Review of the News: July 25 – July 28

Monday July 25, 2016

The 'Tower of Terror' is getting a 'Guardians of the Galaxy' update
Disneyland's Tower of Terror is getting a Marvel makeover. As of next summer, the Twilight Zone-themed elevator ride at the California theme park will become Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout! News of the updated attraction was shared at Comic-Con this weekend.


Tuesday July 26, 2016

Pokémon GO Takes Over Busch Gardens
Pokémon GO players have a new place to meet up and catch ‘em all courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The theme park has announced its intent to become the “ultimate Pokémon GO’ destination this summer.

Universal Orlando lifts blackout dates for rest of summer
Universal Orlando annual passholders can now ride Skull Island: Reign of Kong any day of the week, without worrying about blackout dates. Universal Orlando announced it has lifted all its blackout dates for the remaining of the summer.


Wednesday July 27, 2016

FunTown Pier destroyed by Sandy, fire will not be rebuilt, report says
Seaside Park officials rejected thrill rides taller than 100 feet at a meeting Tuesday and the lawyer for the amusement park owner told the officials that decision seals the pier's fate, according to Shorebeat.

Disney patents system to track Magic Kingdom visitors by their footwear
Using cameras and sensors, the technology would scan people’s footwear upon arrival and follow them as they move throughout the grounds to see what rides, shows or stores peek their interest.

Silverwood launches new water slide
Up at Boulder Beach there's a brand new water slide now open called Riptide Racer that can handle six riders at a time and up to 900 an hour. That means shorter wait times when you come to cool down.


Thursday July 28, 2016

SeaWorld San Diego drops lawsuit over breeding ban
SeaWorld San Diego has dropped a lawsuit against the California Coastal Commission that challenged the agency’s right to impose a ban on the breeding of killer whales at the theme park.

Review of the News: Thursday January 24, 2013

Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, CA
In the past decade, millions have watched up to 35 performers put on 12,000-plus shows of "Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular" at Disney California Adventure.
Orange County Register

Great Escape, Queensbury, NY
Six Flags Entertainment Corp., owner of Great Escape, on Thursday announced Eric Gilbert’s appointment as the new park president.
Post Star

Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, KY
A group of private investors and the Kentucky State Fair board on Thursday reached a 50-year lease agreement for the shuttered Kentucky Kingdom amusement park with the new operators saying the facility should reopen in 2014.
Evening News and Tribune

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA
A management shakeup at Six Flags has resulted in a new park president at Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, officials for the theme park empire said Thursday.
Times-Herald

Valleyfair, Shakopee, MN
Valleyfair amusement park could move closer to serving alcoholic beverages under legislation introduced today in the Minnesota Senate.
Minnesota Public Radio

Waterville USA, Gulf Shores, AL
Waterville USA announced today that construction will begin soon on a new water park attraction that will be the first of its kind on the Gulf Coast; a six lane mat racer waterslide.
Gulf Coast News Today

Review of the News: Thursday October 12, 2012

Darien Lake, Darien, NY
The Genesee County Planning Board recommended approval Thursday of a site plan for $5 million in proposed improvements at Darien Lake Theme Park.
The Daily News

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Zebras are being reintroduced slowly to Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, where they will be the new finale of the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction that carries guests through an Africa-inspired savanna.
Orlando Sentinel

Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, CA
Truckers are moving Disney's C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A letter statues north to the state fair after a decade in front of the theme park.
The Orange County Register

Rye Playland, Rye, NY
A beloved but money-losing county-owned amusement park on prime shoreline outside New York City would be refreshed with a small water park, a fieldhouse, ballfields and a "Great Lawn" under a letter of intent signed Thursday.
New York Daily News

Review of the News: Wednesday September 19, 2012

Disney California Adventure, Anaheim, CA
The theme park has gotten rid of Luigi's Flying Tires' beach balls.
Los Angeles Times

Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, CA
Twenty riders expecting a short thrill were left dangling at 300 feet for nearly four hours when the Windseeker ride at Southern California's Knott's Berry Farm amusement park stalled.
Ventura County Star