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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
April 15, 2008
No where else can you find more news covering the amusement and leisure industry! When news hits, you can be certain that will deliver it to you.
ITPS has proudly served the leisure industry since 1983. Visit http://www.interthemepark.com for more information.
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Amusement/Theme Park News
Tokyo Disney Resort faces declining visitor base With Disney characters offering greetings in Japanese and employees speaking only Japanese, many of the attractions at the Tokyo Disney Resort are lost, without translation, to non-Japanese speakers. "The problem is the language," said Chanida Towithelertkul, a Thai tourist who said her tour group of Chinese, English and Thai speakers had been frustrated by the language barrier at the resort.
County planners deny Bible Park plan The Rutherford County Planning Commission voted 8-7 to deny a rezoning request to allow the development of Bible Park USA. Steve Sandlin, Robert Stroop, Bob Farris, Will Jordan, Lou Ann Zelenik, Rhonda Allen, Craig Lynch and Steven Barnes voted to deny the zoning.
SE Asia may be next stop for Japan Disney operator TOKYO (Reuters) - For some lucky Disney fans in Southeast Asia the days of flying long distances between countries to get a whiff of the magic kingdom might soon be over. The operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, which opened the first Walt Disney Co theme park outside of the United States 25 years ago, said it may expand into Southeast Asia as it seeks new markets for growth.
What are you going to do with your tax rebate? Rob Karas, 39, of Haymarket, Va., expects to receive a tax rebate of $2,400 this spring. It's a nice-sized amount, but don't look to the Karas family to stimulate the economy. He had considered using the money to take his family to Disney World. But "With the uncertainty of the economy," Karas says, "right now, I'm going to forget I got that money and put it in mutual funds."
Big day arrives for Hard Rock Way back in 2001, Jon Binkowski was still moonlighting as an emcee at the theaters he owned in Fantasy Harbour to save money, when he came up with the idea to build a theme park there. Seven years and $400 million later, today's the big day when Binkowski, the park's chief creative officer, will share his vision with paying customers. On Monday, he was touring Hard Rock Park, adjusting costumes, listening to music, making sure everything was just right.
Improvements give Conneaut Lake Park officials hope CONNEAUT LAKE — Despite recent events that have severely hampered the future of Conneaut Lake Park, the historic, 116-year-old amusement park could still see more activity this summer than it did a year ago. None of the park’s rides will be open anytime soon, but several facilities that were open in the middle of the 2007 season — the Beach Club bar, Camperland campground and boat docks — should all be back in business in 2008, members of the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park are predicting.
Vote on Ascarate Park delayed again EL PASO, TX - For the third time in a month, El Paso County Commissioners put off making a decision on clearing the former Western Playland site at Ascarate Park. Commissioner Veronica Escobar, who last week asked county employees working on the contract to "put it on the fast track," merely told the court they would need one more week.
Lake Winnie opens April 19 The wait is over. Thrill seekers ready to take their adventurous spirits to new heights and fast speeds will get the chance April 19, whether its on the Cannon Ball roller coaster, the Wild Lightnin’ steel roller coaster or the hair-raising Oh-Zone freefall tower. The younger adventurers also have the chance to set out with the magical Bumble Bees and glide on the gentle Parachutes.
Going to Playland - a field trip for Westchester legislators April 14 Who says serving in county government can’t be fun? Members of the Westchester Board of Legislators’ Government Operations Committee will make a lunchtime trip to the Playland amusement park Tuesday. Unfortunately, they probably wont get to go on any of the rides
Disney fires another salvo at ‘complaining’ Small World fans The letter-writing war over the fate of It’s a Small World continues unabated with the latest missive from Chief Disney Archivist Dave Smith reminding fans “complaining” about the “current controversy” that “Walt Disney never intended Disneyland to be static.”
Waterpark News
Aquatica hopes to ride early wave of success Taking With... Dan Brown, 53, executive vice president and general manager of SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica and Discovery Cove. He spoke recently with Orlando Sentinel staff writer Scott Powers.
Waterworks Park development springs leak Ohio Port Clinton's hope for waterfront development took a big hit Monday. Puller Group, an Indianapolis-based developer, pulled out of negotiations with the city and will not pursue the proposed construction of a waterpark, convention center and hotel at Waterworks Park, Mayor Debbie Hymore-Tester said.
Crowd ganged up on arresting police officer at Wet 'n Wild, jail records show Attempt to arrest teen provoked friends, relatives, record says An Orlando police officer was rushed by 50 to 75 people Sunday afternoon, some of whom reportedly then punched him, when he tried to arrest a disorderly teen who had refused to leave the Wet 'n Wild water park.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Four sharks found dead at Moody Gardens Aquarium GALVESTON — Four sharks on display in a popular Galveston aquarium attraction died after the ozone level in the water spiked overnight, officials said.
Buffalo Zoo's elephants make temporary move to Ohio BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Buffalo Zoo's three female Asian elephants are temporarily housed at a zoo in Ohio while their western New York home gets renovated. Buki and Surapa were transported Sunday night to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in trailers built to haul elephants. The third elephant, Jothi, was scheduled to arrive Tuesday.
Seneca Zoo meets the challenge; now has more than $1 million for next project That roar you hear may be the sound of approval from lions on their way back to the Seneca Park Zoo. The Seneca Park Zoo Society has announced that it exceeded the fundraising necessary to qualify for a matching grant from the Riedman Foundation to help with its new Africa exhibit.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
FLORIDA ARTIST’S MAGIC CARPET SCULPTURES SAVED BY CARING ARIZONA COMMUNITY! Tucson, AZ- Quirky statues by the late Lee Koplin of Goofy Golf/Magic Carpet fame in Florida, has brought a community together in Tucson, Arizona to help save these historic giants. A well publicized fund raising event will take place April 26 to help raise money to relocate the statues and to help raise money to restore another historic Tucson landmark, the Valley of the Moon. A 20 ft. tall monkey, a three story Tiki Head, a giant dinosaur, and a multiple of other giant sculptures are part of the now defunct Magic Carpet Golf property in Tucson. It sold recently to Chapman Automotive after several years of hard times due to the failing health of its owner and hard economic times. Arizona State Representative Steve Farley, aware of his communities’ love for the miniature golf course for over 40 years, approached Ted Chapman about his desire to save these unique hand made works of art. Chapman Automotive, known for community support, agreed to let Mr. Farley find a home for these unique creatures. Farley, approached his children’s favorite, Valley of the Moon, as a possible home for the artwork. He and VOM board member and sculptor Charlie Spillar, agreed to find homes for the happy giants and to use the Magic Carpet Golf property for a ONE LAST ROUND fund raiser to raise money for saving the sculptures and raise money to restore the fantasy park. The Tucson community is fully supporting the efforts to save these two treasures that have made Tucson unique. Over a hundred companies and individuals have inquired about owning one of these hand made original works by Lee Koplin. Surprisingly, both George Legler and Lee Koplin, creator of Valley of the Moon, used concrete, steel and chicken wire to create their fantasy worlds. The ONE LAST ROUND golfing event will take place Saturday April 26 at Magic Carpet Golf, 6125 E. Speedway in Tucson. Live music, food, drink, auctions, live theater, memorabilia and lots of golf. This will be the last opportunity to ever play this 40-year-old course before demolition begins in a few months. Call 520-399-8854 or visit http://www.valleymoon.info for more information. ---end story---
Raiders smash up arcade machines UK MORE than £35,000 damage was caused at an amusement arcade after a thief broke in and smashed open slot machines and stole cash. The crook forced open the shutters of the Fantasia Amusement Park, in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, just after 4am on Saturday.
Other News
Slow economy slows down Vegas Concerns about the slow economy and its possible negative effects on Las Vegas are proving justified, as a trio of important indicators was down in January. Visitation fell by .6 percent compared to a year earlier, and airport traffic was off by 2.8 percent. Consequently, the Strip gambling win was also down 1.3 percent. The good news was that the declines were modest, reducing concerns to some degree and reinforcing the belief that Las Vegas retains some of its recession-resistant qualities.
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Shawn M. Haas
Vice President of Retail, Operations and Information Technology
International Theme Park Services, Inc
2195 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45206
513-381-6131 Phone
513-381-2756 Fax
http://www.interthemepark.com
shawnhaas@interthemepark.com
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25 Years...
Through the good, the bad and the ugly, International Theme Park Services, Inc. (“ITPS”) continues to provide the industry with its skilled services internationally.
ITPS celebrates its 25th year in 2008 and has served over 450 projects in over 40 countries! Considered a leader in the industry by the many companies who have used ITPS’ services, ITPS is still growing and offering its knowledge and experience to every continent. Dennis Speigel, President of ITPS, is a past president of the IAAPA and remains active on their Board of Directors. He is called upon by people throughout the industry to advise and recommend on projects. A leader today and for the future, ITPS is there when you need assistance.
Feasibility, design, pre-opening planning, business audits, on-site training and management…ITPS is still leading the industry into the future.
Leisure Capital Resources
International Theme Park Services provides merger, acquisition, financial, and strategic advisory services to public and private entertainment companies that wish to acquire or sell a business, raise equity capital, raise or restructure debt, or sell real estate.
Contact: Dennis Speigel at 513-381-6131 or Howard Kahn at affiliated Leisure Capital Resources in New York at 516-621-5183.