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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
March 12, 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
Disney parade, show begins sneak peek The Pixar Play Parade and new Playhouse Disney show officially debut Friday at Disney's California Adventure. Guests to Disney's California Adventure this week are getting a sneak peek of two new features at the theme park – a Pixar-themed parade and live show aimed at preschool-aged children.
Park takes on Spanish theme after takeover LEADING visitor destinations Oakwood has been acquired by a major European leisure park company. Oakwood has been acquired by Aspro, which operates 32 leisure parks across Europe – 13 in Spain, one in Portugal, one in Switzerland, one in Belgium, nine in France, five in Finland. The acquisition of Oakwood – for an undisclosed sum – means it has three parks in the UK.
Bill to tighten regulation of amusement park rides passes Senate FRANKFORT, Ky. --Potential fines would increase tenfold and the age of amusement park ride operators would rise under a bill the Kentucky Senate has passed unanimously.
GFAM Announces New Theme Park Acquisition SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Great American Family Parks, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: GFAM) today announced that it has acquired Animal Paradise LLC, a ride-through wild animal park just a few minutes from Springfield, Missouri. Animal Paradise is expected to add almost $2.5 million in total asset to GFAM. In the first full year of GFAM's management, Animal Paradise is expected to generate over $1 million in revenues. Annual revenues are expected to rise to over $2.5 million by 2012.
Six Flags worker dies after falling 40 feet GURNEE, Ill.---- A worker trying to dismantle a ride at the Six Flags Great America amusement park north of Chicago died after falling more than 40 feet. Officials say 46-year-old Thomas Lee of Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin was part of a crew taking apart the Splash Water Falls ride at the theme park in Gurnee when he fell.
McFly signed to rock theme park Pop band McFly will follow in the footsteps of Girls Aloud by playing Oakwood theme park in Pembrokeshire. The boy band, who have had seven UK number ones, have signed on for the concert on 19 July this year.
New Mall of America rides put an extra nick in your wallet Get ready to fork over megabucks at the megamall when six new rides start spinning Saturday, launching and whirling customers at the Mall of America's newly overhauled amusement park. The price for an annual pass to the remodeled Nickelodeon Universe will be $250, compared with the old $99 yearly fee for those taller than 3-foot-11. An unlimited, one-day wristband will cost $29.95, up $5.
It’s SpongeBob’s world ... we just live in it Nickelodeon's Universe is just the beginning Ohhhhhhhhh, who lives in a pineapple under the sea? If you answered SpongeBob SquarePants, congratulations on your knowledge of cartoon theme songs. If not, don’t worry; you’ll probably be hearing that refrain soon enough. That’s because the porous one is hitting the road — not to mention the mall, the high seas and hotels from coast to coast — as an absorbent ambassador of all things Nickelodeon.
New monorail arrives at Disneyland A 75-foot-tall crane hoisted the first of the new Mark VII monorails from a flatbed truck onto the beam way track this morning at Disneyland. The five-car burnt-burgundy train is the first of three new monorails expected to go online at the Anaheim theme park starting in February 2008.
How to do Walt Disney World like a grown up A park-by-park guide to attractions with adult appeal. LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- OK, boys and girls, including all you chiffon-wearing princesses -- it's time to go to your rooms and close your eyes and dream of whatever it is little darlings dream about these days. They gone? Good. Fellow adults, we're going to spend some time talking about Walt Disney World for grownups.
Fantasy Gardens property sold Vander Zalm's former theme park will become sustainable community, new owner says Once upon a time, the premier of British Columbia lived in a brick Dutch castle in Richmond next to his windmill, a schooner-sized Noah's Ark, statues depicting the life of Christ, European-style cobbled streets, a gift shop - and rows of plants, which seemingly absorbed light from his mega-watt smile and irrepressible optimism.
Waterpark News
A Tropical Hotel Weekend Just Outside Chicago GURNEE, Ill. — With the snows of winter lingering, the opening of a $137 million indoor water resort with a 414-room hotel came at an opportune time in this fast-growing suburb 40 miles north of Chicago.
THE CURE FOR CABIN FEVER FAMILIES IN OHIO ENJOY WEEKEND WITH NO SNOW! SANDUSKY, Ohio – Many people in Ohio spent the weekend shoveling snow in temperatures well below freezing. However, for some people in Sandusky, Ohio, the weekend was packed with fun activities in 80-degree temperatures! Providing this relief from the weather was Castaway Bay – Cedar Point’s year-round indoor waterpark resort. From the wet and wild fun of its indoor waterpark, to all of the “dry” kid-friendly activities, Castaway Bay is the perfect destination for families with young children who are looking for a break from all of the snow and cold temperatures.
Temecula seeks residents' input for water park environmental study It will be at least another summer before southwestern Riverside County's first water park is built as Temecula officials prepare a court-ordered environmental assessment of the project. A city-sponsored meeting Thursday will accept public input on what issues should be addressed in the environmental impact report for Splash Canyon Waterpark.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Sea Life Centre's some fin to look forward to They say moving home is the most stressful thing you can do. But when more than 20 species of sea life are moving home from Dorset to Chessington to be pride of place at a new Sea Life centre, the stress levels are likely to rise like flood water.
Zoo looks to change its mandate Conservation rather than entertainment may be in Toronto Zoo's future More room for the elephants, a new education learning centre and funding for research into the lives and possible longevity of polar bears are some of the things that $250 million could buy the Toronto Zoo. And late last month, the Toronto Zoo board voted to ask its foundation to try and raise that money in an ambitious quarter-billion-dollar fundraising campaign mirrored on successful private-and-public sector campaigns waged by the Ontario Art Gallery and the Royal Ontario Museum in recent years.
Ripley's Aquarium thanked for supporting Mountain Hope benefit Thanks to your generosity and hard work, this has become one of our most popular fund-raising events. The food is always fabulous, the staff friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere second to none. Even in the midst of a flu epidemic and a falling economy, we had a wonderful turnout.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Chuck E. Cheese options surprise diners While my Dining Out excursions are typically to places where I know or have heard the food is good, my most recent trip was dictated by my children, Max, age 5, and Zia, age 2 1/2. Known to Zia as "cha cha chee," my husband Jason, step-mother Debbie and I spent a Friday evening at Chuck E. Cheese on the Vestal Parkway. It's been a few years since we visited, and I am happy to say, the food has improved since then.
Other News
Cruise lines expect good year MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Leaders of the world’s largest cruise lines said Tuesday the industry’s 2008 outlook is positive despite economic pressures such as high fuel costs, the weak dollar and a struggling housing market. Though not immune to a weakening economy, the industry has proved “recession resistant” because its all-inclusive vacations provide value for travelers who may be cutting back on discretionary spending, said Dan Hanrahan, marketing committee chairman for Cruise Lines International Association. He spoke along with other industry executives at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami Beach.
Disney-owned family Web site ranks Sandusky as one of top 50 destinations Disney is to family vacations what Las Vegas is to gambling. So it is no small deal Sandusky appears on a list of the top 50 family travel destinations in the U.S. compiled by the Disney-owned and -operated Family.com, said Jill Bauer, public relations coordinator with the Lake Erie Shores and Islands Welcome Center.
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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
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- Executive Search
- Marketing / Group Sales / Sponsorship
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- Entertainment Programs
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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.