2006 NEWS ARCHIVE

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

December 2006

Dec 15, 2006
Kings Dominion Dropping Admission Price In 2007
A major waterpark expansion and lower one-day admission price will make the theme park better in 2007.

Dec 14, 2006
Kings Island Removing Loop From Son Of Beast
Touted as the world's only looping wooden roller coaster, the ride will reopen, but without its signature element.

Dec 13, 2006
Busch Gardens Europe Tops Off New Dive Coaster
Crew places ceremonial evergreen on highest point of Griffon roller coaster as it reaches its 205-foot pinnacle.

Dec 12, 2006
'Wiggles Worlds' Coming To Six Flags Theme Parks
Six Flags enters into a five-year agreement with the world's leading children's entertainers.

Dec 11, 2006
Kemah Boardwalk Building Gravity Group Roller Coaster
The new 3,256-foot long wooden coaster will be built on a compact one-acre footprint at the boardwalk.

Dec 8, 2006
Tony Hawk To Take Thrill-Seekers For A Spin At Six Flags Fiesta Texas
The San Antonio Six Flags theme park's new family roller coaster will have riders whirling in 2007.

Dec 7, 2006
Santa Tries New Roller Coaster At Paultons Park
Father Christmas took time off from his busy schedule to try out the park's latest ride.

Dec 1, 2006
Utah's Lagoon Building New Launched Roller Coaster
The new $10-million, 2,000-foot roller coaster will be the tallest and fastest ride ever at the amusement park.

November 2006

Nov 30, 2006
New Roller Coaster To Spin Into Knott's Next Year
Knott's Berry Farm announced that it is building a major new family thrill ride for Camp Snoopy.

Nov 29, 2006
Disney To Transform Two Roller Coasters Next Year
Hit songs from two rock bands will transform Space Mountain and California Screamin' into new ride experiences in January.

Nov 29, 2006
Free Park Admission During Knott's Annual Toy Drive
Bring a toy to donate and get into Knott's Theme Park for free on weekends through December 17.

Nov 28, 2006
Landmark Coney Island Astroland Amusement Park Sold
Historic Cyclone roller coaster to remain, but the amusement park will close after the 2007 summer season.

Nov 28, 2006
Mall of America Theme Park To Spend $25 Million On Rides
A Eurofighter compact steel roller coaster designed by Gerstlauer will become the park's new flagship ride.

Nov 22, 2006
Six Flags' Shapiro Wants Families Not Roller Coasters
Great service is one of the many ways Shapiro hopes to improve the world's largest theme park chain.

Nov 17, 2006
Busch Gardens Selected As Favorite Amusement Park
Roller coaster fans flocked to Thrillville's website to vote for their favorite American amusement park.

Nov 15, 2006
Hard Rock Park Working With Amusement Industry's Top Ride Makers
Hard Rock announced six ride manufacturers they've hired to build rides for their new Myrtle Beach theme park.

Nov 14, 2006
Cirque Dreams Show Coming To Six Flags Over Texas
New Cirque production is a spectacle of lights, sounds, imagery and unprecedented showmanship for a Six Flags park.

Nov 14, 2006
Historic Starliner Roller Coaster To Reopen In 2007
Cypress Gardens to rebuild a classic wooden roller coaster and add a new children's area next season.

Nov 8, 2006
Waldameer Park Starts Prep Work For Wooden Coaster
Contractors have begun work on an access road in preparation for the new Ravine Flyer II roller coaster.

Nov 7, 2006
Win Private Party In Six Flags "Dream Nite" Sweepstakes
Six winners per park will win a private party for 100 friends and family at their local Six Flags theme park.

Nov 5, 2006
Cedar Point Raises One-Day Admission Price $2 For 2007
Cedar Fair's flagship amusement park will increase its single day admission ticket by two dollars next season.

Nov 4, 2006
Six Flags Adds New Benefits To 2007 Season Passes
2007 season passes are now on sale at pre-season prices and provide more value and guest benefits than every before.

Nov 3, 2006
Busch Gardens Europe Again Offers Fun Card Promotion
For the same price as a single day admission cardholders receive unlimited visits to Busch Gardens Europe through the end of summer.

Nov 3, 2006
Disneyland Hong Kong Beaten By Competing Theme Park
Nearby Ocean Park is breaking attendance records while Disneyland Hong Kong struggles to meet its goals.

Nov 3, 2006
Six Flags 3rd Quarter Income Down 16% Due To 12% Attendance Drop
Theme park operator Six Flags reported per-capita guest spending increased, but earnings and attendance declined.

Nov 3, 2006
Elvis' Favorite Coaster To Be Moved To North Carolina
Zippin' Pippin roller coaster formerly part of Libertyland amusement park will be moved to Carolina Crossroads project.

Nov 2, 2006
Loss Could Jeopardize Future Of Conneaut Lake Park
The historic amusement park reported a loss of $225,000 this year and now owes more than $2 million.

October 2006

Oct 18, 2006
Vernon Keenan Flyer Comet Coaster Meets The Wrecking Ball
The 1940 wooden roller coaster at closed Whalom Park was demolished to make way for a 240-unit condominium project.

Oct 18, 2006
Six Flags Sets New Rules For Guest Conduct At Its Theme Parks
The new Guest Code of Conduct policy will support Six Flags goal of improving the family atmosphere at its theme parks.

Oct 9, 2006
Genetic Heart Defect Cause Of Disney Roller Coaster Death
Autopsy shows 12-year old who died after riding the Rock 'N Roller Coaster at had a genetic heart defect.

Oct 3, 2006
Six Flags Executive To Get Pay Raise As Company Struggles
The president and CEO will get a pay raise even though Six Flags fails to turn a profit.

September 2006

Sep 26, 2006
Fearfest Halloween Event Returns To Canada's Wonderland For Second Year
For tweleve nights in October the park will transform into a frightening, dark, haunted theme park for Halloween.

Sep 26, 2006
Six Flags St. Louis Offers Family by Day, Fright by Night
Fright Fest begins October 6 at the St. Louis theme park and like others cockroaches are on the menu.

Sep 25, 2006
Six Flags Giving Front of Line Pass To Cockroach Eaters
Guests who eat a live cockroach during Fright Fest's opening weekend will skip the line for their favorite ride or attraction at Six Flags Great America.

Sep 23, 2006
Indoor Outdoor Waterpark Resort Planned For Vegas
Las Vegas Wet announced plans to build $1.1-billion destination resort with waterpark, snow sports casino, hotels and more.

Sep 21, 2006
Valleyfair To Build Wooden Roller Coaster For 2007
The park plans to spend $6.5 million to build Renegade, a wood roller coaster designed by Great Coasters International.

Sep 20, 2006
Arnolds Park Turns Profit For Third Consecutive Year
Revenues increased at the historic amusement park despite a decline in attendance this summer.

Sep 19, 2006
S&P May Lower Six Flags Rating Further Into Junk
Standard Poor's may lower the theme park operator further into junk territory due to poor performance.

Sep 19, 2006
Kentucky Kingdom To Renovate Water Park For 2007
Hurricane Bay water park at Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom will be expanded and renamed this winter.

Sep 14, 2006
Developer Seeking City Approval To Build Theme Park in Branson
The $600 million project in Branson will be a year-round attraction with aquarium, hotel, and indoor water park.

Sep 13, 2006
Cypress Gardens Park Files For Bankruptcy Protection
Unpaid insurance claims for damage from three hurricanes force the Winter Haven theme park to file for Chapter 11.

Sep 12, 2006
Hong Kong Disneyland Celebrates First Anniversary
Disney's first theme park in China fell short of its attendance projection and continues to struggle in the market.

Sep 11, 2006
Six Flags Names General Manager For Great Adventure
Six Flags veteran Mark Kane will immediately take the lead at its largest theme park and water park in Jackson, New Jersey.

Sep 11, 2006
Holiday World & Splashin' Safari Expanding To Accommodate Growing Attendance
Indiana theme and water park to spend $4.5 million on new rides and improvements for the 2007 season.

Sep 8, 2006
Cedar Fair Reports Decline In Attendance At Parks
Attendance at the partnership's parks was down a percent while revenues remained flat through Labor Day weekend.

Sep 7, 2006
Maverick To Be Cedar Point's 17th Roller Coaster
This new western-themed, inverting coaster is set to rustle up Cedar Point amusement park guests in 2007.

August 2006

Aug 23, 2006
Texas SeaWorld Park To Add Journey To Atlantis Ride
San Antonio's SeaWorld marine animal park announced plans to build the first Mack water roller coaster in the US for 2007.

Aug 23, 2006
Busch Gardens Building World's Tallest Dive Coaster
The park's fifth roller coaster Griffon will take riders over the edge when it at Busch Gardens Europe in 2007.

Aug 14, 2006
Halloween Event Returns To Universal Studios Hollywood
After a several year hiatus Halloween Horror Nights returns this year to Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.

Aug 14, 2006
Six Flags Darien Lake To Close Early This Season
Reduced operations and the closing of the park's stunt show are in response to growing financial problems at Six Flags.

Aug 14, 2006
Pavilion's Farewell Season A Huge Success
Attendance increases at Myrtle Beach Pavilion as fans come to the amusement park for the last season.

Aug 9, 2006
Indoor Waterpark Resort Proposed For Alabama Adventure
A 280-room hotel and indoor water park are part of a $70 million development pitched to Bessemer city council.

Aug 8, 2006
Dollywood's Splash Country Announces $2.75 Million Addition
The Cascades the water parks new 7,500 square-foot leisure pool with beach entry is set to open in 2007.

Aug 5, 2006
Myrtle Beach Pavilion "Last Ride" Tickets Now On Sale
Farewell event at Myrtle Beach Pavilion will be the last opportunity for patrons to enjoy the rides and make Pavilion memories.

Aug 5, 2006
10 Riders Win Texas Roller Coaster Ride-A-Thon
Ten endure 45 hours of rides on the Judge Roy Scream coaster in celebration of Six Flags Over Texas 45th anniversary.

Aug 5, 2006
It's The Farewell Season For Ohio's Erieview Park
After more than 60 years this small amusement park in northeast Ohio will call it quits when the summer ends.

Aug 5, 2006
State To Supervise Repair Of Kings Island Coaster
A section of the Son of Beast wooden roller coaster must be rebuilt under state supervision before it may reopen.

July 2006

Jul 29, 2006
Heart Attacks Blamed For Two Roller Coaster Deaths
In two separate incidents park patrons suffered a heart attack after riding a roller coaster at Florida and Georgia theme parks.

Jul 26, 2006
Girl Injured While Riding Roller Coaster
An 11-year-old girl was hospitalized after being hit in the head while riding a roller coaster at Adventureland.

Jul 25, 2006
New Car Awarded For Riding Roller Coaster
A 23-year-old man won a two-year lease for a new car after riding a roller coaster at Six Flags Darien Lake for three days.

Jul 24, 2006
Lakeside Park Cyclone Roller Coaster Malfunctions
Riders had to be evacuated from the Denver park's roller coaster after the train stopped midcourse.

Jul 24, 2006
Stunt Show To Entertain Guests At Six Flags Parks
Six Flags adds two-stop tour of Mat Hoffman's Crazy Freakin' Stunt Show to agenda at St. Louis and Louisville parks.

Jul 23, 2006
British Roller Coaster Accident Injures 29
Twenty-nine amusement park guests were injured on the Runaway Mine Train ride at Alton Towers theme park.

Jul 19, 2006
AMC Theatres Cuts Ticket Prices For Morning Movies
Moviegoers to enjoy lower ticket prices by going to the movies in the mornings on weekends and holidays.

Jul 19, 2006
Universal Studios Building New Roller Coaster For 2007
The Hollywood studio theme park in Japan will spend more than $50 million for a new roller coaster attraction.

Jul 18, 2006
Cedar Fair Won't Built Theme Park In China
The previously announced theme park project was rejected in the deal to acquire the Paramount Theme Parks from CBS.

Jul 17, 2006
Roller Coaster Trains Crash in Sweden
Twenty-one people sustained minor injuries at a Swedish amusement park when two trains crash after the lift fails.

Jul 14, 2006
Six Flags St. Louis Celebrates 30th Birthday of Screamin' Eagle
American Coaster Enthusiasts travel cross country to ride the wooden roller coaster for 30 consecutive hours.

Jul 1, 2006
Cedar Fair Completes Purchase of Paramount Parks
The amusement park operator announced that it has completed the acquistion of the theme parks from CBS Corporation.

June 2006

Jun 30, 2006
Busch Gardens To Close Le Mans Raceway July 5
Busch Gardens Europe bids adieux to the park's antique racing cars that has traveled nearly ten million miles in 31 years.

Jun 26, 2006
Roller Coaster Opening Delayed After Inspection
The troubles in getting Joyland Amusement Park back to full operation continue when three rides fail their inspection.

Jun 24, 2006
Bell's Amusement Park Hopes To Reopen Monday
The storm damaged amusement park has been making repairs and is expected to reopen next week.

Jun 23, 2006
Fireworks Earns Free Admission To Six Flags America
The Fireworks Amnesty Program encourages citzens to turn in their fireworks to receive a admission ticket to the theme park.

Jun 23, 2006
Magic Mountain's Future May Be In Jeopardy
Six Flags said it is exploring options that may include the closure and sale of its theme park and water park in Los Angeles.

Jun 22, 2006
Six Flags Considering Selling Six Theme Parks
The company said that it may sell its theme parks and water parks in five markets including Los Angeles.

Jun 21, 2006
Zippin' Pippin Roller Coaster Sold For $2,500
Elvis Presley's favorite ride is sold to a small traveling museum whose owners only wanted one of the coaster's cars.

Jun 20, 2006
Closed Roller Coaster Reopens After Girl Injures Foot
A 4-year-old girl injured her foot when she got off the Woody Woodpecker roller coaster at Universal Studios Orlando.

Jun 12, 2006
Monstrous 'El Toro' Wooden Roller Coaster Unleashed
Run with the bulls at Six Flags Great Adventure as the park celebrates the debut of this highly anticipated wooden coaster.

May 2006

May 26, 2006
Memorial Day Weekend Beginning Of Daily Operations at Dollywood's Splash Country
Tennessee water park welcomes the addition of Fire Tower Falls, two side-by-side 70-foot free-fall body slides.

May 22, 2006
Valleyfair Roller Coaster Car Separates Injuring Riders
Fourteen riders were treated for minor injuries after a car on the Wild Thing coaster separated, derailed and tipped over.

May 22, 2006
Cedar Fair To Buy Paramount Parks For $1.24 Billion
The acquisition will position Cedar Fair as one of the largest regional amusement park operators in the world.

May 17, 2006
Boardwalk To Celebrate Carousel's 95th Birthday
The historic beach boardwalk will hold a brass ring promotion to celebrate the Looff Carousel's 95th birthday.

May 17, 2006
Kansas Joyland Hopes To Reopen Roller Coaster May 27
The new owners hope to get the park's historic wooden coaster rolling again after sitting silent for two years.

May 17, 2006
Chicago Kiddieland Park May Close After 2010
The last remaining Kiddieland Park founded 78 years ago may close at the end of this decade because of a family squabble.

May 15, 2006
Pharaoh's New Owners Spend $9 Million On Renovations
Under new ownership the Southern California amusement park and waterpark will reopen May 18 in the middle of a major renovation.

May 15, 2006
Williams Grove Park Owner Seeks Buyer Or Operator
The Mechanicsburg amusement park will remain closed this summer unless a buyer or management team is found to open the park.

May 13, 2006
Tatsu Flying Roller Coaster Unleashed At Six Flags Magic Mountain
The tallest, fastest, longest flying coaster opens today at Magic Mountain in celebration of Six Flags 45th anniversary.

May 11, 2006
Astroworld Theme Park Land Sold For $77 Million
Six Flags stated in its earnings release that it has found a buyer for the former Houston theme park property.

May 6, 2006
Kentucky Rumbler Wooden Coaster Now Open
Beech Bend Park invites the public to ride the park's new wood roller coaster with 30 crossovers and a top speed of 50 mph.

April 2006

Apr 18, 2006
Libertyland Carousel Expected To Sell For $1 Million
The historic carousel has been placed up for sale since its former amusement park home closed last year.

Apr 12, 2006
Busch Entertainment Renames Two US Theme Parks
The new names selected for Busch Gardens in Florida and Virginia relate to the theme found at each theme park.

Apr 12, 2006
Tony Hawk To Skate In Six Flags Parks This Summer
Skateboard legend to bring in his national Boom Boom HuckJam tour to several Six Flags theme parks this summer.

Apr 11, 2006
Dollywood Debuts New Timber Tower Thrill Ride
The new $6.5 million thrill ride is the centerpiece of a new themed area and the first and only ride of its kind in North America.

Apr 10, 2006
Cyclone Opening Includes Free Rides To First 100
The first one hundred guests in line Sunday for the opening of the historic Coney Island Cyclone roller coaster got a free ride.

Apr 5, 2006
Mammoth Mountain Breaks All-Time Snowfall Record
More than six feet of snow has fallen since Sunday at the Sierra Nevada ski resort breaking the previous record set in 1993.

March 2006

Mar 31, 2006
Six Flags Great Adventure Starts 45th Anniversary Season
New Jersey theme park kicks off the 2006 season today with the debut of the new Bugs Bunny National Park children's area.

Mar 30, 2006
Papa John's Pizza To Be Served At Six Flags Theme Parks
Papa John's and Six Flags announce multi-year strategic marketing alliance and sponsorship agreement.

Mar 30, 2006
Bonfante Gardens Begins 2006 Season Saturday
After a successful 2005 season the theme park opens a new season with three redesigned gardens and three new educational exhibits.

Mar 29, 2006
Hollywood Director To Create High-Tech Theme Park
Director James Cameron and Harrah's Enertainment join in a bid to create a theme park with movie attractions.

Mar 29, 2006
Visionland To Now Be Called "Alabama Adventure"
The name change is part of an on going multi-million dollar expansion of the Alabama theme park and waterpark.

Mar 29, 2006
Paramount's Great America Celebrates 30th Anniversary
The Northern California theme park turns thirty and opens the 2006 season on Saturday, April 1.

Mar 20, 2006
Hurricane Damage To Keep Six Flags Park Closed
Six Flags New Orleans will not open for the 2006 season due to substantial damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Mar 15, 2006
Six Flags Great Adventure Giving Away Free Tickets
New Jersey theme park giving away 45,000 admission tickets in celebration of the chain's 45th anniversary.

Mar 14, 2006
MGM Unveils Plans For Theme Park In South Korea
Legendary movie studio partners with South Korea city to build a Hollywood theme park in new tourism complex.

Mar 2, 2006
New England Six Flags Park Adding Fun With New Rides
Catapult and Splash Water Falls, two new attractions will debut in 2006 at the Six Flags Theme Park.

Mar 1, 2006
MINI Coopers Arrive For New Roller Coaster
The cars themed like MINI Coopers arrive at Paramount's Kings Dominion for the new Italian Job Turbo Coaster.

Mar 1, 2006
Knott's Berry Farm Cuts Adult Admission Price
Bucking the industry trend of higher gate prices Knott's Berry Farm is reducing the admission price for adults.

Mar 1, 2006
September Debut For DisneySea's Tower Thrill Ride
The Oriental Land company announced the opening date for its new thrill ride at the Tokyo DisneySea theme park.

February 2006

Feb 22, 2006
Sunkist Growers To Offer Healthy Choices At Six Flags
Six Flags to offer healthy snacks as Sunkist becomes the official fresh fruit of the theme park chain.

Feb 15, 2006
New York's Times Square Transformed Into Mount Everest
Walt Disney World Resort moves mountains to celebrate the new Expedition Everest roller coaster attraction.

January 2006

Jan 21, 2006
Six Flags Hires Outside The Company For New Executives
New talent coming to Six Flags as the company restructures after Redskins owner takes control.

Jan 20, 2006
Six Flags Expanding Fiesta Texas With New Water Rides
Three new rides will be added to the water park as well as another children's pay area.

Jan 19, 2006
Six Flags Theme Parks Smoke Free Starting This Year
Smoking to be banned except for designated areas as part of Six Flags effort to make its theme parks more family friendly.

Jan 18, 2006
Snoopy, Peanuts Characters Leaving the Mall of America
Today is the final day to see Snoopy and the Peanuts gang at the Mall of America's indoor amusement park, Camp Snoopy.

Jan 14, 2006
Idlewild To Expand Waterpark For 2006 Season
Million dollar investment in Captain Kidd's Adventure Galley to expand waterpark by 20% for upcoming season.

Looking for more stories? Read the 2005 news articles in the news archives.

| Headlines | Special Features | Archives |

---

• Roller Coasters
• Theme Parks
• Thrill Rides
• Tickets & Hotels
• Discussion Forums
• News
• Souvenirs
• Waterparks

About Us – Site Map – What's New
© 1996–2023 Ultimate Rollercoaster®, LLC. Use of this site is governed by our Terms Of Service and Privacy Policy.