Archive: March, 2009

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

• The show will be off the next two weeks while Jeff is his honeymoon. Gonch will party on a boat.
• Texas Giant is getting a $10 million renovation. Is that a tear it down and start over deal? A discussion ensues about why some people enjoy the ride.
• Six Flags creditor doesn't want to talk. The posturing before bankruptcy begins.
• Disney backs off on designing new parts for the Hong Kong park as they have no agreement with the government.
• Ghost Town in the Sky plans to open despite bankruptcy. Gonch has been there, and thinks it's a neat place.
• Florida makes another silly move and prohibits parents to sign waivers on behalf of their kids. Tourism industry isn't pleased.
• Goldman Sachs allegedly trying to take Universal Studios Japan private. Jeff likes private.
• Six Flags opens up a hair salon. No joke. Seems silly when you think about it, but we've got it figured out. It's a good idea.
• Dorney has to rename a ride to an adjective. Jeff plays the role of enthusiass and makes fun of "Flight Deck" some more.
• The clock is ticking on Hard Rock Park, and we still don't know if they get to keep the name.
• Tourism spending is down over the same quarter last year. Isn't that partly because of all the discounting?
• A very long discussion happens over the time difference between Houston and Honolulu. A really long discussion. Then there's stuff about the airplane food.
• Disney's Toy Story Mania is coming to the Wii.
• Fun Spot fail. Six Flags Over Texas alcohol win. Cooter watches.
• Six Flags Magic Mountain is still building a wood coaster with a Terminator theme.
• Mike suggests that Gonch shows up in a tuxedo T-shirt for the wedding.
• Disney World lets go of more people, mostly middle management types.
• More talk on flying, pre-wedding parties, strange wieners and other customs.
• We appreciate your support of CoasterBuzz by joining the club. It's still just $20 per year.

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

• Job fairs everywhere swamped with "grown ups." Will the quality of service at amusement parks improve?
• Alton Towers and the road to nowhere (or road that will never be built).
• Locals not thrilled with Coney Island development proposals.
• GM not cool with Disney's price to renew the Test Track sponsorship. Jeff thinks it's a good deal, even if Disney is asking for more. Public scrutiny over marketing expense for bail-out business would be silly.
• Photos from Egyptian parks posted to Themeparks.ie.
• Manta testing begins any moment, and while we're not that into flying coasters, the experience in terms of the queue should be interesting. Gonch says it's about the show.
• Busch parks in sale mode, and Jeff hears of a lot of stupid things going on mandated by the new owners, InBev.
• Cedar Fair cuts the distribution, considers selling Valleyfair and Worlds of Fun. We have many market pundits on CoasterBuzz.
• Burger King getting premium at City Walk in Orlando. Jeff is not impressed, but likens it to the upscale-ish brand of Chipotle.
• Six Flags cash flow positive, but it's likely too little, too late, as they seriously consider bankruptcy.
• Disney starts an official fan club, and our local fanboys sign up immediately. Hooray, Disney took more of your money!
• Carowinds offering a limited season pass, but we're not sure who the target market is.
• Ghost Town in the Sky files for bankruptcy, but still plans to open this spring.
• Alabama Adventure gets a new slide.
• Saw: The Ride opening, yet another ride with another beyond-vertical drop.
• Seriously, what the hell is the name of the new roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida? It's as bad as the name they gave to The Ride Formerly Known As Earthquake.
• We appreciate your support of CoasterBuzz by joining the club. It's still just $20 per year.

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

• Hard Rock Park gets a second life, so what do you do differently this time? (Advertise, duh.) And how about keeping the license?
• Jeff sucks at going to press events when invited.
• Girl has heart attack after riding Disney ride, sues company. Is it morally wrong that this happens and it's generally settled just to make it go away?
• Hagrid's Harry Potter joint at Islands of Adventure. Mike asks, how many structures can you really build in this new area?
• Diamondback has started testing at Kings Island, and there was much rejoicing.
• B&M's are like pop music, because they have wide appeal, so therefore coaster enthusiasts can't like it too much. Gonch is a big Timberlake fan. Jeff disses hip-hop.
• Disney cuts jobs, as did everyone else in the country. Pretty scary levels of unemployment.
• Every park is seeing big crowds at their job fairs for seasonal work. What kind of impact will this have on the quality of the work force at our local amusement parks? Jeff takes a stab at Cedar Fair grooming standards. And seriously, are nose rings really that offensive?
• Gonch posts Disney porn on Coasterimage.com, and we talk Captain Jack stalkers.
• Tennessee starts inspecting rides after a 2004 accident that was blatantly negligent.
• Kennywood starts exploring some advertising options, and people freak out. Most of what we've seen in other parks, even Six Flags, isn't all that bad.
• Star Trek may make its return to Vegas. Does anyone care?
• Eat a giant burrito, get to ride Speed at NASCAR Cafe in Vegas for free. Mike has the better answer for doing both.
• Buy your theme park tickets on the plane. Sounds like it might be Disney.
• Sesame Street coming to Busch Gardens Europe. We really love Da Street.
• The boys engage on a massive aside about TV shows.
• We appreciate your support of CoasterBuzz by joining the club. It's still just $20 per year.