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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
February 6, 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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Check our our blog for news updates that happen after the news is sent. We will post afternoon updates if there is anything of excitement. We'll also provide insight and commentary on the news.
Amusement/Theme Park News
Theme parks, TV bring in big bucks for Disney With another gate increase at Walt Disney World, a solid performance by its TV networks, and strong sales of merchandise, the Walt Disney Co. reported another quarter of rising revenue on Tuesday. In releasing its finance reports for the first quarter of its 2008 fiscal year, Disney offered its investors diluted earnings of 63 cents a share. That beat most expectations -- though it was lower than last year's results.
HK Disneyland reverses downtrend Hong Kong Disneyland, the studio-branded theme park, reversed the recent trend of bad news in the first quarter of Disney's financial year. Park, which opened in October 2005 and missed attendance targets in its first two years, showed "double digit growth" in the October to December period, according to Thomas Staggs, Disney's CFO.
Kings Island to Host Job Fairs February 16-17 More than 4,000 seasonal associates needed for 2008 operating season KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – A diverse range of job opportunities are available at Kings Island, as the park announced today plans to hire more than 4,000 seasonal associates for the 2008 operating season, which begins April 20. In addition to international and regional recruiting, Kings Island will host job fairs Saturday, February 16 and Sunday, February 17 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the park, located at 6300 Kings Island Drive.
Cedar Fair Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution Rate SANDUSKY, Ohio, Feb. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cedar Fair Entertainment Company , a leader in regional amusement resorts, water parks and active entertainment, today announced an increase in its regular quarterly cash distribution to $0.48 per limited partner unit. On an annualized basis, the Company's distribution rate will increase from $1.90 (paid over the past four quarters) to $1.92 per unit.
Indoor Legoland to land in Schaumburg Plans have been pieced together for a giant indoor Lego amusement-style park to be erected at the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg. The urban street-front shopping center will house the first Legoland Discovery Centre in the United States.
‘Save Coney Island’ Rally Scheduled for Park Slope PARK SLOPE — On Saturday, March 8, the Save Coney Island organization will join forces with Miss Cyclone, Angie Pontani, Dianna Carlin of Lola Staar and Jen Gapay of Thirsty Girl Productions to stage a tilt-a-whirling event to promote awareness about New York City’s exciting new plan for the revitalization of Coney Island.
Theme park backers propose project with Pyramid 'as is,' no 'out clauses' Memphian Greg Ericson is preparing a Pyramid development agreement that he hopes to present to the city and county early next week. But unlike the development agreement that has been signed by Bass Pro Shops and awaits city-county approval, Ericson said Tuesday, "It's not going to have variables and out clauses."
Park worker posts bond Ohio BUTLER CO. -- An employee of an indoor amusement park, accused of compelling prostitution with children, was freed Tuesday after posting bond in a Butler County courtroom, but faces another court hearing next week.
Waterpark News
CoCo Key's admissions policy under scrutiny DANVERS — Selectmen have questions for CoCo Key Water Resort managers on whether the resort has relaxed its admission policy to let more than just hotel guests, birthday parties or large groups swim there. The board also wants to discuss the business's alleged violations of the water park's entertainment license for its coin-operated games for allowing someone under 18 to supervise the Key Quest Arcade game room. Selectmen meet at 7 tomorrow night in the Toomey Hearing Room of Town Hall.
Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. to Hold Fourth-Quarter 2007 Earnings Call on February 20 MADISON, Wis., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Great Wolf Resorts, Inc. , North America's leading family of indoor waterpark resorts, today announced that the company will release fourth-quarter 2007 financial results on Wednesday, February 20, 2008, before the market opens. The company will hold a conference call at 10 a.m. ET on that day to discuss its results.
House approves tax deal for W. Warwick water park PROVIDENCE — Amid Republican complaints that the House Speaker short-circuited debate on a special tax deal promoted by his own community, the House yesterday approved a 22-year agreement between West Warwick and the developers of a proposed hotel and water park just off Route 95.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Shedd's Oceanarium to close for renovation The Shedd Aquarium’s Oceanarium will be closed for several months starting in September as the lakefront facility undergoes what is being described as a major renovation. The work will require that many of the Oceanarium’s marine animals — beluga whales, dolphins, sea otters, sea lions and penguins — will have to be shipped to other institutions during construction, a Shedd spokesman said Tuesday.
Jungle love Animal magnetism is the theme at the Honolulu Zoo's Valentine's Day celebration Rusti may be a 315-pound orangutan, but a thin veneer of higher-level social conduct is all that separates him from human beings. For instance, Rusti does not take kindly to tall, powerful males approaching the area he shares with his female companion, Violet. When they do, Rusti often will have his way with Violet right then and there to establish his territory and dominance.
Zoo food: Chef upgrades fare at Grasslands Cafe For the past four years Wakitsch has been responsible for the everyday food at the El Paso Zoo's Grasslands Cafe and A Taste of the Wild Catering for events such as company picnics, reunions, weddings, quinceañeras and birthday
Zoo to improve orangutan home The Phoenix Zoo plans to build a $5 million orangutan exhibit that will provide the animals an improved natural setting and visitors an improved viewing experience, officials said. The first phase of the project is a new night house. Aimee Yamamori, director of media and public relations for the zoo, said this $1 million phase will provide the animals upgraded shelter from the cold weather.
C’mon, Mates … Australian Adventure Returns March 14 at the Zoo Tired of the winter chill? Take a journey through the land Down Under at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Australian Adventure, opening for its ninth season at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Namco Bandai Cuts Forecast on Amusement Park Business Namco Bandai Holdings Inc., creator of ``Pac-man,'' slashed its annual profit forecast on a slump in its leisure park business and will shut as many as 60 amusement centers. The company's shares fell by their daily limit.
Does Chuck E. Cheese's Kid Check Program Work? EL PASO, Texas -- The popular Chuck E. Cheese pizza parlor and playroom has a system where you and your children get stamped and that stamp is supposed to help keep your child from leaving with a stranger. KFOX put that system to the test in a hidden-camera-investigation. Indoor playgrounds like Chuck E. Cheese's offer games, rides and food catered for kids and their parents.
Movie theater might serve alcohol ANAHEIM � A Disneyland-area movie theater could become the first in Orange County to serve alcohol and the second to offer an IMAX screen. The Movie Experience has a lease to open a 14-screen cinema in the Anaheim GardenWalk, an outdoor mall that is under construction and due to open in May near Disneyland.
Capcom Raises Profit Target on Higher Games Sales Revenue from game arcade operations dropped 0.5 percent to 9.58 billion yen in the nine-month period, the company said. Operating profit in the business dropped 62 percent to 573 million yen.
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To send attraction and facility press releases, e-mail Shawn at the address below.
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
-
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.