News Archive - March 2009

Holiday World will give guests "Holibucks" in exchange for canned food donations

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park will exchange in-park spending dollars for canned goods.

Six Flags thriving in down economy despite possible bankruptcy

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

CEO Mark Shapiro says negotiation with creditors essential after company turns a profit for the first time in its history.

UK's Camelot saved from receivership, plans to open in May

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

A new owner and a newly formed company to lease the park will enable the park to operate.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #136 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Honeymoon, Texas Giant, Six Flags credit, Disney, Ghost Town, Florida, private companies, Six Flags hair, Hard Rock name, lots of flight talk, time zones, tourism, Toy Story.

Lawyers: Judge rules that previous owners have rights to Hard Rock Park's theme

Posted | Contributed by T Van

A federal bankruptcy judge ruled today that some of Hard Rock Park's intellectual property rights still belong to the park's previous owners.

Ohio tourism executives want alternative to longer school year

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Governor wants to add 20 days to school year, amusement parks and other tourism businesses warn of consequences.

Few lawsuits against Orlando parks ever go to trial

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Nature and scope of settlements rarely seen by public.

Disney World continues layoffs

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Round of cuts estimated at 450 employees, mostly salary workers.

Busch Gardens Africa puts memorabilia on display

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Display shows fifty years of history at the Florida park.

Decades rock-n-roll theme park for Arizona not likely

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Developers have gone months without contact with any government officials.

Former Hard Rock Park CEO wants cut of revenue from new park

Posted | Contributed by T Van

Steven Goodwin says in court filing that park is still the intellectual property of the company he formed.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Terminator ride theme queues guests for the resistance

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park is spending $1 million to theme to the new coaster to the forthcoming Terminator movie.

Alcohol permits issued for Six Flags Over Texas

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

After a battle with those opposed to the park selling alcohol, appeals were denied and state gives park the green light.

Fun Spot opts to stay closed this year

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Owner cites economy, down group sales, expects to reopen next year.

Michigan's Adventure GM says Western Michigan holding its own in tough economy

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Camille Jourden-Mark says area tourism industry has a lot to be proud of.

Toy Story Mania coming to Nintendo Wii

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Video game based on the Disney theme park attractions expected in the fall.

Two more lawsuits filed against Playland

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

One claims they were struck by a ceiling panel, the other says he fell off of a carousel.

Playland death lawsuit settled for $1.25 million

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Scholarship fund will also be set up in name of the 7-year-old boy who died in a 2005 accident.

Travel spending at its lowest since 9/11

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Feds report that travel and tourism spending down 22%.

Islands of Adventure stuntman falls during performance

Posted | Contributed by GoliathKills

Eighth Voyage of Sindbad actor falls from rope slide, as an audience member records the fall.

Hard Rock Park licensing still up in the air

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

As opening day fast approaches, the new owners have not yet reached an agreement with Hard Rock.

Dorney renames Voodoo to Possessed to avoid trademark dispute

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Six Flags claims a trademark for "Voodoo" as it relates to amusement rides.

Six Flags gets into hair cuts

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Company opening prototype for kids hair salon.

Ghost Town hopes to get back on its feet

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company tried every avenue to secure a loan, but the current lending environment made it impossible.

Sources say Goldman Sachs will help take Universal Studios Japan private

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Tender offer could be announced as early as this week.

Florida Supreme Court forbids parents from signing waivers on behalf of children

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

State's tourist attractions oppose the decision.

Disney stops design work for Hong Kong park, has no agreement with government

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Government officials puzzled by move, while Disney lays off 30 people.

Pool upcharge infuriates some at Sea World down under

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Pool adjacent to the park is free to pass holders and resort guests, but now $5 to everyone else.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #135 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Job fair madness, Alton Road, Coney in crisis, GM vs. Disney, Egypt, Manta, Busch, Cedar Fair, Six Flags, fan clubs, bankruptcy and silly ride names.

Six Flags CEO says creditor refuses to talk about debt restructuring

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Shapiro says portfolio manager refuses to meet with him personally.

Texas Giant will close for a year, get $10 million renovation

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New trains part of the plan that will shutter the ride for 2010.

Thor Equities virtually writes zoning changes for Coney Island

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

City officials infuriated that politicians accepted some of Thor's language word for word.

Cedar Fair retains Merrill Lynch to explore asset sale

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company reiterates its "commitment to reducing debt."

Saw: The Ride cutting at Thorpe Park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New 100-foot drops riders beyond vertical at 100 degrees. Video included.

Alabama Adventure to debut $1.1 million Upsurge slide

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The new 216-foot slide has a 47-foot drop.

Six Flags at risk for bankruptcy

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Chapter 11 a possibility unless the company can restructure its debt before mid-August.

Ghost Town files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park unable to restructure debt since reopening in May 2007.

49ers still talking with Cedar Fair

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Financial contribution of Santa Clara still first priority.

Legoland California gets approval for hotel from local council, state is next

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The park still requires state regulatory authority before it can proceed.

Carowinds offers stripped down season pass

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New pass doesn't include parking, Halloween events or other benefits.

Disney Announces D23, the first official fan club

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

For $74.99 a year, members get a quarterly newsletter, access to events and content.

Schlitterbahn Vacation Village in Kansas City outlines attractions in blog post

Posted | Contributed by jive2

New water park and entertainment complex lists its phase I attractions opening this year.

Six Flags cash flow positive for year on rise in revenue, per cap and attendance

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company still in "comprehensive dialogue" with lenders over "inherited balance sheet," and doesn't expect to be able to redeem PIERS in August.

Disney wants to cut greenhouse emissions by half in theme parks and cruise ships

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company hopes to hit goal within four years.

Burger King to open first Whopper Bar at Orlando CityWalk

Posted | Contributed by Walk

Custom Whoppers but no alcohol at new burger bar in Universal Orlando's entertainment district.

Cedar Fair reduces annual distribution to $1.00, wants to sell Valleyfair and Worlds of Fun

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company says it intends to "strengthen balance sheet" and reduce its debt by approximately $200 million over the next three fiscal years.

DelGrosso's to open three rides from Cypress Gardens

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

YoYo, Pharaoh's Fury and Dizzy Dragon on the move.

Ocean City park found not liable for midway game injury

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Jury finds the boardwalk park was not negligent after stray basketball struck and injured a woman.

Hard Rock Park reaching out to area businesses

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Learning from the previous owners' mistakes, park officials are looking to partner with area businesses.

InBev in talks to sell Busch Entertainment

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Merlin, Parques Reunidos are among possible players.

Woman sues Magic Springs and Crystal Falls for broken bench

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Plaintiff is seeking damages for medical care, transportation expenses, pain, suffering, and mental anguish.

SeaWorld's Manta to start testing next week

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The new B&M flying coaster, surrounding an aquarium, is set to open May 22.

The parks of Egypt added to ThemeParks.ie

Posted | Contributed by Richard Bannister

Photographs of all nine roller coaster parks in Egypt have been added to ThemeParks.ie.

Lebanon, TN drops support for Bible Park

Posted | Contributed by Neuski

The city council cites lack of financial details and concern about SafeHarbor Holding, which also developed Hard Rock Park.

Locals line up for jobs at Hard Rock Park

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Former employees look to get their jobs back.

Disney may lose GM sponsorship for Test Track

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Annual deal is estimated to be worth $5 million.

Coney Island residents not happy with zoning proposal

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The key concern is that the plans don't provide enough land for the amusement park, which they say is the focal point of the area.

Grizzly Jack's Grand Bear Resort accused of sexual harassment and racial discrimination

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Former employees allege the inappropriate behavior and say they were forced out for complaining.

Parish pushes Alton Towers to fund road to ease traffic

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Councillors insist that there's a verbal agreement in place, made by the previous owners of the park, but Merlin says no.

Prowler construction pictures added to Negative-G

Posted | Contributed by Paul Drabek

Check out Worlds of Fun's new GCI under snow and construction.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #134 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Hard Rock Park redo, press events, lawsuits, Hagrid, Diamondback, B&M's as pop music, job cuts, job fairs, inspections, ads, Vegas stuff, Sesame Street, big TV talk.

Seasonal amusement park job fairs draw record crowds everywhere

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

High unemployment and tough economy draw people from all demographics to the parks for work.

Six Flags Over Georgia delays opening for weather, company faces tough year

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Difficult economic conditions and a huge debt load have experts predicting bankruptcy for Six Flags this year.

KICentral adds Diamondback testing photos and video

Posted | Contributed by BoddaH1994

Testing has begun on Kings Island's 2009 attraction.

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