September/October 2012
THE LARGE PARK REPORT
Surcharge Attractions: How Parks Are Adding Value to the Visit
Ever since Disney’s parks evolved from a “pay as you ride” ticketing strategy to a single admission approach, other theme parks have, by and large, incorporated that same method. But recently, several of the industry’s larger parks have begun to offer a modified approach. This hybrid model keeps the single admission ticket as the base strategy but then offers a limited number of in-park revenue enhancers such as climbing walls or ziplines.
FOOD SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
Family Entertainment Centers: Locking Flavor and Freshness into Fast Food
There once was a time when an amusement park visit focused on all guests sharing a common experience that involved the park’s rides, shows and fair-like food. At the country’s larger parks and resorts, those days are increasingly giving way to an enticing (and expensive) new option known as “premium experiences.”
Top Tips for Making Menu Boards Pop
AMUSEMENT RENTAL AND INFLATABLE NEWS
Leaving Nothing to Chance – Advice for Best Inflatables Safety Practices
In the last decade, inflatable amusements have become a staple in the party rental industry. Many small companies that began as part-time endeavors have blossomed into full-time operations that book dozens of clients per month. As the industry has grown in popularity, the inflatables have grown in design, size and variety, and safety practices have evolved also.
Five Tips for Improving the Guest Experience with Inflatables
The AIR Show Preview
STREET BEAT
New Jersey Arcades In-depth – The Game Room and The Game Room South
Located in two separate New Jersey beach towns are the fun-packed, game-filled arcades, The Game Room, in Keansburg and The Game Room South, in Seaside Heights. Both of these amusement centers feature the best in arcade games, such as Skeeball, poker machines, slots and crane machines, and our contributor explores how the fun is created.
Bulk Vending Report – Operators Buck Bulk Vending Challenges
Despite slowdowns in the business overall, bulk vending companies continue to focus on best sellers, as well as to follow other strategies aimed at bolstering the performance of machines and merchandise geared toward customers of all ages.
Top Tips for Attracting Customers to Bulk Vending Machines
Street Beat Product News
WAVES
Indoor Waterparks: Where the Theme Can Define the Experience
For indoor waterparks, theming is as important, if not more important, than it is for indoor waterparks.
Top Tips for Indoor Waterpark Theming
Making a Splash: An In-depth Look at Hawaiian Falls Waterparks
Fast Facts Regarding The World Waterpark Association’s 32nd Annual Symposium and Trade Show
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTER REPORT
Is Your Business “App”-tly Represented?
Everybody Seems to Have an App, Should You?
BPAA News – BPAA Unveils New Entertainment Center Management School -
First of Its Kind Program Designed for Non-Traditional Bowling Centers
Bowling Report – Themed Bowling Centers: A Balance Between Sport and Style
Bowling has long been an enjoyable, recreational sport for families, teens, young adults and seniors. While the game is enjoyable no matter the surroundings, many bowling centers are capitalizing on particular themes, in order to draw crowds and boost excitement.
Mini-Golf and Go-Kart Report
Enhancing the Attractions Mix – Exploring the Winning Combination of Inflatables, Mini-Golf and Go-Karts
To be a true Family Entertainment Center, many FECs look for attractions that will bring in guests from all age groups. Some of the most popular attractions for toddlers and young children are inflatables. When FECs combine their go-karts and mini-golf and other attractions with bounces, they create an FEC that is fun for all guests no matter how old or young they are.
Family Entertainment Center Industry News Feature
Little Duffer Mini Golf Answers a Demand for Low-cost Mini Golf
International Family Entertainment Center Product Feature
Glo’ Zone Station: An Entrepreneurial Spirit Fuels a New FEC in New Zealand
AZA Report – In the Wild Workplace – Strategies for Successful Seasonal Zoo Staffing
For some of us, the summer means kicking back and relaxing, but for zoos, the summer means
more visitors and the need to hire workers to attend to those visitors.
HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS
Not-So-Scary Advice on Investing in High Technology
The time for financial surprises is definitely not in the beginning, when first setting up a haunted house attraction, agree proprietors. Maybe at that time, a little fear and timidity is a good idea.
