Application Spotlight: The Thrilling World of Theme Park Signage

In 2015, Waldameer Amusement Park based in the Erie, PA, began the largest expansion in its entire history. With the purchase of new land along Peninsula Drive and 6th Street, Waldameer expanded its parking lot to accommodate a new Giant Wave Pool. With almost 500,000 gallons of water and accommodating over 1,000 people, this pool created interest and fun for young and old. In addition to the Wave Pool, the three acre expansion included a new food building, Waveside Grill, offering new food options, a new restroom facility, and an expanded locker rental area.

This $10 to $20 million dollar expansion would roll out in three phases. Phase one in 2015 was the main expansion with the new Water World Wave Pool, with the remaining two expansions to the water park to follow in 2016 and 2017. Before, during, and after the expansion, however, Waldameer needed signage and they turned to Signs Now Erie.

“The ‘wall’ project was to advertise the Wave Pool with the visibility of the sign and wave pool being the largest focus for out of town and local visitors coming to Waldameer either directly or from leaving Presque Isle State Park,” said Sue Hawley, president, Signs Now Erie. “Other signage throughout the park was for the purpose of up-dating the rides, the entrances, and other areas of the park with more modern signs.”

According to Hawley, the Wave Pool design was in collaboration with a local advertising agency, Ashby Advertising, which had been working with Waldameer for many years. The remaining signs were a collaboration between Signs Now Erie and Brian Gorman, the grandson of the park owner, Paul Nelson.

“The Wave Pool wall had a lot of discussion between the Ad Agency, Paul Nelson, and Signs Now,” recalled Hawley. “The colors, designs, materials to be used, measurements, printing, and installation of the vinyls on the substrates all had to be planned very carefully. The other signs also took a lot of design time, with many proofs before production.”

The entire project lasted approximately six months, but Signs Now had about two months to complete all the signs needed before opening day. After the park opened, Signs Now continued to add additional signs throughout the summer.

“The graphics on the Wave Pool took two days to install on the substrate,” said Hawley. “Every single letter landed on a seam except one. All signs are expected to be in place at least 10 years.” All of the graphics were printed on the Signs Now Erie’s Mimaki JV33 on 3M IJ 180Cv3-10 with 3M 8518 overlaminate.

The project was a huge success for both Signs Now Erie and Waldameer, with the next phase of the park expansion already underway. Signs Now Erie was also awarded with the 2016 Wide-Format & Signage/Signs Now Project of the Year award during this year’s annual convention.

“I started 25 years ago as an employee of Sign Express, before the company converted to Signs Now,” said Hawley. “Signs Now has always been a growing company in the Erie area, but when the past owner approached me about purchasing the company, I took a year to decide and took over my new position in November of 2003.”

After purchasing an Encad to get started in digital printing, Hawley soon found a need for the Mimaki JV33 and now have two of these printers in operation daily.

“The company has grown in status in the community and the product line and graphics have grown immensely due to the capabilities of large format printing. I don’t know if a sign company can compete in today’s market without going digital. Our sales continue to grow each year with the company’s reputation for quality work, fast turnaround, good quality products available today and the franchise system,” said Hawley.