Latest news with #amusementPark
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Holiday World treats audiences with return of drone show, fireworks in 2025
The traditional boom and bang of fireworks on the Fourth of July have, in recent years, modernized to include the high-pitched whir of synchronized drones in Santa Claus, Indiana. At Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, just an hour's drive from the Tri-State, amusement park attendees this summer can once again watch hundreds of drones, some carrying pyrotechnics, during the Holidays in the Sky event, happening now until early August. Here's what we know about it. The drone show features displays of patriotism and other holiday-themed images along with music and fireworks. The show's pyrotechnic moments include a lightning strike targeting a haunted house and a rocket-shaped drone formation that erupts with fireworks to simulate a rocket launch, according to a news release. 'We keep finding new ways to make Holidays in the Sky more impressive,' said Lauren Crosby, Director of Events & Entertainment in a news release. 'The new pyrotechnic elements are taking the show to the next level–you truly have to see it to believe it!' Holidays in the Sky debuted in 2022, according to a park spokesperson last year, who said only two other theme parks in North America had drone shows at the time. More: Here's when you can catch fireworks shows in the Tri-State According to Holiday World, the best place to watch the drone show is at the Party Plaza in the Thanksgiving section, which is just past Good Gravy! roller coaster on your way to Thunderbird wing coaster. 500 illuminated drones take part in the show, according to the theme park. Can't make the show on July 4? No worries. The drones are scheduled to fly nightly from now until Aug. 3. Weather permitting, the show begins at 8:50 p.m. Holiday World suggests attendees to arrive early for its "Light the Night" DJ dance party, which starts at 8:20 p.m. Story continues after photo gallery from 2024. The drone show lasts about 15 minutes, according to Holiday World. Holiday World is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays. On July 4, Holiday World will be open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to its online calendar. Tickets to Holiday World can be purchased at the gate or online (which is cheaper). A one-day ticket to Holiday World on July 4, 2025 was listed at $66.99 online or $74.99 at the gate. Any day tickets began at $71.99 started at $86.99 online. In addition to discounts for military, first responders and nursing professionals, Holiday World offers "preferred seating and snacks" tickets to its drone show starting at $29.99 in addition to the cost of entry. A more expensive package for the drone show includes front-of-the-line privileges to its theme park rides. Visit for a map of the amusement park and a legend showing services throughout the park. Holiday World is at 452 E. Christmas Blvd., Santa Claus, Indiana. John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@ Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Drone show, fireworks return to Indiana theme park Holiday World
CBC
20-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Still-shuttered Marineland puts its amusement park rides up for sale
Marineland, the still-shuttered Niagara Falls aquarium and theme park where 18 beluga whales have died since 2019, has put its rides up for sale. News of the rides being on the market was published Tuesday in Amusement Today, an industry publication. It comes as animal advocates continue to express concerns about living conditions for the numerous water and land mammals still at Marineland, which has not indicated plans to open this summer. "For decades, Marineland has been home to a collection of beloved rides that have brought joy to millions of guests," stated a news release posted on Amusement Today. "As the park evolves, it is now offering buyers the opportunity to own a piece of amusement park history. The sale includes a range of classic attractions, from thrill rides to family-friendly [favourites]." It states the rides will be sold to amusement operators, entertainment companies and "qualified buyers." CBC Hamilton reached out to Marineland but did not hear back before publication. Bill Ossim, of the company Rides Plus, LLC, confirmed to Radio-Canada he had been contracted by Marineland to sell its rides. 'Still animals there' Phil Demers, a former Marineland walrus trainer who has been campaigning against the facility since 2012, says it's looking less and less like the park will ever open again. CBC has previously reported that according to a local employment office, Marineland was not hiring any seasonal employees this year. The park also has a registered lobbyist to help the company obtain permits to export animals from the federal government. It also recently sold an office building. The company has not publicly confirmed whether it plans to close permanently. It told CBC earlier this month "no final decision has been made" on whether it will open this season. On Friday, its phone number listed on its website remained out of service. Demers said he wouldn't be surprised if the company tried to quietly fade away. "There might not even be an announcement," said Demers, who was sued by his former employer in 2013. The company alleged Demers trespassed and plotted to steal the 800-pound walrus he used to train, Smooshi. Demers filed a counterclaim, also in 2013, for defamation and abuse of process, he told CBC Hamilton. "It does seem a bit surreal," he said on Thursday. "Every once in a while you have to remind yourself there's still animals there." He said the remaining aquatic animals that live there include 31 beluga whales, four dolphins, two sea lions and three seals – including one named Larry. There are also numerous red deer, fallow deer, elk and bears, he said, noting he plans to keep monitoring and speaking out on behalf of the facility's animals "until that place is dust ... I'm married to that place in a weird sense." New complaint filed against park Advocacy group Animal Justice filed a complaint with Ontario's Animal Welfare Services (AWS) on June 11. It said in a news release about the complaint that it has seen drone footage, posted on Instagram, that shows about four dolphins "circling a cramped tank" next to where a stage is being demolished. "Marine mammal welfare experts who reviewed the video say the noise, vibrations, and disruption from the demolition activity would likely cause the animals' psychological suffering, adding to the harm caused by years of confinement, lack of enrichment, and inconsistent care," Animal Justice's statement. In response to the complaint, as seen by CBC Hamilton, AWS told Animal Justice it has inspected Marineland more than 220 times since January 2020. The province declared in 2021 that all marine mammals at the park were in distress due to poor water, but told The Canadian Press last year the water issue had been brought up to standard. AWS has not shared details publicly about its enforcement and no charges appear to have been laid against Marineland related to its aquatic mammals. Last year, Marineland was found guilty under Ontario's animal cruelty laws over its care of three young black bears. AWS also said in its response that it is not involved in any rumoured plans to relocate Marineland's animals, but that it continues to monitor the site. "The ministry also has experts who provide us with advice on marine mammals, their living conditions and their health and welfare," it said. "Please be assured that the government continues to look at ways to make sure that the animals at Marineland continue to receive the care they need."
The Sun
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Cursed ‘ghost town in sky' could soon reopen after rotting away with 1,050m-high rollercoaster & abandoned empty saloons
A CURSED "ghost town in sky" could soon reopen after rotting away for 15 years. The rundown attraction includes a death-defying 1,050m-high rollercoaster and abandoned empty saloons. 4 4 4 4 Ghost Town Village, formerly known as "Ghost Town in the Sky", is an abandoned Wild West-themed amusement park in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, United States. It sits atop Buck Mountain, with a top elevation of 4,650 ft. The land to build the park was purchased from a local land owner named Uncle Dan Carpenter in 1960. Folklore says that R.B. Coburn had overheard a story of Uncle Dan Carpenter losing his sheep in a large cavern on top of Buck Mountain. R.B. approached Carpenter so he could show him the caverns and his dreams grew for a western tourist town. Over two hundred locals help construct the 40 replica buildings that comprised the Western Town, located at the Mountain's peak. nails. The park opened on May 1, 1961, and quickly became one of Western North Carolina 's most popular tourist attractions. The park hosted several stars of TV Westerns, such as Laramie and Wagon Train. Hourly staged gun fights on the main street were a huge draw for visitors. It used the mountainous terrain it sat on to its advantage and guests would plunge out of the station and directly into a vertical loop before setting off for twists and turns along the mountainside. However, as the years went by, the park faced challenges under new management and a lack of real maintenance. Frequently broken roller coasters and rides started to deter visitors, leading to a decline in attendance. Use these tips on your next theme park trip Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer - this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest. Download the park's app to track which rides have the shortest queues. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out "birthday badges" that can get you freebies. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return. Infrastructure issues like water, power, and sewage problems also plagued the park's owners. And employees began to complain about not receiving their salaries. These issues sadly led to the park's closure at the end of the 2009 season. However, the park may see a revival, according to the National Amusement Park Historical Association. Regional travel guide Blue Ridge Mountain Life noted that some refer to Ghost Town Village as a "cursed amusement park." The gloomy title refers to the many failed attempts to reopen the park over the years. But the NAPHA made a Facebook post on May 9, stating that a potential buyer from Florida expressed interest in buying the defunct amusement park. The same post said that current owner Jill McClure aims to sell it for entertainment purposes rather than to a buyer who will use it for housing. The buyer envisions "a venue featuring country music, rodeos, and festivals, aiming to keep the park family-friendly." Meanwhile, one of Europe's biggest theme parks has opened a new Wild West themed holiday village with wagon huts and cowboy bars. And this top European theme park is getting a brand new ride as well.
Bloomberg
28-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
NJ's American Dream Mall Sees Value Drop by $800 Million in 2025
The value of the American Dream mega mall and entertainment complex in New Jersey's Meadowlands plummeted by $800 million — a blow to municipal bondholders whose debt is backed by payments in lieu of property taxes. The 3.5 million square-foot venue, which includes an amusement park, water park and ski slope, was assessed at $2.5 billion by the Borough of East Rutherford for the quarter ending June 30, according to a revised tax bill posted late Tuesday on the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board 's EMMA website. The mall's previous value was estimated at $3.3 billion.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Teenager, 15, is arrested as 16-year-old boy dies at amusement park after suffering medical episode following 'assault'
A teenager has been arrested after a 16-year-old boy died after he was 'assaulted' at an amusement park in Wales. Taha Soomro of Grangetown, Cardiff, suffered a 'medical episode' at Barry Island Pleasure Park in the Vale of Glamorgan, on Friday night. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called just before 5pm, but despite the efforts of medics he was pronounced dead at the scene. South Wales Police (SWP) said on Saturday that a 15-year-old boy from Grangetown, Cardiff, has been arrested on suspicion of assault and was being held in custody. The force said an investigation has been launched and warned people against speculating as to the circumstances of his death on social media. Taha's family have been informed and are being kept updated by officers, SWP added. A force statement said: 'Anyone who was in Barry Island Pleasure Park around the time of the incident that may have information that could assist our investigation is asked to contact us. 'Detectives are particularly keen to receive any mobile phone footage.' Earlier today, Barry Island Pleasure Park posted a statement on social media referring to the 'very sad' incident. The statement said: 'Very sad news yesterday, all of our team did their best to assist the emergency services but unfortunately the boy suffered a medical emergency and could not be saved. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this very sad time.' Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or online, quoting reference 2500163611.
