The recent unveiling of plans for Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, Texas, culminates several months of major theme park announcements in the United States and abroad that prominently feature Stevensville’s Ride Entertainment Group attractions.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is one of the largest new amusement park projects to open in the United States in decades, and will be anchored by two attractions that will come from Ride Entertainment Group: a Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter roller coaster and the Funtime StarFlyer. These two attractions will be the tallest ones for the new pier, which is scheduled to open this summer: The Euro-Fighter roller coaster will stand 100 feet tall, and feature four inversions, and the well-known vertical lift and beyond vertical drop. The Funtime StarFlyer will stand 200 feet tall and will swing guests nearly 230 feet above the saltwater below.
“This project has been a great one for our team,” said Adam Sandy, Director of Sales, Ride Entertainment Group. “The fact that they purchased two of our most popular attractions says a lot for what we can offer the serious-minded entrepreneur who has a vision for something truly special,” he adds.
For residents in the Houston Metro area Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier represents a significant return to its historic roots as a major tourist attraction as it enjoys its third reincarnation. Originally built in the 1940s the amusement pier – the largest of its kind in the country at that time – was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961. The pier was razed to build the Flagship Hotel, which in turn was destroyed by Hurricane Ike in 2008.
For Ride Entertainment the project is an acknowledgment that its efforts to provide the best and the most popular attractions is making a real impact in the entertainment industry. “We have been growing our business in our key market segments and this project speaks to our recognition as a leader in the industry,” said Ed Hiller, CEO of the Ride Entertainment Group. “Our sales, leasing and financing, branding, and installation and service components all flourished in 2011 and continue to do so in 2012. Our recent alliances with brands like Hot Wheels® allow our company to continue to expand its role as the entertainment leader”.
The Ride Entertainment Group, with offices in Stevensville, Md., Salt Lake City, Utah, and New York City, is a world leader in providing thrilling attractions to the entertainment industry. From record-breaking roller coasters to world-renowned brands to award-winning family attractions, the Ride Entertainment Group has earned international recognition for their innovation and commitment to quality entertainment. For more information on current projects visit www.RideEntertainment.com.
In photo: The new Euro-Fighter at Landry’s will be similar to the ride currently at Nickelodeon Universe in the Mall of America (pictured). It will feature a vertical lift hill and frightening “beyond vertical” first drop.