Review of the News: January 11 – January 15

Monday January 11, 2015

'Valravn' crews at Cedar Point install its record first dive
The excitement continues to build for Cedar Point's newest ride, one piece at a time. Crews spent the weekend putting in the record-breaking first dive on "Valravn."

Disney Takes Its Magic Wristband Technology to Shanghai Resort, Minus the Wristbands
Guests at the $5.5 billion Shanghai Disney Resort, scheduled to open this spring, will be able to use their mobile devices to enter the park, purchase merchandise and likely access rides and attractions.

Closures begin at Disneyland as its Big Thunder Ranch rides off into the sunset
Starting Monday, Disneyland is closing multiple attractions in Frontierland and one restaurant - some temporarily and others permanently - to allow for construction of the much-anticipated new “Star Wars” Land.


Tuesday January 12, 2015

Fun Spot announces expansion to Orlando theme park
Fun Spot America officials announced Monday a major expansion at its Fun Spot Orlando location on International Drive.

Alton Towers to open 'groundbreaking' virtual reality rollercoaster
Alton Towers is to open what it claims is the world’s first rollercoaster that combines a physical ride with virtual reality, giving passengers a “customised journey into space” via headsets that use groundbreaking technology.

Disneyland Offers First Glimpse of Railroad, Riverfront Post-‘Star Wars’ Land
Disney on Monday released an artist’s rendering showing what the Rivers of America waterfront and Disneyland Railroad will look like once the “Star Wars”-themed land is completed.


Wednesday January 13, 2015

Baby tiger and lion being raised together at Six Flags
A baby tiger and lion are being hand raised together after being rejected by their mothers at Six Flags Great Adventure’s safari.

Shanghai Disney resort set to open June 16
The next big Walt Disney Co. theme park expansion -- the Shanghai Disney Resort -- now has a grand-opening date: June 16.


Thursday January 14, 2015

Good news for Gurnee: Great America attendance up in 2015
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee hopes to build on a successful 2015 that included increased attendance at the theme park, according to the park's president.

Owner of Spain's Parques Reunidos considers flotation
Private equity group Arle Capital, owner of Spain's Parques Reunidos, is considering a flotation of the theme park operator on the Madrid stock exchange with the aim of getting a better return on its investment, a source involved in the deal said.

Universal Studios: You can now buy part of the park
Are you in the market for a flying cow? A store at Universal Studios may be able to help.

Dragon Quest coming to Universal Studios Japan
The Universal Studios Japan theme park in Osaka will have a special Dragon Quest attraction probably by summer to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the popular role-playing video game series.

Busch Gardens donates surplus food to James City neighborhood
The theme park donated produce, dairy and packaged food to the Grove Christian Outreach Center, a nonprofit organization that feeds the hungry in the Grove community every week, according to a Busch Gardens press release.


Friday January 15, 2015

Restoration of Belmont Park Plunge is OK’d
Efforts to reopen the long-closed Plunge swimming pool at Belmont Park received a boost Thursday with the approval by the California Coastal Commission of a nearly $6 million project to restore the deteriorating Mission Bay attraction.

Alcohol areas to be expanded at Six Flags Over Georgia
Six Flags Over Georgia will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages at nine, instead of four, adult concession areas this year.

Universal's Volcano Bay to get special roadway system to parking garage
Parking no longer may be a concern for Universal Orlando Resort when it eventually opens up the new Volcano Bay water park in 2017.

Efteling brings new attraction Symbolica in summer of 2017
Symbolica is an outdoor attraction for the whole family, including the famous attractions Droomvlucht, Fata Morgana and Carnival Festival in the Efteling area.

Review of the News: Tuesday September 10, 2013

Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA
The park's herd of Scottish blackface sheep is aiding landscapers in keeping the grass cropped.
The Virginia Gazette

Codona’s Amusement Park, Aberdeen, Scotland
Police Scotland are appealing for the public’s help in identifying a man who was found dead at an amusement park in Aberdeen.
The Scotsman

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
Trustees voted 6-0 on Monday to grant special permission to Six Flags Great America for construction of Goliath, expected to be the fastest wooden roller coaster in the world.
Daily Herald

Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX
The family of a Dallas woman killed in July after being thrown off the Texas Giant ride has filed suit against Six Flags, alleging the amusement park was negligent in not having an adequate restraint system in place despite past fatalities at other parks.
Belleville News Democrat

Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX
Six Flags officials also announced today that the Texas Giant would reopen this weekend.
The Dallas Morning News

Review of the News: Tuesday August 20, 2013

Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH
An Ohio amusement park is canceling a wedding contest after a gay couple organized a protest against it.
ABC News

Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, TN
As part of a 10-year, $300 million project, a new “family” roller coaster is in the works for 2014, said Parton, with a resort hotel to follow in 2015.
Today

Lagoon Amusement Park, Farmington, UT
A zookeeper at a Utah amusement park was hospitalized after being gored in the leg by a wildebeest.
ABC News

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Ill., has confirmed that their security guards will no longer wear repurposed military ribbons on their uniforms after a former Marine corporal issued complaints about the policy.
Military Times

Review of the News: Wednesday May 29, 2013

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
A 22-year-old who works at the venerable Southern California theme park was arrested late Tuesday, hours after a small explosion in Mickey's Toontown section.
CNN

Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL
An elderly woman visiting Disney World with her grandson discovered a pistol loaded with hollow-point bullets on her seat at the amusement park’s “Dinosaur” ride, police report.
The Smoking Gun

Fantasy Forest, Queens, New York City, NY
Fantasy Forest, a mini-amusement park designed for young children, opened up to big crowds this weekend at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
NY Daily News

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, CA
With mechanics locked out Wednesday in an ongoing labor dispute at the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, amusement park visitors were greeted with picket signs and left wondering who was maintaining the rides.
KTVU

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
Six Flags Great America in Illinois said a man pinpointed as the park's 100 millionth guest was treated to a free pizza and line-skipping privileges.
UPI

Review of the News: Tuesday February 19, 2013

California’s Great America, Santa Clara, CA
The newest roller coaster at California's Great America, Gold Striker, will now include the world's longest covered initial descent tunnel on a wooden coaster.
Herald Online

Conneaut Lake Park, Conneaut Lake, PA
Developer Greg Sutterlin is calling for the ouster of Conneaut Lake Park trustees.
Go Erie

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
A monorail train at Disneyland has returned to service after a temporary shutdown due to a short circuit.
Bakersfield Now

Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Tampa-based Joffrey's Coffee & Tea Co. has been named the official specialty coffee of Walt Disney World, Disneyland and Disney Vacation Club properties nationwide.
Tampa Bay Times

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz, CA
Spring break visitors to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will have a new attraction to thrill them -- a 300-foot zip line over Main Beach.
Santa Cruz Sentinel

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
With more than 3,000 jobs open for the upcoming season, Six Flags in Gurnee has scheduled several employment fairs and just hired more than 300 at the first event.
Chicago Tribune

Universal Studios, Orlando, FL
The theme park plans to drop medical coverage for part-time workers starting in 2014, due to a provision in the federal health care overhaul.
Fox News

Review of the News: Tuesday October 9, 2012

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA
Megan Navarette landed the coveted Disneyland role of goodwill ambassador, representing the theme park to the outside world. The position lasts two years.
Rancho Santa Magarita Patch

EPCOT, Lake Buena Vista, FL
Walt Disney World announced the official re-opening date for Test Track, one of the thrill rides at Epcot theme park.
Examiner

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
Six Flags Great America in Gurnee has suspended its seasonal cockroach-eating contest, in response to reports of a man’s death after a similar competition at a Florida pet store.
Daily Herald

Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington, TX
The amusement park in Arlington on Tuesday announced plans to implode the 200-foot-tall Texas Chute Out.
OA Online

Review of the News: Tuesday 9/11/2012

Al Shallal Theme Park, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The owner of the Jeddah amusement park where three girls fell off a ride during the Eid holidays refused the claim of culpability by the girls’ fathers, stressing that he was not responsible and that the law will take its course.
Saudi Gazette

Joyland, Changzhou, China
When Joyland (嬉戏谷) first reared its costumed head back in 2006, it was billed as the Disneyland of the digital era.
CNN International

National Roller Coaster Museum, Arlington, TX
More than 53 years after opening the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster, Disneyland is donating two vehicles from the iconic Matterhorn Bobsled ride at Disneyland to the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
Herald Online

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, IL
A man whose daughter fell while being chased by a character at Six Flags Great America’s Halloween-themed Fright Fest last year has filed a $30,000 lawsuit against the Gurnee theme park.
Lake County News-Sun

Valleyfair, Shakopee, MN
Valleyfair is adding big, moving dinosaurs to its collection of thrill rides in 2013.
Pioneer Press