Amusement Parks USA: Roller Coasters

178 posts categorized "Roller Coasters"

Amusement News for July 9, 2010

Six Flags Great Adventure to close Great American Scream Machine roller coaster

The Great American Scream Machine will officially close July 18, 2010 to make room for a major new attraction in 2011. Six Flags Great Adventure will offer our guests double rides on G.A.S.M. (Great American Scream Machine) Sunday, July 11 and 18.

Six Flags Great Adventure will also offer an Exclusive Ride Time (ERT) event on July 18 from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. to invited guests. Any guest interested in the scheduled ERT should become a fan of our Facebook page, and American Coaster Enthusiast members can contact their ACE NJ Rep.

The first and last rows of the final train dispatched on July 18 at 11:30 p.m. will be auctioned off on eBay. The remaining 24 seats of the last dispatched train will also be available through www.sixflags.com for $50 each. All proceeds will benefit the NRCMA (National Roller Coaster Museum & Archives). Further details of the auction will be announced on our Facebook page.

Thousands flock to see plans for Winter Haven's Legoland

If Thursday's open house to unveil plans for Legoland Florida was a concert, then Legoland officials were rock stars.

Contractors, job seekers, children and the curious clamored for information about the theme park scheduled to open in fall 2011.

The interest was so high that Winter Haven police officers had to direct traffic to and from the Orange Dome at the Chain of Lakes Complex where Legoland officials offered glimpses of what's to come. City officials estimated that more than 3,000 people came to the open house.

Discovery Cove ready to make a splash

It hasn’t been announced yet, but SeaWorld Orlando’s Discovery Cove plans to make a huge splash for guests with an all-new, multimillion-dollar, 875,000-gallon saltwater reef in 2011.

The exotic attraction will allow guests to swim among the park’s sea life, including sharks, tropical fish, rays and eels. In addition, a planned new nature trail will allow guests to experience the reefs above water.

More than 20 permits pulled as late as mid-June related to electrical, heating and air-conditioning, and construction work to be done were filed under the project name “Discovery Cove Exp 2011” and show material costs for the expansion exceed $17 million already.

Carowinds Boomerang Bay Water Park the Perfect Antidote to Carolina Heat Wave

Here it is, Saturday morning on this beautiful day in July, and my air conditioner is on high. My daughter is oblivious to the heat.

I hop out of bed and open the blinds to get a better look at the city. Charlotte, N.C., is so beautiful and bright. I love the Carolina blue sky line. I look at my daughter playing on the living room floor and I have a great idea. Carowinds Boomerang Bay Water Park! It's way too pretty to be sitting indoors today. I'm so excited! I shout to my daughter, "Who wants to go to Carowinds?"

Scarywood’s new features foreshadow frightful fall

Last year a group of 20-something women was wandering through Scarywood – the Halloween incarnation of Silverwood Theme Park – wondering aloud how scary it would really be, when a zombie lurched at them from behind a trash can. They fled to the other side of the path, only to be jumped by another zombie emerging from behind a fence.

”They were literally like a pinball machine” running from one side to the other, said Cody Pearson, a 32-year-old Coeur d’Alene construction company owner who was among the actors playing zombies at Scarywood. Pearson said he quickly signed up to work this year, too. “It was that much fun,” Pearson said. “I was looking forward to it every night.”

This year, the North Idaho amusement park is taking haunting to a new level, fueled by a more than $1 million investment. Silverwood hired a professional design company that has created haunted features at major theme parks nationwide. Gore Galore of Illinois built dozens of “tree creatures” and “swamp monsters” – towering 12- to 16-foot-high creations – that will lurk in the new haunted swamp attraction.

Morey's two beachfront waterparks – identity crisis? Or well-kept secret?

If the annual guest polls at Morey's Piers are to be believed, the beachfront waterparks of this popular seaside amusement park face either an identity crisis or a well-kept Jersey Shore secret. While Morey’s Piers offers two distinctly different waterparks, several seasons of surveys suggest that as many as 19% of the guests to the amusement piers are not aware of both Raging Waters Waterpark and Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club.

"We may have more water slides than Disney World, but a fair portion of the public does not know they are even here," noted Jack Morey, second generation owner who along with his brother Will lead the family business in what is now it’s 41st season. "Our waterparks are on the beach, so they aren't quite as in your face as the Ferris Wheel and the Roller Coasters. To the locals it is like their own private surf beach that they do not want to tell any other surfers about….sort of like a ‘locals only’ mentality.”

Raging Waters is the original and slightly larger waterpark located on Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier at Schellenger Ave. in Wildwood. It offers tons of serpentine waterslides, activity pools, a 1,000 foot long lazy river and attractions for all ages, including two interactive children’s play areas and a picnic facility for group outings.

Couple to celebrate 50th anniversary at Cedar Point

Although they enjoy the thrill of the rides and roller coasters at Cedar Point, Bob and Mary Lou Reublin have an ulterior motive for visiting the park this summer.

This week they are returning to the amusement park to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Reublins are no strangers to the Sandusky area, as they lived there from 1964-68 when Bob spent one year as an assistant coach and three years as the head coach of the Sandusky Blue Streaks football team. During this time, the Blue Streaks were a football powerhouse in Ohio, going undefeated and highly ranked in the state for several years.

Theme park discounts tough to stop

While Harry Potter's wave of the wand is jolting consumers' spending at Universal Orlando this summer, most of Florida's theme-park industry is still relying on markdown magic to prop up attendance.

It's time again to ask if the industry is using this value voodoo for good or evil. At what point do Walt Disney World, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens become so reliant on luring guests through discounts that the spell can't be broken?

Investors want to be assured that eventually the parks can return to normal pricing and the correlating bounce to the bottom line. And smaller businesses look to the parks for a read on consumer confidence and how much they may have to cut their own margins. Last fall, I predicted it would be tough for Disney and others to kick their addiction to the discount drug.

Lawsuit contends Disney discriminates against blind guests

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is facing a new lawsuit charging the theme-park operator with discriminating against blind guests. The suit, filed in May in California court and seeking class-action status, alleges that Disney violates the federal Americans with Disabilities Act in a variety of ways, including by prohibiting costumed characters from interacting with visually impaired guests who are accompanied by guide dogs. A Disney spokeswoman called the suit "without merit."

Spirit Song at Kings Island

Christian music lovers will have a lot to cheer today and Saturday at Kings Island during the second and third days of Spirit Song. In addition to the music, your ticket will get you into teaching seminars and all of the rides at the 364-acre amusement and waterpark.

World famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids set to return to Ripley’s Aquarium in July

Following 12 commanding performances at Ripley’s Aquarium last summer, the world famous mermaids of Florida’s Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, known for their grace and beauty for the past 63 years, will be returning to Myrtle Beach once again later this month.

The finned beauties will grace the aquarium’s waters for 12 shows, July 23-25, 2010. Free with admission to the aquarium, it was standing-room only for last summer’s critically acclaimed performances. “Reservations for the shows are not offered. My advice is to arrive early in order to secure the best view.” noted Peter MacIntyre, the aquarium’s GM.

Nashville Shores upgrades online ticketing technology

Nashville Shores, located on J. Percy Priest Lake in Nashville, TN, has selected accesso, a leading ticketing and commerce provider, as its ticketing partner. Under new ownership, Nashville Shores opened this season with its largest expansion in park history including a new wave pool and lazy river.

Nashville Shores will utilize accesso’s fully hosted ticketing and commerce solutions which are currently used by many of the country’s largest visitor attractions. Award winning accesso SHOPLAND provides a seamless, intuitive online commerce experience resulting in increased advance ticket sales and improved guest satisfaction. accesso’s onsite ticketing system includes comprehensive functionality for front gate sales, season pass sales, and group sales technology designed specifically for waterparks, attractions and zoos.

Cape Express MORE Beach Blast Soccer Tournament returns to Morey’s Piers

Once is never enough! The Cape Express MORE Beach Blast Soccer Tournament makes its second visit to Morey’s Piers and the Wildwoods’ beaches Saturday, July 17 and Sunday, July 18.

The second round of the tournament will follow the same format as the immensely popular first tournament – which brought close to over 1,000 teams to the Wildwoods June 25-27.

“We’re thrilled that the demand for this tournament remains so strong and that we’re able to hold it twice in one summer for the second summer in a row," says Meredith Fiorucci, Director of Group Services at Morey’s Piers.

Bay Beach hosting movie night

Bay Beach amusement park in Green Bay will be hosting four movie nights, starting tonight.

While the park is known for its rides tonight it will be featuring a flick. Madagascar 2 will be playing tonight, right behind the pavilion.

If the grounds are too soggy, the park will move the movie indoors to the pavilion.

Knotts Berry Farm Coupons Now Included In The LA Perks Pass

"The world's first theme park, designed specifically for kids, is a must do for families vacationing in California. We are pleased to reveal that visitors to Knotts Berry Farm will receive coupons of $19 off per adult and $1 off per child for each ticket with their Perks Pass," stated Trevor Parsons, spokesperson for LA Perks.

LA Perks Pass is a clever, amusement and attractions discount program for the Los Angeles region. The card gets you coupons to all of the included attractions, museums, tours, shopping and restaurants. Created with the help of local concierges, a Perks Pass can save a family of 4, hundreds of dollars and incorporates all the major LA attractions. It is a terrific concept for LA family travelers who are worried about keeping the cost of their trip down.

With over 165 rides, shows and attractions, Knotts Berry Farm is the place to go for family fun! With five themed areas, there is something for everyone. Knotts Berry Farm is located in Buena Vista, Orange County, California. It is roughly 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and 10 minutes from Disneyland.

Francesca Battistelli to perform at Lake Winnepesaukah July 18

Contemporary Christian artist Francesca Battistelli will perform at Lake Winnepesaukah’s Jukebox Junction Stage Sunday, July 18, with one show at 3 p.m.

All Jukebox Junction concerts are free with admittance to Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. All guests under 18 must be accompanied by a guest age 18 or over and must purchase either a combination $5 gate admission and $13 value strip of ride tickets or $5 gate admission and $21 unlimited ride pass. Or they must be a member of a chaperoned group.

Ride the Ducks tours suspended nationwide following Philadelphia crash

A day after a Ride the Ducks amphibious vehicle sank in the Delaware River — with two passengers still missing — the tourist attraction has voluntarily suspended operations nationwide, it said.

Wednesday’s Ride the Ducks tour started on land in Philadelphia’s historic district and entered the Delaware River around 2:30 p.m. It had a minor fire and the engine shut down, leaving the vessel adrift. It was struck by a barge being powered by a tugboat.

Of the 37 tourists on board, 35 were rescued, but the search continues for a 16-year-old girl and 20-year-old man.

Seattle Center debate turns hipsters against oldsters

The last time people opined on the Fun Forest -- and whether a Dale Chihuly exhibit should replace it -- the debate hinged on the essence of Seattle Center: Arts hub or park space?

This time, at a crowded hearing at the Center House on Wednesday night, the debate came to this: Would the city be better served by a glass art exhibit that draws the cruise-ship-type masses and their dollars, but be mostly off-limits to non-payers? Or would Seattle Center be better off with public space for watching DJs spin and hip hoppers, indie rockers and world musicians play -- for free?

Of the nine proposals on the table for replacing a part of the aging Fun Forest, which will be fully gone in September, two emerged as front runners in popularity. They couldn't be more different.

Developer adds antiques, amusement to N. 2nd plan

A new vision for the empty property at 5400 N. Second St. has emerged after plans to build a landscaping and nursery center have been abandoned.

Developer Kurt Carlson’s latest idea — one of several he’s proposed while trying to find a fit for the vacant car lot — would look much like his original concept that included a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop and a car museum.

The new twist could include antique sales and a children’s amusement park similar to Kiddieland, the once-popular park on Forest Hills Road that closed in the late 1970s.

Science, fiction fizzle at 'Star Trek Live' at Kennedy Space Center

Watching Star Trek Live is an out-of-this-world experience, and sometimes that's not a great thing.

The 30-minute show, featuring two actors on a stage and others on-screen, is running at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex several times daily through Sept. 6.

Its presence brings make-believe space exploration into an attraction dedicated to the real thing and to the folks who truly went where no man had gone before.

Morgan Park re-opens with new spray pool and playground equipment

Kids can forget about sprinklers and fire hydrants this summer thanks to a spray pool at the new and improved Morgan Park.

City officials Thursday evening unveiled $1.3 million in improvements to the park, including a water spray pool, a three-story playground structure, shade awnings and 30 more parking places.

"Everything we have here is state-of-the-art equipment," Director of Recreation and Community Development Manuel Carrillo said.

City's new water park breaks more records

After a record-breaking day for visitors and revenue last week, Murfreesboro's new water park at SportsCom continues to shatter previous records, the city reported today.

After a week of having the upgraded water park attraction from July 1-7, SportsCom operations superintendent Tommy Gregory said visitors to the outdoor pool more than doubled from 4,524 in 2009 to 9,136 this year, he reported. Revenue from outdoor pool admissions more than tripled from $5,284.10 to 15,822.39 and revenue from concessions more than tripled from $4,478.27 to $15,335.51.

Overall revenue for the week was $25,094.91 higher than the same period last year, he said.

Water park could create up to 200 jobs

Floating a proposal to build a water park in the middle of a recession is an idea you’d expect to sink faster than the price of homes after the housing bubble burst.

Manteca, though, has several suitors lined up including one promising to put at least $2 million on the table for a chance to develop a water park on municipal property immediately next to the Big League Dreams sports complex.

Manteca Mayor Willie Weatherford noted the interested firms are talking about creating upwards of 200 seasonal jobs that would be filled primarily with teens and college students much like similar positions were at the original Manteca Waterslides that closed more than five years ago after a 30-year run.

Jay Peak breaks ground on $125 million water park

Jay Break Resort broke ground yesterday in what will be the largest water park in the New England. The 60,000-square-foot park will have a retractable roof and a wave pool. The park is the last grand piece of a vision to develop a four-season resort available during any season. Jay Peak has already completed its ice arena to go along with its famous skiing and new golf course.

Senator Patrick Leahy spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony for the 275,000-square-foot Hotel Jay, which features 170 suites and the largest water park in New England. Leahy commended Bill Stenger, president and co-owner of Jay Peak Ski Resort, for employing Vermonters in the surrounding areas.

Stenger was able to commission the $125 million project through the federal EB-5 Foreign Investor Visa program, which Leahy helped bring to Vermont in 1997. The EB-5 program (STORY) allows foreigners who invest at least $500,000 in projects in high unemployment areas to obtain green cards for themselves and their families, as well as possible US citizenship.

Splash forward: Horizon's first water park under construction

Residents near Golden Eagle Park can soon cool off at the city's first splash park.

"I imagine that kids will end up riding their bikes or their skateboards just to get squirted with some water or have a bucket full of it dumped on them," said Robert Coleman, Horizon City's planning director.

The 2,400-square-foot splash park will be at Golden Eagle Park off Golden Eagle Drive, and it is expected be open in August.

Local Bowling Alley Proposed

Will they pick up the spare? A Santa Ynez couple wants to build a bowling alley and family entertainment center within Buellton's redevelopment district.

To help pay for it, they're asking the city for a one and a half million dollar loan.

Ben and Calisse Courtney are proposing to build a 16-lane bowling alley and family entertainment center complete with pool tables and arcade on the site of a former gas station along the Avenue of Flags.

Hail the Garbage Burger, state fair's top signature food

This year's Indiana State Fair signature food is not deep fried, and it doesn't come on a stick. Instead, a sandwich on a bun took the top spot.

The Garbage Burger, a pork patty topped with barbecued pulled pork and served on a bun, created by Indiana Pork, garnered the most votes in the annual contest. Indianapolis Star readers chose the winner in an online vote on IndyStar.com.

According to Sarah Ford, director of public and industry relations for Indiana Pork, the group is the fair's largest food vendor, although it has never before entered the competition.

Fair To Focus On Safety After Parade Mishaps

After incidents at two Fourth of July parades in Iowa left two people dead and 25 others injured, organizers of the Iowa State Fair said they're prepared to make sure visitors are safe.

The fair, which showcases animals at the fairgrounds and the kickoff parade, said they know that safety needs to be a primary concern.

"We do move livestock and when we do, we typically rope off that area," said Iowa State Fair spokeswoman Lori Chappell. "We do have livestock control on foot and on horseback, making sure that fairgoers stay out of the way and stay safe."

N.C. Zoo attendance soars

Attendance at the N.C. Zoo in Asheboro approached 750,000 for the first time in 13 years during its 2009-10 fiscal year, which ranked as the fourth-highest attendance total in zoo history.

A total of 749,627 visitors came to the zoo between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010. That’s an increase of 20,000 from 2008-09. This past year’s total was the highest since 1997-98, which saw a total of 782,016 visitors.

Zoo officials credit several factors for the increase, including the opening of two new exhibits over the past year — the “Africa Station” giraffe feeding platform and the Lemur Island exhibit.

N.C. Aquarium offers new exhibit for visually impaired

Ellen Rubin let her fingers glide over a school of lookdowns, rubbed the sandpaper-rough skin of a hammerhead shark and listened closely as audio recordings filled her with information from the spadefish to the moray eel.

Rubin’s first trip through the newest exhibit at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores was one that she could enjoy on her own.

The exhibit — Fintastic! Weird and Wonderful Adaptations for Survival in the Sea — opened Thursday and offers life-size fish and marine life models built for hands-on exploration of the fins, tails, teeth and scales and the characteristics that help them sneak up on prey, hide from predators and otherwise adapt to their environment.

Premier Exhibitions Reports First Quarter 2011 Results

Premier Exhibitions, Inc., a leading presenter of museum-quality touring exhibitions around the world, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended May 31, 2010.

Nonprofit reveals ambitious plans for botanical gardens in Ventura

Inch by inch and row by row, the Ventura County Botanical Gardens at Grant Park in Ventura have been drafted, presented to the public and now await city approval. The city will decide whether leasing the entire 109 acres of Grant Park to the Ventura Botanical Gardens, also known as the VBG, a nonprofit organization, is feasible or no more than wishful thinking.

The master plans for the gardens, headed by the VBG and designed by the landscape architecture consultants Mia Lehrer and Associates, will cost between $10 million and $100 million, depending on how much of the project is actualized, according to Doug Halter, vice president of the VBG. The funds would be acquired through grants and donations.

Planetarium will be new star again at MOSH

In 1988, the last time the Museum of Science and History installed a state-of-the-art projection system, the planetarium immediately became the museum's signature exhibit, a cutting-edge place to look at the stars projected on a 60-foot dome.

After 22 years, the planetarium's projector is now an antique and regular visitors have seen the three rotating shows repeatedly. And the current laser system requires so much water to cool it that the museum has stopped doing its Cosmic Concerts.

But when the planetarium reopens in October with a new state-of-the-art projection system and a dozen new shows, it should once again be a "keystone" exhibit, Executive Director Maria Hane said.

It's A Record - Museum Attendance Tops Two Million

Museum Victoria’s attendances topped two million for the first time last year making it one of the most visited Museum organisations in the world, Arts Minister Peter Batchelor announced today.

Joining the school holiday crowds at Melbourne Museum, Mr Batchelor said the combined ticketed attendance across Museum Victoria’s four venues in the 2009-10 financial year was 2,122,227 – 23 per cent or 500,000 more people than last year’s record total.

“This extraordinary result reflects the fantastic offering at the Museum’s four venues and the Victorian community’s ever-increasing appetite for quality exhibitions and cultural programs,” Mr Batchelor said.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Martin & Vleminckx announce new element for China's first wooden racing coaster

Martin & Vleminckx have begun to release details on a new racing wooden roller coaster project the Canadian company is handling for OCT Park in Wuhan, China. Slated to make its debut in late summer 2011, the new ride will be double the length of the 3,819-foot-long Fireball, China's first wooden coaster that MVR opened at OCT's Happy Valley, Shanghai, in 2009.

Working closely with its design and engineering partners, Ohio-based The Gravity Group, MVR is developing a number of innovative elements. One of these unique maneuvers – the High Five – should prove a highlight of the OCT racing coaster. The element finds the trains (TGG's new Timberliners) on vertically banked track sections that place riders' heads and arms pointed toward each other – hence the 'High Five' reference.

According to MVR officials, the High Five is but one of the wooden coaster innovations they are working on. Others will be introduced at the upcoming IAAPA trade show in Orlando this November.

It's time to celebrate: 35 years Europa-Park

Happy birthday Europa-Park!

Legoland Malaysia targets 1.5 million visitors

Asia's first Legoland targets to attract 1.5 million visitors when it opens its doors at the end of 2012.

Located in Nusa Cermelang industrial park, within the Iskandar New Economic Region, the theme park will boast the tallest lego model in the world.

The backgrounds of the 22 young Malaysians - pioneer model builders for Legoland Malaysia - are diverse, coming from engineering, architecture, and fine arts.

Nine Suspects in June Amusement Park Brawl

Nine people are under investigation as a result of a fight at Helsinki's Linnanmäki amusement park that led to its early closure during the park's 60th anniversary celebrations in June.

Six of the suspects are women and three are men. They are all between the ages of 16 and 27.

The head of the investigation, Tuomo Lotta, says that the fight began after a heated exchange between Somalis and Kurds in a queue for one of the rides.

‘Walk-Around Clowns’ bring on the smiles at Al Bustan Centre & Residence this DSS 2010!

'Walk-Around Clowns' brought on the smiles this week among visitors and guests, as part of the DSS 2010 celebrations taking place at Al Bustan Centre & Residence, the deluxe property which offers world-class services and facilities in the city. Dressed in bright, colourful attire and wigs, with comical, painted faces, these cheerful characters happily mingled with both young and old, blowing balloons and creating shapes from balloons much to the amusement of their young and avidly keen new fans.

Al Bustan Centre & Residence is one of the most popular outlets in the city, providing the comfort and convenience of a home in a five-star hotel ambience. The property is ideally located in the heart of the city and very close to the Dubai International Airport, offering a unique and discreet setting that is ideal for the business traveler as well as the entire family. It is support sponsor of the ongoing DSS 2010 which started on June 17th and will run until August 7, 2010.

Posted at 10:20 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Trade Organizations, Universal | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

More news from the Parks

Kennywood Debuts New Sky Rocket Roller Coaster

Kennywood Park debuted its new roller coaster, the Sky Rocket, to the media on Monday morning.

Channel 11 has crews at the park, riding the ride. Check back for videos and photos. The slideshow in the left corner is from a couple of months ago.

Kennywood describes the Sky Rocket as “a seriously twisted, pulse detonating, supercharged, stratospheric new ride experience.” The amusement park said riders will “vertical climb and say adios to gravity as (they) go over-the-top and plummet 90-degrees due south.”

Shoot the Rapids is Open!

The day has finally come! We opened Shoot the Rapids this morning to a crowd of excited fans. Came on a perfect day, too - hot & humid. Perfect for a new water ride!

Cedar Point's New Shoot the Rapids Water Ride Opens for the Summer!

The newest ride at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort, Shoot the Rapids, opened for the season earlier today, Saturday, June 26.

"The first hill rocks," said Jeff Braschares, from Delaware, Ohio, who rode the new water ride with his wife and 9-year-old daughter. "You get super wet at the bottom of the first hill!"

Located on the Frontier Trail, Shoot the Rapids is Cedar Point's third water ride. The new family thrill ride features two hills and two splash landings. The first hill is 85 feet-tall, one of the tallest water ride hills in the world, while the second hill crests 49 feet above the ground. At the bottom of the first hill, boats are traveling nearly 50 mph! To ride Shoot the Rapids, guests must be at least 48 inches tall or 46 inches tall and accompanied by a responsible adult.

Wrecking ball poised to finish off Kiddieland

The Kiddieland amusement park in Melrose Park closed its gates for good in September after 81 years of thrilling kids. Now comes the wrecking ball.

Demolition of the shuttered amusement park begins today, finishing off a process that has caused heartbreak for its fans.

And just as the Riverview amusement park gave way to a shopping center on Chicago's North Side, Kiddieland also will be replaced by shopping - a Costco store, to be precise.

Making Fun CEO John Welch on Six Flags Mascot Park, developing for Facebook

Last month theme park giant Six Flags announced that it was riding onto Facebook with Six Flags Mascot Park, a game where players can create colorful mascots and make them dance and perform. The game is being developed through a collaboration between noise and Making Fun, whose co-founder is none other than casual gaming veteran and former PlayFirst CEO John Welch. Gamezebo chatted with Welch about Six Flags Mascot Park and what it's like going from Diner Dash to social games.

Disney finds big savings in Buzz Lightyear’s spacesuit

One of the original attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World, the Jungle Cruise is a tongue-in-cheek voyage that, on both coasts, carries riders past robotic lions, zebras, snakes and hippos. And yet, for years, the boat captains in California wore different costumes than their Florida counterparts.

That changed just a few years ago, when Disney adopted identical outfits for both Orlando and Anaheim — the same ones, in fact, now used in Disney’s Animal Kingdom by drivers in the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction.

Such moves are discreet examples of the cost-cutting under way at Walt Disney Co.’s domestic theme parks in an effort to merge many operations at Disney World and Disneyland. Dubbed “One Disney,” the initiative rapidly accelerated early last year when Disney, its profits under pressure amid the global recession, eliminated 1,900 jobs at its U.S. resorts.

Dallas-based Dave & Busters eatery, entertainment chain to enter Orlando

Dave & Busters Inc. finalized a deal this month to enter the Orlando market, after years of flirting with the idea.

The Dallas-based company operates 57 restaurant/bar/entertainment complexes nationwide and in Canada serving burgers, pastas, salads and other American fare. It also features arcade games, virtual sports and pool tables.

It will be the sole tenant on the shuttered Race Rock restaurant site on the International Drive tourist corridor with landlord National Retail Properties LP.

Great Wolf Resorts Announces License and Management Agreement for New Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, CA

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., North America's largest family of indoor waterpark resorts, announced that it has signed License and Management Agreements related to the development of a new 600-suite Great Wolf Lodge resort in Garden Grove, California's world famous International West Resort. The resort will be located less than two miles from Disneyland, near Anaheim and Los Angeles, and will be developed by McWhinney.

Great Wolf Resorts will receive license fees for use of the Great Wolf Lodge brand name and other intellectual property at the resort, and will receive management fees to operate the resort on behalf of the owner. It will also advise on certain development-related matters. The resort will be owned by a joint-venture, with Great Wolf Resorts receiving a minority equity interest for its development-related services. Additionally, the City of Garden Grove will contribute cash and bond proceeds to the resort, as well as establish a financing district to develop an adjacent parking structure.

Downtown Disney: No Fixes Needed

In 2001, Walt Disney Co. opened a billion-dollar Anaheim expansion that included a second theme park, a third hotel and a mall.

Nearly a decade later, the company is dropping another billion dollars to fix parts of the expansion, mainly the disappointing Disney California Adventure Park.

Another piece of the 2001 expansion, the Downtown Disney District mall, seems to be doing just fine. Nestled between California Adventure and the original Disneyland Park, Downtown Disney has a waiting list of tenants wanting to get in.

Short-Term-Rental Mangers Get Lesson on Legoland

Those who work in the short-term-rental industry got an education in Legoland recently.

On June 17, Mark Jackson, Polk County's director of tourism and sports marketing, hosted members of the Central Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.

Jackson gave the attendees a background in Legoland Florida, scheduled to open next year at the former Cypress Gardens site in Winter Haven, bringing with it 50 rides, up to 1,000 jobs and a hotel.

Water show adds some splash to Disney after-dark hours

With the launch of the “World of Color” water show earlier this month, there’s finally a reason to stay at Disney California Adventure after dark.

The 26-minute show keeps you wondering how they did it as 200-foot-high streams of water, bursts of laser beams and flashes of fire (hot enough to feel onshore) bring Paradise Bay alive.

The play of 1,200 fountains synchronize with the music and visual clips from recent Disney and Pixar cartoon features.

Kings Dominion Continues Its 'Tribute to the Armed Forces' for the Independence Day Weekend

Kings Dominion, is pleased to announce that it will offer FREE admission to active, retired and former United States military personnel on Sunday and Monday of July 4th weekend as a part of its Tribute to the Armed Forces program. The exact dates are July 4 and 5, 2010 and include all branches of the service, including National Guard and Reserves.

The free ticket offer will be available on the Sunday and Monday and a valid military ID or discharge papers must be presented at Kings Dominion on one of the dates of the program.

Also as a part of its Tribute to the Armed Forces program, active, retired and former members of the U.S. military will be able to purchase discounted admission tickets for members of their immediate family (maximum of six) at a special military discount price of $33.99 at the park. Many of the MWR and ITT Recreation offices located in the Mid-Atlantic region also offer discounted admission tickets, as well as, a special picnic package for these dates at their locations (picnic packages must be purchased in advance).

At tourist attractions nationwide, cellphone apps can enhance your visit

What did I want to do, my adoring family asked, on Mother's Day? Go to Six Flags! I said.

I know: It's a nontraditional alternative to brunch and spa treatments. But as a lifelong roller coaster addict, I was eager to try out the amusement park's new iPhone app, Fun Finder, and see how it might enhance a day among the rides. We downloaded the app onto three devices and roped in some friends, and off we went to Six Flags America in Largo.

I had two main hopes for Fun Finder: that it would help me avoid long lines for the biggest coasters and would let my 12-year-old son be a little more independent in the park. The app is divided into two main features: Park Pal and Fun Wheel. Park Pal is an electronic substitute for the poster-size paper map we've all struggled with. It includes all of the app's navigational tools: hours and events in a calendar format; ride descriptions, including minimum height and "thrill rating"; an interactive map of the park that interfaces with the phone's GPS (turn on iPhone Location Services) to show your location; and Friend Finder, which is supposed to help you keep track of the others in your party. Fun Wheel has two game areas: the Big Scream, a scavenger hunt that seems designed to steer you to the pay-to-play games, and Social Club, which "helps you find the best places to hang with friends."

New Monthly Payments Program Begins at Walt Disney World

Attention Florida residents … we’ve got some great news to share for those of you looking to spread out the cost of buying Walt Disney World annual passes. Our annual pass monthly payment program is now available online. And how it works is simple. Florida Residents make a down payment equal to the price of a non-discounted one-day Magic Your Way base ticket and then pay the remainder through 12 recurring automatic monthly payments scheduled for the year. It’s interest and finance charge free.

Wave of the future? $250M in waterpark projects could re-brand Poconos

The outdated "Honeymoon Capital of the World" moniker of the Poconos could be surpassed with a new title: "Indoor Waterpark Capital of the East."

If current plans come together, five indoor waterparks could call the region home — four in Tannersville alone — with about 13 acres of indoor waterpark space and a total of nearly 2,500 hotel rooms between planned and existing resorts.

Two of the three prospective groups already have submitted plans to Pocono Township proposing an indoor waterpark and hotel, and another has told the township of its intention to build one.

Water Parks Reach Full Capacity In Summer Heat

Tourists flocked to Orlando's water parks to beat the heat this weekend.

So many people showed up at SeaWorld's Aquatica on Saturday that they had to close the park.

Officials had to shut the doors at 12:45 p.m. when the park reached its maximum capacity.

The Comet at the Great Escape was once even scarier…

Let’s face it. The smartest thing Charles Wood ever did with that park – besides building it – was acquiring the Comet roller coaster from the Crystal Beach Amusement Park in Ontario. Anyone who’s been to the Great Escape can testify that the Comet is the best roller coaster in the park – and I’d argue it’s the best roller coaster in the Northeast.

Santa Cruz forever linked to cult classic 'The Lost Boys': Actor Corey Feldman to introduce film screening at the Boardwalk

When "St. Elmo's Fire" director Joel Schumacher arrived in Santa Cruz in the mid-1980s to scout locations for his next big film, "The Lost Boys," he took one look at the historic Beach Boardwalk and "saw the whole movie in my mind." Bordered by the forest and the beach, Schumacher thought the town gave off a transfixing aura that would provide the perfect cover for a bunch of vampires disguised as a band of motorcycle-riding punks.

"The movie didn't come together until I saw it," Schumacher said. "At the time, there was an enormous amount of transient kids moving through Santa Cruz. This is exactly where I would come if I was a teenage vampire."

Longtime fans of the 1987 film will get another opportunity to revel in the city's starring role when the Boardwalk screens "The Lost Boys" on the beach Wednesday. Actor Corey Feldman, who at 14 starred as one of the Frog brothers determined to kill the vampires, will introduce the movie.

Luxury pet hotel to open at Walt Disney World

Pets are soon to get their own hotel alongside their owners' at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

A new hotel catering to dogs and cats is scheduled to go into operation at the massive theme park on August 27, taking care of cats and dogs while their owners stay in one of the resort's 33 more traditional hotels.

The new "one-of-a-kind" Best Friends Pet Care Resort describes itself as a "luxury pet resort," offering everything from walkies to grooming for pampered pets.

Discovery Place reopens to huge crowds

The new Discovery Place in uptown reopened to crowds wrapped around the building. By the first hour, the museum was already at its 2,500 person capacity.

On Sunday, nine new exhibits were officially unveiled. For the past 18 months, the museum has undergone renovations with a $31 million price tag. The new additions include a diverse aquarium, 3-D digital theater and more hands-on activities.

According to Discovery Place President and CEO John Macakay, the public was invited to attend for free as a way to thank them for their patience during construction. Due to the economy, he said the museum never closed its doors, but cornered off areas that were undergoing renovations.

Life-size dinosaurs being built in Edmonton

Like a scene out of the movie Jurassic Park, 40 dinosaurs are coming to life in the woods north of Edmonton at the new Jurassic Forest attraction, which will open next month.

Jurassic Forest will be an educational and entertainment facility featuring 40 animatronic, life-size dinosaurs placed along more than two kilometres of boardwalks.

The park is on 16 hectares of land near Gibbons, Alta.

Child Nearly Drowns At Atlantis Water Park

A child is in critical condition after nearly drowning at Atlantis Park in Clarksville.

The boy's cousin said the child was supposed to be in the baby pool but went to the wave pool without anyone noticing.

Lifeguard manager Megan Rainville said one of her lifeguard's saw the 4-year-old boy not breathing in the water.

Get wet and wild at Coney this summer

You won’t have to jump in the ocean at Coney Island to get wet and wild this summer.

Three inflatable water slides will open during the July 4 weekend on the beach across from the Parachute Jump as part of a new “Water Slide Beach.”

The main attraction will be a 35-foot “Steeplechase Slide” — the largest of its kind in the world, according to its owner, Anthony Gach.

Strikes Bowling special supports Rocklin schools

With school over for the year, Rocklin families can have fun in a special way this summer – and support Rocklin schools.

Strikes Family Entertainment Center is making a special offer this summer for Rocklin families to enjoy bowling, pizza and games for a special price of $39.99 – with $10 going to the Rocklin Educational Excellence Foundation, which supports Rocklin Unified School District schools.

KC Zoo to add aerial tram over Africa plains exhibit

Purists may groan, but the kids will be wild about it. And isn’t that what zoos are about?

The Kansas City Zoo plans to build an aerial tram ride to give visitors an awesome view of African plains animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, lions, rhinos and one of the largest herds of scimitar-horned oryx in captivity.

“Yeah, we’re going to have a sky ride,” said a beaming Carol Hallquist, chairwoman of Friends of the Zoo, after a unanimous vote this week that will fundamentally alter the zoo experience.

AGO attendance set record in 2009-10

Toronto's Art Gallery of Ontario had record attendance of 878,478 visitors in 2009-10, the first full year since it reopened with a renovation by architect Frank Gehry.

About half that total — 404,364 people — attended the blockbuster show King Tut: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs, which was held over into May of this year because of its popularity.

The AGO also reported strong financial performance at its annual general meeting Wednesday, with a surplus of $1.5 million at the March 31 year end. King Tut alone brought in profit of $1 million.

Cleveland museum unveils $350M expansion

The Cleveland Museum of Art has opened its doors on its massive new $350-million US space after an eight-year renovation.

Seventeen new galleries showcasing objects going back 5,000 years, including Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and African pieces, were unveiled to the general public on Saturday.

"The objects do look fresh, and new and different with this installation," said Stephen N. Fliegel, the museum's medieval art curator.

Children's Museum, Eiteljorg refresh images

The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis launched a new logo and rebranding initiative this summer.

Officials say the images reflect the Children’s Museum’s status as the nationwide leader among its peers. The Indianapolis museum counted 1.3 million visitors in 2009, and it boasts 31,000 member households.

The new logo will appear on out-of-state billboards and television commercials this summer. Later in the season, the material will appear in local advertising and on museum signs.

River museum gets bigger, better

It's hard to believe the Port of Dubuque was once a pile of rusty industrial equipment.

It's now a gleaming tourist attraction that just keeps getting bigger and better. Today, a $40 million expansion of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium opens; the 50,000-square-foot Diamond Jo National River Center doubles the size of the lauded complex.

The original $56 million museum was built in 2003 with the help of $8 million from Vision Iowa. It became the centerpiece of a riverfront project that included a convention complex, the Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark and a riverwalk flanked by the Diamond Jo Casino.

AROUND THE GLOBE

New Alton Towers ride TH13TEEN gets coated in bug repellent

Alton Towers Resort announced today that it is introducing a natural insect repellent coating to its new rollercoaster TH13TEEN in a bid to stop riders swallowing an estimated 20 bugs a day at the theme park.

With the average man consuming 500g worth of insects in a lifetime, the park has revealed that visitors can swallow up to 5% of this during one day at the theme park because of the time spent open mouthed on rides. While swallowing insects is not often dangerous, the majority are likely to be flies and these can carry bacteria that cause illness. They are also surprisingly calorific with 20 flies the equivalent to a small bag of jelly beans.

In a move that coincides with National Insect Week, the park will begin trialling the use of natural essential oil of the lemon eucalyptus on its new ultimate ride TH13TEEN, in a bid to minimise the amount of insects swallowed and killed.

New amusement park will be built in Bojnice in 2011

A new amusement park is set to be constructed in Bojnice in Trenčín Region in 2011, with Kastor company as the project developer, the TASR newswire reported.

“This entertainment, relaxation and educational complex will enhance the number of tourist visits to Bojnice already in 2013, the date by which we plan to open the premises to the public,” said Ján Badzgoň, Kastor’s managing board chairman.

The project was preceded by complex and lengthy expert discussions, with all the documentation weighing 4 kilos and finally Bojnice became the final choice for the park’s location. However, the crisis and problems surrounding land issues extended the preparation phase of the project by a year and a half.

Merlin premieres £4.5m 4D Marvel Superheroes experience at Madame Tussauds

Merlin Entertainment has premiered its £4.5m Marvel Superheroes 4D experience, which will be a regular addition at the old Planetarium venue in Madame Tussauds.

The installation, built by Kraftwerk Living Technologies, screens a custom made animated 3D film starring Marvel superheroes including Spiderman, Captain America and The Hulk.

A range of sensory experiences are timed to coincide with the film's action, including mist rising from the floor, air blowing from the head rests and chair vibration.

Ocean Park attendance shows strong rebound

Ocean Park has bounced back from a setback during the economic crisis by breaking its own attendance record for the sixth time in seven years Friday.

After dips in attendance brought on by tough economic times narrowed the gap between the city's amusement parks, Ocean Park has emerged from the doldrums. Yeung Kwok-man, his wife, mother-in-law and son were greeted with a fanfare as they made their way into the park, bringing total attendance at the park to 5,033,385 just days away from the end of Ocean Park's fiscal year.

The family was rewarded with lifetime admission passes.

Good times return to Al Ain fun park

The number of visitors to Al Ain’s Hili Fun City – long a popular summer hangout despite its aging attractions – is expected to increase by 30 per cent this summer after a multimillion-dirham revamp by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).

“We’re expecting very good numbers this year. Between 25 and 30 per cent more than last year,” said Ahmad Chaouk, the deputy general manager of the amusement park in the oasis town.

“We have new rides and a better landscape, so of course it will be better.”

Pink plays to sell-out crowd in the heat at Alton Towers

Alton Towers says it has not ruled out holding more music concerts after successfully playing host to pop superstar Pink.

The 30-year-old American singer-songwriter performed in front of a sell-out crowd at the theme park as part of her first stadium tour of the UK and Ireland last night.

An audience of 28,000 people attended the event, which was staged on a lawn close to the park's entrance.

Singapore Haw Par Villa Theme Park

Haw Par Villa, a Chinese mythological theme park located in Singapore, is famous for its “beyond your wildest imagination” statues, sculptures, and exhibits. Most of everything at Haw Par Villa is based on famous Chinese historical personalities, mythology and legends. From a statue of a woman nursing her father-in-law, to a statue of a woman’s head and face attached to the body of a crab, this place has it all. So, if you somehow find yourself tripping on mushrooms in Singapore, Haw Par Villa is the place to visit.

Originally called ‘Tiger Balm Gardens’, it was constructed in 1937 by brothers Aw BoonHaw and Aw Boon Par, who are developers of Tiger Balm. Later on it was sold to the Singapore Tourism Board and renamed as Haw Par Villa. A must see exhibit is the Ten Courts of Hell that features the ten steps of judgement before reincarnation.

Brazilian celebration at Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City Theme Park will be hosting a Brazil showcase on 3 July jam-packed with colourful celebrations, vibrant music and exciting activities.

The celebration forms part of a series of events that the Brazilian government has commissioned to create awareness and generate excitement about the 2014 FIFA World Cup that will be hosted in Brazil.

It's likely to be an electrifying day for Brazil, which will feature in a football game that might put it firmly on the road to the 2010 World Cup final. Brazilian supporters are expected to start arriving in South Africa to support their team as it fights for World Cup glory just as this event takes place, meaning that there will be plenty of atmosphere and excitement.

Aquariums' novel ideas lure visitors

In the period spanning the tsuyu rainy season into summer, aquariums serve as indoor leisure spots and are popular destinations for family outings.

Aquariums nationwide are going the extra mile to not only display rare fish but also make visitors feel closer to the popular creatures of the sea and rivers.

Aquamarine Fukushima, a marine science museum in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, which attracts the largest number of visitors in the Tohoku region, is popular for its Aquamarine Egg life-form educational facility for children.

Posted at 03:17 PM in New attractions, Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Universal, Visitors Interests, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Global Park News

Six Flags Chief Tamps Down Apollo Chatter

After ending a takeover agreement with Cedar Fair, is Apollo Global Management now setting its sights on rival amusement park company Six Flags?

According to The New York Post, the buyout shop is said to be eyeing Six Flags, which is expected to emerge from bankruptcy next month.

However, the newspaper said, Six Flags’s chief executive, Mark Shapiro, dismissed the notion. “There is nothing to it,” he told The Post in an interview.

The Thrill of the Crowds

It's spring, and theme parks around the country are dusting off the hot-dog carousels and testing water rides. Sponsorship firm IEG took a snapshot of the reasons why big brands like Coca Cola, Kraft and Panama Jack find the parks an attractive place to set up shop.

The 2010 IEG Sponsorship Report surveyed brands on sponsorships and found three reasons they like a theme-park presence.

Geauga Lake's 'Big Dipper' coaster up for sale again

The last ride left standing at the former Geauga Lake Park -- the Big Dipper roller coaster -- is up for sale...again. This makes the third time the coaster has been up for sale since Geauga Lake Park closed Sept. 21, 2007.

The Big Dipper was first sold at auction June 17, 2008 to an unknown buyer when an agent representing him made the only bid of $5,000.

More than a year and a half later, as the coaster remained in plain sight on the Geauga Lake property and no plans to move it somewhere had been reported, that still unknown buyer offered it for sale again in December, 2009 for $150,000. Now that buyer has a new representative -- Medina County resident Jeff Shimko -- and Shimko says the coaster can now be purchased for $65,000.

Six Flags not just coasting

Six Flags is getting off its wild ride just in time for the start of the theme-park season. One of the biggest theme-park operators, the newly named Six Flags Entertainment will emerge from bankruptcy protection in May with a lighter debt load and a plan to boost profits.

"This year is very much about stabilizing the company and keeping it on the rails while at the same time pursuing growth avenues on the marketing and international front," said Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro.

Luring more visitors to the company's 19 amusement parks is key to its turnaround. Attendance fell almost 6 percent to 23.9 million in 2009, hurt by the recession, rainy weather, swine flu fears and negative publicity around the bankruptcy.

Morgan's Wonderland Celebrates Grand Opening

Thousands of people turned out Saturday for the official grand opening of Morgan's Wonderland in San Antonio.

The park is a first-of-its-kind, designed for people with special needs.

Amber Mitchell who brought her 5-year-old son, Michael, said this park means Michael will no longer have to "sit on the sidelines."

Lake Winnie opens gates for 85th anniversary season

Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park opens the gates for its 85th season today with two new rides, a new Pizza Cafe and the announcement of a stellar summer concert series.

"The Sea Warrior is a family thrill ride. It twists, turns and spins," said Talley Green, Lake Winnie public relations director. "The Silly Saucers are a kiddie ride that spins like a teacup ride. This makes a total of 37 rides in the park."

Green said a new game, Tin Can Alley, has been added to the arcade row. This makes 16 games offered in the park, including miniature golf. "Tin Can Alley is a fun game for all ages that even smaller children can win. It's a ball toss into garbage cans while the lids are opening and closing," she said.

Universal and SeaWorld weigh future of Flex passes

A longstanding alliance between Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando is approaching a crossroads.

After nearly 15 years of selling joint ticket packages, the two resorts must decide within the next year and a half whether they want to continue selling the "Orlando FlexTicket." The contract governing the joint passes — which offer 14 days of unlimited admission to both Universal's and SeaWorld's collection of theme parks — comes up for renewal in December 2011.

The impending renegotiation will offer one of the first signs of whether Universal and SeaWorld will align themselves even more closely following last year's roughly $2.5 billion purchase of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment (formerly Busch Entertainment Corp.) by the private-equity giant Blackstone Group from Anheuser-Busch InBev. Blackstone already co-owns Universal Orlando with General Electric Co.'s NBC Universal.

Haines City Wants to Capitalize on Legoland

It's become an intriguing challenge for the city's business community: Figuring out how to lure motorists off U.S. 27 and get them to take a detour into the historic downtown Haines City neighborhood.

That's always been a strong goal of the business community, but the need to get motorists to take that exit for U.S. 17/92 north into Haines City is getting more critical as the city faces the prospect of up to 2 million visitors a year traveling along U.S. 27 on their way to the new Legoland Florida theme park in Winter Haven.

"We need to think about how we in Northeast Polk, as a community, can attract some of the people traveling from Disney to Legoland," said Jane Patton, president of the Haines City/Northeast Polk County Chamber of Commerce.

No Lines for Walt Disney World Theme Park Rides?

To help guests skip the notoriously long lines in Walt Disney World (NYSE:DIS) theme parks, Walt Disney World is testing a system which would have people wait in “holding areas” rather than in a queue for the most popular rides and attractions. Testing began on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, assigning group numbers to people who wanted to ride the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

The tests for eliminating lines at Walt Disney World are similar to the revamping of the Dumbo ride when Fantasyland undergoes it’s next expansion. Instead of having guests wait in line, people wanting to ride Dumbo will be taken into an air-conditioned circus tent near the ride, where they can play carnival games, Rock Band, Guitar Hero, dance to the music played by a DJ, or watch other forms of entertainment until their turn to ride on the popular flying elephant ride. Of course, there was also an area to purchase merchandise in the waiting area, as well.

You’re not supposed to leave the ride area and come back later, however. Once you enter the designated entertainment area for the ride, you’re supposed to stay there until your group is called. Otherwise, you lose your place and will have to wait again.

Weekend rally draws supporters of KY Kingdom

The push continues to save Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. Louisville residents gathered in front of the amusement park to show their support Saturday afternoon. The gates closed two months ago when Six Flags and the Kentucky State Fair Board could not agree on a lease. The park employed many people who attended the weekend rally.

"I just checked my Facebook on my phone and I saw 'It really stinks what happened with Kentucky Kingdom,'" Former Employee Kelli Nunley said. " I texted somebody that I knew and said, 'Is this a joke?' And they were like 'No, they came in and padlocked the doors and we're out of a job.'"

Nunley and those who attended the rally said they want answers about the future of the park. Supporter Tim Childers wants the Kentucky Fair Board to provide an update to the public.

Peek at Hogwarts School in Harry Potter theme park

The Harry Potter theme park in Orlando today released a short video tour of part of Hogwarts School, the beginning of the journey for visitors.

The centerpiece of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is an impressive building -- why can't we get theme park designers to create buildings in the real world? And it should elicit lots of ooohs and aaahs from muggles, as they imagine sitting in a "Defense Against the Dark Arts" class.

Fire sends smoke over Stone Mountain Park

The black smoke that billowed over Stone Mountain Park Sunday afternoon resulted from a fire that consumed some fiberglass water slide parts.

No one was injured and nothing besides the parts -- elements of a slide that never was built -- was damaged, Chuck Kelley, chief of the park's police and fire department, told the AJC.

"It put off thick, black smoke," Kelley said. "It looked a whole lot worse than it was." It is unclear what caused the fire. The parts were in a fenced area that was not breached, Kelley said.

With recent development buzz evaporating, a dormant, storm-marred amusement park awaits the city's next move

Four months after a Delaware bankruptcy court turned over responsibility for the former Six Flags theme park in eastern New Orleans to City Hall, the site's future remains unclear. Beyond making plans to hire a security firm to watch over the park, the outgoing mayoral administration has announced no public plans for the property.

A spokesman for the mayor's office said the site "remains a critical redevelopment priority for the city of New Orleans," but he did not respond to questions about plans for demolition or maintenance on the site or whether the city has been approached by or was entertaining potential buyers or lessors interested in the site or its equipment.

With time winding down in Mayor Ray Nagin's administration, it is becoming less likely that any activity will happen at the site until Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu takes the reins at City Hall next month.

Getting the four Fair attractions up to speed

The Walt Disney Company contributed four cutting-edge attractions to the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair, attractions which are still shown today — in whole or in parts — at Disney theme parks worldwide.

When all was said and done, the four shows — Ford’s Magic Skyway, General Electric’s Progressland featuring Carousel of Progress, It’s a Small World and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln — were a rousing success (four of the five most popular Fair shows had Disney’s stamp on them), accelerating the growth of Audio-Animatronics technology and paving the way for an "East Coast Disneyland" in central Florida.

But the months, weeks and days leading up to the opening of the Fair on April 22, 1964, were fraught with angst for Disney.

Discovery Park leaders pleased with new design

“Excellent!” Jim Rippy said of the presentation made by Discovery Park of America architects and exhibit and landscape designers Wednesday at the Obion County Public Library.

Rippy is chairman of DPA, the multi-million dollar project being built in Union City’s northeast quadrant, across Everett Boulevard from Union City Second Baptist Church. The project was conceived and is being funded by the Robert E. and Jenny D. Kirkland Foundation. The Kirklands are residents of Union City.

The 50-acre site will begin to see new earthwork later this summer, with construction of the cornerstone museum set to begin in March 2011. The projected opening date for the education-entertainment-tourism complex is September 2012.

Amusement Parks at a Discount

There’s no such thing as a free ride – but with business sagging at the country’s amusement parks, there are some deals to be had.

For Easter weekend, Gillian’s Wonderland Pier, an amusement park in Ocean City, N.J., was selling half-price tickets. Through April 11, Playland’s Castaway Cove, nearby on the Jersey Shore, is offering some tickets at half price.

What gives? In a word: business. Last year, theme park industry revenue fell 8.6%, as consumers stayed home, according to IBIS World, a market research firm. To get guests back in the rollercoaster, parks are putting together a variety of offers.

Remembering Playland at the Beach

After sold out sneak preview screenings of Tom Wyrsch’s film, REMEMBERING PLAYLAND AT THE BEACH, the fascinating documentary about one of San Francisco’s favorites destinations will open a special one week engagement at the Balboa Theatre on Friday, April 23. The theater is a dozen blocks from the site of the beloved amusement park.

Bloomington hotel, water park sold

A private equity firm has snapped up the Radisson Hotel and Water Park of America in Bloomington for an undisclosed sum.

Wheelock Street Capital, a real estate private equity firm in Greenwich, Conn., said Friday that an affiliate bought the 403-room hotel and amusement park, but it didn't disclose the terms of the sale.

"We are delighted to be acquiring this high-quality asset next to the most visited mall in the country," the company said in its announcement Friday.

North Port water park vote today

City officials are exploring the feasibility of building a multimillion-dollar water park to supplement future growth at a time of looming budget shortfalls.

Later today, North Port city commissioners will decide whether to approve an aquatic facilities master plan that analyzes the costs of bringing a park to the area.

Chairman David Garofalo said the city loses money that residents are spending elsewhere to use a community pool or commercial park.

Great Wolf Lodge case needs federal resolution

“We won.” With those two simple words, Thurston County Assessor Patricia Costello summed up a three-year battle to force Great Wolf Lodge to pay property taxes on its hotel/water park resort.

With her “we won” statement, Costello was referring to the 15-page decision by U.S. District Judge Benjamin Settle who recently said that the destination resort in southern Thurston County is taxable. Had the county lost, it would have shifted Great Wolf’s annual tax bill of about $1 million to other county taxpayers.

It’s a huge decision.

Nocatee Water Park impresses residents

Many Nocatee residents assumed the new Splash Water Park in their community was going to be posh, but they didn't expect it to be as nice as it is.

"When I came here it took my breath away," said Nocatee resident Colleen Schneider, who was one of 300 residents at the official grand opening Saturday.

They were greeted with classic rock music, grilled hamburgers, and, for the children, balloon sculptures and caricature drawings.

State continues negotiations with Hot Springs water parks

The state and the owners of two water parks at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis report progress following six months of negotiations over new leases for the concessions.

The Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources is seeking increased accountability and more money from the TePee Pools and Star Plunge. The changes would be the first in decades for the leases within Wyoming’s most-visited state park.

Both sides said after Wednesday’s meeting in Thermopolis they hope to have new leases in place before summer tourist season.

Tiny circus a 36-year labor of love

Imagine spending 36 years working on a project consisting of 1,500 hand-carved pieces of sugar pine, poplar and mahogany—each intricately decorated with oil and water based paints, buttons, fabric and tin.

That's what John Mackay of New Jersey did—in the process creating a miniature six-ring American circus of the 1900s—Mackay's Mighty Small Circus. His hobby evolved into a 1,200-square-foot display now on loan to Entertrainment Junction through the end of the year.

Mackay's daughters, Judy Tierney of Michigan and Jane LaMarca of New Jersey, have been in charge of his creation since his death in 1982. Since then, they have loaned the exhibit to organizations throughout the country.

State hands over control of Governor's Island to the city for makeover

So should it now be called Mayor's Island?

City Hall will take control of Governors Island and push ahead with a bold plan to transform it into a resplendent park and tourist destination, officials said Sunday.

"This puts the city more firmly in control of our own destiny," Mayor Bloomberg crowed as he unveiled the deal with the state to seize control of most of the island in New York Harbor.

Planet Hollywood will close in Waikiki

Planet Hollywood will close its last Hawaii restaurant April 18 when its lease expires at the Bank of Hawaii Waikiki Center.

The restaurant, which opened in June 1995 at 2155 Kalakaua Ave., is in the process of looking for another Hawaii location. It has 72 employees.

“Honolulu has been very good to us these past 15 years,” said Robert Earl, Planet Hollywood founder and CEO, in a prepared statement. “I have appreciated the opportunity to serve our guests and look forward to returning to the market in spectacular fashion in the near future.”

Tourism Master Plan development under way in Clinton County: Destination Master Plan Subcommittee formed to study marketing aspects

Efforts are under way to develop a plan to maximize tourism in Clinton County.

The Strategic Tourism Planning Committee, formed to determine how to spend Clinton County occupancy-tax funds, has formed a Destination Master Plan Subcommittee.

Michele Powers, vice president for marketing at the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, said the subcommittee is developing a request for proposals to contract with an outside firm to document and analyze tourism-related attractions and activities in Clinton County.

Museum wants to give Hoover new life

When the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum completed its last round of renovations in 1992, it was the first time technology was part of the presentation.

With the variety of technology developed in the past 20 years, "there are so many more opportunities to tell the story," library and museum director Tim Walch said.

Later this year, the library-museum and Herbert Hoover Presidential Library Association hope to kick off a $2 million to $3 million fundraising effort to update the West Branch museum.

Work to start on maritime museum

Site preparation will begin this week on GulfQuest, the $52 million interactive maritime museum scheduled to open in 2011 on the waterfront at the foot of Government Street.

"It will be an awesome building, all concrete and glass," said John Crawford, an architectural engineer for the city of Mobile.

The public-private partnership between the city of Mobile and the nonprofit National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico board will highlight the Gulf Coast's maritime heritage.

'Star Trek' stage show takes off at Kennedy Space Center

In June, Kennedy Space Center visitors can boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before.

They can participate in STAR TREK LIVE, a new stage show that melds special effects, space technology and audience interaction. The half-hour production from CBS Consumer Products and Mad Science Productions is based on the TV series-turned-film phenom and is due to open June 11. The audience will play cadets at Starfleet Academy learning to live and work in space. Then — oops! — come problems involving a threat from a Romulan. The audience, with the assistance of a Vulcan, must work together to avert the threat. Clips from the 2009 Star Trek movie will add to the experience.

"It makes for a perfect blend of cool Star Trek stuff and real present-day (space) stuff," says Leonard Lipes, Mad Science Productions managing director and producer of STAR TREK LIVE.

Speed Art Museum selects Wilhelm for expansion

The Speed Art Museum has selected F.A. Wilhelm Construction Co. Inc., of Indianapolis, as general contractor for the museum’s upcoming renovation and expansion.

The firm will be working on the project with wHY Architecture of Los Angeles and Louisville-based K. Norman Berry Architects.

As Business First reported in November, the museum’s initial plan called for adding 200,000 square feet, the majority of which would be in exterior display areas such as sculpture gardens.

Museums get going with homegrown talent

The economic downturn is reshaping American museum expansions. Recently, two well-known museums have cancelled plans by internationally known firms and commissioned more modest projects by local firms, while a third high-profile addition remains on hold.

The Architect’s Newspaper has learned that after commissioning a masterplan and addition by Tod Williams Billie Tsien & Associates (TWBTA), the Columbus Museum of Art (CMA) has discontinued their services and is moving ahead with a scaled-back addition by Columus-based DesignGroup, which had been the architect of record on the project. “The original plan was for Tod and Billie to do all the work. But with the economy being what it is, we needed to find a way to make it more cost-effective,” said Nannette Maciejunes, executive director of the CMA.

Maciejunes commends the planning work that TWBTA did on the project, and considers DesignGroup’s work a “refinement” of TWBTA’s design. “It’s not only to be cost-effective, it’s about developing local talent,” Maciejunes said. “It’s about keeping those dollars in our community.”

New plans reveal details of Bush Library in Dallas

Newly released plans for the George W. Bush Presidential Center depict a single building housing a library, museum and policy institute at the Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

Construction of the complex is slated to begin in November and is expected to be completed by early 2013.

The updated plans released Wednesday provide new details of the landscaping, elevations and exterior design — including two parking lots north of the library — but no new information on its interior.

AROUND THE GLOBE

New Belgian ride gets stuck for three hours

Children and parents in Belgium have been rescued after being stuck 25 metres above ground when a new amusement park ride broke down.

It is reported around 20 people were left suspended for three hours, before fire crews could free them.

The "Mega Mindy Flyer" was unveiled a week ago, coinciding with Belgium's Easter holidays. According to local media, the park's management said safety tests had been carried out successfully before the incident occurred.

Animal lovers seek to KO Thailand orangutan kick boxing matches

It's a fight club for orangutans. A safari theme park in Thailand has become a macabre tourist attraction for its orangutan kick boxing matches - complete with simian "round card girls."

Safari World, on the outside of Bangkok, has been drawing huge crowds that cheer orangutans forced to wear boxing gloves and trained to trade punches and spin kicks.

As the heavyweights of the jungle duke it out, female orangutans parade around in bikinis displaying the round number.

Coach hire to Alton Towers on the rise after the opening of new rollercoaster 13

Coach hire to Staffordshire Theme Park Alton Towers is on the increase thanks to the introduction of a brand new rollercoaster. The newly opened psycho-coaster 13 set in the depths of the Dark Forest is drawing people in the droves to the park as they seek to be among the first to experience the latest attraction.

The brand new rollercoaster was finally unveiled just weeks ago ending two years of speculation after the identity of the ride was kept tightly under wraps during its construction. It is the world’s first vertical freefall rollercoaster and features some unexpected twists and turns.

Nowadays the average stomach-turning ride simply isn’t enough for your average thrill seeker, the latest trend is for rollercoasters which unnerve you psychologically as well as physically. Early reports from those who’ve tackled 13 suggest that Alton Towers have pulled out all the stops in an attempt to scare the living daylights out of those who wish to ride 13.

Manila Ocean Park opens 'Acquatica' attraction

If you're tired of the usual outing at the beach, then Acquatica may be the thing for you this summer.

Acquatica, the newly opened section of Manila Ocean Park, features an open-air musical show with a live cast and multimedia effects of pyrotechnics, synchronized water jets, flame bursts and special computer imaging.

Called "Maiden of the Sea," Acquatica's main attraction not only provides entertainment, but also gives lessons on taking care of nature. The show is often compared to the world-famous "Songs of the Sea" at Singapore's Sentosa island resort.

Hold on tight: Britain's amusement parks are closing fast...

No trip to the seaside is complete without hurtling down a 70-degree incline at death-defying speeds with cheeks shaking, body rattling and white knuckles gripping the safety bars in grim determination.

The clattering of a roller coaster and the shriek of terrified screams is as much a part of the seaside soundscape as the cry of gulls.

But Britain's amusement parks are closing at an unprecedented rate. Nineteen have closed down in the past decade, with rides destroyed or sold off on eBay. The latest was Barry Island Pleasure Park, last year. Another two or three are expected to close this year. On Wednesday, the Institute of Field Archaeologists (IFA) conference in Southport will hear that vanishing with the parks are hundreds of historic rides that have little or no official protection. Such is the mounting concern, English Heritage will visit Blackpool Pleasure Beach this week to assess some of its rides. The park, which opened in 1896 and is still one of Britain's biggest tourist attractions, has some of the world's oldest rides still working.

French theme park goes au naturel

The construction of a theme park in France's Loire Valley might cause the most benign environmentalist's strident tendencies to be awakened.

But they needn't fear. Log flumes, roller coasters and concrete castles are not on the agenda at Terra Botanica, a brand new environmental theme park near Angers, in the country's north-west.

The region, traditionally known as "The Garden of France" -- thanks to a horticultural heritage stretching back centuries -- is now home to an 11-hectare site devoted entirely to the enjoyment of the natural world.

Theme parks go to war

Both Village Roadshow and Ardent Leisure Group have employed discounting practices in a bid to lift attendance numbers at Queensland theme parks. In the six months to 31 December 2009, Village's two-park annual pass to SeaWorld, Warner Bros Movie World or Wet'n'Wild helped raise attendance numbers by 16%. A similar pass was offered by Ardent, with prices reduced further during a school holiday period. Ardent recorded a 4.7% fall in theme park revenue to $A54.3m for the December half.

Group's prospects riding on ardent support at theme parks

Ardent Leisure, the former Macquarie Leisure Trust, will hope the autumn sun and school holidays will be enough to entice visitors to its theme parks and marinas during next week.

Brokers confirm that the real test for the Gold Coast theme parks' performance in the second half of the 2009-10 financial year will be the Easter-school holiday period.

According to brokers at RBS, April is the most important trading month after January in the second half of each financial year.

Harry Potter haunts Ontario Science Centre

A bit of movie sorcery will be working its magic at the Ontario Science Centre this spring and summer.

A special exhibit will give fans a first-hand look inside the world of the wildly popular books and movies that feature the adventures of adolescent wizard-in-training, Harry Potter.

The exhibit will display props, sets and costumes from Harry Potter films, which are based on the books by J.K. Rowling.

It's a scream: Katie Price and Alex share adreneline-charged day amid baby reports

Newly-weds Katie Price and Alex Reid certainly share a love of adventure.

After tying the knot in Las Vegas in February, the fun-loving couple went skidding around on dune buggies in the desert, days after their private ceremony.

And this week, they were testing their limits again on a rollercoaster at Alton Towers.

Delhi Zoo to get face-lift ahead of Games

Delhi Zoo is all set to get a face-lift ahead of the Commonwealth Games in October, with two air-conditioned food courts, a souvenir shop, cloak room and an ATM facility to come up under a major refurbishment plan.

The Environment Ministry, in a recent meeting, had directed the Delhi Zoo officials to come up with a modernisation plan to showcase one of the oldest zoological gardens in the country to tourists thronging the city during the mega sporting event.

"Signages, modernisation of cloak room, setting up of an ATM facility and a souvenir shop are on the cards while a proposal to construct two air-conditioned food courts inside the premises has already been finalised," Delhi Zoo director Anand Krishna said.

Turks to get their first snow dome

SkiRebel.com has learned that Acer Snowmec has begun work on Turkey’s first new indoor snow centre.

The Snow Park will be part of the new Deepo Shopping Centre opening in Istanbul. It will be heavily themed with an ice cavern and interlinked towers with rope bridges making for an exciting interactive snow fun centre for children and adults.

It will incorporate a 70m (230ft)-long main slope plus a 20m (66ft) beginners slope and 10m (33ft) toboggan slope. For the more adventurous there will be a 90m (295ft) ice slide which meanders from the highest level and ends in front of the glazed curtain walling to the shopping Mall. There is a smaller twin Ice Slide for the younger children from an intermediate plateau level at 30m (100ft) long again terminating in front of the glazed viewing area.

Poland dedicates museum to Chopin to mark his 200th birthday

A museum dedicated entirely to the musician Frederic Chopin has opened its doors in Warsaw. The interactive exhibition showcases Chopin's last piano and his death mask.

For his 200th birthday, Frederic Chopin received a very special gift: a museum in his honor. The Chopin museum is set in Poland, where the composer was born in 1810.

As a child, Chopin moved to Warsaw from a nearby country estate, where he spent the first 20 years of his life before moving to Paris.

China's biggest wine museum opens in Qingdao

Dubbed the biggest wine museum so far in China, the 8,800-square-meter wine museum in Qingdao of east China's Shandong province has recently received its first batch of visitors.

The construction of the museum was started in 2009 with investment from the government of the scenic coastal city. The museum introduces the origins and history of wine in the region, and informs visitors on wine culture and quality. And for wine lovers, the opportunity to taste wines from all over the world.

Inside the museum, a main corridor of 192-meters long is divided into the brewing knowledge zone, a basso-relievo of the world famous wine village zone, as well as an oil painting zone.

Detailed introduction and exhibitions are illustrated through multi-media. In addition, there are some special exhibition zones, like the sculpture of the wine god, wine containers, banks of wine and wine cache, to name just a few.

ERDF announces £3.4m for Museum of Liverpool

The Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme is pleased to announce £3.4 million of funding to support the creation of four exciting exhibition spaces at the new Museum of Liverpool.

The investment will support the fit-out of the museum’s four galleries as well as the interpretation and exhibits that will fill the space. It will enable the museum to explore the extraordinary and complex story of Liverpool within the context of the wider region as well as the big national and international themes that have shaped this and other British cities.

The Museum of Liverpool, due to open next year on Liverpool’s historic waterfront, will be one of the world’s most spectacular city history museums. The construction of the building has already received £5 million from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund. This new money will help ensure that the contents of the museum are as spectacular as its exterior.

Posted at 10:18 AM in Disney, Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Global Park happenings

Six Flags stock rallies after Cedar Fair deal fails

Shares of Six Flags, which operates 19 parks, rose from around 15 cents on Tuesday to up to 39 cents on Thursday. Volume at midday on Thursday was already six times the average volume for the last 10 trading sessions.

The rally was ignited after Apollo Management failed earlier this week to secure investor support for its takeover of Cedar Fair LP, which operates 11 parks.

In addition, a leading Cedar Fair investor, Q Funding III LP, said in a regulatory filing it had been approached by a group of Six Flags bondholders, known as the SFI Noteholders, about merging the two companies.

Universal releases 'Forbidden Journey' walk-through video

As part of the promotion and preparation for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opening on June 18, Universal has releasedopens in new window a walk-through video of the "Forbidden Journey" ride at the theme park, with special guide Mark Woodbury, President of the Universal Creative department.

Great Wolf Lodge Slides into the World Record Book During 24-Hour Waterslide-athon Event

After 45,148 participants slid a total of 3,593 miles, Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., North America’s largest family of indoor waterpark resorts, received official word today from Guinness World Records that the company’s 11 Great Wolf Lodge locations set a new record for “longest distance water sliding in 24 hours in multiple venues.”

On March 26-27, all Great Wolf Lodge locations participated in the 24-hour event to celebrate the opening of new waterslide attractions at three of its locations – Kansas City, Kansas, Kings Island in Mason, OH, and Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania. The Great Wolf Lodge “World’s Largest Waterslide-athon” took place over 24 consecutive hours with one designated slide per resort. Every slider who descended the designated slide counted toward breaking the record for longest distance traveled on waterslides over a 24-hour period.

“We’re thrilled to hold the Guinness World Record for the longest distance watersliding in 24 hours. It was a true team effort at all of our properties,” said Kim Schaefer, CEO of Great Wolf Resorts. “We had so much fun setting this world record, but what makes this a truly special event is the generosity of our guests and the general public who donated during the waterslide-athon to our charity of choice, Big Brothers Big Sisters.”

Morgan's Wonderland, First Large Theme Park for Those With Special Needs, Opens Saturday

Saturday marks the grand opening of the first large theme park dedicated to people with special needs, and it's the realization of one father's vision for his own daughter.

Morgan's Wonderland, a 25-acre oasis of fun for children and adults with special needs in San Antonio, Texas, grew out of an incident Gordon Hartman witnessed.

His 16-year-old daughter Morgan – for whom the park is named – has a severe cognitive delay. One day some years ago, he observed her watching other children who were playing in a pool. He knew she wanted to join them, but because of the girl's inability to communicate properly, she couldn't.

Roller coaster group to honor Giant Dipper in San Diego

After surviving several fires, becoming a home to vagrants and dodging the wrecking ball, the nearly 85-year-old Giant Dipper wooden roller coaster at Belmont Park in San Diego will be honored as an endearing and enduring classic.

American Coaster Enthusiasts will name the Giant Dipper a historically significant “landmark coaster” on April 23, honoring the 2,600-foot long, 73-foot-high ride for its banked turns, graceful twisting drops and dogged perseverance.

“The Giant Dipper is one of only a very few seaside coasters,” said ACE President Mark Cole. “Its layout is unique, and the fact that it was rescued from the brink of demolition and is now a treasured piece of the community are all reasons that we love the coaster.”

A $7 million splash

This nation's economic "recovery," for those who dare even to call it that, is in the earliest of stages. The Western New York region, too, is still sputtering along with high unemployment and weak sales -- people haven't yet regained enough confidence in the economy to go out and spend a lot of money.

So can this be a good time to spend $7 million to upgrade an amusement park? Darien Lake Theme Park managers think so. They are boldly and confidently moving ahead with plans to expand water park attractions and upgrade accommodations.

New attractions will include a quadruple water slide complex, a 1,000-foot-long lazy river-style tube float and a 44,500-gallon wave pool. The water attractions will appeal to tourists, certainly, but are also likely to appeal to local residents looking for relief from the heat a Western New York summer can bring.

Monorail ad irks some Disney fans

One of Walt Disney World's monorail trains has undergone a radical makeover. The familiar, single-striped paint job has been replaced by the image of a motorcycle set against a blue background on the front cab -- with a shimmering, yellow trail of light that extends the length of the train. The flashy ad display, which debuted earlier this month, is part of the Walt Disney Co.'s early marketing campaign for Tron: Legacy, the big-budget sequel to the 1982 cult classic that will serve as the company's winter-holiday movie release this year.

It's also the first time Disney World has wrapped any of its monorail trains -- one of the resort's most widely recognized symbols -- with advertising that promotes something beyond the theme parks.

And it has proven astonishingly polarizing. Though many Disney fans have gushed over the sleek look, many others are criticizing the company in online fan forums for turning one of Disney World's most universally recognized symbols into a 200-foot advertisement.

How to get to Sesame Street? West on I-4 at Busch Gardens

Muppets make your day brighter. Go ahead, try to deny it.

That's what makes the addition of Sesame Street Safari of Fun so smart for Busch Gardens in Tampa. Even if a big furry isn't a thrill for you, just watch a transfixed preschooler as Cookie Monster approaches. It's good enough for me.

Safari of Fun, wedged between the Bird Gardens and Stanleyville sections of the theme park, mixes new elements and repurposed attractions from its Land of Dragons area. The safari aspects blend with the park's African theming.

Experience ‘Star Trek: The Experience’ pieces in your own home … or bridge

If you're seeking that fourth Klingon Encounter ride chair you need to fill out your set, Saturday is indeed your lucky day.

Unneeded, unwanted and/or unnecessary items and effects from the old "Star Trek Experience" at the Las Vegas Hilton are being put up for sale from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at a storage facility on 66 Spectrum Blvd., Las Vegas, 89101. A hat-tip for the first report of this from my colleague Anthony Pascale of TrekMovie.com, the Mr. Spock of Trek-tracking Web masters.

You might remember, or not, a reference to this impending sale back in February, when CBS officials were claiming they still were committed to opening a version of the attraction at (drum roll) Neonopolis (cymbals crash!). Those plans still are going forward, in the sense that they have not been formally re-charted.

Colonial Williamsburg launches new iPhone applications

People might use "keg" today instead of the 18th century term firkin to describe a large container of beer, but Colonial Williamsburg officials are hoping to educate visitors and others in the colonial vernacular through a new iPhone application.

CW's "Word of the Day" iPhone application— or app, as iPhone users refer to such software — is one of two new programs now available from the living history museum to be downloaded for free at the iTunes store and on the iPhone.

Colonial Williamsburg also developed another application called "Today in the 1770s." In this application, users can read news reported in the 1770s version of the Virginia Gazette, the local newspaper at the time, including items such as obituaries, stolen property reports, and the selection of Peyton Randolph as delegate to the Virginia convention.

Construction underway on Clay Township splash park

Clay Township children will soon be running around under bucket-loads, jet sprays, spurts and sprinkles of cool, clean water by the middle of summer.

The second phase of the township park project will include a splash park and hospitality building. Since the first phase wrapped up toward the end of 2009, community response has been encouraging to township officials.

"Even the people who didn't like the idea of a park now like it," said Downtown Development Authority chair Mark Thompson. "Some residents were worried about how often a park would be used, but, before we finished phase one, we were already seeing it. I saw kids in the winter playing there."

Island Waterpark Job Fair

If you think its tough finding a job out there you should really feel sorry for teenagers looking for work.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate for teenagers, age 16 to 19, is 26.7%. That's the highest level since the BLS started collecting data. But good news. Island Waterpark is having a job fair this coming Tuesday for new employee applicants. And they are hiring about 400 people. They do all the training, so anyone 16 or older can apply.

General Manager Terry Mackey says, "We are looking for people that are friendly, outgoing and that enjoy families. We are a very family oriented park."

Nocatee water park to officially open Saturday

Environmental design firm Ervin Lovett Miller has completed the Nocatee Splash Water Park in the master-planned Nocatee community in Ponte Vedra.

The firm was the architect and landscape architect for the aquatics facility, which is scheduled to open Saturday.

“The developer of Nocatee, The PARC Group, requested an aquatics and recreational facility that was consistent with the quality and feel of the Nocatee community,” said partner Russ Ervin.

Detroit Zoo sets attendance record

The Detroit Zoo, buoyed by unseasonably warm weather last week, set an attendance record Friday and almost surpassed it Saturday.

The zoo hosted 15,658 visitors April 2, beating the previous high of 14,409 set on July 3 of last year, zoo officials said. On April 3, 15,477 people visited the zoo, officials said.

Zoo officials are excited about the attendance because voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties in 2008 approved a 0.1-mill tax to fund the zoo.

St. Louis lays out casino proposal process

The president of the Casino Queen, as well as a lawyer and a spokesman for Lumiere Place owner Pinnacle Entertainment, a registered lobbyist for Isle of Capri Casinos and a handful of local real estate developers were among those in attendance Wednesday as St. Louis officials discussed their request for proposals for a new casino complex within city limits.

Missouri’s 13th and final gambling license will become available July 1 when Pinnacle shuts down its President riverboat casino at Laclede’s Landing downtown. As state regulators take the first steps toward requesting and evaluating new casino proposals, St. Louis officials want to back a competitive bid that could generate new tax revenue and jobs in the city.

“We want to make sure we are in the best position possible to submit a quality gaming proposal as strong as any other proposal in the state,” said Rodney Crim, executive director of the city’s St. Louis Development Corp. “The only way we’ll be able to compete is if it provides the maximum (tax revenue) benefit to the city and the state.”

Sacramento Zoo Looks For More Room

The Sacramento Zoo is looking for more room to operate.

City leaders said they have been studying a feasibility plan to possibly relocate the zoo to Sutter's Landing.

"We have been looking for a site to land bank for more than seven years," said Sacramento Zoo Director Mary Healy.

Wall Street to get Real with 3-D

Wall Street is apparently ready to jump on the 3-D bandwagon.

RealD, the privately owned technology company based in Beverly Hills that has emerged as the leading provider of 3-D systems for movie theaters, is preparing a plan for a public stock offering this summer to cash in on Hollywood's infatuation with the new format, people familiar with the matter said.

The timing is ripe for RealD, which has invested more than $100 million in technology that Hollywood has been quickly embracing. In addition to supplying theaters with 3-D adapters that attach to digital projectors, the company has been licensing its technology for 3-D viewing in the home.

Free admission to all national parks April 17-25

National Park Week is coming—and this year, all 392 national parks will have free admission throughout the entire celebratory week, April 17 to 25.

This is the week to get out to national parks in your state and explore the wilderness, see the spring bird migration in full swing, stroll through fields of newly blossoming wildflowers, and maybe even soak up a little history in the bargain.

And what a bargain it is! The National Park Service has lots of plans for family fun that week: special offers on tours, lodging, food, and souvenirs.

Authority may decide next month on plan to transform fairgrounds

The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority may decide next month whether to lease some of the state fairgrounds property in Detroit and turn it into a year-round park.

The authority's board is considering leasing about 120 acres of property from the state for $1 a year, officials have said. The board was updated Thursday on the project.

An agreement could potentially revive the Michigan State Fair, which Gov. Jennifer Granholm ended funding for last year.

Sports authority extends contract for state fair

State officials have agreed to continue two longtime traditions at the Meadowlands Sports Complex: the annual state fair during the summer and the year-round flea market.

State Fair Inc., which has operated the Meadowlands Fair since 2003, signed a five-year contract extension with the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. The agency's board approved the deal to continue the fair through 2014.

The flea market, which will now also be run by State Fair, was approved for a two-year extension.

Bush library looking for some friends with Facebook application

Construction crews won't break ground on the George W. Bush Presidential Center until November, but the future home of Bush's policy institute and library is already building an online presence – on Facebook.

"The online world is very important when connecting members to the center," said Colin Stewart, chief operating officer of the George W. Bush Foundation.

The library foundation chose to make a Facebook application to attract more members and donors to the center, and Stewart says the application has about 6,000 users.

Fernbank Museum to build $8 million children's area

By this time next year, there will be a river flowing through Fernbank Museum of Natural History, a tree sprouting from its upper level and an ancient cave along its walls.

The museum will open an all-new, $8 million children’s exhibition in spring 2011 that reveals ecosystems in rivers, forests, caves and oceans. It will cover about 6,700 square feet with more than 100 hands-on activities, and replace the museum’s aging “Fantasy Forest” and “Georgia Adventure” children’s rooms, which will close May 2.

“Kids have different expectations now and they are sophisticated,” said Jennifer Grant Warner, Fernbank’s senior vice president and chief programming officer. “We work to reach kids where they’re at. This will take it to another level.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

Will tourists take flight from Bird Park as Universal's magic grows?

Three weeks after opening its doors, Singapore's newest tourist attraction, Universal Studios Singapore (USS), has begun to draw the tour groups.

Within the next month, USS will be firmly lodged in many travel itineraries to Singapore, local inbound agents told MediaCorp.

"Even though we've not launched USS packages, enquiries have started to come in. (Overseas partners) will ask us to give them a package including USS, or just USS alone," said SA Tours assistant inbound manager Paul Soh.

Muslim Woman Strangled To Death When Burkha Gets Caught In Go-Kart Wheel

A Muslim woman in Sydney, Australia was killed when her burkha got caught in the wheels of a go-kart she was driving.

As the piece of clothing was pulled into the wheels, the other end wrapped around the 24-year-old woman’s neck and she was strangled to death.

She was riding the go-kart at a popular Sydney amusement park called Bob’s Farm.

Service center for intellectual property rights launched at Expo

A service center has been launched to protect the intellectual property rights (IPR) of participants at next month's Shanghai World Expo, said organizers Thursday.

The work station will provide legal advice, take IPR-infringing complaints and mediate disputes, according to Thursday's Expo press conference.

Expo participants and art performers will have to acquire certificates for exhibitions and performances to be protected by Chinese IPR laws, said Lu Guoqiang. an Shanghai IPR official.

Meet the new Mr Pleasurewood Hills

Families have been enjoying the rides and shows at Pleasurewood Hills for more than 25 years, and now a new manager is hoping to boost the attraction's credentials. Hayley Mace meets the man in charge of the region's biggest theme park.

Faced with the prospect of managing hundreds of seasonal staff, welcoming thousands of visitors and checking that more than 30 rides are in tip-top condition, Alexis Camelin could be forgiven for being daunted by his new role as general manager at Pleasurewood Hills.

Yet even though he confesses to not really liking rollercoasters, the ambitious Frenchman cannot wait to get stuck into life at the helm of one of the area's most popular tourist attractions.

Essel Group to develop 800 acre entertainment zone near Mumbai

Media and entertainment group Essel is planning to develop an 800 acre entertainment and tourism zone near Mumbai, a senior company official said Thursday.

'We are setting up an entertainment and tourism development zone near Mumbai. It will be an 800 acre theme park. The details of the project are yet to be finalised,' Essel group chairman Subhash Chandra told reporters here.

According to him, the project will be implemented by a new company which will be incorporated over a period of time and the outlay is also yet to be finalised.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach owner hit with £17k packaging waste fine

The owner of Blackpool Pleasure Beach (BPB) theme park has been fined £17,761 for failing to recycle and recover packaging waste.

BPB (Holdings) produces a wide range of packaging waste including food containers, drinks bottles and soap wrappers at its hotel and pleaded guilty to six offences that were brought against it by the Environment Agency.

Blackpool Magistrates Court fined the firm £6,000 for the offences and ordered it to pay £2,631 in costs and £9,130 in compensation for offences that dated back to 1997.

Russia builds museum complex in Holy Land

Russia starts building museum park complex in Jericho land lot which was earlier returned to the Russian government by authorities of the Palestinian National Authority.

"Russian museum in Jericho proves that Russia returns to the Holy Land after a long period of absence and contributes into cultural and spiritual life of people living there and numerous tourists from all over the world who come to visit these places," head of the Presidential Property Management Department of the Russian Federation Vladimir Kozhin said on Thursday at the festival ceremony of laying the foundation stone to future building of the complex with PNA participating.

Kozhin believes this project will give more dynamics to Jericho's further development as the future museum will display a fig-tree, which is a living witness to the life of Christ, and other historical, scientific and cultural values located in the territory of the complex, and thus attract greater interest of many pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.

Posted at 11:02 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

The Parks

‘SlamBang’ blends drums and dance at Six Flags Magic Mountain

A new show called “SlamBang” making its debut this summer at Six Flags Magic Mountain will combine street drumming, urban sounds and rhythmic dancing into a thumping and throbbing theater experience.

Described as Blue Man Group meets “Stomp” meets Cirque du Soleil, the 22-minute show at the Valencia park will be performed three times a day from June 12 through Sept. 6 in the Magic Moments Theater (near the Colossus wooden roller coaster).

“Every scene is a rhythmical orchestration of everyday sounds,” said Scott Sterner, Magic Mountain entertainment manager. “It’s all things you hear in everyday life, but what makes it special is the way it’s put together.”

Schlitterbahn Development Group Has Eyes on Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a $110 million Water Park-Hotel-Sports Destination

A national water park company has its eyes on Fort Lauderdale Stadium and neighboring Lockhart Stadium for a $110 million water-park-hotel-retail sports destination, the first of its kind in Broward County.

Schlitterbahn Development Group, which has water parks in Texas and Kansas, offered the plan to the city Friday, but it hasn't been publicly aired or discussed.

It is the latest of three proposals for use of Fort Lauderdale Stadium, left vacant in December when the Baltimore Orioles moved their spring training base to Sarasota.

Cedar Fair and Leisure on the Rise

Apollo Global Management is heading for the exit turnstiles. The private-equity firm is abandoning its leveraged-buyout proposal of regional amusement park operator Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN).

As a cotton-candy sweetener, Cedar Fair units are actually climbing on the news.

Cedar Fair agreed to a buyout at $11.50 a unit five months ago, a 27% premium to its price at the time. The company behind several parks, including Cedar Point in Ohio and Knott's Berry Farm in California, was coming off a dreadful 2009.

New tower ride rises at Quassy

The new ‘Free Fall ‘N’’ family drop tower ride started to take shape Tuesday at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Conn., as the lakeside property prepares for its 102nd season of operation. The new ride, built by SBF Visa Group of Italy, will carry 12 passengers to the top of the tower before releasing the gondola for a thrilling free fall. The installation of ‘Free Fall ‘N’’ is expected to be completed this week. The park opens April 24.

More than just carrousels

The small white sign on the door denoting the Allan Herschell Company gives little indication that the 3,000 square-foot space inside holds the life blood of the world’s amusement parks.

Ed Janulionis, who runs the company located on Erie Avenue in North Tonawanda, not only has the history of the Allan Herschell Co. in original plans, drawings, patterns and tooling that reach back to the early 1900s, but also has a mind full of interesting details and history.

When Chance Rides Manufacturing Co. bought the Herschell Carrousel Co. from the Wendler Family in Buffalo, the company moved to Wichita, Kansas, keeping the Herschell name.

Red Gold nets 5-year deal with Cedar Fair

Madison County-based tomato products maker Red Gold on Wednesday announced a five-year deal with amusement park and water park operator Cedar Fair Entertainment Co.

Red Gold will be the official ketchup supplier in Cedar Fair's network of parks, including Cedar Point and Kings Island, both in Ohio. No financial details were disclosed.

NJAA now accepting Board of Directors nominations

The New Jersey Amusement Association (NJAA) is now accepting nominations for a seat on their Board of Directors.

Nominations should be submitted to: NJAA, P.O. Box 178, Seaside Heights, N.J. 08751.

Recovery Brings Some Magic Back to Disney's Kingdom

When a recession hits, taking a trip to Disneyland is probably not top of every family's to-do list. As consumers' discretionary income dries up, Disney's (DIS) travel business -- including theme parks and cruise ships -- basically grinds to a halt as customers save money for essentials. The company's media division also is susceptible to the drops in ad spending that come when companies start conserving cash.

Overall, Disney is probably more vulnerable to economic downturns than many businesses, and this recession hasn't been kind. For the 2009 fiscal year, the company posted a 20% drop in its earnings per share and a 7% decline in the revenue generated by parks and resorts. But some Wall Street analysts already are seeing reasons to be optimistic about Disney's outlook.

All kinds of fun

Many families in St. Joseph, Kansas City and every town in between plan on spending a day at Worlds of Fun this summer. But the amusement park’s newest attraction may have them considering spending a night there, too.

On June 4, the park will open Snoopy’s Hot Summer Lights, an immersive light and sound experience starring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang. The display will begin daily at sunset and remain open until the park closes.

The giant walk-through attraction will feature more than 2 million high-efficiency LED lights. Along the lighted walkway through the Africa and Europa sections of the park, large inflatable replicas of Snoopy and the gang will invite guests to interact in displays and games featuring summertime favorites like picnics, campfires and sports.

Great America's owners to discuss stadium details

Santa Clara's Great America theme park is once again a wild card in the proposed construction of a new 49ers stadium.

Tuesday, the planned sale of Great America's corporate owners fell through. Cedar Fair Entertainment has stayed on the sidelines in the stadium deal ever since last year's announced buyout plans were made by another company.

But with that deal now off the table, Cedar Fair will begin talks with the city and the 49ers to resolve traffic concerns and other issues surrounding the stadium project.

Adrenaline Family Entertainment names accesso as exclusive ticketing provider

Adrenaline Family Entertainment (AFE), an Oklahoma based theme park management company, has expanded its current relationship with accesso, a leader in ticketing and electronic commerce, by naming accesso as AFE's exclusive ticketing provider.

Under terms of the multi-year agreement, Alabama Adventure located in Bessemer, Ala., will utilize the same accesso fully hosted ticketing and commerce solutions currently in place at AFE's Clementon Park & Splash World location since 2008.

"Expanding our relationship with accesso to include both of our dynamic parks was an easy decision," said Russell Kuteman, CFO, Adrenaline Family Entertainment. "Leveraging accesso's contemporary ticketing technology and highly responsive service across our system will allow us to streamline operations and improve guest service while placing a higher emphasis on top line revenue growth."

Disney's participation at the World's Fair was a defining moment in the company's history

Marty Sklar is a Disney legend, one of the few remaining castmembers who worked side-by-side with Walt Disney, literally walking in his footsteps through some of the most defining moments in Disney Company history.

Born in New Brunswick, N.J., Marty started with Disney as a summer intern in 1955. After graduating from UCLA, he rejoined Disney and quickly rose through the ranks, holding a number of key positions in Disney’s fabled creative wing — Imagineering — before becoming Vice Chairman of that department. He retired last year and now has a window in his honor on Main Street in his beloved Disneyland.

Recently, I had the distinct privilege of chatting with Marty on a number of topics, but specifically, Disney’s participation in the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair.

Decision on water parks still in limbo

Time is running out on any chance of reopening either of the county's water park features by Memorial Day.

That was the opinion of Parks Director Ken Elwert at the April 1st Lapeer County Commission meeting.

"We are quickly approaching the last moment in time if we are to be able to open up," said Elwert. He noted that substantial maintenance would be necessary in preparation for the opening.

Greater Gulf State Fair planners add new May Fest

Organizers of the Greater Gulf State Fair will present a new addition to their schedule this year, a spring festival featuring a carnival midway and other attractions.

The inaugural May Fest takes place April 28-May 2 at the Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds in west Mobile. According to promotional materials, it’s designed as a smaller version of the long-running fall fair that offers “rides, games, food and family fun.”

In addition to many of the same rides featured in the fall fair, planned attractions include an arts and crafts market, fair food and other exhibits, including displays from the Mobile Fire Department, the Mobile Police Department, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Department/Flotilla, EMS and others.

An upscale facelift for Mall of America

In an ongoing effort to remain vibrant and current, Mall of America plans to spend several million dollars over the next four years to make over the public corridors of its four major wings.

Construction workers for the mega retail and entertainment center in Bloomington last week began the project on the first and second floors at the mall’s south corridor. The first-phase project is expected to be completed by early July.

The renovation work will include replacing floor carpets with Italian-made tile along the 600-foot walkway and redoing the ceilings to incorporate chandeliers that are seven-and-a-half feet square and 22 feet long.

Henderson City Council approves $100,000 for polar exhibit

The Henderson City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to reallocate funds so the Henderson Space and Science Center Board can show its first exhibit next month.

The science center’s board plans to display “Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins” at the Galleria at Sunset mall. It is expected to open May 22 and run for 12 weeks.

In the future, the center plans to have its own museum. The $63 million building, planned for construction at U.S. 95 and Galleria Drive, is expected to be completed in about five years.

Five Teams Advance to Competition's Design Phase

For the first time in a half century, the National Park Service is revisiting one of the world’s most iconic monuments – The Gateway Arch – to integrate the magnificent memorial and its grounds with St. Louis, the Mississippi River and Illinois on the other side. They’ve announced a new international design competition, calling on the world’s best designers and architects. The competition starts now.

This story begins in September 1947, when a national design competition was held to produce a memorial to Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase and the era of American Westward Expansion. The jury chose the most audacious entry – a gleaming 630-foot stainless steel arch, the first of several masterpieces by the gifted but short-lived Eero Saarinen.

Bibb pitches bid to take over halls of fame

Bibb County’s government is hoping it can take over the state’s ailing sports and music halls of fame.

In informal talks Tuesday, county commissioners unanimously agreed to let Commission Chairman Sam Hart begin negotiating for the buildings, which could involve a swap of sales tax money for operating funds.

Hart said the county could spend special purpose local option sales tax money to buy the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame for perhaps $12 million to $15 million. The state would then return the money to the county as an endowment that could run the halls of fame as well as other sites the county subsidizes such as the Tubman African American Museum and the Douglass Theatre.

RealD plans IPO of up to $1 bln-FT

RealD, a company that provides 3-D technology to theaters, is planning a possible $1 billion initial public offering, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

The listing, targeted for this summer, would capitalize on the success of recent blockbusters such as Avatar, the newspaper said, citing several people familiar with the matter.

A spokesman for RealD declined to comment.

AROUND THE GLOBE

EsselWorld launches new 'Monster in the Mist' ride

To provide chill of a different kind, leading amusement park Essel World has launched the country's first 'Monsters in the Mist' scary ride for thrill-seekers.

Spread over 6,000 sq ft, the indoor dark ride, designed by US based 'The Attraction Factory', with track and car system, would offer daring visitors a four-minute journey through a dark den filled with mist and fog with hidden monsters that will send shivers and chills down the spine.

The ride has more than 20 scenes which are supported by state-of-art latest animatronics and hi-end audio, said park officials.

Thorpe Park coach hire trips to experience the new Saw Rollercoaster

The world’s first ever horror movie themed rollercoaster has opened at Surrey’s Thorpe Park and the thrill seekers are queuing up to be among the first to experience the new Saw ride.

As well as the Saw rollercoaster which features 100֯ vertical drops, 3 inversions, and a fall of over 100 feet, there’s also a unique Saw Live Maze. This all year round attraction is the first of its kind to be found in a theme park and promises to terrify the living daylights out of those who dare to venture inside as it features 6 blood-curdling scenes from the 6 Saw movies, as well as few other surprises along the way.

Situated just 20 miles from London, Surrey based theme park Thorpe Park, is a great day out and easily reachable for those living in the south of the UK. Coach Broker is currently offering some fantastic special offers on coach travel to Thorpe Park from all over the country. With a massive selection of vehicles to choose from, including everything from 8-seater minibuses to 100-seater double-decker luxury coaches, there’s something to suite every size group.

Citi Cash For Shanghai Expo

A $5 million pledge from Citigroup Inc. will push the U.S. over its $61 million funding goal for participation in the Shanghai World Expo, a relief for officials who months ago worried slack funding risked a major diplomatic embarrassment with China.

The Citigroup sponsorship announced Wednesday is among the largest all-cash contributions to the U.S. effort ahead of the Expo’s May 1 kick off.

Organizers on Wednesday also offered their first press preview inside the catamaran-shaped U.S. pavilion, which was constructed even as money was being raised.

City resumes stalled plan

The city administration is resuming its controversial reclamation project, hinting that areas in the north of Ancol Dreamland Park and Pantai Indah Kapuk, both in North Jakarta, as among the first to be developed.

Gamal Sinurat, head of the planning division at the Spatial Plann-ing Agency, said the two areas would be reclaimed faster than some other planned areas due to a detailed plan submitted to the administration.

Gamal said the residential area in the north of Ancol was designed for high rises, while those in the northern part of Pantai Indah Kapuk would be for both landed buildings and high rises.

Paramount Theme Park Still Looks Likely

The uncertainty surrounding the Paramount theme park in Murcia still remains.

However the Leader has obtained a copy of a letter that was sent by Executive Vice President of Paramount, Michael Bartok, to Hayan Merchant, CEO of real estate, hospitality and tourism investment and development company – Ruwaad, just 6 weeks ago, suggesting that the Leisure Group would wish to carry out an in depth study on the project.

Despite repeated denials by Paramount it seems as though the park is still a distinct possibility and there is still much more of this story yet to run. An article published on the website www.nowpublic,com states that “As head of Ruwaad – a company whose mission is to create iconic destinations around the world – Hayan Merchant recently signed on a prominent $2.5 billion dollar deal with US giant - Paramount, in a long-term partnership that will create the region’s first Paramount Pictures-branded multi-purpose destination.

Wonderland to set up park in Visakahapatnam

The Bangalore-based Wonderlan Holidays Private Limited, the largest and safest amusement park in India, is planning to establish its third Park in Visakahapatnam, its company Manager-Marketing Mr V B Ramana Kumar said here today.

Speaking to newspersons after inaugurating a marketing centre here, he said "we will acquire the land for the proposed park at Visakhapatnam which is likely to be the first in Andhra Pradesh".

He said another park called "Veegaland" in Cochin has successfully completed ten years of safe operations. With Wonderland park in Bangalore promoted by the V-Guard Group of Cochin it has attracted more than 100 lakh visitors, he said.

ADNH to develop $408m water resort

Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) is developing its first water resort in emirate, the Grand Canal, at a cost of Dh1.5 billion ($408 million) which will be ready by the end of the year, said a report.

The Grand Canal is ADNH's biggest project to date and will boast of a large hotel with 595 rooms and suites, including one hundred villas, surrounded by water channels, the Gulf News reported.

The resort, overlooking the sea coast near the Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan mosque, is the first project of its kind spread across the Abu Dhabi beach.

Chester Zoo director announces he plans to step down

After 15 years at the helm steering Chester Zoo to becoming one of the country’s biggest tourist attractions, the director general has announced he is stepping down.

Professor Gordon McGregor Reid plans to leave his position later this year and return to academic work and research.

Tony Williams, chairman of the zoo’s trustees, said: “Gordon feels it is the right time for him to make this move and I know that, as a professional biologist, he is very keen to fulfil his passion for zoological research, field conservation and university teaching.

Posted at 10:32 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Global Park News

Meeting on Cedar Fair sale set for Thursday

Will this be it? Cedar Fair's special meeting to decide whether to let Apollo Global Management acquire the amusement park chain is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday at the Sandusky State Theatre.

The private equity company's proposal to buy Cedar Fair and take it private must be approved by votes representing two-thirds of Cedar Fair's outstanding units.

Apollo is offering $11.50 per share. Cedar Fair's units closed at $12.20 per share on Monday. Cedar Fair was scheduled to host its special meeting on March 16, but the meeting was postponed the night before, apparently at Apollo's request.

Six Flags files amended bankruptcy plan to complete settlement

Theme-park operator Six Flags Inc. filed an amended reorganization plan on April 2 carrying out the settlement announced in bankruptcy court on March 19. The settlement ended a contested confirmation hearing that began March 8.

Six Flags operates Great America in Gurnee.

Under the revised plan, holding company bondholders will buy the new equity for cash. The new plan is financed with $1.02 billion in new first- and second-lien loans, where the former plan had a $650 million first-lien loan. The rights offering now is $505.5 million, rather than $450 million under the original plan. The revolving credit, formerly $150 million, is now $120 million.

Morey’s Piers Receives Three “Best Of” Designations from New Jersey Monthly Readers

Morey’s Piers received accolades from the readers of New Jersey Monthly Magazine in its April 2010 edition, whose votes designated them as New Jersey’s “Best Kids’ Destination,” and for having the “Best Amusement Park Ride” and “Best French Fries.”

Earning the title “Best Kids’ Destination,” Morey’s Piers offers visitors three piers of fun, including two world-class waterparks, plus more than one hundred thrill rides, coasters, games and kiddy rides. At Morey’s, New Jersey residents can also find something uncommon – a destination within driving distance where parents and children can both be “kids” and share a fun-filled day overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Morey’s gut-wrenching, classic out and back wooden coaster – called the Great White – stands 110 feet high and starts with an exhilarating, 25-foot drop into a dark tunnel before achieving speeds in excess of 50 MPH after its 105-foot second drop. This thrilling, mammoth wooden coaster, found at Morey’s Adventure Pier on the Wildwoods Boardwalk, was voted as New Jersey’s “Best Amusement Park Ride” by New Jersey Monthly readers, beating out super-fast and hi-tech contenders from across the state.

‘Mr. Rocky Point’ honored by parks association

They called him Mr. Rocky Point.

Now, the late president of Rocky Point Park, Conrad Ferla, is being honored postumously. He’ll be inducted into the Hall of Fame for the New England Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions, at the association’s meeting in Danvers, Mass., on Tuesday. It is the highest honor the group can give to a member.

Ferla was president and general manager of Rocky Point for 37 years before retiring in 1986. Those who knew him say Rocky Point was his life’s passion, especially the Shore Dinner Hall. He was often seen zipping about the park on a scooter.

Southington Panel Rejects Lake Compounce Request To Close Road

A proposal to close a section of Mount Vernon Road to accommodate the expansion of the Lake Compounce amusement park appears to have been short-lived.

A half-mile section of Mount Vernon Road runs past Lake Compounce and lies in the way of any potential eastward expansion of the park.

Earlier this year, park officials suggested closing the road, but at a meeting March 25, the town's economic development committee decided against the closing.

Holiday World Coaster Also in National Finals

Just as the Butler Bulldogs are viewed as underdogs as they take on Duke University in the NCAA basketball finals tonight, Holiday World’s Voyage roller coaster is the dark horse heading into the Theme Park Attractions finals this afternoon.

The popular Theme Park Insider website has conducted a March Madness online poll to coincide with the national basketball tournament the past several years. This is the first year Holiday World was included among the 64 park rides and shows in the tourney’s four brackets.

“We were the number-five seed, just like Butler,” says Holiday World president Will Koch. “We’ve adopted the battle cry ‘Hoosier Coaster?’ as we’ve made our way to being named the Best Coaster in American and Best Theme Park Ride.”

SeaWorld’s Aquatica: New water slide Omaka Rocka now open

Omaka Rocka, the water slide that represents the first expansion of Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, is now open to guests. The attraction, which shares a loading platform with Whanau Way near the waves pools, features funnels and half-pipe action in rafts built for single riders.

The height requirement for Omaka Rocka is 48 inches.

Planet Snoopy, cast of thousands, ready to roll at California's Great America

Unlike Charlie Brown, California’s Great America officials feel they’ll get a solid shot at splitting the uprights during their 35th season, scoring with their expansive new Planet Snoopy display.

As many as 2,800 Silicon Valley job seekers will feel the same. About 1,200 people have already been brought on board, said Andrea Bozant, Great America’s human resources manager, and an additional 1,300 to 1,600 will be hired by early May.

The 364-acre park is now open only on weekends, or for a few weekdays plus weekends during spring break. Daily summer operations begin May 29.

Discounted Legoland tickets bring money for schools

A nonprofit group in Carlsbad is selling discounted tickets to Legoland California, good only on May 1, as part of a push to raise as much as $120,000 for local schools.

The Carlsbad Education Foundation is selling $15 tickets to the theme park as part of its annual Celebrate Carlsbad fundraiser. Legoland tickets typically cost $67 for adults and $57 for kids.

Money raised through the event will go to augment programs at Carlsbad Unified School District campuses, said Valin Brown, chief executive officer of the foundation. Most of it will go to pay for music classes at the district's nine elementary schools.

Cedar Point To Hold Final Summer Job Fair on Saturday, April 10

Cedar Point will be holding its last summer job fair for positions at the park this summer on Saturday, April 10.

A few hundred openings are still available. Overall the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will fill more than 4,500 positions for this summer's operating season.

The interviews will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the park's Breakers Express Hotel, located at 1201 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky.

Wild Waves hiring for summer positions

Wild Waves Theme Park will host an on-site Job Fair this Saturday, April 10th, from Noon to 4:00 p.m. to interview applicants for nearly 500 available, seasonal positions.

Each summer, Wild Waves Theme Park employs Puget Sound in a variety of positions including Ride Operations, Food Service, Retail, Aquatics, Admissions, Park Services, Security, Games, Maintenance, Group Sales, Rentals, Parking and Human Resources.

All individuals over 16 years of age looking for an extremely fun summer job are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should visit PARCJobs.com to learn more about the positions and to apply directly online. Online applications must be completed by Friday, April 9th, in order to pre-register for an interview at the Job Fair.

Glacier Run on target for early July opening

Glacier Run at the Louisville Zoo is rapidly taking shape, with the first part of the Arctic-themed exhibit featuring seals and sea lions due to open early this summer, and the polar bears to follow in spring 2011.

The exhibit, by far the costliest in the zoo’s 40-year history and the first major display to be added since the Gorilla Forest opened in 2002, is expected to boost the zoo’s attendance and possibly spur the local economy.

Glacier Run will offer visitors an opportunity “to be transported to the edge of the Arctic Circle,” said John Walczak, the zoo’s director. “They will find out how people learn to live in balance with a very harsh environment and with a top-of-the-food-chain predator — the polar bear.”

NC Zoo Expansion Makes It Nation's Largest

The North Carolina Zoo is the largest public zoo in the country thanks to the purchase of hundreds of additional acres in Randolph County.

So what does this mean for you? The zoo plans to set aside 322 acres of forest to provide two miles of hiking trails in what is known as the Selma Trogdon Ward Nature Preserve. But the zoo also benefits in a major way from the new land purchase.

It's exploring the idea of building an Asian exhibit and it will conduct a study this summer to decide whether to build.

Limoges waterpark nearly ready for summertime fun

April’s soaring temperatures came too soon for Canada’s largest waterpark, which is to open June 7 near Limoges, east of Ottawa.

Calypso Waterpark owner Guy Drouin says there is still some work to do at the 450-acre site and, besides, the warm breezes will likely be gone as quickly as they came.

“It won’t stay at 27 or 28 degrees. We are going to have cold weather in April and May for sure and it’s just not possible to open yet,” Drouin says.

Council votes to raise water park fees

The Beatrice City Council meeting voted Monday to raise the price of water-park passes for the upcoming swim season.

Daily admission prices will not change. There will continue to be no charge for children less than four years old.

City Leaders Speak Out About Broncos' Proposal

It's been several weeks since city council voted in favor of the Ventura Sports Group for operating rights to a new stadium, but a whole new chapter in the stadium rights saga continues to unfold.

A new proposal from the Broncos’ Management Group that includes the construction of a water park, has once again sparked an intense debate, over who should operate the new facility and if added incentives at this point can legally be considered.

Kalahari joins Tommy Bartlett as co-owner of Crystal Grand

Kalahari Resorts has purchased half of the Crystal Grand Music Theatre in Lake Delton, resulting in two of the biggest businesses in the Wisconsin Dells area now owning the 2,000-seat concert hall, just east of Interstate 90-94 on Highway 23.

Kalahari, known for its waterpark resort, on Friday purchased half the property from Barbara and Paul Bryski. The other half of the business will continue to be owned by Tommy Bartlett Inc.

“We’re looking forward to building a new level of entertainment,” said Tom Diehl, president of Tommy Bartlett. “Both of our companies have played lead roles in the emergence of Wisconsin Dells as an entertainment destination, and our work on the Crystal Grand will be no exception.”

Indecent exposure alleged at the Holiday Inn Elmhurst

An unknown middle-aged man ruined the family-friendly vibes of the Mayan Adventure Indoor Waterpark at the Holiday Inn Elmhurst by exposing himself to guests Saturday evening, police said.

According to the report, complainants said the man is white and about 5'7" with a thin build. He exposed himself three times between 9 and 11:30 April 3 at the Waterpark. Victims were unable to identify a room the suspect was in, and a search of the hotel and parking lot provided negative results.

Plaintiffs in suit against Raging Rivers seek to file fourth amended complaint

Plaintiffs in a suit over a boy's mouth injury allegedly caused by a water park slide are asking to file a fourth amended complaint. One of the defendants in the case, Vaughn Pools Inc., settled with the boy and his mother last October for about $7,000.

Plaintiff Wendy Kerr is suing Raging Rivers Water Park Inc., EW Development and H Adams Development Inc. for mouth injuries her son, Gage Kerr, allegedly suffered while riding on a slide at the water park in 2006.

The Kerrs claim that failing to design the ride so it would be safe to ride, failing to instruct Gage on how to slide down it safely and designing the slide with a flaw that could catch riders' mouth, injuring their teeth.

Giant Screen Cinema, Digital Domes Converging; New Special Venue Dome Business Emerging

In the eyes of special venue media producers and distributors, a significant new market is emerging – a network that includes 2D and 3D giant-screen theaters as well as fulldome, and connects the interests of planetariums and science centers. The two types of institutions already have a lot in common – such as similar missions and audiences, and a tilting toward the latest interactive and immersive exhibition technologies. But the sharing of content, facilitated by digital processes, is just getting started. It’s a marker of the “convergence” of giant screen cinema – which in educational institutions is still mostly a film-based medium - and fulldome digital video.

Two major producer/distributors contributing to the convergence by investing in this combined market are nWave Pictures and National Geographic Cinema Ventures. Both now offer fulldome titles. nWave’s fulldome library includes Fly Me to the Moon and TurtleVision and, coming soon, The Little Prince (based on the classic children’s book). Janine Baker, nWave VP of distribution and development, has expressed the company’s desire to make more titles available to the planetarium market in future.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Defending the USA Pavilion

Contrary to what reporter Adam Minter wrote recently in his article, "A Sorry Spectacle: The Uninspiring Saga of the United States' World Expo Pavilion in Shanghai," the design and execution of the USA Pavilion has been not only impressive but inspiring.

The USA Pavilion, which will open its doors on May 1 as part of the first-ever World's Fair hosted in China, will showcase American values, ideas, and culture to an international audience eager for knowledge about the United States and the world.

An estimated 70 million people are expected to attend what is officially known as Expo 2010 Shanghai, where more than 240 countries and international organizations will be represented. According to a recent poll conducted by Millward Brown ACSR and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, the USA Pavilion, currently in the final construction phase, is likely to be among the most popular foreign exhibits for Chinese Expo-goers.

Margate theme park chief’s dream world

Dreamland must feature a mixture of old and new rides and attractions to pull in the punters when it opens in 2012, according to the director of the project to bring the venue back to life.

Speaking at the Thanet Local Board at Margate Media Centre on Wednesday last week, Jonathon Bryant, from the Dreamland Trust, gave an enthusiastic presentation on the park’s future to a large audience of the public.

He said the park would need to feature new rides to appeal to young people as well as rides that would appeal to those with a taste for nostalgia.

HK Ocean Park pens partnership with US aquarium

Aquarium of the Bay today announced a new and globe-spanning promotional partnership with Hong Kong's Ocean Park. According to research released by the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau, more than six million Asia residents visit the United States each year, with nearly one million traveling to San Francisco. With new cross-promotional and money-saving opportunities in place, Aquarium of the Bay and Ocean Park are providing new opportunities to explore and gain a greater understanding for all marine environments, locally and worldwide.

For the first time, guests will receive a 10% reciprocal admission discount when visiting Ocean Park in Hong Kong and Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco's only waterfront Aquarium. Guests only need to present their Aquarium or Ocean Park ticket to receive the partner benefit. In addition, annual pass holders of both parks can enjoy an enhanced benefit of up to 15% admission discount.

Derbyshire's Crich Tramway Village gets £1m cash boost

A Derbyshire tourist attraction has been awarded £1m for improvement works.

Crich Tramway Village, the home of the National Tramway Museum, has been awarded the funding to build an exhibition and learning centre. It will be created in a disused stone workshop that once served George Stephenson's railway.

About £900,000 of the money has come from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), with the remainder coming from the museum's own resources.

First of its own kind, Assam Zoo will now have night safari

The long-awaited night safari at Assam State Zoo in Guwahati was inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh on Sunday.

The safari will be thrown open to public from April 15. Initially, two battery-operated vehicles will provide this service to visitors.

The ticket price and other such formalities are being finalized. First of its kind in the state, the service is expected to be greeted with enthusiasm.

Gujarat govt to develop Mahatma Mandir as iconic tourist spot

Gujarat government has proposed to develop the Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar as an iconic tourist destination exhibiting the life of Mahatma Gandhi, a top state industry department official said today.

"Mahatma Mandir shall be developed as an iconic tourist destination that will exhibit the life of Mahatma Gandhi in two phases," the official told PTI.

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has bagged the project for construction of Mahatma Mandir, venue for the Fifth Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit (VGGS) 2011, he added.

Posted at 10:46 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Around the Parks - Globally

Disneyland uses Twitter to let guests know Disneyland Resort is open and safe after earthquake

Disneyland was the talk of the Twittercom after the Baja Earthquake earlier on Easter Sunday. There were initial reports from ABC7 that the park was closed and there were people stuck on rides as well as elevators. The news station Twittered the message out and there was even repeated mention on CNN.

From the official source, the Disneyland Twitter account has notified the public that the Disneyland Resort is up, running and once again allowing guests to be playing. Here is the tweet that was released only minutes ago.

@Disneyland: No reports of injury or damage following the earthquake. After a safety inspection, nearly all attractions are now operating.

Kings Dominion introduces tallest coaster in Virginia

If you've never heard of a Giga-coaster, you'll know what it is by the time you leave Kings Dominion.

The coaster-heavy theme park has added "The Intimidator 305" to its lineup for 2010, taking its name from one of NASCAR's most celebrated drivers — Dale Earnhardt. Like Earnhardt, this coaster reaches speeds much faster than anything like it in Virginia. And with a 305-foot peak, it stretches to a height that only a handful of coasters in the world can claim. And the stats keep coming. The three-minute ride takes riders through six airtime humps and three turns, reaching speeds of 90 mph.

Universal adds 4-night minimum to Harry Potter vacation packages

Looking to capitalize on surging demand for Harry Potter-themed vacations, Universal Orlando has begun requiring four-night minimum stays for travelers who want to book the packages.

Universal said Thursday it had originally designed the Potter vacation packages, which went on sale in February and cover travel through the rest of this year, as four-day experiences. But it decided to set a minimum-stay requirement only this week.

"The package was selling very well, and our guests were telling us they liked the experience and the price point," Universal spokesman Tom Schroder said. "We just formalized what we were seeing."

Etheredge sentenced to five years for securities fraud

The founder of Wild West World now knows his fate for his conviction of securities fraud charges.

Thomas Etheredge was sentenced to five years in prison today and ordered to pay $575,000 in restitution to some of his of his investors in the defunct amusement park.

Etheredge said nothing on his behalf before the judge imposed a sentence. He was convicted by a jury in February for bilking investors out of tens of thousands of dollars to help build Wild West World. “Not only did he lose everything, but he gave up more, for which I think he should be given some credit,” said Stephen Joseph, Etheredge’s attorney.

Before the hearing, attorneys for both sides came up with a sentence agreement, which would give Etheredge a lighter sentence and in exchange he would give up his right to appeal.

Body dryers take the wet out of theme-park water rides

By design, theme park water rides leave you soaking wet: clothes clinging, shoes squishing, body shivering.

Personally, I never ride them. To tell you the truth, I hate them. If I want to get wet, I’ll go to a water park. But I’ve seen the future, and it’s warm and dry.

Walk-in full body dryers have been popular in Europe for more than a decade and will start arriving at Southern California theme parks in 2010.

SFOT's Shock Wave track rehab continues

Coaster enthusiasts and fans of the Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas will be glad to know that the Arlington themer is continuing its ongoing track rehab of the Schwarzkopf classic. This was the third year for the portions of the track to be removed and rebuilt. This year the park rebuilt another 160-plus feet of track, that will keep the ride running like new for many more years. In the photos here, the SFOT maintenance crew were working on March 29 to reinstall numerous sections of track. Shown in the bottom right photo is Donny Penwell with MICA Crane Service in Haltom City, Texas. Penwell was the crane operator when the massive double loop coaster was installed in 1978. According to Penwell, the first sections of track to be installed on the ride in 1978 were the double loops, which were installed during a freak snowstorm. Shock Wave is scheduled to reopen to the public sometime in mid-April.

Holiday World to unveil new water coaster May 14

A southern Indiana amusement park will unveil what it touts as the world's longest water coaster in May.

The $5.5 million Wildebeest ride will open May 14 at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. The ride is a third of a mile long and will use a conveyor system to take riders up a lift hill before dropping them 38 feet. Riders will then go up seven additional hills, through two tunnels and around a helix.

The ride uses a magnetic field under the slide surface to move the toboggan-style rafts up the hills. Park officials say the technology has been used in steel roller coasters in the past.

Videogames inspire Disney theme park attractions

Walt Disney was always looking into the future when it came to technology. Tomorrowland remains one of the most popular locations in both his original Disneyland Resort and his Walt Disney World Resort Magic Kingdom today.

As technology has advanced, more of today’s consumers enter the parks with iPhones, Nintendo DS portable game systems and expertise at Wii Sports. In essence, videogames now play a significant role in influencing the men and women behind the magic guests experience in the theme parks around the world, the Disney Cruise Line ships and other properties like DisneyQuest -- the Walt Disney Imagineers.

“We have always focused more on the casual gaming side because we want to attract both the 8 to 80 year olds and the whole family is part of that,” said Greg Butkus, principle concept designer of Walt Disney Imagineering. “For us, we've been in the world of easier, better, stronger interface because we know we can't compete directly in the videogame market. What we can compete in is having the best environment and the best interface.”

Major construction is well underway

Major construction is well underway on the resurrection of the historic Little Dipper wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great America. Designed by Herbert Schmeck and built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company, the beloved ride operated at Kiddieland in Melrose Park, Ill. from 1950 until 2009. The 700-foot-long junior coaster is an ACE Coaster Classic and will be SFGA's 14th coaster when it opens later this season.

Silver Dollar City thrives

For Hugo and Mary Herschend and sons Pete and Jack, the move from Wilmette in the late 1940s might as well have been to Mongolia.

In fact, it was merely to Missouri, only 550 miles from Chicago, but it seemed as though it was halfway around the world.

The Herschends were looking for a scenic spot in which to retire and enjoy nature when they stumbled upon the Ozarks and fell in love with the area around Branson. It was 1948, and electricity was just beginning to make its way into the rural hills.

Bus driver, 81, charged in 3rd Disney bus crash in 2 weeks

A Disney bus driver was charged with careless driving after two passenger vehicles were struck by his bus shortly before noon Saturday.

Florida Highway Patrol identified the driver as Fredrick Cassens, 80, of Auburndale. He struck the back of a 2009 Chevrolet sport utility vehicle that was stopped at a red light at East Buena Vista and World drives, troopers said. The impact caused the Chevy to hit the back of a 1999 GMC van, also a Disney vehicle, that was stopped for the light, too.

Inspection process needs tuneup

The honor system may work in some settings, but it's an inappropriate approach when dealing with children's safety. Yet, that is precisely the tack the state has taken in licensing and inspecting amusement park rides.

Indiana's laissez-faire policies on ride inspections came to light after a 5-year-old boy was critically injured while on a ride at Xscape, an amusement park inside Lafayette Square Mall in Indianapolis. Ride operators are required to renew their licenses each year; once a license is renewed, state inspectors examine the rides.

Xscape's owner, New York-based Zoom Entertainment LLC, failed to renew its licenses when they expired in December. For four months, children were subjected to rides that were overdue for inspection.

Nation's oldest amusement park gives away the keys

In honor of Lake Compounce’s 165th season, the oldest, continuously operating amusement park in the country is giving away the ‘Keys to the Park’ for 165 minutes, to one deserving family. In addition, they will provide an overnight stay for the family at the Clarion Hotel, which is just minutes from park’s main gate, and $100 to spend in any of the park’s retail shops.

The family will begin their visit with a ‘backstage’ tour of the park, where they can learn about the operations of the attraction as well as the park’s vast history. After which, they will enjoy access to rides, food stands, and games and have an opportunity to spend their $100 in the park’s retail shops.

Ellen DeGeneres gets sneak preview of Universal's Harry Potter theme park

Ellen DeGeneres got in touch with her inner child as she was given a sneak preview of the new Harry Potter theme park, which is due to open in Florida in less than three months.

Filming for her US television programme, the chat show host was given exclusive access to the 20-acre park along with two young boys, Alex and Nicholas.

Up until now, fans have had to make do with artists' impressions of what the theme park will look like, but now Pottermaniacs can get a glimpse of the real thing.

Warm weather means early opening for Harris Hill park

Amy Mekos of Elmira was looking for a way to take advantage of beautiful weather Sunday. Fortunately for Mekos and others, Harris Hill Amusement Park in Big Flats opened a week early. Mekos and a visiting friend, Christina Ciminelli, spent part of Easter hitting golf balls at the Harris Hill driving range.

"It's such a nice day. We're trying to spend it together before we go home to the family for Easter," Mekos said. "Usually we are just sitting home. My best friend is here from Virginia. It's not usually this nice on Easter."

Harris Hill Amusement Park wasn't scheduled to open until next weekend, but the forecast looked so promising that owner Jay Goodwin decided to open in time for the Easter weekend instead.

Celebs Vs. Harry Potter

It seems as though NBC is using Celebrity Apprentice as an opportunity to plug the new Harry Potter attraction that’s opening at Universal Studios this June. We have some clips from the episode, which has the celebs encountering Potter fanatics.

Annnnd We're Back!

Cedar Point blog being shelved was an April Fool's joke.

"So yeah, we're not leaving. I mean, what else would we do all day? Interacting with you IS our job, and we could never lose that."

Chester Co. teens line up for jobs at Carowinds

When Chester County schools interim Superintendent Phil McDaniel read that Carowinds is hiring for the summer, he called the amusement park and made a suggestion.

How about visiting Chester to interview students for jobs?

A team from the park, which just opened for its 38th season and expects to hire 400 more people, spent several hours Thursday in the Chester High gym interviewing students. The 128 applicants came from all three of the county's high schools.

Bowling industry continues to grow

The Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA), the bowling industry’s premier trade organization, reported today a strong year of growth for the industry in 2009. Fueled by increased interest from women and younger bowlers and the rising popularity of entertainment bowling centers, the industry recorded its fourth consecutive year of growth highlighted by a 4.6% increase in consumer participation with nearly 70 million having bowled in 2009 alone. The BPAA also reported that bowling has once again ranked as the nation’s top participatory sport and saw increased revenues, having more than a $10 billion impact on the U.S. economy.

“We saw a banner growth year for the industry in 2009 and, for the fourth year in a row, enjoyed a considerable increase in consumer involvement at bowling centers across the country. In particular, we continue to see rising participation among women and youth bowlers, a stark contrast to the misperception that bowling is dominated by older males,” said Steve Johnson, executive director of the BPAA. “Now more than 60% of all bowlers are under the age of 34 and half are women.”

High cost to bear: Vilas Zoo at 100 years

s the Vilas Zoo kicks off its 100th year exhibiting animals, the beloved Madison institution is undergoing a transformation that began with a tragic death more than 20 years ago.

On March 13, 1988, a mentally ill man climbed into the polar bear exhibit and was severely mauled. He survived, but Chief the polar bear was shot and killed by a police officer.

Within three days, the Madison community had raised almost $60,000 - more than enough to buy two new polar bears. The zoo soon acquired two orphaned polar bear cubs for free and used the donated money, along with more generated by publicity from the baby bears, to build its Discovery Center.

Memphis Zoo Announces Revised Admission Policies

Memphis Zoo officials have established new policies for their Free Tuesday events.

Admission on Tuesday afternoons is free for Tennessee residents. This past Tuesday, a record crowd got out of control.

Police were called, Overton Park was emptied and gunshots were fired outside of the zoo.

Rapids Water Park refinances loan

Rapids Water Park in West Palm Beach refinanced its mortgage by increasing the loan to $10 million.

The water park had $9 million outstanding under a previous loan from Wachovia Bank. According to a March 29 filing in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, that loan was assigned to Boca Raton-based 1st United Bank, which increased the balance by $1 million through a future advance.

The loan’s maturity date was extended to March 26, 2015.

$10.00 ALL-U-Can Bowl at ALLPLaY Family Entertainment Center!

That's Right! ALL-U-Can Bowl Thursdays for only $10.00!!!

Bowl to your hearts content at ALLPLaY Family Entertainment Center. We offer automatic scoring, over-head color, flat screen monitors, free automatic, individualized bumpers. All you do is have fun! We reserve the right to put at least four people on a lane or if there is a waiting list, there is a ten game limit. But that's still only a dollar a game!! Come Join the fun!

We also have a great redemption arcade where you get to enjoy the experience of playing the game, win tickets, and exchange the tickets for prizes!

State Fair Unlikely This Year

t's unlikely that the Michigan State Fair will take place this year.

The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority is evaluating the possibility of developing about 120 acres of the fairgrounds in Detroit as the city's first metropark and reviving the fair after the state cut funding last year.

Huron-Clinton Metroparks Executive Director Jayne Miller told the Detroit Free Press that if they get the property they "would not be running a state fair this year." The authority's board gets an update Thursday.

South Dakota State Fair targeted for funding cuts

State Rep. Quinten Burg says he's frustrated that the State Fair in Huron continues to be targeted for cuts.

The Wessington Springs Democrat says he thought going into budget negotiations this past week that he had the full $400,000 in the general budget.

But the appropriations committee cut $100,000 from the fair's budget, leaving it with $300,000.

New visitor center for Kealia steps closer with contractor

Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge has the money and now the contractor to begin construction of its planned 7,500-square-foot visitor center and business office off Mokulele Highway.

The U.S. Department of the Interior awarded a $4.9 million contract to Bodell Construction Inc., according to a news release issued Thursday.

The construction company has its corporate office in Salt Lake City, its Pacific regional office in Honolulu and an office in Kahului.

Study of space becoming a victim of school budget cuts

The David M. Brown Planetarium opened a few months after the United States put a man on the moon. More than 40 years later, little has changed in the weathered white dome that marks the entrance to the Arlington County school system's headquarters. Students sit in the same faded electric blue stadium seats and stare up at a stellar showcase provided by 16 slide projectors, two laserdisc players and the original Spitz A4 star projector.

School officials estimate that it would cost $500,000 to make the facility, named for an Arlington graduate killed in the 2003 Columbia space shuttle disaster, state of the art again. Instead, Superintendent Patrick K. Murphy has proposed closing the dome and converting it to standard classrooms. His proposal follows a decision last year by the Fairfax County School Board to cut funding for elementary field trips to the nine planetariums there.

Nixon kicks Civil War commission in effort to push tourism

In a move designed to boost tourism and enhance Jefferson Barracks and other state sites as historical destinations, Gov. Jay Nixon recognized a 10-member Missouri Civil War Sesquicentennial Commission on Friday.

"As a border state, Missouri was caught in the middle of the geographic, cultural and economic forces that threatened to permanently tear apart the United States," Nixon said at a ceremony on the courtyard of the Powder Magazine Museum at Jefferson Barracks. "The Civil War and its legacies still hold a place of keen interest in the minds of many Missourians, as well as people from across the country and around the world."

Nixon noted that Missourians fought and died on both sides in the conflict, and that only two states, Virginia and Tennessee, experienced more battles on their soil than Missouri did.

Old Salem Hopes to Reverse Decline in Visitors

In the face of years of dwindling attendance and a particularly difficult winter, staff at Old Salem hopes a warm and sunny Easter weekend will mark a turning point for the town-turned-museum.

Because of snow and bad weather, Old Salem was forced to close or open late nine days this winter -- including the day of Christmas celebration, the busiest day of the year. Staff says ticket sales are down more than four percent as a result.

"It's a beautiful place to come and walk around, but not a great place to come and freeze or get rained on," said Old Salem Marketing Director Lauren Werner.

Our Body show at Kitchener museum on record attendance pace

The Museum in downtown Kitchener is about to set a new attendance record with its current exhibit that is being extended until April 25.

By then more than 39,000 people will have seen Our Body: The Universe Within, David Marskell, The Museum’s executive director, said Thursday.

“We are going to have more people for Our Body than we did for Warhol,” Marskell said.

Pyramid-Bass Pro Deal Still In Limbo

Another deadline comes and goes on the Bass Pro Shops Pyramid deal. Once again the possibility of flooding and earthquakes has the retailer needing more time to commit.

The deadlines in this potential deal, which has spanned 5 years, have been moved and extended before. Wednesday, another 3 month extension lapsed with an agreement to meet again in 30 days.

City Council Member, Myron Lowery, isn't put off by the Bass Pro Shops - Pyramid deal taking more time. He said he's pleased it's moving forward and the city's still collecting a monthly rent.

State officials say $200K analysis will target visitation, spending

State economic development officials want to get a better handle on the investment potential of Niagara Falls and are also looking for help in redeveloping a prime piece of real estate on Old Falls Street.

The state-run USA Niagara Development Corp. announced Thursday plans to hire a consultant to perform a $200,000 analysis of the city’s overall economic and real estate market.

The agency, in partnership with the city, will issue a request for proposals from qualified planning firms or teams. The preferred consultant will be asked, as part of the study, to develop annual visitation estimates, descriptions of spending habits and characteristics of typical visitors and assessments of the city’s the city’s various real estate markets and its ability to attract new development. Proposals from interested firms are due April 30.

Transportation museum growing

The Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum is poised for its next expansion phase, one that will see construction of a much-anticipated, Frank Lloyd Wright-designed filling station.

The expanded museum will be highlighted by a 60-foot-tall, 60,000-square-foot atrium that houses the filling station. The Buffalo Planning Board is expected to review the proposal in the next few weeks. Planning board approval is the final municipal step before construction can begin.

“I don’t foresee any glitches,” said James Sandoro, founder of the Buffalo Transportation/Pierce-Arrow Museum.

A year late, New York Mets Hall of Fame and Museum at Citi Field goes long way for fans

A year after opening Citi Field, the Mets have finally embraced the notion that they played this sport for 47 years before they moved all their stuff across the parking lot to a new ballpark. They have a history, after all. Better late than sever.

Hip Hop Museum Taps Vivica A. Fox as Co-Host of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame Awards TV Show

The Hip Hop Hall of Fame Awards Television Special has tapped Hollywood Film & Television Star Vivica A. Fox to Co-Host the upcoming show! The 'Sultry and Sexy' Hip Hop and Hollywood Diva will bring her unique combination of "Classy yet street chic" appeal to a global television audience in June 2010! More celebrities, artists, and special guest presenters and performers will be named over the next two months as we open up production offices in April 2010! This will be the first broadcast of the HHHOF Awards since airing in national syndication, and on the MTV/Viacom owned BET Cable Network in the 90's! The first show inducted Run DMC with Jam Master Jay, Hip Hop Founder and God-Father DJ Kool Herc, GrandMaster Flash, and Kool DJ Red Alert to name a few.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Record-breaking StarFlyer tower ride opening at Vienna's Prater Park

Funtime will amp up the thrill factor in a major way this season with the introduction of the world's tallest StarFlyer attraction at the Prater in Vienna, Austria.

Set to take flight in early May, the Prater's new StarFlyer is themed as a giant clock tower and will stand an amazing 360-feet-tall. As they ascend the tower, guest's will enjoy a breezy, panoramic view of Vienna while swinging up to 311 feet above the midway.

Full house at Universal Studios as visitors head to Sentosa during long weekend

It was full house at Universal Studios Singapore on Friday as visitors took advantage of the long weekend to check out Sentosa's latest mega attraction.

The thousands who got their tickets expected the weekend crush and did not take chances.

One visitor said: "I bought my tickets in Hong Kong about three days ago because I was afraid that I couldn’t get any tickets here."

ProSlide SuperLoop debuts at Australia's WhiteWater World

WhiteWater World at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast of Australia recently introduced the first ProSlide SuperLoop, which will also be the only looping waterslide in Australia.

Appropriately dubbed The Wedgie, the experience begins at a height of 58 feet where riders climb into the launch capsule (ProSlide SkyBox) positioned over a near-vertical drop. With ankles crossed and their hands behind their head, the floor suddenly drops out and they are propelled into a narrow 32-inch enclosed tunnel, instantly accelerate to a top speed of 38 feet per second. Powerful positive-Gs glue them to the side of the wall as they negotiate the tight 360-degree SuperLoop. A quick final drop leads to the run-out at the bottom of the slide.

Is water park frontrunner plan at Imax site?

Developers aiming to bring an indoor surfing facility to Bournemouth’s Imax site have been told the council is “highly receptive” to the plans.

Council email records, obtained by the Daily Echo under the Freedom of Information Act, appear to suggest that a water park is a frontrunner for the prime seafront site.

But council leader Cllr Stephen MacLoughlin has denied this, saying that nobody has a “preferential inside track” with the council.

Disneyland Paris Investigates Worker Suicides

Employee working conditions at Disneyland Paris are being put into question by the media and French unions this week after a restaurant manager at the amusement park committed suicide the day he was scheduled to return from a sick leave. The tragedy marked the second employee suicide at Disneyland Paris in less than a month. Park officials are investigating the case and have called a meeting with employees and union representatives to discuss, but are firmly denying that the suicide may have been linked to a stressful working environment, according to British newspaper the Independent.

Meanwhile, French worker's union FO says a focus on more profit with fewer human resources is to blame, and claims on its website that the 37-year old restaurant manager and father of four who took his own life had recently asked for a transfer within the company, saying it had become impossible to reconcile his work and family life.

From 3D to 4D – An Epic New Dimension Launches at Our Dynamic Earth

With snow falling on the audience, natural aromas filling the theatre, wind blowing and turbulence, 4DVENTURE, the latest addition to Edinburgh’s Our Dynamic Earth’s line-up, is sure to add an epic and exhilarating new sensory dimension for visitors from this Easter.

Opening on 2 April 2010, 4DVENTURE is Scotland’s first permanent 4D theatre and represents a £700,000 investment by the five-star visitor attraction which tells the story of planet earth. Full theatre effects will enhance a beautifully rendered eight minute film that takes visitors on a journey across the globe, from the Tundra region to the Boreal Rainforest, during which visitors will quite literally come face to face with the diversity of habitats that sustain life on earth. All brought to the cinema screen through photo-realistic 3D animation, stereoscopic sound and unique sensory effects – known as the fourth dimension.

Family days out: Th13teen and SAW Alive boost theme park offerings for summer

A free-fall rollercoaster, a horror maze, a giant Lego pirate ship and edible insects - our major theme parks have just opened for the 2010 season with some intriguing new attractions. Here's a summary of what's on offer at five of the most popular parks in Britain, plus insider info on how to get the best out of them, and money-saving strategies for buying tickets.

Ocean Park embraces Hong Kong Destination Month at Expo 2010

To celebrate the upcoming Expo 2010 Shanghai China and support Destination Month at the Expo’s Hong Kong Pavilion, Ocean Park will launch a distinctive 3-D display at Xintiandi, Shanghai (May 31-June 15) to showcase the park’s latest attractions and diverse animal collection. The park joins hands with Hong Kong Tourism Board to showcase Hong Kong ’s appeal as a premium destination for visitors from around the world.

Along with the display, Ocean Park will also host an new mascots show (June 11-13) at the same venue to give visitors an opportunity to meet popular park mascots like Whiskers, Redd and Later Gator.

Anish Kapoor to design iconic visitor attraction for Olympic Park

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson and Lakshmi Mittal, Chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, today unveiled the artist and design chosen to create a spectacular new visitor attraction in the Olympic Park.

Award winning London-based artist Anish Kapoor has been given the commission of a lifetime to design the spectacular new public attraction in the Olympic Park. The stunning artwork, to be entitled ‘The ArcelorMittal Orbit’, will ensure the Park remains an unrivalled visitor destination following the 2012 Games, providing the key Olympic legacy Mayor of London Boris Johnson envisaged for the East End.

The breathtaking sculpture – thought to be the tallest in the UK - will consist of a continuous looping lattice of tubular steel. Standing at a gigantic 115m, it will be 22m taller than the Statue of Liberty in New York and offer unparalleled views of the entire 250 acres of the Olympic Park and London’s skyline from a special viewing platform. Visitors will be able to take a trip up the statuesque structure in a huge lift and will have the option of walking down the spiralling staircase.

The 15 best theme parks for Easter

If you and your kids have the nerve head off for a weekend of thrills and spills in the UK and beyond.

After two years and £15 million of development in secret, Britain’s premier theme park has come up with a world first: a rollercoaster with a freefall drop. As if that’s not enough, the ride, called Thirteen, then yanks you backwards through the dark. The park is dubbing this a “psychoaster”, to show that it combines physical with psychological terror; but behind the hype this is an impressive bit of engineering that is exciting rollercoaster buffs around the world.

Blackpool’s newest attraction the Carnesky Ghost Train opens

On Friday, Blackpool’s newest attraction the Carnesky Ghost Train was opened by Paloma Faith who performed some of her hit songs during the opening ceromony and was watched by a sizeable media presence including Live in Blackpool.

The opening ceromony started with a superb performance by local 17 year old singer Steph Fraser who will be performing at the North Pier later this year.

The Ghost train is based near the Pleasure Beach and opposite the South Pier in Blackpool and is inhabited by live performers, creepy animatronics, spectacular magic illusions, eerie moving sets, and a dazzling show of lights. The cost of the ride is £2 for children and £3.50 for adults with a family ticket of £10 for 2 adults and 2 children and the ride last 10 minutes.

Wild Wadi Waterpark partners with Belhabala Group to launch The Fish Spa

Wild Wadi Waterpark has partnered with Belhabala Group, the local franchisee of FISHO, to launch The Fish Spa, a new and fun alternative health and beauty treatment. This latest addition to the park's wide range of family entertainment uses toothless Garra Rufa fish ('Doctor Fish') to safely and gently exfoliate the feet.

Wild Wadi Waterpark is the first and only place in Dubai that uses these renowned fish to safely and gently exfoliate feet. The fish clean pores, remove dead skin cells and also serve as a micro massage for the feet and legs, improving blood circulation. The experience is slightly ticklish at first, but skin instantly becomes softer and smoother.

FISHO Fish Spa is a great addition to Wild Wadi, adding to the fun and memorable experiences available at the waterpark. Visitors can gain discounted entry to FISHO Fish Spa, located next to the Wave Pool, if they ask at the main entrance to Wild Wadi.

Burj Khalifa reopens after two months

The Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, has reopened to the public almost two months after it was suddenly closed when a group of visitors became stranded at its summit.

The observation deck on the 124th floor reopened on Saturday at noon and the ticket office is once again taking advance bookings, staff told Maktoob News.

Emaar Properties, owner of the tower, was not immediately available for comment.

Fire at old American Adventure theme park

A FIRE was started inside a building at the derelict American Adventure Theme Park yesterday.

Crews from Ilkeston fire station were called out to a small fire within the empty ticket office building at 5pm.

The 345-acre theme park in Heanor Road, Shipley, closed to the public in 2007.

Drunk dies trying to jump on high-speed carousel

A fun fair goer died after trying to jump on to a high-speed carousel at Vienna's Prater amusement park on Saturday night.

The drunk 34-year-old man and a 29-year-old friend had earlier taken a ride on the "Extasy" carousel which goes up to speeds of 120 kilometres per hour.

But as the pals were leaving, he decided he wanted more and ran back to get on board the ride which had already started.

Nehru Planetarium to get major revamp

The Nehru Planetarium here, a loved destination of students and amateur astronomers, is all set to get a major revamp ahead of the Commonwealth Games with latest technology equipment and digital devices.

The planetarium's projector, dating back to the early 1980s, will be replaced with a modern one and new digital devices will enhance the programming of the public shows.

The planetarium, which was closed down for the public on April 1 for the ongoing renovation, will in all likelihood be ready in a six-month period, just ahead of the Commonwealth Games when a stream of tourists will descend upon the capital.

New Malaysian snow dome in the works

kiRebel.com has learned that work is expected to begin over the next year on a new indoor snow slope project in Johor Baharu in Malaysia.

Construction is slated to start either late this year or in early 2011 on the RM4 billion (USD $1.24 billion) development at Lido Boulevard in Johor Baharu.

Land reclamation works costing RM238.6 million ($74m) will be needed to start the project generating 94 acres of reclaimed land. Construction is expected to take two years, with initial opening early in 2013 and full; completion by 2016.

Nehru Memorial Museum and Library to go online

The remarkable collection of manuscripts, historical documents and other archival materials of the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML) will soon be available at the click of a mouse.

The historical library, regarded by scholars as a treasure trove of information, is in the process of a complete digitisation, a small phase of which is likely to be completed in six months.

The first section of the collection of manuscripts, newspaper archives, photographs and other documents at the library will in all likelihood start going online in six months time.

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At the Parks

State hits Etheredge, Wild West World with tax warrants

Wild West World founder Thomas Etheredge has been hit with two tax warrants for the months leading up to the theme park's failure.

According to two warrants filed in late March by the Kansas Department of Revenue, Etheredge owes $180,635.12 in sales tax for December 2006 and February through June 2007.

He also owes $42,271.56 in withholding taxes for the fourth quarter of 2006 and the first two quarters of 2007.

Freestyle Music Park to miss deadline on paying debt

Freestyle Music Park will miss its deadline today to pay off a $570,000 debt, according to an attorney for the park.

"Currently, the park has no ability to make the payment," said David Slough, a lawyer with Nexsen Pruet. "They’re working on this like they’re working on all their payment obligation."

Freestyle inherited the debt when it purchased the park from previous owners of Hard Rock Park. A Delaware bankruptcy court judge had previously ruled that Freestyle had until today to make the payment, the second extension on paying the debt. After the deadline, previous Hard Rock owners could file a certification in court and take more aggressive action toward obtaining compensation.

Dollywood Adventure: New attraction opens

Dressed as a park ranger, Dolly Parton stood with a whistle in her mouth as she launched the new Adventure Mountain attraction at Dollywood on a rainy Friday afternoon.

Adventure Mountain is not a ride; it’s a challenge course. Participants fasten themselves to a harness, pull on ropes and tug on ladders.

“It’s a special little area that we have,” Parton said. “I am real proud of Adventure Mountain.”

The $6 million challenge course has been designed with a waterfall. The decor matches the buildings constructed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, decades ago, by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

Boy killed in Disney bus accident in Fort Wilderness is identified

A Disney bus struck and killed a 9-year-old St. Petersburg boy Thursday afternoon while he was riding a bicycle with a friend in the Fort Wilderness campground at Walt Disney World, authorities said.

Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Kim Montes said the bus hit Chase Brubaker on Big Pine Drive, a two-lane roadway that loops around the 750-acre campground, at about 1:35 p.m.

The children, both of whom were wearing helmets, Montes said, were riding on a sidewalk, north of a paved pathway that leads to a pool and tennis courts at the resort. But the boy apparently crossed into the road and struck the side of the bus. He was pulled under the vehicle and run over by the right rear tire, Montes said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Holly Morris: Kings Dominion

Kings Dominion's opening day is Friday, April 2, 2010 and to mark the occasion they are unveiling a new roller-coaster honoring the late-great NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt.

FOX 5’s Holly Morris visited for a sneak peak at the latest edition to the park.

'On Point!' says "Thank You"

It is with very heavy hearts that we announce that the OnPoint blog will no longer continue after today. The two of us have decided to focus on our core responsibilities at the park and can no longer keep the commitment to do regular updates.

To those who've been following us from the beginning, we thank you.

Win the Keys to Lake Compounce

Imagine having Lake Compounce all to yourself for 165 glorious minutes -- that dream will soon be a reality for one lucky family.

Lake Compounce is giving away the "Keys to the Park" as part of a contest to celebrate the amusement park's 165th season.

The lucky winners will get free access to the park for 165 minutes -- along with a free overnight stay at the nearby Clarion Hotel and $100 to spend at the park's retails shops.

Eight Hotel Waterparks Coming in 2010

Eight (8) hotel waterpark resorts are expected to open in 2010 in the USA, down from the 22 resorts that opened in 2009. Seven (7) construction projects expected to open this year have been delayed, and their opening dates have been pushed into 2011.

Although hotels with indoor waterparks are still very popular among developers and families with young children, the growth rate of new waterpark resorts has dwindled from 30% in 2006 to 3.6% in 2010. While hotels with indoor waterparks continue to out-perform ordinary hotels, bank executives do not see the difference and have shut off funds to the entire hotel industry. Due to higher unemployment, many families are cutting back on discretionary consumer spending for things like vacations --- but the nearby hotel waterpark still runs full on weekends.

Lagoon plans to open Saturday for 2010 season

Lagoon will open its doors Saturday, weather and other factors permitting.

The Farmington amusement park is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. on Saturday to kick off its 2010 season.

"Lagoon has been thrilling Utah families since 1886 and will open its gates for another season of fun," Lagoon Vice-President of Marketing Dick Andrew said.

Beach Waterpark invites eggheads

The Beach Waterpark celebrates spring with its fifth annual Eggstravaganza, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

The event includes egg hunts, pony rides, a petting zoo, bunny hop races and refreshments. Admission is free, and guests can feed animals at the petting zoo for a donation.

Photos with the Easter Bunny are available. Pony rides and face painting are $3 each. Parking is $5. Season passes will also be on sale for the Beach's summer season, which begins May 22.

Water parks have fun and sun this spring break

Spring break is in full swing for public schools in Southwest Florida. And although that means vacation for kids, for parents, spring break can be a lot of work. But here's an idea to float around your restless children.

Lee County resident Selene Thaw beat the heat by kicking off her kids' spring break with a trip to Sun Splash in Cape Coral.

"It's definitely a lot cheaper. And there's a lot to do here," Thaw said. "I really enjoy it. I think it's a great place."

State Fair's theme celebrates move to Grand Island

The theme for the 2010 Nebraska State Fair will be "It's a Grand Affair!" in honor of its move to Grand Island.

After more than a century in Lincoln, the fair moves to Grand Island this year, clearing the way for the University of Nebraska to build a high-tech research and development park at State Fair Park.

This 2010 state fair runs from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6.

State Fair already offering ticket deals

The Wisconsin State Fair is a little more than five months away, but fair officials are already offering promotional deals designed to save people money.

Fairgoers can purchase $5 Fair Deal tickets that provide a $4 saving per ticket. The single-day adult admission tickets are on sale at Pick 'n Save and Copps Food Stores, or online at WiStateFair.com.

Tickets also can be purchased at the fair box office at the U.S. Cellular Main Gate.

Montana State Fair Announces Free Seating at Most Concerts This Year

In a big change from recent years, the Montana State Fair announced today that most concerts this year will have free general admission seating in the bleacher area.

Fair organizers say they'll now offer “Premium Access Seats” ranging from $15-$35 depending on the concert. Those seats will include all the floor seats plus some side view seating with chair backs. General admission will be all other seating.

Also, this year concert tickets for those premium seats will not including fair admission.

Family Plans Lawsuit Against Amusement Park

The family of a boy who was critically hurt last week by an amusement ride in a mall is planning a lawsuit. Attorney Tom Doehrman says five-year-old Denzel Jennings remains in critical condition after being hurt by the tea cup ride at Xscape in Lafayette Square Mall a week ago. The business was allowed to reopen yesterday after obtaining required permits from the state. Doehrman says the family is seeking unspecified damages and another inspection of the tea cup ride.

Bsquare's Top 5: The Worst Theme Park Attractions

Hello,children. Please excuse the brevity of this particular article,as I am down with the flu and feel as if I have Sumo wrestlers sitting on each of my arms. I always seem to get sick when the weather changes. Maybe global warming will put a stop to that. One can hope. So, taking that into consideration, I have decided to fall back on that time-honored stopgap for the lazy columnist. The list. And since I am in a VERY bad mood today, I think it may make me feel better to rip into something and tear it to tiny little bloody shreds. So I give you my list of the top 5 LEAST favorite theme park attractions in Orlando. Ready to take a few cheap shots? Me too!

Ex-water park owner charged with witness tampering

Joe Bruner, former owner of Big Kahuna’s water park in Destin, is facing a felony charge of tampering with a state witness.

A warrant was issued for Bruner’s arrest March 23 after he apparently made a late-night call to Wayne Montgomery, an accountant Bruner is accused of beating up.

“He said something to the effect of ‘if you think that was a battery … ” said William “West” Ritchie, the attorney representing Montgomery in his civil case against Bruner.

Rem Koolhaas to design Quebec City museum

An architecture firm backed by Rem Koolhaas has won a design competition for the expansion of the Musée national des beaux-arts in Quebec City.

Office for Metropolitain Architecture, headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, was declared winner Thursday of the hotly contested international competition to expand the museum by 10,310 square metres.

Koolhaas, a Pritzker Prize winner, is a principal at OMA and is known for projects such as the Seattle Central Library, the performing arts centre in Dallas and the CCTV Building in Beijing.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Tokyo Disneyland, DisneySea Visitors Down 5.2% In FY09

Oriental Land Co. said Thursday the number of visitors to its Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea theme parks declined 5.2% on the year to 25.81 million in fiscal 2009.

The fall was attributed to a deadly flu outbreak and the fact that visitor numbers were bumped up in fiscal 2008 because that year marked the 25th anniversary of Tokyo Disney Resort.

However, the figure exceeded the target set at the outset of the year by 4 million people and is the second-largest total ever. Visitor numbers have been on a moderate uptrend.

Lo-Q secures contract extensions

Lo-Q, the UK-based supplier of virtual queuing systems for theme parks and major attractions, has signed renewal agreements with five key customers.

Legoland Windsor (UK), Dreamworld (Australia), Mirabilandia (Italy), Dollywood (US) and Parque Isla Magica (Spain), have all agreed to extend their agreements, under different terms, for the supply of Lo-Q's Q-txt, queue management system.

Commenting on the contract extensions, the company's founding director, Leonard Sim, said: "The extended agreements reflect the growing popularity of our systems with park guests. We very much look forward to continuing to work with these customers over the coming years."

Barry Island theme park re-opens at Easter

A seaside fair threatened with closure after a drop in visitor numbers is to reopen after new tenants were found.

Barry Island's Pleasure Park, which features in the BBC comedy Gavin and Stacey, is being taken over by well-known funfair family, the Studts.

They have agreed a deal with the owner of the theme park to run it for a year and have spent the last month replacing old equipment and rides.

Ambitious waterpark mooted for Ukraine

The world's largest aluminium-domed waterpark will soon dominate the city skyline in Donetsk, Ukraine.

Scheduled to open in August 2011, the dome over the Royal Marine Aquapark - a joint venture between the city of Donetsk and a consortium of private sector investors - is being built by Canadian firm OpenAire.

The 26m high, 85m wide dome will replace developers' original plan to have a steel/polycarbonate structure with a fixed dome.

New man in charge at Pleasurewood Hills

As the region's tourist attractions prepare for the first influx of visitors for 2010, a new face is getting ready to take control at Pleasurewood Hills theme park.

Alexis Camelin, the new general manager at the theme park between great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, has spent the past month on site making sure that the attraction is ready to open for visitors on Friday.

Mr Camelin is originally from Grenoble in France and has worked in the leisure and hospitality industry in the UK for the past 15 years.

Tower Bridge sold off to America for £130million as billionaire 'buys the right bridge this time'

It is one of the most iconic landmarks in a city of iconic landmarks, and a glorious relic of the Victorian age. But – in a move likely to enrage Londoners and stun the rest of Britain – Tower Bridge will vanish from the capital’s skyline later this year, sold to an American billionaire who plans to use it as the centrepiece of an ‘English theme park’.

Daniel Horwendill, a Utah-based mogul and head of investment group Banquovius, is reported to have paid US$200million (£133million) for the 116-year-old structure after months of secret negotiations with City Of London authorities. Sources suggest that, although a wild backlash is expected, the bid was deemed too high a figure to refuse.

Demolition of Tower Bridge could begin as soon as August. Its new owners are keen to begin the transfer of the bridge across the Atlantic as soon as possible.

Pixar animation comes to life at Science Centre exhibition

Fans of animation are in for a treat when the best of Pixar over 20 years comes to the Singapore Science Centre.

The exhibition, costing S$1.5 million, is making Singapore its only stop in Southeast Asia.

Hit movies such as "Wall E" and "Toy Story" started with the pencil and paper, which took years to stitch together.

New boss pledges theme park thrills

As the region's tourist attractions prepare for the first big influx of visitors for 2010, a new face is getting ready to take the helm at Pleasurewood Hills.

Alexis Camelin, the new general manager at the theme park near Lowestoft, has spent the past month on site making sure that the attraction is ready to open for visitors today.

Mr Camelin is originally from Grenoble in France and has worked in the leisure and hospitality industry in the UK for the past 15 years, including time as manager at a holiday park near Yarmouth.

School trip to WonderLa-Bidadi turns ugly, 40 hurt

A fun trip to WonderLa, a water amusement park in Bidadi on Mysore Road, turned ugly for 40 employees of a school when the bus in which they were travelling lost control and fell on its side.

Teachers and staffers of Hebbal's Kensri School, along with eight of their children were injured in the incident. The bus' driver James lost control when he was negotiating a sharp turn near a railway crossing close to the amusement park. The bus turned and fell on its left side.

H Associates proposes Green Energy Theme Park for KEPKO’s new headquarters

H Associates has proposed a stunning building for Korea Electric Power Corporation’s (KEPCO) new headquarters to be built in a city near Naju in South Korea. Providing a space of nearly 120,000sqm, the new complex will host several technologies that enable electricity generation and conservation. Dubbed the Green Energy Theme Park, the development creates an experiential awareness of the green energy life cycle.

Turkish zoo expects 1.5 million visitors in 2010

Authorities of the Gaziantep Zoo are expecting 1.5 million visitors in 2010.

The Gaziantep Zoo is located on a land of 1,000,000 square meters and has around 4,000 animals from 250 species.

The Gaziantep Zoo happens to be Turkey's biggest zoo and is among the most popular zoos in Europe.

The Shock Labyrinth 3D

The horror-thriller follows a group of teenagers dealing with the sudden return of a friend who went missing a decade ago. When the friend falls ill, they take her to a hospital but end up trapped in a labyrinthine haunted house.

The film’s central setting is inspired by the Labyrinth of Horrors attraction at Fuji-Q High Land amusement park, near the base of Mount Fuji. The attraction set the Guinness world record for the largest haunted house in the world. Much of the film is being shot on location during the park’s off hours.

Posted at 10:42 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Global Park News

'Undercover Boss' review: Amusement park boss gets taken for a ride

There were nothing but good vibes emanating from Undercover Boss this week, as Joel Manby, CEO of Georgia-based Herschend Family Entertainment, toured some of the various amusement parks in disguise and found smiling employees that gave 110% for their jobs.

In fact, just about the only negative moments in the feel-good reality show came — in an unusual departure for Undercover Boss — at the beginning, with Manby’s own background profile. We were shown pictures of the extreme poverty from which he rose. Manby narrated his initial success within the automobile industry, but said it came at a price. He had a “breakdown,” he said, then amended it to “a meltdown” accompanied by heavy drinking.

Manby obviously pulled himself together, and he quickly credited Herschend Family Entertainment and its “Christian values” for his present prosperity and happiness. I would have liked to have heard more about this. I also would have liked to have heard about the fact that Manby’s company co-owns Dollywood with Dolly Parton. Talk about a missed opportunity: Going undercover as Dolly’s dress-maker or something.

Intimidator Changes the Landscape for Thrill Seekers

If you think riding the Afterburn roller coaster at Carowinds is an adventure (and it is – it annually ranks among the top 25 steel roller coasters in the world in surveys done by several coaster experts), wait until this year!

Carowinds has changed the landscape for thrill seekers in 2010 with the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in the Southeast, Intimidator. Inspired by racing legend Dale Earnhardt, the $23 million steel coaster stands 232 feet tall at its highest point with a first drop of 211 feet at a 74-degree angle. Riders race their way around 5,316 feet of track at speeds up to 80 miles per hour!

Intimidator was designed by Bolliger & Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, a recognized industry leader in roller coaster development, and becomes the park's 13th roller coaster. The addition of Intimidator compliments Carowinds already impressive lineup of world-class rides, shows and attractions, including the all-new Planet Snoopy kids' area.

Hendrick Construction Finishes Carowinds Roller Coaster

Hendrick Construction, Inc. conquered the twists and turns of Carowinds' newest ride that will thrill adventure seekers this summer. The general contractor has completed the NASCAR-themed Intimidator – the tallest, fastest and longest roller coaster in the Southeast.

The ride is named for NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt and features a 5,316-foot track with a 232-foot peak and multiple drops and twists that reach speeds exceeding 75 mph. Hendrick Construction installed the infrastructure, including the control, electrical and piping systems, as well as the track's foundations, which are supported by 241 caissons with 240,000 pounds of rebar and 375,000 pounds of concrete.

"The Intimidator has changed the landscape for roller coasters in the Southeast, and it will certainly draw visitors from across the region to Carowinds," said Roger Hendrick, president of Hendrick Construction.

Hersheypark 'Springtime in the Park' kicks off the amusement park season

This is how Hersheypark blooms anew each spring. After a long season of chills, thrills and ups and downs, Hersheypark’s roller coasters have earned a much-needed makeover. The exacting process in which every coaster car is taken apart and put back together consumes the winter.

A crane plucks all 144 coaster cars from their tracks just after Halloween. Hammered by another season of shaking, rattling and rolling 2½ million Hersheypark visitors, the rides are scarred, squeaky and scuffed.

So they’re schlepped into a sprawling warehouse on the park grounds where a 144-person, full-time maintenance crew provides tender loving care. It’s a different kind of Hershey Spa.

Pigeon Forge's business revenue is more than 4 times what it was before Dollywood

East Tennessee's songbird is home, celebrating Dollywood's 25th anniversary. In grand style, Dolly Parton officially opened the theme park for the season Friday. Dolly began dreaming up Dollywood in 1982 as a way to bring jobs to Sevier County.

The park sees about 4,000,000 visitors each year--but there are also a few very familiar faces: 50 original employees are still on the payroll.

"I had no idea it was going to turn out to be as great as it had, but I dreamed and prayed it would be successful," Dolly Parton said. "It just means the world to me and a lot of people from around here. We've grown a lot because of it, but I'm sure this area would have grown anyhow, but I'm proud in my lifetime I got to be a part of it."

Pictures of new Sesame Street Safari of Fun

The Sesame Street Safari of Fun officially opens Saturday at Busch Gardens in Tampa. The kid-driven (duh!) area adjacent to the park’s Bird Gardens features Air Grover, a new junior roller coaster with “mini-dives,” water adventures called “Oscar’s Swamp Stomp” and “Bert & Ernie’s Water Hole,” plus Muppet-driven entertainment and a show called “Lights, Camera, Imagination!.”

Busch Gardens now is offering a character breakfast or lunch on select days in a new outdoor dining facility or guests can secure an exclusive birthday party for groups of 20 to 50, whcih includes front-of-line access to Air Grover.

Revival tent! Ringling Brothers circus to return to Coney this summer

Maybe Coney Island really will be the “greatest show on earth” this summer.

On the heels of the city’s announcement that a major new amusement park would operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus is poised to unveil an entirely new (or, at least, newly named) show that will run from June through Labor Day.

“The show is called, ‘Illuscination,’ and it will be thrilling,” said Dick Zigun, founder of Coney Island USA, which runs the sideshow and the Mermaid Parade.

I-X Indoor Amusement Park opens with new Big Cat Encounters

The I-X Indoor Amusement Park is celebrating its 21st season, and this year it is pulling out all the stops.

Amusement park goers can see the all-new "Big Cat Encounter" featuring six Royal Bengal and Siberian tigers performing 30 minute shows.

The demonstration is not only exciting, but informative, as well, since it speaks about the importance of habitat preservation for these animals.

Roller-coaster year for amusement industry may head uphill, analyst says

The amusement park industry's roller coaster ride is on the upswing, an analyst says.

Theme park revenues fell in 2009, but revenues in the industry should rise 1.7 percent in 2010, predicts Nima Samadi, an industry analyst at IBISWorld, a market research company based in Los Angeles.

Samadi said Friday his forecast of an upswing definitely applies to Cedar Fair.

Cedar Point builds fan base on Facebook, social-network sites

If you're a popular person on Facebook, you could well have hundreds of friends. Maybe even thousands. When Tony Clark is on Facebook, he stays in touch with more than 300,000.

When he's at work, toiling away in the marketing building for Cedar Fair at the back of the amusement park, Clark is the "interactive marketing manager."

But for hundreds of thousands of roller coaster fans, Clark has a different name. When he posts on the amusement park's Facebook site, he's identified as "Cedar Point."

Cyclone Opens for Another Season

The customary cracking of an egg cream on the first car of the coaster will usher in the 83rd season of the Cyclone. The Hungry Marching Band will provide the live soundtrack for the revelers taking the inaugural ride on the wooden-tracked coaster. By Memorial Day the boardwalk should be a bit more crowded when 19 new amusements are up and running. The new amusement zone will be named Luna Park after the Coney Island of old and operated by Central Amusement International. There's been a lot of empty land in the srea since Astroland Amusment Park closed 2 years ago. The former owner of Astroland is still in charge of operating the Cyclone.

Ober Gatlinburg celebrates 100 days of snow

It may be spring but don’t put away your skis just yet.

Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort and Amusement Park will celebrate 100 days of skiing and snowboarding with an event on Sunday to mark the milestone and the last day of its season.

“No one could have imagined that 50-plus inches of natural snow and 100 days later, Ober would still be open,” the resort announced.

Underground Theme Park Coming To Central Florida?

It's the ad that's making a splash around Orlando. “The whirlwind world of water splash zone and more, all totally under the surface of Orlando.”

More roller coasters are supposedly coming to the world's theme park capital, except this time, there's a twist when they say land down under. “The world's first underground adventure park call (407) 494-DOWN for more information.”

When you call the number, you get somewhat muffled directions. “Left on Lockwood Road, quick right on Chuluota Road, follow the signs on Chuluota Road for four miles.” News 13’s Dave D’Marko got on what's also known as County Road 419, and went exactly four miles. It took him to a spot where there were no signs of a park.

Designers provide artist's rendering of Cape water park

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department officials received a full-color artist's rendering last week of what the new Family Aquatic Center will look like when it is completed this spring.

The rendering was provided in electronic format to the city by Markey and Associates Inc. of Kennesaw, Ga., the firm that designed the water park. The rendering shows in detail the aquatic center's features, including multicolored "funbrellas," the Lazy River that winds through about half of the park, several pools, four water slides and a splash pad where jets shoot water into the air, among others.

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Muser said recent rains have slowed work on the water park, but the city still expects contractor Penzel Construction Co. to finish work by the end of May.

Huge Turnout At Lake Compounce Job Fair

People came by the hundreds to fill out applications and wait in long lines for their shot at a summer job at Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol.

This is a summer job, try to get some extra money. I know it’s hard out there to get a job, so I wanted to come back here, they might take me back as a returnee,” said Joe Burns of Southington.

Returning employees weren’t the only ones trying to line up a job. Because of the economy, the amusement park has seen a wide variety of applicants from teenagers to laid off workers, who have had a hard time finding a job.

Quassy Amusement Park Hiring For 2010 Season

Quassy Amusement Park, one of the area’s largest seasonal employers, is now hiring for the 2010 season, which opens April 24.

Applications are being accepted 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the park office, located near the Grand Carousel building in the 20-acre lakeside facility. Quassy is on Route 64 in Middlebury.

Those interested may download and complete the employment application at Quassy dot com. The application is located under the About icon on the Jobs page. Applicants should be 18 years of age and should not call the park prior to bringing in the paperwork.

Water Park Job Fair Draws Huge Crowds

Thousands of job seekers packed a job fair Saturday at Cal Expo in hopes of gaining employment for the summer season at the Raging Waters in Sacramento.

As estimated 3,000 applicants formed winding lines to interview for 400 available positions ranging from lifeguard to cashier to security officer.

"We had about 1,500 applicants show up last year," said Raging Waters manager Joe Pinell.

New season means new tubing rules

Tubers who enjoy an exhilarating ride in the back of an outfitter's pickup to reach the Guadalupe or Comal River may be disappointed this year. The open-air rides won't be allowed.

The ban on using truck beds to shuttle tubers is just one of several new rules the New Braunfels City Council recently approved to improve regulation of river outfitters and keep tubers safe.

The council also has decided to preserve some street parking for visitors, while debate continues on how to handle short-term rentals — mainly to vacationers — in residential neighborhoods.

Splash Park planned for KL

A local group is looking to make a big splash in Kirkland Lake.

Not only do they want to make a big splash they wanted everyone in the area to be able to enjoy it.

A new committee, consisting of Doug LaBerge, Cliff Lafreniere, and Tony Antoniazzi have started work to raise $125,000 to build a new Splash Park on Fifth Street next to the soccer field. It will be located where the old outdoor Kirkland Lake swimming pool was.

Water Park Owner To Bring New Life To Boardwalk

A Daytona Beach businessman hopes to turn a vacant lot into a spot of hustling, bustling fun.

Stan Manousos hopes his plan will bring life back to the Daytona Beach boardwalk near the Mainstreet Pier.

Manousos owns the nearby Daytona Lagoon water park and plans to bring some rides to beach.

Ches. Beach water park in need of repairs

After the review of a lengthy list of needed repairs and suggested improvements to the Chesapeake Beach Water Park, town council members decided last week that they want more than just quick fixes and asked for a long term plan to renew the park.

The pool has numerous small leaks that "all together make a great big leak," said the town's public works supervisor Wilson Cochran, at the town council meeting on March 18.

Cochran went through a list of needed repairs citing $20,000 for repairs to the slide tower, $8,000 for the snail slide and $4,000 for the boat slide. A new pump to run the attraction was also on his list along with improvements to the snack bar that included a conveyor belt pizza oven, a walk-in freezer and a new transformer.

Every Thursday! ALLPLaY Family Entertainment Center ALL-U-Can Bowl!

Bowl to your hearts content at ALLPLaY Family Entertainment Center. We offer automatic scoring, over-head color, flat screen monitors, free automatic, individualized bumpers. All you have to is have fun! We reserve the right to put at least four people on a lane or if there is a waiting list, ther is a ten game limit. But that is still only a dollar a game!! Come Join the fun!

We also have a great redemption arcade where you get to enjoy the experience of playing the game and if you win tickets, you get to exchange the tickets for prizes!

Stone Mountain Park Claimed A Life

An Emory University student named Tony Edge that entered the park on Tuesday afternoon and went missing was found on Wednesday; 600 feet down and dead. He was 35 years of age.

Down in the steep terrains the rescuers helped by the police deputies discovered a dead man on Wednesday morning at around 8:30 a.m. and identified him as Tony Edge. The search operation for Tony or Antony Edge was carried out by the police department of Stone Mountain Park following his wife Melissa Edge’s claims that her husband never came out of the park though his car was still parked outside.

According to Chuck Kelly the Police Chief, a search operation was launched though on Tuesday night but keeping in view the dangerous steeps in the park area, the rescuers waited till Wednesday morning. However, after few hours’ search the body was located and identified by the officers from Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Glenn W. Ekey Named Director of Development for Miami Art Museum

Glenn W. Ekey, a seasoned development executive with nearly three decades experience in the nonprofit sector, has joined Miami Art Museum (MAM) as director of development. In this role, Mr. Ekey will be charged with broadening the museum’s base of financial support among both individuals and corporations. His work will include building and strengthening MAM’s relationships with the South Florida business community, overseeing institutional fundraising activities and securing major gifts. Mr. Ekey previously served as chief development officer for the Palm Beach Zoo and president and CEO of the Zoological Society of Florida.

Mr. Ekey’s appointment comes at a key juncture in MAM’s history; the museum is preparing to break ground on its new home in downtown Miami’s waterfront Museum Park.

“Galvanizing private sector support for Miami Art Museum is a top objective for our organization as we get set to enter the next chapter of our history,” said Aaron Podhurst, chairman of the museum’s board of trustees. “Glenn Ekey is the right person to lead that effort. Glenn’s track record of success in the nonprofit arena, coupled with his leadership qualities and existing relationships with South Florida’s donor community, will be key to sustaining and building on the institutional momentum MAM has enjoyed in recent years.”

Santa Cruz plans whale of a project with marine sanctuary

Surf City could soon have a new tourist attraction along the waterfront. Bids should go out this spring on construction of a $17 million visitors’ center project for the offshore Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

The two-story, 11,000-square-foot structure will be built on a site once known as the “fun spot” across Beach Street from the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf. The nearly 1-acre site that now houses a temporary city parking lot once sported a BMX bike course, which has been moved to nearby Depot Park.

City officials plan to start construction on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Exploration Center sometime this summer, according to Bonnie Lipscomb, executive director of the city’s economic development and redevelopment department.

Children’s museums take a hands-on approach to little visitors

As our theater seats rocked back and forth for "takeoff," the kids watching the 4-D animated film "Journey to the Center of the Barnett Shale" at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History squealed in unison. We had been sprayed with so much mist that even a stone-faced teenager, looking less than thrilled to be museum hopping on his family's vacation, couldn't help but laugh.

That an educational film recounting the 300-million-year history of north Texas natural gas had captivated this young audience was an impressive feat today for a children's museum, where visitor attention spans are measured in text-messaging seconds and traditional artifact-driven exhibitions often seem as dusty as a fossil collection.

The more than 70-year-old institution is one of a handful of toddler- to teenager-focused museums nationwide trying to change that image by expanding facilities and revamping exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, innovative interactive displays and unique educational programming. Children's museums that were a little too similar to that museum back home are now worth a side trip when planning a family vacation.

A Chicago Entrepreneur Wants to Dominate the World of Children’s Retail

As the recession has taken a number of established store chains off the U.S. retail landscape, the remaining gap has created an opportunity for entrepreneurial new businesses to come in and take their place. One potential future market leader will soon open its first store in Deerfield, Ill., where venture capitalist Shane Christensen and former Walmart executive Bill Colaianni are working on the pilot location for WONDER!, a retail concept that blends Costco and Cabela’s—for children.

Scheduled to open later this year, WONDER! will be a 135,000-square-foot store that will sell everything parents need for children from birth up to seven years of age, from strollers to toys to clothes to furniture, in a variety of price points.

In order to create a convenient and pleasant shopping experience, WONDER! will also contain a 21,000-square-foot indoor park built on a topographical model, a restaurant that will focus on healthy, high quality food, a coffee bar for the parents and a bakery. WONDER!’s founders anticipate that in the future, they might add other services to the property, ranging from a salon offering hair cuts for kids to a beauty shop for the moms.

AROUND THE GLOBE

Big Ben in darkness as 4,000 cities switch off for Earth Hour

Some 4,000 cities in more than 120 countries switched off to reduce energy consumption at 8.30pm local time.

In Britain, the lights went out at Buckingham Palace and Downing Street as well as Big Ben and other UK landmarks.

The event began in the remote Chatham Islands off the coast of New Zealand, where, as local time hit 8.30pm, light switches were flicked to the off position.

It's big, it's back, it's the World Expo: China style

What's more expensive than the Beijing Olympics, covers a vast territory and is forcing countries and international companies to splash out millions of dollars? It's China's latest publicity project.

If China was serious about creating a legacy after the Beijing Olympics, it is outshining all its past efforts for the Shanghai World Expo, spending $4.2 billion on reinventing the world's exhibition fair as a blowout extravaganza.

While previous expos in Zaragoza and Hanover went largely unnoticed on the global agenda, Shanghai is creating such a promotional ruckus, that countries are going all out to impress an expected 70 million visitors.

Blue Chip wins contract with Merlin Entertainments Group

Manchester-based Blue Chip Marketing has won a contract to market some of the biggest attractions in the country.

The marketing agency will support the promotional strategy of the Merlin Entertainments Group (Merlin), whose attractions include the London Eye, Madame Tussauds, the Alton Towers Resort and most recently A LEGOLAND discovery centre in Manchester, of ‘Fewer, Bigger, Better’ brand partnerships from 2011.

Paul Cummings, head of group promotions & trade partnerships at Merlin Entertainments Group said: “They demonstrated a thorough understanding of our business during the pitch process, with good creative insight which we believe will help us to really tailor our offers to our partners’ individual brand values and objectives.”

New Skyraker ride opens at Helston's Flambards

The new Skyraker ride at Flambards has opened and the Packet sent an intrepid member of staff for Cornwall's newest rush.

"I have always been a daredevil looking for a rush of adrenaline so when the Packet asked for a volunteer to ride the new Skyraker 001 ride at Flambards Theme Park in Helston I jumped at the chance," writes Claire Cameron, sub-editor at the Packet.

The £500,000 Skyraker was constructed in Northern Italy and is the only one of its kind in the UK. It stands at more than 28m high, making it the tallest ride in the county.

Universal Studios Singapore shuts down newly opened roller coaster

Universal Studios Singapore has shut down the world's tallest dueling rollercoaster, and a major attraction, because of a technical problem, a mere week after the theme park opened.

The Battlestar Galactica, where two rollercoasters shoot off at the same time and loop around each other, will "only be opened when we have determined the cause and the solution," a spokeswoman said on Friday.

"The ride may be closed for several days or longer to perform a complete analysis. We understand some guests may be disappointed; however, the safety of our employees and guests remains our top priority," the park said in a statement.

Wildlife Reserves Singapore chooses ICON as new PR Partner

ICON International Communications, an independent strategic communications consultancy with offices in Singapore and Sydney, has been appointed the new public relations agency of record for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, the parent company of three of Singapore’s most popular attractions – Jurong Bird Park, Night Safari and Singapore Zoo – as well as the upcoming river-themed park River Safari, slated to open in 2012.

ICON will be responsible for promoting these leisure attractions both locally and regionally, while emphasizing Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s mission of providing world-class exhibits of animals presented in their natural environment for the purpose of conservation, education and recreation.

In the run-up to the arrival of Singapore’s first Giant Pandas from China in the second half of 2011, ICON will also be supporting publicity efforts in raising public awareness of conservation and showcasing the animals’ new home, River Safari, the fourth and latest nature park to be launched by Wildlife Reserves Singapore.

Cotswold Water Park bosses admit mistakes

Bosses at the Cotswold Water Park Society have pledged to clean up their act after admitting mistakes in running the tourist attraction.

They stood in the firing line at a stormy public meeting to field accusations of financial mismanagement at the site, near Cirencester.

The packed meeting, attended by nearly 200 people, heard accusations of a lack of communication among the leadership of the 40sq mile wildlife amenity.

Sy's Belle Corp eyes partnership with Harrah's

Belle Corp., an upscale leisure developer and gaming firm controlled by the family of retail tycoon Henry Sy, is entering the high roller end of the gambling market in a big way reportedly through a partnership with Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., the world’s largest provider of branded casino entertainment.

Sources said Belle is in talks with Harrah’s to manage the planned P14- billion casino complex that will rise on a 6.2-hectare property along the reclaimed Manila Bay. The P14 billion is part of the total P46 billion investment commitment given by Belle and the SM Group to the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp., which is spearheading the development of a mini-Las Vegas in Parañaque City.

When asked to comment on this, Belle chairman Willy Ocier said the company is not at liberty to say anything yet. “We can not disclose yet,” he said.

Island castle a step closer to £2.6m revamp

One of the grandest castles in Scotland has passed the first-round stage in its application for £2.6m in funding from the National Lottery.

The decision will enable restoration campaigners to press ahead with plans for a museum, archive and commercial hospitality at Lews Castle on Lewis in the Western Isles after their proposal was accepted by the fund.

It has lain vacant since the mid-1990s and is now on the at-risk register for buildings.

Forest dept plans making tiger safari a zoological park

The forest department has decided to give the status of zoological park to Tiger Safari, which is the only zoo in the city. Authorities have forwarded a proposal to senior officials in Delhi. The proposal of extension and upgrade of the zoo has also been sent under Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) project where the mini zoo will get a new look with improved facilities for visitors and animals.

According to information provided by an official, this year, the zoo would get tigers, leopards, crocodiles and few species of the birds. Along with that, for visitors, an interaction centre would be constructed where the models of animals would be displayed. He added that a control room would be established where animal behaviour would be monitored through closed circuit television cameras.

Chinese Dwarf park attracts amusement, criticism

A Chinese theme park has attracted dozens of tourists and criticisms for its unique fairytale performances by dwarfs.

The Little People's Kingdom in Yunnan province employs 108 dwarfs from across the country that dance and sing in fairytale costumes twice a day.

The performers must pretend to live in a fantasy world with a king, an army, a health department, dwarf guardian angels and even its own foreign ministry.

Australian company proposes Nepal's tourism master plan

An internationally renowned company based in Sydney of Australia, Global Tourism & Leisure Pty Ltd, has submitted a proposal to the Government of Nepal to conduct "Tourism Development Scoping Study" and chalk out "Tourism Master Plan". The company also plans to assist the government to promote Nepal Tourism Year 2011 on a global scale.

As per the proposal, three renowned consultants -- John King, Jerry Lissing, and David Frankel -- would conduct the study, high level source at the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation (MoTCA) told myrepublica.com.

MINT Museum of Toys appoints Y&R Singapore for brand work

MINT Museum of Toys, Singapore’s unique tourist attraction with one of the world’s largest collections of toys and themed collectables on display, has tapped on Y&R Singapore to make it a ‘must-visit’ attraction.

Chang Yang Fa, chief executive officer of MINT, said: “Every toy has a unique history and is a reflection of the times it was made. It represents a ‘snapshot’ of how the world was like at that time”.

“It was a wonderfully enjoyable exercise to research the origins and stories behind the toys exhibited at MINT”, added Mark Fong Creative Director of Y&R Singapore, “And these historically correct ‘toy stories’ form the cornerstone of the print and outdoor campaign.”

Posted at 10:53 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

Global Parks

It's Official...Zippin Pippin Belongs To Green Bay

The mayor of Green Bay signed an agreement Thursday to buy Elvis Presley’s favorite roller coaster. Jim Schmitt held a ceremony in which the city officially acquired the rights to the Zippin Pippin. It thrilled Elvis and countless others for years in Memphis, but the wooden roller coaster stopped running when a Memphis amusement park closed down in 2005.

Now, Green Bay will pay $35,000 to acquire the name, the design, and the history of the Zippin Pippin. And they’ll spend $3 million to re-create the classic ride at Bay Beach Amusement Park. Construction will begin this summer – and it’s scheduled to open in May of next year.

Schmitt says Elvis would be proud of the city's purchase. He's looking for private funding for the ride, including, "kids with lemonade stands." Schmitt indicates they're also working on a menu adjustment to add Elvis' favorite food, peanut butter and banana sandwiches, to their concessions.

Judge allows SeaWorld to join trainer’s family in fight against photos, video

SeaWorld got permission Thursday to help the family of killer-whale trainer Dawn Brancheau keep photos and video related to her death out of the public eye.

An Orange County judge granted the theme park's request to join a motion by Brancheau's family to prevent the Orange County Sheriff's Office and the local medical examiner from releasing images related to the attack that killed the trainer.

At issue are photos taken by Orange County deputies and SeaWorld video that park officials turned over to the Sheriff's Office after an orca grabbed Brancheau by her ponytail, pulled her into the water and then drowned her Feb. 24.

Universal to unveil more Harry Potter details on March 25

Universal Orlando is preparing to reveal more details about its Wizarding World of Harry Potter -- including when the grand opening will be.

The big theme park announcement about its new attraction within Islands of Adventure will be made on Thursday, March 25, a Universal spokesman said.

Among the details promised next week are facts about Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, the area's signature "dark" ride that's built into the Hogwarts Castle area of Wizarding World.

“Must-See Waterpark” Readies for 2010 Season; Dollywood’s Splash Country Opens May 22

Just four months after winning the 2009 International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ (IAAPA ) Must-See Waterpark Award, Dollywood’s Splash Country readies for its 2010 season which begins May 22.

Dollywood’s Splash Country won the award on Nov. 16, 2009, at IAAPA’s Expo in Las Vegas. The program recognizes outstanding waterparks around the world that provide visitors with a unique and memorable experience, top-notch guest service, operations, and safety.

“We are most grateful for IAAPA’s distinguished recognition with the 2009 Must-See Waterpark Award,” said Vice President and General Manager Gene Scherrer. “With this honor comes an even greater guest expectation, and our Dollywood’s Splash Country team is committed to providing our guests with a truly ‘must-see’ experience in a wholesome family setting.”

Tiny amusement parks by the sea draw penny-pinching crowds

In the midst of one of the worst recessions in decades, tiny beach-side amusement parks along the California coast are reporting robust business and big crowds while most of the state's big theme parks have seen shrinking revenue.

Small, privately owned seaside parks, such as Pacific Park at the pier in Santa Monica, Belmont Park in San Diego and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, don't have multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns or 3-D attractions as do Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. But they boast something even more appealing to penny-pinching tourists: Free admission. As a result, vacationers are turning to old-fashioned Ferris wheels and carousels over expensive, high-tech thrill rides.

Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier, for example, offers 12 rides on 2 acres of sun-baked boardwalk. But in 2009, it drew nearly $18 million in revenue, a 5% increase over the previous year, on top of a 5% increase in 2008.

Big Changes for Silver Dollar City Over the Past 50 Years

The sunny weather came just in time for families on spring break and tens of thousands of people headed to Silver Dollar City.

Silver Dollar City is celebrating its golden anniversary. Fifty years as a theme park. That's 50 years of changing with the times.

The families at the park on Thursday were the first to enjoy Silver Dollar City's latest water ride. A far cry from what the park's founders had in mind.

Navy Pier balloon ride will become permanent

A helium balloon ride that has provided a shot in the arm to otherwise flat Navy Pier attendance will become permanent, despite complaints it would “privatize” the public park at the pier’s entrance.

The Chicago Plan Commission today granted New York-based AeroScape-NYC LLC “permanent” approval to operate the balloon ride on a seasonal basis after a successful test run last fall.

“We have received no complaints — in fact, only compliments about this attraction. It has tremendous value to the Pier,” said local Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd), noting that residents of Lake Point Tower and the Streeterville Organization for Active Residents (SOAR) support the attraction.

Historically Speaking: Luna Park, déjà vu

Luna Park. Sounds like a cool name for an amusement park.

But it’s been done. Many times. Not only was it used by Thompson and Dundy in 1903 when they set up shop in Coney Island 107 years ago but it has been repeated, along with Dreamland, at many wanna-be’s in this country as well as in Sydney, Australia, back in 1935, plus those in Tel Aviv, Buenos Aires, the Philippines and the Czech Republic. Back in the beginning of the 20th century, it was known as “Luna Park The Heart of Coney Island’s New York World’s Fair,” according to the park’s letterhead.

So the Coney Island model remains the platinum mark to aim for.

Hey Spring Breakers, what's new at the theme parks?

Dear Spring Breakers of all stripes,

Welcome back. We missed you. Have a great time. Spend money. Tell your friends. We heart you all.

It's been awhile since your last visit. Despite the lingering recession, some things have changed at our theme parks and attractions. Let's talk about the ones you shouldn't miss.

Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood announces WonderWorks family attraction project

Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood is pleased to announce the firm has been selected to design a new family attraction in Myrtle Beach, SC. WonderWorks is a 100-foot-tall, 30,000-square-foot museum with the theme of an upside down science laboratory with more than 100 interactive exhibits.

Scheduled to open spring 2011 at Broadway at the Beach, the project is expected to cost between $13 million and $15 million and employ 120 people. Wonderworks currently has two other museums in Orlando, Fla. and Pigeon Forge, Tenn. as well as to additional museums planned in Panama City, Fla. and New Jersey Meadowlands.

The firm's Florida office has been contracted to design the three new buildings. Michael Allen, architecture project manager in Goodwyn, Mills and Cawood's Greenville office, will oversee construction management for the Myrtle Beach project. "I'll have to say that I've never worked on an upside-down building before so this will definitely be an experience," said Allen.

Cloud 9 Offers Free Rides to Locals

The World's Largest Helium Balloon Ride is in Las Vegas and now through March 21st and is offering free rides for locals.

It was on March 6th when an unexpected storm hit, making for one bumpy ride for the seven people on board. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the balloon did suffer some damage and was grounded.

Now, after a few repairs, Cloud 9 has been deemed air worthy. The company is thanking the community for its patience by offering free rides through Sunday, March 21st. Just bring a Nevada ID to the Cloud 9 ticket counter.

S.A. Zoo, Witte shatter Spring Break attendance records

It has been a virtual stampede at the San Antonio Zoo and Witte Museum this week, as both venues set attendance records and opened new exhibits that feature jungle beasts and prehistoric monsters.

The zoo set a one-day Spring Break attendance record Wednesday after 17,717 patrons walked through its gates, said zoo spokeswoman Debbie Rios- Vanskike. The zoo recently opened Africa Live 2!, an exhibition that includes the colobus monkey, the okapi and dwarf mongoose.

The Witte Museum shattered its previous one-day attendance record, set in 2008, with a 7,090 visitor turnout Tuesday, said Shannon Huntington Standley, director of public relations. Visitors lined two city blocks and waited three hours to see the museum's new Dinosaurs Unearthed exhibit.

Water park development stalled

Developers who plan a water park and retail development near the Corpus Christi Ship Channel have found frustration trying to work out an agreement with the city.

City Manager Angel Escobar says the proposal presents liability risks that must be resolved before moving forward. The developers describe an uncooperative city team. Mayor Joe Adame can’t get involved because as a commercial real estate developer he has a vested interest in some of the property. But he acknowledged that this situation is an example of why he campaigned for mayor promising to make Corpus Christi more welcoming to those who would invest here.

The developers say they had hoped for more cooperation and urgency from the city.

Park pass sales soar

Julianne Lowman stuck to the basics of marketing: Identify the target audience and create a simple campaign.

The basics worked. The J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center sold more than 5,500 season passes Wednesday.

“We knew because of the economy everyone wanted to deal. I just didn’t have any idea of how much people were going to go after the deal,” said Lowman, Decatur Parks and Recreation and Point Mallard Park marketing director.

Draper, UT Incredible Pizza Company Under Construction

America’s Incredible Pizza Company announced today it is officially under construction at 12101 South Factory Outlet Drive in Draper, Utah. The anticipated arrival will be in June 2010. It will bring over 100 full and part time jobs to the area. Mayor Darrell Smith had this to say about the new arrival, “I had the opportunity with some of our city staff to meet the CEO and other key officials of America’s Incredible Pizza Company at a grand opening of a new store in Iowa. From my first hand experience, they are a quality run family business, and we are excited they have chosen Draper as their Utah location. They are a perfect fit for our community.” The nostalgic 1950s-themed facility features an all-you can eat buffet including pizza, pasta, salad, home-style food and dessert bars along with an extensive family themed games and attractions center.

The new 54,500 square-foot family entertainment center located in the Outlets at Draper Towne Shopping Center will be all-indoor, smoke and alcohol free, and offers seating for hundreds of people. There are four 50s-themed dining rooms with private rooms available for birthday parties, corporate meetings and other group events. The fairgrounds game room will contain attractions like Go-Karts, Mini-Bowling, Mini-Golf, Bumper Cars and over 100 video and redemption games.

Birthday party guests and honorees at the new fun center will enjoy private party rooms, activities, food, party gift bags and game play. Parents can leave the set-up, cleanup, and entertainment to the staff. Incredible Pizza does all the work, so parents can spend their time enjoying the party with the children.

Water park closes, leaves Daisy troop high and dry

Daisy Troop 60450 sold a lot of nuts and candy to raise the $100 deposit for their field trip to CoCo Key Water Resort.

The event, scheduled for Feb. 12, was going to be the highlight of the winter for the troop, comprised of first-graders from the Palos Heights area.

But a few days before Christmas, troop leader Deborah Swanson heard on the news that the Arlington Heights Sheraton, CoCo Key's home, was to close Dec. 28.

Hawaii wants Obama presidential library

Hawaii lawmakers want President Barack Obama to build his presidential library in the state of his birth.

Two resolutions before the 2010 Hawaii Legislature, House Concurrent Resolution 174 and House Resolution 109, urge Obama to select Hawaii.

The resolutions read, in part, “It is a matter of great state pride that President Obama is the first Hawaii-born citizen to hold that high office ... a presidential library in Hawaii would provide the people of Hawaii with access to the documents and artifacts of the Obama administration and a significant piece of our nation’s history.”

New Exhibition Hall Devoted to Human Origins Opens at National Museum of Natural History

A new exhibition hall dedicated to the discovery and understanding of human origins opens March 17 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Based on decades of cutting-edge research by Smithsonian scientists, the David H. Koch (pronounced "coke") Hall of Human Origins will open to the public in a special preview from noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, which also marks the 100-year anniversary of the museum's official opening on the National Mall. A second preview will be held from noon to 3 p.m., Thursday, March 18. The exhibition hall will be open during regular museum hours (10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) beginning March 19.

The hall is named for David H. Koch, executive vice president of Koch Industries Inc. and well-known philanthropist, whose $15 million gift has enabled the museum to create the new hall.

The New Guard of Curators Steps Up

The mouth of a giant monster, its razor-sharp teeth glaring overhead and its tongue forming a long red carpet, ushers visitors into the Tim Burton retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Although the intentionally lighthearted chronicle of the filmmaker’s work received only mixed reviews when it opened in November, Mr. Burton’s fans don’t seem to care. More than 450,000 people have already attended the show, and by the time it closes on April 26, attendance is expected to exceed that of recent blockbusters like the museum’s “Van Gogh: The Colors of the Night” last year and “Dali: Painting and Film,” in 2008.

Visitors to the show are relatively young, somewhere in their 30s on average, which makes them a decade younger than usual for MoMA, recent surveys showed. And a surprising one-third of this audience had never stepped foot in the museum before.

“We’d never done anything like this,” said Rajendra Roy, the museum’s chief curator of film, who was one of the show’s organizers. “There’s always a learning curve. Would I have done things differently? I don’t think so.”

AROUND THE GLOBE

Crowds 'managed'

They had turned up expecting to jostle with swarms of eager fellow visitors to Singapore's newest theme park.

But many at Universal Studios Singapore's soft opening yesterday were surprised to see relatively thin crowds.

Up until noon, three-and-a-half hours after doors were thrown open with a loud lion dance procession, there were hardly any queues at the 18 rides on offer.

Universal Studios Japan, Tokyo DisneySea to get new rides

Two theme parks are prepping new attractions in Japan. Universal Studios Japan, operated by USJ CO., will unveil on Friday a new roller coaster dubbed Space Fantasy: The Ride, which sits four people in a "spaceship" and sends them on a mission to inject energy back into the Sun.

Meanwhile, ORIENTAL LAND CO. announced plans Wednesday to spend 2 billion yen to operate a new attraction starting in summer 2011 at Tokyo DisneySea.

Called Jasmine's Flying Carpet, this ride sits four people in a vehicle that can be moved up and down as it rotates around in a setting based on the Disney animated movie "Aladdin."

Largest Auto Theme Park in southern China to settle in Xiamen

Xiamen will kick off construction of the largest auto theme park in Haixi Economic Zone (the west side of the Taiwan Strait) this August, reports Taihainet.com.

The park, given the name of Jingang (Xiamen) Auto Park, will be located at Hongshan, Neicuo Town of Xiang’an District, some 30 minutes drive from Xiamen Island.

The project, covering 52.33 hectare or 523,300 square meters, involves a total investment of 800 million yuan. The main track is expected to complete construction by 2011.

Paramount Pictures To Build Biggest Theme Park In Spain In Murcia

Paramount Pictures have chosen the region of Murcia for the construction of the biggest theme park in Spain, which aims to compete directly with Disneyland in Paris.

The project will have the added value of some cinematographic studios which will be the centre of all Paramount’s productions in Europe, according to the Murcian Councillor for Culture, Pedro Alberto Cruz.

Cruz has just got back from a trip to Dubai with a letter from the executive president of Paramount, Michael Bartok, who wants to start the ball rolling just as soon as it has been proven to be economically viable.

New Attractions As Drayton Manor Celebrates 60 Years

Drayton Manor Theme Park, near Tamworth, Staffordshire, will launch its 60th Anniversary year on Saturday 20th March, with the premier of a brand new film for its 4D Cinema, the Oscar-winning animation, Happy Feet.

The specially adapted 12-minute film tells the tale of penguin Mumble, who bravely tries to save his friends from starvation after humans steal their supply of fish. Visitors will watch the film in 3D whilst seated in specially designed chairs, which react to scenes in the film by moving up and down, releasing sprays of water, bursts of air, bubbles and various smells, guaranteeing a memorable experience for all.

The award-winning family attraction will also unveil the new Dino Trail, located in Farmer McColl’s Farm, which has been created to intrigue and educate visitors about dinosaurs.

Thrills, chills and spills at UK theme parks

As all the major theme parks open their doors for the 2010 season and with the Easter and half-term holidays fast approaching, what better way to enjoy a short break than combining it with a trip to a theme park to try out the latest new attractions.

This year sees a new th13teen rollercoaster at Alton Towers, a whole new pirate themed land at Legoland Windsor and the new SAW Alive horror maze at Thorpe Park to name but a few. Short break specialist Superbreak combines overnight accommodation with tickets to the parks for the ultimate thrill packed break.

'Night safari in Mangalore zoo soon'

Mangalore will soon have the night safari that was planned on the Singapore model as the Central Zoo Authority has given its final clearance to the project.

Announcing this during a tour of the district on Saturday, state Tourism and Infrastructure Minister G Janardhan Reddy, said, “The Central Zoo Authority has given green signal to the Night Safari project two days ago, which will be developed in 180 acres land at the cost of Rs 180 Cr. The state government will grant the money for this scheme and the tender notification will be issued in next 14 days.” He was speaking to reporters after visiting Pilikula Nisarga Dhama.

He also inaugurated Snake Park, ‘Netravati - Phalguni’ Jodukare Kambala for selected pair of buffaloes and other projects in Pilikula.

Global tenders called for devlpt of Zoological Parks in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Forests and Environment minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy today said Global tenders were floated for the development of all Zoological Parks in the state.

Talking to newspersons after presiding over the S V Zoological Park Advisory Committee meeting held at the Zoo premises here, he said a Pune-based consultant has already been selected for preparing the master plan for development of various animal camps and infrastructure, including mono rail and ropeway in various zoological parks in the state.

Once the master plan was submitted, all the three zoological parks in Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati, would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore within three years.

Thrill Seeker 2.0 Enhances Theme Park Visits

Theme Park Nerd Ltd today is pleased to announce the availability of Thrill Seeker 2.0, an application for the iPhone and iPod touch which helps users to make the most out of theme park visits. The app, which currently covers 20 parks around the globe, provides information on all of the rides, attractions and facilities within each park. What's more, thanks to the iPhone's built-in technologies Thrill Seeker can display items nearby, show your location on a map, and even provide intelligent directions - whether it be to your favourite ride or the nearest toilet!

"We're extremely excited about Thrill Seeker 2.0" said Mark Locker, founder of Theme Park Nerd Ltd, "Since Thrill Seeker launched last year we've been working hard to improve every aspect of the app, as well as add an extra 11 parks to our line-up".

The new release has been re-written from the ground up and boasts several new features, one of which is built-in maps. "Having maps within the app is a very useful feature. Google's satellite imagery is 100% accurate, so we can highlight your exact position, allowing you to see everything around you in a glance. We're even working on our own hand-drawn maps which will be available as a free update this summer".

City in NE Hungary inaugurates Ft 4.8 billion water park

Minister in charge of the prime minister's office Csaba Molnar on Thursday inaugurated a HUF 4.8bn water park in Hajduszoboszlo (NE Hungary).

Some HUF 2.25bn in European Union and state funding supported the project which nearly doubled the size of the city's spa to 29,000 square metres.

Almost a hundred people will work at the water park.

New caravan holiday park to open on March 25th

The Camping and Caravanning Club's new caravan park at Gulliver's Milton Keynes will officially open for business on March 25th.

Its new site can accommodate up to 90 pitches and is open to non-members and members alike.

According to its developer, it was built using environmentally-friendly methods and is situated near to the famous theme park and Dinosaur and Farm Park.

Posted at 10:23 AM in Parks, Roller Coasters, Six Flag Parks, Trade Organizations, Universal, Water Parks | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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