July 2010 - Amusement Today

July 2010 AMUSEMENT TODAY 13AMUSEMENT PARKSwww.AmusementToday.comFEC’S ATTRACTIONS RESORTS ENTERTAINMENT SUPPLIERSBRIEFLakemont parkacquires ridesfrom Bell’sTwo popular flat ridesthat once thrilled guests atOklahoma’s Bell’s AmusementPark have foundtheir way to a new home atPennsylvania’s LakemontPark. The Reverchon Himalayaand a Venture 4X4Truck Kiddie Ride are underconstruction. The 4X4should be operational byJuly 4 with the Himalayacoming online sometimelater this month.Amusement Today spokewith Lakemont ManagerBarry Kumpf about thedecision to purchase theseparticular rides. “We werelooking for another kiddieride and felt that the 4X4was attractive and a goodfit for us,” said Kumpf.“The decision to have theHimalaya replace our EyerlyMonster was a directresult of the older ride’s inspectionand maintenancerequirements being costprohibitive.”While the terms of thedeal were not disclosed, thetransaction was brokeredby Sam Shurgott, salesmanager for InternationalRides Management. Shurgott,a champion and majorsupporter of traditionalamusement parks, is constantlyworking with IRMto supply smaller venueswith top-quality rides andattractions.•www.irmpri.com.At Maryland’s Six Flags AmericaNorth America’s largest Thomas Town rolls into actionGuests visiting Maryland’sSix Flags America this seasonare finding a familiarface in his very own section– Thomas the Tank Engine. Asits most ambitious expansionin over a decade, Six FlagsAmerica’s newest area is thelargest Thomas Town in NorthAmerica. It features new ridesand attractions, a new retailstore and a new charactermeet-and-greet.“Thomas & Friends haveentertained and educatedmore than three generationswith messages of teamworkand friendship,” said JohnWinkler, Six Flags Americapark president. “Now familieswho visit the park have anew, permanent, place – thelargest in North America – toenjoy and interact with thesewonderful characters. We aredelighted to welcome ThomasTown to Six Flags America andoffer our guests more ways toexperience family-friendly funtogether.”Encompassing more thanthree and a half acres, the starof Thomas Town is a trainride on a Thomas the TankEngine replica (supplied byMatallbau Emmeln) that takesguests on a journey throughThomas’ mythical home onthe Island of Sodor. Otherrides and attractions in the allnewThomas Town include:Sodor Carnival (ZamperlaFerris Wheel 12); Harold theHelicopter (Zamperla Mini Jet6); Diesel Derby (ZamperlaThemed Convoy); Cranky theCrane (Zamperla Sky Tower);Bertie the Bus (ZamperlaCrazy Bus) along with aThomas Town play structureNorth America’s largestThomas town recentlymade its debut at Six FlagsAmerica. Shown aboveis Cranky the Crane, aZamperla Sky Tower. Atright, top to bottom is:Sodor Carnival Wheel andDiesel Derby, both fromZamperla and Thomasthe Tank Engine fromMatallbau Emmeln.PHOTOS COURTESYSIX FLAGS AMERICAfrom HAGS Play.In addition to these ridesand attractions, Sir TophamHatt, Controller of the Railway– a new character at Six FlagsAmerica – greets visitors andposes for photos throughoutthe day. The Knapford StationShop, the park’s first retaillocation since 2005, featuresthemed merchandise, includingthe popular Thomas &Friends die cast trains, appareland storybooks.4See THOMAS, page 16