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."
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 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.
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."
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.
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