Liability Waivers For Extreme Rides And Active Attractions

Tourist season is in full swing. People are hunting for the perfect vacation activity and destination for family fun. Many guests will be coming and going from your establishment. However, there will always be one or two in the bunch that is looking for ways to get something for nothing.

In the age of frivolous lawsuits, it is vital for businesses that offer extreme rides and active attractions to have some sort of protection in place. After all, you don’t want?people to sue you because your thrill ride fulfilled its promise to be the scariest or most extreme, do you? It’s not enough to just have disclaimers posted. Let’s take a trip down memory lane for a second and remember when a woman sued McDonald’s for millions (and won) because the coffee was “too hot.”?

A waiver will basically remove the potential liability aspect. It neutralizes a threat for people to sue you in the event grandpa has a heart attack on the thrill ride he probably shouldn’t have been on in the first place. Always be sure that you have warnings clearly presented, but these waivers are simply put added security.

While everyone knows that there are problems, mistakes, and accidents that occur, protection from lawsuits should be taken into consideration where the chances are increased. This is why it is good business to have a waiver station that guests can sign when they enter your Amusement Park or FEC, or at a waiver station prior to going on the ride.

So, tell me, what active or extreme rides and attractions do you have at your facility? Do you have a waiver station in place? If so, what types of protections do you have stipulated? Are you planning on making changes to it in the near future?

07-09-22

?Tim Murphy is CEO of APX Operating Company, dba Boomers Parks, under the ownership of Cerberus private equity ($55B assets). Boomers Parks owns six family entertainment centers and two water parks with locations in California, Florida, and New Jersey.

As CEO of Boomers Parks since 2020, Tim took these eight parks from bankruptcy to profitability in just a year – in the middle of a global pandemic. When Boomers acquired these parks, they were operating at a $10 million loss. Tim transformed the customer experience and added new revenue streams to generate a 180% increase in revenue in 2021 (and on track to be a 250% increase in 2022).?

Tim launched his 35+ year career at Walt Disney World and has since served more than 150 entertainment, restaurant, and food & beverage brands across more than 10,000 locations in C-suite and senior positions.

?Additionally, Tim is a Board Director with Coney Park, Happy City, and YuKids - Family Entertainment & Amusement Parks, part of The Carlyle Group ($275B assets), a private equity firm that operates 150+ family entertainment centers and amusement parks in Latin America.?

?Tim has worked with top-tier entertainment and restaurant brands including Disney, Rebounderz Trampoline Parks, Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, etc.), Red Lobster, Jimmy John’s, Applebee’s, Sonny’s Bar-B-Q, Denny’s, El Pollo Loco, Hardee’s, Golden Corral, and Firehouse Subs.?

Tim has overseen more than 35 purchase transactions involving over 1,200 restaurants, stores, and park locations.?With extensive experience in buying and selling businesses, handling negotiations with buyers and sellers, and creating strategic partnerships to build strong brands, Tim has facilitated deals ranging from $11 million to $350 million+.

?Tim is a member of IAAPA, CAPA, FAA, AAMA & WWA. He is a licensed commercial real estate broker in the State of Florida. Tim earned a BS/BA in Accounting from the University of Central Florida and?an MBA in Finance from Orlando College.