IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees. Here’s a sneak preview
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2014 issue 4
Editor’s letter: Access for all
We ask whether enough is being done to ensure access for all to
attractions and what practical steps can be taken to improve things
Interview: Tim Smit
The Eden Project was groundbreaking
when it opened in 2001. Now the
attraction’s founder Tim Smit is taking
the concept to a global audience,
and he’s starting with China
Interview: Jonathan Gottschall
Literary scholar and author of The
Storytelling Animal explains why we’re
all addicted to story, and how attractions
can capitalise on our love of narrative
Heritage: Actions Speak Louder
The National Trust’s Ben Cowell
describes how landscaping can build up
to a reveal, and ways the organisation
is using actors to bring history to life
Conference Report: SATE 2014
TEA president Christine Kerr presents
the hot topics from the annual design
conference devoted to Storytelling,
Architecture, Technology, Experience
Story Centres: Tell Me A Story
The popularity of story centres shows
the youngest generation – dubbed
digital natives – are thirsty for
children’s literature and illustration
Technology: Reinventing the Nerd
Meet carnival-inspired Two Bit
Circus, created from its founders’
passion for engineering, video games
and the newest technologies
Promotional feature: BARCO
Barco offers state-of-the-art visualisation technology and
a holistic solution uniquely tailored to suit any attraction
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the first of a new series,
industry-leading manufacturers
tell us about the latest trends and
innovations in thrill coasters
Theme Parks: Kooza Came to Town
PortAventura’s general manager
on the Spanish park’s partnership
with celebrated circus troupe Cirque
du Soleil and its Kooza show
Planetariums: Tom Falvey
A new planetarium, capable of live
streaming to 14,000 schools, opens
as a new addition to the South
Carolina State Museum in the US
Show Preview: IAAPA EXPO
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees
Multimedia: Art Project
State-of-the-art projectors and
world-class artists combine to
create inspiring installations
NWAVE Knights Quest is a 12-minute 4D attraction film produced by Red Star, directed by Ben Smith and distributed exclusively by nWave. It tells the story of two medieval knights and their comical quest to rescue a princess. In a fast-moving battle of wits, with stunning visuals, will they manage to enter the castle and defeat the enemy inside?
A still from nWave’s latest release Knights Quest, a 4D medieval caper
MAURER SöHNE Porsche City is a new proposal for state-of-the-art theme park attractions, branded facilities and merchandising, food and beverage, and with the Porsche rollercoaster as its crown. With Porsche, Maurer Söhne and German design studio One World, the Porsche City concept can be brought to life. The Porsche coaster is themed like the 911 GT3, with multiple launch and brake zones and two racing coaster trains for an immersive motor race experience.
Racing coaster with 911 GT3 theming
EMPEX Empex has transformed Northern Ireland’s largest leisure pool. For the major renovation to the LeisurePlex facility in Lisburn, Empex Watertoys supplied an exciting waterplay area. Dominating the family fun pool area, the colourful Aquadek adds interactivity and a waterslide. Empex has added exciting interactive features to suit children up to 12. Fun and educational, the new design adds a vibrant visual to this facility.
Empex products at LeisurePlex, Lisburn
IMMERSIVE RIDES Immersive Rides is a new venture between the Juice and Themesparx which embraces new technologies to create a unique experience in dark rides. Riders customise their experience and choose from bespoke content, they select the style of the ride and the adventure before they embark on the journey so that every ride will be a different experience.
Immersive Rides’ bespoke offering
SimEx-Iwerks SimEx-Iwerks debuts 10 new blockbuster 4D titles at IAAPA this November. This year, SimEx-Iwerks has opened at several new locations including Madame Tussauds Hollywood and Las Vegas and the Museum of Science in Boston.
On 18 November, in partnership with Nickelodeon, SimEx-Iwerks is launching a new laser maze attraction at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Laser Lockdown.
SimEx-Iwerks opens at Madame Tussauds
WHITEWATER WEST WhiteWater is developing its new Slideboard product offering, having sold the first iteration to Village Road Show Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas for the 2015 season. Slideboarding uses tech-embedded rafts, boards and other tracking technologies to keep score, challenge and bring a new layer of interactive play to the industry.
WhiteWater announces its first installation of its Slideboard gaming product
Proslide ProSlide is presenting its bestselling hybrid rides. These hybrids combine iconic rides like funnels, bowls and walls into a single ride path. This type of ride makes a perfect anchor attraction: a one-of-a-kind ride that creates immediate buzz and helps ProSIide customers stand out. The company has installed over 25 hybrid ride installations since 2008.
Hybrid water rides are popular at ProSlide
INTAMIN Intamin’s six-minute flume ride with backward drop was installed this year at Phantasialand in Germany. The state-of-the-art flume ride offers a breathtaking ride experience full of surprising, enjoyable, and unique moments for the family, and the world’s steepest drop on this type of attraction.
Intamin’s Flume Ride 6
HUSS Huss has redesigned a classic ride and is introducing the second-generation Condor to the market. The original Condor had great success in the 1980s and 90s, and returns to the company’s active portfolio with revised, improved design elements. The first Condor 2G opened in June at Happy Valley Beijing and a second is soon to open in Shandong Province, China.
The Condor rejoins the Huss portfolio
PICSOLVE Picsolve is showcasing its new consumer-facing app and image-sharing platform.
As 400,000 have already signed up, there’s the potential to reach over 15 million people through social media. The app allows guests immediate access to their ride and experience images, and it’s available via iOS and Android devices in 14 languages including Arabic. The app is the latest addition to Picsolve’s platform which operates in 100 attractions worldwide. The company has invested in its innovative digital platform to stay ahead of consumer demand.
HOLOVIS Holovis presents a dynamic technology showcase which demonstrates how next-generation dark ride and immersive theatre attractions can be created using “building blocks IP technology” for unique and completely scalable experiences. The Lost Cove, an immersive themed experience for multiple players. The players are immersed in a virtual ride experience using the latest motion technology.
The Lost Cove is the latest interactive game title in the DomeRider series
JACK ROUSE ASSOCIATES Angry Birds Universe: The Art and Science Behind a Global Phenomenon is a hands-on, STEAM-focused, educational tour. Users can even “be the bird” in a full-body demonstration of Angry Birds physics. Angry Birds Universe has visited the UAE and Qatar. Imagine Exhibitions, Rovio Entertainment and Jack Rouse Associates developed the exhibition as an interactive attraction unlike any other on the market.
Angry Birds Universe, which has travelled to Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar
HILO HiLo is indoor/outdoor attraction housing. Its Geodesic domes can be customised to include a range of offerings, from a choice of 45 different elements and challenges, such as high ropes courses. Covers are completely customisable, and the dome is available in sizes up to 70 feet (21 metres). A high ropes course in a 70-foot HiLo creates 34 activities on three levels, and a ropes course within its own structure is a unique concept for the industry.
Geodesic domes are highly customisable
CRUDEN Motion simulator company Cruden introduces its fully integrated powerboat simulator, the Powerboat 5CTR, a new experience for up to five guests. Cruden worked with the Dutch military on its fast interceptor vessels and security boats as well as Florida powerboat specialists and drivers to perfect the motion of the Powerboat 5CTR.
Seascape visuals for the Powerboat 5CTR
SIMWORX Simworx installed its first ever immersive tunnel at Movie Park’s Lost Temple ride in Germany this year. The dinosaur adventure takes place on board a 30-seat, Jeep-style dynamic 3 DOF simulator, travelling along a track from a themed loading bay into the main show area with 360-degree 3D projection and dramatic 4D effects. Simworx this year also installed the 326-seat Angry Birds’ 4D theatre at Thorpe Park in the UK. Angry Birds 4D is now available as a complete 4D turnkey attraction, with film licensing. Simworx and RoboCoaster have also co-developed a new generation of RoboCoaster products, including variations of a new RCX passenger-carrying robot and trackless AGV dark ride vehicles. The Viper 360 simulation ride also launched.
A Jeep-style vehicle takes Lost Temple ride guests on a dinosaur adventure
Niceberg New from Niceberg, Rome Racer is a 2D/3D ride film set in Ancient Rome, where the rider’s chariot must race against the Roman Gods. This four-minute ride film fits motion-based theatres and simulators. Meet the Dinos is a family-friendly 3D/4D attraction film for theme parks or science centres. It stars a baby pterosaur who leaves the nest to encounter bizarre, amazing creatures, with a running time of 10 minutes.
A still from Rome Racer, one of the latest releases from Niceberg
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
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Kemitron GmbH
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portfolio is divided into four product areas; Technology, Fragrances, Disinfectant and Cleaners [more...]
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As pioneers in aromatherapy since 1954 and founders of the Yon-Ka brand, the Multaler Laboratories, [more...]
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees. Here’s a sneak preview
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2014 issue 4
Editor’s letter: Access for all
We ask whether enough is being done to ensure access for all to
attractions and what practical steps can be taken to improve things
Interview: Tim Smit
The Eden Project was groundbreaking
when it opened in 2001. Now the
attraction’s founder Tim Smit is taking
the concept to a global audience,
and he’s starting with China
Interview: Jonathan Gottschall
Literary scholar and author of The
Storytelling Animal explains why we’re
all addicted to story, and how attractions
can capitalise on our love of narrative
Heritage: Actions Speak Louder
The National Trust’s Ben Cowell
describes how landscaping can build up
to a reveal, and ways the organisation
is using actors to bring history to life
Conference Report: SATE 2014
TEA president Christine Kerr presents
the hot topics from the annual design
conference devoted to Storytelling,
Architecture, Technology, Experience
Story Centres: Tell Me A Story
The popularity of story centres shows
the youngest generation – dubbed
digital natives – are thirsty for
children’s literature and illustration
Technology: Reinventing the Nerd
Meet carnival-inspired Two Bit
Circus, created from its founders’
passion for engineering, video games
and the newest technologies
Promotional feature: BARCO
Barco offers state-of-the-art visualisation technology and
a holistic solution uniquely tailored to suit any attraction
Rides: The Ride Makers
In the first of a new series,
industry-leading manufacturers
tell us about the latest trends and
innovations in thrill coasters
Theme Parks: Kooza Came to Town
PortAventura’s general manager
on the Spanish park’s partnership
with celebrated circus troupe Cirque
du Soleil and its Kooza show
Planetariums: Tom Falvey
A new planetarium, capable of live
streaming to 14,000 schools, opens
as a new addition to the South
Carolina State Museum in the US
Show Preview: IAAPA EXPO
IAAPA returns to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando,
Florida, from 18-21 November, with more than 1,000 exhibitors
and an expected 27,000 attendees
Multimedia: Art Project
State-of-the-art projectors and
world-class artists combine to
create inspiring installations
NWAVE Knights Quest is a 12-minute 4D attraction film produced by Red Star, directed by Ben Smith and distributed exclusively by nWave. It tells the story of two medieval knights and their comical quest to rescue a princess. In a fast-moving battle of wits, with stunning visuals, will they manage to enter the castle and defeat the enemy inside?
A still from nWave’s latest release Knights Quest, a 4D medieval caper
MAURER SöHNE Porsche City is a new proposal for state-of-the-art theme park attractions, branded facilities and merchandising, food and beverage, and with the Porsche rollercoaster as its crown. With Porsche, Maurer Söhne and German design studio One World, the Porsche City concept can be brought to life. The Porsche coaster is themed like the 911 GT3, with multiple launch and brake zones and two racing coaster trains for an immersive motor race experience.
Racing coaster with 911 GT3 theming
EMPEX Empex has transformed Northern Ireland’s largest leisure pool. For the major renovation to the LeisurePlex facility in Lisburn, Empex Watertoys supplied an exciting waterplay area. Dominating the family fun pool area, the colourful Aquadek adds interactivity and a waterslide. Empex has added exciting interactive features to suit children up to 12. Fun and educational, the new design adds a vibrant visual to this facility.
Empex products at LeisurePlex, Lisburn
IMMERSIVE RIDES Immersive Rides is a new venture between the Juice and Themesparx which embraces new technologies to create a unique experience in dark rides. Riders customise their experience and choose from bespoke content, they select the style of the ride and the adventure before they embark on the journey so that every ride will be a different experience.
Immersive Rides’ bespoke offering
SimEx-Iwerks SimEx-Iwerks debuts 10 new blockbuster 4D titles at IAAPA this November. This year, SimEx-Iwerks has opened at several new locations including Madame Tussauds Hollywood and Las Vegas and the Museum of Science in Boston.
On 18 November, in partnership with Nickelodeon, SimEx-Iwerks is launching a new laser maze attraction at the Nickelodeon Suites Resort, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Laser Lockdown.
SimEx-Iwerks opens at Madame Tussauds
WHITEWATER WEST WhiteWater is developing its new Slideboard product offering, having sold the first iteration to Village Road Show Wet’n’Wild Las Vegas for the 2015 season. Slideboarding uses tech-embedded rafts, boards and other tracking technologies to keep score, challenge and bring a new layer of interactive play to the industry.
WhiteWater announces its first installation of its Slideboard gaming product
Proslide ProSlide is presenting its bestselling hybrid rides. These hybrids combine iconic rides like funnels, bowls and walls into a single ride path. This type of ride makes a perfect anchor attraction: a one-of-a-kind ride that creates immediate buzz and helps ProSIide customers stand out. The company has installed over 25 hybrid ride installations since 2008.
Hybrid water rides are popular at ProSlide
INTAMIN Intamin’s six-minute flume ride with backward drop was installed this year at Phantasialand in Germany. The state-of-the-art flume ride offers a breathtaking ride experience full of surprising, enjoyable, and unique moments for the family, and the world’s steepest drop on this type of attraction.
Intamin’s Flume Ride 6
HUSS Huss has redesigned a classic ride and is introducing the second-generation Condor to the market. The original Condor had great success in the 1980s and 90s, and returns to the company’s active portfolio with revised, improved design elements. The first Condor 2G opened in June at Happy Valley Beijing and a second is soon to open in Shandong Province, China.
The Condor rejoins the Huss portfolio
PICSOLVE Picsolve is showcasing its new consumer-facing app and image-sharing platform.
As 400,000 have already signed up, there’s the potential to reach over 15 million people through social media. The app allows guests immediate access to their ride and experience images, and it’s available via iOS and Android devices in 14 languages including Arabic. The app is the latest addition to Picsolve’s platform which operates in 100 attractions worldwide. The company has invested in its innovative digital platform to stay ahead of consumer demand.
HOLOVIS Holovis presents a dynamic technology showcase which demonstrates how next-generation dark ride and immersive theatre attractions can be created using “building blocks IP technology” for unique and completely scalable experiences. The Lost Cove, an immersive themed experience for multiple players. The players are immersed in a virtual ride experience using the latest motion technology.
The Lost Cove is the latest interactive game title in the DomeRider series
JACK ROUSE ASSOCIATES Angry Birds Universe: The Art and Science Behind a Global Phenomenon is a hands-on, STEAM-focused, educational tour. Users can even “be the bird” in a full-body demonstration of Angry Birds physics. Angry Birds Universe has visited the UAE and Qatar. Imagine Exhibitions, Rovio Entertainment and Jack Rouse Associates developed the exhibition as an interactive attraction unlike any other on the market.
Angry Birds Universe, which has travelled to Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar
HILO HiLo is indoor/outdoor attraction housing. Its Geodesic domes can be customised to include a range of offerings, from a choice of 45 different elements and challenges, such as high ropes courses. Covers are completely customisable, and the dome is available in sizes up to 70 feet (21 metres). A high ropes course in a 70-foot HiLo creates 34 activities on three levels, and a ropes course within its own structure is a unique concept for the industry.
Geodesic domes are highly customisable
CRUDEN Motion simulator company Cruden introduces its fully integrated powerboat simulator, the Powerboat 5CTR, a new experience for up to five guests. Cruden worked with the Dutch military on its fast interceptor vessels and security boats as well as Florida powerboat specialists and drivers to perfect the motion of the Powerboat 5CTR.
Seascape visuals for the Powerboat 5CTR
SIMWORX Simworx installed its first ever immersive tunnel at Movie Park’s Lost Temple ride in Germany this year. The dinosaur adventure takes place on board a 30-seat, Jeep-style dynamic 3 DOF simulator, travelling along a track from a themed loading bay into the main show area with 360-degree 3D projection and dramatic 4D effects. Simworx this year also installed the 326-seat Angry Birds’ 4D theatre at Thorpe Park in the UK. Angry Birds 4D is now available as a complete 4D turnkey attraction, with film licensing. Simworx and RoboCoaster have also co-developed a new generation of RoboCoaster products, including variations of a new RCX passenger-carrying robot and trackless AGV dark ride vehicles. The Viper 360 simulation ride also launched.
A Jeep-style vehicle takes Lost Temple ride guests on a dinosaur adventure
Niceberg New from Niceberg, Rome Racer is a 2D/3D ride film set in Ancient Rome, where the rider’s chariot must race against the Roman Gods. This four-minute ride film fits motion-based theatres and simulators. Meet the Dinos is a family-friendly 3D/4D attraction film for theme parks or science centres. It stars a baby pterosaur who leaves the nest to encounter bizarre, amazing creatures, with a running time of 10 minutes.
A still from Rome Racer, one of the latest releases from Niceberg
Global Wellness Day (GWD) marked its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Kemitron GmbH Our
portfolio is divided into four product areas; Technology, Fragrances, Disinfectant and Cleaners [more...]
