Cypress Gardens Closing For Winter; Drops Rides, Animals
"WINTER HAVEN [FL] -- Cypress Gardens Adventure Park will close Nov. 17 and reopen in March without its ride or animal attractions. In an effort to ensure the park's long-term presence, it will open reopen with an expanded water park attraction, officials said." From Tradingmarkets.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood set for a Merry Christmas, Happy Turkey Day
From the press release: "Universal City, California -- For the first time in its history, Universal Studios Hollywood will remain open on both Thanksgiving and Christmas day to offer families a chance to celebrate two of the year’s most traditional holidays at The Entertainment Capital of L.A.. Hours of operation will be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 pm. on Thanksgiving and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Christmas. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

Coney Island's Astroland to close for good
"The owner of Coney Island's Astroland said Thursday she is calling it quits and the historic amusement park will close for good on Sunday. Carol Albert, whose family has owned the Brooklyn amusement park for almost a half century, said she gave up on negotiating a two-year lease with Thor Equities after the developer missed a Thursday deadline to reply." From CNN.

Disney upgrades Fort Wilderness Campground
"Roughing it is not what it used to be, especially at Walt Disney World's Fort Wilderness Campground.
Disney is quietly undertaking its broadest campground-improvements program in two decades, adding extra-extra-large camper pads for recreational vehicles, cable-TV and Internet service throughout, Segway scooter tours, a mini-water park, a dog park, and an improved electric-cart rental operation. The program also is taking aim at invasive plant species such as potato vines, replacing such vegetation with fresh native plantings." From OrlandoSentinel.com.

State orders Kiddieland to close
"Kiwanis Kiddieland was shut down Friday after state officials discovered the decades-old Merced [CA] landmark has never submitted to a legally required California safety inspection. Kiddieland, a 6-ride, not-for-profit children’s amusement park located in Merced’s Applegate Park, was founded in 1957 by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Merced... Before last week, the state apparently didn’t know Kiddieland existed. Safety officials discovered the amusement park — and its failure to submit to yearly safety inspections — after another amusement park brought the matter to the state’s attention." From MercedSunStar.com.

Cinderella, others arrested in Disneyland labor protest
"Cinderella, Snow White, Tinkerbell and other fictional fixtures of modern-day childhood were handcuffed, frisked and loaded into police vans Thursday at the culmination of a labor protest that brought a touch of reality to the Happiest Place on Earth... The arrest of the 32 protesters, many of whom wore costumes representing famous Disney characters, came at the end of an hour-long march to Disneyland's gates from one of three Disney-owned hotels at the center of a labor dispute... The protesters were arrested on a misdemeanor count of failure to obey a police officer and two traffic infractions, said Sgt. Rick Martinez of the Anaheim police. They were cited and released, Sgt. Chris Schneider said." From CNN.com.

New Coaster For Kings Island in 2009
The Diamondback is the park’s first hyper coaster. Designed by Bolliger and Mabillard, it opens April of 2009. From Kings Island.

SC Beach Boardwalk Ride Stays Closed After Mishap
"A popular amusement ride at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk [CA] remained closed Tuesday following an accident that injured two people on Monday. Boardwalks managers said a young boy and a woman were slightly hurt when a door broke off the Cyclone ride and struck them." From CBS5.com.