Friday, February 26, 2016

Review of the News: February 22 – February 26

Monday February 22, 2015

Cedar Point Raises Admission, Announces the Closure of Three Rides
As the Valravn roller coaster construction nears completion, the park is also shuttering three rides: Shoot the Rapids water ride, Skyscraper and Challenge Racing.


Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to open Flying Aces coaster this week
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has begun the countdown to unveil its all new record-breaking roller coaster Flying Aces later this week on February 24.


New rides, promotions help Six Flags enjoy record year
The company saw its revenue grow by $88 million, or 7.5 percent, to $1.3 billion over 2014, marking the sixth consecutive year of record financial performance, John Duffey, chief financial officer of the Grand Prairie, Texas-based company, said during a conference call on Thursday.


A theme park is selling a host of unusual items on eBay including a wooden log flume
Dreamland, which is based in Margate, revealed in December that it had debts of £2.9million following a summer of transport problems.  It agreed a five-year deal to pay back its creditors, and is trying to raise £500,000 by selling off some of its items.


Legoland Windsor unveil biggest Lego structure in the UK ever
Theme park staff have unveiled the biggest Lego structure in the UK ever - a scale model of the DEATH STAR.


Disney shares 'first look' at Star Wars lands
A segment during Sunday night's broadcast of "The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60," introduced by actor Harrison Ford, showed several "concept renderings" of attractions coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland.



Tuesday February 23, 2015

Autism Speaks Walk moves out of Dorney Park, citing treatment of special needs worker
The annual Lehigh Valley Autism Speaks Walk, which attracts roughly 5,000 supporters, is moving out of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom this year — yet another event cutting ties with the amusement park after the viral story about the treatment of a special-needs worker.


Westchester may commit $58M in amended Playland deal
Westchester County would spend $58 million on 11 construction projects at Playland as part of an amended deal with the company that is set to take over the historic county-owned park, officials said.


Kings Island latest local employer to raise wages
A seasonal job at Kings Island will pay better this year as the amusement park joins examples of other local employers raising wages in a tightening job market with fewer unemployed workers.


Fight over Six Flags solar farm trudges on
There were more hours of opposing testimony on Monday night to Six Flags Great Adventure's controversial plans to construct a solar generation facility on 66 acres of existing woodlands.


Movie World signs up super villains
Super-villains will be centre stage at Warner Brothers Movie World's latest attraction, opening in October.



Wednesday February 24, 2015

Cedar Point won't raise fence in response to death of man struck by roller coaster
Officials at Cedar Point say the park will make no changes in fence height, signage or other safety procedures in response to the death last summer of a man who entered a restricted area under a ride and was hit by an oncoming roller coaster train.


FunPlex Amusement Park opens in Lagos
Fun-seeking children and their parents living in Magodo-Shangisha area of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State may now heave a sigh of relief as FunPlex Amusement Park has commenced business on the CMD Road, Shangisha.


Two seals, including newborn, die at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park while red panda breaks into giant panda enclosure in trio of incidents
Two seals, including a newborn, have died at Ocean Park in two separate incidents in less than a week, a spokeswoman for the marine theme park confirmed last night.  A red panda also escaped its enclosure and entered a neighbouring enclosure, home to the park’s two resident giant pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le.


Hidden Mickey made of 48,000 solar panels spotted at Walt Disney World
A solar farm arranged into the shape of the famous mouse ears has been built near Epcot at Walt Disney World.



Thursday February 25, 2015

SeaWorld admits employees spied on protesters
Amusement park operator SeaWorld has admitted that it carried on a practice in which employees posed as animal rights activists in order to spy on those groups.

Cedar Fair Declares 2016 First-Quarter Cash Distribution
The distribution, which is payable March 28, 2016 to unitholders of record as of March 14, 2016, represents the Company's 30 consecutive year of paying a cash distribution to its unitholders.


Alton Towers is to be prosecuted over the Smiler rollercoaster crash
The owner of Alton Towers will be prosecuted over the Smiler rollercoaster crash after it left five people seriously injured.


Universal Orlando releases image of Skull Island: Reign of Kong
The 3-D ride, which will be one of the longest ride experiences ever created at Universal, will  bring the next generation of King Kong to life., according to a release from the theme park.


SeaWorld Entertainment Q4 Loss Narrows From Previous Year
The company reported a Q4 adjusted net loss of $9.6 million, or a loss of $0.11 per diluted share, narrower than the loss of $17.8 million, or $0.20 per share, in the prior year period but wider than the loss of $0.10 expected by analysts.



Friday February 26, 2015

Theme park closes in Phnom Penh
Dreamland, Cambodia’s biggest amusement park, will close 1 March after the contact expires.  The amusement park posted on its facebook, Tuesday, that it was ending its business 1 March.

Friday, February 12, 2016

CoasterRadio.com Reel Design Contest

Have you entered the CoasterRadio.com Reel Design Contest yet?  If so, then good luck!  If not, then you have until Sunday 2/14/2016 at midnight to come up with an idea for a theme park attraction based on a movie or TV show.  You can send a recording of your idea to feedback@coasterradio.com, and if you are chosen as a finalist your attraction will be judged by a panel of industry professionals.

This is a great chance to have some fun and show off your creativity.

I decided to submit an idea for an attraction based on the Food Network show Chopped.  Here's a transcript of my submission:


Hey Mike and EB, this is Nathan from Indiana with my Reel Design contest entry.

My idea is for a stage show based on the Food Network show Chopped.

Guests will have the opportunity to show off their culinary skills in this exciting, fast paced production.

Three contestants will have 15 minutes to create a dish based on secret basket ingredients which are voted on by the audience, and the winner will be chosen by a panel of judges.

The sizzle from the pans.  The flames from the grill.  The excitement of giving park guests knives.

The competition, interactivity, and inherent danger will combine in a unique and thrilling experience for both the contestants and the audience.

There will be four shows throughout the day, with the winners from the first three shows squaring off in a final showdown to determine the ultimate Chopped champion of the day.

An emcee will move the show along by interviewing the contestants, asking the judges for their opinions, and even getting feedback from the audience members.

Other theme park shows based on reality tv shows, such as the American Idol Experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Fear Factor Live at Universal Orlando, prove that attractions based on audience participation can be highly successful.

Adding in the thrill and fast paced excitement of a live kitchen would take the Chopped Experience to a whole other level.

So there you go.  That’s my submission for the Reel Design contest, and if you fail to choose my idea as a finalist, you will be Chopped.

Thanks guys.  Love the show.

Review of the News: February 8 – February 12

Monday February 8, 2015

SeaWorld: Smash Mouth, Gladys Knight set for concerts
SeaWorld Orlando will kick off its annual Bands, Brew & BBQ festival with concerts by Smash Mouth and Gladys Knight this weekend.


Woman falls off thrill ride on ‘Surf Dance’
Fear gripped the Star City amusement park in Pasay City (Metro Manila) after a woman fell from a thrill ride over the weekend.


Accesso confirms Six Flags contract extension
Accesso Technology Group has announced an extension to its existing ticketing and queuing agreements with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, the world's largest regional theme park company, to continue providing its solutions to Six Flags' 18 parks across North America until the end of 2025.


Peyton Manning is visiting Disneyland on Monday, but iconic TV commercial doesn't run for only second time since 1987
The Denver Broncos’ quarterback will be honored at a parade and ceremony at around 12:45 p.m. Monday at the Anaheim theme park


Builder of Trade Center, Epcot dies at 90
John Tishman, who shaped the skyline of America as the builder of conspicuous structures such as the World Trade Center towers in New York, the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, and the John Hancock Center in Chicago, died Saturday at his home in Bedford, New York. He was 90.


Legoland Florida Files Plans for Lakeside Resort
Less than a year after opening an onsite hotel, Legoland has filed plans for a lakeside resort with 166 single-story duplex units, a pool, two ponds and a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse.



Tuesday February 9, 2015

Atlantic City's Steel Pier hopes to avoid repo man
Financing firm has threatened to seize Jersey Shore town's amusement rides being used as collateral for loan.


Six Flags Expanding With New Water Park In Mexico
Officials with the North Texas company, based in Grand Prairie, say there are plans to renovate and re-open a long-closed water park in Oaxtepec, Mexico.


Confident Tokyo Disneyland hiking prices again
The operator of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea will raise ticket prices for the third consecutive year to secure money for investing in the parks, based on projections that the solid stream of visitors will continue.



Wednesday February 10, 2015

Dolphin dies of unknown causes at SeaWorld San Antonio
A 12-year-old male dolphin died of unknown causes at SeaWorld San Antonio last week, the fourth mammal death at the park since last July, park officials in San Antonio said.

Disneyland Paris visitor numbers down since attacks
Disneyland Paris has seen visitor numbers fall by eight percent since the 13 November Paris attacks, according to the Euro Disney company.


Walt Disney Co. theme parks saw record attendance
The rosy financial report was supported by a 10% increase in attendance at the company's domestic parks and a 7% rise in per-capita spending on food, drinks, admission and merchandise, Disney executives said.



Thursday February 11, 2015

New waterslide coming to Darien Lake
Darien Lake said it is planning to invest $1.5 million to build a new waterslide at the amusement park for the 2016 season.


Police Union Boycotts Dorney Park Over Treatment of Disabled Employee
One of the nation's largest police unions won't hold its annual picnic at a Pennsylvania amusement park after learning how officials treated an employee with special needs.


Universal Orlando increases theme park ticket prices
Universal Orlando's ticket prices increased on Wednesday, with a one-day ticket jumping to $105.



Friday February 12, 2015

Shoot the Rapids coming down
Cedar Point’s Shoot the Rapids is coming down.  Sources have told the Register the amusement park operator started to tear down the water ride Tuesday. Cedar Point is not confirming the removal or what will come next.

Joyland’s Wurlitzer organ the subject of civil lawsuit
The Wurlitzer organ that for nearly six decades served as the musical backdrop to Joyland’s Louie the Clown figure is now the subject of a civil court case.


Cedar Point’s bridge foundation falters
The Cedar Point Causeway just might be showing its age.  Sources told the Register a large crane heading to Cedar Point compromised the bridge, an almost 60-year-old structure.


Ex-Land of Make Believe bookkeeper stole $49K, police say
Tracey Husarenko, 37, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is charged with eight counts of theft and six counts of fraudulent use of a credit card after turning herself in this week at the New Jersey State Police barracks in Netcong, according to a department spokeswoman.


Knott's transforms park pink to raise awareness, money to beat breast cancer
Through March 18, Knott’s for the Cure will raise money for Susan G. Komen Orange County, a local affiliate of the national nonprofit that provides breast-cancer awareness, services and research.

Friday, February 5, 2016

Review of the News: February 1 – February 5

Monday February 1, 2015

Construction of new Tivoli attraction put on hold
The construction of Tivoli’s new attraction Fatamorgana, which had been expected to open this summer, has been put on hold because the amusement park lacks the necessary building permits, reports DR.


Man bitten by snake at Gold Coast theme park
The 32-year-old stepped on the snake while visiting Sea World on Monday and suffered a single bite to his foot.



Tuesday February 2, 2015

Epcot: Flower & Garden Festival adds more food plus Huey, Dewey, Louie
Walt Disney World has revealed more details about the upcoming Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which begins its record 90-day run on March 2.


Jackson residents: 9 complaints on solar farm
For the first time in more than 20 hours of testimony, township residents were able to speak their minds about a proposed solar farm in a forest on Six Flags Great Adventure property.


Giant red dragon arrives at Legoland Dubai
The 4m-long Red Dragon, which is made from 230,000 Lego bricks, will guard treasure as part of a rollercoaster ride.



Wednesday February 3, 2015

Armed man arrested at Disneyland Paris avoids jail
A man who tried to take two handguns into a hotel at the Disneyland amusement park in Paris was sentenced Tuesday by a court to six months wearing an electronic tag for arms possession, after investigators decided not to press terrorism charges.


Comcast Corp. confirms $130M land buy 'adjacent to an existing theme park'
Comcast Corp., the parent company of Universal Orlando Resort, confirmed Feb. 3 it paid $130 million for 475 acres of land "adjacent to an existing theme park" — essentially announcing it now owns the mass of land along Universal Boulevard, even though officials didn't offer additional details yet.


Shanghai Disneyland Unveils Ticket Prices
Standard tickets for Shanghai Disneyland will cost 370 yuan, or $56, with online ticket sales set to begin late next month ahead of June’s planned opening, the company said.


Legoland Malaysia Resort launches experience-based English learning programme
Legoland Malaysia Resort has introduced English Mania, an  experienced-based learning programme for students, in the theme park. 


Universal Studios unveils online ticketing system just in time for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The system, known as EZ Rez, will offer discounts of up to $20 on tickets, depending on the day. Tickets purchased at the gate are $95, but for a non-peak day, advance tickets purchased online can drop as low as $75.

Universal updates virtual-beads Mardi Gras app
The app, available for download for iPhone and Android, has a scavenger-hunt feel that includes four different tracks: music lovers, food lovers, family night and date night.



Thursday February 4, 2015

Wonderla to invest Rs150 crore to expand Bengaluru amusement park
Wonderla Holidays Ltd, an amusement park and resort operator, signed a Memorandum Of Understanding committing to invest Rs 150 crore over the next two years to expand its existing amusement park in Bidadi (Bengaluru), India.


Bronx Woman Suing Six Flags Over Violent Waterslide Collision, Lawsuit Says
A Parkchester woman is suing Six Flags Great Adventure over an ill-fated ride on the amusement park's King Cobra waterslide that left her badly injured, court documents say.



Friday February 5, 2015

Social media reaction to Dorney Park's dismissal of special needs employee
Affter a wave of social media outrage, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom officials on Friday said that a 29-year-old special needs man who has cleaned bathrooms at the amusement park for 12 seasons would not be dismissed after all.


Brooklyn lawmaker again pushes landmark status for Coney Island’s boardwalk
As the city plans to change some of the materials used for the promenade that evokes Jazz Age shenanigans, City Councilman Mark Treyger continues his push to landmark the historic wooden-planked path.


Beijing amusement park gears up for New Year celebrations
Festivities were already well underway on Friday at Beijing's Shijingshan Amusement Park, where revelers are expected to descend en masse for next week's Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations.


Court reschedules deadline for Conneaut Lake Park's bankruptcy plan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court has rescheduled the deadline for Conneaut Lake Park's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan until late March in the wake of a federally-ordered mediation session held last month.


Ocean Park loses over a million visitors in 2015 – biggest drop in years
Ocean Park has seen a dip in visitors of 14 percent over the past year. In 2014, Ocean Park saw a total of 7.8 million visits – the highest number ever recorded. However, ticket sales slumped by over a million in 2015 to 6.7 million.


Alton Towers submit plans to extend Enchanted Village accommodation
Staffordshire theme park Alton Towers has unveiled plans to build extra lodges in its accommodation area, after seeing bookings for the resort soar.


Darien Lake plans new water slide attraction
The newest attraction coming to Darien Lake this summer will be a twisting rush of color pitting up to six racers down a sliding, 300-foot long water-slide raceway.


Islands of Adventure: Hulk roller coaster on way back up
The Incredible Hulk roller coaster is being rebuilt, and theme-park visitors now can see parts of the bright green rail being put back into place inside Universal's Islands of Adventure.