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: 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.

Review of the News: July 20 - July 24

Monday July 20, 2015

Kentucky Kingdom to add new roller coaster
Storm Chaser, a $15 million addition to the amusement park, will be the marquee attraction of the 2016 season.

New Thomas Land theme park on track to open Aug. 15
Saws buzzed. Backhoes moved dirt and rocks. Drills hummed. Hard hats carried steel beams. Other builders constructed a stone wall. In other words, business as usual at Thomas Land, the $25 million Thomas the Tank Engine theme park set to open Aug. 15 at Edavillle USA Railroad.

Retired Six Flags Over Texas official looks back on 47-year ride
It didn’t take Mike Apple long to get hooked on Six Flags over Texas. He was one of the more than 500,000 patrons in the theme park’s inaugural 45-day season of 1961.

Tuesday July 21, 2015

Girl with prosthetic leg barred from amusement park's slides
An Oklahoma family says they were discriminated against at Frontier City amusement park because of their daughter's prosthetic leg.

Valuable cash register stolen from North Wildwood amusement park
Three young men are suspected of stealing a $2,400 computerized cash register from Morey’s Pier and damaging a security camera at the amusement park on July 11, police said.

Over 100,000 ride new wooden coaster in just seven weeks
Europe’s largest wooden rollercoaster, which travels at speeds of over 100kph, was opened on June 7 and since then tens of thousands of people young and old have travelled from all over the world to give it a whirl.  Figures released from Tayto Park show that over 2,100 people ride the coaster every day, with one person riding it over 30 times in a single day.

Wednesday July 22, 2015

Popular Carowinds roller coaster gives its final ride
Thunder Road was named after a 1959 Robert Mitchum movie about an illegal moonshining business, and over the years it ran more than 40 million times back and forth over the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

Boy, 6, is seriously injured after being trapped underneath ghost train at seaside amusement park
A six-year-old boy has been seriously injured after he became trapped underneath a ghost train at a seaside amusement park.  The boy had been on a day out to Skegness Pleasure Beach with his family and was on the ride with his young sister when he was hurt on Monday lunchtime.

Universal Orlando accepting reservations for new Loews Sapphire Falls Resort
Universal Orlando Resort announced Tuesday that it is now accepting reservations for the 1000-room Caribbean-themed hotel set to open in summer 2016.

Work begins on Warner Bros theme park in Abu Dhabi

Construction has begun on a Warner Brothers theme park in Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island, with completion due in 2018.  The theme park will have 19 rides, a hotel and several multiplex cinemas. It is being developed by Aldar Properties and the Abu Dhabi Media Company, according to a deal signed with Warner Brothers in 2007.

Thursday July 23, 2015

Kennywood to open curtain on new 4D theater on July 29; Ice Age 4D to be shown

Kennywood is adding some mid-season excitement as it is set to open its new 4D theater on July 29.  The first feature in the new theater will be “Ice Age: No Time For Nuts 4-D.”

Playland Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Grand Carousel
Playland Amusement Park is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Grand Carousel this year, and the county will kick off the celebration with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque today, July 23, at noon, officials announced.

Adult Behind Bars for Heist at Jersey Shore Amusement Park
Police in South Jersey nabbed the third and final person wanted for swiping a pricey item while vandalizing a beloved Jersey Shore amusement park.  Clayton, Gloucester County, police alerted North Wildwood Police Wednesday that they had arrested Leander Jarrell -- the adult suspect in the July 11 incident at Morey’s Piers at 25th and the Boardwalk in North Wildwood.

Selfie sticks banned from Six Flags
Following a similar decision by Disney, Six Flags has banned selfie sticks from its amusement parks across America.

No More Blue Collar Country, Big Changes

520 acres of possibility becoming a reality now that the Poarch Creek Indians have taken control of what was “Blue Collar Country”.

Comcast's Universal theme parks revenue skyrockets
You've heard it before: Harry Potter helped Universal Orlando Resort's parent company rake in millions of dollars in revenue.  Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSK, CMCSA) reported second-quarter revenue for its theme parks — including Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure in Orlando — increased 25.7 percent to $773 million, compared to $615 million for the same quarter last year.

Six Flags theme park leaders thrilled by record rise in revenue
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: SIX) — which operates 18 theme parks in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, including Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio — enjoyed a record financial performance in second quarter 2015, with revenue increasing 3 percent to $386 million.

Six Flags to Accelerate Buyback Program
The second half the year may be a good ride for Six Flag Entertainment Corp.SIX -0.63% when it comes to buybacks.  The Grand Prairie, Texas theme-park operator said Wednesday that it would accelerate its share repurchase program, buying back about $180 million to $200 million in shares during the second half of the year.  That’s significantly higher than the $21 million in shares it bought back during the first half of the year.


Friday July 24, 2015

The Amusement Park Dime

The 1982-P Roosevelt No P dime touched off a wave of change-scouring when stories started appearing in Ohio and Pennsylvania newspapers about the discovery of odd dimes that did not have a Mint mark.   Since 1980, every circulating coin, except cents, has a Mint mark above the date. These dimes, though, were blank.  The Philadelphia Mint had neglected to place a Mint mark on one or two dies.  Coins with a noticeably strong strike surfaced in Sandusky, Ohio. Many were unknowingly given out in change at the city’s Cedar Point Amusement Park.

Carowinds says goodbye to Thunder Road this weekend

The iconic wooden roller coaster at Carowinds theme park is saying goodbye.  Thunder Road opened in 1976 and has given nearly 40,000,000 rides to fans. Park guests and roller coaster junkies have until Sunday, July 26 at 10 p.m. to celebrate Thunder Road one last time.

Orlando's theme parks bustle with construction

There's a shark-inspired roller coaster in the works here, a King Kong ride under construction there, multiple projects going up way down there and rumors floating around everywhere.  Orlando's theme parks are in build-build-build mode, with major attractions set for grand openings — and competition for visitors — in the coming years. But strategies have changed and differ from company to company, industry observers say.

Florida teachers score year of free access to Legoland

Teachers can get in free for a year at Legoland Florida and with summer in full force, we think we know what they’ll be doing.  All active kindergarten-through-high school Florida teachers are invited to visit the park’s website to register for the pass and for redemption instructions. Valid identification is required to get the pass which is non-transferable.

Tom Moses, architect of Disney building codes, dies at 81

Tom Moses, who developed building codes for Walt Disney World's rides and buildings, died unexpectedly this week.  He was 81.