Outlaw Run charges into Silver Dollar City - Amusement Today

April 2013 AMUSEMENT TODAY 11PARKS & ATTRACTIONSRIDES ENTERTAINMENT REVENUE SUPPLIERSUniversal Studios announces Despicable Me attractionUNIVERSAL CITY,Calif. — Universal StudiosHollywood recentlyannounced the much-anticipatedarrival of DespicableMe Minion Mayhem, a 3-DUltra-HD movie motion-simulatoradventure. UniversalPictures and IlluminationEntertainment’s worldwideblockbuster Despicable Me willcome to life in Hollywood inan attraction modeled afterthe one in its sister park,Universal Orlando Resort –with the addition of a fewsurprises.“Based on the consumerfeedback at our sister park, weexpect the Despicable Me rideexperience to be a popular,family-friendly attraction forUniversal Studios Hollywood.The ride continues the storyline of the main charactersfrom the blockbuster filmthrough all-new 3-D Ultra-HDanimation, together with aninteractive ride vehicle system,”said Larry Kurzweil,president and chief operatingofficer, Universal StudiosHollywood. “In DespicableMe Minion Mayhem, ourguests will experience thehilarious and heartwarmingcharacters of the beloved filmin a whole new way.”The fully immersive experiencewill debut in 2014 withthe loveable cast of leadingcharacters that have capturedthe laughter of audiencesworldwide: super-villainGru, his adorable girls(Margo, Edith and Agnes) andthe unpredictably hilariousMinions.“The Despicable MeMinion Mayhem attraction atUSH will continue to pushthe creative envelope withits exceptional show content,sight gags, special effects and3-D digital animation. Theexterior treatment will featureeven more thematic andcolorful creative touches thatwill literally place park guestsinside Gru’s world,” saidMark Woodbury, president,Universal Creative.Guests will experiencewhimsically themed queues,preshow videos and comedicdialogue that set up the fundamentalplot: Gru schemesto create more mischievousMinions from human recruits.Guests will be transportedinto Gru’s house as theymeander through his livingroom and encounter visualelements as seen in the film— including the moon-shrinkingSR-6 shrink ray — whilethey zig zag through a zanyadventure featuring Gru’ssuper-villain laboratory. Theexciting journey continuesas they swerve, bounce andplunge to get through thefrantically humorous Miniontraining mission while donningspecially designed 3-DMinion goggles. Fun andfrolic continue in a post-showdance party where Minionwalkaround characters inviteguests to strut their stuff in animpromptu Minion-inspireddance party.Despicable Me MinionMayhem was produced in collaborationbetween UniversalCreative and IlluminationEntertainment, and wasrecently honored as BestAnimated Special Productionat the 2012 Annie Awards,which recognizes OutstandingAchievements in the field ofAnimation.Petition to save RyePlayland gains momentumRYE, N.Y. — A Change.org online petition has beencreated by those who wantPlayland Park in Rye, N.Y.to remain a true traditionalamusement park. The petitionis gaining momentum withseveral thousand individualsfrom around the world showingtheir support by signingand commenting.The petition asks that theWestchester County, N.Y. Executiveand Board of Legislatorsselect a future operator ofPlayland Park that will maintainPlayland as a traditionaland historic amusement parkwithout reducing the footprintof the amusement area. Signatoriesof this petition wantPlayland to be operated by anexperienced amusement parkoperator which will maintainand improve the existingamusement park including allhistoric buildings and structures,without shrinking thefootprint of the amusementarea or decreasing the numberof rides.The petition states: “Signatoriessupport plans of StandardAmusements and/orCentral Amusements International(CAI) as said proposalsstood as of Feb. 20, 2013. Bothcompanies would improve theamusement park and investin additional capital improvements,while respecting theproperty’s history and atmosphere.They believe that theseproposals offer the strongestchoices for the financial successof Playland.“Signatories are opposed4See PETITION, page 12The Change.org online petition created by those who want Playland Park in Rye, N.Y. toremain a true traditional amusement park is gaining momentum with numerous individualsfrom around the world showing their support by signing and commenting. The Fred ChurchdesignedDragon Coaster (pictured here) is just one of the many historical highlights of atrip to Playland.AT/SCOTT RUTHERFORDCreating Memories & Profitability• abc rides switzerland• Cogan Kiddie Rides• Moser Rides• Used Rides & Games• Wattman Trainswww.intermarkridegroup.comTEL 615.370.9625 FAX 615.370.8852Nashville Zoo TrainVoodoo Interactive Raft, abc rides Hoopla, Moser Rides Wattman Mini Express