Cedar Fair Entertainment Company's Additions/Improvements for 2007
"Cedar Fair Entertainment Company... has announced plans for $83 million in additions and improvements at its parks for the 2007 season.
Dick Kinzel, chairman, president and chief executive officer, reported that the 2007 program will be highlighted by Maverick, a $21 million roller coaster at its flagship park, Cedar Point.
The 2007 capital program will also feature an $11 million water park expansion at the newly acquired Kings Dominion amusement park. The new attractions will include the addition of a second wave pool, a Tornado water slide with turning and churning wet spills, and a Zoom Flume.
Kings Island, another park that the company acquired this past season, and Knott’s Berry Farm, the company’s only year-round park, will spend approximately $10 million and $8 million, respectively, on their 2007 capital programs. Kinzel added that both programs will be highlighted by major new thrill rides that will be announced by the parks at a later date.
Valleyfair will spend $7 million for its 2007 operating season and will feature Renegade, a new wooden roller coaster. This 104-foot-tall coaster will entertain guests with a never-before-experienced twisting first drop, a low-to-the-ground high-speed S-turn and a high-speed station fly-by. The remaining capital will be allocated across our other seven parks and will include new rides and attractions as well as new restaurants, ice shows and general park improvements." From Cedar Fair, L.P.

Mini golf at Arnolds Park
"A deal expected to be closed in January may change the gateway appearance of Arnolds Park Amusement Park. The board of directors of Historic Arnolds Park, Inc. (HAPI) announced Wednesday a brokerage agreement with Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf that would transform the current mini-golf course at the park's southwest entrance into a showcase attraction." From The Sioux City Journal.

Wolverine Day at Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is looking for a few good Wolverine fans. In celebration of the theme park’s December 30th "Wolverine Day," Universal Studios Hollywood has announced a “Wolverine Fan Photo” casting contest. Universal Studios Hollywood will feature a winning fan photo on its website daily from December 20th through December 30th in anticipation of the theme park’s “Wolverine Day” as the movie-based entertainment destination rolls out the “blue” carpet and welcomes thousands of University of Michigan faithful. Contest details (as well as special “Wolverine” tickets and offers) can be found via the above link. From Universal Studios Hollywood.

Six Flags Provides Game Plan for 2007
"On a call this morning with investors and analysts, Six Flags, Inc. [NYSE: SIX] President and CEO Mark Shapiro discussed new Corporate Alliances and revealed new entertainment and marketing initiatives for the Company's parks in 2007." Above link to the PR release from Six Flags.

Magic Mountain to remain a theme park
"Magic Mountain [CA] isn't going away anytime soon, but a sale of the park from Six Flags to another operator could be announced before the end of the year. With attendance at the thrill park down 25 percent since the potential sale was announced in June, company CEO Mark Shapiro made it a point Tuesday during a conference call with investors to emphasize that the park will not be paved over. 'We had inquiries and bids for parties to come in and close down Magic Mountain and operate it as a real estate venture,' Shapiro said in an interview after the conference call. 'But we are dismissing those and solidly staying on a track that has this park open for 2007 and beyond,' he said." From The LA Daily News.

Fire closes roller coaster
"A fire in the mechanical room that operates the Lake Grove roller coaster left two people, including a firefighter, injured yesterday, officials said. The roller coaster, located at Sports Plus Entertainment, is the same ride that left 14 people stranded for about 30 minutes when it broke down last month. Andrew Brofman, chief fire marshal for the Village of Lake Grove, said the center was cited with a number of violations at the time. Brofman said all of the violations were taken care of, except one -- a 3 1/2 feet deep hole, into which a firefighter fell yesterday during a search." From Newsday.