Archive: January, 2011

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

• The 200th episode is coincidentally released on the 11th anniversary of the launch of CoasterBuzz.
• We didn't have any real expectations for starting the show, and yet here we are more than five years later, still doing. Gonch got his start by being active in the old games site.
• The live podcasts, where we met in person, are still some of the best.
• CoasterBuzz has only existed in four flavors since it launched. Would like to revise it again before the end of this year.
• Jeff worried about all of the wrong things back when CoasterBuzz started.
• A Disney-focused site next? It could happen...
• Richard calls in from early morning in Dublin. He's been on Formula Rossa at Ferrari World, and he suggests that it probably pushes the limits of what's comfortable to ride.
• He also wonders what the long-term prognosis of the park is, because it was virtually empty.
• Eye protection is required on Rossa (he's looking at you, Knott's Berry Farm).
• Jeff got his Wizarding World of Harry Potter on at Universal's Islands of Adventure. Verdict: Awesome.
• Best times to visit Universal Orlando? Check the on-site hotel rates and operating hours.
• Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an amazing achievement end to end, queue to ride system.
• Aside: Screen actors on the stage.
• Unit holders force split from CEO and chair at Cedar Fair. Another board member fills the spot. What's next? Hard to say. The real story comes from the selection of a new CEO to replace Kinzel next year.
• Universal kills it with rise in attendance. Jeff learns that Islands of Adventure is all based in literary themes.
• Mt. Olympus owner buys up hotels for rehab. Good for the area? The bar isn't very high to begin with.
• Jeff takes a moment to complain about how there aren't many roller coasters to ride in the northwest (again).
• You can get the latest headlines on CoasterBuzz from the Twitter. Follow us @coasterbuzz. You can also like us on Facebook.
• CoasterBuzz Club is $25 per year. You can join or renew today. Enjoy CoasterBuzz with no ads.

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

• CoasterBuzz has a Windows Phone 7 app. Check it out.
• Carrie went to Tennessee for the New Year. Did the Dollywood holiday thing, found Thunderhead to be just OK. Doesn't mind saying that she's not that interested in riding in bad weather.
• Holy Land in Orlando comes off as completely strange to many.
• The Cedar Fair vs. Q Investments saga continues, with mudslinging worthy of a political campaign. Jeff asks who is lying about the Falfas situation: termination or resignation?
• Experts say Freestyle Music Park won't reopen. Really?
• Disney's queue management isn't just Fastpass, it's getting the crowds to go where there's excess capacity, even if that means parades.
• Disneyland and DCA close on two days because of crazy attendance.
• Knott's sells "Hate to Wait" passes, as the premium virtual queue comes to a Cedar Fair park. Doesn't seem like a particularly good deal to us.
• Dudley Doo-Right catches fire at Islands of Adventure. It's a water ride.
• Fun Spot expands on International Drive. Mike thinks the karts look cool. Jeff says try the electric carts if they exist near you.
• Block Party Bash retired at Disney Hollywood Studios.
• Zamperla gets fined for tearing down Shoot The Freak. So goes the Coney Island "character."
• If you get photographed at a park, deal with it. You pretty much have no rights in said public place.
• Disney prices go up on both coasts for the locals. Gonch says they apparently stayed the same in Orlando for the better part of a decade.
• Conneaut Lake Park begs for more money from Pepsi. We all say "I told you so." Just let the place die peacefully.
• Cedar Fair attendance up significantly, we suspect it has a lot to do with the Halloween events, combined with the big cap ex in the southern parks.
• Legoland Florida is selling a lifetime pass. Only $2,500!
• Mike saw Tron. He thought it was cool.
• You can get the latest headlines on CoasterBuzz from the Twitter. Follow us @coasterbuzz. You can also like us on Facebook.
• CoasterBuzz Club is $25 per year. You can join or renew today. Enjoy CoasterBuzz with no ads.