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Send us your news and pictures. E-mail Keith Miller at kmiller@IAAPA.org.
‘Spring Ahead’ Another Hour?
 The leisure and tourism industry in the United Kingdom is campaigning with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and Age Concern for “Double Summer Time” (DBST) in the UK. DBST would move UK clocks forward by two hours during the summer and one hour during winter. The tourism industry says this would be of great benefit because people would stay outside longer. Angela Wright (shown here), managing director of Crealy Adventure Parks, which support the measure, said a YouGov poll conducted among members of the public on behalf of BALPPA (British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions) showed 58 percent in favor of DBST.
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 Suspending Guests Where the Animals Roam
Sweden’s Kolmarden Zoo, Scandanavia’s largest wildlife park, will open the world’s first zoo gondola ride in 2011 at a cost of SEK120 million (US$16.5 million). Called “SAFARI,” the ride will suspend guests in midair above hunting and grazing animals like lions, wolves, and giraffes. www.kolmarden.com |
Feasting with the Beasts
Left to right, “Feast with the Beasts” Co-Chairs Chris and Irene Korge, Jeanie Hernandez of Comcast, and Stephen Schott of CapTrust enjoy the “Feast With the Beast” fundraiser for the Miami Metrozoo along with 1,200 guests on March 5. The zoo raised close to $300,000. www.miamimetrozoo.com
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'Zippin Pippin' Coasting to Green Bay
The city of Green Bay, Wisconsin, purchased the name, design, and history of the “Zippin’ Pippin” roller coaster—Elvis Presley’s favorite ride when it operated at Liberty Land in Memphis, Tennessee—so a new $3 million replica can be constructed at Bay Beach Amusement Park for a May 2011 opening. “We wanted it because of Presley and because it’s a John Miller design,” said Tina Westergaard, special facilities manager for Green Bay. “We’ll also be getting some of the original cars, tracks, and wood.” www.baybeach.org |
Deadly Seas
Ripley’s Aquarium Myrtle Beach opened a new exhibit called “Lethal Weapons” that may make people as nervous about swimming in the ocean as the movie “Jaws” did in 1975. It showcases many of the world’s deadliest sea creatures housed in 36 different displays. One of them, the slugger shrimp, stays behind acrylic because it can punch through a glass aquarium. Chad Netherland, regional marketing director for Ripley’s, answers a couple of questions about the exhibit:
Do some of the creatures have toxins more potent than cyanide? The Cone Snail’s venom is 10,000 times more potent, and there’s no known antivenom. The Blue Ring Octopus is more venomous than a cobra.
Did you do any theming for the exhibit? Oh, it’s all themed. It’s done up with hazardous stickers and camouflage, and it’s dark and very mysterious. http://myrtlebeach.ripleyaquariums.com
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Historic Park Being Refurbished
This classic train will receive a new station as a part of a $6 million renovation of Pullen Park in Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the oldest amusement parks in the United States. The scenic 72-acre city park, founded in 1887, will also get a new carousel house for its Dentzel Carousel, which features 52 animals and has been at the park since 1911. The park will get a new concessions building and welcome center, among other renovations. The park will reopen in spring 2011.
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Honoring ‘The Intimidator’
Cedar Fair commissioned Balconi Monuments of Sandusky, Ohio, to fashion two 1,200-pound memorial stones in honor of late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt. They are placed near the company’s two new roller coasters bearing his nickname—“ Intimidator 305” at Kings Dominion and “Intimidator” at Carowinds. Look for more on the “Intimidator” coasters in August’s New Rides and Attractions 2010 special section.
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