New high-tech and immersive family attractions will give guests an opportunity to have fun breaking world records through interactive exhibits

ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 16, 2010) – Would you like to break a world record while on vacation? Ripley Entertainment Inc. will soon be giving millions of visitors that opportunity.

Ripley Entertainment Inc. today unveiled a new prototype of its popular Guinness World Records attractions at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions conference and expo in Orlando.

The new Guinness concept will focus on fun and interactive exhibits that will allow guests to experience what it’s like to try and break world records. But don’t worry – experience at pulling trains, breaking huge blocks of ice or being more than eight feet tall will not be required – technology will allow anyone to try their hand at things they only dreamed of attempting.

“The new concept will allow our guests to try and break both Guinness World Records and local records in a single visit,’’ said John Corcoran, director of Guinness World Records attractions. “Advanced technology will allow us to create very realistic, hands-on experiences that people have never done before. Guests will be immersed in a world of amazing feats and accomplishments.’’

The new Guinness attractions will feature about 75 interactive “challenge stations” for people to try and break records. Visitors will have plenty of opportunity for a fun and unique experience as they see how they measure up to different records – whether it’s kicking a field goal on a virtual football field or the most points ever scored in one turn in a game of Scrabble.

Ripley plans on starting construction of the new prototype in the coming year. Senior executives—including Ripley President Jim Pattison, Jr.—are marketing the concept to investors this week at IAAPA.

“This new record-breaking attraction has been in development for several years and it captures the excitement and ongoing interest that people have in Guinness World Records,’’ Pattison Jr. noted. “We feel this is going to be a very popular concept as it continues our trend of investing in interactive and immersive exhibits that will make great memories for our visitors. Our new design is one that encourages multiple visits, as people will want to come back and attempt to break their own records.’’

Ripley currently has five Guinness World Records attractions around the globe, with corporate-owned attractions in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Current Guinness World Records franchisees will be able to convert existing attractions into the new concept. Ripley Entertainment has designed the attractions to allow operators to pick exhibits or modules that best fit their needs for their specific location.

Corcoran explained that it could be very possible that no two future Guinness attractions will be the same.

The location for the premier prototype is still in the selection process. Destinations such as Orlando, Gatlinburg and several international locations are among those currently under consideration.

“Many of the destination discussions will be taking place this week at IAAPA,’’ Corcoran said.

Artist renderings of the new Guinness World Records prototype will be on display at the Ripley Entertainment booth at IAAPA at Booth 4803. The show will run Tuesday through Friday, Nov. 16-19 in the North/South Building of the Orange County Convention Center, on International Drive in Orlando.

Contact:

Tim O’Brien, VP Communications,
Ripley Entertainment Inc.
615-646-7465 – office
615-496-5949 – cell
obrien@ripleys.com

About Ripley Entertainment Inc.

Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com), keepers of the venerable Ripley’s Believe It or Not! brand, is a global leader in location-based entertainment, entertaining more than 13 million annually at its 85 attractions in 11 countries.  In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in 42 countries. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.

Posted by Wellons Communications, an Orlando public relations firm.