"Canadians love At-Par and we are thrilled to be offering a package which includes both a room and a theme park ticket as part of the Disney At-Par offer," explains Bruno Jauernig, Director of Marketing and Sales for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Company (Canada) Ltd. With so much to see and do, this winter is the perfect time to visit all four of our world-renowned theme parks and experience all of our new attractions including Stitch's Great Escape, new to the Magic Kingdom this fall.

The Disney At-Par adjustment, based on a fixed rate of $0.72 USD = $1 CAD, is applied at the time of booking. All prices are in US Dollars. For example, if the price before the At-Par adjustment is $738 USD, the adjusted price would be $531.36 USD. (See below for more detailed At-Par pricing information.)

This limited time offer is available when a Walt Disney Travel Company Dream Maker package is booked with your VISA card from now until December 1, 2004. This offer is available for travel most nights Sunday through Thursday and occasionally on weekends January 2 through April 16, 2005. There are a limited number of packages available and this offer may not be combined with any other offer.

"We received a tremendous response from our cardholders when this offer was created last year, and we are delighted to once again provide our cardholders with the opportunity to share in the magic of a Walt Disney World vacation with this At-Par offer," said Brenda Woods, Vice President, Consumer Marketing, Visa Canada. "There's no better way to experience the Walt Disney World Resort than with this offer, and there's no better way to book this offer than with your VISA card."

The Walt Disney Travel Company Dream Maker package includes accommodations for three or more nights at selected value, moderate or deluxe Walt Disney World Resort hotels, plus Disney's Ultimate Park Hopper ticket, which provides admission to all four Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks throughout your stay.

For more information on package details, guests can visit www.disneyworld.ca, contact a local travel agent, or call 1-407-WDW-AT-PAR (1-407-939-2872) -- guests should ask for code XTE. To order a FREE Walt Disney World Vacation Planning Kit log onto www.disneyworldplanningkit.ca.

Posted: 25/10/04 News item: 178

The ride rotates clockwise while its three four-seat sections turn counterclockwise.

The recommendation follows a fatal accident last month in Massachusetts at a church fair. A 38-year-old mentally retarded man was killed and two other disabled residents of a group home were injured after the carnival ride apparently malfunctioned at a popular church fair in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Inspectors found two faulty bolts. One had been modified and the other wasn't the proper size.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission is calling for new inspections on all Sizzler and Deluxe Sizzler rides.

Posted: 24/10/04 News item: 177

There were no injuries reported and some 16,000 visitors in the amusement park remained calm as lights inside the park stayed on despite the power cut that affected seven of the 23 attractions.

Disneysea is Disney's first park themed to the myths and legends of the sea. Visitors affected got a free one day pass usuable one year from the date of the early closing.

Posted: 22/10/04 News item: 176

The company said it wanted to divest assets that were not related to its core business of toys. Legoland Parks will be transferred to a separate company, wholly or in part owned by new owners.

Legoland California, a theme park aimed at young children has some very interesting rides based on the theme of the colourful building blocks themselves.

The company's three other parks are located in Europe, including Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Posted: 22/10/04 News item: 175

"The announcement today represents the largest expansion in the 30-year history of Six Flags Great Adventure," Kieran Burke, Six Flags, Inc. CEO, explained. "Six Flags Great Adventure is already the world's largest regional theme park, and this record-breaking new capital marks the first step in transforming this park into a true family destination."

Six Flags says the new roller coaster will shatter all existing world records for speed and height. Kingda Ka will rocket riders horizontally from 0 to 128 mph in 3.5 seconds before vertically catapulting them 456 feet (45 stories) into the sky at a 90-degree angle.

After a brief moment in the clouds, riders descend 418 feet (41 stories) back down to earth in a 270-degree spiral, only to experience another breathtaking moment of weightlessness as they soar over a 129-foot-tallhill (nearly 13 stories) and then glide back into the station.

"The addition of Kingda Ka, the tallest and fastest roller coaster on earth, brings our already spectacular coaster arsenal up to 14," said Six Flags Great Adventure's vice president and general manager, Rick McCurley. "There is no doubt that this will be the top stop for thrill seekers worldwide."

"The Golden Kingdom will offer something for everyone, from the littlest guests to the ultimate thrillseekers," McCurley concluded. "This exotic kingdom is just the kind of superlative offering our guests have come to expect from Six Flags Great Adventure." Kingda Ka and the entire Golden Kingdom are slated for a spring 2005 opening.

Posted: 06/10/04 News item: 174

Four other passengers injured in the derailment of the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride also sued.

The three separate lawsuits, filed in Orange County Superior Court, seek unspecified general and punitive damages for the death of 22-year-old Marcelo Torres and injuries suffered by other passengers in the Sept. 5, 2003, accident.

The lawsuit states that Disney failed to provide enough training for ride operators and also said that because Disney cut costs so deeply, maintenance on rides has been neglected.

Posted: 06/10/04 News item: 173

The indoor theme park celebrates its 11-year anniversary at Mall of America on August 11th.

"Camp Snoopy is elated to be able to offer new and thrilling experiences for our guests," said Robin Thompson, Camp Snoopy's Director of Marketing. "In fact, Timberland Twister will be the first spinning coaster of its kind anywhere in the world."

Timberland Twister will take park visitors on a quarter-mile ride in a spinning, speeding car as it tears through Camp Snoopy and around the Kite Eating Tree. The spinning coaster features a four-person car that spins on its own axis as it travels five stories high and reaches speeds up to 31 mph (or, 45 feet per second). The ride is in the old Wilderness Theatre location and the Northwoods Stage has been remodeled to handle the Theater's performances)

Posted: 29/07/04 News item: 172

Rates for Disney Moderate and Disney Deluxe resorts are available during this same time period at varying rates and include savings up to $80 US per night.

This room offer is a great opportunity for Guests to combine the benefits of staying at an on-site Walt Disney World Resort hotel with the excitement of Disney's famous theme parks.

The benefits include: -themed accommodations located in the "middle of the magic"

-exclusive early entry to selected Walt Disney World theme parks and attractions with paid admission

unlimited complimentary transportation (motor coach, water launches or monorail) throughout Walt Disney World Resort

In addition to the incredible convenience of staying within the Walt Disney World Resort, Canadian guests can buy at home and save up to $25 US per Park Hopper Ticket. Disney's five- and seven-day Park Hopper Tickets offer unlimited admission to all four Walt Disney World theme parks for the number of days purchased. Disney's five- and seven-day Park Hopper Plus Tickets offer unlimited admission to all four Walt Disney World theme parks and two additional visits to one of Disney's themed water parks, Downtown Disney Pleasure Island or Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

For more information go to Disneyworld's Canadian Web Site

Posted: 27/07/04 News item: 171

The closure comes after three people experienced minor injuries when two trains bumped into each other Thursday.

A spokeswoman for the Anaheim Fire Department, says a 10-year-old boy, a 44-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man were taken by private ambulance to a nearby hospital after the accident. They had minor neck and back pain.

It is the second accident on the roller coaster in less than a year. The last one was fatal. Disney retrained its staff and also refurbed the coaster.

Posted: 09/07/04 News item: 170

This ride is a themed indoor launched roller coaster combining storytelling with a wild launched coaster experience. There are pyrotechnics, projected CGI animation, advanced animatronics which push the limit of themed coasters.

Linear induction motors allow the coaster to do 1.5Gs uphill but it also means it can slow down through the scary themed parts of the ride. A modified or slower version of the linear induction allows the train to vary its speed through scenes and even travel backwards at one point. Disney will be using a similar technology to reverse the direction of its vehicles in its themed Expedition Everest to open in late 2005 at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Posted: 22/06/04 News item: 169

Swiss designers Walter Bolliger and Walter Mabillard, who designed Dueling Dragons and Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure park at Universal Orlando, will engineer the new coaster. It will be opened in the summer of 2005.

The diving coaster is being designed to hit speeds in excess of 70 miles an hour from a lift hill 200 feet tall. The Swiss team has built two diving coasters so far: Oblivion at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England, and G5 at Janfuson Fancyworld in Taiwan. The one at Busch Gardens would be the team's first diving coaster in North America.

The rides use a single lift hill 190 to 200 feet tall but bear little other resemblance to a traditional steel coaster. The ride vehicle has two rows of seats; each is eight seats wide. But the cars travel on a standard-width roller coaster track. The two rows are tiered to give everyone an unobstructed view of the rapidly approaching ground. You are weightless while falling. At the bottom, the banked track curves sharply, subjecting passengers to G-forces up to 3.5, or 31/2 times the acceleration of gravity, about the same as Montu and Kumba. The ride then returns uphill to the station.

Superman the Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, and Disney's Twilight Zone Tower of Terror use linear induction motors. B&M's diving coasters, in contrast, use a more traditional chain to pull the vehicle up the lift hill, then use gravity for propulsion.

Busch recently opened a Broadway-style stage called Katonga, R. L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse 4D and the final half of a three-year project to upgrade the Serengeti Plain. The 65-acre Serengeti is stocked with Busch's enlarged collection of African hoofed stock.

Posted: 31/05/04 News item: 168

An investigation into a recent death on the ride concluded that the passenger that died, should not have been allowed on the ride because of the large size of his body prevented the ride's safety restraints to secure him properly. The new restraint design is described by park officials as a "go or no go" system, meaning that ride attendants will not be required to make a judgment call when it comes to large riders being able to ride.

The new system includes several modifications. All of the ride's seat belts, which had been black, are now orange, and they are all of the same size. Previously, seat belts in the front row of each car had an extra 11 inches to adjust compared to the seats in the second row due to the fact that they were secured at different locations. In addition, the lap bar, which attaches to the floor of each car, includes small horizontal bars which rest against riders' shins for extra security, and vertical bars which run along the outer sides of riders' legs.

Six Flags also says that a "size check" gauge will require the lap bar to be closed to a minimum closure point. If the bar can't reach that point because of a rider's size, then the passenger won't be allowed on the ride.

The park expects that many large people who were able to ride the roller coaster with its old restraint design may now be unable to ride, but says that safety is the top priority.

Six Flags is training its employees in the proper operation of the new restraint system and expects that the ride will reopen this weekend. The same modifications have been made to the Superman Ride of Steel roller coasters at Six Flags parks in New York and Maryland. Those roller coasters are also expected to open this weekend.

Posted: 05/31/04 News item: 167

A spokeswoman at the park said 81 students from 15 universities took part in the record-breaking stunt, which had never been attempted before. Thorpe Park was celebrating its 25th anniversary and in exchange for close up pictures of the nude stunt the park donated money to a student charity.

Posted: 23/05/04 News item: 166

He was riding on Superman: Ride of Steel, Six Flags New England at Agawam, Massachussetts.

After a number of deaths on rides that utilized the manufacturer Intamin's T-bar restraints, investigators and U.S. legislators are calling for action. One step might be a national regulatory body for amusement parks.

Massachusetts officials suspended all rides with the same T-shaped lap bar restraints after the May 1 accident at Six Flags New England. At other amusement parks across the country, rides with similar Intamin restraints continue to operate. There is no federal agency to track such deaths or order a nationwide shutdown.

In 2001, another death occurred when a 40-year-old overweight Duarte woman fell out of a different ride, Perilous Plunge which had the same restraint. That ride's restraint system was then redesigned. In August 1999, a 12-year-old boy died after slipping from restraints on Intamin's Drop Zone Stunt Tower at Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara.

The manufacturer Intamin also designs monorails and transportation systems. Intamin claims to have the highest safety level in rides through redundant design. They have not responded yet, but it appears the restraint was redesigned and that the current death could have been from other contributing factors.

Posted: 23/05/04 News item: 165

Inspired by the five Star Wars films: Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Phantom Menace and the most recent box-office smash, Attack of the Clones, Star Wars Weekends bring guests face to face with their favorite characters, from the cuddly Ewoks to the evil Darth Vader.

With the park's Star Tours thrill ride serving as the centerpiece of the celebration, Star Wars Weekends fills Disney-MGM Studios with dozens of characters from the famous film saga.

Each weekend, fans are able to meet Star Wars celebrities who take part in meet-and-greet sessions, star conversations and Hollywood-style motorcades.

Star Wars legends and celebrities currently scheduled to appear (subject to change) include:

May 14-16: Jeremy Bulloch & Jake Lloyd

Bulloch played the mysterious and legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, while Lloyd took on the role of young Anakin Skywalker in The Phantom Menace.

May 21-23: Peter Mayhew & Jerome Blake

The towering Peter Mayhew (7'3" tall) was a fan favorite as Chewbacca the Wookiee in the classic trilogy, and will again appear in Episode III. The long-anticipated Episode III film will premiere in U.S. theaters almost one year (to the day) of Mayhew's Star Wars Weekends appearance, on May 19, 2005. Wearing a specially constructed, animatronic mask, Blake portrayed the cowardly Neimoidian lieutenant Rune Haako in The Phantom Menace.

May 28-30: Anthony Daniels & Andy Secombe Fans know Anthony Daniels for his role as C-3PO throughout the Star Wars saga, joining his sidekick droid R2-D2 on adventures through the galaxy. He holds the distinction of being in every Star Wars film since the saga's debut in 1977. In Episodes I and II, Secombe provided the gruff voice for Watto, the computer-generated alien junk trader from Tatooine.

June 4-6: Warwick Davis & Mike Quinn

Davis and Quinn are making return appearances to Star Wars Weekends. Davis was only 11 years old when he played Ewok hero Wicket in Return of the Jedi. In Episode I, he played multiple roles, including that of Anakin's young friend Wald. As a teenager, Quinn -- a multi-talented puppeteer and animator -- brought life to Nien Nunb, Lando Calrissian's co-pilot, in Return of the Jedi. He also has assisted Frank Oz with the famed Yoda character, worked with the Muppets and has served as a computer animator on a number of feature films.

June 11-13: Daniel Logan & Amy Allen

Logan, the teen actor who played the young bounty hunter Boba Fett in Attack of the Clones, will share the stage with Amy Allen, who portrayed Jedi Ayla Secura in Attack of the Clones, for the final weekend of the 2004 event.

In addition to the Star Wars celebrities appearing, the park will be brimming with Star Wars activities and celebrations.

Here's a complete run-down of the five-weeks of activities:

*Wookiees, Jawas and Ewoks, Oh My! -- One of the largest gatherings anywhere of characters from all five Star Wars films -- from Queen Amidala and Darth Maul to Jango Fett and Greedo -- will roam Disney-MGM Studios greeting guests, signing autographs and posing for photographs.

* High-Energy Thrill Ride -- Guests can take flight to the moon of Endor in Star Tours, an action-packed flight simulator that salutes the Star Wars series. Synchronizing a stunning film with the virtually limitless gyrations of the simulator, the attraction takes guests on a hair-raising, light-speed trip aboard a careening star speeder.

* Galactic Game Show -- Special editions of the popular game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!" will be presented, with a variety of Star Wars-inspired questions and surprise appearances by film characters. The attraction's studio audience can join in the fun by answering trivia questions using keypads installed at each seat.

* Interactive, Interstellar Fun -- Star Wars trivia contests and games will be held near the Star Tours attraction to test fans' film knowledge. In addition, a special Video Starcade will feature the best in Star Wars-inspired electronic and video games.

* Obi-Wanna-Be -- Throughout the day, lucky youngsters will be chosen to take part in the "Jedi Training Academy," giving Jedi hopefuls the chance to learn moves with a lightsaber, then test their skills against Darth Vader himself.

* A Galaxy of Collectibles -- Disney and Lucasfilm Ltd. have created event-exclusive Star Wars merchandise -- from trading pins and commemorative posters to apparel, medallions and other limited-edition items -- that will be available in Tatooine Traders. With a look inspired by scenes in the Star Wars movies, the retail location is adjacent to the Ewok Village set at the Star Tours attraction.

Star Wars Weekends launches May 14 and will be held five consecutive weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) through June 13, 2004. Activities are included with regular Disney-MGM Studios admission.

For the latest Star Wars Weekends updates visit www.disneyworld.com or www.starwars.com. For more information, tickets or resort reservations, call 407/W-DISNEY, visit www.disneyworld.com or a travel agent.

Posted: 06/05/04 News item: 164

Posted: 13/04/04 News item: 163

The park added Delirium, a spin and swing ride last year. It moves riders 137 feet in the air and also sways them in a 240-degree arc. Other recent additions are the 315-foot-tall Drop Zone and Tomb Raider: The Ride, a multisensory adventure in which park guests explore a tomb before strapping into the only possible vehicle of escape.

The classic coasters at the park include Son of Beast, considered the world's tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster; Adventure Express, a runaway mine train ride; Face/Off, a suspended, floorless coaster (a face-to-face inverted thrill ride racing at 55 mph); Flight of Fear, an indoor linear induction coaster with a 54 mph takeoff; the Racer, forward and backward coasters (running on matching dual tracks); Top Gun, a steel suspended ride and Vortex, a steel looping coaster with six inversions.

Posted: 09/04/04 News item: 162

The large park in the town of Ayauta is divided into four independently operated zones and also features a playground, a zoo and a shopping mall.

Most smaller theme parks in Japan have been operating at a loss.

Posted: 08/04/04 News item: 161

The accident occurred because a guest pushed on the gate which triggered a shut down of the ride. The operators then reset the computer. The trains are supposed to be cleared from the track prior to the reset since when reset, the computer does not know where the trains are. In this case, one train was left on the tracks and on start up another train hit it. No passengers were on board.

Just last year a rider was killed when a train lost a piece keeping the coaster on the track. The ride was shut down and completely refit. New operating procedures were instituted but not followed in this instance and Disney is retraining.

Posted: 09/04/04 News item: 160

Its an online service called Print-N-Go that is available at all of the Six Flags parks. You can access it easily at this Six Flags Ticket Link.

And did you know the following?

Six Flags and its subsidiaries own and operate 31 parks in North America alone, including 16 of America's largest theme parks.

Nearly all the U.S. population (98 percent) is within an eight hour drive of a Six Flags park.

The world's largest regional theme park is Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey.

Six Flags parks are located in or around 35 of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Six Flags Wild Safari's 350-acre wildlife preserve in New Jersey is the largest drive-through safari outside of Africa.

In an effort to increase wildlife conservation awareness, the zoological parks operated by Six Flags have been successfully caring for marine and land animals, and providing educational programs for 34 years.

Posted: 02/04/04 News item: 159

It will use the moneys received from the sales to cut its debt and fund other investments in its theme parks. No other parks are expected to be sold.

Six Flags said its Worlds of Adventure park in Cleveland had been a difficult investment which would still take several years of capital investment to improve.

Six Flags said it would write a loss in the first quarter of about $70 million for the Cleveland disposition, and about $220 million for the European assets.

Posted: 03/15/04 News item: 158

The safety inspection by California State officials took 5 days.The ride had been shut down since September fifth after 22-year-old Marcelo Torres was killed while riding in the first car behind a locomotive that derailed. State officials say that the train's axle collided with a safety brake.

Posted: 11/03/04 News item: 157

The Orange County Superior Court jury in Santa Ana deliberated for just over two hours before voting unanimously to deny the claim. David Heber, who filed the suit in June 2002 claimed he sustained injuries on the ride in August 2001.

Heber claimed that improper maintenance of the seat harnesses led him to be violently jolted by the ride, leaving him with a neurological condition that forced him to give up his career. He sought $10 million in damages.

"We are pleased the jury found in our favor and determined the plaintiff's allegations were without merit," Disneyland spokeswoman Sondra Haley said in a statement.

Posted: 02/03/04 News item: 156

HERSHEYPARK is located in Hershey, Pennsylvania. It is a 110 acre theme park with more than 60 rides and attractions - including 9 roller coasters, 6 water rides, and 24 kiddie rides.

Included in the one-price admission to HERSHEYPARK is entrance to ZOOAMERICA North American Wildlife Park, an 11-acre walk through zoo with more than 200 animals and plants native to North America.

Posted: 24/01/04 News item: 155

"The development represents our largest capital investment since LEGOLAND opened in 1999," said President and General Manager John Jakobsen. "It's a five-million dollar investment in expanding our business, and we're confident we'll continue to build the momentum and loyal customer base we've been growing for four successful years."

In the classic LEGOLAND style of blending education and entertainment, the new attractions will combine history, classic art, archeology and geography with interactive fun geared towards youngsters ages two through 12.

"Van Gogh's Sun Flowers, NASCAR, George Washington, dinosaurs and the Kennedy Space Center will be just some of the new things on the block next year at LEGOLAND," said Jakobsen. "We strive to continuously raise the bar for family entertainment by offering more attractions, more interactivity and all at an incredible value to our guests."

The first phase of the expansion will be unveiled during President's Day Weekend February 14-16th, 2004. Starting at the bottom of the hill by the Model Shop in the Miniland area of LEGOLAND, the Block of Fame will transform a winding, tree-lined walk way into a fun and educational 3-dimensional gallery. A collection of busts on pedestals will flank the path leading up to a scenic lookout point, with George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Shakespeare, Beethoven and Marilyn Monroe, along with many other luminaries through the centuries, depicted in LEGO bricks. The new attraction will put guests literally face-to-face with historical and popular personalities who figure prominently in American culture.

At the lookout point, The Art of LEGO attraction will be a whimsical and fascinating LEGO version of world-renown art. Rodan's The Thinker sculpture, Van Gogh's Sun Flowers and Grant Wood's American Gothic are among the classic selections which will be recreated in regulation LEGO bricks.

To mark the opening of the attraction, over President's Day Weekend LEGOLAND guests will be able to help build the world's largest LEGO brick tower for entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. The existing record of 89.3 feet, with 500,000 LEGO bricks, was established this past June at LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark.

Just in time for Spring Break, Dino Island thunders into existence at LEGOLAND April 1st with a brand new junior coaster, interactive photo opportunities and a chance to dig for buried "fossils." Under construction in the Village Green area of the park across the walkway from Safari Trek, Dino Island has as its centerpiece the "Coastersaurus" roller coaster. Nestled in a naturalistic setting of prehistoric-looking ferns and bamboo, the coaster will reach speeds of 18 m.p.h. as it climbs, curves and dips in and around a Jurassic jumble of animated and life-sized LEGO brick dinosaurs.

Besides encountering the "living" life-sized and scale model dinosaurs, young guests will get to test their archeological skills at the Dino Island Dig Those Dinos. Claws, teeth and bones, the "skeletal remains" of two dinosaurs, are buried in a sandy dig site, waiting to be unearthed by the junior excavators. Guests will turn in their finds to receive a prize.

To mark Father's Day, Dads will get to drive in a Daytona Beach NASCAR race - LEGOLAND style. Miniland Florida, complete with the famous racetrack, debuts June 18th in the Miniland section of the park. Miniland depicts geographical regions of the country created with 20 million LEGO bricks in astonishingly accurate detail. The new section is being created adjacent to the New England region, which is also being renovated. When it's complete, the new attraction will include a diminutive Cape Canaveral and Miami Beach along with the Daytona Beach racetrack, where guests will actually be able to remotely race LEGO brick cars.

During 2003, guests enjoyed two new attractions at LEGOLAND. BIONICLE Blaster, an interactive spinning ride based on the popular BIONICLE toy line, allows guests to control the speed of their vehicle, going from mild to wild with the turn of a wheel. The interactive ride is quickly becoming a family favorite.

LEGOLAND California is a 128-acre family theme park dedicated to Families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. Just like with LEGO toys, kids are the ones who make things happen at the Park. They drive, pedal, squirt, climb, jump, stomp, slide, steer, pull, click, push, gallop, laugh, build and program their way through more than 50 rides and attractions.

There are three other LEGOLAND parks in the world -- LEGOLAND, Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND, Windsor outside of London and LEGOLAND, Deutschland near Gunzburg, Germany. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com or call (760) 918-LEGO.

Posted: 23/12/03 News item: 154

It will include a 35-foot-high, 520-foot-long water roller coaster that will propel riders uphill using water jets.

With a tropical Caribbean theme, guests at Cedar Point's Castaway Bay will feel like they have just landed on an island paradise upon entering this lush indoor waterpark resort. Castaway Bay will feature 237 hotel rooms and suites including family-oriented units that will be refurbished to reflect the festive Caribbean atmosphere of the resort, a 38,000-square-foot indoor waterpark loaded with aqua activities for all ages, a pool, day spa, whirlpool spas, exercise room, state-of-the-art arcade, restaurants, retail shop, adjacent marina and space for meetings, group events and birthday parties.

"Castaway Bay will be the perfect complement to Cedar Point's resort properties," says Daniel Keller, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. "Families looking for a quality getaway during any season will now have the opportunity to experience the Cedar Point product year-round. This will be a wonderful and affordable option for vacationers 12 months out of the year."

The centerpiece of Castaway Bay will be its elaborate enclosed waterpark with a five-story structure featuring a vaulted wood ceiling that covers a natural setting of palm trees, huts, inland lagoons and plenty of wet and wild water adventure. The highlights of the huge indoor waterpark will include:

*a rousing 35-foot-high, 520-foot-long water roller coaster that will propel riders uphill using water jets. This unique water coaster will twist its way through the waterpark, shoot outside the resort's structure in an enclosed slide and then spiral back into an indoor splash pool;

*a total of 12 exhilarating water slides in various sizes for sliders of all ages that will provide a rush of excitement for H20 lovers searching for a real thrill;

*a 100,000-gallon wave pool that will generate 3-foot-tall waves which guests can body surf in true 'hang ten' style. A cascading waterfall will serve as a scenic backdrop;

*a children's play pool chock-full of slides, tipping buckets, spraying gadgets and sea creature play structures designed especially for kids;

*an action-packed 80,000-gallon activity pool with interactive elements for pre-teen to adult water enthusiasts such as overhead nets, footbridges, floating logs and treasure chests to walk over and maneuver around that test skill and agility;

*a gigantic multi-story interactive play area with more than 100 different elements, including a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket that will drench guests every 10 minutes with a downpour of water;

*two 50-person whirlpool spas - one indoor and one outdoor - where guests can kick back and relax in a calming atmosphere. To get to the outdoor whirlpool spa, guests will simply swim through an opening in a natural grotto formation; and

*a snack bar to satisfy hungry water-goers so there's no need to leave the waterpark for some munchies!

Cedar Point's existing T.G.I. Friday's restaurant will anchor the food offerings, while a deli featuring casual fare and a sit-down family-friendly restaurant will provide different dining options so guests can stay comfortably inside the complex during their visit to the indoor waterpark resort.

The Radisson Harbour Inn will be open daily to hotel, dining and conference guests during its renovation phase. Guests can call the Radisson Harbour Inn at 419.627.2500.

Castaway Bay's indoor waterpark will be open only to overnight guests staying at the resort complex. Packages will be offered, and rates will be available by January of 2004. Guests who want to make advance reservations at Castaway Bay can call Cedar Point Resorts at 419.627.2106 beginning today, Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Groundbreaking for Cedar Point's Castaway Bay is already under way, and construction will continue throughout the next year. For more information on this new indoor waterpark resort, guests can call 419.627.2350 or log on to cedarpoint.com for the latest news.

Posted: 18/12/03 News item: 153

"We're delighted that this offer has proven to be of such great appeal, with bookings exceeding all expectations," explains Bruno Jauernig, Director, Marketing and Sales, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (Canada). "At-Par has proven to be incredibly popular with Canadians and this offer, being our strongest ever, is for anyone who is considering traveling to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida this winter season. Now is an excellent time to experience all that's new to see and do, while taking advantage of these fabulous savings."

The At-Par discount is based on a fixed exchange rate of $0.69 USD = $1 CAD and provides a discount of 31% to approximate the exchange rate difference. Payment is in US Dollars. For example, if a 3-night Dream Maker package price is US$359 per adult double occupancy, Canadians will pay US $247.71. (See below for more detailed At-Par pricing information.)

"Since this offer was first announced, our phones haven't stopped ringing," says Gary Howard, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, CAA Travel in the Maritimes. "The response has been amazing, and the timing is tremendous with so many Canadians interested in traveling this winter to Florida - especially the most popular vacation destination in the world - Walt Disney World. When you add this offer to the strength of our Canadian dollar, there really hasn't been a better time to visit Walt Disney World."

The Walt Disney Travel Company Dream Maker package includes accommodations for three or more nights at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel, Disney's Ultimate Park Hopper ticket, which provides admission to all four Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks, and more throughout your stay. The special 'At-Par' offer is available at all participating value, moderate and deluxe Walt Disney World Resort hotels, and is available most nights from January 4th to May 31st, 2004, however, the number of packages available for this promotion is limited.

Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels have the exclusive benefit of adding more to their day with Extra Magic Hour. Every day, some of the most popular attractions at one Theme Park are open an extra hour for Guests at select Walt Disney World' Resort hotels. (Valid Theme Park ticket and Resort ID required). Guests can also take advantage of unlimited access to our bus, boat & monorail transportation system, and much more.

For more information on package details, guests can visit www.disneyworld.ca, contact a local travel agent, or call 1-407-WDW-STAR (1-407-939-7827) -- guests should ask for code ZWCF.

There are a limited number of packages available with this promotion, so book now to benefit from these exceptional savings! To order a FREE Vacation Planning Kit call 1-888-712-5389.

At-Par Pricing Information

*Charges to the guest's VISA card will be made in U.S. dollars based on a fixed exchange rate of $.69 USD = $1 CAD. For example, if the 3-night package price is US $359, per adult double occupancy, Canadians will pay the equivalent price of US $247.71. The guest's card issuer may apply a foreign exchange rate to convert back to $CAD and may charge exchange/other fees. The guest should see their cardholder agreement for details. Proof of Canadian residency required at check-in. No group rates or other discounts apply. Airfare extra.

Posted: 02/12/03 News item: 152

The design is one of the most novel new ride ideas to come along in quite a while, and it will be interesting to see if any parks take interest in it.

Posted: 01/12/03 News item: 151

"Our own analysis found that the accident was caused by incorrectly performed maintenance tasks required by Disneyland policy and procedures that resulted in a mechanical failure," said Leslie Goodman, senior vice president of strategic communications for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.

"At no time have we ever done anything which we believe would compromise the level of safety required for the safe operation of our attractions."

The Los Angeles Times recently published a story contending that as a result of changes in maintenance procedures, Disney's ride safety suffered. But three industry experts who have worked as consultants for the park all described Disneyland's safety procedures as exemplary.

Mike Anton and Kimi Yoshino of the Los Angeles Times write: "In 1997, Disneyland moved to what is known in aerospace and other safety-conscious industries as "reliability-centered maintenance." The system uses repair histories and failure rates -- rather than the intuition of experienced workers -- to determine how often a procedure needs to be performed. Consultants hired to map the change said the move would save the Anaheim theme park millions of dollars a year in maintenance costs and allow hundreds of jobs to be eliminated."

Nancy Leveson, a professor of aerospace engineering and engineering systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says: "I think they have one of the best safety cultures in the country; certainly better than NASA's. While a lot of companies give lip service to safety, Disney really does care."

Posted: 27/11/03 News item: 150

Worlds of Fun officials have also announced that the Orient Express roller coaster will be retired from the Park prior to the 2004 season. Constructed in 1980 by Arrow Development, Mountain View, CA, the venerable Orient Express has given millions of rides to Worlds of Fun guests over the past 24 seasons. The new Spinning Dragons will be built in the Orient section of the Park close to the location vacated by the Orient Express.

"We are never pleased to retire such a popular attraction, but extremely high maintenance costs and the need to create space for future development has made it necessary to replace this ride. At the same time, we are certain the new coaster will be very well received," said Phil Bender, vice president and general manager of Worlds of Fun.

Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun are now closed for the 2003 season. Worlds of Fun will reopen for the 2004 season on Saturday, April 3, 2004.

Worlds of Fun is owned and operated by Cedar Fair, L.P., a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FUN." In addition to Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, Cedar Fair owns and operates five other amusement parks and four other water parks, and operates a seventh amusement park under a management contract.

Posted: 01/11/03 News item: 149

Its three-year construction will begin in 2005. The park will be nearly 50 hectares in size which is close to the 54-hectare Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

The company is looking for investors. Paramount officials reportedly plan to have a hotel and other entertainment facilities near the theme park estimating the project will require a total investment of 120 billion yen.

Posted: 21/10/03 News item: 148

Owned and operated by Westchester County in New York state, Playland has the distinction of being America's first totally planned amusement park. It opened in 1928 and then dedicated as a United States National Historic Landmark in 1987. The park is highlighted by Art Deco structures and a distinct grass and flower covered mall. Often referred to as "Rye Playland", Playland is America's only government owned and operated amusement park.

Posted: 11/10/03 News item: 147

In the Anaheim police report, Disneyland workers stated that they had heard unusual sounds on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad train, at least 30 minutes before the accident. One employee even told police he intended to take the train out of service because "it did not sound quite right."

"He described the noise as a 'clack,'" the police report said. "He said it wasn't very loud or very alarming, but he stated that it did not sound right so he decided they should take the train off the next time around. He said the train never made it back around for them to remove it from operation."

For more details see the news item, "Accident on Disneyland's Big Thunder..." below.

Posted: 04/10/03 News item: 146

The Orlando Sentinel reports that a "Soarin' Over California" type attraction is being built at Epcot. "Soarin' over California" is one of the most popular attractions at Disneyland Resort's new California Adventure Park in Anaheim. It is a simulator ride that gives you a fantastic sensation of flying over land and water. It also has the advantage of loading many guests at one time.

Mission: SPACE opened August 15th at Epcot in Walt Disney World Resort, Florida, built at a cost of 100 million dollars. The simulated space ride gives riders a sensation of traveling through outer space including a pulse-racing liftoff. Reports to Coasterglobe.com from those first experiencing the ride say it gives a VERY intense sensation of lift off and is not for the faint of heart. Yes!

"Test Track", a 65-mph thrill ride, with a behind-the-scenes look at how cars are tested was also introduced recently. These rides are changing the passive face and reputation of Epcot to one of exciting new possibilities.

Disneyworld's Animal Kingdom is also adding a 200 foot high themed coaster which may open as early as 2005.

As well, Disney magic meets Disney music in a new 3-D film spectacular is debuting this month at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World Resort. "Mickey's PhilharMagic," stars favorite Disney characters animated in an in-your-face, three-dimensional film with the added fourth dimension of astonishing in-theater effects. "Mickey's PhilharMagic" is also the first attraction to feature classic Disney characters in computer-generated animation.

See previous Coasterglobe news items on the various new attactions at Disney that are mentioned in this item. Also look at our news archive and park reviews for even more information.

Posted: 02/10/03 News item: 145

The park has decided to remove the coaster for several reasons. In guest surveys, Hercules was the lowest rated coaster. The park also wanted to reduce noise levels for the park's neighbors. The new B&M floorless will not extend to the park's boundaries as Hercules did. The new ride's structure will also be filled with sand, like Dorney's other recent B&M coaster "Talon", in order to reduce noise due to vibration.

Hercules is known for it's first drop, wich was the fourth tallest of any wooden roller coaster. The new coaster, which is not yet named, is expected to open in 2005.

Posted: 14/09/03 News item: 144

Marcelo Torres, 22, of Gardena, Calif., died at the scene and remained for a time in a tunnel the ride goes through, while police and security officers investigated the accident and waited for the coroner to arrive. He was in the first car behind the locomotive. Some of the passengers were taken to the University of California-Irvine Medical Center, while two others were treated at the scene.

This ride is a themed coaster that is a five-car ride normally lasting 3 minutes, 15 second and traveling at an average speed of only 23 miles per hour. It was built in 1979, then copied and built in all other Disney theme parks.

The locomotive separated from the train behind it, but officials don't know whether that caused the accident or was the result of it.

Posted: 06/09/03 News item: 143

The coaster, named "Stealth" will be modified slightly from the current ride. Although the modifications have not been finalized yet, they will most likely be mainly to the rolling stock. There will probably not be any changes to the ride's track layout. It is yet to be decided if the name will be changed.

Posted: 29/08/03 News item: 142

Posted: 25/08/03 News item: 141

"Some of B&M's best coasters are the product of having to work with a very tight space, since it forces them to break from their more conventional layouts." observes Shawn Kay, photographer for CoasterGlobe. This ride is no exception, featuring a helix right off the initial "teaser" drop, before dropping into the loop. Following the loop is an immelman element that has been inclined slightly to the left. The coaster then completes the final inversion - a camelback - and a tight helix before hitting the station brakes.

Golden Lion is scheduled to open for Tivoli Gardens' 2004 season.

Posted: 20/08/03 News item: 140

The park's public relations manager Jeffrey Seibert says, "What we are creating is unlike anything this region has seen before." Unfortunately, this means it's probably not a roller coaster, as Ohio has the third most roller coasters of any state with 48 (right after Pennsylvania, with 49, and California with 69).

After Labor Day, the 15-acre site will be cleared for future development. The Waterworks opened in 1989.

Posted: 15/08/03 News item: 139

The park is letting the public vote on what to name the coaster. The three choices are "Steel Stampede", "Renegade" and "Storm Runner". The contest will run until August 19th, after which the winner will be announced.

Posted: 06/08/03 News item: 137

"The combination of creative and entertainment magic of Disney and the technology of HP create an experience that our guests can get nowhere else in the world," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "Epcot is the perfect setting, continuing the park's dedication to the explorer in all of us."

The new attraction is the most technologically advanced ever created by Disney. In association with former NASA advisors, astronauts and scientists, Walt Disney Imagineering developed Mission: SPACE as the first ride system ever created to take guests straight up in simulated flight.

Two primary computers on the ride system control the entire ride and show functions of the attraction. In addition there are 30 motion-control computers on board. They control altitude during flight. Finally, there is a show-control computer that operates the interactive functions within each capsule.

It took more than 650 Walt Disney Imagineers more than 350,000 hours over five years to work on developing Mission: SPACE.

Posted: 20/07/03 News item: 136

As of today, the ride is still only operating intermittently. If Cedar Point cannot get the ride operating consistently, the park will shut down the ride for the rest of the season and review the ride completely.

"We can't keep telling our guests it's up, it's down, it's up, it's down. We need to get to a point of telling our guests it's reliable." says Janice Witherow, public relations manager for the park.

The down time can not be blamed on one component of the ride. The delays have been caused by several malfuncions, all having to do with the launch system.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the ride's delays is how honest the park is being with the public. The park has been posting updates on their web site, and has provided a telephone line to inform the public of the status of the ride. Public reaction to this has been very good. Cedar Point staff have recieved calls thanking them for the constant updates.

Posted: 11/07/03 News item: 135

Her sister, Dianne Bowens says the ride started to move and then one car hit her sister's head and then another car struck her body. Donaldson was taken by ambulance to Lakeland Medical Center and died of internal injuries, mainly a crushed pelvis.

Park officials don't know how she got so close to the ride- the cars were three feet off the ground when she was hit. New Orleans police, the Coroner's office, Fire Marshall's office and Six Flags are investigating her death.

Posted: 11/07/03 News item: 134

The park has not yet announced that the coaster's name will be, but they have said that they will be involving guests in the naming process.

Magic Springs and Crystal Falls' other major roller coaster is the "Arkansas Twister", an out-and-back wooden roller coaster that used to be the "Florida Hurricane" at Boardwalk and Baseball (Haines City, Florida) until the park closed in 1990.

Posted: 04/07/03 News item: 133

Included in the publication are initial injury data from IAAPA's nationwide incident reporting system, summaries of recent scientific studies focusing on industry safety, and a discussion of how design practices are helping the industry to produce safer recreational activities.

"The amusement industry has brought together numerous key safety documents in one place, and we are pleased to publish this information and make it available to all who are interested," said NSC President Alan C. McMillan.

The result, detailed in the feature article of Injury Insights ,is an estimated average of 2,486 injuries per year among the more than 300 million people attending amusement facilities with fixed rides annually.

The publication also includes summaries of four recent independent scientific studies that analyzed the issue of amusement ride g-forces and brain injury. Each of the studies ultimately reached the same conclusion: rotational accelerations experienced by the head during rides pose no risk of brain injury to the general populace. Also included in the publication are articles discussing the design principles and technological advances that underpin ride safety, and a list of safety tips for amusement park visitors.

IAAPA is the largest international trade association for permanently-situated amusement facilities worldwide. The organization represents over 5,000 facility, supplier, and individual members from more than 85 countries. IAAPA strives to help members improve their efficiency, marketing, safety, and profitability while maintaining the highest possible professional standards in the industry.

Posted: 25/06/03 News item: 132

Alton Towers already has several major roller coasters, including two that were the first of their kinds.

Posted: 18/06/03 News item: 131

Wild Waves and Enchanted Village is a Six Flags property located just outside Seattle, Washington on Federal Way.

Posted: 13/06/03 News item: 130

Included in the offer is a choice of a food entre including a non-alcoholic drink at any Busch Garden restaurant except the Crown Colony House, a snack certificate redeemable at any park snack location for a choice of an ice cream bar, popcorn or cotton candy, an additional beverage certificate for a regular sized soda, ice tea, lemonade, fruit punch or bottled water and a certificate for a quarter lb. of candy.

"We feel guests will enthusiastically embrace the All-In-One Ticket because of its all inclusive nature", says Joe Couceiro, vice president of marketing. "The product is a great value for guests as it covers their admission and meals - all for less than a regular price ticket. This offer is very much in line with our commitment to offer unique tickets that meet individual or family leisure activity needs."

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a theme park and animal reserve on the west coast of Florida. This park has one of the great wooden coasters as well as "Montu" considered one of the best steel inverted coasters.

Posted: 09/06/03 News item: 129

Clubs such as the American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), Great Ohio Coaster Club (GOCC), National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA), European Coaster Club, Coaster Zombies and Western New York Coaster Club (WNYCC) met at Cedar Point wearing T-shirts, jackets with patches, hats and other coaster gear and memorabilia. Simple nuances that most riders take for granted like the best place to sit on a coaster and the best time of day to ride were debated.

Special ride sessions on coasters such as the new Top Thrill Dragster, Raptor, Blue Streak, Power Tower, Millennium Force, Magnum XL-200 and Wicked Twister gave CoasterMania! participants an added roller-coaster-riding perk.

Posted: 06/06/03 News item: 128

The 150 million dollar addition will open at Disney World this year, one of only two new attractions at the park. The ride will allow riders to experience a space flight simulator including the feelings of intense G-forces. The space shuttle tragedy has forced Disney to take a low key attitude towards the promotion of the new ride.

The ride utilizes Disney's sophisticated technology, advice from NASA engineers and astronauts along with Disney's Imagineer's great theming abilities.

A Disney spokeman says that marketing discussions about the ride has not even begun.

Posted: 06/06/03 News item: 127

The FAA policies were maintained so planes must fly at least 3.3 miles away from the park.

Posted: 06/06/03 News item: 126

Great America spokeswoman Susie Storey said the girl was unconscious at the end of the two-minute Raging Bull "hyper-twister" roller coaster, known for high hills and high banks. Raging Bull is a Bolliger & Mabillard sit down Coaster where riders are arranged 4 across in a single row for a total of 36 riders per train. It reaches speeds of up to 78 mph with a height of 208 feet.

"There are no loops or backwards motions on the roller coaster, but it has quick turns", Storey said. It opened in 1999 and has a 54-inch height restriction.

"The park opened in 1976 and has had no deaths relating to its rides," Storey said. The ride was shut down briefly and re-opened when it was determined there was no mechanical failure.

Erica Emmons, a fifth-grade honor student from Gary, Ind. collapsed and then died after riding the coaster on May 3rd while on a family outing at the park.

The new signs will be posted in front of all 40 rides at the park and will specifically ban food, beverage, candy and gum.

Great America officials also plan to meet with representatives from the Lake County coroner's office and the Gurnee Fire Department to review the incident.

Posted: 16/05/03 News item: 125

For anyone this summer, including Canadians, Disney offers a hotel room and park tickets for $499US giving seven nights for the price of four.

But Canadians get a special deal when booking a Walt Disney World vacation by getting special At-Par Resort Hotel rates starting at an incredible $77 CDN per night. "We are delighted to offer At-Par savings, especially created just for Canadians," explains Bruno Jauernig, Director, Marketing and Sales, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts (Canada). "This offer is the latest example of how Walt Disney World is taking the lead in welcoming Canadians."

For more information for special Canadian rates go to

Disney Canadian Offer at Par or call 1-407-WDW-STAR and ask for booking code "JHC",

Posted: 16/05/03 News item: 124

Top Thrill Dragster's track is on a 420-foot-tall hill at a 90-degree incline. The coaster at blazing speeds of 120 mph covers 2,800 feet of track going through a twisting drop of 400 feet at a dramatic 90-degree angle. This incredible $25 million 'strata-coaster' termed for its towering height is also Cedar Point's 16th roller coaster.

Riders begin their wild ride by launching out of a starting line position using a high-tech hydraulic acceleration system. They then rocket up the 420-foot-tall hill where the train rotates 90 degrees at the 230-foot height, crests the peak and then plummets down the 400-foot vertical drop where the train spirals 270 degrees in a free fall starting at the 330-foot level. After twisting for 115 feet, the train completes the coaster's drop, reaches speeds of 120 mph for the second time and crosses the finish line before returning to the station.

The grand opening of Top Thrill Dragster featured The Ohio State University Spring Athletic Band, making its fourth appearance at Cedar Point.

Here's an account of a test drive by Monty Jasper, Vice President of Maintenance and Construction at Cedar Point:

"I had seen it run. I had reviewed and evaluated all the results of the extensive testing with the experts. Everything shows it's a perfectly safe ride. I've ridden dozens of coasters across the country. Then why did Top Thrill Dragster scare the dickens out of me?

Just sitting in the station, before the train even moved into the launch position, I wanted to holler for someone to let me out. But it was too late- the train smoothly and almost silently rolled into position hundreds of feet below the towering Top Thrill Dragster hill and there was nothing I could do but wait.

Without warning, we launched, and the intense acceleration was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. 120 miles per hour is a rush, too fast even to manage a yell. Then up, up, up we climbed, slowing as the track made a 90-degree turn and the train inexorably approached the 420-foot-tall apex. Fear gave way to exhilaration as we crested the top and I stole a glance at the beautiful view.

But the view didn't last long as the train began the 270-degree spiral on the descent, coalescing glimpses of sky, concrete, lagoon and bright yellow support structure into a visual whirlwind.

Then suddenly, it was over. The train glided to a smooth halt. My first experience on this great ride was complete. And I couldn't wait until I rode it again."

Posted: 05/05/03 News item: 122