PHILADELPHIA, March 4, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ride The Ducks, an amphibious sightseeing company with over 31 years experience, has received joint approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Army Corps of Engineers, for construction of an environmentally friendly ramp to accommodate amphibious sightseeing tours. In cooperation with The Penn's Landing Corporation, the Branson, Missouri-based Ride The Ducks began construction of the ramp on Tuesday, March 4th at Pier 11, located at Penn's Landing at the intersection of Race Street and Columbus Boulevard.
Anticipated to be complete well in time for opening day on May 24, 2003, the unique ramp design was the creation of Ride The Ducks founder Bob McDowell, and artfully executed by prominent engineering firm Pennoni Associates, Inc. Says McDowell, "We are appreciative of the great efforts of Pennoni Associates and Penn's Landing for their diligence during the design and approval process. We are very excited about our opportunity in Philadelphia and construction of the ramp is a critical step in our plan."
The Penn's Landing Corporation has a long-term agreement with Ride the Ducks International, LLC, bringing this popular and successful attraction to the Philadelphia Waterfront.
The amphibious tour provided by Ride The Ducks will be an entertaining and interactive adventure through real world Philadelphia. The unique land-to-water tour will take passengers on a scenic journey through Old City, the Historic district, and South Street, before plunging into the water for a floating tour of the Delaware River along Penn's Landing.
The closed loop tour (without stops, exiting or boarding in route) lasts about 80 minutes, including a 20-minute cruise along the Delaware River. The landside portion of the tour will include Old City Philadelphia, the Historic District including Independence Mall, Society Hill, and of course, vibrant South Street. After plunging into the Delaware River just North of the Ben Franklin Bridge, the water tour along Penn's Landing will include a spectacular view of the Bridge and the city skyline.
The Ride The Ducks tour will be a seasonal operation, running Memorial Day through October, and employ several local employees in key positions such as captains, customer service representatives, mechanics, administration and box office personnel.
"Ducks will be a key addition to a list of attractions at Penn's Landing, including the RiverLink Ferry, the soon to be announced Penn's Landing Water Shuttle, the re-opening of the Moshulu, and other restaurants and attractions and the more than 70 special events taking place at Penn's Landing May through October each season," said Dominic Sabatini, president of the Penn's Landing Corporation.
Meryl Levitz, president of the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation commented: "Philadelphia residents and visitors alike will have a new way to see the city beginning Spring 2003. This unique combination of entertainment, sightseeing and history will make the Philadelphia Ducks a fantastic addition to Philadelphia's wealth of tourism options."
The departure point and box office for Ride The Ducks will be located at 6th and Chestnut. Adds Scott Lewis, General Manager for Ride The Ducks Philadelphia, "I can think of no greater place to be located than near one of our country's most cherished sites -- Independence Hall. This is the ideal location for maximum outreach to both tourist and resident alike."
Ride The Ducks operates sightseeing tour businesses and converts 1945 era Army DUKW's into the comfortable, reliable, open-air vehicles that accommodate 38 passengers each. A DUKW has the automotive characteristics of a conventional 6x6 truck and is equipped with a watertight hull. The vehicle uses four driving wheels and an eight-cylinder engine by land and a marine propeller and rudder by sea. Enhancements such as power steering, dual-line disc brakes, electric curtains, and automatic transmissions make today's Ducks dramatically improved versions of their WWII forefathers, which were used for ship-to-shore transportation. Ride The Ducks' vehicles currently operate in Branson, MO, Boston, MA, Baltimore, MD, and Seattle, WA carrying more than 750,000 passengers annually.
Ride The Ducks, which is headquartered in Branson, Missouri, partnered with Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (HFEC), formerly Silver Dollar City, in 2001 to help facilitate the company's expansion throughout the United States and the world. HFEC owns and/or partners with 12 entertainment properties in four (4) states, including the Dollywood theme park, located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For more information visit www.ridetheducks.com and www.silverdollarcity.com.
Ride the Ducks tours will depart frequently, seven days a week, beginning May 24, 2003. No individual reservations are required. Tickets are available for sale at the departure point at 6th and Chestnut Streets and at the Independence Visitors Center, "your first stop for information, history and adventure in the Philadelphia region." For more information, check www.independencevisitorcenter.com.
Adult admissions are $19.95; children ages 4-12 admissions are $10.95. Special discounts apply for seniors, military and groups of 20 or more. For more information, call 215-227-DUCK (3825) or visit www.ridetheducks.com.
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