From all appearances the amusement industry seems to be in excellent shape.  Despite challenges such as supply chain, labor, and inflation, demand seems to be strong during the IAAPA convention this year.  Parking lots were full, the trade show floor was busy and the booths were seeing interest and sales orders.

These are all good signs for the industry and the suppliers at the show and a reflection of the optimism that remains pervasive throughout all the related amusement industry segments.

 

Lifetime Products

Gary Otterbacher and his team at Lifetime Products, known for making top quality bunkhouses and trailers, seems to be firmly planted on the side of optimism as evidenced by the moves the company has made over the last year.

Otterbacher increased the size of his plant so he has more production capabilities.  This has also given him the ability to catch up on back orders as a result of the Covid Pandemic, where supply chain issues were affecting production and delivery, as they were for many manufacturers. 

With the increased capacity, Lifetime is now able to make deliveries for 2024 as early as late May and they have been hard at work making enhancements to their industry-leading product to make them even more relevant to those in need of temporary housing in the amusement industry.

Improvements to the bunkhouse design include new handrail options, new steps, and the introduction of air break systems for carnival clients who wish to pull the trailers with a tractor.

They also added a new 17.5” tire option for the product.

Another trend that Otterbacher has been experiencing is the interest in owner suites in the trailers, a larger area for top management or owners who live in the bunkhouse right along with their employees.  This is a testament to the quality and design of the Lifetime product, as the result compares favorably with a stand alone house trailer.  The owner's suite reduces the need to pull an additional trailer over the road and has been popular with concession owners who like the suites so they can be near their employees throughout the season.

Otterbacher is not finished with his company's expansion, he is currently waiting on approval from the county on a 10,000 sq ft addition to his facility in Gibsonton, FL.

Otterbacher says he will be displaying at the carnival industry's largest trade show, the IISA Extravaganza in Gibsonton in February.

 

Rocky Mountain Construction Reveals Silver Dollar City's Fire in the Hole Car

Another reveal at the IAAPA trade show was the custom-designed pumper wagon ride vehicle for the heartland's largest indoor roller coaster, Fire In The Hole, scheduled to open at Silver Dollar City in the Ozark Mountains.  The ride replaces another coaster of the same name, which has been at the park since 1972.  Its storyline is based on a fictional account of a night in the Ozark Mountains when the mining town of Marmaros was burned to the ground by a group of vigilantes called the Baldknobber.

Idaho-based Rocky Mountain Construction designed the coaster and the vehicles with SDC. Darren Tor, CEO of RMC said this one of a kind vehicle design includes high resolution onboard audio, a custom drive system, and special provisions for guests with disabilities. 

This is the second collaboration for RMC and SDC.  In 2013, they designed the Outlaw Run roller coaster, the only wooden coaster at the time to flip riders upside down during the experience.  The ride featured a 162 ft. Drop, three inversions and a maximum speed of 68 mph.

The new Fire In The Hole will be the first indoor roller coaster RMC has designed and produced.



The design is driven by Silver Dollar City's commitment to utilize state-of-the-art design and technology while staying true to the park's Ozark Mountains heritage. The custom-engineered vehicle provides maximum comfort while immersing riders in the coaster's story with details drawing inspiration from fire pumper wagons of the 1880s.

The all-new Fire In The Hole is the single largest investment in SDC history, coming in at a reported $30 million.  The ride is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2024, bringing a whole new attraction to Branson, MO.

 

Ital-Resina

Steve Lisko of Equipment Solutions International represents the Italian ride manufacturer Ital-Resina in the US and since his company's involvement starting a few years back, has seen a strong uptick in sales.

Last year, the company displayed a new swing ride at the IISA trade show in Gibtown and wound up selling 8 versions of the ride. Two were delivered this past week to Danny Brown and Brad Burton and two more will be delivered every other month until the orders have been fulfilled.  Lisko said the rides are doing well and he has seen great interest in the products.

Here in IAAPA, Lisko said he is “knocking it out of the park” with his Scooby Doo train ride.  The ride which has a 28 ft. trailer and flip-up marquee, is planned to include a tunnel as part of the trailer, making it a sort of kiddie dark ride. The ride is also large enough to hold adults with their children.

The customers he has spoken to have been excited about the concept and he closed his first deal with Peachtree Rides and has several more awaiting deposits.



The mini-Miami ride also in the booth has also received attention for its ease of set up — “5 minutes” says Lisko and appeal to younger kids.  The ride holds 10 at a time.

Also on display is a Shark Tank game, one of the only games the company manufacturers. It's a fishy-game and can have vibrant characters such as Baby Sharks, Swans or Ducks as the characters.  He sold a version of this ride to Peachtree as well and a second order is scheduled to be completed today.

Looking ahead, Lisko said he is excited to be going to the IISA trade show and plans to be one of the biggest manufacturers with displays there.  “I think Gibtown is the place to be,” said Lisko, adding “I'm going all in.”

In fact, Lisko plans to have 8 pieces on display at the trade show in February including the Swing Tower, Mini Miami, Scooby Doo train, Samba Balloon ride, and airplane train and the Shark Tank game.

Equipment Solutions International is looking forward to a successful sales season and hopes that by having quality Italian rides with a local sales and service presence, they will become a ride leader in the US amusement industry.

2023 IAAPA Expo Trade Show Coverage