Bemusement - The Attractions Industry Blog

Monday, December 13, 2010 Disturbing my Equilibrium on Universal's Harry Potter Ride    I count myself and my family very lucky to have lived through first release of the Harry Potter books and Harry Potter movies. Sure there will be those who love the series in the future. However, there is something particularly special about being there at the birth of one of these iconic cultural happenings....View more

Wednesday, December 08, 2010 Optimism with a Frosty Reception : The IAAPA Expo 2010    The annual IAAPA Expo was back to its spiritual home of Orlando in November after last year’s visit to Las Vegas. Many felt a sense of relief to be back in Florida and there was a palpable sense of excitement and optimism in the air as the show began. So what did I learn during my week at the show, other than that I can’t play golf, The Adirondacks are a mountain range and I still don’t like grits?...View more

Thursday, November 25, 2010 Cold-Blooded Fun at Orlando's Gatorland Theme Park    With a day to spare before the IAAPA Expo last week, I took a visit to Gatorland, which although not on every tourist’s hit list for Orlando, certainly should be, being not only one of the city’s oldest attractions (opened in 1949) but also one of its best, with Tripadvisor ranking it 7th out of the city’s 196 attractions listed....View more

Tuesday, November 23, 2010 Well Above Par: at IAAPA's Charity Golf Event    I don’t play much golf over here in England. Cricket’s my thing, with its dizzying combination of grace, power and elegance, each ball a challenge and a contest , each minute fizzing with excitement. Golf just never did it for me. I think of an English golf club and I don’t think of sporting endeavour or athleticism....View more

Tuesday, April 20, 2010 Themed design: GKTW ‘s Serendipity sets sail…    While exhibitors remain on tenterhooks as to whether they might actually be able to make it to the DEAL show in Dubai later this week – frustratingly Iceland’s’ volcanoes haven't provided an itinerary, nor do they subscribe to the Marquess of Queensberry's rules - and British school kids test their teacher’s resolve with the novel excuse of volcanic ash, it seemed a good time to show some rather cheery pics of “Serendipity”, a vessel we first caught sight of last month…...View more

Friday, November 14, 2008 Amusement Parks: Queueing for Devon's Finest Fudge at the IAAPA Expo    Queues on my mind this week. This is not just because I am English and queuing is a national pastime...
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Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Amusement Law : Theme Park Trends in Central Florida and the Game of "What-If?"    I sat down last weekend to write about local government regulatory issues that have slowed, stalled and even stopped new projects from opening, and which vex a wide variety of operators. Then, a fascinating conversation with an industry insider prompted a quick change in direction ....View more

Tuesday, November 06, 2007 aquariums: Florida Aquarium Gets Technical    View the post