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Volume 2, No. 10. June 14, 2002

New Arrivals

It’s a kiddie ride!
Pacific Park on Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, announces the arrival of Ship Ahoy, May 24, 2002. Measurements: 14 feet tall (4 meters), 18 feet wide (5.5 meters), seven feet deep (two meters), 16 seats. Delivered by Visa International.

The centerpiece of Pacific Park’s newly themed kiddie area, Ship Ahoy arrived at the park from its Italian manufacturer via a trade show in April. “We purchased the piece knowing that it would be shown at the show, and then shipped from that location to us,” said Mary Ann Powell, general manager and CEO of Pacific Park. “It’s one of the easiest ride purchases and transports we’ve ever had.”

Ship Ahoy settled into Kids Cove, a makeover of the kiddie rides area the park’s staff accomplished in May between one Sunday’s closing time and the following Friday’s reopening. In that four-day window the park installed Ship Ahoy, expanded its Pier Patrol truck ride and extensively re-themed the area in a nautical ambiance. “We’ve always had an interest in capitalizing on the unique location of the park, sitting on a pier which is our point of difference compared with other amusement parks,” Powell said. “We’ve always tried to bring the ocean up in the feel of the park, but this was the first time we’ve done a substantial portion of our park in a general theme.”

The makeover, not including the new ride’s price, cost $25,000 as Pacific Park staff purchased nautical material from a shipyard that supplies theming for movie sets. The park’s own maintenance crew built new ride fences. “Though not a costly endeavor, when people walk into the area they feel it’s a new area,” Powell said.