Theme Parks ready to Entertain

Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld’s new Steel Taipan rollercoaster.

The latest edition of TEA and AECOM’s global attraction attendance report shows industry resilience through 2020 and the beginnings of recovery

2020 was a difficult year for theme parks, water parks and museums, but the newly released edition of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and AECOM’s definitive global attraction attendance report shows that operators and markets have shown remarkable resiliency and are already on the path to recovery in 2021.

The 2020 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index charts how 2020 was a difficult year for theme parks, waterparks and museums, which are by their nature dedicated to bringing people together for shared experiences.

Around the world, the pandemic saw most theme parks, waterparks and museums were closed for significant periods in 2020, with a resultant steep attendance decline.

At the same time, operators and markets have shown remarkable resiliency and are already on the path to recovery in 2021, considered a ‘bounce-back year’ in what is forecast to be a three-year recovery cycle.

Commenting on the findings of the annual, calendar-year study, produced by collaboration of the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) and the Economics practice at AECOM, TEA International Board President Chuck Fawcett of Animax Designs, explained “the TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index truly sets the bar for how our global association serves the global leisure industry.

“Theme parks, waterparks and museums are landmarks of cultural tourism and engines of economic development, and the TEA/AECOM Theme Index provides critical benchmarking and context for key decision makers. TEA values its continuing partnership with AECOM and the ability to provide this valuable resource to our business community.”

The 2020 TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index studies the sector by region (The Americas, Asia-Pacific; Europe, The Middle East & Africa [EMEA]), the global market as a whole and the top operators. The report charts and discusses the effects of the pandemic on the industry in 2020 and the subsequent signs of recovery and heightened innovation already begun.

John Robinett, Senior Vice President - Economics, AECOM advises “the 2020 attendance numbers are largely due to regulatory restrictions limiting parks’ operating days and capacities and not park popularity and management.

“We are already seeing a surge of pent-up demand. The speed with which guests returned to parks and museums once they reopened attests to the vital role these leisure outlets play in people’s lives.

“We can’t expect recovery to equal an instant return to 2019 numbers: those represented an economic peak, the best in five decades. A more realistic expectation would be to achieve a level comparable to an average of several years pre-COVID. Following the steep drop of 2020, we can expect that 2021 will manifest as a bounce-back year and that 2022 will usher in real

WaterWorld stunt show at Universal Studios Beijing.

Tokyo DisneySea marks its 20th anniversary.

recovery. In 2023, guest expectations will rise, and operators should plan and budget for reinvestment accordingly.” The Americas - Theme Parks and Waterparks In the USA, most theme parks and waterparks were open on 1st January 2020, but shut down mid-March. As a result, the top 20 North American theme parks saw a total drop in attendance of -72%.

Marina Hoffman, Senior Analyst/Hospitality Consultant, Economics, AECOM, noted “the pain rippled through the industry as well as the fan base. But as soon as parks could reopen, guests returned in large numbers, and operators adapted.

“Though economically disrupted by the pandemic and now facing staffing and operations challenges, the industry looks ahead. Major theme park operators and big chains - including Disney, Universal, Six Flags, Cedar Fair and Herschend - have continued with construction projects, new attraction openings and plans for the future. Even in the hard-hit water parks sector there is encouraging new development.” Asia-Pacific - Theme Parks and Waterparks In the Asia-Pacific region, the top 20 theme parks saw attendance numbers drop a total of -58% in 2020. Looking only at China, the numbers tended to be more favourable.

Being hit very early in the pandemic, China was the first to implement restrictions and closures in 2020.

Nonetheless, China added some 20 parks during the pandemic with recent openings including Universal Beijing Resort, Ocean Park Hong Kong’s new Water World, new parks in the OCT and Fantawild chains and an expansion of Chimelong Paradise.

Chris Yoshii, Vice President - Economics, Asia-Pacific, AECOM commented “China continues to move toward a leading global position in the theme parks and attractions industry.

“The establishment of Universal Beijing Resort and continuing success of Shanghai Disney Resort represent an upward trajectory and reinforces the notion of quality for parks in China and Asia - raising the bar in the use of technology and media and spurring others to follow suit.”

Beth Chang, Executive Director - Economics, Asia-Pacific, AECOM added “China’s theme parks and water parks have had access to a much smaller pool of tourists than previously, but have the country’s sizeable, local population to draw upon. Those parks already oriented to local markets were able to sustain higher attendance numbers.” EMEA - Theme Parks and Waterparks In the EMEA region total attendance decline in 2020 was - 66% for the top 20 theme parks and -61% for the top 10 water parks. Parks catering mostly to regional markets saw lesser attendance drops than those relying more on tourism. Overall, the sector did relatively well in pandemic-hit 2020 and is poised to recover more quickly than some other markets, simply because European parks skew regional. Museums Attendance at the world’s top 20 museums in 2020 showed a total decrease of -78%, across all regions from the prior year. Museums were one of the visitor attraction categories most negatively affected by COVID-19. They were liable to be closed for long periods, subject to rigorous capacity limits and control measures due to being primarily indoor facilities. Those with attendance models heavily reliant on international tourism suffered most.

Blockbuster touring exhibits, new museums, expansions and exhibitions were delayed, but began to resurge in 2021. The pandemic prompted museums to regroup and deliver content online, to enthusiastic reception by communities and educators.

Linda Cheu, Vice President - Economics, Americas, AECOM concluded “our museum community deserves a commendation for its resilience and dedication during the pandemic. Facing considerable challenges, museums everywhere showed themselves to be innovative in pivoting to online content and virtual experiences to continue serving their missions - and stay connected to the communities that needed them more than ever. While full recovery is some ways off, post reopening numbers have been encouraging, reflecting substantial, pent-up demand for museum experiences.”

Since 2006, TEA and AECOM have collaborated to produce and publish the annual TEA/AECOM Theme Index and make the report available free as a resource and reference for business and education. It was expanded to include the Museum Index in 2012. The TEA/AECOM Theme Index and Museum Index is a definitive and widely cited global resource benefiting the international attractions industry and many other sectors including financial, real estate, education, hospitality, retail, travel and tourism. It is a vital reference for the media.

Harry Potter’s Wizarding World at Universal Studios Beijing. Transformers attraction at Universal Studios Beijing.

Media slams Perth’s Adventure World over ride weight restrictions

Perth amusement park Adventure World has recently been slammed by major media outlets in sensationalist coverage over its managing of guest weight safety requirements when accessing rides.

Media outlets including WAtoday, 7 NEWS, The West Australian and News Ltd titles such as Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph, fuelled supposed outrage over weight restrictions for the park’s rides - enforced to meet manufacturer safety requirements.

Social media users have been upset that weight stations featuring a flashing light apparently “fat-shames” users with respondents labelling the identification as “humiliating” and “degrading”.

The system requires guests to ‘self assess’ before joining ride queues, a process those quoted by mainstream media describe as consisting of “humiliating flashing red and green signs”.

As a result, Adventure World, which in 2019 was in the news for asking guests using its waterpark to “choose appropriate swimwear when visiting”, has seen Facebook users call for a boycott of the park over so-called “disgusting ride policies”.

Media, who would be quick to slam the park if there was a safety incident, found outraged people to quote.

Adventure World operates weight stations featuring a flashing light on certain rides in order to meet manufacturer safety requirements.

If the light flashes red, guests are barred from the ride.

Explaining this, the park advised “as long as a rider’s safety restraint harness achieves the fully closed position and they meet the other safety requirements, then riders above 75kg can ride.”

In a statement to The West Australian, Adventure World Chief Executive, Andrew Sharry advised “we take our direction from our various ride manufacturer’s safety specifications.

“There have been no changes to, nor introduction this season

The Abyss at Perth’s Adventure World (top) and signage explaining the park’s guest weight safety requirements when accessing rides. of a new rider weight safety requirements for any of our rides, slides or attractions.”

Sharry said the weight scales were for the comfort of patrons, as well as a “rider weight safety assessment scale for the operator”, adding “(this) brings us in line with almost all other waterparks in the country. We are not alone in implementing such a system.”

AALARA President defends Adventure World in enforcing ride weight restrictions

Shane McGrath, President of the Australian Amusement, Leisure and Recreation Association (AALARA), went on to defend Adventure World’s ride weight restrictions.

McGrath told Perth radio station 6PR that while the reporting was “unfortunate”, theme park operators have no choice but to abide by manufacturer restrictions.

McGrath advised “they are required to do what they’ve done, they can’t compromise on safety, and they need to ensure that (patrons have) a safe experience at the theme park.”

However, McGrath added that Adventure World could find a way in which guests that are too heavy are spared embarrassment, adding “I think the expectation needs to be managed in advanced, and maybe that is through some communication, via a website, or private entry.

“I don’t know the specifics of that ride, but I’m sure the theme park will be reviewing all that, they’re constantly striving to ensure that everyone has a positive experience.

“And in this instance, I guess that hasn’t been the case.”