This week, more than 27,000 amusement industry professionals and fanatics gathered in Orlando for the annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Expo.
Great view of the #IAE14 show floor from atop the Themeing and Animatronics Industries display – @IAAPAHQ pic.twitter.com/zxlfNEJblR
— Bob (@bobwadd1) November 20, 2014
The event is considered the “premier global event for the attractions industry” where attractions professionals “from all over the world will test, try, and buy the industry’s newest innovations from more than 1,000 exhibiting companies in 125 different product categories.”
The event concludes today, and if you’ve been following us on Facebook or Twitter, you know it’s been a busy week.
The infographic below illustrates how large of an event the IAAPA expo really is:
Below are a few of the cool things that happened during the week:
The Gravity Group Announces Switchback Coaster
As we posted earlier in the week, The Gravity Group will build a one-of-a-kind coaster at ZDT’s Amusement Park. It’s the world’s first wooden shuttle roller coaster. Yeah, let that sink in.
An all new style of roller coaster! #IAE14 #ZDT2014 #IAAPA2014 pic.twitter.com/9eOQX4W1aW
— thegravitygroup (@thegravitygroup) November 18, 2014
And the company also gave us a peek at the lead car, which looks pretty awesome:
Danny and Sarah at ZDT's Amusement Park are thrilled about their new Switchback coaster and its awesome train! #IAE14 pic.twitter.com/nIazuwPgPX
— thegravitygroup (@thegravitygroup) November 19, 2014
Six Flags Magic Mountain Twisted Colossus Lead Car
Rocky Mountain Construction and Six Flags Magic Mountain debuted the sleek Twisted Colossus lead car.
Here is the first look at the Twisted Colossus ride vehicle. #iaapa #twistedcolossus #thrillcapitaloftheworld pic.twitter.com/qMVRvZj3uM
— Six Flags Magic Mountain (@SFMagicMountain) November 18, 2014
Sally Corp. Revealed The Joker
He’ll make an appearance in both of the Justice League: Battle for Metropolis attractions headed for Six Flags St. Louis and Over Texas in 2015.
@screamscape Troy Baker is the voice of our amazing Joker. He nailed it don't you think? pic.twitter.com/wqVGAsCWxE
— Sally Dark Rides (@SallyDarkRides) November 19, 2014
Holiday World’s Flies in with a Thunderbird Car
Although it isn’t the first time we’ve seen the lead Thunderbird car, seeing it again makes me even more excited to ride the world’s first B&M launched wing coaster in 2015.
The #Thunderbird has landed! @HolidayWorld and Bollinger & Mabillard have unveiled a car for the new coaster. #IAE14 pic.twitter.com/F8pxx4itbO
— IAAPA (@IAAPAHQ) November 18, 2014
This is only a sampling of what went down. Stay tuned for another post that will feature more highlights from the expo.
Follow IAAPA on Twitter or take a look at the #IAE14 hashtag for even more coverage of IAAPA Attractions Expo 2014.
Did you attend IAAPA this year? Let us know how it was in the comments section below.
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