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SeaWorld named its new leader Thursday, less than two months after the previous CEO left amid a disagreement with the board. Sergio “Serge” Rivera, 57, a former hotel executive, will take over the Orlando-based company starting Monday. Rivera will be paid $600,000 annually and receive stock options as well as part of his three-year contract, according to a new SEC filing.
Rivera becomes the fifth leader, permanent or interim, at the company since February 2018. “They clearly need to get a captain at the helm, first and foremost,” said Dennis Speigel, a longtime theme park consultant who is president of the Ohio-based International Theme Park Services. Naming the new CEO comes at a critical time, right before thousands of people in the theme park industry attend Orlando’s IAAPA convention later this month, he added. Speigel said it makes sense for SeaWorld to tap into the hotel industry, which is like a “cousin” to theme parks. Both industries deal with bookings and helping guests on a daily basis.
Related: SeaWorld's next CEO has big flippers to fill
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Knott’s Berry Farm is celebrating 100 years in 2020, and part of that celebration will be the opening of an all-new 4-D interactive dark ride inspired by the classic Bear-y Tales attraction.
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SeaWorld Entertainment Inc.'s latest earnings report may not be as bad as it looks, despite reported declines in revenue and attendance. The Orlando-based marine theme park operator (NYSE: SEAS) on Nov. 7 reported revenue of $473.7 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, down 2% from $483.2 million in the same period last year. Total revenue for the nine-month period remained relatively flat (0.7%) at $1.1 billion, compared to $1.09 billion from the same time period last year.
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On the fourth day of the inquest in Stafford, the jury heard from the park’s director of operations, Steven Lomas, who was questioned by the coroner and lawyers for both the family and the Health and Safety Executive. He was asked about the safety precautions on the ride, which included a height restriction, warning signs about staying seated and holding onto the safety railing, as well as a CCTV system, reports Leicestershire Live.
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International Theme Park Services, Inc.
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The French president Emmanuel Macron personally ensures that the arrival of a new mega-fun park near Paris is canceled. For many years, plans were made for the construction of EuropaCity, a gigantic amusement park with a shopping center, a water park and a hotel near the French capital. Now Macron is canceling the plans.
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A likely six per cent rise in the compound annual growth rate of the attractions industry is set to see revenues rise to $74.7bn according to a recent study. The report, by US full-service market research and business-consulting firm Allied Market Research, says that the sector, which includes not only theme and amusement parks but also water parks, children’s play parks and adventure parks, was worth $47.2bn as of 2018.
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The Gallery of Arts and History in Epcot’s Morocco pavilion has just reopened with a brand-new exhibit, “Race Against the Sun: Ancient Technique to Modern Competition.” “Race Against the Sun” details two modern competitions – Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands) and Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc (Rally of the Gazelles) – along with the history of the ancient inhabitants of the Sahara, the Berbers.
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We are delighted to reveal the Blooloop 50 theme park Influencer list for 2019. Run in association with themed attractions design agency Katapult, the Blooloop 50 celebrates innovation and creativity in the theme park industry.
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The word weekend conjures different images in people’s minds. Some imagine spending time with their family, some imagine washing their car/catching up on chores and for most, it involves snuggling under the covers and binge watching a show. Online video streaming has changed the way people spend their time and therefore earned some unlikely competitors, one being, the amusement park and theme park sector. Imagica is a theme park located between Mumbai and Pune and they recently released a set of ads to reiterate their new brand positioning as ‘India’s biggest amazement park.’
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It is perhaps fitting that the first thing to open at the American Dream mall, located just over the New York border in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is Nickelodeon Universe. Packed with roller coasters, spinning rides, a nine-story-tall ropes course, and other amusements, the 8.5-acre facility is the largest indoor theme park in North America. The three-million-square-foot American Dream is allocating 55% of its massive space to entertainment and 45% to retail, and Nickelodeon Universe is its featured entertainment venue.
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Would you wear a tank top and shorts to ride a roller coaster in frigid temperatures? Six Flags Great Adventure announced its Polar Coaster Challenge this week, which will dare guests to ride the Nitro roller coaster in a tank top and shorts in December.
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Lights, cameras, actors and plenty of umbrellas brought bustle and energy to what would have been a dark, gloomy night at Dollywood on Thursday. The upcoming Hallmark movie, "Christmas at Dollywood" is filming at the Pigeon Forge theme park through Friday, getting footage of Dolly Parton and the cast and different areas of the park.
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De Efteling shows a new trailer for the 4D film Fabula, which will premiere next month. Various scenes from the new film come along in a one-minute YouTube video. At the same time, the opening date has been changed. Instead of on Saturday 7 December, the opening will now take place on Friday 6 December, at 1 p.m.
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Tivoli Gardens replaces a 30-year-old rollercoaster classic. "Mælkevejen" takes passengers on a journey through space. The Danish amusement park has now shown how it will look like and in what train the ride will take place.
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The managing director of Toverland resigns her duties. Caroline Kortooms (59) has been managing the Limburg amusement park since its opening in 2001, which she founded with her brother Jean Gelissen. Now she chooses to take a step back. From now on, Kortooms is concerned with the vision and corporate culture.
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Never before have so many guests visited Kolmården Animal and Leisure Park in Sweden as in 2019. This year's investment in new theme worlds, a new theater, the horror house "Hospitalet" and more actors in the park have been successful. As part of the Halloween event in 2019, a total of 49,333 visitors were counted - an increase of 22 percent over the previous year.
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An area that was once two different theme parks and a mall could be seeing a lot of changes soon. The 125-acre lot formerly known as the Hard Rock Park, Freestyle Music Park and Waccamaw Pottery has sat empty for years. Last year, the former mayor of Myrtle Beach and owner of FTPP Bishop Parkway LLC, John Rhodes, bought the property.
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A new, yet nostalgic style of MagicBand is coming soon to shopDisney – MagicBand slap bracelets! Not many details have been revealed about this new style of Disney Parks wearable, but they will be released on shopDisney on Nov. 12. It is likely they will also be released around the same time at Walt Disney World Resort, though we can’t say for sure just yet.
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This winter, hundreds of dazzling giant light sculptures will illuminate Lightwater Valley as part of a brand-new lantern trail. Embark on a twilight adventure through a fantastical Winter Wonderland and meet Alice, the Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat and many more of the Lewis Carroll childhood characters we all know and love.
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Floridians are blessed with theme parks galore to keep the thrills going all year round. From Disney to Universal & Busch Gardens, we're taken over by thrills. During one of the best times of the year, we get another, a Christmas Theme Park that illuminates our childlike wonder with Santa Season cheer.
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The experience, which features the voice of Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, has players fight to stop the Terminator from killing a target who is invaluable to the future of the Resistance. Sarah Connor guides players as they fight through a zombie-style shootout, with the Terminator attacking the players’ vehicle.
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India’s first cable-to-rail roller coaster zipline — Flying Ox — is the latest addition to the list of tourist attractions in Kufri near Shimla. Adventure lovers will be able to experience the thrill from next week.
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Hard to believe it’s been a little over two years since OWA opened its park gates, downtown shops, dining experiences, and attractions, but here we are two years later. With the destination investing over $241 million to date and planning to invest an additional $121.3 million within the next 18-months, it’s hard to deny the impact the location has made on the community.
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Calling all bookworms and crossword buffs: The Planet Word Museum will finally open this spring. On Thursday, the institution announced that it will welcome visitors starting on May 31, 2020.
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The grand opening for Heyday in Denison is set for Friday at 11am. The new entertainment center is off of Highway 75 at the new Gateway Village Center. The first 100 people through the door will get a special prize pack from Heyday.
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The Putt-Putt Fun Center facility would neighbor the Carraway Village apartment complex and be constructed in an undeveloped parcel of land near Interstate 40.
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The Museum of East Tennessee History is offering free admission for veterans, active-duty military and their families for Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
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Just like anything else, that Donkey Kong arcade cabinet tucked in the corner of the neighborhood pizza hangout had to come from somewhere.
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Holidaymakers' vacations were cut short and the armed forces called in after a cruise ship ran aground on the Galapagos Islands and had to be evacuated on Tuesday night.
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Hologate, the leader in location based entertainment with over 300 locations worldwide, announced today they have served their 5 millionth customer. We estimate the gross revenue associated with this number of plays to be in the neighborhood of fifty million dollars. “Being able to create an experience that is so globally valued is truly an honor for us.” said Leif Petersen, CEO of Hologate, in their press release. Petersen founded the Munich-based company over seven years ago.
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Clymb Abu Dhabi, the new sports and leisure attraction on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, is to open on 29 November 2019, according to owner Miral. The US$100m (€89.8m, £77.3m) project will deliver the world's tallest indoor climbing wall at 140ft (43 metres) tall, and its widest skydiving flight chamber, spanning over 32ft (10 metres). Miral said it will have challenges that appeal to both novice and expert climbers and skydivers.
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The new Europa Park Water Park officially opens on November 28, 2019. Now some of the attractions are already extensively tested - and the first videos from inside show what visitors expect in the slides.
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Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari have officially placed the first pieces for their newest water coaster coming in 2020: Cheetah Chase. Holiday World’s third water coaster will be the first launched water coaster in the world and will feature two ProSlide rocketBLAST-powered racing slides totaling more than 1700 feet of track. Riders will experience a water-powered flat launch before racing against their families toward the finish line.
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A deal that would have given new life to Schlitterbahn’s Kansas City, Kan., location doesn’t appear to be coming anytime soon. Ohio-based Worlds of Fun owner Cedar Fair LP (NYSE: FUN) opted not to exercise its option to buy the property last week, resulting in more uncertainly for the now stagnant water park.
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Long an icon in Orange County, Calif., Irvine’s 25-year-old Wild Rivers attraction closed in 2011 after its lease with the Irvine Company expired, and the land it was on was used to develop apartment complexes. The waterpark opened in 1986 on the site of the former Lion Country Safari just off the 405 freeway.
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DECATUR — The Park District has released its list of admission fees for the new Splash Cove in Nelson Park. The swim season starts May 23. The new facility, which includes multiple water slides and features, is along U.S. 36 next to the Overlook Adventure complex, which includes miniature golf, a ropes course and two restaurants.
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New Zealand's largest waterslide and sustainable thermal pools have officially opened. A $4.5 million development, including New Zealand's largest water slide, was officially opened at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa on Friday morning.
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Work on a new city water park is set to begin at the end of the month. Derby City Council has revealed that site works will be starting before the end of November. The existing stadium and athletics track will be joined by a new pool and water park to create what the council is now calling Moorways Sports Village.
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The Minnesota Zoo plans to have a design and construction team in place by mid-December for its $22 million “treetop trail” project, a reuse of the zoo’s long-shuttered monorail tracks. Then comes the trickier part of convincing the Legislature to help pay for the project.
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The Newport Aquarium made its big announcement on Friday after weeks of teasing on social media. After 20 years, the Dangerous & Deadly Gallery is being completely reimagined for one of the largest new exhibit developments in the history of Newport Aquarium.
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The dreaded moment is finally upon us: beloved giant panda Bei Bei is leaving to China in just 12 days. Next week, the zoo has planned a variety of events to help legions of local (and not-so-local) Bei Bei fans come to terms with his departure. From November 11-19, the zoo will hold Q&As with panda keepers, public snack times for Bei Bei with special frozen fruitcicles and bamboo, and other events.
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On a clear, crisp Tuesday morning, Paul Baribault is once again drinking from an information firehose. The native of Burbank has been gulping from it ever since being named head of San Diego Zoo Global. Baribault has just taken over from Douglas G. Myers, who announced his retirement earlier this year. After spending October working with Myers, the zoo’s future is now the responsibility of Baribault, the zoo’s first new president and CEO in 34 years.
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The city-county authority that oversees Zoo Atlanta's lease at Grant Park took a vote Thursday that puts an end to zoo management's worries about possible delays to work on Savanna Hall. The building that formerly held the Cyclorama painting will overlook a new and expanded natural habitat for elephants and giraffes, but Zoo Atlanta needed that vote from the Atlanta-Fulton County Recreation Authority to tap federal historic tax credits for the Savanna Hall building work.
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Channel 4’s Secret Life of the Zoo highlighted the emotional impact on Chester Zoo ’s Sumatran orangutans caught up in the Monsoon Forest blaze last December. The second episode in the latest series showed shocking footage of the flames that engulfed the dome which is currently being rebuilt.
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A 33-year-old orangutan granted legal personhood by a judge in Argentina is settling into her new surroundings at the Center for Great Apes in central Florida. Patti Ragan, director of the center in Wauchula, Florida, says Sandra is “very sweet and inquisitive” and adjusting to her new home. She was born in Germany and spent 25 years at the Buenos Aires Zoo before arriving in Florida on Nov. 5.
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The Calgary Zoo‘s bamboo crisis has been solved! The four pandas at the zoo–which staff admit are “picky eaters”–munch on about 1,200 kilograms of bamboo a week and the zoo was left scrambling when Hainan airlines announced its flights from China to Calgary were being cut back at the end of October.
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For thousands of years, millions of tiny white abalone snails lived along the California coast. Now facing extinction, the white abalone will be getting a major boost toward survival this month, thanks to a breeding program spearheaded by marine organizations across the state, including the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
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By offering a day for people with vision loss on Saturday, the Great Lakes Aquarium reaches a pinnacle in its mission to become a more inclusive attraction. It doesn’t matter where Austin Horstmann is in the Great Lakes Aquarium, he can always hear the American crow, Freeway, cawing from his ground-floor home near the popular otter exhibit.
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Is Mexico safe? That’s the question many travelers are asking in light of the recent, horrific news of the brutal murders of nine Americans who were gunned down in a remote region about 100 miles from the U.S. border.
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Rowdy groups of bachelor parties. Backpackers asking locals to pay their way. The hordes that pour daily off cruise ships, choking up city centers.
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On Tuesdays I write a Fortune newsletter on sustainability in business called The Loop where, this week, I focused on revolutions in air travel. Today, here at the Fortune Global Tech Forum in Guangzhou, Alan interviewed Booking.com chairwoman Gillian Tans on stage, and discussed, among other things, the future of sustainable tourism. So the theme continues.
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Croatia says a record 20 million people visited the Adriatic Sea country this year.
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Written in large letters on the wall in front of the upmarket Cumbres hotel in central Santiago is the simple message: “Eat the Rich.” In English, just in case the guests were in any doubt.
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