Sunday, November 14, 2010

AMI Debuts new Cash Prize touchscreen game at IAAPA

Editor: Looks like they're picking up on some very popular social gaming examples. Be sure to check your local laws first.

AMI Entertainment Network is proud to announce its participation in the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo in Orlando, Florida, which begins on November 16.

Visitors to booth #1603 will have the opportunity to test their touchscreen skills on AMI’s new Prize Farm machine and win instant cash!

Prize Farm is AMI’s first skill-based coin-op machine offering instant cash payout in the U.S. AMI will be offering show attendees at the Orange County Convention Center the opportunity to play the new games for free and walk away with up to $50 cash. Visitors to AMI’s booth also will have the opportunity to play the newest games from the Megatouch 2011 software.

The latest release features nine new games, including Little Shop Road Trip, the sequel to 2010’s smash hit Little Shop of Treasures.

Philadelphia-based AMI Entertainment Network Inc. is a global provider of on-location digital entertainment, from touchscreen games and jukeboxes to streaming news, music, and video programming. It provides content-rich entertainment solutions to bars, restaurants, and commercial venues in over 30 countries worldwide through a wealth of product brands: Megatouch, Rowe, Rock-Ola, Gameswarehouse, TAP.tv, and Almotech. Expanding its digital portfolio to touchscreen PCs and mobile devices, AMI is at the forefront of touchscreen entertainment for any venue or platform.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

SurfStream Barreling Wave Machine debuts



American Wave Machines, Inc. (AWM), an innovator in artificial wave technology, recently announced the successful commissioning of the first modular surfing system delivering multiple wave types including a left and right breaking barrel option.

AWM will be exhibiting at this year's IAAPA Attractions Expo. The AWM team (Bruce, Marie & Jennna) will be at the booth, along with East Coast Pro Surfer Lauren McLean. We'll be at booth number 4415.

Surfers are lining up to ride real surfboards with fins on the first barreling standing wave in Europe. The machine debuted at the Himlabadet Municipal Aquatic Sports and Spa Facility in Sundsvall, Sweden and is another first for AWM.

The locals in Sundsvall came out in full-force to ride SurfStream at the opening day event, sponsored by Quiksilver™ and Red Bull.

The event featured a live demonstration of the newly patented barreling wave technology and patent pending adjustable gated stream delivery system. The installation of the 16' x 4' high SurfStream (model 4016) paves the way for larger systems and establishes a value benchmark in the industry.

As early adopters of innovative technology, Himlabadet has received positive responses from the riders.

"We rode the SurfStream® with a 4'2" twin fin and a 5'0" thruster. The riding was awesome," said Per Öhman, a local Baltic Sea surfer from Sundsvall. "With the modular inserts, we can alternate between frontside and backside surfing in 82 deg. water. We're totally stoked to have a SurfStream® in our hometown."

The modular system can be configured into four different waves; a wide wave for beginner stand-up surf training, a left barrel, a right barrel, and a wide standing hydraulic jump wave.

"It's been a great experience working with the team at Himlabadet and VinterTeknik to bring this SurfStream on-line," said Bruce McFarland, President of AWM. "After a long development project, to finally see surfers, snowboarders and wakeboarders surfing a man-made barreling wave was fulfillment of a shared vision."

About American Wave Machines, Inc.
American Wave Machines, Inc. (AWM) develops artificial wave technology for applications in the aquatics, amusement, and resort industries. Its patented SurfStream®, the world’s first standing wave machine, is a technology breakthrough that delivers authentic surf and wave riding capabilities. The company also offers PerfectSwell™ wave generators for wave pools and custom surf pool design and equipment for large surf pools. For more information, visit www.surfstream.com.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Announces new Attractions

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Introduces A New Breed of Speed

For more than five decades, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has found inspiration in its animals. Animal care experts have turned that inspiration into adventure with immersive natural habitats like the Serengeti Plain, Myombe Reserve, Edge of Africa and Jungala. Engineers have also turned it into adrenaline, capturing the spirit of the animals in wood and steel with coasters like Kumba, Gwazi and SheiKra.

Now, the next generation of thrills emerges from the crossroads where up-close animal encounters and awe-inspiring rides come together. This spring, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay will introduce a new mega-attraction that introduces guests to join the hunt for excitement and experience a new breed of speed.

Cheetah Hunt

The centerpiece of the new attraction is Cheetah Hunt, a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) Launch Coaster that uses the force of repelling magnets to launch riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds – not once, but three times.

This one-of-a-kind, multiple launch-point coaster will board in Busch Gardens’ historic monorail station, which has been completely renovated as part of the new attraction.

The first launch propels the train out of the station and into the grasslands that surround the new area. Moments later, a second burst of speed accelerates riders to 60 mph and up into the ride’s signature tower element that climbs more than 10 stories above the African landscape before plunging 130 feet into a subterranean trench.

Cheetah Hunt covers a lot of ground, setting a new distance record for Busch Gardens’ roller coasters at 4,429 feet of track. After leaving the Crown Colony Plaza area, it races across a portion of the Serengeti Plain, staying close to the ground to give guests the experience of a cheetah sprinting across the plains. Elements such as over-banked turns, air-time parabolas and a heart line roll inversion imitate the agile creature chasing its prey, leaping and pouncing into the Nairobi area, where the train twists through a rocky gorge that was formerly part of Rhino Rally.

At the far end of this three-quarter-mile path, a third burst of speed rockets the train back across the plain toward the station in a thrill-ride experience unlike anything Busch Gardens’ guests have ever experienced.


Cheetah Run

But this one-of-a-kind coaster experience is only a portion of the new realm. Building on Busch Gardens’ unrivaled ability to combine thrills with immersive animal encounters, Cheetah Run will set a new standard for bringing nature and humans together in a really unique way.

Located in the area that formerly housed the Budweiser Clydesdales, this expansive new habitat will give visitors the opportunity to get closer to cheetahs than ever before with elevated, glass-paneled viewing areas. Even more exciting will be the chance to witness the world’s fastest land animal in action. Busch Gardens’ trainers will conduct daily sprints with the cheetahs for an awesome opportunity to see one of nature’s true wonders in full form!

Families can also explore interactive touch screens to learn even more about these big cats and SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s work on their behalf. Through the SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, the adventure parks have been helping wild cheetahs since 2005.

The Realm

While thrill-seekers race across the plain on Cheetah Hunt, and even non-riders appreciate the beauty and grace of the cheetah in Cheetah Run, the realm surrounding this new mega-attraction offers many more opportunities for adventure and exploration.

Built at the crossroads where Morocco, Egypt and the Edge of Africa all come together, the plaza will be a bustling, colorful celebration inspired by the sights and sounds of the cultures that feed into it. Busch Gardens’ famous Crown Colony House Restaurant will remain a focal point of the area as well with a new, terraced entrance that will feature additional outdoor seating and natural landscaping.

Cheetah Hunt and Cheetah Run open in spring 2011. Together, they form a unique experience – the kind you’ll only find at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Friday, November 12, 2010

Welcome

Welcome to the IAAPA Attractions Expo Report. We are an unofficial blog covering all things having to do with the IAAPA Attractions Expo and related industry news. For official news please continue to visit the IAAPA.org.

The idea for the blog came with IAAPA's recent commitment to hold the next 10 Attractions Expo's in Orlando. There is always a lot of industry news leading up to the Attractions Expo, on the floor excitement, and reports from the sessions and talks at the show. Plus we'll throw in some helpful information about Orlando attractions and related tips.

So welcome again to the IAAPA Attractions Expo Report; we hope you have a marvelous stay.