Thanks for those of you that submitted questions for Jill Revelle, the public relations manager for Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa, Florida. The interview went well, and all the questions that were submitted to me prior to today were asked during the webcast with Jill. Jill also discussed what the purchase of Anheuser Busch from Inbev could mean for all of the Busch owned theme parks, like Busch Gardens Africa and Sea World Orlando. Inbev has now joined forces with Anheuser Busch Brewery Company, but nothing has been said about the fate of the theme parks. INTERVIEW.

From John Pagel at Kings Dominion:

DOSWELL, VA - Kings Dominion will debut two new family rides when the
park opens for its 2009 season. Americana, a giant 110-foot Ferris
wheel, and El Dorado, a high-in-the-sky swinging pendulum ride will be
added to Kings Dominion's impressive lineup of family friendly
attractions. Americana and El Dorado will be located in the amusement
park's Grove area, adjacent to the Rebel Yell and Hurler roller
coasters.



Americana, the first Ferris wheel to be introduced at Kings Dominion in
the park's 35-year history, will feature 24 six-person gondolas that the
entire family, including adventuresome grandparents can enjoy. Ferris
wheels have long been a staple of American amusement parks since the
rides introduction at the Chicago World Expo in 1893, and Kings
Dominion's new Americana Ferris wheel will bring the history and romance
of a boardwalk favorite to the park's midway in 2009.



El Dorado is a family friendly thrill ride that sits up to 40 riders in
a blue 1950's style El Dorado convertible car. The car acts as a
pendulum, as it rotates riders to a height of 85 feet in the air in two
different directions during an approximately two minute ride. El Dorado
takes the concept of the family "going for a spin" to a whole new level.



The two new ride additions will compliment the other 60 rides and
attractions Kings Dominion offers, making the park one of the largest
amusement parks in the eastern region of the United States. "The
addition of Americana and El Dorado reflects our commitment to offering
entertaining and exciting rides and attractions for the entire family,"
said Pat Jones, Kings Dominion's vice president and general manager.
"With the introduction of the popular Dominator rollercoaster in 2008,
and now Americana and El Dorado in 2009, Kings Dominion is leading the
way in providing great value for families while creating memories that
last a lifetime."

(AP) ― Eight people suffered minor injuries when an escalator at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park suddenly went into reverse, throwing visitors off their feet and down the stairwell.

Universal spokesman Eliot Sekuler says the accident happened around 4 p.m. Monday on an escalator leading from the lower rides at Studio Center up to the rest of the park.

Eight people suffered minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for evaluation.

(AP) ― Eight people suffered minor injuries when an escalator at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park suddenly went into reverse, throwing visitors off their feet and down the stairwell.

Universal spokesman Eliot Sekuler says the accident happened around 4 p.m. Monday on an escalator leading from the lower rides at Studio Center up to the rest of the park.

Eight people suffered minor injuries and were transported to a hospital for evaluation.

Manta is really going up fast, with the latest construction pictures posted to JohnnyUpsideDown, showing the giant pretzel loop that is coming together. With the current progress of construction on the new coaster, the track itself should be completed over the next month. The biggest part after that, will be of course the extensive themeing that will be a part of the Manta coaster experience. PICTURES.