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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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Six Flags Inc. to sell yet another small property
Wyandot Lake waterpark to be sold to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
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Southern Delaware County, Ohio 04/22/06 - By: -
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© Six Flags Inc.
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A chain reaction of selling parks started by Six Flags Incorporated strikes again, this time, to a small park in Ohio. Six Flags decided to not renew their contract to operate Wyandot Lake and is finishing up an agreement to sell it to the Columbus Zoo, its neighbor.
The waterpark will be sold for approximately $2 million, letting the Columbus Zoo take over at the end of the 2006 season. The waterpark will be combined with the zoo, and perhaps receive a zoo theme, and even get expanded.
Jerry Borin said that the zoo might sell combination memberships or day passes, creating entertainment and educational programs in both the zoo and waterpark. This add-on of the zoo could have guests stay the entire day and it could increase the park's income.
Even though Wyandot Lake is one of the smaller Six Flags owned properties, it is still quite successful in terms of income. Selling the waterpark, however, is a much better solution than closing it, which has been the fate of other small Six Flags Parks.
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Sacramento waterpark operates for the last season
Six Flags to quit operation of CA's Waterworld after its 2006 season
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Sacramento, California 04/18/06 - By: -
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© Six Flags Inc.
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Last Friday, Six Flags spokesman Paul Garcia told that the company would let its Sacramento waterpark close after the 2006 season. He claimed that this event was not a forewarning that Six Flags would close more parks.
The same spokesman, reports that Six Flags will carry out this action so that the company can spend more money on Six Flags Marine World, nearby. Waterworld will operate from May 20 through the end of September. From there, it will possibly dismantled or sold to another chain.
Waterworld occupies fourteen acres of California State Fair grounds. The California State Fair says it would rather find a new owner for the waterpark than to have it demolished completely.
Garcia told that statistics show that Six Flags Marine World attracts guests from Sacramento and further beyond. This event with Waterworld, and the recent selling of other Six Flags parks, however, is not a sign that Six Flags Marine World will be closing soon, or even at all.
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Autopsy reveals cause of 'Mission: Space' death
Death linked to bleeding of the brain rather than the ride itself
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EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 04/15/06 - By: Michael Ingerson -
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© Josh Davidson
Hiltrud Blümel, 49, of Germany died due to bleeding in her brain after riding Mission: Space at Walt Disney World's EPCOT. |
Hiltrud Blümel, a German tourist of 49, fell ill after riding Mission: Space at Walt Disney World on Tuesday, April 13th. She was later taken to the hospital where she died on Wednesday.
The autopsy showed that Hiltrud had "severe, long-standing high blood pressure," said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia in a statement Friday afternoon. The high blood pressure brought on bleeding of her brain, which caused her death.
The doctor said that the official cause of death will not be known for four to six weeks when the test results of her brain, blood, and other organs are received.
Doctor Garavaglia's findings of "hypertensive bleeding within the brain," confirmed the same diagnosis that the doctors treating Blümel made.
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Tragedy strikes again on 'Mission: Space'
49-year-old woman dies following Disney World ride
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EPCOT, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 04/13/06 - By: Devin Olson -
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© Matt Rydzik
The latest of two deaths following rides on EPCOT's Mission: Space rose to two yesterday following an unidentified German woman's death.
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Walt Disney World announced yesterday that a woman passed away at a local hospital a day after coming off Mission: Space feeling nauseated and dizzy.
The unidentified 49-year-old was visiting from Germany became the second guest to pass away after riding the enclosed, centrifuge-like flat ride, joining a 4-year-old boy who died from a heart condition possibly triggered by the ride experience.
Park officials contacted the Florida Bureau of Fair Rides Inspection yesterday to report the woman's condition prior to her death, and around 4:45 in the evening when her condition appeared critical. It was then that Disney World decided to close the ride while the park and bureau inspected, tested, and monitored Mission: Space before determining that the ride was running normally and reopening the attraction this morning.
The park stated that high blood pressure, among other health concerns, may have led to the woman's decease.
An official statement from Disney World read, "...Our concern is for the guest's family. We offer them our deepest sympathies and assistance during this difficult time."
The $100-million Mission: Space debuted late in the 2003 season at the Walt Disney World complex's EPCOT as one of the park's most expensive attractions.
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Six Flags to host special skateboarding event
Tony Hawk's Boom Boom Huckjam rolling into chain's parks
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New York City, NY, USA 04/11/06 - By: -
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© Six Flags Inc.
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Six Flags Inc. in New York signed a contract with Tony Hawk today clearing the way for his nationally-famous Boom Boom HuckJam come to Six Flags Parks this summer and next.
"Tony Hawk is an internationally-recognized athlete and skateboard icon, and while our mission at Six Flags is to make our brand more attractive to families, our alliance with Tony Hawk's tour underscores our sustained commitment to our teen audience," said Mike Antinoro, Six Flags Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing.
Antinoro also said that Six Flags is making a pledge to add new, different things to its entertainment.
Tony Hawk will be in two shows each day, at the specific Six Flags parks where the Boom Boom Huckjam will be. Also, Huckjam souveneirs will be on sale during the event at the parks.
His arrival at Six Flags parks will no doubt add to the total attendance, helping to add to a seemingly brighter future for the chain.
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Approval of NYC park is water under the bridge
$168-mil water park set to make first waves by summer '08
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Randalls Island, New York City, NY, USA 04/11/06 - By: Devin Olson -
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© Google Earth
The future site of the yet-unnamed indoor and outdoor water park is located on Randalls Island between Bronx, Harlem, Manhattan and Queens.
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It may seem like a fish out of water in the middle of New York City, but developers are hoping for that uniqueness to become a main draw for the city's first major water park.
Final approval was granted today when the Franchise and Concession Review Committee gave the green light for a $168 million project to be constructed on a 26-acre plot of parkland on Randalls Island, just under the Triborough Bridge. This ends a seven-year time period since the concept first came to the table as a 12-acre seasonal park.
The Aquatic Development Group's plans include both indoor and outdoor attractions for the park they will construct and lease in a 35-year contract. The 19-acre outdoor section will include multiple eight-story water slides and the traditional lazy river while the remaining seven acres will consist of one of the world's largest indoor pools and a restaurant.
One concern with the water park is the price of single-day tickets, which is currently planned on standing at $37 for a normal adult admission. However, discounts of nearly 50% are being considered to help attract more summer visitors once the park debuts.
Construction may begin as soon as this spring and an official debut is tentatively slated for Memorial Day 2008.
Since Randalls Island became a city park in 1933, the area has functioned primarily as an expanse of athletic fields and a location for concerts.
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Schlitterbahn takes one more step ahead
Texas water park scheduled to add 16 new attractions
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Schlitterbahn Galveston Island, Galveston, TX, USA 04/09/06 - By: Michael Ingerson -
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On April 22, three weekends before daily operation begins, Schlitterbahn will open their second new area of the park for this year.
© Schlitterbahn
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Surfenburg will feature 16 new attractions. Among these are uphill "water coasters," three beaches, a water lagoon, body slides, the Tiki Tikes kids’ area, the Boogie Bahn surf ride, family raft rides and three different rivers that all connect to form the park’s "Transportainment" river system.
During the summer months, Wasserfest, the first convertible water park, will be opened up to the outdoors. The 70,000 square foot Wasserfest is already open and features more than a dozen heated attractions. This area is opened year-round and features three speed slides, four tube slides, three kids’areas, a secluded beach, a hot tub and the Torrent Tidal Wave River.
Schlitterbahn Waterparks are family owned and have led the water entertainment industry since 1979. Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark begins daily operation May 13 and ends September 10. The park opens 10 a.m. daily and closing times vary.
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Change in the air as Six Flags parks reopen
Expectations high as season begins with new leadership
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Six Flags America, Largo, MD, USA 04/09/06 - By: Devin Olson -
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It may have rained on Mark Shapiro's parade yesterday at the season opening of Six Flags America, but weather conditions failed to dampen the expectations of many eager for change at the world's largest theme park chain.
© Will Brach
The loss of a vertical ride, Iron Eagle, is one of the changes at Six Flags' Maryland park. A sign beside the pathway promises that "progress" is taking place.
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The very sight of plethoric Looney Tunes and Justice League characters dotting the midway was change enough to assure guests that the 45th season for Six Flags theme parks will be taking things back to the basics of the theme park business: entertaining the core crowd of families. That is the stated goal of Six Flags CEO Mark Shapiro in his first season at the reigns of the financially-troubled cnain.
At Maryland's Six Flags America, our correspondent Will Brach noted subtle changes apparent to seasoned park-goers such as new signage throughout the park along with the removal and rearrangement of several spinning rides.
"This is the biggest improvement at Six Flags America so far," he said, making his way around the freshly-cleaned pathways. "So far, they've done a good job."
Being that Six Flags America sits on the most valuable land of the entire chain, this season may prove a pivotal point for deciding the park's future. Just last year, Houston's Six Flags AstroWorld was permanently closed and its land sold off to developers.
One of AstroWorld's coasters may become a part of the Largo, Maryland landscape, provided that Six Flags America remains a part of the chain. Brach was quick to note cars from the UltraTwister steel coaster resting on the ground beside Wild One and lime green and blue steel towards the back of the property. The park has yet to confirm that UltraTwister will become a future attraction.
For now though, the focus remains not on the installation of new rides, but on the entertainment of guests. It's a strategy that Six Flags is counting on to turn the tide for a theme park chain once known for influencing the entire industry.
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Utah amusement park turns 120
Lagoon welcomed its first guests in 1886
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Lagoon, Farmington, Utah, USA 04/08/06 - By: Brian -
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© Lagoon
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When Lagoon opened up this morning it started it's 120th year in operation. The park originally opened in July of 1886, and is still going strong here in 2006.
This new season brings the addition of two new rides, the Dinosaur Drop and Ladybug Bop. Both attractions are scaled down versions of Lagoon's 217-foot Rocket Ride.
Other minor additions have been added, or are still being worked on, for 2006. New theming has been placed in the park and new restrooms are being built - they just missed the opening of the park.
Lagoon is open on weekends through April and May, plus Memorial Day. It starts operating daily Friday, June 2nd. The Lagoon-A-Beach water park opens Memorial Day.
The park houses 7 roller coasters, including the Roller Coaster which originally opened in 1921 and the Bat which was introduced to the park for the 2005 season.
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Two children stuck on roller coaster in Britain
'Twister' at West Midlands Safari stopped due to a glitch
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Bewdley, Worcestershire, UK 04/06/06 - By: -
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On Monday, Aprill 3, three children, the only ones riding on the Twister at West Midlands Safari, became stuck when the ride stopped dead due to a glitch.
The Twister stopped at its highest point of 40 feet, where it left the three children stranded for approximately two hours before being taken down to safety. Fortunately, the staff of the park had performed this rescue with experience that they gained by practicing an exercise to rescue riders from the highest point on the ride.
Twister, which opened in 1998 and is 1,377 feet long, is a normal Reverchon Spinning Coaster. A spokesman for West Midlands Safari told that the car was stuck due to some kind of glitch.
The spokesman also reported on how the park trains the staff thoroughly so they know what to do for situations like these.
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Rock-'n'-roll-themed park to open at Myrtle Beach
Hard Rock Park receives financing; construction will begin soon
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Hard Rock Park, Myrtle Beach, SC, USA 04/05/06 - By: Josh Thompson -
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© Hard Rock Park
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Not more than a month after the grim news that Myrtle Beach's historic Pavilion amusement park would be opening for its final season this year, a new amusement park has secured its funding and construction will soon begin.
Hard Rock Park, a new business venture by the owners of the ever popular rock 'n' roll restaurants, has secured the $400-million that is needed to construct the new theme park at Myrtle Beach. HRP Myrtle Beach Operations LLC, the developers of the new park, sold nearly $255-million worth of bonds, securing the future of this project.
© Hard Rock Park
An artist rendering displays the theme that will embellish Hard Rock Park's property, which is slated to contain 40 rides and attractions.
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The Hard Rock Park project had been mostly quiet since its initial planning release in 2003. However, since the announcement of the Pavilion's upcoming closure, the park's developers have given this project a kick-start and seem to desire having the park close to being ready to attract the guests next season who would have been going to the Pavilion.
The Hard Rock Park is being billed as a "totally immersive, full-day attraction, appealing to visitors of all generations" by the operator of the park. Plans for the new park include 40 rides and attractions, an ampitheater, shows, state-of-the-art sound systems, retail stores, and restaurants.
The park is to be laid out in different sections, each promoting a different aspect of rock and roll. Designers will be working with some legendary rock artists to ensure that every detail of the park is close to perfection. Also planned is a Hard Rock Hotel that will open sometime after the park's initial opening.
Construction on the park is expected to begin this spring and owners are predicting that the it will entertain more than 30,000 guests a day during peak season.
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