I drove by the site for the rumored “Paidia” themepark yesterday and noticed that a for sale sign for 458 acres is now erected on the property. That’s sad, but it’s probably another example of Katrina’s affects. The original investors for the new themepark were… Read More »Land for rumored new themepark now up for sale in Kissimmee
As he talked about the amusement park business, he was forced to speak above the park’s roar – screeching steel and coaster riders blending nearly indistinguishably. "We leave theming to Disney," he said. "It’s very, very expensive. We can’t justify it, being a seasonal operation. Our theming is the ride itself. You walk under the… Read More »Cedar Point CEO
It’s been a rough few years for Playland, a historic amusement park in Westchester New York. In 2004 a young girl died after escaping the restraints of the ‘Mind Scrambler’ ride, and now a 7-year old boy was found dead after entering a dark tunnel water ride as the sole passenger in his boat. The… Read More »Boy, 7, dies on amusement park ride
The lasting legacy of Walt Disney is his timeless insight into the imagination of children coupled with a gift for awakening the child in the rest of us. His idealized vision of childhood and Americana still resonates with kids of all ages worldwide. This week marked the 50th anniversary of Disneyland, a marvelous invention –… Read More »It Was Walt’s World
The headline for this story caught my eye: Disabled girl barred from theme park rides I remembered one woman, an annual passholder at Disneyland, who drove her motorized wheelchair recklessly, was repeatedly warned about it, then was banned for a period of time. So I thought it might be something like that. Turns out this… Read More »Disable Girl Urges Theme park Boycott
Foreclosed on in February of 2004, Joyland Amusement Park, the giver of many happy memories to the residents of Wichita Kansas, is now up for sale on Ebay. Includes a historical original Philadelphia Tobbogin 1949 Roller Coaster and 40 acres of assorted amusement park rides, eateries, and a Wurlitzer Band Pipe Organ. Anyone want to… Read More »Pssst. Hey. Wanna buy a theme park?
The recent tragic death of a 4-year old after riding Walt Disney World’s Mission: Space attraction at Epcot has highlighted the lack of oversight by local, state, or federal agencies for the Florida tourists destination. Now California’s Disneyland theme park, which operates under some of the strictest state oversight in the nation, has just been… Read More »Judges Rule for higher safety standards in California
Spent most of this week at IAAPA 2004. The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions convention is a must attend event for anyone in the industry. The North and South halls of the new Orlando Convention center were packed with all the latest rides, show elements, entertainment, food, design firms, games, and more that… Read More »IAAPA, Orlando 2004