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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
May 12 2008
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Amusement/Theme Park News
Theme parks preparing for long, dry summer No hard times yet, but some operators already are cutting prices LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- While theme-park operators have yet to feel a full-throated assault on their revenue from a sluggish economy, trouble could be just around the corner.
2 dead, 8 injured in amusement park accident in Ukraine KIEV, Ukraine: Emergency officials say two people died and eight were injured when a carousel broke down in an amusement park in Ukraine.
Asbury Park redevelopers disregarding historic artifacts It's simple, really. You own property close to the shore. You want to build. Because the shoreline is regulated, you seek a permit. New Jersey says: meet these conditions, and you're good to go. If your construction project is worth, say, $750 million, chances are you'll make sure those conditions are met. Unless your name is Asbury Partners or Madison Marquette.
Orlando theme-park goers preview Toy Story Mania The Toy Story Mania attraction preview is open to annual pass holders of Walt Disney World. Mr. Potato Head nailed it. "It's a ride; it's game. It's a game; it's a ride," the 5-foot animatronic tater barked at guests waiting to board Toy Story Mania, a coming attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park.
Opening day at Compounce SOUTHINGTON - Guests filed through the front gates of Lake Compounce Saturday, greeted by the aroma of french fries and pizza and the screams of rollercoaster riders. It was opening day at the oldest continuously operating amusement park in the country, and people were ready to go.
Six Flags Chief Joins Zell's Team on Tribune Co. Board Mark Shapiro, the chief executive of Six Flags Inc. and a former ESPN executive, was elected to the board of Tribune Co., as the newly private media company rebuilds itself under a heavy debt load and harsh climate for newspaper advertising.
Laurent Jeanjean appointed Vice President of Universal City Dubailand Tatweer, a member of Dubai Holding, today appointed Laurent Jeanjean as Vice President of Universal City Dubailand, the 22 million sq ft development representing an investment of more than Dhs17bn, and featuring as its centerpiece one of the world’s largest theme parks - the spectacular seven million sq. ft. Universal Studios Dubailand.
Allergy Free at Holiday World HOLIDAY WORLD ADDS ALLERGEN-FREE MENU SANTA CLAUS, IN-----Families visiting Holiday World & Splashin' Safari this season will be able to enjoy a meal together, even if one of the family members has food allergies. Several of the park’s restaurants now offer a menu of pre-packaged food items which do not contain the eight most common food allergens, namely: wheat, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, milk, soy and eggs.
Arnolds Park preps for 2008 opening Several new sets of wheels are propelling the Arnolds Park Amusement Park into its 2008 season. With new double go-carts and "new" bumper cars drawing patrons to the attraction, Marketing Director Jeanne Sieh says the park is set for a great year.
Visit Quirky Parks Before They're Just A Memory Florida is crowded with offbeat attractions that once drew crowds but now, because of development and big-time theme parks, receive only a trickle of visitors. We asked Carl Shiver of Florida's Bureau of Historic Preservation for his pick of sites to see before they vanish forever.
Riding the Behemoth Brandon Driscoll, 37, of Windsor, shares his experience of Behemoth, the new record-breaking roller coaster at Canada's Wonderland amusement park.
Central Florida: What's new at Universal Krusty the Clown is opening a new ride at his namesake theme park, Krustyland, and the Simpsons are first to take the ride. Little do they know that Sideshow Bob -- pushed over the emotional edge by being shot from a cannon and nailed by cream pies -- has escaped from jail, stolen Scratchy's character suit and is loose in the park. His goal: Destroy it all.
Invitation to media members - Media invited to La Ronde May 14/ MONTREAL, May 8 /CNW Telbec/ - Three days before its 2008 official opening on Saturday, May 17, La Ronde will take media members on a guided visit of the site during which they can see (and test!) new attractions that promise to be highlights of the season ahead, as well as some of the popular amusement park's proven values.
White Rhino Born at Busch Gardens TAMPA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35, Orlando) -- As baby boys go, this is no lightweight. Busch Gardens is celebrating the birth of a rare white rhino that weighs in at a whopping 100 pounds (estimated).
Theme-park lot closes after suspicious package is found ORLANDO - Orlando police shut down a parking lot at Universal Studios late Saturday after finding a suspicious item.
Walt Disney World grounds are a magical spot for birders WALT DISNEY WORLD, Fla. - In this kingdom of fantasy, there’s magic in reality, too. Birds, some of them thrillingly rare or unusual, come here to spend the summer or take a break in their travels. And silvery bass swirl the waters of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, testing anglers’ patience and willingness to rise early.
New Hard Rock Park rolls out concerts and hot rides; Disney, Universal ramp up attractions Befitting his name, Detroit's own Kid Rock will be among the first wave of rockers performing this week at the world's only rock 'n' roll theme park. Hard Rock Park, a $400-million musical playground with a Led Zeppelin-branded steel roller coaster and music-inspired attractions such as Alice's Restaurant, is making its debut in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Waterpark News
Waterparks working on kidnapping response plan Security personnel from the seven major waterpark resorts in Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton are collaborating with the police departments and emergency services to consider a plan of action in the event of a child abduction, and are confident one will be in place this season.
Hawaiian resort found in Perkins Township PERKINS TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- A feel of the warmth and fun atmosphere of the 50th state is incorporated in the Sandusky area's newest water park. After more than a year of construction, Maui Sands Indoor Waterpark Resort is nearing completion and plans to open on Memorial Day weekend.
Central Florida: Aquatica Waterslides, wave pools, meandering rivers and cooling fountains, May 11, 2008 (The Miami Herald - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- -- and dolphins? Dolphins and other creatures are the newest twist on Central Florida water parks, found at Aquatica, which opened in March.
DOLLYWOOD’S SPLASH COUNTRY’S SIXTH ANNUAL LAZY RIVER FLOAT-A-THON SET FOR MAY 31 PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.—A day of fun in the sun at Dollywood’s Splash Country takes on a whole new meaning with the sixth annual Lazy River Float-A-Thon on Saturday, May 31, to benefit the Knoxville Ronald McDonald House. The event begins at 10 a.m. Last year’s event raised approximately $39,000. The fund-raiser is co-sponsored by Dollywood’s Splash Country, Star 102.1, 93 POINT 1, and HOT 104.5 radio stations. Participants raise money by gathering pledges or contributions for the number of laps floated in the water park’s Lazy River. Entry forms are available at participating McDonald’s, Dollywood’s Splash Country, Star 102.1, 93.1, HOT 104.5 offices and at www.dollywoodssplashcountry.com and www.star1021fm.com . Teams are encouraged to participate. All participants who collect $35 or more in donations receive a free t-shirt (while supplies last) and complimentary admission to Dollywood’s Splash Country for the event. “The Float-a-Thon has become one of the highlights of our season at Dollywood’s Splash Country,” said Vice President and General Manager Gene Scherrer. “We look forward to another successful event to support the Ronald McDonald House and all the great work they do for folks when they need it the most.” The Ronald McDonald House is a non-profit organization that provides “a home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill children who are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. As well as providing food and housing, the Ronald McDonald House is a place where families can find support from others in similar situations. The Ronald McDonald House depends on community donations to keep its doors open. Proceeds from the Lazy River Float-A-Thon will help defray operating expenses associated with supporting thousands of people each year. For more information, contact event organizer Ashley Adams at 865-428-9602. ---end story---
Aquarium/Zoo News
SC Aquarium posts loss for 2007 CHARLESTON, S.C. --The South Carolina Aquarium collected more money from paying visitors last year, but posted a loss for the year because of lackluster fundraising.
City's penguin gift lights up post-Katrina zoo aquarium Two Fort Wayne friends are helping New Orleans in its Hurricane Katrina recovery. The friends: Two black-footed penguins from the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, named Teal Black and Tank. The animals were sent to New Orleans in March to help revitalize the Aquarium of the Americas.
Zoo Seeks Upgrades In Fire Protection Blaze in 2006 Alerted Officials To Poor Safety The blaze at the National Zoo began when a corroded aquarium lamp sparked in the Invertebrate House and started an electrical fire. The smoke was intense, but the flames were quickly discovered, staff was evacuated, and none of the insects, lobsters or other creatures in the building perished.
Bank holiday is a record breaker for Chester Zoo CHESTER Zoo has thousands of reasons to celebrate after one of the busiest May Bank Holidays in its history. Nearly 29,000 people flocked to the 110-acre zoo over the three-day break, making it the busiest early May Bank Holiday in eight years. More than 15,000 people visited on Bank Holiday Monday alone.
Toledo Zoo keeper injured by female tiger An unidentified Toledo Zoo keeper was treated at a hospital yesterday for three minor lacerations to his chest after apparently getting too close to one of the zoo’s pair of 5-year-old female tigers, a zoo spokesman said.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
IMAX 1Q loss 25 cents a share; revenue falls to $6.7 million NEW YORK (Thomson Financial) - IMAX Corp. Monday reported a first-quarter net loss from continuing operations of $10.3 million, or 25 cents a share, while revenue fell to $6.7 million. The theater chain said the results 'reflect the transitional nature of 2008 from a financial perspective as we continue implementing our key joint venture revenue sharing and digital initiatives.'
Nagoya's collapsed Italian village opens doors for bankruptcy sale Japan NAGOYA -- Failed theme park-cum-shopping mall Villaggio Italia opened its doors one last time for a bankruptcy sale at the weekend, in an attempt to raise enough cash to cover ex-employees' back wages.
Pyramid casting about for deal Commissioner wants deadline for Bass Pro Now that the proposal to redevelop The Pyramid into a theme park has been withdrawn, at least one county commissioner wants to give Bass Pro Shops a deadline for committing to its plan to turn the vacant arena into an outdoors megastore.
Other News
Drive to save Virginia Key carousel continues The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust must raise $150,000 in order to purchase the carousel that adorned the park back when it was Miami's 'blacks only' beach. For more than five years, David Shorter and a few others tasked with resurrecting Virginia Key Beach Park searched for a 1950s-era Allan Herschell carousel, the same kind that for so long rested beneath the park's octagonal Carousel Building.
The World Without Us The United States can't afford to snub the 2010 World Expo. When the hoopla surrounding the Beijing Olympics ends in August, China's attention will turn to a second international extravaganza: the World Expo scheduled to open in Shanghai on May 1, 2010. The Chinese government is sparing no expense for its second giant coming-out party, on a two-square-mile site flanking the Huangpu River.
Myrtle Beach bike rally off to slower start The morning showers did little to dampen early-arriving bikers' enthusiasm, but some vendors said the slacking economy could share more of the blame for what some considered a slow start to the rally on Friday.
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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.