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: 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: 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: October 31 – November 4

Monday October 31, 2016

Warner Bros Movie World theme park’s next attraction to be a 200-foot tall ‘hyper coaster’
It will be the first new attraction to come under the State Government’s safety blitz on theme park attractions, announced last week after four people were killed on the Thunder River Rapids Ride.

Dreamworld tragedy: theme park admits Rapids ride pump failed regularly
Dreamworld has admitted that the water pump on its Thunder River Rapids Ride failed routinely before last week’s tragedy, as it emerged the ride had not been physically inspected by government safety officials in years.

Universal Studios Breaks Ground on Beijing Park
First announced in 2014 and with plans for Steven Spielberg to play a role in its design, Universal Studios broke ground Monday on its multi-billion dollar amusement park in eastern Beijing Monday, with a scheduled opening date in 2020.


Tuesday November 1, 2016

Amusement park ride crashes in Navsari, India
Inspector D K Patel said all the 12 occupants of a vertical ride, popularly known as parachute jump, fell from the height of 10 feet due to cable slip.

Dollywood Set to Celebrate “Best and Brightest” Christmas Ever
Guests can expect a multitude of merriment this year with the awe-inspiring new Parade of Many Colors, the remastered Christmas in the Smokies, the all-new It’s a Wonderful Life, four million festive lights and a joyous holiday atmosphere guests have come to enjoy during this lively festival.

Dutch Wonderland unveils plans for new ride
The new ride is called Merlin's Mayhem.  Riders help the wizard Merlin find his lost dragon, Mayhem, while traveling on a hanging coaster that runs more than 1,300 feet of track.

Dubai opens Legoland to public – Park becomes first brick in UAE’s southern expansion
A massive amusement complex in Dubai’s southern desert opened its first park on Monday — a Legoland with interlocking plastic blocks that both model the sheikhdom’s architectural wonders and represent the first bricks laid in developing the expanse.

Disney World finally gets a 'Zootopia' meet-and-greet, 8 months after the film debuts
The buddy cop duo will be meeting guests for the first time at Walt Disney World during this year's Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

New Thrill Ride, Knott’s Soak City Expansion, Ghost Town Alive!, and Extended Boysenberry Festival
There’s farm fresh fun for everyone coming to Knott’s Berry Farm in 2017 with a brand new thrill ride, an extended Knott’s Boysenberry Festival, the exciting return of Ghost Town Alive! next summer, and the expansion of Knott’s Soak City Waterpark.

New Details Revealed for “Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon”
The attraction is set to open in Spring 2017.


Wednesday November 2, 2016

Universal Studios Japan draws record crowds despite fee hike
The Universal Studios Japan theme park had its best month ever in October in terms of visitor numbers, drawing around 1.76 million, despite an increase in its entrance fee in February, the company said Tuesday.

Universal faces lawsuit over land deal disclaimer
Universal Orlando's parent company is facing a lawsuit that could slow down its plans to develop a new theme park off International Drive in Orlando.


Thursday November 3, 2016

Cedar Fair: Record net revenues and a distribution
With most of the year's revenue in the bank, Cedar Fair is reporting record net revenue of $1.1 billion through the third quarter.

Volcano Bay set to erupt at Universal Orlando
According to the latest release, the park will feature dozens of unique attractions, offering something for everyone, including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a peaceful winding river, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into the waters below and more.


Friday November 4, 2016

Cedar Point rollercoaster to bear Cubs' name opening weekend
The amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio, announced on its Facebook page Friday that its tallest, fastest rollercoaster will go by the moniker "Top Thrill Cubster" during next season's opening weekend in May.

Darien Lake to be sold
CNL Lifestyle Properties, which currently owns Darien Lake Theme Park, has entered into a purchase agreement with EPR Properties in which EPR will acquire the Genesee County theme park, as well as 14 other attraction properties, five family entertainment centers and a ski resort for a combined value of $456 million, according to a press release issued Wednesday by EPR Properties.

Review of the News: October 24 – October 28

Monday October 24, 2016

Nine hospitalised and investigation underway after stairs collapse at Irish theme park’s House of Horrors
The incident happened on Saturday, October 22, shortly before 8pm at Tayto Park as people were queuing up the stairs to enter the House of Horrors.

Visitor dies after Star Tours ride at Disney World
A 67-year-old man recently died after riding Star Tours at Disney's Hollywood Studios, according to state records.

'Minion Park' coming soon to Universal Studios Japan
Japan's Universal Studios in Osaka has announced plans to open "the world's largest Minion area" Minion Park in early 2017.

Mum banned from UK theme park rollercoaster
A busty mum-of-one was chucked off a rollercoaster ride in the UK because her 36L breasts were too big to fit under the safety bar.


Tuesday October 25, 2016

Dreamworld accident: 4 dead in Queensland ride malfunction
Two men, ages 35 and 32, and two women, ages 42 and 38, were pronounced dead by police following the incident on the Thunder River Rapids Ride at the Dreamworld theme park in Queensland.


Wednesday October 26, 2016

Busch Gardens Tampa closes river rapids ride after four people die on similar water ride in Australia
The Congo River Rapids ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay was shut down Tuesday while officials worked to understand what happened at the Dreamworld park in Queensland.

Dreamworld: Australia Theme Park To Reopen On Friday
The Dreamworld theme park, in the Australian state of Queensland, is to reopen on Friday, three days after an accident on a ride killed four people.  The Gold Coast park said it hoped the reopening would begin the “healing process” and that all entry proceeds would go to the Australian Red Cross.

Italy's oldest theme park about to reopen after eight years
Now Luneur - which takes its name from the EUR district of Rome in which it is situated - will cater to children under 13 in particular.


Thursday October 27, 2016

Dreamworld Australia Cancels Reopening as Investigation Continues Into 4 Deaths
A theme park in Australia has cancelled its planned reopening this weekend after police said that having guests inside the park could interfere with their investigation into the accident that killed four people on Tuesday.

Universal Studios scraps Dubailand theme park plan
Dubai Holding, the development arm of the emirate’s ruler, and Universal Studios have scrapped the plans to build a massive theme park in Dubailand, said a report.


Friday October 28, 2016

New rides & shows coming to Dollywood next year
A 200-foot free-fall ride called Drop Line headlines the new attractions. Dollywood will also add Whistle Punk Chaser, which is a new junior coaster

Danish amusement park closes ride in wake of Australian tragedy
With less than two days remaining of its 2016 season, the Danish amusement park BonBon-Land will close one of its rides following the tragedy that left four people dead at the Dreamworld amusement park in Australia.

Review of the News: September 12 – September 16

Monday September 12, 2016

Carowinds' Fury 325 named one of world's best roller coasters
Fury 325 won the “No. 1 Steel Coaster in the World” award Saturday at the Golden Ticket Awards ceremony in Sandusky, Ohio.

Holiday World continues Golden Ticket tradition
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari’s Wildebeest water coaster took top honors once again during the 2016 Golden Ticket Awards ceremony.

3 Pennsylvania amusement parks named best of the best in international awards
Pennsylvania amusement parks are home to the best food, carousel, children's park and funhouse in the world. At least, that's what the polls say.

Europa Park named world's best amusement park
Germany's biggest amusement park, the Europa Park in the town of Rust near Freiburg, has beaten the global competition to win the award for best amusement park in the world for the third straight year.


Tuesday September 13, 2016

Dollywood takes several top amusement park top honors at the Golden Ticket Awards
The theme park picked up four "best of" awards and placed in the top-five in five other categories.

Man threatens to bomb Cedar Point
An unidentified suspect made bomb threats against Cedar Point on Sunday, but local officials quickly determined the threat was not credible.


Wednesday September 14, 2016

California Law Bans SeaWorld Orca Shows
California Gov. Jerry Brown is approving legislation requiring SeaWorld to follow through on its plan to end killer whale breeding and entertainment shows.

Sum of All Thrills, StormStruck closed
The Sum of All Thrills and StormStruck, two exhibits within the Innoventions area of Epcot, closed for good on Tuesday, a Walt Disney World spokeswoman confirmed.


Thursday September 15, 2016

Boulder Dash at Lake Compounce ranked top wooden roller coaster
The Boulder Dash coaster at Lake Compounce in Bristol outscored the competition. The Wooden Warrior coaster at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury also cracked the top 50, coming in at 46.

Italian fest to return to Delgrosso's
This Sunday is the annual Italian Food and Heritage Festival at Delgrosso's Amusement Park.

Coney Island to host world's largest waterless pool party
It’s the world’s largest waterless pool party, and it happens Saturday, Sept. 24 at historic Cincinnati Coney Island Amusement Park on the banks of the Ohio River.

Legoland adding to Star Wars land, water park
Capitalizing on the popularity of all things “Star Wars,” Legoland will add still more iconic characters and scenes to its themed miniland next year, drawing inspiration from last year’s “The Force Awakens.”


Friday September 16, 2016

Last rites Friday for Cedar Point’s ‘Mean Streak’
The ride officials at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park call “the tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster in the world” has its last trips and scares on Friday.

Halloween Horror Nights 2016 survival guide
Universal Studios begins its 26th round of Halloween Horror Nights this weekend. The format remains the same, but there will be fresh offerings among the theme park's haunted-house mazes, scare zones and stage shows.

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."