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.

Review of the News: August 15 – August 19

Monday August 15, 2016

Police: Women stole from Kentucky Kingdom
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrested two women Saturday accused of stealing more than $1,000 worth of items from Kentucky Kingdom.

Disney World Gives Animal Kingdom the Night Off
The addition of several nighttime activities that extended the park's close from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. since Memorial Day weekend will be reversed following Labor Day.


Tuesday August 16, 2016

TailSpin Racer Coming to Dollywood’s Splash Country
This thrilling new attraction allows up to six guests to race each other on mats through the twists and turns of TailSpin Racer’s unique spiraling tube design.

Police charge 8 with pot possession at Dorney Park
Authorities allege one man ate evidence, two men were spotted smoking pot in the parking lot at 11 o’clock in the morning and that three people face charges after the smell of marijuana came wafting out of their locker.


Wednesday August 17, 2016

6 Hurt By Electric Shocks On Connecticut Amusement Park Ride
Police say six people were hospitalized for injuries they sustained when a ride at an amusement park in New London shocked them. Officers were dispatched to the scene at Ocean Beach Park shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday following reports of the injuries.

12 Tourists Injured After Freefall Ride Hurtles to the Ground
Twelve tourists have been left injured after the breaks on a freefall attraction reportedly ‘failed’ – sending the ride crashing towards the ground.

Oakwood launches Olympic challenge
Completed cards can be handed in to staff at the admissions desk and will be entered into a free daily draw to win an annual pass.

Universal's Halloween Horror Nights gets more terrifying with 'American Horror Story' reboot
The park's annual terrifying scare fest just got even bloodier by joining forces with one of the the most gruesome shows on television, FX’s acclaimed-- and controversial-- “American Horror Story" series.


Thursday August 18, 2016

Cedar Point announces new, improved water park
The amusement park announced Thursday that it will transform Soak City into the new Cedar Point Shores Water Park.

Universal Orlando shares backstory on latest CityWalk addition
Universal Orlando Resort guests are still waiting for the new Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen to open, but the theme park is sharing a bit more on the fictional story behind the new CityWalk addition.

Revamped Planet Hollywood will include Guy Fieri burger menu, upgraded visuals
The celebrity-themed restaurant hopes to return to that position in Disney Springs, a dining and entertainment complex that used to be called Downtown Disney.

Kings Island brings back WinterFest for 2017
The park will reopen in the colder months for ice skating, reindeer petting zoo, rides, performances and more.


Friday August 19, 2016

Funfields amusement park to install ‘TornadoWAVE’ next year
Park owner John Verga said the TornadoWAVE was a four person raft ride that will be open for the summer of 2017/18.

Worlds of Fun announces two new rides for 2017
Worlds of Fun has announced it will introduce two new rides in 2017: the Mustang Runner and the Falcon’s Flight.

Worlds of Fun extends its season to celebrate ‘Winter Wonderland’, redesigns front entrance
WinterFest will showcase 14 favorite holiday characters, spectacular light displays, ice skating, and festive live entertainment. The park will be transformed into a winter wonderland for six weeks beginning November 24, 2017.

USF students petition Busch Gardens to restore discount admission
Busch Gardens is canceling its discount admission for students at the University of South Florida, blaming a lack of interest in the half-off, $50 pass good for the academic year.

Great America building floorless roller coaster to replace stand-up Vortex
Named the Patriot, the ride will make its debut in early 2017 at the Santa Clara theme park, spokesman Roger Ross announced Thursday. The coaster will take riders 91 feet in the air before dropping them into a 360-degree loop at 45 mph.

New Valleyfair ride will swing riders 230 feet in the air
True to its Minnesotan roots, the new ride’s name is “to celebrate the region’s affinity to being ‘up north’ and the great outdoors,” Valleyfair says.

Knott’s Soak City Water Park Adding Two New Towers for 2017
According to the official website of Knott’s Soak City, the water park will debut two water slide towers, dubbed Shore Break and The Wedge.

Universal Orlando brings magic back with 4th annual Harry Potter Celebration
The 4th annual Harry Potter celebration at Universal Orlando Resort, a weekend-long event that celebrates everything from J.K. Rowling's fictional wizard world, will happen Jan. 27-29, park officials said.

Carowinds to add winter festival, vintage rides
Carowinds is bringing back its WinterFest holiday celebration for the third time in the park’s history, as well as debuting four new rides to show off in its upcoming “County Fair” section.

New attractions coming to Dorney Park in 2017
The South Whitehall Township amusement park says it's bringing back bumper cars by popular demand. The park is also adding "Kaleidoscope," a circular, spinning ride plus a new showcase called "Cirque Imagine."

Disney digitally alters 'crude' hand gesture in Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
The longstanding Disney's Hollywood Studios attraction has taken heat online in the past for Tyler's thumb-to-ring finger motion he makes in the queue presentation of the ride, with critics saying it is representative of a sexually-driven gesture referred to as "the shocker."

Review of the News: March 21 – March 25

Monday March 21, 2015

You can help name a Virginia roller coaster
The ride at Busch Gardens Williamsburg will have a "Viking invasion" theme and, evoking the old style of roller coaster construction, will be made of wood.


Tuesday March 22, 2015

Disneyland Food & Wine Festival returns
After a six-year absence, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival returns from April 1 to May 1, 2016.

Pleasureland unveils new £5m Southport Eye as town's tallest landmark
A new Southport Eye, now the town’s tallest structure, will begin turning this Easter, part of a landmark multi-million pound investment at Southport Pleasureland.

Nagoya amusement park in hot water for safety mishaps
The safety mishaps occurred at Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens, where all 16 attractions have since been suspended for safety checks.

Miracle Strip rides sold and removed from property
There's a visual reminder that Miracle Strip Amusement Park will not be reopening in Panama City Beach. All of the rides have been broken down, sold, and hauled off.

Westchester Lawmaker Proposes New 30/30 Playland Deal
Westchester County, and the company it is working with to revamp Playland, would each fork over $30 million under a new deal being floated by the county Board of Legislators' chairman, according to a report on lohud.com

Cedar Point amusement park says track is finished on its new dive coaster
Park officials in Sandusky tell The News-Messenger in Fremont that the track has been completed and crews now are focusing on landscaping, electric and computer work.

Thrill-seekers are left hanging upside down screaming in terror after a BIRD brings rollercoaster to halt at a Chinese theme park
The thrill-seekers were upside down on the halted Crystal Wing ride at Beijing's Happy Valley Amusement Park for almost 20 minutes on March 19, the People's Daily Online reports.

Fate of controversial Six Flags solar farm could be decided Wednesday
Testimony from a handful of people is apparently all that is left in the grueling process that has been Six Flags Great Adventure's application to construct a 66-acre solar farm.

Six Flags to open parks in Vietnam
Grand Prairie-based Six Flags (NYSE: SIX), announced Monday a strategic partnership with NaVi Entertainment, a private company in Ho Chi Minh City, to build a theme park and water park under the Six Flags and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor brands.

Wonderla Holidays readies its third theme park at Hyderabad
Wonderla Holidays Limited is hoping to earn Rs 60 crore in top-line in the first year from its third amusement park to be opened next month in Hyderabad.

Student dies falling off Fantasy Kingdom ride
A first year student of BAF Shaheen College died yesterday after falling from a water ride in Fantasy Kingdom, a theme park in the outskirts of the capital in Ashulia, Savar.

Dubai theme park confirms white-knuckle rollercoasters
After a year of teasers, motiongate Dubai has now confirmed exactly how 13 Hollywood blockbusters will be re-imagined.

Universal Studios Hollywood raises daily ticket prices ahead of Harry Potter opening
The prices of daily tickets sold at the front gate jumped over the weekend to $115 from $95, according to the theme park's website.

Walt Disney World Introducing New ‘Disney After Hours’ Paid Event at Magic Kingdom
An announcement has been made on Monday afternoon, revealing that Magic Kingdom park is going to introduce “Disney After Hours” for the months of April and May where guests can pay an extra fee to enjoy different attractions late into the night.

Fire disrupts Disney’s Lion King show at Animal Kingdom
A small fire broke out at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Orlando on Monday afternoon, forcing Walt Disney World park officials to evacuate about 1,000 guests.


Wednesday March 23, 2015

Conneaut Lake Park leaders could put nearly $490K toward debts with sale of lakefront lots
Proposed sales of two lakefront lots on Conneaut Lake may help Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park clear almost $490,000 toward its debts.

A ‘monster’ change is coming to Adventureland
Construction is under way for Adventureland’s first new roller coaster in more than 20 years, The Monster.

Knoebels: Free-admission park still growing at 90
Knoebels Amusement Resort has expanded greatly since it opened on July 4, 1926, with a borrowed steam-powered merry-go-round, a pool and a few food stands.


Thursday March 24, 2015

The Screamin' Eagle at Six Flags is turning 40
When Six Flags St. Louis opens for the 2016 season, its flagship ride reaches a milestone. On April 10, 1976, the longest, fastest and largest roller coaster ride in the world made its debut.

Six Flags theme park gets OK to cut 15K trees for solar farm
Jackson Township’s planning board on Tuesday granted a request by Six Flags Great Adventure and KDC Solar to move forward with a project that opponents argue will have a devastating effect on the environment.

Oakwood Theme Park is back for Easter - and Megafobia has had a birthday makeover!
To mark the occasion, the the high-thrill ride has been decked out with a new gold and silver livery, and as part of the celebrations the park is also planning a weekend of special events and activities around April 30, the coaster's opening day in 1996.

Carowinds unveils newest attraction: Plants vs. Zombies
The attraction, located on the south end of the park behind the Afterburn roller coaster, is based on a popular video-game franchise from PopCap Games that pits – duh, what else? – plants against zombies.

Enchanted Forest: Oregon theme park marks 45 years
It started with $4,000 and an empty 20 acres south of Salem in 1964.

Disney's Halloween party gets early start
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom is getting an early start on the holiday in 2016. The first night of the event will be Sept. 2-- three days before Labor Day and more than eight weeks before Halloween.


Friday March 25, 2015

Coney Island’s Luna Park Amusement Park Opens
Coney’s Island Luna Park is opening at noon Friday for the season.  An opening day ceremony will be held Saturday.

Kentucky Kingdom getting major gateway sign
A major new sign identifying Kentucky Kingdom and Hurricane Bay that will go at Gate 2 off Crittenden Drive has been approved by the Kentucky State Fair Board.

Disney: Very Merry Christmas Party starts Nov. 7
We now have the dates for the 2016 edition of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the after-hours, extra-ticket holiday event at Magic Kingdom, courtesy of the Walt Disney World website.