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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
March 10, 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
Six Flags Provides Outlook for 2008 NEW YORK, March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Following this morning's release of results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2007, Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of Six Flags, Inc. and Jeffrey R. Speed, Executive Vice President and CFO, hosted a webcast conference call to discuss the Company's results and provide an updated operational outlook for 2008. "The Six Flags product and brand are re-emerging," Mr. Shapiro stated. "The season is underway and despite a tightening economy, we remain cautiously optimistic -- first quarter attendance has good momentum; season pass sales are up strong double digits; our corporate sponsorship business continues to gain traction; and our strategic expansion into Dubai provides for yet another promising revenue stream."
Six Flags Reports 2007 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results Fourth Quarter Revenue Up 7% on Attendance and Guest Spending Growth - Twelve Month Revenue Up 3% on Increased Total Revenue Per Capita and Stable Attendance, Despite Fewer Park Operating Days
IS DISNEY COOKIN' UP 5TH PARK? March 9, 2008 -- AT a time when investor con cerns are mounting over the negative impact an economic downturn could have on Walt Disney Co.'s theme park business, the blogs are buzzing with talk that CEO Bob Iger and the rest of the Mouse House haveplans to add a fifth theme park gate in Florida - a boutique park aimed squarely at adults.
SM’s Pacific Park goes on the block SM PIER The owners of Pacific Park on Thursday announced plans to sell the two-acre amusement park and its iconic Ferris Wheel for an undisclosed price. “(Selling) has always been the long-term plan for the investors who funded the original construction of the park and Santa Monica Police Department substation,” said Mary Ann Powell, chief executive officer and general manager of Pacific Park, which opened in 1996. “The Park has experienced steady revenue growth over the last five years and has maintained a stellar safety record since opening,” Powell added. “This is an optimal time to seek out potential buyers.”
Woman sues amusement park after collision on a ride GLENWOOD SPRINGS, CO (AP) - A woman is suing an amusement park claiming she suffered permanent injuries after colliding with another rider in an alpine coaster. Linda Pappas alleges officials at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park failed to warn her someone was stopped in a car in front of her when she was on the "Canyon Flyer," a ride similar to a roller coaster that allows people to control their speed as they slide through the tracks.
Perennial gubernatorial candidate sues Dollywood theme park Dollywood spokesman Pete Owens says the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission threw out a similar complaint Whitaker filed with that the agency and he's confident the courts will do the same.
Get ready to scream at Southern California theme parks Spring is just around the corner and that means warmer weather and spring break. Theme parks are gearing up for the crowds. "This is the beginning of our busy season," said Alex Villalobos, assistant marketing director at Scandia in Ontario. We've got our yearly Easter event coming up, he said. And, summer is just around the corner.
Applicants vie to become Disney's Chief Magic Official The pool of applicants vying to become Disney's Chief Magic Official has been narrowed to 10, and two Floridians are left standing. Meggin Weaver of Kissimmee and Tangela Walker-Craft of Lakeland remain in the running for a newly formed yearlong gig that will include ambassadorlike duties at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort in California.
SeaWorld's Discovery Cove hits bigtime exposure -- SI swimsuit photos A luxurious vacation destination doesn't make the map until Sports Illustrated parades in a few of its swimsuit-clad supermodels to illustrate the sport of swimsuits. Eight-year-old Discovery Cove has made it. Though the limited-entry Orlando luxury-resort location didn't quite make it into the pages of the printed magazine, a few photos of two models, Jessica Gomes and Julie Henderson, hanging out at Discovery Cove now are featured on the magazine's swimsuit edition website.
Waterpark News
Waterville USA opens Flowrider, sets benefit GULF SHORES, Ala. — Waterville USA on Highway 59 in Gulf Shores has opened its amusement park along with one of its most popular attractions, the Flowrider. Guests can also enjoy the wildly popular House of Bounce along with a variety of their amusement park attractions, including the roller coaster, go-carts, mini golf, and much more. The Flowrider is the first truly interactive sport/skill ride to emerge in the world of aquatic recreation.
Whee! Sunsplash has new features Cape Coral, FL Cold weather coulnd’t keep 17-year-old Drae Moss away from a newly-opened 472-foot water slide at SunSplash Family Waterpark today. He saw the towering green tube perched overhead at the theme park for months last year, but technical issues prevented the Power Surge from ever opening in 2007.
Great Wolf Lodge opens soon GRAND MOUND - Great Wolf Lodge, the new $100 million resort in south Thurston County, will open for business starting March 18, a company spokeswoman and the resort general manager said Friday. The lodge, owned by Great Wolf Resorts of Wisconsin and the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis, is a combination indoor water park, convention center and a hotel with nearly 400 rooms near Interstate 5 in the Rochester area.
Splash Valley Water Park On Track Despite Delay TN East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele said the $14 million Splash Valley water park is running behind schedule, but it is still set to open on Ringgold Road this summer. He said it now appears the water park will open in June instead of May as had been planned initially.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Ga. Aquarium now a member of 'elite' national association The Georgia Aquarium went fishing again for something it coveted, and caught it in central Alabama. Representatives of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Wednesday welcomed the aquarium as a member of the national organization. The aquarium, said the AZA, met its standards to join.
Midtowners Fight Expansion of Memphis Zoo Memphis, TN - On a recent walk through Overton Park, Midtowner Stacey Greenberg was shocked to see a giant patch of brown dirt where lovely trees once stood. "I was in complete disbelief," says Greenberg, "You know, the zoo talks about conservation. Yet here they are tearing down a 10,000 year-old forest."
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Merlin Casts its Magic......... in Meadowlands Xanadu In Meadowlands Xanadu did Merlin Entertainments Some Stately Leisure Time Decree.... LONDON — Merlin Entertainments has strengthened the company's position in the US leisure market with the announcement today that it is to lease and operate the first ever and largest US observation wheel - the Pepsi Globe - due to open in November at the Meadowlands Xanadu entertainment and retail complex in northern New Jersey. This is one of 5 new attractions the company will be opening in the USA in the next two years; including another at Meadowlands Xanadu - its second US and largest LEGOLAND Discovery Centre - the first will open in Schaumburg, Illinois, later this summer.
Two Executives Promoted at Ripley Entertainment ORLANDO, Fla. (March 1, 2008) – Jim Pattison Jr., president of Ripley Entertainment, has announced the promotion of Leonora Shea to VP of Retail and Scott Line to Senior VP, General Counsel & Franchise Services.
Restored Idora Park carousel finds new home in Brooklyn Restored Idora Park carousel finds new home in Brooklyn YOUNGSTOWN — It’s been a long strange journey for the Idora Park carousel since it was sold at auction in 1984, the year the amusement park was shuttered. The carousel has been transported to Brooklyn, N.Y. and has undergone more than 22 years of rehabilitation while awaiting its place in the sun again. That time is coming soon, said Jane Walentas, the carousel’s owner and fastidious conservator.
Imax inks a big deal for Latin screens Big-screen movie company Imax Corp. is launching a major push into Central and South America and the Caribbean with a deal to install at least 35 of its digital projection systems there in the next six years. The Toronto company said Monday that it has struck a deal for the tropical expansion with Giencourt Investments SA, part of Racimec International Group, a Brazilian-based gaming and entertainment developer.
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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
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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.