About | Staff | ITPS News | Projects | Services | Industry News | FAQ | Contact
ITPS Amusement INdustry News
March 25, 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
Amusement/Theme Park News
Hong Kong Disney sinks near bottom in popularity Hong Kong Disneyland has plunged nearly to the bottom of the world's 25 most popular theme parks last year - five places behind major rival Ocean Park - according to a survey.
Hong Kong Disneyland suffers 20 per cent slump in visitor numbers Hong Kong's troubled new Disneyland theme park suffered a 20 per cent slump in visitor numbers in its first two full years of operations, a news report said Tuesday. The 3.5 billion US dollar park, funded largely by government money, saw attendances fall from 5.2 million in 2006 to just 4.15 million last year, the South China Morning Post reported.
Moody's Downgrades Ratings on Six Flags Moody's Downgrades Six Flags' Outlook to Negative on Poor Performance and Default Risk Moody's Investors Service downgraded Six Flags Inc.'s outlook to "negative" Monday, saying the company could default on several upcoming obligations if performance doesn't improve. Moody's also downgraded the company's liquidity rating to SGL-4 from SGL-3, reflecting a higher degree of risk.
Two Gilroy Gardens board members resign Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park announced today that President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bob Kraemer has informed the park of his resignation for personal reasons. In addition to the resignation of Mr. Kraemer, founder Michael Bonfante has also resigned stating he has "fulfilled his dream of building a theme park and it is time to retire and go onto other dreams."
Spokeswoman touts Bible Park's size, vision over Holy Land Experience It was a small group, some of whom have big concerns. They listened intently inside an MTSU lecture room Monday as MTSU professor Bill Levine related his trip to the Holy Land Experience themepark in Orlando, Fla., searching for any point of reference for the proposed Bible theme park for the Blackman community.
Acid leak at Legoland A corrosive acid leaked out of a container at Legoland sparking an emergency operation at the Windsor tourist attraction. Four fire engines and ambulance crews were called to the theme park at on Sunday after a leak was spotted in a hydrochloric acid container by a member of staff at 6.35pm.
Worker dies at amusement park after ceiling of ride collapses The swing carousel where a worker died during an inspection is seen at the Family Ai Land in Nagakute, Aichi Prefecture. (Photo courtesy of the Aichi Prefectural Government)NAGAKUTE, Aichi -- A worker died at an amusement park here after the ceiling of an attraction came crashing down while he was inspecting it, police said.
Park illness toll rises to 352 Great Escape visitors got sick with norovirus, state Health Department says QUEENSBURY -- The number of people who fell ill after catching a virus at Six Flags Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark has risen to 352, according to the state Health Department. The department confirmed the visitors were infected by norovirus, also known as Norwalk Virus. The infection usually causes two days of severe vomiting and diarrhea. Most people recover fully.
Wrestling events at Universal Studios Orlando WWE's WrestleMania Fan Axxess Tour is making a stop in Orlando from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29 at the New York Public Library at Universal Studios theme park. Activities include autograph sessions with WWE superstars, a tournament featuring the popular video game SmackDown vs. Raw 2008, trivia challenges and the opportunity to view exclusive WWE superstar videos and memorabilia.
Waterpark News
Great Wolf ceiling collapse unexplained; guest angered Friday evening's ceiling collapse at Great Wolf Lodge has not been explained, but the fallout from at least one guest continues. Diners at the Scotrun resort's Loose Moose restaurant said they heard a loud noise, saw a large piece of ceiling fall and a wave of water pour into the room.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Aquarium assessing bus damage Officials at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on Monday were continuing to assess the damage caused by a runaway tour bus, but said the incident won't interfere with operations. An empty 40-foot USA Coach slammed head-on into an exterior wall near the aquarium's front entrance about 1:45 p.m. Saturday.
Seeing is believing at aquarium THE world's first Virtual Dive Bell is how it has been christened by award-winning attraction, The Aquarium of the Lakes, but no name could possibly convey the sheer wonder of what will soon await visitors. Coming face to face with a terrifying shark, trembling as a crocodile performs the death roll on its prey and biting the nails wondering whether a hippo is about to charge, is just part of the emotional roller-coaster.
Oklahoma Aquarium Opens New Exhibit, Web Site The excitement is doubled at the Oklahoma Aquarium with the grand opening of a new exhibit, the launch of a redesigned Web site and a spring break camp convenient for working parents.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
World Famous Illinois-Shaped Cornflake To Change Ownership at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum in Williamsburg World’s most expensive cornflake sold on eBay for $1,350 WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (March 24, 2008) - Jon Wolfe with TriviaMania.com, the winning bidder for the Illinois Cornflake, will be collecting his purchase from the seller, Melissa McIntire, at the Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum in Williamsburg on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m.
Neighbors complain that Chuck E. Cheese's is a nuisance MAYFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) - Shops at a Cleveland area strip mall say they're fed up with the noisy, fighting patrons of a neighboring business. It's not a rowdy bar or nightclub. It's a Chuck E. Cheese's kids' arcade and pizza restaurant.
Other News
Tourists still on way to Orlando area . . . for now But last-minute bookings may hint that rougher times are in our future. Visitors might still be heading in droves to Orlando -- but many appear to be waiting a little longer to commit, nervously watching the economy and patiently looking for last-minute, deep-discount deals. Consequently, many tourism businesses and economists in the region say it's getting harder to tell whether the clouds they see are storms -- or just foggy crystal balls.
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.