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World News:
 Australia - (4/12/10) As strange as it sounds a 24-year-old Muslim woman was killed by her own Burkha this past week in Australia. It seems she was driving a go-kart at an attraction in the Sydney area when a piece of it became caught in the wheels and before she knew what had happened, she was being strangled to death by it.
(3/22/10) The Theme Park Guy drops into Sydney, Australia and takes a helicopter flight to see the former sites of the Fox Backlot Studios attraction and the Wonderland Sydney theme park. While there is quite a bit of the old Fox attraction to see, it looks like Wonderland was bulldozed over quick as can be to put in an LG factory... how sad.
(10/30/09) A new $35 million water park project in Cairns called Adventure Waters has been given approval from the local council. According to Theme Park News Direct, who also has the concept art on display, the park will begin construction of Phase 1 by May 2010 with the goal of opening up about 11 months later.
(10/1/09) Coming in as a big disappointment to many, Village Roadshow has scrapped plans to invest $70 million to add a Wet ‘n’ Wild waterpark on the site of Aussie World. The park will remain as is, for now.
(5/16/09) Theme Park News Direct reports that Australia’s Jamberoo park is preparing to submit plans to build a large waterpark project called Kangaroo Island that will feature a number of high capacity, high-thrill ProSlide creations.
Canada - (4/2/10) Good news for Canadians near Sauble Beach FunWorld. According to the park’s website they will add three new coasters to the small park this year: the Family Coaster (Miler), Go-Gator (Wisdom) and the Looping Coaster. Nothing is known officially about the Looping Coaster, though we have heard from a source that it will be a Looping Star. This leads some to wonder if this is the Looping Star from Beech Bend, who did put the ride up for sale last fall and now it no longer seems to be listed on their website. You can find pictures of when it was at Beech Bend over at RCDB.
(3/24/10) The Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Collingwood, Ontario are putting in their own Alpine Coaster from Wiegand Slide this summer. They will also install a new Mini Golf course as well. According to the press release, future attraction to be added later include Rock Climbing, Euro Bungee, a Tree Walk Course, Mountain Top Play Park and a Zip Line.
(2/4/10) For anyone wondering, a local source has confirmed that the pieces of the former Thunder Eagle wooden coaster are still laying covered up in the parking lot at the Cascades d'eau de Piedmond waterpark in Quebec, Canada. So far no word has come from anyone about future plans for the coaster, though the Ski Resort company that owns it and the waterpark did just open an Alpine Coaster last year, so it sounds like they are still interested in the amusement sector.
China - (7/14/10) In case anyone was wondering, the company who built the Space Journey ride that had the deadly accident at OCT East is Beijing Jiuhua Amusement Rides Manufacturing Company, a known Chinese knock-off ride company. As you can see from their website, a good number of their rides are copies of other well known amusement rides. At this point in time, I don’t believe they have a listing for the exact ride used in Space Journey on their site currently, so it may have been taken down following the accident.
(7/9/10) The latest investigation update on the accident at OCT East now claims that one of the ride’s 4 passenger cars came free from the central axis, smashed into the ground and was then struck again by three other ride cars. The accident caused six deaths and 10 other injuries, five of which are still listed as being in serious condition. It still isn’t known why the one car broke free yet, but authorities are looking into various causes including detaining 11 workers for the investigation, some from the maintenance department are being held under suspicion of “dereliction of duty”.
(7/2/10) A few new details about the accident at OCT East have come in today, along with a somewhat disturbing computer animated video showing off what is supposed to be a recreation of the accident. I’m not even sure if they’ve got the ride system correct in the video, but it’s interesting that someone animated this up so quickly.
(7/1/10) According to this article there was an accident at the OCT East park in China on the Space Journey ride, said to be a kind of space flight simulator. 6 riders were killed and others injured as one of the ride’s 11 “capsules” came lose and slammed into the others. Anyone have more details on exactly what kind of ride this is?
OCT East is the larger park / resort area that will house the new Knight Valley area along with the new GCI wooden coaster under construction.
(4/14/10) The hottest new theme park in China right now has not a single ride… instead it has over 100 dwarves. It’s called Kingdom of the Little People who live and perform at the attraction. You can see a great video about the park posted by Nightline.
(2/4/10) The Water Cube, a frequent location of the television coverage from the last Olympic Games in China will reopen this July as a new indoor waterpark attraction following a 9 month rehab. Check out the details here.
(12/21/09) A chocolate theme park experience is currently planned for China that will include eatable replicas of Terracotta Army figures and the Great Wall. Opening in early 2010, the park is being called, “World Chocolate Dream Park”.
(12/1/09) According to this news article China will build a new park called Guangang Ecological Amusement Park that will feature “the world’s largest and longest roller coaster” in the Tianjin area. According to my source the ‘new’ park will actuall be built on the site of the now closed Tianjin Amusement Park which closed down about 2 months ago.
(6/22/09) A picture gallery showing off a new park in China called Beijing Carnival has been posted by Coaster Touring. The new attraction was built next to the Olympic Bird Nest stadium and has a couple of small coasters along with a collection of various flat rides.
(8/18/08) In a unique twist, China has announced some interesting plans for the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. They will transform the old Nanshi Power Plant building into a building that will house the displays about generating clean electricity from wind, solar and tidal energy sources. The plant’s old 165 meter smoke stack will be transformed into the World Expo Harmony Tower, a 201 meter tall observation tower. Take a close look at the artwork and you’ll see lots of spiral track covering the exterior of the tower which will be used to shuttle cars full of guests up to the top of the tower.
Germany - (7/7/10) Check out these new pictures of the infamous Olympia Looping coaster, shot at the Wurzburg Fair posted to Theme Park Review. Oh… and the aftermath of the ERT session that took place in a German Beer Tent.
(10/15/09) A couple of great Guide to Oktoberfest videos have been posted to YouTube (Part 1 & Part 2) that give a great breakdown on what new visitors to Germany’s big Oktoberfest celebrations can expect. There is information about how to get there, what to do, beer tent etiquette and more. Of course there is a lot of information about the rides as well, so enjoy!
Hungary - (2/11/10) For those wanting to see more of Vidam Park, which is unlikely to open for the 2010 season, check out this new video about the park added here.
(1/29/10) Screamscape has heard that Vidampark in Hungary is very unlikely to open for the 2010 season due to bankruptcy problems. You can enjoy a POV video of the park’s side friction woodie, Hullámvasút, if you click here, complete with Brake Man and all.
Iran - (3/29/10) While the first report claimed that 25 guests were injured by a waterslide accident this new report claims that they were hurt by a roller coaster accident which “crashed due to oil leakage.” At this point, I’m not sure which story to believe, and the second article doesn’t help things by showing off a picture of Millennium Force at Cedar Point.
(3/27/10) Twenty-Five people were injured at a waterpark in Iran when a slide experienced a “technical failure”. In other words, I’m guessing it collapsed. There are very few details available but for that many people to get hurt on a slide at the same time, I have to wonder if they overloaded it with people all at the same time, much like the accident that took place at Waterworld in Concord, CA that killed one guest and injured 30 more when a large group ignored the life guard on duty and all went down the slide at the same time.
Italy - (11/23/09) A new theme park project has been announced for the area South of Rome called Cinecitta World. While a small first phase may be ready as early as 2011, the entire park isn’t expected to finished until at least 2014. The park’s theme will focus around attractions and rides based around the classic films shot at Cinecitta Studios such as Ben-Hur and the Federico Fellini films. Phase 1 will include some thrilling coasters, aquatic shows and movie special effects attractions. A company called Cinecitta Parks, has been set up to operate the park, with an 80% ownership by Cinecittà Entertainment and 20% by Generali Properties. An official teaser website has already launched, but you’ll find most of the important information you may want to know posted to Parksmania and TheParks.it.
(11/11/09) Not far from Milan a new indoor / outdoor waterpark project is under construction called Acquaworld. A great animated video showing off the large park can be seen at YouTube.
Japan - (5/12/10) Take a look around Japan’s Hirakata Park over at Theme Park Review this week.
(5/4/10 ) A reader sent in this picture showing off what they claim is artwork for the proposed Paramount themed movie park for Osaka, Japan.
(4/8/10) Sun Capital Management Corp is attempting to gather financial support to secure a $1.5 billion to build a Paramount Pictures entertainment complex and theme park. The project could open as early as 2014 or 2015 in Osaka and would compete directly with Universal Studios Japan.
(1/20/10) A lengthy article (in German) along with a ton of great pictures showing off Dodonpa has been added to Coasters And More this week. I’m also not quite sure when they did it, but trains have also been repainted. The strange “faces” are now gone and replaced with some new odd patterns... like a giant pink train with white polka-dots. Wow. Of course until RingRacer opens later this year, I believe Dodonpa still has the record for featuring the most powerful coaster launch in the world, slamming riders back into the seats at 4.3 G’s to hit a top speed of 106.9mph in just 1.8 seconds.
(1/14/10) Theme Park Photography has posted a collection of pictures from the Tokyo Dome. Look carefully… not only can you see Thunder Dolphin, but check out the masked rider on the flume ride. Classic!
(1/11/10) According to CNN, the famous Obake-yashiki haunted house attraction at Hanayashiki, Japan’s oldest amusement park, will close down forever tomorrow after running for the past 30 years.
(9/22/09) An official indoor Thomas Town attraction will open this weekend in Shinmisato, Japan.
(7/31/09) A fun photo trip report from Yokohama Cosmoworld has been posted to Westcoaster this week.
(6/18/09) A quite interesting update was added to Westcoaster today. These are more pictures from Japan… taken during a trip “where your manhood goes to die”. Yes… they went to Sanrio Puroland, the Hello Kitty theme park, to keep the wife happy.
Malaysia - (3/17/10) Resorts World Genting’s 4D Motion Master Theater is set to launch two new adventures this year… Turtle Vision and Haunted House. You can read more about these new films here.
Mexico - (5/7/10) I’m a bit confused. First Mayan Adventures, the mini theme park project once planned for Cozumel, gets ready to build a major attraction on the famous Mexican island. Then in July 2009 the backers abandoned Cozumel in favor of looking at new locations on the mainland along the Pacific around Los Cabos. Now according to this article, they are talking about building it in Cozumel again, like the whole Los Cabos thing never happened. Too weird… especially when the article mentions that “With Southern California already having a strong tourist base, it provides the perfect location for the first Mayan Adventures Theme Park.” Ummm… Cozumel is no where near Southern California.
(1/12/10) I’ve been told that CIE has sold their ownership of La Feria de Chapultepec (Mexico City), Selva Mágica (Guadalajara, Jalisco) and Water Park Cici (Acapulco, Guerrero) to a yet to be announced new owner for 280 million Pesos.
(7/15/09) The previously announced Mayan Adventures theme park project for Cozumel has abandoned plans to build on the popular vacation and cruise ship port island and will instead look at building the park on Mexico’s west coast, at Los Cabos instead, which I believe is near the south tip of Baja.
Netherlands - (2/25/10) I’ve been told that DippieDoe has backed out of the deal to buy Swamp Thing from Cypress Gardens and instead has bought the former Slangen coaster (Zierer) from Tivoli Gardens.
(8/31/09) DippieDoe (Netherlands) has not only confirmed the purchase of the Swamp Thing coaster from Cypress Gardens, but also confirmed to the local news that they are also adding a Pirate Ship and small Ferris Wheel to the park as well.
The Philippines - (3/27/10) A new waterpark is set to open soon near Cebu in The Philippines called Talima Adventure and Waterpark. It will be located in Barangay Talima on Olanggo Island. The facility will offer both land and water based activities including kayaking, rock climbing, “glamour camping” (???) and more.
Russia - (7/19/10) Just in case anyone was wondering… the company apparently behind that odd looking Rocket ride where the cable broke in Russia was actually Funtime, the makes of the Star Flyer.
(7/17/10) Ten people were stranded hanging 70 meters in the air on the Cosmonaut ride at a park in St. Petersberg, Russia. Check out the video of the incident posted here that shows off the riders sitting in a giant rocket hanging in the air after one of the ride’s two cables broke. Very scary looking indeed.
South Korea - (3/19/10) Theme Park News Direct has some more detailed information about the proposed Robotland after an interview with the company behind it all.
(2/15/10) Somehow I have doubts we’ll see this shape up quite the way it sounds but a new theme park experience called Robot Land is apparently being designed to open in 2012/2013 in Incheon, South Korea. It will have a Robot Water Park, Robot Battle Stadium and more. At the center of the park will be a massive replica of a Taekwon V (giant robot) that is said be twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. Check out even more concept artwork posted to Gizmondo.
(1/22/10) I’ve been told that Gyeongju World (South Korea) will be adding Wizard Garden, a new children’s play area for the 2010 season. However we’ve also been told that currently the park has removed their Merry-Go-Round. It isn’t clear if they are getting rid of it, or moving it to a new location within the park.
(12/9/09) TheThemeParkGuy found the site for the long in development, MGM Studios Park Korea during his trip to the region. Unfortunately the park is still not under construction yet on the site, but it looks as if the site has been cleared. There is an official website for the park now live, but it also says the park is planned to open by Late 2011. Better get cracking!
(11/20/09) We’ve got an update today on the long proposed MGM theme park in South Korea, which has been quite the elusive project to find much at all about ever since it was first announced a few years back. According to this article the park is planning to open by 2013 on South Korea’s Jeju Island. The current name for the park is MGM Hollywood Way and will cost an estimated $880 million, which will be paid by a consortium of Korean companies who will control the park. The park is one piece of a larger $6.55 billion plan for the island to turn it into a resort area, complete with other hotels, an airport, casinos and more.
(7/11/08) A new theme park based on the myths and legends of South Korea is being planned for the resort island of Jeju and hopes to open in 2011. This is just one of four major new theme parks currently in development for South Korea that includes the Daewoo owned Paramount Pictures themed park set to open near Seoul in 2010, the long in development MGM Studio themed park opening in 2012 and a new Universal Studios park and resort project near Seoul (in Hwaseong) also shooting for a 2012 opening date.
Spain - (3/27/10) As I expected that Paramount branded theme park announced for Spain is looking not so good. Paramount Pictures has already denied any involvement with this park or any other project anywhere in Europe. Follow this however the President of Murcia did produce “signed documents” from Dubai to back up the previous claims. I’m not sure why Dubai…but anyway… the local politicians from the opposing side however still claim it’s all the fairy tale.
(3/22/10) A new Paramount Pictures branded theme park project is now in the works for Spain in the Murcia. Some hope the project could be completed within 2 years, but that seems a little fast for a project like this to me… if it happens at all.
(12/11/09) While they haven’t even finished the first Ferrari World theme park just yet, it seems there is talk about building a second one in Valencia, Spain.
(10/16/09) Loro Parque in Tenerife has opened Katandra Treetops, a massive new aviary attraction, where guests can see over 100 species of birds.
Switzerland - (11/9/09) RCPro has posted an interesting photo update from Switzerland this week, showing off Herbstmesse 2009 and the world’s tallest traveling Ferris Wheel and freefall towers as well as Xenox, a brand new looping coaster creation from Pinfari.
Taiwan - (3/3/10) Taiwan has unveiled plans to build a new theme park in Kaohsiung said to be similar in concept to Universal Studios Hollywood in that the park will be placed next to a functioning film studio. For now it may be another 5 to 10 years before the park will be ready to open if they proceed.
Thailand - (7/14/10) Whitewater West sends work that a new large waterpark called Amazon Falls in now under construction in Pattaya, Thailand. Whitewater West provided conceptual planning for the park as well as will produce 17 of the 20 attractions in the park. This list includes The Abyss, Python and Rattler, all new products from Whitwater West for 2010. Other major attractions featured in the park include: Boomerango, Asia’s first Dueling Master Blaster raft ride, Whizzard (multi-lane race slide), FreeFall, AquaLoop, Double Flow Rider, an AquaPlay RainFortress and more. Amazon Falls is expected to open in December 2010.
(1/27/10) According to this article about possible future plans under consideration for Siam Park, the park will also install a new flume ride from Mack for the 2010 season.
UAE News - (7/14/10) Construction is set to begin this month on a new waterpark at Yas Island, near the new Ferrari World park in Abu Dhabi. The waterpark will be 16.4 hectare and feature over 40 attractions. If construction goes as planned, it will open in 2012.
(4/28/10) Our friend The Theme Park Guy has posted a great construction update for an amazing new waterpark project that has quietly been under construction for some time now about an hour North of Dubai. It’s called Ice Land Water Park and upon your first glance, you can tell it was obviously inspired by Disney’s own Blizzard Beach waterpark.
The only kind of scary thing is that he reports that all of the slides were made “in house” and are not from one of the popular Canadian slide manufactures, even through the look of some slides are clearly taken from other well known designs. (For example, you can find a fake Tornado as well as a couple of Bowl slides).
(2/17/10) According to BuisnessWeek the Burj Khalifa has delayed their plans to reopening the observation deck because of “maintenance” issues. Currently they are declining on giving any new estimated date on when it might reopen.
(2/11/10) Dubai World is rumored to be looking to make some quick sales of select assets to generate some cashflow and pay off their growing debts. The short list of items rumored to be up for sale include their 20% ownership stake in Cirque du Soleil as well as the Queen Elizabeth 2 which was purchased for about $100 million back in 2007 with the intent of becoming a floating stationary hotel attraction.
Meanwhile the world’s tallest skyscraper, the Burj Khalifa, may have just opened in Dubai last month, but as of this past Sunday the building is now closed indefinitely. According to this report an elevator got stuck around the 124th floor with 15 passengers inside which had to be rescued. 60 more visitors were then stuck on the buildings observation deck when this happened, but they were taken down via the freight elevator. According to the article various simple reasons (like maintenance) are being given as the explanation for the closure, but they believe something is being hidden.
(9/21/09) The new indoor Stargate theme park in Dubai (no relation to the Film & TV series) is set open on the first day of Eid… an Islamic Holiday that falls on Sept. 20th this year.
(2/11/09) While a news article seemed to indicate that the Warner Bros. park was still on track, we’ve heard elsewhere that Thinkwell, who was said to have been doing the design work for the park, has had to let nearly 100 people go when the project was put on indefinite hold.
UK News - (7/6/10) America Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE) has donated $5,000 towards the restoration of the Scenic Railway at Dreamland Margate. The ride is the UK’s oldest roller coaster and will be the centerpiece of the new Dreamland Margate historic ride park, which will begin restoration work later this year.
Chairman of the Dreamland Trust Nick Laister said: “I would like to thank all of the members of the American Coaster Enthusiasts for this very generous donation. This demonstrates the level of international interest in the future of the Scenic Railway, which is a remarkable and fragile survivor. We will ensure that this donation is used 100% on the restoration of this roller coaster. I look forward to welcoming the members of ACE to Dreamland Margate when the Scenic Railway reopens."
(6/28/10) Blackpool’s Sandcastle waterpark is ready to open two new attractions next summer, Black Hole and Twist & Plummet. The black hole is a two-person tube slide that features a ‘whirlpool’ while the other is a mat slide that will offer changeable sound-effects.
(6/24/10) Theme Park Review is still currently traveling around the UK right now, but you can catch up with their progress and crazy photo reports here.
(6/11/10) The new 4D Theater opened at Great Yarmouth last weekend. The theater is on the small side, only holding about 30 people, and they’re charging £3 to watch.
(6/9/10) Haunted Attractions reminded us that while several attractions may be down at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, the area will be getting a new attraction in the next few days in the form of Alien Attack. Check it out.
(4/20/10) I’m told that Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach will be adding a new 4D Theater attraction this year. They are planning on opening in sometime in June and will start off showing two films, The Curse of Skull Rock and Dracula 4-D. Keep in mind this will be a very small theater… rumored to hold only around 30 people. You can find some construction pictures of it going up at Theme Park Tourist. You can also see a few more pictures of the rest of the park here.
(4/9/10) T he Land’s End attraction at the tip of Cornwall, England has replaced their Return to the Last Labyrinth attraction with a new Simworx 100-seat 4D Theater. The theater has been outfitted with a ton of 4D effects including: seat movements, leg ticklers, seat vibrators, water spray, wind, bubbles, scent and smoke effects, all being put to use with the Curse of Skull Rock 4D film.
(4/6/10) A new ghost train attraction has opened in the Blackpool area (near South Pier) called the Carnesky Ghost Train. The ride features both live performers as well as animatronic ones, plus a ton of special effects.
(3/31/10) Merlin Entertainment and signed a 5-year agreement deal with Marvel (now owned by Disney) to bring a 3 floor “superhero experience” to the London Madame Tussauds attraction. The new attraction will open in June and feature superhero wax figures, interactive themed areas and 4D Animation.
(3/10/10) CoasterMob reports that the London Eye turned 10-years old yesterday and celebrated with a variety of events throughout the day.
(3/3/10) The first Legoland Discovery Center in the UK will open at the Trafford Center on March 22nd. It will feature Kingdom Quest, a interactive Lego “laser ride”, a 4D Theater, it’s own mini Mini-Land and more. Click here to see all the details.
(3/1/10) According to CoasterMob the Creely Adventure Park is rethemeing their Vekoma Roller Skater coaster as Maximus: The Ride. They are giving it a Roman theme and adding a tunnel to cover the first drop.
(1/31/10) Flambards theme park in Cornwall, England has been given planning permission to build an SBF Drop N Twist tower ride 28 meters tall for the 2010 season.
(11/23/09) In the six year long fight to save Dreamland Margate, perhaps the most important announcement just too place this past week when the government has awarded £3.7 million grant to the project. The money comes from the Department for Culture Media and Sport as part of a program designed to inject new life to England’s seaside towns. The money will allow for the park’s Scenic Railway to be restored to it’s former glory, as well as allow the much needed funding to allow for the creation of a new park which promises to be comprised entirely of “historic rides” from the past. Dreamland’s Scenic Railway is currently the oldest surviving roller coaster in the UK and the fourth oldest in the entire world. The grand will allow for work to start on restoring the ride to begin next year. You can read more at the official Dreamland Margate site.
Vietnam - (2/19/08) An investment license has been granted so that work can move forward to build a $1.3 billion theme park resort project in Vietnam that will be called Vung Tau Wonderful World Theme Park in the Vung Tau Providence. In addition to the park it will include a 2,500 room 5-Star Hotel, four smaller hotels, a retail area, theaters and more when it opens in 2010. The park will also feature an 88-story Landmark Tower and a Wonder of the World area where they will feature replicas of the Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Pyramids and more.
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