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< Previous8 Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 | IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Mission: We inspire, grow, and protect the global attractions industry through member connections. ® I AM HONORED AND PRIVILEGED to have served as 2022 IAAPA Chairman of the Board. For me, this experience became the pinnacle of more than 40 years spent as an industry volunteer, advocate, and ambassador—and, I have valued every moment. Throughout the past year, the world reopened to travel, and I was on the move. I visited more than 60 IAAPA member parks, attractions, and suppliers, located in 12 different countries. Additionally, I attended four regional events, two expos, four summits, one road show tour, and one virtual expo. I sat in on dozens of committee calls, gaining insight into the accomplishments across our regions. The members I met with demonstrated a resilience and resolve to move forward from the past and into a positive future. I was inspired to see the passion and appre- ciation they have for IAAPA. Our member attractions create experiences that will drive success for years to come, ensuring that the business of delivering fun will prevail. Your board of directors is incredible. They have focused on moving our association forward to be well positioned in a post-pandemic world, and they are able to serve our membership globally in an increasingly more efficient way. As I entered the year, there were two initiatives I wanted to shine a light on: empow- ering young people and elevating the food and beverage (F&B) experience. Through the commitment of our Education and Professional Development teams and the IAAPA Foundation, career pathways were established. Investing in the lives of young people is a priority. At every opportunity, I was able to highlight the growing impact that F&B delivers. Increased vendor support, identifying trends, additional products and services, and world-class education are just some of the ways that IAAPA connects our members. The association’s leadership and members of Team IAAPA are committed to a brighter, better tomorrow, and show up daily to make that happen. Working hand in hand with our vol- unteer community, our association and industry are stronger. Lastly, I would say that you don’t volunteer alone. I will forever be grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from my work family, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk leadership, and colleagues everywhere. However, I owe the greatest thanks to my wife, Renee, who has stood by me and cheered me on throughout my dedication to IAAPA. I look forward to continuing to live a lifetime of service. The best is yet to come. Ken Whiting, ICAE 2022 Chairman of the Board and President of Whiting’s Foods at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk A Year to Savor Letter from IAAPA DEAR IAAPA MEMBERS, a THrILLING BaCK AND FoRTH JoURNEY WITH ITS MaJeSTIC THEMING oPTIoNS riFT SIGNATURE WATERSLIDE DESIGNER presentsIAAPA.org/Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 | Funworld 13 Launch FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS, AND WITH MORE THAN ONE BILLION SOLD, she’s among the top-selling toys of all time: Barbie. And now, a new attraction celebrates her legacy and allows guests to experience Barbie’s world in life-size. “The World of Barbie” attraction made its global debut on July 22 at the Square One shopping center in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, near Toronto. The 30,000 square foot attraction was brought to life by live events firm Kilburn Live and children’s entertainment company Mattel, which owns the Barbie brand. “Barbie is by far the number-one doll in the world and one of the top toy brands globally,” says Bryan Harris, chief marketing officer for Kilburn Live. “She is multicultural, aspirational, and inspirational, and has shaped millions of children’s imaginations. Our intent with ‘World of Barbie’ is to deliver that same inspiration to Barbie fans via life-size installations.” “The World of Barbie” allows guests to literally step into the world of Barbara Millicent Roberts—aka Barbie—with environments that reflect her lifestyle. Perhaps the most recognizable to fans will be life-size rooms of Barbie’s Dreamhouse, the doll’s home first introduced in 1962 (and updated with numerous renovations over six decades). At “World of Barbie,” fans can walk through Barbie’s neighborhood, with each street carrying names central to the brand, such as Barbie Boulevard, which is intended to be reminiscent of the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Ken Lane, Daisy Drive, Nikki Avenue, and Skipper Street. “You Can Be Anything” in the “World of Barbie” How a popular toy became an attraction By Keith Miller BRAND-BASED ATTRACTIONS c KILBURN LIVE The Barbie Dreamhouse comes alive as a new attraction at “The World of Barbie.”LAUNCH 14 Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Among the other actual-size environ- ments is the Barbie Laboratory, Barbie Production Studio, Barbie Design Studio, and Barbie Interstellar Airways. Since her Brand-Based Attractions introduction in 1959, Barbie has stayed busy, pursuing more than 250 careers. “We want visitors, particularly youth, to be inspired to imagine the endless possibilities of walking in the footsteps of Barbie, to become a scientist, designer, music producer, astro- naut, and much more,” says Harris. “We have built something for Barbie fans of all ages, and people will discover and take away something new with every visit.” With such an established brand, the question arises as to what prompted the creation of a Barbie attraction now. “Barbie has always been a focus of our interest at Kilburn Live because of her iconic history and wide audience appeal,” Harris tells Funworld. “It was a matter of timing in terms of when we could bring this immersive attraction to life.” Though Barbie is a doll for children, Kilburn Live and Mattel realize that “World of Barbie” will also attract adult guests of all ages who grew up playing with the toy. “Barbie has wide appeal across multiple generations,” says Harris, “and this is a great experience for audiences across all ages. Parents can bring their children to ‘World of Barbie’ for an unforgettable family day.” Following its debut near Toronto, “World of Barbie” will tour several cities across North America, including New York, Chicago, and Dallas. Admission price ranges from CA$33.00 to CA$52.50 for adults, and CA$24.00 to CA$52.50 for children ages 1-13. Infants under 12 months are free. Kilburn Live sug- gests guests allow at least 1½ hours for their visit, but they’re welcome to stay as long as they’d like. theworldofbarbie.com Selfie spots abound at the attraction, allowing guests to share their visit on social media platforms. KILBURN LIVE n Barbie Dreamhouse: Guests can explore exquisitely designed rooms in the Dreamhouse, which comes com- plete with a patio and ball pit pool. n Barbie Laboratory: Visitors will find everything from a Barbie-styled periodic table to microscopes and chemical reactions. n Music Production Studio: Visitors get to play DJ, try out instruments from Barbie, and dance to a selection of tunes. n Barbie Interstellar Airways: Guests can travel among the stars aboard a space shuttle, track objects on a radar, and report back to mission control. n Barbie TV Center: Visitors get to interview guests, give a weather report, and deliver breaking news via a tele- prompter on the set of The Barbie Show. n World of Barbie Museum: This gallery showcases the evolution of Barbie through a style gallery featuring Barbie dolls and Dreamhouses from different decades and a col- lection of her vintage cars. n Camper Van: A full-size camper van, built by car-custom- ization shop West Coast Customs, lets guests take the wheel or simply relax in a hammock. n World of Barbie Café: Guests can enjoy sweet treats and afternoon tea. Online reservations are available with select VIP ticket purchases. Walk-up guests are served on a space-available basis. n Barbie Dreambuilder: Exclusive to World of Barbie, this experience lets visitors create their own customized Barbie set. Using their creativity, they can select from dozens of dolls, fashions, and accessories. Lands Inside the “World of Barbie” Visitors to “World of Barbie” can experience an assortment of life-size settings:TAKE THEM THERE With Premier Adventure Attractions From RCI 269.371.5893 | rciadventure.com | LAGUNA BEACH BAR SKY TOUR PENSACOLA BEACH, FL Elevate your business to a must-visit destination and have the peace of mind knowing you’re receiving only industry leading hardware and equipment. All with the best maintenance and customer support from the professionals at RCI. IAAPA – Orlando NOV 15–18, 2022 | Booth #: 5631 COME SEE US16 by Michael Switow Asia-Pacific LAUNCH Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 | IAAPA.org/Funworld New Zealand Company Bringing Luge to Malaysia New Zealand’s Skyline Enterprises is investing NZ$26 million to build Malaysia’s first luge attraction. “Skyline Luge” will feature four interlinked tracks that will navigate tunnels and landscap- ing elements. Visitors who want a bird’s eye view of the luge can ride a 380-meter zip line designed by Italy’s Adrenaline X-Treme Adventures. The zip line will be accessed by Malaysia’s first ski lift ride. At the end of the zip line, riders have an option of experiencing a 13-meter Powerfan free-fall simulator. The attractions are expected to open by the end of 2023. Located 15 minutes from downtown Kuala Lumpur in the Clang Valley, SkyLine Luge is part of a new 105-acre leisure property named Gamuda Gardens, built by one of the coun- try’s largest developers, Gamuda Land. The attraction is Skyline Enterprises’ fourth venture in Asia, with other luges in South Korea and on Singapore’s Sentosa Island. www.skylineenterprises.co.nz WALT DISNEY IMAGINEERING Oriental Land Company plans to invest 56 billion yen to com- pletely renovate Tokyo Disneyland’s Space Mountain roller coaster, an attraction that has thrilled fans since the resort opened nearly 40 years ago. Park officials say the renovated Space Mountain will be “entirely new,” though it will also “maintain its original concept” as an indoor roller coaster that takes guests on a high-speed journey through space. Visitors can expect more modern spe- cial effects in the revamped attraction. “With the overarching story of appreciating our home (Earth), we are making this change to spread awareness of car- ing for our Earth and what she’s gifted us throughout time as we know it,” Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Creative Director Owen Yoshino told the Disney Parks Blog. Tokyo Disney plans to close Space Mountain in 2024, then reopen it three years later in a reimagined Tomorrowland plaza, redesigned to represent “an image of a future where humans are in harmony with nature.” tokyodisneyresort.jp/en/index.html Tokyo Disney to Reimagine Space Mountain in Japan SKYLINE ENTERPRISESWe create turnkey Media Dark Rides for Theme Parks • FECs • Shopping Malls • Amusement Parks www.lagotronicsprojects.com Interactive Media Dark RidesNext >