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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!

Cedar Fair owns Paramount Parks, officially
Completion of $1.24 billion transaction announced today

Cedar Fair, L.P., Sandusky, OH, USA 06/30/06 - By: Devin Olson -

© Devin Olson

Paramount Parks continue normal operation through the ownership change. Themes such as that seen on this year's Italian Job Turbo Coaster will remain intact for now.

It's official: the fate of Paramount's theme parks is now in the hands of Cedar Fair.

Just over one month and $1.24 billion after the original press release from Cedar Fair announced that the company was seeking to acquire the Paramount Parks chain, the purchaser issued a new statement.

In today's press release, chairman, president and CEO of Cedar Fair Dick Kinzel stated, “The completion of this acquisition is great news. The five Paramount properties are well-run, top-tier parks in good locations with the potential to do even better. The acquisition brings us access to new markets with attractive demographics, such as Northern California, the Carolinas, Virginia / District of Columbia and Toronto."

To put the sale into perspective, Kinzel noted that Cedar Fair now operates a dozen amusement parks and half as many water parks, with 25 million guests passing through the turnstiles each season.

When CBS announced that the company intended to sell all five Paramount theme parks, Cedar Fair was considered one of the most likely candidates to assume ownership. Over the past several years, the chain has headed in the exact opposite direction of most park chains and expanded, capitalizing on the opportunities to acquite a number of parks from individuals and chains such as Six Flags.

Kinzel has postponed retirement plans originally scheduled for next year so that he can see the transition of management through.

Boy's death not attributed to Disney coaster
Autopsy reveals prior medical condition as ride reopens

MGM Studios, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 06/30/06 - By: Devin Olson -

© Matt Rydzik

An overnight inspection cleared the way for Rock 'N' Roller Coaster to reopen following yesterday's death. Autopsy results state that the boy suffered from a pre-existing heart condition.

Official autopsy results confirm that the boy who passed away shortly after riding Rock 'N' Roller Coaster at Walt Disney World's MGM Studios yesterday suffered no bodily injury while riding.

12-year-old Michael Russell's death was instead likely caused by a congenital heart defect, however, according to the findings of Orange County chief medical examiner Dr. Jan C. Garavaglia.

An official statement from the examiner's office today read, "No evidence of injury was found but congenital heart abnormalities were detected, which will be further evaluated. The cause of death will be left pending until results of the additional studies are obtained."

Meanwhile, the ride reopened this morning after an inspection during the night turned up nothing. Government safety inspectors and the park's own team alike conducted an inspection of Rock 'N' Roller Coaster confirming that the ride was functioning as designed.

Today's findings place this death in the same category as the two recent Mission: Space tragedies. The first death on that attraction, a 4-year-old boy, was attributed to a heart defect while April's passing of a 49-year-old woman was linked to high blood pressure.

Dutch park to receive unique steel coaster
Drievliet Amusement Park launching an 'X-Car' for 2007

Drievliet Amusement Park, Rijswijk, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands 06/29/06 - By: Paul S. -

© Drayton Manor

G-Force at Drayton Manor in England, the second X-Car coaster built by Maurer Söhne. This model of coaster uses unique cars and highly twisted layouts of steel track.

German ride design company Maurer Söhne introduced their X-Car two years ago, a heavily twisted steel coaster model, and since then, four parks around the world have opened their own versions. Next year, that number becomes five.

For 2007, Drievliet Amusement Park in the Netherlands will be obtaining the newest X-Car, a version of this ride launching the concept a step further.

Due to the 15-meter height restriction at Drievliet, this new X-Car coaster will be featuring a design element never before seen on an X-Car, a launch. This launch will go 40 m.p.h. and will be obtained by using a system of LSM (Linear Synchronous Motor). The system will propel this through its compact course featuring two inversions.

This coaster will have a slightly different seating arrangement than past X-Car coasters. It will still use the same X-Car trains with their comfortable stadium seats and hip harnesses, but will only have two individual cars, each seating six.

Despite being of small size, it will help take Drievliet and Maurer Söhne to the next level. For Drievliet, it will be their first launched coaster and their first coaster with inversions. For Maurer Söhne, it will be their first launched X-Car coaster, which will lead to even more possibilities for an already versatile concept that has already seen success in Europe and America.

Death at Disney World
Boy dies after ride on 'Rock 'N' Roller Coaster'

MGM Studios, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA 06/29/06 - By: Devin Olson -

© Matt Rydzik

Rock 'N' Roller Coaster is currently closed following the forenoon death of 12-year-old Michael Russell today. An autopsy will be conducted later today.

A 12-year-old boy has been pronounced dead after a ride on Walt Disney World's Rock 'N' Roller Coaster.

The death occured around 11:30 a.m. as the boy - identified Michael Russell of Fort Campbell, Kentucky - was exiting MGM Studios attraction with his father, mother, and brother when he collapsed. When his father and a park employee failed to revive the boy through use of CPR, he was taken to Florida Celebration Hospital in Orlando. There, Russell was pronounced dead.

Rock 'N' Roller Coaster was immediately shut down following the death. State and local officials are currently conducting an investigation to confirm that the death was not caused by a ride abnormality.

Meanwhile, an autopsy will be conducted later today and results may be released in several hours.

Disney released a statement saying, "We offer the family our deepest sympathies. A company representative is with them providing assistance."

This is the first death to occur on Rock 'N' Roller Coaster since the enclosed launch coaster's 1999 debut. However, Walt Disney World as a whole has seen its fair share of deaths lately with two taking place on or after rides on Mission: Space this past year.

Boy's parents sue over fall
Parents file lawsuit against park

Dixie Landin', Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA 06/28/06 - By: Cory Gross -

After a 2-year-old fell 30 feet from the ride Over the Rainbow, his parents filed a lawsuit against the ride operator, the amusement park, Dixie Landin' in Baton Rouge, and its insurance company.

On June 9, Kobe Carter and his mother, Desjevuan Frank, boarded the ride, but Frank was not able to sit next to her son because the adjacent seat was out of order. When Frank saw her son moving in a jerking motion in his seat she tried to call for help, but her cries went unheeded. The boy then fell and suffered bodily harm, including a broken leg, spinal fractures, and internal injuries.

The ride's manufacturer, Huss Maschinenfabrik, states that a rider has to be over 8 years old and 48 inches or taller. No mechanical problems were found on the ride, according to the manager of mechanical safety for the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Bill Owens. The Office is responsible for inspecting amusement parks statewide.

The lawsuit states that the employees of the park were not trained properly.

How would you like to own a coaster?
Elvis Presley favorite 'Zippin' Pippin' to go on eBay

Libertyland, Memphis, TN, USA 06/28/06 - By: Paul S. -

© Libertyland

Stephen Shutts originally went to the Libertyland auctions with the intention of only buying the first car of Zippin' Pippin, but instead ended up buying the whole coaster for only $2,500.

Stephen Shutts was uncertain what to do with the coaster after buying it and after looking at different options. He decided to sell the rest of Zippin' Pippin on eBay.

On Monday Zippin' Pippin - minus its first car - will be put up for auction on eBay. What the ride's reserve price will be is unknown.

This classic coaster from Libertyland has had a long history since debuting in 1923. Zippin' Pippin is also known as Elvis Presley's favorite coaster, which is the reason why Stephen Shutts was interested in buying the first car, for his traveling music museum.

Whatever the fate of this coaster, one thing is certain: that it will always have its place in coaster history.

'Le Mans' to race no more at BG Europe
Removal of antique cars for new coaster confirmed

Busch Gardens Europe, Williamsburg, VA, USA 06/27/06 - By: Devin Olson -

A satellite view of the park's France themed areas shows the site currently used for Le Mans Raceway - the future location of a fifth major coaster.

Busch Gardens Europe has just confirmed that an original park attraction and favorite ride among families is on the chopping block, or rather, guillotine in this case.

The cars on Le Mans Raceway have chugged through the European-themed park's France section since 1975, but the end of their road arrives on July 5. In a world of theme parks striving to maintain a competitive edge in a race of thrills, the park has decided to sacrifice the family-geared antique car ride for a cutting-edge steel coaster.

"After careful review, we have decided the Le Mans Raceway site is optimal for the park’s newest attraction,” executive vice president and general manager Donnie Mills explained. "We hope guests will take this opportunity to come out to the park and take a final spin around the track as we continue to keep the park fresh and offer the latest in new attractions."

While Busch Gardens officials remain mum on the new coaster, fans look to the park's history as the best indication of exactly what to anticipate with the 2007 ride.

"Busch Gardens is a park that has been recognized to be of a certain standard that can be a common playground for families, coaster buffs, or anyone just looking to have a grand day. They have continuously added top-notch coasters, always with an innovative flare," opined Busch Gardens Escape webmaster Bryan Callison. "Especially after this long absence from a new roller coaster, there is no reason to go for something small and lackluster. Busch Gardens Europe is not one to let people down."

The ride's 49 vehicles have traveled over 9,800,000 miles around the three 2,000-foot-long tracks that meander in the shadow of the inverted coaster Alpengeist.

Back in January, it was revealed that Busch Gardens Europe had filed for a height waver for a new attraction up to 210 feet tall located in the New France themed area.

The park plans on making a formal press release pertaining to the new coaster "soon."

Paul S. contributed to this article.

Park plans recovery after storm
Bell’s hopeful for re-opening next week

Bell's Amusement Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA 06/24/06 - By: Cory Gross -

© Bell's Amusement Park

Bell's Amusement park hopes ot after after storm causes damage.

On June 6th, a storm bringing hurricane-force winds damaged Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The park is set to reopen next week with all of the rides operating.

The thunderstorms had strong winds that shook trees, snapped poll lines, and did extensive damage which cost Tulsa County Fairgrounds two million dollars.

During the storm the Ferris wheel was destroyed and the wooden roller coaster, Zingo, had its timber supports split. Bell’s Amusement Park worked with roller coaster experts and ride inspectors to repair damages.

Don Hankins, the State Labor inspector, says that reopening the park is a realistic goal, but all the rides must be safe and running for the state to allow it to reopen. The family-owned amusement park has strong hopes to have the park re-open soon.

Eruption gone wrong strands 'Volcano' riders
Rollback on Kings Dominion coaster results in 2-hour rescue

Paramount's Kings Dominion, Doswell, VA, USA 06/23/06 - By: Devin Olson -

© Devin Olson

Volcano features two Linear Induction Motor launch sections separated by a banked curve. Today's incident occured in this section of the ride.

Thrill-seekers aboard Paramount's Kings Dominion's signature coaster this evening experienced a different ride than anticipated when a failed launch stranded a train of 15 for over two hours.

A train on Volcano: the Blast Coaster cleared at least one of two launches designed to propel riders upside-down 155 feet into the air. However, the coaster significantly failed to reach its top 70-mph speed, resulting in a rollback.

This type of incident usually results in the train coasting in reverse to an area close to the station fit for unloading. Today was the first time that failed to occur as the train slowed sooner than in past instances. This time, riders found themselves approximately 15 feet above the ground with no way off.

Hanover County Fire Department rescuers arrived on the scene shortly after Volcano stalled at 5:15 p.m. and spent over two hours removing riders from the train, which was filled nearly to capacity. Two minor injuries resulted in local hospital visits.

Rollbacks have occured on a regular basis since Volcano debuted in August 1998, but the park has worked to reduce the occurences since the ride's first season.

Volcano is temporarily closed while a park investigation seeks to determine the exact cause of today's malfunction.

Six Flags considers selling six weaker parks
Magic Mountain among the properties being considered

New York, NY, USA 06/22/06 - By: Michael Ingerson -

© Six Flags Inc.

Six Flags considers selling six of their weaker properties.

Six Flags' total revenue through May 31, 2006 was up one percent from last year, or $2.6 million. From then to June 18 though, total revenue has fallen by $3.2 million. Attendance is also down 13 percent.

Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of SFI said, "Increased guest spending is continuing at a strong pace -- a clear indication that our strategy is working." He also stated that, "The drop-off in attendance was driven primarily by an anticipated decline in our season pass sales, which we are no longer deeply discounting in an effort to restore price and brand integrity, and to wean ourselves from those teens who don't spend money in the park."

Shapiro also noted that attendance in the first quarter has been hurt by Hurricane Katrina and the season closure of Six Flags New Orleans, less visits from schools to the Mexico City parks, reduced and delayed marketing spending, rides that came into operation later than expected, and inclement weather.

Six Flags has stated that their plan to bring in more families is proving more difficult than they had thought. SFI also said that they plan to increase cash operating expenses over the course of the year from $45 million to $60 million. This will be to beef up the staff to attract more families to the parks.

The company is now considering selling six of their weaker properties. These include Six Flags Darien Lake, Six Flags Waterworld, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, Six Flags Elitch Gardens, and Wild Waves and Enchanted Village. Though SFI is not sure if any transaction will be made, the decision is part of Six Flag's plan to get out of debt.

New rule upsets Six Flags America employees
Staff members not allowed to have “extreme hairstyles”

Six Flags America, Largo, Maryland, USA 06/19/06 - By: Cory Gross -

© Six Flags America

Six Flags America doesn't allow staff to have hairstyles considered "extreme."

According to the 2006 Six Flags handbook, all staff members with “extreme hairstyles” must change their hair to make it more like Six Flags theming. Many Six Flags workers are outraged at the new rule that bans employees to have dreadlocks, tails, partially shaved heads, or any other type of non-Six-Flags-oriented hairstyles.

Tim Bivins, who works at Six Flags America, in Largo, Md., had to have his hair cut several inches and paid $50 to have it braided in cornrows. Shannon Boyd tried to cover her hair with a wig but was told to take it off. Jonathan DeLeon, who had his hair up to three feet in length, cut two feet of his hair off and still had to take off more. All these people think it is unfair to change their hair.

However, Ferni Manners, a 16-year employee of Six Flags America, contacted the American Civil Liberties Union and filed a complaint along with 12 other African American Employees.

"This is culturally very, very insensitive and possibly discrimination," said King Downing, coordinator of the ACLU's national campaign against racial profiling.

The national spokesperson for Six Flags, Wendy Goldberg, said that the policy has been active for many years and that this is not something new. "I understand they don't want to conform, that this is a matter of heritage and pride," she said. "But you can apply the question of heritage and culture and not conforming to piercing, shaved heads and tattoos."

Six Flags America was taken over this year by new CEO, Daniel Snyder. He wants to make the parks family-oriented, but by doing so, he may offend many of his employees--and may even lose some. Snyder’s dream of family-oriented parks may be affecting more than just the guests of Six Flags.

Matadors: The gate is open for a new coaster!
El Toro debuted on Sunday at Six Flags Great Adventure

Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, USA 06/12/06 - By: Cory Gross -

El Toro, a new record-breaking wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, had a surprise opening on Sunday when Media Day for the ride is Monday.

This was the second highly anticipated season in a row at Six Flags Great Adventure. In 2005, the park announced the opening of Kingda Ka, a new record-breaking wooden roller coaster at Six FLags Great Adventure, the tallest, fastest coaster on the planet. After Kingda Ka was built and running, El Toro was announced as a new addition to Six Flags Great Adventure in 2006.

At 188 feet, El Toro is the second tallest wooden coaster in the world, and has the steepest drop of any wooden coaster. The coaster rages at 70mph, which gives it the bragging rights as the second fastest wooden coaster in the world. It is built out of 34,000 pieces of wood that could stretch seven miles if laid out.

El Toro has been a highly anticipated ride since its announcement. Coaster enthusiasts and matadors are waiting to ride its hills full of airtime, corkscrew turns, and its unique twister section. El Toro will most definitely be a hit.

Disney parks gear up for new attractions
'Happiest Celebration' concludes, 'Year of Dreams' begins

Disneyland / Walt Disney World 06/09/06 - By: Josh Davidson -

The Disney cast is attempting to grant millions of guests' dreams for the "Year of Dreams" to visitors to Disneyland and Walt Disney World. They are rolling out the red carpet just for their guests from a overnight stay inside Cinderella Castle to a Golden FASTPASS.

The year-long celebration is slated to begin October 1st, 2006, ending the Happiest Homecoming and Celebration on Earth. Something planned to be one of the most exciting things coming for the year is a stay at the Cinderella Castle of Walt Disney World. The bedroom which is planned for the guests to stay at was originally planned to serve as an apartment for the Disney family. Some of the great experiences planned for the year at Walt Disney World is Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc.

But if you cross the country to Disneyland Resort, you can find the new twist of Space Mountain, Rockin' Space Mountain. Coming this October, you can experience a whole Year of Millions of Dreams.

New feature for kids coming to Six Flags parks
Six Flags teams up to create the

New York, New York 06/07/06 - By: -

© Six Flags Inc.

Many new changes and things have come to Six Flags parks this year because of the new management.

Yesterday, Six Flags Inc. announced of its recent alliance with Razor & Tie to create a concert called "Club Kidz Bop," drawn from the popular children's music series, 'Kidz Bop'. 'Kidz Bop' sold over 7 million copies on CD, featuring popular songs from today sung by kids.

"KIDZ BOP is a trusted and established brand that resonates with both kids and their parents, and presenting the exclusive CLUB KIDZ BOP tour at Six Flags reinforces our commitment to offering entertainment that every member of the family can enjoy," Six Flags' Executive Vice President for Entertainment and Marketing, Mike Antinoro, said.

"Club Kidz Bop" will have two performers who will conduct the event and invite local children at the parks to sing along with them and participate in the show. Everyone can take part in "Club Kidz Bop," by voting, singing along, and pick up dance moves.

The "Club Kidz Bop" show will happen three times a day and is free with entry to the Six Flags Park.

Thunderstorms damage small amusement parks
Two small parks outside of Tulsa hit hard; damage not yet assessed

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA 06/07/06 - By: Michael Ingerson -

Relentless thunderstorms went through Tulsa, Oklahoma yesterday morning. The storms damaged two nearby amusement parks, impairing rides and buildings alike.

Bell's Amusement Park, outside of Tulsa, has damage so severe that the owner of the park said that it will take a bit of time to survey everything and plan on what to do. The owner also said that it was the worst storm to hit Tulsa in over 20 years. Zingo, a small wooden roller coaster at the park, is temporarily closed due to an uprooted tree lying across its tracks. The ferris wheel at Bell's has been reported to have "folded in half."

Big Splash, a local waterpark, is also closed. The storm filled their pools with debris and clogged the water pumps.

The Tulsa County Fairgrounds also received damage. Some of the buildings at the grounds have roof damage and are out of electricity.

New coaster finally approved
Bell’s gets permit after several years

Bell's Amusement Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA 06/05/06 - By: Cory Gross -

After thousands of dollars spent on lawyers and five years of being in court, Bell’s Amusement Park in Tulsa, Oklahoma received a permit to build a new roller coaster. Bell’s Amusement Park is surrounded by family neighborhoods and has been struggling to get a new ride in their park.

During a long five years in court, Bell’s has offered many things to try to persuade its neighbors. The park’s planned new roller coaster, was originally supposed to be constructed on the west side of the park, near the parking lot along a residential street. Plans were quickly rejected and then Bell’s offered to enclose the roller coaster in buildings. Bell’s neighbors would not give in. Finally, Bell’s won the battle after five years and the ride is planned to be built as soon as possible.

The new roller coaster is going to be constructed in a tight, shadowy place. It will have a twisting, tight layout, unlike the park’s other roller coaster, Zingo, which has a classic out and back design.

"We're really pleased [the judge] wisely allowed the parties time to work things out," said attorney Randy Pickard. "From our standpoint, this reassures what we felt was a good plan that was adopted by the city a long time ago -- a kind of an open space buffer between the neighborhood and Zingo”.

Bell’s Amusement Park is a family-owned park and has been pleasing families for over 50 years. The park plans to better improve their park and revenue with the new eagerly awaited roller coaster.