July 2010 - Amusement Today

24 AMUSEMENT TODAY July 2010WhiteWater West expands MegaTube series with new AnacondaCanada’s WhiteWater West Industries Ltd.,recently announced the expansion of its Mega-Tube waterslide line with the introduction ofthe Anaconda, the largest family raft ride everdesigned. The Anaconda is the latest in this seriesof high-capacity waterslides, joining theViper and Python which were introduced atIAAPA 2009. Three MegaTube waterslides havealready been sold since last month’s launch.The defining feature of the Anaconda is itsmassive 30-foot diameter fully enclosed Mega-Tube flume, 50 percent larger than the Viperand Python flumes. Like its sister rides, the AnacondaMegaTube is set at a 90-degree angle tothe slide path. The thrills begin with a suddendrop down a steep ramp and into the Mega-Tube. Once inside, the raft – carrying up to sixriders – spins around and oscillates side to side,climbing as high as 15 feet up the inner wallsas it winds down the waterslide. The length ofthe MegaTube can vary with each unique slidepath, which can comprise multiple MegaTubesections and can also be combined with otherattractions from WhiteWater West, such as theFamily Raft Ride or the Family Boomerango.The MegaTube technology allows forflume-in-flume capabilities meaning anotherwaterslide can actually pass through it, creatinga one-of-a-kind experience for riders andspectators alike. One example would be toimagine a Master Blaster passing right throughthe MegaTube, with riders hurtling by above asa raft serpentines through below.RENDERING COURTESY WHITEWATERWhiteWater West Industries’ new MegaTube waterslideline launches with Anaconda, the largest family raft rideever designed.Disneyland Hotel to renovate pool area, add themed waterslidesDisneyland Resort officialshave announced plans for substantialupgrades to the pooland courtyard areas of the DisneylandHotel, continuing thelandmark property’s currentrenovation project. Changeswill include building a newpool and waterplay area, renovatingan existing pool, openinga new restaurant and bar,and re-theming of the hotel’sthree guest room towers.“These exciting enhancements,along with our currentDisneyland Hotel renovationand the expansion of Disney’sCalifornia Adventure, underscoreour ongoing investmentin the Disneyland Resort andthe Anaheim Resort District,”said George A. Kalogridis,president of Disneyland Resort.“We are proud to collaboratewith city and businessleaders as we continue toevolve the area into a worldclass,multiday tourist destination.”Changes will restore andhighlight the original mid-centurystyle of the classic hotel.The hotel’s original two-storybungalows were built in 1955,just months after Walt Disney’sfirst theme park openedits gates; the first tower waserected in 1962.“Disney is all about storytelling,and these changeswill weave a cohesive threadthroughout the property andinfuse the historic hotel withDisneyland nostalgia,” saidTom Fitzgerald, executive vicepresident and senior creativeexecutive, Walt Disney Imagineering.The most noticeablechanges will be to the swimmingpool, where guests of allages will enjoy a new, immersivewaterplay area. With anod to the iconic original parksignage, ‘Disneyland’ will bespelled out in familiar blocksatop a platform supportingtwo thrilling Monorial-themedwaterslides. Reminiscent ofthe original Monorail stationat the Disneyland Hotel, ateach slide’s entrance will sita replica Monorail train thatguests will glide through asthey twist and turn their wayto the water below. The largerof the two main slides stands26-feet-high and stretches187 feet until it plunges intoa splash pool. The secondMonorail-themed slide is13-feet-high and 112-feet-long.For younger guests, the areawill include a third two-lanemini slide as well as a series ofsmall bubble jets in which toplay. The tower and all threeslides are being supplied toDisneyland resort by White-Water West Industries, Ltd.The existing Never Landpool will receive a completecosmetic makeover but retainits unique footprint. A new4-foot-deep pool will be builtbetween the existing NeverLand pool and the new waterplayarea. The space alsowill include two spas at oppositeends of the pool area.The site of the current Covepool will become a manicuredlawn area, perfect for outdoorevents. In addition, six newcabanas will be added; eachfeatures a flat screen TV, refrigerator,safe, phone, andceiling fan.New dining and loungeexperiences will be introducedin the current locationof Hook’s Pointe, Croc’s Bits‘n’ Bites, the Wine Cellar andLost Bar. A new ‘smart casual’RENDERING COURTESY DISNEYLAND RESORTA new waterslide tower under construction at the Disneyland Hotel will include iconicoriginal park signage and two replica Monorail trains.dining area will take its architecturalcue from the originalTahitian Terrace restaurantin Disneyland Park and thePolynesian architecture thatwas popularized during theearly era of the hotel. A newenclosed bar will feature specialtydrinks and surprises forguests.Construction for the newwaterplay area, pool, andfood and beverage locationsis scheduled to begin in August2010 and be completedby summer 2011. The remodeledexisting pool is slated forcompletion by summer 2012.Changes also include renamingof the hotel’s threeguest room towers for Disneyland’sdistinctive lands. TheDreams Tower, currently underrenovation and scheduledto be completed in June 2010,will become the AdventureTower. The Wonder Tower,next to undergo transformationand slated for completionin 2011, will be the FrontierTower. Finally, the MagicTower, which will be finishedin 2012, will transform to theFantasy Tower. Large marqueesfeaturing classic artworkwill identify each tower.The Disneyland Hotel renovationbegan in Aug. 2009.The remodeled guest roomsfeature exquisite Disneytouches woven into the decor.A stunning new headboardwith an artistically carvedrepresentation of DisneylandPark’s famous Sleeping BeautyCastle serves as the focal pointin each guest room. The backgroundon the headboard usesfiber optics to create a magicalskyline with fireworks - bringingthe immersive park experienceinto the room.The work at the DisneylandHotel is a part of a largerexpansion project underwaythroughout the Resort. Disney’sCalifornia AdventurePark is undergoing a multiyearexpansion project thatincludes new experiences,attractions and nighttimespectaculars, culminating in2012 with the opening of CarsLand. The four-diamond Disney’sGrand Californian Hotel& Spa also underwent an expansionlast year that added203 hotel rooms and 50 twobedroomvillas that are partof the Disney Vacation Club,marking the club’s West Coastdebut.