(BOWIE, MD)- June 9, 2011- Six Flags America announced today that June 11 through July 10, 2011 are the final days for guests to set sail on Skull Mountain prior to the ride’s retirement to make way for a new attraction in 2012. Guests are encouraged to bring their mateys for a final cruise of the seven seas before the ride hoists anchor to begin its journey to Davy Jones’ Locker on Sunday, July 10, 2011.
“For more than a decade, guests at Six Flags America have been thrilled and inspired by Skull Mountain, giving them the feeling of joining a one-of-a-kind pirates’ voyage in Maryland’s favorite theme park,” said John Winkler, Six Flags America park president. “It’s a piece of history for Six Flags America and we feel it’s fitting to give it one last stand.”

The Bon Voyage countdown for Skull Mountain begins the week of June 13, 2011 when a boat is placed on the theme park midway offering unique photo opportunities for guests. A Fare-thee-Well Weekend for Skull Mountain is planned for July 9 and 10, 2011 and includes a two-day Pirate Festival, featuring pirate makeovers for guests and special entertainment from the cast of The Blundering Buccaneers stunt show. In addition, Six Flags America will host a last-rider auction, with proceeds benefitting the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archive. The park will donate a boat from Skull Mountain to the National Roller Coaster Museum following the final voyage in July.

SIX FLAGS AMERICA PREPARES FINAL VOYAGE FOR SKULL MOUNTAIN
Maryland theme park announces final days to take the journey on an iconic ride before preparation begins for 2012 attraction

An iconic mainstay of the American Main, this half thrill coaster/ half water flume was introduced in 1997 as the Typhoon Sea Coaster, designed and manufactured by Intamin, Ltd. of Switzerland. The first of its kind, the ride made history with a seven-story descent, at the time the world’s tallest for a water-powered coaster. Redubbed Skull Mountain in 2007, the ride’s 2,200-foot track has undergone several changes during its tenure at the park, creating an entirely different experience from its first introduction.

For a limited time, lads and lasses of every age may enjoy a final ride on Skull Mountain, as well as the rest of the thrills at Six Flags America and Hurricane Harbor, while saving a few doubloons. Visit sixflags.com/America to learn more about Everyone Pays Kids’ Price at the park. Great values are also available with coupons from participating McDonald’s restaurants or on Coca-Cola products.

Washington, DC, April 1, 2011 – Today marks the launch of a unique charity event created by CoasterRadio.com benefiting prominent L.A. charity Project Angel Food that brings together theme park fans from across the world.

Theme Park Change encourages amusement park fans to give up one thing they would normally enjoy during a trip to the park and donate the cost of that item to a worthy cause.  For instance, someone might give up a funnel cake and donate $5.  Someone else might give up a day at the park and donate the $50 cost of their ticket.

Anyone donating $10 or more through Theme Park Change has a chance to win one of dozens of exciting prizes donated by the amusement park industry. Prizes include tickets to Walt Disney World, Sea World and actual props from their favorite theme park attractions.

All of the proceeds raised through this event are being donated to PROJECT ANGEL FOOD, a Los Angeles based agency which cooks and delivers 14,000 free, nutritious meals every week to men, women, and children throughout Los Angeles County struggling with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-threatening illnesses. This much beloved, volunteer-driven nonprofit has provided more than 7 million free meals since its creation 22 years ago. Every $5 donated to Project Angel Food will fund a meal to someone affected by serious illness and hunger.

Film and television star (and theme park fanatic) Neil Patrick Harris, a long-time Project Angel Food supporter, is helping to spread the word about this event by appearing in a promotional video featured on the main page of themeparkchange.com.

“I’m a big fan of both Project Angel Food and theme parks.  So when the gang fromCoasterradio.com proposed an idea that included both, I was intrigued.  I encourage any coaster or theme park fan to donate what they can to a truly worthwhile cause.  You can always buy a funnel cake next month…”

“Theme Park Change is a fun, unique way to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community,” says Project Angel Food CEO Margaret Steele. “We’re grateful to all the amusement park fans across the country, CoasterRadio.com and Neil Patrick Harris for making this event possible.”The event was created by CoasterRadio.com, the world’s first podcast about theme parks and thrill rides.  The show has been broadcasting since 2005 and is heard by thousands of engaged park fans all over the world.

Concerts, Coasters and Buy One, Get One Admission Highlight Spring Break

AUSTELL, Ga. (March 29, 2011) – Double rides on Mind Bender, dance parties and free concerts are just a few of the events happening at Six Flags Over Georgia during Spring Break, presented by Stride Gum.  The park is open daily April 2 – 10 for Spring Breakers to enjoy all of the rides, shows and attractions plus special concerts and events taking place throughout the week.  To help make all the fun even more affordable, guests can take advantage of a special “Buy one, Get one free” admission ticket that can be purchased online at www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

“Six Flags Over Georgia is the perfect destination for families staying close to home this Spring Break”, said Park President Melinda Ashcraft. “The week is jam-packed with a ton of entertainment for kids and parents alike.”

From MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” (Season 5), Jungle Boogie Crew is performing their awe-inspiring dance routine live at the park on Friday, April 8.

Secondhand Serenade and Parachute are live in concert on Saturday, April 9.  Rising country music star Corbette Jackson is also performing on Wednesday, April 6.  Both concerts are free with park admission or a season pass.

Additionally, Six Flags Over Georgia season pass holders can get a jumpstart on their favorite coasters during Early Ride Time April 4 – 8 beginning at 9:30 a.m.  If one ride isn’t enough, everyone gets a double ride on Mind Bender, the park’s classic triple-looping coaster from 10:30 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, April 5.

The park’s operating hours during Spring Break are 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sunday – Friday and 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Saturdays.  The park will be open weekends through May 22.  Daily operation begins Friday, May 27.

Six Flags Over Georgia season passes are on sale now for as low as $49.99 each.  For more information about Six Flags Over Georgia, visit www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

Universal Orlando Partners with Horror Film Directors Michael and Peter Spierig to Create This Year’s TV Commercial

To See the Commercial and Hear from the Spierig Brothers, Click HERE

WHAT: Universal Orlando Resort has revealed the new television commercial for Halloween Horror Nights XX: Twenty Years of Fear.

For the first time ever, Universal Orlando collaborated with horror film directors to create this year’s commercial.  Universal worked with Michael and Peter Spierig, best known for directing “Daybreakers,” the 2010 box office hit starring Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill.  Other movies directed by the Spierig brothers include “Undead” (2003) and “The Power of the Dark Crystal,” scheduled to be released in 2011.

The commercial features an on-duty security guard patrolling the Universal Orlando prop warehouse who comes face to face with Fear – the master of everything Halloween Horror Nights has ever been and will become.  To see the commercial, click HERE.

This year’s Halloween Horror Nights will feature eight all-new haunted houses, six new scarezones and two live shows.  For more information about the event, visit HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

WHEN: Universal Orlando Halloween Horror Nights XX Event Dates:
September 24-25, September 30-October 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 20-24 and 27-31

Most immersive horror experience in Midwest opens September 24

KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – There’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.  Screams of pure panic pierce the night in the most immersive horror experience in the Midwest – Halloween Haunt at Kings Island!

Halloween Haunt 2010 will desecrate Kings Island with more blood, terror and gore than ever before!  The bloodcurdling horror and mind-bending terror of Halloween Haunt features more than 500 ghastly creatures emerging from the darkness, 14 highly-intense and spine-chilling haunted attractions and some of the most hair-raising thrill rides on the planet.

This year, Halloween Haunt will feature an all-new thriller maze, Wolf Pack, and midget wrestling with the immensely popular Half Pint Brawlers from Spike TV.

Returning haunted attractions include CornStalkers, Club Blood, Massacre Manor, Death Row, Trail of Terror, Urgent Scare, Cut Throat Cove, Slaughter House, Cemetery Drive, CarnEvil and Tombstone Terror-Tory.

Also back is Hot Blooded, a live stage show.  Vampires, blood and rock n’ roll explode onto the stage in this seductive after-life revue.

Kings Island’s favorite thrill-ride attractions will also remain open for Halloween Haunt as well. Favorites include The Beast, Diamondback, Firehawk, Vortex, Drop Tower, Invertigo, Delirium, Flight Deck, The Racer, Flight of Fear, Adventure Express, Backlot Stunt Coaster, Monster, Zephyr, Scrambler, Shake, Rattle & Roll, Dodgem and The Crypt.

Halloween Haunt is not for the feint of heart and will ravage all of your senses.  This in-your-face horror experience continues to break new ground and is filled with terrifying chain-link mazes, frightening wooded trails, disturbing clowns in 3D and outrageous “live” shows.  No other Halloween event in the region can match the number of scares, blood, terror and gore.

Parents, be advised. Halloween Haunt includes graphic scenes, suggestive themes and intense imagery and is intended for mature audiences; not recommended for children. No one and nothing is off limits!

Gates to the underworld are open from 7:00pm to 1:00am Friday and Saturday nights on the following dates: September 24, 25; October 1-2, 8-9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30.

Deadly deals on tickets for Halloween Haunt are available online at haunt.visitkingsisland.com for just $21.99 on Friday nights and $27.99 for all day admission on Saturdays (park hours are from 12:00pm to 1:00am on Saturdays).   Tickets are also just $21.99 on Fridays and $27.99 on Saturdays when a coupon from Taco Bell is presented at any front gate admissions window.

For a detailed listing of each haunted indoor and outdoor attraction and live shows at this year’s event, see below.  For more information, visit haunt.visitkingsisland.com.

INDOOR ATTRACTIONS

WOLF PACK (New for 2010) – The moon is full and there’s nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.  They’re watching every step you take, every move you make.  They can hear you breathing.  There’s something in the woods … and they’re hungry!  Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?  You will be!!!!

SLAUGHTER HOUSE – Looking for a good cut of fresh meat?  You’ve come to the right place.  The butcher shop is open and you never know who – or what – is on the chopping block.  A real meat-lovers delight as the herd is skinned alive, gutted, beheaded and packed before your very eyes!

URGENT SCARE – It’s time for your checkup!  A virus has broken out in a small town causing a deadly plague that is spreading with destructive speed and effect.   At the local hospital, the virus has begun spreading from patient to patient by direct physical contact or by the means of non-sterilized medical equipment.  If the virus doesn’t kill you, fear might!

CLUB BLOOD –This popular night club has never been so bloody good!  The club’s exotic dancers are dying to meet you.  Come in for a bite.  Stay as long as you like.  In fact, you can stay forever!

DEATH ROW – So you think the Death penalty is bad?  Step inside the sanitarium of slaughter and see what torture is all about!  Nothing will scare you the way the inmates in this evil prison will.  They can’t wait for you to join them on Death Row!

MASSACRE MANOR – The Manor is for sale and the price has been reduced!  Never mind the rumors of murder and torture – it’s priced to sell.  Potential buyers descend into a fortress of fear as they make their way down creepy corridors, entering one terrifying room after another.  Along the way you will encounter many of the Manor’s inhabitants – most of them long since departed.  They will make escaping the wrath that curses the manor a difficult challenge.

CARNEVIL – Join the circus like you wanted to when you were a kid … permanently!  Despite the presence of elephants, giraffes and other circus animals, this is not your run-of-the-mill Big Top.  Only the most determined will make it out alive.

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS

CUT THROAT COVE – Come seeking adventure and salty old pirates, have you?  In this hideaway, thieving pirates and cutthroat buccaneers are ready to challenge even the bravest souls to a duel.  Can you get past these swashbucklers and make it out alive?  Know this as you try: Dead men tell no tales!

CORNSTALKERS – This frightful cornfield will scare the yell out of you!  Countless scarecrows rule the overgrown ruins of the formerly vibrant Action Zone.  Built by farmhands to ward off any would be trespassers, these guardians of rubble take their jobs very seriously.  Legend has it intruders make these evil scarecrows come to life!

CEMETERY DRIVE – If you are afraid of things that go bump in the night then you you’ll want to think twice before entering Cemetery Drive.  Evil spirits abound as you attempt to make your way around oversized tombstones, monuments and crypts.

TRAIL OF TERROR – Do you dare challenge what lurks beyond the mist down a darkened path deep into the wicked woods of Kings Island?  Hideous creatures in advanced stages of decay are wandering mindlessly along the trail searching for souls.  Enter at your own peril!

TOMBSTONE TERROR-TORY – Covered bridges and foggy terrain disguise the evil that lurks in every direction as you travel aboard a midnight train.  But don’t be alarmed.  We guarantee you’ll make it to your final destination!

LIVE SHOWS

HOT BLOODED – Vampires, blood and rock n’ roll explode onto the stage in this seductive after-life revue.  This clan is born to be wild and is looking for action.  Break on through to the other side and get bitten!  Show Times: 8:00, 9:30, 11:00, Midnight in the Showplace Theatre.

HALF PINT BRAWLERS (New for 2010) – Say hello to our little friends, the “Half Pint Brawlers.” Don’t sell these guys short.  This troupe of psycho midget wrestlers will bring you to your knees.  Come see how real it is when heads split open and real blood is shed in the course of a match.  You won’t be able to turn away!  These hard-core grapplers play for keeps.  Not for the feint of heart.  Show Times: 7:30, 9:00, 10:30, Midnight in the Festhaus.

Kings Island is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.”  In addition to Kings Island, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort and five hotels.  Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

Busch Gardens’ Water Park Open Weekends Only Through Oct. 24

TAMPA, Fla. (Sept. 7, 2010) —Adventure Island is open weekends only now through Oct. 24. That’s seven more weekends to enjoy thehigh-speed thrills and the tropical, tranquil surroundings that await you at Busch Gardens’ water park.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 11 and 12 and every weekend after through Oct. 24. The 2011 season will kick off March 12.

Adventure Island offers 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun. Within a soothing Key West atmosphere are slides, corkscrews, waterfalls, a wave pool, a children’s water playground and other family attractions.

Single-day admission tickets for Adventure Island are $41.95 for adults and $37.95 for children ages 3 to 9. Ages 2 and younger are free, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit www.adventureisland.com for more information.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The skyline of Carowinds will light up next summer as the amusement park announces plans to debut Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular, a million dollar nighttime walk-through light and sound experience featuring Snoopy and the PEANUTS™ gang, in the Summer of 2011.

Designed using a diverse mixture of low energy and high efficiency LED lighting, this immersive light and sound spectacular will stretch from County Fair through the entrance of Planet Snoopy and feature more than one and a half million LED lights adorned from trees and buildings. Midways will be accented by vibrant animated and stationary light displays, vivid theatrical lighting and other cutting edge special effects, all orchestrated to a custom designed audio soundtrack.

To showcase Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular, Carowinds will extend its operating hours until 10 pm every day from June 27 through August 7, 2011. This expansion will offer guests more evening hours of fun to experience everything Carowinds has to offer. Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular will come to life each evening during these 10 pm closes.

“Carowinds is dedicated to providing diversified entertainment the entire family can enjoy together”, said Carowinds’ vice president and general manager, Bart Kinzel. “The addition of Snoopy’s Starlight Spectacular and extension of our operating hours reaffirms our commitment to providing quality, family entertainment at the greatest value.”

KINGS ISLAND, Ohio – If you think riding Drop Tower at Kings Island is a thrill (and it is – riders enjoy a breathtaking view of the region as they ascend toward the sky, then take a 26-story freefall at 64 mph), wait until next year!

Kings Island will continue to change the landscape for thrill seekers in 2011 with WindSeeker, a 301-foot-tall tower that will spin riders 30 stories above the park. Seated in two-person swings that will allow their feet to dangle, riders will slowly begin rotating in a circular motion as the swings ascend the tower. At the top, the swings will reach speeds up to 30 mph, flaring out 45 degrees from the tower. WindSeeker will accommodate 64 riders (32 swings) per ride cycle.

“The addition of WindSeeker reflects our commitment to providing our guests with world-class thrills, fun and fantastic family entertainment,” Kings Island vice-president and general manager Greg Scheid said. “Soaring 300 feet above Kings Island will provide an exciting ride experience for our guests.”

WindSeeker will be located in the Coney Mall section of the park near the Vortex ride exit. Ride renderings and animation video are available at www.visitkingsisland.com.

The $5 million ride is manufactured by Mondial, a 23-year-old Dutch-based company. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride and will be secured with individual over-the-head lap bars with interlocking seat belts.

WindSeeker will make its debut when Kings Island opens for the 2011 season in the spring.

Kings Island is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, a publicly traded partnership that is listed for trading on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FUN.” In addition to Kings Island, Cedar Fair owns and operates ten other amusement parks, six water parks, one indoor water park resort and five hotels. Cedar Fair also operates the Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park in Gilroy, Calif. under a management contract.

Viper at Six Flags Great America

Viper Named Top 10 Best Coaster
Classic Wooden Coaster at Six Flags Great America Named One of the Best Coasters by USA Today

DESCRIPTION: A cyclone-style wooden coaster
LOCATION: Southwest Territory at Six Flags Great America
BUILT: Opened in 1995
SPEED: 50mph
LENGTH: 3458 feet
HEIGHT: 100 feet tall
RIDE TIME: 2 minutes, 35 seconds

Gurnee, IL. (August 9, 2010) – USA Today names Six Flag Great America’s Viper one of the top 10 coasters. The wooden coaster features a 10-story lift hill and an 80-foot first drop. The coaster was built in 1995 and was inspired by the classic Cyclone at Coney Island, NY.

Paul Ruben, the North American editor of Park World, a trade magazine for the amusement industry says “Everything that’s good about the Cyclone is even better on the Viper. It masterfully employs the picket-fence effect — rushing past stationary objects to add to the illusion of speed.”

Six Flags Great America is located between Chicago and Milwaukee and offers fun for the entire family with 14 heart-pounding roller coasters, a free 15-acre water park, spectacular shows and four children’s themed areas. New in 2010 – the Glow in the Park Parade, a nighttime illuminated parade with over 60 performers and Little Dipper, a historic wooden roller coaster formerly of Kiddieland Amusement Park

There are currently four other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world.  For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLANDFloridaResort.com.
The MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, which has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years.   Europe’s number one, and the world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 62 attractions and 6 hotels in 12 countries, across 3 continents.   The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 38.5 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and more than 14,000 employees.   Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE – the world’s No 1 aquarium brand, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, THORPE PARK, Chessington World of Adventures, Heide Park, Underwater Adventures, and Earth Explorer