Daily Spin 1.7.2009

Cypress Gardens hasn't had much activity since the new owners announced that the rides and animals will be removed late last year. This article is sorta an update for what's going on with the park now. It doesn't sound like much is set in stone yet, but all parties are still optimistic for a March reopening.

Busch Entertainment Company is closing the Hospitality Centers at Sea World Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa at the end of the month. These were the areas of the parks where guests could sample and enjoy Busch beer brands. Speculation is that the new owners are removing the beer tasting areas in order to make the parks even more attractive to a new owner.

Somehow I missed this one when I created this month's poll, but no good news seems to come out about Joyland Amusement Park, in Kansas, which closed in 2006. The park is continuing to see more vandalism take place on property, and no one seems interested in buying the park's land. The owners have recently sold some of the park's flat rides, and say they do not expect the park to reopen ever. Sad news.

Looks like Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom's new offering for the 2009 season will be not much more than a new concert series. At least it's something! The park will hold the Starburst Summer Concert Series next year which will have various acts from teen starts to Christian bands. The concerts are free as part of park admission.

The Wall Street Journal has picked up the Hard Rock Park story, and yesterday a judge approved the request for Chapter 7 and now the park is free to begin selling off everything and anything it has. Who wants a slightly used B&M?!

Disney Parks have announced that as part of their "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign for 2009 they will be giving members of the U.S. Military free admission to their parks. Members can get a 3 Day Hopper Pass at Disneyland or a 5 Day Hopper Pass at Disney World in Florida. I think this is a great idea!

Diamondback Update In A New Year

Kings Island has updated their official construction photos of the park's new hyper coaster for 2009, Diamondback.

As you can see from the above photo, the park kept working during the holiday season and now has completed the ride's hammerhead turn and also started to set supports for the helix before the splashdown.

Check out the gallery.

Take A Trip On Abismo

And this is Abismo at Parques De Atracciones in Spain. It's a Maurer Sohne extended SkyLoop roller coaster, and I think it looks like fun! I can't comment on the restraints as I haven't been on it, and those would be important as you hang upside down that high off the ground!

It opened in 2006 and is the only Maurer Sohne extended SkyLoop coaster that's been built thus far. It's closest American relative is X Coaster at Magic Springs, which has the first section of the above ride only.

It's still a pretty short ride, even considering it's an 'extended' version of the base model. Unique it is, though, and I can only imagine what an even bigger one than this would be like!

New Dorney Park Aerial Photos

© 2009 Flyin Phils Photos

Flyin' Phil has a new gallery of aerial photos of Dorney Park which were taken January 4th posted on his website.

You can see the spot where Laser was, not much is left but an open space and all the wooden blocks that the ride sat on! It's weird to see it like it... I'm sure it will be all cleaned up before the season starts.

You can also see that the outside picnic area tent has been removed in early preparation of the Good Time Theater, the park's new project for 2009.

Coney Island Update

Here's the latest from our friends at the Coney Island Development Corporation:

January 5, 2009
A Letter from CIDC President Lynn Kelly

Dear Friends and Residents of Coney Island:

First and foremost, on behalf of everyone at the Coney Island Development Corporation (CIDC), I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2009. As we begin the New Year, I wanted to share some thoughts on the current "state of Coney Island," make you aware of the many positive strides we made working together in 2008 and let you know about the exciting challenges facing us in the months ahead.

The Current State of Coney Island

As the New Year begins, Coney Island finds itself at one of the most critical turning points in its storied history. For while the City's pending rezoning and redevelopment plan holds great promise for the future, the fact is that the Coney Island of today is facing huge challenges. The once-legendary Coney Island amusement area has sadly continued its decades-long cycle of disinvestment and decay, which was capped off this fall by the closing of Astroland after its landlord refused to extend its lease. The vitality of the Boardwalk and amusement area was thrown into further question just recently, when the area's major landowner chose -- on Christmas Eve -- to shutter businesses and refused to extend leases for several long-time Coney Island fixtures.

The reality of Coney Island today demonstrates more clearly than ever that the amusement area needs to be protected from further speculative harm and that it must be rezoned to draw crowds all year round. And as Coney Island neighbors will tell you, we must also find a way to create economic opportunities and affordable housing, so that young people can stay in their own community. It's no small task, to be sure, but it's the only choice for a neighborhood that's been waiting far too long for a change. The good news is, as you'll see from the summary below, that we've made some very positive strides in recent months and that we've got a hugely promising 2009 ahead of us.

2008 -- CIDC's Positive Steps Toward a Renewed Coney Island

City acquires key property in amusement zone -- In October, the NYC Economic Development Corporation proudly announced the City's purchase of a key one-acre parcel along the Boardwalk. This purchase - which was characterized in the press as "a step closer to the Bloomberg administration's plans to retain the historic character of Coney Island" and hailed in the blogs as "a huge development" - will ensure that this property will become part of a permanently protected amusement zone under the City's proposed Coney Island rezoning. The purchase of the Ward property is just the first of what are expected to be a series of land acquisitions in the coming year as the City proceeds with its vision to create a 21st century, year-round entertainment destination and protect Coney Island's amusement legacy in perpetuity.

CIDC attends international amusement industry conference -- For the first time ever, the CIDC exhibited at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Expo (IAAPA) 2008, the world's preeminent amusement industry convention. This was a key first step in the effort to secure information and make industry contacts that will help to inform the creation of interim amusement plans and a future Request for Proposals (RFP) for a world class amusement park in Coney Island. CIDC representatives held more than 160 meetings at the CIDC booth with industry leaders in areas such as concessions, park development, and ride manufacturing. These meetings reinforced that there is tremendous excitement throughout the amusement world for a redeveloped Coney Island and many willing participants in its future.


CIDC sponsors job fairs and career development opportunities -- The CIDC was extremely proud to have sponsored a year-long, comprehensive career opportunities initiative that has provided thousands of Coney Island residents with access to skills training and career development resources. The initiative featured workshops on resume writing and job search techniques, one of the largest job fairs ever held in Coney Island, and a Training Program Fair that provided residents with one-on-one access to career advisors and professional training and certification programs. The CIDC will continue making positive strides in workforce development throughout 2009.

2009 -- Coney Island Rezoning/Redevelopment to Begin Public Review

2009 is certain to be one of the most critically important years in the long history of Coney Island, as the public review of the City's proposed Coney Island zoning framework and redevelopment plan is set to begin early in the year. The project is expected to be certified into the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) early in 2009 and the comprehensive public review process -- which will include several public hearings -- will then continue for approximately the next seven months. We will be back in touch with additional details once the ULURP timing is set and we hope that during the process we will hear from the many Coney Island friends and residents who join us in believing that the City's plan represents a thoughtful, achievable vision for a renewed and vigorous Coney Island.

Finally, I would just like to express my gratitude to all of the Coney Island residents, business people, and community leaders with whom we've worked over the past year and thank you for your commitment to this remarkable neighborhood. I know that this process can be challenging at times but I am re-energized each and every time I work with all of you on Coney Island's renaissance. I look forward to sharing even more positive news in 2009 -- from the rezoning to the new community center to Steeplechase Park and the restored B&B Carousell -- and can't wait to get to work with you to continue to make Coney Island the very best it can be. As always, please don't hesitate to call us at 212-312-4233 if we can be of any assistance.

Warm regards,
Lynn Kelly

110 William Street New York, NY 10038

website http://www.thecidc.org/ // email info@thecidc.org // phone 212-312-4233

Wild Adventures 2009 Announcement

Wild Adventures Theme Park has released the full details of their 2009 expansion program. The Georgia Theme Park will focus attention on updating their Splash Island Water Park.

According to the park, “We are totally renovating and improving what has been one of the finest and most popular waterparks in the entire region, with new theming, new facilities, additional seating and shade structures and a new water ride adventure guests won’t believe.”

"When guests enter Splash Island they will step into a Polynesian paradise with an all-new water ride, revamped restaurant called Surfside Cafe, expanded locker facilities and more shaded areas. Splash Island is a totally re-themed water park with additions and improvements to enhance guests’ tropical experience. “We wanted to bring a little of the Polynesian tropical feel and adventure to the area.”

Artistic sketch of the new market-style restaurant

The big new attraction in the area will be the Wahee Cyclone, a Proslide Tornado ride. 4 riders per clover-leaf tube will "plummet through an enclosed tube in complete darkness then free-fall into a huge funnel that rockets riders up one side and down the other until the riders are deposited through the end of the funnel."

General Manager Bob Montgomery stands in front of several pieces for the new water thrill ride, the Wahee Cyclone

Projected opening date for Splash Island is Saturday, March 28, 2009. Passport holders will be able to catch a sneak peek of the new Wahee Cyclone and re-themed water park March 21. As in the past, Splash Island is FREE with park admission. Wild Adventures Theme Park opens Saturday, March 14, 2009.