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Park News
www.parkworld-online.com
New York City steps in at Coney Island
Thor shown the door
New York City is negotiating to buy 10.5 acres of real estate in Coney Island that
once appeared unobtainable. If successful it would both save Astroland Park and
enhance the mayor's plans to revive the slumping seaside amusement district.
Developer Joe Sitt of Thor Equities is reportedly ready to give up his plan to
build a $1.5 billion Vegas-style entertainment complex, and instead sell all of the
beachfront land he's purchased back to the city. By purchasing Sitt's land, the city
would also become owner of the 3.1-acre Astroland park, which is the process of
closing because Sitt failed to renew its lease.
In anticipation of the City's acquisition, the Coney Island Development
Corporation (CIDC) attended the recent IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando to
secure information and make contacts it hopes will help with the future provision
of amusement attractions at the famous Brooklyn site. As part of a
comprehensive rezoning plan for Coney Island, the City has proposed mapping
nine acres as parkland.
It is hoped a world-class amusement park can be created as the centrepiece of boardwalk site to relocate the fabled 46-year-old park.
a 60-acre redevelopment effort by the City. This would give the city and the park's A deal between Sitt and the city, however, must be reached soon because Albert
long-time operator, Carol Albert, much-needed time to find a nearby Coney Island must relocate her rides by the end of January when her lease with Sitt ends.
Karl Bacon dies
Free Fly Coaster
Karl Bacon, who started Arrow Development with Ed Morgan in 1946,
Here’s a shot of the unique ride vehicle from S&S Power’s
passed away on November 14, 2008. He was 98. Karl is survived by his
new Free Fly Coaster, debuting June at Skara Sommarland
in Sweden. The ride, which the park is naming Tranan
wife of 67 years, Jane Bacon, two daughters, three grandchildren and
(The Crane), will include 360-degree longitudinal spinning
two great grandchildren.
gondolas, fully adjustable air pressure suspension and a
Karl Bacon and Ed Morgan started Arrow in 1946 as a small machine
maintenance-friendly design. The eight-passenger vehicles
shop in Mountain View, California, but the company went on to make a will transport approximately 720 passengers per hour.
lasting impact on the amusement industry. The team collaborated with Measuring around 18-metres tall and 500-metres long,
Walt Disney to create many of the original Disney park attractions. Karl and Ed introduced tubular
the ride will reach a top speed of 28 mph.
steel tracks on Disney's Matterhorn ride, revolutionising rollercoaster technology forever.
This paved the way for Karl and Ed to create stronger, faster and smoother coasters eventually
capable of manoeuvres thought to be impossible, such as the corkscrew. All this was done
without the aid of computers.
Even more remarkable was the fact that Karl had no formal engineering education. He was
entirely self-taught, and was considered to be one of the best in his field. Innovators as well, Karl
and Ed created entirely new categories of rides (flumes, spinning teacups, flying saucers). Karl and
Ed were inducted into the IAAPA Hall of Fame in 1998. Their accomplishments at the New York
World's Fair and numerous amusement parks around the world are admired each and every day.
With so much success, Karl was an incredibly humble man who shied away from any attention.
He was dedicated and loving to his family, and is a source of pride and admiration to many. His
legacy lives on in those who admire his work, and in every smiling amusement park patron.
Here comes summer …down under!
Two new attractions were due to open on Boxing Day, December 26, just in time for the peak “summer” season at
Warner Village in Queensland, Australia.
Jet Rescue at Sea World is a new custom-themed launch coaster from Intamin featuring jetski vehicles that zoom and
fly past rock pools and sealions and through a blowhole cave. Riders blast through the cave and release the pressure,
allowing the majestic sea lion to escape to safety, returning as marine rescue heroes.
The new coaster is complemented at Sea World by Ray Reef, an interactive and educational exhibit based on the
ocean’s most misunderstood inhabitants, featuring over 100 examples. Over at Warner Bros Movie World, meanwhile,
Hollywood Stunt Driver is a new AUS$10 million (US$6.7m/Euro.1865m) stunt show showcase legendary car chases and stunt
scenes that have helped define some of Hollywood’s greatest movies.
Still new at Wet’n’Wild Water World is the Kamikaze slide added this September. A hybrid wet/dry attraction it
Jet Rescue at Sea World
features water spray jets that provide a frictionless surface on the giant U-shaped slide as rafts are channelled
effortlessly to the bottom. Kamikaze is the only attraction of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
10 JANUARY 2009
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