Review of the News: December 12 – December 16

Monday December 12, 2016

Universal Studios Japan unveils first look at Super Nintendo World amusement park
The first Nintendo-themed area for the amusement park chain will celebrate its grand opening just before the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, and a brand new conceptual rendering has given us a glimpse at Peach’s Castle and Bowser’s Castle.

Visitors down as Dreamworld reopens
More than 6000 people visited Dreamworld over the weekend — half the daily average of two years ago — after it opened its gates for the first time since four people were killed on the Thunder River Rapids six weeks ago.


Tuesday December 13, 2016

SeaWorld Will Open Its First Park Without Killer Whales
The aquatic-themed amusement park will develop its newest location in Abu Dhabi minus its iconic killer whales.

Santa look-a-like asked to leave Texas theme park because he looked too much like Kris Kringle
A Texas grandfather closely resembling Santa Claus was kicked out of Six Flags Over Texas this weekend.


Wednesday December 14, 2016

How the returning Disneyland Electrical Parade went from 'absolute disaster' to beloved attraction
The 45-year-old nighttime parade returns to Disneyland on Jan. 20 after an extended run at Florida’s Magic Kingdom theme park.

Former employee who stole Joyland clown gets 15 months
Every so often after Joyland Amusement Park closed for good in 2006, its owners, Margaret and Stan Nelson, would go there to check on its condition. Once, they found Damian Mayes, a former employee, taking props out of the Whacky Shack haunted house. He said he was taking the memorabilia home so it wouldn’t fall victim to thieves.

Legoland Florida, Kidz Bop form partnership
Legoland Florida theme park and Kidz Bop music brand have unveiled a multipronged partnership agreement that includes participation in the attraction's Ninjago World, which is set to open in January.

Woman sustains neck injury at Gold Coast theme park
Queensland Ambulance Service says a woman has been transported to Gold Coast University Hospital after suffering a neck injury on a slide at Wet'n'Wild.

Plans for $750 million theme park in north Georgia 'on hold'
Almost a year after a groundbreaking that never happened, Avatron Smart Park, a $750-million technology-centered theme park planned to be built in Emerson announced Monday that it is shutting down.

Former Disney technology workers sue again over visas
Thirty former Walt Disney World information technology workers laid off and replaced by immigrants on H-1B visas sued the company this week, saying they were discriminated against on the basis of race and national origin.


Thursday December 15, 2016

Margate's Dreamland has Scenic Railway back on track
The Margate amusement park's centrepiece attraction will reopen at noon on Saturday after the testing of a replacement lift hill rope was completed, ending almost six months of inaction for the rollercoaster.

Former Six Flags in New Orleans East gets $3.26 million purchase offer
The economic development board that owns the former Six Flags park in New Orleans East will consider an offer to buy the 224-acre site for $3.26 million from a developer with aspirations of bringing back a Jazzland amusement park, the board's president said Wednesday.

Theme park launches 'turkey drop'
Chessington World of Adventures is asking guests to donate their unwanted and leftover Christmas turkey this year. The meat will be used to feed three Asiatic lion cubs, which were born in the spring.

Christmas Bricktacular set for Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida launches its Christmas Bricktacular, which includes interactions with Lego Santa and Lego Toy Soldier, scavenger hunts, a Lego Friends stage show, music by the Brickettes singing group, fireworks and more.

Visiting Downtown Disney? You'll have to go through metal detectors from now on
The metal detectors that were added at the Disneyland resort last year are being moved Thursday so they can be used to also screen visitors to Disney’s adjacent shopping district.


Friday December 16, 2016

Arnolds Park to add parking, renovate Roof Garden, Pavilion
On Wednesday, members of the Arnolds Park City Council listened as plans were unveiled to usher in another generation for the 126-year-old institution.

Disneyland's oldest employee to celebrate 60 years of service at theme park
Oscar Martinez, Disneyland's oldest employee, will be soon be celebrating 60 years of service at the California theme park.

Fun Spot adding virtual reality to Orlando roller coaster
Fun Spot expects to be the home of the first virtual-reality roller coaster in Central Florida, adapting the Freedom Flyer ride at its Orlando location by Christmastime, an attraction official said Tuesday.

Four more Magic Kingdom restaurants to serve wine, beer
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, Liberty Tree Tavern, Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen and Cinderella’s Royal Table will serve the beverages daily during lunch and dinner.

Hong Kong Disney raises prices
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort announced, Thursday, new admission ticket prices and special offers for the travel trade industry that are effective today, 16 December.

Review of the News: December 5 – December 9

Monday December 5, 2016

Marineland Denies 'Highly Unusual' Number Of Animal Deaths
A complaint that led Ontario's animal welfare agency to investigate Marineland accuses the tourist attraction of cruelty against several species, alleging there was a "highly unusual" amount of land animal deaths for a zoo, several deer that didn't get proper medical care, sick bears and a peacock with a growth near its eye, The Canadian Press has learned.

Ocean Park Hong Kong Presents World-Class 'Illusion' Stage Show During Christmas Sensation 2016
Kicking off on 17th December, this spellbinding show will feature breathtaking magic acts, cutting-edge visual effects and amazing live entertainment performed by internationally-acclaimed illusionists, including finalists of the reality show, Australia’s Got Talent, Michael Boyd and Soul Mystique.


Tuesday December 6, 2016

Epcot's Spaceship Earth turns into the Death Star
For one night, Spaceship Earth was transformed into the Death Star, complete with shooting laser beams, ahead of the release of Rogue One - A Star Wars.


Wednesday December 7, 2016

SeaWorld lays off hundreds of employees
SeaWorld Entertainment announced Tuesday it is eliminating 320 jobs company-wide, part of an ongoing effort to sharply cut its costs.

Wonderla adds two new rides at Kochi park
Wonderla Holidays, which operates amusement parks in Kochi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, has introduced two new high-thrill rides. The new rides – Equinox 360 & Flash Tower – will further boost Wonderla Kochi’s popularity, which has attracted more than 1.5 crore visitor since inception.

Blind boy who uses wheelchair 'forced' to stand up to be measured before using rides at Drayton Manor
Family of Cameron Alderman claim there was a 'rude' exchange as boy tried to enjoy the Jolly Buccaneer on trip organised by charity Blind Children UK.

Busch Gardens: Errant emails were 'glitch'
Emails with details about reservations to Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Va., were sent in error Tuesday to people who had never made reservations.

Ocean Park sees record HK$241.1 million deficit, announces 13.8pc entrance fee rise
Hong Kong’s Ocean Park has recorded its first deficit since Sars hit the city in 2003 on a sharp drop in mainland China visitors, and announced a 13.8 per cent fee rise.

Alton Towers reveals opening date for top secret rollercoaster to replace The Flume
Full details have not yet been revealed about the new ride – currently called SW8 or Secret Weapon 8 – but it will border Mutiny Bay and Kantaga Canyon.  Now the theme park has revealed its latest big attraction should be open for the start of the 2018 season.

No pomp and pageantry as Santa's Village in Bracebridge sold
According to Jamie Hopkins, general manager and minor shareholder, a young couple brimming with ideas for the park purchased almost 100 per cent of the shares, officially becoming the owners of Santa’s Village on Nov. 1.

Furious parents slam Legoland Christmas grotto after three hour wait to see Father Christmas
Timeslots had been booked in advance and families had paid £35 to secure their place in the queue, but the queue did not appear to move, according to reviews left on the theme park’s Facebook page.


Thursday December 8, 2016

First ride erected at Owa amusement park
Foley's Owa amusement and entertainment park seems to be right on schedule. Some of the amusement rides have already started arriving at the construction site.

Fun Spot adding wooden coaster at Kissimmee park
A wooden roller coaster is expected to open next year at Fun Spot America in Kissimmee, the company announced Thursday. The ride will be the only wooden coaster in the Southeast U.S. to include a 360-degree barrel roll, according to John Arie Jr., Fun Spot CEO.

Dreamworld still testing rides ahead of weekend reopening
After aborting a planned ­reopening just three days after the deaths of four people in October, Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said the park would not reopen until satisfying safety checks from multiple agencies, including overseas experts.

Dollywood: Undamaged and celebrating a Smoky Mountains Christmas
Dollywood escaped without any damage and resumed operations of its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration a few days after the fires subsided.


Friday December 9, 2016

Goshen residents against proposed LEGOLAND file lawsuit
They want the state Department of Environmental Conservation to replace the town's planning board as the lead agency on the half-billion dollar project.

Conneaut Lake Park auction hopes to generate funds for Camperland expansion
Everything from vintage Dodgem bumper cars from the 1930s and 1940s to pieces of amusement rides no longer used will be on the block. There also will be signs, baby strollers, hotel furniture and even a huge safe.

Busch Gardens exhibit closes as part of layoffs
A Busch Gardens spokeswoman confirmed that the Jambo Junction exhibit was closed Thursday, and said that the future of the exhibit is unclear at this time.

Magic Kingdom: Disney After Dark returning
Disney After Dark will see the light of day again. For seven nights in early 2017, a limited number of visitors will be able to linger in Magic Kingdom for three hours after the theme park has closed to regular day guests.

Review of the News: November 28 – December 2

Monday November 28, 2016

Japanese theme park forced to apologize for creepy skating rink full of dead fish
The Space World amusement park in southwestern Japan opened an ice rink earlier this month with 5,000 dead fish frozen beneath the surface. It closed Sunday, after an enormous public backlash.

Rainbows End ride stops leaving people hanging
Rainbows End chief executive Chris Deere said the ride was completely safe and had stopped as a result of school children "spitting".


Tuesday November 29, 2016

Universal Orlando will get Nintendo-themed land
Nintendo-themed areas will open in Universal theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan over the next few years.

Possibility of staged restart Dreamworld theme park on Monday
Dreamworld is set to reopen next week, with owners Ardent Leisure convening a board meeting to finalise plans to get the theme park back on line after the Thunder River Rapids ride disaster.

Hearing to be scheduled regarding man's claim of Conneaut Lake Park ownership
A federal bankruptcy judge will schedule a hearing on whether a former owner of Conneaut Lake Park can reclaim ownership of the amusement park and its water company.

Wildfire Burns at Edge of Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Theme Park
Raging wildfires fueled by high winds forced the evacuation of thousands of people and damaged hundreds of buildings in a popular resort town on the border of the Smoky Mountains National Park as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters.


Wednesday November 30, 2016

Dreamworld to reopen December 10
Dreamworld will re-open on December 10 following last month’s Thunder River Rapids ride disaster which claimed the lives of four tourists.


Thursday December 1, 2016

Holiday World’s Mannequin video reveals 2017 plans
Firecracker is a Calypso ride, one of only a handful still in operation nationwide. The vintage ride will be restored with a patriotic theme and will be located across from Liberty Launch in the park’s 4th of July section.


Friday December 2, 2016

After 18 years, California Mission models are back at Knott's Berry Farm
The original models first appeared in the park in 1956. They were commissioned by Walter Knott to be placed along a trail next to the Stagecoach line to keep people from wandering in front of the horse-drawn carriages.

Kings Island has 4,200 job openings for 2017
The Mason amusement park said applications are being accepted in admissions, entertainment, fire and safety, guest services and more.

'Grinchmas' Ho, Ho, Hos at Universal
Opening day for these Who-larious high jinks is Saturday, Dec. 3, while New Year's Day is when The Grinch will board his bag-packed sleigh and bid his fans adieu.

SeaWorld adds Rudolph, more to holiday mix
SeaWorld Orlando wants folks to join in the reindeer games during this holiday season. The theme park has added Rudolph’s Christmas Town to its lineup.