Review of the News: August 24 – August 28

Monday August 24, 2015

Woman, teenager stabbed in Jackson parking lot, police say

A 29-year-old Delaware man was arrested after authorities said he stabbed two people in a parking lot located about a mile from Six Flags Great Adventure.

Fire Erupts at Keansburg Amusement Park in New Jersey

Black smoke billowed above an amusement park during a fire in northern New Jersey on Monday.  Park visitors tell WABC-TV the Gravitron ride is what caught fire.

Tuesday August 25, 2015

Tree Falls on Efteling Theme Park Visitors, Injuring Three

Three people were injured when a tree toppled onto a boat in the Gondoletta ride in the Efteling theme park early on Tuesday afternoon. One of the theme park visitors sustained a head injury, the second a broken leg and the third suffered only minor injuries.

Universal Studios Hollywood brings back greatest hits lineup for Halloween Horror Nights 2015

To borrow from the immensely quotable Yankee great Yogi Berra: Halloween Horror Nights 2015 at Universal Studios Hollywood looks like deja vu all over again.  With four returning mazes from years past, you have to ask: Haven’t we seen this all before?  Horror Nights 2015 will feature six haunted mazes, four scare zones and a show on select nights from Sept. 18 to Nov. 1.

Wednesday August 26, 2015

Neighbors want theme park to connect to Muskegon Co. wastewater system

There's community pressure to persuade Michigan's Adventure amusement park to connect to Muskegon County's wastewater system.

It's official: Fast & Furious ride set for Universal Studios

Fast & Furious: Supercharged, a ride based on "The Fast & the Furious" movie franchise, will be pulling into Universal Studios theme park in 2017, Universal Orlando confirmed via its official blog on Tuesday.  

Thursday August 27, 2015

Worker falls 25 feet from roller coaster in NMB

A 61-year-old employee at the Ocean Drive Pavilion Amusement Park on Ocean Boulevard in North Myrtle Beach fell 25 feet from a roller coaster Monday night, according to police reports.

Kings Island Kicks Cancer campaign raises $171K

A sea of soccer balls greeted visitors at Kings Island in Mason, Ohio. More than 20,000 soccer balls were kicked in the fountain near the entrance of the amusement park between July 24 and Aug. 23. The Kicks Cancer campaign raised $171,000 for Melanoma Know More, Pink Ribbon Girls and The Dragonfly Foundation.

Universal unveils entire Halloween Horror Nights 2015 lineup

Universal Orlando has shared the full lineup of haunted houses and other attractions for the 2015 edition of Halloween Horror Nights, and there's a definite flashback feel to the event, which is marking its 25th anniversary this year. This latest reveal includes returning, revamped and re-imagined scares and a show featuring popular icon Jack the Clown.

Disney: FastPass+ set for Eat to the Beat concerts

Disney World visitors will be able to use FastPass+ for this year's Eat to the Beat concerts, nightly performances tied to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.

Friday August 28, 2015

Cedar Point sets new date for announcement

Cedar Point has set a new date to announce its new ride for 2016.  Tony Clark, Cedar Point's director of communication, confirmed the new ride will be revealed at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 in the Jack Aldrich Theatre.

Carowinds announces major waterpark expansion, new slides

Carowinds will splash into the 2016 season with a “historic” waterpark expansion that will bring a slice of the Carolinas coast to the Fort Mill amusement park.  The renovations will transform Boomerang Bay into the all-new Carolina Habor waterpark that features the park’s current waterpark attractions while introducing a variety of new ones.

State: Nearly $10K owed to Fantasy Island Employees

The State Department of Labor has ordered Martin's Fantasy Island to issue retroactive paychecks to its workers.  The amusement park says the DOL ordered it to issue the checks after becoming aware that the park was in violation of a state law mandating employees who work at least a ten hour shift, get a bonus hour of pay.

Review of the News: August 17 – August 21

Monday August 17, 2015

Six Flags Officially Closes Roar Wooden Roller Coaster

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park in Vallejo, California, officially closed the Roar roller coaster Sunday after 16 years of service to the park and the community.

Teen girl flung from Sandspit Amusement Park ride

The ride has cars that spin around on the end of arms, which are also rotating. Each car holds four people.

Universal: Lucy attraction out, Hello Kitty in

Lucy -- A Tribute, one of the original attractions at Universal Studios theme park, has been closed. It will be replaced by a new Hello Kitty interactive retail experience that will open this year, Universal confirmed Monday.

Toy Story Land and Avatar-themed park slated to launch at Disney World alongside Star Wars Land

Fresh off an exciting announcement about new Star Wars Lands in both California and Florida, Disney has revealed plans to open build attractions based on both Toy Story and Avatar.

Tuesday August 18, 2015

SeaWorld Names CFO and Chief Creative Officer

The company's board appointed Peter J. Crage as the theme-park operator's chief financial officer starting next month.  Anthony Esparza also was selected as SeaWorld's chief creative officer.

Prepare for another 'Purge' at Halloween Horror Nights

“The Purge" will again be featured at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights in 2015.The 2013 film, set in a 12-hour period in which all crimes are legal, will be a haunted-house maze after debuting as in a "scare-zone" format last year. In the story, guests will be the targets of the Purge and hunted by masked vigilantes, Universal says.

Wednesday August 19, 2015

Kings Island to add 7-story water slide system

Kings Island announced Wednesday that it will add a seven-story water slide system to its water park, Soak City, called Tropical Surge.

Knott's plans makeover of 17-year-old GhostRider wooden coaster

Knott’s Berry Farm plans a full restoration of the aging GhostRider wooden coaster as part of a 75th anniversary celebration of the Ghost Town area of the Buena Park theme park.

Thursday August 20, 2015

New safety measures taken after Sandspit ride accident

Additional safety measures have been implemented at an amusement park in Cavendish following a frightening incident last week that saw a teenager flung from a ride.

Check out the newest ride at Kings Dominion, opening spring 2016

Kings Dominion wants you to get ready to defy gravity on their newest ride: Delirium.  The thrill ride is set to open Spring 2016 in the Candy Apply Grove section of the amusement park.

New Wonderland ride to send 'pilots' soaring

Canada's Wonderland is launching two new high-flying rides next season that will send wannabe pilots soaring.  Skyhawk, being billed as the first ride of its kind in North America, invites riders to strap themselves into their very own cockpit and showoff their flying skills at 41 metres (135 feet) above the ground.

Friday August 21, 2015

Six Flags Magic Mountain unveils Fright Fest 2015 mazes

Six Flags Magic Mountain will push the pause button this Halloween as it rolls out fewer haunted mazes, a repurposed show and a relocated scare zone along with a host of recycled offerings for Fright Fest 2015.

Review of the News: August 10 – August 14

Monday August 10, 2015

Saudi girl dies in amusement park accident in Europe

The 14-year-old, who was holidaying with her family in Zell am See, died from a head injury sustained when a carriage slammed into the back of the one she was riding in, her uncle reportedly said.

After years of thrilling riders, 'Shockwave' closes at Kings Dominion

When the Shockwave roller coaster opened at Kings Dominion in 1986, it was a big deal for visitors and for park employees.

Knott's Halloween '15: A new haunted maze ruled by an evil queen, plus lots of zombie-killing ops

Knott's Berry Farm will add a new haunted maze for Halloween Haunt 2015 featuring a vengeful ice queen and will bring back an interactive zombie-killing experience that arms visitors with simulated military assault weapons.

Disney apologizes over tweet on Nagasaki A-bomb anniversary

Walt Disney Japan apologized Monday after a tweet sent from its corporate Twitter account wished readers “congratulations on a not special day” on the 70th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

Latest attraction continues Lake Compounce’s market-share push

When Jerry Brick started working for Bristol amusement park Lake Compounce in 1996, a busy day attracted 10,000 guests. This year, daily peak attendance will top 15,000.

Tuesday August 11, 2015

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Wednesday August 12, 2015

Chessington World of Adventures stops disabled dad from boarding child's ride because 'he has no adult supervision'

Rob Franks, who was left disabled after surgery to remove a tumour, said he was left shocked after being refused entry onto the ride.

Dubai theme park developer says project spending tops $1bn

Dubai Parks and Resorts, set to become the Middle East's largest multi-themed leisure and entertainment destination when it opens in October 2016, has announced that it has so far spent AED3.8 billion ($1.03 billion) on the project.

Busch Gardens hires 'Blair Witch' producer for Howl-O-Scream scares

The producer of The Blair Witch Project has been enlisted by Busch Gardens to produce this year's Howl-O-Scream fright fest, and in a first for the Tampa theme park, he has filmed an elaborate story line already playing out online.

Anaheim House of Blues wants to leave Downtown Disney for bigger venue at GardenWalk mall

The House of Blues announced plans Tuesday to move from its longtime home at Downtown Disney to a larger venue at the nearby Anaheim GardenWalk mall by summer 2016.

Thursday August 13, 2015

France’s most famous theme park just gave a large donation to a pro-life group

France’s most famous theme park, the “Puy-du-Fou,” was in the news in France recently for having bestowed a gift of 50,000 euro (over 55,000 USD) to the “Fondation Jérôme-Lejeune,” devoted to helping children with Down syndrome and their families, and funding medical research on genetic mental deficiencies.

Autistic boy from Texas finds no bullies at Maine’s Funtown

Dylan Dean and his family have an 'amazing' visit to the state, courtesy of the Saco water park, which was mistaken for one where Dylan was allegedly mistreated in San Antonio.

Friday August 14, 2015

Man struck, killed by Raptor roller coaster in Cedar Point amusement park

A man was struck and killed by a roller coaster inside of Ohio's Cedar Point amusement park while attempting to retrieve items he had dropped on the ride, officials said.

1st Thomas the Tank Engine-themed amusement park in the US is opening in Massachusetts

The nation's first Thomas the Tank Engine-themed amusement park is opening in Massachusetts this weekend.  Thomas Land is scheduled to open to the public Saturday on 11 acres of the Edaville USA Railroad in Carver.

Carowinds amusement park demolishes roller coaster after 39 years, clearing room for new rides

A roller coaster that generated screams and smiles for nearly 40 years is no more.  Multiple media outlets report the wooden roller coaster Thunder Road was demolished Thursday at Carowinds amusement park near Charlotte. The demolition is part of a $50 million renovation plan for the park.

Universal: Hulk coaster going down for improvements

The Incredible Hulk Coaster, one of the original rides at Universal's Islands of Adventure, soon will be closed for a series of improvements.  The bright green thrill ride, based on a bulky, intense Marvel Comics character, will close Sept. 8 (the day after Labor Day) and return sometime next summer, according to a post on the official Universal Orlando theme parks blog.

Lightning Rod

On Friday August 7, 2015, Dollywood formally announced their highly anticipated addition for the 2016 season:  Lightning Rod.  This wooden coaster will be built by Rocky Mountain Construction and will be the world’s fastest wooden coaster.  It will also be the first wooden coaster with a launch. 

In addition to the launched lift hill, the hot-rod themed ride will feature a top speed of 73 mph, 20 seconds of airtime, a 165 foot drop, a non-inverting loop, two 90 degree turns, and a ridiculous quadruple down element.

The coaster will be located in the Jukebox Junction section of the park and will take advantage of the scenic Smoky Mountain terrain that encompasses Dollywood.

My Initial Thoughts:

• This ride looks awesome.  I’m a sucker for launched coasters, and there's nothing better than an airtime filled wooden coaster, so to have those experiences combined a single attraction is a dream come true.
• I’m glad they went with the name “Lightning Rod”.  It’s much better than the name “Shot Rod” that the park also trademarked.
• I’m a little surprised that they didn’t add any inversions.  I don’t think it will take away from the ride at all, but inversions seem to be a staple for RMC coasters.
• I wonder how intense the launch will be.  Most of the launched coasters I have been on have had the launch parallel to the ground, so it will be interesting to see how the angled lift will affect the intensity of the LSM launch.
• This is a very minor gripe, but I would love to see some tunnels added.  How cool would it be to experience that quadruple down in complete darkness?

Lightning Rod is going to be a great addition to an already amazing park.  I highly recommend a trip to Dollywood if you’ve never been.  I’m looking forward to getting back there and experiencing this awesome ride.

Review of the News: August 3 - August 7

Monday August 3, 2015

Six Flags New England Site Of Hate Crime Against Two Young Women

Six Flags New England was the scene for something other than the typical carefree amusement park day in summer after two young women found themselves in a violent confrontation with two other visitors on Wednesday, reported FoxCT.

Orlando theme parks report ride injuries

Two middle-aged visitors had serious health problems recently on rides at Disney's Animal Kingdom, according to the latest round of theme park reports to the state.  Those were among 10 injuries and medical issues reported from April to June that were reported by Disney. Universal Orlando reported six and SeaWorld had one at its Aquatica water park.

OSHA investigating Dorney Park after employee is hospitalized

The U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom after an employee was hospitalized in July.

Six Flags Great Adventure Welcomes 2 Sea Lion Pups

Six Flags Great Adventure's animal care team is celebrating the birth of two playful, female California sea lion pups to two first-time moms at the world's largest theme park in Jackson, New Jersey.

Tuesday August 4, 2015

Cedar Fair, L.P. (FUN) Issues Earnings Results, Misses Estimates By $0.01 EPS

Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE:FUN) posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday. The company reported $1.02 EPS for the quarter, missing the Thomson Reuters consensus estimate of $1.03 by $0.01, Market Beat.com reports.

Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park's bankruptcy hearing coming next month

Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park will be in U.S. Bankruptcy Court next month for an initial hearing on its proposed Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Busch Gardens back in business after rains close theme park

Busch Gardens, the Tampa theme park that was closed to flooding and inclement weather on Monday, has reopened for business on Tuesday, a park spokesman confirms.

Wednesday August 5, 2015

Disney theme park biz up in Q3

The Walt Disney Co.'s (NYSE: DIS) theme parks experienced a strong fiscal 2015 third quarter, ended June 27.  The Burbank, Calif.-based multimedia giant's theme park revenue hit $4.1 billion for the quarter, up 5.1 percent from $3.9 billion for the same time last year. Year-to-date earnings were $11.8 billion, up 6.3 percent from $11.1 billion in third-quarter 2014.

Cedar Fair to test virtual reality on roller coaster

The amusement park company that operates Cedar Point and Kings Island says it will try out virtual reality on a roller coaster at one of its theme parks.  Cedar Fair Chief Executive Matt Ouimet says it will happen later this year and that it's part of the company's move to combine technology with its rides.

Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park want to sell off parts of its 300-acre property

Conneaut Lake Park trustees are asking a federal bankruptcy judge to allow them to pay off some of the amusement park's $3.8 million debt by selling parts of the property.

Vermont man pleads guilty in amusement park fight over knife ban

A man has been sentenced to six months in jail on several charges following a fracas last summer that erupted at a New Hampshire amusement park when his family was told they couldn't carry their knives.

Thursday August 6, 2015

SeaWorld attendance down despite discounts

Attendance, profit and revenue slipped in the second quarter for embattled amusement park operator SeaWorld Entertainment (SEAS).

3 kids hurt as faulty theme park log flume plunges 60ft backwards

The cart carrying the terrified child and his two pals on the log flume slipped back twice before the staff at M&D's Theme Park, in Motherwell, were able to stop it and remove the children.

Disneyland Will Not Expand Theme Park Into Nearby Property: Officials

The Walt Disney Company confirmed the purchase of nearly 15 acres of land near its Anaheim Disneyland Resort, but said the land would not be used to expand rides or attractions, a company spokesperson said Wednesday.

Cedar Fair pickers scour Europe for vintage amusement park rides

Inspired by the “American Pickers” reality television show, a pair of collectors is scouring Europe for classic rides to bring back to Cedar Fair amusement parks in the United States and Canada.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Becomes First Theme Park to Have Official Currency Listed on an Exchange Board

LEGOLAND Florida Resort has entered into an exclusive partnership with Travelex, the world's leading independent foreign exchange business, to list the resort's official currency, LEGOLAND Dollars, on Travelex's currency exchange boards at 55 participating Travelex locations.

Epic War of the Worlds fireworks spectacular comes to Drayton Manor Theme Park

From Friday 30th October, to Sunday 1st November, Drayton Manor Theme Park will close its spectacular 65th anniversary season with an ‘out of this world’ fireworks spectacular.

Friday August 7, 2015

Walibi amusement park goes ‘too far’ with Halloween S&M

The Walibi amusement park in Flevoland is planning to include S&M acts in its Halloween ‘fright night’ programming in October, local broadcaster Omroep Flevoland reports.

Woman left hanging after slingshot ride rope breaks

The woman and an unknown companion were riding 'The Slingshot' at Luna Park in the southern French resort town of Cap D'Agde on Sunday night when the accident happened, French news site Herault H24 reports.

Dollywood announces world's first launched wooden roller coaster

Dolly Parton announced today plans to build the world's first and fastest wood launched roller coaster at her Dollywood theme park.  Called Lightning Rod, it will be the single largest attraction investment in the park.