Review of the News: May 30 – June 3

Monday May 30, 2016

Memorial Day!  Most regional parks are now open for the season.


Tuesday May 31, 2016

Jersey Shore employers look abroad for workers
Pressed to fill thousands of job openings, the Shore’s tourism employers are turning overseas to find enough workers to get them through the summer.

Universal Orlando increases gate ticket prices during 'peak times'
Universal Orlando is adding seasonal pricing and increasing its one-day tickets sold at the gate during peak times, according to a theme park spokesperson.

Disney vows to take action against park
Walt Disney said it's prepared to take action to protect its intellectual property rights after performers dressed as Snow White and Captain America were sighted at Dalian Wanda Group Co's new theme park and entertainment complex in China.


Wednesday June 1, 2016

Blue Streak expected to be in operation Friday at Conneaut Lake Park
The roller coaster will be in operation Friday when the park opens at noon for the weekend, said Mark Turner, executive director of Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park.


Thursday June 2, 2016

Disney Threatens To 'Take Action' Over Character Infringement
The feud between Chinese real estate and entertainment giant, Dalian Wanda, and Walt Disney Co. has continued to escalate.

Universal's Volcano Bay work grows amid I-4 construction
Travelers along Interstate 4 south of downtown Orlando are familiar with an array of construction these days.

Wild Adventures welcomes lion cubs
A pair of African lion cubs will become the latest animal exhibit at Wild Adventures Theme park starting Thursday.


Friday June 3, 2016

Great Escape to increase police presence in park
The Great Escape amusement park has requested that the Warren County Sheriff’s Office station a police officer in the park whenever the park is open this year, and has agreed to pay the county $55,000 for the cost of the patrols.

Legoland has 'no plans' to introduce ride which council spent £95,435 trying to block
Legoland has revealed it has no plans to build a controversial haunted house ride at its Windsor theme park, despite winning a planning appeal which cost the Royal Borough more than £95,000.

Ghost Town announces decision to sell
According to the announcement, the theme park will be placed on the market for sale, in whole or in part.

Review of the News: November 16 – November 20

Monday November 16, 2015

Westchester ready to co-manage Playland in 2016
Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said he wrote his 2016 budget proposal with the assumption the private company set to manage Playland will go through with the deal.

Body of Rye Woman, 88, Found in Lake at Playland
The body of a deceased elderly woman was discovered floating in the lake outside the gates at Playland in Rye Saturday, according to county police.


Tuesday November 17, 2015

Millions of lights sparkle at Hersheypark's Candylane
The amusement park in Hershey twinkles with 4 million lights now through Dec. 31, doubling the number of lights in displays in previous years

Tsavo arrives home at Disney from the National Elephant Center
The 7-year-old elephant has arrived at Disney's Animal Kingdom, where he was born, after spending two years at the National Elephant Center in Fellsmere.

Details revealed of two Hunger Games rides for Dubai theme park
The two rides will include an immersive adventure which will take guests through the Capitol on board a hovercraft to see the world of Panem.  The second ride will be a launched roller coaster which transports guests from District 12 to the Capitol via a super high-speed Capitol bullet train.

Alton Towers: A seasonal treat for families over Christmas and the New Year
With a fun combination of rides in CBeebies Land, Mutiny Bay and Cloud Cuckoo Land on offer in the theme park, and Christmas activities to keep all the family entertained, it's the perfect place to begin celebrating this festive season.

Universal Studios Hollywood: New Annual Passes Announced
Universal Studios Hollywood announced on that a trio of new annual passes will be available "effective immediately."


Wednesday November 18, 2015

Saudi firm injects 49m euros into Euro Disney
A firm owned by a Saudi prince said on Wednesday it has injected €49.2 million (Dh192 billion, $52.37 million) into the struggling Euro Disney theme park operator under a recapitalisation plan.

New Star Tours scene, shops and more take shape at Disney's Hollywood Studios
The theme park has incorporated scenes and characters from the upcoming "The Force Awakens" motion picture to its existing Star Tours attraction.

Legoland Resorts announces new Ninjago The Ride
Legoland Resorts announced Tuesday that a ride based on the Lego Ninjago toy line and cartoon series will be built in Legoland California Resort.

Baton Rouge amusement accused of letting its 50-year-old chimpanzee smoke cigarettes and drink soda
A Louisiana amusement park is being accused of letting an elderly female chimpanzee smoke cigarettes and drink soft drinks.  Candy the chimp is believed to be around 50 years old and has lived with the owners of the Dixie Landin' amusement park in Baton Rouge for 40 years.  


Thursday November 19, 2015

Environmental group alleges Worlds of Fun pollutes water
The Missouri Coalition for the Environment filed the suit this week in federal court against Worlds of Fun and its owner, Sandusky, Ohio-based Cedar Fair. The lawsuit alleges that the park has violated its discharge permit for at least the past five years.

Alabama Splash Adventure adds new rides, amenities
Two new rides will be added to the park, including a Drop Zone that will raise up to six guests of all ages nearly 30 feet in the air, the company said in a release.

Ghost Town rebranded; Theme park to become Appalachian Village
The mountaintop park in Maggie Valley, which has been known for its western town façade with choreographed gunfights and saloon dancers since it opened in the late 1960s, will be turned into Ghost Town Village.

Thomas Land: Magical Christmas is coming to Drayton Manor
Visitors will be transported into a winter wonderland when they enter the park, as Europe’s only Thomas Land has been draped in Christmas cheer with decorations, festive music and fairy lights

Holy Land Experience to get mini-golf course
The theme park announced Wednesday that it is adding a 9-hole miniature golf course.   The course, called "Trin-I-Tee," will start with Noah's Ark and end with the resurrection of Jesus Christ.


Friday November 20, 2015

Coney Island's Wonder Wheel set to open on New Year's Day for first time
The owners of Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park say they plan to open the ride on the first day of 2016 as long as the weather cooperates.