News Archive - August 2009

Coasting For Kids event raises nearly $10k for Give Kids The World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Riding marathon organized with CoasterBuzz and Cedar Point continues to raise money for the Central Florida charity.

Analysts expect extension of Spielberg contract with Universal Orlando

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Taxes and expansion of the resort suggest buy-out is unlikely.

Disney to acquire Marvel for $4 billion

Posted | Contributed by Viper423

Cash and stock deal gives Disney access to thousands of characters.

Orlando parks cut hours and jobs to reduce expense

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Shorter operating days put theme park experiences at risk, critics say.

Busch Gardens Tampa adds detail to plan for Sesame Street kids area

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Park spells out plans for doubling the size of its popular kids area.

PBS affiliate posts Kings Island documentary

Posted | Contributed by BoddaH1994

This 90 minute long documentary features rare photos, footage and interviews.

Special Olympics Illinois offers ERT event at Six Flags Great America

Posted | Contributed by Coasting for a Cause - Special Olympics Illinois

Get an hour on Viper and Raging Bull after the park closes.

Carowinds announces Intimidator for 2010

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Keeping in line with the Earnhardt themeing for 2010, Carowinds announces Intimidator.

Food Network's Dinner Impossible recorded at Six Flags Great America

Posted | Contributed by redman822

Show features the park in its premier episode, airing tonight.

Dubailand may have been too ambitious, much of it may never be built

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Economic downturn puts much of the huge project up in the air.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #153 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Rhymin' and stealin', fluffy pillows, bad tickets, Kent's raw deal, Disney stunt death, Invertigo, taxes, no B.O., Southern Star in New Orleans, Rip Rockit open, Dollywood, Intimidator 305, Nick drop.

D23 could be the Comic-Con for Disney fans

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Convention will preview films, TV and theme park attractions for the Disney faithful.

Freestyle Music Park misses attendance expectations in first year

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Officials say they're still in much better shape than the previous owners were.

Six Flags will do debt-equity swap in Chapter 11

Posted | Contributed by Fun

Creditors will get stake in company, bonuses offered to execs for successful emergence from bankruptcy.

Canada's Wonderland announces Planet Snoopy for 2010

Posted | Contributed by PCWCoasterBoy

Peanuts characters will replace those from Nickelodeon and Hanna-Barbera.

Kings Dominion announces Intimidator 305

Posted | Contributed by Goliath Freak

The 305-foot Intamin roller coaster will open for the 2010 season.

Dollywood announces Slick Rock Racer for 2010

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New multi-lane slide will have an hourly capacity of 600.

Former Six Flags execs to court: We'll run the company for a few years

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Executives from the days before Premier Parks say they'd be happy to come back and run the company, but haven't read the reorganization plan.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit now open at Universal Studios Florida

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park says the new roller coaster, with soundtrack and video of you on the ride, is now open for business.

Southern Star signs deal for New Orleans park with Nickelodeon license

Posted | Contributed by Mamoosh

Company will build theme park at old Six Flags site in eastern New Orleans.

Thorpe Park says arms down to prevent body odor exposure

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Having your arms up may get you booted from the park (especially if you stink).

New Carowinds ride will fulfill agreement for lower taxes

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park will pay a one-time fee on new ride in exchange for lower taxes in the long run.

California's Great America says broken lift chain cause for Invertigo problem

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The ride had to be evacuated with cherry pickers when the train got stuck on the first lift.

"Indy" Disney performer dies from injury in rehearsal

Posted | Contributed by RatherGoodBear

Stunt performer Anislav Varbanov was doing a tumbling roll when he was hurt and pronounced dead at the hospital.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #152 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

MB love, caterpillars, Son of Beast toast, breaking news, Spielberg's big deal, forbidden furry, big leagues, Universal profit, PTC, Kennywood, Holiday World, Busch results.

Buescher: Hurricanes contributed to the demise of Cypress Gardens before its rebirth

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Former park owner talks about the effect hurricanes had on the park.

Recent Pixar movies hard to translate to theme park attractions

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

While movies like <i>Ratatouille</i>, <i>WALL-E</i> and <i>Up</i> have achieved critical success, they're harder to market for attractions and souvenirs.

Four people busted for selling half-used theme park tickets to Orlando area parks

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Arrests come as tourists are denied admission after buying non-transferable passes.

Officials stress importance of safety in renting inflatables

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

As consumers treat them as "giant pillows," injury is common.

Teen worker at Great Escape arrested stealing money

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The 16-year-old is also accused of giving away merchandise.

Ohio State Fair has big year in attendance and revenue

Posted | Contributed by john peck

Attendance at this year's Ohio State Fair was 826,037, up 16,715 from 2008.

Holiday World and Splashin' Safari announces Wildebeest, world's longest water coaster

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New ride will be one-third of a mile in length, use LIM's for propelling rafts, built by ProSlide.

Busch Entertainment takes revenue hit

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Revenue down 4.2% in second quarter, down 9% for the first half overall.

Protester who blocked demolition first to ride on restored Wildcat at Southport's Pleasureland

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Peter Crompton staged a protest of the demolition of the ride and climbed on the coaster as bulldozers approached.

Comedic actor dies after fall at Walt Disney World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Cause of death unknown after choreographed fall in "Pirate Tutorial" at Magic Kingdom.

Kennywood announces launched steel coaster for 2010

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Ride will do 0 to 50 mph and launch up a vertical tower.

Ad agency sues, then backs off, Freestyle Music Park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Agency says the park owes them over a million dollars for unpaid services, but now says they have a great relationship.

PTC profiled in local newspaper

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Article talks about the roller coaster train business of the Philadelphia Toboggan Company.

Universal Orlando profit up despite drop in attendance

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Parks pull out solid results despite falling attendance and sales.

California company wants to build sports complex at Six Flags New Orleans site

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Company already operates nine facilities, with a tenth schedule to open in Las Vegas.

At least 20 hurt in Big Dipper crash at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Police say two cars crashed on the ride, causing broken bones and other injuries.

Man convicted of groping Minnie Mouse at Walt Disney World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Misdemeanor battery conviction comes with probation and community service.

Six Flags Great Adventure photos added to Negative-G

Posted | Contributed by Paul Drabek

Check out El Toro, Bizarro and the rest of the park with the Negative-G crew.

Universal discussing Spielberg contract

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Director has option for buy-out, which would be expensive to the parks, or can continue to receive royalties.

Great America Invertigo strands riders for four hours

Posted | Contributed by Walk

Fire department called to unload riders from the lift.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #151 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Disney, Six Flags and Cedar Fair results, rat convention, water park responsibility, haunt gigs, unpunished violence, contests, interactive treasure hunts, Feed, GKTW, dolphins, LED's, N.O., Chicago parks.

Son of Beast closed for the year, future to be decided in off-season

Posted | Contributed by metallik

Park officials debating ride's future due to low guest ratings, won't reopen it this year despite being cleared by state inspectors.

New North Myrtle Beach park enjoys warm reception

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Small Ocean Drive park is a hit with locals and tourists.

Beijing yet to approve Shanghai Disney project

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

First mainland China Disney park has no time line yet.

Man dies at hospital after riding Firehawk at Kings Island

Posted | Contributed by The Mole

Paramedics were called after the man reported breathing problems.

Classic Chicago parks proved that bigger wasn't always better

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

As Kiddieland nears its end, long time Chicago residents remember other parks that have been lost.

New Orleans mayoral hopefuls heading to Dallas to investigate amusement park rehab

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

City council president and state legislators hope to see how Six Flags New Orleans may be rehabilitated.

CoasterBuzz announces Coasting For Kids to benefit Give Kids The World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Marathon riding event at Cedar Point August 26 will benefit the Central Florida resort that hosts families of children with life-threatening illness.

LED lighting saving energy and maintenance costs on amusement rides

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Lower power lighting considered "green" while it lasts longer than conventional bulbs.

Documentary film accuses SeaWorld of dolphin slaughter just by association

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Film says US marine parks are guilty by association for slaughter near Japan because they don't actively protest.

Fitness club shooting victim worked in group sales at Kennywood

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Former co-worker describes Heidi Overmier as her "best friend" at the park.

Cedar Fair amends credit agreement, pushes refinancing risk out to 2014

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Lenders holding $900 million of its term debt will extend the maturity date of their commitments by two years.

Schlitterbahn announces world’s first AquaQuest interactive water adventure

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Interactive treasure hunt opens this Friday at the New Braunfels water park.

Roller coaster and theme park enthusiasts win 100-attraction blogging gig in Orlando

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau promotion will bring in a New York couple to document a whirlwind tour through area attractions.

Judge verbally lashes out at convicted Valleyfair assault defendants, sentences only probation

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Despite being frustrated with a lack of remorse in last summer's assault on a 41-year-old man at Valleyfair, defendants get time served and probation.

Knott's Halloween Haunt auditions draw crowd

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Potential performers line up to try out for fall scare event.

Drowning at Kalahari Sandusky raises questions about lifeguard coverage

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Pool requires three guards with occupancy over 50, but may have only had two.

Cedar Fair has weak 2Q, with decline in attendance and per capita spending

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company records operating loss of $15.6 million for first half.

Six Flags has dismal quarter as revenue, attendance and per cap take hits

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Revenue down 13%, attendance down 8%, per cap down 4%.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #150 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

One-five-oh, drowning death, high wires, down expansion, hair loss, government travel, Coney Island, SOB fail, North Myrtle Beach, Cedar Fair vs. football, Disney World attendance and occupancy.

Disney fan expo will give inside look at new attractions

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

D23 Expo in Anaheim will feature models, special effects and other previews.

Three-year-old boy drowns at Kalahari in Sandusky

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Report says the indoor water park and resort was disciplined in May for having fewer lifeguards than expected.

Legislators rally behind Las Vegas and Orlando for alleged ban on travel

Posted | Contributed by Bird Of Prey01

This week, bills presented in both the House and Senate would add language restricting any federal agency from discouraging meetings or conventions in a resort destination.

Disney World gate rises to $79 for single-day, single park

Posted | Contributed by kevin38

Increase is a 5.3% hike from $75, while add-ons see increases as well.

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