Amusement Business
The International Live Entertainment & Amusement Industry Newsweekly

To Open by 1999
Totally Fun Set To Design Spacious FEC In Belgium
Family Entertainment Centers
By Tim O'Brien

ORLANDO - Port Antwerp, a 300,000 square-foot family entertainment center, will be built in Antwerp, Belgium, by Rosy Blue, one of the world's largest diamond brokers.

International News

The former General Motors auto plant will be totally re-worked and the entrance ways will have a strong "diamond" look and feel to them, said Peter Alexander. His Totally Fun company has been contracted to design the facility. He was here exhibiting at the IAAPA Convention & Trade Show.

Inside theming will be built around the "port" theme. "From this port, one can visit many ol the great countries and great ports of the world," Alexander told AB. "There will be a lot of history and other educational components to it."

Set to open in late 1998 or early 1999, stuclies show attendance will be in the one million to 1.5 million range. "Half of the attendance will come from repeat use by locals, the rest will come from visitors from outside the area," he said. "There will be a strong membership base from within the local community."

Members will be able to utilize the sports and health club elements to the FEC. The interactive sports area will have among its offerings: bowling, bungee basketball, bungee soccer, ice skating and skateboarding. "They plan to build a strong team base and develop team competition, which will ensure strong repeat business."

OTHER ELEMENTS

Alexander said no manufacturers have been chosen for any of that rides of attractions yet.

There will be an adult and a kiddie go-kart track. It has not yet will be electric or gasoline powered. "Right now, we're leaning toward electricity, because of the sound and fumes," he said.

A solo-coaster, of some sort, will be built and will run through "diamond looking" tubes that go in and out of the building near the front entrance. Integrated within that coaster will be a kiddie coaster.

A dark ride will take guests through diamond mines where the riders will learn of the history of the Antwerp area through various effects, including a "Pepper's Ghost" effect.

PARKS & ATTRACTIONS

An interactive boat ride will wander through various lands, past well-known world landmarks, "Each person will have a laser gun, but instead of shooting each other or blowing up things, the lasers will be used to locate the landmarks," Alexander said. "For instance, when the guest shoots The Leaning Tower of Pisa, it will move to an upright position. It will all be positive, educational type of interactivity."

The special effects miniature golf course will weave in and out of the landmarks lining the river. When putts are sunk, the golfers can make the landmarks do the same thing the boaters can.

A large format simulation theater will show several different 3-D movies, and a laser-tag bumper car will be installed.

A rock and roll musical revue will have its own theater, and a live stunt show arena will feature a Totally Fun-produced stunt show.

An Internet Cafe will be created near the front entrance, and a food court will be located near the sports area. 'Everything will be vegetarian, because of the high number of Hindus in the area."