The History of the New Rock-Afire Explosion at Mampato, Let's Fun

The New Rock-Afire Explosion, Mampato Lo Barnechea (Let's Fun)

In 1995, the Chilean amusement park Mampato, located in the commune of Lo Barnechea in Santiago, inaugurated an indoor family entertainment center named Let’s Fun. The concept of Let’s Fun closely mirrored that of American venues such as Chuck E. Cheese’s and ShowBiz Pizza Place, offering arcade machines, carnival-style attractions, bowling lanes, and a pizza-focused restaurant. One of its most significant features was the installation of an advanced animatronic show: The New Rock-afire Explosion, developed by Creative Engineering, Inc. (CEI) and led by engineer and inventor Aaron Fechter.

This marked the only installation of the New Rock-afire Explosion in Chile and the second known CEI animatronic show installed in the country—the first being The Hard Luck Bears show at Mundo Mágico (later relocated to Fantasilandia).

Origins and Development of the Show

The New Rock-afire Explosion was part of CEI’s mid-1990s initiative to revitalize and commercialize the Rock-afire brand independently of ShowBiz Pizza Time Inc., which had by then fully transitioned into Chuck E. Cheese’s. CEI aimed to reach new markets through direct sales of their latest animatronic systems to independent operators, particularly amusement parks and international venues. The Mampato installation was one such case.

The animatronics used in this show were from a new line called “Mijins”, a term used by CEI to describe compact, lightweight versions of their original Rock-afire characters. These were paired with Dance-A-Tronics, a motion control system designed to allow more expressive, choreographed performances through faster and more agile movements.

Stage Configuration and Technical Features

The stage installed at Let’s Fun followed the standard configuration used in most New Rock-afire Explosion shows commercialized by Creative Engineering, Inc. (CEI) during the mid-1990s. It featured three rotating platforms, each showcasing different animatronic characters depending on the rotation cycle. The characters utilized CEI’s advanced Dance-A-Tronics system, which enabled fluid, synchronized motion and choreography through a more compact and efficient mechanism.

The left stage included Beach Bear in his Mijin form, dressed in custom green shorts and a lime green t-shirt with a single stripe. A small window nearby featured a Looney Bird head in a classic style, reminiscent of his original Rock-afire Explosion look. When the stage rotated, a full-bodied Looney Bird animatronic appeared, outfitted as a scientist in a lab setting—though this portion of the show may have remained inactive during most of its lifespan due to mechanical limitations.

On the center stage, Billy Bob stood in a yellow shirt and blue shorts, accompanied by Fatz Geronimo wearing a white shirt with the Mampato logo, red-and-white checkered sleeves, a baseball cap, and pajama-style shorts. Mitzi Mozzarella also appeared here, notably wearing a dress inspired by the Chilean traditional cueca costume, possibly custom-designed for the location.

The right stage presented Dook LaRue in yellow overalls, a striped shirt, and a matching cap. Upon rotation, this stage revealed a television screen that played pre-synchronized music videos corresponding to the animatronic routines. This added a multimedia element to the show, enhancing its entertainment value for children and families alike.

An additional technical feature of the Mampato installation was its integration of CEI’s Show Selector system. This interface allowed visitors to choose which songs or routines the animatronics would perform by pressing a series of buttons located at a control panel. The Show Selector was one of CEI’s key innovations during the 1990s, providing an interactive component rarely seen in earlier animatronic attractions. Its presence in the Mampato location further demonstrates the venue’s intention to offer a modern, participatory experience that set it apart from traditional static shows.

Originally, some enthusiasts believed that the show installed at Mampato might have been the same New Rock-afire Explosion setup presented at the IAAPA 1994 trade show. However, recent information confirms that the IAAPA unit was sold to a location in Asia, not Chile, debunking this long-standing assumption.

Operation, Decline, and Removal

The New Rock-afire Explosion show operated throughout the late 1990s and into the mid-2000s. Over time, increasing technical challenges, maintenance costs, and lack of specialized techs, led to its gradual deactivation. By the late 2000s, the animatronics were fully removed, although the stage backdrops and lighting fixtures were retained for use during birthday parties and live entertainment involving park staff and guests.

Legacy and Historical Significance

The installation of The New Rock-afire Explosion at Mampato remains a unique event in the history of animatronics in Chile and Latin America. It represents one of the few known international uses of CEI’s Dance-A-Tronics and Mijin technology. The Chilean implementation stands as a rare example of how CEI’s efforts to keep the Rock-afire characters alive found success, however limited, outside of the U.S. market.

While the show no longer exists, its brief presence in Chile is preserved through fan research and archival documentation, including rare photographs and accounts from visitors who witnessed the performances. Today, the story of this installation serves as a testament to Creative Engineering’s legacy and the global impact of animatronic entertainment during the 1990s.

* Remember! You can find more Pictures of this New Rock-Afire Show and a lot more cool stuff on our very own Photo Gallery!!!