Roy Disney Resigns; Calls on Eisner To Step Aside
According to The Drudge Report: "Walt Disney Co. Vice Chairman Roy E. Disney submitted his resignation from the company board on Sunday and called for Disney Chairman and CEO Michael Eisner to step down from his own positions, the WALL STREET JOURNAL is reporting. Disney, nephew to the late Walt Disney, sent Eisner a three-page letter severely criticizing his leadership during the past seven years: 'It is my sincere belief that it is you who should be leaving and not me,... Accordingly, I once again call for your resignation or retirement.' "

Costs rise on Carousel Park plan
"The cost of re-creating the Old West in Carousel Park in Pike Creek [Delaware] is about twice what New Castle County expected. The county Special Services Department has issued about $800,000 in purchase orders for construction of a Western streetscape near the park's stables, department spokeswoman Susan Amadio said. The department initially thought that building facades of a saddle shop, marshal's office and other places typical of an Old West town would cost about $400,000. Construction is under way, with completion expected in about a month. Officials do not yet know the streetscape's final cost. " From The News Journal.

Dublin theme park gets the thumbs down
"Fingal County Council (FCC) has rejected a proposal by United Entertainment Partners (UEP) to build a Euro 7bn theme park to the north of Dublin. Throwing out the consortium’s plan by 19 votes to 1, the council said it was “vague”, “sloppy” and “unacceptable in its current form”. Officials questioned the long-term viability of the development – despite UEP claiming that 35 million people would visit the park annually, with 18 million of these coming from abroad – and said it was ill-conceived and lacked credibility. " From Leisure Opportunities.

Ride suit begins
"One second John Netty II watched as his 7-year-old daughter prepared to slide down a giant inflatable amusement ride. The next second, the ride buckled, and she disappeared. Netty told the court how his daughter, Alyson, toppled over the side and plummeted some 25 feet to the cement below as the trial started in the family's lawsuit against the ride's operator." Waterloo/Cedar Falls [Iowa] Courier.

Six Flags Announces Management Transition
Six Flags, Inc. announced today, that for health reasons, Gary Story will resign as President and Chief Operating Officer of Six Flags and become a special advisor to the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The transition to his new position is expected to occur at the end of 2003. In connection with Mr. Story's position-change, the Company has added a fifth Executive Vice President. Four of the Executive Vice Presidents have responsibility for the operations of the Company's parks in various regions, and the fifth has oversight responsibility for in-park revenue systemwide. The Executive Vice Presidents will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Kieran E. Burke. From Businesswire.

New space park eyed for Astrodome
"The empty confines of the Reliant Astrodome [in Houston, TX] could someday offer a glimpse at the vastness of outer space. And, maybe, a roller coaster. That is the vision of the Astrodome Redevelopment Co., a consortium of engineering and entertainment companies pursuing the idea of putting a 'space theme park' in the Dome. 'It's really more entertainment-oriented than education-oriented,' said Scott Hanson, a vice president of Bryan-based Trajen Aerospace, which is part of the consortium. 'But our concept right now will have components of both. How they mesh together is part of the details to be worked out.'" From the Houston Chronicle.

Iraqis recapture thrills at rusting amusement park
"All they want to do is have some fun. Their home town has been bombed, invaded and occupied by foreigners, looted and turned into a battlefield for a guerrilla war. Anyone would need to blow off steam after eight months living in the cross- hairs of other people's guns. So what do the good citizenry of Baghdad do?... The longest queues in the weed-choked Baghdad Amusement Park were for white-knuckle, stomach-churning rides on a rust-bitten roller coaster. But plenty of people also wanted to be whizzed like eggs in a blender in a centrifugal machine." From the Independent UK.

Incorrect maintenance blamed in fatal Disneyland ride crash
"Disneyland [California] officials acknowledged that certain maintenance tasks were not completed before a roller coaster jumped the tracks in September, killing one passenger and injuring 10 others. `Our own analysis found that the accident was caused by incorrectly performed maintenance tasks required by Disneyland policy and procedures that resulted in a mechanical failure,' said Leslie Goodman, senior vice president of strategic communications for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts." From The Mercury News.

Christmas at SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando ushers in a new holiday tradition this year with a "Christmas at SeaWorld," every weekend in December. The month-long yuletide celebration sets a festive mood every Saturday and Sunday with sensational fireworks set to live music from the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, snowfalls at the Waterfront, a 48-foot-tall Christmas tree adorned with 4,500 brilliant lights and stunning ornaments, Santa's readings of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," and holiday music from classical harpists and carolers. SeaWorld Press Release here at Theme Park City.

Six Flags drops alcohol sale request
"Six Flags Over Georgia has withdrawn a request to sell alcohol during outdoor concerts at the popular amusement park. Cobb County commission Chairman Sam Olens confirmed this morning that amusement park officials contacted his offices asking to scrap the request. The amusement park's decision comes on the same day the commission was to hold a public hearing on the request at 7 p.m." From The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

IAAPA 2003 Trade Show Report
I have just returned from the 2003 edition of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions' annual trade show, and here's my own picks for the best new products I saw, along with the winners of the 2003 IAAPA Best New Product Exhibitor Awards. From Theme Park City.

Developers change name, plans for park off I-95
A planned park associated with former Wild Kingdom host Jim Fowler now has a new name and new attractions. The park, set to be developed on nearly 1,000 acres of timber land north of Brunswick [Georgia] and off Interstate 95, was originally called Jim Fowlers Life in the Wild: A Resort for Animals and People. The new working name is Steamboat City. Roller coaster rides and a wider sampling of Georgia history also have been added. From AP via AccessNorthGa.com.

None of 3 Bids for Gardens Accepted
"The national conservation group trying to broker a sale of Cypress Gardens announced Friday that none of the three bids it has received will be accepted, placing the future of the 67-year-old tourist attraction in jeopardy." From The Lakeland Ledger.

Residents' complaints force township to back off amusement park plans
"Lemont Township [IL] leaders Tuesday night backed off plans for a small amusement park on a section of a 58-acre recreation area purchased through a special referendum for open space... Residents near the park do not want proposed go-carts or a miniature golf course to pay for continued maintenance on the property." From The Daily Southtown.

Disney, YMCA Team Up To Offer Child Care For Theme Park Workers
"The Walt Disney World resort will have two YMCA child-care centers built on its property, theme park officials said Thursday. The centers, to open by late 2004, will look after more than 600 children at a time -- more than doubling the capacity of the current child-care centers at Disney." From WFTV.

Gas explosion at Cape Town theme park
"At least 51 people sustained serious and minor burn wounds during a gas explosion at Ratanga Junction theme park in Cape Town [South Africa] on Wednesday, Western Cape police reported." From The Independent Online.

IAAPA Orlando 2003
The 85th annual International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Convention is underway right now in Orlando, Florida, with the Trade Show set to open tomorrow (Wednesday, Nov. 19th) with more than 1,300 exhibitors on hand. I'll be there, walking the trade show floor, looking for what's the next big thing coming to a theme park near you. If you're there, say hi if you see me. If you're not there, watch this space: I'll be reporting back about what's new later this week.

Failed theme park finally loses TIF district status
"Many tax districts here are a little richer after a county commission dissolved the tax increment financing, or TIF, district status of the 600 acres that were to make up the Garfield theme park [Planned for Indiana]. " From CNHI News Service.

West Edmonton Mall reinvents amusement park
"But when spring break hits next March and thousands of classroom escapees flood Galaxyland in search of cheap thrills, the Dark Ride will make its debut, taking passengers on a wild 300-foot-long subterranean trek beneath the mall's Palace Casino and an adjacent parking lot... Next door, another new ride -- the Solar Flare -- will make its debut the same month. It will incorporate rotating gondolas 20 metres above the floor, heavy-duty G-forces, sharp take-offs and breathtaking plunges." From The Calgary Herald.

Happy 75th, Mickey
"Tuesday marks the 75th anniversary of the premiere of 'Steamboat Willie' at the Colony Theater in New York and the beginning of a pop culture phenomenon that's never been matched." From The Bradenton Herald.

Virtual roller coaster in the North Country
"The Colonial Village Family Fun Park's (Potsdam, NY) newest attraction was revealed on Saturday, a virtual roller coaster ride. A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening of the first and only virtual coster in the North Country. The owner of the Colonial Village Family Fun Park, Robert Page, said, 'this is basically going to give us a wintertime activity which has never been here in the North Country and its going to allow the patrons a new roller coaster in the area.'" From News 10 Now.

Following Up: A Ride Loses Its Rust, but Future Is Unclear
"It has been deconstructed and reconstructed, and, in between, repainted and restrengthened. Now the question of what's next for the long-orphaned parachute jump in Coney Island is afloat in New York City's bureaucracy. The 262-foot jump ceased functioning as a ride in 1968 after nearly three decades as one of the most popular and thrilling attractions in the bazaar of seaside diversions that made Coney Island famous." From The New York Times.

A Holiday Tradition - Disneyland(R) 'Candlelight' Procession Returns to Main Street, U.S.A., December 6 and 7; Louis Gossett Jr. to Narrate
The Disneyland "Candlelight" Procession and Ceremony, a holiday tradition for more than 40 years, will return to its historic setting on Main Street, U.S.A., Saturday and Sunday, December 6 and 7. The move follows several years of "Candlelight" presentations in the Fantasyland Theatre. From PR NewsWire via Yahoo News.

3 Possible Cypress Gardens Owners Emerge
Three potential owners who want to revive [Florida's] Cypress Gardens have stepped forward, a national conservation group announced Friday. The Trust for Public Land, which has a contract to buy the Winter Haven attraction for $22 million, said two potential owners submitted bids to the organization by the 5 p.m. Friday deadline, while another submitted an "offer to negotiate." From theledger.com.

Bonfante Gardens faces tax issue
"Only parts of the Bonfante Gardens Theme Park in Gilroy [California] are educational, and as a result, the struggling facility is not exempt from paying property taxes, according to Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone. The decision, which came on Friday, the last weekend the amusement park is scheduled to be open this year, is based on state law and regulations administered by the county assessor and the State Board of Equalization. It means that Bonfante Gardens could face a tax bill of $1.5 million or more in property taxes covering this year and last." From The Silicon Valley/San Jose Business Journal.

Cedar Point announces indoor water park plans
"Months after talk of a new indoor water park started circulating, Cedar Point announced plans yesterday for a $22 million Caribbean-style amusement park/resort. Work has begun on Castaway Bay, located at the entrance to the Cedar Point Causeway. The resort, which will be open year-round, is slated to be completed in November, 2004." From the Toledo Blade.

Ultimate consumer theme park?
St. Louis Mills in Hazelwood, Missouri, officially makes its debut today. The 1.1-million-square-foot hybrid retail/entertainment complex is expected to draw tens of thousands. From STLtoday.

Power Surge ride new thrill at Water Garden
A new ride called the Power Surge has been added to attractions available for visitors at the Water Garden, in Salmaniya [Bahrain]. The ride has six arms, each able to seat four people, which spin and flip thrill-seeking passengers in several directions. It was custom-built by Italian company Zamperla." From The Gulf Daily News.

California Supreme Court Agrees to Decide Whether Operator of Amusement Park May Be Sued as ‘Common Carrier’
"The [California] Supreme Court yesterday agreed to decide whether the operator of an amusement park ride may be classified as a “common carrier” subject to a heightened duty to protect patrons. At its weekly conference, the court voted 5-0 to grant review of the ruling by Div. Eight of this district’s Court of Appeal in Gomez v. Superior Court (Walt Disney Company) (2003) 110 Cal. App. 4th 667. Chief Justice Ronald M. George and Justice Janice Rogers Brown recused themselves, without explanation. " From The Metropolitan News-Enterprise.

Euro Disney loss seen mounting as new park flags
"Euro Disney, the debt-laden European outpost of the Disney empire, is set to report a doubling in its annual loss as its new theme park fails to live up to expectations, adding to concerns about its future viability." From Forbes.

Shanghai eyes second Disney park for China
"Shanghai is still strongly leaning towards building a Disney theme park, government sources say, and construction could begin in 2010 if negotiations proceed well. 'The Shanghai municipal government has set up a special team with the United States-based Walt Disney Co that will study a theme park plan,' said Li Wei, a spokesman for the Shanghai municipal government. " From China Daily.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay hears the music
"Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is breaking tradition and betting on Broadway. The theme park that traditionally relies on rides and wildlife to draw visitors is now spending millions on a new musical production slated to open next spring. Busch Gardens declined to comment on the cost of the show, however, industry publication Back Stage magazine reported 'KaTonga' will cost between $5 million and $6 million. The African-themed production has been in the works for three years and was designed in-line with the Busch Gardens theme. " From The Business Journal of Tampa Bay.

Legoland launches search for master model builder
"Today the amusement park begins a nine-city, nationwide search for a seventh 'master model builder,' a fancy title for someone who gets paid to play with toys. The wages won't support a glamorous lifestyle – the position pays $13 to $15 an hour to start – but for some it ranks high on the list of cool jobs." From The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Splash Zone: Cedar Point unintentionally copies Oberlin water park's name
"After successfully finding catchy names for dozens of new attractions, Cedar Point unintentionally copied a name from a water park that sits almost in its back yard. Cedar Point last month announced it would add the new Splash Zone play area to its Soak City water park as part of its expansion for 2004. That's not to be confused with the Splash Zone water center run by Lorain County Metro Parks in Oberlin." From The Morning Journal.
Not to mention the "Splash Zone" waterparks in Wildwood, New Jersey; Charleston, South Carolina; Rolla, Missouri; Enid, Oklahoma...

Trouble in the Magic Kingdom
"A roller-coaster tragedy in September (at Disneyland, Anaheim, CA) is now under investigation, and questions are being raised about a 1997 change in ride maintenance policy that cut costs, shifted responsibilities and laid off hundreds of veteran maintenance workers." From the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

Samsung Executive Faces Indictment for Illegal Wealth Transfer
"Executives of the nation's largest conglomerate, Samsung, are facing prosecution investigations over an alleged illegal transfer of wealth, prosecutors said on Tuesday... The prosecution has summoned officials of Samsung Everland, the nation's largest outdoor amusement park in Yongin, Kyonggi Province, for questioning over the alleged illegal transfer of wealth by Lee Jay-yong, vice president of Samsung Electronics and the only son of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee." From the Korea Times.

Planit signs up Six Flags Inc.
"Planit has added Six Flags Inc. to its roster of clients, the company announced Tuesday. Baltimore-based Planit will offer public relations, print, interactive and animation services for Six Flags' 2004 public relations efforts." From the Baltimore Business Journal.

Theme Park Company
Theme Park City is proud to announce the launch of our new sister site, ThemeParkCompany.com. Theme Park Company includes a directory of amusement industry suppliers and will concentrate on the working side of amusement. This News Log and some other features will be shared with Theme Park City. Take a look...

Top Thrill Dragster Tops Pops
Popular Science magazine has named Cedar Point's Top Thrill Dragster roller coaster to its 2003 Best of What's New list. From Popular Science.

Up The Lifthill
"Amusement park operator Cedar Fair LP said earnings for its third quarter were up 12 percent, helped by a slight increase in attendance and spending at parks along with a gain in value of interest rate swap agreements." AP story from the Miami Herald.

Something Fishy In Mermaid Town?
"Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist said there are legal questions surrounding how the tiny city of Weeki Wachee acquired its namesake tourist attraction and those matters should be addressed by a court. But Crist has declined to issue a formal opinion on the city's acquisition of Weeki Wachee Springs last summer. He said it's not his place to nullify a governmental action that has already taken place. " From WESH.

Lost In Space
"HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- More than 100 artifacts from the U.S. space program have disappeared from a Kansas museum, according to an audit conducted after items began appearing in private collections. The FBI is investigating the losses discovered at the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center six to eight weeks ago, said Jeff Lanza, spokesman for the agency's office in Kansas City, Mo. " From local6.com.

Maine Water park sold at foreclosure auction
"Thursday's gray, cool weather normally wouldn't attract anyone to the Aquaboggan water park, but the lure of a potential hot deal drew about two dozen people. The popular summer spot was sold in a foreclosure auction for $1.275 million after about 15 minutes of low-key bidding." From the Press Herald.

Death prompts safety call
"The Queensland (Australia) Police Service has called for a national approach to checking amusement ride safety standards after a fatal accident at the 2000 Townsville Show. It also wants special procedures adopted for the investigation of such incidents. " From the Townsville Bulletin.

IAAPA Announces Top FECS of the World Award Winners
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced the winners of its inaugural Top FECS of the World awards program on November 5th, recognizing the global industry’s best family entertainment centers. Winners came through a comprehensive judging process that considered operational efficiency, décor & ambience, marketing savvy, and managerial performance. Competition categories include FECs located in the U.S. grossing under $1 million in annual revenue; FECs located in the U.S. grossing over $1 million in annual revenue; and FECS located outside the U.S.

The winners for the inaugural 2003 TOP FECs of the World awards are:

• Recorcholis Lerma, Lerma, Edo. Mex. Mexico
  
• Adventure Landing Raleigh, Raleigh, NC USA
  
• Adventure Landing Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, FL USA
  
• La Ciudad de Ninos, Mexico City, D.F. Mexico
  
• Recreatheque, Laval, PQ Canada
  
• SM Storyland Adventure, Metro Manila Philippines
  
• The Factory, Franklin, NC USA
  
• The Only Game In Town, North Haven, CT USA
  
• Toon City, Jeddah Saudi Arabia
  
• Sam's Fun City, Inc., Pensacola, FL USA
  
• Kangwon Land, Seoul, Korea
  

Award winners will be honored at the Family Entertainment Center Reception on November 19th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL as part of the IAAPA Orlando 2003 Annual Convention and Trade Show.

Universal Studios Hollywood Offers Annual Passes To Firefighters
Universal Studios Hollywood is offering two free annual passes to California firefighters and other emergency workers in thanks for their efforts to save lives and property during last week's fires. The offer is extended to all firefighters, law enforcement officials, paramedics, Red Cross Employees and 911 personnel from now through March 31. To take advantage of the offer, they must bring identification to the theme park's ticket office in Los Angeles. From NBCSandiego.com.

Oldest British amusement park ride becomes latest listed building
"Britain's oldest surviving amusement park ride, the Aerial Glide at Shipley Glen Pleasure Grounds, Baildon, West Yorkshire, has become a Grade II listed building after an emergency application by local campaigner, Mike Short, and amusement park historian, Nick Laister. This is only the second time an amusement park ride has been listed. " From Joyland Books.

Amusement Park Train Derails, Injures Passengers
"Eight people, including some children, suffered bruises and scratches when the popular train ride at Los Angeles' Griffith Park's Traveltown derailed, police said. The tiny train, called The Chief, was traveling no more than 6 mph on its 1.5-mile run when it left the tracks Sunday, said police Sgt. Tony Pascual." From NBC 4 News.

Naming of Hershey's 10th roller coaster takes twists, turns
The official announcement won't come until Wednesday. But the word is out: The name of Hersheypark's new $12.5 million roller coaster -- apparently -- will be 'Storm Runner.' " From The Patriot-News.

Quassy Amusement Park Offers Free Workshops
Connecticut's Quassy Amusement Park is offering a number of free classroom workshops and on-site educational tours to regional schools. The workshops include Laser 101, which explores the world of laser light technology; The ABCs About NEWS, an exercise in gathering information and writing a complete news story; and Picture That! Students Can Take Great Photos, a session on sharpening photography skills. All of the workshops are geared toward students in grades three through nine. From Voicesnews.com.

Worlds of Fun to replace Orient Express roller coaster
Kansas City's Worlds of Fun theme park will tear down its Orient Express roller coaster after 24 seasons to make way for the new, steel Spinning Dragons... Details of the Spinning Dragon ride will be revealed in March, but officials said the park's new ride will seat four passengers per car, and each car will spin on an independent axis as the coaster train traverses the track's hills and turns. From the Jefferson City News Tribune.