Review of the News: October 24 – October 28

Monday October 24, 2016

Nine hospitalised and investigation underway after stairs collapse at Irish theme park’s House of Horrors
The incident happened on Saturday, October 22, shortly before 8pm at Tayto Park as people were queuing up the stairs to enter the House of Horrors.

Visitor dies after Star Tours ride at Disney World
A 67-year-old man recently died after riding Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios, according to state records.

'Minion Park' coming soon to Universal Studios Japan
Japan's Universal Studios in Osaka has announced plans to open "the world's largest Minion area" Minion Park in early 2017.

Mum banned from UK theme park rollercoaster
A busty mum-of-one was chucked off a rollercoaster ride in the UK because her 36L breasts were too big to fit under the safety bar.


Tuesday October 25, 2016

Dreamworld accident: 4 dead in Queensland ride malfunction
Two men, ages 35 and 32, and two women, ages 42 and 38, were pronounced dead by police following the incident on the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the Dreamworld theme park in Queensland.


Wednesday October 26, 2016

Busch Gardens Tampa closes river rapids ride after four people die on similar water ride in Australia
The Congo River Rapids ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was shut down Tuesday while officials worked to understand what happened at the Dreamworld park in Queensland.

Dreamworld: Australia Theme Park To Reopen On Friday
The Dreamworld theme park, in the Australian state of Queensland, is to reopen on Friday, three days after an accident on a ride killed four people.  The Gold Coast park said it hoped the reopening would begin the “healing process” and that all entry proceeds would go to the Australian Red Cross.

Italy's oldest theme park about to reopen after eight years
Now Luneur - which takes its name from the EUR district of Rome in which it is situated - will cater to children under 13 in particular.


Thursday October 27, 2016

Dreamworld Australia Cancels Reopening as Investigation Continues Into 4 Deaths
A theme park in Australia has cancelled its planned reopening this weekend after police said that having guests inside the park could interfere with their investigation into the accident that killed four people on Tuesday.

Universal Studios scraps Dubailand theme park plan
Dubai Holding, the development arm of the emirate’s ruler, and Universal Studios have scrapped the plans to build a massive theme park in Dubailand, said a report.


Friday October 28, 2016

New rides & shows coming to Dollywood next year
A 200-foot free-fall ride called Drop Line headlines the new attractions. Dollywood will also add Whistle Punk Chaser, which is a new junior coaster

Danish amusement park closes ride in wake of Australian tragedy
With less than two days remaining of its 2016 season, the Danish amusement park BonBon-Land will close one of its rides following the tragedy that left four people dead at the Dreamworld amusement park in Australia.

Review of the News: October 17 – October 21

Monday October 17, 2016

Wanda Hires Former Disneyland Executive to Run Theme Parks
Andrew Kam will serve as vice president of Wanda’s Cultural Tourism Group, which is planning to build and operate a series of large-scale theme parks across China.

Oldest Panda in Captivity Dies in Hong Kong
Jia Jia, the world’s oldest giant panda living in captivity, was euthanized on Sunday at Ocean Park, an animal theme and amusement park in Hong Kong. She was 38 years old, reaching an estimated human age equivalent of about 114 years old.


Tuesday October 18, 2016

Banrkuptcy court asked to decide who owns Conneaut Lake Park
Gary Harris, who deeded the amusement park over to a public trust in 1997, filed suit against Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Western Pennsylvania in August. Harris claims he still owns the amusement park’s water company, its assets and the amusement park’s rides.

Third lawsuit filed against Lake City Amusement Park
The company claims the defendants owe $42,230.24 for goods sold and delivered, improvements to the park and attorney fees. C.A. Langford is also asking that a lien be put against the former amusement park.

Thorpe Park actors told to take off costumes after work amid 'creepy clown' craze
Surrey Police last week issued a warning to those tempted to dress up as clowns to frighten others after reports were made in the county and the theme park has now confirmed that its actors are asked to take off their costumes before leaving the resort.


Wednesday October 19, 2016

Conneaut Lake Park's gross revenues up 25 percent from last year
Conneaut Lake Park's gross revenues are up more than 25 percent through mid-October compared to the same time in 2015.

Trustees want to donate 50 acres of Conneaut Lake Park to conservancy
More than 50 acres of Conneaut Lake Park-owned land — the bulk of it wetland — is being donated to the French Creek Valley Conservancy, which will maintain public access to the donated land.

Potential land sale of half-acre of Conneaut Lake Park approved by Trustees
Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park have approved a potential land sale to seven homeowners who currently have permission to cross about a half-acre site of park land to get to their properties.

Kings Island's newest coaster, "Mystic Timbers," taking shape
The Ohio amusement park released video of construction on their newest roller coaster "Mystic Timbers" this week. The park's fourth wooden coaster will include steep cliffs, 16 hills a huge "S"-turn and even water. The 3,265-foot ride will hit speeds in excess of 53 mph.

Alton Towers' 'healthy' children's food slammed by undercover Soil Association critics
Undercover food critics have slammed the healthy eating options at Alton Towers, accusing the theme park of offering junk food in its "healthy option" children's lunchboxes and refusing to serve tap water.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg announces Christmas Town dates, attractions
Busch Gardens' Christmas Town returns Nov. 25 and will be open on select days through Jan. 2.


Thursday October 20, 2016

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk petitioning to add two new rides
The amusement park is trying to add two new rides to the boardwalk, one called Shockwave and another called Typhoon. Their plan goes in front of the Santa Cruz City Council on Thursday.

Universal Studios Orlando exec to take helm of Universal Hollywood
Karen Irwin will oversee all business operations for the theme park and adjacent Universal CityWalk, Thomas Williams, chairman and chief executive officer of Universal Parks and Resorts said.

Disney Hollywood Studios axing TV hall of fame
More heads are rolling at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame attraction, primarily featuring busts of TV stars and other luminaries, is coming down.


Friday October 21, 2016

Legoland Windsor unveils long-term plans to boost quieter months
More indoor rides and accommodation could be introduced at Legoland to create a more even spread of visitors throughout the season.  The theme park in Windsor’s Winkfield Road held a two-day public exhibition at its hotel last week.

Review of the News: October 10 – October 14

Monday October 10, 2016

No news for this day.


Tuesday October 11, 2016

Pacific Park Announces promotion
Pacific Park has announced the appointment of Jeff Klocke to Vice President and General Manager, effective immediately. Klocke assumes all aspects of the daily operation of the two-acre amusement park that includes Operations, Finance, Marketing, Sales, Human Resources, Rides, Retail, Security and Food and Beverage.

Universal Orlando begins hiring for Volcano Bay water park
Universal Orlando Resort's Volcano Bay water park is still just beams and concrete, but the theme park giant isn't wasting time filling the ranks that will run the park.


Wednesday October 12, 2016

Judge allows SeaWorld shareholder lawsuit to proceed
A group of investors who claim SeaWorld executives misled them about the effect the documentary “Blackfish” was having on theme park attendance will be allowed to continue their revised lawsuit against the company, a federal judge has ruled.

3 Orlando theme parks sue county property appraiser for assessments they deem too high
SeaWorld Orlando, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Co. all once again have filed lawsuits against the Orange County property appraiser, saying his office assessed the value of their properties too high, which would give them bigger tax bills.

Universal Orlando files permits to start work on future hotel
The theme park giant filed a building permit with the city of Orlando for a "new building Project 927 Phase 2" at 6725 Adventure Way. Universal's "Project 927" is rumored to be the project codename for the 600-room Aventura Hotel project in the works.

Universal, Disney deal with canceled Halloween event tickets
Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have made provisions for ticketholders of canceled sessions of Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Halloween Horror Nights, respectively.


Thursday October 13, 2016

Legoland in Florida evacuated after bomb threat
The Legoland amusement park and hotel in Winter Haven, Florida was evacuated on Thursday due to a bomb threat, park officials said on Twitter.


Friday October 14, 2016

Williams Grove Amusement Park to reopen for Halloween night only
For the first time in a dozen years, Williams Grove Amusement Park in Monroe Township, Cumberland County will reopen to visitors on Halloween night, Oct. 31, for what is being billed as “Terror in the Park.”

Trimper’s Rides receives award from State Arts Council
Each year since 2007, the Maryland State Arts Council, through its Maryland Traditions program, names a person or group, a place and a tradition that embody and help to safeguard Maryland’s living cultural heritage.

Legoland Florida Resort announces debut date for new ride Ninjago
Legoland Florida Resort announced today that Ninjago, a dark ride with interactive elements, will open Jan 12, 2017.

Disney's Hollywood Studios announces new nighttime holiday spectacular
Nine months after the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights twinkled for the last time, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has announced a new nighttime holiday spectacular set to debut at the Florida theme park later this year.

No explosives found after Legoland bomb threat
Winter Haven police said in a news release that the threat was reported at 11:54 a.m. and all guests were safely evacuated by 12:43 p.m.

Review of the News: October 3 – October 7

Monday October 3, 2016

SeaWorld revamps menu
When SeaWorld Entertainment ended killer-whale breeding in March, it also made other promises that were overshadowed by the orca announcement.  Among them, the company plans to serve its customers more socially conscious food.

New discounts on food, merchandise for Walt Disney World passholders
Walt Disney World passholder can get in on the 45th anniversary celebrations through next year with discounts at select restaurants and merchandise outlets at the park.

E-Cigarette Explosion Injures Girl on Hogwarts Theme Park Ride
Police say a teenage girl riding a Universal Orlando amusement park ride suffered burns when an electronic cigarette belonging to another rider exploded and shot a fireball at her.


Tuesday October 4, 2016

Great Adventure Agrees Not to Clear Forested Land for Solar Farm - For Now
Six Flags, the parent company of the amusement park, agreed to hold off clearing 66 acres of woodland where it has won approval to build one of the state’s largest solar facilities until a court case contesting the plan is decided.

Disney's Main Street Electrical Parade to make final run Sunday
The beloved parade that features waving Disney characters and floats with more than 500,000 lights will make its farewell run at Magic Kingdom on Sunday.

Universal Studios Hollywood big push for California residents: $119 season pass
Universal Studios Hollywood wants to entice California residents to its theme park, so it now is offering a $119 pass for access to the park on more than 200 days over a nine-month period.


Wednesday October 5, 2016

Hershey Entertainment names new president
John Lawn, who also is the Derry Township-based company's chief operating officer, was promoted president effective Sept. 30. Lawn will replace outgoing president and chief executive officer William F. Simpson Jr., who will retire on Jan. 5, 2018.

Alton Towers Amputee Launches Legal Claim Against Theme Park
Vicky Balch was one of two people to lose limbs when their car on the Smiler ride at Alton Towers smashed into an empty carriage with the same impact of a 1.5 tonne family car crashing at 90mph.

Disney unveils sneak peek at Guardians of the Galaxy ride
Originally announced at Comic-Con in July, the attraction is titled Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout and draws inspiration from the 2014 blockbuster starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper, and Vin Diesel as a motley band of interstellar antiheroes.


Thursday October 6, 2016

Guests ordered to evacuate Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Disney will evacuate its Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. A Disney spokesperson told WESH 2 News that many guests are in RVs and tents.

Disney Says Shanghai Park Attendance Has Exceeded Expectations, Despite Contrary Report
Walt Disney Co. said that visitors to the company’s new Shanghai park have “exceeded our expectations,” playing down a recent media report that park attendance was below estimates.


Friday October 7, 2016

Disney, Sea World among Orlando parks to announce early closing
Universal and Walt Disney World both planned to close down at 5 p.m. Thursday, with SeaWorld shutting its gates at 2 p.m. The parks are among the most-visited tourist destinations in the world.