Friday, August 26, 2016

Review of the News: August 22 – August 26

Monday August 22, 2016

$122K raised for ‘Kings Island Kicks Cancer’
Since 2010, Kings Island has raised more than $1.1 million for research and care in the fight against cancers affecting men, women and children.


Women slashed at Tokyo amusement park
At approximately 1:30 p.m., a guard at Tokyo Summerland alerted emergency services about “a woman who had been slashed in her buttocks and was bleeding into a pool.”


Man drowns in Wild Waves Theme Park activity pool
First responder teams administered CPR and called 911. South King Fire and Rescue crews arrived and continued life-saving measures. The man never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead a short time later.


Disney sued again over tipped worker wages
Alexandra Dumitrescu alleges that as a server at Cape May Cafe and The Wave ... of American Flavors, she had to perform too much non-tipped work while earning a reduced tip credit.


Kings Dominion unveils new rides, adds free pass for 3-5 year olds
Kings Dominion will add three new rides to the theme park’s Planet Snoopy section next year and will allow children between the ages of 3 to 5 to enter the park for free with a special pass.



Tuesday August 23, 2016

Kings Island offering free admission this weekend for firefighters, police
This Friday through Sunday, the amusement park is offering free admission to all active firefighters and police officers.


Universal Orlando: Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen open for previews
The official grand opening will be later this fall. No exact date has been announced. The steampunk-inspired eatery at Universal Orlando's City Walk opened for previews on Monday.



Wednesday August 24, 2016

Theme park bosses won't allow widow, 57, back in to hunt for silver pendant
Grandmother Christine Parkin was visiting Robin Hood's Wheelgate Park in Farnsfield, Nottingham, with her grandson Lewis, three, when she lost the silver pendant.



Thursday August 25, 2016

Michigan's Adventure revamping children's area with 7 water slides, splash pad
New thrills will be coming to West Michigan's largest tourism attraction in the form of a completely revamped Half Pint Paradise. The attraction will feature all new equipment including seven new children's slides.


Thorpe Park launch 'Old Aged Coaster' discount pass for over-65s
A survey by the theme park found more than a quarter of pensioners felt discriminated against doing leisure activities because of their age.



Friday August 26, 2016

Blackpool Pleasure Beach refuse to let mum bring in own food for son with special needs
She had already looked into the park’s food policy, and was aware that picnics were not allowed, but that exceptions were made for guests with disabilities or special dietary requirements.


Disney World draining, filling in long-abandoned River Country pool
The 330,000-gallon Upstream Plunge was a major attraction at the now abandoned water park. It is surrounded by manmade boulders for jumping and diving platforms.

Friday, August 19, 2016

Review of the News: August 15 – August 19

Monday August 15, 2016

Police: Women stole from Kentucky Kingdom
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrested two women Saturday accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of items from Kentucky Kingdom.


Disney World Gives Animal Kingdom the Night Off
The addition of several nighttime activities that extended the park's close from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. since Memorial Day weekend will be reversed following Labor Day.



Tuesday August 16, 2016

TailSpin Racer Coming to Dollywood’s Splash Country
This thrilling new attraction allows up to six guests to race each other on mats through the twists and turns of TailSpin Racer’s unique spiraling tube design.


Police charge 8 with pot possession at Dorney Park
Authorities allege one man ate evidence, two men were spotted smoking pot in the parking lot at 11 o’clock in the morning and that three people face charges after the smell of marijuana came wafting out of their locker.



Wednesday August 17, 2016

6 Hurt By Electric Shocks On Connecticut Amusement Park Ride
Police say six people were hospitalized for injuries they sustained when a ride at an amusement park in New London shocked them. Officers were dispatched to the scene at Ocean Beach Park shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday following reports of the injuries.


12 Tourists Injured After Freefall Ride Hurtles to the Ground
Twelve tourists have been left injured after the breaks on a freefall attraction reportedly ‘failed’ – sending the ride crashing towards the ground.


Oakwood launches Olympic challenge
Completed cards can be handed in to staff at the admissions desk and will be entered into a free daily draw to win an annual pass.


Universal's Halloween Horror Nights gets more terrifying with 'American Horror Story' reboot
The park's annual terrifying scare fest just got even bloodier by joining forces with one of the the most gruesome shows on television, FX’s acclaimed-- and controversial-- “American Horror Story" series.



Thursday August 18, 2016

Cedar Point announces new, improved water park
The amusement park announced Thursday that it will transform Soak City into the new Cedar Point Shores Water Park.


Universal Orlando shares backstory on latest CityWalk addition
Universal Orlando Resort guests are still waiting for the new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen to open, but the theme park is sharing a bit more on the fictional story behind the new CityWalk addition.


Revamped Planet Hollywood will include Guy Fieri burger menu, upgraded visuals
The celebrity-themed restaurant hopes to return to that position in Disney Springs, a dining and entertainment complex that used to be called Downtown Disney.


Kings Island brings back WinterFest for 2017
The park will reopen in the colder months for ice skating, reindeer petting zoo, rides, performances and more.



Friday August 19, 2016

Funfields amusement park to install ‘TornadoWAVE’ next year
Park owner John Verga said the TornadoWAVE was a four person raft ride that will be open for the summer of 2017/18.


Worlds of Fun announces two new rides for 2017
Worlds of Fun has announced it will introduce two new rides in 2017: the Mustang Runner and the Falcon’s Flight.


Worlds of Fun extends its season to celebrate ‘Winter Wonderland’, redesigns front entrance
WinterFest will showcase 14 favorite holiday characters, spectacular light displays, ice skating, and festive live entertainment. The park will be transformed into a winter wonderland for six weeks beginning November 24, 2017.


USF students petition Busch Gardens to restore discount admission
Busch Gardens is canceling its discount admission for students at the University of South Florida, blaming a lack of interest in the half-off, $50 pass good for the academic year.


Great America building floorless roller coaster to replace stand-up Vortex
Named the Patriot, the ride will make its debut in early 2017 at the Santa Clara theme park, spokesman Roger Ross announced Thursday. The coaster will take riders 91 feet in the air before dropping them into a 360-degree loop at 45 mph.


New Valleyfair ride will swing riders 230 feet in the air
True to its Minnesotan roots, the new ride’s name is “to celebrate the region’s affinity to being ‘up north’ and the great outdoors,” Valleyfair says.


Knott’s Soak City Water Park Adding Two New Towers for 2017
According to the official website of Knott’s Soak City, the water park will debut two water slide towers, dubbed Shore Break and The Wedge.


Universal Orlando brings magic back with 4th annual Harry Potter Celebration
The 4th annual Harry Potter celebration at Universal Orlando Resort, a weekend-long event that celebrates everything from J.K. Rowling's fictional wizard world, will happen Jan. 27-29, park officials said.


Carowinds to add winter festival, vintage rides
Carowinds is bringing back its WinterFest holiday celebration for the third time in the park’s history, as well as debuting four new rides to show off in its upcoming “County Fair” section.


New attractions coming to Dorney Park in 2017
The South Whitehall Township amusement park says it's bringing back bumper cars by popular demand. The park is also adding "Kaleidoscope," a circular, spinning ride plus a new showcase called "Cirque Imagine."


Disney digitally alters 'crude' hand gesture in Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
The longstanding Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction has taken heat online in the past for Tyler's thumb-to-ring finger motion he makes in the queue presentation of the ride, with critics saying it is representative of a sexually-driven gesture referred to as "the shocker."

Friday, August 12, 2016

Review of the News: August 8 – August 12

Monday August 8, 2016

Disney Building Wall Around Lake After Alligator Killed Toddler
Disney is building a wall around the lake when a toddler died in early July after being dragged into the water by an alligator. The wall, Disney says, is part of a new security plan designed to prevent such accidents.


Utah sisters collect thousands of signatures on petition to relocate animals kept at Lagoon
The Barkdull girls want to see these wild animals roam freely, in an environment similar to the natural habitat they came from.


Plans for second hotel at Gulliver's World set to go ahead
Developers were seeking a lawful development certificate for the blueprints which were first submitted more than 10 years ago.



Tuesday August 9, 2016

Dopey Takes A Tumble During Fantasmic! Show at Walt Disney World
Dopey slipped between the railing of the ship and right onto a stunned Goofy, who glances down after the beloved Disney character's spill onto the ship's deck.



Wednesday August 10, 2016

Former Six Flags theme park valued at $3 million
The New Orleans Industrial Development Board has released the findings of the appraisal group selected to value the shuttered Six Flags park.


More houses for Halloween Horror Nights
Universal Orlando has announced the more of its creative program for Halloween Horror Nights 2016, including three haunted houses, its five scare zones and two stage shows.


Disney turns in strong earnings despite theme park attendance declines
The Walt Disney Co.'s domestic theme-park attendance declined during its third quarter, underlining Orlando's quieter summer so far.



Thursday August 11, 2016

Enchanted Forest amusement park turns 45
The theme park has grown to have more than a dozen rides and attractions, including Storybook Lane, with several life-size scenes from classic nursery rhymes.


Legoland Florida announces Lego Star Wars Days
A Lego Star Wars Miniland Model Display will be in the park, featuring seven scenes from the movie series and a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The display is made out of 1.5 million Lego bricks.


Walt Disney World pulling plug on famed Electrical Parade
Disney Parks will pull the plug on the event this October, with the final Main Street Electric Parade coming Oct. 9.


Main Street Electrical Parade Set to Return to Disneyland for ‘Limited Engagement’
The nighttime parade, with its brightly lit three-dimensional floats and iconic theme song, originated in the early 1970s, becoming a beloved favorite among Disney guests before going dark at the Anaheim theme park in 1996.


Disneyland Paris evacuated after suspicious package found at train station
Marne-la-Vallee station, which is located inside the theme park, is about 18 miles east of Paris. It lies just in front of the entrances to the two theme parks and Disney Village.


Disneyland Resort to build new 7-story parking structure, elevated walkway ahead of 'Star Wars' land
Disney intends to construct a transportation hub, a massive parking structure and a pedestrian bridge over Harbor Boulevard connecting them with Disneyland and Disney California Adventure ahead of the opening of “Star Wars” land in its signature theme park.



Friday August 12, 2016

Three-year-old boy falls from roller coaster at Idlewild
Local police and state inspectors spent much of Thursday investigating how a 3-year-old boy fell from a roller coaster at Idlewild and SoakZone amusement park in Ligonier in one of several such incidents across the nation this week that have led to increased scrutiny of thrill rides.


Cliff’s Amusement Park wants to locate owner of missing memento
The dog tag with fallen Santa Fe County Deputy Jeremy Martin’s picture was found at the park last month.


Two girls, aged 6, sexually assaulted at Legoland theme park
The girls were attacked as they played in the Castaway Camp in the Pirate Shores area of the Windsor tourist attraction.


Universal plans virtual reality experience for Halloween Horror Nights 2016
Universal Orlando Resort's offering Halloween Horror Nights fans a new interactive experience this year, combining real-life characters and virtual reality.


Disney's first Latin American princess, Elena of Avalor, makes her park debut
Elena of Avalor, the entertainment giant’s first princess “inspired by diverse Latin cultures," will be available for meet-and-greets throughout the park and appear in a live performance “The Royal Welcome of Princess Elena.”


Disney to offer $79 Park Hopper tickets for annual passholders
Starting Friday, annual passholders can purchase one-day Park Hopper tickets for just $79.  The tickets allow guests to visit Disney's Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom.


Shark exhibit gives SeaWorld visitors hands-on experience
The theme park's Shark Touch Pool is adjacent to the Wild Arctic ride, and it's downright simple. Step right up, put your hand down into one of the tanks and touch a epaulette shark, a white-spotted bamboo shark or a brownbanded bamboo shark.

Friday, August 5, 2016

Review of the News: August 1 – August 5

Monday August 1, 2016

Cedar Point's Mean Streak to close for good
The 25-year-old coaster, once the world's tallest at 161 feet, has thrilled more than 26 million riders at the Sandusky amusement park. When it permanently closes on Friday, Sept. 16, the Mean Streak's green, gold, and red trains will come to a halt for one last time.


Water woes continue at Cedar Point
The park had to close early Saturday night after a water main in the city of Sandusky disrupted Cedar Point’s main supply of water.


Universal Studios Japan announces 4D Godzilla attraction
The Osaka-based resort announced Monday it plans to open Godzilla: The Real 4D, a multi-sensory experience based on the hit franchise, early next year. It will run for a limited time at the park beginning Jan. 13, 2017.


Kings Island opens annual Kicks Cancer benefit
For $5, visitors can boot a soccer ball into the theme park’s fountains for a chance to win a 2016 Honda Civic.


Theme park introduces ban on children's scooters
 Children have been banned from riding scooters at Drayton Manor after a grandmother was left screaming in agony after a collision with one. 



Tuesday August 2, 2016

Alton Towers issues warning about free tickets Facebook scam
The Midlands theme park has been forced to issue a statement saying that they have nothing to do with a Facebook post that offers five free tickets.


Enterprise thrill ride will spin for the final time at Valleyfair
The Enterprise will spin for the final time on Aug. 21, and then it will be taken down to make way for a new ride, officials for the Shakopee theme park announced Monday.



Wednesday August 3, 2016

Man attacks Pinky the Dancing Flamingo at Busch Gardens; bird has to be put down
A family’s trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa has ended with the father in jail after he allegedly attacked Pinky the Dancing Flamingo, resulting in the animal's death, officials say.


Sandusky must fix water lines to prevent more Cedar Point closures, city official says
A city official is promising that Sandusky will fix the infrastructure problems that forced Cedar Point to close for a second time in two years.


Brooklyn woman injured on King Cobra Water Slide hits Six Flags Great Adventure with $3M negligence lawsuit
A Brooklyn woman who suffered a broken ankle when she was slammed into the mouth of the snake on the King Cobra Water Slide at Six Flags Great Adventure is trying to take a $3 million bite out of the theme park with a negligence lawsuit.


Hersheypark unveils 'choose-your-thrill' attraction for 2017
The park on Tuesday pulled the wraps off its $8 million Hershey Triple Tower, which is actually comprised of three drop towers of different heights: Hershey Tower, Reese's Tower and Hershey's Kisses Tower.


Typhoon Lagoon to expand for new ride
The company released the logo for a new family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon called "Miss Fortune Falls."  The ride is expected to be the longest at any of Disney's water parks, and will tell the story of a treasure-hunting captain named Mary Oceaneer.


‘World of Color’ and ‘Fantasy in the Sky’ Return to Disneyland
Beginning on September 6, the original World of Color will return to Disney California Adventure, while Fantasy in the Sky fireworks spectacular will return Friday through Sunday evenings on September 9.



Thursday August 4, 2016

27 Carowinds workers fired, will soon be kicked out of U.S.
The employees had work visas and were in the United States legally, but, because they were fired from the local amusement park, they'll soon have to leave.


Incredible Hulk Coaster officially open
The thrill ride, built in the park's Marvel Super Hero Island, had been under renovation since last September.



Friday August 5, 2016

Conneaut Lake Park's kiddie pool, water slide set to open Saturday for first time since 2010
Conneaut Lake Park's water park comes back into full operation Saturday with the reopening of its kiddie pool and water slides after about a six-year absence.


Founding family of Lakeside Amusement Park mourns death of sibling who promoted park
Roger Roberts was part owner of Salem's Lakeside Amusement Park and died Monday from illness. He was 78-years-old.


Adventure World sues fireworks company over castle fire
Adventure World is reportedly suing a fireworks company who allegedly caused a $1 million fire at the theme park's castle in 2013.  The fire occurred on November 2 during a Halloween celebration.


SeaWorld attendance declines
SeaWorld's revenue fell as attendance declined, sending the theme park and entertainment company's shares lower.


'Krampus' house set for Halloween Horror Nights
Krampus will be making its Halloween Horror Nights debut at Universal Studios Orlando next month.