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The company will introduce 52 weeks of surprises and magical experiences at the Florida and California resorts beginning January 2013. Themed celebrations are scheduled to last for a limited time and will be immediately replaced with another short-cycle event. The company previewed some of its planned themes, including “Pirate Week,” “Long Lost Friends Week,” and “Independence Week” in New York’s Times Square on Oct. 17.
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Al Hokair Group, based in Riyadh, is seeking funds to build a new park in Egypt. The investment could total $570 million according to a report issued by al-Madina newspaper. The company currently operates more than 70 amusement parks and 30 restaurants and hotels and employs more than 6,000 people.
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The Bangkok amusement and water park has outlined a goal to increase its current foreign visitorship fivefold from this year’s anticipated guests. The park’s managing director said the number jumped from 60,000 in 2011 when the park started promoting itself at international travel shows. The current number of 200,000 foreign guests accounts for 10 percent of the total yearly admissions. Park officials said Russian guests account for most nondomestic visitors.
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Officials for two opposing political parties recently debated students’ field trips, including those to theme parks around the country. Members of the Christian Democratic Union opposed the limitations, saying the nation’s theme parks should be promoted by the Parliament.
| | | Nashville Public Radio (Nashville, Tennessee, USA) – October 11 | | FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS | | |
The city’s council members voted 5-0 to create a mixed-use development, which will be anchored by the bowling and family entertainment center. The project will also contain restaurants, a hotel, and office space. The anchor property also recently requested tax-increment financing from the city, which raised questions from some local residents and operators of rival bowling centers. The next public hearing on the development project will be held Nov. 20.
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The Melbourne-based company recently announced a 3.5 billion yuan (US$556 million) deal with Guangzhou R&F Properties Co. to create a water park and marine-animal-focused theme park on China’s Hainan Island. The two-part deal gives the Australian company permission to design, develop, and construct the property and operate it exclusively for the next 20 years. The theme park developer recently took a majority share in a Las Vegas, Nevada, water park, which is scheduled to open next year.
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Black has served the Madison, Wisconsin-based company in leadership roles since becoming a general manager for the Great Wolf Lodge in Wisconsin Dells in 2004. He most recently served as an executive vice president, overseeing operations at all of the company’s 11 indoor water park resorts across North America. Prior to joining Great Wolf Lodge, Black spent 18 years with Six Flags Inc. in senior leadership roles.
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Officials at the museum said they expect to deplete its remaining $400,000 in reserve funds by the end of the current fiscal year and could lay off staff or close after June 30, 2013. The 25-acre (10-hectare) indoor/outdoor museum has experienced a loss in state funding and two devastating floods in recent times. Museum officials said they are seeking various ways to raise about 10 years worth of additional funding or cost savings to build its endowment.
| | | ADDITIONAL SCIENCE CENTER AND MUSEUM NEWS | | ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS | | |
The owner of the Ocean Adventure Park in Subic Bay said animal rights activists who have recently protested against the park’s exhibition and hosting of marine animals are doing so to raise funds for their campaigns and are often not sincere about the animals’ welfare. The park draws about 500,000 visitors each year and has a strong mission of conservation and education. The park also engages in wildlife rescue missions. In addition to the animals on display, the park is keeping an undisclosed number of animals owned by Resorts World Singapore while that facility is under construction.
| | | ADDITIONAL ZOO AND AQUARIUM NEWS | | | Video included: KTVI (St. Louis, Missouri, USA) - October 16 | | OTHER NEWS | |