jedimaster1227

^^That information was posted on the previous page. Please make sure to check the thread before you post information that could already be present. http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/business_tourism_aviation/2010/01/merlin-entertainments-buys-cypress-gardens.html

Screamscape has been tipped off about some new property ownership documentation indicating the sale of the troubled Cypress Gardens Adventure Park to Merlin Entertainment (the owners of Legoland, SeaLife and the Tussaud's group which includes Alton Towers and Thorpe Park). http://www.screamscape.com/html/cypress_gardens.htm As mentioned above, when you search "Land South Adventures" (the previous owner of Cypress Gardens), four of the five most recently updated documents list Land South Adventures as the "grantors" and Merlin Entertainments Group Florida as the "grantees." http://ori2.polk-county.net/wb_or1/or_sch_1.asp Considering that Merlin had expressed interest in the location not too long ago, I can't say I'm entirely surprised, but the concept of a high-quality attraction in the plot still worries me. Cypress Gardens' greatest weakness has always been its location, and I'm not exactly sure that even a brand as strong as Legoland could convince crowds to drive through the residential mess that leads to the park. That being said, I can also say that I am absolutely excited for the prospect of a Merlin park in Orlando, especially if it ends up being a Legoland. Considering the amount of existing infrastructure within the park (especially the water park), I can't imagine it being too difficult to overlay the Lego theme onto some existing attractions to save some money, while spending the real money to transform this aged attraction into a destination for tourists and locals alike.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2010/01/chocolate_world_to_add_create.html

http://discovermyrtlebeach.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2765

Hersheypark has sent us a new press release about their latest involvement with the Children's Miracle Network. It is always great to see parks getting involved in causes like this, so I'm always happy to see news on the topic making its way into our inbox...

http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/michael-jackson-them-6224/

Screamscape has summed up what seems t be another interesting (yet lengthy) chapter in the Six Flags story. PARC Management, the company that bought several of the former Six Flags parks seems to have missed its payment window, neglected to pay the late fees and has completely ignored its required annual payment. Six Flags has now filed a claim that, if approved, could return control of those properties back to Six Flags. http://www.screamscape.com/html/industry_news.htm#SixFlags The entire claim can be found online here: http://www.kccllc.net/documents/8812019/8812019100108000000000008.pdf

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10013/1027880-100.stm

It seems to be a busy day in the news for Cedar Fair and the many issues it seems to be facing with this potential sale... http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/cedar_fair_executives_to_keep.html http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2010/01/12/front/1857053.txt http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2010/01/cedar_fairs_swift_tumble_pendi.html

I had too many ideas to keep to one entry, so here are all three of them. He just wanted to taste perfection... And he did. I have a feeling this will be a wet kiss... Delicious and refreshing.

^While it is purely my opinion, I would hardly call Time Machine miserable. Andrew and I had a few pretty decent rides on it, and there were some nice pops of air here and there. Sure it had a little bit of B&M rattle, but I've experienced the same thing on the Hulk at Islands of Adventure as well. For what the ride is (an icon for the park) and what it does (serves as the most popular attraction in the park), it does well. The guests eat every ounce of it up, and I doubt there are many in the general public that pick away at the rattle, simplicity or lack of commodity in it like we would here. I guess the way I always try to look at things is from the two-sided perspective... As enthusiasts, we tend to look further into things that the general public does, and considering that they are the majority while we are the minority, their words matter more. As I said before, I doubt an average guest really looks at a coaster like Time Machine and says "It shook too much and I think that made it miserable." Considering parks of this size (and smaller) still have vintage Arrow coasters (and Vekoma SLC's--which I happen to like, but I am among the few) that do far more damage than a little B&M rattle, and yet they are still successful. I just think we are at times too critical of the concept of success vs. failure in attractions like this because we take things from our perspective, as opposed to the mass perspective.

^In regards to Disney using a "street-view" type system, they haven't yet. But, they were the ones to take advantage of Google Earth's 3-D view in which major portions of the park (buildings and attractions) can be seen in 3-D view within the Google Earth program.

The Tempest by Pendulum

Danny Rogers has provided another "oh-so-insightful" update on why Southern Star Amusements isn't already in the park working to get it reopened for a new season... And apparently money isn't the issue... Mayor Ray Nagin is. http://unofficialjazzlandinfo.yuku.com/topic/1918/t/Please-keep-out-of-the-park.html?page=2

Hersheypark has released some early information regarding their Springtime in the Park event: Hersheypark has also sent out a press release regarding their inclusion the growing list of parks utilizing Google Maps' Street View to tour their park and hotel virtually. A screenshot of the system at work...

Quassy has provided us with a press release announcing their latest addition for the 2010 season: "Free Fall ‘N”

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60646E20100107

http://www.thesunnews.com/business/story/1250336.html

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/01/passholders-can-ride-shotgun-for-free-at-walt-disney-world-speedway/ I think that this is actually a pretty interesting give away, considering that as a passholder, I would have never bothered to give the Driving Experience a try (especially not for the price). I'll definitely be taking advantage of this offer, considering the value.

Test Track is set to close for refurbishment from January 11th thru January 17th and this seems like an ideal time to wipe the GM slate clean if needed. The signs presented below could mean something, or could mean nothing at all. http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/01/signs-of-gms-restructuring-at-epcots-test-track/

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1554/New_coaster_concepts_from_Vekoma.html

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fu ... World.html

http://www.parkworld-online.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/1553/Fourth_Fantawild_park_promised_in_China.html

http://www.amusementtoday.com/