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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
April 22, 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
Disney's Animal Kingdom celebrates 10 years today As Animal Kingdom celebrates its 10th anniversary today, its twin missions of wildlife management and theme-park enjoyment appear to be thriving, even if Disney has not quite managed to wed them yet. After the investment of tens of millions of dollars in both Expedition Everest and Finding Nemo, attendance at Walt Disney World's fourth theme park has climbed rapidly the past two years, pushing Animal Kingdom close to the 10 million-visitors-a-year mark.
Darien Lake cuts deal with TV show Darien Lake Theme Park Resort has formed an alliance with the popular Orange County Choppers that will see the park's newest attraction bear the OCC moniker. Under the terms of the deal, Darien Lake's new roller coaster will now be named Orange County Choppers MotoCoaster.
Commissioners approve clean-up of amusement park at Ascarate EL PASO, TX -- After weeks of delay, the County Commissioners voted to invest $232,478 of tax dollars to remove exposed asbestos and several old rides from what was once Western Playland Amusement Park on Ascarate Park.
Nelis' Dutch Village celebrating 50 years HOLLAND TOWNSHIP -- In an age when 1950s tourist destinations have often disappeared and been replaced by super-charged adventure parks, Nelis' Dutch Village remains. The Netherlands-styled family theme park has been around for a half century along U.S. 31. It is marking its 50th anniversary with a community celebration Saturday.
Bible Park tax plan doubtful for May County mayor says not enough time to study financing proposal Developers may have missed their chance to have the entire Bible Park USA project considered by the Rutherford County Commission in May. Developers of the $175 million to $200 million Bible theme park had said they hoped the County Commission would approve the financing package at its May 15 meeting, when the commission is set to consider the zoning for the 282 acres in the Blackman community.
Finding fun on the rides Frontier City is the lone standing traditional amusement park left in Oklahoma. Located in Oklahoma City, the 50-year-old Western theme amusement park features 75 rides and shows. Rides range from children's rides to thrilling roller coaster rides, including the Wildcat, a classic wooden ride.
SeaWorld's next coaster: Manta SeaWorld Orlando is trying to hold back details of its next big coaster until a big announcement, but the name appears to be Manta -- a moniker which the park sought to trademark last month -- and artist's renderings appear to be leaking all over the Internet.
Lost and found: 3 treasured rings and a happy ending at Disney's Wilderness Lodge It had been a wonderful vacation at Walt Disney World -- until Paul Campanale accidentally threw away his wife's three platinum and diamond rings. An icy-cold trip home to Worcester, Mass., awaited the unfortunate husband as he, his wife and two young children left the giant resort Friday.
Six Flags Friends and Girl Scouts of the USA Announce Nationwide Volunteer Incentive Program Angela and Vanessa Simmons, stars of MTV's "Run's House," kickoff partnership with "Girl Scouts Day" at Six Flags NEW YORK, April 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE: SIX - News) announced today that Six Flags Friends, its community outreach division, will partner with Girl Scouts of the USA to launch a new volunteer incentive program that allows people to volunteer at a selected Girl Scout council and in return receive a free ticket to any Six Flags park around the country.
CARMEN ELECTRA FLIPS FOR KINGS ISLAND “At Kings Island, my favorite roller coaster was the Beast, and the Racer — the one that you go backwards,” she says. “You go forwards and backwards. That was fun.” Would she recommend the amusement park life? “It was a great experience,” she tells me. “I remember I didn’t want to go and audition, but my mom talked me into it.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Toledo Zoo to expand children's area to year-round Fencing went up yesterday in the heart of the Toledo Zoo for a $7.5 million project that could revolutionize the way visitors think of its long-standing Children's Zoo. Nature's Neighborhood will be an indoor-outdoor facility that will be a greatly expanded version of the traditional petting zoo. It will offer far more for hands-on learning.
Buffalo Zoo goes before cameras A nationally syndicated TV nature show Monday filmed a piece for an upcoming episode at the Buffalo Zoo and the producer said there are plans to return to the area. The AquaKids program is hosted by Molly McKinney, a 22-year old senior communication major at Fredonia State College. She has worked on the show since she was 13. Back then, she became a licensed diver. She has since swam with Caribbean reef sharks, whale sharks and other wild aquatic animals.
Other News
Job picture for teens in North Texas not as bleak as elsewhere From flipping burgers to watching over swimmers, the summer job has been a rite of passage for countless teenagers. But this year, youngsters nationwide may have to hunt a bit harder to land their first paychecks. Nationwide, the unemployment rate for 16- to 19-year-olds rose to 15.5 percent last month from 14.5 percent a year earlier. Meanwhile, the overall unemployment rate is 5.1 percent, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Gas Prices Likely to Impact Summer Travel - Michigan MID-MICHIGAN (WJRT) -- (04/21/08)--The American Automobile Association now says drivers across Michigan are paying an average of $3.52 per gallon for gas, the highest average on record by 2 cents. And though one study finds that our driving behaviors aren't likely to change, some believe it will impact how people vacation this summer.
Wilderness condos selling well Owners to give update on development at news conference Developers have sold about 80 percent of the planned condominiums at Sevier County's largest tourism-related project since Dollywood. Wilderness at the Smokies owners have scheduled a news conference at 10 a.m. today to give an update on the development at the Highway 66 project, which is anchored by the new Sevierville Events Center.
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Contact:
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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ITPS Services
ITPS provides a full spectrum of services to all types of attractions no matter the size, small to large.
Below are some of the services that ITPS' experienced team of experts can provide:
- Acquisitions / Mergers / Property Valuation / Due Diligence
- Feasibility Analysis
- Facility Audits
- Concept/Design / Masterplanning
- Business Plans
- Planning/Development
- Project Management / Construction
- Financial Development
- Maintenance Programs
- Executive Search
- Marketing / Group Sales / Sponsorship
- Executive/Employee Training / Manual Development
- Loss Prevention / Safety/Security Programs
- Entertainment Programs
- Long-Range Planning
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Operational Planning
Attractions Development - Ride Bid/Negotiation / Ride Procurement
- General Management
Call 513-381-6131 for more information on how ITPS can assist your facility!
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.