In case you don't know, the Cypress Gardens theme park (which closed last September) is becoming Legoland Florida. They launched their website today. You want to see:
http://www.legolandfloridaresort.com/
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
View of Chang Now...
As of February 23, 2010, WLKY News took a helicopter over the former Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom theme park. You want to see how Chang's footprint looks...
Well, here it is. Heh, this kinda reminds me of Dominator's footprint at Geauga Lake.
See a video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUe9my3qUU&feature=channel
At the point of 0:14-0:28.
Well, here it is. Heh, this kinda reminds me of Dominator's footprint at Geauga Lake.
See a video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWUe9my3qUU&feature=channel
At the point of 0:14-0:28.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Chang Update #7, Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Update #2
Here's another release of the lawsuit stating something about the former Bonzai Beach "project" (hint, hint):
Weeks after Six Flags decided to shut down Kentucky Kingdom, state officials are now involved in a legal fight over the remaining thrill rides.
The Chang rollercoaster was removed last year to make way for a water-park expansion.
That expansion never started and the Kentucky State Fair Board claimed it was never going to happen.
That claim was made in a lawsuit filed by Kentucky officials suing Premier, the owner of Six Flags.
At issue: they want the bankruptcy judge to declare the rides and other attractions on the land owned by the fair board as fixtures, or part of the property.
They're also suing for breach of contract and damages caused by Six Flag's removal of any rides.
The suit accused Premier of fraud regarding the removal of Chang and the promise of improvements.
Earlier this month, when the park closed, the president of the state fair board said he was just as shocked as the public.
"We were surprised by the news release. We weren't notified ahead of time. We didn't receive one," Kentucky State Fair Board President Harold Workman said on February 5.
The state is hearing from Six Flags in the form of a countersuit. The company disputed the ownership of the thrill rides and asked a bankruptcy judge to declare that the contested rides are not the landlord's property and the company should be allowed to remove those rides.
State officials said there are other parties interested in running the park, so the ruling on who owns the rides is crucial.
This case is playing out in bankruptcy court because the amusement park operator filed for Chapter 11 in June 2009.
Barring a settlement, the judge overseeing the Chapter 11 case will decide who owns the rides.
The first set of bolded statements says that Bonzai Beach was never going to happen, and it was just an excuse to remove Chang. I'm glad they saved Chang... but I thought BB was happening. Guess they planned the closure of SFKK before the Chang removal. Also a quote from sfkk339 last year (Sept. 20, 2009, the day before the Chang relocation was confirmed):
"Sources are saying they want it gone. Fast. Some are saying as early as November 8th."
I was just expecting it to be due to the water park expansion, but now I realize... that they wanted to save it as quick as possible and pulled the Bonzai Beach expansion as an excuse. That's probably why the water park closed along with it. Clever, hahaha. Clever indeed... B) Again, I'm glad they saved the coaster. But now people are speculating silly stuff like the Kentucky State Fair requesting the return of Chang. Ha, I doubt it... or hope it doesn't happen... =|
As for the last bold statement, I agree with Six Flags. They should have the right to save the rides. I don't know, maybe it's just me hoping the rides will be saved. =P
DRAMA!!!!!!
P.S.: I'm making a comic strip showing a version of the lawsuit. This time, there are two high school kids fighting (representing Six Flags and the Kentucky State Fair) at Theme Park High School. One kid is bossed around by others (Six Flags), while another kid is popular and loved by cheerleaders (Kentucky State Fair). They have a fight after KSF steals Six Flags' book bag (representing the rides). Six Flags wins and KSF pees in his pants, and runs off. The cheerleaders start loving Six Flags, after gaining the book bag.
Weeks after Six Flags decided to shut down Kentucky Kingdom, state officials are now involved in a legal fight over the remaining thrill rides.
The Chang rollercoaster was removed last year to make way for a water-park expansion.
That expansion never started and the Kentucky State Fair Board claimed it was never going to happen.
That claim was made in a lawsuit filed by Kentucky officials suing Premier, the owner of Six Flags.
At issue: they want the bankruptcy judge to declare the rides and other attractions on the land owned by the fair board as fixtures, or part of the property.
They're also suing for breach of contract and damages caused by Six Flag's removal of any rides.
The suit accused Premier of fraud regarding the removal of Chang and the promise of improvements.
Earlier this month, when the park closed, the president of the state fair board said he was just as shocked as the public.
"We were surprised by the news release. We weren't notified ahead of time. We didn't receive one," Kentucky State Fair Board President Harold Workman said on February 5.
The state is hearing from Six Flags in the form of a countersuit. The company disputed the ownership of the thrill rides and asked a bankruptcy judge to declare that the contested rides are not the landlord's property and the company should be allowed to remove those rides.
State officials said there are other parties interested in running the park, so the ruling on who owns the rides is crucial.
This case is playing out in bankruptcy court because the amusement park operator filed for Chapter 11 in June 2009.
Barring a settlement, the judge overseeing the Chapter 11 case will decide who owns the rides.
The first set of bolded statements says that Bonzai Beach was never going to happen, and it was just an excuse to remove Chang. I'm glad they saved Chang... but I thought BB was happening. Guess they planned the closure of SFKK before the Chang removal. Also a quote from sfkk339 last year (Sept. 20, 2009, the day before the Chang relocation was confirmed):
"Sources are saying they want it gone. Fast. Some are saying as early as November 8th."
I was just expecting it to be due to the water park expansion, but now I realize... that they wanted to save it as quick as possible and pulled the Bonzai Beach expansion as an excuse. That's probably why the water park closed along with it. Clever, hahaha. Clever indeed... B) Again, I'm glad they saved the coaster. But now people are speculating silly stuff like the Kentucky State Fair requesting the return of Chang. Ha, I doubt it... or hope it doesn't happen... =|
As for the last bold statement, I agree with Six Flags. They should have the right to save the rides. I don't know, maybe it's just me hoping the rides will be saved. =P
DRAMA!!!!!!
P.S.: I'm making a comic strip showing a version of the lawsuit. This time, there are two high school kids fighting (representing Six Flags and the Kentucky State Fair) at Theme Park High School. One kid is bossed around by others (Six Flags), while another kid is popular and loved by cheerleaders (Kentucky State Fair). They have a fight after KSF steals Six Flags' book bag (representing the rides). Six Flags wins and KSF pees in his pants, and runs off. The cheerleaders start loving Six Flags, after gaining the book bag.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Update #1
FYI, Screamscape has posted an update on SFKK closing.
Screamscape:
"Park News - (2/22/10) A reader passed by SF Kentucky Kingdom over the weekend and noticed that while all the rides were still in place, it looked like some of the custom Batman scenery in the arena and Looney Tunes signage were being taken down. Rented moving trucks were also visible in the park itself, as Six Flags is likely packing up their possessions and moving out."
Which (of course) led to a lawsuit. I thought just the ride removals were applied. Anyways...
"DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Kentucky officials are suing bankrupt theme park operator Six Flags Inc. over ownership of rides and equipment at a shuttered amusement park in Louisville.
State officials contend that the rides are considered fixtures to the land on which Kentucky Kingdom sits, much of which is owned by the Kentucky State Fair Board.
In a Delaware bankruptcy court filing, Kentucky officials are seeking a declaration that the state owns the rides, and an order preventing Six Flags from removing them.
The state filed the lawsuit late last week after learning that Six Flags had positioned trucks to begin removing equipment. It preceded the lawsuit with a letter to Six Flags instructing the company not to remove the rides.
Six Flags has filed a countersuit, claiming that it owns the rides and that the lawsuit by Kentucky is prohibited by the bankruptcy code. Six Flags is seeking court permission to remove the rides and a permanent restraining order prohibiting the state from trying to take possession.
A pretrial conference in the dispute is scheduled for April 14.
Kentucky officials have said at least four companies have expressed interest in taking over Kentucky Kingdom, and that a new operator could be in place by summer."
I think I'm siding with Six Flags. I mean, the rides have got to relocate. I don't want them demolished, or just sitting there 'till they rot. You can do it Six Flags! SAVE THE RIDES!!!!!
Screamscape:
"Park News - (2/22/10) A reader passed by SF Kentucky Kingdom over the weekend and noticed that while all the rides were still in place, it looked like some of the custom Batman scenery in the arena and Looney Tunes signage were being taken down. Rented moving trucks were also visible in the park itself, as Six Flags is likely packing up their possessions and moving out."
Which (of course) led to a lawsuit. I thought just the ride removals were applied. Anyways...
"DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Kentucky officials are suing bankrupt theme park operator Six Flags Inc. over ownership of rides and equipment at a shuttered amusement park in Louisville.
State officials contend that the rides are considered fixtures to the land on which Kentucky Kingdom sits, much of which is owned by the Kentucky State Fair Board.
In a Delaware bankruptcy court filing, Kentucky officials are seeking a declaration that the state owns the rides, and an order preventing Six Flags from removing them.
The state filed the lawsuit late last week after learning that Six Flags had positioned trucks to begin removing equipment. It preceded the lawsuit with a letter to Six Flags instructing the company not to remove the rides.
Six Flags has filed a countersuit, claiming that it owns the rides and that the lawsuit by Kentucky is prohibited by the bankruptcy code. Six Flags is seeking court permission to remove the rides and a permanent restraining order prohibiting the state from trying to take possession.
A pretrial conference in the dispute is scheduled for April 14.
Kentucky officials have said at least four companies have expressed interest in taking over Kentucky Kingdom, and that a new operator could be in place by summer."
I think I'm siding with Six Flags. I mean, the rides have got to relocate. I don't want them demolished, or just sitting there 'till they rot. You can do it Six Flags! SAVE THE RIDES!!!!!
Intimidator 305 Testing Next Week?
From Intimidator305kd at the KDFansite:
"I do want to say that John Pagel said if all goes well (ie: no inclement weather) testing will begin around the 1st of March."
I hope this is true...
"I do want to say that John Pagel said if all goes well (ie: no inclement weather) testing will begin around the 1st of March."
I hope this is true...
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Son of Beast Jeopardy Timeline
Let me summarize...
May 31, 2009 - A woman has suffered a head injury while riding the Son of Beast wooden coaster at Kings Island.
June 16, 2009 - The woman reported the injury to KI officials, and Son of Beast was closed.
June 24, 2009 - ODA inspectors traveled to Kings Island and conducted an investigation on Son of Beast.
July 2, 2009 - Son of Beast will remain closed Independence weekend.
July 5, 2009 - The Kings Island website listed Son of Beast as temporarily closed. All merchandise for the coaster has been pulled out from KI stores.
July 30, 2009 - Son of Beast was cleared of all charges, but the coaster is still closed.
August 7, 2009 - Kings Island has been selling a plethora of Son of Beast T-Shirts for just $2.50.
August 8, 2009 - A Toledo man dies while riding Firehawk.
August 10, 2009 - Even though Son of Beast was cleared of all charges, Kings Island announced that the roller coaster will remain closed for the 2009 season. The Kings Island website listed Son of Beast as closed for the remainder of the 2009 season. The Son of Beast logo has been removed from the crate at night. Firehawk reopens.
August 12, 2009 - The other signs at the entrance are removed (including the entrance sign, height check signs, wait length time, safety warnings, etc).
August 16, 2009 - There is no merchandise left for Son of Beast.
August 21, 2009 - The exit gate is screwed in and the entrance gate is zip-tied.
August 22, 2009 - The Son of Beast sign is inside the sign shop.
September 17, 2009 - Testing is occurring on the coaster.
October 4, 2009 - The red train is being dismantled.
October 18, 2009 - The Son of Beast trains are in the gravel area by Adventure Express.
November 9, 2009 - KI revealed that a problem occurred with the coaster during construction, when a snowstorm damaged the superstructure, thus making people deem it unsafe.
November 16, 2009 - News stations are reporting that Son of Beast may possibly never reopen.
February 17, 2010 - The park stated "Guests can check out the park's 14 thrill-inducing roller coasters, including our newest, tallest, and fastest one ever, DIAMONDBACK." The park counted 15 coasters last year, while they're now counting 14 coasters, hinting that Son of Beast may not reopen in 2010.
February 19, 2010 - This was reported on the Math & Science Days at Kings Island:
"A preliminary list of operating rides is as follows: (subject to change)
Diamondback, Firehawk, Delirum, Drop Tower, Invertigo, Racer, Beast, Flight of Fear, Viking Fury, Dodgems, Eiffel Tower, Vortex, Adventure Express, Carousel, The Crypt, Zephyr, Congo Falls and Flight Deck."
The Math & Science Days are April 30th, May 7th, May 14th, and May 21st, 2010. This hints that Son of Beast may not reopen in the 2010 season. The subject may change, however.
-------------------------------
Things aren't looking good for Son of Beast (please stay, please stay, PLEASE STAY!)...
May 31, 2009 - A woman has suffered a head injury while riding the Son of Beast wooden coaster at Kings Island.
June 16, 2009 - The woman reported the injury to KI officials, and Son of Beast was closed.
June 24, 2009 - ODA inspectors traveled to Kings Island and conducted an investigation on Son of Beast.
July 2, 2009 - Son of Beast will remain closed Independence weekend.
July 5, 2009 - The Kings Island website listed Son of Beast as temporarily closed. All merchandise for the coaster has been pulled out from KI stores.
July 30, 2009 - Son of Beast was cleared of all charges, but the coaster is still closed.
August 7, 2009 - Kings Island has been selling a plethora of Son of Beast T-Shirts for just $2.50.
August 8, 2009 - A Toledo man dies while riding Firehawk.
August 10, 2009 - Even though Son of Beast was cleared of all charges, Kings Island announced that the roller coaster will remain closed for the 2009 season. The Kings Island website listed Son of Beast as closed for the remainder of the 2009 season. The Son of Beast logo has been removed from the crate at night. Firehawk reopens.
August 12, 2009 - The other signs at the entrance are removed (including the entrance sign, height check signs, wait length time, safety warnings, etc).
August 16, 2009 - There is no merchandise left for Son of Beast.
August 21, 2009 - The exit gate is screwed in and the entrance gate is zip-tied.
August 22, 2009 - The Son of Beast sign is inside the sign shop.
September 17, 2009 - Testing is occurring on the coaster.
October 4, 2009 - The red train is being dismantled.
October 18, 2009 - The Son of Beast trains are in the gravel area by Adventure Express.
November 9, 2009 - KI revealed that a problem occurred with the coaster during construction, when a snowstorm damaged the superstructure, thus making people deem it unsafe.
November 16, 2009 - News stations are reporting that Son of Beast may possibly never reopen.
February 17, 2010 - The park stated "Guests can check out the park's 14 thrill-inducing roller coasters, including our newest, tallest, and fastest one ever, DIAMONDBACK." The park counted 15 coasters last year, while they're now counting 14 coasters, hinting that Son of Beast may not reopen in 2010.
February 19, 2010 - This was reported on the Math & Science Days at Kings Island:
"A preliminary list of operating rides is as follows: (subject to change)
Diamondback, Firehawk, Delirum, Drop Tower, Invertigo, Racer, Beast, Flight of Fear, Viking Fury, Dodgems, Eiffel Tower, Vortex, Adventure Express, Carousel, The Crypt, Zephyr, Congo Falls and Flight Deck."
The Math & Science Days are April 30th, May 7th, May 14th, and May 21st, 2010. This hints that Son of Beast may not reopen in the 2010 season. The subject may change, however.
-------------------------------
Things aren't looking good for Son of Beast (please stay, please stay, PLEASE STAY!)...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Bing Maps #1
Well, while Bing Maps doesn't really update the bird's eye view of Universal, SeaWorld, Disney, or BGT much, they did update some Six Flags parks and Cedar Fair parks. Here are some examples:
The Best Updated (late 2008/early 2009):
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - Odin's Temple of Tiger under construction. Tony Hawk up.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Goliath has arrived from Six Flags New Orleans.
Six Flags Great Adventure - Dark Knight has replaced Chiller, and Medusa is already in the process of becoming Bizarro, as the track is fully repainted blue and purple.
Six Flags New England -The Dark Knight site is cleared, and Superman is already in the process of becoming Bizarro, as the lift hill is painted purple and blue.
Dorney Park - Possessed has arrived from Geauga Lake, and Laser has been removed.
Carowinds - Nighthawk is getting repainted, Carolina Cobra is up, and the log flume is being removed for Intimidator.
Hersheypark - Fahrenheit is complete. Construction is occurring with the Shore (a wave pool).
The Medium Updated (late 2007/mid 2008)
Canada's Wonderland - Behemoth is under construction. The lift is topped off.
Kings Island - Firehawk up, and Diamondback land clearing. The Son of Beast loop is gone.
SeaWorld Orlando - Aquatica under construction and Manta land clearing.
Geauga Lake - Dominator, Thunderhawk, Steel Venom, X-Flight, and the Kiddieland section were already removed, but Villain, Head Spin (it's at Carowinds too... weird O_0), Double Loop, the Monorail, El Dorado, Black Squid, Americana, and the Sky Tower are still on site.
Knott's Berry Farm - Pony Express up.
Disney's California Adventure - Toy Story Mania under construction.
Busch Gardens Africa - Jungala under construction.
Universal Studios Hollywood - Simpsons under construction. The backlot fire has not occurred yet.
Six Flags Magic Mountain - X is becoming X2. Psyclone is gone.
Pembroke Pines (my hometown!) - West Broward High School is nearing completion.
The Not-So-Much Updated (late 2006/early 2007)
Universal Orlando - Blue Man Group under construction, Back to the Future still open (but close to closing), and no signs of Simpsons, Harry Potter, or Rockit construction.
The Worst Updated (late 2005/early 2006)
Disney (What the?!) - At Animal Kingdom, Everest is still under construction.
I Don't Know
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom - I would assume between late 2007 and early 2009, because the Superman Tower of Power was already removed after the accident, and I think Twisted Twins is closed. Deluge is up. I can't tell if it's 2008 or 2009, because nothing changed. I'll probably know once they update it later this year. It will show either the same, or Chang getting removed. If it shows the same, I will put this in late 2007 and early 2008, but if it shows Chang coming down, I will put this in late 2008 and early 2009.
FUTURE:
By this summer, I'd expect them to update Carowinds showing Intimidator under construction, Demon Drop pieces at Dorney Park, Terminator Salvation up at SFMM, Bizarro complete at SFGAdv and SFNE, Behemoth complete at CW, Diamondback under construction at KI, Manta under construction at SWO, Double Loop, the Monorail, El Dorado, Black Squid, and Americana gone from Geauga Lake, the lagoon sunk and Sun Wheel rethemed and TSM open at DCA, Jungala open at BGT, HP and Rockit construction and Simpsons open at UOR, Pony Express open at Knott's, and Everest up at DAK.
The Best Updated (late 2008/early 2009):
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom - Odin's Temple of Tiger under construction. Tony Hawk up.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas - Goliath has arrived from Six Flags New Orleans.
Six Flags Great Adventure - Dark Knight has replaced Chiller, and Medusa is already in the process of becoming Bizarro, as the track is fully repainted blue and purple.
Six Flags New England -
Dorney Park - Possessed has arrived from Geauga Lake, and Laser has been removed.
Carowinds - Nighthawk is getting repainted, Carolina Cobra is up, and the log flume is being removed for Intimidator.
Hersheypark - Fahrenheit is complete. Construction is occurring with the Shore (a wave pool).
The Medium Updated (late 2007/mid 2008)
Canada's Wonderland - Behemoth is under construction. The lift is topped off.
Kings Island - Firehawk up, and Diamondback land clearing. The Son of Beast loop is gone.
SeaWorld Orlando - Aquatica under construction and Manta land clearing.
Geauga Lake - Dominator, Thunderhawk, Steel Venom, X-Flight, and the Kiddieland section were already removed, but Villain, Head Spin (it's at Carowinds too... weird O_0), Double Loop, the Monorail, El Dorado, Black Squid, Americana, and the Sky Tower are still on site.
Knott's Berry Farm - Pony Express up.
Disney's California Adventure - Toy Story Mania under construction.
Busch Gardens Africa - Jungala under construction.
Universal Studios Hollywood - Simpsons under construction. The backlot fire has not occurred yet.
Six Flags Magic Mountain - X is becoming X2. Psyclone is gone.
Pembroke Pines (my hometown!) - West Broward High School is nearing completion.
The Not-So-Much Updated (late 2006/early 2007)
Universal Orlando - Blue Man Group under construction, Back to the Future still open (but close to closing), and no signs of Simpsons, Harry Potter, or Rockit construction.
The Worst Updated (late 2005/early 2006)
Disney (What the?!) - At Animal Kingdom, Everest is still under construction.
I Don't Know
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom - I would assume between late 2007 and early 2009, because the Superman Tower of Power was already removed after the accident, and I think Twisted Twins is closed. Deluge is up. I can't tell if it's 2008 or 2009, because nothing changed. I'll probably know once they update it later this year. It will show either the same, or Chang getting removed. If it shows the same, I will put this in late 2007 and early 2008, but if it shows Chang coming down, I will put this in late 2008 and early 2009.
FUTURE:
By this summer, I'd expect them to update Carowinds showing Intimidator under construction, Demon Drop pieces at Dorney Park, Terminator Salvation up at SFMM, Bizarro complete at SFGAdv and SFNE, Behemoth complete at CW, Diamondback under construction at KI, Manta under construction at SWO, Double Loop, the Monorail, El Dorado, Black Squid, and Americana gone from Geauga Lake, the lagoon sunk and Sun Wheel rethemed and TSM open at DCA, Jungala open at BGT, HP and Rockit construction and Simpsons open at UOR, Pony Express open at Knott's, and Everest up at DAK.
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