News Archive - May 2004

Markey introduces bill requiring adult ride ops

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New legislation would ban anyone under 18 from operating a ride.

Six Flags New England modifies Superman, hopes to open this weekend

Posted | Contributed by Superman:Kid of Steel

Several modifications designed to hold in riders following fatal accident.

New Orleans could end up with two water parks

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Six Flags and another developer want to build water parks in the area, experts warn of market saturation.

Central Florida tourism "completely recovered" according to businesses leaders

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Disney says challenge is nearly over and next few years look bright.

Blackpool fire not arson, park pledges to rebuild Grand National

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Station for classic wood coaster a total loss.

SeaWorld San Antonio begins using hand scan for passes

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park says biometric scan makes season pass more secure.

Halfpipe coaster opens at Six Flags Elitch Gardens

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

LIM-powered shuttle opens on Denver skyline.

Geauga Lake changes position on DARE tickets

Posted | Contributed by Sarah Jackson

Park now says they will honor tickets awarded in program.

Dollywood and Thunderhead photos added to Negative-G

Posted | Contributed by Paul Drabek

This year's newest wooden coaster and other park photos added to site.

Geauga Lake won't honor all Six Flags free tickets

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Former owners more free promotions for troubled park.

Strong Bad wants to open Mount Ridesplace USA

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Popular animated Internet character takes on the theme park stereotypes.

Child dies on ride at Playland

Posted | Contributed by SFGAdv lover

7-Year old girl tossed from Mind Scrambler.

USDA won't guarantee 600k loan for Conneaut

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Feds hesitant with ownership in dispute.

Grad night at Six Flags Darien Lake leads to 74 alcohol arrests

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Park and local police find underage drinking.

PKICentral.com adds 167 new photos of Boomerang Bay

Posted | Contributed by Dane186

Photos show new water park during the Gold Pass preview day at Paramount's Kings Island.

Alton Towers institutes weight ban on certain rides

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

UK park takes extra precaution.

Charges considered over Hydro death

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Manslaughter and safety violation charges may be filed.

Blackpool rides damaged in fire

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Grand National among those damaged, parks says repairs will be made.

Disney testing metal detectors at Orlando parks

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company says there are no plans for permanent installations.

Controversial water ride opens next week at SeaWorld San Diego

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Journey to Atlantis finally opens after environmental concerns and local opposition.

Revenge of The Mummy opens at Universal Studios Florida

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Movie stars visit the new ride, media gets to cover the new attraction.

US troops may use enemy fighters to clean up amusement park

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Kut amusement park is the first public-works effort to target suspected followers of radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.

Naked students go for roller coaster record

Posted | Contributed by Goccvp1

Around a hundred students will set a record for riding a coaster naked at Thorpe Park.

Guests turned away from Cedar Point's Millennium Force

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Change manufacturer's requirements restrict rider size.

State ride inspections could cost California parks big

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Knott's boss paid $150,000 in inspection costs, small parks struggle to pay.

KKK plans protest at Dollywood on unofficial gay day

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Known Klansman organized protest.

Miracle Strip rides listed for sale

Posted | Contributed by Rob Ascough

All rides from the soon-to-be-closed Panama City park will be available beginning September 7.

Court overturns $2.5 million award in Six Flags America discrimination suit

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Court says plaintiffs didn't present enough evidence.

PKICentral.com adds 115 new PKI photos

Posted | Contributed by Dane186

PKICentral.com updates with 115 new photos from May 9 and 16.

ACN adds more than sixty photos of Hersheypark

Posted | Contributed by xbombman

Gallery features several high-quality shots of Storm Runner, Lightning Racer and more.

PKI invites enthusiasts to opening of new water park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Paramount's Kings Island will open Crocodile Dundee’s Boomerang Bay May 27, and the park wants you there.

Tree branch falls on, kills boy at Lake Compounce

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Branch falls 50 feet and lands on boy and mother walking in park.

OnRideCentral.com adds Tsunami construction update

Posted | Contributed by SFGAdv lover

Clementon woodie starts to take shape.

Jungle Racer, Jungle Jets and Splashin' Safari pictures added to Negative-G

Posted | Contributed by Paul Drabek

Holiday World and Splashin' Safari's newest additions ready to soak guests.

Chicago's Riverview Park remembered

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

<i>Sun-Times</i> looks back at the classic park.

Large Scandinavia update on One Click

Posted | Contributed by Chris One Click

Six new parks from Denmark and Sweden added to European gallery.

Developer unveils plan for Myrtle Beach park

Posted | Contributed by coasterbruh

Pavilion site proposal includes hotel towers and amphitheater.

Carnival operator arrested after 3-year old falls from ride

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Police say operator was drunk.

Newspaper investigation calls marine animal longevity into question

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Reporter looks at the history of marine life captured or born into captivity for attractions.

Disney World installs security barricades to protect parks

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Product similar to those used around US embassy buildings and domestic landmarks.

Universal transitions to NBC control

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Officials say it's business as usual at the Orlando parks.

California proposes penalties for safety violations

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Parks could be fined as much as $70,000 in a new fine structure.

Disney profits up, theme parks have strong quarter

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Profit, revenue attendance all up this last quarter.

Analysts expect park business to pick up slightly, attendance nearly flat

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

A number of different factors point to a somewhat better year.

Six Flags settles Magic Mountain discrimination suit

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Company sets up settlement fund but does not admit wrongdoing.

Virtual Midway and GTTP become PointBuzz

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Two popular Cedar Point fan sites combine ten years of effort into one super-site.

Beat fear of coasters with your shrink

Posted | Contributed by coasterwiz

Holiday Park in Germany will offer seminars for help with a person's "weaker self."

Campgrounds coming to Michigan's Adventure

Posted | Contributed by Strijder

Cedar Fair and local owner both plan to build campgrounds.

Busch Tampa seeks approval of coaster and new restaurant

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park officials still quiet about new ride except to say that drop will end in pool of water.

Universal Shanghai in doubt after some of Orlando design group laid-off

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Two dozen people given pink slips, GE's reluctance to run parks contribute to doubt.

Six Flags America celebrates Maryland culture

Posted | Contributed by coasterguts

Park stacks food and entertainment from around the diverse state.

Six Flags dancing guy a hit among TV spots

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

Odd character gets the nod everywhere from newscasts and radio shows to the water cooler.

Parks back off on new ride investments this year

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New capital expenditures on rides significantly lower compared to past years.

Orlando man busted for allegedly selling stolen tickets

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Police confiscate over $250,000 in tickets.

Coaster Grotto adds over 100 photos from eight parks

Posted | Contributed by Grant

New galleries cover several Northeast US parks plus Paramount Canada's Wonderland.

Premier Rides to market Fly By Wire

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Single-rider plane-on-a-wire will be sold and marketed by Maryland ride manufacturer.

Opening day update added to Dorney Park Online

Posted | Contributed by J2S

Photo update highlights park improvements and the former Hercules site.

Toledo paper says Ohio and Michigan short on ride inspectors

Posted | Contributed by JayDubs

<i>Toledo Blade</i> reports that ride owners and insepctors themselves find numbers inadequate.

Six Flags announces restraint changes to Superman coasters

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Seat belt length will be reduced on all three rides.

Report says ride ops did not secure Six Flags New England victim

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The report assigns blame to amusement park operators, the ride's manufacturer and to victim Stanley J. Mordarsky himself for not alerting workers he suffered from cerebral palsy.

OhioThemeParks.com showcases Geauga Lake opening day

Posted | Contributed by RollerCoasterGod

See the changes that have been made to Geauga Lake since its acquisition by Cedar Fair.

Holiday World opening weekend photos added to Negative-G

Posted | Contributed by Paul Drabek

World's friendliest park now open for business.

Hersheypark launches Storm Runner for media

Posted | Contributed by coasterpunk

New ride sends guests 0 to 70 in 2 seconds with 8000 horsepower.

Markey on accidents: Bring in the feds

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Even though no final report has been issued pinning fault on the restraint in the Six Flags New England death, Rep. Ed Markey says it's time for feds to have oversight to warn industry and order changes.

Witness says ride operators at fault in Six Flags New England death

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Woman says restraints not checked, lap bar not pushed down in accident that led to a disabled man falling out of the ride.

Disney outlines new attractions for 50th anniversary

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

A number of new or copied attractions will debut next year in a company-wide celebration.

Fool columnist optimistic about Cedar Fair units

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

First quarter results are meaningless, but after 13 distribution hikes in the last decade, the news is likely good.

Six people visit hospital in eight months after ride on Mission: Space

Posted | Contributed by scubasteve673042

Disney says people with pre-existing conditions acconut for most of visits.

Connecticut safety officials grandstand in wake of New England accident

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

One official says Connecticut inspections better than other states.

Busch Tampa plans new coaster, Paul Ruben declares B&M the Mercedez-Benz of the industry

Posted | Contributed by supermandl

"Sources" tell the <i>St. Petersburg Times</i> that a dive machine is in store for Busch Tampa.

Creepy Laughing Sal finds home in Santa Cruz

Posted | Contributed by ace4242424

Classic figure purchased at auction for $50,000 by boardwalk owners.

Intamin restraints called into question after recent accident

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Massachusetts officials call for any rides with restraints similar to the Intamin T-bar to be closed while the state investigates.

Disney's California Adventure opens Tower of Terror tomorrow

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New $75 million ride officially debuts to attract visitors Disney's newer SoCal park.

Developer wants to build rides and retail at New Jersey Meadowlands

Posted | Contributed by Rob Ascough

"Xanadu" might feature a roller coaster and Ferris wheel.

Report expected today in Six Flags New England death

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Witnesses and investigators can't yet explain how victim got out of train.

PKICentral.com updates with historical section

Posted | Contributed by Dane186

New content includes photos, editorials, timeline.

Man dies after falling off Superman at Six Flags New England

Posted | Contributed by SFNE Freak

Few details are available about the accident.

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