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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
January 15, 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
Opposition rises to Disney bailout Hong Kong A majority of the people do not want to see public funds spent on expanding Disneyland while less than half believe the park's benefits outweigh the amount of money the government has put into the venture so far, a survey has shown. The survey, conducted by Polytechnic University, showed that of the 520 people interviewed between November 26 to 30, nearly two-thirds, or 63 percent, opposed further government funding although most people believe new attractions should be added.
Pippin now in Pyramid mix Save Libertyland announces plan to let Ericson take ride Memphian Greg Ericson has added the Zippin Pippin to his $250 million plan for redeveloping the Pyramid and Mud Island River Park. The Save Libertyland organization, which claims ownership of the nearly 100-year-old wooden coaster, announced Monday a plan for Ericson to take over the Pippin.
ACCIDENT / SIAM AMUSEMENT PARK Three more victims to go home, one still in hospital Three of the four children still in hospital as a result of Saturday's accident at Siam Amusement Park are expected to be discharged today. The fourth, who suffered a spinal injury in the fall from the broken Super Spiral water slide, is being kept in for further observation.
Deal will return 6 Wild West golf carts A Wichita golf cart retailer will get six of his seven golf carts back from an ill-fated handshake deal with Wild West World. Attorneys for Kansas Golf and Turf and the park's bankruptcy estate have settled their dispute over the carts, given to park founder Thomas Etheredge 13 months ago in a largely undocumented deal.
In search of wow, thrill finds a new pit stop at WOW India Touted as the country’s biggest amusement park, the Worlds of Wonder (WOW) in Noida may still be under construction but its spine-chilling thrills still draw enough adventure-seekers. Even on weekdays. According to officials, the amusement park draws a steady 1,500 or so people on weekends, and some 700-odd even on working days. The park has opened seven “thrill rides” in what it calls the “teens section”.
Waterpark News
Park districts seek $12M for pool, center IL There are two park district referendums on Feb. 5. Both of the referendums are asking for $12 million. Wauconda Park District is seeking a new outdoor water park. Barrington wants to build a new community center.
Zoombezi water park to open in May Central Ohio's new and improved water park will be open for business in late May. Zoombezi Bay will replace Wyandot Lake as the premier place for water fun in Central Ohio. The 22.7-acre water park will include 15 new slides, a lazy river, an action river and many more warm-weather activities.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Hogle Zoo gets $3M for polar bear, Arctic exhibit Officials may seek to put a bond before voters again this year to get the display up more quickly Utah's Hogle Zoo is a step closer to an ambitious Arctic exhibit this week after the announcement of a $3 million grant from the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation.
Zoo has record visitor numbers More than 900,000 people visited Dublin Zoo last year, marking a 20% jump on 2006 and the highest number in its 176-year history.
Newport Aquarium one of only two institutions in US to breed Gentoo penguins in 2007 Newport, Ky. –- The Newport Aquarium is proud to announce the hatching of two Gentoo penguin chicks. One chick hatched on Dec. 3, weighing 90 grams (just under 3.2 ounces). The second chick hatched on Dec. 24 and was found on Christmas Day, weighing 163 grams (5.8 ounces).
Tony n' Tina's Wedding Goes Green at Aquarium of the Bay's Farallon Room Opening night of Tony n' Tina's Wedding at Aquarium of the Bay's Farallon Room on February 15th marks the first time the popular dinner comedy has embraced the green movement. In keeping with the Aquarium's role as a Certified Green Businesses in San Francisco, the local nature center prefers to rent space to organizations that commit to using green practices during their events.
Brevard Zoo had more visitors in 2007 New exhibits help increase total by 1,500 over 2006 The Brevard Zoo set an attendance record in 2007, with 1,496 more visitors than it had 2006, zoo officials said. "Every year, we're adding and changing things," Brevard Zoo Marketing Director Andrea Hill said. "We're offering to the public a reason to come back. We're adding animals, changing exhibits, and the county is growing."
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Plans for a Madame Tussauds in Berlin - Feature Berlin - London has one, so does Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Washington DC. Now, it seems that Berlin is about to get one, too - a Madame Tussauds Waxworks Museum on the city's prestigious Unter den Linden boulevard. The British-based Merlin Entertainments Group, which operates a diverse network of pleasure facilities worldwide, including Legoland, Heide Park and the famous London Eye - seeks to open a Madame Tussaud's at premises on the boulevard this summer, if agreement is reached with the Berlin authorities.
Eye on transit centre sky ride THE Sea World Eye could move into the heart of Surfers Paradise, with plans to relocate it to the transit centre rooftop. Council officers yesterday met with the wheel's manufacturer, Ronald Bussink Co, to discuss the shift. After a year at the theme park, the 60m tall ferris wheel was to be removed from Sea World following the Australia Day weekend.
Pizza chains catering to children target Riverside, Rancho Cucamonga Whether it's thick or thin crust, New York or Chicago style, the kid-friendly kind appears to be on the rise as an Inland pizza choice. It's happening as restaurateurs aim to serve a still-growing population in a region sporting a higher proportion of young people than California as a whole.
Other News
The Smurfs Are Off to Conquer the World — Again The invasion has started. The announcement went out from Brussels, which became command central on Monday, directing thousands of tiny plastic Smurfs to head not only into the streets of Brussels itself but into Paris and Berlin, in a massive United Nations approved campaign. Well, approved by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), that is. It is all part of the 50th Anniversary of the blue-skinned creatures, whose nearly all-male society has fascinated children and adults all over the world, infecting languages everywhere with the verb "to smurf" — which can mean almost anything you want. Above it all, a Smurf Zeppelin patrols the skies.
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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.