In an effort to keep up with competitors SeaWorld and Walt Disney World, Universal Florida has announced that it will be increasing its minimum wage to $7.25 starting May 7.

Recently SeaWorld raised its minimum to $7 an hour and Disney raised its to $6.90.

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As a result of four amusement park-related deaths last year, New York state lawmakers are debating six bills, all aimed at making amusement parks and rides safer for young children. The latest bill, made public on Monday, would prohibit children younger than 11 years old from riding alone on attractions that go out of sight of the ride operators. (more…)

Four bus loads of students from O’Brien Middle School in Reno, Nev., were disappointed after spending a day traveling four hours to Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo, Calif., only to find the park closed. The school, however, was given printed tickets with Monday’s date on them. (more…)

A city council member of the city of Mason, Ohio is proposing an admissions tax to raise money for his city. The tax would come from Kings Island’s 3 million guests, but the park is opposed to the idea.

The City of Mason could profit as much as $3.5 million per year based on last year’s attendance figures and applying a 3% amusement tax. Councilman Tony Bradburn thinks it’s time to institute a tax and that others would support it.

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Knoebel’s Amusement Resort is adding new attraction for the upcoming season. The Flying Turns roller coaster is under construction and some other new rides are among the park’s new lineup.

Knoebel’s is hoping to open the Flying Turns wooden bobsled coaster sometime this season. However, the fact that none of these rides have been built in the modern era will mean the ride will take time to build.

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Geauga Guide has released 49 photos showing offseason progress at Geauga Lake park.

The Web site Geaugaguide.com posted photos of the Aurora, Ohio, amusement park. The photos detail general maintenance around the park, aesthetic fixes, the land where My. Hyde’s Nasty Fall was located and work on the water park expansion.

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The Chinese city of Shanghai announced yesterday that the city will be home to a theme park based on the space industry by 2010. Although the park will include models, artifacts, and various exhibits, it will be more then merely a museum. Officials with the Shanghai Bureau of Astronautics said that the theme park will incorporate rides that simulate the experience of being in space. (more…)

Potential ride buyers will have a chance not only to buy Libertyland’s carousel, but the park’s other rides as well. Libertyland, which closed last year due to financial problems, will auction off more than 20 rides on June 21. (more…)

A York, S.C., man was sentenced to 30 years in prison Friday.

23-year-old Curtis Calvin Gainey was charged with murder following the shooting.

Police were called out to the couple’s home more than a dozen times since 2002, resulting in two arrests but no convictions for Curtis Gainey.

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Playland Park named a new park director weeks before the park opens for the 2006 season.

Daniel McBride, 50, started work as director and deputy parks commissioner. He replaced Joseph Montalto, who retired April 9.

McBride’s salary will be $123,000 annually. He plans on changing the way the staff views the park, and he wants people to realize it is both a park with a beach and pool as well as an amusement park.

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