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ATRA World News 2010

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December 31, 2010

Knoebels To Add Two New Roller Coasters In 2011!
Knoebels Amusement Park is looking to open two roller coasters next season. Black Diamond was purchased from Wildwood, New Jersey's Morey's Piers where it operated as Golden Nugget from 1960-1999. The partially enclosed roller coaster sends guests on a themed mine car ride through the desert. After an unusually long construction period, Flying Turns, may also open in 2011. Knoebels is a fan favorite among theme park enthusiasts as it offers free admission, classic rides, and a homey non-commercial feel. Knoebels' calling card has been revitalizing classic roller coasters and these two new additions should perfectly fit the park's old school amusement park feel.
Read more at Knoebels' News Blog

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December 23, 2010

Okemo's New Mountain Coaster - the Timber Ripper Is First Coaster In State Of Vermont!
The Timber Ripper is a four-season attraction that offers a scenic and exhilarating ride through alpine forests and along the contours of the mountain at Okemo's Jackson Gore. The roller-coaster ride, manufactured by Wiegand, features maintenance-free stainless steel tubular rails for a smooth run down the mountain. Sled-like cars carry two passengers in comfort but can be handled easily by one alone. The riders are in control of the speed and this gives them a unique hands-on experience, encouraging repeat visits.
Read more from the Okemo Mountain Resort

The Timber Ripper Mountain Coaster is the first permant coaster in the state of Vermont (since 1925), which means the end of the Vermont No Coaster Club (VMNCC)

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December 13, 2010

Attitash Opens Mountain Coaster!
The new Nor'Easter Mountain Coaster carries you 1,420 feet up Attitash Mountain on twin stainless steel rails, providing spectacular views of the White Mountain scenery before descending on a thrilling 2,880 foot ride down through the forested mountain terrain, dropping 316 vertical feet through a series of banked curves, dips and straight-aways at rider-controlled speeds of up to 25 miles per hour.
Read more on the Attitash web site

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December 10, 2010

Canobie Lake Park Begins Construction On Its New Euro-Fighter Roller Coaster!
Canobie Lake Park in Salem, New Hampshire has started construction on a new roller coaster with a grizzly bear theme called "Untamed." The steel coaster’s cars will travel up to 43.5 mph and the 1,200-foot-long track’s support columns will be designed to look like birch trees.
Read more from The Boston Herald

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December 7, 2010

Support Zippin Pippin Through The Pepsi Refresh Project!
There's another roller coaster that you can support through the Pepsi Refresh Project. This time, it's the Zippin. Pippin being built at Bay Beech Park, which is owned by the city of Green Bay in Wisconsin. The coaster is none other than Elvis' favorite, being relocated from the shuttered Libertyland in Memphis.
Visit RefreshEverything.com/ZippinPippin and as you did to help Conneaut's Blue Streak, VOTE DAILY!

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December 6, 2010

"American Pickers" Purchase Old Rides And Banners From Bushkill Park On The History Channel!
When he heard from a friend that Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz of "American Pickers"-fame wanted to "pick" Bushkill Park in Forks Township, former owner Neal Fehnel was surprised. He had never heard of the duo or their hit History channel show. But on July 21, Wolfe and Fritz pulled up in their "Antique Archaeology" van to rummage through the old rides and memorabilia from the amusement park's glory days.
Read more from The Express Times
It would be like Heaven if Bushkill Park re-opens in 2011!

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December 4, 2010

Six Flags Puts Brakes On Brand Deals For Rides!
Grand Prairie-based Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is ending licensing deals for some of its most popular rides as it continues a post-bankruptcy update of its 19 theme parks. The nation's largest regional theme park company is allowing deals to expire for attractions named after daredevil Evel Knievel, skateboard pro Tony Hawk and kid favorites Thomas the Tank Engine and the Wiggles.
Read more from the Dallas Morning News

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December 2, 2010

Orlando Thrill Park Unveils 14 Rides For Planned Florida Amusement Park!
With 14 rides, including eight roller coasters, the proposed Orlando Thrill Park hopes to cater to enthusiasts under-served by Florida's theme parks. Scheduled to open in summer 2013, the proposed amusement park would include rides from several manufacturers, including Intamin, Vekoma, Chance Morgan, Mack, S&S Power, U.S. ThrillRides and Mondial, according to Chuck Bell, spokesman for the Orlando Thrill Park.
Read more from the LA Times
It will seem like a Dream at Orlando Thrill Park in 2013!

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December 1, 2010

Wave Pool Coming To Idlewild & SoakZone For 2011 Season!
Summer thrill seekers are invited to "catch a wave" this season at Idlewild & SoakZone when the park debuts an exciting new addition to its water park. A multi-million dollar family wave pool will replace Idlewild's aging swimming pool built in 1931.
Read more from the IdleWild Blog
It will be like Heaven at Idlewild Park in 2011!

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November 15, 2010

Knott's Mine Train Still Rolling After 50 Years!
This month, the Calico Mine Ride celebrates 50 years at Knott's Berry Farm. It’s now surrounded by multi-million dollar roller coasters, but crowds young and old still line up to take a trip deep into the heart of a plank-and-plaster mountain.
Read more from the Orange County Register
It will be like Heaven riding Calico Mine Ride in 2011!

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November 13, 2010

Palace Entertainment Purchased Dutch Wonderland!
Palace Entertainment, the North American division of Parques Reuniodos, owner/operator of Kennywood, Idlewild & SoakZone and Sandcastle within western Pennsylvania, purchased Dutch Wonderland, located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, from Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.
Read more from the Central Penn Business Journal
It will be like Heaven at Dutch Wonderland in 2011!

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November 12, 2010

New Website Launched To Update Public On Reopening Efforts Of Kentucky Kingdom!
The Kentucky Kingdom Redevelopment Company has launched a new website to update the public on the refurbishment and reopening efforts of the theme park. KKRC is the Kentucky State Fair Board’s approved redeveloper and operator working under an interim agreement to negotiate a lease toward the redevelopment and reopening of the park, which is owned by the state.
Read more from WLKY/Louisville
Visit Kentucky Kingdon's new web site here
It will be like Heaven if Kentucky Kingdom could reopen in 2011!

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November 11, 2010

Waldameer Announces Specifics Of Its Three New Rides!
Waldameer made a blog post detailing its three new rides for 2011. The first is a 41' swing ride, plus a tea cup ride and a Rockin' Tug. The park will give updates on its blog.
Read more from Waldameer's official blog
It will be like Heaven at Waldameer Park in 2011!

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But wait... there's more...

Geauga Lake Carousel Moving To Worlds Of Fun For 2011!
In 1926, M.C. Illions meticulously carved 64 jumping horses and two chariots to create the Illions Supreme carousel, the most famous and reproduced carousel in the world. Known for their all wood horses with high swept manes adorned with jewels, only five original Supreme models were ever built by Illions. When installed at Worlds of Fun this spring, the carousel will be one of only two operating in the world.
Illions built the ride in 1926 for the Sesqui-Centennial Celebration held in Philadelphia. In 1927, it was moved to Birmingham, Alabama, and in the 1930's moved to Coney Island be restored. The carousel operated at Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio, from 1937 to 2007, and now has been painstakingly detailed to its original condition by Carousel Works, Inc, Mansfield, Ohio, the largest manufacturer of carousels in the world. Guests will be able to watch the full restoration and installation of this beautiful ride in its entirety on Ultimate Restorations.
Read the entire press release from Worlds of Fun
It will be like Heaven riding Geauga Lake's Carousel again in 2011!

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November 2, 2010

Coney Island Boardwalk Businesses Lose Leases!
Sometimes it seems as if some of Coney Island must die so that the historic amusement district can be saved - even if it means the death of Shoot the Freak. Early on Monday, the owners of Shoot the Freak, Ruby's bar, Coney Island Souvenirs, Gyro Corner, Beer Garden and four other boardwalk operators were informed that their leases would not be renewed. And the operator of the Cyclone roller coaster is also leaving Coney Island.
Read more from the New York Times City Room blog
It will be like Heaven if the "old school" Coney Island can survive in 2011!

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October 29, 2010

Kentucky Kingdom Won't Reopen in 2011!
Kentucky Kingdom will not be open next summer, as originally hoped, but instead will aim for a 2012 reopening. The delay is tied to the need to get the General Assembly’s approval of bonds that would be issued to finance improvements at the amusement park, which was abruptly abandoned by the Six Flags system earlier this year, in proper order.
Read more from the Louisville Courier-Journal
It would be like Heaven if Kentucky Kingdom could reopen in 2011!

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October 28, 2010

Zippin Pippin Actually Starting To Look Like Roller Coaster At Bay Beach Amusement Park!
The Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park is actually starting to look like a roller coaster.
The city has borrowed $2.4 million and plans to raise another $600,000 in private donations to acquire the Zippin Pippin rights and recreate the historic coaster.
Read more from The Green Bay Press Gazette
It will be like Heaven riding Zippin Pippin again in 2011!

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October 18, 2010

Geauga Lake's New Big Dipper Coaster Owners Try To Keep It In Northeast Ohio!
Kat Jones, a college student from Dayton and self-admitted roller coaster junkie, traveled to Aurora Sunday to see the Big Dipper. Jones and New Zealander Harold Garmonsway are co-owners of the roller coaster. The pair, who met online in a forum for roller coaster enthusiasts, saved it from the wrecking ball last month after there were no bidders for the Big Dipper during an Internet auction.
Read more and watch video from WKYC-TV Cleveland
Good news comes again in 2010!

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October 15, 2010

Six Flags Magic Mountain To Reach 18 Roller Coasters In 2011!
Six Flags Magic Mountain has surprised us today with the addition/refurbishment of not one new coaster next year but three new and rebuilt coasters.
Superman: Escape will now be called Superman: Escape From Krypton. It will get a newly refurbished station, painted with blue and red supports and yellow track, and new cars that will travel backwards. From the video, it looks like it may finally go 100 mph and 410 ft once again.
"Kids Coaster" (formerly announced as Mr. Six's Dance Coaster) will be a Vekoma kiddie coaster from the former Six Flags New Orleans.
And as the biggest surprise, Six Flags Magic Mountain will open "Green Lantern", the first Intamin ZacSpin in the United States. It will feature green track and black supports and will most likely have the level of theming in comparison to Batman: The Ride and Riddler's Revenge.
Six Flags Magic Mountain has followed through with their rumored "Project 18" and will once again reign as coaster capital of the world with 18 roller coasters, what will be the most roller coasters in a single park!
Read more from Theme Park Insider
Watch the announcement video on YouTube
It will be like Heaven at Six Flags Magic Mountain in 2011!

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October 13, 2010

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Unveils Plans For New Roller Coaster!
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay unveiled plans for a new roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt, that will open in late spring in conjunction with a new cheetah habitat where park guests will be able to view the large cats up close -- a combination that park president Jim Dean called "a new breed of speed."
Explore the Cheetah Hut web page
Read more from the Miami Herald
Watch the Cheetah Hunt Video on YouTube
It will be like Heaven at Busch Gardens in 2011!

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October 5, 2010

The Ride That Started It All For Morey's Piers Will Slide Into History!
The Wipe Out, a giant slide that has been a fixture at Morey's Surfside Pier on the North Wildwood Boardwalk at 25th Street since 1969, will be dismantled following a farewell ceremony to be held on Sunday. Summer 2010 marked its last season as Morey's Piers prepares to take down the ride to make way for new attractions.
Read more from The Atlantic City Press
Morey's Piers is doing it again in 2010!

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But wait... there's more...

Starliner To Return To Panama City Beach!
The couple behind refurbishing the painted ponies of the old Miracle Strip Amusement Park carousel and giving them new life at Pier Park have purchased the old wooden "Starliner" roller coaster and will bring it back to Panama City Beach. Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven purchased the popular roller coaster in 2006 after Miracle Strip closed in September 2004 after 41 years of operation. But after Cypress Gardens was replaced with Legoland, the coaster, the oldest wooden roller coaster in Florida, went into storage.
Read more from The News Herald of Panama City, Florida
Good news comes again in 2010!

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October 2, 2010

New Pepsi Refresh Project - Save And Rebuild The Starliner Roller Coaster! Vote Today!
In 2004, the Miracle Strip Amusement Park closed its doors after 41 years of operation. Along with the park the landmark Starliner Roller Coaster, Florida's oldest wooden coaster, was dismantled and moved to Cypress Gardens in central Florida. After less than a year of operation the Starliner was once again homeless as Cypress Gardens when into bankruptcy. Now the ride sits idle in storage awaiting a new home. Our hopes are to return the Starliner to its original glory and save it from the landfill.
Read more and vote at the Pepsi Refresh Project
We can win the Pepsi Refresh Project again and rebuild The Starliner in 2010! Vote today!

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October 1, 2010

Geauga Lake's Big Dipper Has Been Saved!!!
It was announced in early September that if a September 15, 2010 deadline for sale was not met, the classic 1925 John Miller masterpiece the Big Dipper, of the former Geauga Lake Park in Aurora, OH, would be demolished. After weeks of negotiations, the sale was completed on September 30th. The nearly impossible had been done - at the last minute, the Big Dipper had been saved!!
The project's organizers have not set in place any definite plans for the coaster's new location.
Read more from Save The Big Dipper.org
It will be like Heaven if Geauga Lake's Big Dipper runs again in 2011!

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September 30, 2010

Wooden Warrior Name For New Quassy Amusement Park Roller Coaster!
The Wooden Warrior is the name chosen for the new wooden roller coaster at Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, CT — a marquee ride replacing The Mad Mouse steel roller coaster, a fixture at the park since the 1980s. The name didn't come from a committee of marketing experts and studies. It came from schoolchildren.
Read more from The Hartford Courant
It will be like Heaven at Quassy Amusement Park in 2011!

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September 23, 2010

Holiday World and Splashin' Safari announce 2011 improvements on YouTube!
Pat and Dan Koch announced improvements to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari for next year. The park will restore a local landmark, install an indoor, air-conditioned addition to Plymouth Rock Cafe, put in a new kids' ride and a complex of family water slides.
See the announcement on YouTube
It will be like Heaven at Holiday World in 2011!

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September 16, 2010

Six Flags Great Adventure To Add Green Lantern Roller Coaster in 2011!
Six Flags Great Adventure plans to add a new, 15-story roller coaster to its stable of thrill rides. The new ride will be named Green Lantern, after the DC Comics superhero, and will be the 12th roller coaster featured at the park.This Bolliger & Mabillard Stand-up roller coaster operated as Chang at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom.
Read more from APP.com (Asbury Park Press)
It will be like Heaven riding Chang again in 2011!

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September 8, 2010

Waldameer Park Will Add Three New Rides In 2011!
Thanks to sunny skies and newly introduced season passes, Waldameer made a big comeback in 2010 and has park management moving ahead with plans for three new rides in 2011. The rides, two of which will be targeted toward children and their parents, will be located east of the Ravine Flyer II. The area will be extensively landscaped with gardens, statues and a fountain.
Read more from GoErie.com
It will be like Heaven at Waldameer Park in 2011!

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September 3, 2010

Blue Streak Is Back At Conneaut Lake Park!
The Blue Streak roller coaster is up and running at Conneaut Lake Park. Members of the public rode the coaster for the first time since 2006. The coaster was built in the depression years, and there are only a few roller coasters like it in the United States.
The entire Conneaut Lake Park closed in 2006 because of financial problems. A committee has been working to bring the park back as an attraction. The rides reopened last year, but not the Blue Streak. It needed extensive repairs. But thanks to private donations, including an on-line contest sponsored by Pepsi in which The Blue Streak finished number one. The park should be receiving a $50,000 grant very soon. The American Coaster Enthusiasts also donated $10,000. A few members of that organization were invited to take part in Thursday's initial ride.
ATRA Historian, Pete Turrill was present for the first ride on The Blue Streak since 2006. Pete can be seen in the fourth seat of the classic NAD trains.
Read more and see video from WKBN.com
Read more from WICU12 News
Come ride The Blue Streak again in 2010!

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August 30, 2010

Geauga Lake's Big Dipper For Sale On EBay!
The landmark Big Dipper roller coaster from the now-closed Geauga Lake Park here has been posted on eBay for bidding or outright sale. The bidding runs through Sept. 6 but you can buy it outright for $65,000
Read more from WKCY.com (Cleveland, OH)
Thinking about buying the Big Dipper? Check out the eBay listing
The Big Dipper makes the news again in 2010!

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August 24, 2010

WindSeeker Takes Excitement To New Heights in 2011!
Towering high above many Cedar Fair parks next year, WindSeeker will ascend riders more than 300 feet on a 30-story swing ride.
Read more from...
Canada's Wonderland
Knott's Berry Farm
Cedar Point
Kings Island
We can fly to heaven on WindSeeker in 2011!

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August 20, 2010

Blue Streak at #1 - Vote daily and keep it there!
Greetings ATRA Members and friends of Conneaut Lake Park's Blue Streak roller coaster:
For a month and half now, we've been encouraging you to support the Blue Streak to receive a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project. Your persistency is paying off! After spending most of August in the #2 spot, the cause is now ranked #1. We can't rest though. Please continue to vote everyday, and if you haven't, please start. Visit www.refresheverything.com/conneautlakeparkbluestreak NOW and every day for the rest of this month and vote for the Conneaut Lake Park Blue Streak! Work on the coaster is well underway on Blue Streak and there's a good chance we'll see it open soon, BUT the reconstruction progress is exceeding the funding, so donations and this $50,000 grant are sorely needed. Help Conneaut Lake Park earn the votes needed to qualify for the grant by voting every day, and spreading the word to others. Let’s get Blue Streak back on track! There is one vote per email address allowed per day.
And you can get an extra vote each day by texting your vote. Vote from your mobile phone by texting 100510 to PEPSI (73774). Standard text messaging rates apply, but there is no other costs associated with texting this number. So if you get unlimited texts, this will cost you nothing!
PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR FRIENDS AS WELL--even if they are not coaster enthusiasts--if they are preservation-minded or community spirited, ask them to vote daily!
The Blue Streak may run again in 2010!

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August 6, 2010

Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster Work Begins Soon At Bay Beach In Green Bay!
Construction crews will start work Aug. 16 on pouring the concrete foundation for the Zippin Pippin roller coaster at Bay Beach Amusement Park. The city is spending $3 million to recreate this historic attraction that previously operated in Memphis, Tenn., and was renowned as Elvis Presley's favorite amusement park ride.The 70-foot-tall coaster is scheduled for a grand opening in May.
Read more from The Green Bay Press Gazette
It will be like Heaven riding Zippin Pippin again in 2011!

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August 4, 2010

Bye Bye, Rye Playland?
Rye Playland is the only amusement park in the nation that is owned and operated by the government. Playland hasn't earned a profit in at least a generation. The park costs between 3 and 6 million dollars a year to operate. Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino says it makes more fiscal sense to shut it down.
Read more from NBC New York

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August 2, 2010

Dollywood Announces Barnstormer for 2011!
High-flying high jinks take to the sky at Dollywood for the 2011 season with the new Barnstormer ride, a $5.5 million family thrill ride situated in a barnyard-themed area which also includes a play area for younger guests.
Read more from Business Wire
You can fly to the heavens...on Barnstormer in 2011!

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July 16, 2010

Conneaut Blue Streak In The Running For $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant!
Blue Streak Coaster at Conneaut Lake Park in the Running to Compete for $50,000 Pepsi Refresh Grant
The 2010 Pepsi Refresh Project is a grant program that awards $1,300,000 each month to the projects in each award category that receive the most votes from the public. The Blue Streak Restoration Project has qualified for the July voting period. The ten projects in the $50,000 category that have the most votes as of the end of July will each receive the funding.
Go to www.refresheverything.com/conneautlakeparkbluestreak to register to vote (lower left "Join"), THEN click on Vote for this Idea. There is no fee to do so. You can (and should!) vote every day. The leader board on the website will indicate the ranking of each project. You must be at least 13 years old to vote.
Work has begun and is progressing on the Blue Streak, and the park is open! But, as was explained at the Coaster Convention on June 24, the reconstruction progress is exceeding the funding. Help us earn the votes we need to qualify for the grant by voting every day, spreading the word to others, and donating to the Blue Streak Restoration fund at www.conneautlakepark.com. Let's get the Blue Streak back on track!
The Blue Streak may run again in 2010!

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June 18, 2010

Memphis Kiddie Park A Cleveland Institution For 50 Years!
Most 58-year-olds are pondering retirement or feeling a little out of place in the world around them. Kiddie Park is the child that never grew up, and is happy to keep it that way. Little has changed since the West Side Cleveland amusement park opened in 1952. You can still ride the Little Dipper, the oldest steel roller coaster in continuous operation in the U.S.
Read more from The Cleveland Plain Dealer
Memphis Kiddie Park is still doing it again in 2010!

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But wait... there's more...

Kennywood Sky Rocket To Open June 25!
Work is progressing nicely on commissioning Sky Rocket. Kennywood is currently projecting opening their new roller coaster on June 25 as long as there are no unexpected delays.
Read more from Kennywood
Be the first to ride Sky Rocket by entering KDKA's contest
Kennywood is doing it again in 2010!

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June 16, 2010

Myrtle Beach May Get New Iconic Ferris Wheel!
Visitors coming to the Grand Strand could see a big new attraction in Myrtle Beach over the next few years. The city wants to bring a SkyWheel Ferris wheel to the beach by next summer. The 175 foot-tall wheel near Plyler Park will feature 42 gondolas that would be heated and air-conditioned so that it could be used all year long.
Read more and see video from WBTW/Myrtle Beach
It will be like Heaven on the Myrtle Beach SkyWheel in 2011!

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June 14, 2010

Holiday World Owner Will Koch Dies At Age 48!
Will Koch, 48-year-old president of Holiday World & Splashin' Safari theme parks in Santa Claus, Indiana died Sunday night at his home, apparently from complications from diabetes.
Read more from the Evansville Courier & Press
Sad news comes to Holiday World again in 2010!

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May 25, 2010

Bell's Amusement Park May Get New Home!
Bell's Amusement Park, a Tulsa attraction for more than 50 years, could soon have a new home. Wagoner County Commissioners OK'd a resolution to relocate Bell's Amusement Park in the county, pending the passage of a sales tax increase in July. If voters approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase July 27, the county will use that money to buy property to relocate the park and its famous Zingo roller coaster.
Read more from Tulsa World
Bell's Amusement Park may thrill us again in 2010!

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May 24, 2010

Waldameer Park's Whacky Shack Celebrates 40 Years!
Hundreds of families, decades of fun, an Erie landmark is celebrating forty years at Waldameer Park. The Whacky Shack made its Erie debut in 1970, today dozens of ride enthusiasts flocked to the park from as far away as the United Kingdom.
Read more from YourErie.com
Whacky Shack is thrilling us again in 2010!

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But wait... there's more...

New Ghost Ship Sails Into Morey's Piers!
Ghost Ship is a major new Boardwalk attraction set to open this weekend at Morey's Piers in Wildwood. Costumed actors scaring people, along with the structure itself and the assortment of animatronics should make the attraction a memorable experience. The New Jersey shore has not seen this kind of attraction in 33 years!
Read more in the Atlantic City Press
Morey's Piers is doing it again in 2010!

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May 20, 2010

Luna Park Reveals Rides For New Coney Island Amusement Park!
With 23 rides on six acres of city-owned land at the former Astroland site, Luna Park joins the legendary Cyclone wooden roller coaster, the iconic Wonder Wheel and Nathan's famous hot dog stand in the latest effort to revitalize New York City's best known playground. Luna Park opens Memorial Day weekend with new rides and renewed promise that New York City officials hope signals the return of Coney Island to its glory days.
Read more from the L.A. Times
Luna Park opens again in 2010!

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May 5, 2010

Company Makes Bid To Buy Ghost Town In The Sky!
Judge George Hodges in U.S. Bankruptcy Court approved an offer to buy Ghost Town In The Sky. The amusement park in Maggie Valley, NC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. The park has struggled since reopening in May 2007 after being shuttered for 5 years. The agreement allows the park to open for the summer season.
Read more in the Asheville Citizen-Times
Ghost Town In The Sky may open again in 2010!

Click here to see the ATRA Tour at Ghost Town In The Sky

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April 26, 2010

Stratosphere Tower Debuts World Record-Setting Thrill Ride!
The Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas celebrated the grand opening of its latest thrill ride, SkyJump, picking up a place in Guinness Book of World Records. The first step is the hardest - especially when it's from 855 feet up!
Read more from the Las Vegas Sun
Stratosphere Tower does it again in 2010!

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April 21, 2010

Kiddieland Little Dipper Lives On At Six Flags Great America!
An amusement park known for its giant, high-speed roller coasters is adding the small but much-loved Little Dipper. Six Flags Great America's most recent addition is one many people remember- Kiddieland's Little Dipper, which was the most popular ride at the Chicago area amusement park until it closed on September 27, 2009. This classic wood coaster was designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck in 1950 and should be ready to roll again in its new home by Memorial Day.
Read more and see video from WLS-TV in Chicago
The Little Dipper will roll again in 2010!

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April 13, 2010

Kings Island Set To Open This Week With New Planet Snoopy!
Snoopy and the Peanuts gang have recreated Kings Island's children's area just in time for the amusement park's opening day on April 17. Several rides, like the Log Flumes and the often renamed Scooby Doo / Beastie roller coaster have been given Peanuts themes and story lines.
Read more from the Dayton Daily News
Scooby Doo Coaster's name has changed again in 2010!

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April 2, 2010

Intimidator 305 Opens At Kings Dominion!
Kings Dominion makes history as Intimidator 305 opens today. This new roller coaster honoring the late-great NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt is the first gravity-driven coaster in the U.S. to break 300 feet since Millennium Force opened in 2000. This thrilling new ride has a 300-foot first drop at 85 degrees with a speed of 90 MPH!
Read more and see video at FOX DC
Kings Dominion does it again in 2010!

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March 30, 2010

Coney Island Is "The Greatest Show On Earth" Again!
On the heels of New York City's announcement that a major new amusement park would operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey Circus will join the all-new Luna Park as one of the main attractions at Coney Island this summer. With these two major entertainers, Coney Island will really be the "Greatest Show On Earth!"
Read more from The Brooklyn Paper
Coney Island is doing it again in 2010!

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March 10, 2010

Ghost Town In The Sky Faces June Deadline To Beat Foreclosure!
Ghost Town In The Sky amusement park could be foreclosed on as early as June unless investors step forward with a cash infusion between now and then, according to Ghost Town's bankruptcy attorney. The theme park in Maggie Valley NC has been fighting bankruptcy for the past year.
Read more in the The Smoky Mountain News
Ghost Town may close again in 2010!

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March 4, 2010

Texas Giant To Become A Steel Coaster!
The Texas Giant's $10 million makeover officially got underway this week at Six Flags Over Texas.It will feature first-of-its-kind Iron Horse steel coaster track. The new track design does not feature any wood on the track bed. When the new Texas Giant opens in Spring 2011, it will stand 153 feet tall, 10 feet taller than it is now, feature a 79-degree first drop, and will incorporate numerous 95-degree banked turns throughout the ride. The coaster will also be faster, reaching speeds of 65 mph.
Read more from WBAP News/Talk 820 - The News & Talk of Texas
More info/photos also available at Amusement Today (scroll down)
Six Flags is doing it again in 2010!

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February 26, 2010

Kennywood Park To Offer Season Passes in 2010!
Kennywood Park will introduce a season pass starting in March 2010. The price is $89.99 and will include unlimited visits during the regular season through September 19. A limited quantity will sold in 2010, so purchases will be on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. Phantom Fright Night admission is not included in the Kennywood Season Pass.
Read more at Kennywod.com
Kennywood Park is doing it again in 2010!

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February 20, 2010

ATRA President To Entertain At Morey's Coastin By The Ocean Event!
ATRA President, Mark Kindler (a.k.a. Blind Melon Hecuba) will entertain the crowd at the Morey's Piers Coastin By The Ocean event on July 10-11 in Wildwood NJ. The performance will take place at the Saturday Night Luau at the Rendezvous Beach Pavilion.
Read the event flyer
Click here to register online
ATRA is doing it again in 2010!

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February 13, 2010

Cashless Payment System Coming To Waldameer Park!
Visitors to Waldameer Park are used to seeing a new attraction year after year: the X-Scream in 2007, Ravine Flyer II in 2008, and the Mega Vortex in 2009. The park is planning another new ride for 2011, but the big change this year is a cashless payment system.
Read more at Go Erie.com
Waldameer Park is doing it again in 2010!

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February 12, 2010

Zippin Pippin Demolished After Partial Collapse But Still May Live Again!
The Zippin Pippin has taken its last ride in Memphis, partially collapsing Thursday before being dismantled for sale to Green Bay. A commissioner said a portion of the ride collapsed and they decided to tear down the rest. Green Bay is buying the rights to all the Zippin Pippin's material and is acquiring the name, design, and configuration of the roller coaster. Most of the wood , which has been exposed to the elements since Libertyland closed in 2005, could not be used.
Read more in the Memphis Commercial Appeal
The Zippin Pippin may live again in 2010!

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February 4, 2010

Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Is Closing!
Six Flags announced today that as it nears the scheduled end of its restructuring process, it has decided to reject its lease with the Kentucky State Fair Board relating to the Kentucky Kingdom park. The substantial lease payment has been a significant hurdle for this park in recent years. Other Six Flags parks will be completely unaffected and will open as scheduled for the full 2010 season.
Read more from Six Flags.com
Another park is closing again in 2010!

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February 3, 2010

ATRA Presents:
Journey Through The Past
An ATRA Tribute to Parks Lost Since 2000
Your friends at ATRA have compiled a list of over 90 amusement parks and family fun centers in North America have closed since 2000!  If you are an ATRA member and would like to contribute photos or comments, please contact Pete or Uncle Duke
See It Here
Hope some parks will live again in 2010!

Zippin Pippin May Be Saved!
The mayor of Green Bay has been talking to Memphis city administrators and Save Libertyland Inc. about the possibility of getting the Zippin Pippin for Bay Beach Amusement Park, which is slated for expansion. The unique historic amusement park will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. The Zippin Pippin was designed by John Miller in 1923 and operated at Libertyland until October 29, 2005.
Read more in the Memphis Commercial Appeal
Zippin Pippin may live again in 2010!

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February 1, 2010

Conneaut Lake Park Looking For Donations To Get The Blue Streak Running!
The Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park are seeking donations to put The Blue Streak in operation this summer for the first time since the 2006 season. Restoring the 72-year-old Blue Streak is the next step of continued efforts to bring the 118-year-old amusement park back to its glory days.
Read more from the Meadeville Tribune
It sure was fine when Conneaut Lake Park re-opened in 2009!
The Blue Streak may run again in 2010!

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January 21, 2010

Merlin Officially Unveils Plans For Legoland Florida!
Central Florida will be the home to the world's largest Legoland by the end of 2011, Merlin Entertainment Group said today. The park, which is planned for the former site of Cypress Gardens, is expected to include between 40 and 50 main attractions. In addition to Lego's signature attractions, Cypress Gardens historical gardens, water shows, and one of its two wooden roller coasters are expected to stick around.
Read more from the Orlando Sentinel
It will be like heaven at Legoland Florida in 2011!

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January 20, 2010

New York City Names Coney Island Amusement Operator!
New York City has chosen Italian-based company Zamperla USA to become the new amusement park operator for Coney Island. Zamperla is one of the largest manufacturers of amusement rides in the world and its American headquarters is based out of Parsippany, New Jersey. City officials want the rides up and running by this summer.
Read more from NY1 News
Coney Island lives again in 2010!

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January 15, 2010

Cypress Gardens Purchased by Merlin Entertainments Group!
It was revealed today that Merlin Entertainments Group, the British company that owns the Legoland park chain, Madame Tussaud's wax museums and the London Eye, closed a deal for the park on Jan 7 for an undisclosed price. The park's last owner, Land South Adventures, bought the park in 2007 for $17 million at a bankruptcy auction.
Read more in the Orlando Sentinel
Cypress Gardens lives again in 2010!

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January 13, 2010

Quassy Amusement Park Announces New Ride For 2010!
Quassy Amusement Park has announced that a new family drop tower ride called Free Fall 'N will open for the 2010 season. The 35-foot tower ride is from SBF Visa. The new wooden roller coaster from The Gravity Group has been delayed until 2011.
Read more on Blooloop.com
Quassy Amusement Park does it again in 2010!

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ATRA Journey Through the Past

A Tour of Parks Lost Since 2000



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