Word: hofheinz
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...Hofheinz has a new spectacular: Astroworld. It opened last week, a 57-acre amusement park near Houston's Astrodome and still another of Hofheinz' ventures, a convention center called Astrohall. Yes, it rained on opening day. Such attractions as a simulated sleigh ride down the 65-ft.-high Der Hofheinzberg and most of the boats to carry visitors through a Lost World Adventure were not functioning. The next night, the Astrowheel-the world's first futuristic Ferris wheel-groaned to a halt, marooning 40 riders high above the action...
Grateful Godson. The first weekend's crowd of 50,000 people cared not a whit. They loved Astroworld-just the way the judge* knew they would. Hofheinz' goal is to create an area where the whole family can come for a week and never need leave. To this end, he has spent $16 million on fun rides like the swirling Black Dragon, a 340-ft.high Astroneedle, a frontier village and outdoor air conditioning. Moreover, he is not permitting any haphazard development on his Astro domain. The four-motel complex that will open this fall is owned by him (although...
...this should sound familiar. Astroworld is a godson of Disneyland. The late Walt Disney blessed Hofheinz' borrowed philosophy of fun for the family. "The Disneyland people helped us on Astroworld every time we asked," says the judge gratefully. "They suggested ways of doing things so we could avoid what they learned the hard...
Runaway Train. What Hofheinz, Disney and other big developers are cashing in on is a remarkable phenomenon best described as the "Disneyland Effect." Stated simply, the thesis is that what's missing in urban life is a sense of fun, and that once a fun area is built, it proves to be a powerful, regenerative force that brings prosperity to the whole surrounding area...
...when he was only 24 years old, Hofheinz was elected judge of Houston's Harris County, served until...