Welcome To Screamscape!

ADVENTURE CITY (Buena Park, CA)

Park News - (4/16/09) A security guard at Adventure City shot and killed a man outside of the small theme park, after hours the other night. Apparently he spotted some guy sitting in a truck in the parking lot and when he went out to investigate, the stranger got out and hit the guard in the head with something. From then he returned to his truck to retrieve what the guard believed was a weapon, so he wasn’t taking any chances and opened fire.
  (11/24/08) Adventure City has opened a new attraction of sorts… a private event center that you can rent out for various functions. The building that used to be the Doll & Toy Museum has been transformed into ‘The White House’ and you can see pictures of the posh new interior and exterior posted to West Coast Thrills.
  (9/2/08) Screamscape sources tell us that this winter we could see some demolition work begin on the “empty shopping side” of Adventure City to allow for a future expansion of the ride park. With the sound of that news, I guess that the once proposed sale of the property is entirely off the table now.

2009 - Nothing is known at this point in time...

ADVENTURELAND (Altoona, Iowa)

Park News - (12/24/08) Negative-G has posted new pictures from Adventureland in their latest update, all shot in September just before the end of the season.

2009 - Waterpark Expansion - Rumor - (9/23/08) Look for even more waterpark fun to be added to the park by next rumor if the rumors hold true.

ADVENTURELAND (Long Island, NY)

Park News - (8/30/08) According to the local news a 5 year old girl was injured by Adventureland (Long Island) when a large skeleton prop hanging from the side of the haunted house broke free and fell on her.

2009 - Nothing is known at this point in time...

BEECH BEND PARK (Bowling Green, Kentucky)

Park News - (7/14/08) A trip report to Kentucky’s rarely seen Beech Bend Park has been posted to Brandon’s Coasters.

2009 - Sea Dragon - (3/4/09) The new Sea Dragon swing ship coming to Beech Bend has an interesting history it seems. The park has announced that this particular ride was purchased from Michael Jackson’s own “Neverland Ranch” in California.
  (2/6/09) According to the official Beech Bend website the park will add a new Sea Dragon (Chance Rides) swing ship for the 2009 season.

CASTLE PARK (California)

2008/2009 - Screamin’ Demon and Dragon Flyer - (4/28/09) According to the Castle Park website, they have opened two new rides. The Dragon Flyer is a Flying Scooters style ride while the Screamin’ Demon appears to be a Crazy Mouse spinning coaster. Technically however, both rides opened in 2008 however, with the Flyers opening last summer I believe and the Screamin’ Demon coaster apparently opening quietly sometime last fall.

CLEMENTON PARK (New Jersey)

Park News - (7/2/09) It’s been reported that the park has been forced to cut-back their operational hours due to low attendance this season. According to the park’s updated website they are now only open until 8pm on most Monday-Thursday nights.
  (6/3/08) A trip report to Clementon Park can now be found at GadvUpdates. They’ve got pictures of the new HellCat logo. Unfortunately it seems the park has also added a series of four trim brakes to the first drop that seem to go about a third of the way down. How sad… and such overkill too. I don’t think the infamous Hercules at Dorney Park had more than 2 or 3 in its heyday.

2009 - Pedal Boats and Cabanas - (4/30/09) Not a lot going on at Clementon Park this season it seems. According to the park’s news letter, the only new attractions to be added this year will be the Lakeview Cabanas and Polly’s Pedal Boats out on Clementon Lake.

CLIFF’S AMUSEMENT PARK (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

2009 - Nothing to report at this time.

CONEY ISLAND PARK (Cincinnati, OH)

2009 - Twister - (5/16/09) Coney Island Park has put up some artwork of the new Twister slides that will be ready to open this summer along with construction pictures showing them looking pretty much close to be finished back on May 5th.
  (10/24/08) Coney Island Park has announced that they will replace the old Zoom Flume attraction with Twister, a new waterslide tower with four different slides, two body-slides and two raft slides. Twister will be ready to open by Memorial Day weekend.

DELGROSSO’S AMUSEMENT PARK (Pennsylvania)

Park News - (9/18/08) DelGrosso’s will be featured on the Food Network’s Unwrapped show on the November 3rd epidode called Oodles of Noodles.

2009 - 4 New Rides - (6/16/09) A reader was kind enough to send in a ton of construc tion pictures from DelGrosso’s showing off the new tower ride.
  (6/12/09) Apparently the new ‘secret ride’ really is an ARM Drop Tower and it isn’t as big a secret as the park was hoping. Apparently Amsuement Today April edition reported that the park had bought the used ride from the Cypress Gardens ride sale.
  (6/11/09) According to a reader who went by DelGrossos the other day, it looks like the new mystery 4th ride may be a drop tower of some kind (possibly ARM) and may replace the Ferris Wheel.
  (6/5/09) A local news piece about DelGrosso’s mentions that in addition to the 3 new rides at the park already (Dizzy Dragon, Yo-Yo and Pharoah’s Fury) the park a new “secret” 4th ride will be added to the park by July. The video report on the page shows off the clearing for the site, but it looks only big enough for another flat ride of some kind, so don’t expect to see the Revolution go up yet.
  (5/19/09) A reader has sent in a few pictures (see below) showing off the new rides under construction at DelGrosso’s, the Yo-Yo and Pharaoh’s Fury. Meanwhile the new Dizzy Dragon ride has already opened.
  (3/8/09) This news article has confirmed that the three new rides coming to DelGrosso this year were purchased from Cypress Gardens. If all goes well they hope to have them all up and running by the May 3rd opening day of the season. Meanwhile I was sent a picture from a reader showing off the park’s old Sea Dragon ride being packed up and ready to be shipped out.
  (2/13/09) While I don’t know this for sure, a reader says that it’s likely that the three new rides going into Delgrosso’s are likely from Cypress Gardens. It has also been pointed out that it’s odd that the park would buy a Pharaoh’s Fury when they already had a Sea Dragon.
  (2/11/09) I’ve been told that Delgrosso’s has sent out their new 2009 flyers that promote three new rides for the 2009 season: Dizzy Dragons, YoYo and Pharoah’s Fury. So much for installing the old Libertyland Revolution, which they’ve been sitting on since mid 2006.

???? - Libertyland’s Revolution - On Site - (7/3/08) According to this news article, the biggest problem DelGrosso’s has been having with their purchase of the old Libertyland Revolution is finding a suitable place to put it due to it’s size. Keep in mind that this is simply an Arrow Loop-Screw and not really a large coaster by today’s standards, but then again DelGrosso’s isn’t a large park either. Hopefully everything will work out and they’ll find a place for it by 2009.
  (6/3/08) According to a reader who had talked with someone from DelGrosso’s at the ACE Eastcoaster event, the park is apparently still trying to figure out the best way to fit Revolution into the park. If all goes well they hope to open it in 2009.
  (12/5/07) A reader drove by DelGrosso’s the other day and noticed that the old Libertyland Revolution pieces are still just lying around untouched, which makes it seem doubtful that the coaster may be built for the 2008 season at this point in time. After mentioning why it was unlikely that anyone would buy the Double Loop from Geauga Lake yesterday due to the fact that it would have to be cut and welded together again, our source also pointed out in the photos of Revolution that it was also cut apart and would need to be welded together again too, which could be a big part of the problem as to why DelGrosso’s has yet to follow through with their plans to rebuild the ride. In the meantime, I’ve send out a request for an update about the coaster to DelGrosso’s to get the official word.
  (7/7/06) DelGrosso’s has purchased the Revolution, an Arrow loop-screw coaster for a mere $55,000 and is expected to install it for the 2007 season according to RCDB.

DIXIE LANDIN’ & BLUE BAYOU (Baton Rouge, LA)

Park News - (11/3/08) According to the local news Dixie Landin’ / Blue Bayou has plans for a large expansion to add extra parking and a new campground as well as additional space for more new rides, a food court and even a new roller coaster. The permits have been filed to the Army Corp of Engineers, so there is no telling how long it will take for them to be approved before we see any kind of progress in the park.

2009 - Nothing to report at this time...

DUTCH WONDERLAND (Pennsylvania)
Owned by Hersheypark

2009 - Twister / Hersheypark Rodeo - Confirmed - (5/27/09) Dutch Wonderland has opened the old Hersheypark Rodeo as Twister. The ride has been placed near the entrance to the log flume and has been given a nice new LED light package as well.
  (8/26/08) Hersheypark has staffed employees near the closed Canyon River Rapids ride and given them some information to answer questions from park guests about what is going on for 2009. What’s interesting is that they have also been informed that when the Rodeo closes on Labor Day, it will be sent to Dutch Wonderland as a new ride for the 2009 season.

FUNTOWN USA / SPLASHTOWN USA (Saco, Maine)

Park News - (10/6/08) For anyone wondering just what takes place in the park when it closes for the winter, off-season photos of Funtown Splashtown USA can be found at MainelyCoasters.

2009 - Wild Mouse - (6/7/09) Pictures of the new Wild Mouse now open at Funtown / Splashtown have been posted to MainelyCoasters.
  (5/11/09) According to the construction update at MainelyCoasters, the new Wild Mouse is now fully under construction and should come together rather quickly. It’s hoped that it could be ready in time for Memorial Day weekend, but that’s going to be a close race I think.
  (11/6/08) It didn’t take long for Funtown to finally make their big announcement, which is for a new Wild Mouse (a standard Maurer-Sohne) coaster being added to the park. While the park is proud of their new coaster obviously, they are trying to market it as “the only steel coaster of its kind in New England”, but it has been pointed out that Quassy has Mad Mouse, an old Herschell Monster Mouse coaster that qualifies as well. Still... bragging about having the only Mouse in New England just seems a bit narrow to me, like Carowinds bragging about having the only Boomerang coaster in the Carolinas, but that’s marketing for you.

GILROY GARDENS (Gilroy, CA)

Park News - (12/1/08) ThrillRide has posted a new trip report from Gilroy Gardens this week.
  (11/27/08) Gilroy Gardens Holiday Lights event will be taking place on 14 nights (December 5th-7th, 12th-14th, 19th-23rd, 26th-28th from 4pm-9pm) and features A Charlie Brown Christmas from Knott’s Merry Farm, an all-you-can-eat holiday feast, ice skating, Santa and more. 2008 and 2009 Passholders can get discounted admission for just $9.99.
  (10/29/08) The local news reports that the city has extended the management contract with Cedar Fair to continue to run the park for another two years.
  (10/21/08) The $35 million offer from investors in South Korea and Guam (Tangram Group) to buy the park has been suspended until the city and citizens can confirm just what kind of development shape they would like to see the theme park take. Tangram’s intention was to add new capital and operate the site as a “world-class” theme park, but discussions are set to begin soon to determine if the city even wants a big theme park there or not.

2009 - Nothing new is expected this season.

IDLEWILD (Pennsylvania)
Parques Reunidos

2009 - Tea Cups - Confirmed - (4/3/09) Idlewild has confirmed the new Tea Cup ride on their official blog.
  (3/8/09) News from Coasterbash this weekend has confirmed that Idlewild will be adding the old Tea Cup ride from Geauga Lake, which will replace the Flivvers kiddie ride in Raccoon Lagoon. There will also be a few improvements to the Jumpin’ Jungle in the form of a new slide and bridge.
  (2/23/09) While I can’t confirm this year, I’ve been told that Idlewild may be installing the old Tea Cup ride from Geauga Lake this season, possibly going in near or actually replacing the “vintage car ride”. Anyone know more?

JOYLAND AMUSEMENT PARK (Lubbock, TX)

Park News - (9/15/08) A local reader reports in that when they tried to visit Joyland over the weekend for the park’s last weekend of the season, there was a sign up claiming that the park was closed due to flooding and wouldn’t reopen until Spring 2009. Apparently the water had already receded but the park simply did not have the time to re-inspect all of their rides before opening for one last weekend so they simply opted to close.

2009 - Greezed Lightning - Confirmed - (2/6/08) The project has been delayed again due to problems with the chosen site that would make the project cost prohibitive. A new location is being selected and they hope to open the ride in 2009.
  (5/21/07) Joyland Park reports that they wont be opening Greezed Lightning in 2007 as they had hoped due to an unexpected construction delay. Seems the soil in the area they picked out for the ride is too wet and unstable and water was discovered four feet from the surface. The methods of construction will have to change here and the $900,000 the park expected to pay to install the old ride from Astroworld (which they paid just $100,000 for) will likley escalate to $1.5 million by the time they get it open in 2008.
  (3/13/06) Amusement Today reports that Joyland Park has come to the rescue and has purchased Greezed Lightning, one of the most loved coasters from Astroworld. They plan to open it in 2007 where it will become the tallest coaster in the park at 148 feet.

KEMAH BOARDWALK (near Houston, Texas)
Landry’s Restaurants (SAT MAP)

Park News - (6/26/09) According to a reader who was at the Kemah Boardwalk on Thursday, something odd happened on the Boardwalk Bullet shortly after they got off of the ride. Apparently something went wrong because they spotted the train later sitting half-way up a hill empty. So I’m guessing it just happened to valley at random (unlikely given the ride’s normal speed) or somewhere went wrong with the train that brought it to a screeching halt in the middle of the ride.
  (2/10/09) According to a post at SixFlagsHouston the Kemah Boardwalk has opened a brand new drop tower ride called Drop Zone. They also report that the Chance Aviator had also reopened and seemed to have all brand new cars. According to what I’ve been told the following rides are either now open or seem to be open: The Boardwalk Train, Drop Zone, Aviator, Double Decker Carousel, Balloon Ferris Wheel and Red Baron planes. Meanwhile the Inverter, Boardwalk Tower, Ferris Wheel, Pharaoh’s Fury and the kiddie bounce ride are all still awaiting parts to repair damage from Hurricane Ike. The Boardwalk Bullet is also closed through February 27th according to the official website, and currently has the track removed from the first drop through to the first zig-zag. Early construction work has also begun for a new Chance Wipeout ride which will be placed between the Carousel, Ferris Wheel and Red Baron.
  (10/1/08) While it hasn’t even been a month since the hurricane devestated the Boardwalk area, it seems that some previous expansion plans for the boardwalk may come into play to help speed up the rebuilding efforts. From what I’ve been told, a number of existing rides there were already on a short-list for being replaced with new and improved attractions over the winter, including the carousel. As for the Boardwalk Bullet itself, while I’ve been told it was damaged by the storm, parts have already been ordered to start the repairs.

LAKE WINNEPESAUKAH (Chattanooga, TN)

2009 - Chill Down Kidtown - (4/6/09) Lake Winnie has confirmed that the newly expanded Stay & Play Hideaway will be their new draw for the season. The area includes the Runaround Playground area that opened last season as well as the new Chill Down Kidtown and Linger Longer areas. Chill Down is an interactive sprayground full of misters and water play elements and Linger Longer is the nearby shady area to just relax in.

LAKESIDE AMUSEMENT PARK (Denver, CO)

Park News - (7/1/09) For those who are wondering… the Lakeside Cyclone is still closed. A reader sent in a picture of the ride’s entrance, along with the “closed” sign that isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
  (6/26/09) According to this news article the Lakeside Cyclone is most likely to sit closed for the entire summer season. They say that the park planned a bigger than normal off-season rehab for it this past winter to get it in tip-top shape for it’s 70th birthday in 2010, but those repairs went quite a bit overboard it seems, and are now keeping the ride closed indefinitely.
  (6/17/09) While so far I’ve gotten no response at all from Lakeside about the status of the Cyclone, a report was posted to Trip Advisor earlier this month that indicated that the Cyclone may be down for the entire season in order to fix it up for the 2010 season for it’s 75th Anniversary.
  (6/16/09) While I haven’t heard this from anyone else yet, word has it that the Cyclone at Lakeside Park has yet to run this season. A look at their website is also disturbing… as it looks like it was redesigned by a class of 3rd graders and no longer seems to mention the Cyclone at all! Cyclone isn’t listed under the Height Requirements page, the Major Rides page or page that tells you how many coupons it costs to ride each ride. More about the status of the Cyclone when I hear more.
  (11/19/08) The Lakeside Amusement Park and it’s Carousel both turned 100 this year. Carousel News has posted an article about this park’s famous carousel this week.

2009 - Nothing to report at this time.

LITTLE AMERRICKA (Marshall, WI)

2009 - Nothing to report at this time.

MARTIN’S FANTASY ISLAND (Grand Island, New York - near Niagara Falls)

Park News - (9/3/08) This is the first I’ve heard about this, but apparently a movie called Fairy Tale Theater: The Movie (a mixture of live action and puppets), based on one of the shows at Martin’s Fantasy Island came out earlier this year and has met with some success. So a second film based on the park’s Western Shootout will be released in 2009 called simply enough, The Shoot-Out Movie. Visit the websites of each to see the trailers, though I believe

2009 - Mega Disk’O - (4/7/09) I’ve got a new update from Martin’s Fantasy Island. Our previous source corrected themselves and reported back to say that the new Mega Disk’O is not a portable model, and the parts may not actually be on site after all. Currently the park is still only working on the footers for the new ride, which will take over part of the old Full Tilt location. Patriot and Nitro have been removed from the park, with Full Tilt taking over the old Patriot location.
  (4/6/09) Local sources tell us that the new Zamperla Disk’O ride for Martin’s Fantasy Island is on site and sitting in the parking lot. From the looks of things, this is a portable version and not a standard park model.
  (2/11/09) Martin’s Fantasy Island has confirmed the arrival of a new Mega Disk’O for the 2009 season on their website.

PACIFIC PARK (Santa Monica Pier, CA)

2009 - Five New Rides - (5/22/09) Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier has opened five new family friendly rides for the season. The new rides this season include the Sea Planes, Inkie’s Air Lift (Balloon Tower), Sig Alert (new Bumper Cars), Rockin’ Tug and Pier Patrol. See them all here.

PALACE PLAYLAND (Maine)

2009 - Nothing to report at this time.

PLAYLAND (Vancouver, Canada)

Park News - (2/10/09) Screamscape has confirmed a rumor that the famous Wild Mouse at Playland / PNE Fairgrounds has been taken down for good. According to the official statement I received from the park, “Unfortunately, the Wild Mouse had to be dismantled. It was in need of constant repair and was no longer safe to ride.” The coaster was quietly taken down back in November from what I’ve been told and is already nothing more than a memory, despite the fact that they are still listing it on the official website.
  (9/25/08) Playland will on the annual Fright Nights event again this year, this time offering several new haunted houses, shows and rides. The haunts this year include: The Bates Motel, The Black Hole, Scary Tales, Nuclear Nightmare, Demons of the Dark / House of the Dead and Natures Nightmare. However it’s the extra special upcharge haunt that really seems to be the most interesting. Check out The Last Ride: Motion Simulator Coffin Ride, where you are loaded info your own coffin and loaded on to a hearse for your last ride before you are buried alive.

2009 - Nothing to report at this time.

QUASSY AMUSEMENT PARK (Conn)

2010-2012 - New Attractions - Confirmed - (5/28/09) A videos showing off the new Gravity Group coater has been posted online and embedded below.

  (5/15/09) Quassy has sent us some concept artwork show ing off their new Gravity Group wooden coaster to enjoy.
  (5/12/09) Quassy Amusement Park has announced that they have gotten permission to build their new wooden coaster. As we reported earlier, the Gravity Group wooden coaster is to be a small family ride that stands only 35 feet tall, have a 40 foot drop and 1,200 feet of track. The hope to start construction either later this year or by next spring, though I wouldn’t expect it to be ready to open until late 2010 or early 2011.
  The park is also planning on adding two more attractions, starting in 2009 with a new 35 foot tall family drop tower to go in near the carousel, and then they will add the Bullet Bowl slide to the water park from ProSlide.

SEABREEZE (New York)

Park News - (9/3/08) According to this local news report Seabreeze Amusement Park may have had a season for the record books this year as gas conscious consumers elected to stay closer to home this year and take advantage of the cheaper prices at their local amusement parks. Speaking of Seabreeze, you can view a photo report from the park posted to Westcoaster this week.

2009 - General Improvements - Confirmed - (1/13/09) Seabreeze is reconfiguring their parking lots and rebuilding the admission gate this year. More spaces will be added to the Water Park lot along with some regarding of the main lot. At the front gate a new “point-of-purchase” system will also be ready in the spring as well as new E-Ticket options for online purchases from the park’s website. I’ve also been sent a link showing off drawing of the park’s new admission building.

SESAME PLACE (Philadelphia)
Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks

2009 - The Count’s Splash Castle - Confirmed - (4/7/09) Sesame Place sent me some constru ction shots of their new, and quite massive, The Count’s Splash Castle attraction. They describe this massive water fortress as the largest attraction in the park’s history, The attraction spans over 38,000 square feet and features over 90 play elements including a 1,000 gallon eight-foot tipping bucket, multiple water slides, valves, levers, water curtains, bridges, hydro blasters, bubbler jets, bongos, hose jets, water wheels and much more.
  (11/26/08) According to the latest issue of In Park Magazine the park will add The Count’s Splash Castle, a huge new water fortress (38,000 sqft) with the obligatory splash bucket and several small water slides built in.

STORY LAND (Glen, NH)
Parques Reunidos

2009 - Royal Hanaford Circus - Rumor - (11/7/08) According to the latest rumors the park wont be adding a new ride this year, but is said to have signed a deal to bring back the Royal Hanaford Circus for the summer.

TWEETSIE RAILROAD (North Carolina)

Park News - (5/9/08) Local county officials are proposing a plan to put up $3.15 million to help solve Tweetie’s long standing land issue that threatens to close down the park. They would eventually recover this money, with interest, and save the small theme park that generates an estimated $27 million a year for the local economy. The plan would have the county buy the land the park sits on, land that Tweetsie would eventually buy it back from them. In the meantime Tweetsie would be given a financial break by only being required to pay $1 a year for the first six years to lease the property from the county. Tweesie in turn would agree to invest at least $13 million in improvements to the park over the next 20 years as well as allowing for a new greenway to be built across some of their property, a new bike and pedestrian path that will eventually connect Boone and Blowing Rock. I have to say that it’s nice to see a local government step up to help out and realize just what they would be losing if their local regional attraction were forced to shut down.
  (4/6/07) Tweetsie has managed to sign a 4 year extension to their lease which was to expire at the end of this season.

2009 - The Den of Lost Thieves - (7/21/08) I’m not sure just what is going on up at Tweetsie, but back in 2007 they were supposed to have opened The Den of Lost Thieves attraction along with a few other new kiddie flat rides. Plans for this were pushed back and the interactive dark ride was then to open in 2008. In an official e-mail from the park I’ve now been told that “Construction on the building that will house the new ride, The Den of Lost Thieves, will begin following the close of the 2008 season; we are uncertain when it will be completed.” So it’s 2009 now I guess. I’ve heard of VaporWare but this may be the first VaporRide, made even more odd by the fact that this was a purchase of an existing ride from another location.
  (11/7/07) It seems the park never finished building the Deb of Lost Thieves ride it promised for 2007 and now has it listed as coming in 2008.
  (5/2/07) I’ve managed to confirm that this will be a reborn version of the Den of Lost Thieves from Wildwood, New Jersey. Tweetsie is building a new facility for the ride and since Sally themselves apparently owned the New Jersey ride, it is in great condition and came with a bunch of extra bells and whistles.

WESTERN PLAYLAND (Sunland Park, New Mexico)

Park News - (8/30/08) Seven riders had to be rescued from the El Bandito roller coaster (Pinfari) when it valleyed just after the first drop this week.

2009 - Nothing is known at this time.

WONDERLAND PARK (Amarillo, TX)

2009 - New Rides - (6/7/09) The local news reports on Wonderland Park and the opening of the new West End section, along with the new Drop Of Fear ride. You can view the video report here.
  (4/9/09) The local news reports that Wonderland Park will add three new attractions this season: The Drop of Fear (a 200 ft drop tower), the Feista Swing (formerly the Gunslinger from Six Flags Astroworld) and The Hornet (the former Mayan Mindbender from Six Flags Astroworld).