2004 NEWS ARCHIVE
Archive of past news articles on theme and amusement parks, thrill rides and attractions.December 2004
Dec 29, 2004
Construction Begins On New Stratosphere Thrill Ride
The fourth thrill ride to be built atop the Las Vegas tower is slated to open this spring.
Dec 28, 2004
Disneyland Parade Float Collides With Guests
Four people were injured when the Genie float in Disneyland's Christmas Fantasy parade bumped them.
Dec 22, 2004
Baby Killer Whale Born At Sea World San Diego
Sea World announced the birth of a baby killer whale in the main pool at Shamu Stadium Tuesday morning.
Dec 21, 2004
Worldwide Park Attendance Up 2.2% In 2004
Amusement and theme parks worldwide set an attendance record with an estimated 252.4 million guests in 2004.
Dec 15, 2004
Busch Gardens To Open State-Of-The-Art 3-D Dark Ride
Curse of DarKastle the latest addition to the park's lineup of thrill rides to open Spring 2005.
Dec 8, 2004
New B&M Inverted Roller Coaster Opens At Knott's
Tuesday Knott's Theme Park pulled the trigger and fired off their brand new Silver Bullet roller coaster.
Dec 2, 2004
Martin's Fantasy Island Buys Spinning Coaster For 2005
The new roller coaster from Zamperla is part of a $2 million capital improvement plan for the park.
Dec 1, 2004
New Thrill Ride To Debut at Cedar Point in 2005
Maxair, a new Huss Giant Frisbee ride to spin and swing onto the midway at the famed amusement park resort.
November 2004
Nov 22, 2004
Hong Kong Disneyland Park Opening Day Announced
Disney and the Hong Kong SAR government announced that the park will open in September 2005, earlier than expected.
Nov 17, 2004
New High-Tech On-Ride Video System Announced
XTREMEX3 system allows amusement parkss to sell a DVD/CD video of the on-ride experience taken from multiple cameras.
Nov 17, 2004
Water Coaster Planned For Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Crush 'N' Gator, a new white-knuckle water coaster ride to open at the Disney water park in 2005.
Nov 17, 2004
Holiday World Winner Of Applause Award at IAAPA
One year after becoming a finalist Holiday World is named the winner of the industry's most coveted international award.
Nov 11, 2004
Geauga Lake 2005 Expansion Includes New Water Park
Cedar Fair announced plans for a major water park addition at its newest Ohio property Geauga Lake.
Nov 8, 2004
Knott's Prepares To Fire Off New Attraction On Dec. 7
Thirty days and counting until Knott's takes aim and fires off its brand new inverted roller coaster, Silver Bullet.
Nov 7, 2004
First Rides On Knott's New Coaster Up For Auction
The first rides on Knott's new roller coaster to go to highest bidders with proceeds benefiting local charity.
Nov 7, 2004
Silver Dollar City Announces Launched Roller Coaster
Powder Keg, an explosive-launch roller coaster, to blast riders from 0-53 mph in 2.8 seconds in 2005.
Nov 5, 2004
Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Opens Nov. 6
the park readies for the Christmas season with the unveiling of the country's tallest Christmas pyramid.
Nov 2, 2004
Atari's Rollercoaster Tycoon 3 Game Screams Into Stores
The highly anticipated sequel to the #1 tycoon franchise is packed with all-new thrills for roller coaster fans.
October 2004
Oct 27, 2004
Dive Coaster Coming To Busch Gardens Tampa Spring '05
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay goes over the edge with SheiKra, the nation's first Bolliger and Mabillard dive coaster.
Oct 21, 2004
Lego Co. Likely To Sell Or Spin Off Theme Park Operation
Lego's four theme parks will likely be sold or transferred to a new company as part of a downscaling effort.
Oct 13, 2004
Paramount's Carowinds To Add New Rides For '05
Two family rides including one relocated from Kings Island will open at Carowinds in spring 2005.
Oct 11, 2004
FearFest Haunts Kings Dominion Weekends October 16-31
The region's largest, most terrifying Halloween celebration features new events and attractions this year.
Oct 11, 2004
Liseberg To Launch Intamin Rocket Coaster In 2005
Sweden's Liseberg park is building a new $6.8 million roller coaster to debut in April 2005.
Oct 7, 2004
Holiday World To Spend $6.3 Million On Park Improvements
The highlight of the improvements will be a new wave pool doubling the size of the Splashin' Safari water park.
Oct 6, 2004
Nick-Or-Treat Is Kids Trick-Or-Treat Nickelodeon Style
Paramount's Great America is inviting kids to put on their costumes, search for treats and celebrate the holiday.
Oct 1, 2004
Dollywood To Expand Park With 10 New Rides For 2005
Country Fair expansion to focus on families and include six rides which parents may ride with their kids.
Oct 1, 2004
S&S Swing Ride Opens At Knott's Berry Farm
The park's new Screamin' Swing attraction opens in time for the park's busiest event, Halloween Haunt.
Oct 1, 2004
Final Track Piece Set On Knott's New Roller Coaster
Knott's Berry Farm is right on track to open the new Silver Bullet roller coaster in early December.
September 2004
Sep 29, 2004
World's Tallest, Fastest Roller Coaster Announced
Six Flags Great Adventure to build a record breaking coaster that will speed to 128 mph and rise 456 feet.
Sep 25, 2004
Hersheypark To Build First Of Kind Coaster For 2005
The park's new attraction will combine a roller coaster with a freefall drop ride and be the first in the world.
Sep 24, 2004
Hong Kong Disneyland Tops Off Sleeping Beauty Castle
The first Disney family vacation destination in China marks a major milestone toward completion.
Sep 24, 2004
Knott's Honors Fire and Police With Free Admission
The 12th Annual Fire and Law Personnel Salute will take place from November 25 through December 12, 2004.
Sep 23, 2004
Cedar Fair Declares Third Quarter Cash Distribution
The third quarter distribution represents the partnership's 70th consecutive quarterly cash distribution.
Sep 22, 2004
Paramount's Great America To Triple Water Park Size
Crocodile Dundee's Boomerang Bay water park expansion project to begin shortly for the 2005 season.
Sep 16, 2004
Tomb Raider Ride To Open At Kings Dominion In 2005
Brave the thrill ride, based on the popular games and films, next season at Paramount's Kings Dominion.
Sep 16, 2004
Six Flags Builds Colossal Water Park At Great America
The world's largest interactive waterplay structure to anchor new Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, opening spring 2005.
Sep 15, 2004
Knott's Sets Sail With A Brand New Attraction
Lucy's Tugboat a new family attraction is launched in Knott's six-acre kids' paradise, Camp Snoopy.
Sep 14, 2004
Dorney Park Unveils New Floorless Coaster For 2005
Hydra The Revenge a new multielement, floorless looper is now under construction for next season.
Sep 7, 2004
Attendance Up 3% In August At Cedar Fair Parks
Cedar Fair reported that combined attendance at its parks for the month of August increased 3% from a year ago.
Sep 3, 2004
Job Fair To Be Held For Knott's Halloween Haunt Event
The park is now accepting applications for more than 1,000 positions to support its annual Halloween Haunt.
Sep 2, 2004
Kings Dominion Adds Bonus Weekend In November
The park is open daily through Labor Day, plus the addition of a bonus weekend November 6 7, 2004.
August 2004
Aug 13, 2004
Hurricane Closes Disney World Theme Parks
Hurricane Charley nears Florida's west coast forcing the Orlando Disney Parks to close.
Aug 12, 2004
New Stunt Car Ride For Two Paramount Theme Parks
Paramount's Kings Island and Canada's Wonderland to open The Italian Job high-speed Mini Copper stunt car ride in 2005.
Aug 2, 2004
Two Records Broken At The Orange County Fair
Attendance and ride revenue records were set at the 112th edition of the Orange County Fair held July 9 - Aug 1.
Aug 2, 2004
UK Theme Park Issued Noise Abatement Order
Alton Towers has been ordered by a court to reduce the noise generated by its roller coasters and rides.
July 2004
Jul 31, 2004
CoasterDynamix Launch Impressive Coaster Model
The Dragon model is being marketed as the world's most realistic, working roller coaster modeling system.
Jul 28, 2004
Wild Adventures To Better Prepare For Hot Weather
Park officials respond after 36 visitors were treated for dehydration at the amusement park last weekend.
Jul 27, 2004
Gyro Swing Ride Coming To Australia's Gold Coast
Dreamworld to unveil The Claw a pendulum thrill ride that will spin and swing at speeds up to 40 mph.
Jul 21, 2004
Shockwave Roller Coaster To Remain Closed
Six Flags Over Texas roller coaster to stay closed after rains and floods eroded soil surrounding supports.
Jul 15, 2004
Attendance Down, Park Spending Up at Six Flags Parks
Six Flags Inc. commented today on the year to date attendance and revenue performance of its parks.
Jul 13, 2004
Dragster Closed at Cedar Point After Incident
Four people received minor injuries after being struck by shards of metal while riding the roller coaster.
Jul 12, 2004
Exhibit On Amusement Parks To Open August 5
Free show in San Francisco to celebrate the history and technology of amusement parks and their icon attractions.
Jul 9, 2004
Minor Injuries After Disneyland Coaster Trains Collide
Three injured after two trains on the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster bump each other.
Jul 8, 2004
Morey's Piers To Move Historic Goldent Nugget Coaster
Classic ride to be relocated to Mariner's Landing and renovated by coaster preservation team Comeback Coasters.
Jul 7, 2004
Attendance Increase Breaks Record at San Diego County Fair
A 4.5% increase in vistors sets a new attendance record for the fifth largest fair in the United States.
Jul 2, 2004
June Attendance Up 6% At Cedar Fair Parks
Cedar Fair reports that attendance at its seven amusement parks and five water parks was up from a year ago.
June 2004
Jun 24, 2004
Beloved Blackpool Chairman Lilian D. Thompson Dies
The chairman of the second largest theme park in Europe and largest in the UK passed away Wednesday night.
Jun 22, 2004
Mummy Coaster To Open At Universal Studios Hollywood
State-of-the-art indoor dark ride roller coaster opens June 25th at the Hollywood theme park.
Jun 14, 2004
Coaster Marathon To Benefit Habitat For Humanity
Participants will ride the Superman coaster at Six Flags Darien Lake to raise funds for the organization.
Jun 2, 2004
Two Roller Coasters Closed For Restraint Modifications
Knott's Xcelerator and Six Flags' Superman close pending modifications to the rides' lap bar restraint systems.
Jun 1, 2004
Cedar Fair Reports Early-Season Attendance & Revenues
Combined revnues at is parks were up about 3% from last year for the first five months of the year.
May 2004
May 27, 2004
America's First Halfpipe Coaster Opens In Denver
Thrill seekers and snowboarders now have something to to do at Six Flags Elitch Gardens this summer.
May 21, 2004
Fire Damages Station For Historic Roller Coaster
A blaze at Blackpool Pleasure Beach last night destroyed the station and train for the Grand National coaster.
May 20, 2004
Summer Season Begins At Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
The famous Northern California seaside attraction opens daily for its 97th summer season on Friday, May 28.
May 12, 2004
4th Annual Blue Streak Challenge To Be Held July 19
Conneaut Lake Preservation Society event to raise funds to preserve the classic Blue Streak wooden coaster.
May 7, 2004
Six Flags To Modify Restraints On Superman Coaster
Modifications to be made to the restraint system on the Superman roller coasters following tragic accident.
May 6, 2004
Hersheypark To Open New Roller Coaster May 8
Storm Runner the world's first hydraulic launch coaster with inversions and the park's 10th to open Saturday.
May 4, 2004
Disneyland to Unveil New Parade For 50th Anniversary
New parade titled Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams to feature one of the largest gatherings of Disney Characters.
April 2004
Apr 28, 2004
Five New Rides For Six Flags Great America
A newly themed Mardi Gras section with five new rides is slated to debut for the 2004 season.
Apr 10, 2004
Magic Mountain Allowed To Reopen Roller Coaster
Six Flags Scream roller coaster will remain closed this weekend out of respect for family and friends.
Apr 8, 2004
Cedar Fair Completes Acquisition of Six Flags Park
Six Flags Worlds of Adventure near Cleveland will reopen in May under new ownership and a new name.
Apr 6, 2004
Chance Revolution Thrill Ride Coming To Dorney Park
The new spinning, swinging ride will be added to the park's collection of thrill rides for the 2004 season.
Apr 2, 2004
Two New Attractions Open Today At Legoland
Commemorating the park's fifth birthday Legoland officials showed off their newest roller coaster, Coastersaurus.
Apr 1, 2004
MGM and Six Flags Launch New Simulator Attractions
Stargate SG 3000 Interactive Simulation Adventure to debut at several Six Flags theme parks this summer.
March 2004
Mar 31, 2004
Thunderhead Wooden Coaster Set To Open April 3
Dollywood's set for its 19th season that will see the debut of the park's first wooden roller coaster.
Mar 20, 2004
Six Flags Launches First National Ad Campaign in 7 Years
New brand character transports overscheduled, stressed-out families to a day of ultimate fun.
Mar 19, 2004
Rescued Dolphin To Debut At Six Flags Marine World
Cupid rescued on Bryan Beach near Freeport, Texas on Valentine's Day will charm the public this weekend.
Mar 16, 2004
Coaster Model Kit To Be Available From CoasterDynamix
The company formed to produce high quality, easy to assemble, realistic model amusement rides.
Mar 10, 2004
Six Flags Worlds Adventure To Be Acquired By Cedar Fair
Cedar Fair announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Six Flags park for $145 million.
Mar 9, 2004
America's First Half Pipe Coaster Coming to Denver
Six Flags Elitch Gardens will debut the most thrilling new snowboard thrill ride this summer.
Mar 8, 2004
Cedar Fair Increases Quarterly Cash Distribution Rate
For the 17th consecutive year the partnership will increase its cash distribution to shareholders.
Mar 4, 2004
Atari Announces Third RollerCoaster Tycooon Game
The thrilling new sequel from Atari is expected to be the wildest ride yet and will ship in late 2004.
February 2004
Feb 20, 2004
DelGrosso's Announces Largest Park Expansion
Three new rides and a seven day operating schedule highlight the changes for the coming 2004 season.
Feb 6, 2004
Cedar Fair Reports Record Results For 2003
The publicly traded partnership that owns and operates eleven parks announced record results for 2003.
Feb 2, 2004
Magic Mountain Begins Online Print-N-Go Ticket Sales
Save time before going to Six Flags by buying your tickets online at and printing them at home.
January 2004
Jan 18, 2004
Waldameer Spending $5 Million On Park Improvements
The highlight of the amusement park's improvements will be a new spinning roller coaster that will be unveiled in June.
Jan 10, 2004
Cedar Fair Parks Entertain More Than 12 Million in 2003
Combined attendance totaled 12.2 million guests at the company's eleven amusement parks and water parks.
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