® Understanding Target Audiences Through Social Listening p. 56 Tips for Updating Employee Handbooks p. 54 Also Inside… New Rides and Attractions 2020 p. 41 OCTOBER 2020 Return Return StartStart To reimagine the guest arrival experience, Hersheypark looked to the beginning of its own sweet story … and found a pandemic-ready solution on the way to to thetheTECHNICALLY CREATIVE Immersive Experience Experts e: info@technically-creative.co.uk • www.technically-creative.co.uk Introducing Technically Creative’s Magical ExperiencesNEW RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS 2020 INSIDE | October 2020 HERSHEY ENTERTAINMENT & RESORTS Cover Story | page 34 Return to the Start Now open at Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, Hershey’s Chocolatetown is a $150 million investment that includes a reimagined arrival experience and themed region home to the new “Candymonium” hyper coaster ON THE COVER: The Kisses fountain welcomes guests into Hersheypark and offers a sweet photo opportunity with the “Candymonium” roller coaster zooming by in the background. COVER PHOTO BY ZACHARY GLEITER ERLEBNISPARK TRIPSDRILL FERRARI WORLD ABU DHABI NASHVILLE SHORES 41 The Scream Machines of Summer A look at roller coasters debuting in 2020 46 All in the Family Amusement and theme parks unveil new family rides, dark rides, and shows 50 Making a Splash New water slides and water park attractions open this year2 Funworld | OCTOBER 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld O— ATTRACTION OPENING New Museum Explores Who Is Happy and Why ... or Why Not … 9 O— REGIONAL UPDATES … 12 O— THE LEGACY OF OUTREACH Beloved ‘Mr. Bill’ Retires with a Fond Following … 20 O— IN DEPTH Expert Guidance on Addressing COVID-19 Issues at Attractions … 21 O— MOVERS AND SHAKERS … 22 O— WHAT’S NEW … 23 O— THE ART OF ATTRACTIONS Good Laughs Are Universal … 24 October 2020 VOLUME XXXVI • ISSUE 10 Funworld is a member benefit of IAAPA, the global association for the attractions industry. 27 ASSOCIATION NEWS VIRTUAL EXPO RECAP IAAPA Virtual Expo: Asia Draws More Than 4,000 International Participants … 28 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Zoológico de Vallarta A.C. … 32 CALENDAR … 33 DEPARTMENTS LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER … 6 AD INDEX … 58 TIM’S TURN … 60 ® BUSINESS RESOURCES 54 By the Book Putting policies and procedures in an employee manual 56 Eavesdropping on Social Media Raise profits by listening to Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram INSIDE | October 2020 Launch CRAIG’S CRUISERS PANORAMAGIQUE/©AEROPHILE ZOOLÓGICO DE VALLARTA A.C.4 Funworld | OCTOBER 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 ® Head Over Heels Germany’s Erlebnispark Tripsdrill opened two roller coasters in 2020: suspended coaster “Hals- über-Kopf” and family coaster “Volldampf.” Learn more about the new rides and attractions that opened this year on p. 41. ERLEBNISPARK TRIPSDRILL Production Manager Michelle Wandres MWandres@IAAPA.orgIf you invented surfing, it would look like this. Perfect, powerful and customizable waves for all abilities, backed by 40 years of experience and a belief that everyone needs to discover the magic of surfing. See the future of inland surf AT ENDLESSSURF.COM @ENDLESSSURF6 Funworld | OCTOBER 2020 | IAAPA.org/Funworld Letter from the Publisher Restart with a Scream WHEN I VISITED HERSHEYPARK FOR THIS MONTH’S COVER STORY, it had to have been the longest time I’d gone without visiting an attraction for as far back as I can remember. In the time I had been absent (thanks to the pandemic), things had changed. Plexiglass barriers were up. Temperature screening was in. Masks were on. But the added precautions couldn’t take away from the immen- sity of the brand-new everything in Hersheypark’s reimagined arrival area. The thrill of what the park had accomplished in completely overhauling the front gate was still there, because the chance to start afresh is always a cause for excitement. The industry is on the cusp of a new era. The summer season, which draws to a close in the Northern Hemisphere as of Funworld’s press time, will not be the last to look a little less than familiar. About now, attractions across the globe would normally be putting their own spin on Halloween. The era of COVID-19, however, requires some tweaks to operating traditional walk-through haunted houses and creepy costuming this year. Never deterred, the global industry is adapting the models that have worked for years and evolving new takes on the holiday, like drive-through haunts and family-friendly alternatives that allow for social distancing. Halloween might look different this year, but the innovations born from crisis are reason for celebration. “I think it’s important to recognize the reboot button has been pushed in our industry. It’s terrifying on one hand, but on the other hand, it’s really exciting…” said Scott Swenson, a haunted attractions planner, who spoke to Funworld Managing Editor Scott Fais for Funworld’s online special series on Halloween in the time of COVID-19. Funworld has taken this time to reimagine how we provide you with the in-depth, industry-specific reporting you rely on us for too. Since this spring, we have published fresh online stories, like our Halloween special, and original videos regularly to facilitate the sharing of experiences between you and your peers. You’re likely reading this in our glossy print edi- tion, but we also started producing a fully interactive virtual version online that reaches IAAPA members all over the globe just like the copy in your hands. We’ve also extended our trusted brand to social media with Funworld Live, where our managing editor takes you deeper into our stories in conversation with the experts we interview. We’ve embraced this opportunity for reinvention, and we are beyond excited to spotlight all the new surprises you have up your sleeve too. Happy Haunting! Prasana William Director, Global Publishing and Content Strategy “…the chance to start afresh is always a cause for excitement.” For the latest from Funworld, visit IAAPA.org/FunworldWhiteWater’s award-winning concept becomes exhilarating reality at OCT Xiangyang. Orbiter delivers an entirely new water slide experience inspired by rollercoasters. For the first time ever, a family raft drops into a freefall that is propelled up a steep ascent and into a true 360-degree tummy-turning loop. It’s a screamer! CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEXT ‘BILLBOARD’ RIDE. www.whitewaterwest.comNext >