Archive: May, 2007

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

• The gang manages to get out into the world and ride some new stuff.
• Greg reports long lines and positive reviews from Busch Gardens Europe and the new Griffon.
• Gonch says that Firehawk at Kings Island so far has problems similar to those it had at Geauga Lake.
• Mike is impressed with the Wiggles at Six Flags Great America.
• Jeff and Gonch score laps on Maverick at Cedar Point, which opened earlier than expected after modifications. We like it. We like it a lot.
• Jeff loves Renegade too at Valleyfair. Is Jeff turning into Paul Ruben?
• Jeff also digs the Park at The Mall of America, and the aquarium.
• Smoke-free at Indiana Beach. Gonch comments about how things have changed culturally so quickly.
• The food pricing at Cedar Fair parks is out of control this year, and this coming from the guys who pay whatever they have to pay.
• Mike is amused by all of the advertising at Six Flags Great America, but at least we can see that these "partnerships" really exist.
• Conneaut Lake: Mostly dead is slightly alive?
• Some of the coasters in Japan are scary for the wrong reasons. Greg has cheated death.

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

• Six Flags New England neighbors complain about traffic.
• Is it OK for state governments to fund private projects like amusement parks?
• The PBA at Six Flags St. Louis. Pro bowlers used to be fat and not good for TV.
• Cedar Point food pricing sure is out of control.
• Tony Hawk theme on a spinning coaster? You bet, and it really works.
• Six Flags Over Georgia is 40, and seems to be one of the gems in the chain.
• WSJ reviews some VIP programs. Yes, we knew Six Flags was under-pricing it.
• Geauga Lake gets scaled down, but we're excited that Villain got some off-season love.
• Gonch saw Quiet Riot at Conneaut Lake once.
• Cedar Point is actually expanding its hours this week. Clearly the Maverick "issue" isn't an issue at all.
• The Oakwood Hydro accident is still under investigation? Are you kidding?
• Jeff is excited to ride Renegade.

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

• Cedar Point's Tony Clark talks about the delayed opening of Maverick.
• Nickelodeon license will persist at Carowinds. It sure would be cool if they would license for the rest of the Cedar Fair parks as well.
• The Expoland accident was attributed to axles that were never replaced. Greg has been on the ride, and has no love for it.
• Gilroy Gardens may be sold to the city, which we're all for if it prevents "mixed use" development.
• Rye Playland goes smoke-free. Gonch the smoker is growing accustomed to the anti-smoking culture, and expects to last only to age 60.
• Disney profits up on resort revenue. The places on International Drive are apparently a dump, so why wouldn't you stay with the rat?
• Is Son of Beast going to be interesting at all when it re-opens?
• Viacom and its Paramount Pictures division wants to open a park in Korea. This is a growth opportunity in a new market, something the US parks could never be.
• Legoland project outside of Kansas City gets its day for public debate.
• Zingo comes down at Bell's. Still no fight, and nobody got sued. What's wrong with that picture?
• Playland is also offering some new food choices, going the healthier route. Believe it or not, eating right is a lifestyle. Jeff notes he's still not pleased about choices at Cedar Point.
• Renegade is getting rave reviews so far at Valleyfair, some even better than Thunderhead. Is the enthusiast audience fickle when they choose their favorites.
• Don't forget that the deadline is approaching for Chocolate Buzz. Register today!

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

• Conneaut Lake is trying to raise money with commemorative coins. They're a long way off thus far.
• Entering a low zone while a ride is operating seems like a bad idea, so why does someone die this way every year or two?
• Epcot restaurants are getting a makeover. We realize now that much of that side of the park had not been updated in decades.
• What do you do when your property tax begins to overwhelm your existing business?
• Detroit waterfront gets a carousel, it still scares Jeff.
• Universal Studios Dubai announced. Dubai is becoming the Caribbean for Europe.
• Wild West World opens, and we're betting it will be successful.
• Kennywood expands its portfolio with another kid-centric property. Gonch likes Fred Rogers.
• Dick Kinzel and the state of Cedar Fair. Is he a bit too focused on Cedar Point? Also: Geauga Lake's future, Ohio park differentiation, and the Nickelodeon license.
• Disney cuts smoking in the resorts on their own, sans legislation. We like that.
• Expoland in Japan has a fatal accident as an axle fails on stand-up coaster.
• PointBuzz has coverage of Maverick's media day on Thursday.
• Don't forget that the deadline is approaching for Chocolate Buzz. Register today!