For 90 years, the Ripley's Believe It or Not! brand has been synonymous with the weird, wacky and bizarre. Through time, the company has diversified and expanded to become a world leader in location-based entertainment, publishing, television and licensing.
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Often referred to as that "quirky little company that evolved from a cartoon," Ripley Entertainment Inc. is today a global company that operates attractions in 12 countries, sells more than a million books annually, and has licensing deals for everything from Believe It or Not! toys and games to a deal with Paramount Pictures for a major film based on the life of Robert Ripley. Now in its 89th year, the cartoon that started it all, Ripley's Believe It or Not! is still read daily in nearly 200 newspapers in 42 countries in 17 languages!
In 2008, more than 13 million people will visit the 60-plus attractions within the Ripley family, including: Believe It or Not! odditoriums; Ripley's aquariums; Great Wolf Lodge indoor waterpark resort; Ripley's Haunted Adventures; Ripley's Moving Theaters; Louis Tussaud's Waxworks; Guinness World Records Museums; Ripley's Mirror Mazes; Ripley Mini-Golf; and Super Fun Zone family entertainment centers.
Ripley's made a triumphant return to Time Square in New York City during 2007, opening the world's largest Believe It or Not! Odditorium on 42nd Street. The 17,500 square foot facility offers the latest in exhibit technique. On May 1, 2008 in San Antonio, Texas, an even larger odditorium opened as a high-tech and interactive prototype for all future Believe It or Not! attractions.
A new Believe It or Not! Odditorium opened in April 2008 in Bangalore India, along with a Louis Tussaud's Waxworks and a Mirror Maze. Later in 2008, a Guinness World Records Museum will also premiere in Bangalore. New Believe It or Not! attractions are also being built in Veracruz, Mexico and London, England for 2008 openings, with sites in France and China under consideration for 2009 and beyond.
The two world-class Ripley's aquariums, in Gatlinburg, Tenn. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. are accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and combine conservation, education and fun while providing an enjoyable way for families to enjoy and learn - as a family unit!
The Ripley-owned and operated Great Wolf Lodge in Niagara Falls, Canada, is the company's first venture into the hospitality industry. The 406-room, all-suite indoor waterpark resort features a 103,000 square foot waterpark with 13 slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a huge water fort playground, activity pools, water roller coaster and family and adult hot tubs - one outside overlooking the Niagara River Gorge.
High quality gift stores, restaurants, meeting rooms, family activities, arcade, mini-golf, and an Aveda Concept Spa and Salon round out the offerings of the Northwoods-themed resort, which overlooks the Whirlpool, three miles down from the Falls. Pajama-clad children (and some adults!) gather in the grand lobby around the huge fireplace each evening for bedtime story-telling and other activities aimed to help calm the children down after a fun day in the waterpark!