 | PARKS | | |
The iconic Viking-themed water ride was named one of the best indoor dark rides by theme park trade magazine Kirmes & Park Revue. The ride, which originally opened in 2000, underwent a £1 million (US$1.6 million) renovation, including a new façade featuring the world’s biggest man-made waterfall. The park’s managing director said she was proud the ride received the honor.
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Twenty costumed performers from the Hong Kong theme park performed on the streets of Causeway Bay to promote the venue’s Halloween Bash. Tom Mehrmann, the park’s chief executive, was among the ghoulish dancers who also took part in the first-ever Halloween fashion show on the city streets. Ocean Park’s Halloween Bash is being held 23 evenings from Sept. 21 through Oct. 31 and features a cast of 500 ghouls and 23 frightful experiences.
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James Washington, 46, a former guest claims representative, faces felony racketeering, fraud, and conspiracy charges after authorities say he authorized fraudulent insurance payments totalling more than $120,000. Local police started investigating him in 2009, and he was arrested Sept. 28, 2012. Authorities said Washington would add payments to existing claims filed by guests, increase the seriousness of claims, or add or change the contact information for guests who filed legitimate claims. A park spokesperson confirmed Washington is no longer employed with the company and said local law enforcement is handling the issue.
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Government officials in charge of reviewing amusement park rides and attractions have discovered bare wires, exposed electrical wires and outlets, pieces of wood and bricks, and other items that could cause injury to guests at three parks and fairs in the city. The inspections took place over the course of a month at the Urban Park, the Fair Alasitas, and the area around Terminal Avenue Bimodal and Brazil. City officials had made a commitment to create safe environments at the parks and festivals, but now say they are concerned that children and young adults could be injured if these issues are not corrected.
| | FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTERS | | |
The 100-foot-tall (30-meter-tall) ride was an iconic landmark for the laser-tag and go-kart amusement center Boomers in Dania, Florida. The park’s bankruptcy filing stopped the ride in April 2011, and when the facility emerged from the financial restructuring a year later, it was too costly to renovate the ride to put it back into rotation. A recent salvage yard report, which showed the wood and parts would be more valuable than the operating ride, prompted the search for a nonprofit group to assume responsibility. The owner is offering the group the opportunity to either operate the coaster elsewhere or take the coaster down in exchange for salvage parts.
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Advertisement | | WATER PARKS | | |
The Illinois park district is planning to add a $700,000 upgrade to its water park's outdoor splash pad, expanding to three separate play areas for infants, toddlers, and children under 11. The district will also add a slide and tunnel, climbing web, directional spray hose, and shade structures for adults. The project will be funded by tax-exempt bonds and is expected to open in the spring.
| | SCIENCE CENTERS AND MUSEUMS | | |
The “Manet: Portraying Life” exhibit at the museum showcases the paintings of French impressionist Edouard Manet, who also took photographs of his subjects in the mid-1800s. The exhibit focuses on how the photographs influenced the artist’s paintings and features 40 paintings borrowed from public and private collections. Select photos of some of the works’ subjects are also displayed. The exhibit runs through the end of the year at the Ohio museum before moving to the Royal Academy of Arts in London, England.
| | | ADDITIONAL SCIENCE CENTER AND MUSEUM NEWS | | ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS | | |
A 30-year-old elephant specialist was attempting to intervene when a new elephant mother started attacking its calf at Fuji Safari Park on Oct. 16. Intavong Khamphone, a native of Laos who had worked with elephants for 15 years, died when the 2-ton elephant stood on his chest.
| | | ADDITIONAL ZOO AND AQUARIUM NEWS | | OTHER NEWS |  | Manufacturer and Supplier Notes | |