Review of the News: February 13 – February 17

Monday February 13, 2017

Valleyfair names new vice president and general manager
Shakopee amusement park Valleyfair announced Monday that Brad Marcy has been named the park’s new vice president and general manager.

Wild Adventures Announces 2017 Concerts
Wild Adventures Theme Park revealed its complete 2017 All-Star Concert Series Monday with an impressive list of award-winning musical acts including classic country, traditional rock and roll, Christian and pop stars.

Baby giraffe born at North Yorkshire theme park
Flamingo Land Resort in North Yorkshire have welcomed the arrival of a giraffe calf.

Disney Quietly Raises Theme Park Admission Prices Again
In most cases, one-day adult tickets are now $5 more expensive.

Disneyland toy parcel triggers bomb alert
A bomb scare at Hong Kong Disneyland ended after bomb disposal officers found that a suspicious parcel that triggered the alarm was a toy, a Disneyland spokeswoman said.


Tuesday February 14, 2017

Details of Tilikum's death at SeaWorld remain a mystery
As legally required, SeaWorld notified the federal government how its infamous killer whale Tilikum died: of bacterial pneumonia.  Other details about his health and death, such as whether he had injuries, remain unknown. Animal welfare groups have been pushing for a release of Tilkum’s full necropsy.

Dollywood auditions set for Feb. 18, 19
Dollywood Entertainment said they are searching for singers with experience in country, musical theater or pop. The only audition for small bluegrass groups will take place on Feb. 19.

Lego Batman Movie Days set for Legoland Florida
Legoland Florida will have two weekends’ worth of activities tied to “The Lego Batman Movie,” which opened Friday.  The Winter Haven theme park is holding Legoland Batman Movie Days on March 4-5 and March 11-12.


Wednesday February 15, 2017

Cedar Fair shoots to $158 million in profits
Amusement park chain Cedar Fair LP said today that its 2016 profits rose 58 percent to $178 million, or $3.14 a share, on revenues of $1.29 billion.

Extended hours coming for Conneaut Lake Park's water park
The popularity of Conneaut Lake Park's water park in 2016 will mean additional days of operation for it during the upcoming season.

Knott’s Berry Farm is auctioning off a bunch of its old stuff
Knott's Berry Farm has partnered with Heritage Auctions to hold a special auction featuring more than 200 items from the park's archives.

‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Ride Opening Date Revealed, Disneyland Announces ‘Summer Of Heroes’
Disneyland Resort has finally revealed the opening date for the Guardians of the Galaxy retheme of Twilight Zone’s Tower Of Terror as part of a grand opening “Summer of Heroes” event which will bring an increased Marvel presence to Disney California Adventure theme park.

Former Tayto Park employee who claimed theme park ride broke her ankle settles High Court case
Helena McDonnell was working at Tayto Park at the time of the alleged accident five years ago but has settled her case


Thursday February 16, 2017

Dorney Park schedules two more job fairs to fill 3,000 seasonal positions
The South Whitehall Township amusement park on Thursday announced it will hold its second job fair of the year from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Good Time Theater. A third job fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 11 at the park's Chickie's and Pete's.

Universal tests 'photo validation technology' at some rides
Universal Orlando Resort has been testing “photo validation technology” at some attractions within its theme parks.

Amusement park shakes off 'abandoned' rumors in int'l media
Employees at Gaya Land, an amusement park in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, were surprised to see articles had gone viral describing their workplace as "spooky," "abandoned" and "the stuff of nightmares."


Friday February 17, 2017

Worlds of Fun hosting job fair at Union Station, hope to hire 1,200 workers
Worlds of Fun plans to hire more than 1,200 during a job fair Saturday, Feb. 18.  The job fair runs from noon to 4 p.m. at Union Station. Starting wages range from $8 to $10.

Disneyland still open; Knott's is closed for rain, while storm affects horse races, ski resorts
While Disneyland remained open Friday, Knott’s Berry Farm was closed, horse races at local tracks were canceled and skiing at area resorts was limited as heavy rains and high winds kicked in.

Man accused of killing 'Pinky' the flamingo is incompetent for trial
A Hillsborough County judge rules that the Orlando man accused of killing a flamingo at Busch Gardens is too mentally ill to go to trial.

Universal Orlando begins seasonal pricing, increases ticket prices at gate
Adult guests who purchase one-day, park-to-park tickets at the gate will pay $169 – an increase of $14. A park-to-park pass for a child is $164 at the gate. A one-day, one-park ticket purchased at the gate will also increase $14. An adult ticket will be $119, and a child ticket will be $114.

Chessington World of Adventures recruiting TODDLERS for new Gruffalo ride
A job ad for grumpy children to test a new Gruffalo ride was flooded with applicants.

Rotherham approves £37m theme park plan
Gulliver’s Family Theme Parks hopes to begin construction of its development before the end of the year, and the first phase — the main entrance and access roads, theme park hub and core parking — could be open in 2020.