Six Flags announced today that it will launch its new VIP Program at all its US-based theme parks for the 2007 season. This new program provides more concierge- level service and benefits than any other theme park program of its kind, and offers guests special opportunities in everything from parking to ride access, games, private character meet-and-greets, photos, meals and more.
   
 The VIP Program is a full-service, first-class hosted and guided
experience. Guests who reserve the VIP Program for themselves and their families will be contacted in advance by a specially-trained Six Flags VIP Host to ascertain their family’s preferences and favorite rides, food, Looney Tunes and Justice League characters and shows, all of which will be incorporated as the host plans the guests’ full day of fun and activities.
   
The VIP Host will be the guests’ private tour guide for the day,
escorting them throughout their visit to Six Flags. These hosts are
knowledgeable about every aspect of their park; each was recruited to
audition for a role in the VIP Program, and upon acceptance into the
program completed an elite guest relations training program designed to
deliver the highest-possible guest relations experience.
   
 The Six Flags VIP Program includes: (more…)

Guests visiting The Great Escape in 2007 will be welcomed by an array of familiar rides and attractions as well as the new headlining attraction for the season — a funnel-shaped water thrillride named Tornado. However, the average visitor will not immediately notice the millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrades currently underway at the park — upgrades that may lead to bigger and better things for the park in the near future. (more…)

Apparently all is not well at the Happiest Place on Earth. The Walt Disney Co. is suing the city of Anaheim to stop a proposed construction of 1,500 condos, including several hundred low-income units, all very close to Disneyland.

Proponents say that the units are needed to accommodate workers at Disneyland who can’t afford to live there and live miles away.

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Bell’s Amusement Park was supposed to be moved by March 8, but Robby Bell said it would be impossible to move by that deadline.

The Tulsa county Public Facilities Trust Authority has extended the park’s deadline now until June 15.  Under the agreement, anything that is not moved by that point will be forfeited to the authority. 

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Over 18 months ago Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans and its neighbors as well. 

Six Flags New Orleans was just one of many attractions in the area that were devastated.

Today not much has changed at the park.  Batman – The Ride was quietly dismantled and removed by Six Flags, but much of the park remains the same.

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The Myrtle Beach Pavilion may be gone now, but it won’t be totally forgotten it seems.

Burroughs & Chapin (B&C) announced today that a new mini-park named the Pavilion Nostalgia Park will be installed at Broadway at the Beach (which is owned by B&C), near the movie theaters.

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Safety Braking Corporation (based in Newport Beach, CA) accused multiple theme park operators of infringing patents on magnetic brakes won in 1994 and 2003. Safety Braking Corporation alleges that Disney, Cedar Fair, Anheuser Busch, Six Flags, and NBC Universal have "stolen" the patented technology for use on several of their roller coaster attractions. (more…)

Press release via PRNewswire –

Six Flags, Inc. announced today a multi-year sponsorship and marketing alliance with Sara Lee Food & Beverage and Sara Lee Foodservice, divisions of Sara Lee Corporation under which the two divisions will become a Six Flags Corporate Alliance Partner and Sara Lee’s Ball Park brand will become the Official Hot Dog of Six Flags. In addition, Sara Lee Food & Beverage and Six Flags will collaborate on co-branded marketing initiatives both in-park and on grocers’ shelves.

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Rising up in Orlando is a whimsical, one-of-a-kind water park only SeaWorld could create – Aquatica. Opening March 2008, Aquatica blends up close animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches.

"SeaWorld is famous for immersing guests in the mystery of the sea and its animals," said Jim Atchison, executive vice president and general manager of SeaWorld Orlando. "Aquatica takes this immersion to a new level, inviting guests to play in, over, and under the water itself."

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The Tussauds Group, operators of four theme parks including Alton Towers and Heide Park, was purchased by the New York-based Blackstone Group for $1.9 billion in a deal announced today. Tussauds will be operated under Blackstone’s Merlin Entertainment division, which also runs the Legoland theme parks and Italy’s largest park, Gardaland. (more…)