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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
January 4, 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
Trustees ponder future of ailing park CONNEAUT LAKE — What the future holds for Conneaut Lake Park is anybody’s guess right now, but it’s a decision that could have a substantial impact on the community as the park’s failure to open fully for the 2007 season cut revenue for Conneaut Lake-area businesses by 30 to 50 percent and resulted in a loss of approximately 100 seasonal jobs.
Business owners hope park will open CONNEAUT LAKE — Area business owners are hopeful Conneaut Lake Park will reopen in 2008, but say they are being “realistic” in not setting those hopes too high.
Six Flags names four new managers QUEENSBURY — The Great Escape announced four top-level managerial promotions on Thursday. Spokeswoman Diane O’Connor said the promotions have actually occurred over the span of a few months, though the company waited to announce them all at the same time.
A great year for Dollywood Congratulations to Dollywood for a record year in attendance. The Pigeon Forge attraction drew more than 2.5 million visitors in 2007, and you have to think there were several factors that contributed to that, including high gas prices that kept down long-distance traveling, the new rides at the park, and unusually dry weather that meant more rain-free days. The record attendance was good news for other area attractions and businesses.
HRP Myrtle Beach Holdings, LLC Issues Current Report MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. - HRP Myrtle Beach Holdings, LLC ("HRP") announced today that it posted a current report on the company website (www.hrpusa.com). The current report is being furnished pursuant to the Indentures governing the Floating Rate Senior Secured Notes due 2012 (the "Senior Notes"), the 12 1/2% Junior Secured Notes due 2013 (the "Junior Notes") and the 14 1/2% Senior Pay-In-Kind Notes due 2014 (the "PIK Notes"), and the Equity Participation Agreement relating to the Class B shares of HRP PIK Corp. ("PIK Corp.").
Protests dominate meeting on alcohol permit Citing public safety and concerns about underage drinking, more than 60 people showed up at a town-hall meeting Thursday night to learn how to protest Six Flags' application to sell alcohol at its parks in Arlington. "I don't know how alcohol sales can be controlled with that many people at Six Flags," Linda Jaquess of Arlington said during the meeting.
Diving back in to some avoided attractions Familiarity breeds habit. If you frequent a theme park enough, trends emerge. Maybe you always walk around Epcot's World Showcase in a counterclockwise fashion, or have a stingray tradition at SeaWorld, or you can't leave Islands of Adventure without spinning through the Cat in the Hat ride. Conversely, sometimes you swear off attractions. Recently, I revisited seven features that I have avoided for months for various reasons, ranging from potential stomach upset to residing in the wrong demographic.
Busch Has Baby Zebra TAMPA - A male Grevy's zebra was born Dec. 27 at Busch Gardens. The foal was able to run with the rest of the herd within an hour of its birth, according to park officials.
Six Flags to Present at the Tenth Annual ICR XChange Conference Six Flags, Inc. (NYSE: SIX: 2.09, +0.09, +4.50%) today announced that the Company will be presenting at the Tenth Annual ICR XChange Conference on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort & Spa in Dana Point, CA. The presentation will begin at 1:25 PM Pacific Time.
Joyce Carlson made mark at Disney Walt Disney Co. artist Joyce Carlson, whose work ranged from coloring the lead characters of Lady and the Tramp to creating many of the doll characters for Disney's It's a Small World attraction, died Wednesday at her home in Orlando. She was 84.
Waterpark News
As the Indoor Waterpark Industry Booms, Kalahari Resorts Unveils Nation's Largest Indoor Waterpark; New Texlon Roof Lets Sun in and Keeps Snow Out SANDUSKY, Ohio, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- A new year brings new thrills as Kalahari Resorts unveils the nation's largest indoor waterpark -- 173,000 square feet -- at its Sandusky, OH property. Innovative new features -- including a special "intelligent" roof system, a wave pool with eight ocean-like wave settings, the world's largest behemoth bowl, extreme mat racers with a 55-foot decline and more -- are expected to draw visitors from across the U.S.
Beach festival going strong This weekend is last call for a trip through an icy wonderland. The Beach Waterpark, a tropical paradise during the summer, morphs every winter into a frozen Holiday Fest full of 16 family-friendly attractions: ice skating on a 7,500-square foot rink, 27 miles of lights, carriage rides, paddle boat rides, a slick toboggan slide, 72 live animals in the Nativity scene, petting corral and pony ride attraction, a Festhaus of food and warm drinks, strolling entertainers and tons more.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Emotional reopening at San Francisco Zoo MANY VISITORS PAY TRIBUTE TO TIGER WHO FATALLY ATTACKED TEEN The San Francisco Zoo reopened Thursday morning, nine days after the Christmas Day tiger attack that left 17-year-old San Jose resident Carlos Sousa Jr. and a 4-year-old Siberian tiger named Tatiana dead.
John Ball Zoo fees will go up March 1 GRAND RAPIDS -- Admission fees for John Ball Zoo will rise beginning March 1 after the Kent County Commission this morning, on a 13-5 party-line vote, approved a fee hike moving rates for adults from $6 to $7.50.
Aquarium invites visitors behind the scenes What does an otter trainer do? What do seabirds eat? What can you learn by dissecting a salmon? Get answers to these questions and more at the Seattle Aquarium's Winter Break Fantastic Fishtival, which ends Sunday.
Museum's big move CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES LOADING UP FOR TRIP TO NEW DIGS Call it the Bay Area's version of Noah's Ark. But with bubble wrap. Lots and lots and lots of it. In what organizers are calling the largest move ever taken by a museum, the venerable California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco on Monday will begin transferring its gargantuan collection from temporary quarters on Howard Street in downtown San Francisco into a gleaming new $484 million home in Golden Gate Park.
City names new zoo director Lisa Tate to be first woman to lead facility SALISBURY -- City officials named a woman from Boise, Idaho, as its first ever female zoo director at a news conference Thursday. Lisa Tate -- who served in several positions at the Zoo Boise -- replaces Jim Rapp, who resigned at the end of May to help lead a regional tourism group.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Chuck E.’s back — in Fort Myers Family restaurant expected to open in spring Children of all ages take note — Chuck E. Cheese is set to make its return to the Fort Myers dining scene. A late spring opening is expected for the family entertainment restaurant, which will occupy part of a now vacant building off U.S. 41, formerly the home of Blocker’s Furniture, which closed in mid-2006.
Mini-Golf Plan Hits The Rough PEBBLE CREEK - Bill Place's long drive to bring miniature golf to New Tampa ended up in 2007 as a slice into the rough. His plan, unveiled in fall 2005, for the 18-hole, forest-themed course at the entrance to the Pebble Creek community immediately drew opposition.
As of 5pm on December 31, 2007, COSI Toledo is Permanently Closed. The entire COSI Toledo team would like to extend a sincere thank you to the extraordinary community that we have been fortunate to call home for the last 10 years. During that time, over 3 million children and their families have witnessed astonishing demonstrations, explored hundreds of interactive exhibits, been part of record-breaking events and been inspired to learn about science.
Other News
Team Selected to Design New Coney Island Steeplechase Plaza CONEY ISLAND — The New York City Economic Development Corp. (EDC), in cooperation with the Department of Parks and Recreation, has selected a consultant team to design the new Steeplechase Plaza in Coney Island.
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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
Feasibility Analysis
Due Diligence Assessments
Property Valuation
Facility Audits
Concept/Design
Masterplanning
Planning/Development
Construction
Financial Development
Maintenance Programs
Executive Search
Executive/Employee Training
Loss Prevention
Safety/Security Programs
Manual Development
Entertainment Programs
Long-Range Planning
Project Administration
Operational Planning
Sponsorship Acquisition
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.