100 square metre space. An African moist savannah with cliffs and trees to climb, a waterfall, (...) read more
The founder and owner of Drayton Manor Theme Park, George Bryan, passed away peacefully on September 20th. Bryan, aged 92, was a trained engineer with a passion for the entertainment industry. In 1942 he met his wife Vera. Her family owned (...) read more
Europa-Park CEO, Roland Mack, was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the mechanical engineering faculty of the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT). In doing so, the KIT recognized the outstanding scientific achievements of Mack, who (...) read more
