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A Flood of Innovation at Kentucky’s Ark Encounter p. 85 Cultivating Community and Commerce at New Orleans FECs p. 103 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 The Empowerer Massimiliano Freddi is ready to inspire as 2025 IAAPA Chairman of the Board NATURAL ATTRACTIONS ISSUEINSIDE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 Cover Story | page 72 SCOTT FAIS The Empowerer Wonderwood founder and CEO Massimiliano Freddi, and board member Giuseppe Celestre, take a moment for reflection in the attraction’s playground. Freddi’s diverse operational background and active participation in IAAPA has prepared him well to assume the role of 2025 IAAPA Chairman of the Board. COVER PHOTO: SCOTT FAIS Anchoring Success at Ark Encounter Thoughtful planning, creative execution, and strategic collaboration have allowed a replica of Noah’s Ark to rise from the Kentucky countryside. Climb inside to learn the blueprint of how this natural attraction operates. . The Cable Car Comeback They’re a scenic way for families to soar above natural parklands or hang below tree canopies while taking in passing landscapes. Following a lull, cable cars and ropeways are again attractions within their own right. Explore their history and how they’re gliding into the future. 84 93 NATURAL ATTRACTIONS ISSUE2 Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O—AMUSEMENT PARKS Adventureland Reimagines a Classic With Enhanced Theming and Special Effects … 7 O—DISPATCH … 10 O—REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O—IAAPA RESEARCH … 26 O—INNOVATIONS All Eyes on IAAPA Member’s Creation At 2024 Olympics … 28 O—THOUGHT LEADERSHIP Franceen Gonzales’ Career Advice and Insight … 30 O—IAAPA SAFETY CORNER … 32 O—WHAT WORKS The Benefits of Using Technology to Manage Maintenance … 34 O—MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 36 O—WHAT’S NEW … 42 O—PEOPLE OF THE ATTRACTIONS Bruce D. Robinson’s Illustrious Career… 44 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 VOLUME XXXIX • ISSUE 6 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. ASSOCIATION NEWS AND BENEFITS EVENT RECAPS IAAPA Leadership Visits Members in Chile and Argentina … 48 IAAPA Expo Europe Sets Records in Amsterdam … 50 IAAPA EXPO 2024 PREVIEW New Offerings … 52 Sponsors … 56 EVENTS Explore New Tech Innovations at IAAPA Explores: CES 2025 … 62 New Events Coming to EMEA … 64 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Unlock the Power of IAAPA Member Benefits … 66 CALENDAR … 67 DEPARTMENTS AD INDEX … 126 MIC DROP … 128 ® BUSINESS RESOURCES FEATURE LAUNCH LUNA PARK SYDNEY INSIDE | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 Visit IAAPA.org/News for leading industry news in the IAAPA News Hub. AVERY MATTEOENCHANTED KINGDOM 119Stop Employee Burnout 103The FECs of The Big Easy Go inside how FECs in New Orleans operate and entertain 123Sustainability At French Parks4 Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Rope Drop Funworld (ISSN 08923752; mailed in Canada under IPM #0902179) is published bimonthly by IAAPA, 4155 West Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837; phone: +1 321-319-7600. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL, and additional offices. The purpose, function, and nonprofit status of this organization have not changed during the preceding 12 months. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Funworld, 4155 West Taft Vineland Road, Orlando, FL 32837. ©2024 IAAPA. No material or part thereof may be reproduced or printed without the written consent of IAAPA. Ride-along may be enclosed. DISCLAIMER . IAAPA makes no rep- resentations or warranties about the accuracy or suitability of any informa- tion or materials in this publication; all such content is provided on an as is basis. IAAPA hereby disclaims all war- ranties regarding the contents of this publication, including without limita- tion all warranties of title, non-infringe- ment, merchantability, and fitness for a particular purpose. IAAPA does not guarantee, warrant, or endorse the information, products, or services of any corporation, organization, or person. IAAPA shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, claim, or otherwise, whether an action in contract or tort and further shall not be liable for any lost profits, or direct, indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind (including without limitation attorneys’ fees and expenses). 4155 West Taft Vineland Road | Orlando, FL 32837 USA +1 321-319-7600 Funworld Magazine Team Director, Global Editorial and Digital Content Scott Fais SFais@IAAPA.org Managing Editor, Funworld Magazine Michael Costello MCostello@IAAPA.org Associate Editor, Funworld Magazine Avery Matteo AMatteo@IAAPA.org Contributing Editor Juliana Gilling julianagilling@gmail.com Manager, Global Advertising Sales Julie Rice-Witherell JRiceWitherell@IAAPA.org Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.org Contact us for advertising info at +1 703-299-5755 or email at Advertising@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Chairman of the Board Wuthichai Luangamornlert IAAPA President and CEO Jakob Wahl Executive Vice President and Chief Membership Officer Storm Tussey Director of Global Communications Eryka Washington Perry IAAPA Asia Pacific Vice President and Executive Director Jack Chan IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa Executive Director and Vice President Peter van der Schans IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Vice President and Executive Director Paulina Reyes IAAPA North America Vice President and Executive Director Michael Shelton IAAPA.org ® Giant Dipper’s Big Milestone The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk celebrated the Giant Dipper roller coaster’s 100th anniversary in 2024. The Frank Prior/ Frederick Church creation, built by Arthur Looff, began creating smiles for over a century ago, standing as an icon in the community and lovingly preserved by its maintenance team. Funworld went behind the scenes for a day in the life of a Giant Dipper mechanic. Scan the QR code to watch the IAAPA News video produced at the park. MICHAEL COSTELLODISCOVER MORE! Our team of specialists in concept design, engineering and manufacturing can deliver the most thrilling experience for your guests! Whether you want to create a new family coaster that appeals to children, teens, parents and grandparents, are looking for a new heart- pounding experience to delight thrill seekers or want to develop any other attraction that will make your venue a success! We look forward to meeting you at IAAPA EXPO! WWW.VEKOMA.COM FAMILY ADVENTURE NEW 2025 - TILT COASTER ‘SIREN’S CURSE’ CEDAR POINT, USA NEW 2024 - FAMILY BOOMERANG ‘GOOD GRAVY!’ HOLIDAY WORLD & SPLASHIN’ SAFARI, USA ORLANDO 19 - 22 NOVEMBER BOOTH #5124 NEW 2024 - SWITCHBACK COASTER ‘JUNGLE RUSH’ - DREAMWORLD, AU LICENSED TO THRILLIAAPA.org/Funworld | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024 | Funworld 7 Launch SINCE ITS DEBUT IN 1996, UNDERGROUND HAS REMAINED a fan-favorite at Adventureland in Altoona, Iowa. The indoor wooden roller coaster takes guests deep into a haunted coal mine, where Sheriff Sam is hot on the trail of Bad Bob and his gang of gold-thieving outlaws. After about three decades, however, the beloved attraction was due for a refresh. Following its closure for refurbishment at the end of the 2022 season, Underground reopened this year with a new take on its dark ride scenes. For Ian Miller, who heads the Des Moines attraction design shop Gaff Box, spearheading the makeover was a dream project. Miller grew up nearby, and he and his family often visited Adventureland. Underground was his favorite ride. “It definitely contributed to my fascination with dark rides and immersive attractions,” Miller says. He caught the design bug at age seven when he built a small haunted house with a couple of friends. Years later, he created a haunted attraction that soon became a Halloween season staple in Des Moines. The attraction’s success led Miller to a gig two years ago with Adventureland, providing creative support for its Phantom Fall Fest event. His involvement with the event, which opened a door to additional projects with the park, allowed him the opportunity to to bid on the Underground makeover. While Gaff Box has developed walk-through Adventureland Reimagines Classic Attraction Enhanced scenes and immersive theming breathe new life into the Underground ride experience by Arthur Levine AMUSEMENT PARKS c ADVENTURELAND Detailed scenic elements inside the Underground coaster allow guests to feel immersed within the haunted coal mine.Next >