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Park Newswww.parkworld-online.comAngry Birds LandApp meets amusement park in FinlandSärkänniemi Adventure Park in Tampere, Finland, is toopen a new zone based around the computer gameAngry Birds. Set to open this summer, Angry Bird Landpromises an “interactive entertainment experiencewhere the physical and virtual world combine.”Developed in association with the Finnish softwaredeveloper Rovio Entertainment, the new addition tothe park will feature design from Bruce D Robinson ofCincinatti. Details of the planned rides and attractionswill be released later this spring.Since it was released for the iPhone in December2009, Angry Birds has it become the biggest-sellingpaid “app” ever in both Apple’s UK and US AppStores. The game has now been downloaded morethan 700 million times across all platforms.“We wanted to create a unique themed areaassociated with a strong brand,” says SärkänniemiCEO Miikka Seppälä. “The Angry Birds characterswere born in Finland but are known worldwide bypeople of all ages. This is a perfect fit for our park.”According to Rovio’s executive vice-president oflicensing and merchandising, Harri Koponen, thenew addition at Särkänniemi will be, “the first ofseveral Angry Bird parks around the world” with thegoal being “to motivate the fans, both adults andchildren, to exercise and enjoy the outdoors.”Särkänniemi’s 2012 season starts on April 28.SärkänniemiKernelsLo-Q has signed a three-year deal with PalaceEntertainment/Parques Reunidos to introduce a virtualqueuing system at Splish Splash waterpark inRiverhead, New York. Guests will be able to rent a Q-band waterproof wristband, enabling and reserve a"virtual" place in line at the park's most popular slides.A troupe of Mexican Olympic high divers will be thestars of a new show opening this summer atPleasure Beach, Blackpool, England. LaQuebrada will be performed in a purpose built arenain the shadow of the Big One rollercoaster. The park’slive entertainment offer will receive another boost inJuly when the 75th edition of the IAAPA Big E Awardwinningskating spectacular Hot Ice opens at thePleasure Beach Arena.Professional simulation specialist Cruden has movedinto new premises in Amsterdam to handle increasedorders from customers in the motorsport, automotive,attractions and training markets. The new facility is just15 minutes from Schiphol airport and two minutesfrom the Amsterdam ring road.Ninja Turtles take overNickelodeon UniverseTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Shell Shock is one of three Gerstlauer attractionsopening this season in North America. The 72-ft-tall SkyFly attraction isdestined for Nickelodeon Universe at theMall of America.The ride features a giant arm with 12single seat gondolas. During theexperience, passengers are free to flip“wings” by their side in order to completebarrel rolls in the sky.The new ride is one of three SkyFlysopening this season around the world, theother two going to Nigoland in France andLegoland Deutschland. The indoor park inMinnesota already boasts a GerstlauerEuroFighter and spinning coaster.Legoland Windsor HotelGuests at Legoland Windsor nearLondon will be able to enjoy the“ultimate sleepover” at the world’s firstpurpose-built Legoland Hotel.At the entrance is a clock towerfeaturing a 6-metre smoke-breathingLego dragon, while featured in thelobby is a floor to ceiling exploding toybox mobile and a reception wall madefrom 6,000 mini Lego figures. A teamof six children have been appointed as“junior concierges” for the officialopening on March 17.With this addition to the park,operator Merlin Entertainment has nowrebranded the property LegolandWindsor Resort.8 MARCH 2012