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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
February 28, 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
Busch Expected To Announce Plan For Theme Park In China Busch Entertainment Corp., which operates Busch Gardens in Tampa, plans an announcement this morning in Orlando that some analysts expect will involve building a theme park in China.
More commentary here from the Orlando Sentinel
Study supports benefits of rock ‘n’ roll park Rock ‘n’ roll could help fix the state’s budget deficit. Decades Music Theme Park, a proposed musical theme park between the East Valley and Tucson in Eloy, could greatly assist the state economically, according to a new economic study.
Six Flags to Help Manage Dick Clark Co. LOS ANGELES — Six Flags Inc., a minority shareholder of Dick Clark Productions Inc., said Wednesday it will take on an active managerial role for the television production company.
No intermission as Village expansion show goes on VILLAGE Roadshow's imminent $110 million takeover of Sydney Attractions Group will not hinder the company's plan to pounce on the assets of debt-stricken rivals, chief operating officer Peter Foo says. After the release of the company's 27% increase in first-half earnings to $45.3 million, Mr Foo said Village wanted to take advantage of the tightening credit market to entrench its "dominant" position in the theme park, cinema and film distribution sectors.
Siemens holding the key to Disney's Spaceship Earth Visitors to the newly updated Spaceship Earth ride at Epcot might experience the ride and miss the show. Or they might experience the 26-year-old ride with a few new updates and spins, and catch the bevy of interactive games in the post-show area.
Ericson presents Pyramid-only plan to commission A development team headed by the Ericson Group Inc. has released a new $200 million development proposal focused exclusively on the Pyramid property, which is jointly owned by the city and county.
'The Rocket' roller-coaster rides again in Ocean View The Bage boys had their hands in their pockets as they stood by the roller-coaster car in the salvage yard, waiting for the trash hauler to arrive. "I painted the name on the front," said Larry Bage, who is really a sculptor. "I used to paint signs." White letters rimmed with black, surrounded by a flourish, read, "The Rocket."
Magic Mountain adding family coaster in 2009 Six Flags Magic Mountain officials said a family coaster with no inversions and a 48-inch height requirement is “on track” for spring 2009. Despite rampant speculation, the themed coaster will not be a rotating Tony Hawk’s Big Spin or an indoor Dark Knight, according to officials at the Valencia amusement park.
Vocational students making repairs to Dollywood miniatures SEVIERVILLE - Students in Jimmy Caylor's automotive class at the Sevier County High School vocational campus got their hands on some sweet rides this week. The students will have a chance to pull dents and repaint a '53 Corvette and a '57 Cadillac, a task that any car lover would love. There's one catch. The cars are about 1/5 scale.
Park developer expects to get used to crying Granados learned Tuesday night that the City Council had unanimously rejected the sale of Willowick Golf Course to his Riverside County development company, effectively scuttling long-held plans to convert it to an amusement park.
Ohio Unveils Exciting New Attractions for 2008 Ohio has so much to offer visitors this travel season -- from America's largest water park and longest covered bridge to the only place in the world where the public can see the U.S. Air Force's first stealth aircraft on permanent display!
Joliet Legoland a Very Remote Possibility "Legoland." Just feeling the word roll off your tongue should be enough to send you into shivers of delight. But news that some in Joliet are pushing for a Legoland that close to home? That is leaving us a quivering mess on the floor. Legoland! Right here in Illinois! Please, nerd overlords. Please.
Court to air Kennywood tax plea Amusement park seeks summary judgment in entertainment tax issue with borough The conflict between Kennywood Entertainment and West Mifflin over collection of the borough's amusement tax is set for a May 7 jury trial. However, that will not occur if Kennywood is successful on April 7 in its summary judgment motion with Common Pleas Court to grant judgment in Kennywood's favor.
Crews begin dismantling ride that cut off teenager's feet LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Crews are dismantling an amusement park ride that amputated a teenager's feet last summer. Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom began taking down the Superman Tower of Power ride on Wednesday, eight months after a cable snapped and cut off 14-year-old Kaitlyn Lasitter's feet.
Waterpark News
Ticket Prices At Dothan's Water World Set to Increase Alabama Dothan, Al. (WSFA) -- The cost of cooling off in Dothan is about to go up. The Dothan City Commission approved a price increase at the Water World amusement park in its Tuesday night meeting.
Mokena water park plan endorsed More details have emerged as the Mokena's Plan Commission unanimously endorsed the proposed Hickory Creek Resort and indoor water park. Hyatt announced that it will occupy one of the two five-story hotels being planned in the 25-acre project at 191st Street and Hickory Creek Drive, with its Summerfield Suites for extended stays.
Mermaid Subsidies? Buccaneer Bay accounts for most of Weeki Wachee's revenue, but its fate under state ownership remains up in the air. Come October, the state will add a new position to its payroll: Mermaid. The owners of the Weeki Wachee attraction — the nine residents of the city of Weeki Wachee — in January signed an agreement to give the Hernando County attraction to the state. The 61-year-old natural springs park, which features swimmers clad as mermaids, had been fighting a 4½-year legal battle over its lease with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, which owns the 27 acres it occupies 50 miles north of Tampa.
Judge orders Conway indoor water park shut down CONWAY – Waters are calm at the Kahuna Laguna Water Park, which closed down Tuesday in compliance with a judge's order. The 40,000-square-foot indoor water park, part of the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort in North Conway, had opened Feb. 8 and remained open despite a temporary restraining order requested by town officials and issued Feb. 13.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Take a leap: 2008 is the year of the frog With Leap Day just a hop, skip and jump away, it's time to let you know -- in case you've been hiding under a lily pad somewhere -- that 2008 is the Year of the Frog. Who says it's the Year of the Frog? The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), that's who -- and starting Friday more than 90 of its member organizations, including the National Aquarium in Baltimore, will be holding events around the country to educate people about amphibians.
Aquarium cuts three from staff Great Lakes Aquarium officials laid off three people this week from the aquarium’s full-time staff of about 18. The move, according to Patrick Schoff, chairman of the aquarium’s board of directors, was to keep finances in line.
Other News
The Billion-Dollar Beacon/Ripley's Makes Believers Sevier County's Highway 66 undergoes a transformation from drive-thru to destination Whether it's called Highway 66, Winfield Dunn Parkway or the Gateway to the Smokies, the nine-mile stretch through Sevier County from Interstate 40 has long been considered a big parking lot thanks to the 12 million annual visitors on their way to the Great Smoky Mountains. Now, real estate developers are eyeing this mostly sparse section of roadway as the county's newest hot spot. The corridor has been labeled the "billion-dollar highway"—meaning the culmination of current and planned projects would total $1 billion. This number may be subjective, but when one takes a closer look, the billion-dollar reference could prove a gross underestimation.
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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.