November 2007
Parks America, based in Santa Monica, California, has decided not to buy Wild West World, Wichita, Kansas. Dale Van Voorhis, Parks America’s president, has turned his attention to buying another theme park. With no other bidders appearing, the park’s rides are now expected to be sold individually, confirming the park’s demise. The ride sales will be cash only, with no financing or equity participation available. Getting the rides sold and out of the park is the immediate priority. The park cannot afford to prepare the rides for the coming winter. Once the rides are gone, the park’s metal buildings will be sold, and then the land will be put on the market.
Glow in the Park parades will debut in 2008 at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, New Jersey, and Six Flags Mexico, Mexico City. Produced by Gary Goddard Entertainment, guests will witness drummers, puppeteers, singers, dancers and kinetic stilt walkers in a fantasyland of sound and light. Glow in the Park will feature the latest parade technology and special effects and every element will be adorned with thousand of sparkling lights.
Responding to a growing demand for guest accommodation in Anaheim, the original Disneyland Resort is to expand its Grand Californian Hotel & Spa by more than 30%. The 2.5-acre expansion, scheduled for completion in late 2009, will add more than 200 new hotel rooms and 50 two-bedroom equivalent vacation villas. The villas, to include kitchens, living and dining areas and other home-like amenities, will mark the West Coast debut of Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s innovative vacation-ownership programme. Other elements planned include a new swimming pool and about 300 underground parking spaces. Peter Dominick of 4240, the hotel’s original architect, is also responsible for the expansion.
Prime Play by WhiteWater has signed a worldwide license agreement with SCS Interactive, allowing the company to become a turnkey supplier of its Foam Factory interactive ball play product line. The license includes design, manufacturing installation and maintenance. The Foam Factory series features many interactive components, multi-level platforms, foam ball geysers, moving targets, blasters, tunnels and slides. These attractions create a centerpiece attraction for any FEC, amusement park, resort, or venue catering for the entire family.
