Heavy Equipment Theme Park

2018 - Volume #42, Issue #3, Page #21

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If you are looking for hands-on “buckets of fun” entertainment at a theme park, check out Diggerland USA where you can operate an excavator to dig for “treasure”, drive an ARGO ATV, and flatten ground with a roller.
    Owned by two brothers who were previously in the construction business, the park has real equipment that has been modified to make it safe for kids to operate, says Chris Peters, Director of Marketing for Diggerland USA. For example, some excavators are stationary, but operators can maneuver the arms and buckets to accomplish different tasks like knock-down bowling pins. Depending on the ride, its function, and the purpose of the attraction, each piece of machinery has been reengineered to be safe for operation by the general public.
    “Excavators are popular,” Peters says. “Another popular item is the Argos the kids can drive.”
    The New Jersey theme park opened in 2014 and added five new attractions this year for a total of 25 attractions at its 21-acre site. New this year is a 700 ft. zip line that takes two people at a time the entire length of the park. Also new is a Ventrac articulating tractor.
    “A 60-ft. scissor lift takes 6 people up at a time and you can see Philadelphia from it,” Peters says.
    In addition to equipment stations, there are rides like the Spin Dizzy, where guests sit in the bucket of a 20-ton excavator for a high-speed spin. There are also tamer rides for young children like the Dig-a-Round merry-go-round, and the Excavator Express train.
    Other challenges include a 32-ft. rock wall and a four-story ropes course. Diggerland USA also offers packages for adults 18 and older to operate unrestricted equipment with one-on-one instruction.
    “The most popular age range is 4 to 13. We tend to see a lot of kids with grandparents,” Peters says. Many groups come as part of birthday party packages that include food and unique activities like breaking a piñata hanging from the arm of a backhoe.
    Diggerland USA has a height requirement of 36 in. and charges based on height (under 42 in. $29.95 and over 42 in. $38.95). Season passes ($54.95) have been popular, Peters adds, and Diggerland USA changes themes through the season.
    There are similar parks in the U.K. but Diggerland USA is the first of its kind in North America.
    Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Diggerland USA, 100 Pinedge Dr., West Berlin, N.J. 08091 (ph 856 768-1110; www.diggerlandusa.com; info@diggerlandusa.com).

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Heavy Equipment Theme Park AG WORLD If you are looking for hands-on “buckets of fun” entertainment at a theme park check out Diggerland USA where you can operate an excavator to dig for “treasure” drive an ARGO ATV and flatten ground with a roller Owned by two brothers who were previously in the construction business the park has real equipment that has been modified to make it safe for kids to operate says Chris Peters Director of Marketing for Diggerland USA For example some excavators are stationary but operators can maneuver the arms and buckets to accomplish different tasks like knock-down bowling pins Depending on the ride its function and the purpose of the attraction each piece of machinery has been reengineered to be safe for operation by the general public “Excavators are popular ” Peters says “Another popular item is the Argos the kids can drive ” The New Jersey theme park opened in 2014 and added five new attractions this year for a total of 25 attractions at its 21-acre site New this year is a 700 ft zip line that takes two people at a time the entire length of the park Also new is a Ventrac articulating tractor “A 60-ft scissor lift takes 6 people up at a time and you can see Philadelphia from it ” Peters says In addition to equipment stations there are rides like the Spin Dizzy where guests sit in the bucket of a 20-ton excavator for a high-speed spin There are also tamer rides for young children like the Dig-a-Round merry-go-round and the Excavator Express train Other challenges include a 32-ft rock wall and a four-story ropes course Diggerland USA also offers packages for adults 18 and older to operate unrestricted equipment with one-on-one instruction “The most popular age range is 4 to 13 We tend to see a lot of kids with grandparents ” Peters says Many groups come as part of birthday party packages that include food and unique activities like breaking a piñata hanging from the arm of a backhoe Diggerland USA has a height requirement of 36 in and charges based on height under 42 in $29 95 and over 42 in $38 95 Season passes $54 95 have been popular Peters adds and Diggerland USA changes themes through the season There are similar parks in the U K but Diggerland USA is the first of its kind in North America Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Diggerland USA 100 Pinedge Dr West Berlin N J 08091 ph 856 768-1110; www diggerlandusa com; info@diggerlandusa com

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