Review of the News: April 11 – April 15

Monday April 11, 2015

Kings Island debuting new 7-story water slide tower 'Tropical Plunge'
Kings Island is opening a new water slide complex standing nearly seven stories when Soak City Waterpark opens for the summer.


Tuesday April 12, 2015

Legoland Malaysia to build world’s largest LEGO Millennium Falcon
Legoland Malaysia is now set to break record by assembling the world’s largest LEGO Millennium Falcon, from the Star Wars series.

Calico Saloon opens and Pan for Gold relocates as work at Knott's Ghost Town continues
Construction noise is still echoing throughout Ghost Town at Knott’s Berry Farm, as work continues to upgrade several longtime attractions at the park.

Indiana Beach Boardwalk Resort Announces New Looping Coaster
Indiana Beach, Indiana’s Favorite Boardwalk Resort, will kick off its upcoming 90th Anniversary season with the addition of a looping-reversing coaster called Zero G.


Wednesday April 13, 2015

Women accuse Belmont Park of discrimination
The women claim they were kicked off the Beach Blaster ride during a September 2015 visit because they were wearing Muslim head coverings known as hijabs.

Great Escape begins work on new looping coaster
The ride is located between the Sasquatch and Boomerang rides, near the front of the park. The amusement park is slated to open May 14, though the Greezed Lightnin' will debut May 21.

Mickey Mouse-shaped solar facility unveiled at Disney World
Officials with Disney World, Duke Energy and Disney’s private government on Tuesday flipped on the switch to a Mickey Mouse-shaped solar facility located on 22 acres near the Epcot theme park.


Thursday April 14, 2015

Playland: Vote set for May 2 after 3rd opt-out extension
Westchester County lawmakers plan to vote May 2 on an amended deal with the company in line to manage Playland, the historic county-owned park on the Long Island Sound.

Disneyland Offers First Glimpse of ‘Star Wars’ Land as Construction Begins
Disney celebrated the official groundbreaking of the new Star Wars-themed land in Disneyland on Thursday by releasing a 360-degree image of the construction site.

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights reveals first 2016 house
The theme park revealed The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the 1974 horror film, will be one of the houses Horror Nights fans will brave this coming fall.


Friday April 15, 2015

North Alabama's first amusement park opens Friday
If you're a fan of thrills, you're in luck as north Alabama opens its first amusement park.  Lake City Amusement Park sits on 40 acres and features more than 35 thrill rides.

SeaWorld Picks Two Theme-Park Veterans for Board
SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. said Friday that it named a new independent director to its board and nominated another, adding two theme park industry veterans to the company as it seeks to revamp its business amid sliding attendance.