Friday, April 29, 2016

Review of the News: April 25 – April 29

Monday April 25, 2015

Disney World Rolls Out Its Sneakiest Price Increase Yet
Disney quietly increased fountain and bottled beverage prices at its theme parks -- something that will nickel and dime the pocketbooks of many if not most of its park guests.


Britain set to get £2billion Disneyland-style theme park in 2021 with BBC and Paramount attractions
Measuring twice the size of the Olympic Park, the London Paramount Entertainment Resort is to be built on the Swanscombe Peninsula in Kent. 



Tuesday April 26, 2015

Opening Date Set for World's Largest Theme Park in Dubai
On Sunday, officials from Ilyas and Mustafa Galadari Group announced the IMG Worlds of Adventure theme park in Dubai would officially open to the public on Aug. 15.


Fulton's Crab House at Disney Springs to change names
The owner, Levy Restaurants, revealed Monday that location will soon be called Paddlefish.



Wednesday April 27, 2015

Disney World Announces Free Dining Days for 2016
The freebie is what Disney calls a “dining plan,” which is good for two meals and one snack per person, per night of your stay.


'Exorcist' house set for Universal's Halloween Horror Nights
For the first time in the history of Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, the classic film "The Exorcist" will be presented as a haunted house.



Thursday April 28, 2015

Kentucky Kingdom unveils new coaster Storm Chaser
Kentucky Kingdom opens for the third season of its "second coming" Saturday, and the park operators have sunk $8 million into a flashy, unique steel roller coaster dubbed Storm Chaser that they expect to be a major new attraction for the fairgrounds amusement park.


Six Gun City Sells Roller Coaster to Canadian Park
The small-sized coaster was sold to an amusement park in the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec, Canada, according to Tom Brady, general manager of the family-owned theme park.


Mass Effect attraction hits California’s Great America amusement park this summer
The experience will feature live performances and “4D effects” as it takes fans through a galactic adventure.


Disney getting set for new Soarin' ride at Epcot
The popular Epcot attraction has been closed since early January, preparing for a new version of the film that will take riders on a global journey and prompting a new name: Soarin' Around the World.


Comcast's NBCUniversal buys DreamWorks Animation in $3.8-billion deal
NBCUniversal on Thursday said it has reached an agreement to acquire DreamWorks Animation in a deal valued at $3.8 billion.


SeaWorld, Guy Harvey team up on ocean conservation
SeaWorld announced Wednesday that it is partnering with conservationist Guy Harvey to promote ocean health and shark conservation.



Friday April 29, 2015

Earffel Tower removed at Hollywood Studios
The Earfell Tower, one of the original and iconic structures of Disney's Hollywood Studios, has been removed, a Walt Disney World official confirmed Friday morning.

Friday, April 22, 2016

Review of the News: April 18 – April 22

Monday April 18, 2015

Three-year-old dies after collapsing at theme park while on day out
The boy collapsed at the Wheelgate Park, a 40-acre family park in Farnsfield, and was airlifted to hospital, but was later pronounced dead.


Dreamworld closes log ride after man’s near drowning
A popular ride at the Dreamworld theme park has been closed indefinitely after a near drowning.  A man swallowed water and suffered head cuts when he fell out of the log ride at the Gold Coast theme park on Sunday afternoon.



Tuesday April 19, 2015

Laid-off Hong Kong Disneyland employees get extra cash if they sign non-disclosure form
Employees fired by Disneyland last Friday have been offered extra compensation beyond legal requirements, but they were told by Disneyland that they would need to sign a non-disclosure form first.



Wednesday April 20, 2015

Doeden, Ahrens join Arnolds Park Amusement Park
Charley Whittenburg, CEO of Arnolds Park Amusement Park, announced the hiring of two new management staff on Wednesday, March 30.


Disney: More details on Frozen ride, new version of Soarin'
The ride and Sommerhus will open at the same time at some point this summer, Disney says.  Summer also is the time frame for the return of Soarin’, which will be redubbed Soarin’ Around the World.



Thursday April 21, 2015

When to expect new rides, shows at Disney World
We now have more specific dates -- if not exactly exact ones -- for when new shows, rides and other attractions will be opening at Walt Disney World, thanks to announcements made during a three-day media briefing.



Friday April 22, 2015

Alton Towers owners admit safety failings over rollercoaster crash
Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd, the company that runs Alton Towers, has said that it was responsible for health and safety failings over the Smiler Rollercoaster crash in June 2015.


Legoland Florida announces new solar energy project
Legoland Florida and Tampa Electric are partnering on a new 2-megawatt solar energy project that will produce electricity and shade for visitors at the Winter Haven attraction.


New rides to thrill all ages at Canada's Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland unveiled two new rides that will be up and running when the theme park opens for its 35th season on May 1.


Six Flags Great Adventure to host food, wine fest
The Jackson amusement park will host its Third annual Fast Tracks and Food Trucks festival this weekend.


Broken pipe to blame for extended closure of Disney World waterslides
Summit Plummet - and the nearby Slush Gusher - have been closed for weeks, and it's uncertain when they will reopen.  Disney says a broken pipe at the water park is to blame.

Friday, April 15, 2016

Review of the News: April 11 – April 15

Monday April 11, 2015

Kings Island debuting new 7-story water slide tower 'Tropical Plunge'
Kings Island is opening a new water slide complex standing nearly seven stories when Soak City Waterpark opens for the summer.



Tuesday April 12, 2015

Legoland Malaysia to build world’s largest LEGO Millennium Falcon
Legoland Malaysia is now set to break record by assembling the world’s largest LEGO Millennium Falcon, from the Star Wars series.


Calico Saloon opens and Pan for Gold relocates as work at Knott's Ghost Town continues
Construction noise is still echoing throughout Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm, as work continues to upgrade several longtime attractions at the park.


Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort Announces New Looping Coaster
Indiana Beach, Indiana’s Favorite Boardwalk Resort, will kick off its upcoming 90th Anniversary season with the addition of a looping-reversing coaster called Zero G.


Wednesday April 13, 2015

Women accuse Belmont Park of discrimination
The women claim they were kicked off the Beach Blaster ride during a September 2015 visit because they were wearing Muslim head coverings known as hijabs.


Great Escape begins work on new looping coaster
The ride is located between the Sasquatch and Boomerang rides, near the front of the park. The amusement park is slated to open May 14, though the Greezed Lightnin' will debut May 21.


Mickey Mouse-shaped solar facility unveiled at Disney World
Officials with Disney World, Duke Energy and Disney’s private government on Tuesday flipped on the switch to a Mickey Mouse-shaped solar facility located on 22 acres near the Epcot theme park.



Thursday April 14, 2015

Playland: Vote set for May 2 after 3rd opt-out extension
Westchester County lawmakers plan to vote May 2 on an amended deal with the company in line to manage Playland, the historic county-owned park on the Long Island Sound.


Disneyland Offers First Glimpse of ‘Star Wars’ Land as Construction Begins
Disney celebrated the official groundbreaking of the new Star Wars-themed land in Disneyland on Thursday by releasing a 360-degree image of the construction site.


Universal's Halloween Horror Nights reveals first 2016 house
The theme park revealed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the 1974 horror film, will be one of the houses Horror Nights fans will brave this coming fall.



Friday April 15, 2015

North Alabama's first amusement park opens Friday
If you're a fan of thrills, you're in luck as north Alabama opens its first amusement park.  Lake City Amusement Park sits on 40 acres and features more than 35 thrill rides.


SeaWorld Picks Two Theme-Park Veterans for Board
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. said Friday that it named a new independent director to its board and nominated another, adding two theme park industry veterans to the company as it seeks to revamp its business amid sliding attendance.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Review of the News: April 4 – April 8

Monday April 4, 2015

Dogs Rescued From Overheated Cars at Efteling Amusement Park
Police officers broke open a car in the Efteling parking lot in order to rescue a dog left in the baking sun. Another dog was found in a different car parked at the amusement park a few hours later, AD reports.


Lake Winnie puts a new 'Twist' on thrills in 2016 with new coaster
Lake Winnepesaukah, the South's favorite family amusement park, and SoakYa, the South's newest water park, are gearing up to offer a variety of thrills and spills in 2016.


Disneyland Paris Employee Found Dead In Phantom Manor Haunted House
French authorities are investigating the death of a Disneyland Paris worker whose body was found inside the park’s Phantom Manor haunted house on Saturday.



Tuesday April 5, 2015

SeaWorld Orlando Announces Opening Date for Mako Roller Coaster
SeaWorld Orlando’s new roller coaster Mako is making waves in the amusement park industry already, and the facility announced that the attraction will finally open to the public on June 10.


Two men on the run after brawl erupts outside of Sea World in Queensland
Two tourists are being assessed by paramedics following reports they were assaulted at Queensland’s Sea World.



Wednesday April 6, 2015

Fans have spoken: New coaster at Busch Gardens will be named InvadR
The votes are in and the people have spoken on the new name for the first wooden roller coaster at Busch Gardens.  Thrill seekers can now welcome the InvadR, which will open at the amusement park in spring 2017.


Cedar Point to begin construction of sports complex
Cedar Point is about to get sporty. The Sandusky, Ohio-based amusement park will begin construction on its new Cedar Point Sports Center this Friday.


Disney: 'Rivers of Light,' other Animal Kingdom attractions delayed
The debut of "Rivers of Light," a nighttime spectacular planned for Disney's Animal Kingdom, has been delayed.  The show was scheduled to begin at the theme park on April 22.



Thursday April 7, 2015

Permit allows Michigan's Adventure to increase sewage output
The new permit allows for discharging up to 100,000 gallons a day of sanitary sewage wastewater, which is 10 times the current permit's daily limit.


Wonderla water park opens in Hyderabad
Wonderla Holidays opened its Hyderabad Park for public preview, offering tickets at Rs 650 under a promotional scheme.


Newest coaster to be ready for opening day at Lake Compounce
Lake Compounce plans to have its first new roller coaster in 15 years ready for opening day next month.  The Phobia Phear coaster is a short but intense ride, according to Lake Compounce spokeswoman Sara Frias.


Parts of Busch Gardens' wooden coaster are recycled at theme parks
Gwazi lives! The bone-rattling, two-sided wooden roller coaster closed at Busch Gardens last year. But parts of the attraction are having another go-round in some unexpected places within SeaWorld Orlando.


Harry Potter Fans Still Spellbound as New Park Opens
“The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” opened to the public on Thursday at Universal Studios Hollywood.


New Disney's Hollywood Studios map shows major changes at theme park
Hollywood Studios has removed major attractions like the Studio Backlot Tour, Magic of Disney Animation and most recently the "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show."  Also gone is the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure, the Streets of America and the Studio Catering Co. restaurant.



Friday April 8, 2015

Playland's Castaway Cove Makes Announcement Concerning This Weekend
The rides at Playland’s Castaway Cove in Ocean City will be closed this weekend due to poor weather conditions, the amusement park announced on Friday.


Tickets for first ride on Cedar Point’s Valravn to go on sale Friday
All the money raised by the eager first-time riders will benefit the LeBron James Family Foundation.


Disney tried to suppress nutrition study on its theme park meals
The Walt Disney Company urged an academic journal to withdraw a nutritional study of children’s meals at Disney World last fall — a study it had funded — amid a public backlash over corporate involvement in scientific research, according to newly obtained emails.


Leatherhead firefighters called to Chessington after gas leaks from car
Crew members from the station headed to the theme park at about 12.30pm after a member of the public noticed liquid petroleum gas leaking from a car in one of its parking areas.

Friday, April 1, 2016

Review of the News: March 28 – April 1

Monday March 28, 2015

Opening Day Tickets for Shanghai Disney Are Already Sold Out
The debut of Walt Disney’s Shanghai theme park, the first in mainland China, is off to an encouraging start as tickets for the resort’s June opening date sold out quickly online.


French Marine Park Sued by an Environmentalist activist Group Over Mistreatment of Animals and Environment Pollution
Environmental activists filed a legal complaint against a marine park in France following its treatment on its Orca whales as well as other animals on the park after the said animals were perished during a storm.


Dubai Parks & Resorts presses ahead with Six Flags theme park
The Dubai listed operator has approved plans for a share issue to fund a Six Flags theme park next to the three parks it plans to open near the Sheikh Zayed Road on the outskirts of the city.



Tuesday March 29, 2015

Theme park visitors banned from screaming or shouting on new rollercoaster
Thrillseekers are being urged to keep quiet when riding The Big One at The Big Sheep amusement park in Bideford, Devon, in a bid to keep neighbours happy.



Wednesday March 30, 2015

Westchester extends Playland deal opt-out to April
The management company chosen to run Playland amusement park has gotten a second, and likely final, extension on its deadline to back out of the deal.


Wild West theme park where employee was shot denied gun dealer license
The owner of the Wild West City amusement park can't renew a retail firearms dealer's license in the wake of a bizarre accidental shooting there 10 years ago, a state court has ruled.



Thursday March 31, 2015

Great America readies long-term 'master plan' for more rides, 'entertainment district'
The owners of Santa Clara’s Great America have a message for you: Despite rumors to the contrary, the South Bay theme park is here to stay, and it plans to get a lot bigger and better.


Share-your-fear contest picks first riders for Phobia Phear Coaster at Lake Compounce
With the launch of its Phobia Phear Coaster, Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol, Connecticut, is inviting guests to share their deepest, darkest fears.  Twelve visitors will be chosen to be the first to ride Phobia on Lake Compounce's opening day, May 7, at 11 a.m.


Ice sculpting duel added to Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival
The addition is part of the festival's food exhibit and takes place in Gwazi Plaza on select days, including April 16, 17, 23 and 24.


SeaWorld Orlando opens manatee-rehab area to guests
Everyday visitors now are allowed into a section named Manatee Rehabilitation, where they can see treatment that puts ailing sea cows back in their natural habitats.



Friday April 1, 2015

Adventureland's Monster roller coaster coming to life
So far, the roller coaster's construction is on track for a June opening. It replaces the much-beloved Log Ride, which crews began removing after Labor Day.

The Last Remaining ‘Back to the Future’ Ride Is Closing
The BTTF ride remained open at Universal Studios Japan until now. It closes there on May 31, despite the fact that the line for the ride remains as long as two hours on some days.


LEGOLAND Florida Resort partners with Autism Speaks to raise awareness
Expanding its efforts to accommodate guests with special needs LEGOLAND Florida Resort is partnering with Autism Speaks, the world's leading autism science and advocacy organization, to make its iconic, kid-centric theme park a more welcoming place for guests with autism.