Legoland Billund builds world novelty in 2012

Polar Land is the name of the completely new area in LEGOLAND® Billund. The main attraction will be the first roller coaster in the world to combine a 5-metre-drop with an outing among live penguins.

The poles meet in LEGOLAND, in the new 12,500 square metre Polar Land area. Here guests can take a ride in the Polar X-plorer, which is the first roller coaster to combine a 5-metre-drop with a visit into the world of penguins.

Moreover, the area holds a penguin display, a restaurant and the existing Power Builder, which will be transformed into a flight simulator.

The expansion is the largest expansion in the history of LEGOLAND Billund and needs a 75 mill. DKK investment.

A crazy ride
The new area has been developed by the LEGOLAND Park’s own designer Tom Christiansen:

- New young polar researchers can expect quite a ride in the Polar X-plorer. The coaster has a top speed of 65 km/h and leads guests through an ice-waterfall, past impressive polar animals built of LEGO® bricks, into a giant mountain, just to crash through the ice in a 5-metre-drop. Then speed decreases, allowing guests to enjoy the view of live penguins, Tom Christiansen tells. He is looking very much forward to testing the ride himself.

Only two roller coasters with drops already exist in the world, but this is the first to combine the experience with a zoological element. Polar X-plorer will be the fastest roller coaster in LEGOLAND Billund and will take guests 20 metres up in the air.

New residents in LEGOLAND
The penguin display will be a central part of the new area. It will house 15 Gentoo penguins, which are easily recognized by their distinct donkey-like sound. From a special amphi theatre guests can experience talks and feeding of the penguins by professional communicators.

- The Gentoo penguins are very active animals, who love to swim. We have arranged the display so it’s similar to their natural habitat. The display is soundproofed and the windows are darkened from the inside to prevent the penguins from getting stressed during our high season, when the park is filled with happy guests, biologist Lars Nørholm Jensen from LEGOLAND tells. He is responsible for the penguins’ new home.

Dine with the penguins
A new polar-themed restaurant will be built next to the penguin area. The restaurant can seat 350 dining guests, who can view the penguin display and almost actually dine with the penguins.

The 75 mill DKK investment in Polar Land will be the largest investment ever in LEGOLAND Billund’s history. The area will be located in the far corner of the park replacing the existing Event Area. The expected opening date of the new area will be May 2012, about one month after the official opening of LEGOLAND Billund.

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Heroes of the Light Horse Closing Soon to make way for a New Show

On Wednesday 23 November Australian Outback Spectacular ‘Heroes of the Light Horse’ will close its doors for the final time to make way for an exciting new show launching in December 2011.

Australian Outback Spectacular first opened in 2006 and has entertained over a million people from all over the world, with its celebration of Australian stock men and women at work and play.

After a hugely successful runoff the original show, Australian Outback Spectacular launched it second show ‘Heroes of the Light Horse’ in September 2009 and has not looked back.

Australian Outback Spectacular Production Manager Shane Phillips said that Heroes of the Light Horse has been an amazing show which celebrated the link between our stockmen and the legendary Australian Light Horse.

“The crowds have loved this show and the entire cast and crew will be sad to see it go, but the new show will be an exciting new chapter for Australian Outback Spectacular.”

“The third chapter in the Australian Outback Spectacular story will be titled ‘Spirit of the Horse’ will celebrate the courageous spirit of the Australian horse and honour the legend that is Phar Lap,” he said.

Presenting partner, R.M.Williams is proud to continue their support for Australian Outback Spectacular ‘Spirit of the Horse’.

Don’t miss your last chance to see Australian Outback Spectacular ‘Heroes of the Light Horse’ before it closes forever. Tickets are selling fast so call 133 386 or visit: myfun.com.au to secure your tickets.

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Green Lantern Coaster for Warner Bros. Movie World

A shining new light will dawn upon Warner Bros. Movie World this December with the opening of the new GREEN LANTERN rollercoaster.

Experience fun and thrills of a galactic proportion as you take on the steepest drop in the southern hemisphere.

More details to come soon!

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Busch Gardens officials announce 2012 roller coaster details

Busch Gardens’ officials unveiled the name of the Williamsburg theme park’s 2012 roller coaster during an exclusive pass-member appreciation event Saturday morning.

“Verbolten℠ offers the latest in roller coaster technology,” said Park President Carl Lum while addressing an enthusiastic crowd inside Busch Gardens’ 2,000-seat dining facility. “When Verbolten opens in spring 2012, coaster fans will feel the exhilaration of multiple launches and a few surprises that can’t be found anywhere else in the United States.”

Saturday’s announcement naming Verbolten as the Williamsburg park’s new roller coaster ended months of speculation among coaster fans who have been eagerly awaiting official news about the new thrill ride.

In addition to the name, park officials unveiled a few technical details about the roller coaster and a way for fans to learn more about Verbolten over the next several months. Guests with smartphones or other Internet-connected devices can download exclusive coaster details using a unique Quick Response Code, a.k.a. a QR code. Content will be updated regularly, but it can only be accessed by reading the in-park QR code.

Saturday’s event also offered pass members an exclusive preview of the 13th anniversary of Howl-O-Scream, which begins Sept. 23.

Vice President of Entertainment Scott Gasparich introduced pass members to a menagerie of creepy characters representing the Dark Side of the Gardens that make up this year’s Howl-O-Scream. Most haunted houses, scare zones and shows are new, Gasparich said, while the rest are resurrected guest favorites.

“Busch Gardens pulled out all the stops for Howl-O-Scream’s 13th anniversary,” Gasparich said. “There is nothing in this year’s event that hasn’t been intensified, including new takes on old favorites.”

Great new haunted houses like Dead Line offer a modern spin on some classic scares. Howl-O-Scream fans suffering from coulrophobia take note that the evil clowns are back and have taken over Festa Italia in Fear Fair and Grin and Scare It. Finally, Fiends is back in the Festhaus by popular demand. Gasparich and his creative team have breathed new life into Busch Gardens’ classic show that debuted during the first Howl-O-Scream in 1999. It is always “Code Pink” in Dr. Weirdstein’s laboratory, and the good doctor is once again feverishly working on his latest and greatest invention.

Howl-O-Scream begins Sept. 23 and continues every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 30. Howl-O-Scream is not suitable for younger guests after 6 p.m. Parental guidance is encouraged. The park’s younger guests will be treated to Halloween happenings during the day with their favorite characters at Sesame Street Forest of Fun.

For more information about the 13th anniversary of Howl-O-Scream, visit www.howl-o-scream.com/va

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Take your next visit to Sea World to the EXTREME!

Letting loose this school holidays is Sea World’s awesome Jet Stunt Extreme live show featuring some of the world’s best jet ski stunt performers.

Guests will be on the edge of their seats as the team flips out with totally cool aerial flips and gravity defying stunts during a high energy live performance on Sea World’s Lake.

The show will include dynamic Jet Ski stunt sequences and will star some of the industry’s top competitors.

The star of the show will be 20 year old Lee Stone who is widely recognised as one of the single greatest freestyle riders the world has ever seen.

Direct from the UK, Stone has three European Titles, three British Titles and four World Titles under his belt, it’s no wonder Jet Skier Magazine call him ‘The most exciting young talent in the world of freestyle’.

Joining Lee on the Sea World Ski Lake will be Jon Cooke, Former X Games Gold Medal Winner and first Australian Flat Water Freestyle Champion. Jon is known in the region as Australia’s premier freestyler.

The visually spectacular show is returning to Sea World bigger and faster than before after a successful holiday season in 2010.

Jet Stunt Extreme will commence on Saturday 17 September with performances twice daily on Sea World’s lake.

Catch Jet Stunt Extreme again and again during the holidays with a VIP Pass offering unlimited entry to the Gold Coast’s BIG THREE theme parks Sea World, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild. Visit MyFun.com.au now to start your extreme holiday fun.

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Aussie World Reveals Giant Slide

2011 has been a great year for the Aussie World theme park located alongside the iconic Ettamogah Pub on the Sunshine Coast. And it's about to get even better with Aussie World adding another thrilling attraction, the Giant Slide, to its ride repertoire.

To be launched in time for the September 2011 school holiday period the Giant Slide will no doubt become a family favourite and is aptly named at 46 metres long, 15 metres high and nine metres wide. Riders collect a mat at the base of the ride then walk up to a lofty platform five stories high in the sky then slip and slide safely down.

Aussie World general manager David Thompson said the Giant Slide is the second new attraction at the Sunshine Coast theme park following the successful opening of thrill ride Redback launched earlier in the year.

"In addition to the Giant Slide opening this September, Aussie World will be opening yet another ride in time for the December school holiday period that will be the first of its type on the Sunshine Coast," he said.

"These three new rides complete a $2million expansion project offering fresh and innovative products to new and returning visitors,
giving them more reason to visit the Sunshine Coast and to stay for longer."

Situated next to the Wild Mouse Rollercoaster and behind the Stockshed Speedway Dodgems, construction of the Giant Slide has been eagerly watched and awaited by park visitors and created plenty of interest along the way.

There is no better time to visit Aussie World than right now to experience over 30 fun rides and games suitable for everyone.

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The World’s First SpongeBob SquarePants Parade Comes to Sea World!

Sea World has announced details of the world’s first SpongeBob SquarePants parade, which will launch at the park this Christmas.

The multimillion dollar parade will be a large-scale attraction for fans of all ages and has been developed exclusively for Sea World by the creative team behind SpongeBob SquarePants.

Sea World Director of Operations Michael Croaker said that the parade will feature key characters and design elements from Nickelodeon’s hugely popular animated series.

“This will be a huge hit with families as the undersea world of Bikini Bottom comes to life in a spectacular show like nothing else ever seen at Sea World.

“This world class experience will be more than just a parade; guests will become submersed in the world of Bikini Bottom with SpongeBob SquarePants and friends during the celebration.”

Sea World will also launch a new live stage show, Dora’s Best Friends Adventure featuring Nick Jr.’s Dora the Explorer in a musical show, which is sure to delight Sea World’s guests.

With a host of exciting new attractions and shows planned for 2011 including a new rollercoaster at Warner Bros. Movie World, the VIP Pass is the best way to experience amazing theme park fun while getting great value family entertainment.

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Nickelodeon Aquatic Adventure Zone Comes to Sea World Resort & Water Park!

In an Australian first, Sea World Resort & Water Park is joining forces with Nickelodeon to bring an amazing new SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer Aquatic Adventure Zone to the Resort just in time for Christmas.

The Nickelodeon Aquatic Adventure Zone will feature three bright and colourful water-play areas themed around SpongeBob SquarePants characters including SpongeBob, Gary, Patrick, and Squidward. Highlights of the Zone will be a spectacular dancing water display, a giant spray bucket, and interactive water sprays.

The Aquatic Adventure Zone will also feature a Dora the Explorer interactive sculpture, and Nick Jr. characters. The Dora the Explorer attraction will feature special character voice-overs offering guests a truly unique play experience.

Sea World Resort General Manager Ernst Pfister said the Nickelodeon Aquatic Adventure Zone will be the ultimate attraction for families.

“The Aquatic Adventure Zone is going to be extremely popular with families as the Resort brings the undersea world of Bikini Bottom to life through amazing special effects including the spectacular dancing water display featuring a mixture of water jets and LED lights, spray buckets, and water sprays.

“SpongeBob, Gary, Patrick and Squidward will be the centrepiece of the Aquatic Adventure Zone, with Dora and friends the centrepiece of the interactive sculpture. The Spray Park will be transformed into the perfect place for the entire family to relax and play.”

“In addition to the Aquatic Adventure Zone, families will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse and hang-out with their favourite SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer characters in the Resort lobby.”

Sea World Resort will be integrating Nickelodeon into their Kids’ Club with specially designed SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer activities and programs that the kids will love.

Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob and Dora are also coming to Sea World this Christmas and construction is well underway for the world’s first SpongeBob SquarePants parade, a large-scale attraction for fans of all ages.

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Ardent Leisure Announces SkyPoint Climb

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh joined Ardent Leisure Chief Executive Officer, Greg Shaw and SkyPoint General Manager, Andrew Sharry today, Monday 26 September, to announce the Gold Coast’s most anticipated new tourism offering, SkyPoint Climb.

Opening this summer, SkyPoint Climb will be Australia’s highest external building walk, taking climbers on a guided journey reaching 270 metres into the sky on top of the Q1 resort building.

Climbers will dress in a full body Climb suit and harness before they step into the open air via SkyPoint Observation Deck on level 77. Along the way an informed guide will highlight major landmarks and share some of the region’s best kept secrets as the group take in spectacular uninhibited views of the Gold Coast’s stunning golden beaches, city skyline and lush green hinterland.

Ardent Leisure Chief Executive Officer, Greg Shaw, explains the long awaited experience will give locals and visitors an opportunity to experience the region like never before.

“SkyPoint Climb will form the Gold Coast’s premium new tourism and leisure attraction designed for locals and holiday makers wanting to experience the region’s most unique vantage point with a level of thrill,” Mr Shaw said.

“The Gold Coast is known for being Australia’s fun capital and Ardent Leisure is proud to be on the front foot when it comes to offering new experiences that will boost the region’s tourism offering,” he said.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said that new attractions are exactly what the Gold Coast needs at a time when the State is overcoming a tough year for tourist."This attraction presents another reason to visit Queensland and another product that locals can proudly promote. Once again Queensland is on the map for the biggest and best attractions proving that this is where Australia shines,” Ms Bligh said.

Walking above the glass crown which frames the top of the Q1, climbers can enjoy the security of an internal hand rail that guides them up to the massive spire or the more daring can walk along the edge of the building experiencing the thrill of a 270 metre sheer drop.

Close to 140 stairs will guide climbers up to the summit of the Climb where guests can take an extended pause to experience the 360 degree surrounds from the Climb’s highest point before descending to level 77 on the opposite side of the building.While details are still being finalised, the experience is estimated to be around 90 minutes in duration and pre-bookings will commence in November.

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Thrilling Coasters, Family Rides, New Shows and Attractions Coming to Six Flags Parks Across North America in 2012

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, today announced its lineup of new rides and attractions for the 2012 operating season. Six Flags parks across North America will debut an exciting package of thrill rides, family rides, shows and special events featuring some of the most innovative rides and attractions in the industry and providing even more reasons than ever to visit Six Flags.

“We are bringing new attractions to every Six Flags park every year,” said Jim Reid-Anderson, Chairman, President and CEO. “This season’s guest satisfaction scores are the highest in our history, and we want to continue that momentum by offering a combination of family-friendly fare and thrill rides for guests of all ages to enjoy.”

Among the 2012 highlights:

• Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, which is the Thrill Capital of the World, welcomes the world’s tallest vertical drop ride, LEX LUTHOR: Drop of Doom! At a sky-scraping 400 feet, this engineering phenomenon drops riders at speeds of up to 85 miles-per-hour.
• At Six Flags Discovery Kingdom near San Francisco, SUPERMAN Ultimate Flight, a new launch coaster, blasts riders at over 60 miles-per-hour through two vertical twists and a high-flying 150-foot-high inversion, ranking it among the tallest inversions in the world.
• X-Flight, the only announced wing coaster in the United States, soars into Six Flags Great America near Chicago, and features 3,000 feet of intense high-speed drops and barrel rolls with no track above or below.
• Six Flags New England in Massachusetts debuts Goliath—a colossal boomerang coaster that sends riders up nearly 200 feet in the air, flying forward and backward over a twisting, looping inverted steel track at speeds up to 65 miles–per-hour.
• Six Flags America, just outside of Washington D.C., introduces Apocalypse, the park’s eighth roller coaster and first stand-up design that offers a two-minute adventure and features a 90-foot drop with vertical and cork screw inversions at 55 miles-per-hour.
• Guests at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey and Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio will have more to scream about with the introduction of SkyScreamer, the newest sensation in tower rides. SkyScreamer offers breathtaking views from open air swings that rotate in a 98-foot circle high above the parks.
• Thrilling water park additions are also on tap for next season. Guests at Six Flags St. Louis Hurricane Harbor will keep cool and have a blast at the same time on the all new Bonzai Pipeline, the park’s first extreme looping body slide. Hurricane Harbor at Great Adventure is also premiering this ground-breaking new slide while Alpine Freefalls, a Nordic-themed waterslide complex, is on tap for The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom in upstate New York. This multi-slide attraction will feature the park’s first free-fall speed slide and the region’s first twisted mat racer.
• Finally, the company is adding a variety of family rides, shows and attractions at several parks, including Six Flags Mexico, La Ronde in Montreal, Six Flags Over Texas, Six Flags Fiesta Texas—America’s favorite show park—and a 45th anniversary tribute at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Six Flags parks are the number one choice for thrilling, world class entertainment—so grab your friends and family to Go Big and Go Six Flags!

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