Review of the News: January 23 – January 27

Monday January 23, 2017

Carowinds adding rides to 'County Fair' section
Construction has begun on new rides at the County Fair section of the Carowinds amusement park along the state line between North and South Carolina near Charlotte.

Ocean Park Hong Kong celebrates 40th anniversary
To celebrate its 40th Anniversary, Ocean Park officially launched a year-long celebration today, featuring a host of activities and special offers under the theme of “Making Memories”.

Dreamworld tragedy: Village Roadshow witnesses slump in theme park attendance following tragedy
Village Roadshow has witnessed a significant decline in its attendance by Queenslanders in the wake of the Dreamworld tragedy.

USJ park offers manga, game themes for ‘cool Japan’ initiative
An escape game themed on the “Detective Conan” manga series was introduced at the Universal Studios Japan theme park for the first time for the third edition of its Universal Cool Japan initiative.


Tuesday January 24, 2017

Santa Cruz, scientists, Boardwalk fighting battle forces of nature
When the river backs up, it floods the Boardwalk’s basements, which store retired carnival displays and other equipment

Main Street Electrical Parade Returns to Disneyland with Special Treats
Disneyland welcomed home its most popular parade with a giant party that felt like a return to the 1970s, complete with music and dancing, with disco ball-inspired lighting provided by the return of the one and only Main Street Electrical Parade.

Universal Studios Singapore passes the 25 million visitor mark
Universal Studios Singapore (USS) passed its 25 million visitor mark on Tuesday morning (Jan 24) at 10am, just after the theme park opened.


Wednesday January 25, 2017

SeaWorld San Diego to celebrate Lunar New Year
From January 28 to February 20, the world-renowned marine theme park will be celebrating the Year of the Rooster and Asian cultures with a flurry of exciting sights and sounds.

Animal Kingdom Launching “Caring for Giants” Tour
The tour is described as a unique, family-friendly backstage viewing experience of the park’s majestic African elephants.

Six Flags Great Adventure hiring 4K people for 2017 season
The amusement park will host two job fairs at its employment center on Saturday Feb. 4 and Sunday Feb. 12.

Super Bowl challenge pits Six Flags New England against Georgia amusement park
Six Flags New England in Agawam and its sister park, Six Flags Over Georgia, have a friendly wager riding on the outcome of the big game on Feb. 5.

Six Flags Fiesta Texas hosting job fair, looks to hire 500
Fiesta Texas is hiring for more than 500 available positions in admissions, food service, ride operation, security, maintenance, games, retail and park services among other areas, the San Antonio theme park said in a news release Wednesday.

Busch Gardens switches from Grad Nite to Grad Day
The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay theme park has switched up its annual celebration for graduating high school seniors after demand for the event did not meet expectations.

Thorpe Park's Logger's Leap to remain closed for 2017 for 'redevelopment'
The attraction, which opened in 1989 as the then tallest log flume in the UK, was closed to the public last year.

New food festival at SeaWorld
SeaWorld is entering that lucrative theme park food festival business (Epcot Food & Wine; Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival) with a festival of its own, starting Feb. 11.


Thursday January 26, 2017

Hersheypark sued over handicapped access: parking, toilet paper holders, more
A Maryland woman who has multiple sclerosis is suing the owner of Hersheypark in federal court, claiming the popular amusement park falls short regarding accessibility for those with physical disabilities.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with Megatron and Curious George at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating the Year of the Rooster by bringing out some of their most well-loved characters in festive Chinese attire.

Comcast's Universal Parks & Resorts reports fourth-quarter growth
Universal Parks and Resorts had a fourth quarter — and a full year — of double-digit growth in revenue and operating cash flow, its parent company announced Thursday.


Friday January 27, 2017

Lakeside Park approaches getting $2 million facelift
In addition to improved access, including Americans With Disabilities Act compliant pathways to Fairyland, Lakeside Park and the Garden Center, there will be a new bus loading zone and shelter, improved streetlights and traffic signals, landscaping, repaving and storm water treatment.

Universal Orlando preps for Jimmy Fallon ride, Volcano Bay
These next few months will be jam-packed for the theme park giant.