| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 07/08/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 28 |
| Copyright: Other |
product overview by Alan Moore
Alternative attractions play on the thrill factor
Product ranges develop across the US
WHILE all the attention has been focused on dramatic developments at Orlando’s major theme parks over the past few years, the popularity of the product has rubbed off on other attractions and areas.Water-based adventures, rides and other activities are now very popular and SeaWorld has completed a multimillion dollar investment programme of new attractions at its four parks across the US. This includes swimming with the dolphins and other marine life at its Discovery Cove park in Orlando, which opened last month.
Although not an actual theme park, the Kennedy Space Centre recently spent $120m on new interactive displays, exhibits and film productions. You can even book a seat to watch a live Challenger space launch.
On the West Coast, Disneyland’s massive redevelopment, due to be unveiled early next year, could also increase awareness of other theme parks in southern California.
These include Knott’s Berry Farm, which has just opened a water park called Soak City.
The Deep South is not being left out of the theme-park market with the introduction of Jazzland in New Orleans earlier this year. Music is the biggest draw for UK travellers to the South, and this new complex mixes a combination of live jazz shows with some tremendous white-knuckle rides.
Agents may be familiar with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, in Florida but parent company Anheuser-Busch has a growing presence on the East Coast as well.
This includes another Busch Gardens and a water park in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, and an entertainment venue for younger children called Sesame Place, just outside Philadelphia, and themed along the lines of TV’s Sesame Street.
More importantly for agents, these are just some of the growing number of US theme parks that can now be pre-booked through operators or agents along with resort holidays and self-drives. And many tickets and passes also include entry to other attractions – increasing both value for the client and commission for the agent.
Anheuser-Busch
Operating hours: all the Anheuser-Busch parks are open daily from mid-May to September and weekends only until October.
General admission: from $28 for adults and $20.50 for children, rising at peak periods to $37 and $30 respectively.
Pre-bookable through agents: United Vacations offers the Virginia Fun Pass which includes entry to Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, as well as a number of the state’s tophistoric sites and attractions. It costs £70 for adults and £53 for children aged six to 12 years of age and allows unlimited admission for 15 consecutive days.
www.buschgardens.com www.watercountryusa.com www.sesameplace.com
On the up: visitors can brave a ride on a range of rollercoasters at Busch Gardens
Kennedy Space Centre
Operating hours: daily, from 9am until dusk, except Christmas Day.
Pre-bookable through agents: some tour operators and Keith Prowse Attraction Tickets offer day trips to Florida’s Space Coast. Jetsave charges £38 for adults and £20 for children aged from three to 12 years, which includes coach travel from Orlando.
SeaWorld
Operating hours: Orlando and San Diego parks all year, from 9am to 8pm, with extended summer hours. Others open daily through the summer and weekends in spring and autumn.
Pre-bookable through agents: Keith Prowse offers a one-day ticket to SeaWorld Orlando for £30 per adult and £24 for children aged three-nine years and for the San Diego park for £23 and £19 respectively. A one-day all-inclusive ticket to Discovery Cove costs £123, and a companion ticket £65.
Launch pad: the Apollo/Saturn VCentre
Knott’s Berry Farm
Operating hours: the park is open from 10am until late in summer; at other times it closes at 6pm weekdays, 10pm on Saturdays and 7pm on Sundays.
Pre-bookable through agents: £24 for adults and £17 for children from Keith Prowse Attraction Tickets. The ticket specialist also offers admission to two other California theme parks – Paramount’s Great America and Six Flags Magic Mountain – for £22 each.
Jazzland
Operating hours: mostly 10am to 10pm daily from the end of May to late August and at weekends through September and October.
Jazz club: music is one of the main draws for tourists heading South