News Archive - July 2011

Hackemer family files wrongful death suit against Darien Lake

Posted | Contributed by cpubradley

The family of an amputee veteran who died after flying out of a roller coaster at the Darien Lake amusement park has decided to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Santa Cruz carousel turns 100

Posted | Contributed by cpubradley

The carousel made its debut in August 1911, built by Charles I.D. Looff, a master woodcarver from Denmark.

Los Angeles Zoo considers turning management over to private sector

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Officials say the change could save $20 million over five years.

Ouimet continues Cedar Fair tour at Kings Dominion, says he listens to consumers

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New theme park boss says he intends to keep things fresh to keep guests coming back.

Gay couple asked to reverse "marriage is so gay" shirt at Dollywood

Posted | Contributed by Mike Gallagher

Gay woman says the park employee told her it was a "family park."

State says ride operators weren't properly trained in fatal Darien Lake accident

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

No penalties will be imposed, and the ride is reopen.

Theme park investment round up: The major players

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

<i>USA Today</i> profiles the major public companies that operate amusement and theme parks.

Six Flags revenue and per capita spending up in second quarter

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Revenue is up 5% over prior year, 4% increase for in-park revenue.

Former Cypress Gardens workers hope for new start with Legoland Florida

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Park says it won't necessarily give preference to people who have history with the former park.

Portion of Camden Park Spider collapses, injures three

Posted | Contributed by coasterqueenTRN

Kids were scared that they could not get down from the ride after it broke.

Illinois cop busted for assault at Michigan's Adventure

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Officer from Elgin accused of roughing up ride operators at the park's Skycoaster, after the operator suspected he was intoxicated.

Over 140 Pleasure Beach Blackpool pictures added to Coaster Grotto

Posted | Contributed by Grant

Update includes photos of the new Nickelodeon Land.

Lawsuit possible in Darien Lake death

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Damages could be diluted if jury finds victim partially at fault.

Couple stuck 50-feet up on bungee ride, brought down by fire department

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Operators couldn't bring the capsule back to the ground at the ride's conclusion.

Mother claims Dorney Park discriminated against daughter with Down Syndrome

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Amusement park GM says it's not discrimination, but requirements of the ride.

Geauga Lake Big Dipper owner rep says potential buyers still interested

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Agent for mystery owner of the roller coaster says he is still fielding offers.

Disney will cover a "carousel of projects" at D23 expo

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Fan conference will give insight to Disney theme park and resort projects.

Disney California Adventure opens new entrance, more changes coming soon

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Entrance do-over is part of the broader $1 billion improvement project to the park.

Kennywood from the "golden age" of amusement parks

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

<i>LA Times</i> writer makes a stop at the historic Pittsburgh park.

Join CoasterBuzz Club this week, $25 goes to Give Kids The World

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Jeff, CoasterBuzz's editor and Webmaster, will donate half of the membership fee to GKTW, and use his employer's match to donate a total of $25 for each membership.

Universal Orlando opens up Wizarding World of Harry Potter after midnight showing of new movie

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Islands of Adventure gives free access to their Harry Potter themed area from 3 to 5 a.m., following screenings of the new film at CityWalk.

Ouimet says virtual queuing has potential for Cedar Fair

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

New president says the company will "probably go there" on a visit to Kings Island.

Sheriff: no charges against Darien Lake in coaster death, but says park broke its own rules

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Law enforcement found no criminal wrongdoing at the amusement park where a double amputee fell to his death from the Ride of Steel roller coaster.

Lo-Q chairman updates his investment in the company

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

John Weston ups his stake in the company with a series of recent transactions.

Questions about safety and judgment surround fatal accident at Darien Lake

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Local psychiatric nurse suggests that wounded veterans use more discretion when trying to "reclaim their lives."

Less than 100 days remain before Legoland Florida opens

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Construction at the park continues six days a week in preparation for an October opening of the theme park.

Markey ups regulation rhetoric in wake of fatal accident at Darien Lake

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Massachusetts congressman again calls for federal oversight of amusement rides.

Ouimet looks forward, respects legacy of Cedar Fair

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Former Disney executive and new boss at Cedar Fair believes strongly in its people.

CoasterBuzz Podcast #207 posted

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Roller coaster safety video, Goofy Disney enthusiasts, Dania Beach, movie crap, Legoland Florida hours, Green Lantern, baboon in New Jersey, fake tickets, worker death, Kennywood Kristmas, Ouimet speaks, deaths at Knoebels and Darien Lake, naughty fonts.

Man without legs dies from fall on Darien Lake's Ride of Steel roller coaster

Posted | Contributed by Mike Gallagher

Witness says the man came out of the ride in the first turn.

Ouimet makes debut to unit holders at Cedar Fair annual meeting

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Unit holders scold Q Funding, and Cedar Fair for trying to sell the company.

Wooden Warrior roller coaster draws people from all over the world to Quassy

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The new wooden roller coaster is a big hit at the Connecticut amusement park.

Fun Spot USA opens Power Trip, the mouse roller coaster from Cypress Gardens

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Zamperla spinning mouse finds a new home in Kissimmee.

Officials say Knoebels pool meets all safety standards after fatal accident

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Parents of the 6-year-old who died said on Facebook that they don't hold the park responsible.

NBCUniversal allegedly being sued for use of font in Harry Potter merchandise at Islands of Adventure

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Gossip site TMZ says the company that made the font is suing the owner of the Orlando theme park.

Martin's Fantasy Island turns 50

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

The Buffalo amusement park is throwing a birthday party.

Parents of girl who fell from Ferris wheel sue Morey's Piers

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

No specific damages sought after death of 11-year-old girl.

Playland ditches resident entry fees

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Government-run amusement park isn't profitable, some argue that fee wouldn't help.

Boy dies from head injuries in Knoebels pool

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Report says he was jumping into the shallow end, where he struck his head.

Astroworld model outlives the defunct amusement park

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

An 8-by-10-foot model of the former Houston amusement park was recently sold for $3,000.

Cedar Fair revenue up 2% through the holiday weekend

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Amusement park owner also reports that out-of-park revenue is up 3%.

Kennywood announces December plans for Holiday Lights

Posted | Contributed by Josh M

Holiday light show will be featured with a few kiddie rides this holiday season.

Individual investors control fate of Cedar Fair

Posted | Contributed by David McArthur

The amusement park company is rare because most public companies are held largely by institutional investors.

Lo-Q comes to Six Flags White Water using RFID wristbands

Posted | Contributed by Jason Hammond

Virtual queue system comes to water parks.

Worker hit by roller coaster at West Edmonton Mall

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Officials say the man was trying to remove a hat on the course of the Galaxy Orbiter roller coaster.

Magical Midway worker dies in fall with harness

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Worker falls six feet, in harness, about 90 feet up Star Flyer ride.

Carowinds demonstrates differences in ride inspection policies between states

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Amusement park has to comply to slightly different standards as it straddles the North and South Carolina state line.

Three busted for selling fake Cedar Point tickets

Posted | Contributed by coasterqueenTRN

Police found the suspects by way of their license plate.

Baboon loose in Jackson, New Jersey, Six Flags Great Adventure can't confirm it's theirs

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Amusement park says that it has 150 baboons, but does not count them daily.

NBC-Universal completes purchase of Universal Orlando

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Company buys the rest of the theme park unit from Blackstone Group.

Green Lantern opens at Six Flags Magic Mountain

Posted | Contributed by Jeff

Radio host describes the ride as "flat out fun."

Trump selling Steel Pier

Posted | Contributed by WoodFan

Spokesperson says that the pier is not a core business.

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