Are you on Twitter? Shamu is

This made me laugh. Nearly a day doesn't go by that I don't hear about someone's Tweet from the media. I found this article about Five of Shamu's latest tweets. SeaWorld's Shamu gets in on Twitter, By Dewayne Bevil - April 19, 2009 See Orlando Sentinal Article

I've been on Twitter for about a month. I don't exactly get it yet - maybe because I am connected to too few people yet. Now that I'm connected to Shamu, things are sure to clarify. Just a note... after connecting with Shamu, I decided look up Mickey Mouse. The first few listings that came up were NOT Mickey, but "Asian BareGirls". Oh, my... isn't the internet a fun place.

If you'd like to connect with me I'm ameliau. If you are looking for Bare Asian girls just type in Mickey Mouse.

http://www.twitter.com/
Email me at amelia_ulmer@mousetrappe.com first, so I know to accept you as a follower.

Orlando "Descended On"... Packed Parks!

(Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando Sentinel / April 9, 2009)
Main Street at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom bustles with activity Thursday. A theme-park VIP escort cited lines of 90 minutes just to gain entrance into some of the Orlando area's biggest attractions this week as holiday crowds piled up.

Crowds have descended on Orlando's theme parks this holiday week, giving a much-needed boost to an industry that has rolled out discounts to keep visitors coming during the worst recession in decades.

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, the busiest of the region's theme parks, has been so crowded at times that it had to turn away guests. Other parks have been packed as well: Disney's Hollywood Studios was so popular Tuesday that arriving visitors were redirected to Epcot's parking lot, then bused back to the movie-studio attraction. Disney's two water parks reached capacity Thursday.

See Entire Article on the Orlando Sentinel Website

Interesting Diversification - Thinking outside the Park

Six Flags has announced a new brand extension... a themed, immersive, interactive kid's boutique and hair salon.

NEW YORK, March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc., the world's largest regional theme park company, today announced the grand opening of its newest brand extension, Six Flags Rollercoaster Cuts - an innovative children's boutique and hair salon offering a multi-sensory haircutting experience for kids of all ages. The inaugural Rollercoaster Cuts will open to the public in West Hartford's Blue Back Square on March 14, 2009.

Rollercoaster Cuts will revolutionize the ordinary task of getting a haircut. Once inside the brightly colored boutique, guests will be immersed in an interactive, roller coaster spinning, Six Flags theme park experience. Each themed cutting station will feature custom-built coaster cars equipped with a flat screen television that showcases exciting videos of Six Flags' adrenaline pumping rides and attractions, the latest from Six Flags TV, as well as a variety of kid-friendly video games. Even while shampooing, children will have the option to sit straight up in a traditional chair or lie flat on their backs watching point-of-view camera angles of Six Flags' biggest coaster drops. Six Flags' world-famous cast of characters, including Mr. Six, also will be on hand to meet and greet children as they explore this magical escape built especially for them.

Customized kids salon packages like The Glammy, Zoink, Big Kapow and Blama Jama, will offer cuts at prices moms and dads can feel good about, and include many of the hottest fashions and accessories for kids. Additionally, every haircut will come complete with a FREE photo to capture the moment. Link to Press Release

Link to Website

Give Kids the World Village

If you've been in the industry for a while, you likely know about the Give Kids the World Village in Orlando, FL. For those of you unfamiliar with this MIRACLE of a place, I encourage you to check out there website and learn more.

What a bright and shining example of the the best humanity has to offer!

GIVE KIDS THE WORLD VILLAGE WEBSITE

I was reminded of Give Kids the World by one of the ETC students who attended the TEA Summit this month. Thanks for the reminder... I needed it. As you know, I started this blog to help myself and my friends stay focused on "what is good in 2009". I'll be hard pressed to find a better example to focus on. Thank you Give Kids the World... I am in awe of your mission and your work.

Interview with Six Flags CEO

Six Flags CEO optimistic about 2009 solution to company's debt problems
By Robert Niles
Published: March 23, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Six Flags' corporate financial trouble is not affecting, and will not affect, park operations, according to Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro...  "You won't hear this complaining or reporting about debt in 2010," he said. "These parks are not going away. We will restructure this debt so that Six Flags can continue for another 50 years."
Read Interview on Theme Park Insider.com

Quote "It's Proposal Season"

An Early Sign??

I wanted to relay some information I received during a very recent discussion with an east coast park/attractions designer.  In the course of our conversation about "the times", this person shared with me that their company is currently working on close to 10 RFP/Proposals right now.  The quote was, "It's proposal season right now."

In similar news... this week's TEA Notes & News e-newsletter listed the following Design RFPs:

• New Mexico, Albuquerque – AV system design and installation
  
• Arizona Yuma – exhibit design, fabrication, installation
  
• Belgium Tervuren - traveling exhibit.
  
• Spain Valladolid museum exhibit.
  
• Idaho State Capitol exhibit design and installation.
  
• North Carolina Hatteras exhibit design
  
• UK Nottingham architectural design services
  
• Massachusetts interpretive planning and exhibit design
  
• Spain Santiago de Campostela museum services – design, fabrication and installation for archaeological wing.
  

Go get 'em designers!

KS $750 Million Water Park/Resort Under Construction & Scheduled to Open Summer 09

Schlitterbahn Vacation Village, Kansas City, Kansas

SVV is the latest addition to the Schlitterbahn family of waterparks. This $750 million resort will combine a world-class waterpark, unique treehaus and cabin accommodations and a Riverwalk area with shopping, dining and entertainment. All areas are interconnected by a man made river system. 

Construction broke ground in 2007 and the park is scheduled to open this summer.

See the Official Schlitterbahn Blog

American Association of Museums "Most Ambitious Venture in the Country"

Latest addition to National World War II Museum to open this year

by Elizabeth Mullener, The Times-Picayune
Saturday January 31, 2009

'Powerful' presentation

"Beyond All Boundaries," a 35-minute, $9 million movie that will be the theater's main attraction, will offer an impressionistic journey through World War II that employs a dazzling array of special effects and immersion strategies never before applied on this scale to a history project, museum executives said.

A 125-foot-wide screen that curves around 180 degrees will show archival film footage interwoven with still photos, graphics and animation. See Article on Nola.com

Mousetrappe is working on this project under the direction of The Hettema Group.

Thinkwell & Hettema Source of "Variety" Article

Theme parks lure film designers
The world's a stage for Hollywood artisans
By CAROLINE RYDER
Feb. 3, 2009, 2:13pm PT
Whether they're conceptualizing five-star Persian Gulf Xanadus in between film jobs, or designing immersive retail landscapes on the side, film designers have proved themselves to be adept moonlighters. Some of them take sabbaticals from moviemaking to envision the entertainment environments of the future.

Read Article in Variety

I'm actually not hip enough to read Variety (obviously I'm still using the word "hip") I found this article in the Thinkwell News Room.

11th Hour Recruiting - 28 Positions Listed

If you know someone looking for a position in entertainment direct them to EleventhHour in Marina Del Rey.

Tony Robbins Coaching Opportunity

I have used Anthony Robbins as one of my Life Coaches for over 10 years now.  Frankly, I cannot recommend his seminars, books, and CD courses enough.  The list of hugely successful men and women who recommend and endorse Anthony Robbins is staggering and I understand why.

Wednesday, February 18th, 7:00 PM E.S.T - he is offering a Webinar called "How to Break Through the Barriers that Have Been Keeping You from the Life You're Meant to Live."  If you are not familiar with his coaching, I believe this would make a very good introduction.

Click here to watch a video and to learn more about this event.  The Webinar will cost $57, however they are offering  "don't pay unless you think it was worth it" for this event.  

Please note that I am in NO way compensated from directing you to this event.  I simply believe in what he teaches & I am evidence of the change one can make in their life by applying what Tony teaches.

Check it Out!

Anthony Robbins Company Website

"The really neat thing is, this flies in the face of the recession,"

TOURISM: New manager, new plans at Legoland
UK native eager to host holidays in the sun
By CHRIS BAGLEY - Staff Writer | Sunday, February 8, 2009 7:51 PM PST

CARLSBAD ---- Peter Ronchetti has a sunny view of what lies ahead for Legoland California, and it's not just because he arrived from a theme park that gets half as much annual sunshine.

Ronchetti, who took over as Legoland's general manager Jan. 1, said an aquarium that opened at the park last summer has its annual visitor count on track to break 2 million for the first time, even as many other tourism businesses are hunkering down. He hopes to launch one new attraction at the park this year and a major expansion next year, he said.

"The really neat thing is, this flies in the face of the recession," Ronchetti said in an interview last week.

See the whole Article on the North County Times Website

Feb 12 - Universal Studios Plans Beijing Theme Park

SHANGHAI, Feb 12 (Reuters) - U.S. film giant Universal Studios is awaiting regulatory approval to build a theme park costing more than 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in Beijing, a Chinese government official said on Thursday.

"Universal has filed an application to build a theme park in Beijing and the project is being screened by the government," a spokeswoman with the Beijing city government told Reuters.

See Entire Reuters Article

Disneyland's It's a Small World Reopens with New Magic

A beloved Disneyland attraction returns to Fantasyland on Friday, Feb. 6, when "it's a small world" opens with some new storytelling magic. With the premiere of a new "Spirit of America" scene, new musical enhancements, and a new look for some of the attraction's familiar child dolls, "it's a small world" will once again take guests of all ages on "the happiest cruise that ever sailed." See Press Release On Blooloop

Industry Job Boards... Did you know?

Get the word out... TEA (Themed Entertainment Association) has a job board on its site? And there are jobs listed.

Check it out!

If you know of other job boards or listings specific to our industry please comment on this post and include a link to the website.

Attendance up 8% at New England Museum

PRESS RELEASE
Old Sturbridge Village Attendance Up 8 Percent in 2008
New England living history museum also posts gains in membership, donations

STURBRIDGE, Mass., Jan 19, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Old Sturbridge Village President and CEO James E. Donahue announced today that for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2008, the museum's attendance increased eight percent...
read more Link to Market Watch Press Release 01-19-09

Monty Lunde/Technifex Featured on ABC7 News

Monty Lunde, Principal/President/CEO of Technifex located in Valencia, California was featured on ABC7 News (Los Angeles) on Friday, February 6th in a feature they are calling, "WHERE THE JOBS ARE".  Link to ABC7 Website - To View Video

In this interview Monty shares, "that you have to look outside of your normal comfort zone and your normal markets and there are opportunities"

I found several of the jobs that Monty mentions in this news story on the TEA Job Board.

Fantastic!

Technifex Website

What's This Blog About?

I've designed this blog to be a place where you can learn about and hopefully share some of the positive things that are happening within the Attractions, Themed Entertainment, and Museum Industries.  My agenda here is simple...  to create a place to communicate the "bright side" of our industry.  We create MAGIC... and we could all use a little magic ourselves right now!

2009 is going to be a challenging year. We are surrounded by colleagues being laid off, businesses closing their doors, projects being delayed or shut down. Day & night we are being bombarded by stories and sound bites about what is wrong, bad, and scary.

Join me here where together can focus on what IS working, what IS funded, what IS being built, and what IS positive!

It's a big planet... we've slowed down - but we haven't stopped.

Please, take some time out of your day to focus on what is good AND visit here regularly to stay focused on the positive.  It's out there... just keep your eyes open.