Daily Spin 8.31.09

Adventure Park USA in New Market, Maryland has officially announced the addition of a 5.5-acre water park for the 2010 season. Construction will be completed in two phases. The first phase will consist of a 20,000 square foot wave pool, an interactive water play structure, and a 1500 square foot "Kiddy Spray" area. The second phase will incorporate a quarter mile long lazy river and slide towers. On an interesting note, park owner Larry Stottlemyer has stated in the past that he hopes to raise the majority of the funds required to complete the project through special multi-year pass sales. Additional renderings as well as information on these unique passes can be found on the park's web site.

Instead of counting down the number of days left in summer, how about counting down to something a little more pleasant? Southern California's famed Santa Monica Pier is gearing up to celebrate its 100th anniversary on September 9, 2009. The occasion will be marked by many festivities, including a ceremonial cake cutting by a group of centenarians and the pier's first large-scale fireworks display in 18 years. On a coast once dotted with amusement piers, Santa Monica's Pacific Park now stands as the last relic of a bygone golden age. The Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation hopes to draw upon this rich history to create an even brighter future. You can read more about the planned centennial festivities in the Los Angeles Times as well as on the pier's own centennial web page.

Back on the East Coast, Anthony Raffaelle and the rest of those formerly employed at Joe Sitt's Dreamland amusement park at Coney Island will be counting something entirely different: their losses. The state Supreme Court has denied Raffaelle's plea to force Sitt to reopen Dreamland, thus sealing the beleaguered park's fate for the remainder of the 2009 season. On the bright side, some lucky ride operator will now have the opportunity to purchase the park's Dragon Wagon roller coaster, which came from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, for a cool $95,000 on UsedRides.com. Butch Butler, the ride's owner, has decided to sell the coaster rather than attempt to truck it back to California. Amusing the Zillion has the full scoop.

Technology continues to be an enthusiast's best friend as more and more parks begin to utilize it to offer real-time information to guests. Not to be left off the bandwagon, Funtown Splashtown USA has announced the release of their new "Funtown Splashtown USA Virtual Brochure" application for iPhone and iPod Touch devices. The application, which is available through the Apple iTunes App Store, can be used to access a park map as well as real-time information on everything from park hours to entertainment.