ATRA World News 2009
What was up in the World of Thrill Rides & Amusement Parks
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Archive | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | Future | ||
December 29, 2009
Seabreeze Amusement Park Unveils New Ride For 2010 Season!
Seabreeze Amusement Park's first new ride in two years is a Zamperla Mega Disk-o. The 24-seat ride, which has been named Revolution 360, has riders facing outward on the disk, which rotates 360 degrees while the car oscillates along the half-pipe track. Along with the new ride, visitors will see a new roadway called Seabreeze Drive. Seabreeze will be celebrating its 132nd season, making it the fourth oldest amusement park in the US.
Read more from the Democrat and Chronicle.com
Seabreeze Amusement Park is doing it again in 2010!
Back to Top
December 14, 2009
Conneaut Lake Park Hotel To Be On A&E Paranormal State!
The Hotel Conneaut at Conneaut Lake Park is 108 years old. Said to play host to numerous spirits which roam its halls to this day when they said to have passed away in a fire at the hotel in April 1947. Guests have been fleeing the famed northern Pennsylvania hotel amid reports of paranormal activity. Hotel Conneaut will be featured on A&E Paranormal State on December 22 at 10:30PM ET.
Read more and see the preview on the A&E website
Conneaut Lake Park will be haunted again in 2010!
Back to Top
December 9, 2009
Construction On Schedule For Kennywood's New Roller Coaster!
Construction of Kennywood Amusement Park's new roller coaster is on schedule, officials said today. The new LSM launch coaster will be called "Sky Rocket."
Read more from Pittsburgh's KDKA
Kennywood is doing it again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 24, 2009
Kiddieland Auctions Off Rides!
Kiddieland, the Melrose Park, IL amusement park, opened one last time this morning for an auction of its rides. Park enthusiasts and regulars came for a final goodbye and to see the auction of 430 separate pieces of park history- from carousel horses to bumper cars. The Little Dipper roller coaster sold for $33,000 to Six Flags Great America. Kiddieland closed its doors on September 27, after an 81-year run.
Read more from ChicagoBreakingNews.com
Little Dipper will roll again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 17, 2009
Libertyland Demolition Begins!
Demolition crews tore out a hunk of the Zippin Pippin roller coaster on Monday morning as part of the project to sweep away the remains of Libertyland in Memphis, Tennessee. The Zippin Pippin was designed by John A. Miller and operated from 1923 until the park closed in 2005.
Read more from the Commercial Appeal
Libertyland will not open again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 14, 2009
New Coney Island To Open After Land Deal!
The historic and mostly dormant Coney Island amusement park district in New York City will be revived by next summer with some new attractions, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and developer Joseph Sitt said Thursday. The city purchased 6.9 acres at the heart of Coney Island from Sitt's Thor Equities for $95.6 million after years of tense negotiations. The city plans to create a year-round destination that includes a 12 1/2 acre outdoor amusement park within a 27-acre amusement and entertainment district. The project also includes new restaurants, movie theaters, retail and the city's first new roller coaster since the Cyclone was built in 1927.
Read more
Coney Island will come alive again in 2010!
Back to Top
Beech Bend Park Announces Largest Expansion In Park History!
Beech Bend Park unveiled its 2010 expansion plans on Friday. The plans include a 275-gallon wave pool, which will be the center piece and a lazy river with a "not so lazy" component as it is connected directly to the wave pool. In addition, two new rides will be added, a Family Tea Cup and a Quad Runner children's ride. Other 2010 enhancements will include a new amphitheater, employee breakroom,restrooms, and a first aid facility.
Read the press release
Beech Bend Park will do it again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 13, 2009
Alton Towers Is Keeping New Ride for 2010 Top Secret!
Alton Towers, the UK's most popular theme park, is causing a stir amongst thrill-seeking enthusiasts with the construction of its latest attraction. Codenamed Secret Weapon 6 (SW6), the roller coaster is scheduled to launch in March 2010. The Resort is determined to keep suspense high by refusing to disclose any details, but has promised the ride will be a world first. Online rumors say the track will give the illusion that it is invisible and will move vertically as you ride. Others say SW6 will beat the record for the greatest vertical drop in the world. Alton Towers has increased security staff at the building site, banning cameras and mobile phones, issuing non-disclosure agreements to staff, and has even approached Google Earth to black out the building site to ensure its attraction remains top secret.
Read more on Alton Towers' web site
Alton Towers does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 10, 2009
The Voyage Will Be The First To Use The Gravity Group's New Timberliner Trains!
The #1 wooden roller coaster in the world will feel faster and a lot smoother in 2010, thanks to a new set of trains, engineered by the same team who designed the record-breaking coaster. The two new trains will be manufactured in Indianapolis by The Gravity Group. The trains will track better with less friction to create a smoother ride and less wear and tear on the track.
Read more on Holiday World's Holiblog
Holiday World does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 7, 2009
New Jersey Parks Have No Major Injuries This Season!
For the first time in more than a decade, New Jersey's summer season was free of serious injuries on roller coasters, Ferris wheels, and log flumes, state officials said this week. It has also been four years since anyone died at a New Jersey theme park or carnival.
Read more on NJ.com
New Jersey can do it again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 4, 2009
Wichita Man Wants To Invest In Joyland Park!
A Wichita man, Jerry Dowdy, will go before city council to ask for a $2 million loan to invest in Joyland Park. The 60-year-old landmark has been closed for 3 years and Dowdy wants to rehab the rides and re-open the park!
Read more and see video on KAKE-10/Wichita
Joyland Park may open again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 3, 2009
Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces Their 17th Coaster!
Six Flags Magic Mountain announced the addition of a family coaster to the Valencia theme park for 2010, bringing the total number of coasters to 17. Joining the world-renown collection, the new coaster will debut in early summer and be located in the northwest section of the park.
Read more
Six Flags Magic Mountain does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
November 2, 2009
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Announced!
Officials with Landry's Restaurants are planning to restore Galveston's Flagship Hotel and bring amusement rides back to the historic pier. The area will be renamed The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Hotel and Resort. It will feature a double-decker carousel, a Ferris wheel, and an amusement area on the pier. The amusement rides will be consistent with those at the pier when it was built in 1940, but will not include the roller coaster ride Fertitta originally talked about building.
Read more in the Galveston County Daily News
Galveston will do it again in 2010!
Back to Top
October 20, 2009
Cedar Point Demon Drop Moving To Knott's Berry Farm!
Cedar Point's Demon Drop will be removed following the 2009 season. The Intamin Freefall has operated at the park since 1983. Demon Drop will be moving to Knott's Berry Farm for the 2010 season.
Read more in the L.A. Times
Cedar Fair does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
October 2, 2009
Michael Jackson's Neverland Rides Deliver Thrills In A New Setting!
At county fairs across America and as far away as Coney Island, the amusement park rides that once entertained pop star Michael Jackson offer his fans a uniquely fun way to say goodbye. The attractions he set up at his estate's private amusement park have been auctioned off and are being trucked to carnivals and amusement parks across the country.
Read more from the L.A. Times
Ride Michael Jackson's rides again in 2010!
Back to Top
September 27, 2009
Ghost Lake Is Back At Conneaut Lake Park!
Ghost Lake is back at Conneaut Lake Park with 6 brand new haunts and two returning favorites!
The Fog
Dr. Contagious
Terror Down Under
Tingler's Funeral Home
The Haunted Hotel
The Black Vortex
Jeepers Creepers Corn Maze
House of the Undead
You can also do the following rides:
The Train of Terror
The Devil's Den Ride
The Blacklight Bumper Cars
and other rides
for only $4.50 more.
Ghost Lake at Conneaut Lake Park runs October 2nd - Nov. 1st
Click here to visit the Ghost Lake website
It will be fine at Ghost Lake at Conneaut in 2009!
Back to Top
La Ronde Announces Suspended Looping Coaster For 2010!
The former Serial Thriller from the defunct Six Flags Astroworld will find a new home in Montreal next year. The Vekoma suspended looping coaster hasn't seen action since 2005.
Read more on La Ronde's website
La Ronde will do it again in 2010!
Back to Top
September 24, 2009
The Cliffhanger roller coaster is Open Once Again!
After problems with new trains forced it's closure in July, Ghost Town in the Sky has finally received approval to re-open Cliffhanger, the park's premier attraction. Built by O.D. Hopkins in 1988 and originally named Red Devil, Cliffhanger had been closed since 2007. Cliffhanger will remain open for the remainder of Ghost Town in the Sky's season, and during the operating hours of the House of Terror haunted attraction.
Click here to visit the Ghost Town in the Sky web site
It will be fine at Ghost Town In The Sky in 2009!
Back to Top
September 22, 2009
What's The Status Of Tulsa's Bells Amusement Park?
It's been nearly three years since Bell's Amusement Park was booted from the Tulsa Fairgrounds. Since then, The Zingo roller coaster, and other rides have been in storage as the Bell family looks for a new location.
Read more from NewsOn6.com (Tulsa, OK)
Will Bell's Amusement Park do it again in 2010?
Back to Top
September 21, 2009
Chang Is Being Removed At Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom!
The largest ride at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is coming down. The park began dismantling Chang on Monday as part of the largest waterpark expansion in Kentucky Kingdom's history. Chang is a B & M stand-up coaster that was introduced at the park in 1997. Six Flags is giving Chang to another amusement park.
Read more from WLKY in Louisville
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom is doing it again in 2010!
Back to Top
September 8, 2009
Beloved Chicago Amusement Park Says Final Farewells!
As summer comes to an end, people from all over the country are saying their final farewells to Kiddieland after 80 years. This Chicago park is one of the last family-owned parks in the country. Kiddieland opened in 1929 and featured over 30 rides and attractions. The Little Dipper is a wooden coaster designed by Herbert P. Schmeck in 1950, and is an ACE Coaster Classic.
See the video on MSNBC
Kiddieland will not open again in 2010.
Back to Top
September 2, 2009
Conneaut Lake Park Fundraiser!
Conneaut Lake Park and Lisko Entertainment LLC are working on holding an enthusiast event at Conneaut Lake Park on Sept 19th. The point of the event is to try and raise money for the Blue Streak and all money raised will go to it.
We are still working out main details of the event but some perks include but not limited to -
Blue Streak walk back and behind the scenes tour
Silent Auction
Attendees can ride the Little Dipper
Possible Mini Golf Challenge
Possible ERT
Possible Blue Streak Party (on station)
The Price for this event will be around $11 which will all go towards getting the Blue Streak back in operation.
Thank You
Conneaut Lake Park Ride Operations
Conneaut Lake Park website
Back to Top
August 26, 2009
Carowinds Announces Intimidator For 2010!
Keeping in line with the Dale Earnhardt theme for 2010, Carowinds announces Intimidator, the Southeast's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster. The Intimidator is designed by Bolliger and Mabillard of Switzerland and will stand 232-feet tall with a first drop of 211-feet, reaching speeds in excess of 75 miles per hour.
Read more at Carowinds' Intimidator site
Carowinds does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
August 21, 2009
Ex-Scream Drop Tower Opens At Del Grossos!
Del Grossos Amusement Park unveiled their newest ride on Tuesday. The Ex-Scream Drop Tower shoots you up 140 feet in the air and drops you straight back down. The drop tower is the latest of four rides they bought from Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida. Despite tough economic times, Del Grossos amusement park is making a major investment to improve the park this year. The other new rides are a Yo-Yo ride, Pharoh's Fury swinging ship, and a Dizzy Dragon kiddie ride.
Read more and see video at CentralPA.com
It will be fine at Del Grossos Amusement Park in 2009!
Back to Top
August 20, 2009
Kings Dominion Announces Intimidator 305!
Kings Dominion announced Intimidator 305, a new Intamin Giga Coaster. It takes its name from stock car driver Dale Earnhardt, "The Intimidator," along with the height of the coaster's lift hill, 305 feet. It will reach speeds of 90 mph and will be 5,100-foot long.
Read more at KD's Intimidator 305 site
Kings Dominion does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
August 19, 2009
Nickelodeon To Build New Theme Park At Old Six Flags New Orleans Site!
Nickelodeon officials announced they plan to build a theme park at the abandoned Six Flags site in New Orleans. Opening in late 2010, the revitalized park will contain a mixture of roller coasters and other traditional amusement park fare with water-themed rides.
Read more at New Orleans Net
Another amusement park will open again in 2010!
Thorpe Park Says No To BO!
Thrillseekers at Thorpe Park have been banned from riding rollercoasters with their hands in the air- after complaints of body odor. If guests refuse to keep their elbows by their sides, they will be escorted out of the park.
Read more from The Sun
The clean air is fine at Thorpe Park in 2009!
Back to Top
August 12, 2009
Kennywood Announces New Launch Coaster For 2010!
Kennywood Amusement Park announced the addition of a seventh roller coaster for the 2010 season. The new Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM) launch roller coaster is unlike any other roller coaster at Kennywood. It will blast riders from 0 to 50mph in three seconds and is the first roller coaster with inversions at Kennywood since the Steel Phantom. The new roller coaster will be placed in the current location of the Turnpike, a ride that has been at Kennywood since 1966. Plans are already underway to bring back the Turnpike in the near future.
Read more from Kennywood
Kennywood does it again in 2010!
Back to Top
July 31, 2009
Ocean Drive Pavilion & Amusement Park To Open In North Myrtle Beach!
North Myrtle Beach will regain a bit of its past this weekend when the Ocean Drive Pavilion & Amusement Park opens on Saturday afternoon. The park will offer a variety of rides, games, food, and fun for kids of all ages. A Ferris wheel will once again preside over the Ocean Drive waterfront just as one did in the 1950s and 60s.
Read more in the North Myrtle Beach Times
It will be fine at Ocean Drive Pavilion & Amusement Park in 2009!
Back to Top
July 25, 2009
Kozmo's Kurves Will Open Soon At Knoebels!
Things are moving quickly on the Kosmo's Kurves roller coaster project at Knoebels Amusement Resort. The ride arrived Thursday morning and work began immediately. Kosmo's Kurves replaces the High Speed Thrill Coaster, the unique ride built by Overland Amusement Company in 1955.
Read more at Knoebels News
It will be fine riding Kozmo's Kurves in 2009!
The ATRA Tour Visits Knoebels on Friday, August 28th Click here for details
Back to Top
July 24, 2009
The Big Bad Wolf At Busch Gardens To Retire After 25 Years!
After 25 years traveling at the speed of fright, the Big Bad Wolf will take it's last trip through Busch Gardens' Bavarian Village on September 7. It was the world's first suspended coaster when it opened in 1984 and has become one of the park's most beloved thrill attractions. Several design concepts are being reviewed for a new attraction to replace Big Bad Wolf, but no announcement is planned at this time.
Read more on the Busch website
It will be fine riding Big Bad Wolf one more time in 2009!
Back to Top
July 1, 2009
The Cliffhanger roller coaster is Now Open!
After many delays, Ghost Town in the Sky has finally received approval to open Cliffhanger, the parks premier attraction. Built by O.D. Hopkins in 1988 and originally named Red Devil, Cliffhanger has been closed since 2007. Now sporting new trains, without cumbersome over-the-shoulder restraints, Cliffhanger will give riders a unique experience, and offers Ghost Town it's best chance for survival.
Click here to visit the Ghost Town in the Sky web site
It will be fine at Ghost Town In The Sky in 2009!
Back to Top
Beech Bend Park's Sea Dragon Attracts Michael Jackson Fans!
The Sea Dragon, a swinging ship ride at Beech Bend Park, was purchased last year from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. The park has erected an impromptu memorial to Jackson, and offered free rides on Sunday.
Read more from WTVF Nashville
It will be fine riding Beech Bend's Sea Dragon in 2009
Back to Top
June 23, 2009
Son Of Beast Closed Pending Investigation Of A Woman's Alleged Head Injury!
Popular Kings Island roller coaster Son Of Beast is closed pending an investigation of an alleged head injury involving a 39-year-old woman. The woman suffered a burst blood vessel in her brain according to the incident report from the Amusement Ride Safety Division of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.
Read more on Cincinnati.com
It will be fine at Kings Island in 2009!
Back to Top
June 18, 2009
NYC Planning Commission Approves Rezoning For Coney Island!
The New York City Planning Commission unanimously approved Mayor Bloomberg's 47-acre rezoning plan for Coney Island- one officials say will preserve the area's dwindling amusement industry. The plan calls for creating a new 9-acre amusement park off the famous boardwalk.
Read more in the New York Post
It will be fine at Coney Island in 2009!
Back to Top
June 17, 2009
Derek Anderson Day at Memphis Kiddie Park!
Just a few days after Cedar Point held "Brady Quinn Day," Derek Anderson, the Cleveland Browns' other quarterback, shows up unannounced at Memphis Kiddie Park in Brookpark, Ohio, in full gear proclaiming it "Derek Anderson Day!" The park's Little Dipper roller coaster was built by Allan Herschell and opened in April 1952. It is the oldest operating steel roller coaster in the U.S.
Read more from Scene Magazine
It will be fine at Memphis Kiddie Park in 2009!
Back to Top
May 20, 2009
Chicago Kiddieland To Close After 80 Years!
The iconic Kiddieland Amusement Park in the west suburbs of Chicago is closing after entertaining children for over 80 years. The owners of the amusement park in Melrose Park announced on Wednesday morning that the park is shutting down after this season, the park's 81st. The park is home of the Little Dipper, designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck in 1950. It is also an ACE Coaster Classic wooden roller coaster. Kiddieland is the city's oldest amusement park, and part of a dying breed. Another Chicago amusement park, Santa's Village in East Dundee, closed in 2006 after nearly 50 years.
Read more from CBS 2 in Chicago
It will be fine if Kiddieland Amusement Park could survive in 2009!
Back to Top
May 12, 2009
Quassy Amusement Park Finally Gets Their First Wooden Roller Coaster!
Quassy Amusement Park announced today that they will construct its first all wooden roller coaster. The as-yet-unnamed ride will be designed by The Gravity Group and will replace the aging Mad Mouse coaster.
Read the press release at Quassy's website
Read more from Amusement Today, including an artist's rendering (scroll down on the AT page)
It will be fine at Quassy Amusement Park in 2009!
Back to Top
April 30, 2009
Knoebels Flying Turns Will Open When It Is Done...
When is the Flying Turns at Knoebels Amusement Resort going to open? The answer is the same today as it has been since the beginning of the project...."When it's done!"
Read more at Knoebels official website (scroll down)
It will be fine if Flying Turns opens in 2009!
Back to Top
April 29, 2009
LeSourdesville Lake's Serpent Roller Coaster Finally Re-Opens In Michigan!
LeSourdesville Lake Amusement Park in Middletown, Ohio closed in 2003 and is now just an ATRA Journey Through The Past. Now the relocated Serpent roller coaster finally opened at Kokomo's Family Fun Center in Saginaw, Michigan after many delays.
Read more in the Saginaw News
It will be fine riding The Serpent roller coaster again in 2009!
Back to Top
April 24, 2009
Pittsburgh Man Organizes Rally To Save Geauga Lake's Big Dipper!
A Pittsburgh resident, David Mitchell, has organized a "town hall meeting" to celebrate the Big Dipper at noon on Saturday across from the former Geauga Lake Amusement Park. Mr. Mitchell has started a petition to save the Big Dipper and hopes to preserve the coaster on it's present site. The Big Dipper is said to be the 12th oldest wooden roller coaster in the country and was created in 1925 by the great coaster designer, John A.Miller.
Read more in The Pittsburgh Post Gazette
It would be fine if we could still ride the Big Dipper in 2009!
Back to Top
April 10, 2009
Hard Rock Park To Re-open Under New Name!
FPI MB Entertainment LLC unveiled the new name of the former Hard Rock Park. "Freestyle Music Park" represents a renewed vision for the park in 2009 and beyond. It will be the prototype and launching point for the Freestyle Park brand throughout the world. Freestyle Music Park will open Memorial Day weekend and plans to open additional attractions in the coming years.
Read more
It will be fine if Freestyle Music Park survives in 2009!
Back to Top
March 26, 2009
Coney Island's Famous Cyclone Roller Coaster Will Open in 2009!
Coney Island's Astroland Amusement Park is closed for the 2009 season but the Cyclone Roller Coaster is getting ready to swing into it's new season on April 5th. The first 100 people in line will be treated to a free ride and opening day festivities begin at 12:00 noon. The Cyclone Roller Coaster opened on June 26, 1927, making 2009 its 82nd year of operation.
Read more at the Cyclone blog
It will be fine riding the Cyclone Roller Coaster in 2009!
Back to Top
March 21, 2009
ATRA's "Waldameer Song Blues" featured in Gravity Groups Podcast!
In The Gravity Group Podcast #4, The Ravine Flyer II Show, the coaster's designers talk about some of the memories and historical tidbits of Waldameer Park. Featured in this podcast is ATRA's "Waldameer Song Blues."
Click Here to listen to this special edition of Gravitycast visit The Gravity Group website
It will be fine riding The Gravity Group's roller coasters in 2009!
Back to Top
March 11, 2009
Another Amusement Park Closes Due To Economy!
Fun Spot Amusement Park in Angola, IN has announced that the park is now closed due to the economy. The park opened in 1956 and is home of three roller coasters. The Afterburner is one of the last operating Arrow Shuttle Loops and and was the prototype unit as well. It was relocated to the park from Florida's Boardwalk & Baseball in 1991.
Fun Spot Amusement Park web site
It would be fine if the economy recovers in 2009!
Back to Top
March 10, 2009
DelGrosso's To Open Three New Rides From Cypress Gardens!
Despite tough economic times, DelGrosso's Amusement Park officials are making a major investment to improve the park for the 2009 season. DelGrosso's has purchased three rides from Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Fla., and hopes to have them up and running for the May 3 opening day.
Read more in The Altoona Mirror
It will be fine at DelGrosso's Amusement Park in 2009!
Back to Top
February 25, 2009
Conneaut Lake Park Will Open In 2009!
Conneaut Lake Park will be open for the 2009 season. The park is working with Ride Vendors to assist in getting the rides operational. The Blue Streak may not come on-line until the following year due to additional work and repair expenses. Operating hours for 2009 will be determined once the status and dates of the park's opening have been determined.
Read more on the Conneaut Lake Park web site
It will be fine at Conneaut Lake Park in 2009!
Back to Top
February 21, 2009
Planet Fun Amusement Park Closes!
Another amusement park has closed during these hard times! Planet Fun in Greenbelt, Maryland is now closed after 13 years of operation. This indoor amusement park operated as Jeepers from 1996-2006, then changed it's name to Planet Fun. The park was home of the Haunted Roller Coaster, which also changed it's name from Python Pit in 2006. Sadly, the ACE event, Jeepers It's Winter was to be held at this park today!
Photos of Haunted Roller Coaster can been seen at rcdb
It will be fine if any amusement parks can survive the hard times of 2009!
Back to Top
February 19, 2009
Hard Rock Park Has New Owners; They Want To Keep Brand Name!
A federal bankruptcy judge on Tuesday approved the sale of Hard Rock Park for $25 million to a group of investors, including Baker Leisure Group. The rock & roll theme park's new owners want to get the park reopened by Memorial Day under the Hard Rock brand name. They are taking a more streamlined approach to managing the park, with ticket prices reduced from $50 to $40 and season pass prices cut in half.
Read more in today's CNBC.com
It will be fine at Hard Rock Park in 2009!
Back to Top
February 11, 2009
Hard Rock Park Finds Buyer!
Hard Rock Park may not be quiet for much longer. According to bankruptcy court documents filed today, the rock & roll theme park has found a buyer, willing to pay $25 million for the property in Myrtle Beach. The park's purchaser, FPI MB Entertainment, has put down a $2.3 million down payment, and are hoping to open the park's gates by Memorial Day.
Read more at Myrtle Beach Online
It will be fine if Hard Rock Park re-opens in 2009!
Back to Top
February 10, 2009
Playland Removes Wild Mouse!
The classic Wild Mouse has been removed from Playland / PNE Fairgrounds in Vancouver, Canada. The Wild Mouse closed in 2008 and operated at Playland for 50 years. Park officials say the coaster has been in need of constant repair in recent years.
Check out the Playland at the PNE ride list
To see a POV video of the ride on You Tube, click here
It would be fine if Wild Mouse could survive in 2009!
Back to Top
February 7, 2009
Everyone Planning To Ride Flying Turns At The Ace Spring Preservation Conference, Take A Step Forward -- Not So Fast People...
While the 2009 ACE Spring Preservation Conference Event flyer schedule listed ERT listed for Flying Turns, it was announced at Eastcoaster today that the ride will in fact not be ready. Knoebels has found they need to some reconstruction on the Flying Turns that had not originally been planned for, and consequently the Turns will not be open for the ACE Conference (May 15-17 at Hersheypark and Knoebels.
Get details on the ACE events page
It will be fine if we get to ride Flying Turns in 2009!
Back to Top
February 4, 2009
ATRA's "Waldameer Song Blues" To Be Used In Gravity Group Podcast!
ATRA President, Mark Kindler, has been working with Korey Kiepert of The Gravity Group on a new podcast about Waldameer Park. The exclusive ATRA CD, "Waldameer Song Blues" by Blind Melon Hecuba will be featured in the Gravitycast. The date for the podcast has yet to be determined.
Keep watching for more information about the podcast on The Gravity Group official website
Click here for more information about ATRA's "Waldameer Song Blues" CD.
Or, Click to hear a clip of the song.
Get your copy today!
It will be fine riding The Gravity Group's roller coasters in 2009!
More breaking news!
Blind Melon Hecuba is writing a new song for ATRA about Knoebel's Flying Turns!
The new ATRA CD is expected to be available at the ACE Spring Preservation Conference in 2009.
The ATRA Tour Continues.....
More February 4 News...
Camelot Theme Park Closes!
Camelot Theme Park, in Chorley, Lancashire UK, has struggled for a number of years due to the economic downturn and competition. The park was due to open on April 4, but it is unlikely that it will ever open again. Camelot Theme Park was home of 5 roller coasters, including Knightmare which opened in 2007.
Read more in the BBC News
It would be fine if Camelot Theme Park could survive the tough economy of 2009!
Back to Top
January 28, 2009
Knoebels Flying Turns To Be Open For ACE Spring Preservation Conference!
The 2009 ACE Spring Preservation Conference Event flyer schedule has ERT listed for Flying Turns! The event is being held on May 15-17 at Hersheypark and Knoebels. Flying Turns ERT is scheduled for May 16 from 8-10PM and May 17 from 10AM-12PM.
Get details on the ACE events page
It will be fine riding Flying Turns at Knoebels in 2009!
Back to Top
January 26, 2009
Golden Nugget Buyer Revealed!
Now we know the rumor was true! Knoebel's has purchased the Golden Nugget track and trains from Morey's Piers.
Read more from The Press of Atlantic City
Read more from Amusement Today (scroll down AT site for Golden Nugget article)
We may ride Golden Nugget again in 2010!
Back to Top
January 23, 2009
Cedar Point Coastermania Expands to Two Days!
Attention all ATRA members! Cedar Point's fabulous Coastermania event has expanded to two days of fun! The dates are June 5 & 6 with ERT on both days! You can vote for which rides you would like to have included in ERT in the survey on the Cedar Point website.
Read more at Cedar Point's Coastermania web page
It will be fine at Cedar Point Coastermania in 2009!
Back to Top
January 21, 2009
NYC Plan To Revitalize Coney Island Submitted!
Mayor Bloomberg's plan to revitalize Coney Island was submitted yesterday. Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs is assumed to be replaced under the proposed actions. The city wants to build a new 9.39 acre outdoor amusement park nestled between the Parachute Jump to the west and The Cyclone roller coaster to the east. A new strip, dubbed "Wonder Wheel Way," would connect three landmarks, the Parachute Jump, Wonder Wheel, and Cyclone.
Read more in the New York Post
It would be fine if Coney Island is revitalized in 2009!
Back to Top
January 17, 2009
Legoland To Be Featured In ABC-TV Show
Legoland in Carlsbad, CA will be featured on "The Bachelor" airing January 19th on ABC-TV.
Read more in The Carlsbadistan
Legoland Adds Obama Inauguration Model
Barack Obama-mania has spread to the world of Lego, with a model of the President Elect's highly anticipated inauguration now the main attraction at Legoland in California.
Read more in The Telegraph
It will be fine at Legoland in 2009!
Back to Top
January 14, 2009
Nut Tree Amusement Park Closes Due To Economy!
Nut Tree Amusement Park in Vacaville, CA has closed after two years of operation. Nut Tree's owner blames the current economic climate and weak attendance. The park opened in October 2006.
Read more from News10/KXTV, Sacramento
It would be fine if Nut Tree Amusement Park could survive in 2009!
Back to Top
January 9, 2009
New Edge Coaster....Interactive Rides Has Done It Again!
Interactive Rides Inc. has engineered and designed a new high-tech, world-class ride, The Edge Coaster, which now sits atop The Crown Regency Hotel & Towers in The Philippines. The ride opened on December 10, 2008 and is 430 feet above the ground level, with a 389-foot track.
Read more from Amusement Today
It will be fine riding an Edge Coaster in 2009!
Back to Top
January 8, 2009
Quassy Amusement Park Announces Proposal For New Wooden Coaster!
Quassy Amusement Park, in Middlebury, CT, plans to request permission from the local Planning & Zoning Commission to build a family-sized wooden roller coaster. If approved, the coaster would be designed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, be 1200 feet long and 35 feet high.
Read more from Amusement Today
It will be fine at Quassy Amusement Park in 2009!
Back to Top
January 7, 2009
Joyland Park Owners Doubt The Park Will Ever Open Again!
The owners of Joyland Park in Wichita, Kansas are selling some of the rides and say vandalism at the park this weekend, coupled with a soft real estate market, makes it unlikely that the park will ever reopen. Joyland is one of the classic American amusement parks that was family-owned and operated. The roller coaster, one of the few of it's kind left in the nation, was built in 1949 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co. It is one of the last surviving original wooden coasters designed by Herbert P. Schmeck.
Read more in The Wichita Eagle
It would be fine if small parks can survive in 2009!
Some notes from ATRA Historian....
The old-style PTC trains with fixed lap bars were the last of it's kind to operate in the U.S.
Joyland also has a Whacky Shack similar to Waldameer Park.
Enjoy Joyland Park photos through the years in this gallery
Back to Top
January 2, 2009
Hard Rock Park Files For Chapter 7 And Must Liquidate Its Assets!
After failing to find a buyer, Hard Rock Park asked a bankruptcy court today for permission to liquidate, and the park will not be able to reopen.
Read more in The Sun News
It was great at Hard Rock Park for 5 months in 2008!
Back to Top
A Tour of Parks Lost Since 2000
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Archive | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | Future | ||
© Copyright 2007-2020 ATRA: American Thrill Ride Association - all rights reserved.
Hosting provided by: Jason J Monroe
