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Halloween Event Hallmarks p. 52 Explore Shanghai Attractions p. 62 MAY/JUNE 2025 The Heroine of Heartware Jill Estorino, the president and managing director of Disney Parks International shares insight, thought leadership, and advice for busy attractions professionalsINSIDE | MAY/JUNE 2025 Cover Story | page 46 The Heroine of Heartware Jill Estorino, the president and managing director of Disney Parks International shares insight, thought leadership, and advice for busy attractions professionals COVER PHOTO: DISNEY EXPERIENCES 52Frightfully Good Fun Exploring what’s hot in the world of Halloween offerings 58From Spectator to Explorer: Rainforest Wild Asia The evolution of zoo experiences in Singapore 62Destination: Shanghai World-class attractions await IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 attendees2 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2025 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O—EXPANSION Miral and Disney Partner to Create New Park in Abu Dhabi … 7 O—DISPATCH … 10 O—REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O—MOVERS & SHAKERS … 24 O—MANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER NEWS … 25 O—PEOPLE OF THE ATTRACTIONS Dominic Audet: Crafting Immersive Worlds of Wonder … 28 O—IAAPA SAFETY CORNER Fire Prevention Preps: Aiming for the Best … 29 O—THOUGHT LEADERSHIP In Conversation with Welby Altidor: Creativity and Immersive Experiences … 30 O—THE SUSTAINABILITY SPOT Accessibility and Inclusion at the Forefront of Sustainability … 31 O—IAAPA RESEARCH … 32 O—TECHNOLOGY Creating a VIP Guide: Elevating Attractions with AI Chat … 33 MAY/JUNE 2025 VOLUME XL • ISSUE 3 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. ASSOCIATION NEWS AND BENEFITS EVENT RECAPS APAC Sustainability Summit … 40 IAAPA Honors … 41 IAAPA and the TEA … 42 EVENT PREVIEWS IAAPA Expo Asia 2025 … 36 IAAPA FOUNDATION … 39 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Unlock the Power of IAAPA Member Benefits … 43 CALENDAR … 44 DEPARTMENTS AD INDEX … 74 MIC DROP … 76 ® BUSINESS RESOURCES FUNWORLD’S INDUSTRY INSIGHTS LAUNCH MIRAL INSIDE | MAY/JUNE 2025 Visit IAAPA.org/News for leading industry news in the IAAPA News Hub. ELAUT GROUPOCEAN PARK 70Dressing for Success72Clawing for Attention 4 Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2025 | IAAPA.org/Funworld 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. ©2025 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 representations or warranties about the accu- racy or suitability of any information or materials in this publication; all such content is provided on an as-is basis. IAAPA hereby disclaims all warranties regarding the contents of this publication, including without limitation all war- ranties of title, non-infringement, 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 Senior 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 Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.org Get industry headlines delivered to your inbox. Subscribe to IAAPA News Daily by sending your email address to DailyNewsletter@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/FunworldIAAPA.org IAAPA Chairman of the Board Massimiliano Freddi IAAPA President and CEO Jakob Wahl 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 Contact us for advertising info at +1 703-299-5755 or email at Advertising@IAAPA.org ® ROBERTO BÁEZ Rope Drop The Legend of Quetzalcoatl Serpentikah at Aztlán Parque Urbano in Mexico City pays homage to Mexican culture through its thematic design. The new roller coaster’s inauguration created excitement in March during IAAPA Summit: Latin America, Caribbean with leaders from Aztlán, Vekoma, and IAAPA cutting the ribbon. Serpentikah is one of Vekoma’s largest suspended family coasters to date, with 569 meters of track and a top speed of 64 kilometers per hour. It’s minimum height requirement of 1.05 meters makes the ride accessible for families with children. From left to right: Sergio Haua, Aztlán Parque Urbano; Ricardo Etges, Vekoma Rides; Wil Snijders, Vekoma Rides; Massimiliano Freddi, 2025 IAAPA Chairman of the Board; Paulina Reyes, IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Vice President and Executive Director. NEW 2025 SUPER BOOMERANG ‘THE FLASH™: Vertical Velocity’ SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE - USA MAXIMUM THRILL ULTIMATE COMFORT SHANGHAI 1 - 3 JULY BOOTH #1616 Dallas has broken ground on Harold Simmons Park, a 250-acre, world-class-park celebrating recreation, conservation, and connection. This Park will emerge as one of Dallas’s premier cultural attractions, transforming the city into a vibrant destination to live, work, play, and visit. Where Nature Unites Dallas Great Cities are Defined By Great Parks Harold SimmonsPark.org7 Launch IAAPA.org/Funworld | MAY/JUNE 2025 | Funworld c MICKEY PLANS TO PLACE A STAKE IN THE SAND. On May 7, Miral and Disney Experiences announced a partnership to bring a new Disney-inspired theme park to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The announcement came during a 15th anniversary celebra- tion for Yas Island. The property will be developed, financed, and built by Miral, while Disney Experiences will lead the design efforts and assist with operations. His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman, Dept. of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi and Miral, played with the audience amassed at the W Abu Dhabi hotel when announcing the news: “I have a special guest with me. But as soon as I tell you who it is, you will know what we will announce today…” pausing just long enough to allow laughter from the crowd to build before Disney CEO Bob Iger took the stage. “In the 102-year history of the Walt Disney Company, there have been many defining moments and countless achievements,” Iger told the crowd to thunderous applause as he announced the company’s seventh theme park resort. Iger says the new property will “blend wonderful Disney stories and characters with the cultures and tastes” of the UAE and the Middle East. A Whole New World: Miral and Disney Partner to Create New Park in Abu Dhabi New theme park to rise on Yas Island by Scott Fais with Hani Haraty EXPANSION MIRAL From left to right: Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO of Miral and Member of the IAAPA Board of Directors; His Excellency Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman at Miral; Bob Iger, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company; Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Experiences.Next >