The Insights from IAAPA specials continue with reaction and exclusive interviews from the latest IAAPA Expo Europe held in Barcelona. InterPark spoke exclusively to Lars Hartmann, Chief Sales and Creative Officer at Huss Park Attractions to discuss recent successes, new attractions, and the state of the attractions industry.
What is new at Huss Park Attractions?
“We have new attractions which have already opened this year. One is Toxicator at Alton Towers, the tallest top spin attraction in the world. Meanwhile, we received a European Star Award for Europe’s best new big attraction with first place going to Liseberg for our Breakdance 5. And Toxicator was 4th place I believe so we couldn’t be any more happy.”
What can riders expect onboard Toxicator?
“Well, Toxicator, basically the entire theming was done by the very famous John Burton. He’s the award-winning Merlin designer. So, it was a huge pleasure working with him on this project . He has his own storyline and the ride has these crazy tanks on each side, being part of the Forbidden Valley story.
“It’s the tallest top swing in the world. It has a brand-new comfort seats and very comfortable new restraints. We have a new fountain system which now interacts actually with the ride, and the fountains can shoot up to eight meters. Each is individually controlled, and works together with the ride system itself. There are two ride modes: there’s a summer mode and a winter mode. And in the summertime, we are now able, like the old ripsaw, to soak the guests on the ride and they just love it.
“Alton Towers is actually right now focusing on new flat rides. For years they have added coasters and now they are looking into more flat rides with high capacity and Toxicator was just a perfect fit. A novel feature is guests off the ride can walk under a tunnel and can actually get wet from the ride above so it’s a cool feature.”
Brisk trade at IAAPA Expo Europe
“It’s incredibly busy and we couldn’t be happy. I mean, even the first day you saw the floors are packed and the industry comes together in Europe, in Barcelona, it’s beautiful. So, we are quite honoured to be here. It’s a beautiful industry, you know, and I think it’s one of the industries where we develop each year and you’ll find something new. Somebody’s coming out with a new invention, with a new feature, with a new ride. It’s an ever-changing industry and we love it.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the trade show numbers for this week because when I see the floor, how busy it is. We have met many clients, many friends, heard about the project that we are working on and new ones. I think that’s what IAAPA is all about.”
The state of the attractions industry
“I think we are absolutely gaining momentum each year. You know, new products, even new parks are developed. The people are willing to spend locally and are are also willing to travel again. Especially the parks in Europe seem to have a really good season, the US as well. But of course, with the tariffs we have to wait and see how it develops, but the project haven’t stopped, so they are just observing what the President is doing. But I think in general all over the world is a hive of activity.
“We delivered rides this year to UK, to Sweden. One is going to the US, one is going to Australia, and one is going to New Zealand.”
Where are the markets that are working for you?
“Everywhere to be honest. Even the Chinese market is becoming more active now, and we hear about new projects in China. They have been really hit really hard, for the last 15 years or even 20 years, because they sold most of the rights to China. Then with COVID, everything basically slowed down, and now it’s gaining momentum again. We are very happy that we are basically all over the world with our projects. And even with the travelling market, we are now in better contact. Things are coming and we couldn’t be happier.”
How long have you been working with us?
“Since 2019, so it’s six years now. I know the pre-COVID, the COVID and the after COVID, so I’ve been through it all.”
How do you see like the emerging markets, for instance, in the Middle East?
“The Middle East is a huge project, and we are, of course, part of it. We are working on it. And we just have to wait and see. It’s so huge, you can’t even imagine. It will all be a reality at one point.”
What is the timeline of your manufactured attractions?
“Well, we sometimes know the creative process for five years and more. For instance, Disney was announced this year, and it’s supposed to be open in 2032. So, everybody knows seven years in advance that the park is coming, and you can only imagine with the parks that are not announced yet. They start for example, 10 years prior, and until everything is built done and open, it takes time.”
Explain the names of your ride models
“For instance, Toxicator at Alton Towers is for us, Top Spin. Our rides are, basically most of them, based on the movement. So, top spin, self-explanatory. Breakdance, everybody thinks it’s because of the movement. It was actually the movie in the 80s, so it’s made after the movie Breakdance. But still, it also fits the motion of the ride. We also have our Shot´n Drop model so we like to stick to the movement or the motion it does.
“We are sometimes part of the creative process of the theming of the rides for our clients, but most of the time, like with John Burton, we were just blown away by the first presentation of his ideas and his vision for the Toxicator ride. And basically, what we did is to help him let this vision become a reality. How to get it on the right, what colours we can do, what kind of lighting effects we can do, how we can interact with the water. That’s where we connect it, and the result is Toxicator.
Images: Huss Part Attractions
