Geauga Lake 2008?

Even ignoring all the ride removal gloom and doom - does anyone else think it's really bad that Geauga Lake does not have anything on their page about 2008 season passes?

The park closes for the year this weekend - I cannon imagine why they do not have stuff up about next year's passes, that is unless they have some important park-changing announcements to make before they could sell something like that.

It's looking more and more like the doom and gloom just may be true.

1992 Busch Gardens Williamsburg Brochure

New for 1992 - the infamous Drachen Fire roller coaster.


I rode Drachen Fire the next year, 1993, and it beat the sense out of my head while I was on it. The park is really beautiful though.

Wild Adventures + Cypress Gardens For Sale

Both Wild Adventures Theme Park and Cypress Gardens are for sale. There will be an auction for the parks on the 25th of this month. If you happen to have some extra cash laying around, the Florida property still start at $17.4 million and the Georgia property for $38.85 million.

Three hurricanes that hit Cypress Gardens in 2004 sent the operator of the parks into financial dismay. Unpaid insurance claims led to bankruptcy and now an auction has been scheduled.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kent Buescher (current owner) purchase the parks again at the auction under a new company and try again.

The Ledger has the best article on the matter that I've seen.

More on Jungala

I watched the announcement video that Busch Gardens Tampa has on their website for Jungala. I didn't think the park released any good concept art, but there was some in the video so I did some screen caps.

Sadly, the park has Real or Windows Media player to pick from (how about neither?) to watch, so the quality is poor. I tried to fix up the grabs I took.

Cute logo - simple enough and will easily attract the families and children the area is meant to appeal to.

Here's a shot of the Tiger area. Looks pretty detailed.

Here's a shot of the Village area described in the press release. You can see the hang gliders going across the top of the area.

This is the climb and play structure. If done well, these can be cool. (see Disney parks)

A wide view of the area with the two rides and the play structure. You can see the free fall type ride in the background above the water fall. Also, the wires for the hang gliders.

A closer view of the free fall tower. I believe the video said it holds 14 rides at a time.

This is the load area of the free fall. It's located behind the water fall in a 35 ft. rock formation. This could be pretty cool.

That's all!

Busch Gardens Tampa 2008: Jungala

Today, Busch Gardens Tampa announced their new for 2008 attraction, Jungala.

Jungala is a new 4-acre land inside the Florida theme park. The area will be lush and tropical, and features a mixture of animal exhibits, family rides and attractions, food, and entertainment.

The animal attractions feature Bengal Tigers among many other, including Orangutans and Flying Foxes.
The section also features a zip-line ride that has three separate paths rides follow over the area. That and a ride that "launches guests up above a towering waterfall," which, seen above, looks sorta like a family version of the classic "Frog Hopper" with a waterfall behind it. Add to that a family play structure and interactive water area for the tots, and you've got some family fun.

The area will have a couple food options as well to round out the offerings. Busch Gardens Tampa has the press release on their website, and will have a replay of their announcement webcast available later.

Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion

Ahh yes, another day, another Halloween Event announcement.

Today we have the Halloween Haunt at Kings Dominion. This one will feature 7 "all-new" Haunted Houses, and 4 Scare Zones. There will also be live entertainment as well as a slew of things for kids and families to do.

Like Scarowinds, they have a website with all the details. Check it out.