04.19.09
Disney Parks Are Reorganizing
Disney has announced a restructuring of it’s park and resort operations. The wide ranging restructuring includes Disneyland, Disney World, Cruise Ships and Resorts; including those that don’t have the Disney name plate. Part of the restructuring, parts of Disneyland and Disney World will be consolidated into a single operation.
Jay Rasulo says “the company would streamline it’s operating structure to simplify operations and in the process, reduce overhead.” He goes on to say “The reorganization was a further step in an operational review begun back in 2005 as Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.” He also indicated the downturn in the economy move the planned changes along faster that planned.
Operations to be consolidated include procurement, menu planning and orders for stuffed animals. Walt Disney Imagineering group will also be simplified. The group will no longer be split into divisions that devote themselves to one location, but wil be merged into a nationwide development group that will handle all attractions, entertainment and resorts.
The changes help align 3 groups; one that identifies possible acquisitions and park expansioins, one that implements those possibilites and a third that is in charge of operations.
Read the full article
02.07.09
New Entertainment Company Loaded
We’ve added a dedicated page for Merlin Entertainment Group, which owns legoland among other brands throughout the world.
Check out their page!
12.18.08
Celebration City Closed
We’re a bit late with this one, but we’ll put it out there anyway.
Herschend Family Entertainment closed Celebration City as of October 25th. HFE is looking at several options with the property which they’ve owned and operated since 2003. The site, 110 acres, have the potential to be an aquarium or even reopen as a newly rethemed park. Other family attractions are a possibility as well.
12.14.08
Cedar Fair Capital Improvements for 2009
Cedar Fair issued a press release about their capital expeditures for 2009. The company plans to spend $62 million in new attractions, roller coasters and family rides in 2009.
Six Flags in Qatar
Six Flags announced a strategic partnership with Oryx Holdings to develop Six Flags brand in Qatar. The park and entertainment center will initially be about 500,000 sq. ft. It is expected to open by the middle of 2012.
09.06.08
Astroland in NY to close
The owner of Astroland in New York says she’s had enough and will close the park for good on Sunday Sept 7, 2008. The park first opened it’s gates in 1962 and currently has two dozen rides sitting on three acres. Last year the park was under threat of closing but the owner came to a last minute deal to expand the lease of the property by one year. This year, they wanted to extend the lease by two years but the owner missed a deadline so the park announced it would close.
The owner of the lease had plans next year to break ground on a $1.5billion complex that included high rise hotels and the first new roller coaster in NY. The new complex is expected to be put on hold until the parks future is determined. The lease owner still hopes to make some sort of deal to keep the park opened.
09.01.08
New Life for Six Flags New Orleans
It is being reported that Souther Star Amusement is in negotiations to take over the lease to the Six Flags New Orleans property. They have some interesting plans including over 60 rides, a water park and a sulf sufficient levee system built around the property. Their website is down at the moment due to hurricane Gustav, but should be back soon. I hope this is true since the residents could use some good news for once.
Read: SouthernStarAmusement
Read: New Orleans News
