Latest news with #Vekoma
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dutch coaster titan Vekoma establishes downtown Orlando office
You can't hear the rumble of roller coasters in downtown Orlando, but thrill rides have a new presence there. Vekoma Rides, a manufacturing giant based in the Netherlands, has opened a North American office in the downtown business district. 'This is the place to be in terms of theme parks, even though we work all over the U.S.,' said Ricardo Etges, vice president for sales and marketing for the Americas. Etges was Vekoma's first Orlando-based employee. Now there are eight people working out of its office near the intersection of Orange Avenue and South Street, including research and development engineers. 'We basically have an extension of our engineering department in the Netherlands,' Etges said. 'In the Netherlands, we have between 250 and 300 people, and we found out that we can expand our engineering capacity with local resources in Orlando.' The company, founded in 1926, originally made farm equipment and later steel products for the coal-mining and petrochemical industries. It started shifting to amusement park rides in the 1970s and in 2019 decided to focus more on North American markets. United Parks: SeaWorld attendance, revenue dip in 1st quarter In March, Vekoma opened the Flash: Vertical Velocity at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey. It's the first 'super boomerang' style coaster in the western world, Etges said. Coming up is Siren's Curse, a tilt coaster under construction at Cedar Point in Ohio. It's 'a traditional lift-hill coaster with the seesaw element on top,' Etges said. 'The train parks in the horizontal position, and there is a track section that goes from horizontal to vertical, like a seesaw. And then once it locks on the vertical position, it releases a train.' Among its Florida coasters are Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom as well as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Tron / Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom plus Epcot's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which debuted in 2022. It has also produced rides for Universal Orlando and Legoland Florida. The move into Orlando was designed to help expand the business in Central Florida and to become 'more proactive and present to our clients,' Etges said. 'A roller coaster is almost like you have a long-term relationship with the park,' he said. 'Because the roller coaster is not only about installing the ride and making sure that the ride is up and running, but also keeping the ride up and running and reliable for decades.' Other plusses for a Central Florida office include proximity to parks ('We actually had a field trip to Epic [Universe]'), vendors, potential employees and November's IAAPA Expo at Orange County Convention Center, Etges said. Disney Jollywood Nights show among Brass Ring winners 'We usually have 15 to 20 people from our team coming from the Netherlands, and we have a lot of meetings with clients,' at the Expo, he said. 'We usually have at least one vehicle being showcased' on the convention center floor, which is produced by Orlando-based International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, he said. There are other projects in the works, but they remain hush-hush. 'We always need to wait until the park announces the ride to be able to start to talk about it,' Etges said. 'But at IAAPA this year, we're going to have some surprises.' Email me at dbevil@ BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at Epic Universe: Exec blends arts, engineering in theme park roles
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thrill ride manufacturer who made rides for Walt Disney World and Universal opens HQ in Orlando
Get ready for even more innovation in the world of theme park thrills! Vekoma Rides, the global powerhouse responsible for designing and manufacturing some of the most iconic roller coasters and attractions worldwide, has officially opened its new and expanded Americas headquarters right here in Orlando. Known for their cutting-edge designs and quality engineering, Vekoma has been a key player in the attractions industry for decades. You've likely experienced their magic firsthand on popular Orlando rides like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the exhilarating TRON Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World, as well as the Freedom Flyer at Fun Spot America and Flight of the Hippogriff at Universal Orlando. Company CEO Anne-Mart Agerbeek emphasized the strategic importance of this move, stating, 'We are a company. We are making roller coasters, but also other attractions, and we are really happy to do so.' She further noted Orlando's central role in the industry, saying, 'Well, this is the place to be for our industry.' The new headquarters, located in downtown Orlando, signifies Vekoma's commitment to the growing America's market and will allow them to be closer to their clients. This expansion is also expected to bring new job opportunities to the Orlando region over the next 18 months. The Orlando Economic Partnership (OEP) played a crucial role in facilitating Vekoma's move to the City Beautiful. According to OEP President and CEO Tim Giuliani, 'They chose Orlando to put their American headquarters here in downtown Orlando.' This exciting development underscores Orlando's position as the undisputed Theme Park Capital of the World, not just for the incredible experiences it offers visitors, but also as a hub for the innovative companies that power the magic behind the scenes. Stay tuned to our website for more updates on Vekoma Rides and the exciting future of Orlando's attractions industry. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
CBS News
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Six Flags' The Flash: Vertical Velocity roller coaster opens this weekend. Here's what it's like to ride.
Six Flags Great Adventure is days away from opening, and many thrill seekers will be headed for The Flash: Vertical Velocity coaster, the first "super boomerang" roller coaster in North America. The brand new roller coaster will be ready when the park opens for the season on Saturday, March 29. On Thursday, CBS News Philadelphia got a sneak peek — a chance to ride it multiple times. "Boomerang" coasters are so named because they take you through sections of the track forwards, and then go in reverse. So you'll get to experience the same loops, barrell rolls and vertical spikes forwards and backwards! A super boomerang coaster takes that same boomerang concept and uses a launch system instead of lifts, and has a longer layout, according to roller coaster designer Vekoma. Ryan Eldredge, regional manager of public relations for Six Flags, tells us the coaster reaches 172 feet (or 17 stories) high and has a top speed of 59 mph. Somehow, Ryan was able to get all those words out while riding the coaster — a true pro. "We're going to get a lot of air time," Eldredge said. "You nervous?" The coaster starts by taking riders out of the station forwards before launching them backwards. Then it's back through the start point, much faster this time, before going upside-down. From there, there's a camelback, a barrel roll and a sharp turn upward — before going backward through it all over again. Check out the video above for a look at the ride in daylight! The Flash is not the only new coaster coming to Great Adventure. After demolishing Kingda Ka and some other rides over the winter, Six Flags is working on a multi-world-record-breaking coaster that will occupy that space. That new coaster is set to open in 2026. There is one other "Super Boomerang" coaster in the world called Cloud Shuttle - it's at Fantawild Wonderland in Xuzhou, China .
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Six Flags Great Adventure opens Saturday, and more things to do at the Shore this weekend
You don't have much longer to wait for thrills. Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson opens Saturday, which means you'll be able to ride the long-awaited coaster The Flash: Vertical Velocity. "This groundbreaking super boomerang coaster launches you forward and backward at 60 miles per hour, sending guests soaring 172 feet and twisting through a heart-pounding Zero-G roll," the park has said. The steel roller coaster is manufactured by Vekoma, and park officials say it will be the first of its kind to open in North America — and only the second in the world. It's themed after the famed DC Comics character The Flash, known as "the fastest man alive." Great Adventure is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Flash is located in the Movietown section of the park. Season pass holders can make reservations to ride the new coaster for the first two hours on Saturday, and then it opens to the public. That is also the case for Sunday, as well as April 5 and 6. Wild Safari animal park also opens Saturday. Hurricane Harbor water park opens Saturday, May 17. Go: Six Flags Great Adventure opening weekend, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, tickets are $39, passes range from $69 to $195; Here are more things to do this weekend, including Rosé All Day in Point Pleasant Beach and the Peking Acrobats in Red Bank. The Garden State Film Festival celebrates its 23rd anniversary Thursday to Sunday in Asbury Park and Cranford. In four days, you can enjoy 205 films and film-centered events from over 14 countries over four days in nine venues along with hosting parties, professional panels, celebrities, networking events, special honors and more,' said Lauren Concar Sheehy, the festival's executive director. Attendees may choose from feature and short-length films, documentaries, comedies, children's, thrillers, pilots and student films. There are also "Home-Grown' films shot in the Garden State, including the documentary "Extra Innings: Grandpa Got Game" by Freehold resident Robert Mandelberg. The story follows a group of devoted seniors navigating the challenges of aging while debating safe-out calls in their beloved softball games. It screens at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Asbury Lanes. Other NJ highlights include: Mikey Smith of Howell, whose 'Shore Shack' screens at noon Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park. Entrepreneur Jenny Jing Zhu of Belmar, whose story is told in 'Dream Weaver,' showing at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Asbury Lanes. 'Dinner Talk,' by Deal's Louis Politan, will be served at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Jersey Shore Arts Center in Ocean Grove. The short drama 'Muted,' from Bridgewater's Chris Zou, screens at 9:15 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley. A documentary on the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office Hope One Mobile Unit, which is supported by recovery specialists to tackle the opioid crisis, will be shown at 2:45 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at Asbury Hall in The Asbury hotel. Also screening at this session is a new music video for "Always the Same Dream" by the Asbury Park band Backhouse. Red Bank photog Danny Sanchez, known for his stills, lets the camera roll for two works at the fest: the short 'Babyface,' at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Kingsley in the Berkeley, and 'This Train,' an excerpt from the musical storybook 'Sleeping Beauty Who Just Woke Up,' at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Berkeley. 'Here's Yianni!', starring Joe Cortese and Julia Ormond, was partly filmed in Asbury Park. It shows at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 30 at Asbury Lanes. Asbury Park native Queen Stewart tells her compelling story in 'Sense of Urgency' at 2:30 p.m. Saturday inside the Kingsley room at the Berkeley. "Vienna: Suddenly an Angel,' a 20-minute documentary produced and directed by Matawan resident and longtime filmmaker Marko Albrecht, part of a Saturday session in Asbury Hall that begins at 11:45 a.m. The festival offers a variety of ticket packages, from single screenings to the comprehensive $105 Parkway Pass, which includes the Meet the Filmmakers event, gala reception and unlimited screenings of all films. More information, including a complete schedule, is at Go: Garden State Film Festival, Thursday to Sunday, various locations in Asbury Park and Cranford, $20 to $105; 877-908-7050, info@ For the last 32 years, The Peking Acrobats have helped to redefine audience perceptions of Chinese acrobatics. They perform daring maneuvers atop a precarious pagoda of chairs, and display their technical prowess at trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling and gymnastics. See these displays of contortion, flexibility and control at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Count Basie Center for the Arts. The acrobats are often accompanied by live musicians who play traditional Chinese instruments. Go: The Peking Acrobats, 4 p.m. Sunday, Count Basie Center for the Arts, 99 Monmouth St., Red Bank, $25 to $45; 732-842-9000, Want to spend a weekend afternoon sipping wine? Get your tickets to Rosé All Day, a wine-tasting event featuring styles from around the world, plus cheeses, meats and chocolates from Point Pleasant Beach-based Molly Boards. There will be live music, too. The event is presented by Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, which begins Friday, March 28, and runs through Sunday, April 6. Another, The Great Jersey Shore Burger Contest and Craft Beer Fest, takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at Bar Anticipation in Lake Como. Go: Rosé All Day, 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, B2 Bistro, 709 Arnold Ave., Point Pleasant Beach, $60, You only have a few more days to see "Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia: Landscapes and Nature" at the Barnegat branch of Ocean County Library. Photo artist Kaylee McGrath's Instagram following has grown exponentially since her 2016 graduation from Barnegat High School, and her 2018 graduation from Ocean County Vocational Technical School in Brick. In addition to participating in local arts and crafts events, and staging exhibits at numerous venues, McGrath teaches a mobile photography mini-course for young adults with special needs. The show can be seen through Monday, March 31. No registration is required. Go: 'Red Rose Kay Photography & Multimedia: Landscapes and Nature,' through March 31, Ocean County Library, Barnegat branch, 112 Burr St., free; 609-698-3331, Feeling like you need something to get you through the news cycle? All you need is love. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Beatles fans can experience the magic of the Fab Four with this tribute act at Drew University's Concert Hall. Re-Live The Beatles: The Tribute takes you on a journey through the career of the boys from Liverpool. Sunday's show features music, costume changes and an immersive backdrop, transporting patrons back to the 1960s. Relive the magic of the Beatles' appearances on "The Ed Sullivan Show," the Shea Stadium concert, the psychedelic journey of "Sgt. Pepper" and the iconic crossing of Abbey Road. You'll hear lots of hits, from "She Loves You," "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "A Hard Day's Night" to "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,' "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "Hey Jude." Tickets are $35 to $50. Go: Re-Live The Beatles: The Tribute, 3 p.m. Sunday, Concert Hall, Drew University, 36 Madison Ave., Madison, $35 to $50; Sarah Griesemer and Chris Jordan contributed to this story. Have an event coming up? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at bcanacci@ This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ things to do include Six Flags Great Adventure opening
