CoasterBuzz Podcast #135 - March 16, 2009

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.