Archive: December, 2007

Jeff, Richard, Rob and Pat review this week's news in the amusement industry.

• Six Flags and Tony Hawk: Is the 40-year-old skater the ultimately marketable guy?
• Heart attack victim on Disney's Everest probably only made the news because it happened at Disney. Richard says that the forces on Mission: Space, which has had a couple of deaths related to natural causes, is pretty intense.
• Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom accident that severed girl's feet becomes a little more clear, and maintenance manager says now that there should have been a stop mechanism when cable broke.
• Dubai getting the ultimate dinosaur park. Richard says that Middle East is being marketed to Europeans for tourism to a certain degree because it's getting easier to visit compared to the US.
• New monorail train shows up at Disneyland, and there are a whole lot of monorail enthusiasts out there.
• Jeff feels vindicated when a non-US resident makes fun of our huge cars.
• The Six Flags turn around is a three-year experience, according to the brass. It's still kind of a wait-and-see, but at least the current management is honest about what they don't do well, unlike Burke and company who acted like everything was fine.
• The guys talk about the cultural and staffing impact of year-round operations in various countries. The traveling fair phenomenon is something uniquely European.
• Sally Corp. has a nice niche to fill since so many parks don't have the product they offer.
• Cedar Fair might not have a ton of clout, but they sure have the contract that gives them the upper hand in Santa Clara in dealing with the 49ers.

Jeff, Mike, Greg and Pat review this week's news in the amusement industry.

• Morey's upgrading their Hang-n-Bang with a new train. Now with less bang!
• Kid contests, adults and the joke that was RollerCoaster Tycoon 3. Gonch picks on 10-year-olds.
• Grandma got busted packing heat at the Magic Kingdom. Um, why? Rose McGowan had a machine gun leg in "Planet Terror."
• Kennywood gets a new dark ride. You call turkeys, not shoot them at Holiday World.
• Kennywood Entertainment purchased by Spanish Parques Reunidos. Discussions ensued about foreign ownership, but as time has passed, perhaps it's almost a non-issue.
• A new slide for the water park at Six Flags Over Texas. Too much like the Tornado? Increase in overall capacity?
• SeaWorld San Diego boosting line up with Sesame Street attractions. The crew reminisces about growing up on Da Street. An off-topic discussion ensues about No Child Left Behind, education and DVD's.
• SeaWorld Orlando temporarily converts simulator to Polar Express attraction. Jeff wasn't that fond of the movie.
• Ed Markey's CPSC bill doesn't even make it out of committee. He panders to voters instead of actually getting things done.
• Six Flags is getting really stupid about season pass sales again. So much for going in the right direction.
• PointBuzz, the unofficial Cedar Point site, was relaunched last weekend and ready to celebrate the site's 10th birthday. The guys recount their early Web exposure.

Jeff, Mike and Pat review this week's news in the amusement industry.

• The captive animal debate comes back with the death of another animal at the Georgia Aquarium.
• Spy theme park in Spain? We'll see. Mike says the area is planned to be Europe's version of Las Vegas.
• Ed Markey is at it again with his zany legislation to have the CPSC regulate the industry. The Washington Post says safety is "optional."
• Hong Kong officials say their new Disneyland results were unsatisfactory. Jeff makes up words.
• Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom accident victim walks for the first time after losing her feet. Someone is going to pay, regardless of negligence. We wish there were more details about the accident.
• Ohio senator urges Cedar Fair to preserve Big Dipper. People keep suggesting "lifestyle" retail, but there already is a similar thing near by.
• Jeff ponders if you can lump the Intamin milled track rides in with other wood coasters.
• Post-baby making state with Mike.
• Holiday parties.

Jeff, Mike and Pat review this week's news in the amusement industry.

• Gonch gets pulled into a debate on "corporate" blogging.
• Jeff gives a quick recap from what little he at IAAPA's big trade show in Orlando.
• What's the point of Dinner in The Sky?
• Blue Man Group show at Universal Orlando is tweaked a bit, and there's digging behind Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure. Jeff also did Spiderman broken. Men In Black bonus.
• Kalahari is building in Virginia and advertising heavily in Cleveland.
• Cypress Gardens will persist with the new owners.
• ProSlide wants to open its own park. Does that seem weird? How long will the season really be in Ottawa?
• He ran into Jeff Siebert from Schlitterbahn and finally met Susie Storey in real life from a number of parks previously, now with Give Kids The World.
• Lenders are crossing their fingers that they'll make their money back on the Wild West World failure. Still can't believe anyone gave money to that guy.
• Universal wants to expand to South Korea. No surprise there as Southeast Asia and the Middle East are the big growth opportunities.
• Indiana Beach announces Steel Hawg roller coaster. It'll be interesting to see them squeeze that ride in.
• Critical meetings in Santa Clara will determine 49ers stadium and where it will be in relation to California's Great America.
• Disney gets its way as Anaheim pulls the zoning change for housing in the resort district.
• Jeff ran into Eric from Ultimate Rollercoaster at IOA.
• Holiday World announces new rides, a carousel and spring ride, for next year.