June 2010 - Amusement Today

June 2010 AMUSEMENT TODAY 19
WATERPARKS
www.AmusementToday.com
AQUATIC CENTERS INDOOR FACILITIES RESORTS REVENUE
SUPPLIERS
BRIEF
Myrtle Waves
celebrates
25th anniversary
Myrtle Waves, a PARC
Management waterpark
located in Myrtle Beach,
S.C., is getting a facelift for
its 25th season including a
new roadside marquee, 11
pool-side private cabanas,
new landscaping and parking
lot overhaul, as well as
remodeling and refinishing
the Ocean in Motion Wave
Pool, two restrooms, Sharkies
Snack Shack, and the
Island Café. Myrtle Waves
has also added new colors
on rides and attractions
throughout the park.
“We’re extraordinarily
excited to unveil the park
this year,” said Myrtle
Waves’ General Manager
Graham Faris. “What better
a way to celebrate our 25th
season than pulling back
the curtain on an off-season
loaded with improvements?”
Newly-installed tropical-themed
cabanas will offer
guests daily rentals of a
private, shaded retreat with
call-in wait service and other
exclusive perks including
free locker rentals and
discounts on food & beverage
orders, retail, and more.
“Our new pool-side cabanas
afford us a great opportunity
to offer an exclusive guest
experience while giving the
park a fresh and clean look
at the same time,” said
Vince Nicoletti, director of
marketing for PARC Myrtle
Beach.
Slide equipment provided by WhiteWater West
CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort opens in Orlando
Tim Baldwin
Amusement Today
In May of 1970, prior to the
opening of Walt Disney World
and the plethora of attractions
that would soon make the
area the world’s playground,
a pioneer named Finley Hamilton
opened I-Drive’s original
hotel. Originally built as
the Hilton Inn South, it was
nicknamed “Finley’s Folly”
as no one thought it could be
successful being so far from
downtown Orlando. To his
pleasure, Finley’s foresight
proved to be hugely successful.
Even Disney executives
stayed at the property as Walt
Disney World was being completed.
Today, the facility lies
right in the heart of the action
− centered on I-Drive between
the Universal Orlando resort
and SeaWorld.
Of course, during the
past 40 years, the property
has been known by different
names. It changed hands to
become a Ramada and then
eventually the Legacy Grand
Hotel. In 2008, the latest owners,
CNL Lifestyle Properties,
purchased the property and
began a $19 million renovation
last spring. On April 15, 2010,
CoCo Key Hotel and Water
Resort Orlando opened to the
public. Its aim is to capture the
spirit and feel of Key West. It is
the 10th property in the CoCo
Key chain.
This re-imagining of the
property came complete with a
54,000 square-foot waterpark.
Geared toward families, the
waterpark facility offers fun
and thrills no matter the age.
Factory Wholesale Pricing! • Over 100 Designs Available! • Ask us about our show specials!
Hey There
cowboys!
Come and try
our hot western
drinkware!
For the bigger thrills, three
waterslides are geared toward
the more adventurous. Three
pools provide exercise and
relaxation. An outdoor children’s
play island offers interactive
fun that includes water
cannons, slides and a sizable
400-gallon tipping bucket that
offers its deluge every few
minutes. And for the youngest
of all resort guests, a play area
geared toward the small ones
provides a zero depth entry
pool.
With the more high profile
capital supplied by White-
Water West, CoCo Key offers
guests a two-person Boomerango
slide. “This is my favorite
slide,” says Richard Jackson,
director of sales and marketing.
“It provides guests with
near-vertical sliding complete
with moments of weightlessness.
It is very unique and the
first such attraction in all of
Florida. It’s a real thrill!”
Surfer Splash and Over
the Falls are more traditional
bodyslides, with the Surfer
Splash being milder than the
twisted Over the Falls, a high
speed enclosed thrill slide.
Several areas seem to accommodate
particular ages
and specific likes. Minnow Lagoon
is designed for the very
4See COCO KEY, page 20
for a surprise, click on Adventures of sipperella
at www.sippersbydesign.com
CoCo Key Hotel and
Water Resort has opened in
Orlando, Fla. In the mix of
new waterpark
equipment is this slide
tower, with Boomerango
slide from WhiteWater
West. Below, hotel guests
can still enjoy the
traditional setting of a
swimming pool.
AT PHOTOS/
SAMMY PICCOLA
Toll Free: (800) 395-9980 • email: Ldsippers@aolcom • www.sippersbydesign.com