Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones details plans for the entire Legoland Florida theme park and answers the three most asked questions: What will be in the park?; When will it open? (October 2011); and How much are ticket prices? Then we’ll take you on a hard hat tour of the undergoing construction. [...]]]>

Legoland Florida General Manager Adrian Jones details plans for the entire Legoland Florida theme park and answers the three most asked questions: What will be in the park?; When will it open? (October 2011); and How much are ticket prices? Then we’ll take you on a hard hat tour of the undergoing construction. For more information, visit AttractionsMagazine.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), today reported record results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 and announced the declaration of its first quarter distribution.

The Company reported record full-year net revenues of $1.028 billion, up 5.2% from 2010, reflecting strong growth [...]]]> Cedar Fair Reports Record Results For 2011

Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), today reported record results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011 and announced the declaration of its first quarter distribution.

The Company reported record full-year net revenues of $1.028 billion, up 5.2% from 2010, reflecting strong growth across its parks; net income of $1.29 per diluted limited partner unit, up $1.86 from a year ago. Adjusted EBITDA for the full year was a record $375 million, up 4.3% from last year. Attendance at Cedar Fair’s parks was a record 23.4 million guests, a 592,000-visit, or 2.6%, increase from 2010. The Company declared a $0.40 quarterly cash distribution payable March 15, 2012, consistent with its annual rate of $1.60 per limited partner (LP) unit; on track to pay a record distribution of more than $2.00 per LP unit in 2013.

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Koch family, fair board have tentative lease deal on Kentucky Kingdom

The Kentucky State Fair Board is scheduled to vote Thursday on a proposed lease with the Koch family, owners of Holiday World in Santa Claus, Ind., to operate Louisville’s closed Kentucky Kingdom amusement park.

An item to approve a tentative lease for the operation of Kentucky Kingdom is on the agenda, released Monday, for the board’s meeting at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

Fair board spokeswoman Amanda Storment confirmed that the proposed lease is with the Kochs and also that the family and the board have reached a tentative deal on the Kochs’ operation of the park, subject to the full board’s ratification.

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Miracle Strip continues expansion with Sea Dragon

Stepping off the new amusement ride at Pier Park’s Miracle Strip on Monday, 11-year-old Amanda Sullivan said it made her feel all tingly inside.

“It felt like I was going to the moon,” she said. Her mother, Nikki Hunt of Panama City Beach, said she once enjoyed the same giant, swinging pirate ship at the old Miracle Strip on Front Beach Road.

“It’s neat to see my daughter ride it now,” Hunt said. The expansion of the amusement park continued Friday with the opening of the Sea Dragon, a replica of the original ride that has been repainted and retooled for a new generation.

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Michigan’s Adventure requests special exemption for post-prom party

The Fruitland Township board will consider a special request from Michigan’s Adventure amusement park to postpone enforcement of its noise ordinance for one night in June.

The township board will meet at 7 p.m. at the Fruitland Township Hall, 4545 Nestrom.

Michigan’s Adventure, which has property in Fruitland and Dalton townships, is holding a post-prom party for high school students to discourage drinking and irresponsible behavior, Fruitland Township officials said.

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Banking on fun: Six Flags Corp. posted highest earnings in history

Six Flags Corporation, which owns Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell and Six Flags White Water in Marietta, posted the highest earnings in history last year with $350 million, the company revealed Wednesday.

Melinda Ashcraft, president of Six Flags’ two Cobb County parks, said Thursday she could not reveal how much of those earnings came from her parks, but did say that Six Flags Over Georgia is one of the corporation’s top parks year after year and had an “excellent year” in 2011.

“I think with our new company restructuring, we put our sole focus on operating a regional theme park and focused on what we did best,” Ashcraft said. “We had expanded in other areas, but getting back to our basics has made all the difference in the world. We put our primary focus back on our guests to make sure they had a great day at park, and as a result, we had a phenomenal year.”

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A Patriotic Vinylmation Salute on Presidents’ Day

A few weekends ago, my son visited the Hall of Presidents at Magic Kingdom Park for the first time. The attraction is a Walt Disney World Resort classic originally opening in 1971. At first, I was unsure if he would enjoy the show as much as I do. A few weeks later he asked me to name the presidents, which was his favorite part of the attraction (so it appears he liked it). We’ve recently featured a few of the presidents as Vinylmation. On this Presidents’ Day, I thought a closer look at some patriotic Vinylmation was in order.

The image above features two figures released late last year – George Washington from Holiday #3 and Abraham Lincoln from Park Starz #1. This year, we will be releasing additional patriotic figures including a copper-colored Abraham Lincoln. He is part of the Park Starz variant collection, and will have an edition size of 2,500. Look for him to be released in June at the D-Street locations. There will also be a nine-inch figure designed by Casey Jones and a three-inch Uncle Sam figure for Independence Day.

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Florida teenager who fell from a Wisconsin amusement park ride has returned to hospital that likely saved her life

A Florida teenager who plummeted 100 feet from a Wisconsin amusement park ride has returned to the state to promote an expansion project at the hospital that likely saved her life.

Hospital staff and others watched in awe Monday as 14-year-old Teagan Marti strode across the lobby at American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison under her own power, using only a walker for support. The teen, whose spine was severely injured in the July 2010 fall in Wisconsin Dells, appeared at a news conference to promote funding for the $32 million hospital expansion.

“This is my tomboy,” her mother, Julie Marti, said. “She’s my adventure kid. That’s how we got into this. I’m just so happy she’s come so far.”

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2012 Report on the $15 Billion US Amusement Parks & Arcades Market with Giants such as Walt Disney, Six Flags, Sea World and Universal

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Amusement Parks & Arcades” report to their offering.

The US amusement parks and arcades industry includes about 3,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $15 billion. Major theme park companies include Walt Disney, Six Flags, Cedar Fair, SeaWorld, and Universal Parks & Resorts; major arcade operators include Namco Cybertainment, Dave & Buster’s, and CEC Entertainment (Chuck E Cheese’s). The industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies generate about 85 percent of revenue.

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Dollywood, HUSS settle lawsuit over Timber Tower

The Dollywood Co. and a German maker of amusement park rides have settled a $500,000 federal lawsuit filed over the Timber Tower attraction — a ride Dollywood claimed suffered from numerous mechanical failures and never worked properly over its six-year history at the park. Dollywood filed the lawsuit in Sevier County Circuit Court in September 2011 naming HUSS Park Attractions and HUSS Parts & Service as the defendants. Dollywood claimed breach of contract and warranty, negligence and misrepresentation over the installation and performance of the Timber Tower ride. The lawsuit was transferred to U.S. District Court in Knoxville in December, and later that month HUSS filed a motion to dismiss the complaint.

Earlier this month, the two companies announced to the court a settlement had been reached and all issues had been resolved without an admission of liability by either side. “We came to a mutual agreement. We’re wishing each other well and both going on about our business,” said Pete Owens, media and public relations manager for Dollywood.

The terms of the settlement are sealed and will remain confidential, a press release from Dollywood stated. Owens said the Timber Tower ride would be dismantled and removed from the park before the 2012 season, which begins March 24.

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Adventure Park expansion plan goes before Garfield County commissioners today

The Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park is seeking more flexibility from Garfield County government to grow and expand with new rides and attractions in the coming years.

The park, through owner Steve Beckley of POW Inc., is before the Garfield Board of County Commissioners at 1 p.m. today asking for an amendment to its prior land-use approvals.

The change would allow the park to make certain additions to the park, including new rides, without having to obtain individual permits each time.

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Six Flags to Participate in KeyBanc Consumer Conference

Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: SIX), the world’s largest regional theme park company, announced today that it will participate in the KeyBanc Capital Markets Consumer Conference on February 29, 2012 at the Intercontinental Barclay hotel in New York, NY.

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Top Five Reasons to Visit a Disney Resort for Spring Break

Have you ever spent spring break at the Walt Disney World Resort?

I did. Several years ago, when I was a student at the University of Pittsburgh, my mom surprised me with a trip to Walt Disney World Resort and a room at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. It was five days of theme park adventure in the afternoon, and relaxation by the resort pool in the evening. To this day, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter is one of my favorites – it was such a welcome change from the cold Pennsylvania weather and so much fun!

That said, here are my top five reasons you should stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel for spring break this year.

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Tulsa officials cool to proposed amusement park at Turkey Mountain

City officials addressed community concerns about a proposed amusement park plan near Turkey Mountain during a City Hall in Your Neighborhood meeting Monday evening.

Mayor Dewey Bartlett, the executive director of River Parks and the city councilor for that area of the city came out in opposition to the plan, which was presented to several officials recently.

River Parks Executive Director Matt Meyer said any development plans would run into problems at Turkey Mountain because the area is designated as an urban wilderness area under the Arkansas River Corridor Master Plan.

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Disney recruiting at WMU

Walt Disney Co. representatives will be on campus to recruit Western Michigan University students for a one-of-a-kind education and work program at the Magic Kingdom in Florida or California.

Representatives from the Disney College Program will be on hand Monday, Feb. 27, at noon and at 6 p.m. in Room 105 of the Bernhard Center to provide information about the real world of make believe and becoming a Disney “cast member.”

The free event is sponsored by the WMU Chapter of the Disney College Program Alumni Association, which was established in 1996 to provide networking opportunities and promote the development of the program at WMU. Previously called the Walt Disney World College Program, Disney representatives began recruiting at WMU in 1993.

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Study: Mammoth Cave pumps $62 million into area

A National Park Service study shows that Mammoth Cave National Park pumps $62 million a year into south-central Kentucky’s economy.

The study based its finding on an average of 500,000 visitors a year, how much those visitors spend, the jobs they support and the ripple effect of those jobs in the economy.

Visitors in 2010 generated nearly 85,000 motel nights, estimates show, with more than $32 million in spending. That spending supports 525 jobs, with an income of about $11 million, and those employees spend an additional $19 million in the region.

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Arizona Grand Resort’s Oasis Water Park

FOX 10’s Cory McCloskey has the details on how Arizona Grand Resort’s Oasis Water Park is opening its season with a big splash.

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Child injured in Jay Peak waterpark ride

A child was injured on a new high speed ride at Jay Peak this weekend.

The La Chute is a 300 foot long thrill ride that relies on a persons weight. It features a 60-foot free fall before the rider begins going up the enclosed tube. According to resort officials, a young boy was injured when he did not make it up the tube and became stuck at the bottom part of the u-shaped tube. Officials say the ride attendant did not notice the boy was stuck and sent another man down the ride and the two collided.

The boy was transported to North Country Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and was released. The resort closed the ride for several hours to complete an investigation. They say the boy did meet the rides weight requirement. Resort officials say 50-thousand people have used the water park since it opened in mid-December and this is the first accident to occur.

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Sugarland responds to civil lawsuit in Indiana State Fair stage collapse

Country duo Sugarland is responding to claims of negligence filed against it in a civil lawsuit tied to the tragic collapse of state rigging at the Indiana State Fair last year.

Several victims filed a lawsuit Nov. 22 in Marion Superior Court, claiming that negligence on the part of Sugarland and other companies contributed to the tragedy.

Seven people were killed and more than 40 were injured when a gust of wind toppled equipment that hung over the stage before the group’s Aug. 13 concert.

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State fair closes as leaders eye extending run next year

Postcard-perfect weather provided what seemed like a tailor-made backdrop for this year’s Florida State Fair, which closed Monday night.

But picturesque skies and mostly balmy temperatures didn’t drive big crowds to the midway. Fair planners were worried that attendance may be 40,000 short of last year’s mark.

Undaunted by those concerns, John Leroe of Tampa came early Friday with three kids in tow. It cost him $98 for admission and ride tickets, but he thinks he will save in the long run.

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The State Fair is Back!

The North Dakota State Fair was cancelled last summer after record flooding hit Minot. It was a disappointing year for fair lovers.

“I missed those rides,” said Logan Klein who was shopping with his mom in town on Monday. They both go to the fair every year and said they really missed it last year.

But, the Klein’s can jump for joy now because the fair is back this year and people are already making hotel reservations for one of the most anticipated weeks of the year. Wendy Howe, Director of Minot`s Convention and Visitor`s Bureau, said although the Grand Stand and State Fair Center were saved from the flood, parts of the state fair grounds are still recovering. So, will all facilities be back to normal by this summer? State Fair organizers said everything will be good to go and ready for the thousands of people coming to the grounds. Most electrical issues have been solved and grass has been planted. The only challenge facing fair goers this year will be accommodation.

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Texas Zoo makes plans to expand

Oct. 21, 1998, is a day that will be forever etched into the history of the Texas Zoo. On that day, the zoo and surrounding areas were nearly destroyed by a 500-year flood.

While some preliminary actions were taken to evacuate the animals, dramatic boat rescues by staff, police and fire department personnel were still needed to rescue many of the animals.

The small zoo was buried under more than 6 feet of ravaging, muddy water from the Guadalupe River and cut off from the rest of the city. Of the 310 animals housed at the zoo before the flood, all of which were native to Texas and many of whom had rehabilitation needs, 90 died and 70 managed to escape.

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Push for RI aquarium still alive

A former gubernatorial candidate who sought to build an aquarium in Rhode Island is moving forward with his plan.

Victor Moffitt, a former Republican state representative from Coventry, is now the chairman of the Oceans Aquarium Research & Science Center.

Moffitt says he is trying to secure a ten-year lease on the former GTech property in West Greenwich. He hopes to convert the 93,000 square-foot building into the first phase of the project : a research and science center with small aquariums that could open as early as this fall.

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KC Zoo to Investigate How Two Gorillas Escaped

Kansas City Zoo officials will investigate how two of the zoo’s gorillas got into a non-public feeding area, prompting employees to briefly move into secure areas.

Zoo officials say visitors were never in danger Sunday while the western lowland gorillas roamed from their enclosed exhibit into a zookeeper area for about three hours. Visitors were kept in secure areas for about a half hour before being allowed to leave.

Zoo director Randy Wisthoff says zoo employees eventually used water hoses to push the two male gorillas, which both weigh more than 400 pounds, back into their habitat.

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Belugas languish at Vancouver Aquarium

Save the whales, from the animal rights folk.

No other North American social movement has been more damaged, more pushed to the fringe, by extremists than the so-called animal rights movement. Regularly, intransigence from hardcode activists alienates the general public. Legitimate concerns about animal wellbeing, whether in pet stores, zoos or aquariums, get lost in the gong show.

For example. Last week, following a Jan. 31 highway collision in Manitoba involving a train, a tractor-trailer and 71 cows, animal rights group PETA called for a roadside memorial. “A memorial sign will serve as a tribute,” said PETA spokesperson Emily Lavender, “to those dozens of cows who had been severely injured and killed on their way to slaughter.”

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Shedd Aquarium free day My Way

Ahhhh.. free day at Shedd Aquarium. Wonderful!!! Oh wait. Except the fact that you will have to wait in line outside for two hours. With whiney kids. And OTHER people’s whiney kids. Like the one in front of me today that cried the whole 2 hours we stood in line. Until I finally asked what could possible be wrong with the little .. cough cough.. angel.

“She doesn’t like to walk”. REALLY? REALLY??? I don’t like to walk either. I wish someone would put me in a big ole stroller and push me around all day long. This child is in for a long life of walking if that’s her problem.

It’s finally our turn. We get up to the desk.. I tell them I would like to add on the dolphins and jellies for seven dollars. Except NO. It doesn’t work that way. You can get in free.. to the general things, but if you want to see anything GOOD.. it’s gonna cost you. And cost you a pretty penny. About 20 bucks each to be exact. And with 3 people… the free day could easily turn into a “I can’t afford it day.”.

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Science City to get new attractions, exhibits, upgrades

Eleven years ago Science City at Union Station opened to great expectations. Finally, Kansas City would be home to a world-class science museum.

By about 10 years ago, people were already grousing about it. Seen that. Done that. Doesn’t work. The interactive learning center still draws more than 130,000 visitors a year. But critics and defenders agree it needs a spark.

Now, a jolt of energy is bringing new investments, new exhibits and new engagement with students and the community.

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Efforts under way for Va. slavery museum

A Richmond group that aims to recognize slavery’s historic impact wants to establish a national slavery museum in the city’s historic Shockoe Bottom district.

The Richmond City Council Slave Trail Commission is seeking public input on the proposed United States National Slavery Museum. The project would be a living heritage site that would include an African-American Genealogy Center and include historic sites on the city’s existing Slave Trail.

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High Def Video of Wishes Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World 2011
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Walt Disney World has set an official opening date for its Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, an interactive game that pits park-goers against Disney villains at several high-tech spots across the theme park. Guests will be able to play beginning Wednesday, Feb. 22. [...]]]> Sorcerers set for Feb. 22 — here’s the back story

Walt Disney World has set an official opening date for its Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, an interactive game that pits park-goers against Disney villains at several high-tech spots across the theme park. Guests will be able to play beginning Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The activity — included in regular park admission with no additional charge — has been in testing mode for several weeks. The Sorcerers game is part scavenger hunt, part encantation, part role-playing game. As with almost everything Disney, there’s a back story. This one features Hades, the bad guy from the animated film “Hercules.” Imagineer Jonathan Ackley, producer and creative director of the project, described it to me like this:

“Hades, lord of the underworld, has his mind set on making the Magic Kingdom his summer home. In order to affect that end, he’s recruiting the Disney villains to take over the various lands of the Magic Kingdom. Once they’ve taken over, it will be easy for Hades and his minions to come and take over.”

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Raleigh’s other carousel to get new home, overhaul

With work completed on Pullen Park, city parks officials are setting their sights on the other city park that has a carousel: Chavis Park just south of downtown Raleigh.

The carousel, which closed for the season in the fall, will be moved next to the park’s entrance off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. It will be housed in a new conditioned carousel house, similar to the new carousel building at Pullen, to protect it from the elements.

The $1.8 million project also includes a renovation to the carousel and its band organ and other site work. The carousel, which dates to the late 1910s or early 1920s, is a designated Raleigh Historic Landmark. It’s also important for the role it has played for the African American community in Raleigh and across North Carolina. When built in the 1930s, Chavis Park was one of the state’s first urban parks for African Americans.

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Six Flags New England in Agawam to open ‘Goliath,’ its 11th roller-coaster

Six Flags New England announced it will inaugurate “Goliath,” its 11th roller-coaster ride, sometime in late spring around Memorial Day. The park opens for the season April 14.

“It is the world’s tallest inverted boomerang roller coaster,” Jennifer Mance, director of sales and marketing at the park, said Friday.

The ride, under construction now in the Crack Axle Canyon part of the park, will be about 200 feet high.

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Guests Celebrating One More Disney Day at Disneyland Park Could Receive Limited-Edition Commemorative Ear Hats

Big news for those planning to spend One More Disney Day at Disneyland park on February 29! Guests entering the park when it opens at 6 a.m. will receive a limited-edition ear hat commemorating the event, while supplies last. Ear hats are limited to a supply of 2,000 for guests who enter through the designated turnstiles when Disneyland park opens at 6 a.m. on February 29.

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Reviving Starland for a new generation

A longtime Hanover destination for family fun that has been looking a little worse for wear in recent years has a new owner, who says he has big plans to enhance the park’s offerings while adding two large facilities for indoor sports.

Norwell resident John Poirier, along with a group of local investors, recently closed a $2.7 million deal for Starland, a 30-acre amusement park on Route 53 just south of the sprawling Hanover Mall and a new Target outlet. The local businessman said he will begin securing permits for his plan Feb. 27, when the Hanover Planning Board begins its review.

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Come Fly with ‘Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline’ at Disney California Adventure Park

“Minnie’s Fly Girls Charter Airline” opens for business today at Disney California Adventure park. This tune-filled “travelogue” of song, dance and audience interaction takes place in Condor Flats, across from Soarin’ Over California, featuring songs from the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s in a colorful new show sure to appeal to the young and young at heart.

Creating something to delight multiple generations was a central focus during production and a personal passion of the creative team. Senior Writer Carolyn Gardner said, “I’ve been surrounded by pilots ever since I can remember. My dad was a private pilot [and] flight instructor, my mom flew her own ‘solo’ flight, my big brother worked at our local airfield and my cousin’s an air traffic controller. I hope audiences feel their own hearts take wing when the show’s flight crew launches into the fun-filled, flight-themed songs.”

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Kentucky Kingdom may change name to Bluegrass Boardwalk

The Koch family, operators of Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Ind., may change the name of Kentucky Kingdom if they secure the rights to take over the closed Louisville amusement park.

The family members earlier this month announced formation of a company called Bluegrass Boardwalk Inc. to negotiate a lease with the Kentucky State Fair Board to operate the theme park on the grounds of the Kentucky Exposition Center. But they didn’t indicate at the time that they were considering putting the new company’s name on the amusement park itself.

Kentucky Kingdom has been closed since it was in essence abandoned by Six Flags amid a bankruptcy filing two years ago. The park has been called Kentucky Kingdom since it first operated in the late 1980s.

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Turning Tides at California’s Great America

Now that the park is a “keeper,” California’s Great America seems to be gathering much attention inside the Cedar Fair chain of parks.

The cloud of uncertainty that hung over the park for the past two years has lifted, and with it went a feeling of doom and gloom that has been replaced by gallons of fresh paint and rumors of a major new attraction.

As for that paint, well, it seems the park is being spruced up left and right. Cedar Fair parks have been seeing ride repaints each off season on a regular basis for years now, but CGA was left out of that – until now.

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Kick Off St. Patrick’s Day March 15 at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort

The best excuse to eat and drink in March is St. Patrick’s Day – the “feast day of St. Patrick,” by the way, has been observed in Ireland on March 17 for centuries but we’re starting a couple of days earlier at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. (March 17 falls during the fasting season of Lent, but on St. Patrick’s Day the prohibitions against eating meat were lifted, and the Irish would celebrate their patron saint with dancing, drinking, and feasting.)

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Fantasyland Update: Castle Walls Revealed

Didn’t we just have a new Fantasyland update just three days ago? Yes, indeed. But things are starting to move much, much faster since the beginning of this year, so there’s something new to report each and every day! Let’s see what is new since our last visit, this time starting from Storybook Circus.

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Surreal video gives us a glimpse of flying roller coasters

Every kid loves a good roller coaster ride. Well, at least kids who aren’t scared of heights or prone to motion sickness do. The suspenseful climb, the big drop, the twists and turns; roller coasters are designed for maximum thrills.

But what if you took away the tracks, yet could somehow keep the roller coaster moving? This would defy all laws of gravity. But that hasn’t stopped a clever filmmaker from experimenting with the idea. The result is a bizarre and entertaining ride through Buenos Aires, featuring rides that propel themselves through Argentinian space.

This clip is called Inception Park, named after the 2010 film Inception. In the dream world that was created in Christopher Nolan’s Hollywood blockbuster, laws of physics are meaningless. Hotels can be suspended in a state of zero gravity. People can become chameleons, completely morphing their physical appearances. Entire cities can be folded in half. Inception Park also conjures a fantasy world of dreams, but things are much simpler: all you have to worry about are floating amusement park rides.

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Myrtle Beach theme park won’t reopen soon

The former Freestyle Music Park likely will stay closed for a third consecutive summer as time is running out for a new operator to come in and get it ready by the time tourists start rolling in, experts said.

There’s only three months before the traditional kick off to the summer season in May, not leaving much time for a new owner or operator to close a deal on the 50-acre park off U.S. 501 in Fantasy Harbour, rebrand it, possibly change it by adding new rides, line up required ride inspections and do whatever else needs to be done before the park – which has been closed for two and a half years – is ready to greet visitors.

“The possibility of that is remote at best,” said Tom Hiles, a consultant on the project.

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It’s Time to Celebrate and … Eat! Come on Down to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney District for Fat Tuesday

Join us on Fat Tuesday at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen as “New Orleans Mardi Gras comes to Downtown Disney!”

Fat Tuesday is famously celebrated on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but here in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, we have our very own taste of New Orleans! Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen will offer a festive celebration on Tuesday, Feb. 21, where guests will enjoy special New Orleans entrees by Executive Chef Darrin Finkel featured all day.

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Disney coach Jeff Galloway answers runner questions

Jeff Galloway knows running. He’s been an Olympian, a U.S. record holder, a coach and a running innovator. Galloway developed the RUN-WALK-RUN method to help runners train injury-free. He has coached more than 250,000 runners, and his books on running have sold over 1 million copies. As runDisney’s official training consultant, Galloway designed a series of training programs, videos and tips for runners tackling Disney races like the upcoming Disney Princess Half Marathon on Feb. 26. Galloway has a long history with Disney—he’s run the Walt Disney World Marathon every year since its inception in 1994.

“Run, Karla, Run!” caught up with Galloway at the Tinker Bell Half Marathon social media meet-up on Jan. 28, where he led a group of 45 runners on a two-mile morning jaunt though Disneyland and California Adventure parks. Participants were chosen through Disney’s social media channels like the Disney Parks Blog, Disney Sports’ Twitter handle and the runDisney Facebook page. Having a chance to run with Galloway is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most runners. Getting him to tackle your burning running questions? Even better. After the run, Galloway sat down with the meet-up to answer the group’s training questions.

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Aquatica Texas announces grand opening date: May 19th

Last May, Seaworld San Antonio (Texas) announced they would be building their very own Aquatica Waterpark that would replace Lost Lagoon. Unlike Aquatica here in Florida, the Texas waterpark would be similar in terms of feel and atmosphere, but offer different attractions and a different animal attraction.

Aquatica Texas will not have Commerson Dolphins, but will have Sting Rays instead, and you’ll be able to see them from a giant underwater tube as you ride Stingray Falls. Check out some concept art for Stingray Falls.

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Plans for Lear Park splash pad remain on schedule

In the throes of winter, the heat of an East Texas summer may seem like a long way off.

But Les Rickett said the planning and groundwork being put in place now at the city’s Jack M. Mann Splash Pad should make summer a lot more enjoyable for dozens of area youngsters and their families. The proposed splash pad will be located at Longview’s Lear Park and is on target for opening in early June, said Rickett, fundraising chairman for the project.

“It’s going to be a 10,000-square-foot splash pad with lots of different features — there’s nothing else like it in this whole area,” he told the Longview Greggton Rotary Club on Friday. The water feature, named after the late Jack M. Mann, businessman and civic leader, is a joint project of the city and private groups and individuals helping to raise funds to complete the project, Rickett said.

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Disc golf course proposed for Payne Park

Pro golfer Bryan Moore wants to develop an entry-level 9-hole golf course at Payne Park, which will be open to the public free of charge.

He estimates that the total cost for the course, including all equipment, installation and his design fee, will be less than $6,000.

Why so cheap? Moore’s golfers will use flying discs, not balls and clubs. He is a champion at disc golf, one of the national leaders in the growing sport.

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Entertainment Center Planned for Blackford County

The Blackford County Economic Development Corporation announced today that J&M Bowling will build a 25,000 square foot Family Entertainment Center in Hartford City.

The new Northside Lanes facility is expected to open in the Summer of 2012, according to Mike Hall and Dee Dobson, co-owners of J&M Bowling. The original Northside Lanes facility suffered a catastrophic fire on April 7, 2010, and was completely destroyed. Northside Lanes originally opened in Hartford City in 1960, with J&M Bowling purchasing the facility in November of 2005.

“This is a wonderful announcement for the citizens of Hartford City and the entire Blackford County area,” said Ben Hodgin, Mayor of Hartford City. “Mike and Dee have wanted to rebuild their facility in Hartford City since the fire and many people have worked with them every step of the way to get that accomplished. I’d also like to thank the Hartford City Redevelopment Commission for their support in getting this accomplished. Without their help, this project would have been a lot more difficult.

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State fair expects to boost some budget areas

The manager of the South Dakota State Fair says he expects the annual event to be able to boost some budget areas this year, particularly in entertainment, marketing and equipment rental.

Jerome Hertel tells KOKK radio that years of increasing attendance and upward revenue are giving the fair confidence as it prepares for this summer. He says the fair will be in the black as of the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

The state fair has seen its state appropriation drop in previous years, but Hertel expects lawmakers to stabilize funding at the $268,000 received last year.

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Free admission after 4 p.m. as Florida State Fair closes today

If you haven’t yet tried a Bacon Peanut Butter Burger, taken a spin on The Zipper or toured Cracker Country, today’s your last chance.

The Florida State Fair wraps up its 12-day run at the Fairgrounds today by offering great deals for folks looking for an enjoyable President’s Day outing.

First, patrons can save $5 off all-you-can-ride armbands by presenting an empty Pepsi can upon admission (cost is $25). And for those who want to make a night of it, admission is free for everyone after 4 p.m.

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Norwalk Aquarium’s New Look Draws Big Crowds

A crowd of more than 2,500 people packed the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk for the unveiling Saturday of its $4 million “FINtastic RefurbFISHment,” which dazzles with new sea life and hands-on-exhibits.

“It’s a lot more fun here now. They took out all the boring stuff,” said Flynn Coffey, 11. He loves the new lemon shark and the more lively otters that are “much more active than the ones they used to have.” The new shark thrilled the crowd as it swam around its 110,000-gallon tank, leading the sand tiger sharks in the Ocean Beyond the Sound exhibit.

His mom Kathleen Nagle of Norwalk said the entire family — husband Michael Coffey and their four children ages 5 to 11 — was impressed by the aquarium’s updated, new colorful look.

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Point Defiance Zoo’s upgrade plans include a modern aquarium

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is getting ready to roll out its plan for a new complex that will feature a modern aquarium, bigger facilities for marine mammals and family-oriented activities such as a wave tunnel and diving with the fish.

An architectural firm has sketched preliminary designs after gathering suggestions from the public and staff biologists at the zoo. The ideas will be presented to residents at two meetings this week.

Zoo officials said a new aquarium is the top priority because the North Pacific Aquarium, which opened in 1963, is deteriorating and showing signs of corrosion from saltwater. Damages could force the zoo to vacate the building in five to six years.

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Penguins take plunge at Calgary Zoo

A waddle of penguins made their debut Friday as the Calgary Zoo opened its newest exhibit to the public.

Penguin Plunge features 46 of the flightless birds in a $24.5-million complex located just inside the main entrance of the zoo.

“I like how they are so fluffy and stuff and how they walk,” said Catherine Walker, one of many young zoo patrons who wasn’t deterred by the long lineup to see the birds.

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New features at zoo include seal pool, 9th Street entrance

Visitors to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines can expect a new offering of exhibits this spring and summer, including a new entrance, multiple new animal exhibits and a wide range of events for people of all ages.

After two years of development, a new $1.3 million seal and sea lion pool will have its grand opening on March 17, Mark Vukovich, the zoo’s CEO, said Thursday. The pool will offer opportunities to see the animals underwater, as well as a new observation deck and an island with more space for demonstrations.

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Drunk Man At Disney’s California Adventure Park Gets Pepper-Sprayed After Acting Belligerent

A Disney dream turned into a nightmare for park guests when they had to help restrain an out-of-control man.

A YouTube video uploaded on Saturday opens with a man being restrained by two bellhops from the “Tower of Terror” ride in Disney’s California Adventure theme park, notes LAist.

An elderly security guard then pepper sprays him in the face, and the man throws a punch in response. Park guests step in to throw the belligerent man to the ground and help restrain him until more security arrives.

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New Museums to Shine a Spotlight on Civil Rights Era

Drive through any state in the Deep South and you will find a monument or a museum dedicated to civil rights.

A visitor can peer into the motel room in Memphis where the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was staying when he was shot or stand near the lunch counter in Greensboro, N.C., where four young men began a sit-in that helped end segregation.

Other institutions are less dramatic, like the Tubman African American Museum in Macon, Ga., where Jim Crow-era toilet fixtures are on display alongside folk art.

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Groundbreaking Nears for New Miami Science Museum

Right now the site for the new Miami Science Museum is just a darkened lot. But what is about to be built there, in Bicentennial Park on the water near downtown, could change Miami in a few ways, museum leaders say.

Construction will begin on the museum’s new $275 million facility in one week.

Computer animations show a stunning building that has many notable features, including a multi-story aquarium that will including the entire vertical ecosystem of South Florida – rising from coral reefs to fish and sharks to Everglades marsh to birds above. The sustainable building will use energy from water, wind, sun and even kids cranking and running around.

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Vorfreude auf den bei Ebay ersteigerten Maschinenring Tag im Legoland Deutschland in Günzburg
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Music video of my home park, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL. *Clips from SFGAMworld.com Heres some facts about the park if you are not familiar with it. “Hollywood director Randall Duell designed Great America. Located north of Chicago, Illinois, the park was originally built and owned by the Marriott Corporation. [...]]]>

Music video of my home park, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL. *Clips from SFGAMworld.com Heres some facts about the park if you are not familiar with it. “Hollywood director Randall Duell designed Great America. Located north of Chicago, Illinois, the park was originally built and owned by the Marriott Corporation. It opened May 29, 1976. In May of 1984, the Park was purchased by the Six Flags Corporation and became the seventh park in the Six Flags family. The name quickly changed from Marriott’s Great America to Six Flags Great America. The park is nearly 300 acres in size. Carousel Plaza is the entrance of the park and is home to an impressive double-deck carousel. Ragin’ Cajun, a spinning mouse coaster from Reverchon, opened with the 2004 addition of a Mardi Gras themed area. Past coasters include: * Rolling Thunder (1989-1994) It was Sarajevo Bobsled at Six Flags Great Adventure before and is now Alpine Bobsled at Great Escape in New York. * Tidal Wave (1978-1991) This Schwarzkopf shuttle was replaced by Batman. It ran as Viper from 1992 to 2001 at Six Flags Over Georgia. In 2003, it opened as Greezed Lightnin’ at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom. * Z-Force (1985-1987) A one of a kind ‘Space Diver’ from Intamin. It ran at Six Flags Over Georgia from 1988 to 1991, then went to Six Flags Magic Mountain where it was renamed Flashback. * Shockwave (1988-2002) Removed to make room for a the park’s fourth B&M ride. After sitting in pieces for two years, it was scrapped in …
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Slides shown in the video: Cliffhanger, Bonzai Pipeline, 100 Meter Splash, Three Slide Body Flume, and Rapids. Be sure to check out the White Water playlist for more water slide POV’s of this water park, like the Dragon’s Tail. www.youtube.com Water park Website: www.sixflags.com Read my review of the water park here: waterslidedatabase.blogspot.com [...]]]>

Slides shown in the video: Cliffhanger, Bonzai Pipeline, 100 Meter Splash, Three Slide Body Flume, and Rapids. Be sure to check out the White Water playlist for more water slide POV’s of this water park, like the Dragon’s Tail. www.youtube.com Water park Website: www.sixflags.com Read my review of the water park here: waterslidedatabase.blogspot.com Click here to see pictures I took at the water park: waterslidedatabase.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Disclaimer This is OLD HOME VIDEO FOOTAGE of the now Defunct Drachen Fire Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Europe. This tape was shot by my mom and stars Drachen Fire and me. This tape has survived a house fire and is over 12 years old, please excuse the quality of the video. [...]]]>

Disclaimer This is OLD HOME VIDEO FOOTAGE of the now Defunct Drachen Fire Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Europe. This tape was shot by my mom and stars Drachen Fire and me. This tape has survived a house fire and is over 12 years old, please excuse the quality of the video. Thank you, and Enjoy! **Yes, I know that legend is spelt wrong. I didn’t catch it until I uploaded to youtube.** © Ryan Childers. For the history of Drachen Fire Please go to history.amusement-parks.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Cheetah Hunt, a new rollercoaster at Busch Gardens Tampa, will open on May 27th,2011. The first testing took place on April 17th,2011 with the first launch. The launch was not at full speed yet but should be by the end of next week doing complete test runs.
Video Rating: 4 / [...]]]>

Cheetah Hunt, a new rollercoaster at Busch Gardens Tampa, will open on May 27th,2011. The first testing took place on April 17th,2011 with the first launch. The launch was not at full speed yet but should be by the end of next week doing complete test runs.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Preview of Isbister’s blog at TravelPod. Read the full blog here: www.travelpod.com This blog preview was made by TravelPod using the TripAdvisor™ TripWow slideshow creator. Learn more about these videos: www.travelpod.com
Video Rating: 0 / 5