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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
April 3, 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
SeaWorld unveils costliest thrill ride - part roller coaster, part animal adventure The park's costliest attraction will be part roller coaster, part animal adventure. It will be part thrill ride and part animal attraction, a theme that visitors will experience from the time they take their place in line until the time they leave the post-ride area, said Joseph Couceiro, vice president of sales and marketing for SeaWorld's parent company, Busch Entertainment Corp.
Webcast Alert: It's a Jungala out There! Jungala Preview at Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa Opening to guests Saturday, April 5, Jungala is Busch Gardens most expansive area enhancement to date: a 4-acre attraction that invites guests to discover exotic creatures, explore a village hidden deep in the jungle and connect with the inhabitants of the lush landscape through up-close animal interactions, multi-story family play areas, rides and live entertainment. Towering trees, cascading waterfalls, flowing waterways and elaborate stone structures shape the landscape to transport guests out of their modern-day lives into a mythical place where the inhabitants -- both human and animal -- live in complete harmony with nature. Media will have the opportunity to jump into the jungle Thursday, April 3.
Bible park plan clears first test The Rutherford County Industrial Development Board passed a plan Wednesday to forgo $27.9 million in property taxes to help fund the proposed Bible Park USA. The board voted on a plan to use tax-increment financing from property tax revenues from the 282-acre park and more than 450 acres of adjacent property over the next 22 years.
Travel Companies Take a Hit in Penny-Pinching Times, But Some Stocks Still Attractive Conder pointed to Sandusky, Ohio-based theme park operator Cedar Fair (FUN: 23.19, -0.29, -1.23%) as one stock that shouldn’t be affected as much as other travel stocks. He said that unlike Walt Disney (DIS: 31.56, -0.35, -1.09%), which is a destination, and a costly one at that, Cedar Fair caters to consumers who want to go away for a few days and can easily hop into a car to get there.
Amusement parks playing to international audiences For kids -- and parents too -- it may be the ultimate play land: a 10-square-mile, $64-billion zone with amusement parks by Six Flags, DreamWorks Animation and Universal Studios, plus museums, shopping and 55 hotels. At twice the size of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., this is a place where it's hard to imagine getting bored. But if you do, you'll be able to head to a nearby collection of water attractions situated on an island the shape of a killer whale -- all planned by Busch Entertainment, the masterminds behind SeaWorld.
U.S. firms aim to learn theme parks' local culture Rides and restaurants are adapted to reflect the countries' customs. Although U.S. companies' international theme parks contain many of the elements that made them famous, they all have to adapt -- at least in some way -- to the local culture.
Coaster Wars II: Magic Mountain vs. Cedar Point Which amusement park is the true “roller coaster capital of the world”? With the peak summer season drawing near, the title remains in dispute as the industry’s two coaster heavyweights lay claim to the coveted title.
SeaWorld Visitors Get a Taste of Super-Premium Water Environmentally Conscious Icelandic Glacial Poised to Make a Big Splash at America's Leading Theme Parks OLFUS, Iceland, April 2, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to water, few know the importance of purity and freshness as well as SeaWorld -- the world's premier marine adventure parks. This season, thrill thirsty consumers at SeaWorld parks will be whetting their appetites with more than just breathtaking shows, exhilarating rides and interactive attractions. Visitors to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, Adventure Island, Water Country USA and the recently opened, South Seas-inspired Aquatica are set to have an all-new, pure, freshwater experience, as award winning Icelandic Glacial Spring Water hits concession stands across the country.
Busch Gardens hires Water Country VP Mark Pauls, vice president of Water Country USA, has accepted the position of vice president of park operations at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.
Waterpark News
Plans for water park, family center near completion Plans for private developers to invest up to $40 million in a water theme park and family entertainment center at the Miami MetroZoo are nearly complete, officials say, with county commission action due this month. "This builds an additional economic engine in the community," said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss, who is leading the effort for the developments. "This is something that I've been working on for a long time."
Cape's new water park slides receive names The names of the new slides at the Cape's Sun Splash Family Waterpark will Thunder Bump, Terror Tube and X-celerator based on input from residents and city officials. Construction on the new slides is on schedule and they are expected to debut in late April, offering new thrills for park guests.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Bus vs. aquarium video makes splash on YouTube Visitor from Minnesota in right place with his camera phone as runaway vehicle barrels down the hill When Matthew DeVries heard the scrape and crunch of a runaway bus on Cannery Row recently, he did what is becoming common these days. He pulled out his cell phone and started videotaping.
Aquarium's dive program helps debunk shark myths TAMPA -- When scuba diving in an indoor aquarium, weather and seasickness are of no concern. And your finned companions can't get too far away for you to observe them -- which is the whole point of scuba diving in the first place. These are among the very good reasons to visit The Florida Aquarium in Tampa and go on the Dive with the Sharks program. Whether you are interested in -- or afraid of -- sharks, this interactive encounter is a safe, fun way to see some toothy predators up close and learn about their life history and efforts to conserve them.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Dinos Rule At Wannado City FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ― In the movies the character of John Hammond, played by actor Richard Attenborough, brought dinosaurs to life in Jurassic Park. Now the rip snorting reptiles are back thanks to Professor Tobias Tibia at Wannado City's Chronos Time Institute.
MADAME TUSSAUDS LONDON LAUNCHES JELLYBEAN BAR FIT FOR THE STARS Top tourist spot Madame Tussauds London, part of Europe’s largest visitor attraction company Merlin Entertainments Group, has opened the world’s first ever jellybean cocktail bar for its star-spotting visitors.
Other News
DARK RIDE Aficionados ANNOUNCE FAVORITE “SCARE-CONDITIONED” ATTRACTIONS VIENNA, OH - 4.3.08 - Officials of the Darkride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE) announce results of the Seventh Annual Member Survey for their “favorite” dark ride attractions (i.e., “haunted house” and funhouse related amusement and theme park attractions). Topping the list for the seventh consecutive year is Kennywood Park in West Mifflin, PA, receiving top honors as DAFE’s Favorite Dark Attraction Park.
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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.