http://www.coaster-net.com/ News from around the amusement industry! en-us Copyright (C) 2011 COASTER-net.com The one thing that most guests take for granted in going to a theme or amusement park is their health. Safety is obviously one of the most important things in a theme park and one area under this is your personal health at the parks. All theme parks have some type of first aid or infirmary locations within the park in case of emergencies or even minor bumps and bruises. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2111-first-aid-program-questioned-at-sfgam/ Thu, 23 May 2013 09:47:53 -0400 Most theme park guests realize that if you lose a valuable item on a ride that there is usually no way that you will ever see the item again. You may get lucky and at the end of the day, the park employees will turn something in to the lost and found and return it to you. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2110-silver-dollar-city-employees-make-a-boy-s-day/ Thu, 23 May 2013 08:37:21 -0400 Before Alton Tower’s newest roller coaster even opened to the public on May 23rd, The Smiler broke down on preview night, leaving riders stranded on the ride shortly after it had begun. According to Mirror News, the ride contained 16 journalists who were left dangling at a 50 degree angle. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2109-smiler-breaks-down-on-preview-night/ Wed, 22 May 2013 23:21:49 -0400 In February of 2012, it was originally announced that the Blue Diamond Streak roller coaster from the dormant Blue Diamond Park in New Castle, Delaware would be making its debut that summer. At least for last year, those plans never came to fruition. Now it’s 2013, and the coaster looks like it will once again rise and finally make its next debut at Daytona Lagoon. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2108-daytona-beach-coaster-making-landfall/ Wed, 22 May 2013 20:15:12 -0400 Dorney Park planned to bring a new nighttime show to the park which included fireworks, until that plan blew up in their face. Ever since announcing the new show, which was slated to begin June 28th and scheduled to run throughout the summer season, area residents have expressed their displeasure. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2107-residents-explode-over-dorney-fireworks/ Tue, 21 May 2013 14:26:45 -0400 Recently, a new “trend” has emerged when visiting Disney World among wealthy families. This new trend is also known as the “black-market Disney guides.” According to the New York Post, a wealthy mother of two children from Manhattan hired a disabled tour guide to enhance her family’s visit to Disney World. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2106-disney-world-scam/ Sun, 19 May 2013 15:58:56 -0400 This past week another woodie made its debut as a steel coaster. On Wednesday, May 15th at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Iron Rattler gave its first rides to excited fans which included both media and season pass holders. Rattler, which originally opened in 1992, received the Rocky Mountain Coaster "Iron Horse" treatment rendering it a steel/wood hybrid coaster. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2105-rmc-converts-rattler-to-iron-rattler-to-rave-reviews/ Sun, 19 May 2013 11:01:46 -0400 If amusement parks are a good indicator of economic recovery, America looks to be well on its way. All of the major parks throughout America are currently experiencing huge gains in the stock market. Cedar Fair, Six Flags, and even the newly offered SeaWorld stock all are at 52 week highs. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2104-no-big-drops-for-amusment-industry-in-tough-economy/ Fri, 17 May 2013 19:04:18 -0400 On Tuesday afternoon people gathered on the balcony of a newly opened pizzeria just yards away from the boardwalk, watching as the beloved Star Jet was tore down. According to Yahoo News, dismantling of the ride began shortly after the clock indicated 12 P.M. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2103-star-jet-finally-removed/ Thu, 16 May 2013 21:10:28 -0400 Seaside Heights has become a constant area of controversy over the past couple of weeks and we can add another notch into the drama. According to Metropolis, the Casino Pier is about to install a new thrill ride. The name of the ride is what is causing the controversy. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2102-new-thrill-ride-at-casino-causing-a-stir/ Thu, 16 May 2013 13:19:53 -0400 The much anticipated water ride, and first water coaster in Tennessee, officially opened for the season. According to WBIR.com, Dolly Parton herself kicked off the grand opening of RiverRush by flipping a large, bright yellow “magical” switch that triggered the first official ride on the water coaster. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2101-dollywood-s-opening-weekend/ Tue, 14 May 2013 19:00:08 -0400 Before the general public could ride gatekeeper on Saturday at Cedar Point, a few special guests were able to take a “First Flight” supporting local charities in Northern Ohio. Two trains were auctioned off with the top 32 bidders for each train receiving the privilege to be one of the first official riders on Gatekeeper. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2100-earn-your-wings-for-united-way-raises-over-8000/ Tue, 14 May 2013 14:51:19 -0400 The man who was responsible for turning Cedar Point into a multi-billion dollar company is calling it a career after serving 40 years in the industry. Dick Kinzel, the former CEO and president of Cedar Fair is stepping down from the Cedar Fair board. Ten years ago, Cedar Fair implemented a mandatory retirement age of 72 for board members. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2099-mastermind-behind-cedar-fair-steps-down/ Tue, 14 May 2013 08:40:15 -0400 A family is being comforted by Six Flags after the tragic loss of a family member. According to CBS Sacramento, a father of four, named Dale, passed away shortly after receiving season passes to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom from Dale's mother-in-law Mary Ann. Dale's wife Bethany, and their four children all received these passes. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2098-six-flags-transfers-season-pass-of-deceased-father/ Mon, 13 May 2013 13:48:09 -0400 A while ago, a brand new live entertainment show was announced for Busch Gardens Tampa. Now it has been approved that the new show, “Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation” will be  permanently playing at the park. “Madagascar Live! Operation Vacation” is a 20 minute musical that will feature Madagascar franchise characters such as Alex the lion, Gloria the hippo, King Julien, and many more. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2097-madagascar-live-operation-vacation-grand-opening/ Fri, 10 May 2013 18:56:07 -0400 The success of the Harry Potter series of books and movies has been felt throughout the theme park industry at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The park opened the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2010 and today the park announced the long speculated expansion. According to cfnews13, Universal and Warner Brothers has announced The Wizarding World of Harry Potter - Diagon Alley as the official name of the expansion. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2096-harry-potter-expansion-announced-at-universal-studios-orlando/ Wed, 08 May 2013 13:45:39 -0400 The country’s largest “kid themed” area has opened! It's a big hit amongst families, and Kings Dominion has created an event to celebrate. According to a park release, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang are inviting coaster enthusiasts and their families to a special event that will take place on July 6 inside the park. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2095-snoopy-con-event-invading-kings-dominion/ Wed, 08 May 2013 10:51:47 -0400 After six months of being submerged in the Atlantic Ocean, the icon of destruction for Hurricane Sandy on the Seaside Heights beach, finally has plans to be removed from the ocean. According to an article by ABC News, after a long period of time there are finally plans to remove the Star Jet roller coaster, which was swept into the Atlantic Ocean by Hurricane Sandy’s strong winds in 2012, out of its current location. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2094-plans-confirmed-for-submerged-star-jet/ Tue, 07 May 2013 21:46:06 -0400 It was back in early February that Grona Lund in Stockholm, Sweden made a huge announcement that they would be opening the “World’s Highest StarFlyer.” As of April 27th, Eclipse opened up and eclipsed all others of its kind in operation. Standing at 397-feet tall, just shy of the 400 foot mark, the new StarFlyer attraction is the capstone to the park’s 130th anniversary celebration this year. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2093-total-eclipse/ Mon, 06 May 2013 21:44:20 -0400 This past weekend, visitors to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom were greeted at the front gates by unexpected picketers. According to The Times-Herald, union maintenance workers were locked out after their shift on Thursday. According to Nancy Chan, park spokesperson, "We have met with the union over the course of five months during which we made significant progress on a contract. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2092-mechanics-picketing-at-six-flags-discovery-kingdom/ Mon, 06 May 2013 19:23:21 -0400 Swamp land in the Deep South could be transformed into a multi-faceted theme park in the upcoming years. According to WKRG, there is a strip of land in Foley, Alabama that includes 528 acres that developers and investors want to turn in to a multimillion dollar theme park. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2091-blue-collar-country-becoming-a-reality/ Mon, 06 May 2013 10:47:30 -0400 Quassy Amusement Park is primed and ready for another fantastic year of splashing fun in the sun as the park will be opening some new attractions at its water park. According to the Hartford Courant, Quassy will be opening the water park on May 25th and the park will open under a new name. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2090-quassy-expands-waterpark/ Thu, 02 May 2013 12:15:22 -0400 It has recently been revealed by Myrtle Beach Online and several other news sources that a group is apparently looking to purchase the property that Freestyle Music Park resides on. Abiding Village, a non-profit group that offers art classes for youth is attempting to raise $10 million to buy the 150-acre plot of land, which would include the buildings but not any of the rides. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2089-freestyle-not-so-reunion-tour/ Tue, 30 Apr 2013 21:29:54 -0400 Being that Las Vegas is in the middle of a desert, water park may not be the first thing that pops into your head. However, the new Wet 'n' Wild water park is nearing completion and is scheduled to open on Memorial Day weekend. Twenty-five rides will populate this park including water slides and other family attractions. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2088-wet-n-wild-set-to-open-in-las-vegas/ Tue, 30 Apr 2013 08:04:39 -0400 Behind the construction walls at Walt Disney World in Orlando, “magic” is finally being released as the company has let the media in on some of the construction that is taking place on the new Fantasyland . According to insidethemagic.net, Disney has offered a behind the scenes construction tour that allows us some insight on the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train coaster. http://www.coaster-net.com/news/2087-magic-of-fantasyland-unveiled/ Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:38:07 -0400