About | Staff | ITPS News | Projects | Services | Industry News | FAQ | Contact
ITPS Amusement INdustry News
January 11, 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.
Scroll Down for each news
category.
Amusement/Theme Park |
Waterpark
Aquarium/Zoo | FEC/LBE/Museum
Other News
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
Point lists plans for '08 New shows. New rides. New children's area. For the 2008 season, Cedar Point plans to spend $5.2 million in capital improvements in and around the amusement park. A two-year refurbishment at Sandcastle Suites Hotel will cost $3 million. The project, which includes renovating the lobby and registration area and upgrading the hotel's 187 suites, restrooms and hallways, is slated to be complete by the summer.
Kennywood asks court for summary judgment in WM tax dispute Kennywood Entertainment's president confirmed that the park operator asked Allegheny County Common Pleas Court for a summary judgment in the amusement tax dispute with West Mifflin. Peter J. McAneny said Wednesday the request was filed Jan. 2.
Egyptian theme rides set to open in March Toning down the fear factor but still hanging onto the adventurous spirit of an “Indiana Jones” movie, Legoland California will open its Egyptian-themed “Land of Adventure” area March 10. Four new attractions are planned as part of the park's largest single-year investment since it opened in 1999, park officials said during a news conference Thursday.
Parades back at Tokyo Disneyland following accident Parades at Tokyo Disneyland will resume this weekend, park officials said Friday, after they were stopped following an accident involving one of the floats earlier this week.
Do amusements get immunity? Ocean City must now define who's eligible for tax breaks When Trimper Rides and Amusements announced last spring that its property tax bill was so high, it might have to close the rides forever, many people chimed in with support for doing whatever it takes to keep the historic amusement business operating on the Boardwalk. The word "historic" came up in many conversations, along with the concept that because Trimper's is an amusement business, it should have its own designation that would allow for lower assessments and taxes.
SeaWorld parent begins effort to get the word out about Aquatica water park Advertising for the new Aquatica water park already has begun. Busch Entertainment Corp., which also owns SeaWorld and Discovery Cove, began airing TV commercials today and plans to kick off print ads tomorrow for the new water park across the street from SeaWorld. The 59-acre park is slated to open this spring. ---end story---
Humans are second-string at SeaWorld's Pets Ahoy! My sister owned many cats over the years, but there was one gray one that my dad was determined to teach a trick -- specifically, to shake hands. With patience and prodding, kitty eventually and begrudgingly lifted her left front paw. She didn't even require a Scooby snack, but, boy, she looked unhappy about defying her natural independent nature.
DOLLYWOOD ANNOUNCES OPEN CALL AUDITIONS IN CINCINNATI, PIGEON FORGE, ATLANTA, NASHVILLE PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—Dollywood entertainment park will conduct a four-city audition tour in search of performers for its 2008 season in Cincinnati (Jan. 19); Pigeon Forge (Jan. 26), Atlanta (Feb. 2); and Nashville (Feb. 16).
Waterpark News
KeyLine Cove to hire 400 KeyLime Cove, the soon-to-open $137-million indoor water resort in Gurnee, is hiring 400 workers. The resort, which will open its doors Feb. 29, will hold a two-day job fair Jan. 15-16 at the College of Lake County in Grayslake. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday; and 2 to 8 p.m., Thursday.
Great Wolf aims to fill 500 jobs OLYMPIA — Great Wolf Lodge, under construction in Grand Mound, will interview and screen candidates for 500 jobs Jan. 24-26 during a job fair at the downtown Olympia Armory. Most of the jobs will be full time, and not all applicants will be required to have experience in Great Wolf's business, which is entertainment built around an indoor water park.
Grapevine adds another tourist attraction – Great Wolf Lodge Grapevine capitalized on its reputation as a significant tourist destination on Thursday as state and local leaders officially welcomed Great Wolf Lodge as the city’s newest attraction.
Is it Worth My . . . Time? Energy? Money? Wet and Wild in Williamsburg The television commercials, with the jingle that's either very effective or very annoying, tout it as the perfect family getaway. Now with the holidays over and the long months of January and February stretching ahead, is a weekend at Williamsburg's Great Wolf Lodge -- featuring a rustic cabin exterior and a tropical indoor water park -- the perfect antidote for cabin fever? Weekend's Tracy Grant made the 2 1/2 -hour drive from Washington with a few 10-, 11- and 12-year-olds to find out.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Hot weather blamed for a chill in aquarium profits ELLESMERE Port’s Blue Planet Aquarium owner, Deep Sea Leisure, yesterday blamed warm weather last Easter for a fall in visitor numbers as it announced its lowest profits for four years. The company recorded pre-tax profits of £1.31m in the year to October 31, 2007, down £98,000 from 2006 and £325,000 lower than its high in 2004.
Ocean Park to draw 1m visitors Set to open next month, the Manila Ocean Park expects to draw at least one million visitors on its first year of operations. “We can re-invigorate tourism at Luneta. This early, several developments are happening because of Manila Ocean Park. We see a renaissance of tourism in the city,” said park president Lim Chee Yong in yesterday’s briefing in Makati City.
Aquarium IMAX to go Hollywood NORWALK - The Maritime Aquarium's decision to change course for its IMAX theater - going Hollywood versus showing science documentaries at night - has paid off at the box office. Robert Griesmer, chief operating officer, said ticket sales from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31 jumped 2,100 percent over the same period last year.
N.C. Aquarium's Family Film Series Returns in February (1/11/2008) KURE BEACH – Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher will have a chance to combine a day at the aquarium with a viewing of one of four classic children’s films every Saturday in February.
Zoo attendance up by more than 6,000 visitors In its fifth straight year of setting an attendance record, the Akron Zoo saw an increase of more than 6,000 visitors in 2007. The zoo tallied a total of 262,217 visitors last year, surpassing the 2006 attendance record of 255,804.
As zoo post stays open, speculation emerges SALISBURY -- The Salisbury Zoo offers a salary higher than the industry average, but still can't fill its top vacancy eight months into the search process. Two candidates declined offers. A third, Lisa Tate, 43, of Zoo Boise in Idaho, accepted a $66,640 yearly salary, but resigned Tuesday, weeks before her start date, because of health problems.
Group puts zoo on 10-worst-for-elephants list Woodland Park Zoo was in the No. 2 spot when In Defense of Animals released its annual list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants on Thursday. The list is compiled through Internet voting, according to the animal rights group. Most zoos made the list because of elephant deaths, cramped exhibits or lack of elephant companions.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Carousel to get weatherproofed THE HISTORIC CAROUSEL at Tilden Regional Park in the Berkeley hills is closed temporarily for completion of a state-of-the-art construction and renovation project. Built in 1911 by the Hershell Spillman Co. of Tonawanda, N.Y., the carousel was operated in various locations before the park district purchased it and installed it at Tilden in 1948. It has been one of the park's main attractions ever since.
Ripley's extensive restoration in St. Augustine, FL The original museum of Robert L. Ripley in St. Augustine, Fla. is undergoing a series of significant restorative projects. St. Augustine, Fla. (Jan. 10, 2008) From the large stained glass dome ceiling inside to the rare Chinese bronze statues standing guard outside, the New Year is bringing extensive renewal to the historic Castle Warden, home of the original Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Museum.
Visitors surprised to find Museum of Science and Industry closed Chicago Doors closed for anniversary preparation Mary Lane spent Thursday morning talking to her 3-year-old son, Goodwin, about a visit to the Museum of Science and Industry. But they were disappointed to find it shut, part of a three-day closing so the museum could prepare for its yearlong 75th anniversary celebration that kicks off this weekend.
Other News
Carnival ride trashed in crash Canada PITTSFIELD — A tractor-trailer carrying a children's carnival ride plowed into a railroad bridge over Fort Hill Road last night, destroying the ride and closing the road, police said. Alain Proulx, 57, of Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, Canada, had picked up a fire department-themed carnival ride from Gillette Shows' warehouse on Pecks Road when he got lost on West Street and followed a sign for Route 20, which took him along Fort Hill Road, according to Pittsfield Police Officer Kipp Steinman.
To UNSUBSCRIBE or SUBSCRIBE to the daily mailing, please visit our website and complete the form on the home page under the "Want News?" section.
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
| SU | M | T | W | TH | F | SA |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
Click on a day above for each daily news.
Click here for previous months.
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.