New Joyland owners may reopen park next spring
"Joyland Amusement Park [Wichita, KS] has been sold, and Stanley and Margaret Nelson say they are ready to return to retirement. They are delighted with the terms of the sale, which were not disclosed, and the buyer's experience with running amusement parks. The Nelsons are also honoring the buyer's request to remain anonymous. The deal is scheduled to close before Dec. 15, says Allen Mairs, listing agent with Occidental Management Inc." From MSNBC.

Park still on drawing board
"The wait for a theme park in Glynn County [GA] will have to continue. Steamboat City, the theme park proposed for the area of Georgia 99 just east of Interstate 95 in northern Glynn County, is still on the drawing board with no new starting date for construction. The most recent start date given for the project was early 2006, but that's not going to happen." From The Brunswick News.

Beech Bend Roller Coaster
"Beech Bend Amusement Park has games and rides for those of all ages, but according to park owner, Dallas Jones, the one attraction it was missing was a wooden roller coaster. "I've always wanted a coaster for the last 10 years....so I made a decision last year that we'd take that giant step and invest a wooden coaster", says Jones... The wooden coaster is scheduled to open on May 6th." From WBKO.

Rawhide theme park loadin' up, movin' out
"After a 34-year hoedown, the West's Most Western-themed park is breaking camp. When the theme park first opened, it was isolated from the rest of the Valley and surrounded by saguaro-studded Sonoran Desert. Now it is surrounded by development. Rawhide Western Town's last day in Scottsdale [AZ] is Monday. The theme park is moving to the Gila River Indian Community, and as Rawhide gets ready for its new location, it leaves behind a trail of memories as vivid as a sunset cookout for the more than 20 million who visited from around the world." From The Arizona Republic.

Six Flags adding 10 new rides
"Six Flags Over Texas is adding 10 new "family-oriented" rides next year, the company revealed in a government filing this week. The Oklahoma City-based company did not say what kind of rides the Arlington park would get in 2006 as it outlined plans for various capital projects in the Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The last new ride at Six Flags Over Texas was the Superman Tower of Power, which opened in spring 2003. The park will announce more details about the new rides on Nov. 10, said spokeswoman Sandra Daniels. She would not say whether the rides were brand new or coming from another park." From The Star-Telegram.

Passengers stuck on Busch Gardens roller coaster
"Tampa, Florida - Passengers riding the Sheikra roller coaster at Busch Gardens were stuck at the horizonal platform, just before the drop. Twenty-four passengers were stranded on the ride for about an hour on Saturday, high above the theme park. A rescue trolley traveled up to the top and brought the passengers down safely one row at a time. There were no injuries." From WTSP.

Cedar Fair considers purchase of Six Flags
"Cedar Fair LP, owner of Cedar Point and six other amusement parks and five water parks nationwide, said yesterday it is taking a serious look at buying rival Six Flags Inc. or some of its 30 amusement parks. Six Flags, which said in August it was for sale, has received takeover interest from about three dozen prospective buyers, many of them private equity firms. The company, whose financial records have been disclosed to possible buyers, has a market capitalization of about $674 million and debts of more than $2 billion. Stacy Frole, director of investor relations for Cedar Fair, said her Sandusky company has financial wherewithal to buy Six Flags or some of its parks. But the deal would have to make financial and strategic sense, she added." From The Toledo Blade.

Sources say Six Flags spurs strong buying interest
"Six Flags Inc. has received takeover interest from about three dozen prospective buyers, but a dissident shareholder seeking to increase his stake has not entered the auction to buy the entire theme park operator, sources familiar with the situation said on Monday." From Amusement Business.

Red Zone LLC Requests Record Date for Six Flags' Consent Solicitation
"Red Zone LLC announced today that it has requested that the board of directors of Six Flags, Inc. set a record date to determine the stockholders entitled to consent to Red Zone's proposals to remove three directors from Six Flags' board and replace them with Mark Shapiro, Daniel Snyder and Dwight Schar. Red Zone's director nominees are expected to urge the Six Flags board to take immediate steps to improve the Company's operational performance and elect Mr. Shapiro Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Snyder Chairman. Promptly after a record date is established, Red Zone intends to solicit Six Flags stockholders to consent to several proposals which are described in Red Zone's revised preliminary consent solicitation statement as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission." From BusinessWire via Google.

Cedar Fair weighs admission-price reduction: Attendance at flagship park has dropped for two years
"Hurt by two years of sagging attendance at its flagship Cedar Point amusement park here, Cedar Fair LP said it may lower admission prices for 2006. A decision on prices - including the bellwether $45 gate admission for visitors age 3 and over - hasn't been made. But Stacy Frole, head of investor relations, said the company is studying the matter and will decide within two months." From The Toledo Blade.

PEI theme park ends 'emotional ride'
"In the market for a slightly used flying saucer? How about a witches' cave or hillbilly cabin? These are among the assets for sale from Prince Edward Island's [Canada] recently closed and much-loved Rainbow Valley theme park, named after one of the lesser novels by Lucy Maud Montgomery... The announcement in April that Parks Canada had purchased the 15.8-hectare park site for $2.3 million triggered a volley of protests across Canada, including a 12,500-name online petition. More than five million people have visited the park since it opened more than 30 years ago. Rainbow Valley closed its doors for good in early September." From Canada.com.

Unprecedented Partnership Announced Between Six Flags Great America, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, Brookfield Zoo, and Shedd Aquarium
"It is a revolutionary concept designed to provide families with thrilling entertainment, educational opportunities, togetherness and lasting memories 365 days a year. For the first time in its history, Six Flags Great America is offering a whole new level of season pass fun with the Six Flags Great America Premium Season Pass. Premium Season Pass holders will not only receive unlimited admission to Six Flags Great America and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, but also to Brookfield Zoo and Shedd Aquarium. Premium Season Passes will be available exclusively at Six Flags Great America during its 15th annual Fright Fest, weekends October 8-30." Press Release on PR NewsWire.

Zoomers amusement park nears completion
"Every time she and her family pass Zoomers amusement park on Summerlin Road in south Fort Myers [FL], Kerrie Stephenson hears the questions from her children. 'Every time we drive by, it's 'Are they ever going to get finished?''... The park, which has been in the works since 2002, could open by the end of the year. 'We're shooting for November,' said Tim Miles, 58, who is a partner in Zoomers." From The News-Press.

Smithsonian Acquires World-Famous African Art Collection
"The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African Art has received one of the world's most famous collections of traditional African art -- the Walt Disney-Tishman Collection. The museum announced the gift September 29 at a press briefing in Washington. The 525-piece collection -- a gift from the Walt Disney World Company, a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company -- includes most major styles of African art, representing 75 peoples and 20 countries. The Walt Disney Company previously had made the collection accessible to the public through loans, publications and special exhibitions. The company now has made final the collection's permanent relocation to the Smithsonian, according to a museum press release." From USINFO.

Cheap Sunglasses
"Walt Disney Parks and Resorts of Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is recalling 12,900 red sunglasses/toddler cap sets because the paint on the sunglasses contains high levels of lead. Lead poisoning in children is associated with behavioral problems, learning disabilities, hearing problems and growth retardation. The sunglasses were sold with either a navy blue toddler cap featuring Mickey Mouse or a light blue toddler cap featuring the character Stitch. 'Walt Disney World' or 'Disneyland Resort' is stitched on the back of the toddler caps. The sunglasses and caps were sold at Disneyland Resort in California, the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida and the Disney Cruise Line based in Florida from November 2004 through June 2005 for $16. Consumers should take the sunglasses away from children and contact Walt Disney World Co. at (866) 802-2782 for a free replacement pair of sunglasses and 20 Disney Dollars." From AAP News.