Disney announced that it will allow employees at its theme parks more flexibility when it comes to personal presentation after years of enforcing a strict dress code.
Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, announced the decision Tuesday, April 13th, stating that Disney will “allow greater flexibility with respect to forms of personal expression surrounding gender-inclusive hairstyles, jewelry, nail styles, and costume choices; and allowing appropriate visible tattoos.”

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RYE, NY

​Standard Amusements will be taking over the day-to-day management of Rye Playland after all.
The Westchester County Board of Legislators voted Monday night to turn over the management of Playland in Rye to Standard Amusements after months of legal wrangling over a contract originally approved under former County Executive Rob Astorino. The company will take over operations of the amusement park in December after an amended deal was approved by the board.


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BUENA PARK, CA

​Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park announced plans to reopen to the general public May 21, becoming the latest theme park to launch reopening plans after a yearlong pandemic-prompted closure.
Season-ticket holders can visit the park starting May 6. Ticket sales and reservations will start April 26. All 2020 and 2021 season passes purchased through May 5, 2021, will be valid through May 5, 2022. Under current state rules, all theme park visitors must be California residents.


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WEST MIFFLIN, PA

At Kennywood last year, the Jack Rabbit roller coaster missed its 100th birthday party. The football-themed roller coaster Steel Curtain missed its grand reopening. The bumper cars sat out a whole season, as did any game that involved a squirt gun.
After a delayed start, the West Mifflin theme park resumed operations in mid-July in 2020, but fewer people came by to ride the roller coasters and eat Potato Patch fries. Following health and safety guidelines put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, the park had limited capacity, and the season was about 100 days shorter than usual.


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ELYSBURG, PA

​The start of warmer weather means amusement parks are planning to open once again, and Knoebels Amusement Resort is one of several that will resume business in the coming weeks.
The Elysburg park was among the many that were forced to delay their planned opening in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. And even after reopening, the pandemic continued to effect the park’s ability to finish construction and maintenance on some rides, including a brand-new ride planned to debut that year.


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MASON, OH

​Evan Postingle is a bright 17 year old who has spent the past few summers working at the Kings Island gift shops. Something struck him as strange during his time behind the counter, though.
"One of the questions I got the most working at Kings Island was, 'Do you sell any books about the history of Kings Island?'" he said.
The Mason High School senior was surprised to learn no one had ever written a detailed history of the Ohio amusement park. He found several books about sister park Cedar Point but nothing about Kings Island. So he decided to write his own.


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ANAHIEM, CA

New superhero recruits will be able to experience Disneyland’s Avenger Campus on June 4, Disney said during a theme park webcast Thursday.
The new area is an extension to Disney’s California Adventure theme park in Anaheim, California and features Marvel’s mightiest heroes from Earth and the stars.


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ORLANDO, FL

​Universal Orlando has set an opening date for its newest roller coaster. Jurassic World VelociCoaster will debut at Islands of Adventure theme park on June 10, the company announced via a social media video on Tuesday.
The coaster has been undergoing test runs for months. It is going up on the park’s waterfront, skirting the Jurassic Park land. Previously, Universal had only gone so far as to say it would open in “summer” of 2021.

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FRESNO, CA

​Negotiations are underway for a Six Flags amusement park to come to Fresno County despite fervent denial from City of Vallejo officials.
Sources confirm that talks have begun with the amusement park about the possibility of locating the tourist attraction to the area. Six Flags Marketing Manager Marc Merino said it is not their policy to comment on rumors.

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SANDUSKY, Ohio (April 6, 2021) – Cedar Point today announced that Carrie Boldman has been named vice president and general manager of the park. She succeeds Jason McClure, who has been promoted to senior vice president, park operations, at Cedar Point’s parent company, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
Boldman previously served as Cedar Point’s vice president of merchandise and games, and brings 25 years of experience in strategic development, brand management and merchandising expertise to her new role. She spent 16 years as director of product development and design for Disney Parks and Resorts. She then spent two years as director of marketing and sales for The Chef’s Garden, a family-owned sustainable farm in Huron, Ohio, before joining the Cedar Fair team in 2013. Boldman will also make history as the first female general manager of the park in its 150 years of operation.
“Carrie is a talented leader with an impressive track record in product development and design,” said Tim Fisher, chief operating officer of Cedar Fair. “We are confident that her skills and experience will help build on Cedar Point’s rich legacy of creating memorable experiences for the millions of guests who visit the park each year.”   
“As a Huron native who grew up coming to Cedar Point and spent six years working here as a seasonal associate, I am tremendously proud to have the opportunity lead this talented team,” said Boldman, whose two daughters also work at the park. “The park has been a vital part of the Sandusky community for 150 years, and I look forward to forging even stronger connections with our guests through fun, immersive experiences.”    
In McClure’s new role, he will oversee operations at the following Cedar Fair parks: Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto; Cedar Point; Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan; Dorney Park in Allentown, Pennsylvania; Kings Island near Cincinnati; and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City. He had served as vice president and general manager at Cedar Point since 2014, with responsibility for the day-to-day operations and financial performance of the 150-year-old amusement park. He began his Cedar Fair career in 2001 in the finance division of Carowinds in Charlotte, North Carolina. McClure earned his way up to vice president of finance and, in 2005, transitioned to the same role at Kings Island. In 2008, he became vice president and general manager of Dorney Park before taking the top role at Cedar Point. 
“Jason brings significant operations and finance experience to this senior leadership role, as well as a deep passion for delivering on our commitment to provide guests with fun, dynamic and memorable experiences they can share with their family and friends,” Fisher said.
“I am thrilled to take on this new role, leading several Cedar Fair parks in their mission to deliver great experiences and memories for our guests and associates,” said McClure. “Cedar Point is in great hands. Carrie is passionate about the park, its associates and their desire to continue the legacy of providing legendary fun, and I look forward to continue working with her and the Cedar Point team.”