® Asia-Pacific Attractions Share Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic p. 45 Innovative Ways Theme Parks Help Riders Store Loose Articles p. 50 JUNE 2020 Aspire Aspire HigherHigher How Carowinds’ Pat Jones leads people, guides change, and prepares for what’s next40 The Power of One Independent parks thrive with big ideas and innovative additions FEATURE INSIDE | June 2020 SCOTT FAIS Cover Story | page 34 Aspire Higher How Pat Jones, vice president and general manager of Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina, leads people, guides change, and prepares for what’s next ON THE COVER: With her warm smile and passion for people, Carowinds’ Pat Jones enjoys helping young employees learn new things. COVER PHOTO BY SCOTT FAIS 46 Envisioning the New Normal Asia-Pacific attractions adapt and look toward a restarting after COVID-19 48 Insights from a Reopened Park A vice president with Atlantis Sanya shares lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic Reopening Asia 45 SPECIAL REPORT2 Funworld | JUNE 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Launch O— VINTAGE VOYAGE Showboat Branson Belle Ready to Celebrate Silver Anniversary … 9 O— REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O— FIRST LOOK Overnight Safari Lodges in the Savanna of England … 16 O— ATTRACTION EVOLUTION New Adventures Enliven Miami’s Jungle Island … 18 O— MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 20 O— WHAT’S NEW … 21 O— THE ART OF ATTRACTIONS Shining Beacons that Nourish the Soul … 22 June 2020 VOLUME XXXVI • ISSUE 6 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. 25 ASSOCIATION NEWS EVENT RECAP IAAPA Leadership Summit 2020 … 26 AWARDS Nominations for the 2020 IAAPA Young Professional of the Year Award … 30 MEMBER BENEFIT IAAPA Increases Online Programming … 31 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Caribe Bay … 32 CALENDAR … 33 DEPARTMENTS LETTER FROM IAAPA … 6 AD INDEX … 54 TIM’S TURN … 56 ® BUSINESS RESOURCES 50 Stow It Theme parks use ingenuity to help riders store loose articles 52 Anger Management Rage rooms and smash rooms become a hit EFTELING SANDY HUFFAKER CANADA’S WONDERLANDBREAK STUFF INSIDE | June 2020HIGH PROFIT HIGH THROUGHPUT MINIMAL MAINTENANCE ELEVATED SAFETY rciadventure.com PATENTED DESIGNS LIFETIME SUPPORT CRAFTING ADVENTURE FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT4 Funworld | JUNE 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Rope Drop Funworld (ISSN 08923752; mailed in Canada under IPM #0902179) is published monthly, except in December, 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. Subscriptions are available to IAAPA members for US$90 and US$110 for nonmembers. Single issues are $10. ©2020 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 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 limitation all warranties 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 News Editor Keith Miller KMiller@IAAPA.org Contributing Editors Mike Bederka michaelbederka@ gmail.com Juliana Gilling julianagilling@ gmail.com Senior Director, Advertising Sales Brian Skepton +1 321/319-7644 BSkepton@IAAPA.org Manager, Advertising Sales Michelle Williamson +1 321/319-7659 MWilliamson@ IAAPA.org Funworld Magazine Team Director, Global Publishing and Content Strategy Prasana William PWilliam@IAAPA.org Managing Editor Scott Fais SFais@IAAPA.org Assistant Editor Juanita Chavarro Arias JChavarroArias@IAAPA.org IAAPA.org/Funworld IAAPA Chairman of the Board Amanda Thompson OBE, ICAE IAAPA President and CEO Hal McEvoy, ICAE IAAPA Chief Engagement Officer and Executive Vice President David Mandt IAAPA Asia Pacific Vice President and Executive Director June Ko IAAPA Europe, Middle East, Africa Vice President and Executive Director Jakob Wahl IAAPA Latin America, Caribbean Vice President and Executive Director Paulina Reyes IAAPA North America Vice President and Executive Director John Hallenbeck IAAPA.org ® A Smash Hit Rage rooms like California’s Break Stuff invite guests to work out their aggressions by smashing everyday objects in a safe, controlled environment. Discover how rage rooms source breakable items and maintain a safe operation on p. 52. BREAK STUFF Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.orgRMC products now sold by MVR in the Middle and Far East USA and Canada distributor forContact Chuck Bingham c.bingham@martin-vleminckx.com Quality, Dedication and Satisfaction for over 30 yearsFunworld | JUNE 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld 6 ® IAAPA Mission: We inspire, grow, and protect the global attractions industry through member connections. Letter from IAAPA THE GLOBAL ATTRACTIONS INDUSTRY has the unique privilege of bringing people together while providing magical escapes from the everyday, creating a sense of wonder and happiness for people around the world. The extraordinary stress and uncertainty brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic have challenged our everyday way of life. And while our “normal” may be altered, we remain committed to make sure our dynamic attractions industry will shine bright again. As we continue to face adversity and challenges resulting from this unprecedented crisis, we will also continue to see the resiliency of the human spirit and the importance of rallying together in support of one another. I truly believe in the inherent goodness of people, and I’ve seen this shine through time and time again throughout my entire career in this industry. Across the world, we are seeing individuals come together to support their families, employees, and communities. Attraction facilities have donated food and supplies, even as they looked to restock and prepare to reopen, while manufacturers and suppliers pivoted to produce critical personal protective equipment. I continue to be inspired by the collective strength found in these stories and how our industry comes together to support humanity. During these uncertain times, we have also witnessed the emergence of great vision and innovation across many industries—including our own. Businesses are still adjusting, adapting, and discovering new ways to shape our future as they develop critical recovery plans. Industry professionals have been coming together to share their expertise, advice, and teachings through community groups, webinars, and personal outreach. The fundamental desire for human empathy, encouragement, and connection has never been stronger. We may not fully understand what our new “normal” will mean or look like, but together we will create and implement important changes that will protect our guests and employees. For more than 100 years, IAAPA has served every facet of the global attractions industry, and now more than ever, we are here to serve and support you. As a global community, we will inspire each other to reach new heights as we work through this crisis together. Sincerely, Hal McEvoy President and Chief Executive Officer IAAPA DEAR IAAPA MEMBERS: Our Power to Shape Our New Normal “In a dark time, the eye begins to see.” — Theodore RoethkeOnce developed as a convenience feature but nowadays important in ways of the “ new normal ” lifestyle , o ur AX500 Smart Gate NG covers it perfectly : t he Axess SMART SCANNER 600 validates the ticket via RFID Technology – absolut ely contactl e ss . Sensors detect the approaching person and trigger the bars to open – again absolutely contactless . Besides that you can select the number of people if rides have limited occupancy. More contactless solutions on: teamaxess.com Don’t touch – just ride Contactless lifestyleNext >