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An Initial Look at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2008

The IAAPA Attractions Expo opened on Monday. But the show doesn’t really get going until the “What’s New” presentation which was yesterday morning. This year the kickoff session featured performances from Universal and The Blues Brothers, dancers from Busch Gardens, and a new song from beautifully performed by a singer from Walt Disney World Resort. All in all a great showcase for central Florida.

Three new IAAPA members were inducted into the Hall of Fame. Arto Monaco (Land of Make Believe) and Edgard “Eddy” Meeus (Walibi Parks)  both played key roles in the early days of theme park development and were awarded posthumously. Larry B. Cochran helped open Six Flags over Texas and rose to the top of the company during his 41 years of service and team building. He gave a wonderful speech with a tribute to his family and team members.

The bi-annual Applause Award went to Xetulul a theme park in Retalhuleu, Guatemala. I’ve never heard of this park, but it looked like a lot of fun. San Diego SeaWorld cam in a close second.

After the morning performance everyone heads down to the show floor to make some deals and see what’s hot from vendors old and new. I only managed to cover about 20% of the show floor yesterday but click through the cut to read a few things that caught my eye.

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Cypress Gardens to divest itself of Animals, Attractions

Sadly the rumor I posted last week has come true. Cypress Gardens will close for four months to retool into two separate gates. The water park will grow larger while the attractions and animal exhibits will be removed and sold to other amusement parks. The… Read More »Cypress Gardens to divest itself of Animals, Attractions

Walt Disney World Rumors

First, a tropical depression has formed in the Caribbean and looks likely to reach hurricane strength this week. This is not a rumor, but it’s not likely to affect Central Florida either. I’ll post again if things change. Second, the Disney Gossip blog has some… Read More »Walt Disney World Rumors

A Cypress Garden Rumor

The experiment that turned the beautiful, but dying, Cypress Gardens into an amusement park may be nearing an end. It pains me to write this rumor, but I completely understand the reasoning behind it. Winter Haven is just too far off the beaten path to… Read More »A Cypress Garden Rumor

Disney influences Anaheim Councilwoman’s Race

When Lorri Galloway decided to back a high-end housing developer over the city of Anaheims primary meal ticket, Disneyland, she had to know she would be in for the fight of her life during the upcoming election cycle. As expected Disney has been helping her… Read More »Disney influences Anaheim Councilwoman’s Race

Disneyland Paris misses it by that much

Disneyland Paris got closer than ever to showing a profit last year. Missed it by 2.8 million dollars. That and improved attendance numbers show they’re closer than ever to beginning to really pay down the debt that too many hotels saddled them with at opening.… Read More »Disneyland Paris misses it by that much

Disney World Guidebook wins Writers Digest award

Congratulations to Julie Neal, author of “The Complete Walt Disney World” who just won a Writers Digest international award for nonfiction. The First Prize Award for Nonfiction in the 17th Annual Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Awards was out of a total field of nearly… Read More »Disney World Guidebook wins Writers Digest award

Welcome Bonsu! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Fourth Baby Giraffe This Year

Everybody’s wondering what is in the giraffe’s drinking water at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Walt Disney World Resort is having a bit of a baby boom this year with the birth of a fourth baby giraffe. Entering the world at 6-feet tall and 155 pounds, Bonsu… Read More »Welcome Bonsu! Disney’s Animal Kingdom Fourth Baby Giraffe This Year