Waterpark Resorts Today

Crikey! It's Someone Wearing Crocs

2009-12-22T15:17:00.000-08:00

Love 'em or hate 'em, Crocs are still on the feet of Americans everywear, maybe even at your facility. What's your policy on wearing these rubbery super shoes in the water? Check out this interesting commentary ...

All aboard!

2009-11-10T12:29:00.000-08:00

Ahoy Maties!

It appears Disney is taking cruise ship aquatics to the next level. According to APP.com, Disney "will put a high-speed flume ride - the first on a cruise -- on its next ship, the Disney Dream." According to the article the 765-foot-long ride, dubbed the Aqua Duck, will be located on the top deck of the 1,250-cabin vessel. The ride is expected to be ready in 2011.

Aquatic Art

2009-09-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

It may not have the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, or evoke the emotional response of the Statue of Liberty, but there's something inherently beautiful about the sight of a sparkling, clear blue swimming pool. And it appears that recently, the art world has come to agree.

This month Utah artist Jamie Wayman has an exhibit of unique underwater images at Salt Lake City's Horne Fine Art gallery. Here's an article from The Salt Lake Tribune on Wayman's work and the current exhibit.

The P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center on Long Island also recently hosted an exhibit with work featuring swimming pools. From October 2008 until last March P.S.1 hosted an installation by Argentine artist Leandro Erlich. According to the press release, Leandro Erlich: Swimming Pool featured "a full-size pool, complete with all its trappings, including a deck and a ladder [all constructed by Erlich]."

If you were lucky enough to check out either exhibit in person, let me know what you thought!

Hooray for the super-fans!

2009-09-14T14:52:00.000-07:00

Surely all of your regular visitors love aquatics but how many of them are as dedicated as Charlie Kanzawa? According to local media Mr. Kanzawa, aka Cliffman, has himself become an attraction at The Beach Waterpark in Mason, Ohio for his antics on The Cliff, a 210-foot speed slide. The park recently awarded him a lifetime pass for logging his 3,000th trip down the slide.

If you've got your own Cliffman, I say follow this example. Show your appreciation and let the world know by sharing the story with your local news.

... In the News

2009-09-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

What headlines have grabbed your attention lately? Here are two interesting tidbits that you might have missed:

According to this story from the Boston Business Journal, Canton, Mass.-based Dunkin' Brands Inc. (I'll have a box of Munchkins please!) has opened it's first hotel location at Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, N.C.

And would you stay in a hovering hotel? According to this report there are plans to bring one to Dubai by 2011.

Saving Grace

2009-05-21T17:18:00.000-07:00

As one of the first amusement attractions I visited (at age 3), Six Flags The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, in Queensbury, N.Y., has a special place in my heart. According to this story from NBC 13 NYT-TV it has a special place in the economic heart of the community as well. The report states that as a major tourist attraction, it plays a vital role in sales tax revenues. In short, if the park does well, so will the economy of the community as a whole.

Many operators are swimming against the recession and as the summer travel seasons begins, I'm wondering how many aquatic attractions and waterpark resorts out there are in the same position. Is the economic prosperity of your community riding on your shoulders?

The Business of Travel

2009-04-23T15:37:00.000-07:00

How many conventions or business travelers are making reservations at your resort these days? Given the current recession and our lawmakers' very public backlash against any unnecessary spending by corporate America (specifically those granted Federal Bail Out money) business travel has nearly ground to a halt.

Granted, those companies being supported by America's tax dollars should be held to a different standard, but as anyone who's done any business travel knows, face to face meetings produce an economic stimulus of their own, by facilitating new relationships, and creating jobs and sales.

That's the premise of the Meetings Mean Business Campaign launched recently by the U.S. Travel Association and several other travel industry organizations.

If you'd like to know more, check out http://www.meetingsmeanbusiness.com.

Spring Fever?

2009-04-06T13:02:00.000-07:00

The temperature is climbing, flowers are blooming, and for college students across the nation, that means one thing ... spring break! For the last several years Mexico has been the hot destination, but this year things are shaping up differently. Because of the weak economy and concerns over drug-related violence south of the border,it appears many students are staying closer to home.

Given the current situation, your waterpark resort may offer the perfect alternative for students. Here's what the Lakeland College Mirror had to say about the resorts located in the Wisconsin Dells, Wisc. area.

However, according to current results of a poll by Waterpark Resorts Today, spring break business is either down, or the same as last year.

Clearly the economy stinks and money is tight, but there are still students looking to get away. So what gives? Are college students just not the right demographic for waterpark resorts, or did operators just miss a major marketing opportunity?

What do you think?

Theme this?

2009-03-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

Over the past year I've been following a developer's attempt to build a Bible-themed amusement park in Tenn. According to this week's local news, it looks the project has officially been haulted due to political differences among local officials, but I'm still wondering how successful such a project could have possibly been. Would a Bible theme really attract a wide enough audience to make the venture financially successful? Perhaps the character of the local market dictates that it would, and perhaps developers were counting on guests to travel to the park as a destination. Whatever their business plan, the way I see it, an attraction that doesn't appeal to the widest possible audience just doesn't seem like the best idea in these financial times.

What do you think? Would you consider an outside-the-norm theme? As you ponder these questions, take a look at this list of uniquely themed attractions that have been successful, compiled by the Web site darkroastedblend.com.

Think Outside the Waterpark

2009-02-23T16:50:00.000-08:00

It seems that no matter what we have, we're always looking for that next big thing. Call it a collective case of attention deficit disorder, or call it the competitive nature of the waterpark resort market; either way, to keep the guests coming, you've got to stay tuned to the latest trends. It appears that in Europe, they're getting back to basics when it comes to new ideas for entertainment. Here's a look at "Britain's first barefoot park". Developed by a 19th Century German monk, the concept of this kind of "sensory stroll" in nature is to promote wellness through a kind of reflexology.

I'm not sure that anyone can promise proven health benefits, but for operators looking to add something new, this idea looks like something worth considering.

Are You Prepared?

2009-01-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

As a waterpark operator you probably have a lot to think about. As a journalist reporting on the industry, I know that I do. These days you're probably wrapped up with financial issues and trying to do whatever it takes to keep things going. But you might want to take a few minutes to consider something equally important: Emergency preparedness.

There are now new U.S. regulations regarding rail cargo thanks to a major 2005 chlorine disaster. The regulations don't directly affect waterpark resort operators and you may not even use chlorine gas, but reading this article was a good reminder to me that even in tough and busy times, emergency preparedness isn't something to let fall by the wayside.

I thought about the same thing in my own life when buying a condo recently. With everything else that there is to do when it comes to purchasing a home, one of my first priorities was a solid alarm system.

When it comes down to it, I guess it's like the old saying goes ... Better safe than sorry!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-16T15:39:00.001-08:00

It's hard to believe, but it's already nearly a month into 2009 already ... wow! That said, there's a lot on the schedule for Waterpark Resorts Today this year and we're very excited about it all. Hopefully you've received our new E-News Letter, Waterpark Resorts Today Update, launched just a few weeks ago.

In case you haven't seen the very first issue ... you can check it out here.

From now on, the Update will be coming to your inbox monthly. This year we're also publishing our very first green issue, full of money-saving information on how you can make your operation more environmentally sustainable.

In spite of the tough economy and other issues affecting the waterpark resort industry and our world at large, I'm going to remain optimistic. Here's to a great new year!

Seize the Day!

2008-05-06T17:07:00.001-07:00

One look at the latest headlines — a volatile stock market, high gas prices and a faltering residential housing industry — may send you reaching for the antacid, but from where I sit, there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet. In spite of the fact that more of the experts are starting to use the “R” word, opportunity is knocking! Because it offers a relatively inexpensive escape, something that we all need, even in a down market, the industry has been called recession-proof. Although that may be overly optimistic, numbers suggest there is some truth to that sentiment.

The Construction Report 2008, an annual report from JLC Hospitality Consulting, suggests this will be another growth year for the indoor waterpark resort industry. Author’s Jeff Coy and Bill Haralson predict that 55 new resorts will open in 2008. This means that even with all of the negatives, operators have a unique opportunity to attract new markets and consider cutting edge trends.

According to the report, a weak dollar means you’re likely to see more international tourists. In addition, the growth in the industry over the past several years (more than 450 percent since 2000) means the indoor waterpark resort industry is changing and that, in itself can create opportunities for new markets. Have you considered how you might attract business travelers or adult-only traveling parties? Dan Martin of Economic Research Associates discusses this idea in the current issue of Waterpark Resorts Today.

To sustain growth, indoor waterpark resorts will have to stay on the cutting edge and when it comes to new trends, one thing you might want to consider is the idea of extreme aquatics. Several developments throughout the nation are embracing this idea, featuring high-thrill attractions that engage participants and spectators. You can also learn more about this in the current issue of Waterpark Resorts Today.

Whether your property is brand new or more established, if you continue to take advantage of these and other smart opportunities for expansion, it’s a safe bet patrons will keep coming and you’ll weather whatever storms the economic climate develops.