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ITPS Amusement INdustry News
May 7, 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 earnings withstand economy's tough times Soaring gas prices and economic woes were no match for pixie dust earlier this year, as gains in attendance and sales at Walt Disney World helped produce banner quarterly earnings for Walt Disney Co. A strong winter season at Disney World and improved results at other properties in Disney's parks-and-resorts division eased worries among some investment analysts who had wondered whether record oil prices and other weaknesses in the U.S. economy would prompt tourists to pull back.
The Walt Disney Company Reports Second Quarter Earnings The Walt Disney Company (DIS) today reported earnings for the second fiscal quarter and six months ended March 29, 2008. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the second quarter increased to $0.58, compared to $0.44 in the prior-year quarter. Earnings per share from continuing operations in the prior-year quarter totaled $0.43.
Idlewild & SoakZone's 131st Season of Summer Fun Begins May 22 New Bigfoot's Mudslide is award-winning park's fifth new attraction in five years Bigfoot's Mudslide is a new family fun slide based on one of the most popular legends of modern time. Manufactured by Frederiksen Industries, Inc., the new slide will stand within Jumpin' Jungle, one of seven theme areas of the park, and will feature three 90-foot fiberglass chutes and a series of gentle dips and humps. Riders will slide on mats from an elevation of 20-feet above the Jumpin' Jungle floor.
Six Flags sees shaky economy, cuts prices Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is dropping the price of its general admission tickets by $10 this year to $24.99, in a move that the park's parent company describes as a response to high gasoline prices and families feeling pinched by a difficult economy.
Area theme parks expect same crowds in down economy A trip to the amusement park still might be in families' vacation plans this year, but they will likely cut back on souvenir and midway spending. That's the outlook from Richard Kinzel, chief executive of Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. He predicts that the tough economy won't cause much of a decline in attendance at its 18 amusement and water parks, including Cedar Point in Sandusky and Geauga Lake's Wildwater Kingdom in Bainbridge Township.
Newbie tries out Kennywood in all its gut-wrenching glory if the dummies can do it, so could I. Last Friday afternoon, while Kennywood officials gushed on about the spirited delights of Ghostwood Estate, the new ride that replaced (at a cost of about $2 million) The Gold Rusher, I spied the eight "people" lucky enough to be sitting in the first two cars of the Thunderbolt.
Focusing On Busch's Jungala Although most high school reporters write about school tests, cafeteria lunches and sports scores, these students got a chance to preview the theme park's new exhibit. Busch Gardens officials led 35 students on a private tour of Jungala, the newest part of the park.
Mini-U.S.A. Could Be Next Big Idea for Atlanta Tourism Distinctive U.S. landmarks could be making their way—in miniature—into a new Atlanta-area theme park, if Dutch businesspeople can sell the idea to Georgia officials, businesspeople and the public. Peter Verdaasdonk, managing director of Madurodam BV, a “miniature city” amusement park in The Hague, Netherlands, visited Atlanta April 24-25 to explore the possibility of building a U.S.-themed attraction in the area.
Waterpark News
Great Wolf CEO resigns John Emery, chief executive officer of Great Wolf Resorts, announced Tuesday he is leaving the Madison-based company to pursue an opportunity in the private equity sector. The announcement coincided with the company's first-quarter financial report and comes less than three weeks from the company's annual shareholder meeting, where three people are challenging sitting board of directors members.
Big water park opens in Čestlice near Prague Pruhonice, Central Bohemia, May 6 (CTK) - A new water park, the largest in Central Europe according to its operators from GMF Aquapark Prague, launches in Cestlice near Pruhonice Tuesday.
Aquarium/Zoo News
Bill would clear way for aquarium at Xanadu The Meadowlands Xanadu shopping and entertainment complex could include a massive aquarium if state law is changed to allow it, according to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. A bill permitting an aquarium at the Meadowlands Sports Complex was introduced by state Assemblymen Fred Scalera (D-Essex) and Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), and referred to the Assembly's tourism and gaming committee.
Aquarium flips for a new exhibit — dolphins The Georgia Aquarium, never a small place, is about to get bigger. Starting this summer, and for the next two years, crews will be at the downtown fishtank, adding a salt-water wing where its newest residents will splash and roll. Those residents? Dolphins. Aquarium officials say they will build a $110 million dolphin exhibit where people can watch the creatures — swim with them, too.
Tribe gives zoo big donation for wolf exhibit The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is donating $685,000 over the next five years to be the sponsor of a new red wolf exhibit and Zoobilee, the Point Defiance Zoological Society’s annual fundraising event, the organization announced this week.
Cell phone scammer preying on city's zoo Park seeks FBI probe after text messages swamp switchboard with thousands of calls Someone is using cell phone text messages to monkey around with the Houston Zoo. Zoo officials have asked the FBI to investigate a possibly malicious texting campaign that has deluged the main switchboard with telephone calls, including 3,500 received on Sunday — about 10 times the normal volume.
FEC/LBE/Museum News
Wataniya launches 'Rainforest Cafe' in Egypt Wataniya Restaurants, a world-class food service and hospitality provider based in Qatar, is proud to announce the launch of the first Rainforest Cafe at City Stars in Cairo, thereby introducing a brand new dining concept to the important Egyptian hospitality industry.
North Wales arcades under threat SEASIDE towns in North Wales expect arcade closures and job losses six months after the Government introduced new laws on gambling. The legislation allowed for new casinos to be built and an expansion in online gambling, but at the same time brought in tougher regulations on traditional arcades.
Other News
Commissioner Launches 'Carousel Challenge Drive' 1950 Allan Herschell Carousel Miami Commissioner Marc Sarnoff has issued a challenge to the people of Miami and the rest of South Florida. Sarnoff, along with the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust, has launched a "Carousel Challenge Drive", intended to preserve an important piece of history, a vintage 1950 Allan Herschell carousel.
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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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Operational Planning
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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.