Archive For The “Extra! Extra!” Category

Former Indiana Beach owner Thomas Spackman has passed away

By | November 12, 2013

MONTICELLO, Ind. — Thomas E. Spackman of Monticello, died November 11, 2013, at White Oak Health Campus in Monticello. He was 100. Indiana Beach (originally known as Ideal beach) was founded in 1926 by Tom’s father, Earl Spackman. From his youth spent running a soft drink stand on opening day in 1926 to owning the […]

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Alaska Airlines debuts Disney-themed airplane in Seattle

By | November 11, 2013

Boeing 737 adorned with beloved Disney-Pixar characters flies four Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington children to Disneyland Resort on inaugural flight SEATTLE, Washington — The newest themed airplane in Alaska Airlines’ fleet flew into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport November 7, featuring one of America’s most beloved and rusty tow trucks. Adorned with the familiar images of Disney-Pixar’s […]

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SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment launches AnimalVision

By | November 8, 2013

New interactive platform provides 24/7 window into SeaWorld’s animal habitats ORLANDO, Fla. — For nearly five decades SeaWorld® has connected guests to the natural world through innovative animal habitats and inspiring shows. With the launch of AnimalVision™, 24/7, on-habitat cameras stream footage to customized interactive websites, allowing visitors to create a connection right from the […]

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Scuba diving Santa takes the plunge at Sea Life Aquarium

By | November 7, 2013

Find Out If Santa Thinks You’ve Been Naughty or Nice GRAPEVINE, Texas — Scuba Diving Santa and his elf are back, and ready to take the plunge to entertain you amongst the fish and sharks in Sea Life Aquarium Grapevine’s 145,000-gallon tank. Find out whether Scuba Diving Santa thinks you’ve been naughty or nice this […]

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Herschend Family Entertainment and Operation Christmas Child team up to bring joy and hope to children around the world

By | November 1, 2013

Partnership challenges guests and employees to donate 300,000 boxes Norcross, Georgia — Herschend Family Entertainment (HFE) recently kicked off its 2013 Shoebox Challenge with Operation Christmas Child. For the fourth year, HFE is challenging the communities it serves to donate more gift‐filled shoeboxes than ever before. To encourage community support, HFE properties across the country […]

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IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 sets 10-year record for size of trade show floor

By | October 31, 2013

Indoor exhibit space sold out; outdoor area largest ever ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Officials for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) announced IAAPA Attractions Expo 2013 will feature more square footage of exciting new product and service innovations for the global attractions industry than any of its Expos in the past 10 years. […]

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The Bat flies again at Kings Island

By | October 29, 2013

MASON, Ohio — Thirty-three years to the day it was first introduced in 1980, The Bat will fly again at Kings Island. The 364-acre amusement and waterpark is changing the name and colors of the Flight Deck roller coaster to The Bat. The change will take effect for the 2014 season. “There was a lot […]

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$1.7 million heart-pounding KaPau Plummet to be the biggest thrill in White Water history

By | October 25, 2013

BRANSON, Mo. — When designers and developers with Silver Dollar City Attractions set out to create a new 2014 ride for White Water, there was one mandate: The new ride must be “The Biggest Thrill in White Water History.” The concept began with the idea of a heart-pounding, drop-floor plunge. Now in initial stages of […]

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International Theme Park Services, Inc. to Represent Garfield

By | October 23, 2013

CINCINNATI, Ohio — International Theme Park Services, Inc. (ITPS) is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with PAWS, Inc. to introduce the iconic Garfield the Cat character to the domestic and international theme park industry. The comic strip of Garfield’s daily life has been in publication since 1978 and holds the Guinness […]

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Fairytale Farm offers unique visitor attraction

By | October 21, 2013

CHIPPING NORTON, OXFORDSHIRE, England — Fairytale Farm, the UK’s first visitor attraction to be designed entirely around the needs of disabled children — but open to all — will be celebrating Halloween evenings in a unique way, by offering scary tours of the Enchanted Walk. The farm will be taking visitors on special organised after-dark […]

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