Review of the News: September 26 – September 30

Monday September 26, 2016

HarvestFest marks end of park’s season
DelGrosso's Amusement Park Director Elliott Geist said the park's 30th annual season finale, HarvestFest, brought thousands of people Saturday and Sunday.

Grim reaper catches fire at Utah haunted house
Patrons at Lagoon Amusement Park in Utah looking for a scary thrill got more than they bargained for Saturday night, Sept. 24, as a portion of a haunted house attraction caught on fire.

SeaWorld introduces passes that let you bring a different guest each day
You buy an annual pass to SeaWorld for the normal price of $168. You can buy a second transferrable pass at the same time for $208. Whenever you visit on your "host pass", a different person can come with you using the transferrable one.

Alton Towers engineer whose mistake contributed to Smiler crash 'felt pressure to restart ride quickly because of bonuses'
The HSE report found that theme park management had set targets for staff for the length of time rides were out of service and that bonuses were then linked to staff achieving low levels of this “downtime”.


Tuesday September 27, 2016

SeaWorld in 2017: New coasters, rides and shows to turn the tide
With its announcement of new roller coasters, rides, shows, and other features coming in 2017, SeaWorld offers a sense of its new vision and how the parks will evolve.

Universal Studios Hollywood gets an Android app
Ticket purchasing, resort map, wait times, itineraries, alerts for your optimal ride wait times, notifications, news, and more are available within the free app, so you can focus on enjoying your Minion Mayhem ride or take Potter's Forbidden Journey whenever it's convenient to you.

Alton Towers operator fined £5 million over crash in which two girls lost legs
Merlin Entertainments admitted breaching the Health and Safety Act over the June 2015 crash of The Smiler roller coaster at the park.

45 more Disney autism lawsuits dismissed, appealed
An Orlando federal judge has dismissed 45 more lawsuits over access to Disney theme-park rides and attractions for disabled people, but the lawyer handling them is already appealing them.

Kentucky Kingdom claims attendance record
The Kentucky Kingdom amusement park and its Hurricane Bay water facility had an estimated 800,000 visitors in the recently completed 2016 season, surpassing the previous year's attendance by more than 200,000.


Wednesday September 28, 2016

Knott’s Shuts Down Attraction Denounced by Mental Health Advocates
Less than a week after it opened, Knott’s Berry Farm Tuesday shut down a Halloween attraction criticized by mental health advocates for perpetuating the social stigma of mental illness.

Waldameer announces $2 million water park expansion for 2017
Waldameer is planning a $2 million expansion to Water World for next summer, park officials said.

Universal Orlando to celebrate Mardi Gras for 49 consecutive days in 2017
Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando will run for 49 consecutive days in 2017. The party will run from Feb. 4 to March 24 and will include Cajun food, parades and bands from New Orleans.

Alton Towers withdraws free entry for Blue Peter badge holders
Holders of the much-coveted badges awarded to viewers of the flagship BBC children’s television programme have benefited from the perk at Merlin attractions for at least a decade as part of a list of 200 places offering free access to those wearing the show’s famous insignia.


Thursday September 29, 2016

Great America closes virtual reality ride after claims of insensitivity
A virtual reality experience at California’s Great America has been pulled from its park following concerns that the attraction was harmful to people who suffer from mental illness.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach unveils details of new rollercoaster
The £16.25 million ride, which is currently being referred to as Construction 2018, will reach heights of 88.5ft, feature drops of up to 82ft and hit speeds of up 80km/h (49mph).

Alton Towers visitors yet to recover a year after Smiler crash
The owner of Alton Towers has said visitor numbers have not yet fully recovered more than a year after the horrific rollercoaster accident that saw it fined £5m.

Disney World announces 2017 US military discounts
From now until Dec. 16, 2017, active and retired military personnel or their spouses can purchases specially priced tickets for themselves and up to five additional family members or friends.


Friday September 30, 2016

Grandparents can get free tickets to Drayton Manor theme park
The theme park is offering all grandmas and grandpas the chance to visit for free to celebrate National Grandparents Day on Sunday 2nd October.

Princesses set for month of royal meetings
There will be a month of royal encounters at Disney Springs starting on Saturday. Disney Princesses will be holding court, greeting the public every day in October.

Busch Gardens welcomes another baby gorilla
The gorilla population at Busch Gardens has gotten a little bit bigger. Oliver, a western lowland gorilla, was born at the Tampa theme park on Aug. 18.

Disney World's Yacht and Beach Club plans convention space expansion
Walt Disney World's Yacht & Beach Club Resort plans to expand its convention space with an additional 25,000 square feet.

Review of the News: September 19 – September 23

Monday September 19, 2016

No news for this day.


Tuesday September 20, 2016

Guests get to be part of ghoulish splash at Ocean Park Hong Kong Halloween festivities this year
Starting October 2, visitors can sign up for the Dead Looker Workshop, a three-hour session which covers training, make-up and chances to perform in the park.

Village Roadshow theme parks on Gold Coast cut queues with new mobile food and drink app
The service is operating at Gotham City cafe at Warner Bros Movie World and kicking off at Wet’n’Wild Sydney this weekend.


Wednesday September 21, 2016

Kentucky Kingdom opens doors to first responders
Kentucky Kingdom is offering a free one-day admission to area first responders and their families, including Louisville Metro police, firefighters, and emergency-medical services technicians.

More than $800K spent in legal, other fees in Conneaut Lake Park bankruptcy fight
Conneaut Lake Park's bankruptcy case has cost the main adversaries in the case more than $800,000 legal and other fees — or more than 60 percent of what the amusement park owed in back taxes, interest, penalties and fees.

IAAPA intends to move world HQ to Orlando
The attractions industry's premier trade group is announcing today that it plans to relocate its global headquarters to Orange County from Alexandria, Va.

Pleasure Island theme park in Cleethorpes is to close
While it will remain open this weekend and for other planned weekends including its annual fireworks event on October 29, the gates will then be locked for the final time.

New footage of Alton Towers horror Smiler smash emerges as key court appearance looms
The video which can only be published today for the first time captures the seconds leading up to the devastating smash at the Staffordshire theme park last summer and the horrific aftermath which cost two teenagers their legs.

Stitch's Great Escape switching to 'seasonal' operation
Stitch's Great Escape, an attraction at Magic Kingdom theme park, will no longer be open on a daily basis as of Oct. 2, a Walt Disney World spokeswoman has confirmed.

Why Universal's Horror Nights both repulses and attracts
Researchers have found that scary experiences make your heart race and blood pump, intensifying all of your emotions. You may hate the experience at the moment, but as soon as it's over, many people experience feelings of accomplishment mixed with amusement, and the whole thing becomes viewed in hindsight as intensely positive.


Thursday September 22, 2016

Legoland now taking reservations for new Beach Resort
Legoland Florida is now taking reservations for its Legoland Beach Resort, a bungalow-style complex set to open next year.


Friday September 23, 2016

Muppet show starts at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 2
The new Muppet show will debut at Magic Kingdom on Oct. 2, Walt Disney World has announced. "The Muppets Present ... Great Moments in American History" will be staged near the Hall of Presidents in the theme park's Liberty Square area.

Disneyland brings back Southern California annual passes at a higher price
Two years after Disneyland discontinued an annual pass for Southern California residents, the Anaheim theme park is bringing the pass back — with a price increase.

Review of the News: September 12 – September 16

Monday September 12, 2016

Carowinds' Fury 325 named one of world's best roller coasters
Fury 325 won the “No. 1 Steel Coaster in the World” award Saturday at the Golden Ticket Awards ceremony in Sandusky, Ohio.

Holiday World continues Golden Ticket tradition
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest water coaster took top honors once again during the 2016 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony.

3 Pennsylvania amusement parks named best of the best in international awards
Pennsylvania amusement parks are home to the best food, carousel, children's park and funhouse in the world. At least, that's what the polls say.

Europa Park named world's best amusement park
Germany's biggest amusement park, the Europa Park in the town of Rust near Freiburg, has beaten the global competition to win the award for best amusement park in the world for the third straight year.


Tuesday September 13, 2016

Dollywood takes several top amusement park top honors at the Golden Ticket Awards
The theme park picked up four "best of" awards and placed in the top-five in five other categories.

Man threatens to bomb Cedar Point
An unidentified suspect made bomb threats against Cedar Point on Sunday, but local officials quickly determined the threat was not credible.


Wednesday September 14, 2016

California Law Bans SeaWorld Orca Shows
California Gov. Jerry Brown is approving legislation requiring SeaWorld to follow through on its plan to end killer whale breeding and entertainment shows.

Sum of All Thrills, StormStruck closed
The Sum of All Thrills and StormStruck, two exhibits within the Innoventions area of Epcot, closed for good on Tuesday, a Walt Disney World spokeswoman confirmed.


Thursday September 15, 2016

Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce ranked top wooden roller coaster
The Boulder Dash coaster at Lake Compounce in Bristol outscored the competition. The Wooden Warrior coaster at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury also cracked the top 50, coming in at 46.

Italian fest to return to Delgrosso's
This Sunday is the annual Italian Food and Heritage Festival at Delgrosso's Amusement Park.

Coney Island to host world's largest waterless pool party
It’s the world’s largest waterless pool party, and it happens Saturday, Sept. 24 at historic Cincinnati Coney Island Amusement Park on the banks of the Ohio River.

Legoland adding to Star Wars land, water park
Capitalizing on the popularity of all things “Star Wars,” Legoland will add still more iconic characters and scenes to its themed miniland next year, drawing inspiration from last year’s “The Force Awakens.”


Friday September 16, 2016

Last rites Friday for Cedar Point’s ‘Mean Streak’
The ride officials at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park call “the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world” has its last trips and scares on Friday.

Halloween Horror Nights 2016 survival guide
Universal Studios begins its 26th round of Halloween Horror Nights this weekend. The format remains the same, but there will be fresh offerings among the theme park's haunted-house mazes, scare zones and stage shows.

Review of the News: September 5 – September 9

Monday September 5, 2016

I hope everyone enjoyed Labor Day!


Tuesday September 6, 2016

Bankruptcy Court approves Conneaut Lake Park's bankruptcy plan
The Chapter 11 reorganization plan filed by Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park was confirmed this morning by Chief U.S Bankruptcy Judge Jeffery Deller following a more than one hour hearing in U.S. District Court.

14-year-old shot in Carowinds parking lot
Carowinds said that at about 7:20 p.m., security officers reported a shooting in the bus parking lot outside the park in the 14500 block of Carowinds Blvd.

Playland: Court battle looms for offseason
The county and the company it chose to run Playland made overtures to Rye to dissuade the city from pursuing legal action over proposed changes to the park.

Safety concerns raised following Indiana Beach incident
An employee suffered several injuries at Indiana Beach over the weekend following an incident with a roller coaster car.

Waldameer sees more out of state guests as 2016 season wraps up
Some new attractions and nice weather lead to an increase in attendance numbers compared to the 2015 summer season.

Pulse victims honored with Universal Studios window
A special window honoring victims of the Pulse shooting has been installed above a street scene at Universal Studios theme park.


Wednesday September 7, 2016

Disney World starts scanning kids' fingers
Disney said the new process will help block the use of stolen and shared tickets. Previously, kids' tickets would have been easy to transfer because they had no finger images attached to them.


Thursday September 8, 2016

What to expect in Halloween Horror Nights' Repository
Members of the creative team behind Repository recently shared a few facts -- none too spoilery, I'd say -- about the experience, which will debut Sept. 29 (nearly two weeks after HHN kicks off) and run through Oct. 31.

Efteling was not a concrete terror target
The Efteling theme park was never mentioned as a ‘concrete’ target in an ongoing investigation into a 25-year-old alleged jihadi, the public prosecution department said on Thursday afternoon.


Friday September 9, 2016

Carowinds honors first responders
Carowinds released a statement saying the discount is to show their appreciation and all first responders will receive 50-percent off full-price regular admission.

The rise and fall of Geauga Lake
Through the years Geauga Lake transformed from a rural picnic area to massive thrill park. Its final incarnation as Wildwater Kingdom shut down for good this year.

Review of the News: August 29 – September 2

Monday August 29, 2016

Kings Island begins construction on roller coaster
The first set of bents were placed on the new Mystic Timbers roller coaster Monday at Kings Island, according to a press release.

Adventureland fined $4,500 in worker's death
Federal regulators allege that Adventureland park broke Iowa law by not creating a safe work environment for the 68-year-old man who died from injuries he sustained while working on the Raging River ride in June.

Amid Zika fears, Florida theme parks offer mosquito repellent
Walt Disney World, Sea World and Universal Orlando are spearheading the movement in hope of sidelining any fears tourists may have of being exposed to Zika-carrying mosquitoes.


Tuesday August 30, 2016

Disney World: New ending for stage show coming
Disney World is adding a new ending to "Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire," a stage show near the base of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom theme park.  As of Friday, the production's finale will include an original song about autumn by songwriters Valerie Vigoda and Brendan Milburn.


Wednesday August 31, 2016

Major Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk remodel to add 63 new seasonal jobs next summer
Beginning soon after Monday’s Labor Day holiday, the Boardwalk will embark on a 10-month renovation project centered around replacing a building housing the Fright Walk attraction, in addition to a major redesign on the park’s central entrance corridor.

Disney California Adventure’s Tower of Terror Ride to Close Jan. 2
Previously, Disney had only said the ride — which will come back as a “Guardians of the Galaxy”-themed attraction — would close sometime in January, according to a Disney Parks blog post.

Universal Orlando updates annual passholder perks, increases prices
Universal Orlando increased the price of its annual passes Wednesday as it updated its annual passholder program, including a new seasonal pass, early admission to the park and discounted parking.


Thursday September 1, 2016

Six Flags unveils new attractions for every park in 2017
Six Flags has unveiled its 2017 lineup of new roller coasters, dark rides and water slides at the amusement park chain's 13 locations.  Four roller coasters, three dark rides, four thrill rides and three water attractions are among the additions.

Dubai opens massive Marvel-branded indoor theme park
The 1.5 million square-foot (140,000 square-meter) indoor amusement park opened its doors to the public on Wednesday, offering visitors and residents air-conditioned respite from the soaring summer temperatures outside.

Tokyo DisneySea marks 15th year
Tokyo DisneySea, the only Disney park in the world with a theme based on the ocean, is currently featuring a series of special events to mark its 15th anniversary. A special program, titled “The Year of Wishes,” will last until March 17 next year.


Friday September 2, 2016

Universal Studios project stalled again
The Korean Water Resources Corporation (K-Water) failed on Tuesday to sign a contract with Universal Studios Korea (USK) to build a Universal Studios amusement park in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi. The first deadline for concluding a contract was Aug. 31.