Review of the News: March 27 – March 31

Monday March 27, 2017

Disney will debut food ordering system in Pandora
Satu’li Canteen, a fast-casual eatery coming to Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, will debut the company’s Mobile One system, which will use the existing My Disney Experience app.


Tuesday March 28, 2017

Legoland Park Includes ‘Quiet Rooms’ And Other Features For Guests With Autism
Legoland Resort Florida has been teaming up with the North and Central Florida chapter of the organization Autism Speaks since early 2016 to make its amusement park more friendly for guests on the autism spectrum.


Wednesday March 29, 2017

City of Myrtle Beach honors historic wooden roller coaster
This week, city officials recognized the historic significance of the Swamp Fox roller coaster on its 51st anniversary.

Six Flags New England to offer lights, rides and shows during Christmas season
Six Flags New England, which has historically been a spring through Halloween attraction, will be open in November and December for the new Holiday in the Park celebration.

SeaWorld San Diego Slashes Prices for Limited-Time Tickets
The marine amusement park unveiled a couple of value ticket options: a single-day, $55 ticket, valid on weekdays now through June 16, and a new “any-day” ticket, valid now through June 11, for $69.

Dreamland opening date delayed as further expansion plans announced
The opening of Margate's Dreamland has been pushed back four weeks until Friday, May 26, following further expansion of its 2017 plan.

Joyland carousel may spin again in 2018
The carousel salvaged from the defunct Joyland amusement park may be whirling again as soon as next year, the executive director of the Botanica gardens said Tuesday.

Disney World changing the location of their metal detectors for an enhanced arrival
The metal detectors and bag checks that greeted visitors right before entering Magic Kingdom now take place at a location closer to where you park. They will be located at the Transportation and Ticket Center starting Monday, April 3rd.


Thursday March 30, 2017

Cedar Point hiring 5,000 people for Summer 2017 season
The Sandusky, Ohio amusement park is looking to hire more than 5,000 people this summer. Jobs include everything from ride operations and security to park services and accommodations.

Drunk thug bites ear of M&D's security guard after being denied entry
A drunk thug bit part of the ear off a security guard at M&D’s after he was denied entry to the amusement area.

New Festival of Wonder at Silver Dollar City
The all-new Festival of Wonder opens April 6, presenting acts of curiosity and larger-than-life performances, all billed as “A Most Amazing Entertainment Experience.”

Universal Orlando Announces Ticket Prices For New Volcano Bay Theme Park
Visitors to the new Volcano Bay water park will spend $67 for a one day ticket – which is $5 more than Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World. A one day pass to all three Universal Orlando parks will cost $219 for each person.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk seeks permit for two new rides
The proposed new rides stand 20 and 25 feet above city 40-foot height limits for park zoning, but will keep company amidst the neighboring 125-foot Double Shot and 70-foot Giant Dipper.

Canada's Wonderland set to hire 4,000 seasonal employees
As Canada's largest single-location employer of youth (hiring more than 4,000 associates annually), Canada's Wonderland is now accepting applications for a variety of positions including Food and Beverage, Operations, Admissions, Retail, Aquatics, Entertainment, Security and more.

HK$350 million proposed for struggling Hong Kong Disneyland by US parent company
Walt Disney has agreed to inject an extra HK$350 million into its Hong Kong theme park’s six-year expansion plan and waive part of its management fees for two years after renewed public outcry over the deal’s “unequal” financing.

Halloween Horror Nights: American Horror Story returning in 2017
The FX television series will be featured in a new haunted-house maze at this fall’s event at Universal Studios theme park. It will include three installments from the anthology.


Friday March 31, 2017

KS House votes to strengthen inspection rules for amusement park rides
Kansas legislators are accelerating work on stricter regulations for amusement park rides following the death last summer of a lawmaker's 10-year-old son on a giant water slide.

Disney, Universal ramp up spending amid intense competition
The parent companies of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are on spending sprees as they build increasingly elaborate attractions to compete with each other.

Universal: How to check out 'Tonight Show' musical acts
If you don’t have a ticket to see a taping of the “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” during its stay at Universal Orlando, you can still be part of the experience. The talk show’s musical acts will be taped on the Music Plaza Stage inside Universal Studios theme park.

Paultons Park puts £10,000 towards new playground in Copythorne
Owner and managing director of Paultons Park, Richard Mancey, donated the cash to kick-start the fundraising process after hearing about the local cause.

Ferrari World officially opens its latest rollercoaster
The rollercoaster 'Turbo Track' was officially launched at a high-profile inaugural event attended by Miral Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi and Ferrari Chief Brand Officer Luca Fuso, among other distinguished guests.

Review of the News: March 20 – March 24

Monday March 20, 2017

Nova Scotia taxpayers chipping in $300K for Upper Clements Park improvements
The province has agreed to put $300,000 towards infrastructure work this summer. There are no new additions, and the money is for regular maintenance to the park's existing 60 or so buildings and roughly 30 rides and attractions.

Malaga’s Tivoli World to receive €300 million makeover
Madrid-based firm Tremon plans to build a complex covering more than 152,000 square metres on the east side of the park, along with gardens and a 2,000-space car park.

Shanghai's oldest amusement park to reopen on March 31
Covering a total space of 16,800 square meters, the park, comprising of three four-story buildings and an iconic hexagonal tower, was first established in 1917 by tobacco tycoon Huang Chujiu, and most recently closed down in 2003, when the city was inflicted with SARS epidemic.

Virtual reality roller coaster coming to Six Flags New England
The Galactic Attack Virtual Realty Coaster is billed as a fully immersive, virtual riding experience on the Agawam park's iconic Mind Eraser coaster.


Tuesday March 21, 2017

Judge Tosses Rye Lawsuit Against Westchester Over Management Of Playland
The City of Rye’s lawsuit against Westchester over management and operational changes at the county-owned Playland Amusement Park was thrown out by a state judge on Monday.

Lagoon Announces Opening Day for 2017
Lagoon will open weekends beginning Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 10:00a.m. (weather and other factors permitting).

Green Bay preparing permit application to restore beach at Bay Beach
The city's parks department is currently preparing an application to receive the necessary permitting to construct the beach. More than $200,000 has already been spent on engineering design work.


Wednesday March 22, 2017

Thorpe Park engineers celebrate 200th rollercoaster anniversary by tucking into cake high above legendary Stealth ride
Maintenance engineers at Thorpe Park perched high above the theme park to prepare Stealth for this season - and mark the 200th anniversary of the rollercoaster.

Lakemont Park closes for summer
Lakemont Park’s amusement rides and related attractions are expected to remain closed this summer while the park operator undertakes improvements.

Universal patents hint at possible Harry Potter 'Floo Network' ride, movable puzzle theaters
The two patents, dubbed "vehicle transportation room system and method" and "system and method for a moving puzzle theater," both show technologies that could be used to bring more elements of the Harry Potter world to life.

Knott’s Berry Farm Opening Virtual Reality Ghost Town in April
The immersive VR gaming attraction, titled VR Showdown in Ghost Town, will take guests on a time traveling adventure to visit a futuristic version of Knott’s western town of Calico.

Six Flags Great America announces new virtual reality attraction
The theme park announced Tuesday its plans for Drop of Doom -- a virtual reality experience on the park's already-operating Giant Drop.

Universal to build 4,000-room resort on former Wet 'n Wild land
The theme park filed plans with the city of Orlando that show a hotel property is in the works.

Gold Coast’s newest roller coaster at Oxenford’s Movie World will be coloured purple
Fuchsia-coloured lengths of track have begun arrived at Movie World which will become the park’s next big attraction, due to be opened in September.


Thursday March 23, 2017

Busch Gardens opens for season, InvadR not far behind
Busch Gardens opens for the season Saturday and it won't be long until the Williamsburg amusement park's newest roller coaster follows suit.

Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios Hollywood goes high-def
Less than four months after Universal Studios Hollywood removed the 3-D feature from its Harry Potter flying simulator ride, the park has upgraded the attraction to include high-definition images of fire-breathing dragons, enchanted trees and evil flying creatures.

First look: Eats at Universal Orlando's Volcano Bay
Universal’s third gate will open on May 25 with 60-plus snacks, entrees, desserts and more to satiate the hungry swimmer.

“The Music of Pixar Live!” Coming to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World in May!
Starting May 26, it will be presented three times nightly at the Theater of the Stars (this will take place after the regular daily performances of Beauty and the Beast).

Walt Disney extends CEO Bob Iger's contract until July 2, 2019
Iger has served as the CEO of Disney for 11 years.


Friday March 24, 2017

Man seriously injured after metal beam from roller coaster fell on him at Funderland amusement park in Cork
According to sources, the worker was standing on top of a stack of tracks for the roller coaster which had arrived on the site on a big articulated truck. The tracks were being removed by a crane mounted on another truck when the tracks began to slide taking the man with them.

Chinese Group buys Blackstone's stake in SeaWorld
The deal gives with Zhonghong Group gives SeaWorld a path into the growing Chinese tourism market and a partner with experience in theme-park development there.

Disney World, Universal Studios fight tax bills in Florida
To cut tax bills in the tens of millions of dollars, the specialists at Orlando's famous theme parks have employed methods from the creative - placing cows on undeveloped land and claiming an agricultural exemption - to the traditional - negotiating or appealing to a county board.

Review of the News: March 13 – March 17

Monday March 13, 2017

Amusement Park Structure Collapses After Crash, Felony Charges Expected
The historic Lakeside Amusement Park will have to replace a parking structure after a 34-year-old man crashed his car into the pillar of the structure.

Thorpe Park's most terrifying attraction is now scarier than ever
Feedback revealed guests wanted the experience to be deeper, darker and more intense.  So this year, a VR scene which was deleted last year due to fears guests would find the content too intense, has been resurrected.

First look: Miss Adventure Falls at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon has debuted its new water slide dubbed Miss Adventure Falls. Eager riders went there straightaway Sunday morning.


Tuesday March 14, 2017

Fiesta Texas president says “unprecedented” additions planned for Six Flags park
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, which opened on March 14, 1992, will unveil several new events and attractions this season. But some of the more significant changes are yet to come.

Activist hedge fund opposes Walt Disney's move on Disneyland Paris
Paris-based CIAM, which owns 1.4 percent of Euro Disney shares, has written to the board of the French company to object to what it believes are plans by Walt Disney to force out minority shareholders.

Cooler weather prompts water parks' closure at Disney, SeaWorld, Legoland
The forecast of colder weather has prompted the closure of water parks at Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Midnight Syndicate announces scary return to Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends
The park and Midnight Syndicate — the Northeast Ohio musicians who pen frightful soundtracks for haunted houses nationwide — have announced that they are once again teaming up for the Sandusky amusement park’s scary fall weekends.

Conneaut Lake Park trustees close to selling more property to make up tax debt
Approval of the sale of two more lots at Conneaut Lake will be sought in federal court next month by Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park.

Wild Adventures ready for spring break
Wild Adventures will be open Thursday through Sunday during March and open every day March 30 through April 9 to help area students and their families enjoy spring break. The park returns to weekend only operations April 14 and begins summer daily operation on May 18.

New balloon ride set to open at Drayton Manor Park
James and the Red Balloon, set to delight visitors from Saturday, April 1, is based on the beloved Thomas the Tank Engine character James - the red engine - and his naughty antics with a hot air balloon.

Universal Studios Beijing Will Create a Whopping 40,000 Jobs
The highly-anticipated Universal Studios Beijing will be the largest ever Universal theme park. Construction on the park began in Tongzhou late last year, and it is now being reported that the massive project will bring 40,000 jobs to Beijing

Visitor numbers steadily rising at Alton Towers after a drop in wake of Smiler crash
The Staffordshire theme park is reporting a steady rise in the number of visitors in the wake of the Smiler roller coaster crash in 2015.

SeaWorld expands new food festival's schedule
SeaWorld Orlando is adding days to its new Seven Seas Food Festival. Starting Friday, the event will be a part of the theme park’s lineup every day through April 16.


Thursday March 16, 2017

ZDT’s draws crowds with thrilling rides
The park, which averages around 128,000 visitors per year and 12,000 to 15,000 a week during the spring and summer, gets roughly 95 percent of its business from out-of-town guests — most of which from the San Antonio and Houston areas.

New Kings Island Coaster Ride Vehicles Draw Inspiration from Classic Chevrolet Pickup Truck
The ride vehicles of Mystic Timbers, the newest roller coaster at Kings Island, appear to be based upon a classic Chevrolet C-10 truck model

Santa's Land: Potential new owner hopes to re-open park this summer
Santa's Land in Putney could re-open this summer if the Windham County Probate Court gives a Connecticut man the OK to buy the property.

Pirates of Caribbean celebrates 50th anniversary at Disneyland
Launched on March 18, 1967, the original "Pirates" ride featured a 1,838-foot flume with a 12-minute running time, making it one of the longest theme park rides in existence.


Friday March 17, 2017

New Dimension Comics Joins Kennywood on Father’s Day to Present Super-Sized Event: Kennywood Comicon
Featuring comic book vendors, artists, creators, and pop culture attractions, Comicon will descend upon the home of Kenny Kangaroo, the Phantom and the Jack Rabbit on Sunday, June 18.

Kansas Lawmakers Pushing for Amusement Park Regulations
If passed, the measure would require a park's insurance company to hire experienced engineers for inspections rather than a private inspection.

Three offers to buy New Orleans' Six Flags park shunned as site's future remains unclear
A committee reviewing proposals from three developers who hoped to buy the property from the city's Industrial Development Board declined Thursday to recommend accepting any of them, citing a lack of solid financial commitments.

Body of newborn found at sewage disposal plant of Tokyo Disneyland
The police suspect that the child, whose sex was not immediately clear, was dumped within the seaside theme park because the facility treats sewer water from there.

Lightwater Valley: Four new attractions - and a special guest - announced for new season
Four new attractions and a visit from a children’s TV star have been announced at Lightwater Valley.

More Harry Potter Magic Coming to Universal Japan
Beginning on April 21, Universal Japan will dazzle the nighttime sky with an all new Harry Potter show.

Review of the News: February 27 – March 3

Monday February 27, 2017

Melt Bar & Grill Opens at Cedar Point this Summer
More than a decade after their first location opened, this new location will occupy the space previously inhabited by Joe Cool Café, near Planet Snoopy.

What to eat at Epcot's flower and garden fest
The 2017 edition of the fest will feature 15 “outdoor kitchens,” including two new marketplaces, Northern Bloom (think Canada) and Berry Basket.

'Frozen' perfume debuting at Epcot
A perfume inspired by the Disney animated film goes on sale this week at Epcot.

M&D’s Tsunami rollercoaster removed from theme park - eight months after horror crash
The Tsunami ride at M&D’s in Motherwell derailed at 40mph and injured 10 people when it came off the tracks last June.

Thorpe Park Half Marathon: Thousands of runners turn out for inaugural dash around famous theme park
Instead of running to get a seat on Stealth or Colossus, runners descended on Thorpe Park for its first ever half marathon on Sunday morning


Tuesday February 28, 2017

Cedar Fair to launch season drink plan
The company has announced a new option to sip even more disposable income from its season passholders — a season pass drink plan that it will roll out at all 11 amusement parks, including its flagship Cedar Point park in Sandusky.

Seaside Heights Upgrading Roller Coaster Following Hurricane Sandy
After Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the Jetstar roller coaster in Seaside Heights became an iconic image of the devastating storm after it was swept into the ocean off the end of Casino pier. Fast forward four years and a brand new roller coaster called Hydrus is under construction along with a 131-foot tall Ferris wheel.

Comcast Pays $2.3B To Buy Rest Of Universal Studios Japan
Comcast on Tuesday said that its NBCUniversal unit will shell out  ¥254.8 billion ($2.3 billion) to snap up the remaining stake of Universal Studios Japan that it doesn’t already own, buying out its partners in the theme park that included Goldman Sachs and private equity firm MBK Partners.

SeaWorld posts $12 million loss amid attendance drop
The Orlando-based company lost $11.9 million in the last quarter of 2016, up from $11 million lost in the fourth quarter of 2015.


Wednesday March 1, 2017

Dreamland to search for seasonal workers to fill 195 jobs
The amusement park in Margate will hold a recruitment fair on Friday, March 17.

Epcot arts fest coming back in 2018
The event, which debuted in January, will return in early 2018, according to a post on the official Disney Parks Blog. No dates or addition details were given.


Thursday March 2, 2017

Coney Island (Cincinnati) announces renovations
The renovations center around the sunlight pool -- which will be rebranded "the sunlight water adventure."

Knoebels' Leanna Muscato Named Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Association President
On February 28,Leanna Muscato, third generation Knoebel family member became  the Pennsylvania Amusement Parks Association (PAPA)  organization’s first-ever female president.

Tax break request for Legoland scaled back
The developer behind the proposed $500 million Legoland theme park has scaled back its request for a 30-year tax break to a 20-year deal, increasing Legoland's projected payments to $87 million over 30 years instead of $61 million.

Busch Gardens new president faces headwinds in amusement park industry
After spending more than 30 years working at SeaWorld Entertainment parks across the country, Busch Gardens' newest park president, Stewart Clark, still wasn't prepared for the backlash he and his family faced after the release of the documentary, Blackfish.

SeaWorld Orlando: New 'Dolphin Days' to replace 'Blue Horizons'
SeaWorld Orlando is replacing a long-running show featuring dolphins doing tricks alongside acrobats with a new one designed to educate audiences about the animals’ personalities.


Friday March 3, 2017

Silver Dollar City confirms 'single biggest thing ever done' is under construction
Aerial photographs taken by the News-Leader on Feb. 15 reveal a vast construction site adjacent to a Silver Dollar City amphitheater, complete with concrete footings and a large scaffolding structure.

Six Flags Over Georgia brings in $301 million in economic impact
The economic impact of Six Flags Over Georgia and Six Flags White Water rose by $73 million between 2015 and 2016, according to Cobb Travel & Tourism.

Six Flags Great Adventure Celebrates Additions Of 3 Baby Giraffes
The theme park announced Friday it is celebrating the birth of three female reticulated giraffes — Xena, Eddie and Charly.

First look: Universal's Race Through New York With Jimmy Fallon
The humor of Jimmy Fallon moves into a higher gear with a new attraction at Universal Studios, which began “technical rehearsals” for its new ride on Thursday.

Lightwater Valley to host recruitment day to find staff for the summer season
The North Yorkshire attraction is this weekend hosting its last recruitment day to find staff for the summer season.