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There's another aspect of excitement in the world of thrill rides. There's the excitement of the latest announcements of upcoming rides from an industry as secretive as the military at times, and the excitement of all the latest happenings at parks around the world. Sometimes the news is good, sometimes the news is bad, but our aim is to bring you the fairest, timeliest, most accurate details on everything that concerns you. COASTER-net's team of journalists is hard at work around the clock to bring you the in-depth scoop!
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Damage immeasurable at Six Flags New Orleans
Destruction from Hurricane Katrina encompasses park
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Six Flags New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 08/31/05 - By: Devin Olson -
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 In the wake of the tragic destruction along the Gulf Coast of the United States following Hurricane Katrina, Six Flags New Orleans has suffered destruction similar to most of New Orleans' surroundings, and it will take time to measure the storm's true impact.
Currently, the park sits underneath a deluge of water like 80 percent of the city, water which has flooded New Orleans up to over 20 feet in areas due to the initial storm surge of Katrina and subsequent failings of protective levees. At this time, of course, it is impossible to evaluate the true impact of the storm other than a scene of true destroyed chaos. In Six Flags New Orleans' specific case, buildings have been destroyed but the condition of rides is unknown.
The park is home to three major steel coasters, but the coaster of most concern is the wood-tracked MegaZeph and its complex steel beam support structure. State building codes often require modern wooden coaster structures to withstand wind forces of up to 100 m.p.h. and higher in hurricane-prone regions, however, winds of Katrina reached some 145 m.p.h. as the storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane to the east of New Orleans around the park Monday morning.
When the park was originally constructed in 1999 and 2000, it was built several feet over the land due to the area's elevation below sea level.
While Six Flags New Orleans remains closed, Six Flags will be honoring tickets at the chain's other parks. We will post more information on the current condition of the park as we obtain it.
However, in the midst of this tragedy, the condition of mere structures alone pales in comparison to the concern of casualties, and hundreds have been confirmed dead so far. Throughout this ordeal, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
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Ride op dead at New York park
18-Year-old worker died after being pinned down on kiddie coaster
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Adventureland, Farmingdale, NY, USA 08/31/05 - By: Carl F -
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Today, a teenage ride op at the small Adventureland park in Farmingdale, NY was killed after being struck by a roller coaster train. This accident is the third fatal accident at a New York theme park this month. The persons identity was revealed to be Stephen Gary, an 18-year-old ride operator that operates the Lady Bug kiddie coaster. Gary has been working at the park for two years and was considered to be a great worker at the park.
The teenager died when he was standing on the track at 10:45 p.m. local time. The train was travelling at 5 miles per hour heading back toward the station until the front car of the train pinned him down. The train weighed several hundred pounds. Later on that night he was transported to an area hospital and died the next morning.
The ride will remain closed as the state inspects the ride until it is greenlit to operate again.
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Orlando parks prepare for big events
Walt Disney World and Universal Studios prepare for Christian events
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Orlando, FL, USA 08/31/05 - By: Carl F -
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Two Orlando parks are now preparing for a big weekend thats drawing closer and closer. Universal Studios Florida and Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom are getting prepared for their weekend of Christian fun. Both events consist of speakers and well known Christian music artists such as Relient K and MercyMe.
 Walt Disney World is prepared to host the 23rd annual Night of Joy event at Disney's Magic Kingdom. The park closes early to the general public to prepare for the event before the park reopens later on for people with special admission to the event. As always, the parks attractions will be open as guests jam to their favorite Christian music and ride the rides until the park closes at midnight. At the end of the event, free CD's are handed out at the exit. For 2005, Disney is promoting the upcoming movie, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe with the event by leaking out information at some booths located at the entry, which includes trailers being played and a sneak peek at the video game as well.
 Meanwhile, nearby competitor Universal Studios Orlando is holding their event on the same weekend, Rock the Universe. Basically the same as Night of Joy, Universal's event has been running strong for the past few years. As always, guests are allowed to listen to their favorite Christian music and ride the rides until 1:00 AM.
Both events are slated for the nights of September 9th and 10th.
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Travel increase expected
More Americans will travel over Labor Day weekend
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USA Amusement Parks 08/30/05 - By: Brian -
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 Last week AAA announced that they expect 34.5 million Americans to travel over this Labor Day weekend. While that is an increase over last years number, it's going to be the smallest increase for any holiday since Christmas 2002. AAA executive Robert Darbelnet says higher gas prices and the amount of school districts starting school before the weekend now are the reasons for such a small increase.
AAA also gave their estimates on how everyone will be traveling. They expect 28.8 million Americans will use a car, 4 million people will travel by air, and 1.7 million will travel other ways, like using a train or a bus. All three estimates are up from last years numbers.
In case you are wondering, the 2004 Labor Day numbers were up 2.4 percent over the same weekend in 2003.
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Magic Springs employee hospitalized
Maintenance worker injured on Gauntlet
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Magic Springs & Crystal Falls, Hot Springs, AR, USA 08/30/05 - By: Devin Olson -
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 A maintenance worker at Magic Springs & Crystal Falls was trapped between the wheel of a train on Vekoma 'Suspended Looping Coaster' model Gauntlet for almost two hours while trying to repair the ride following a breakdown.
The incident occured on Saturday when the ride stopped operating with a train stranded in the final braking area. After riders were taken down from the train, the maintenance employee attempted to fix the problem. However, the ride's emergency stop was deactivated and the train rolled forward onto his lower leg.
As of the end of this past weekend the man was still in the hospital where he was immediately taken and the coaster was closed while an investigation took place. His condition is unknown.
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Water Mania closing for good
Orlando water park bites the dust
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Water Mania Water Park, Kissimmee, FL, USA 08/27/05 - By: Carl F -
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Yesterday, it was announced that Water Mania, a local waterpark that has been in operation for twenty years, would be closing for good. The water park was owned by the Larsons (Gary and Randy). The park opened in 1986 and has since been competing against more modern and well themed water parks like Disney's Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and Universal's Wet N' Wild water parks. The park, as of late, has been slumping and became another tourist attraction that bit the dust, joining the dozens that have vanished over the years.
The water park has a various assortment of slides and attractions, including Wipe Out, a surfing simulation. Slides include the Double Berzerker, Screamer, Twin Tornadoes, Abyss, Anaconda, Bannana Peel, and Riptide. The park also has a wave pool, Cruisin' Creek lazy river, and two kids areas, Pirates Lagoon and Rain Train.
The park will have its last day of operation on September 5th, 2005. The owners of the land have not revealed their plans of the replacement of the waterpark.
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Six Flags for sale
Theme park titan up for sale
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Six Flags Parks, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA 08/27/05 - By: Carl F -
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 Six Flags today has announced that they are selling the company. A few days before, Daniel Snyder (owner of the Washington Redskins NFL Football Team) was trying to increase his stake into Six Flags. The company would be auctioned off soon.
This wouldn't be the first time Six Flags sold the company to other owners. The current owner (Premier Parks) bought the chain back in 1998 from Time Warner Communications. The chain was first owned by Great Southwest Corporation in the early 1960's. A few years later in 1965, the Penn Central Railroad Corporation would end up becoming owners of the growing chain. In 1982, the chain was sold to Bally Manufacturing. Bally then sold the chain in 1987 to Wesray Capitol. Time Warner then stepped in and in the early 90's purchased a number of Six Flags' stock.
Rumors are flying around now about the fate of Six Flags. Some rumors point out to Cedar Fair buying some of the parks and others point to the most likely bidder, Snyder.
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Mission: Impossible Stunt Spectacular heading to Canada
Paramount park to receive new show next year
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Paramount Canada's Wonderland, Vaughan, ON, Canada 08/20/05 - By: Devin Olson -
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 The mission of visitors to Canada's Wonderland next May, should they choose to accept, will include Mission: Impossible Stunt Spectacular, a new show held in a 2,500-seat arena being constructed.
Making its debut around the same time as Paramount's Mission: Impossible 3, the stunt show will feature scenes inspired by the former two Mission: Impossible movies along with the original 1960's-70's TV show.
The audience will enjoy a variety of pyrotechnics and acrobatics with a backdrop of intricate sets. The Mission: Impossible Stunt Spectacular concept was originally made public during a survey for Paramount Parks' future possibilities on the drawing board several months back.
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Woman hurt at Minnesota Fair
Woman falls from a climbing wall
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Minnesota, USA 08/19/05 - By: -
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A wall climb owner and operator was injured last Saturday after a 20 foot fall from the top of the structure.
Patricia McLaughlin was listed in fair condition at the hospital after her fall which took place at a local county fair in Princeton, Minnesota. Witness say McLaughlin climbed to the top of the wall, with no safety harness, in an attempt to either fix something on the wall or retrieve a climbing harness.
The wall was taken down and will not be used for the remaining duration of the fair.
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Hard Rock Café in Myrtle Beach?
Orlando based company waiting for approval
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Hard Rock Cafe Park, SC, USA 08/18/05 - By: -
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An Orlando based company proposing the creation of an amusement park themed around the Hard Rock brand name may have to wait a little while longer for it to become a reality.
The HRP management company is waiting for a county-wide vote that would approve, or decline the creation of a rock and roll themed amusement park in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The company has asked that the vote be held off until at least September, for them to be able to secure the necessary financing.
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Redskins owner is not happy with Six Flags
Daniel Snyder wants the CEO out
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Six Flags, USA 08/18/05 - By: -
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What do the NFL and Six Flags have in common?
Well it just so happens that the owner of the Washington Redskins, also owns eleven percent in stock shares of Six Flags. The man named Daniel Snyder claims that the company is being under run, and wants CEO Kieran Burke out of the company. Six Flags has recently been having problems with debt, and the company's low stock prices.
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Playland has new regulations
New rules go in to effect after boys death
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Playland, NY, USA 08/18/05 - By: -
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A new program at Playland Amusement Park would allow parents to ride with their children on the parks dark rides for no extra charge. The program is a result of the death of a child on one of the parks dark attractions. With this new buddy system, ride operators are instructed to approach parents who’s children look hesitant to ride, and suggest that they ride together.
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New coaster opens Wednesday in Florida
Cypress Gardens opens new coaster next Wednesday
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Cypress Gardens, FL, USA 08/17/05 - By: -
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 Cypress Gardens is unveiling its fifth new roller coaster, Galaxy Spin at 11 a.m. this Wednesday. Galaxy Spin is a mouse coaster that dips and dives through various twists and hairpin turns.
This is the 39th ride at the park that reopened last December after nearly two years of closure.
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No more freeway pass at Cedar Point
Cedar Point has shut down its ride reservation system
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Cedar Point, OH, USA 08/17/05 - By: -
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 Point Buzz is reporting that the Freeway system at Cedar Point has been discontinued. The ride reservation system was free to park guests and would allow them to skip a portion of the line on very popular roller coasters at the park.
The park will review the system to decide whether or not to bring it back next year.
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15 year old stealing out of lockers
Universal Studios arrested a 15 year old stealing out of lockers
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Universal Studios, FL, USA 08/17/05 - By: -
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A 15 year old teen was arrested for the second time at Universal Studios in Orlando.
The teen has been arrested twice for breaking into park guest’s lockers and stealing money and credit cards. He had spent well over $1,000 combined in his two crime sprees. The parks security recognized the teen when he was in the park a second time. They followed him until police were able to make the arrest.
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A Nasty Fall for Hyde and the Demon Dropped
Cedar Point and Geauga Lake selling their 1st Gen Freefall rides
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Cedar Point and Geauga Lake, Cleveland area, Ohio, USA 08/15/05 - By: Carl F -
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  Today, Geauga Lake and Cedar Point seem to be selling up a ride from their parks. Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall at Geauga Lake and Demon Drop at Cedar Point are now up for sale. Both rides were made by Intamin AG of Switzerland as their 1st Generation Freefall ride model. Riders are simply taken up thirteen stories, held up in the air for a few seconds, until being released down a vertical drop.
Mr. Hyde's Nasty Fall was installed at Geauga Lake in 1997. The ride had been moved around a few times. It was first operated at Six Flags Great America as "The Edge", opening in 1983, until a major accident injuring three people in 1984, two years later, the ride was taken out due to low ridership. The ride was then relocated to Rocky Point Park in Rhode Island and operated until 1996, the year the park closed its doors for good. Premier Park's bought the ride later that year and installed it at Geauga Lake for the 1997 season. Throughout the Six Flags Worlds of Adventure era, the ride rarely operated and when Cedar Fair took over the park, the ride was given an overhaul.
Demon Drop has been at Cedar Point since 1983 and was the park's only freefall ride until Power Tower was built in 1998. Since then, the ride had been pale in comparison to other rides in the park, but still forms a line.
If you have $250,000 dollars to shell out, these rides could be yours. You can see their sales pages HERE and HERE
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New Carousel coming to Nashville Zoo
New Wild Animal Carousel coming to the Nashville Zoo
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Nashville Zoo, TN, USA 08/11/05 - By: -
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At the Nashville Zoo, construction has already begun on the new Wild Animal Carousel. To be completed this fall, the new ride will feature 39 species, all currently housed at the zoo, or future zoo residents. This is the first time such animals like the kangaroo, anteater and leopard cub will make there appearance in carousel form.
Carousel Works, an Ohio based company, will be building and carving the wooden animals. They are most famous for making an all bug carousel for the Bronx Zoo.
The carousel itself will cost about $400,000, and the entire project will cost between $750,000 and $1.5 million.
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Train ride injures seven guests
A train accident injures seven people at a zoo in Michigan
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Zoo, Michigan, USA 08/11/05 - By: -
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Yesterday afternoon there was an accident involving a train at a zoo in Michigan. Police say at 3:30PM an oil truck was fueling a tank and its hose was laying across the trains tracks. The operator of the train did not see the hose and ran it over. The hose then sprayed the passengers with gas.
Seven people were on the train and only suffered minor injuries.
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New VP for Paramount Canada’s Wonderland
Dale Kaetzel moves to Canada to take the new VP position at Paramount Canada’s Wonderland
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Paramount Canada's Wonderland, Canada 08/11/05 - By: -
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The now former Vice President of Marketing and assistant general manager of Paramount’s Carowinds is packing his bags and moving to Canada where he will take his new position as the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Paramount Canada’s Wonderland. Dale Kaetzel brings more then 25 years of experience in the field of entertainment and sports marketing.
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Families sue over gorilla attack
Dallas Zoo is being sued after escape gorilla causes trauma
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The Dallas Zoo is being sued by three families after a 350 pound gorilla escaped from its habitat. Three people were bit before the animal was killed by Dallas police.
The three families are suing because of the tens of thousands of dollars lost in medical bills and the long lasting cause of emotional trauma.
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Kennywood sales are up
Kennywood Entertainment announced sales are up for all parks
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 Hot weather is the reason that Kennywood Entertainment is having such a good year. They announced Tuesday that their attendance and sales for its parks are up. The record setting pace is due to the fact a lot of people are spending time in there water parks.
This year is also the first year Kennywood switched from a pay-per-ride attraction park to a general admission park.
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Coney Island Landmark stays put
New York city buys Coney Island Landmark
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As time passes, more and more land at Coney Island is being bought for condos. The once famous site that is still home to the Cyclone will continue being the home to the world famous B&B Carousel, as the city of New York purchased the ride for $1.8 million. The carousel will not be moved from the Coney island area.
The 70 year old carousel has been a landmark at Coney island along with the Cyclone, parachute drop tower and Deno’s wonder wheel.
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Cedar Point selling a coaster?
Scoping out a coaster for sale at Cedar Point
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An article written by David Crowder of the El Paso Times states that two mayors aides were “In Cleveland checking out the state-of-the-art Cedar Point amusement park and a roller coaster that’s for sale there.” They also referred to Cedar Point as the “Roller Coaster Capital of America.”
The reason for the trip was because the city council thinks that El Paso needs a major tourist venue like an amusement park.
There has been no word from Cedar Point or Cedar Fair about any coasters for sale.
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Boy hospitalized after fall from ride
Iowa boy was hurt after his car flew open on ride
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A boy in Iowa was hospitalized after he fell 10 feet to the ground from a ride called the Roll-O-Plane on Friday. As the ride started the boy's car opened, causing him to fall from the ride.
The ride passed a state inspection earlier that week and the ride is now currently under investigation.
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Boy drowns at Canadian theme park
12 year old boy from Canada drowns
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Magic Mountain Water Theme Park, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada 08/08/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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A 12-year old boy from Sussex Corner, New Brunswick, Canada drowned in a pool at the Magic Mountain Water Theme Park in Canada. Lifeguards performed first aid and sent the boy to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
An autopsy will be performed to figure out the cause of death.
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Kids stuck upside-down at fair
Rescued after kiddy ride malfunctions in IL
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A ride designed for small children malfunctioned Saturday at a fair in Illinois.
The Kiddy Ferris Wheel trapped eight kids upside down when the leveling mechanism stopped working. Two gondolas containing a 2- and 4-year-old flipped upside down. Ten firefighters at the fair rushed to the ride and rescued the children in under 15 minutes.
The ride has been shut down.
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Riders stranded at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Power outage strands guests for over two hours
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Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA, USA 08/08/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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 Due to a fire under power lines near a substation, a power outage occurred in Yorktown, Virginia this past Thursday. This same power outage shut down the rides at Busch Gardens Williamsburg for over two hours.
Power to the park's shows, restaurants, and shops kept running on generators. Power to the rides returned around 2:45 p.m.
Complimentary one day passes were handed out to guests for a future visit to the park or a free pass to spend the rest of the afternoon at Water Country USA.
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Italian Job on track for Kings Dominion
Triple-launch coaster all but confirmed for 2006
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Paramount's Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA, USA 08/07/05 - By: Devin Olson -
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 After over two years of speculation and rumors, it looks like the truth is finally out in Doswell, Virginia as to the identity of the ride to replace a growing void formerly home to attractions such as Diamond Falls, Freefallin', and the Sarari Amphiteater. In 2006, strap yourself into your Mini-Cooper and blast off once again.
Sources tell us that the information first came on a 2006 season pass teaser poster outside the main gates of Paramount's Kings Dominion boasting, "All New for 2006! The Italian Job Stunt Track," referring to the Paramount brand name coaster that first launched at sister parks Paramount's Kings Island in Ohio and Paramount Canada's Wonderland in Ontario this season.
Solidifying Paramount's Kings Dominion's title of the world's capital for launched coasters, if alike to its counterparts in nature, the new ride would not only become the park's 13th coaster, but also fourth launched coaster, pursuing  1996's Flight of Fear, 1998's Volcano: the Blast Coaster, and 2001's HyperSonic XLC: Xtreme Launch Coaster; and fifth historically, taking 1977's late King Kobra into account.
Bringing Kings Dominion's launch count up to seven, the triple-launching Italian Job Stunt Track features a family-friendly ride with a first blast-off of 40 m.p.h. and theming surrounding all parts of the layout to immerse riders in a simulated chase scene from the 2003 movie.
Look for a full preview of Paramount's Kings Dominion's 2006 attraction in our Ride Gallery and park interviews on In the Loop with Clint Novak after the official press release next week.
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King of coasters back in action
Kingda Ka resumes as fastest coaster
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Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, NJ, USA 08/05/05 - By: Devin Olson -
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 Kingda Ka opened to crowds of anxious fans last night at Six Flags Great Adventure after two months of closure.
The world's tallest and fastest coaster resumed operation at Six Flags Great Adventure after being shut down for almost two months as the park repaired damage that occured back in June.
At 128 miles per hour and 456 feet tall, Kingda Ka made its debut on April 28th this year and then experienced downtime like its predecessor Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point which opened in 2003.
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Carnival worker dies in WI
54 year old man dies well setting up bumper cars.
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Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee, WI 08/05/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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Last weekend a 54 year old carnival worker fell to his death while setting up a bumper car ride at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee. The man fell approximately 10 feet from a steel beam, and died on the scene.
The ride was inspected and subsequently deemed safe for operation.
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FL governor a coaster fan
Jeb Bush visits Cypress Gardens Adventure Park
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Cypress Gardens Adventure Park had a special guest this past Saturday.
The Governor of Florida Jeb Bush and his daughter were seen spending some quality time together. They could also be seen getting a tour of the park. The duo was also spotted on a few rides like the Triple Hurricane.
After Cypress Gardens closed its gates in 2003 Governor Bush helped save the park. He and the local government worked hand in hand with the state to reopen the park in 2004.
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Woman sues Australia Aquarium
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was brought on by Aquarium
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A Sydney Australia aquarium finds itself being sued today after a middle age woman found herself in a perilous encounter with a tank full of sharks and other creatures.
Hazel Sweden, 61 was looking into a 3,300 gallon shark tank when the tank suffered a massive rupture, splitting the glass which separated the creatures from their audience. Hundreds of gallons of water and the creatures themselves were thrust upon the woman. She is suing the aquarium for more than a half million dollars, for negligence claiming the glass wasn't thick enough.
Besides a four-inch cut, the experience has left her traumatized and unable to continue her job as a sales clerk due to post traumatic stress disorder.
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Baseball comes to Worlds of Fun
Your favorite Kansas City Royals are coming to Worlds of Fun
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Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, MO, USA 08/03/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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 Are you a Kansas City Royals fan?
Well if you are, then you might be interested to know that this Saturday, August 6th, Royals players David DeJesus, D.J. Carrasco, Mike MacDougal, Kyle Snyder and team mascot Sluggerrr will be attending a special meet and greet with their fans at Worlds Of Fun amusement park.
The autograph session will run from 11:30am to 12:30pm. Kids 14 and under wearing their youth baseball or softball jerseys will receive a free ticket to a future Royals home game this season.
Park admission is required. To order special discount tickets for the park, contact World Of Fun at 816-303-5128.
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Baby pandas from DC to CA
A look at pandas from around US zoos
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National Zoo, Washington, D.C., USA / San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA, USA 08/03/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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It’s baby panda season at our nation's zoos!
Monday at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, veterinarians were able to finally handle the zoo's baby panda for the first time since its birth back on July 9th. When the mother Mei Xiang left her cub for her morning meal, zoo employees swooped in to finally give the new baby a look.
After a 9-minute observation, it was determined that the panda was male, weighing 1.82 pounds, measuring 12 inches in length and that he was in good health. Now that the baby has been identified as a male, a name should come shortly.
The parents, Mei Xiang and her mate, Tian Tian, came to the zoo in 2000 on a 10-year loan from China.
Meanwhile down in San Diego, it was announced last Thursday that their 13-year-old panda, Bai Yun is pregnant with twins. Last Tuesday a veterinarian staff performed an ultra scan on both fetuses. Researchers warned that unfortunately, both might not survive, as they were unable to detect a heartbeat in one of the fetuses.
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Hong Kong Disneyland Train Line opens
HK Disney kicks off its train line
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Hong Kong Disneyland, Hong Kong, China 08/03/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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 On Monday, thousands of people turned out to get on board the debut ride of the Hong Kong Disneyland train. The train is part of Hong Kong’s Mass Transit Railway network.
The debut run took place Monday morning at 6:15 AM Hong Kong time. It ran from North Lantau to the Disneyland itself. The train is red, white and blue and features Mickey shaped windows. It is expected that in the first year, forty percent of park guests will arrive from the train.
With all the people using the train line this weekend, the MTR Corporation plans to implement some crowd control measures. It is expected that thousands of residents will try out the new train system this weekend, which could create overcrowding issues. The MTR Corporation will enact measures such as one-way flow systems and the closure of ticket gates should a station become too overcrowded.
Passengers have been reminded to listen for public announcements regarding the MTR network for updates.
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Children injured in Florida on inflatable ride
6 Children were injured in Florida when an inflatable ride collapsed
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Another inflatable ride collapsed, injuring six children and the ride operator.
The ride, designed for only four children at a time, had more then ten playing on it when it collapsed. Four of the children were treated at the scene and released while the others were airlifted to a hospital where they are being treated for serious injuries.
The 20-year old girl who was monitoring the children was also treated for injuries.
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CA coaster still down
State inspectors continue to look at California Screamin
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Disney's California Adventure, Anaheim, CA, USA 08/02/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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 State inspectors continue to investigate the cause of the California Screamin' accident in Anaheim.
The ride remained closed Monday while investigators tried to determine if the cause of the accident was computer malfunction or operator error. The slow speed collision occurred on a flat portion of the ride.
Every rider admitted for treatment of injuries has been released from the hospital at this point.
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Boy killed by carousel in Germany
3 year old boy was killed when carousel could not stop
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It was a tragic ending for a family in Germany when their three year old boy eluded them and jumped on to a moving carousel.
The boy was then trapped and crushed to death by the rides mechanical horses. The ride operator was unable to stop the ride immediately because the power switch for the ride was located inside a locked and un-staffed ticket booth.
The owner of the park is facing charges of negligent homicide.
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Disney set for Holiday parties
Disney Characters throwing parties from September to December
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Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 08/01/05 - By: Alan Johnsrud -
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Halloween is just around the corner and Disney has announced that it will be hosting 29 special-entertainment parties, in honor of Halloween and Christmas. Each party will include Disney characters.
The Halloween fun will begin on September 30th and run on selected days with Christmas parties through December 20th. For more information, check out Disneyworld.com.
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Taiwan wants kids 12 and under to pay same rate
Taiwan wants children to pay based on age and not height
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The Consumers Foundation in Taiwan is demanding that amusement parks allow all children under the age twelve to qualify for children rates.
The park currently measures the height of the children to judge how much they should pay, as opposed to having one cost for all children under the age of twelve.
The Foundation is basing their argument on the 1973 Children’s Welfare Act, which states that the word “children” in cases such as these should refer to minors under the age of 12.
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