Weekly Rewind 1.22.11

This was a good year to work at Universal Orlando - the record crowds that Harry Potter brought means soaring profits for the parks.  And to celebrate the resort's thousands of employees just received bonuses.  Cha-ching!

Six Flags Great Adventure showed off some more photos of the Green Lantern's progress this week.  It looks like half the lift hill was up when the photos were taken.

The Magic Kingdom was showing off its new Castle light projection show for media recently.  Each night guest's photos and experiences will be projected as part of the show.  Take a peek here.

Conneaut Lake's quest to raise another $50k from the Pepsi Refresh Challenge is still going on, though the idea is not in the top 10 that would receive funding as of now.  Vote here if you like.

Wild Adventures new slide tower was recently completed.  For a gallery of the tower when it was going up, look here.  Family raft rides are always a blast!

The Zippin Pippin is blanketed in snow, and that makes the structure even more pretty.  Work on the coaster continues despite freezing temperatures.

Martin's Fantasy Island has decided to call their new thrill ride Mind Warp.  I think that's perfectly fitting for a crazy flat ride like that!

Two former Six Flags executives have purchased another water park, this time Ocean Breeze in Virginia.  The duo purchased Nashville Shores in 2009 and have been expanding it since.

Galaxyland Amusement Park and World Waterpark at Canada's West Edmonton Mall will see expansions this year.  The park will add new family rides, and the water park will see new slides, including an Aqua Loop.

A year ago Schlitterbahn announced a new development in Cedar Park Texas, and it seems the project is having some funding trouble.  The difficult lending market is to blame, but those involved say the project is still a go - just delayed a bit.

Announcing Schlitterbahn Cedar Park

Schlitterbahn's big announcement was for a massive water entertainment resort complex located in Cedar Park, Texas. The first phase of the development is scheduled to open in the summer of 2012. And no, it's not just your eyes that keep reading it as "Schlitterbahn Cedar Point," it's mine, too!

The project is really much more than just a water park, though. It contains the Schlitterbahn Boutique Hotel and Conference Center, a retail section, and restaurants along side the water park. Speaking of that, it will utilize the trademark Schlitterbahn Transportainment system and from the art looks to contain several master blaster slides.

When completed, the destination will span 95 acres and cost $360 million.

The first phase to open will cover some 75 acres and represent a staggering $75 million investment. It will open as a fully functional year-round resort.

How wonderful is it to see companies investing in entertainment destinations again? Three cheers for Schlitterbahn.

Brand New Schlitterbahn Water Park?

Tomorrow Schlitterbahn Waterparks will be announcing a large new project for Cedar Park, Texas. While not giving out any specifics yet, the company has said they plan to release details of an "experimental entertainment resort" at tomorrow's event.

Known for their amazing chain of water parks, I would say it is fairly safe to assume that the project will include a water resort of some sort. Rumors are popping up that the development will include not only water activities, but a variety of other amenities and even possibly overnight lodging.

Sounds somewhat similar in concept to the company's Kansas City project, which just opened its first phase this past summer. Stay tuned for all the details tomorrow!