Thrill Ride Used To Stake Out Crime
"Investigators said an unidentified man and woman were videotaped on the Slingshot thrill ride at the Magic Midway on I-Drive [Orlando, FL]. The pair was apparently staking out a ride operator during the ride. After the ride closed, the woman spotted earlier on the ride used deception to get the ride operator to stop his vehicle as he was leaving the amusement area. The man then rushed the victim's car, opened a car door and demanded money, police said." From WKMG Orlando.

Boy killed at Six Flags Over Georgia
"A 17-year-old boy was killed Saturday when he was struck by the popular Batman ride at Six Flags Over Georgia. It was the second Batman ride-related death at the Cobb County park. According to the police and a statement from the amusement park, the boy, who was not identified, and a friend climbed over two 6-foot fences to get to the Batman roller coaster -- the park perimeter fence and a second one around the ride. The boy was decapitated when he was struck by the ride, police said." From AJC.com.

Developer to roll out plans for Great Orlando Wheel attraction
"The Great Orlando Wheel: It will weigh 4,200 tons, tower 400 feet over Orlando's main tourist district, and cost an estimated $200 million." From OrlandoSentinel.com.

After fire, Universal Studios [CA] set to reopen this morning
"The park will open at 10, and CityWalk at 11. Meanwhile, firefighters are dousing hot spots and investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fast-moving blaze at Universal Hollywood's back lot." From The Los Angeles Times.

HolidayWorld is all a-Twitter
Indiana's HolidayWorld theme park, the first park to take advantage of blogging to stay in touch with guests, has added micro-blogging via Twitter to continually update guests through short messages available at their website or even by cell phone text messaging. You could get up to the minute information while traveling to HolidayWorld or even in the park.

Closed Geauga Lake amusement park to auction 1925-vintage coaster
"The closed Geauga (jee-AW'-guh) Lake amusement park in northeast Ohio plans to auction its 1925-vintage Big Dipper and other roller coasters. Geauga Lake southeast of Cleveland will hold an auction June 17 and 18 to sell the wooden Big Dipper and other rides including the Double Loop, Raging Wolf Bobs and Villain." From Ohio.com.

VPR Regional News: Ben & Jerry's freezes plan for theme park
"Ben & Jerry's Homemade appears to be backing away from plans for a big theme park at its Waterbury facility. In November of 2005, the company announced plans to turn its ice cream factory off Route 100 into an ice cream theme park. The factory is already a top Vermont tourist attraction. But now the company is floating a much more modest proposal for expanded parking and an 850-square-foot restroom area." From VPR Regional News.