News Archive - July 2009

Disney profit takes 26% hit with massive theme park discounting

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Ad sales, theme park discounts and lower DVD revenue responsible for the slump.

Frontier City closed after water tests find E. coli

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park officials meeting to decide when to reopen.

Cedar Fair threatens Santa Clara over 49ers deal

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company says it doesn't believe its concerns have been addressed regarding stadium deal next to Great America.

Ocean Drive Pavilion and Amusement Park opens in North Myrtle Beach

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Small beach front park will open this weekend with rides, games and food.

New York City Council passes mayor's plan for Coney Island

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Despite criticism of the plan, council overwhelmingly approves the measure.

Paramount Pictures to license for new park to replace Expoland

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New park targets a 2012 opening date.

Son of Beast cleared by state, park gives no date for reopening

Posted | Contributed by metallik

Following a reported injury, the state says that there are no "irregularities" in the operation of the wooden coaster at Kings Island.

Fans fight to save soul of Coney Island as Bloomberg plans move forward

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Freak shows and carnival rides may be a thing of the past in new era, critics say.

Mt. Olympus continues late night operation, without village approval

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Village is considering amending ordinance that says park can't operate after midnight.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #149 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Stupid businessmen, SpongeBob lovin', OSHA, Dells at night, GKTW, Schlitterbahn, Coney conundrum, Legoland and aquarium, capital intensiveness, lame Ride Warriors, news wrap, Disney discounts, discounts for passholders.

Australian theme parks ban outside food, guests protest

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Consumer advocacy group and guests call the move a money grab.

HairLoss.com calls for boycott of Freestyle Music Park over TV ad

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Ad portrays roller coaster riders losing his hairpiece, and the advocacy group finds it offensive.

Expansion pays off for Dells Kalahari Resort

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

While other area resorts scaled back expansion plans, Kalahari's owner risked a poor economy to build indoor facility.

Nik Wallenda walks Sky Ride cable at Cedar Point, photos on PointBuzz

Posted | Contributed by Gemini

Thousands watch as "King of the High Wire" traverses cable at Cedar Point.

Personal finance blog finds mixed results for Six Flags' Flash Pass

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

One park scores a win while the other is a bust.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg announces retirment of Big Bad Wolf

Posted | Contributed by Andrew Siebert

First suspended coaster will be dismantled after 25 years.

Son of Beast the most inspected ride in Ohio

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Troubled ride was closed after a recent injury, and its fate is uncertain.

Time: Why is Six Flags using a creepy old guy to attract kids?

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company says he had more fans than not when they brought him back.

Disney may be extending discounts into December

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Some customers have been contacted with deals that go beyond the current October deadline.

Cedar Fair maintains quarterly distribution at a quarter

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Annualized rate remains $1.00.

Shweeb is human powered monorail

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Ride is part amusement, part green transportation alternative.

Judge says Etheredge trial will proceed after testimony

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Former Wild West Owner, charged with securities fraud, will stand trial following accounts of the alleged defrauded.

Cedar Fair sells land next to Canada's Wonderland, will use proceeds to retire debt

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company will net $50 million in the transaction.

Fire destroys Skyride station at Alton Towers

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park says the ride will not open any time soon.

Ghost Town wants extension for bankruptcy plan

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park has missed deadline for restructuring plan and has asked the court for an extension.

Six Flags says guest satisfaction is at an all-time high

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Press release indicated favorable ratings in several areas.

PA man arrested in connection with bomb scare at Cedar Point

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Man charged with misdemeanor count of inducing panic after Friday's call to the bomb squad.

Thomas Etheredge faces Wild West World investors

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Testimony describes the former owner of the park as a "liar and a thief."

Conneaut Lake has plan to retire sewer debt

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Liens will be paid off for sewer service over the next ten years.

Six Flags New Orleans lawsuit puts park, and Southern Star, in limbo

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New developer wants to develop and reopen the park, but uncertainty over the suit and Six Flags' obligations complicate matters.

Conneaut Lake fans, local businesses, hope for longevity after troubled past

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Advocates say the park anchors tourism in the area.

Dreamland needs £12 million to reopen, still short

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park is part of a plan to revitalise the area.

Busch Gardens Tampa employee falls from Skyride

Posted | Contributed by PhantomTails

The employee, a University of South Florida football player, was hospitalized after falling 35 feet.

Bomb squad destroys object found in Cedar Point's parking lot

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Object found to be harmless, but authorities are investigating.

Man arrested for allegedly molesting a child at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Authorities troubled by frequency of these incidents in Orlando area water parks.

Disney World buses crash in rear-end accident, dozen sent to hospital

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Accident happened Thursday afternoon on World Drive near the Contemporary Resort.

Contestants build Apollo's Chariot out of pretzels

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Could you build a roller coaster in three hours using nothing but pretzels and a hot glue gun?

Legoland California attendance up 28% with new aquarium

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Carlsbad tourism gets boost from expanding park.

Coney Island historian calls city and developer plans a "razzle"

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Charles Denson says a lot is at stake, and that current plans are misleading.

Analyst upgrades Disney shares, warns of theme park risk

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. upgrades to "outperform" from "market perform."

Columnist says Dollywood and Pigeon Forge is perfect for family vacations

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

<i>LA Times</i> writer cites incredible scenery and hospitality.

Six Flags St. Louis Daredevil Daze photos added to Negative-G

Posted | Contributed by Paul Drabek

Spend a day with The Eagle, Boss, Evel Knievel and the rest of the rides at Six Flags St. Louis.

Schlitterbahn Vacation Village water park set to open

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New Kansas City facility will begin a "sneak peek" Thursday.

Give Kids The World celebrates one million volunteer hours

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Give Kids The World Village reaches milestone, has welcomed over 97,000 families.

Mt. Olympus owner wants to operate late nights, in conflict with ordinance

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Police say operating after midnight, or 1 a.m. on Saturday, violates a local amusement and entertainment ordinance.

OSHA investigating accident at Islands of Adventure that injured worker in low zone

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The agency has up to six months to issue a report.

SpongeBob SquarePants celebrates his tenth anniversary on TV

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Popular character is a cultural icon in 170 countries, from TV to theme parks.

Wild West World owners say economy is reason for inaction

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The failed theme park has been dormant for two years, but the owners say they will develop it.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #148 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Carousels and preservation, hostile weed smoker, Disney monorail fallout, Cypress Geauga'd, Ghost Town coaster, Southern Starless, Nickelodeon licenses, Busch Williamsburg holiday, showers, gates, secrets.

Battle for Coney Island's future keeps it locked in the present

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

City, developer and preservationists all have conflicting visions for the historic amusement area.

Staying close to home for fun saves money

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Regional attractions appeal to families not willing to travel long distances for entertainment.

Chicago's Kiddieland in its farewell summer

Posted | Contributed by onceler

The family that has run the Melrose Park attraction for 80-plus years has one last season before the park closes.

World's largest shower attempted at Six Flags Great America

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Record attempt made in conjunction with shampoo promotion.

Disney World monorail workers on paid leave, procedures changed in recent years

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Workers say changes to switching procedure are a reverse to previous procedures.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg announces Christmas Town details

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Santa Claus jingled through Busch Gardens Williamsburg on Monday in an elaborately decorated golf cart train proclaiming the coming of Christmas Town.

NTSB says monorail pilot attempted to reverse his train before another struck and killed him

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Agency confirms that the accident was the result of human failure to switch the train to another track.

Southern Star Amusement says they will use Nickelodeon license to redevelop Six Flags New Orleans

Posted | Contributed by Jason Hammond

Company has been making claims for some time about their intentions for the park.

Rockit coaster could be data mine for Universal Studios Florida

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

By allowing riders to pick their soundtrack, the park could be researching its concert choices.

Ghost Town coaster had crack in the seat bracket

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Inspector noticed a problem after the ride had begun running on its first day.

Former Disney World monorail operators say series of failures likely led to crash

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Operators say that three people are involved in transferring a train and that communication likely broke down with one or more.

New Cypress Gardens owners still trying to evolve the park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Management trying to shift focus to the water park after closing rides last year.

NTSB will investigate fatal monorail crash at Walt Disney World

Posted | Contributed by CPJ

The transfer of trains between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot lines is expected to be the focus of the investigation.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #147 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Rockit opening mystery, Beech Bend's Jacko ride, Kings Dominion GM and new ride, Carowinds, Hall of Presidents, pirate families, Legoland 2, stupid people, Dueling Dragons tech hit, S&S success, fatal monorail accident.

Disney World reopens monorail, crash victim had his dream job

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New track sensors and changes in procedure implemented since the fatal accident Saturday.

Man says he was beaten by Six Flags Discovery Kingdom security guards

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park says he was ejected for smoking marijuana in the park and resisted arrest.

Euclid Beach Carousel still in limbo

Posted | Contributed by robotfactory

No in depth business plans have been written, and there is debate about where it should be restored.

Disney World Monorail crash kills driver

Posted | Contributed by Bill

Crash happened near ticket and transportation center.

Flamingo Land opens the world's steepest roller coaster

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Mumbo Jumbo has an angle of 112 degrees, beating out Steel Hawg by a few degrees.

Hong Kong Disneyland shooting for 60% boost in attendance by 2015

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Post-expansion target is 7.3 million visitors.

Son of Beast has rough history

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

While some defend the ride, others say they immediately felt hurt by the ride.

Universal Orlando settles property tax dispute with Orange County

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Lawsuits for high assessments over six tax years eventually earn a refund for the resort.

Universal Orlando worker injured, hit by Dueling Dragons

Posted | Contributed by SteveWoA

Accident happened in the morning before the park opened at Islands of Adventure.

Man accused of selling 23 used tickets to Six Flags over Georgia

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Group shows up with the used tickets, denied entry to the park at first.

Ghost Town In The Sky finally opens its coaster

Posted | Contributed by jshorerzd

Troubled park in bankruptcy opens its marquee attraction.

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