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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
April 8, 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
'Suspicious' rollercoaster fire A fire that engulfed a historic seafront rollercoaster is being treated as suspicious. The blaze destroyed about 40% of the rollercoaster at Margate's former Dreamland amusement park. The Grade II scenic railway, the oldest rollercoaster of its kind left in the world, had not been operating for two years.
Planet Snoopy ready for orbit? A new planet is in the works, with children at the center of its universe. Planet Snoopy, the latest attraction at Cedar Point, is scheduled to debut when the park opens May 10.
The roller-coaster and the rhino can co-exist A theme park and a zoo do not have to be mutually exclusive. However, in any development, the welfare of the animals must come first. WERRIBEE Open Range Zoo opened to the public 25 years ago. Back then it was a much simpler operation: a guided tour of bison, deer, ostriches, kangaroos and rhinoceroses.
Thunderhawk construction nearing completion Muskegon County - Imagine working outside every day this winter. That's what construction crews did to build a new ride at Michigan's Adventure amusement park in Muskegon County. "Thunderhawk" will travel more than 100-feet into the air and turn riders upside down five times.
Lion Group to Invest $2.4 Billion in China Theme Park Malaysia's Lion Group, controller of Beijing-based Parkson Retail Group Ltd., will invest 17 billion yuan ($2.4 billion) in a film studio and theme park in southwest China, the company initiating the project said. Dream City, which will be located in Kunming, will be completed in five years, said Bonnie Wong of Muse's Network Ltd., a public relations firm representing China International Media Group Ltd.
Universal Studios Simpsons ride shows visitors Krustyland After stepping through the gaping mouth of a 26-foot-tall Krusty the Clown head, Universal Studios Hollywood visitors encounter a colorful 10-foot-wide Krustyland map detailing the 10 rides and five shows at the Krustiest Place on Earth.
Rosemont To Pay $4.2 Million In Amusement Tax Battle The Village of Rosemont and the Cook County Board are close to settling a decade-long dispute over the collection of huge amounts of Amusement Tax revenue. County Board members will meet Wednesday (April 9) to consider approving terms of a proposed settlement agreement that will pay the county $4.2 million on or before May 9 in exchange for the county's dismissal of the Amusement Tax lawsuit.
Woman accused of beating at Disney World ORLANDO, Fla., April 7 (UPI) -- An Alabama woman could receive 15 years in jail for allegedly beating a woman while in line at Disney World's "Mad Tea Party" ride, a newspaper said.
Lunch with Shamu Cal State Fullerton was able to be a part of SeaWorld San Diego's Shamu's Worlds of Discovery Tour, as the animal ambassador team started its tour. The purpose of the March 27 visit was to promote the theme park's new Sesame Street attractions. The team will be traveling to family oriented locations in California, Utah, Arizona and Nevada. This show also gives the chance for SeaWorld's animal experts to educate the community.
Follow-Up Hampton Academy students heading to Six Flags Hampton Academy principal reinstates annual class trip HAMPTON — Most Hampton Academy eighth-graders got their wish and they will now be going to Six Flags for the end-of-the-year class trip. The announcement was made to the students Friday by Hampton Academy Principal Chris Sousa. Sousa decided to reinstate the trip in the aftermath of several students protesting his decision to change the trip to an outing to Boston.
Waterpark News
Schlitterbahn to unveil new attractions When a beast with lungs of fire rattled the little town of Surfenburg, residents fled — or so goes the legend, said promoters of the new Dragon’s Revenge ride at New Braunfels’ Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort. Visitors can evade the monster themselves when the attraction opens this summer. Dragon’s Revenge is story-driven, said Jeffrey Siebert, Schlitterbahn’s director of corporate communications and sales.
Ramada Inn Waterpark Opens in Watervliet (Audio broadcast) Michigan Southwest Michigan's first water park is now open for business. It's at the new Ramada Inn in Watervliet...and you've probably noticed its huge waterslides while driving by on I-94. Owner Joe Arndt says there's two of them:
Kalahari hearing period extended Fredericksburg officials were still ironing out the fine print of the 20-year agreement that would govern a proposed incentives package for Kalahari Resorts yesterday evening. City Manager Phillip Rodenberg said the final version of the agreement, along with a proposed ordinance that would set up a tax-increment financing district to distribute the incentives, should be available on the city's Web site today.
Aquarium/Zoo News
NY Aquarium director fishing for funds The new director of the New York Aquarium wants to turn the quaint-but-ragged Coney Island sea-life center into a nationally recognized tourist attraction. Aquarium director Jon Dohlin said his $14.5 million annual budget isn't enough to transform the 51-year-old institution into a destination that will draw Manhattanites - let alone nationwide tourism dollars.
Animal Artwork a Source of Zoo Revenue MILWAUKEE (AP) — Brittany wields her paintbrush with confidence, slapping it roughly against the canvas to produce streaks of green or smears of orange. With apparent pride, she steps back, inspects her work — and extends her trunk to receive a freshly loaded paintbrush. Brittany, an African elephant, is doing her small part to pay her way at the Milwaukee County Zoo. Her artwork is sold at the zoo's gift shop to raise funds.
Credits got used, but no aquarium Developer Stone reneges on pledge to not use state tax break The master developer of Ko Olina Resort & Marina has reneged on a public pledge made last year to not use state tax credits for building an aquarium at the West O'ahu resort. In January 2007, local developer Jeff Stone announced he was canceling the proposed aquarium and would not use the $75 million in tax credits the state had approved for developing the attraction.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
uWink Announces Filing of Its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--uWink (OTCBB:UWKI), an entertainment and hospitality software company and operator of an interactive restaurant concept, today announced the filing of its 2007 Annual Report on Form 10-KSB with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for its fiscal year ended January 1, 2008.
Analyst: CEC to Report Strong 1Q Sales Morgan Keegan Analyst Predicts Strong 1st-Quarter Sales at CEC Entertainment NEW YORK (Associated Press) - A Morgan Keegan analyst said Monday CEC Entertainment Inc., which operates the Chuck E. Cheese pizza and entertainment center chain, will likely report solid first-quarter results due to strong sales and its locations' new look. Analyst Robert M. Derrington said in a note to investors he expects the company to report a same-store sales gain of 2.5 percent in the first quarter, with sales helped by "management's aggressive plan of sales-building initiatives, its capital reinvestment program, modest menu pricing and some beneficial weather."
Government is helping fund Lima’s Chuck E. Cheese restaurant Allen County is seeking a federal grant to bring a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant to Lima. The actual process involves a more convoluted description, but we thought we’d cut through all that cheese. The federal government has money to hand out to bring family-themed eateries that specialize in video games, novelty prizes and loud music performed by talking animals.
Other News
Slumping economy has spring breakers in search of savings NORTHERN INDIANA — More families are staying local, and businesses are cashing in. But gas prices aren't responsible for this local boom. Many people say the slumping economy, not gas prices, is keeping them off the roads. Regardless of whether people are choosing to fly somewhere or staying closer to home, they are looking for ways to save. And many say they're finding ways to have fun nearby.
Spring break means big crowds at local attractions It will be a zoo at Zoo Atlanta this week. It's spring break, and local tourist attractions -- from Stone Mountain to the Inside CNN Tour -- are expecting to get slammed by visitors the next four days. The Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola have extended their operating hours, and zoo officials are expecting to more than quadruple the zoo's normal average daily attendance of about 1,800 to 2,500 visitors.
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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:
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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.