Review of the News: January 4 – January 8

Monday January 4, 2015

3 Theme Park Operators That Beat Disney in 2015
Disney stock beat the market, but most publicly traded operators of theme parks and regional amusement parks actually performed even better.

Artist Charged With Attempted Murder in Theme Park Attack
Frederick Torres, 33, was charged with attempted first-degree murder for his attack on Glenn Ferguson at the Islands of Adventure park. Both artists draw caricatures at Universal's parks but work for an outside firm, Orlando-based Fasen Artists, Inc.


Tuesday January 5, 2015

Fans rally to say goodbye to popular Disney, Universal rides in Orlando
In Orlando, theme park fans are taking one last spin on of some of their favorite rides before they shut down for good to make way to flashier attractions.

New Dubai theme park seeks actors, dancers, singers
IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park which is scheduled to open in Dubai this year, is holding auditions for actors, singers and performers seeking a role in the park’s upcoming live entertainment shows.


Wednesday January 6, 2015

SeaWorld settles orca trainer safety citations
SeaWorld and California workplace regulators have reached a settlement over allegations that the park failed to train workers to safely interact with its killer whales.

Universal Orlando announces 2016 Mardi Gras concert lineup
The theme park announced its concert lineup for the annual New Orleans-themed celebration, with musical acts from a variety of genres, including rock, pop, R&B, and country.

Alton Towers to open Rollercoaster Restaurant with 400m food DROP
The food will tackle two gravity-defying loop-the-loops before dropping eight metres down a tornado spiral onto their table.

Six Flags files objections in slip-and-fall case
Six Flags Theme Parks is objecting on a number of fronts to a negligence suit filed against it, in response to a slip-and-fall accident from 2013.

Rain shutters Knott's, Magic Mountain while Disneyland, Universal Studios endure sogginess
Heavy rain shuttered two Southern California theme parks on Tuesday, while others remained open and slogged through the day.


Thursday January 7, 2015

Cedar Point’s annual calendar offers clues to when Valravn roller coaster will soar
Cedar Point’s recently released wall calendar lists May 6 as this year’s Season Passholder Preview Night. Historically that it is day the Sandusky amusement park opens its new attractions — weather, construction and ride testing deadlines permitting.

SeaWorld Orlando tops off new Mako coaster
The theme park shared an update of the new coaster's "topping off" where it installed the tallest point of the 200-foot ride, which will open later this year.

Dubai Parks and Resorts imports 300 year-old olive trees from Italy for landscaping
Dubai Parks and Resorts, the company developing the massive theme park project in Jebel Ali, said that it has imported 14 eight-metre tall olive trees ranging between the ages of 200 and 300 years from Italy to landscape its flagship project.

SeaWorld Sues State for Whale Breeding Ban
SeaWorld filed a lawsuit challenging the California Coastal Commission’s stipulation that bans the San Diego theme park from breeding captive orcas.

Starbucks coming to Knott's
Beginning in March, a 935-square-foot Starbucks will anchor the California MarketPlace just outside the park’s entrance.


Friday January 8, 2015

Knott's Partners with Susan G. Komen for a Third Year
Knott’s Berry Farm and Susan G. Komen Orange County are partnering, for a third year, to raise money for breast cancer awareness, services and research by offering a special “Pink Ticket” and limited edition “pink” t-shirt, January 4 through March 18.

Animal Kingdom: A look at the 'floating mountain' illusion of Pandora
Held up and extended by steel beams, the mountain -- which more closely resembles a boulder with grass on top -- can best be seen from the parking lot, but there are some decent views near Pizzafari inside the park.

Busch Gardens offers new multi-park ticket plan
Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando are offering more flexible multi-park ticket offers this year designed to bring in more visitors.