CoasterBuzz Podcast #113 - May 19, 2008

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

• Holiday World starts serving allergy sensitive food. Apparently more people do have food allergies than they used to, but why? What's the medical reason for that? Gonch shares a "when we were kids" story.
• Toy Story Mania coming together and passholders got a sneak peak at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Jeff just wants to see the Mr. Potato Head pull his ear off.
• It looks like Cedar Fair is going to let go of the Star Trek Experience at the Las Vegas Hilton. Science fiction stuff like Star Wars and Star Trek surprisingly doesn't have a strong presence in theme parks. Somehow we drifted off to Lego.
• Orlando rides open with a phased approach, which is so different from the way the seasonal parks must get them open on time.
• Ed Markey enlists the Lassiter family to again promote his latest safety bill. This one, like all of the previous incarnations, doesn't make the rides any safer. The CPSC has jurisdiction over portable rides, and still a Yo-Yo recently collapsed and hurt a bunch of people.
• While the issue around the Kentucky Kingdom accident is emotionally charged, this legislation won't change anything, nor would it have prevented this particular accident.
• Minnesota tourist attractions join forces to market themselves. Makes sense in an economy where long-distance tourism may be on the decline.
• Dark Knight coaster opens in New Jersey to mixed reviews. Who doesn't love those mouse rides?
• Kennywood Entertainment sale to close by end of the month. It's too early to be skeptical.
• PointBuzz has photos and videos from Planet Snoopy opening.