Showing posts with label Kennywood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kennywood. Show all posts

Friday, March 17, 2017

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.

Friday, February 3, 2017

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.

Friday, September 16, 2016

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.

Friday, May 6, 2016

Review of the News: May 2 – May 6

Monday May 2, 2015

Ferris wheel catches fire at new dinosaur theme park in Bangkok
The fire broke out following an afternoon thunderstorm in the Thai capital, says the fire and rescue department of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.



Tuesday May 3, 2015

Dollywood turns 30
It was on this day in 1986, Dolly Parton opened the amusement park in Pigeon Forge, TN.  The park originally opened in 1961 as Rebel Railroad with the engine train Klondike Katie as the main attraction.


Westchester lawmakers approve Playland management deal
The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a management contract with Standard Amusements to operate the county’s Playland Park.


Conneaut Lake Park trustees, tax creditors to file bankruptcy plan by June 3
Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park and its real estate tax creditors plan to submit a joint bankruptcy reorganization for the beleaguered amusement park by early next month.


Legoland Dubai theme park announces new ride
Legoland Dubai has unveiled The Lost Kingdom Adventure ride — the theme park’s flagship attraction in Adventure, one of six themed lands within the venue.



Wednesday May 4, 2015

Kennywood Visitors In For A “Whale” Of A Time This Summer
Workers checked rides for safety, hosed down appliances, and put new faces on old favorites. They’ve also reconstructed the former entrance to Noah’s Ark, that big whale that disappeared 20 years ago.



Thursday May 5, 2015

Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel To Go Dark For Light Renovation
The iconic Santa Monica Pier Ferris wheel will go dark Thursday and stay dark for 20 days to make way for a $1 million revamp in time for the Pacific Park amusement park’s 20th-anniversary celebration.


Tokyo DisneySea’s Children’s Day jogging event attracts 1,000 entrants
About 1,000 people participated in a jogging event held at Tokyo DisneySea in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, on Thursday to mark Children’s Day.


Lake Winnie kicks off 91st season with new thrill ride
Lake Winnepesaukah enters its 91st season with "one of the thrillingest thrill rides" ever to fling riders around the North Georgia amusement park.


Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom to double South Whitehall police coverage
Things went so well with an agreement last year between South Whitehall police and a popular Lehigh Valley summertime destination that the township is doubling the amount of protection it will pay for this year.


Bay Beach previews new rides
Park officials and the City of Green Bay are touting overhauled engines for the train ride and two new rides ready to debut this weekend.


Waldameer prepares to open this weekend
It is a sure sign of the summer season, the start of Waldameers 120th year  is this weekend and there are many new things to look forward to this season.


Tourists crowd, trash Shanghai Disneyland weeks before opening
Photos posted to Chinese social media network Weibo show trash and debris left behind in the courtyard, vandalism to a light post and recently planted flower beds that have been walked over.



Friday May 6, 2015

Cedar Point's mysterious Valravn secret revealed
For the first time ever, Cedar Point is creating augmented reality that changes the way its guests see the park.


First-look at spinning ride vehicles of Cobra's Curse
This week, the Tampa theme park gave us our first look as the ride vehicles of Cobra's Curse in action.


Legoland execs negotiating with Orange property owners
Legoland executives are negotiating sale prices with a handful of property owners in Orange County as they seek to settle on a site for the third Legoland Park in North America.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Review of the News: December 7 - December 11

Monday December 7, 2015

Kennywood taking Noah's Ark back to the future for 80th anniversary
The walk-through ride will celebrate its 80th anniversary next year, and the amusement park is renovating the longtime attraction by taking it back to its classic funhouse style with less of the higher-tech additions from recent years.

OSHA fines Cedar Fair over injury
Cedar Fair LP has been hit with a $14,000 fine after an employee suffered a fractured leg while doing maintenance work on a ride at the company’s Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky.



Tuesday December 8, 2015

Universal sets opening date for West Coast's Wizarding World
The newest Wizarding World of Harry Potter will open at Universal Studios Hollywood on April 7, 2016, the theme park announced Tuesday morning.

SeaWorld thinks smaller with regional approach
As it reinvents itself, SeaWorld is pursuing strategies more typical of a smaller regional theme park than an international tourist destination.



Wednesday December 9, 2015

Margate's Dreamland park operator owes £3m to creditors
The operator of a seaside theme park with vintage rides is facing debts of almost £3m months after it reopened.


Thursday December 10, 2015

Fantasy Island put up for sale
The popular Lincolnshire theme park has been put up for sale after entering administration 12 months ago with £50 million worth of debts.

Holidays up in the air at Universal
For the 14th consecutive year, the Macy's Holiday Parade is marching through the streets of Universal Studios theme park nightly through Jan. 2.



Friday December 11, 2015

Epcot: New narrators set to speak up at Candlelight Processional
Four consecutive narrators will be making debuts in the event, which features a mass choir and live orchestra on stage alongside a celebrity who reads the born-in-a-manger story to the theme park audience -- generally standing-room only -- at America Gardens Theater.

Friday, October 30, 2015

Review of the News: October 26 – October 30

Monday October 26, 2015

Canines practice rescuing ‘missing persons’ at Kennywood
Kennywood is open on Fridays and Saturdays in October for Phantom Fright Nights, so the scents of many people and much food were strong during the training session. Dogs have learned to ignore those good smells and home in on the scent of the person they are tracking.

Thrillseekers strip naked for roller coaster record
Thrillseekers took it all off in a bid to set a new world record onboard the Green Scream roller coaster at the Adventure Island theme park in Essex, Britain over the weekend.


Derren Brown announces Thorpe Park psychological experience
Derren Brown, the illusionist, is teaming up with Thorpe Park Resort in a unique partnership to create the world’s first fully immersive psychological attraction for a theme park. This new experience has been in development for three years and is due to premiere at the park in March 2016.


‘Tower Of Terror’ Getting Movie Treatment; Venerable Disney Theme Park Fright Ride
Armed with a treatment by Big Fish scribe John August, Disney is now looking to hire a screenwriter to give feature treatment to Tower Of Terror, long one of the most popular rides in its theme parks.



Tuesday October 27, 2015

Tivoli to open massive food market
The Copenhagen amusement park Tivoli has confirmed it intends to commence the construction of a huge food market, dubbed the Tivoli Food Court, located in the corner of the park facing Vesterbrogade and Bernstorffsgade.


Universal theme parks report highest summer attendance ever
Comcast Corp.'s theme parks division reported a strong third quarter Tuesday morning, with record attendance driving both revenue and operating cash flow growth of more than 14 percent.


Wild Adventures Reveals Two Superstars for 2016 Concert Series
The park announced Martina McBride and Andy Grammer will each take the stage next summer. They're just two of the 15 concerts coming to the theme park in 2016.


Islands of Adventure: Work on Hulk coaster continues
A prominent piece of the Incredible Hulk coaster at Universal's Islands of Adventure theme park is missing. The part of the rail that connects the entry and exit of the cobra roll is no longer there.


Dogs will get the run of Legoland water park
On Nov. 8, man's best friend will be able to cool all four heels in the pools of Legoland's water park at Everything is Paw-some, a three-hour pooch party to benefit the Humane Society of Polk County.


Batman Ride, 400-Foot Ferris Wheel Aimed at Reviving Macau
The Batman ride in Macau’s Studio City isn’t just about rescuing Gotham City. The $3.2 billion casino resort’s owner Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. is also hoping it’ll draw a new kind of thrill-seeker to the world’s biggest gambling hub.


Santa's Village to reopen for the holidays with 400,000 lights
Christmastime at Santa's Village includes 400,000 holiday lights, the Skyway Sleigh, a Christmas Ferris wheel and of course an opportunity to see Santa himself.



Wednesday October 28, 2015

‘Wildcat’ coaster at former Celebration City set for demolition in Branson
After more than six years without a thrill, a scream or even a rider, work began this week to demolish the wooden coaster known as the Ozark Wildcat at the amusement complex formerly known as Celebration City.

Jimmy Fallon Getting His Own Universal Orlando Ride
Late-night television host Jimmy Fallon announced Tuesday that he will be getting his very own theme park attraction at Universal Orlando Resort in 2017.


Universal Studios Hollywood Introduces Online Virtual Tour
Theme park officials Tuesday introduced a website that takes aspiring wizards and Muggles alike on a virtual tour of the attraction, including a trip through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with stops at Professor Dumbledore’s office, the Portrait Gallery and the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom.


Disney's permit filing offers glimpse of major Hollywood Studios revamp
Walt Disney World is making the move to prepare Disney's Hollywood Studios for its massive future overhaul that will include new Star Wars and Toy Story areas.



Thursday October 29, 2015

City Numbers Reveal the Extent of SeaWorld San Diego’s Sinking Performance
Attendance and revenues at SeaWorld San Diego are tanking as the marine park battles efforts to force it to stop housing killer whales.

You can vote on a name for Busch Gardens' new baby rhino
Fans on Busch Gardens' Facebook page can help name the park's newest addition, a female Southern white rhinoceros calf born Oct. 16.


Six Flags Makes Dream Come True for Glenview Boy
7-year-old Seth Mohr has special needs, but loves everything about Six Flags, which made his Halloween costume one he'd never forget.


Friday October 30, 2015

Dreamworks theme park confirmed for Riviera Maya
Work on the park is set to begin next year in the area of Punta Maroma, with an initial investment of US $800 million. Dario Flota Ocampo, director of the Trust for Tourism Promotion of the Riviera Maya, said that the park will be the first of its kind in Latin America and will generate significant revenues and tourist numbers.

Theme park hosts biggest ever cross country race
Oakwood Theme Park played host to more than 1,000 sporty youngsters and their proud parents for the 25th annual Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Cross Country event.


Faulty Gold Coast roller-coaster to reopen
The Green Lantern at Warner Bros. Movie World, which lost a wheel mid-ride and came to an abrupt halt back in March, has been fixed and is set to reopen before Christmas.


Universal 'scare actors' tell horror stories of abuse
Three "scare actors" at Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights have reported to law enforcement that visitors abused them in the past 10 days. Another three women complained of sexual harassment on social media recently as they announced they were quitting.


Hollywood Studios: Club Villain event begins in January
Walt Disney World is introducing another food-and-drink special event: Club Villain will debut at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Jan. 16.