News Archive - January 2011

Comcast NBC-Universal deal closes

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Change in ownership could lead to Blackstone selling its stake in Universal Orlando.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #200 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Low expectations, big starts, 11 years of CoasterBuzz, focusing on the wrong things, Disney site?, Richard rides Formula Rossa, Jeff at Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Cedar Fair shake up, Universal attendance, hotel bar, northwest passage.

Man dies in fall from roller coaster at Tokyo Dome City

Posted | Contributed by Absimilliard

Details of the man's fall from the spinning coaster at the park are not yet known.

California's Great America will move Invertigo to another park

Posted | Contributed by Rick_UK

Inverted shuttle roller coaster was originally installed in 1998.

Former owner of Wild Waves will manage the property for CNL.

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Jeff Stock owned the park in the 90's before selling it to Six Flags.

Octotron opens at Belmont Park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New Chance Morgan ride offers a "double spin" sensation.

Herschend to manage Darien Lake and Elitch Gardens

Posted | Contributed by ShaneDenmark

Company takes control of the parks effective immediately, with CNL retaining its stake in ownership.

Photos: Lego Star Wars models shipped to Legoland California

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Giant Millennium Falcon among the models making their way to the California theme park.

Harvie named chairman of Cedar Fair, focus on higher distribution fails to pass

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

C. Thomas Harvie assumes chair position immediately, but company says there were not enough votes to force a higher distribution.

Universal Orlando attendance up 46% in 4Q

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Massive rise in attendance credited to Harry Potter attraction.

New Orleans continues to pay on loans for unused Six Flags site

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

While people freely enter the site, the city pays $1.9 million annually on a federal loan for it.

Cedar Fair faces a number of decisions under pressure by investors

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Results of recent proxy vote force the company to look for a new chairman and consider a larger distribution.

Zamperla takes over Coney Island Cyclone operations

Posted | Contributed by Tekwardo

Carol Albert relinquishes control of the classic ride.

Former Six Flags executives buy Ocean Breeze water park

Posted | Contributed by Rick_UK

Keiran Burke and Gary Story purchase the Virginia Beach attraction.

Green Bay mayoral candidate accuses mayor of lying about Zippin Pippin cost

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Candidate says the ride will cost $4 million, and says he's seen internal documents that prove it.

Disney parks and resorts chair confident of new cruise ships

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

As the new Disney Dream prepares to set sail, and the Fantasy arrives next year, Tom Staggs believes new boats will match returns of previous ships.

Hong Kong Disneyland loss narrows on significant attendance increase

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park sees a 13% boost in attendance in fiscal 2010.

Oldest elephant in North America dies at age 71 at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Life expectancy for Asian elephants is typically 45.

Community rallies behind Teagan Marti

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Accident victim who fell 100 feet from Wisconsin Dells ride slowly recovering with help from friends, family and neighbors.

Big Dipper sale from Geauga Lake falls through

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Would-be buyer says a group raised $300,000 toward the purchase price of the ride.

Walt Disney World announces plans for Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom

Posted | Contributed by kevin38

Extensive makeover for the themed area will open in phases and include an indoor roller coaster.

North Korean amusement parks offer state-sanctioned fun

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park action is "surprisingly normal" for a country known for its oppressive regime.

Gwazi reopens with new Millennium Flyer trains at Busch Gardens Tampa

Posted | Contributed by aReJay55

New 12-coach trains replace the old originals from 1999.

Merlin considers bringing more of its brands to Central Florida

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Legoland might not be the only property from Merlin to set up shop in and around Orlando.

Aldar Properties sells Ferrari World to UAE government

Posted | Contributed by Rick_UK

Aldar Properties is to sell Ferrari World, its car-themed amusement park, to the government less than three months after it opened as it seeks to pay down its debts.

Mt. Olympus buys up and improves hotels on Dells strip

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Total room count will reach 1,000 for the resort this spring.

Cedar Point uses 1,600 tons of concrete for Windseeker foundation

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park is pouring the foundation for the 301-foot ride all day today.

Amusement park ride for investors isn't over yet

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The industry has a generally good year, but Cedar Fair investors weren't impressed.

Universal Orlando likely to have another big year with Harry Potter

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The other theme parks around Orlando will introduce new attractions in 2011.

Hong Kong's Ocean Park predicts double-digit attendance growth with new aquarium

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Frank Gehry-designed building will feature nightly shows along with its new attractions.

Bell's Zingo posted for sale on eBay

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Robby Bell is optimistic that he'll be able to announce a new home for Bell's.

Cedar Fair vote elects to split CEO and chairman roles, distribution increase too close to call

Posted | Contributed by Fun

Dick Kinzel will no longer be able to hold both the CEO and chairman role.

Legoland Florida coming together, piece by piece

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New buildings, moved trees, local contractors part of the formula to getting the park ready for its opening this fall.

Bud Hurlbut, legendary attraction designer for Knott's Berry Farm and others, dies at age 93

Posted | Contributed by Dutchman

The man responisble for the Calico Mine Ride, the pioneering Timber Mountain Log Ride and other attractions passed away last week.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #199 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

WP7, Carrie at Dollywood, Holy Land, Cedar Fair vs. Q, Disney queue management, hate to wait, Dudley, Fun Spot, Block Party, Coney Island, ticket prices, Conneaut Lake fail again, attendance, lifetime passes.

Legoland California to add Star Wars area to its Miniland

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Models will feature scenes from all six Star Wars movies.

Islands of Adventure sells millionth butterbeer in Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The beverage is a popular part of visiting the themed area of the park.

Walt Disney World uses marathon to boost attendance in off-season

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Large out-of-town group given incentive to visit parks, mitigate the effects of the "shoulder season."

CNL buys Pacific Park for $34 million

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Original group of investors who opened the park will continue to operate it.

New photos from the production of Six Flags Over Georgia's Dare Devil Dive posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Photos show track construction and control system assembly.

Legoland Florida extends ticket deal

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Opening in October, the park is extending its discounted ticket deal through the end of April.

Cedar Fair attendance up 7.8% to 22.8 million in 2010

Posted | Contributed by Rick_UK

Attendance at the chain's 17 locations totaled 22.8 million guests in 2010, from attendance of 21.1 million in 2009.

Judge refuses to dismiss Disney World groping suit in PA

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Disney attempts to have case thrown out, or moved to Florida, where the incident allegedly took place.

Conneaut Lake wants to tap Pepsi for more money

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Group supporting the park applies for grant on the park's behalf to help with midway repairs.

Florida's Marineland sold to Georgia Aquarium

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New owners have no immediate plans for changes.

Cedar Fair to unit holders: Pay no attention to Q Investments

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Board sends a letter indicating what they say are the facts regarding the board's ability.

Universal Orlando ups prices of annual passes, adds blackout dates

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Significant cost increase comes with more restrictions on Power Pass, with more than 60 blackout dates.

Disney raises prices of locals-only specials in California and Florida

Posted | Contributed by PhantomTails

Southern California residents will pay $27 more for a two-park pass, while Florida residents see a $20 increase on a four-park pass.

Photos of you in theme parks are fair game around the Internet

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Whether taken by the park or random guests, experts say your image is fair game.

Zamperla fined for razing Shoot The Freak at Coney Island without a permit

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

City cites the company with a $5,000 fine and an order to stop further demolition.

Block Party Bash parade ends its run at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Parade was a crowd favorite at the park since spring of 2008.

Fun Spot buys 10 acres to triple its size on International Drive in Orlando

Posted | Contributed by PhantomTails

Owner boasts job creation for expansion project.

Roof of Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls catches fire at Islands of Adventure

Posted | Contributed by CPJ

Ride will be closed Sunday, no word yet on what caused the fire. The ride was evacuated, but there were no injuries.

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