GULLIVER’S VALLEY TO FEATURE ‘CHUCKLE STREET’ ATTRACTION IN HONOUR OF CHUCKLE BROTHERS

BY GABRIELLE


Gulliver’s Valley theme park, which is set to debut this summer in Yorkshire, is to feature a new indoor attraction dedicated to the much-loved Chuckle Brothers.

‘Chuckle Street’ will pay tribute to the Paul Elliott and his late brother Barry, both of whom  are well known supporters of Rotherham United. The attraction will feature a timeline of the entertainers’ career.

In line with the duo’s famous catchphrase “to me to you”, a ‘Chuckle Bank’ will be located at the end of the street where visitors can make donations of toys and books for local charities and community initiatives.

A ‘Generation Gallery’ will also be a focal point of Chuckle Street, where visitors can submit any photographs they have of themselves with the entertainers.

Gulliver’s Valley is due to open this summer. The theme park will feature 50 rides and attractions, as well as entertainment for children aged three to 13.

EXPANSION OF HERSHEYPARK’S CHOCOLATETOWN RESUMES

BY GABRIELLE


Construction of Hersheypark’s Chocolatetown in Hershey, Pennsylvania, has been resumed, though an opening date for the park’s 2020 season remains unknown.

The $150 million expansion of Chocolatetown includes the installing of a number of new attractions. The extended area will be home to Hersheytown’s 15th rollercoaster, Candymonium. The ride promises to be the theme park’s largest and faster rollercoaster.

New facilities are being added to the park, including restaurants, food vendors and shops. Fountains and the Hersheypark Carrousel are also being relocated to the new area.

Construction of the extension was suspended at the beginning of April due to the coronavirus outbreak. Garret Gallia of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company, commented on the decision to commence building work: “Given the guidance and permission from the Commonwealth, construction on the Chocolatetown project resumed as of May 1st.

“All enhanced health and safety processes and necessary operational protocols set by the Governor, CDC and the construction industry are being carefully followed to ensure the safety of our team members and the contractors onsite,” Gallia added.

KINGS ISLAND AMUSEMENT PARK TURNS 48

BY GABRIELLE


Kings Island, the 364-acre amusement park in Ohio, is celebrating its 48th birthday. The theme park opened on April 29, 1972.

On opening, Kings Island was home to around 60 attractions. The family-friendly amusement site and waterpark now boasts more than 100 rides. The park’s Orion giga coaster, one of only seven giga coasters in the world, is set to open in 2020.

Initially, the park was operated with around 1,300 employees. Today, the huge theme park and waterpark requires around 5,000 members of staff.

Kings Island is operated by Cedar Fair, which has announced that during the COVID-19 pandemic as the park remains shut, 2020 Season Passes for Kings Island will be valid for the 2021 season.

Once the park reopens, Regular, Gold and Platinum Season Passes, as well as 2020 Pass Ad-Ons, will be automatically valid and will be extended into next year’s season.

SIX FLAGS’ HURRICANE HARBOR SPLASHTOWN PLANS MID-MAY OPENING

BY GABRIELLE


Six Flags’ Hurricane Harbor Splashtown has announced it is planning to open in mid-May or “as soon as possible thereafter.”

The family waterpark near Houston, Texas, delayed the opening of its 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Mike Spanos, president and CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corp. spoke about the impending reopening: “The top priority at Six Flags is the safety and wellbeing of our guests and team members.

“We continue to monitor and follow the guidance of federal, state and local officials regarding COVID-19. We thank you for your patience and understanding as we all work through this challenging situation,” Spanos continued.

There are currently 22 Six Flags parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada that have temporarily closed or delayed opening due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

NEW BIRD SPECIES TO BE DISCOVERED AT SHANGHAI DISNEY RESORT

BY GABRIELLE


Shanghai Disney Resort is celebrating Earth Month through the discovery of new bird species at its eco-friendly Wishing Star Park.

Wishing Star Park is a recreational area at Shanghai Disney Resort, comprising of a 100-acre lake, a 900-seat amphitheatre and family-friendly activities.

The lake provides a quality living environment for wildlife and is home to a diverse variety of birds and butterflies. Since the park opened in 2015, the bird species has more than doubled and the lake is now a hub for birdlife to thrive, attracting the likes of Tree Sparrow, Light-vented Bulbul, Chinese Spotbilled Duck, the Common Coot, and much more.

Many rare birds are also seen at the lake, including the Japanese Buzzard, Western Osprey and the Peregrine Falcon.

Shanghai Disney Resort was closed due to the coronavirus outbreak but has been partially reopening since March. The Shanghai Disneyland Hotel is open with limited operations, as it Disneytown, also with limited operations and offerings.

The Wishing Star Park is open with a limited number of recreational experiences, including the discovery of new bird species during Earth Month.

FUTUROSCOPE IS GEARING UP TO REOPEN

BY GABRIELLE


Futuroscope, the French theme park centred on multimedia and audio-visual techniques, is preparing to reopen once the government gives the industry the go ahead.

The park was forced to close earlier in the year due to the coronavirus pandemic.  In preparation for the reopening, some members of staff have gone back to work. According to Laure Mosseron, marketing and communication director at Futuroscope, around 50 employees of the 700 who work at the park have returned to work.

The employees working again are mostly security guards but also include technicians who have been testing the rides in rotation.

On reopening, the theme park will maintain social distancing measures throughout the site, including on the rides. Cleaning procedures will also be increased and hand sanitiser stations will be available at different points across the park.

Mosseron says that the park’s priority “remains the health of our employees and visitors.” “Everyone is waiting impatiently for the government’s directives and the conditions on how we will be able to reopen, knowing that we would like to restart for the summer season,” said Mosseron.

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO CEO ANNOUNCES POSSIBLE REOPENING STRATEGIES

 BY GABRIELLE


John Sprouls, CEO of Universal Orlando Resort, has announced a number of ideas centred on the safe reopening of the theme park.

The suggestions were made during conference calls with the Reopen Florida Task Force group, which was created by Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis.

To make the site has safe as possible for visitors and employees when it reopens, Sprouls said they are considering using social distancing in queues and on rides, as well as limiting the number of guests entering the park.

Universal’s waterpark, Volcano Bay, already employs virtual line technology, which could be expanded to the theme park. Further touchless technology could be utilised at Universal Orlando to help limit physical contact.

Disinfectant and cleaning measures could be increased across the park, as well as staggered seating on rides.

There is also the possibility that temperature checks are made to guests prior to entering the theme park. Staff may also be asked to wear masks and screening measures.

An official date for the reopening of Universal Orlando has yet to be set.

SHANGHAI DISNEYLAND ROLLS OUT REOPENING

 BY GABRIELLE


Shanghai Disneyland has begun to partially reopen following the enforced closure of the theme park in late January due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A number of the park’s recreational, dining and shopping experiences have reopened, with additional safety measures in place. Some dining has also been resumed at the Shanghai Disneyland Hotel.

The park’s parade is now being tested alongside the castle lights shows, suggesting the parade could also be resumed imminently. Reports reveal that Shanghai Disneyland cast members have also been testing the park’s indoor theatres with new safety precautions.

To maintain social distancing, viewers at the indoor shows are believed to be seated in every other row with seats left empty between different parties. Markings are in place at security check places to encourage social distancing.

EUROPA-PARK’S 2020 SEASON POSTPONED INDEFINITELY

 BY GABRIELLE


Europa-Park in Rust, Germany, has announced its 2020 season is to be postponed indefinitely amid the coronavirus crisis.

The popular theme park was due to open on April 15. However, the government in Germany has banned all major events until August 31. The measure may include the operation of major attraction sites, but this has not yet been confirmed.

The opening of Europa-Park is not yet known, but officials say they remained confident the theme park will open at some point this year.

LAUNCH OF TORNADO SPRINGS AT PAULTONS PARK POSTPONED TO 2021

BY GABRIELLE


Paultons Park theme park in Hampshire has announced that the launch of its new themed land ‘Tornado Springs’ will be postponed until Easter 2021.

The land, which stretches for four acres and is home to many family attractions including Peppa Pig World, was due to launch on May 19 this year. Due to unprecedented challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown, the opening of the themed land has been put on hold until next year.

Tornado Springs is designed in an American style, based on a fictional town in 1950’s Midwest USA. The land boasts more than seven new rides and attractions and will be Paulton Park’s fifth themed land.

Richard Mancey, managing director of Paultons Park, commented on the postponed of the launch of the new land: “The decision to delay the opening of Tornado Springs to 2021 has been very difficult to make, particularly as so many of our guests have been eagerly looking forward to enjoying the new rides and attractions.

“We know how disappointing this postponement will be, to both our guests and our staff. After eighteen months of hard work it is very hard to accept that the attraction will not open this year, particularly when it is so close to completion. However, with no work taking place on site at present and with no clear idea of when the specialist contractors from several European countries will be able to recommence work, we felt that this was our only option.

“Everyone who has been involved in bringing Tornado Springs to life has poured their heart and soul into creating a truly spectacular experience, so rest assured it will be worth the wait,” Mancey added.