|
|
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!
|
 | |  |
Disney announces rename of sports complex
Along with a week long multi-sport event
|
|
|
|
© ESPN
ESPN:Disney renames sports complex, and does a week long event. |
Walt Disney World is planning on expanding into the sports tourism, with its announcement to rename Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex to the ESPN Wide World of Sports and add new sports events.
Part of the expansion is a week long multi-sport event planned for July 2009 by Disney (NYSE: DIS), also including ESPN spotlighting some of the best high-school athletes in the nation. The event called "ESPN RISE Sports Festival", will run from July 18th - 25th, and will have more then 2,000 high school athletes. These athletes will be competing in softball, baseball, basketball, football, lacrosse, and track and field events. The event is scheduled to be televised on ESPNU and ESPN websites.
Disney's Wide World of Sports hosts more then 180 events such as the Atlanta Braves spring training, National Basketball Association pre-draft camp, Pop Warner Superbowl, Paintball World Cup, Special Olympics, and much more.
|
|
Remains found at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Identities and cause are still unknown
|
|
|
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio, TX 09/25/08 - By: Brandon Teller -
|
|
© Six Flags Fiesta Texas
Six Flags:Remains were found at Six Flags Fiesta Texas. |
At Six Flags Fiesta Texas, on
Wednesday, skeletal remains were found of two people, police said. The remains were reportedly found on some cliffs near the
amusement park. Police also said that articles of clothing were found close to the remains.
"(The Remains) weren't anywhere near the public (area)," said Joe Rios, a spokesman for the San Antonio Police Department.
The remains appeared to be somewhere between 6 to 12 months old.
The cause of death are unknown, along with the identity of the two people. The remains have been take to the Bexar County
Medical Examiner's Office, where they will be inspected.
Small Update
The remains found were from a retired, 56 year old teacher named Kathy Gutierrez of San Antonio. The remains were identified through dental records, the cause of death is undetermined.
The son of the victim said she was suicidal, and also was on medication for depression, which she was not recently taking. She also seemed trouble and suicidal that day the son said, “She told me ‘Let me use your gun, I want to kill myself, I’m very distraught,’ ”.
|
|
Hard Rock Park files bankruptcy
Closed for 2008 season, should open for 2009
|
|
|
|
© Hard Rock
Park
Hard Rock Park:Hard Rock Park is now closed for the 2008 season, but should open for
2009. |
Hard Rock Park has officially announced that it will not be open for the rest of the 2008 season. Hard
Rock Park has filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy claim, this means that the business can have time to reconstruct their debts.
While also continuing to operate. The park said it will open for 2009, but with all the recent problems the park has been
suffering, only time will tell if it truly will open or not.
Here's the exact quotes from Hard Rock Parks website:
"We would like to thank the hundreds of thousands of guests from across the country that came to experience Hard Rock
Park during our inaugural season and for rating their experience of Hard Rock Park as comparable to the best that the major
theme parks have to offer. We would also like to thank the local community in Myrtle Beach for their support in opening the
world’s first rock ‘n’ roll theme park.
Regretfully, Hard Rock Park has closed for the remainder of the 2008 season to allow management to focus on restructuring
efforts. Following the completion of this process, Hard Rock Park intends to re-open for the 2009 season and we invite
everyone back next year to continue the fun.
Hard Rock Park will remain focused on delivering a first class entertainment experience to the hundreds of thousands of
visitors who come and enjoy their visit to the Park everyday."
This is the parks Q&A they posted involving the situation.
"Q:Why is HRP Holdings doing this reorganization? What do you hope to accomplish with this?
A:We took this step because, after thorough consultation with our investors and advisors, we determined that it would be
in the long-term interest of the company as well as our employees, customers and other stakeholders. This process will give
HRP Holdings the opportunity to restructure its balance sheet and reduce its debt to ensure the future health and
sustainability of the company. As you may be aware, the unprecedented volatility of the global financial markets and rising
fuel costs have had a significant impact on tourism worldwide. Specifically, tourism in Myrtle Beach is down as a whole.
o Consumers continue to postpone or scale back their travel plans.
o Theme parks nationwide are seeing attendance flat or down this year (Source: Leisure and Recreational Concepts
Inc.)
Additionally, the frozen credit markets severely limited our ability to line up loans or the other planned financial
resources we needed to execute our summer marketing plan and adequately promote the Park.
By taking these actions, we intend to re-open in 2009 with a much stronger financial position.
Q:Is Hard Rock Park going out of business?
A:Hard Rock Park is not going out of business. In conjunction with the filing, the Park will close for the season to allow
management to focus on the restructuring efforts. Following the completion of this process, Hard Rock Park intends to
re-open for the 2009 season with enhanced financial flexibility. Chapter 11 is a common process that allows companies to
restore their financial health so they can continue as stronger business. Many other well known companies such as Chiquita,
Delta Airlines, Macy’s and Continental Airlines have emerged from this process as stronger, successful companies.
Q:I know you are shutting down for the season, but when will the Park open again?
A:Following the completion of the restructuring process, Hard Rock Park intends to re-open for the 2009 season next
spring.
Q:Will there be any further workforce reductions as a result of the Chapter 11 filing?
A:At this time, we are not anticipating any significant changes in our non-seasonal employment numbers in connection with
this announcement. Following the completion of the restructuring process, Hard Rock Park intends to re-open for the 2009
season and we invite all seasonal employees to apply for positions within the Park next year.
Q:Will employee paychecks or benefits be affected by the Chapter 11 filing?
A:All non-seasonal employees will continue to receive their paycheck on a normal schedule, and medical, dental and other
benefits will continue uninterrupted.
Q:What happens to season passes? Can I get a refund?
A:In conjunction with the filing, Hard Rock Park will close for the season to allow management to focus on the
restructuring process. Following the completion of this process, Hard Rock Park intends to re-open for the 2009 season.
Whether the Park will be able to provide refunds or extensions for Annual Pass holders will be determined by the Bankruptcy
Court.
Q:What is Chapter 11?
A:Chapter 11 is a legal process that allows a company to continue to operate its business while it restructures its debts
in an organized, Court-supervised setting. Chapter 11 refers to the portion of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code that governs
Bankruptcy Court-supervised corporate reorganizations.
Q:How do I get additional information?
A:If you have additional questions or concerns we invite you to call our customer service line at (843) 646-6450."
|
|
Six Flags announces new attractions
Mainly small, or renovated rides
|
|
|
|
©
Six Flags
Attractions:All of the new additions, are on a small scale, including parades, and
mainly renovations. |
Yesterday, the six flags chain announced many additions and changes to
there parks for the 2009 season. These new additions are on a smaller scale, but all apart of Six Flags new
strategy to be more family orientated to help get themselves out of debt.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas will be getting a Wiggles World, which will be an interactive section for children. Wiggles
World will have rides, food, live entertainment, play structures, and one rollercoaster.
Six Flags Over Georgia's Monster Plantation will be renovated and reopened as Monster Mansion.
When Monster Plantation opened in 1981, it featured animatronics, and a family orientated story. When it
reopens, its going to have new characters, interactive elements, and a new story.
Six Flags St. Louis will be getting additions to Hurricane Harbor for its 10th anniversary. Hurricane Harbor
will get a six lane racing water slide. Six Flags St. Louis will also be getting a Glow in the Park, night
parade. The parade will have six floats and 65 performers decorated in lights.
Six Flags Over Texas will also be getting a Glow in the Dark parade. Gary Goddard Entertainment team is
helping with the parade, and Cirque Du Soleil's chief composer will be producing the music for the parades.
The Great Escape will be introducing a drop ride and a holiday event. Sasquatch will have two
192-foot towers that will drop riders in under three seconds. Holiday in the Park will celebrate winter
holidays with shows, carolers, Santa and a sledding hill. The park will also be remodeling Beer Garden, and
changing the cafeteria-style setting into a food court.
|
|
Save Astroland campaign seeks support
Organization trys to save Astroland
|
|
|
|
©
Forgotten-ny.com
Wonder Wheel: Astrolands legendary ferris wheel, the Wonder
Wheel. |
On Sept. 7th, the closing day of Coney Island's Astroland Park, a group of called the "Save Coney Island Group" distributed 10,000 fliers to visitors, which led to many phone calls and emails.
A couple days later, the Press was reporting that Mayor Bloomberg is stepping in to save Astroland. Bloomberg
said, "It would be a great shame if the amusements, which have been around for so many years, and defined Coney
Island, and this city as much as anything. It would be a shame if we lost those."
Yesterday, the organization that's trying to save Astroland, is launching an urgent last ditch effort to save
Coney Island, and Astroland for another year. The organization stated, that they need everyone's help, and only
have 3-4 days to do this. Bloomberg has apparently opened the door to negotiations for a lease extension, with
Joe Sitt of Thor Equities, the real estate speculator who is holding Astroland hostage and refuses to
negotiate.
The organization is starting this campaign for everyone to send a, "DON'T KILL CONEY" email to Mayor
Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine Quiunn, and City Councilman Domenic Recchia, who represents Coney
Island. The "Save Coney Island" organization thinks that if everyone does this, city council will fight to save
Astroland. They also believe that council doesn't want to be known as the city officials that presided over the
death of the world famous People's Playground.
|
|
Carolina Cobra at Carowinds in 2009
Geauga Lake's Boomerang finds a new home
|
|
|
Carowinds, Charlotte, North Carolina 09/10/08 - By: Mike Strobel -
|
|
© Devin Olson
Snakes!:Carolina Cobra opens as Carowind's twelfth coaster; a standard boomerang relocated from Geauga Lake. |
After Geauga Lake closed at the end of 2006, it was assumed that most of the rides worth saving were going to be distributed to other Cedar Fair properties. This was the case with X-Flight at Kings Island as Firehawk, Dominator by the same name at Kings Dominion, and Thunderhawk at Michigan's Adventure. Now yet another ride is set to re-debut.
Carowinds was chosen to be the home of the boomerang coaster formerly known as Head Spin. With the ride set for dismantling, the ride was apparently destined for North Carolina. The sky blue track has been noted around the park.
Also noted were various boxes and teasers in the park. On the Carowinds website, the statement was 'Some worship these, others fear them'. Now that September 10th has come around, the ride has been officially revealed under its new name, Carolina Cobra.
As with many standard boomerang models, Carolina Cobra will start backwards up a 45 degree incline topping off at just under 12 stories, or 116 ft. The ride is dropped through the station, tackles a cobra roll and a loop before coming upto a similar hill, only to be lifted forwards, and the disorienting inversions taken backwards. It shall reach a top speed of 47 miles per hour.
Carowinds is no stranger to relocated coasters. The park's flying coaster, currently named Nighthawk, was moved from California's Great America, where it was under the name Stealth. It appeared on the Carolina estate as BORG Assimilator under Paramount ownership, and has been renamed yet again as Nighthawk under Cedar Fair. Carolina Cobra shall be the park's twelfth roller coaster.
|
|
Astroland closing for good after today
World-famous Cyclone will live on
|
|
|
|
© Coney
Island
Cyclone:Cyclone, Coney Islands landmark, which is also Astrolands landmark. The only ride that is sure
to remain. |
The longtime, major operator confirmed that Astroland will be closing Sunday, September 7th.
Carol Albert threatened to shut down the park if she didn't get a two year lease expansion. Unfortunately, the dead line passed
and the park was waiting to see if she was bluffing. Sitt spokesman told the media that they weren't going to negotiate with
a gun to there heads, and they were going to wait and see if she was bluffing. He pointed out that the lease doesn't expire
in till the end of the year. Albert said that she needed the extra months to sell off her rides, or she'll face hefty fines.
On a lighter note, the Cyclone rollercoaster will not be affected, and will remain where it is.
Sitt plans to replace Astroland with new attractions next year. But critics point out that the developer failed this
summer when they arranged temporary rides to replace the empty boardwalk. Many do expect Astroland to return in 2009, since the
city is at least a year away from putting in any new attractions in.
Other business owners that rent from Sitt are also worried if they'll be returning next summer. Just like Astroland,
they had to wait out a lease extension a year ago. It isn't sure how far apart the two sides are dollar wise. Alberts lawyer
told Sitt's lawyer in a letter dated Friday that the park has seen expenses increase from last year. In particular, a 700,000
dollar surge in insurance costs.
The Albert family did sell the 3.1 acre Astroland property for 30 million dollars in 2006, to the Sitt's firm Thor
Equities. But they did negotiate last years deal to squeeze in at least one more year for Astroland, and it's employees.
Which most of the employees are neighborhood residents, that have been with the park for many years.
Statement from Carol Albert
"I am making this statement today to set the record straight. I have
not “given up on Coney Island” as Thor Equities has stated. I have
given up on trying to get Thor to negotiate which I have attempted to
do every month since June, and numerous times in August.
Each time their response was, “We have no answer.” The safety of our
customers and our commitment to employees means our time has run out.
Ride parts must be ordered a minimum of eight to 10 months in
advance. My employees cannot live in a state of limbo any longer. It
takes six months to pack up a three-acre amusement park that has been
in operation for 46 years, so a January 31st deadline means start
packing yesterday. We are out of time.
Today I notified Astroland’s employees that the amusement park will
cease operations permanently at the end of the day on Sunday,
September 7th.
Many in the community had hoped along with us that Astroland could
remain open to keep the lights on in Coney Island until the rezoning
issue had been resolved, because carnival rides, as the “Summer of
Hope” sadly proved, are no substitute for a permanent amusement park.
However, when even our good friend, Councilman Domenic Recchia could
do nothing to persuade Thor to negotiate, it became clear we had no
choice but to close the business permanently on Sunday night,
September 7th.
Coney Island's future as a tourism and amusement destination is
clearly in peril. Thor equities, which now owns most of Coney Island,
came onto the development scene showing beautiful renderings of this
great 21st century amusement park they were promising to build. All
indications however, are that their real priority is retail and high
end housing. There is a real question as to whether Coney Island
will ever have amusements, other than the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel
in its future. Instead it appears to be that a series of shopping
malls and condos will replace amusement parks as the centerpiece of
the Coney Island that has been here for over 100 years. This is a
tragic loss for the City of New York and visitors around the world.
Astroland Kiddie Park and the Cyclone Roller Coaster will open for the
last weekend on Friday, Sept 5 at 12:00 noon. Major thrill rides will
open at 4 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, all attractions will open at
12:00 noon.
We invite all New Yorkers to come to Astroland this weekend to bid
farewell to this historic icon.
And we look forward to seeing many of our loyal patrons on opening day
for the Cyclone roller coaster, Sunday April 5, 2009."
|
|
Another Six Flags coaster injures a guest
Six Flags Magic Mountain's Ninja hits guest retrieving hat
|
|
|
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California 09/01/08 - By: Mike Strobel -
|
|
© Six Flags Magic Mountain
More fences climbed:At least one six feet and one seven feet fence were climbed as a 20 year old man went to retrieve his lost hat. |
Just 2 months after Batman: The Ride at Six Flags over Georgia decapitated a trespassing guest, a similar event has happened at the chain's Magic Mountain property. This time, Ninja, the park's suspended coaster, is the scene of the incident.
Officials report that just after 4 pm on Saturday, August 30th, a 20 year old man that had lost his hat while riding climbed the safety fences around the last turns of the course. Reports also indicate that the 2 fences that were cleared were 6 and 7 ft tall respectively.
The medics that found him saw him breathing, but unconscious. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where his condition is unknown at this time.
|
|
Worlds of Fun stalking riders with Prowler in 2009
GCI wooden coaster to begin trek through the woods
|
|
|
Worlds of Fun, Kansas City, Missouri 09/01/08 - By: Mike Strobel -
|
|
© Worlds of Fun
Onto number seven:Prowler shall terrorize the woods of Worlds of Fun in 2009. A wooded terrain course is in store. |
Great Coasters International and Cedar Fair are
at it again, together adding yet another blockbuster wooden coaster to one of its parks, this time, it's Worlds of Fun. Prowler shall begin to haunt the woods of the park in 2009 as the park's seventh roller coaster. This follows the parks previous newest coaster, Patriot, the inverted coaster addition built in 2006.
At an investment of $8 million dollars, Prowler shall boast being the park's only terrain coaster, spending most of its 3,074 ft course close to the ground, hugging the different topography that is Worlds of Fun's property.
The ride will be approximentally 85 ft tall, of which, the lift of that height shall be the only hill above the treeline. The first swooping drop shall take GCI's infamous Millennium Flyer trains and their 24 passangers up to a top speed of 51 miles per hour. Though the lift is only 85 ft, the whole course's total elevation change from it's highest to lowest point shall add up to 102 ft. The 2 trains shall feature blue, green and copper paint schemes with black seats.
The ride is projected to give 850 people the chance to ride within an hour. The grand opening is set for spring of 2009 as the park opens its gates for it's 36th year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
