Review of the News: March 27 – March 31

Monday March 27, 2017

Disney will debut food ordering system in Pandora
Satu’li Canteen, a fast-casual eatery coming to Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, will debut the company’s Mobile One system, which will use the existing My Disney Experience app.


Tuesday March 28, 2017

Legoland Park Includes ‘Quiet Rooms’ And Other Features For Guests With Autism
Legoland Resort Florida has been teaming up with the North and Central Florida chapter of the organization Autism Speaks since early 2016 to make its amusement park more friendly for guests on the autism spectrum.


Wednesday March 29, 2017

City of Myrtle Beach honors historic wooden roller coaster
This week, city officials recognized the historic significance of the Swamp Fox roller coaster on its 51st anniversary.

Six Flags New England to offer lights, rides and shows during Christmas season
Six Flags New England, which has historically been a spring through Halloween attraction, will be open in November and December for the new Holiday in the Park celebration.

SeaWorld San Diego Slashes Prices for Limited-Time Tickets
The marine amusement park unveiled a couple of value ticket options: a single-day, $55 ticket, valid on weekdays now through June 16, and a new “any-day” ticket, valid now through June 11, for $69.

Dreamland opening date delayed as further expansion plans announced
The opening of Margate's Dreamland has been pushed back four weeks until Friday, May 26, following further expansion of its 2017 plan.

Joyland carousel may spin again in 2018
The carousel salvaged from the defunct Joyland amusement park may be whirling again as soon as next year, the executive director of the Botanica gardens said Tuesday.

Disney World changing the location of their metal detectors for an enhanced arrival
The metal detectors and bag checks that greeted visitors right before entering Magic Kingdom now take place at a location closer to where you park. They will be located at the Transportation and Ticket Center starting Monday, April 3rd.


Thursday March 30, 2017

Cedar Point hiring 5,000 people for Summer 2017 season
The Sandusky, Ohio amusement park is looking to hire more than 5,000 people this summer. Jobs include everything from ride operations and security to park services and accommodations.

Drunk thug bites ear of M&D's security guard after being denied entry
A drunk thug bit part of the ear off a security guard at M&D’s after he was denied entry to the amusement area.

New Festival of Wonder at Silver Dollar City
The all-new Festival of Wonder opens April 6, presenting acts of curiosity and larger-than-life performances, all billed as “A Most Amazing Entertainment Experience.”

Universal Orlando Announces Ticket Prices For New Volcano Bay Theme Park
Visitors to the new Volcano Bay water park will spend $67 for a one day ticket – which is $5 more than Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World. A one day pass to all three Universal Orlando parks will cost $219 for each person.

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk seeks permit for two new rides
The proposed new rides stand 20 and 25 feet above city 40-foot height limits for park zoning, but will keep company amidst the neighboring 125-foot Double Shot and 70-foot Giant Dipper.

Canada's Wonderland set to hire 4,000 seasonal employees
As Canada's largest single-location employer of youth (hiring more than 4,000 associates annually), Canada's Wonderland is now accepting applications for a variety of positions including Food and Beverage, Operations, Admissions, Retail, Aquatics, Entertainment, Security and more.

HK$350 million proposed for struggling Hong Kong Disneyland by US parent company
Walt Disney has agreed to inject an extra HK$350 million into its Hong Kong theme park’s six-year expansion plan and waive part of its management fees for two years after renewed public outcry over the deal’s “unequal” financing.

Halloween Horror Nights: American Horror Story returning in 2017
The FX television series will be featured in a new haunted-house maze at this fall’s event at Universal Studios theme park. It will include three installments from the anthology.


Friday March 31, 2017

KS House votes to strengthen inspection rules for amusement park rides
Kansas legislators are accelerating work on stricter regulations for amusement park rides following the death last summer of a lawmaker's 10-year-old son on a giant water slide.

Disney, Universal ramp up spending amid intense competition
The parent companies of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando are on spending sprees as they build increasingly elaborate attractions to compete with each other.

Universal: How to check out 'Tonight Show' musical acts
If you don’t have a ticket to see a taping of the “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” during its stay at Universal Orlando, you can still be part of the experience. The talk show’s musical acts will be taped on the Music Plaza Stage inside Universal Studios theme park.

Paultons Park puts £10,000 towards new playground in Copythorne
Owner and managing director of Paultons Park, Richard Mancey, donated the cash to kick-start the fundraising process after hearing about the local cause.

Ferrari World officially opens its latest rollercoaster
The rollercoaster 'Turbo Track' was officially launched at a high-profile inaugural event attended by Miral Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Miral CEO Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi and Ferrari Chief Brand Officer Luca Fuso, among other distinguished guests.

Review of the News: April 18 – April 22

Monday April 18, 2015

Three-year-old dies after collapsing at theme park while on day out
The boy collapsed at the Wheelgate Park, a 40-acre family park in Farnsfield, and was airlifted to hospital, but was later pronounced dead.

Dreamworld closes log ride after man’s near drowning
A popular ride at the Dreamworld theme park has been closed indefinitely after a near drowning.  A man swallowed water and suffered head cuts when he fell out of the log ride at the Gold Coast theme park on Sunday afternoon.


Tuesday April 19, 2015

Laid-off Hong Kong Disneyland employees get extra cash if they sign non-disclosure form
Employees fired by Disneyland last Friday have been offered extra compensation beyond legal requirements, but they were told by Disneyland that they would need to sign a non-disclosure form first.


Wednesday April 20, 2015

Doeden, Ahrens join Arnolds Park Amusement Park
Charley Whittenburg, CEO of Arnolds Park Amusement Park, announced the hiring of two new management staff on Wednesday, March 30.

Disney: More details on Frozen ride, new version of Soarin'
The ride and Sommerhus will open at the same time at some point this summer, Disney says.  Summer also is the time frame for the return of Soarin’, which will be redubbed Soarin’ Around the World.


Thursday April 21, 2015

When to expect new rides, shows at Disney World
We now have more specific dates -- if not exactly exact ones -- for when new shows, rides and other attractions will be opening at Walt Disney World, thanks to announcements made during a three-day media briefing.


Friday April 22, 2015

Alton Towers owners admit safety failings over rollercoaster crash
Merlin Attractions Operations Ltd, the company that runs Alton Towers, has said that it was responsible for health and safety failings over the Smiler Rollercoaster crash in June 2015.

Legoland Florida announces new solar energy project
Legoland Florida and Tampa Electric are partnering on a new 2-megawatt solar energy project that will produce electricity and shade for visitors at the Winter Haven attraction.

New rides to thrill all ages at Canada's Wonderland
Canada’s Wonderland unveiled two new rides that will be up and running when the theme park opens for its 35th season on May 1.

Six Flags Great Adventure to host food, wine fest
The Jackson amusement park will host its Third annual Fast Tracks and Food Trucks festival this weekend.

Broken pipe to blame for extended closure of Disney World waterslides
Summit Plummet - and the nearby Slush Gusher - have been closed for weeks, and it's uncertain when they will reopen.  Disney says a broken pipe at the water park is to blame.

Review of the News: August 17 – August 21

Monday August 17, 2015

Six Flags Officially Closes Roar Wooden Roller Coaster

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom theme park in Vallejo, California, officially closed the Roar roller coaster Sunday after 16 years of service to the park and the community.

Teen girl flung from Sandspit Amusement Park ride

The ride has cars that spin around on the end of arms, which are also rotating. Each car holds four people.

Universal: Lucy attraction out, Hello Kitty in

Lucy -- A Tribute, one of the original attractions at Universal Studios theme park, has been closed. It will be replaced by a new Hello Kitty interactive retail experience that will open this year, Universal confirmed Monday.

Toy Story Land and Avatar-themed park slated to launch at Disney World alongside Star Wars Land

Fresh off an exciting announcement about new Star Wars Lands in both California and Florida, Disney has revealed plans to open build attractions based on both Toy Story and Avatar.

Tuesday August 18, 2015

SeaWorld Names CFO and Chief Creative Officer

The company's board appointed Peter J. Crage as the theme-park operator's chief financial officer starting next month.  Anthony Esparza also was selected as SeaWorld's chief creative officer.

Prepare for another 'Purge' at Halloween Horror Nights

“The Purge" will again be featured at Universal's Halloween Horror Nights in 2015.The 2013 film, set in a 12-hour period in which all crimes are legal, will be a haunted-house maze after debuting as in a "scare-zone" format last year. In the story, guests will be the targets of the Purge and hunted by masked vigilantes, Universal says.

Wednesday August 19, 2015

Kings Island to add 7-story water slide system

Kings Island announced Wednesday that it will add a seven-story water slide system to its water park, Soak City, called Tropical Surge.

Knott's plans makeover of 17-year-old GhostRider wooden coaster

Knott’s Berry Farm plans a full restoration of the aging GhostRider wooden coaster as part of a 75th anniversary celebration of the Ghost Town area of the Buena Park theme park.

Thursday August 20, 2015

New safety measures taken after Sandspit ride accident

Additional safety measures have been implemented at an amusement park in Cavendish following a frightening incident last week that saw a teenager flung from a ride.

Check out the newest ride at Kings Dominion, opening spring 2016

Kings Dominion wants you to get ready to defy gravity on their newest ride: Delirium.  The thrill ride is set to open Spring 2016 in the Candy Apply Grove section of the amusement park.

New Wonderland ride to send 'pilots' soaring

Canada's Wonderland is launching two new high-flying rides next season that will send wannabe pilots soaring.  Skyhawk, being billed as the first ride of its kind in North America, invites riders to strap themselves into their very own cockpit and showoff their flying skills at 41 metres (135 feet) above the ground.

Friday August 21, 2015

Six Flags Magic Mountain unveils Fright Fest 2015 mazes

Six Flags Magic Mountain will push the pause button this Halloween as it rolls out fewer haunted mazes, a repurposed show and a relocated scare zone along with a host of recycled offerings for Fright Fest 2015.