2002 NEWS ARCHIVE

Archive of past news articles on theme and amusement parks, thrill rides and attractions.

December 2002

Dec 26, 2002
Magic Mountain Returns Flashback To Operation
After months of standing idle the Intamin Space Diver roller coaster reopened at the Valencia theme park.

Dec 20, 2002
Disney Turns Up Thrills With New Random Ride Sequences
New ride sequence to debut on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror ride at the Disney-MGM Studios park Orlando.

Dec 4, 2002
Kentucky Kingdom To Get New Roller Coaster In 2003
Park officials give a hint about new thrill ride coming to the Louisville theme park for the upcoming season.

Dec 2, 2002
Wonderland Sydney Signs Deal With Marvel Enterprises
Exclusive licensing deal launches the Marvel Super Hero comic book characters into the Australia theme park.

November 2002

Nov 20, 2002
New Super Hero in Town at Six Flags Over Texas
Superman Tower of Power ride at Six Flags Over Texas promises to change metroplex skyline forever.

Nov 15, 2002
Gravity Group Signs First Contract With Holiday World
The newly formed wooden coaster design and engineering company inks its first contract with Indiana theme park.

Nov 15, 2002
S & D Greetings Introduces Amusement Park Christmas Cards
A new company specialzing in original amusement park products introduces its first line of holiday greeting cards.

Nov 14, 2002
Six Flags To Fly Over The Crescent City In 2003
The newly branded Six Flags park will feature two new coasters, a DC Comics themed area, a Looney Tunes themed area, and more.

Nov 14, 2002
Magic Mountain Announces Its 16th Roller Coaster
Six Flags unveiled plans for a new looping coaster slated to debut at the California park next Spring.

Nov 13, 2002
Six Flags, Inc. Reports Results For Third Quarter
Six Flags announced today its results of operations for the nine months and quarter ended September 30, 2002.

Nov 12, 2002
Six Flags Over Texas Building S&S Vertical Drop Ride
Texas amusement park to build the tallest vertical drop ride of its kind for the upcoming 2003 season.

Nov 11, 2002
Cedar Fair Announces 2002 Third Quarter Results
Theme park and water park operator reports increased revenues for the first nine months of the year.

Nov 6, 2002
Many Amusement Parks Open For Off-Season Operations
More than two dozen major US amusement parks will continue to operate through the fall and winter months.

Nov 2, 2002
Construction Reaches Highpoint On Wood Coaster
New Celebration City theme park to open spring 2003 with the Ozark Wildcat wooden roller coaster.

October 2002

Oct 31, 2002
Enthusiasts Invited To Come For Final Rides On The Beast
Paramount's Kings Island invites all enthusiasts to join them for the final ride on The Beast for the 2002 season.

Oct 29, 2002
Half Price Everything For Bonus Weekend At Six Flags
Six Flags Great America will keep the rides fired up for one more weekend and cut prices on admission, food and more.

Oct 25, 2002
Disneyland Resort Holiday Celebration Begins November 8
Holiday entertainment including fireworks, rethemed park attractions and a holiday parade to come to the Anaheim resort.

Oct 24, 2002
VisionLand Accepts Purchase Bid From Team Pro Parks
Alabama's VisionLand amusement park sold to Team Pro Parks for nearly $20 million less than asking price.

Oct 24, 2002
Global Star Announces World's Greatest Coasters Software
The new 3D simulation software will feature five of the greatest roller coasters on the planet.

Oct 23, 2002
Emergency & Military To Receive Free Admission To Kings Island
The park will offer free admission to emergency and military service personnel and their families for last two weekends..

Oct 23, 2002
'Search for Heroes' Contest For Superman-Ultimate Flight
Six Flags Great Adventure launches essay contest, celebrity panel of judges to determine grand prize winner.

Oct 23, 2002
Flying Superhero To Take Flight At Great Adventure
Six Flags park introduces a state-of-the-art flying coaster to be only one of its kind in the Northeast.

Oct 22, 2002
Schwabinchen Ride To Be Removed From Cedar Point
There is time for one last ride on Schwabinchen as Cedar Point nears the final weekend of the 2003 season.

Oct 16, 2002
Gloval Star Software Goes Gold With World's Greatest Coasters
This exciting new 3D simulation will feature five of the greatest roller coasters on the planet.

Oct 13, 2002
Holiday World Attendance Skyrockets 20% For Season
The Indiana theme park and waterpark completed its 57th season with an attendance increase of 20 percent.

Oct 8, 2002
Bonfante Gardens Cancels Holiday Lights and Closes Early
Financial problems force the Gilroy, California theme park to close early for the second year in a row.

Oct 1, 2002
Major Fright Fest Expansion Invades Magic Mountain
Six Flags only Xtreme Park introduces five new bizarre attractions for annual Fright Fest event.

September 2002

Sep 30, 2002
New Mexico's First Wooden Coaster Opens At Cliff's
The park's first major roller coaster opened to the public Saturday after numerous construction delays.

Sep 30, 2002
James Rasulo To Head Disney Theme Parks And Resorts
Rasulo will succeed Pressler who left for retailer Gap as president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide.

Sep 28, 2002
Cedar Fair Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution Rate
On an annualized basis, the Partnership's distribution rate will increase from $1.64 to $1.68 per unit.

Sep 27, 2002
New Thrill Ride Delirium Coming To Kings Island
This new edge of your seat thrill attraction coming to Paramount's Kings Island will be the largest of its kind.

Sep 26, 2002
Paul Pressler Leaves Disney For Gap Clothing Stores
Gap announced that Pressler has been named President and Chief Executive Officer effective immediately.

Sep 13, 2002
Dollywood To Open "Doggywood" Kennel On November 9
The newest attraction at Dollywood is not for humans, but instead their canine friends who also visit the park.

Sep 13, 2002
"Winter Lights" Drive-Thru Adventure At Six Flags
Six Flags Great Adventure will introduce a new, drive-through holiday light show on November 15.

Sep 12, 2002
Haunted Mansion Holiday Returns To Disneyland October
The hit of last year's holiday season is returning for a fun filled celebration where Halloween and Christmas collide.

Sep 10, 2002
Disney Raises Admission Prices $2 At Orlando Parks
The 4% increase comes at the end of one of the worst summer seasons for the Orlando theme parks.

Sep 9, 2002
2003 Cedar Point Season Passes Now On Sale
Get your ticket to a summer full of fun at Cedar Point at the lowest prices of the year.

Sep 9, 2002
The Gravity Group, LLC Debuts Its Entire Web Site
The new web site for this coaster design firm includes information about their services and personnel.

Sep 5, 2002
American Claims New Roller Coaster Riding Record
Richard Rodriquez spent the past 104 days of his life riding a roller coaster to beat his previous record.

Sep 4, 2002
Cedar Fair Reports Increase In August Park Attendance
Attendance at in August its theme and water parks increased 3.5% compared to the same period a year ago.

Sep 3, 2002
Cedar Point Again Earns Top Honors In Annual Poll
The Ohio amusement park and it's Millennium Force coaster earned No.1 spots in Golden Ticket Awards.

Sep 3, 2002
Dollywood Park Plans For 5th Annual Homeschool Day
Pigeon Forge theme park plans several new activities for the popular annual event to be held September 20.

Sep 3, 2002
Valleyfair To Build Intamin Roller Coaster For 2003
The Minnesota based family amusement park announced plans to build a new $8.5 million Impulse roller coaster.

August 2002

Aug 28, 2002
Six Flags Completes Acquisition Of Jazzland Theme Park
Six Flags will bring its signature Fright Fest Halloween celebration to the New Oreleans theme park this October.

Aug 26, 2002
Cedar Point To Build Major New Thrill Ride For 2003 Season
Parts for a new roller coaster have begun to arrive and construction is slated to begin after Labor Day.

Aug 26, 2002
Cedar Point Again Voted Best Amusement Park In The World
The popular Ohio park earned the title for the fifth straight year in the annual poll conducted by Amusement Today.

Aug 26, 2002
2002 "Golden Ticket" Awards For Amusement Parks Announced
The prestigious poll by Amusement Today magazine reveals the best of the best in the amusement industry.

Aug 19, 2002
Nickelodeon Central Coming To Paramount's Carowinds
The park will build a Nickelodeon themed area and rides, including a new inverted junior roller coaster.

Aug 19, 2002
New Wooden Ride Development and Design Firm Announced
Four former engineers of Customer Coasters have formed a new group specializing in the engineering of wooden coasters.

Aug 13, 2002
X Roller Coaster Back In Action at Magic Mountain
Six Flags announced that the most anticipated roller coaster of the decade has returned to operation at Magic Mountain.

Aug 1, 2002
Coca-Cola and Six Flags Become Exclusive Marketing Partners
The two companies announced an agreement making Coca-Cola the exclusive soft drink supplier in all U.S. Six Flags parks.

Aug 1, 2002
Cedar Fair Reports Increase in July Park Attendance
The company reported that combined attendance in July at its theme and water parks increased 3% from a year ago.

July 2002

Jul 29, 2002
Teen Wins "Name The Boat" Contest At Six Flags Darien Lake
The new ride's ship is On The Rocks thanks to the Lakawanna teen who choose the name.

Jul 26, 2002
Ridgecrest Girl Honored As 5 Millionth Legoland Guest
Attendance milestone and national honors add up to a great year for the California theme park.

Jul 24, 2002
Scooby-Doo Interactive Family Ride Coming to Kings Island
Paramount's Kings Island will open the first interactive family ride in the park's history next year.

Jul 24, 2002
Silver Dollar City Announces New Theme Park Project
New theme park Celebration City to highlight 20th century America and will feature a new wooden coaster.

Jul 10, 2002
Washington State Park Seeks Permit To Built Coaster
Enchanted Village park has filed a permit with the city of Federal Way to build a new wooden roller coaster.

Jul 9, 2002
DisneySea Passes Attendance Milestone At Record Pace
In its first ten months attendance at Disney's new Tokyo theme park has grown faster than any other park in the world.

Jul 2, 2002
Cedar Fair Reports Increase in June Park Attendance
Attendance at the company's six amusement parks and five water parks increased 5% for the same month a year ago.

Jul 1, 2002
Cedar Point To Celebrate Independence Day With Fireworks
The park announces a huge patriotic fireworks display and extended operating hours for the Fourth of July.

Jul 1, 2002
Strictly USA 4th of July Spectacular at Magic Mountain
The park will light the skies with a spectacular red, white and blue 4th of July celebration of fireworks, live music and more.

June 2002

Jun 26, 2002
Six Flags and Frito-Lay Sign 7-Year Sponsorship Agreement
Frito-Lay will market to the millions of consumers who attend the 28 Six Flags Theme parks in the United States.

Jun 26, 2002
V2 Vertical Velocity Coaster Reopens at Marine World
This popular steel coaster at Six Flags returns to operation after a dramatic off-season redesign.

Jun 21, 2002
HyperSonic XLC Returns To Operation at Kings Dominion
The popular air-launched roller coaster at Paramount's Kings Dominion returned to service on Thursday.

Jun 21, 2002
Interactive Trip Planner Now Available On Cedarpoint.com
This new guest service feature available on the park's web site helps guest maximize their day at Cedar Point.

Jun 21, 2002
"Snoopy Rocks! On Ice" Skating Show To Debut At Cedar Point
The world's only skating beagle will make his debut this Saturday in Cedar Point's brand new Good Time Theatre.

Jun 21, 2002
Paramount Parks Announces New VP and GM of Kings Island
Craig Ross succeeds Tim Fisher who has been named EVP/GM of Paramount's Great America in California.

Jun 18, 2002
Knott's Accelerates Into Summer With New Roller Coaster
This new hot-rod roller coaster launches riders from 0 to 82 mph in 2.3 seconds to climb a 205-foot tall tower.

Jun 4, 2002
Cedar Fair Reports Increase in Early-Season Attendance
Attendance at the company's parks increased 6% for the first five months of 2002 compared to the same period a year ago.

May 2002

May 24, 2002
New Ride Opens With A Splash At Six Flags Darien Lake
Guests take the maiden voyage on Shipwreck Falls, the park's new shoot-the-chutes flume ride.

May 23, 2002
LEGO Racers Toy Line Comes To Life In 4-D Movie
The new feature will debut on the world's largest 3-D digital theatre screen at the LEGOLAND Carlsbad theme park.

May 12, 2002
Six Flags Takes Over Interim Management of Jazzland
The world's largest regional theme park company has been named the interim manager of Jazzland theme park in New Orleans.

May 1, 2002
Discovery Channel Kicks Off Summer With Big Thrills
Thrills, Chills and Spills shows kick off summer with the biggest and best coasters and amusement park rides.

April 2002

Apr 21, 2002
Wooden Roller Coaster To Race Backwards Into 2002
Ride favorites return, new shows slated and festivals planned for Six Flags Great America's 27th season.

Apr 18, 2002
Cedar Point Season Pass Center To Open April 25
Season pass holders may save time by picking up their photo ID before the park opens for the 2002 season.

Apr 18, 2002
Red Cross To Auction First Ride On Wicked Twister
Auction to be held to sell seats for the first ride on Cedar Point's newest roller coaster Wicked Twister.

Apr 12, 2002
Wooden Coaster To Race Backwards For 2002 Season
Six Flags Great America will operate one side of the American Eagle racing wooden coaster backwards this season.

Apr 11, 2002
Lake Compounce To Offer First Season Pass This Year
The Connecticut family theme park will offer a season pass for the first time in its 157-year history.

Apr 11, 2002
Magic Mountain Introduces New XTREME Platinum Season Pass
Season passholders can upgrade their pass to receive FastLane passes and other special benefits at the theme park.

Apr 10, 2002
Owners Of Americana To Reopen Park For 2002 Season
The park will reopen for the 2002 season with a new name and will be managed by industry veteran Tom Pugh.

Apr 9, 2002
Golfers Wanted For American Red Cross Minature Golf Challenge
Cedar Point will host the 11th annual American Red Cross minature golf challenge on Wednesday, May 8.

Apr 8, 2002
Soar To New Heights With World's Greatest Super Hero
Superman Ultimate Flight, the first BM flying coaster in the US is now open at Six Flags Over Georgia.

Apr 6, 2002
Dorney Park Invests $3 Million For Park Improvements
New thrill ride and theatre renovation highlight the improvements planned at the park for the upcoming season.

Apr 4, 2002
Cedar Point Donates More Than $17,000 To Children's Organizations
The park donates the change found beneath the rides, in the fountains and from employee recycling effort.

Apr 3, 2002
Twin Spinning Mouse Coasters Open at Animal Kingdom
Primeval Whirl, twin roller coasters features fossilized family fun in a festive new mini-land at the Disney park.

Apr 2, 2002
Six Flags and Dannon Sign 3-Year Sponsorship Agreement
Six Flags will use themed areas in their theme parks to promote the Dannon Kids' Brand Danimals.

Apr 1, 2002
Disneyland To Add 'Over Shoulder' Restraints On Splash
The park confirmed that they intend to add over-the-shoulder restraints to the water ride before it reopens this spring.

March 2002

Mar 27, 2002
Dolly Parton Kicks Off 2002 Tourist Season At Dollywood
The country superstar's annual parade is set for April 5 and the Dollywood theme park opens on April 6.

Mar 27, 2002
Last Chance For Universal's Buy A Day, Get A Year Free
The Hollywood theme park's popular buy a day, get a year free admission promotion will end on April 30.

Mar 25, 2002
Kings Island Auctioning First Seats On Tomb Raider Ride
The park is giving enthusiasts a chance to outbid each other for the right to be the first to experience Tomb Raider.

Mar 25, 2002
S&S Power Blames Vortex Shedding for Tower Collapse
The leading manufacturer of vertical thrill rides determined the cause of the tower collapse at Cedar Point.

Mar 25, 2002
Six Flags Magic Mountain Begins Daily Operation
The Los Angeles theme park now with 15 roller coasters will be open daily through September 29.

Mar 25, 2002
Six Flags To Improve Wild Waves and Enchanted Village
The park announced plans to install ten new rides this summer for the 70-acre Pacif Northwest amusement and water park.

Mar 25, 2002
Four Teens Charged In Setting Blaze at Whalom Park
Four teenagers are accused of starting the fire that destroyed the park's historic ballroom.

Mar 22, 2002
Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom Renames Dueling Wooden Coaster
Twisted Sisters roller coasters Stella and Lola, will miraculously become twins to now be called Twisted Twins.

Mar 21, 2002
Water Ski Show Replacing Batman at Six Flags Marine World
Ski Xtreme, a high-energy water ski show and a crowd favorite will return this summer after a three year hiatus.

Mar 19, 2002
Disneyland Resort Increases Park Admission Prices
The admission price increases come just in time for the park's busy two-week Spring Break period.

Mar 19, 2002
'Heroes Day' At Holiday World To Honor Military
Military, police, firefighers and emergency medical workers will be honored with a free admission day at the theme park.

Mar 12, 2002
Alton Towers Shows Off New Flying Roller Coaster
Air the first flying roller coaster from ride designers Bolliger and Mabillard was unveiled to the media today.

Mar 12, 2002
Las Vegas Stratosphere Submits Plans For Roller Coaster
The latest plan calls for a scaled back version of the roller coaster planned for the Las Vegas strip hotel.

Mar 12, 2002
Paramount's Great America Offers Two New Rides For 2002
New Delirum and Flying Eagles rides will debut when the park opens for the season later this month.

Mar 12, 2002
Public Asked To Help Six Flags Bring Back Killer Whales
The park has filed applications to bring two killer whales to the park on a long-term bredding loan.

Mar 12, 2002
Six Flags To Educate Congressman On Theme Park Safety
Six Flags calls on renowned neurosurgical association to perform an independent scientific study on ride safety.

Mar 7, 2002
Cedar Fair Removing Vertigo Thrill Rides From Parks
The company decided to immediately remove two thrill rides from Cedar Point and Knott's Berry Farm.

Mar 4, 2002
Suspicious Fire Destroys Historic Whalom Park Ballroom
The park's depression era ballroom was completely destroyed in the three-alarm blaze Saturday evening.

Mar 1, 2002
Cedar Fair Disputes Michigan State Accident Report
The company claims that manufacturing problems were the cause for the accident last summer on the Chaos ride.

February 2002

Feb 27, 2002
Wet 'n Wild Introducing Child Locating Device To Visitors
The new state-of-the-art locating system will allow parents to locate their children on a park map instantly.

Feb 27, 2002
New Zamperla Thrill Ride Announced For Dorney Park
Meteor, to become the newest thrill ride to be added to the lineup of extreme machines offered at Dorney Park.

Feb 27, 2002
Vertical Velocity To Angle Riders In New Direction
Six Flags Marine World roller coaster is being re-designed and will become the first of its kind in the world.

Feb 27, 2002
La Ronde Announces $17 Million In Park Improvements
The Montreal theme park owned by Six Flags will build a major new roller coaster as part of the deal for 2002.

Feb 22, 2002
Albuquerque To Become Home For New CCI Wooden Coaster
Cliff's Amusement Park announced the new 2,750-foot wooden coaster that will open at the New Mexico amusement park in June.

Feb 20, 2002
2002 Amusement and Theme Park Opening Dates
To assist with your 2002 travel planning here is a list of opening dates for major amusement parks in North America.

Feb 20, 2002
Three New Attractions To Open At Six Flags Darien Lake
The park announced Shipwreck Falls, a new water ride and two other new thrill rides opening for the 2002 season.

Feb 19, 2002
Legislature Renames Highway To Honor Holiday World Legend
Indiana will rename a stretch of highway to honor Bill Koch developer of Holiday World and Splashin' Safari.

Feb 19, 2002
Walt Disney World Closing Lion King Show This Week
One of the park's longest running stage shows will end its run after more than 75,000 performances.

Feb 19, 2002
Batman The Dark Knight Coming To Six Flags New England
The park will add a new floorless roller coaster to its already exciting line up of thrill rides this spring.

Feb 14, 2002
Disney Unveils New Attractions For California Adventure
Disney officials announced two new attractions for the theme park on the day of its first birthday.

Feb 14, 2002
Sally Corp. Dark Ride Coming To Six Flags St. Louis
Scooby-Doo and gang will debut this season in a new interactive dark ride currently under construction.

Feb 14, 2002
Six Flags Brings Lo-Q Technology To Nine Parks For 2002
The innovative new system moves thrill seekers to the front of the line on Six Flags most popular attractions.

Feb 14, 2002
Canada's Wonderland To Spend $10 Million On New Attractions
The park will expand in 2002 with a major new thrill ride and expanded attractions in the water park.

Feb 14, 2002
2nd Annual Blue Streak Challenge For Preservation Effort
Conneaut Lake Park Preservation Society announced the second annual event to raise funds for coaster preservation.

January 2002

Jan 24, 2002
CoasterMania! 2002 Details Revealed At ACE Conference
Cedar Point revealed the details and ERT schedule for the annual event the park hosts and sponsors for coaster lovers.

Jan 22, 2002
World's Greatest Superhero Emerges at Six Flags Over Georgia
Celebrating its 35th anniversary Six Flags Over Georgia will open the South's only flying roller coaster.

Jan 21, 2002
Public Called Upon To Help Save Whalom Park
An online campaign selling Whales has been started to help save the 108-year-old park from extinction.

Jan 21, 2002
Legoland California Revises Operating Schedule
Declining attendance and a down turn in the economy have prompted the park to revise its operating schedule.

Jan 21, 2002
Amusement Park Attendance Down Overall Last Year
Park attendance declines at most parks in 2001 according to figures released by Amusement Business.

Jan 21, 2002
Disney Confirms Tower Of Terror Coming to California
Park officials confirm the popular Disney thrill ride is coming to Disney's California Adventure theme park.

Jan 18, 2002
Disneyland Resort Reduces Prices for Annual Passports
New prices and changes to the annual pass program come after a difficult year for the Anaheim theme parks.

Jan 18, 2002
Worlds of Fun Announces Wet Thrill Ride For 2002
This new Top Spin ride will be the first installation to incorporate programmable water elements into the experience.

Jan 12, 2002
Most Anticipated Ride Of The Decade Explodes Into Action
Six Flags Magic Mountain now with more coasters than anywhere else debuts X, the world's first 4th dimensional thrill.

Jan 10, 2002
Cedar Fair Reports Record Attendance At Parks In 2001
The company reported that 11.9 million guests visted the company's six amusement parks and five water parks.

Jan 7, 2002
X Debuts To Passholders at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Season Passholders received a present from the park, an exclusive preview of the new roller coaster, X.

Jan 7, 2002
The Power Of Blast Debuts At Disney's California Adventure
This high-energy, super-charged musical will be performed several times daily in the park's Hyperion Theatre.

Jan 7, 2002
Phantom's Revenge To Offer Two Train Operation in 2002
The addition of a second train will add needed capacity to the popular ride, reducing wait times.

Jan 7, 2002
Custom Coasters Debuts New Web Site for New Year
The new site features modernized graphics, improved navigation, updated photos and downloadable publications.

Jan 7, 2002
New Dolphin Discovery Coming to Six Flags Marine World
A new education program named Dolphin Discovery will bring people and dolphins together at the theme park.

Jan 7, 2002
Dollywood Announces Entertainment Audtions for 2002 Season
The park announced audition dates for the park's entertainment shows including a new classic country show.

Looking for more stories? Read the 2001 news articles in the news archives.

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