Review of the News: March 13 – March 17

Monday March 13, 2017

Amusement Park Structure Collapses After Crash, Felony Charges Expected
The historic Lakeside Amusement Park will have to replace a parking structure after a 34-year-old man crashed his car into the pillar of the structure.

Thorpe Park's most terrifying attraction is now scarier than ever
Feedback revealed guests wanted the experience to be deeper, darker and more intense.  So this year, a VR scene which was deleted last year due to fears guests would find the content too intense, has been resurrected.

First look: Miss Adventure Falls at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon has debuted its new water slide dubbed Miss Adventure Falls. Eager riders went there straightaway Sunday morning.


Tuesday March 14, 2017

Fiesta Texas president says “unprecedented” additions planned for Six Flags park
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, which opened on March 14, 1992, will unveil several new events and attractions this season. But some of the more significant changes are yet to come.

Activist hedge fund opposes Walt Disney's move on Disneyland Paris
Paris-based CIAM, which owns 1.4 percent of Euro Disney shares, has written to the board of the French company to object to what it believes are plans by Walt Disney to force out minority shareholders.

Cooler weather prompts water parks' closure at Disney, SeaWorld, Legoland
The forecast of colder weather has prompted the closure of water parks at Walt Disney World and SeaWorld Orlando.


Wednesday March 15, 2017

Midnight Syndicate announces scary return to Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends
The park and Midnight Syndicate — the Northeast Ohio musicians who pen frightful soundtracks for haunted houses nationwide — have announced that they are once again teaming up for the Sandusky amusement park’s scary fall weekends.

Conneaut Lake Park trustees close to selling more property to make up tax debt
Approval of the sale of two more lots at Conneaut Lake will be sought in federal court next month by Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park.

Wild Adventures ready for spring break
Wild Adventures will be open Thursday through Sunday during March and open every day March 30 through April 9 to help area students and their families enjoy spring break. The park returns to weekend only operations April 14 and begins summer daily operation on May 18.

New balloon ride set to open at Drayton Manor Park
James and the Red Balloon, set to delight visitors from Saturday, April 1, is based on the beloved Thomas the Tank Engine character James - the red engine - and his naughty antics with a hot air balloon.

Universal Studios Beijing Will Create a Whopping 40,000 Jobs
The highly-anticipated Universal Studios Beijing will be the largest ever Universal theme park. Construction on the park began in Tongzhou late last year, and it is now being reported that the massive project will bring 40,000 jobs to Beijing

Visitor numbers steadily rising at Alton Towers after a drop in wake of Smiler crash
The Staffordshire theme park is reporting a steady rise in the number of visitors in the wake of the Smiler roller coaster crash in 2015.

SeaWorld expands new food festival's schedule
SeaWorld Orlando is adding days to its new Seven Seas Food Festival. Starting Friday, the event will be a part of the theme park’s lineup every day through April 16.


Thursday March 16, 2017

ZDT’s draws crowds with thrilling rides
The park, which averages around 128,000 visitors per year and 12,000 to 15,000 a week during the spring and summer, gets roughly 95 percent of its business from out-of-town guests — most of which from the San Antonio and Houston areas.

New Kings Island Coaster Ride Vehicles Draw Inspiration from Classic Chevrolet Pickup Truck
The ride vehicles of Mystic Timbers, the newest roller coaster at Kings Island, appear to be based upon a classic Chevrolet C-10 truck model

Santa's Land: Potential new owner hopes to re-open park this summer
Santa's Land in Putney could re-open this summer if the Windham County Probate Court gives a Connecticut man the OK to buy the property.

Pirates of Caribbean celebrates 50th anniversary at Disneyland
Launched on March 18, 1967, the original "Pirates" ride featured a 1,838-foot flume with a 12-minute running time, making it one of the longest theme park rides in existence.


Friday March 17, 2017

New Dimension Comics Joins Kennywood on Father’s Day to Present Super-Sized Event: Kennywood Comicon
Featuring comic book vendors, artists, creators, and pop culture attractions, Comicon will descend upon the home of Kenny Kangaroo, the Phantom and the Jack Rabbit on Sunday, June 18.

Kansas Lawmakers Pushing for Amusement Park Regulations
If passed, the measure would require a park's insurance company to hire experienced engineers for inspections rather than a private inspection.

Three offers to buy New Orleans' Six Flags park shunned as site's future remains unclear
A committee reviewing proposals from three developers who hoped to buy the property from the city's Industrial Development Board declined Thursday to recommend accepting any of them, citing a lack of solid financial commitments.

Body of newborn found at sewage disposal plant of Tokyo Disneyland
The police suspect that the child, whose sex was not immediately clear, was dumped within the seaside theme park because the facility treats sewer water from there.

Lightwater Valley: Four new attractions - and a special guest - announced for new season
Four new attractions and a visit from a children’s TV star have been announced at Lightwater Valley.

More Harry Potter Magic Coming to Universal Japan
Beginning on April 21, Universal Japan will dazzle the nighttime sky with an all new Harry Potter show.

Review of the News: February 20 – February 24

Monday February 20, 2017

Hong Kong Disneyland posts 2016 loss on tourism softness
Hong Kong Disneyland posted a wider annual loss on Monday as attendance by mainland Chinese tourists dropped amid a softer tourism market.

Conneaut Lake Park emerges from bankruptcy
The lakeside amusement park has turned a corner, and its board will focus on revitalization.

Shishu Mela reopens as DNCC Wonderland
Shyamoli Shishu Mela in Bangladesh has been reopened under a new name – DNCC Wonderland – three months after it was sealed off by Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC).

Busch Gardens offering $80 unlimited admission pass to 2 parks
Until March 31, Busch Gardens is selling $80 passes good for unlimited visit to both Busch Gardens and Water Country USA all summer long.


Tuesday February 21, 2017

Construction Continues on Knott's Berry Farm Renovation Despite Inclement Weather
Crews working on the addition of new water slides at Soak City were wasting no time in erecting supports for the new slides once the rain abated.

Australian Officials Plan to Add Wi-Fi to Theme Parks to Spark Tourism
One of the main goals of the Wi-Fi hotspots plan is to drive tourism back to struggling theme parks on the Gold Coast.

Meet 'Star Wars' droid BB-8 at Hollywood Studios
Walt Disney World will add BB-8 to its lineup of “Star Wars” characters that visitors will be able to meet this spring.


Wednesday February 22, 2017

S&S Worldwide Announces 17 New Ride Projects in Six Countries for 2017
S&S Worldwide is pleased to announce that it will be opening 17 exciting new ride projects in six different countries in 2017.

Whalom Park ‘Rocketship’ for sale
Scott Knickerbocker, a Brattleboro, Vermont, resident who runs an antique shop in nearby Newfane, has turned to Craigslist to off-load a roughly 1-ton artifact from the days of yore: a steel-plated rocketship car that was once featured inside the park.

Mary Lynn Jourden, co-founder of Michigan's Adventure, being remembered
There will be a service at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church in North Muskegon, and visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 at The Lee Chapel in Norton Shores.

Myrtle Beach roller coaster gets new life in Vietnam
When it towered over Horry County, it was Led Zeppelin: The Ride, then Time Machine. Now, it’s Dragon’s Run, billed as Asia’s longest and most exciting roller coaster.

Six Flags to Double Theme Park Construction in China
Six Flags Entertainment is to open two more theme parks in China. These are additional to the two it is already building in the Middle Kingdom.


Thursday February 23, 2017

OWA amusement park in Foley still set to open this summer
The highly-anticipated OWA amusement park is still on track to open this summer in Foley. Construction crews confirmed that they will be complete with the first phase of the project in a few months.

Apply Now for a Summer Job at Keansburg Amusement Park
Keansburg Amusement Park will be hosting summer job interviews every weekend in March for ride operators, food services, cashiers, custodians and servers.

Dreamworld owner confident it will recover
Ardent chief executive Deborah Thomas says there are signs of a turnaround in visitor numbers, indicating a brighter future for the theme park.

Six Flags Great America Announces Completion of New 'Insane Coaster' to Debut This Spring
The last piece of Six Flags Great America’s newest "insane coaster," The Joker, was installed Wednesday, the theme park announced.

Universal Studios Hollywood raises gate ticket prices
About a week after Disneyland raised its ticket prices, Universal Studios Hollywood hiked attendance prices an extra $5 per visitor.


Friday February 24, 2017

A New Season With New Thrills At Six Flags Over Texas
Six Flags Over Texas opens up for the 2017 season this weekend. It will be the 56th season for the Arlington theme park.

Universal ads stress more adventurous fun, from coast to coast
Universal Parks & Resorts debuted a marketing campaign Tuesday that for the first time links its locations on both coasts. The “I’m Ready” initiative includes national TV and digital advertising.

Universal Orlando sets Halloween Horror Nights dates for 2017
HHN will begin Sept. 15 and run on 34 select nights between then and Nov. 4. That’s three more nights than in 2016 and the most in the event’s history, Universal says.

Review of the News: February 6 – February 10

Monday February 6, 2017

Coney Island boardwalk could see more rides as city pursues development
A joint request for proposals (RFP) from the New York City Economic Development Corporations and the Parks Department will be released Monday, calling for the development and operation of five parcels along the boardwalk smack in the middle of the amusement district.

Family of girl killed after being flung off amusement park ride to receive 870,000 yuan in compensation
The family of a 13-year-old girl who was tragically killed on Friday afternoon after being thrown from her seat on a spinning amusement park ride will receive 870,000 yuan ($126,000) in compensation.


Tuesday February 7, 2017

Universal Orlando Offering Ticket Deal for Two Free Days
To take advantage of the offer, all four days covered by the offer must be used within one week of the first visit and each day must be used by May 31.

Cannabis farm found in derelict cottage near Legoland theme park
Marijuana plants were found on the property during "routine checks" by the staff at Legoland Windsor on Monday.

Disney World keeping annual passholders' express line awhile
Walt Disney World’s theme parks will be keeping their express line for annual passholders for a while, a spokeswoman says.

Darien Lake offers free park admission for concertgoers
Each ticket purchased for a concert at the Performing Arts Center will include complimentary same day admission into Darien Lake Theme Park.

Dreamland in Margate reveals Arrowgrass Capital Partners to put up £15 million to go towards park's regeneration
The theme park revealed the news today as a loan agreement was extended between Cayman Islands-based investment firm Arrowgrass Capital Partners and the park's operator Sands Heritage.


Wednesday February 8, 2017

Six Flags and Samsung unveil 'mixed reality' rollercoaster
Virtual images blend with the real world via the Gear VR's passthrough camera option.

Disney's 'Star Wars' and 'Avatar' theme parks are coming sooner than you expect
Disney's Star Wars theme parks will open in 2019, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger.  Meanwhile, the World of Avatar park will open on May 27 this year.


Thursday February 9, 2017

Judge dismisses man's claims of ownership of Conneaut Lake Park
A federal bankruptcy court judge has dismissed a former owner of Conneaut Lake Park's claims of ownership of the amusement park and its water company.

Disney sets 'Rivers of Light' debut and replaces 'Wishes' fireworks show
Rivers of Light,” the first nighttime spectacular planned for Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will debut Feb. 17, Walt Disney World announced Thursday morning.  In addition, Disney announced that it was replacing “Wishes,” the evening fireworks show at Magic Kingdom theme park, with a new production called “Happily Ever After.”

Universal's Mardi Gras marches on
The 2017 event will run 50 consecutive nights. That’s 50 bead-throwing, Cajun-food-craving, New Orleans-inspired, complete-with-parade straight evenings at Universal Studios theme park.


Friday February 10, 2017

Kentucky Kingdom holding job fair Saturday in Louisville
Kentucky Kingdom is holding a job fair this weekend as it looks to hire 1,400 workers for the summer season.

Rye Playland construction stalled by city lawsuit
Progress on a slew of multi-million dollar renovations at Rye Playland continue to be hampered by litigation between Westchester County and the city of Rye, as construction at the park gets pushed back.

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Fest: Full Concert Lineup Set
Tampa Bay area residents and visitors eager for next month’s opening of Busch Gardens annual Food & Wine Fest may have a few more reasons to put a trip to the theme park on their agendas.

Disney World rolling out MagicBand 2 gear
MagicBand 2, as Disney has dubbed them, has a thinner design and a pop-out disc that can be inserted into the new MagicKeepers, which carry the disc via carabiner clip or lanyard clip.

Disney bails out European theme park again with $2 billion
Disney said Friday that the operation’s financial position has been “significantly and negatively impacted” by the November 2015 terror attacks in Paris and what it described as “challenging business conditions” in Europe.

Disney World on track to raise ticket prices
Disney will continue to increase single-day ticket prices because, analysts say, the park aims to get the multi-day guest who stays longer and spends more.

Dollywood gives sneak peek at construction projects
The projects range from new rides, including the construction of the 200-foot free-fall ride the Drop Line and kid roller coaster Whistle Punk Chaser, to remodeling restaurants and other buildings in the park.

Review of the News: January 30 – February 3

Monday January 30, 2017

Disney Springs' DisneyQuest announces closing date
The attraction, which is making way for The NBA Experience, will close in July, said the Disney Parks Blog.

Tickets For Ferrari Land Spain To Go On Sale This Week
Tickets for Ferrari’s new Ferrari Land theme park in Spain will go on sale on Tuesday, January 31st, 2017.

Disney patent would alter rides immediately based on passenger emotions
The technology may add more speed changes, spins and sharp corners for riders who seem bored or have provided prior information that they enjoy thrill rides.


Tuesday January 31, 2017

Conneaut Lake Park's real estate debt cut in half since bankruptcy filing
With the recent completion of the sale of a third lakefront lot, Conneaut Lake Park's real estate tax debt now is about half what it was when the amusement park filed for bankruptcy protection more than two years ago.

Great Escape awarded $150,000 in funding for joint marketing campaign with county
Great Escape leadership successfully lobbied for $150,000 in county tourism funding to target central New York with commercials in the spring and summer that will highlight the company's offerings as well as the Lake George region.

Six Flags New England is hiring over 3,000 seasonal employees
The Agawam amusement park is holding a two-day job fair on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 10-11, at the Human Resources Building across Main Street from the park.

Kennywood, Sandcastle, Idlewild & SoakZone begin summer hiring push
The Pittsburgh region’s premier family fun attractions, Kennywood, Sandcastle Waterpark, and Idlewild & SoakZone are now accepting job applications for the summer operating season.

Disney fans petition for silent Trump in Hall of Presidents
The petition calls for a change of procedure because it has been customary for the incumbent president and President Lincoln to give speeches.

Universal Mardi Gras: Passholders can sign up for bead duty
Universal Orlando’s annual passholders have been invited to sign up to throw beads from parade floats during the upcoming Mardi Gras celebration at Universal Studios theme park.

Knott’s Berry Farm Partnering with VRstudios to Develop a One-of-a-Kind Virtual Reality Experience
Knott’s Berry Farm visitors will be able to enjoy the new VR experience for a small fee in addition to admission, beginning the second quarter of this year.


Wednesday February 1, 2017

SeaWorld Faces Consumer Suit Over False Advertising Claims
A California federal judge will allow a group of consumers to pursue false advertisement claims against SeaWorld Entertainment (SEAS) for allegedly lying about the condition of its orca whales.

Court dismisses suit against Legoland, town
Court says the case is premature because the town hasn't yet made decisions on theme park or zoning change.

For Gulf Coast thrill seekers, Alabama theme park to open in May
The Owa theme park, about 45 minutes southeast of Mobile, is set to open May 17. It will feature 20 rides as part of a $500-million complex built by a local Native American tribe.

Universal drops parking fee after 6 p.m.
Universal Orlando is dropping the fee for its parking garages for all visitors who arrive after 6 p.m., the resort announced Wednesday.


Thursday February 2, 2017

SeaWorld spreads out with Seven Seas fest
In some ways the Seven Seas Food Festival will be a hybrid of two of the theme park’s discontinued festivals — Bands, Brew & BBQ and Viva La Musica. In other ways, it will be visibly different.

Cedar Point changes its long-used logo
Although you may not have noticed, Cedar Point has already been using the fresh logo on their Web site, Facebook and Twitter page.

Wild Adventures seeks employees
In preparation for its upcoming season, Wild Adventures Theme Park will host a series of job fairs to fill more than 300 park positions.

Disney’s ‘World of Color’ adds a Lunar New Year story, but only until Sunday
It was originally conceived as part of the opening ceremonies last June for Shanghai Disneyland.


Friday February 3, 2017

Young girl dies after being flung off amusement park ride in Chongqing
The incident occurred yesterday afternoon at Chaohua Park in Chongqing. In the video, the girl slips from her seat the first time the ride goes upside down and is left dangling by one leg.

Legoland Japan holds ceremony for completion ahead of April opening
A ceremony was held Thursday to celebrate the completion of the first outdoor Legoland amusement park in Japan ahead of its opening on April 1.

New VIP tour at Magic Kingdom goes for classics
The new four-hour Ultimate Disney Classics VIP Tour is based on attractions within the Magic Kingdom theme park.

Epcot arts fest visitors bring life to paintings
In three locations around the theme park’s World Showcase are big-as-life sets where people can stroll right into scenes created by famed artists – and take pictures, of course.

Irish dad claims girl 'broke her neck' on Tayto Park ride
He said the family initially thought she had whiplash, but after being in pain for four weeks she had an x-ray which he claims showed her neck was broken.

Review of the News: December 5 – December 9

Monday December 5, 2016

Marineland Denies 'Highly Unusual' Number Of Animal Deaths
A complaint that led Ontario's animal welfare agency to investigate Marineland accuses the tourist attraction of cruelty against several species, alleging there was a "highly unusual" amount of land animal deaths for a zoo, several deer that didn't get proper medical care, sick bears and a peacock with a growth near its eye, The Canadian Press has learned.

Ocean Park Hong Kong Presents World-Class 'Illusion' Stage Show During Christmas Sensation 2016
Kicking off on 17th December, this spellbinding show will feature breathtaking magic acts, cutting-edge visual effects and amazing live entertainment performed by internationally-acclaimed illusionists, including finalists of the reality show, Australia’s Got Talent, Michael Boyd and Soul Mystique.


Tuesday December 6, 2016

Epcot's Spaceship Earth turns into the Death Star
For one night, Spaceship Earth was transformed into the Death Star, complete with shooting laser beams, ahead of the release of Rogue One - A Star Wars.


Wednesday December 7, 2016

SeaWorld lays off hundreds of employees
SeaWorld Entertainment announced Tuesday it is eliminating 320 jobs company-wide, part of an ongoing effort to sharply cut its costs.

Wonderla adds two new rides at Kochi park
Wonderla Holidays, which operates amusement parks in Kochi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, has introduced two new high-thrill rides. The new rides – Equinox 360 & Flash Tower – will further boost Wonderla Kochi’s popularity, which has attracted more than 1.5 crore visitor since inception.

Blind boy who uses wheelchair 'forced' to stand up to be measured before using rides at Drayton Manor
Family of Cameron Alderman claim there was a 'rude' exchange as boy tried to enjoy the Jolly Buccaneer on trip organised by charity Blind Children UK.

Busch Gardens: Errant emails were 'glitch'
Emails with details about reservations to Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Va., were sent in error Tuesday to people who had never made reservations.

Ocean Park sees record HK$241.1 million deficit, announces 13.8pc entrance fee rise
Hong Kong’s Ocean Park has recorded its first deficit since Sars hit the city in 2003 on a sharp drop in mainland China visitors, and announced a 13.8 per cent fee rise.

Alton Towers reveals opening date for top secret rollercoaster to replace The Flume
Full details have not yet been revealed about the new ride – currently called SW8 or Secret Weapon 8 – but it will border Mutiny Bay and Kantaga Canyon.  Now the theme park has revealed its latest big attraction should be open for the start of the 2018 season.

No pomp and pageantry as Santa's Village in Bracebridge sold
According to Jamie Hopkins, general manager and minor shareholder, a young couple brimming with ideas for the park purchased almost 100 per cent of the shares, officially becoming the owners of Santa’s Village on Nov. 1.

Furious parents slam Legoland Christmas grotto after three hour wait to see Father Christmas
Timeslots had been booked in advance and families had paid £35 to secure their place in the queue, but the queue did not appear to move, according to reviews left on the theme park’s Facebook page.


Thursday December 8, 2016

First ride erected at Owa amusement park
Foley's Owa amusement and entertainment park seems to be right on schedule. Some of the amusement rides have already started arriving at the construction site.

Fun Spot adding wooden coaster at Kissimmee park
A wooden roller coaster is expected to open next year at Fun Spot America in Kissimmee, the company announced Thursday. The ride will be the only wooden coaster in the Southeast U.S. to include a 360-degree barrel roll, according to John Arie Jr., Fun Spot CEO.

Dreamworld still testing rides ahead of weekend reopening
After aborting a planned ­reopening just three days after the deaths of four people in October, Dreamworld chief executive Craig Davidson said the park would not reopen until satisfying safety checks from multiple agencies, including overseas experts.

Dollywood: Undamaged and celebrating a Smoky Mountains Christmas
Dollywood escaped without any damage and resumed operations of its annual Smoky Mountain Christmas celebration a few days after the fires subsided.


Friday December 9, 2016

Goshen residents against proposed LEGOLAND file lawsuit
They want the state Department of Environmental Conservation to replace the town's planning board as the lead agency on the half-billion dollar project.

Conneaut Lake Park auction hopes to generate funds for Camperland expansion
Everything from vintage Dodgem bumper cars from the 1930s and 1940s to pieces of amusement rides no longer used will be on the block. There also will be signs, baby strollers, hotel furniture and even a huge safe.

Busch Gardens exhibit closes as part of layoffs
A Busch Gardens spokeswoman confirmed that the Jambo Junction exhibit was closed Thursday, and said that the future of the exhibit is unclear at this time.

Magic Kingdom: Disney After Dark returning
Disney After Dark will see the light of day again. For seven nights in early 2017, a limited number of visitors will be able to linger in Magic Kingdom for three hours after the theme park has closed to regular day guests.

Review of the News: November 28 – December 2

Monday November 28, 2016

Japanese theme park forced to apologize for creepy skating rink full of dead fish
The Space World amusement park in southwestern Japan opened an ice rink earlier this month with 5,000 dead fish frozen beneath the surface. It closed Sunday, after an enormous public backlash.

Rainbows End ride stops leaving people hanging
Rainbows End chief executive Chris Deere said the ride was completely safe and had stopped as a result of school children "spitting".


Tuesday November 29, 2016

Universal Orlando will get Nintendo-themed land
Nintendo-themed areas will open in Universal theme parks in Orlando, Hollywood and Japan over the next few years.

Possibility of staged restart Dreamworld theme park on Monday
Dreamworld is set to reopen next week, with owners Ardent Leisure convening a board meeting to finalise plans to get the theme park back on line after the Thunder River Rapids ride disaster.

Hearing to be scheduled regarding man's claim of Conneaut Lake Park ownership
A federal bankruptcy judge will schedule a hearing on whether a former owner of Conneaut Lake Park can reclaim ownership of the amusement park and its water company.

Wildfire Burns at Edge of Dolly Parton’s Dollywood Theme Park
Raging wildfires fueled by high winds forced the evacuation of thousands of people and damaged hundreds of buildings in a popular resort town on the border of the Smoky Mountains National Park as National Guard troops arrived early Tuesday to help overwhelmed firefighters.


Wednesday November 30, 2016

Dreamworld to reopen December 10
Dreamworld will re-open on December 10 following last month’s Thunder River Rapids ride disaster which claimed the lives of four tourists.


Thursday December 1, 2016

Holiday World’s Mannequin video reveals 2017 plans
Firecracker is a Calypso ride, one of only a handful still in operation nationwide. The vintage ride will be restored with a patriotic theme and will be located across from Liberty Launch in the park’s 4th of July section.


Friday December 2, 2016

After 18 years, California Mission models are back at Knott's Berry Farm
The original models first appeared in the park in 1956. They were commissioned by Walter Knott to be placed along a trail next to the Stagecoach line to keep people from wandering in front of the horse-drawn carriages.

Kings Island has 4,200 job openings for 2017
The Mason amusement park said applications are being accepted in admissions, entertainment, fire and safety, guest services and more.

'Grinchmas' Ho, Ho, Hos at Universal
Opening day for these Who-larious high jinks is Saturday, Dec. 3, while New Year's Day is when The Grinch will board his bag-packed sleigh and bid his fans adieu.

SeaWorld adds Rudolph, more to holiday mix
SeaWorld Orlando wants folks to join in the reindeer games during this holiday season. The theme park has added Rudolph’s Christmas Town to its lineup.

Review of the News: November 14 – November 18

Monday November 14, 2016

New Universal trademark hints at something like Disney's MagicBands
A new trademark filed on Nov. 9 gives more details on how the new bands could operate very similar to Walt Disney World's MagicBands in helping to interact with park features and to make purchases.

Woman dies in amusement park accident
The deceased had gone for a 'rocking cradle' ride with her sister at Belilious Park. The two fell off the ride as their seats got detached from the main structure.

Strong Disney hotel, parks results
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts' revenue and operating income for the year set all-time records. Revenues increased 5 percent to a record $17 billion. Operating income jumped 9 percent to a record $3.3 billion.

SeaWorld makes progress on Middle Eastern expansion
The company said in a quarterly report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last week that "definitive documents related to the Middle East Project were finalized and executed" Nov. 3.


Tuesday November 15, 2016

Busch Gardens Tampa named 2016 Theme Park of the Year
The park was recognized as “a beacon of the industry” for its strong animal exhibits and attention to guest value by the International Attractions and Amusement Parks Association.

Looping roller coaster ‘Great Nor’easter’ getting upgrade for new season
Rather than a herky-jerky roller coaster ride, today’s amusement park patrons are looking for a smooth ride, Jack Morey of Morey’s Piers told a group on a hard hat tour.

Luna Park Sydney appoints Tourism Manager
Sydney’s Luna Park is set to expand its appeal to both business and leisure tourism markets with the appointment of seasoned tourism professional, Mark Taylor, to the newly created role of Tourism Manager.

Disneyland Paris sees record low attendance amid terrorism concerns
The number of people visiting Disneyland Paris has dropped precipitously in the past year. The theme park reported a 10 percent drop in guests and 7 percent decline in revenue.

Universal starts selling Volcano Bay admission as part of multi-park tickets
A three-day ticket for Volcano Bay along with Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure costs $245 for one park per day. One that allows you to hop between parks on the same day costs $295 — almost $100 a day.


Wednesday November 16, 2016

Auction to sell off unused Conneaut Lake Park items
About 100 signs of all types and sizes, surplus equipment and even three Dodgem cars — vintage bumper cars from the late 1930s and early 1940s — are set to go on the auction block at Conneaut Lake Park at 1 p.m. Dec. 11 at the park's Convention Hall.

IAAPA Expo 2016: Theme park, attractions convention opens at Orange County Convention Center
The IAAPA Expo, the world's largest trade show for the attractions industry, opened its show floor Tuesday at the Orange County Convention Center.


Thursday November 17, 2016

County Fair at Carowinds continues expansion theme at amusement park
Work on the new County Fair section of Carowinds is ahead of schedule with an opening planned in spring 2017.

Here’s your first look at new SeaWorld San Antonio Wave Breaker coaster
It’s been nearly a decade since SeaWorld San Antonio added a new roller coaster, so there is plenty of pent-up anticipation over the planned arrival of Wave Breaker next year.

Disney Springs unveils first-ever light show
The "Starbright Holidays" Intel collaboration is the first of its kind at Disney Springs, combining Intel technology with the vision of Disney Imagineers.


Friday November 18, 2016

Amusement park in Rome breaks toy windmill world record to mark its reopening
Hundreds of children and families helped create the world’s Largest display of toy windmills/pinwheels, building an impressive total of 576 and planting them in the attraction’s Garden of Wonders.