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Intamin, Simworx and Vekoma are among the winners in this year’s Park World Excellence Awards, with 2023’s recipients named at a glamorous show in Vienna, Austria
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 03 Oct 2023
The Best Dark Ride or Media-based Attraction of the Year, was won by Hypersphere 360° at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
The winners of this year’s Park World Excellence Awards have been revealed, with suppliers such as Intamin, Simworx and Vekoma picking up the prestigious prizes alongside attractions including Parc Asterix, SeaWorld Abu Dhabi and Rulantica.
The awards, which sees Planet Attractions as a media partner for, have been firmly established as one of the attractions industry’s leading award schemes since its inception in 2018.
Taking place in Vienna, Austria, on September 27 and organised by Datateam Business Media, the evening event gathered some of the best premier operators, suppliers, manufacturers and entertainment specialists from the region to celebrate the very best in class.
Among this year’s winners, Gotham City Escape - Parque Warner’s highly-anticipated Batman-themed LSM multi launch coaster - was named Best Roller Coaster of the Year. Supplied by Intamin, the €20m (US$22.1m, £17.6m) coaster features two launches and four inversions through 3,313ft (1,010m) of track, reaching speeds of up to 64.6mph (104kmph) and heights of 147.6ft (45m).
Rulantica was a double winner at this year’s awards. It first won the award for the ProSlide-supplied Vikingløp, which was named The Best Waterpark Experience, then picked up the prize for Best Waterpark of the Year. Opened in November 2019, Rulantica is Europa-Park’s largest ever investment and features more than 25 attractions.
Presented by Planet Attractions’ Editor-in-Chief, Tom Anstey, the Best Dark Ride or Media-based Attraction of the Year was won by Hypersphere 360° at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. Supplied by Attraktion! And Intamin, the sphere-shaped ride is equipped with 75 million pixels and two times 6K LED technology. On the ride, up to 80 visitors are seated in a circle, with the seats in turn mounted on a fully rotating and tilting dynamic platform equipped with in-seat audio and 4D motion effects for an immersive experience.
Parc Asterix, which recently launched its Toutatis coaster and themed land, was named Best Large Park of the Year.
The Overdrive / AGV Dark Ride from Simworx and partner Katapult won the award for Best Marketing Initiative of the Year. Officially launched at IAAPA Expo Europe 2022, Simworx showcased the concept with a working AGV Dark Ride unit, themed to look like a police car. The attraction can accommodate up to 1,100 riders per hour and offers a duelling theme park experience “like no other”.
For Best Rollercoaster – Limited Budget of the Year, Lightning at Furuvik was named the winner. Supplied by Vekoma, the rollercoaster features a 75kmph (46.6mph) magnetic launch and is the fastest coaster of its kind under the family category. Covering 860m (2,820ft) with two loops of the coaster track, Lightning reaches a maximum height of 17m (55.8ft) and features a booster launch when it enters the station for its second go-around.
There was also special recognition given to John Wood of Sally Dark Rides, who was named an Industry Icon in the supplier category, while Laurent Alber from Puy du Fou picked up the operator version of the award.
Finally, Liseberg was named Best of the Best, which sees the judging panel each put forward a park, ride or attraction from any point in time that they believe is the best of all time.
“We would like to send our congratulations once again to all our winners and thank all those who attended for making this year’s Park World Excellence Awards ceremony as memorable as it was,” said Park World in a statement.
“We would also like to extend our thanks to this year's Sponsors and Media Partners who helped to make the event possible.
“We look forward to seeing you all in Amsterdam for next year’s 2024 Park World Awards.”
Best Roller Coaster of the Year
Batman Gotham City Escape - LSM Multi Launch Coaster at Parque Warner Madrid
- Supplied by Intamin
Best Ride(s) - Limited Budget of the Year
Deep in Africa: Adventure Trails at Phantasialand
- Supplied by Phantasialand, Universal Rocks
The Best Waterpark Experience
Vikingløp | ProSlide RallyRACER at Rulantica
- supplied by ProSlide Technology
Best Ride(s) of the Year
Avalon The Next Chapter at Toverland
- supplied by Intamin, Zamperla, Gerstlauer, Metallbau Emmeln
Best Large Park of the Year
Parc Asterix
Best FEC project of the Year
LasseMajas Deckarhus at Linköping by LasseMajas Deckarhus AB
FEC of the Year
Adrenark Adventure
Best Use of Theming of the Year
SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
Best Regional Park of the Year
Toverland
Best Dark Ride or Media-based Attraction of the Year
Hypersphere 360° at SeaWorld Abu Dhabi
- supplied by Attraktion! GmbH & Intamin Amusement Rides
Best Waterpark of the Year
Rulantica
Best Marketing Initiative of the Year
Overdrive / AGV Dark Ride Marketing Campaign - Simworx
Best Live Entertainment of the Year
Le Mime et l’Étoile by Puy Du Fou
Best Product Innovation (guest experience/park operations) of the Year
CmdCentr - theme park training and ride operations software by First Option Software
Best Green Initiative of the Year
PortAventura Solar by PortAventura World
Best Product Innovation (rides, shows, activities, games, play) of the Year
Eatrenalin by Europa-Park
- supplied by MACK Rides
Best Rollercoaster – Limited Budget of the Year
Family Launch Coaster ‘Lightning’– Furuvik
- supplied by Vekoma Rides
Best Supplier of the Year
Intamin Amusement Rides
Industry Icon (Operator)
Laurent Albert, Puy du Fou
Industry Icon (Supplier)
John Wood, Sally Dark Rides
Best of the Best
Liseberg Park
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