Voting has begun for the 15th Annual Internet Wooden Tracked Roller Coaster Poll, brought to us each year by Mitch Hawker.

Many consider Mitch’s poll to be the most accurate and fair poll on the internet for ranking all the coasters around the world.

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Travel Industry Association recently released their 2008 tourism outlook and the news seems to be a mixed bag for the industry.

2006 featured a year of flat growth for the industry, but the association predicts a 1.8 percent increase for 2007 as well as a 2.3 percent increase prediction for 2008.

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A fire broke out during the park’s "Scarefest" on Sunday at 7:30pm local time. No one was injured as the ride was not in operation at the time. The station’s roof was destroyed in the blaze.

Over 50 firefighters took on the fire. The theme park is expected to open today despite the blaze. Park officials say the Forbidden Valley area, where the fire was, may not open on time with the park. Officials expect a small measure of clean-up will be required.

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Lightwater Valley has gathered the required 10,000 signatures it needed from locals to expand their theme park into a resort destination.

Officials have planned to add 340 chalets and lodges over the next few years. Many neighbors opposed the idea because it was too large of a development. The local planning council had rejected the theme park’s plan in July.

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Via Press Release: PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. Dollywood’s Splash Country announces SwiftWater Run, the newest thrill ride addition set to open in May 2008 at the 35-acre water adventure park.

“I was looking for something that would set folks to spinning, and that’s just what my SwiftWater Run will do,” Dolly Parton said. “This ride’s got a few twists and turns and spins, but that’s all I’m gonna tell until next May!”

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A 17-year old teen was attacked while queueing for the Stealth roller coaster at Thorpe Park last week.

Investigators say it appears that the boy was attacked by four other teens and they all knew each other. The boy was left with a bruised and swelled face and a chipped tooth. All of the attackers were arrested and charged with assault.

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A 35-year old woman was killed at Siam Park in Thailand after a malfunction on a log flume ride. Five others were injured in the incident.

A water pump at the bottom of a large drop stopped working, drying up the water that absorbs the speed and power of the boat as it bottoms out. The woman died due to internal bleeding.

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A bankruptcy judge has allowed liquidators to begin selling rides to pay off debts owed by Wild West World owner Thomas Ethridge. A few rides have already been sold. So far, the following rides have been sold:

• Moser Sidewinder for $475,000 to Herschend Family Entertainment, owner of Silver Dollar City and Dollywood
• Moser Mexican Fiesta for $300,000 to the new-for-2008 Granite Park in Fresno, California.
• A Himalaya ride for $250,000 to Seabreeze Amusement Park

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Via Press Release: Great America will be transformed in 2008 starting with a new name — California’s Great America. Part of the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company’s family of theme parks, California’s Great America’s new name signifies exciting new additions to the popular attraction as well as a 14 million dollar investment from the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company over the next two years. (more…)

DOSWELL, VA – Kings Dominion is set to add "Dominator" to its coaster lineup for 2008.  This B&M-designed floorless coaster is the longest of its kind in the world and was formerly operated at Cedar Fair’s "Geauga Lake."  This is the latest asset-relocation since Cedar Fair’s announcement of Geagua Lake’s new waterpark-only direction. (more…)