HYDRA The Revenge Roller Coaster Comes Alive at Dorney Park on May 7, 2005
"The myth becomes reality in 2005 with HYDRA The Revenge, the first and only floorless coaster in Pennsylvania. This $13 million monster coaster offers a one-of-a-kind experience with several unique design features. Dorney Park called upon scream-machine mavens Bollinger & Mabillard of Monthey, Switzerland, to create this exclusively-designed coaster." Press release on PR Newswire.

Disney's bass fishing magic
"Walt Disney World's captivating 'Where Magic Lives' theme strikes meaning with all who visit the popular central Florida destination. The place where kids of all ages come to meet their favorite Disney characters, like Mickey Mouse, also has a touch of hidden magic for bass fishermen. Appropriately, the piscatorial magic is as real as it gets. And the 15 lucky anglers making the cut at the upcoming 2005 BASS Federation Championship will get the chance to sample Disney's bass fishing magic. At the conclusion of the two day preliminary round on nearby Lake Toho, 15 finalists will move to Bay Lake at Walt Disney World for the championship round set for April 29-30." From ESPN (a Disney subsidiary).

Murder trial will proceed in amusement park death
"The murder trial for a Pigeon Forge [TN] amusement park manager charged in the death of a woman who fell from a ride will go forward. Charles Stan Martin, 56, is charged with second degree murder and reckless homicide in the death of 51-year-old June Carol Alexander, of Nashville, in March 2004. Martin had petitioned the judge to drop the charges against him but the judge has refused." From WATE.

New kids' rides set for Como Park
"Modern and interactive amusement rides will open at St. Paul's [MN] Como Park this summer when a new company takes over the kiddie-ride business next to the popular Como Zoo. The Como Town amusement park will open by June 1, with rides aimed at children 2 to 11. 'We're geared toward the age group that can be overwhelmed in other parks by all the big stuff that they can't ride on,' said Glenn Baron, president of Lancer Hospitality, the company developing the park." From The Star Tribune.

Six Flags AstroWorld Salutes America's Soldiers; Park Hosts Military Family Day on Saturday, May 7, 2005
"Six Flags AstroWorld will host Military Family Day, a fun-filled day of patriotic events and exhibitions on Saturday, May 7. Admission is FREE for all Active, Reserve, National Guard and Veterans of the military branches, and civilian employees of the DOD, DHS and DAV." From Yahoo!

HK Disneyland Resort Line Train unveiled
"Hong Kong Disneyland and the MTR Corporation Monday unveiled the Disneyland Resort Line Train, which will bring guests to the heart of the magic at China's first Disney theme park, set to open on Sept. 12, this year. The MTR Disneyland Resort Line, which comprises two new stations - Sunny Bay Station and Disneyland Resort Station - and whimsical Disney-themed trains, were exclusively designed by the MTR Corporation in conjunction with Disney's imagineers. Today's Disneyland Resort Line train unveiling at Sunny Bay Station marks the very first dedicated train line for a Disney theme park anywhere in the world and will offer Hong Kong Disneyland guests an exciting and convenient journey." From Xinhuanet.

Williams theme park bill OK'd by Senate
"The [Arizona] Senate voted 17-11 Wednesday to establish a special Theme Park and Vehicle Support Facility District to pave the way for two new amusement parks. Under HB 2365, the district would encompass 1,000 acres at the edge of Williams at Interstate 40 and State Route 64. That is the turnoff to the Grand Canyon. Another park by the same operators would be built on 60 acres in west Phoenix. The main purpose of the district would be to levy a special 9 percent sales tax on all rides, hotels and other businesses within the boundaries. Proceeds of the tax would be pledged to repay money loaned by investors for construction." From The Arizona Daily Sun.

Beech may bend toward Franklin: New carnival ride may be built at Garvin complex
"Garvin's National Showcase, the $53 million attraction planned for Franklin's [KY] Exit 6 off Interstate 65, is progressing, and part of that could be at the expense of a Bowling Green tourism tradition. Dallas Jones, the owner of Beech Bend, has confirmed that he has put construction on hold for a large, wood roller coaster that was scheduled to start more than a week ago at the riverside amusement park and campground... Garvin said he talked to Jones about checking into installing a major ride at his new recreational vehicle attraction at Franklin." From The Bowling Green Kentucky KY Daily News.

Anniversary approaches for Universal
"Universal Orlando has had nearly as many owners or part owners through the years as there are twists in the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure... But Tom Williams, the Orlando-based chairman and chief executive of Universal Parks & Resorts worldwide, is feeling solid ground as the one year anniversary with the new owner nears." From The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Lake Winnie turns 80
"Wrapped around a natural spring-fed lake bearing the same name, Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park in Rossville, Ga., has been engaging families in wholesome, fun-filled activities for the last 80 years... In celebration of the park's 80th birthday, five new attractions have been added..." From The Daily News Journal.

Post-Flood Frenzy at Amusement Park
"Officials at an amusement park in Easton that was submerged under several feet of water when the remnants of Hurricane Ivan caused widespread flooding last summer plan to reopen by mid-June. The owners of Bushkill Park say they are still dealing with considerable damage from the summer floodwaters, plus a smaller flood earlier this month." From WPVI.com.

Six Flags unveils roller coaster
"Marking its introduction with a shower of green and orange confetti, Six Flags New England yesterday unveiled 'Mr. Six's Pandemonium,' the theme park's newest roller coaster... Located in the amusement park near the Cyclone roller coaster and Blizzard River water ride, Mr. Six's Pandemonium reaches top speeds of about 35 mph on a 1,345-foot track, according to documents provided by the park. It was manufactured by Gerstlauer, a German amusement park ride maker." From MassLive.com.

Amusement Park Rape Case Ends In Mistrial: Second Trial Scheduled To Begin In A Couple Weeks"Jurors deliberated for several hours before returning deadlocked in the case against a man accused of raping a teenager at an area amusement park. Brad Champagne was on trial for rape and sex abuse. Prosecutors said he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl while both were swimming in the Hurricane Bay Pool area of Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in 2003." From TheLouisvilleChannel.com.

Iowa city won't buy Boji Bay waterpark
"The future of a popular Lake Okoboji tourist attraction remains in doubt after the Milford [IA] City Council's unanimous vote against purchasing Boji Bay water park. Current owner Jack Clark said he is 'really disappointed' with the council's decision regarding the park, located on the north edge of the city. The council's action came Monday night after a 30 minute closed session to consider the purchase. Clark announced in January that he would not reopen the facility this year partly because of a dispute about water and electric rates both services provided by Milford Municipal Utilities. The city has filed liens on the property in recent months to cover the unpaid utility bills. The liens, along with past due taxes, total about $100,000." From The Argus Leader.

Farmers say Disneyland in Hong Kong polluted waters, killing 1.6 million fish
"Fishermen on Monday stationed their boats off the building site of Hong Kong Disneyland, demanding the project be halted for allegedly polluting local waters and killing an estimated 1.6 million fish. But the government, which is funding the project due to open Sept. 12, said the claims were false. The park is being built on reclaimed land at Penny's Bay on the outlying island of Lantau." From CBC News.

Six Flags, Disney not in Queen Creek
"Almost every day, East Valley farmers Mark and Carrie Schnepf team up to fight a rumor tougher than weeds. Untrue, said the former Queen Creek [AZ] mayor, is the persistent chatter that he is selling his 300-acre farm to an amusement park. The property, which totaled as much as 2,000 acres in the early 1970s, has been in the Schnepf family since 1941. 'At least once a day, either by phone or at the Circle K or at church or someplace, people tell us they've heard we've sold to Six Flags,' Schnepf said. 'It's a rumor that won't die.'" From The Phoenix Business Journal.

Be The First To Conquer Kingda Ka
Wanna be one of the first riders on Six Flags Great Adventure's big new coaster? Bidding has started on eBay. Proceeds will benefit Children's Miracle Network.

'Universal' theme park on Sentosa?; Universal Studios ties up with Genting Bhd in a bid to build resort
"Singapore could soon have its own Universal Studios theme park on Sentosa island, with attractions like Jaws and Jurassic Park rides. The Straits Times understands that the American company has joined Malaysian casino operator Genting Berhad in a bid to build the proposed integrated casino resort. Sources say Genting is planning to pump in S$3 billion to S$4 billion - more than the US$1 billion to US$2 billion (S$1.65 billion to S$3.3 billion) some other bidders have announced. The mega-resort would employ more than 10,000 people and the bid brings attention back to Sentosa." From Hotels.

HoliBlog: A Walk In The Park
The wonderful Holiday World theme park [IN] has added a new twist to their website: HoliBlog, a behind the scenes online journal primarily to be written by the Park's PR director, Paula Werne.

Geauga Lake can hire own police force
"Geauga Lake, the amusement park that straddles Geauga and Portage counties, would be able to hire its own police force under a bill that passed the Ohio House of Representatives on Tuesday. Representatives approved 91-2 and forwarded to the Ohio Senate the measure sponsored by state Rep. Matthew Dolan, R-Novelty, that would permit amusement park police officers, at the park's expense, to attend the same training schools as other police officers and have full police powers." From Vindy.com.

Libertyland prepares for opening with re-branding
"Libertyland Amusement Park will open its 2005 season April 23 with a new look as part of its first re-branding effort since opening 30 years ago. A redesigned logo and tagline, designed by McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations, features a new, multicolor logo and will replace the traditional red, white and blue colors that had branded the park since it opened July 4, 1976, as a bicentennial theme park. The new Libertyland also has received fresh paint and repairs throughout the park. These repairs are a part of the first phase of ongoing efforts to update the park." From The Memphis Business Journal.

Amid red ink, Lego says it will sell theme parks
"Danish toymaker Lego more than doubled net losses last year to 1.9 billion Danish crowns ($328 million) and has decided to sell its four theme parks, the company said Wednesday." From Amusement Business.

Disney World to lay off 25 management positions
"The ride is over for about 25 people in management and other professional jobs at Walt Disney World. The company is firing the people to streamline its decision-making at the theme park resort. Walt Disney World still is hiring about two-thousand workers for the summer." From CBS 47.

Officers Respond To Large Crowd At Bell's
"More than a hundred police officers responded to a large fight at Bells Amusement Park last night. The park owner called Tulsa County [OK] deputies and Tulsa Police after too many unsupervised young people were running around and getting out of hand. Police say one juvenile was taken into custody but no one was injured. Officers used crowd-control tactics and some parents are upset with how authorities handled their children." From KOTV.

Dolly Parton promises more growth for theme park
"Dolly Parton marked the 20th anniversary of her Smoky Mountain theme park Friday in Pigeon Forge. She said her goals were to double attendance and to invest $160 million into the park over the next two decades. Parton said the future may also include a resort hotel in Pigeon Forge, plus other additions and maybe even a Dollywood II or Dollywood III. " From WATE.

Woman suffers brain injury from roller coaster ride
"A 27-year-old woman has suffered brain injury after a roller coaster ride, a surgeon disclosed yesterday. It was the first case of its kind in Taiwan, and eighth around the world, Yu Kuo-pan, a doctor at Kuang Tien General Hospital in Taichung County, said in a report discussing risks related to the breath-taking amusement. The unnamed woman had riden a roller coaster at an amusement park in central Taiwan. It was not clear when that happened. The roller coaster, according to the report, was imported from the Netherlands, and is believed to be the fastest in Taiwan with a gravity of 4.5G, the United Evening News reported. After the ride, the woman complained to doctors that she developed nausea, dizziness and difficulty in walking." From The China Post.

Senate panel OKs theme park taxing district
"A [AZ] Senate panel agreed Thursday to create a new level of government to help promote a theme park in Northern Arizona despite claims by one lawmakers that the plan is close to fascism. The 5-2 vote by the Senate Finance Committee would set up an unusual public improvement district. It would include 1,000 acres on the edge of Williams and 60 acres in west Phoenix. But the real purpose behind the bill is to allow a special 9 percent sales tax to be levied on any of the operations that would be set up within the now-vacant properties. More to the point, the proceeds from that levy would be pledged to repay the investors who bought the bonds that the district would be allowed to levy." From the Arizona Daily Sun.

Theme park told to be quieter
"Theme parks are usually full of noise from people on rides and music, but Alton Towers has been told to quieten things down.
The Staffordshire theme park has fitted gadgets to its loudspeakers to make them quieter after a court case. A couple living nearby complained Alton Towers made their lives a 'nightmare', and wanted it made quieter. Now that's happening, but the park owners say it won't make a day out there any less fun." From the BBC.