Cedar Fair seeks talks with Texas investors
Cedar Fair LP has told its largest shareholder, a pair of Texas investment funds known as Q Investments, that it wants to discuss how the two can work together on future matters, including choosing candidates for the company's board of directors.
But yesterday the amusement park chain filed its proxy statement for its June 7 annual meeting - and recommended that shareholders re-elect two board members that Q Investments would like replaced.
In a letter sent Thursday to Q Investments, Cedar Fair chairman and CEO Dick Kinzel said he welcomes the funds' "input and perspective on future board candidates and look[s] forward to engaging you in the nominating process."
Snyder leaving Six Flags board
Washington Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder is leaving the board of Six Flags and losing his equity investment in the amusement park company, a business he has chaired since winning a proxy fight five years ago.
Snyder's departure from the board, and that of his friend and Redskins partner Dwight C. Schar, appears to bring an end to their involvement in the company, which has been on a wild ride since Snyder took over in 2005.
Snyder's stake in the company when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last June was roughly 5 to 6 percent. The stock had declined precipitously over several years as the company struggled.
Coney Island's new Luna Park will turn you inside-out this summer
Get ready to lose your lunch. Central Amusement International, operators of the new Luna Park in Coney Island, say that at least 12 of the 19 rides headed for Surf Avenue in just a few short weeks will twist, twirl, rotate, or revolve in some sort of chaotic fashion.
One of the rides called the Beach Shack may sound innocuous enough — but it simulates being on top of a whirling tornado.
In some respects, another ride called the Brooklyn Flyer resembles the familiar Parachute Jump — except that this tower actually turns and whips riders around at gut-wrenching speeds.
Dave & Buster's Sold in $570 Million Deal
Dave & Buster's Inc. is changing hands, with Wellspring Capital Management agreeing to sell the chain of restaurants that double as videogame arcades to Oak Hill Capital Partners in a $570 million deal.
New York-based Wellspring took Dave & Buster's private in 2006 for about $257 million in cash plus debt. It replaced the company's founders with new management, expanded the chain and last year filed to take it public again.
Universal Studios Hollywood announces King Kong-inspired short film competition
niversal Studios Hollywood is challenging filmmakers to compete in a virtual short film competition with $15,000 in prize money timed to coincide with the launch of the theme park's highly anticipated attraction, "King Kong 360 3-D," the world's largest, most intense 3-D experience, opening this summer.
Filmmakers are invited to submit one-to-three minute film shorts that support the theme, "King Kong's Path to Universal Studios Hollywood" via the creative online social networking site, Zooppa, which is administering the competition on behalf of Universal Studios Hollywood, at www.zooppa.com/contests/king-kong .
The short film competition invites filmmakers to depict the havoc a behemoth Kong might wreak had he stomped though their hometowns as he makes his way back to Universal Studios Hollywood.
Quassy's John Frantzis honored by State of Connecticut
John Frantzis, co-owner of Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Conn., was honored Wednesday evening during the 2010 Governor’s Awards for Excellence in Culture & Tourism.
Frantzis was the recipient of the Distinguished Advocate Award for decades of work to promote tourism and for serving on various tourism-related boards and commissions. The award was presented during a statewide gala in the atrium of the Legislative Office Building with Gov. M. Jodi Rell and other dignitaries in attendance.
Recipients of the Distinguished Advocate Awards are Connecticut residents who have worked to strengthen, preserve or promote the creative industry in the state. They have made a significant impact on one or more organizations or have made important contributions to their communities, regions or the state.
After dark, the dirty work at Disneyland begins
When the last Jungle Cruise boat docks for the night and lights fade to black on Sleeping Beauty's Castle, the real work begins.
At lush Pixie Hollow, gardeners don miner's headlamps as they begin uprooting stubborn weeds. On Main Street, custodians scrape chewing gum off the sidewalk. And over at Mickey's Toontown, painters sand and recoat chipped handrails.
Few see it happen, except perhaps for the dozens of feral cats that emerge from their hiding places to prowl the park after hours, stalking rodents. Welcome to the dark side of Disneyland.
Opening Day for Local Amusement Park
Not even rain could stop folks from coming to Delgrosso's opening day. Luann Rabenstein surprised her grandson.
"I told him last night I had a surprise for him today. He kept bugging me and asking what it was, I wouldn't tell him so we had to shut his eyes when we were about half way here until we got into the park," she said.
"I was shocked we were here," Rabenstein's grandson, Adias Arnsparger, said.
Silver Dollar City celebrates 50 thrilling years
Branson -- When the Herschend family looks back on the past half century of their Silver Dollar City theme park, the moments that stick out to them might not be what you'd expect.
Pete Herschend doesn't talk about the money they've made as the park's owners, or the country music celebrities that have had their start at the attraction or even the park itself.
"The heart of Silver Dollar City has always been, from day one, about the people here," Herschend said.
Wonderland swaps Scooby Doo for Snoopy
Don't expect to see Scooby Doo or Dora at the opening of Canada's Wonderland on Sunday.
From now on, one of North America's busiest theme parks will be fronted by a 60-year-old canine.
Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang have replaced the colourful cinematic characters that once decorated the park's Hanna-Barbera Land and Nickleodeon Centre for children 6 and younger.
At the Griffin: Photos reveal a dark side of the carnival
From Coney Island to Palisades Park, writers and filmmakers often portrayed amusement parks and carnivals as creepy places packed with scary rides, gross sideshows and cotton candy that sticks in your hair.
As a kid, Isa Leshko must have got stuck on the Tilt-A-Whirl or wandered into the freak show at the Brockton Fair.
At the Griffin Museum of Photography, she is showing 14 moody, sometimes ominous black-and-white photos of amusement parks that seem to belong in a Stephen King novel.
Magical experience awaits fans at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry will open to muggles for the first time on June 18.
The Three Broomsticks Inn, Honeydukes sweets and all the other quirky shops in Hogsmeade village will open then, too.
That’s when the nonwizarding public will be allowed to step into the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the much-anticipated new attraction at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure park that brings to life the weird and wonderful realm of the famous boy wizard.
Who should run Silver Springs?
Last year, even before he got the top job in Marion County government, County Administrator Lee Niblock was planning for a palace coup — as in Palace Entertainment, that is.
Niblock did more than just float the idea that the county should have a plan ready to manage the Silver Springs attraction in case a leadership vacuum was created by the departure of Palace Entertainment, one of largest companies in the entertainment business that has operated the park for eight years. Niblock's staff has drawn up a business plan for the park that could be implemented within three months.
Today, at an Internet outpost dedicated to Florida's oldest tourist attraction, hundreds of people have signed on to openly advocate for a management change at Silver Springs.
Penn. park Sesame Place packs schedule with events
Back in 1980, a small theme park opened in a small town north of Philadelphia. Growing from 3 acres and just 119 staff, to 14 acres and 1500 employees last year, Sesame Place has withstood the test of time, proving just as evergreen as the show it was based on.
Designed specifically for young children and their parents, it has three-dozen activities specifically designed for the age group, including rides, a roller coaster, water attractions, choreographed stage shows, a musical parade, and a meet-and-greet.
The park isn't cheap, if you only intend to visit one day: $53 a person. But the “Elmo's Any Two Day Ticket” costs $53 as well, so you might as well stay for a while, explore other area attractions on day two. The park is 30 minutes north of Philadelphia. A base season pass, $89 per person, gives unlimited admission plus 30% off food and merchandise.
747 now sits atop Evergreen's water park
This morning two huge cranes lifted Evergreen's retired 747-100 cargo plane into place atop the new water park, which is under construction beside the aviation and space museums.
"Pretty awesome," said Eric Garske, 12, whose dad, Dave Garske, is head of the construction crew that's building the water park.
Eric wasn't alone in that assessment. Dozens of people -- including museum members and volunteers and other children and relatives of Hoffman Construction crew members -- gathered on the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum campus at 5:30 a.m. to witness the engineering feat. They weren't disappointed.
Fishkill water park plans new rides
Plans for a new ride at Splash Down Beach Water Park led to revisiting permits for some work already finished.
The park is hoping to complete the new Bullet Bowl ride in time for the facility's opening May 29.
Rocco Tammone, chief financial officer for parent company Mega Funworks Inc., said he thought the permit process would be completed soon.
Brookfield Zoo to open new wilderness exhibit
Brookfield Zoo in suburban Chicago is set to debut a new exhibit called Great Bear Wilderness.
The 7.5-acre exhibit opens on May 8 and includes bison, bald eagles, grizzly bears, polar bears and Mexican gray wolves. The zoo says the Great Bear Wilderness features hilly terrain and a waterfall and includes nearly 31,500 new plants.
Officials say the $27.3 million exhibit is the largest ever undertaken at Brookfield Zoo. It includes pools for bears that contain between 78,000 and 80,000 gallons of water. There also is an underwater viewing area.
Tennessee Aquarium Earns StormReady Supporter Designation from NWS
The Tennessee Aquarium has earned the StormReady Supporter designation from the National Weather Service (NWS), increasing safety for visitors and employees. “The StormReady Supporter program encourages businesses and organizations to take a proactive approach to improving local hazardous weather operations, severe weather safety and awareness," said George Mathews, meteorologist-in-charge of the NWS Forecast Office in Morristown, TN.
The Aquarium already had an extensive safety plan in place. As a StormReady Supporter, an added level of protection is offered to guests and staff. “Visitor and employee safety is our number one priority,” said Rodney Fuller, the Aquarium’s facilities manager. “We have grown over the years, so we wanted to expand our safety plan to include severe weather preparedness to cover everyone from school groups and passengers aboard the River Gorge Explorer to our biologists working on conservation projects in the field.”
Saint Louis Zoo Will Add Major Education Gallery At The Living World
The Monsanto Company today presented a gift of $2 million to the Saint Louis Zoo to fund the Monsanto Education Gallery at The Living World.
The Monsanto Education Gallery will be a flexible, multi-purpose area in the lower level of The Living World and will provide an expanded learning area for the Zoo’s Education Department. The area will provide guests and visitors an additional space to receive high quality science, environmental and conservation education programs, activities and guest experiences from the Zoo staff and trained volunteers, all designed to deepen the connections between people and animals. The experience at the Monsanto Education Gallery is focused on families with children ages birth to nine, though all ages are welcome.
“It has long been our dream to have a place where children can experience meaningful new links with nature and the animal world, and now Monsanto Company has made that possible,” said Dr. Jeffrey P. Bonner, Dana Brown president & CEO of the Saint Louis Zoo. “We strongly believe that if children enjoy programs and activities that connect them to our animals, they will be more interested in helping them and protecting their future.”
Hershey celebrates ZooAmerica's 100th
Hershey is known for many things, in Pennsylvania and across the globe. From its chocolate to its amusement park - which had its 2010 grand opening Saturday - to concerts and the Hershey Bears.
But there are different "bears" to see in Hershey as well, and they can be seen year 'round.
The 11-acre ZooAmerica North American Wildlife Park, nestled adjacent to HersheyPark, is celebrating its 100th year in 2010. That history will be highlighted all year, starting with today's Founder's Day kickoff celebration.
Makeover of Washington Crossing Visitor's Center could begin this fall
A $4.2-million makeover of the Washington Crossing Visitor's Center could be under way by the fall, according to Douglas Miller, acting site administrator with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
"We are moving forward on the project thanks to the partnership with the township," Miller said after the April 21 Upper Makefield Township Board of Supervisors meeting.
"We are anticipating in late spring the final approved plans and blueprints will be in biddable format with our Commonwealth Department of General Services and hopefully be bid out by July," he said.
AROUND THE GLOBE
Shanghai's Expo May Be Economic Winner Over Beijing Olympics
Shanghai’s $44 billion World Expo may secure bigger economic benefits for China’s richest city than Beijing reaped from the Olympics two years ago.
The exhibition runs for the next six months, 10 times longer than the games, and is forecast by the organizers to draw 10 times as many visitors. When guests from French President Nicolas Sarkozy to North Korean deputy leader Kim Yong Nam have gone home, the event will leave Shanghai with an additional $40 billion of roads, subway lines and airport terminals.
“The World Expo will accelerate Shanghai’s infrastructure development by 20 years,” said James McGregor, a senior counselor in Beijing at public-affairs company APCO Worldwide and author of the book “One Billion Customers.” “This may be a better economic proposition than the Olympics.”
Opening ceremony of 2010 World Expo starts
Chinese President Hu Jintao declared open Shanghai World Expo Friday night.
The opening ceremony of the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai was launched at the Expo Park at 8:10pm.
Flag-bearers carrying flags of 246 participating countries and international organizations to the 2010 World Expo showed up at the opening ceremony Friday evening.
Ripley Entertainment Acquires Four Attractions in Copenhagen, Denmark
The franchised businesses of Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditorium and the Guinness World Records Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark, have been acquired by Ripley Entertainment Inc., a global leader in location-based entertainment.
In addition, the company purchased two other Danish attractions – The Mystic Exploratorie and the Hans Christian Andersen’s Wonderful World. All four family attractions are located in the city center of Copenhagen. Ripley’s and Hans Christian Andersen are across from Town Hall Square, and Guinness and the Exploratorie are located on The Walking Street, near Kings Square.
Free mullets for Alton Towers theme park staff
In an odd offer, staff at Alton Towers theme park are being offered free mullets and perms to make it look more like the 1980s.
The bad haircut move comes as the Staffordshire theme park prepares to celebrate being open 30 years with large 80s inspired event.
All members of Alton Towers staff will be offered the chance to go back in time with professional 1980s makeovers ahead of the planned 80s concert later in May.
Record-breaking StarFlyer topped off at Vienna's Prater Park
Funtime's new record-breaking StarFlyer at Prater in Vienna, Austria has now been topped off. The 360-foot-tall unit features an ornate golden clock crown that was custom-designed for the attraction. The StarFlyer is slated to open in early May.
Compagnie des Alpes in talks to become the largest shareholder of Futuroscope
Compagnie des Alpes is entering talks with the Conseil Général de la Vienne, with a view to create a long-term partnership with regards to the development of the Futuroscope.
The transaction as planned would consist of merging the Futuroscope theme park with the CDA Group, which would become the controlling shareholder of the park's operating company. The CDA Group would oversee current operations and financing, which is consistent with its status as industrial operator in the sector. The Vienne département, which currently owns 70% of the park, would remain a significant shareholder, with minority blocking and specific governance rights.
Futuroscope, the third-largest French theme park, is a high-quality site that has recovered significantly since 2003. In 2009 it welcomed 1.7 million visitors (+6%), compared with 500,000 in 2003. Sales in 2009 came to €80 million, with net income of €8 million.
Pledge of £4m for Dreamland theme park in Margate
A scheme to turn Margate's Dreamland into a theme park for historic fairground rides has received a pledge of up to £4m of council funding.
Thanet councillors agreed to put £2.2m of the council's own money into the project and to borrow up to £1.8m if other funding cannot be found.
They also agreed the council should take on the freehold of the Dreamland Cinema site as part of the scheme.
Scots fire up Ferrari of theme parks
It's not exactly made in Scotland from girders. But this extraordinary structure now rising from the desert sands of Abu Dhabi has been built by Scots engineers.
The £1 billion Ferrari World, with its outer shell painted in the traditional red of the iconic car brand, will become the world's largest indoor theme park when it is opened later this year.
Petrol heads and other visitors will be propelled on a flume ride through the heart of a giant Ferrari 599 engine and experience the G-force acceleration of the fastest roller coaster on Earth.
Indoor downhill skiing spot planned for North Miami
North Miami's former Superfund site has already been the Bermuda Triangle of failed dreams, but that isn't stopping another group of dreamers from trying again. Anyone for downhill snow skiing in South Florida?
The latest idea calls for transforming the site once planned for the luxury community of Biscayne Landing into an entertainment park with an indoor ski slope and a winter playground.
The Solar Mountain project would be powered largely by renewable energy, and the centerpiece would be a ski slope, similar to Ski Dubai.
Messy Gurgaon will get a Rs 100-crore park
The millennium city may lack its very basic civic infrastructure such as adequate water, parking lots, good roads, master sewerage and drainage lines, but the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) is giving them an amusement park worth Rs 100 crore. The authority has invited bids from international infrastructure and leisure park development companies to set up an "architecturally marvellous iconic structure" on the lines of Eiffel Tower of Paris and other structure across the world to give Gurgaon a global identification. HUDA administrator Nitin K. Yadav said an expression of interest has been floated and bids invited from global players for the ambitious amusement park project. Divided at two locations within the city on a total of 58 acres, this project, Yadav said, would have world-class fun facilities such as joyrides, swings, water slides and fun games for children.
New theme park will be fit for pigs
Paultons Park is to be home to a new pink pig-themed attraction.
Plans for Peppa Pig World, scheduled to open in Easter, 2011, at the Ower fun park, were unveiled this week.
Created in close partnership with E1 Entertainment and the TV show’s creators, Astley Baker Davies, Peppa Pig World will offer seven new themed rides, all inspired by the award-winning animated series.
HSBC says Dubai World plan fair, resolution in weeks
Dubai World's restructuring plan is "very fair" and could be signed by lenders in coming weeks, a senior executive at one of its major bank creditors said on Monday.
Simon Cooper, head of HSBC's Middle East operations, made the remarks on the sidelines of an HSBC trade survey launch.
"The proposal is very fair and a good way forward for the United Arab Emirates," Cooper said in remarks confirmed by a spokesman.
Museums gear up for Shanghai World Expo
As preparations for the World Expo in Shanghai reach fever pitch, several new museums and cultural spaces are opening in readiness to welcome some of the 100 million visitors, which officials estimate will attend. Foreign journalists in Shanghai have estimated the total costs of the expo at around $45bn, not including off-site developments.
Leading the swathe of new cultural attractions is the Rockbund Art Museum, housed in a converted 1932 art deco building on Shanghai’s historic riverfront, restored and with interior design by British architect David Chipperfield. The building was previously home to the Royal Asiatic Society, and is next to the former site of the Shanghai British Consulate.
Center Parcs kicks off creative review
Center Parcs is looking for an agency to handle its £2 million advertising account.
The UK-based holiday resort has sent an RFI to agencies with the intention of putting together a longlist in the coming weeks. Center Parcs will then hold pitches before the end of May with a result expected soon after.
The account will also include digital advertising duties. There is no incumbent on the above-the-line business; Golly Slater Digital handles the digital account.
Crowds endure waits as Shanghai's Expo opens
A steady flow of visitors joined long lines in sweltering heat at the Shanghai World Expo 2010 on Sunday, a day after organizers said visitor numbers were just more than half of what was expected.
Organizers say they are still grappling with estimates about just how many people will attend the massive event aimed at showcasing China's rise as a modern industrial power. Early estimates put the number of visitors over the six-month run of the World Expo at 70 million, the vast majority of whom are expected to come from China.
High temperatures and bottlenecks at security checks and long waits to enter the various pavilions are challenging organizers. On Saturday, when the event opened, organizers said about 350,000 tickets had been sold for Day 1, but about 200,000 people attended.
Funding boost for Pontefract Castle conservation work
Conservation work on a West Yorkshire Castle has been given a funding boost of £27,000.
The grant from English Heritage will go towards the first phase of development work at Pontefract Castle, which has been in ruins since 1649.
Wakefield Council has already earmarked £280,000 to spend on plans to preserve the castle as a key tourist attraction.
Oatlands attraction in Guernsey goes up for sale
One of Guernsey's biggest and most diverse tourist attractions has gone up for sale.
The Oatlands Visitor Attraction in St Sampson covers six acres and includes historic buildings, a go-kart track, a brasserie and a number of shops.
Co-owner John Tostevin, said they had decided to sell to encourage new blood with fresh ideas of their own.
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