News Archive - April 2010

Cops continue to bust illegal theme park ticket resellers in Orlando

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Sale of partially used multi-day theme park tickets a problem.

Final report issued in SeaWorld Orlando trainer death

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Dawn Brancheau momentarily escaped the orca before it struck her under water.

Q Funding wants two new board members for Cedar Fair

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Large investor believes it's time for "new blood" on the board, according to an SEC filing.

Mr. Six has a new companion: Little Six

Posted | Contributed by slithernoggin

A younger, smaller version of the Six Flags brand character will hang out with the original.

Cal/OSHA blames both Knott's Berry Farm and Intamin for Xcelerator accident

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Report says there was confusion about how often the cable should be inspected.

Six Flags may emerge from bankruptcy by Monday

Posted | Contributed by Lord Gonchar

Company has resolved the final objections to its reorganization plan, clearing the way to leave court protection by Monday.

Can Walt Disney World beat The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando?

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Columnist asks if the Orlando theme park ecosystem will see a drastic shift this year.

Congress hears both sides of debate over marine life shows at theme parks

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Drowning death of trainer at SeaWorld Orlando brings the debate before a Congressional hearing.

Woman injured in boat crash on Walt Disney World property

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Couple in rented boat couldn't avoid hitting ferry near the Treehouse Villas.

Tower ride next at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Posted | Contributed by ridemcoaster

Busch Gardens plans to build a 26-story “tower” that will easily eclipse the 205-foot peak of Griffon.

Report says Walt Disney World theme parks saw rise in attendance last year, despite recession

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Heavy discounts enabled parks to hold on to visitor count.

UFS sells Peanuts to Iconix and Schultz family

Posted | Contributed by Jerry

Iconix will own 80% while descendants of the late Charles Schultz will own 20%.

Coney Island's Luna Park will debut Memorial Day weekend with 19 new rides

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Site of the former Astroland will come together quickly at the historic location.

Thanet council threatens compulsory purchase of Dreamland amusement park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Council believes revival of the park is key to the area.

Stratosphere debuts SkyJump in Las Vegas

Posted | Contributed by Vater

Riders free fall 855 feet down the side of the iconic tower.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #175 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Cedar Fair credit, SFNO no, Orlando Flex tickets, 49ers, Nick to Snoopy, street view, Disney gets sued, Universal stuff, PARC, volcano stranded, Kiddieland preserved, Bay Lake, servers, Flying Turns, Zamperla.

Zamperla prepares amusement park rides for Coney Island

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Italian ride manufacturer works against the clock to deliver rides to the New York City park.

Cedar Fair wants to renegotiate lease for Great America before 49ers stadium is built

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The company seeks a performance based lease to mitigate negative effects of the stadium.

Lake Compounce adopts Lo-Q texting service

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Visitors will be able to skip the lines with reservations made from their phone.

Darien Lake adds sea lion show

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Outside vendor will operate the show, designed to educate guests about the animals.

Cedar Fair executives look to refinance $1.6 billion in debt

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Spokesperson says they're hearing that the credit markets are opening up.

Knoebels upgrades infrastructure, Flying Turns a work in progress

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Bobsled chute coaster has new cars, testing continues.

Ghost Town bankruptcy proposal would leave vendors, employees, with nothing

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Bankruptcy court considering a number of proposals for the financially troubled amusement park.

Get more out of CoasterBuzz (2010 edition)

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

A brief review of some of the common features on CoasterBuzz.

Trespassers brag on Internet that they infiltrated former Discovery Island at Walt Disney World

Posted | Contributed by kevin38

Attraction at the resort has been closed since 1999.

Kiddieland roller coaster lives on at Six Flags Great America

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The relocated ride continues to grow in its new home, using only about 10% of the original structure.

MSNBC has wrap-up of new interactive attractions at theme parks for 2010

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Parks go beyond simple rides and get visitors involved.

Orlando area businesses offer free and discounted services to stranded European travelers

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Theme parks, restaurants and other attractions try to make life a little easier for those who can't fly home due to volcanic ash.

Man arrested for selling SoCal theme parks bought with stolen credit cards

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Suspect accused of selling the tickets on Craigslist.

Parental liability waiver passes Florida legislature

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Bill addresses "inherent risk" waiver law that was previously struck down by the courts.

World of Color starts June 11 at Disney’s California Adventure

Posted | Contributed by cpubradley

Long-awaited night show begins this summer in Disneyland's sister park.

European travelers stranded in Central Florida from volcano ash offered free tickets to SeaWorld and Busch Gardens

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Parks offer grounded visitors a day at the parks.

Minnesota developer withdraws proposal for New Orleans amusement park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The former Six Flags park's future returns to uncertainty.

Martin & Vleminckx will build Zippin Pippin roller coaster in Green Bay

Posted | Contributed by Dutchcoaster

The Canadian company is awarded $2 million to build the recreation of the ride.

PARC spends $28 million on its attractions this year

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Investments include new cabins, water slides and attractions.

Promoters hope to have UK's Dreamland open by 2012

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Fund raising key to opening the park.

Universal parks see slight dip in attendance, rise in per cap, in first quarter

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

While fewer people visited the parks, those who did visit spent more money.

Battlestar Galactica roller coaster dismantled, analyzed at Universal Studios Singapore

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park will only describe the problem as a "glitch."

Minnesota developer the latest to apply for bonds to develop former Six Flags New Orleans site

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Application expresses desire to use Nickelodeon brand, but Viacom says they've never met the developer.

Candover Partners considering sale or IPO of Parques Reunidos

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Value of the company increased 35% in the last three years.

Disney goes to trial for Tower of Terror stroke case

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

In a very rare move, the case is not settled out of court, as the Walt Disney World ride's safety is challenged.

UK theme parks added to Google Street View

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Viewers can virtually look around the parks using popular map service.

Small amusement parks thrive despite economic conditions

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Free entry and peripheral attractions, like beaches, offer more value for vacation goers.

Brush fire threatens Six Flags St. Louis

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Firefighters work to contain the fire adjacent to the park.

Cedar Fair hopes consumers come back to their amusement parks and spend more

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

An improving economy and less uncertainty around refinancing will likely help the company, analysts say.

Health care reform law causes confusion for amusement park operators

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Department of Health and Human Services has not yet made it clear if companies must offer health insurance to seasonals.

Planet Snoopy set to open at Kings Island

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Kids and family area formerly themed to Nickelodeon characters changed to Peanuts.

Cedar Fair sues Santa Clara again over 49ers stadium proposal

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company is asserting its rights as it leases the parking lot where the city wants to build the stadium.

Universal and SeaWorld will negotiate future of Orlando Flex Ticket

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Potential ownership changes make the future of the ticket somewhat uncertain.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment hires IT exec away from Walt Disney World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

VP of IT from Walt Disney World becomes CIO for SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment.

Former Six Flags New Orleans site will likely stay dormant

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

With mayor's term winding down and development plans disappearing, the site has no obvious future.

Shareholder rights provision likely to force negotiation in possible hostile takeover of Cedar Fair

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Poison pill arrangement triggered by any unit holder that acquires more than 20% of the company.

Weekend rally draws supporters of Kentucky Kingdom

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Locals create awareness about the desire to keep the park open.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #174 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Intimidator at Carowinds and Kings Dominion, Cedar Fair Apollo deal dead, reality, circus, Freestyle fail, Disney World bus accidents, Silver Dollar City, fraud, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, TRONorail.

Some theme park fans dislike Tron ads on Walt Disney World monorail train

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Full-wrap ad on one of the Epcot monorail trains promotes the forthcoming movie.

Cedar Fair likely to return to the table over 49ers stadium issue

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

With company sale deal failing, Great America owner will likely become an active voice around the Santa Clara stadium proposal.

Sun Capital negotiates with Viacom for Paramount Pictures park in Osaka for 2014

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Firm is negotiating with local government to select site for the new theme park.

Universal's opening date for Harry Potter attraction sparks controversy

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Spring vacationers cry foul as the park opens the new area later than the advertised "spring."

Etheredge gets five years in Wild West World securities fraud case

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Verdict comes after court finds Etheredge guilty of misleading investors in the defunct theme park.

Cedar Fair and Apollo merger terminated

Posted | Contributed by Bozman

Apollo walks away with $6.5 million per the agreement.

Disney bus driver charged with careless driving in minor collision

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Driver, 80, hits two stopped cars on the Disney property.

Silver Dollar City turns 50, a look at its history

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

The classic park is the center of the Herschends' history.

Intimidator 305 opens at Kings Dominion

Posted | Contributed by Goliath Freak

DC affiliate station covers the media preview for the new 305-foot roller coaster.

Boy killed by bus in Fort Wilderness campground at Walt Disney World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Authorities say the boy was riding his bicycle.

SeaWorld trainer suffered blunt force injuries according to autopsy

Posted | Contributed by Chitown

Report confirms that Dawn Brancheau died from multiple injuries and drowning.

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