Cedar Fair, L.P. Completes Acquisition of the Paramount Parks
"Cedar Fair, L.P. (NYSE: FUN), today announced that it has completed its acquisition of the Paramount Parks from CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS), in a cash transaction valued at approximately $1.24 billion. Cedar Fair will assume the complete operations and management of the parks immediately... The five Paramount Parks consist of Canada's Wonderland near Toronto, Canada; Kings Island near Cincinnati, Ohio; Kings Dominion near Richmond, Virginia; Carowinds near Charlotte, North Carolina; and Great America located in Santa Clara, California." Press Release from Cedar Fair, L.P.

M.E. Detects 'Abnormalities' In Boy's Heart
"The medical examiner said on Friday that a 12-year-old boy who died after riding at roller coaster at [Walt Disney World] had heart problems. 'No evidence of injury was found, but congenital heart abnormalities were detected, which will be further evaluated,' associate medical examiner Sara Irrgang said. She said the official cause of death will not be announced until results of additional studies are obtained, WESH 2 News reported." From WESH.

Boy dies after riding Disney World roller coaster
"A boy from Kentucky riding Walt Disney World's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster slumped over during the ride and later died though his Army Green Beret father attempted to resuscitate him. There was no indication Thursday why Michael Russell, 12, of Fort Campbell, Ky., lost consciousness on the popular indoor roller coaster at Disney-MGM Studios, or why he died. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death, and the medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy today friday." From The Orlando Sentinel.

Filmmaker Landis Lends Talents to Theme Park
"Director John Landis has collaborated with Universal Studios theme park in Orlando to develop a special effects show featuring memorable movie moments. The show, Universal 360 - A Cinesphere Spectacular, combines scenes from more than 100 movies and projects them onto four Kevlar spheres on the theme parks central lagoon. The show will also include lasers, pyrotechnics, and digital mapping technology (which will make the surrounding areas appear to be engulfed in flames)." From Backstage.

Bell's Amusement Park Reopens Today
"A Tulsa amusement park is bouncing back after being silenced for 20 days. The rides at Bell's Amusement Park start up again today. Bells was forced to close earlier this month, after a microburst caused significant damage. After some serious clean-up, state inspectors have given the park the okay to reopen." From KOTV.

Bell's Amusement Park Reopens Today
"A Tulsa amusement park is bouncing back after being silenced for 20 days. The rides at Bell's Amusement Park start up again today. Bells was forced to close earlier this month, after a microburst caused significant damage. After some serious clean-up, state inspectors have given the park the okay to reopen." From KOTV.

Six Flags Seeks Buyers for Six Theme Parks as Attendance Drops
"Six Flags Inc., the second-biggest U.S. theme-park operator, is seeking buyers for six of its 30 properties amid a plunge in attendance this year... Seven months after ousting former Chief Executive Officer Kieran Burke, Chairman Daniel Snyder and new CEO Mark Shapiro are paring less-profitable parks. Under review are facilities in Seattle, Denver and Houston, as well as the company's Magic Mountain property in Los Angeles." From Bloomberg.com.

ACLU probes Six Flags hairstyle ban
"The American Civil Liberties Union is investigating complaints from more than a dozen black employees at a Six Flags theme park [SIx Flags America, MD] who were told their hairstyles were inappropriate." AP Story on Yahoo! News.

Redlands [CA] theme park adds fine dining, concert venue to its attractions
"This isn't yesterday's Pharaoh's Lost Kingdom, in fact it's not even called that any more. Now known as Pharaoh's Theme and Water Park, a $9-million influx into the 10-year-old park will give visitors a whole lot more than just water slides and a sunburn this summer. Among other things, there's a new concert venue, a fine dining restaurant and even a cocktail lounge." From PE.com.

Kiddie Train Stolen From Amusement Park
"The owners of an amusement park in Wareham [MA] are trying to figure out who's behind a weekend train robbery. A whistle, a wheelbase and an empty track are all that's left of a 1951 Tom Thumb train, the main attraction at Cartland of Cape Cod for more than 30 years. Over the weekend, someone dismantled the half-ton train and stole it right off the tracks." From turnto10.com.

Girl Knocked Unconscious On Ride at Six Flags
"A young girl and her friend were on a new ride at Six Flags [Great America, IL] when a serious accident knocked her out and sent them both to the hospital. Witnesses say she was knocked out by the initial fall until she came to the bottom of the ride and was hit in the face with a wave. That is when she came to, screaming... Keely Vercellotti does not remember her first ride on Great America's newest attraction. That is probably a good thing because her turn on the Tornado was not pretty." From CBS 2.

Disney Set on Park 'Dreams'
"As Disneyland puts away the 50th anniversary party hats from its 18-month celebration, Walt Disney Co. executives are faced with their next challenge: how to avoid a midlife crisis at the company's theme parks. Banking on the momentum of their packed theme parks, Disney executives on Wednesday said they planned to lure tourists back using advertising, prizes and new attractions... Disney said it would launch its first global advertising campaign, pushing the theme 'Where Dreams Come True.' They plan to offer unique experiences to U.S. theme park visitors through more than 1 million giveaways that include a stay in a royal bedchamber being constructed inside Cinderella's castle at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and a new Mickey Mouse penthouse at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim." From The LA Times.

Storm Damage At Bells And The Tulsa County Fairgrounds
"The Tulsa County [OK] fairgrounds were hit hard by a severe thunderstorm Tuesday morning. Several buildings at the fairgrounds have roof damage and no electricity. News on 6 reporter Jennifer Loren says the Ferris wheel at Bells Amusement Park was damaged. It is basically been folded in half. Bells' owner says this is the worst storm to come through here in more than 20 years. The Zingo is also damaged with an uprooted tree now lying across its tracks." From KOTV.