Review of the News: January 25 – January 29

Monday January 25, 2015

Shanghai Disneyland may face fireworks ban on polluted days
An official from the city's fire department said all firework shows will be prohibited without exception when the air quality index is above 201.

Universal Orlando teases details on Hulk coaster renovation
Not much is known about what Universal Orlando Resort has planned for The Incredible Hulk Coaster, which is currently closed for renovations. But the theme park today hinted at what guests can expect when it's finished.

Europa-Park announces 2016 summer season dates
Germany’s most popular tourist attraction – the Europa-Park Theme Park in Baden-Wurttemberg – will open its doors for the 2016 summer season from 19th March – 6th November.


Tuesday January 26, 2015

Council hits back over claims of suppressed Dreamland report highlight “risks” of theme park project
Thanet District Council (TDC) has hit back at claims it deliberately sat on a report which warned of the financial risks associated with re-opening Dreamland.

SeaWorld rumored to be moving forward with big hotel plans
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: SEAS) is rumored to have hired a hotel development consultant with plans to build 2,500 hotel rooms throughout the company, industry sources told Orlando Business Journal.

H-1B Visa Controversy: Disney World Replacing American Workers With Cheap Foreign Labor?
Two former tech employees for Walt Disney Co. filed federal lawsuits Monday alleging the company is replacing domestic staff with lower-paid immigrants living in the United States on H-1B visas.

Legoland to open new 'Lego Movie' feature in 4D starting Friday
Legoland Florida will add another brick in its wall of attractions with the opening of The Lego Movie 4D on Friday, upping the ante on a new 12-minute 3D feature by adding wind, fog and water effects.


Wednesday January 27, 2015

Reverse Time Tested
Quassy Amusement and Waterpark’s newest thrill ride, Reverse Time, was recently tested at the SBF/VISA Group manufacturing facility in Casale di Scodosia, Italy

Lake Compounce fined $70k for exposing employees to chemicals
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Lake Compounce, located in Bristol, for 18 serious workplace safety violations.

Six Flags Great Adventure renames new 4-D coaster after comic book supervillain
The ride was expected to be called Total Mayhem until park officials announced on Wednesday morning that it would be renamed after the DC Comics supervillain The Joker.


Thursday January 28, 2015

Harry Potter celebration back at Universal Orlando
Fans of the boy wizard are expected in droves again at Universal Orlando this weekend for A Celebration of Harry Potter.

Harrison Ford Set to Unveil New 'Star Wars Land' on Upcoming TV Special
The former Mr. Solo will unveil the upcoming theme park attractions of the new Star Wars Land coming to California’s Disneyland and Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resorts.

Six Flags St. Louis seeking 3,000 employees for 2016 season
Six Flags St. Louis is looking for some 3,000 friendly, high-energy people to join their team.  The theme park offers competitive wages, flexible schedules, great benefits and a wide variety of jobs.


Friday January 29, 2015

French police 'arrest man with guns in suitcase' at Disneyland Paris, female companion detained
Police say man held after he was found with guns in his suitcase is not a terrorism suspect, as his female companion is detained by officers

Shanghai Disneyland casts spell on surrounding property prices
Residential units in the town where Disneyland is located have seen average prices jump 20 per cent on-year in January, with property agents saying transactions are up as the park’s opening date approaches.

Family claims boy bitten by snake at Animal Kingdom caused grandmother's death
A well-known Orlando attorney said Thursday that he has been retained by a family who claims a snake bit their 8-year-old son at Disney's Animal Kingdom, causing the boy's grandmother to go into cardiac arrest, which caused her death.

Holy Land Experience announces free day
The Orlando theme park's website said Wednesday, February 24, will be free to guests.  The free day is held once a year by the park so it can maintain its tax-exempt status.

Review of the News: January 18 – January 22

Monday January 18, 2015

Derren Brown reinvents the ghost train in his spooky new Thorpe Park VR ride
The illusionist has unveiled his own Ghost Train attraction at Thorpe Park, which he promises will reinvent the classic indoor thriller.

Dreamworld mourns tiger's death
A tiger from Dreamworld's first litter of cubs born at the Gold Coast theme park has died, aged 17.


Tuesday January 19, 2015

Lunar Makeover for Ocean Park
Ocean Park in Hong Kong is preparing to ring in the Chinese New Year with numerous energetic performances.

Six Flags branded China park breaks ground
Chinese real estate development firm Riverside Investment Group Co. Ltd., broke ground recently on a $4.6 billion mixed-use development that will include China’s first-ever Six Flags-branded theme park.

Necropsy to determine cause of death for SeaWorld dolphin
SeaWorld officials said in a statement that the dolphin named Betsy had recently been eating inconsistently and possibly had a gastrointestinal problem. SeaWorld had relocated Betsy from its San Diego theme park to join other Commerson's dolphins at its Aquatica water park last week.

11-year-old with terminal illness gets roller coaster wish in Vallejo
Some people love the thrill of riding a roller coaster, but for others, like 11-year-old Patrick Partington, they’ve always wanted to see one being built. That wish came true on Monday when Partington, his sister, and their mom who tagged along, was granted a special tour at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park in Vallejo.


Wednesday January 20, 2015

Carowinds to hire 4,000 for expanded theme park
Carowinds is cranking up hiring for the 2016 season a little early this year.  Park execs say they need to hire 4,000 to staff the expanded attractions there.

Dorney Park fined after employees wearing costumes suffered heat-related illnesses
Multiple employees of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom suffered from symptoms of heat-related illnesses last year because they were exposed to excessive heat while performing shows in encapsulating costumes, the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found.

Mediation session on Conneaut Lake Park's bankruptcy case is next week
Conneaut Lake Park’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy case is headed to a federally-ordered mediation session next week in an effort to settle the case.

PortAventura launches new website ahead of Ferrari Land arrival
PortAventura World Parks & Resort kicks off the New Year with exciting news and a fresh new corporate image.

Legoland hiring for exclusive builder positions
Legoland's expansion in Polk County continues with a new facility 10 miles from the Winter Haven theme park.


Thursday January 21, 2015

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Fest lineup: Meat Loaf, Huey Lewis, Jordin Sparks and more
Busch Gardens Tampa is once again bringing an eclectic lineup of performers to its annual Food & Wine Festival that spans country, classic rock, pop, soul and Christian genres.


Friday January 22, 2015

Six Flags Over Georgia has 3,000 job openings
Six Flags Over Georgia’s two big new attractions will bring 3,000 new jobs this year.

Frontier City adds new thrill ride for 2016 season
If you are already dreaming about summertime fun, you may want to add a new thrill ride to your list.  Organizers at Frontier City say the newest thrill ride is over 60-feet high and flips, twists and spins 24 riders in an up and down adventure.

Disney: Baymax meets, greets Epcot guests
Baymax and "Big Hero 6" fans can meet and greet the Marvel superhero in Epcot's Future World.

New addition to the team at Drayton Manor Theme Park
The newest recruit at Drayton Manor Theme Park has swapped a fast-paced role with the British transport network for the hustle and bustle of Thomas Land after becoming head of facilities at the popular family attraction.

Mandarin ‘Lion King’ roaring into Shanghai Disney Resort
The Walt Disney Grand Theatre, a new 1,200-seat Broadway-style performance venue in the Shanghai Disney Resort, will host the world premiere of the Mandarin-language version of The Lion King when the resort opens this June.

Review of the News: January 11 – January 15

Monday January 11, 2015

'Valravn' crews at Cedar Point install its record first dive
The excitement continues to build for Cedar Point's newest ride, one piece at a time. Crews spent the weekend putting in the record-breaking first dive on "Valravn."

Disney Takes Its Magic Wristband Technology to Shanghai Resort, Minus the Wristbands
Guests at the $5.5 billion Shanghai Disney Resort, scheduled to open this spring, will be able to use their mobile devices to enter the park, purchase merchandise and likely access rides and attractions.

Closures begin at Disneyland as its Big Thunder Ranch rides off into the sunset
Starting Monday, Disneyland is closing multiple attractions in Frontierland and one restaurant - some temporarily and others permanently - to allow for construction of the much-anticipated new “Star Wars” Land.


Tuesday January 12, 2015

Fun Spot announces expansion to Orlando theme park
Fun Spot America officials announced Monday a major expansion at its Fun Spot Orlando location on International Drive.

Alton Towers to open 'groundbreaking' virtual reality rollercoaster
Alton Towers is to open what it claims is the world’s first rollercoaster that combines a physical ride with virtual reality, giving passengers a “customised journey into space” via headsets that use groundbreaking technology.

Disneyland Offers First Glimpse of Railroad, Riverfront Post-‘Star Wars’ Land
Disney on Monday released an artist’s rendering showing what the Rivers of America waterfront and Disneyland Railroad will look like once the “Star Wars”-themed land is completed.


Wednesday January 13, 2015

Baby tiger and lion being raised together at Six Flags
A baby tiger and lion are being hand raised together after being rejected by their mothers at Six Flags Great Adventure’s safari.

Shanghai Disney resort set to open June 16
The next big Walt Disney Co. theme park expansion -- the Shanghai Disney Resort -- now has a grand-opening date: June 16.


Thursday January 14, 2015

Good news for Gurnee: Great America attendance up in 2015
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee hopes to build on a successful 2015 that included increased attendance at the theme park, according to the park's president.

Owner of Spain's Parques Reunidos considers flotation
Private equity group Arle Capital, owner of Spain's Parques Reunidos, is considering a flotation of the theme park operator on the Madrid stock exchange with the aim of getting a better return on its investment, a source involved in the deal said.

Universal Studios: You can now buy part of the park
Are you in the market for a flying cow? A store at Universal Studios may be able to help.

Dragon Quest coming to Universal Studios Japan
The Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka will have a special Dragon Quest attraction probably by summer to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the popular role-playing video game series.

Busch Gardens donates surplus food to James City neighborhood
The theme park donated produce, dairy and packaged food to the Grove Christian Outreach Center, a nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry in the Grove community every week, according to a Busch Gardens press release.


Friday January 15, 2015

Restoration of Belmont Park Plunge is OK’d
Efforts to reopen the long-closed Plunge swimming pool at Belmont Park received a boost Thursday with the approval by the California Coastal Commission of a nearly $6 million project to restore the deteriorating Mission Bay attraction.

Alcohol areas to be expanded at Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages at nine, instead of four, adult concession areas this year.

Universal's Volcano Bay to get special roadway system to parking garage
Parking no longer may be a concern for Universal Orlando Resort when it eventually opens up the new Volcano Bay water park in 2017.

Efteling brings new attraction Symbolica in summer of 2017
Symbolica is an outdoor attraction for the whole family, including the famous attractions Droomvlucht, Fata Morgana and Carnival Festival in the Efteling area.

Review of the News: January 4 – January 8

Monday January 4, 2015

3 Theme Park Operators That Beat Disney in 2015
Disney stock beat the market, but most publicly traded operators of theme parks and regional amusement parks actually performed even better.

Artist Charged With Attempted Murder in Theme Park Attack
Frederick Torres, 33, was charged with attempted first-degree murder for his attack on Glenn Ferguson at the Islands of Adventure park. Both artists draw caricatures at Universal's parks but work for an outside firm, Orlando-based Fasen Artists, Inc.


Tuesday January 5, 2015

Fans rally to say goodbye to popular Disney, Universal rides in Orlando
In Orlando, theme park fans are taking one last spin on of some of their favorite rides before they shut down for good to make way to flashier attractions.

New Dubai theme park seeks actors, dancers, singers
IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park which is scheduled to open in Dubai this year, is holding auditions for actors, singers and performers seeking a role in the park’s upcoming live entertainment shows.


Wednesday January 6, 2015

SeaWorld settles orca trainer safety citations
SeaWorld and California workplace regulators have reached a settlement over allegations that the park failed to train workers to safely interact with its killer whales.

Universal Orlando announces 2016 Mardi Gras concert lineup
The theme park announced its concert lineup for the annual New Orleans-themed celebration, with musical acts from a variety of genres, including rock, pop, R&B, and country.

Alton Towers to open Rollercoaster Restaurant with 400m food DROP
The food will tackle two gravity-defying loop-the-loops before dropping eight metres down a tornado spiral onto their table.

Six Flags files objections in slip-and-fall case
Six Flags Theme Parks is objecting on a number of fronts to a negligence suit filed against it, in response to a slip-and-fall accident from 2013.

Rain shutters Knott's, Magic Mountain while Disneyland, Universal Studios endure sogginess
Heavy rain shuttered two Southern California theme parks on Tuesday, while others remained open and slogged through the day.


Thursday January 7, 2015

Cedar Point’s annual calendar offers clues to when Valravn roller coaster will soar
Cedar Point’s recently released wall calendar lists May 6 as this year’s Season Passholder Preview Night. Historically that it is day the Sandusky amusement park opens its new attractions — weather, construction and ride testing deadlines permitting.

SeaWorld Orlando tops off new Mako coaster
The theme park shared an update of the new coaster's "topping off" where it installed the tallest point of the 200-foot ride, which will open later this year.

Dubai Parks and Resorts imports 300 year-old olive trees from Italy for landscaping
Dubai Parks and Resorts, the company developing the massive theme park project in Jebel Ali, said that it has imported 14 eight-metre tall olive trees ranging between the ages of 200 and 300 years from Italy to landscape its flagship project.

SeaWorld Sues State for Whale Breeding Ban
SeaWorld filed a lawsuit challenging the California Coastal Commission’s stipulation that bans the San Diego theme park from breeding captive orcas.

Starbucks coming to Knott's
Beginning in March, a 935-square-foot Starbucks will anchor the California MarketPlace just outside the park’s entrance.


Friday January 8, 2015

Knott's Partners with Susan G. Komen for a Third Year
Knott’s Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County are partnering, for a third year, to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research by offering a special “Pink Ticket” and limited edition “pink” t-shirt, January 4 through March 18.

Animal Kingdom: A look at the 'floating mountain' illusion of Pandora
Held up and extended by steel beams, the mountain -- which more closely resembles a boulder with grass on top -- can best be seen from the parking lot, but there are some decent views near Pizzafari inside the park.

Busch Gardens offers new multi-park ticket plan
Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando are offering more flexible multi-park ticket offers this year designed to bring in more visitors.