Review of the News: February 22 – February 26

Monday February 22, 2015

Cedar Point Raises Admission, Announces the Closure of Three Rides
As the Valravn roller coaster construction nears completion, the park is also shuttering three rides: Shoot the Rapids water ride, Skyscraper and Challenge Racing.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi to open Flying Aces coaster this week
Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has begun the countdown to unveil its all new record-breaking roller coaster Flying Aces later this week on February 24.

New rides, promotions help Six Flags enjoy record year
The company saw its revenue grow by $88 million, or 7.5 percent, to $1.3 billion over 2014, marking the sixth consecutive year of record financial performance, John Duffey, chief financial officer of the Grand Prairie, Texas-based company, said during a conference call on Thursday.

A theme park is selling a host of unusual items on eBay including a wooden log flume
Dreamland, which is based in Margate, revealed in December that it had debts of £2.9million following a summer of transport problems.  It agreed a five-year deal to pay back its creditors, and is trying to raise £500,000 by selling off some of its items.

Legoland Windsor unveil biggest Lego structure in the UK ever
Theme park staff have unveiled the biggest Lego structure in the UK ever - a scale model of the DEATH STAR.

Disney shares 'first look' at Star Wars lands
A segment during Sunday night's broadcast of "The Wonderful World of Disney: Disneyland 60," introduced by actor Harrison Ford, showed several "concept renderings" of attractions coming to Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disneyland.


Tuesday February 23, 2015

Autism Speaks Walk moves out of Dorney Park, citing treatment of special needs worker
The annual Lehigh Valley Autism Speaks Walk, which attracts roughly 5,000 supporters, is moving out of Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom this year — yet another event cutting ties with the amusement park after the viral story about the treatment of a special-needs worker.

Westchester may commit $58M in amended Playland deal
Westchester County would spend $58 million on 11 construction projects at Playland as part of an amended deal with the company that is set to take over the historic county-owned park, officials said.

Kings Island latest local employer to raise wages
A seasonal job at Kings Island will pay better this year as the amusement park joins examples of other local employers raising wages in a tightening job market with fewer unemployed workers.

Fight over Six Flags solar farm trudges on
There were more hours of opposing testimony on Monday night to Six Flags Great Adventure's controversial plans to construct a solar generation facility on 66 acres of existing woodlands.

Movie World signs up super villains
Super-villains will be centre stage at Warner Brothers Movie World's latest attraction, opening in October.


Wednesday February 24, 2015

Cedar Point won't raise fence in response to death of man struck by roller coaster
Officials at Cedar Point say the park will make no changes in fence height, signage or other safety procedures in response to the death last summer of a man who entered a restricted area under a ride and was hit by an oncoming roller coaster train.

FunPlex Amusement Park opens in Lagos
Fun-seeking children and their parents living in Magodo-Shangisha area of Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State may now heave a sigh of relief as FunPlex Amusement Park has commenced business on the CMD Road, Shangisha.

Two seals, including newborn, die at Hong Kong’s Ocean Park while red panda breaks into giant panda enclosure in trio of incidents
Two seals, including a newborn, have died at Ocean Park in two separate incidents in less than a week, a spokeswoman for the marine theme park confirmed last night.  A red panda also escaped its enclosure and entered a neighbouring enclosure, home to the park’s two resident giant pandas, Ying Ying and Le Le.

Hidden Mickey made of 48,000 solar panels spotted at Walt Disney World
A solar farm arranged into the shape of the famous mouse ears has been built near Epcot at Walt Disney World.


Thursday February 25, 2015

SeaWorld admits employees spied on protesters
Amusement park operator SeaWorld has admitted that it carried on a practice in which employees posed as animal rights activists in order to spy on those groups.

Cedar Fair Declares 2016 First-Quarter Cash Distribution
The distribution, which is payable March 28, 2016 to unitholders of record as of March 14, 2016, represents the Company's 30 consecutive year of paying a cash distribution to its unitholders.

Alton Towers is to be prosecuted over the Smiler rollercoaster crash
The owner of Alton Towers will be prosecuted over the Smiler rollercoaster crash after it left five people seriously injured.

Universal Orlando releases image of Skull Island: Reign of Kong
The 3-D ride, which will be one of the longest ride experiences ever created at Universal, will  bring the next generation of King Kong to life., according to a release from the theme park.

SeaWorld Entertainment Q4 Loss Narrows From Previous Year
The company reported a Q4 adjusted net loss of $9.6 million, or a loss of $0.11 per diluted share, narrower than the loss of $17.8 million, or $0.20 per share, in the prior year period but wider than the loss of $0.10 expected by analysts.


Friday February 26, 2015

Theme park closes in Phnom Penh
Dreamland, Cambodia’s biggest amusement park, will close 1 March after the contact expires.  The amusement park posted on its facebook, Tuesday, that it was ending its business 1 March.