Review of the News: May 2 – May 6

Monday May 2, 2015

Ferris wheel catches fire at new dinosaur theme park in Bangkok
The fire broke out following an afternoon thunderstorm in the Thai capital, says the fire and rescue department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.


Tuesday May 3, 2015

Dollywood turns 30
It was on this day in 1986, Dolly Parton opened the amusement park in Pigeon Forge, TN.  The park originally opened in 1961 as Rebel Railroad with the engine train Klondike Katie as the main attraction.

Westchester lawmakers approve Playland management deal
The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a management contract with Standard Amusements to operate the county’s Playland Park.

Conneaut Lake Park trustees, tax creditors to file bankruptcy plan by June 3
Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park and its real estate tax creditors plan to submit a joint bankruptcy reorganization for the beleaguered amusement park by early next month.

Legoland Dubai theme park announces new ride
Legoland Dubai has unveiled The Lost Kingdom Adventure ride — the theme park’s flagship attraction in Adventure, one of six themed lands within the venue.


Wednesday May 4, 2015

Kennywood Visitors In For A “Whale” Of A Time This Summer
Workers checked rides for safety, hosed down appliances, and put new faces on old favorites. They’ve also reconstructed the former entrance to Noah’s Ark, that big whale that disappeared 20 years ago.


Thursday May 5, 2015

Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel To Go Dark For Light Renovation
The iconic Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel will go dark Thursday and stay dark for 20 days to make way for a $1 million revamp in time for the Pacific Park amusement park’s 20th-anniversary celebration.

Tokyo DisneySea’s Children’s Day jogging event attracts 1,000 entrants
About 1,000 people participated in a jogging event held at Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on Thursday to mark Children’s Day.

Lake Winnie kicks off 91st season with new thrill ride
Lake Winnepesaukah enters its 91st season with "one of the thrillingest thrill rides" ever to fling riders around the North Georgia amusement park.

Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom to double South Whitehall police coverage
Things went so well with an agreement last year between South Whitehall police and a popular Lehigh Valley summertime destination that the township is doubling the amount of protection it will pay for this year.

Bay Beach previews new rides
Park officials and the City of Green Bay are touting overhauled engines for the train ride and two new rides ready to debut this weekend.

Waldameer prepares to open this weekend
It is a sure sign of the summer season, the start of Waldameers 120th year  is this weekend and there are many new things to look forward to this season.

Tourists crowd, trash Shanghai Disneyland weeks before opening
Photos posted to Chinese social media network Weibo show trash and debris left behind in the courtyard, vandalism to a light post and recently planted flower beds that have been walked over.


Friday May 6, 2015

Cedar Point's mysterious Valravn secret revealed
For the first time ever, Cedar Point is creating augmented reality that changes the way its guests see the park.

First-look at spinning ride vehicles of Cobra's Curse
This week, the Tampa theme park gave us our first look as the ride vehicles of Cobra's Curse in action.

Legoland execs negotiating with Orange property owners
Legoland executives are negotiating sale prices with a handful of property owners in Orange County as they seek to settle on a site for the third Legoland Park in North America.