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COASTER-net.com v8 > News & Releases

COASTER-net.com v8 > News & Releases.

Ever want the thrill of riding a coaster without strapping into one? Well, KUKA Robotics has brought you one step closer to your dream. Recently, Walt Disney World opened a new attraction in their theme park, Epcot. The attraction is called "Sum of All Thrills", featuring a technologically advanced robotic arm. Attached to the arm are two seats, encased in a cover for the virtual screens. One of the big things about the ride is that you get to design the layout yourself! Which means that you program how you want the arm to move and rotate.

The Castle Comes Together at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, plus Harry Potter Theme Park Ornament News - The Leaky Cauldron

The Castle Comes Together at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, plus Harry Potter Theme Park Ornament News - The Leaky Cauldron.

A great update today on progress at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Theme Park attraction being built at Universal Orlando. Thanks as always to Brian Dorf.com we can see some great new photos of Hogwarts Castle that is really coming together at the park, with much more of the huge walls in place along side the towers and turrets. There are even photos of large glass windows being put into place as well as photos of Hogsmeade area really taking shape, plus a few off-site construction of large walls. Finally, be sure to check out a magical Harry Potter Christmas ornament that is now being sold at the park, depicting a robed wizard holding a wand and the year 2010 written on the item. UPDATE: Thanks to Felipe for emailing that Orlando United also has many similar and good photos of these towers and turrets, as seen here in our galleries.

Busch Gardens being sold to Blackstone Group

Busch Gardens being sold to Blackstone Group.

Anheuser-Busch InBev says it will sell theme parks including Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay to Blackstone Group for $2.7 billion, the companies announced this morning in a joint statement. Blackstone owns half of Universal Orlando, which could have an impact on the long-term business model for the 10 Busch Entertainment Corp. theme parks. However, because of Blackstone's business experience in the entertainment industry, analysts expect that operations at the Busch theme parks are likely to proceed with little change noticeable to guests. The long-anticipated sale by the Belgian brewer In-Bev is in line with its efforts to to reduce debt burden after InBev last year took over Anheuser-Busch for $52 billion. Blackstone will pay $2.3 billion in cash and give AB InBev the right to participate in Blackstone's return on its initial investment, an amount that is capped at $400 million. Blackstone said it had "long admired" the theme parks and planned to invest in and grow the company. "We are delighted to be investing in a company with such iconic brands, irreplaceable assets and strong growth prospects," senior managing director Michael Chae said in a statement. Carlos Brito, Chief Executive Officer of Anheuser-Busch InBev said in a statement, "We are pleased to have reached an agreement with a buyer who understands the industry and has a strategic vision for the business."

Disney World monorail returns to service following electrical shortage

Disney World monorail returns to service following electrical shortage.

The Walt Disney World Monorail System resumed service this morning (Oct. 1) after an electrical shortage at the Magic Kingdom platform shut the system down on Sept. 30. According to Orlando Sentinel reporter Jason Garcia, who broke the news on his Twitter at about 10 a.m., all monorail lines serving Disney World's parks are back in service. The short in the control tower at the Magic Kingdom, which resulted in smoke, halted a train while it pulled into a station. Guests were able to make it off safely as a tractor towed the train to their stop. The Magic Kingdom and resort lines went out of service following the short, but the Epcot line remained open. Taking this safety measure was vital to Disney in order to decrease the chances of another tragedy like the July 5 monorail collision that killed 21-year-old monorail driver Austin Wuennenberg from occurring. Wuennenberg's death was the first fatality in the monorail system's 38 years of service.

Muggles' sneak peek at Harry Potter park | Stuff.co.nz

Muggles' sneak peek at Harry Potter park | Stuff.co.nz.

It sounds like a new book in the Harry Potter series, but 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' will be a high-tech ride and the marquee attraction at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a new theme park area opening in spring 2010 at Universal Orlando Resort. The 'Forbidden Journey' ride was named by author JK Rowling and described Tuesday by Universal officials in a web cast revealing details of what the Potter park will look like. The ride will take guests through scenes and rooms from the blockbuster movies inside a richly detailed remake of Hogwarts Castle made to look 213 metres tall. Hogwarts is where Harry attends a boarding school for witches and wizards. Guests will enter the "Wizarding World" through a station archway named for Hogsmeade, the magical village near Hogwarts. A plume of steam and a train whistle will sound the arrival of the Hogwarts Express. The goal is to make the experience immersive, so nothing outside is visible after guests pass the Hogsmeade station archway. Rowling, known for carefully guarding the Potter franchise, hasn't yet journeyed to Orlando, but the design team has made several trips to London to consult with her. Other rides include the "Dragon Challenge,'' a twin high-speed roller coaster themed after the "Triwizard Tournament'' and the family roller coaster "Flight of the Hippogriff," named for a creature with an eagle's head and a horse's body. "Along those journeys they're going to be swept up into the greatest parts of the movies and the books. We've pushed every technology available to us to give guests a theme park experience unlike any they've had before,'' said Paul Daurio, producer of the Potter area.

Deputy under review after Disney employee Tasered - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com

Deputy under review after Disney employee Tasered - Florida AP - MiamiHerald.com.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Officials say an Orange County deputy is under administrative review following reports that he gave his Taser stun gun to a Walt Disney World employee, who then shocked a co-worker. The sheriff's office reported Friday that Deputy Eric Jaros was working off duty Sept. 3 at one of the park's security offices when he let another person handle the device. Officials are still trying to figure out exactly what happened, but at some point, a 53-year-old man was hit in the chest with the stun gun. The man was not seriously injured, but paramedics had been called to the office. No criminal charges have been filed, and the deputy remains on duty.

Man dies at NY amusement park - BostonHerald.com

Man dies at NY amusement park - BostonHerald.com.

DARIEN CENTER, N.Y. — Divers have recovered the body of a 33-year-old Pennsylvania man from a lake at an amusement park in western New York. Police say William Sutherland of Bradford, Pa., had attended a concert at Darien Lake Theme Park Resort Friday night and became separated from his friends. They told police they spent several hours looking for him Friday night before reporting him missing on Saturday. Divers found the body around 1:30 a.m. Sunday in a small lake at the park, which is 25 miles east of Buffalo. The Genesee County sheriff’s office says the death is not considered suspicious.

Orlando Sentinel - Universal preparing to pull back the curtain on Harry Potter on Tourism Central Florida

Orlando Sentinel - Universal preparing to pull back the curtain on Harry Potter on Tourism Central Florida.

Universal Orlando is preparing to reveal new details about the hugely anticipated Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The resort has begun sending out invitations for a Sept. 15 webcast promising a "first-ever glimpse" ot the Wizarding World, which is supposed to open sometime during the first half of 2010. A spokesman for Universal declined to elaborate on the event.

Universal Studios Hollywood. Los Angeles, California.

Universal Studios Hollywood. Los Angeles, California..

Halloween Horror Nights 2009. All-New mazes, terror tram, shows and scare zones! Website

Osborne Lights opening 20 days earlier

Osborne Lights opening 20 days earlier.

Osborne Lights opening 20 days earlier

Kouzzina by Cat Cora opens at Walt Disney World | The DIS Unplugged Disney Blog

Kouzzina by Cat Cora opens at Walt Disney World | The DIS Unplugged Disney Blog.

Kouzinna means Kitchen in Greek. This new table service restaurant will have a Mediterranean theme to the menu. They will have simple Greek dishes. It is included in the Disney Dining Plan. You can call 407-WDW-DINE to make a reservation. While dining you can enjoy the open kitchen with oak fired ovens and wood burning grill. You can watch the chefs create the meals for the guests to enjoy.

Universal Studios Florida opens Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster

Universal Studios Florida opens Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster.

After a delay of several months, Universal Studios Florida has opened its long-awaited musical roller coaster Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit to the public. It is a soft open, so it could close at any time, so ride if you see it available! The ride opened to Universal employees last night, and to the public today. Reports from readers onsite welcomed in the comments. No word yet on an official open date or media day.

New Vacation Package Offers Fall Savings at Disneyland Resort, With 'Halloween Time' Entertainment

New Vacation Package Offers Fall Savings at Disneyland Resort, With 'Halloween Time' Entertainment Stay and play in the heart of the magic and save $400 ANAHEIM, Calif., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Value-minded vacationers have plenty to celebrate this fall with a special travel offer: savings of $400* at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California. From Aug. 12 through Dec. 19, 2009, guests will save $400 when they book a 4-Day/4-Night Disneyland Resort vacation package, featuring Disneyland Resort hotel accommodations - Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier - and park hopper tickets. The offer is valid for arrivals Aug. 23 through Dec. 20, 2009. Pricing starts as low as $87 per person, per day, at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.* Each package includes four-day park hopper tickets and many extras, such as one Magic Morning admission per person. Magic Morning admission allows families to enjoy select Disneyland attractions - including Finding Nemo's Submarine Voyage, Peter Pan's Flight, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and King Arthur Carrousel - before the park opens to the general public. The new package also provides guests the opportunity to interact with some classic Disney characters in Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness one hour before Mickey's Toontown opens to the general public. (Mickey's Toontown Morning Madness and Magic Morning early entry do not operate daily and are subject to restrictions.) Preferred seating at select attractions and restaurants in Disney's California Adventure are also included. Seasonal Fun Beginning Sept. 25 through Nov. 1, the resort celebrates Halloween Time, a season filled with whimsical decor, a new fireworks show and some traditional spooky fun. This season of tricks and treats will feature some of Disney's most popular villains and will unveil Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, a themed experience with haunting music and ghoulish sound effects. A new, nightly fireworks display will light up the autumn sky with a wicked sense of fun, while the traditional giant Mickey Mouse jack-o'-lantern returns to Disneyland Town Square. Also, the eerily popular Haunted Mansion Holiday attraction in New Orleans Square and Disney's Happiest Haunt Tours will return for guests to enjoy. Disney Difference Park hopper tickets included in the special fall savings offer make it easy to experience the best of both theme parks. Guests can aim for the highest scores aboard the exciting new Toy Story Mania! attraction at Disney's California Adventure park. Then they can hop over to Disneyland park for a journey aboard the recently enhanced "it's a small world" attraction - the happiest cruise that ever sailed. Guests will enjoy riding "it's a small world" again and again as they search for the 29 Disney and Disney-Pixar characters now represented in the classic attraction. Whether it's discovering whimsical Disney art at Disneyland Hotel, stepping back in time to the golden days of California beachfronts at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, or indulging your senses at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, staying at any of the resort hotels provides the Disney magic from check-in to check-out. Guests are steps away from two of the world's most famous theme parks and a vibrant dining and entertainment district, Downtown Disney. For more information and to book a Disneyland Resort vacation package, guests can call the Walt Disney Travel Company at 800/854-3104 or book online at www.disneyland.com/Save400. For general Disneyland Resort information, park hours and entertainment schedules, call 714/781-4565 or visit www.disneyland.com.

Myrtle Beach ad firm sues park over $1.4 million bill - Local - The Sun News

Myrtle Beach ad firm sues park over $1.4 million bill - Local - The Sun News.

The local public relations company responsible for putting together the billboards, signage, flashing pins and print ads for Freestyle Music Park over the past several months is suing park owners for more than $1 million in unpaid marketing materials and services, according to officials and court documents. Brandon Advertising Inc., the owners of the Brandon Agency, filed a breach of contract complaint against FPI MB Entertainment, the owners of Freestyle Music Park, on Aug. 5 for services and materials totaling $1,403,876, documents showed. The complaint was filed due to anticipated challenges the park might face because of the "tough economy," the agency's president said in a statement.

WEAR ABC 3 :: Florida News

WEAR ABC 3 :: Florida News.

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- A Walt Disney World performer has died, four days after being injured in a Magic Kingdom show. A friend says 47-year-old Mark Priest was sword-fighting in "Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Tutorial" when he slipped and hit his head on a wall. A Disney spokeswoman said the company had no idea his injuries were life-threatening. Disney on Monday contacted the sheriff's office and Occupational Safety and Health Administration after hearing Priest died. Priest's condition was improving, and didn't seem serious immediately after the injury. The actor was able to rush offstage and joked about his condition at the hospital. He was moved out of intensive care Monday, but deteriorated rapidly and died. No official cause of death had been determined.

Amusement News of the day

Six Flags posts deep Q2 loss

Bankrupt amusement park operator Six Flags Inc. posted a second-quarter loss due to the recession, restructuring costs, the Swine Flu outbreak and bad weather.

New York-based Six Flags had a net loss of $98.6 million and a loss per share of $1.25, compared with net income of $113.5 million and earnings of 63 cents a share in the second quarter of 2008.

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Thrill of the Behemoth

The idea of riding on Behemoth — Canada's biggest, fastest and tallest roller coaster —may prompt many to quickly shake their heads and say "No, thanks!"

But plunging down the ride's 70-metre drop at speeds of 125 km/h on the orange mega-coaster at Canada's Wonderland, in Vaughan, Ont., just encourages Tim Hill of Holland Landing, north of Toronto, to throw up his arms and let out a whoop.

"It's just really fun, " said Hill in an interview recently while on a break from riding.

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Great Wolf extends debt agreements

Indoor water park resort operator Great Wolf Resorts Inc. said it has reached agreements with lenders that extend the maturity dates on the mortgage loans for its Great Wolf Lodge properties in Ohio and Texas to July 1, 2011.

The agreements eliminate all debt maturities until mid-2010 and secures the future for the resort in Mason, Ohio. Madison-based Great Wolf Resorts had faced losing ownership of the property if it couldn't negotiate a long-term extension to the loan.

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Water park to host fundraiser for kids with cancer

A fundraiser for Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation and Camp Hobe, a summer camp for kids with cancer, is Thursday at 6 p.m. at Seven Peaks Water Park, 1330 E. 300 North in Provo.

The park will close to the public for the event, which will feature a movie playing on a floating television in the wave pool. Participants will have access to all the water park features, as well as discounted food and beverages.

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Disney Walks Fine Line On Pricing In Orlando

Walt Disney Co. raised admission prices between 2.5% and 5.3% at its largest theme park in Orlando, Fla., over the weekend, even as it offers other deals to spur demand from consumers cutting back spending on vacations amid the recession.

The uptick in admissions prices at Walt Disney World was smaller than similar increases the company has made in recent years, but the move still reflects confidence that Americans will continue to come to Florida in search of Disney magic even as job losses mount.

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Get fired up for Kent Family Circus

Victor Kent is a human fireball during his show. The Kent Family Magic Circus comes to Quassy Amusement Park Monday through Aug. 16 at the Vacation Village Resorts Lakeside Theatre stage for free daily shows.

Parking at Quassy is $5 per car. In 2003, the Kent Family Magic Circus was officially born, making a transition from what was formally known as the Kent Family Magic Show.

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AAMA Elects Cohen Chairman, Holds Board Meets And Gala

The American Amusement Machine Association installed new leadership during its annual membership and board meetings in late July. The high-level meetings were held in conjunction with AAMA's Distributor Gala, a showing of new amusement equipment, here at the Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort.

David Cohen succeeded Dave Courington as AAMA's chairman. Cohen is president and chief executive of Firestone Financial Corp., the largest lender to amusement and vending operators. Newly elected officers serving under the chairman are Neal Rosenberg, vice-chairman; John Margold, treasurer; Dave Drouillard, vice-treasurer; Frank Cosentino, secretary; and Al Kress, assistant secretary.

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Knott's Berry Farm gets monster turnout for Halloween Haunt auditions

Renee Glaze has a talent for being creepy.

She puts on a shrill voice and bugs her eyes out, pretending to cuddle a baby in her arms. In this gloomy economy, Glaze, 47, is glad her talent can lead to a job, any job.

That's why she joined nearly 300 other applicants Monday to audition for temporary work portraying monsters at Knott's Berry Farm's annual Halloween Haunt. Most of the jobs pay minimum wage and call on the characters to don costumes and makeup, scaring guests at the park.

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Lots of family fun in Sandusky, Ohio

For our first family vacation with our 4-year-old daughter, we had several criteria: It had to be within a three-hour drive, be reasonably priced, provide enough to do in case of bad weather, and keep my husband and me occupied too.

Our destination: Sandusky, Ohio. It's best known as the home of Cedar Point Amusement Park, but there are plenty of other attractions in the area too.

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Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort Pays Tribute to Nation's Workers with a Commemorative '$99 in 09' Labor Day Deal

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is rewarding laborers across the country with an affordable getaway to one of the world's favorite family destinations. In tribute to the U.S. workforce this Labor Day, and in honor of the ninth month in 2009, they are offering a $99 per night rate September 1, 2009 through September 9, 2009 (09/09/09).

To honor their own loyal laborers, they are also awarding complimentary stays and dinners for nine lucky cast members and their families. All cast members who have worked at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for at least one year will be eligible to enter a Labor Day raffle.

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Davis Farmland Water Spray Park review

Parents of babies, toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy the water spray park at Davis Farmland. While the spray park is intended for ages up to 8, it is better suited to the infant to preschool age.

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Tourism Industry Glad Summer's Not Over Yet

A good August could take the sting out of a dismal season.

August, normally a “make-or-break” month for the state's tourism industry, may be more critical than ever this season as the triple whammy of the state budget stalemate, recession and stormy weather takes its toll.

”We need Mother Nature in August more than we've ever needed her,” said Michael O'Farrell, a spokesman for Mystic Seaport.

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La Nouba offering deal to Florida residents

Cirque du Soleil will be offering a Florida resident discount for performances to "La Nouba" at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney. For each "Category 2" ticket sold, Floridians can buy another one for $25. (Category 2 seats normally sell for $83).

The deal runs for performances from August 18 through October 3.

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Sea turtle nest adoption now available at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Guests no longer have to travel to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort to adopt their very own sea turtle nest. Disney Conservation is now offering the adoption of sea turtle nests laid near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort right here in Central Florida.

The Out of the Wild gift shop located in Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is now offering the Adopt-A-Nest packages, which were previously only available at the off-property vacation club.

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2 fatal drownings a reminder to keep watch on your kids

A Dearborn 3-year-old drowned at an Ohio water park Sunday. Two days earlier, neighbors discovered a Rochester Hills toddler submerged in a swimming pool.

These cases, and a near-fatal drowning of a 2-year-old Shelby Township girl during the weekend, highlight the need for parents to closely supervise children around water -- drowning is the second-leading cause of death among children ages 1-14 behind traffic accidents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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New visitor center proposed for Timpanogos Cave

Federal officials are proposing a new visitor center for Timpanogos Cave National Monument and an interagency government building at the mouth of American Fork Canyon.

The monument's visitor center would replace a double-wide mobile home in use as the park's headquarters ever since a 1991 fire destroyed the main building. The double-wide is also in a hazardous area where rocks sometimes break off from a nearby cliff and hit the building.

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A visit to the Lagoon amusement park

When I was young my dad used to load us all up in the car and make the trip to Lagoon for the day. Lagoon is an amusement park located just off I-15 in Farmington, Utah. Farmington is centrally located 17 miles north of Salt Lake City and 17 miles south Ogden. I know this may sound like ancient history, but when my dad used to bring us to spend the day at Lagoon, the freeway had not been built yet, so the 85 mile trip from southern Idaho would take us what seemed like three hours. This annual family sojourn was a huge treat for me and my brother. I’m not sure, but I think these trips corresponded with the annual Utah Power and Light company Lagoon day. That’s where my dad worked. While I don’t remember much of what we did there, other than the white, wooden roller coaster, I have a warm feeling and generally fond memories of Lagoon.

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Stock Cars, Paddle Boats, Mini-Golf, Batting Cages and More: Giving Summer's Finish Some Fizz

With school on the horizon, lots of us parents are thinking it's time to park the Wii and make the most of what's left of this relentlessly rainy summer. So, although we have no inside information on how August's weather will shape up, sunny or soggy, here are some ideas for activities and excursions that should keep you covered.

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‘Dive-in Movie’ tonight at Waco Water Park

The city of Waco parks and recreation department will present E.T. at the Dive-In Movie tonight at Waco Water Park.

According to a release from the city of Waco, the park’s gates open at 8:30 p.m. and the movie will start at dark. Admission will be $2 to $4 and concessions will be available.

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C’est Magnifique, the Boardwalk’s Cirque

Somewhere in the 30 minutes that is a Cirque Magnifique performance, Jan Damm will balance on a board with a rolling tube underneath it. Then he will add buckets, four silver ones, until he is several feet in the air. That’s when the handstand comes in.

The San Francisco circus artist, whose act is called rolla bolla, is one of the nine performers of Cirque Magnifique, playing through August 20 at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Cirque Magnifique is the work of producer Bill Brown, who put together the high-energy show for the Boardwalk.

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Drowning at Sandusky's Kalahari Water Park leaves questions unanswered, officials say

Regulators may never know whether Kalahari Water Park had enough lifeguards on duty when a Detroit-area boy drowned on Sunday, a top safety official said Monday.

But, he warned, it's possible that no number of lifeguards could have prevented the death of 3-year-old Hassan Itani of Dearborn, Mich.

"A tragic situation like this can occur under the best of circumstances," Bob England of the Erie County Health Department said Monday.

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Fair Roller Coaster Operator Arrested

Delaware State Police have arrested a man who has been operating a roller coaster at the Delaware State Fair.

When he was arrested, the 20-year-old was awaiting sentencing after being found guilty early last month on two counts of felony sexual contact. Because of that conviction he was ordered by the court not to have contact with anyone under 16 while awaiting his sentencing.

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Too cool for pools

It’s been the summer of discontent for swimmers throughout western Pennsylvania.

The National Weather Service in Moon Township said this past July was the fifth-coolest on record, with an average daily high of just over 69 degrees. There hasn’t been a single day this season when the temperature rose to 90 degrees.

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Dallas Moves Toward Private Management at Zoo

This week, the Dallas City Council returns to work after its annual July break. And, a big change at the ZOO is one of the first items up for consideration.

Council members, on Wednesday, will be briefed on plans to turn the zoo over to a special management arm of the Dallas Zoological Society. City officials say the 10.8 million dollar "management fee" paid to Dallas Zoo Management will actually save almost five million dollars this next budget year.

Under the proposal, the city retains ownership of the land. The animal collection, and all revenue from admission, concessions and other programs will be turned over to "Dallas Zoo Management." All zoo employees will be terminated October first, but subject to re-hire by the new management team.

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Outlet malls have own kind of pull

The region's latest mall, Cincinnati Premium Outlets, celebrates its grand opening Thursday in Monroe. Seventy-four stores will sell a range of apparel, housewares, shoes and accessories. Ultimately, the center can accommodate 100 stores.

Until now, Prime Outlets in Jeffersonville and the Dry Ridge Outlet Center in Kentucky were the closest outlet malls for Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky shoppers.

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Get the most out of your theme park outings

"Americans are looking for ways to stretch their entertainment dollars and maximize their time off this summer. Amusement parks and attractions nationwide provide an affordable way for friends and families to spend quality time together," said Charles Bray, president and CEO of IAAPA. "If families think ahead and plan their visits to attractions in advance they can save some serious time and money."

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Let the games begin, Video systems promote fitness

Fascination is what made Jamie Kelly, 30, first step onto the “Dance Dance Revolution,” also known as “DDR,” game more than four months ago at Mini Putt Family Entertainment Center in Rocky Mount. She couldn’t imagine her feet moving as quickly as those of some of the people she watched playing it, but she thought it would be a good way to exercise doing something she liked — dancing.

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Bounce dangers reviewed

Usually a main attraction right behind the climbing wall, the Bounce House is constantly supervised by TinCaps employees, said Mike Nutter, team president. He said the workers monitor things such as how many kids are inside the structure; whether they are all near the same age; and how aggressive they might be.

As a result, Nutter said there have been no reports of injuries involving Parkview Field’s Bounce House.

Nationwide, there have been injuries involving the inflatable structures, especially when the structures not properly used or tied down.

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AROUND THE GLOBE

How Do You Say 'Giant Wooden Roller Coaster' In Chinese?

What are you doing on August 8? Since it won't be 08-08-08 like last year, we're going to assume that you're not either getting married or attending a wedding, so why not hop to the opening of China's largest theme park? The Happy Valley park, just outside of Shanghai in Sheshan, the 900,000 square-meter (that's 9,687,520 square feet!) park will have discounted admission through mid-September, so it's alright if you don't rush on opening day.

For adrenaline junkies, the Happy Valley park will have a mine coaster, a diving coaster, and China's first wooden coaster—they're still making these things?— called the "Fireball," which we'd hope never ends up as an actual fireball.

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Tatweer reviews Universal alliances

Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, is reviewing its partnerships with building suppliers on the Dh4.7 billion (US$1.3bn) Universal Studios project in Dubailand, as well as the construction schedule, to try to cut costs.

Universal Studios, which was expected to include rides based on famous Hollywood films, 4,000 hotel rooms, retail outlets, and office and residential areas, was supposed to be finished next year, although it is now likely to be delayed by at least two years.

The move comes as a number of major Dubai projects in Dubai are being reviewed to accommodate tight liquidity, a slower sales environment and a fall in tourism.

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Drayton Manor attendance continues to grow

After enjoying a significant increase in visitor numbers during the 2008 season, which among other things saw the opening of the successful Thomas Land area, Drayton Manor has started where it left off with strong attendance figures in the early part of the 2009 season and the opening of more new facilities to help cater for demand in all areas of the park.

"We had a really positive start to the season this year," commented Helen Pawley-Tuft, general manager for central services at the UK theme park. "We had a better Easter than in 2007, and have had very good numbers since then. Hopefully it shows what the season holds for the rest of the year and proves that people are still determined to have a good day out, despite the poor economic climate."

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OCT Opens Doors to Shenzhen Theme Parks

Real estate and tourism company Overseas Chinese Town (OCT) Enterprises opened a tourism destination that includes two theme parks, three European-style villages, four hotels, two golf courses and a large theater in Shenzhen on August 1, reports guandian.cn. Named the "Eastern OCT Tourism Region," the nine-square-kilometer park received investment of RMB 3.5 billion and is expected to host 4.8 million tourists by late 2009 and generate revenue of nearly RMB 4.5 billion, reports guandian.cn.

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Hualien’s castle by the sea

There are plenty of reasons to visit Hualien. It is arguably the most spectacular part of Taiwan, with the vastness of the Pacific Ocean stretching out into a seemingly infinite distance on one side and the lushly forested mountains of the Huatung Rift Valley on the other. Needless to say there are plentiful opportunities for boating, cycling, hiking or driving around to see the riches that Mother Nature has on offer.

Apart from these wonders of nature, there is also the profoundly artificial and man-made entertainment offered by Far Glory Ocean Park, a popular tourist destination just half an hour’s drive south of Hualien City. This theme park takes as its point of departure the wonders of the ocean, and provides an opportunity for visitors to get up close with many of its more lively inhabitants.

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IIB mulls over three theme parks for Iskandar Malaysia

Iskandar Investment Bhd is looking at having three theme parks in Iskandar Malaysia, including Legoland Malaysia, said president and chief executive officer Arlida Ariff.

Legoland will be the main theme park with the other two supporting parks, she said.

“Different theme parks cater to different segments of visitors as this will be better rather than just having one park in our development,’’ Arlida told reporters recently after announcing six successful applicants hired as “model shop associates” at Legoland Malaysia in Nusajaya.

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The Parks

Boy drowns in Ohio at largest US indoor water park

A 3-year-old boy has drowned at a northern Ohio indoor water park that calls itself the nation's largest.

The boy drowned Sunday in an outdoor pool at Kalahari Resorts water park in Sandusky on Lake Erie. Police and park officials say lifeguards were on duty at the time.

Kalahari spokeswoman Carrie Leum says park employees are "deeply saddened" by the toddler's death. She says the park is cooperating with law enforcement.

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Frontier City re-opens after E. coli in water found

Frontier City amusement park, which closed Thursday afternoon and Friday morning due to a harmful bacteria found in the water used for drinking and preparing food, has re-opened.

Earlier this week, tests done by state Department of Environmental Quality workers at the 51-year-old amusement park found E. coli, said DEQ spokeswoman Skylar McElhaney.

"If E. coli is present it does not matter how much is there. It could have an adverse health risk and a boil order is necessary," McElhaney said.

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Disney World tickets jump 2.5% to 5.3%

A day after Walt Disney Corp. released a quarterly report that blamed discounting for a drop in theme park revenue, Walt Disney World announced an increase in ticket prices.

The theme park, Central Florida’s largest employer, unveiled a pricing menu that will increase admission costs from 2.5 percent to 5.3 percent.

Under the new schedule, which is effective Aug. 2, the cost of a one-day admission for those 10 years and older will rise from $75 to $79. The price for multi-day tickets will all increase. A seven-day pass, for instance, will cost $234, or $33.43 a day, up from $228, or 32.57 a day.

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Morey’s Piers receives StormReady certification

The National Weather Service and the New Jersey StormReady Advisory Board recently awarded Morey's Piers a StormReady Commercial Site Certification.

“The designation, good for three years, certifies that Morey's Piers has fulfilled a set of criteria that ensures everything reasonable has been done to provide for the safety of its guests and employees during adverse weather conditions, including thunderstorms and extreme heat,” said Gary S. Szatkowski, meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly.

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Six Flags Over Texas hosts Fame National Talent Search today

Making it in show business has lots of ups and downs, so what better place to look for Fame than in a park with roller coasters?

Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington will host the Fame National Talent Search from 9 a.m. to noon today.

Up to 10 of the top contestants will perform in a semifinal show at 4 p.m. Sunday, where Naturi Naughton, a cast member of the upcoming Fame film, will also appear.

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Pa. man dead since '56 still has fans screaming

As roller coaster enthusiasts chase down the ultimate ride, many will find it in one of the creations of a former Reading carpenter who gained fame as a designer of thrill rides.

The many legacies of Herbert P. Schmeck are scattered throughout America, many of them nearby in his home state.

The Reading native, who died in 1956, designed more than 80 wooden roller coasters during his career in the early to mid-20th century.

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Six Flags Over Texas celebrates 48 years of fun for all ages

Six Flags Over Texas opened in Arlington on August 1, 1961, after just a year of construction. Real estate developer Angus G. Wynne, Jr. conceived the idea for the park after visiting the newly opened Disneyland in Anaheim in the late 1950s.

On August 5, the official grand opening day, 8,374 people visited Six Flags. Admission was just $2.75 for adults and $2.25 for children, with a 50 cent fee for parking. Hamburgers were 35 cents and soft drinks were 10 cents. Check out these aerial photos of Six Flags Over Texas from 1961.

After nearly half a century, Six Flags Over Texas is still great fun for all ages, with nearly 100 attractions sprawling over more than 200 acres.

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Tightrope walker awes crowds at Pa. amusement park

As if roller coasters weren't enough, visitors looking for adventure at an eastern Pennsylvania amusement park gasped in awe at a tightrope walker.

Thirty-year-old Nik Wallenda walked across about 350 feet of high-wire strung more than eight stories off the ground at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom.

Wallenda did not use any safety equipment during the 20-minute walk Sunday near Allentown. The cable was strung between two towers of the Possessed roller coaster.

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North Myrtle Beach Amusement Park opens with strong attendenance

One of the great things about the O.D. Amusement Park was that it was wide open with no entry fees. Neither high fences nor barriers obscured the view from the outside. Passer-byers were able to not only smell the pop corn popping and the funnel cake cooking but also hear the screams of delight from the city side walks but also to walk in, watch the fun and participate.

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Waveyard developers seek an extension

Developers of the $250 million Waveyard water park plan to ask Mesa officials for a two-year extension, but company officials say they have a prospective financial backer for the resort and mixed-use development project.

Waveyard developers told the Tribune Thursday that they have a strong lead for financing the extensive project that would turn a municipal golf course and adjacent ball fields into a water park. Now all they need is more time.

“We do have a very real and very good financial source now,” Waveyard co-owner Richard Mladick said Thursday. “Even if the financing were to come through, we are going to be coming to the council in August and asking for more time.”

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Travel leaders, lawmakers rally behind 'blacklisted' cities

Business isn't the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Las Vegas, Nevada, or Orlando, Florida, but these two entertainment capitals are also the top business meeting and convention destinations in the United States.

One of the nation's largest employers has discouraged its employees from booking meetings and conventions in the cities where Mickey Mouse lives and Wayne Newton sings.

In an e-mail between a Federal Bureau of Investigation employee and a Las Vegas hotel, the FBI employee explained why the agency would not hold an upcoming business meeting in the city.

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Snow park project is economic peak for Grapevine

A $1.6 billion, 3-million-square-foot mixed-use development including a one-of-a-kind indoor ski park and an Asian cultural center would be a significant project even in an economic boom, but developers of the planned World Villages of Grapevine are counting on the area’s appetite for entertainment for support.

The Gardens of Grapevine Development LP is set to break ground on the project by year’s end between State Highways 121 and 2499, adjacent to the Grapevine Mills Mall. The Gardens of Grapevine will submit its second round of plans to the city of Grapevine for approval next month with plans already under way for the first phases of its massive mixed-use development called Villages of Grapevine, which will have entertainment, retail, residential and office space. But the primary attraction is a $70 million ski park called Texas Alps.

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Wisconsin Dells springs back to life

Reports of the death of Wisconsin Dells’ tourism industry are greatly exaggerated.

Last year’s draining of Lake Delton and the subsequent impact on tourist-related businesses is still on people’s minds, even though things are pretty much back to normal in this central Wisconsin community.

A few days of family vacation is all one needs to prove that fact.

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Coaster to coaster: thrill rides for all ages, sizes

Why not add thrills to your summer? Pete Trabucco, author of "America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks" (Tate Publishing, $29.99), offers insight on family-friendly options for riding the rails.

As you consider these suggestions, keep in mind each family member's tolerance for speed, height and hype that go along with roller-coaster rides. It's not just about age.

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Kart Attack gives the green light

The go-carts are revved up and the “open” sign is hanging at Kart Attack family entertainment center in Evans.

“People have been coming by and coming by, asking if we're open, and now we finally are,” said Sandy Byers, the wife of Kart Attack owner Wally Byers.

The center, located at 1112 40th St., opened Wednesday, with a large and a small go-cart track and a miniature golf course.

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Inspectors help to take fear out of ride safety

Pennsylvania law requires inspection of carnival rides whenever they are put up on site, and an inspection report must be submitted to the state. Any amusement attraction, which the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture says number about 7,900 — more than any other state — must be registered with the state.

The law states a certified inspection must be done at the beginning of the season for all amusement attractions, traveling carnivals or parks. Amusement parks in the state do an inspection every 30 days after that.

Officials at Conneaut Lake Park and Waldameer both said they have employees who do daily inspections.

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D23 Expo to highlight upcoming Disney theme park expansions

For complete Disney fanatics, the first-ever D23 Expo coming to the Anaheim Convention Center from Sept. 10th to Sept. 13th promises a sneak peek at new rides and attractions debuting soon at Disney’s 11 theme parks around the world.

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Malmstrom families enjoy night at Electric City Waterpark

Families of deployed airmen made quite a splash Saturday night at the Electric City Waterpark.

Malmstrom families enjoyed the water park for free Saturday night, an event that is part of the Be Our Guest program, which features\ discounts and fun activities for families left behind while their loved ones are deployed.

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At Pa. parks, who's inspecting the inspectors?

Summer's the perfect season for amusement parks, carnivals and fairs. But when hitting area carnivals, boardwalk amusements or places like Dorney Park, Hersheypark, Kennywood, Knoebels or Sesame Place, there's one thing to keep in mind.

Rider be aware.

In Pennsylvania, there is a law that states you must listen to ride operators, or they can evict you from the attraction.

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National World War II Museum gets $150,000 federal grant

The National World War II Museum is getting a $150,000 federal grant to help finance the museum's planned live performances at its Stage Door Canteen.

The performances are to feature music and entertainment from the World War II era, as well as modern musical pieces inspired by the war.

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Return of Captain EO? Ratatouille E-Ticket ride? Casper the Friendly Ghost theme park?

Disneyland is contemplating a return engagement of Captain EO as a tribute to Michael Jackson during Halloween season.

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Eddy – the tapir with personality!

A zoo and theme park near Scarborough has a cheeky new arrival in its South American enclosure.

The section at Flamingo Land, near Malton, is now home to a baby Brazilian tapir called Eddy who is just 11 weeks old.

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World's First Eco Theme Park: Environmentaland

Activist group Global Inheritance is not short on innovative ideas for engaging youth in environmental action. From their Plug n Play Energy Bike to chartering a train to Coachella festival to hip hop compost with The Roots, these guys seem to get the right mix of attitude, combined with some serious, positive content. Their latest venture sounds particularly intriguing - the world's first environmental theme park has just opened its doors!

Situated on the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, Environmentaland eco theme park is said to feature "Energy Playground, Recycled Paper Plane Takeoff, Mini-Bin Exhibit and Designing Station, Alternative Energy Golf Carts, The Planetarium, Desert Mini Golf + more."

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Judge clears way for dinosaur park to be seized

A federal judge has cleared the way for the government's seizure of a creationism theme park in Pensacola owned by a couple convicted of tax fraud.

A ruling by U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers states that the nine properties that make up Dinosaur Adventure Land as well as two bank accounts associated with the park will be used to satisfy $430,400 owed to the federal government.

Kent Hovind, who founded the park and a ministry, Creation Science Evangelism, is serving 10 years in federal prison for failing to pay the Internal Revenue Service more than $470,000 in employee taxes.

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In New York, It’s the Summer That Isn’t

It’s a gross, grungy, disgusting summer-in-the-city tradition: the muggy 90-degree day or, worse still, the 99-degree day.

But this summer has been conspicuously different in New York City. Not one 99-degree day in Central Park. Not a single day that the temperature even approached 90. For just the second time in 140 years of record keeping, the temperature failed to reach 90 in either June or July.

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Arrests made in vandalism at water park

Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with two overnight incidents of vandalism that caused an estimated $18,000 in damage at a city-owned water park in Vista.

The first vandalism was reported the morning of June 21 when staffers at The Wave Waterpark near Vista Village Drive showed up for work and discovered a mess.

Fire retardant had been sprayed on a deck, and lifeguard towers, fire extinguishers and a $7,000 defibrillator had been thrown into a pool, said sheriff's Sgt. Art Wager.

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Man charged with criminal sexual contact at Great Adventure

A 22-year-old Roosevelt, N.Y., man was charged Thursday with four counts of criminal sexual contact after police received a report of a man inappropriately touching two 15-year-old girls in the wave pool at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor.

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Madame Tussauds opens new wax museum in Hollywood

open and the first to be built from the ground up, at a cost of $55 million. Not only can the guests see the wax figures, visitors are encouraged to touch them, sit next to them and dress up as characters from their favorite films, television shows and sports competitions. The new museum includes three floors and 18 themed zones with over 100 wax figures.

Guests can see a figure of Marilyn Monroe in the courtyard of the museum as she recreates the Grauman's Chinese Theatre hand print ceremony. Visitors will also see a life-like figure of Samuel L. Jackson just outside the main entrance. Upon entering the box office area, guests will see a statue of President Barack Obama, where there was a long line for photos.

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Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii adds new evening show

The Polynesian Cultural Center, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in O'ahu, Hawaii, will soon see one long-standing tradition end and a new one begin.

On Aug. 14, the long running evening show "Horizons: Where the Sea Meets the Sky," which has packed Hawaii's top paid attraction since 1996, will be replaced by "Ha: Breath of Life," a new $3 million show that will bring the performance into the audience thanks to new technology.

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Whitney Museum is still on track for 2012 opening

The Whitney Museum of American Art’s proposed Downtown branch, designed by Renzo Piano, to be built at the south end of the High Line park on Gansevoort St., was assured last month when Mayor Bloomberg confirmed that part of a city-owned Meat Market site would be sold to the Whitney.

The mayor made the announcement on June 8 at the official opening of the first segment of the High Line park between Gansevoort and 20th Sts.

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Discounted tickets to Jolly Roger part of August benefit

Residents and resort visitors can soon experience the rides and games at Jolly Roger Amusement Park on 30th Street, while also helping to keep area bays clean, when the Assateague Coastal Trust presents its annual "Benefit the Bays" event next month.

On Sunday, Aug. 9, Benefit the Bays ticket holders will receive discounted entry to Splash Mountain waterpark and the park's two minigolf courses (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) as well as to the park's amusement rides (2-6 p.m.). Speedworld is not included in the offer, and ticket holders are limited to two rides on the Wildmouse Rollercoaster.

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Skateboard park is on schedule, on budget

Skateboarders won't have to cool their heels much longer.

The city's long-awaited, state-of-the-art skateboard park is scheduled to open next month, possibly with a grand opening on Sept. 26, according to parks and recreation officials.

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AROUND THE GLOBE

UN high-ranking official says Shanghai Expo to have everlasting impacts on China, world

A UN high-ranking official has said the 2010 Shanghai World Expo will have ever lasting impacts on China and the world as a whole.

"I am sure that the Shanghai World Expo will have ever-lasting impacts. There are two things, the World Expo and the Olympics Games, that wherever they are held, they will have permanent impacts, not only for Shanghai, for China, but also for humanity," UN Under-Secretary-General Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka told Xinhua in a recent exclusive interview.

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Legoland Malaysia is Underway

Although Legoland is well known in the UK, as well as the United States, besides that not too many people know of the joy that is Legoland. Well soon Malaysia will know of Leogland as well. This is because the Legoland Malaysia theme park project is closer to realization than ever before. This new breakthrough happened when the first batch of model builders were chosen for the park.

The builders that will help to create Legoland Malaysia for tourists all over the world, will first have to complete a 10 week training course in California. The resorts director, Zainal Ashikin Muhammad Rejab, said that the selection of model builders was another step towards the realization of the park. Right now the new park has a completion date of early 2012.

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Our top 10 guide to the best theme park holidays - book here now!

Hold on to your hat and don’t let go of the handlebars as we take you on a wild ride to our pick of this year’s 10 best theme park holidays.

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Genghis Khan Rules Mongolia Again, in a P.R. Campaign

Jesus Christ looms over Rio de Janeiro, a quartet of American presidents gazes from the face of Mount Rushmore and Lenin keeps watch over St. Petersburg. But if there were a global contest to honor larger-than-life men on a colossal scale, Mongolia might just vanquish them all — again.

Genghis Khan, the legendary horseman who conquered half the known world in the 13th century, has returned to the steppes of Mongolia, and this time he charges admission.

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New hotel in Jalosjos’ theme park

A 360-room hotel will soon rise within the Fantasyland theme park in Dapitan City, according to the Tourism Department.

The department did not say who would build the hotel and when, only stating that the project could be the biggest in Mindanao in terms of number of rooms.

The Fantasyland theme park, owned by the family of convicted child rapist Romeo Jalosjos, was built at a cost of P200 million and is said to be the largest entertainment facility outside Metro Manila.

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Kuwait: Changing Tourism Trends

Although Kuwait's tourism sector is expected to have a slow year in 2009, with the global recession cutting into visitor numbers and reducing returns, this could be offset to some degree by more Kuwaitis holidaying at home.

Kuwaiti media has reported that more locals and expatiates are choosing to stay in the country, rather than travel abroad or return home during the hot summer months. Though this trend may not benefit the accommodation sector of the tourism industry, it will help to keep the tills ringing at Kuwait's cafes, restaurants and entertainment facilities.

This is supported by a recent report by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which said that the global economic downturn and the threat posed by swine flu could actually be to the benefit of the region's tourism industry.

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Expo's greatest impact will be significant gains for city

Few people will remember the themes or exhibitions of previous World Expos but most know of Crystal Palace and the Eiffel Tower, the iconic structures left behind after the 1851 London Exposition and the 1889 Paris Expo. They will also recall the economic recovery after the 1933 Chicago Expo.

World Expos are not only an amusement park for people to have fun during the event. They usually will have deeper and longer impact on the host city and its society, particularly after the event.

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Theme Park Insider Summer Roadtrip: Dollywood

Theme Park Insider Summer Roadtrip: Dollywood.

We awoke this morning in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to a steady rain. A quick check of the forecast called for showers all morning, followed by thunderstorms in the afternoon. Looks like we'll we doing Dollywood in the rain. Now, lots of folks won't bother visiting a theme park in the rain. Which is why I say... all the more reason to go. Folks not visiting means shorter lines for the rest of us. So Natalie and I walked right on to Thunderhead...

Boy drowns in Ohio at largest US indoor water park

The Associated Press: Boy drowns in Ohio at largest US indoor water park.

SANDUSKY, Ohio — A 3-year-old boy has drowned at a northern Ohio indoor water park that calls itself the nation's largest. The boy drowned Sunday in an outdoor pool at Kalahari Resorts water park in Sandusky on Lake Erie. Police and park officials say lifeguards were on duty at the time. Kalahari spokeswoman Carrie Leum says park employees are "deeply saddened" by the toddler's death. She says the park is cooperating with law enforcement. The state has taken disciplinary action against Kalahari at least five times since the resort opened in 2005. Inspectors with the Amusement Ride Safety Division told Kalahari management last May the park had fewer lifeguards than expected and "many water rides were operated in a careless and unsafe manner." The 173,000-square-foot park features rides such as the Elephant Trunk and the Rippling Rhino.

Pa. man dead since '56 still has fans screaming - Lebanon Daily News

Pa. man dead since '56 still has fans screaming - Lebanon Daily News.

s roller coaster enthusiasts chase down the ultimate ride, many will find it in one of the creations of a former Reading carpenter who gained fame as a designer of thrill rides. The many legacies of Herbert P. Schmeck are scattered throughout America, many of them nearby in his home state. The Reading native, who died in 1956, designed more than 80 wooden roller coasters during his career in the early to mid-20th century. As the president of Philadelphia Toboggan Co., Schmeck designed coasters during a period that was considered the heyday of the amusement ride industry. For those who want to capture some of the joy that Schmeck put into his work, several of his coasters survive in Pennsylvania amusement parks. At Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom near Allentown, about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, Schmeck's ThunderHawk coaster continues a tradition of thrilling riders, said Charles Hutchinson, the park's public relations manager. "It is a great wooden coaster," he said. "Wooden coasters hold a lot more memories for people." The family-friendly Rollo Coaster, which opened in 1938 at Idlewild in Ligonier, about 40 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, has been awarded the American Coaster Enthusiasts' "Coaster Classic" distinction. The Comet, which opened in 1946 at Hersheypark, about 10 miles east of Harrisburg, is a classic "out and back" coaster that drops 96 feet and reaches a top speed of 50 miles

Walt Disney World, Disneyland raise base ticket prices

Walt Disney World, Disneyland raise base ticket prices.

Disney is raising its prices, starting this weekend. One-day tickets (which few people buy) will go from $75 to $79. Multiple-day tickets will rise by a smaller percentage, with the park hopper add-on rising two bucks, to $52. Tickets at Disneyland, in California, will go up as well, another $3 - from $69 to $72. Annual pass prices will rise, too. The SoCal Select pass will go up $10, while the premium AP goes up $40. Disney typically increases ticket prices in August. However, Disney World recently extended its free dining plan deal through December, raising the question about whether will continue discounting its "rack rate" on 2010.

Frontier City re-opens after E. coli found in water supply | ThrillNetwork.com

Frontier City re-opens after E. coli found in water supply | ThrillNetwork.com.

Frontier City amusement park re-opened Friday afternoon under a boil order after E. coli was found in its drinking water Thursday. However, the boil order was lifted on Saturday. Despite this, the park will be operating its food service operations on a limited basis, and new chlorination systems were installed. Patrons will be allowed to bring in their own food and drink, and all rides, including water rides, will be operating normally. If ingested, E. coli can cause serious gastrointestinal health effects.

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009

IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 to Feature More Than 100 Industry-Specific Education Sessions
Behind-the-Scenes Tours, Social Media Sessions, and Revenue-Generation Programs Among Highlights

Alexandria, Virginia (United States) – Education sessions at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 will number more than 100, offer something for all attractions operators, and include rare behind-the-scenes experiences at some of Las Vegas’ most well-known productions like “The Beatles’ LOVE,” “Le Rêve,” “Jubilee,” and Blue Man Group.

Throughout the week, attractions industry experts will speak to everyone from aspiring attractions managers to industry veterans on topics like food and beverage operations, live entertainment, ride safety, the state of the industry, developing trends, and two of the year’s hottest topics—generating revenue and effective use of social media. Twenty member committees within the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) developed programs to offer the latest and most essential information on theme parks, waterparks, museums, zoos and aquariums, family entertainment centers, casinos, and resorts. Program highlights include:

Behind-the-Scenes Tours
The hot tickets at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 are the behind-the-scenes tours and walk-through sessions. Attendees will experience firsthand the inner workings of intricate, high-quality Las Vegas productions and operations. Topics like makeup and costume design, production machinery, security, and food and beverage operations will be discussed with everyone from artists and performers to managers and producers. Advance registration is required for each tour, and production tickets are included in the tour cost, when applicable. Attendees must be at least 16 years old to participate.

• “The Beatles LOVE” by Cirque du Soleil® Show and Insiders Experience—7 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15  & 1:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16 at The Mirage; An insider’s look at how Cirque du Soleil celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles with panoramic sound and visuals. Technical professionals and artists from the show will discuss development, execution, and operation. Tour tickets include admission to the Sunday, Nov. 15 show at 7 p.m.; Ticket price: US$199 member; US$299 nonmember.
  
• “Le Rêve” Tour and Show—4:30 – 9:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 16 at the Wynn; “Le Rêve” combines aquatic and special effects with a cast of 85 performers. Guests will go backstage to view intricate technical aspects of show operations. Tour is immediately followed by a “La Rêve” performance. Ticket Price: US$179 member; US$229 nonmember.
  
• Blue Man Group Tour and Show—4:30 – 9:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 17 at The Venetian; A backstage perspective of how the show is managed and staged to combine music, comedy, and multimedia theatrics. Tour is immediately followed by a Blue Man Group performance. Ticket Price: US$149 member; US$199 nonmember.
  
• “Jubilee” Tour and Show—8:30 – 11:30 a.m. & 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 18 at Bally’s Las Vegas; Attendees will witness an incomparable 15-story staging area complete with show scenery and costumes, a makeup demonstration, and special effects essentials from the famous “Jubilee” Showgirl production. The tour includes a ticket for the Wednesday 7:30 p.m. “Jubilee” production. Ticket Price: US$109 member; US$159 nonmember.
  
• Caesars Palace: Behind-the-Scenes Food and Beverage Tour—8:30 – 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas; Operations staff at the hotel will discuss managing multiple restaurants, cafes, and casino dining services 24 hours a day. And tour participants will walk through massive kitchen facilities and visit Payard Pâtisserie & Bistro, which is famous for its chocolate and pastries. Ticket Price: US$109 member; US$159 nonmember.
  
• Caesars Palace: Behind-the-Scenes Security Tour—8:30 – 11 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 19 at Caesars Palace Las Vegas; Employee arrivals and departures, loss prevention procedures, and cash movements are explored in this behind-the-scenes look at the hotel’s extensive high-tech security solutions. Ticket Price: US$109 member; US$159 nonmember.

“IAAPA felt the best way to take full advantage of the conference being in Vegas was to provide members the opportunity to get a close-up, behind-the-scenes look at some of these world-class shows and to hear directly from the professionals who operate them,” says Paul T. Couch entertainment director at Dollywood and chairman of the IAAPA entertainment committee. “This is our way of letting Las Vegas be our teacher. These creative and technological innovations can provide benefits throughout our entire membership, regardless of the size of the operation.”

IAAPA Institute Programs
The IAAPA Institute Programs at IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 are designed to dig deeper into industrywide issues and trends to offer extensive educational training for managers. Industry veterans facilitate each program and all attendees are encouraged to share ideas, and compare successes and challenges with each other in the following sessions:

• Institute for Attractions Managers—Sunday, Nov. 15 – Tuesday, Nov. 17
  The two-and-a-half-day institute is for industry professionals with two to five years of management experience and covers finance, marketing, leadership, facility operations, safety, and revenue operations. Attendees will leave with an understanding of the key disciplines required to manage a successful attraction. Registration Fee: US$499 member; US$699 nonmember.
  
  
• Internet Marketing: Nuts and Bolts of Internet Marketing—Monday, Nov. 16
  This daylong course explores Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other web-based tools, and explains how attractions operators can engage audiences online. Professionals from Morey’s Piers, .Com Marketing, and the Orlando Science Center will address how to evaluate customer’s Internet usage patterns, drive web traffic, and employ creative e-mail tactics. Registration Fee: US$199 member; US$299 nonmember.
  
  
• Institute for Safety: Best Practices in Incident Management—Planning, Preparation, and Management Tactics for Handling Major Incidents—Tuesday, Nov. 17
  The Institute for Safety will help attractions managers prepare and implement an emergency plan at their facilities using real-life scenarios as models. Speakers will also review best practices in communicating with local emergency management services, identifying staff roles and responsibilities, and implementing a recovery strategy. Registration Fee: US$199 member; US$299 nonmember.
  

Specialty Tracks
Specialty tracks consist of a series of education sessions presented by industry leaders business and management specialists. New to the roster in 2009 is a track focusing solely on casino operations and management. The following disciplines have specialty tracks:

• Zoos and Aquariums—Nov. 16
  
• Museums and Science Centers—Nov. 16
  
• Waterparks and Resorts—Nov. 16 & Nov. 19
  
• Family Entertainment Centers—Nov. 16 – 19
  
• Casinos—Nov. 20

More than 50 general interest sessions are provided each day of the conference, as well. All facility types are encouraged to attend any education session, as topics are applicable industrywide.

The conference programs take place Monday, Nov. 16 through Friday, Nov. 20.  Expo registration is required for all education programs, and attendees can register online. Education sessions unaccompanied by additional charges are free to IAAPA members; nonmembers must pay $329 for access to sessions. A complete schedule of the education program and registration information is available at www.IAAPA.org/expos/attractions/eventschedule.asp.

About IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009
IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 is the largest conference and trade show for the amusement park and attractions industry in the world. With its theme “Bright Lights, Big Show: The Main Attraction,” the show will take place for the first time in Las Vegas, Nevada, and draw industry professionals from more than 85 countries to the Las Vegas Convention Center from Monday, Nov. 16, through Friday, Nov. 20. The trade show floor will be open Tuesday, Nov. 17, through Friday, Nov. 20. IAAPA Attractions Expo 2009 offers a solid week of business and fun. The event also includes educational sessions, behind-the-scenes tours, marquee social events, and networking opportunities. This is the marketplace where amusement and attraction industry leaders, decision makers, and visionaries gather to network, view the latest innovations, and plan for the future. For more information visit www.IAAPA.org/expos/attractions.

About IAAPA
IAAPA is the premier trade association for the attractions industry worldwide. Founded 90 years ago, IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently situated amusement facilities and attractions and is dedicated to the preservation and prosperity of the attractions industry.

Around the USA

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Theme park complains about 49ers' Santa Clara plan

Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. complained to Santa Clara officials in a letter Wednesday about the proposed use of a parking lot at its Great America Amusement Park by the San Francisco 49ers.

The letter was delivered the day before a draft of the environmental impact report on the billion-dollar stadium project is scheduled to be released.

The theme park owner said it is worried about the negative impact that traffic would have when game days overlap with Great America's season.

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Report clears Son of Beast

After a six-week probe, state investigators report that an inspection of the Son of Beast at Kings Island “revealed no irregularities” in the operation of the record-breaking wooden roller coaster.

However, the ride remains closed because park officials have “not decided what steps they plan to take concerning the ride,” according to an investigation summary released Wednesday.

“If Kings Island wishes to reopen the ride, they would have to consult with our Amusement Ride Safety Division,” said Kaleigh Frazier, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Agriculture, which oversees the safety division. “Because Kings Island does not know what action they are going to take with the ride … with that lapse of time we want to make sure we can re-inspect that ride before it reopens in case any modifications are made.”

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Splash Amarillo Fire Ruled Accidental

The cause of a fire that evacuated Splash Amarillo is ruled as Undetermined.

The Amarillo Fire Department says the fire appears to be accidental in nature, and caused an estimated $70,000 dollars in damage.

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More Kids Accuse Sex Offender From Deerfield Beach Water Park

Oh, this is getting ugly. We told you about Corey Hipscher last week. The 37-year-old somehow managed to get a job at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach despite being a registered sex offender. A 10-year-old girl says he groped her. And her story sounded familiar to at least two other girls.

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Council Approves Coney Island Redevelopment Plan

Mayor Bloomberg can now boast of a big victory: The New York City Council has approved his plan to redevelop Coney Island.

This afternoon, the Council voted overwhelmingly in favor of transforming the Brooklyn beach front into a year-round entertainment complex.

Coney Island would get a new amusement park, high-rise hotels, restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters and the city's first new rollercoaster since 1927.

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Potential ride names emerge for Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter

A sleuth over at the IOACentral message boards has unearthed a dozen recent trademark applications made by Warner Bros. Entertainment that appear to be for rides, shops and restaurants that will be part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando.

The most intriguing? "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey." It is one of three trademark filings in the batch for an amusement park ride, and it has touched off a torrent of speculation that it is the name of the dark ride that will be housed inside Universal's version of Hogwarts Castle.

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Xbox Family GameSpace at LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND® California officially introduced The Xbox Family GameSpace to the family theme park in Carlsbad during LEGO® Star Wars Days on June 13, 2009. It is one of ten new additions this year in honor of LEGOLAND California's 10th birthday.

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Never before seen video of Fontaine Ferry Park discovered

Back in may in a special report, WHAS11 News told you about the 40th anniversary of the closing of Fontaine Ferry Park.

Now WHAS11 News has a fascinating new update to that story. Old color film just found in the basement of a local video producer is showing moving pictures of the park never seen before.

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New Book, 'America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks,' Released Today

So what's it like to ride the best roller coasters in the country? In his new book entitled America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks (A guide for those who ride them and especially for those who FEAR them), Pete Trabucco describes the process of overcoming the fear element in this excerpt:

"If you're new to coastering, or if the very prospect of boarding one of the new breed of coaster behemoths is scaring the daylights out of you, here are some tips you can use to help you with your dilemma. First of all, never coerce people (including yourself) into riding a coaster or thrill ride against your/their will. Amusement parks are supposed to be about having fun shared experiences, not about learning lessons in intimidation and agony. Having said that, you should know that only half the fun of a thrill ride is the ride itself; the other half of a ride experience is learning to enjoy the anticipation and fear that naturally comes along with waiting in long lines."

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Cleveland Zoo Offers Cell Phone Tours

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is now offering cell phone tours so visitors can learn more information about the animals and what goes on behind the scenes at the zoo.

Visitors can use their cell phones to get answers on fun animal facts, such as how far does a polar bear walk in its lifetime, or how much water does a camel drink.

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Theme parks can take unwary visitors for an expensive ride

Nickel-and-diming customers with hidden fees is one way some businesses are responding to the recession, and theme parks are no exception.

A single day's admission to Disney World, Universal Orlando or SeaWorld can cost $65 to $75, but that's hardly the only fee to expect.

To properly plan a theme park budget, you have to think about all of the little charges that add up once you're inside.

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L.A. City Council considers providing loan for Cirque du Soleil performances

The Los Angeles City Council is weighing a plan to issue a $30-million loan that would allow the owner of the Hollywood & Highland shopping mall to retrofit a theater so it can house a decade of performances by Cirque du Soleil.

CIM Group, which owns Hollywood & Highland but leases the Kodak Theatre within the mall, hopes to bring the acrobatic performances to the venue starting in 2011. In exchange for the loan, CIM and its partners would pledge to create at least 858 jobs, according to the proposal.

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What's included in entertainment tax?

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle is pushing for an entertainment tax in his 2010 budget proposal as a way to generate extra money for the cash-strapped city.

Business owners and arts organizations are finding out that a wide variety of entertainment would be subject to the tax. It would apply to more than just restaurant meals and tickets for concerts, movies and sporting events. Also falling under the tax would be clowns hired for kids' birthday parties, zoo and museum memberships, bar cover charges and other activities.

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Council mulls $4.2 million water park to replace pool

Big Spring City Council agreed Tuesday to move forward with plans for a new municipal swimming pool, but the availability of contractors will most likely put a new facility out of reach in time for next year's hot-weather season.

City Manager Gary Fuqua and Assistant City Manager Todd Darden presented the council with a conceptual drawing of a new $4.2 million facility during the meeting, a plan that goes well beyond the mental imagery aroused by the term “swimming pool.”

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Santa Cruz City Council votes to keep Amgen Tour

The Amgen Tour of California appears on track to return to Santa Cruz after the City Council voted against a recommendation from the city manager to cut funding for the event.

After hearing from a long line of race supporters who vowed to fundraise so that the race wouldn't cost the general fund a dime, the City Council voted to sign a "host city agreement" with organizers of the Tour de France-style event, which raises money for cancer research.

The race has been moved to May coinciding with Bike Week with a possible stage finish at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk on May 18. Second, the later date means local race supporters now have 10 months to raise money, line up sponsors, organize finish-line events and order merchandise.

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Waterparks Continue Extreme Growth

As America's enjoyment of waterparks grows, new construction of waterparks continues, and the facilities are great options for religious youth and family events. Two trends are at work with waterpark growth, according to the World Waterpark Association.

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Zoo Attendance Up Because of New Attractions, Staycations

The down economy appears to be actually boosting attendance at some local attractions.

Tuesday, the zoo offers discounted admission. They had more than 1,200 people come through, in spite of the rainy weather.

The zoo is tracking towards a record-breaking summer, thanks to mostly good weather, new attractions, and cheap admission in the tough economy.

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Summer splash time winding down

Popsicles stain lips, air conditioning is expensive and sticking your head in the freezer tends to cause brain freeze.

When the mercury rises well above 100 degrees, Roseville keeps its cool by the pool.

“You can only stay inside with the air conditioning on for so long,” said Danielle Gerbaud, a Rocklin mom lounging poolside at the Roseville Aquatics Center on Monday. “You start to get stir crazy and that’s when we head here.”

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Grand beginning

Attendance at the North Dakota State Fair exceeded last year's numbers for a fifth straight day Tuesday. Total attendance was 30,266, a whopping 9,444 more than the same day last year.

Total fair attendance through Tuesday is 175,240, an increase of 40,869 over the first five days of last year's fair. Attendance numbers have increased over the previous year all five days of this year's fair.

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Teens on trial in carjacking case

A teen charged in a young mother's carjack slaying is as guilty as her friend who fired the gun, a prosecutor said Wednesday, but the girl's attorney said her client had no idea her co-defendant would pull the trigger.

Dayana Cordova, now 18, is one of two teens being tried in the Oct. 18, 2007, carjacking and murder of 20-year-old Angelina Arias in Lake Elsinore.

The pair allegedly wanted the victim's car so they could drive to Knott's Berry Farm in Orange County for a Halloween- themed event at the amusement park.

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Settlement approval motion before Crowder Thursday

The attorneys for a child hurt at Raging Rivers water park in July 2006 and one of the defendants, Vaughan Pools Inc., are asking Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder to approve a settlement.

The move for the approval was filed July 27.

If Crowder approves the settlement that would leave three defendants facing the negligence suit brought by Wendy Kerr as mother and next best friend of the minor Gage Kerr who was hurt riding the park's "Space Bowl" ride.

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Sports complex auction

An auction of two sections of the Libertyville Sports Complex is a possibility following action Tuesday by the village board. The closed Family Entertainment Center and the Golf Learning Center have been for sale for years with nibbles but no takers. A new contract with Inland Real Estate directs the firm to proceed with a sealed auction of the properties at Route 45 and Peterson Road. In that case, the village could accept, reject or negotiate any sealed bid.

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Make a splash this summer

The schools have broken up, and millions of us will be packing our bags and heading off on family holidays. A recent survey* has shown that the number one thing British kids love to do on holiday is spend time playing in the pool or on water slides.

As a result, family experts First Choice are launching a brand new Splash programme featuring the very best holidays, perfect for those who love swimming. It features 13 fantastic properties situated in, or next to amazing water parks. A new advert to support the new brochure also airs today. The programme is brought to you by First Choice’s Cool Pool Tester Tommy Lynch, who was given the enviable task of trotting the globe trying out water rides and selecting the very best for inclusion in the portfolio.

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Monroe braces for mall traffic

Police Chief Greg Homer has a four-letter word for the current Interstate 75-Ohio 63 interchange: "Ugly."

Ongoing construction has narrowed four lanes of Ohio 63 to two, as well as leaving piles of dirt and mud at the site. Things won't look prettier next Thursday when the $100 million Cincinnati Premium Outlets, just east of the interchange, opens for business.

"Appearance-wise (the mall) is a beautiful facility, but the road leading up to it is under construction," Home said. "It's very ugly now and if you add up to 10,000 cars (which the outlet mall could draw daily), it's not going to get better."

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Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland deserted as Space Mountain & other classic Disney World rides close

Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland deserted as Space Mountain & other classic Disney World rides close.

The doors to Space Mountain are closed. The Tomorrowland Transit Authority (originally the WEDWay People Mover) is shut down. And the brand new Stitch's SuperSonic Celebration has fallen silent. While Space Mountain is being refurbished, there is very little to do in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

What's going on

Mt. Olympus continues night openings

Mt. Olympus will continue to offer its “Night at the Theme Park” without an ordinance exception while the village considers modifications to the amusements and entertainments ordinance.

The village board took no action on a request for an exception and voted to move the ordinance discussion to the ordinance review committee.

Police Chief Tom Dorner said in an interview after the meeting that the department hasn’t issued the business any citations for being open after hours, because the board has shown an interest in possibly changing the ordinance.

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Fire At Splash Amarillo Waterpark

The investigation is underway see what caused a fire at Amarillo's Splash Waterpark.

Around 4:00 Tuesday afternoon, the park was evacuated to due a fire in one of the changing rooms and concession stands.

A spokesman for the fire department says the building suffered heavy smoke and fire damage in the attic. We're told no one was injured in the fire.

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Knott’s and Ralphs Team Up to Help Orange County Food Bank

During these difficult economic times the Orange County Food Bank comes to the rescue of so many in the Orange County area so Knott’s Berry Farm and Ralphs grocery store have teamed up to help replenish the shelves of the Orange County Food Bank this August.

This promotion offers two ways to save money and help others in need. Starting August 1, Ralphs shoppers can purchase a regular ticket to Knott’s for only $34.99 each (a $23 savings) and Ralphs will make a food donation to the Orange County Food Bank for every ticket sold. Guests coming directly to Knott’s Berry Farm’s front gate will also be able to purchase admission for $34.99 each with a donation of two cans for every ticket purchase.

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Cedar Fair feeling the recession's pinch

When Ben Balazs made his annual pilgrimage to Cedar Point this month with six friends and family members, he did something different to save money: He packed his lunch.

"We went outside and ate outside, and did a sit-down meal for dinner so we weren't spending a lot of money on food," the 17-year-old Bedford Township resident said.

Unfortunately for Cedar Point's parent company, he wasn't alone.

Featured Story

Secret plans to overhaul Disney World's Fantasyland?

Could Walt Disney World be re-awakening, like Aurora, from a recession-induced slumber?

The resort giant usually surfs from buzz to buzz by keeping at least one banner ride in the construction pipeline, but it hasn't announced any major attractions since it opened the Toy Story Midway Mania 3-D arcade ride in the first half of 2008. Instead, the only newsworthy announcements coming from the Mouse have mostly been price cuts and promotions -- hardly E-ticket stuff, although it is nice to be handed free food for families who book a vacation there through Sept. 26.

That could be about to change. In fact, the Florida resort may be about to transform the appeal of its very core and send its fans into fits of rejoicing.

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Admission likely to rise at Salina water park

It’s likely going to cost more to go for a swim at Salina’s new aquatic park.

At a study session Monday, city staff proposed the price increases to commissioners, who will make the final decision. Children ages three to 17 would pay $3 – up from just 75 cents, ages 18 to 61 would pay $5 – up from $1.25 and seniors 62 and over would pay $2.

The $12.5 million facility is being paid for by a sales tax increase approved by voters last November. But operating costs at the park will be a lot higher than at the old one.

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Richard Petty Driving Experience shifts gears, plans to market Walt Disney track more

Mike Bartelli, chief marketing officer for the Richard Petty Driving Experience, had been in that job for less than a year when he came up with a plan that made him downright nervous. He was about to tell Richard Petty, the most famous NASCAR driver in history, something he was afraid The King didn't want to hear.

"We were in the board meeting, and he was sitting there with his dark glasses on, and that big trademark hat with the feathers on it, and I told him that I thought it was time that we de-emphasize the biggest asset we have — which is him — in favor of something else."

That "something else" was Walt Disney World, the busiest of the more than 20 locations where the Driving Experience operates its race cars. Bartelli thought that not enough was being made of the fact that the Orlando location was on Disney property — at the Walt Disney World Speedway.

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A [Southern] Star is born

Nearly 10 years ago, a theme park in New Orleans East called Jazzland opened with much fanfare. It closed slightly more than one year later after its international operator pronounced it a failure. Six Flags next tried its hand, but Hurricane Katrina flooded the park in 2005, and the company, which has since filed for bankruptcy, never reopened it.

Now a new Baton Rouge-based company called Southern Star Amusement wants to redevelop the park and, according to a consultant with the project, has signed a letter of intent with a big-name partner—Nickelodeon Recreation, a division of the popular children’s television network. To help finance the deal, it has filed for $100 million in GO Zone bonds from a quasi-city agency in New Orleans that oversees the property.

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Applicants Line Up For a Job With Pirate Pete

You can tell by the name that the new family entertainment center opening in Marion promises fun. Pirate Pete's also promises employment for up to 90 workers. That attracted hundreds to a job fair Tuesday.

Halfway through the eight-hour job fair interviewers reported collecting approximately 450 applications. There was a line as soon as they opened the doors at the location on the north side of the Illinois Centre Mall.

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Wallenda takes sky walk on Cedar Point's Sky Ride

Somewhere around 30 steps into this whole spectacle, there is the unmistakable sound of a few thousand people simultaneously letting out a quick gasp.

"This guy is insane," says Jerry Wright, 41, of Norwalk. "Oh, he is definitely crazy."

It's minutes past 5 p.m. on Sunday. Wright and thousands of other thrill-seekers are packed hip-to-hip along the boardwalk inside Cedar Point, where every face is turned upward, staring at the man who's tiptoeing along the cables of the amusement park's nine-story cable car ride, the Sky Ride.

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Splashin' Staycation Ideas

Slather on the sunscreen and beat the heat of summer with a big splash and lots of fun!

Spend a fun day at one of Utah's local recreation centers/swimming pools, or hit up a local waterpark- especially the new Cowabunga Bay or Seven Peaks. From West Valley to Provo there are many city-run, family focused facilites that offer a fun day in the sun and water for a low cost.

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Ohio State Fair opens with deals, discounts

Organizers believe the struggling economy could mean another year for big attendance at the Ohio State Fair.

Gov. Ted Strickland opens the 156th annual fair Wednesday at the fairgrounds in Columbus. This year's 12-day festival has been advertised as an affordable destination for families looking for an inexpensive "staycation" close to home. The fair has made discount coupons available on its Web site and has several special deals, including $3 admission until 3 p.m. on opening day.

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On This Day in History: July 28 ‘The Funny Place’ Goes Up in Smoke

In the heyday years of Coney Island, one of three places that made it more than just another amusement park at the end of a trolley line was Steeplechase Park. Luna Park and Dreamland were also huge places of amusements, each covering many acres along the Atlantic shore. Steeplechase came first, in 1897, and outlasted the others.

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Cirque du Soleil offers discount

Cirque du Soleil will offer Florida residents a deal to buy a second ticket at less than half price for La Nouba performances at Downtown Disney.

The discount is $83 for the first ticket and $25 for the second, good on most dates from Aug. 18 to Oct. 3.

Quebec-based Cirque du Soleil joins a long list of Orlando-area attractions trying to attract more people in a year when attendance is shaping up as flat at best.

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Strotherfest is moving to Paradise Park; get a case of ‘Vertigo’

Strotherfest will be back Friday and Saturday, but at a new location: Paradise Park, the family entertainment center at 1021 N.E. Colbern Road.

Strotherfest, in its third year, celebrates the history of Lee’s Summit, which once was called “the Town of Strother.” The event is organized by members of Holy Spirit Church. Proceeds will be shared by the parish and local charities.

From 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. both days, the $25 Paradise Park Max Pak ticket will be discounted to $20, including all-day access to all non-coin-operated attractions including go-karts, bumper cars, miniature golf, the children’s “edutainment” center and the rock-climbing wall.

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Massachusetts Lawmakers May Restore $2M Zoo Budget After Animal Death Threats

Massachusetts lawmakers could vote as early as Wednesday on a plan to restore $2 million to the budget of the Boston area's two major zoos weeks after zoo officials raised the specter of animals being euthanized because of funding cuts.

Officials at Zoo New England said the Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham faced shutting down and the possibility that some zoo animals would have to be killed if lawmakers didn't restore a $4 million budget cut.

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Extended run for Indiana

Indiana State Fair officials are getting ready for an extended run this year.

The event will span 17 days this year, instead of running for only 12. It's been a 12-day affair since 1982.

Officials say expanding it will get all the popular 4-H events on the official schedule. The fair starts Friday, August 7th.

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Zoo starting work on $50 million African Forest

Moving away from the concept of bars and cages, the Houston Zoo in September will break ground for a $50 million African Forest, a 6.5-acre exhibit designed to give patrons the illusion they are strolling through an open landscape populated with chimpanzees, giraffes and other equatorial animals, zoo officials said Tuesday.

Directors of Houston Zoo Inc., the nonprofit organization that manages the zoo, approved Phase 1 of the project Monday, said CEO and President Deborah Cannon. The exhibit is scheduled to open in December 2010. Plans ultimately call for expanding the exhibit to 13 acres, she said.

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Drive-thru fundraiser to help send group to Worlds of Fun

The Firm Foundation of Topeka is hosting a fund-raiser to send a group of disabled adults to the amusement park.

The idea came from one of Foundation's participants to use a drive-thru lunch to raise money to send the group to Worlds of Fun at the end of the summer.

The fund-raiser will operate as a drive-thru where people an go and get a grilled hot dog, chips and lemonade for $3 during their lunch break. Those wanting a dessert option can purchase a candy bar for a $1.

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Recycled Solar Heat Significantly Reduces High Energy Bills

Treasure Island Water Park in Sunray, Texas decided to recycle the heat found in the attic of their clubhouse. According to Sunray City Manager, Greg Smith, most public pools lose money to begin with and so it is important if you can find something that will save money or at least keep your expenses from getting higher. Smith in a recent television interview said he expects recycling the heat in the clubhouse roof and attic 'will save the City of Sunray between $5,000 and $10,000 annually in pool heating costs.'

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Beloved Lincoln Children's Zoo Seal Dies

The Lincoln Children's Zoo says Pearl, a dearly loved harbor seal at the Zoo, has died.

Pearl passed away at approximately 4 p.m. on July 28th at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Kansas State University. Pearl had recently celebrated her 20th birthday on May 17th with a party the public was invited to attend.

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Water park costs may rise for city

If the Burlington City Council fails to withdraw its $1.8 million stake in Huck's Harbor by agreeing to a multi-year repayment schedule, the city will be on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to operators.

At a work session Monday, Gary Hoyer, CEO of Great River Entertainment, owner of Huck's Harbor, sought to persuade the council to approve a repayment plan that would reimburse the city $180,000 annually for 10 years.

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Bob Barker, PETA call for release of Cherokee zoo animals

Game show icon Bob Barker got the audience he wanted in meeting with Principal Chief Michell Hicks and five members of the Tribal Council for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

But he didn't get so much as a hint the tribe would do anything to try to change living conditions for bears in private zoos on the reservation.

Barker called the conditions inhumane in a public meeting moderated by Hicks and attended by some business owners. Hicks called the actions by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which arranged for the Barker visit, unacceptable.

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Your patience is appreciated

On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank our members, friends and supporters for their continued patience in the temporary closure and transformation of the Wonders of Wildlife museum from an outstanding educational and entertaining facility into a world-class attraction that, when completed, will be of great significance for Springfield and beyond.

Contrary to some speculation and perception, the museum remains very much on schedule to reopen in late 2010 as reconfirmed at our public presentation last November.

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Proof That Love Blooms in Theme Parks and That Happily-Ever-After Is in Pembroke Pines

No, I don't have evidence (yet) that this blog made a love connection between USF's star-crossed kicker and the dangerously distracting coed from Fort Lauderdale. But I have found real-world proof that theme park drama leads to storybook romance.

Just listen to Edna Bloom and her husband, Mel, whose bond was forever forged during a terrifying encounter on Coney Island's "Parachute Jump." Edna Bloom told New York's Newsday:

We were stuck at the very top of the ride for an hour and I started crying. Mel tried to soothe me by saying, "If we ever get off will you marry me?" Through my tears I said, "Yes, if we ever get down I'll marry you."

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Water Park In the Works For Selah

The size and scope of the water park proposed by the Yakima City Council is much grander than the one proposed in Selah. That's OK for Selah Mayor Bob Jones. He just wants to give this close-knit community something of its own.

"The pool is the corner stone of our recreation here and it's not a money maker, but it's a quality of life," says Mayor Jones.

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Family is the Heart of the Fair

The food, the rides, and the entertainment has taken center stage in attracting people to the North Dakota State Fair.

But the fair`s roots started in agriculture.

The barns may not be in the middle of the fairgrounds, but agriculture is at the heart of the North Dakota State Fair.

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Secret plans to overhaul Disney World's Fantasyland?

Secret plans to overhaul Disney World's Fantasyland?.

Could Walt Disney World be re-awakening, like Aurora, from a recession-induced slumber? The resort giant usually surfs from buzz to buzz by keeping at least one banner ride in the construction pipeline, but it hasn't announced any major attractions since it opened the Toy Story Midway Mania 3-D arcade ride in the first half of 2008. Instead, the only newsworthy announcements coming from the Mouse have mostly been price cuts and promotions -- hardly E-ticket stuff, although it is nice to be handed free food for families who book a vacation there through Sept. 26. That could be about to change. In fact, the Florida resort may be about to transform the appeal of its very core and send its fans into fits of rejoicing. Attractions Magazine, which covers the goings-on at Orlando's mighty amusement parks, has posted what looks like a blueprint for a new renovation to the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland, the most child-friendly zone that contains the park's most legendary rides. And if it's to believed, the changes are going to be extreme. Disney is famously tight-lipped about announcing its new attractions until descriptions and images have been groomed by public relations experts, so if this plan is real, it has been leaked. Walt Disney Imagineering, which is responsible for park designs, commented on the alleged leak with the following statement: "We are always looking at ways to enhance our guests' experience at all of our Disney theme parks and resorts. At this time, we have nothing new to announce." California Adventure, Disneyland's sister park in Anaheim, has already announced its own $1.1 billion makeover intended to give a jolt to its relatively anemic attendance. The company has promoted the changes with sanctioned renderings of the new Cars Land and a lavish new water spectacular. It has even been promoting the investments at an on-site information center, the Blue Sky Cellar, where concept art for a ride based on The Little Mermaid has been posted. For years, Disney fans have documented the ride's slow road to fruition as it was developed, nearly built, and shelved again. But so far, the new dark ride (an indoor ride typical of Fantasyland classics based on Peter Pan and Snow White) has not been officially announced as green-lit for Florida, as it has in California. The alleged plans from Florida's Fantasyland, though, clearly show the ride on its projected plot there. You can even see the route the ride vehicles would take through the building. The new ride would occupy land in the northeast section of the land that was originally occupied by the long-dismantled 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarine ride, which closed in 1994 and has been mostly dead real estate ever since. More surprises: The trademark Dumbo ride, an amusement so culturally distinctive that the Smithsonian displays an original ride vehicle from it, will multiply. No doubt addressing the poor load speed of the attraction's 1955 origins, Disney looks like it's planning to run two of them, side-by-side. If you ask me, if these plans are real, they represent a dramatic improvement, and not just because they add the first new Fantasyland dark ride in years. Hopefully, the new Mermaid ride will be as well-funded and as stocked with cutting-edge technology as the phenomenal nine-year-old Pooh's Hunny Hunt ride at Tokyo Disneyland, another Imagineering project. The new scheme also finally makes use of space that has been wasted for more than a decade. Particularly interesting is the new placement of Dumbo: Toward the back of the re-imagined land, on more land reclaimed from the old lagoon, which has been fallow for a decade. Other Dumbo rides at Disney parks worldwide are built over moats, but that wasn't possible in Florida because the "utilidor" workers' tunnels beneath Fantasyland's streets couldn't support the water. The new location, away from the tunnels, could enable Disney to add the originally intended water feature back to the ride. In that way, the new version of Fantasyland could be an improvement on the original. Pixie Hollow, an area that functions as a meet-and-greet for Disney's new Fairies franchise, was opened last fall, and more locations for face time with Disney Princesses also appear to be on the future landscape. Walt Disney World, which operates under a different budget than Disneyland, has to step up its game if it wants to stay lively. Next year, Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure launches its epic new land, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, marking it as the most current theme park in a competitive family market. Disney Parks' earnings report from the last quarter will come out this week. If it's poor, expect a big construction announcement soon. The sooner Disney can bolster its attendance, the sooner can start charging you more again.

Carowinds drops more hints | ThrillNetwork.com

Carowinds drops more hints | ThrillNetwork.com.

Only days after revealing at Coaster Stock that Carowinds would make an announcement about their 2010 project on August 26, the park has dropped another hint, a large steel one to be exact.

“Dinner Impossible” on tap for EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival | The Disney Blog

“Dinner Impossible” on tap for EPCOT’s Food and Wine Festival | The Disney Blog.

Chef Robert Irvine from Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible,” gets tips from Chef Mickey for his Oct. 25 appearance at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Chef Irvine is back on the Food Network’s “Dinner Impossible” show after sitting out one season after the controversy of his somewhat inflated food service claims. However, no one doubts the ability of his to prepare and cook excellent gastronomic delights. I look forward to his session. (click for larger image)

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Image by CanadaGood via Flickr

7 Children Injured After Roller Coaster in Bronx Derails

A church carnival in the Bronx turned into a frightening scene on Saturday after a children's roller coaster jumped its tracks, causing the ride to tip over and derail.

The incident happened around 9:30 p.m. at the 13th annual St. Theresa's feast in the Pelham Bay section of the Bronx. According to reports, panicked parents instantly started jumping over and screaming for help as they watched the crash occur. Authorities say the ride which was operated by Tri-Star Amusements Inc. and had a city-issued permit, was about three to four feet off the ground.

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AMOA, AAMA Approve Possible IAAPA Ownership In Fun Expo

The umbrella group that owns Fun Expo will allow the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attraction to assume 50% ownership of the FEC trade show if IAAPA consummates a merger with the International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industries. The announcement was made last week by the Amusement and Music Operators Association, which is part of the Leisure Entertainment Trade Shows, or LETS, the owner of Fun Expo.

AMOA, IALEI and the American Amusement Machine Association set up LETS to administer Fun Expo, cosponsored by the three associations. Under the accord, IALEI owns 50% of Fun Expo, while AMOA and AAMA own 25% each. It was inked in 2000.

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The rue of attraction

The blue-collar western suburb of Melrose Park has seen its fair share of negative headlines recently. In June, for instance, the former police chief was found guilty of 22 counts of racketeering, extortion and fraud.

But the largest public uproar in Melrose Park has come in response to the announcement that Kiddieland, the beloved 80-year-old amusement park, will close for good on September 27. The village’s mayor, Ron Serpico, says his office has been flooded with e-mails and phone calls suggesting ways to save the park, which is being undone by infighting between two factions of a family: One owns the park and wants to continue operating; the other owns the park’s land and intends to sell the property. “Someone said, ‘Well, can’t the Park District buy it?’ Well,” Serpico snorts, “I don’t think the Park District has millions of dollars to keep Kiddieland going.”

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Hersheypark offers guests “VIP” experiences

Hersheypark, the world-class amusement park located in Hershey, Pa., is now offering guests three new ways to make their park visits even sweeter.

The new “Sweet Rides at Sunset” package allows ride lovers to be treated like royalty. Available for guests with a valid Hersheypark ticket, Sweet Rides at Sunset gives front-of-line access to favorite rides, excluding The Boardwalk at Hersheypark, to groups of four to eight people. These evening tours are available at 5, 5:30 and 6 p.m. through August 30. The price of the three-hour tour is $99 for ages 9 and older and $49 for ages 3 to 8. Guests ages 17 and younger must have a parent or legal guardian with them; the tour is not designed for children ages 2 and younger. Guests of the Sweet Rides package also receive a 15 percent discount on food, non-alcoholic beverages and retail purchases during the time of their tour.

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Leading Hair Loss Website to Urge Boycott of SC Theme Park

HairLoss.com, the leading social network website dedicated to raising public awareness about hair loss issues is calling for officials at Freestyle Music Park in Myrtle Beach, SC, to cease running a popular television ad promoting their Time Machine roller coaster or face a boycott.

"The officials at Freestyle Music Park should be ashamed and embarrassed for not only promoting this cheap, low-level and insulting ad, but then by defending it as 'fun'," said Michael Garcia, spokesman for HairLoss.com. "We should be past so-called 'funny ads' that are humorous at the expense of people who suffer from a physical disability."

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Fright Dome at Circus Circus Partners With Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures to Introduce Two New Haunted Houses Themed After the Legendary "SAW" Horror Franchise

It's time to play a game... Fright Dome takes over The Adventuredome at Circus Circus beginning Friday, Oct. 2. This season, two of the five haunted houses take on a "SAW" theme guaranteed to terrify even the bravest of visitors.

Fright Dome's newest houses bring together plots from various installments of the legendary horror movie franchise, "SAW." Handcrafted replicas of the "games" set by Jigsaw in the popular saga will be among the many things guests have to look forward to. Lionsgate is expected to release the sixth installment of the bone chilling series in theaters nationwide on Friday, Oct. 23.

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A Banner Year For Six Flags St. Louis. Attendance Is Way Up.

The recent bought of mild summer weather has been good for business at Six Flags St. Louis. That's key since the theme park counts on July and August for 55% of total revenues. And it's also counting on a number of specials to keep the crowds coming out to Six Flags into the fall.

Warm sunny days like today really give Six Flag's Hurricane Harbor something to splash about. Temperatures climbed into the mid 80's today-- but that's actually slightly below normal for this time of year. In fact, much of July has been mild and that's given the theme park something to dance about.

While they won't give exact numbers, park officials say this month business has been good.

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Wild Adventures' lifeguards deemed golden

If you visit a south Georgia water park, you can feel safe knowing some of the best lifeguards in the country are watching you.

Splash Island Water Park at Wild Adventures got a superior evaluation in lifeguarding during surprise audits. Two lifeguards at Wild Adventures were named "Golden Guards" after water safety consultants secretly visited Wild Adventures Splash Island Water Park.

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City and Six Flags have court hearing scheduled for today

The city of New Orleans and owners of the Six Flags amusement park in New Orleans East today head back to court , to continue their legal struggle.

The city wants to recoup money it says it is owed and find a way to reopen the complex. Six Flags is in bankruptcy and has not reopened the amusement park since Hurricane Katrina flooded it in 2005. A temporary restraining order is in place keeping Six Flags from removing any more rides or equipment from the park, which has been closed since Katrina.

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Five-ton whale no fluke

Iconic and unique is how the whale sculpture for the Hervey Bay Water Park has been described.

Measuring five metres in height and five-and-a-half wide, the stainless steel and ironbark timber whale tale will mark the entry on the roundabout into the aquatic park.

Park project manager Denis Heron was on site yesterday to guide the sculpture as it was craned into placed and bolted to its footings.

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Theme Parks Raise General Admission But Thrill Guests With Promotions

Although local theme parks have raised their admission prices at the gate and their guest counts are expected to be on par with last year, they’re not likely to rake in any more dough.

Like hotels that have discounted their room rates to lure guests who are spending less on travel these days, the recession has prompted special promotions and value-added offers on the part of the theme park industry.

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Universal Studios Hollywood adds value to theme park

For the first time, theme park Universal Studios Hollywood is offering fans behind-the-scenes access to its Halloween Horror Nights attraction through social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook.

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Cedar Point To Host 2nd Annual 'Back to the Point' Reunion

Cedar Point is inviting all of its past employees to come "Back to the Point" when the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort will host its second employee reunion.

This year, past and current employees are invited to the park for a one-day reunion on Saturday, Sept. 5. Like last year, alumni are encouraged to bring their families to the reunion for a day of fun.

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Disney's Bay Lake Tower Set to Open August 4th

Nearly 38 years after Disney's Contemporary Resort opened its doors, its modern Disney Vacation Club addition, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is scheduled to welcome guests on Aug. 4. This will be the seventh Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort.

All 15 stories of the ultra-sleek design continue the original building's iconic style, which opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park Oct. 1, 1971. Bay Lake Tower complements and pays homage to Disney's Contemporary Resort while also offering a variety of new amenities and conveniences - kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, and other homelike amenities. In addition, most of the 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas in the crescent-shaped tower offer spectacular views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom.

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State fairs not-far fun

In a time when financial woes are causing many families to stay close to home this summer, there's perhaps no better year to check out your state fair. And if you live in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky, the state fairs in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana are each just a couple of hours' drive away.

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Dinotown makes a great family road-trip with little ones

If Rob Ell, the "mayor" of Dinotown, could tell you anything about the cartoon dinosaur themepark, it would be, "It's closer than you think." Dinotown, a sweet amusement park aimed at children age 2-9, is located in Chilliwack, British Columbia, about 3 or so hours drive from Seattle and 30 minutes from Bellingham. The Chilliwack area is full of resort and amusement destinations, making it a great place for a family roadtrip. And with the cost of flying getting higher every day, Dinotown could be the perfect destination for your family.

Dinotown is nestled into the Fraser Valley area of British Columbia, east of Vancouver. The park is gentle and aimed at the youngest funseekers. It is 12 acres of dinosaur-themed boat rides, slides, and other play areas, with nothing too overwhelming or scary. In fact, there are no roller coasters or carousels. The only powered ride is the Dinotown Express, a train ride that travels through the park and picnic areas. Aside from that, all the rides here are people-powered, like the row boats that wind through the small river past sculptures of dinosaurs hidden among the trees.

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Tennessee's Dollywood Is Perfect For Family Vacations

If your circle of friends includes self-styled urban sophisticates, a declaration that you like to take your family vacation in and near Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., is a bit like announcing you're a fan of Ann Coulter at a global-warming convention. You are met with simultaneously sympathetic and condescending looks.

But they are fueled by ignorance. For there is no better place to spend quality time with the kids than in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, in verdant eastern Tennessee — with ample time spent at the friendly, good-times emporium owned by Dolly Parton, perhaps the only American icon who could be said to rival her beloved Great Smoky Mountains.

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Sun Splash to host Water Safety Awareness Clinic

Keeping children safe in the water is a number one concern of health officials and safety advocates in Cape Coral.

Even though summer is coming to an end and school begins on Aug. 24, the weather in Southwest Florida lets children swim in a pool or go to the beach practically any time of the year.

Sun Splash Family Waterpark is opening its facilities on Aug. 1 for a free Water Safety Awareness Clinic where parents and children can learn the basics of water safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4.

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Zoo's tiger cubs now have names

Four Malayan tiger cubs born March 21 at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden now have names after a 17-day contest brought in more than 3,000 suggestions.

The winning names, chosen by four Cat House zoo keepers and Mike Dulaney, curator of mammals: Tahan (pronounced ta-han), a Malay term meaning strength and endurance. Submitted by Ian Gabby of Oxford. Bashir (bah-SHEER), which means harbinger of good things. Submitted by Christina Martin of Green Township. Kadar (ka-DAR), which means powerful. Submitted by Rachel Gaines of Kettering. Tanvir (tan-veer), means strong. Submitted by Christine Tan of Avondale.

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Son Of Beast Ride Still Suspended

The Son of Beast rollercoaster is still closed as officials wrap up a month-long investigation.

Kings Island voluntarily shut down the coaster after a woman said she hurt her head on the ride in May.

Kings Island closed the Son of Beast in mid-June.

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Hwy 20. crash kills Bend woman, sparks forest fire

A Bend woman was killed Monday afternoon in a fiery head-on collision with a truck and trailer towing an amusement park ride on Highway 20 east of Sweet Home, a crash sparked a 1 1/2-acre wildfire and shut the highway for close to 10 hours, Oregon State Police reported.

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Mob war on horizon in Las Vegas?

In one corner is the 74-year old daughter of legendary Chicago Outfit boss Sam "Momo" Giancana whose turf once included Sin City.

In the other corner is the beefy mayor of Las Vegas, Oscar Goodman, who was once the defense lawyer for the Chicago Mob's top emissary in Vegas.

At stake are future tourist dollars once Goodman and Antoinette "Mafia Princess" Giancana open competing crime syndicate museums.

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2007 Economic Census: Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Industry Series

2007 Economic Census: Arts, Entertainment and Recreation Industry Series -- This is a series of national-level data files on the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector (NAICS 71). These include data for industries such as performing arts companies, spectator sports, museums, amusement parks, casinos, marinas and others. The files provide data on the number of establishments, receipts or revenue, payroll, number of employees, value of product line receipts or revenue and other data items by industry. These data will be released through December.

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South San Francisco company's showroom a dreamscape of decorations

From the outside, there's nothing spectacular about where Nick Barrango works: It's an inconspicuous commercial building in the industrial part of town east of Highway 101.

But once inside the headquarters of Barrango Inc., a whole new world emerges.

Since 1906, the company has designed and manufactured holiday decorations and custom seasonal ornaments for department stores and large businesses worldwide.

The company also makes carousels and has shipped them off across the U.S., as well as to Germany, Japan and elsewhere.

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Economy, location big factors for vacancies in shopping centers

The marketing representative for the Hawthorne Plaza, Steve Wynne of CEAH Realty, said the Hawthorne Plaza has seen some progress.

"We have a nail salon right now confirmed,” Wynne said. “So, they will be in, in about 60 days or so. We are talking to a number of other people that seem to have some serious interest. But, we can’t give out those names at this point in time.”

Another building that is going up in the plaza is the Family Entertainment Center, which has been started to be built, although Wynne said they have other priorities first.

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Full City Council to Vote on Coney Wednesday; Negotiations for Expanding Open-Air Amusement Area Ongoing

Negotiations over the sale of privately owned land to the City and over the size of the outdoor amusement area at Coney Island are still ongoing. MAS recommended that the acreage for open-air amusements be expanded from 12 to 25 acres and that the high-rise hotels currently planned for the south side of Surf Avenue be moved to the north.

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Universal Studios Hollywood's King Kong detailed | Lifthill

Universal Studios Hollywood's King Kong detailed | Lifthill.

The writer-director of the 2005 film "King Kong" is hard at work completing the "technologically complicated" King Kong attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood. Jackson spilled some of the attraction's details at this year's Comic-Con. According to Jackson, the attraction will showcase a giant battle between the 35-foot-tall King Kong and two Tyrannosaurus dinosaurs. The ride's tram will be driven onto a motion-simulator where guests will be surrounded on all sides by Cinerama screens for a 360-degree view of Skull Island, says Ain't It Cool News. Said Jackson, "You're getting buffeted around and you're sliding down towards a chasm and Kong is thumping the hell out of the tyrannosauruses as they're trying to grab tourists out of the trams," reports Sci-Fi Wire. To take the attraction to the next level of immersion, riders will be barraged with fire, wind, "dino slobber," sound and smells. "We're going to be pumping hot air and stinky breath at you," said Jackson. "And when Kong gives a dinosaur a right hook, there will be goo that will be flying. So it's going to be a lot of fun and it's something I'm looking forward to." [LA Tims]

Snoops reveal Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park secrets - Travel - LATimes.com

Snoops reveal Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park secrets - Travel - LATimes.com.

Some industrious Internet snooping through public records has revealed the names of several rides, restaurants and shops at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the theme-park-within-a-theme-park that Universal Studios Orlando has sought to keep secret.

Epcot's Spaceship Earth is not just a mere ride

Epcot's Spaceship Earth is not just a mere ride.

Sometimes I cannot believe how many people visit and experience Epcot’s Spaceship Earth (SSE) without knowing just what it is they’re experiencing, as well as how significant and historic the building harboring Spaceship Earth really is to the world in general. Sure, to most people this looks like some rather neat and cool geodesic, spherical ride, a big golf ball, but it really is a historical place, and historically significant to our modern world. So, how could a Walt Disney World attraction be that historically significant, particularly if graded as such outside of the ‘tourism’ circle and afforded attempted relevance in today’s complex society? This is a fair question, since popular attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean absorb a lot of attention and notoriety, but their attraction to visitors is mainly based on fun, Disney tradition, and these days, the popularity of the movies, but not so much engineering accomplishment. Even Haunted Mansion earned a movie of its own, but, sadly, that movie didn’t quite take off with the popularity of Pirates of the Caribbean. Why? The ‘Pirates’ genre could rival that of Star Trek in the number of movies because of the pliability of the plot and story line. One could doubt with confidence that Spaceship Earth will ever spawn a movie. But, Pirates and the Mansion don’t astound with architectural achievement like Spaceship Earth. Therefore, Spaceship Earth is what it is as a singular achievement. Well, that isn’t really true, either, since it has changed over the years to accommodate modern changes and technological progress, but the most important thing to keep in mind is, there is only one. Just like the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, there is only one of these in the world and it is far more amazing than it looks. Sure, the Eiffel Tower is cool, and if you can say you were there, that’s elegant and nifty, but it isn’t any more than what it looks like from a distance, or a picture. I have been there, and I did find it rather remarkable, but what can you say? It was the same thing for the Notre Dame; I found it beautiful and wondrous, but really just an old church. I visited on a Sunday, so I couldn’t see too much without being disrespectful of those attending, but it was quite pretty. It is among the places you can claim to see and pretend you’re somebody. I would love to see Egypt’s pyramids someday, and the Great Wall of China, too. Maybe someday. Because for those iconic structures, they too are unique.

Take a Stroll Along Disney’s Boardwalk by Day and Night | The DIS Unplugged Disney Blog

Take a Stroll Along Disney’s Boardwalk by Day and Night | The DIS Unplugged Disney Blog.

Did you ever wonder what there is to do along Disney’s Boardwalk? I’m not talking about the restaurants and clubs, but whether you can make a day out of the carnival atmosphere along the Boardwalk. I had a beautiful, sunny day in Orlando without a cloud in the sky, and I decided to take a stroll down the Boardwalk to experience what there is to see and do. Come along with me on my walking tour.

Photo trip report: Wonderland | ThrillNetwork.com

Photo trip report: Wonderland | ThrillNetwork.com.

I went to Wonderland with a co-worker, Hilary, to get in the few rides I didn’t get to ride in April. A new section called the West End opened in June with three rides: Hornet, Fiesta Swing and Drop of Fear. I didn’t get a wristband this time. I got 10 tickets for $15. Hilary hung out just to take pictures. And eat a funnel cake. She had to have that. I started off on Texas Tornado. It cost me two tickets. The train left before I got in the station, so I had to wait. The station is odd because there are a couple of extra rows of queues. I wonder if that means there were one or two more cars on the train. The train came into the station, everyone got out, and I got in. The gates are controlled much like Twister II’s at Elitch Gardens. They’re manual, and the ride host pulls a lever to open and close them. I got in the back seat. I buckled my seat belt and pulled my restraint down. Texas Tornado’s train is a PTC, and I believe it’s the only steel train PTC has made.

Disney's California Adventure getting $1.1 billion makeover

Disney's California Adventure getting $1.1 billion makeover.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- If things had worked out differently, there would be a Disney theme park within a four-hour drive of Pittsburgh. Instead it's sitting in the former Disneyland parking lot in Anaheim, Calif. In November 1993, the Walt Disney Co. announced plans to build a theme park in Northern Virginia that would celebrate Disney's America, complete with a roller coaster ride through a steel mill themed to the Industrial Revolution. After a fight with Civil War battlefield preservationists, the project was scuttled, but some aspects of the park -- most notably a raft ride, which was to be Lewis & Clark-themed at Disney's America, and a de-emphasis on Disney characters -- survived in plans for Disney's California Adventure, which opened in 2001 next to Disneyland in Anaheim. By adding a second park, Disney hoped to make Disneyland a multi-day tourist destination similar to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

Breaking Story: Iconic Big Bad Wolf Coaster to Retire after 25 years | ThrillNetwork.com

Breaking Story: Iconic Big Bad Wolf Coaster to Retire after 25 years | ThrillNetwork.com.

oday Busch Gardens announced that after 25 years of traveling at the speed of fright, The Big Bad Wolf, the iconic steel suspended coaster, will take its last cycles through Busch Gardens’ Bavarian village on September 7, 2009. The Park had rendered the ride simply reached the end of its service life. The announcement was made at this time to allow fans some time to ride the “Wolf” one last time before the attraction closes. Busch Gardens is acknowledging they are reviewing several design concepts at this time for a new park attraction to replace The Big Bad Wolf, but currently do not have an announcement. The Big Bad Wolf celebrates its 25th anniversary this season. For more information please visit: http://www.buschgardens.com/bgw2/CP/?page=BigBadWolf

Park news today

Sea World: Woman has cardiac arrest at theme park

A 70-year-old woman has been rushed to a hospital after suffering cardiac arrest while swimming in a river attraction at Discovery Cove, Sea World Orlando's sister theme park.

A Sea World spokesman says park lifeguards immediately spotted the woman Thursday and brought her to shore. They began CPR on her but she was unresponsive.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital.

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WonderWorks sees opportunity to grow in downturn

Orlando personal injury lawyer John Morgan plans to spend about $32 million to open three new WonderWorks attractions next year, doubling his portfolio of small attractions.

Morgan has sites for WonderWorks in Panama City and Myrtle Beach, S.C., and will build another inside a New Jersey Meadowlands shopping mall. “We look at the current economy as opportunity knocking,” he said. “We’re getting deals on construction that we might not have gotten in better times.”

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Cedar Fair Announces Sale of Canadian Land

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a leader in regional amusement parks, water parks and active entertainment, today announced that it has finalized an agreement to sell its undeveloped land adjacent to Canada's Wonderland near Toronto.

"I am pleased to say that all conditions have been met and we are now moving forward to complete the sale of 87 acres of surplus land near Toronto to the Vaughan Health Campus of Care," said Dick Kinzel, Cedar Fair's chairman, president and chief executive officer. "The sale of this land is another step in our commitment to reduce our debt and strengthen our financial position for the long term."

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Hair-raising roller coaster - or not

A Surfside Beach hair replacement store owner took his toupee on a wind-swept experiment Thursday at a roller coaster in Myrtle Beach.

Dennis Murphy was disputing a commercial from Freestyle Music Park, the amusement park formerly known as Hard Rock Park, in which a man riding "The Time Machine," the coaster formerly known as "Led Zeppelin - The Ride," loses part of his toupee after all the twists and turns and drops.

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Why Six Flags Is Attracting Kids with a Creepy Old Guy?

The fortunes of Six Flags, the country's largest regional theme-park operator, have fallen more steeply than its roller coasters. It's not that the company's 20 parks across North America are all that bad. The current management team has worked hard to give the facilities a makeover and offer more family-friendly options. Attendance and revenues actually rose in 2008, despite the onset of the recession, and high gas prices, last summer. But the company's crippling $2.4 billion debt load led to a $135 million loss last year. Six Flags was $141 million in the red for the first quarter of '09, and this spring the swine-flu outbreak forced Six Flags to close its Mexico park for eight days. In June, Six Flags finally filed for Chapter 11.

This could be a make-or-break summer for Six Flags. And in the current economic environment, families will likely sacrifice thrill-ride screams for savings. So why, in the face of such serious challenges, would Six Flags respond by rolling out an ad campaign featuring a widely mocked character that the company's own chairman once said is "misguided" and "weakens the brand." Why, just when the stakes are at an all-time high, is a bankrupt company putting that creepy dancing old guy back on our TVs?

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Son of Beast inspected more than any ride in Ohio

Records show that state inspectors have been called six times in the nine seasons that the Son of Beast has been open to check reports of rider injuries.

That's more than any other ride in the state of Ohio.

It has been six weeks since Kings Island closed Son of Beast to test the ride's safety after a woman reported the wooden roller coaster caused a blood vessel in her brain to burst in late May.

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'Season Pass' blackout dates fade away at Universal Orlando

Looking to boost traffic inside its theme parks, Universal Orlando has lifted the blackout dates on the $99 season passes it began selling to Florida residents earlier this year.

A Universal spokesman said the resort decided to eliminate the blackout dates — which included all of July and the final 12 days of December — on June 1.

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Universal Studios Hollywood Provides Backstage Pass to Theme Park's 'Halloween Horror Nights' Via Twitter and Facebook as Event's Creative Director Updates Fans With Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Posts

For the first time, Universal Studios Hollywood is offering fans behind-the-scenes access to its terrifying and highly anticipated "Halloween Horror Nights" through social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook.

Via Twitter, "Halloween Horror Nights'" Creative Director John Murdy will reveal exclusive information on @HorrorNights as he "tweets" a running creative chronicle of the celebrated event's design, casting and production, among other eagerly awaited nuggets of information. Through the event's Facebook page, "Halloween Horror Nights - Hollywood (Official)," fans are invited to become a part of the process with regular updates, exclusive content highlights and an opportunity to interact with one other.

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Bumper car acts as astronomy analogy for History Channel show

Bumper cars are supposed to bump, right?

That wasn't the goal for 15 kids from the Boys and Girls Club who hopped aboard the Speed Bump ride at the Boardwalk on Thursday morning.

They were simulating molecules moving in liquid metal for an episode in the fourth season of "The Universe," which will air this fall on the History channel.

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High-Wire-Walker Nik Wallenda to Walk Above the Cedar Point Midway on Sunday, July 26

Cedar Point is known around the world for its thrilling rides, but the historic amusement park on Lake Erie will take the excitement to a whole new level when high-wire-walker Nik Wallenda will walk across the cable of the Sky Ride on Sunday, July 26.

As one of 13 stops of Nik Wallenda's "Walk Across America" tour, the unbelievable feat will take place along Cedar Point's Main Midway at 5 p.m. The seventh-generation high-wire performer will attempt to walk a 340-foot stretch of the Sky Ride on a cable that is only slightly thicker than an inch in width and more than nine stories above the ground. He will do this without a safety net, safety wire or harness.

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Disney's Bay Lake Tower Set to Open August 4th

Nearly 38 years after Disney's Contemporary Resort opened its doors, its modern Disney Vacation Club addition, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, is scheduled to welcome guests on Aug. 4. This will be the seventh Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property at Walt Disney World Resort.

All 15 stories of the ultra-sleek design continue the original building's iconic style, which opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park Oct. 1, 1971. Bay Lake Tower complements and pays homage to Disney's Contemporary Resort while also offering a variety of new amenities and conveniences - kitchenettes or full kitchens complete with granite countertops and modern appliances, and other homelike amenities. In addition, most of the 295 two-bedroom equivalent villas in the crescent-shaped tower offer spectacular views of Bay Lake or Magic Kingdom.

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Shine in the Spotlight and Become a WinniSTAR!

Dancers, singers, magicians, comedians, and guests of all talents are encouraged to step into the spotlight at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park! The 2009 Lake Winnie Talent Search is the chance for guests - under 18 years of age - to take the Jukebox Junction stage and showcase their performing arts talent. The contest consists of three preliminary rounds on August 9, 16, & 23, at 5:00 p.m., and a triumphant final round on Sunday, August 30, at 5:00 p.m.

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SIX Flagging

Where art thou, Mark Shapiro?

Dan Snyder’s business partner and protege was named CEO of Six Flags when Snyder took over the amusement park chain by leading a stockholder coup in 2005. And for a long time, Shapiro was front and center whenever the company was in the news. Shapiro generally came off like Leonardo DiCaprio in “Titanic,” hanging off the bow of the big boat and boasting that he was on top of the world; for as long as Shapiro talked Six Flags up, everybody knew his ship was eventually gonna sink.

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Last Days for Free Disney World Dining Plan

Book by July 26, for this package that includes accommodation at a Disney World Resort, theme park tickets, and the Disney Dining Plan for free. Travel dates are from Aug. 16 to Oct. 3, 2009.

Staying at a Disney World Resort brings a nice set of perks, including free airport shuttle and buses to the theme parks; Disney World has Luxury Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Value Resorts - all excellent. Rooms at a Value Resort sleep four at a very reasonable price. There's even a resort where guests can camp.

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New San Diego venue set to open in 2012

Nickelodeon, the children's television network, plans to open an amusement resort in San Diego, US, in 2012.

The Nickelodeon Resort, located in San Diego's Liberty Station development region, will join the southern Californian city's world-renowned portfolio of venues, which includes Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Legoland and Wild Animal Park.

Nickelodeon has partnered with hospitality giant Marriott International, and company representatives from both groups stated: "The first Nickelodeon Resorts by Marriott property is expected to be a 650-room resort at Liberty Station in San Diego, which will incorporate a 100,000sq.ft waterpark and activity deck complex featuring a variety of pools and interactive attractions."

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Chris Rose finds Baton Rouge water park a blast for all ages

For the past 10 years, I have watched and waited. First came the wave pool. Then a water slide or two. Some carnival rides.

Then one day this spring, I drove past the Blue Bayou/Dixie Landin' conglomeration up on I-10 in Baton Rouge and it looked like the place had simply exploded, replicating itself with huge plastic chutes and hairpin roller coaster tracks, spreading, sprawling, expanding like a living, breathing organism -- a water dragon with jet packs on its back -- whose sole purpose is to expose the human race to tantric states of delirium, fear and terminal velocity.

I mean, really: When did that place get so big?

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A roaring train through the redwoods

I had seen the Roaring Camp Railroads' Beach Train lumber by me dozens of times, as I sunned by my favorite swimming hole in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Happy tourists in an open-air car typically waved as they passed on their way to historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. I was jealous of their pastime and curious: Where did they come from?

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Will Sedric Surface? Questions surround water-park proposal

More than three months after the splashy announcement that Kamloops will be the future home of a $250-million resort and water theme park, rumours and questions continue to dog the proposal.

The main players behind the megaproject said ground would be broken this summer and the water park completed by 2010 — but the first target now seems unlikely.

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Eli Young band to perform at Lake Winnepesaukah Aug. 2

Country music artist Eli Young Band will perform at Lake Winnepesaukah’s Jukebox Junction Stage on Sunday, Aug. 2, with shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The band combines a range of elements from vocalist Mike Eli to guitarist James Young to bass player Jon Jones to drummer Chris Thompson. The band has a 12-song CD that paints even the difficult turns in life with an underlying optimism. “That’s been a theme through a lot of our music,” Jones observes. “It might be raining today, but it might be sunny tomorrow, so it’s worth sticking around for."

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Del Taco Treats Loyal Fans to Amusement Park Rides

It pays to be a Del Taco Raving Fan! All summer long at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Del Taco is giving its Raving Fans an exclusive thrill -- the chance to become part of the X2 Late Night Crew, where they will ride the park's most extreme and thrilling ride, X2, after hours on Friday nights throughout the summer.

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Introducing Arizona's largest theme park: Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix

A lot of water has come to the desert in July. Not only have summer thunderstorms dropped some rain around the Valley, but Wet 'n' Wild Phoenix joins the list of places to take the heat out of an Arizona afternoon. In fact, it may just have jumped to the head of the list as the place to cool off, not just in the Valley, but in the entire Southwest!

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Killeen’s new water park opening Saturday

The wait will be over for many Saturday when Killeen's new water park opens for business at 11 a.m.

For others, the wait will have just begun.

The grand opening for the Lion's Club Park Family Aquatic Center will happen all weekend long as the facility will be open to the public for the first time.

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How long will Disney prop up attendance with deep discounts?

The Walt Disney Co. has managed to keep its theme parks filled so far this year with a series of deep discounts that have helped lure travelers despite the global recession.

The question now, company watchers say, is how long will Disney have to continue using promotions to prop up attendance?

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Make blended families stronger by having fun

Take advantage of the summer weather to plan a fun adventure for your entire family. Take the step-children, grandparents, half siblings, and even the ex-spouse on a mini-vacation. A one day trip will promote a healthy family structure. The more people that are included the more fun you'll have. Our blendy bunch enjoys the excitement of amusement parks.

Just like any business all families have a budget. When planning activities for the "fun department" a family may decide to cut that department and lay off anyone not producing fun. Think again; stop being a bad manager that doesn't invest in human capital. The fun department doesn't need lavish equipment to grow a team. Team building happens when the fun department offers a good mixture of activities that can adjust our skills for conflict resolution, negotiation, and self confidence.

Free admission is a cost effective approach for your family’s fun department goals. Indiana Beach is celebrating summer with free admission starting June 19 until September 6, 2009.

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Birch Aquarium Implements Touch Screen Technology Using Wireless Ronin's RoninCast Digital Signage

Wireless Ronin Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:RNIN), a Minneapolis-based digital signage provider, announced today that Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is utilizing a dual language interactive touch screen technology using RoninCast(r) digital signage software to educate and inform visitors about marine life.

"The application at Birch Aquarium provides visitors with exciting information about the species they are observing including natural habitat video, providing a much more engaging learning environment than with traditional static signage," said James (Jim) Granger, president and CEO of Wireless Ronin Technologies. "In addition to stunning video and still images, visitors can choose to have information presented in either English or Spanish, thus reaching a larger audience demographic."

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Nova Scotians pick up slack in local tourism

Management at Upper Clements Park in the Annapolis Valley were stepping up promotions of some of their value packages this week, as they headed into what general manager Gregg Gaul said is one of the theme park’s busiest stretches leading up to Labour Day weekend.

"We’re on a growth plan and are always looking for more visitors and better weather," said Mr. Gaul.

He said the theme park is adding value for visitors this season with the introduction of a family season pass for about $180, which allows for unlimited access to the site for a family of four throughout the season.

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Maine Festival Organizers: Leave The Beer To Us

Organizers of the American Folk Festival in Maine say this year, they plan to operate the beer tents themselves to tap into new revenue.

That took several people by surprise. Convenience store owner Jeff Leadbetter, family entertainment center owner Len Cole and local businessman Perry Boudreau have partnered for seven years to operate the beer tents for the festivals.

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A New Life for Arcades?

In a feature of this kind we would normally begin with a short history lesson on the "arcade" industry -- looking at past glories of the Golden Age and how nowadays retro arcade classics have managed to account for a high percentage of consumer releases on all platforms.

But the popularity of the classic arcade industry is so great that the sector is covered authoritatively in numerous fan-based websites and portals. The communities, such as Arcade Heroes, fans of the Multi Arcade Machine Emulator (MAME), and the fighting and driving game genres are legendary and constantly growing.

Though the arcade is a retro title goldmine, for many in the consumer game scene it has been easy to dismiss arcade gaming as nostalgia, but no longer a viable or functioning industry. That view has recently been contradicted; we are in the midst of a groundswell of new developments in this so-called "dead" market.

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Man in-line skates on roller coaster | ThrillNetwork.com

Man in-line skates on roller coaster | ThrillNetwork.com.

A man wearing modified in-line skates traveled along the track of Mammuth, a wooden roller coaster at Erlebnispark Tripsdill in Germany. Dirk Auer traveled over the entire roller coaster in a minute and reached 56 mph. His custom in-line skates had 16 wheels on each shoe and took him more than 100 hours to make. He spent two months planning the stunt. Auer said the wooden roller coaster was a dangerous stunt because the skates could get caught on a stray nail or screw, which would send him falling. Auer holds the world in-line-skate speed record at 190 mph. He was dragged behind a Porsche to reach that speed. For more information, visit The Daily Telegraph.

Universal Studio's Rip Ride Rockit closer to launch - OrlandoSentinel.com

Universal Studio's Rip Ride Rockit closer to launch - OrlandoSentinel.com.

It's been quiet on the Rockit front lately, but at last we have more rumblings to share about the new roller coaster coming to Universal Studios. Here are developments on the horizon, according to sources close to Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. + Universal employees are likely to be onboard for testing next week. + They are about to position the light rings that go up the dramatic lift hill (far left of artist's rendering above), which will add to the light show element of the attraction. These rings were spotted weeks ago on the ground backstage. + Expect only two trains to be running at first. (Each train holds 12 passengers). Remember that it has been touted that as many as five trains can run at the same time. OK, who's heard more? Give me some facts, y'all. What does all that mean to you and me, the non-Universal employees? I'd say it depends on how testing goes. Universal has not announced an official opening date for the coaster, which is currently being pushed on billboards and radio ads for its ability to let guests control the soundtrack and its 65 mph speed. Passengers will also be able to purchase an individualized video of their experience on the ride.