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: August 1 – August 5

Monday August 1, 2016

Cedar Point's Mean Streak to close for good
The 25-year-old coaster, once the world's tallest at 161 feet, has thrilled more than 26 million riders at the Sandusky amusement park. When it permanently closes on Friday, Sept. 16, the Mean Streak's green, gold, and red trains will come to a halt for one last time.

Water woes continue at Cedar Point
The park had to close early Saturday night after a water main in the city of Sandusky disrupted Cedar Point’s main supply of water.

Universal Studios Japan announces 4D Godzilla attraction
The Osaka-based resort announced Monday it plans to open Godzilla: The Real 4D, a multi-sensory experience based on the hit franchise, early next year. It will run for a limited time at the park beginning Jan. 13, 2017.

Kings Island opens annual Kicks Cancer benefit
For $5, visitors can boot a soccer ball into the theme park’s fountains for a chance to win a 2016 Honda Civic.

Theme park introduces ban on children's scooters
 Children have been banned from riding scooters at Drayton Manor after a grandmother was left screaming in agony after a collision with one. 


Tuesday August 2, 2016

Alton Towers issues warning about free tickets Facebook scam
The Midlands theme park has been forced to issue a statement saying that they have nothing to do with a Facebook post that offers five free tickets.

Enterprise thrill ride will spin for the final time at Valleyfair
The Enterprise will spin for the final time on Aug. 21, and then it will be taken down to make way for a new ride, officials for the Shakopee theme park announced Monday.


Wednesday August 3, 2016

Man attacks Pinky the Dancing Flamingo at Busch Gardens; bird has to be put down
A family’s trip to Busch Gardens in Tampa has ended with the father in jail after he allegedly attacked Pinky the Dancing Flamingo, resulting in the animal's death, officials say.

Sandusky must fix water lines to prevent more Cedar Point closures, city official says
A city official is promising that Sandusky will fix the infrastructure problems that forced Cedar Point to close for a second time in two years.

Brooklyn woman injured on King Cobra Water Slide hits Six Flags Great Adventure with $3M negligence lawsuit
A Brooklyn woman who suffered a broken ankle when she was slammed into the mouth of the snake on the King Cobra Water Slide at Six Flags Great Adventure is trying to take a $3 million bite out of the theme park with a negligence lawsuit.

Hersheypark unveils 'choose-your-thrill' attraction for 2017
The park on Tuesday pulled the wraps off its $8 million Hershey Triple Tower, which is actually comprised of three drop towers of different heights: Hershey Tower, Reese's Tower and Hershey's Kisses Tower.

Typhoon Lagoon to expand for new ride
The company released the logo for a new family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon called "Miss Fortune Falls."  The ride is expected to be the longest at any of Disney's water parks, and will tell the story of a treasure-hunting captain named Mary Oceaneer.

‘World of Color’ and ‘Fantasy in the Sky’ Return to Disneyland
Beginning on September 6, the original World of Color will return to Disney California Adventure, while Fantasy in the Sky fireworks spectacular will return Friday through Sunday evenings on September 9.


Thursday August 4, 2016

27 Carowinds workers fired, will soon be kicked out of U.S.
The employees had work visas and were in the United States legally, but, because they were fired from the local amusement park, they'll soon have to leave.

Incredible Hulk Coaster officially open
The thrill ride, built in the park's Marvel Super Hero Island, had been under renovation since last September.


Friday August 5, 2016

Conneaut Lake Park's kiddie pool, water slide set to open Saturday for first time since 2010
Conneaut Lake Park's water park comes back into full operation Saturday with the reopening of its kiddie pool and water slides after about a six-year absence.

Founding family of Lakeside Amusement Park mourns death of sibling who promoted park
Roger Roberts was part owner of Salem's Lakeside Amusement Park and died Monday from illness. He was 78-years-old.

Adventure World sues fireworks company over castle fire
Adventure World is reportedly suing a fireworks company who allegedly caused a $1 million fire at the theme park's castle in 2013.  The fire occurred on November 2 during a Halloween celebration.

SeaWorld attendance declines
SeaWorld's revenue fell as attendance declined, sending the theme park and entertainment company's shares lower.

'Krampus' house set for Halloween Horror Nights
Krampus will be making its Halloween Horror Nights debut at Universal Studios Orlando next month.