Sisters Give New Six-Flags Ride a Whirl
"'Tornado -- ride the ultimate storm! Some 5,000 gallons of water send riders whirling and spinning back and forth, from side to side as they slide into a 60-foot-diameter funnel!' This budding journalist and her 18-year-old sister were two of the first people to ride Hurricane Harbor's newest attraction, Tornado." From The Washington Missourian.

Man Charged With Fondling Girls At Six Flags
"A 23-year-old man was charged Wednesday with fondling two young girls last weekend at Six Flag Elitch Gardens. Ismael Armendariz faces two felony counts in connection with the May 21 incident. According to the Denver District Attorney's Office, Armendariz is suspected of sexually assaulting two girls, ages 11 and 12, in a swimming pool at the amusement park. He was arrested a short time later in a restroom of the park by two off-duty Denver police officers who were working there." From ABC 7 News.

New Gurnee water park hopes northbound tourists slide its way
"Kristin Anderson usually visits the Wisconsin Dells when she and her two daughters want to hit a water park, but after splashing around Wednesday at Hurricane Harbor in Gurnee, she figures they'll be staying closer to home. 'We needed something like this in this area,' said Anderson, of Elgin, who joined about 300 adults and children at a preview of the new water park at Six Flags Great America. The 13-acre water park, representing the largest expansion in the theme park's 29-year history, officially opens at 11 a.m. Saturday." Chicago Tribune.

New Wichita amusement park to open Friday
"All Star Sports East at 1010 N. Webb Road will reopen after being renovated and turned into an amusement park. Now called All Star Adventures, the park will open at 4 p.m., Friday, May 27. Brothers Richard, Ron and Marty Cornejo own the park, which used to consist mostly of arcade games, mini-golf, a driving range and go-carts. The expansion now includes new rides, such as a Tilt-a-Whirl and a full-sized carousel. A roller coaster will be installed and ready for use in spring 2006." From Wichita Business Journal.

Gov. expected to sign amusement park bill
"A proposal to improve the safety and regulation of amusement park rides in Tennessee is one signature away from becoming a law. Gov. Bredesen is expected to sign a bill that lawmakers passed after June Alexander fell to her death from a ride at the Rockin' Raceway in March 2004." From WATE.

Tweetsie Railroad may be leaving Watauga County
"The Tweetsie Railroad could soon leave Watauga County [NC] for a home in Caldwell County, the attraction's general manager said. The owner of the popular railroad theme park is trying to negotiate a new lease with property owners but said he may have to move the landmark because of skyrocketing property values in Watauga County. The park can't afford the higher rent, he said. Possible alternative sites include Caldwell County, where landowners have offered the land practically rent-free in hopes of attracting the tourism dollars, the general manager said." From WCNC.

Disneyland's longtime Tinkerbell turns in her wings
"Nearly every summer night for 21 years, Tinkerbell floated down from Disneyland's Matterhorn peak, far above the crowds of cheering children and away into the starry sky. Then she climbed into her BMW and slogged back home to the Valley. Now that Gina Rock's run as Tinkerbell is over (Disneyland debuted a fireworks show last week and with it a new Tink), she is writing a motivational book for kids, encouraging them to chase their wildest dreams." From The Orange County Register.

'Grrrreeaat' Voiceover Artist Dies
"Thurl Ravenscroft, who provided the rumbling 'They're Grrrrreeeat!' for Kellogg's Tony the Tiger ads and voiced a host of Disney characters, has died. He was 91. Ravenscroft died Sunday of prostate cancer, said Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna Beach's Pageant of the Masters." From CBS. Ravenscroft is probably best known to Disneyland fans as the lead vocalist on "Grim, Grinning Ghosts" as a singing bust in the Haunted Mansion.

Christian group ends long Disney boycott
"A conservative Christian group has ended a nine-year boycott of the Walt Disney Co., citing as 'positive signs' the departure of CEO Michael Eisner and the release of a film based on the children's book 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.' Mississippi-based American Family Assn. said it ended its campaign to stop Disney from 'promoting homosexuality' to focus on 'new challenges in the culture wars' such as the appointment of federal judges and same-sex marriage laws. The group called off the campaign without achieving any of the changes in corporate behavior it sought, including a call for Disney to ban "Gay Day" revelers from its theme parks and set up an advisory panel of evangelical Christians." From Amusement Business.

Park City theme park wins financing
"Wild West World, the $15 million-$20 million theme park planned for Park City [KS], has secured its financing, developer Tom Etheredge said Monday. Etheredge said he received a verbal commitment for $10 million last week from Fitraco NV, a Belgian financial company that lends money for entertainment projects. The money will pay for the theme park's rides. Etheredge expects to receive written confirmation in the next few weeks. He plans to open the park May 1, 2007." From The Wichita Eagle.

IAAPA Recognized by Tradeshow Week Magazine
"The IAAPA Orlando Convention and Tradeshow 2004 was honored in 'Tradeshow Week' magazine's 31st annual edition of the Tradeshow Week 200, IAAPA announced today. Placing in the top 15 percent of the largest tradeshows in the U.S., IAAPA's Orlando show ranked 31st place. The rankings, compiled by 'Tradeshow Week', are based on paid exhibit space and include the 200 largest tradeshows in the United States and the 50 largest in Canada. The IAAPA Orlando show is the largest amusement and attractions industry convention in the world. Held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 2004 tradeshow filled 1 million gross square with more than 26,750 attendees and 1,100 exhibitors... For 2005, the IAAPA show, re-named The IAAPA Attractions Expo 2005, will move to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia." Press Release from IAAPA.

Ten Arrested in Six Flags Fight
"Three adults and seven juveniles were arrested Saturday after a fight broke out at Six Flags Magic Mountain that caused minor injuries, officials reported. More than 25 people were involved in fighting incidents Saturday night at the amusement park, although the reason for the battles was unknown, according to deputies at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station. Sgt. Byron Wainine said the park closed two hours early after the fight broke out. 'There were very minor injuries to two of the suspects,' said Sgt. Steve Maggiora, of the Magic Mountain division. He said the cause of the fight is still under investigation. A few people resisted arrest, Maggiora said, and at least five women were arrested. About 25 sheriff's deputies were brought in to quell the fighting, which began at about 8 p.m. and was contained within 45 minutes, Wainine said." From The Signal.

Silver anniversary for G-rated gold mine
"Each year thousands of children make a pilgrimage to Bucks County [PA] to take tea with Big Bird, tickle Elmo, and splash around in the Count's Fount. Sesame Place, the only Sesame Street-theme amusement park in the United States, has grown into one of the best-known destinations in the Philadelphia region and the third most-popular attraction in Bucks, behind New Hope and Peddler's Village... this month, the park in the heart of Middletown Township's commercial corridor launched its 25th anniversary celebration. Bert and Ernie hosted 900,000 visitors last year, and that number is expected to grow this season, which runs through October." From The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Blackstone acquires Merlin, eyes Legoland parks
"U.S.-based international private investment company the Blackstone Group signaled the seriousness of its quest to buy the Legoland parks on Monday when it completed its acquisition of pan-European attractions operator Merlin Entertainments." From Amusement Business.

Bonfante Gardens sells land; debt repurchase next
"The non-profit corporation that owns Bonfante Gardens horticultural theme park in Gilroy, Calif., has sold a parcel of land to raise funds that are key to its strategy of reducing debt and remaining in operation." From Amusement Business.

Surfparks stoked on financing for Orlando attraction
"Surfparks Llc. and partners have secured more than $9 million in funding to build the Ron Jon Surfpark in Orlando [FL], it was announced. The world's first wave pool facility built specifically for surfing and bodyboarding is planned to open in mid-2006 as an anchor attraction in Festival Bay Mall on International Drive." From Amusement Business.

Six Flags unveils `world's fastest' roller coaster
"Thrill seekers from around the country gathered at Six Flags Great Adventure Amusement Park in Jackson, New Jersey today to ride the world's fastest and highest roller coaster. Kingda Ka carriers 18 riders from zero to 120 miles per hour in three-and-a-half seconds. It then launches them straight up 456 feet and plunges them back to earth." From WAVY.

Parks' Sex Offenders Stance Draws Concern
"Bob Levan bought season passes to Six Flags Great America for his daughters and their best friend, but he is worried he won't be able to ride the roller coasters with them because he is a convicted sex offender. Six Flags added wording on the back of season passes to all 30 of its U.S. amusement parks this year stating that it reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone convicted of a sex crime. The amusement park said it does not actually plan to run background checks on everyone entering the park, but visitors seen acting inappropriately could be subjected to a check and thrown out." From ABC News.

Geauga Lake to police itself
"Geauga Lake Amusement Park [OH] soon will have its own state-certified police department on its property. There will be about 20 officers in the park's police force, with the majority of them employed seasonally, said Dave Cope, director of security services for Geauga Lake. Mr. Cope will serve as the new department's chief." From Crain's Cleveland Business.

Canyon gateway rides amusement park plan
"As high winds whipped downslope from Bill Williams Mountain through the empty streets of the Route 66 business district, Ray DeBerge's thoughts were in a much better place. Like dreaming of the day that tourists snake in the narrow aisles of his century-old Western-wear store to buy the straw and felt cowboy hats he had just rearranged. A year ago, that notion would have drawn a big laugh, back when all the area lakes were dry and city officials kept their fingers crossed that they wouldn't come up dry drilling a well. And city officials remember when there were many empty storefronts, the lingering effects of being the last town bypassed by Interstate 40. But life is changing rapidly in this city, population 3,000, where pine tree meets prairie and the biggest celebration honors mountain men. Williams is the closest incorporated community to the Grand Canyon, 59 miles away. It's on the fast track to taking advantage of that in a big way." From The Arizona Republic.

Park manager guilty in carnival-ride death, but not of murder
"A jury found a former amusement park manager guilty of reckless homicide for a woman's fatal fall from a pendulum-like ride, The Hawk, in March 2004. The jury opted not to convict Charles Stanley Martin of second-degree murder for the death of June Alexander, who fell 60 feet to her death from a ride after her harness came loose in midair as her family watched." From Court TV.

Roller Coaster Enthusiasts Visit Lake Winnespesaukah
"In neighborhood news, you know it's summertime when American Coaster Enthusiasts kick off their season. This year the 8-thousand member group started here at Lake Winnespesaukah. More than 300 members from as far away as Canada, England and Ireland dropped by to check out Lake Winnie's Cannon Ball coaster." From WDEF.

Outage leaves visitors stuck on 2 AstroWorld rides
"Visitors to Six Flags AstroWorld were stranded on two of the amusement park's more exciting rides Saturday, due to a 45-minute power failure. Although 'most of the rides were over' around 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Six Flags park personnel had to rescue riders on the Texas Cyclone and the Serial Thriller. 'Those two evacuations were successful,' said Six Flags spokeswoman Donna Jendritza. 'These are rides that we operate safely every day. But yes, they are two of our major roller coasters in the park.'" From HoustonChronicle.com.

Fun Junction was for the family that ran it, too
"Bob and Maebeth Guyton, who founded a miniature golf course in 1954 and grew it into Fun Junction amusement park [CO], on Friday looked back at the almost five decades that they operated the well-known local attraction at 2878 North Ave. They sold the business in 2000 to their son, Kevin, who this week announced he has decided to sell the property to recover from financial losses related to a destructive sewage backup at his home in the amusement park two years ago." From the Daily Sentinel.

SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Double the Deal for Florida Residents
"SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announce the newest, easiest ticket in theme park history – the Super Two-Fer. For the price of a single-day admission, Florida residents can enjoy two days of fun. Guests who purchase a single-day admission ticket to either SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay before August 1 get a free single-day ticket to return to the same park anytime until the end of the year, December 31, 2005. The Super Two-Fer is available at the front gate of either park, or online at seaworldorlando.com or buschgardenstampabay.com." Press Release from SeaWorld Orlando.

Beach amusement park to be redeveloped after auction
"The Ferris wheel, bumper boats and go-karts will be auctioned off Saturday as an amusement park that has been the center of beach life for many families over past decades is sold to make way for redevelopment. A trio of high-rise condos will be built by Wilson developer Fred Bunn in the Circle at Atlantic Beach [NC], where an amusement park has stood as the social center of the seaside town. The change worries some in the town who remember Atlantic Beach as the place for working families to find brief escapes from tobacco towns such as Wilson, Rocky Mount and Kinston. Atlantic Beach still has a reputation as one of the most publicly accessible places on the coast because of the wide expanse of beach at the Circle." From Dateline Alabama.

Two say they almost fell off ride
"Prosecutors trying a Smoky Mountains amusement park manager in the death of a Nashville-area woman who fell from a whirling carnival ride revealed yesterday that they had two witnesses who narrowly escaped a similar fate. The disclosure came after a jury of nine men and three women was seated in the murder trial of Charles Stan Martin, accused in the March 2004 accident in which June Carol Alexander, 51, of Millersville, was killed. Prospective witnesses Ken Mace, of Muncie, Ind., and Robert Butler, of Gatlinburg, described harrowing rides in 2003 on The Hawk at the Rockin' Raceway park in Pigeon Forge [TN], about 30 miles southeast of Knoxville. Outside the presence of the sequestered jury, Mace and Butler described how their safety harnesses came loose shortly after the swinging ride started. Both said they feared they would fall out before The Hawk came to a stop." From The Tennessean.

Cedar Fair, L.P. Limited Partners Re-elect Two Directors
"Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), a publicly traded partnership which owns and operates seven amusement parks and five water parks, announced that its limited partners have re-elected Darrel D. Anderson and David L. Paradeau to the Board of Directors of its general partner, Cedar Fair Management, Inc., to terms expiring in 2008." Press Release from Cedar Fair, L.P.

Amusement park rides to be regulated under new bill
"Proposed legislation in the Tennessee House of Representatives will regulate the inspection and operation of amusement park rides. Currently there are no laws on the books requiring inspection in Tennessee. It's up to each park to make sure these thrilling machines are safe to operate... State Representative Richard Montgomery of Sevierville is sponsoring the legislation. It could pass as early as this summer." From WBIR-TV.

Disney Dissidents Sue Company, Board
"Two key dissidents of The Walt Disney Co. on Monday sued the company, alleging members of its board of directors made false statements to shareholders about the search for a successor to CEO Michael Eisner. In the lawsuit, filed in Delaware Chancery court, Roy E. Disney and Stanley Gold are asking the court to void the election of the Disney directors, force another election and disclose all of the details of how they selected a new chief executive. Among the defendants named in the suit are Eisner, Chairman George Mitchell and Disney President Robert Iger - who was named in March to succeed Eisner as chief executive. The disgruntled ex-directors contend the Disney board used 'company resources to promote Iger's candidacy and did not in good faith seriously consider any other candidate.'" From Yahoo! News.

Carousel in Pa. Undergoes Restoration
"It took nearly eight months, 14-hour days, dozens of cans of brightly colored paint and workers from coast to coast to take on one of the biggest jobs at a historic landmark in western Pennsylvania. For the first time in its history, the 1926 wooden carousel at Kennywood amusement park was painstakingly disassembled this winter and cleaned. Each piece was repaired, painted and reassembled in time for Saturday's opening to the public." AP Story from The Washington Post.

Man hit in head with arrow at theme park
"A man waiting to ride a grass slide at a theme park here [Yamaguchi, Japan] was slightly injured after he was hit in the head with an arrow, police said. The 54-year-old man and his relatives were near the slide section of the Yamaguchi New Zealand Village in Mine, Yamaguchi Prefecture, shortly before 10 a.m. on Thursday, when two arrows were fired into the area. One of the arrows, about 73 centimeters long and 7 millimeters in diameter, hit him above the eye and the other arrow fell about 10 meters from him. An archery site is located at the theme park, some 33 meters from the slide section." From MDN.

Instructions to jury flawed in theme-park case: Appeals court says evidence should have been weighed
"Evidence that African-Americans were more likely to be ejected from Magic Mountain for cutting in line should have been weighed equally with other testimony in a discrimination suit against the theme park, a state appellate court ruled. In a ruling Wednesday, the state Court of Appeal ruled a lower court judge erred in instructing the jury it was not required to consider data that showed Magic Mountain discriminated against blacks in enforcing its line-cutting policy. The overturned ruling represents just a portion of the original civil judgment in the 1998 case. In that case, jurors ruled in favor of plaintiff Danny Everett, who is black, in his lawsuit claiming battery, assault, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress by Magic Mountain security. But they did not find he was a victim of discrimination." From The L.A. Daily News.

Governor signs theme-park bill
"Gov. Janet Napolitano gave the green light Wednesday to a special taxing district that could help a private investment group put theme parks and roller-coaster rides in west Phoenix and the northern Arizona city of Williams. Napolitano said she signed the 'theme park' district legislation, House Bill 2365, because it could boost rural tourism and doesn't cost taxpayers a dime." From The Arizona Republic.

Holiday Inn Walt Disney World Resort Offers 93 Cent Rate, Again; Hotel Extends Computer Input Error Rate with Special Grand Re-Opening Promotion
"A computer input error this week resulted in the Holiday Inn in the Walt Disney World(R) Resort selling 1,208 rooms for 93 cents each instead of $93. The rate was posted on the Holiday Inn Web site for approximately 17 hours. During that time, approximately 400 guests reserved rooms at the erroneous rate, saving more than $110,000. The hotel has decided to extend its offer of the bargain rate in a special package to guests, who will receive the fifth night for 93 cents after staying four nights at the regular rate. After getting over the initial shock, General Manager Glenn Aycock decided to turn lemons into lemonade and created the special five-night package. The offer is being made as a special grand reopening promotion and is valid from September 10, 2005 through December 24, 2005 for guests who book rooms at the hotel by September 30, 2005. Guests may book rooms, subject to availability, under the 'Buy Four, Get One at 93 Cents' package by calling the hotel directly at (407) 828-8888." From BusinessWire.

Lawmakers considering push for ride safety inspectors
"In the days following a ride mishap at a Phoenix amusement park, two [Arizona] state lawmakers are considering a push for state mandated ride inspections. Their interest in regulating the attractions comes as Governor Napolitano approves a three (b) billion dollar venture to open two large-scale amusement parks in west Phoenix and Williams. But, because Arizona is one of the few states that doesn't require inspections of amusement rides, safety at the new parks would not be monitored by any state regulatory agency." From KOLD.

'Frasier' Star Falls Off Stage
"'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer took a sudden spill while hosting a function at Disneyland [CA]. He was master of ceremonies at the California theme park's 50th anniversary celebration. But when he got too close to the end of the stage, he fell off the end." From TheWGALChannel.com.

Anticipation builds for Disney's bash: But some fans plan to sit out this week's festivities, crowds
"Disneyland's 50th-birthday bash kicks off around the world this week -- and big crowds are expected -- but some of the company's faithful fans will be sitting it out in Central Florida. They won't be heading to California, and they won't be trekking to Walt Disney World. At least for now. 'There's no reason to go and fight the crowds,' said Arlen Miller, president of Orlando's local Disneyana fan club and editor of the club's newsletter 'World Tales and Mouse Review.' 'Why would I want to go wait in line for two hours when I could just go next week and the wait will be down to five minutes?'" From The South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Amusement Park Rides Sold At Auction
"HOPKINTON, R.I. -- An amusement park that entertained children for more than three decades auctioned off its rides one by one on Tuesday. The Enchanted Forest in Hope Valley opened in 1971. But the owner, Harold Fera, recently made the decision to sell because of a slowdown in business. 'It was hard to compete with the big parks, Six Flags and that sort of thing,' Fera said. The 30-acre lot will be put on the market for commercial or residential use." From News Channel 10.

Paramount's Great America unveils waterpark addition
"Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara, Calif., has tripled the size of its waterpark with a Hollywood-inspired expansion set to open to the public Saturday, the theme park announced. With the edition of a Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay Beach Club area, inspired by the 1986 boxoffice hit, 'Crocodile Dundee,' the waterpark now spans 11 acres." From Amusement Business.

Park ride mallfunction traps 11 people
"Eleven people were trapped for more than two hours Sunday night on a free-fall ride at Castles N' Coasters in Phoenix [AZ], fire officials said. Firefighters had to use a rope rescue procedure to evacuate some of the riders from the Sky Diver, a 120-foot ride that drops riders quickly from top to bottom to create a free-fall sensation. Other riders were able to descend on a firetruck ladder at the park near Interstate 17 and Dunlap Avenue. At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, the Sky Diver became stuck 30 feet up, trapping the riders, fire officials said. Most riders were evacuated by 9 p.m." From The East Valley Tribune.