Review of the News: February 1 – February 5

Monday February 1, 2015

Construction of new Tivoli attraction put on hold
The construction of Tivoli’s new attraction Fatamorgana, which had been expected to open this summer, has been put on hold because the amusement park lacks the necessary building permits, reports DR.

Man bitten by snake at Gold Coast theme park
The 32-year-old stepped on the snake while visiting Sea World on Monday and suffered a single bite to his foot.


Tuesday February 2, 2015

Epcot: Flower & Garden Festival adds more food plus Huey, Dewey, Louie
Walt Disney World has revealed more details about the upcoming Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, which begins its record 90-day run on March 2.

Jackson residents: 9 complaints on solar farm
For the first time in more than 20 hours of testimony, township residents were able to speak their minds about a proposed solar farm in a forest on Six Flags Great Adventure property.

Giant red dragon arrives at Legoland Dubai
The 4m-long Red Dragon, which is made from 230,000 Lego bricks, will guard treasure as part of a rollercoaster ride.


Wednesday February 3, 2015

Armed man arrested at Disneyland Paris avoids jail
A man who tried to take two handguns into a hotel at the Disneyland amusement park in Paris was sentenced Tuesday by a court to six months wearing an electronic tag for arms possession, after investigators decided not to press terrorism charges.

Comcast Corp. confirms $130M land buy 'adjacent to an existing theme park'
Comcast Corp., the parent company of Universal Orlando Resort, confirmed Feb. 3 it paid $130 million for 475 acres of land "adjacent to an existing theme park" — essentially announcing it now owns the mass of land along Universal Boulevard, even though officials didn't offer additional details yet.

Shanghai Disneyland Unveils Ticket Prices
Standard tickets for Shanghai Disneyland will cost 370 yuan, or $56, with online ticket sales set to begin late next month ahead of June’s planned opening, the company said.

Legoland Malaysia Resort launches experience-based English learning programme
Legoland Malaysia Resort has introduced English Mania, an  experienced-based learning programme for students, in the theme park. 

Universal Studios unveils online ticketing system just in time for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The system, known as EZ Rez, will offer discounts of up to $20 on tickets, depending on the day. Tickets purchased at the gate are $95, but for a non-peak day, advance tickets purchased online can drop as low as $75.

Universal updates virtual-beads Mardi Gras app
The app, available for download for iPhone and Android, has a scavenger-hunt feel that includes four different tracks: music lovers, food lovers, family night and date night.


Thursday February 4, 2015

Wonderla to invest Rs150 crore to expand Bengaluru amusement park
Wonderla Holidays Ltd, an amusement park and resort operator, signed a Memorandum Of Understanding committing to invest Rs 150 crore over the next two years to expand its existing amusement park in Bidadi (Bengaluru), India.

Bronx Woman Suing Six Flags Over Violent Waterslide Collision, Lawsuit Says
A Parkchester woman is suing Six Flags Great Adventure over an ill-fated ride on the amusement park's King Cobra waterslide that left her badly injured, court documents say.


Friday February 5, 2015

Social media reaction to Dorney Park's dismissal of special needs employee
Affter a wave of social media outrage, Dorney Park and Wildwater Kingdom officials on Friday said that a 29-year-old special needs man who has cleaned bathrooms at the amusement park for 12 seasons would not be dismissed after all.

Brooklyn lawmaker again pushes landmark status for Coney Island’s boardwalk
As the city plans to change some of the materials used for the promenade that evokes Jazz Age shenanigans, City Councilman Mark Treyger continues his push to landmark the historic wooden-planked path.

Beijing amusement park gears up for New Year celebrations
Festivities were already well underway on Friday at Beijing's Shijingshan Amusement Park, where revelers are expected to descend en masse for next week's Chinese New Year and Spring Festival celebrations.

Court reschedules deadline for Conneaut Lake Park's bankruptcy plan
U.S. Bankruptcy Court has rescheduled the deadline for Conneaut Lake Park's Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan until late March in the wake of a federally-ordered mediation session held last month.

Ocean Park loses over a million visitors in 2015 – biggest drop in years
Ocean Park has seen a dip in visitors of 14 percent over the past year. In 2014, Ocean Park saw a total of 7.8 million visits – the highest number ever recorded. However, ticket sales slumped by over a million in 2015 to 6.7 million.

Alton Towers submit plans to extend Enchanted Village accommodation
Staffordshire theme park Alton Towers has unveiled plans to build extra lodges in its accommodation area, after seeing bookings for the resort soar.

Darien Lake plans new water slide attraction
The newest attraction coming to Darien Lake this summer will be a twisting rush of color pitting up to six racers down a sliding, 300-foot long water-slide raceway.

Islands of Adventure: Hulk roller coaster on way back up
The Incredible Hulk roller coaster is being rebuilt, and theme-park visitors now can see parts of the bright green rail being put back into place inside Universal's Islands of Adventure.