PW OCT08 P10v4.qxd 9/24/08 10:43 am Page 10
Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
Astroland bids ‘Adios’
Coney Island park goes dark
Astroland, one of the two remaining Coney Island amusement parks in New York City, has closed for good
because a new lease deal couldn't be reached with developer Thor Equities, which purchased the 3.1-acre
parcel of land in 2006.
Astroland co-owner Carol Hill Albert is keen to stress, however, "I have not 'given up on Coney Island' as
Thor Equities has stated. I have given up on trying to get Thor to negotiate, which I have
attempted to do since June. Each time their response was, 'We have no answer.' The safety
of our customers and our commitment to employees means our time has run out. Ride
parts must be ordered a minimum of eight to 10 months in advance. My employees cannot
live in a state of limbo any longer. We are out of time."
One park that has not closed is Dino's Wonder Wheel Park, since it has not been sold to
Thor Equities. The Wheel, along with the famous Cyclone rollercoaster and non-functioning
Parachute Tower, are protected thanks to their National Historic Landmark status.
Yet Coney Island's future as a tourism and amusement destination is clearly in peril,
notes Albert: “Thor Equities came onto the scene showing beautiful renderings of this great
21st Century amusement park they were promising to build,” she remembers “All
indications, however, are that their real priority is retail and high end housing. Coney Island
has been here for over 100 years. This is a tragic loss for the City of New York and visitors
around the world."
Carol Hill Albert
Train Returns to
Executive announced for
Cypress Gardens
Schlitterbahn Vacation Village
The Citrus Line Railroad, featuring a CP
Schlitterbahn Waterparks has named Michael R Catcott project
Huntington train from Chance Morgan, is
executive for the new Schlitterbahn Vacation Village opening in
chugging along again at Cypress
Kansas City next summer.
Gardens, Winter Haven in Florida. Now
In his new leadership role, Catcott will primarily be responsible for
featuring newly laid track and two stations,
all facets of the project’s strategic development including executive
the ride links the Paradise Pier and
oversight of the entire operation after the project’s opening.
Adventure Groove areas of the park and
The Schlitterbahn Vacation Village is a $750 million year-round
passes under the famous Starliner coaster
retail entertainment destination comprising of multiple shopping,
twice.
dining, lodging and entertainment venues connected by a
Pope Station can be found near the
“Transportainment” river system.
Okeechobee Rampage coaster while
The integrated water resort will be one of the world’s largest tubing
Flagler Station is near the Splash Island
parks with miles of interconnected rivers and signature attractions
Water Park entrance. Opened in 2004,
such as the Master Blaster and Torrent River.
the Citrus Line Railroad’s track was
An industry veteran, Catcott joins the Schlitterbahn team from
dismantled when the Starliner was
PGAV Destination Design and Consulting in St Louis, Missouri. Prior
assembled in 2007.
to that, he worked for Anheuser-Busch Theme Parks.
Chance goes on Safari!
Singapore Zoo’s
US manufacturer Chance Morgan, which continues to
carousel
knock out wildlife carousels for a variety of zoos, has just
released a new attraction that should appeal to operators
of other animal attractions.
Its new Safari Jeeps allow riders to steer the vehicles
Columbus Zoo’s
along a predetermined track as they enjoy unobstructed
Safari Jeeps
views of what lies ahead. With unlimited track options,
operators can create an experience that fits seamlessly into their exhibits and natural surroundings. The Columbus
Zoo, Powell, Ohio, took delivery of the first installation, opening the 1,200ft-long Jungle Trek ride with seven of the
four-passenger Jeeps. Recent wildlife carousels delivered by Chance Morgan include a 36ft ride for Singapore
Zoo’s new Children’s World Play Land and two for opposite sides of the US, at Cape May County Zoo in New
Jersey, and another on the West Coast for Santa Ana Zoo, California. The latter features Chance’s first Anteater
figure!
10 OCTOBER 2008
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