Latest news with #amusementparks
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Smaller amusement parks hope for a strong summer under the shadow of tariffs
NEW YORK (AP) — The trade disputes involving global economic powerhouses such as the U.S. and China are being felt even in such distinctly local places as your regional amusement park. Families who balk at the cost of a summer vacation at big amusement parks like Disney World favor trips to regional parks, which typically are within driving distance, so expensive flights aren't necessary. But if tariffs lead to economic uncertainty, they may just stay home. For park owners, tariffs could subject them to extra costs that their customers might not think about. Parts of the rides are made of imported steel that's currently subject to tariffs. Those prizes and toys people win after they shoot basketballs into a hoop? They usually come from China, which has been subject to varying tariffs. So far this year, however, there's been no letdown. 'We've had good crowds, and everyone seems excited to be here,' said Brian Hartley, vice president of Playland's Castaway Cove, in Ocean City, New Jersey, which boasts 30 rides, miniature golf, go-karts, and other beachfront attractions. 'As long as the weather is good, they're ready to come down.' That's true for park-goer Chris Del Borrello, at Castaway Cove on a bustling June Friday evening with a group of 10 family members, including his four children. 'We come here every year because it's so fun, and we build memories every single summer,' he said. Tariffs loom over the summer tourism industry just as leisure travel is expected to finally get back to prepandemic levels. The U.S. Travel Association expects Americans to take 1.96 billion trips expected this year, up 2% from 1.92 billion last year. Travel spending is also expected to increase 2% year over year. Tariff Pressures As park operators prepared for the 2025 summer last year, President Donald Trump unrolled on-again, off-again tariffs against U.S. trade partners that made planning difficult. For instance, proposed tariffs against China started at 10% in February, rose to 20% in March, ballooned to 145% in April, and were reduced to 30% in May. On Wednesday, the Trump administration put the number at 55%. Hartley said he ordered items like stuffed animals for games from China early to beat the tariffs – and benefitted from the pause announced in May. 'We loaded up, we're tripping over stuff at this point,' he said. 'We tried to purchase as much stuff as we could to be ready for the season, because that little bit makes a big difference in the bottom line at the end of the day,' he said. In particular, the park added two new rides this year, but parts were delivered back in the fall. Not all parks were as fortunate. At Adventureland, in Farmingdale, N.Y., the steel structure for a new ride, Wave Twister, and some China-made game prizes like plush toys and basketballs were affected by tariff costs, said manager Jeanine Gentile. 'We ordered them months ago before the tariffs were in place, but they typically arrive for delivery at this time of the year, and so obviously the tariffs were in before we received the product,' she said. 'We did have to pay additional for those tariffs in order to get the product.' So far, the park is absorbing the cost – they made the decision not to raise ticket prices this year. But that could change next year. 'We've just sort of felt that if we can do this (not raise prices) for Long Island and for our guests let's do it, where we can afford it, at least for this season,' said Gentile. Economic Uncertainty Aside from tariffs, economic uncertainty is the biggest challenge for amusement parks this season. At Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is co-owned by country legend Dolly Parton and Herschend Family Entertainment, Director of Communications Pete Owens said they decided to open a week later in March due to concerns about the economy. But so far, attendance at the park, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, is up 4% from last year. Attendees are spending but looking for deals. A promotion giving discount tickets to public employees has proved popular. And Owens is seeing customers purchase tickets for their family closer to their actual visit instead of several days or weeks in advance. Some are even waiting until they're in the Great Smoky Mountains to decide to buy a ticket. 'I think they're all still looking very closely to see what value pricing there is or what opportunities there are,' he said. The same holds true at Silver Dollar City near Branson, Missouri, an 1880s Western-themed park, which draws its visitors from what president Brad Thomas calls 'America's heartland,' an 'oval' in the middle of the country, including Minneapolis, Denver and Memphis and Houston, Texas. 'What those families tend to say as they visit us is that they want their families just to escape, even though there's a lot of concerns in every family's life, they're all dealing with time pressure and money pressure and inflation pressure and all kinds of other things,' said Thomas. He said this year families coming to the park are sticking to a plan, moneywise. 'They have carved the money that they'll spend in their day with us or their days with us,' he said. 'They've planned that into their budget.' Back at Castaway Cove, Hartley said that while the season is going well, he worries about the mood of the consumer as economic uncertainty persists. That could affect trip planning later in the summer. 'People that really haven't already booked a vacation … it may affect, do they come down here for a weekend? Do they not? Do they come for two days instead of four or five days?' he said. 'I think people don't know what the future is going to hold.'
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Eerie abandoned lot where old funfair rides go to die – iconic 90s characters beloved by millions left to rot
THE INSIDE of an abandoned funfair has been revealed – with iconic '90s characters, once beloved by millions, now left to rot. An urban explorer has shared eerie footage of an abandoned funfair he discovered in South Wales, with around 60 rides left to rot. 10 10 10 Daniel Sims visited the eerie site and found old rides with seats still intact, which he said reminded him of those from the 90s and early 2000s. It is unclear how long the fair has been abandoned for, but the rides are rumoured to have come from nearby amusement parks. 'The atmosphere was amazing,' said 36-year-old Daniel, from Huddersfield, UK, speaking to What's The Jam. He added: "As soon as we realised everything was left, we were thrilled and excited to see what was left behind. "There were easily a good 50-60 kids' rides, and the remains of probably four major rides. "One was still really intact, and there were plenty of arcade machines there, too. "As we entered the site, we were met with a massive octopus waltzer ride still intact with the seats, and many childhood kids' rides that would hold memories for lots of people, especially those who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s. "We saw Barney on a train, a Winnie the Pooh kids ride, and various other ones as soon as we entered. "Moving towards the side of the site was a treasure trove of rides, some sort of ghost trains, and various claw and penny machines, which would all be worth quite a bit of money." Daniel, who shared the footage on YouTube, where he goes by the moniker Bearded Reality, also found a partially collapsed ride towards the back of the site, surrounded by arcade machines. Abandoned iconic UK stadium left to rot 110 years after hosting FA Cup final getting new lease of life The YouTuber said: "In the middle of the site were even more machines and rides, Garfield, Banana in Pyjamas, Mickey and Minnie rides, and what seemed like the remains of an old small Ferris wheel, which was cool to see. "The back of the site had a massive caravan that maybe the old owner used to sleep in. "We saw American dodgems and truck rides. "We also found a strange ride or accessory, which was patented like a very interesting wheel." Daniel isn't sure how long the site has been abandoned, but said it appears to have been some time, with heavy rust and visible damage to the rides. He said of the adventure: "I love taking photos of dramatic places such as this, and showing how these places were once filled with people enjoying their everyday lives. "The place is a bit creepy with it just being left, but the actual exploration itself was very relaxing and chilled, and we spent a few hours exploring." It comes after disgruntled residents living next to an abandoned theme park slammed plans to bring it back to life. And an abandoned new-build estate has been dubbed a "horrendous chalk scar" full of half-finished houses. 10 10 10 10 10 10
The Independent
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Universal sued for $50,000 after ride malfunction leaves man with ‘mental anguish'
Casey Causey is suing Universal Orlando Resort for $50,000 after claiming he was stranded midair for over an hour on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in July 2023. Causey's lawsuit, filed on May 28, alleges the ride malfunctioned, leaving him tilted backward and to the right, causing him "mental anguish." The lawsuit claims Universal was aware of similar past problems with the rollercoaster but failed to take adequate steps to fix it, motivated by financial gain from ticket sales. Causey's lawyer asserts Universal failed to properly inspect the ride, train employees, or safely remove riders during power outages. Causey claims the incident resulted in disability, disfigurement, scarring, mental anguish, medical expenses, loss of earnings, and a decreased ability to earn money.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Wild Mouse set to return next month to Idlewild
Pittsburghers have all heard the news about the Steel Curtain rollercoaster reopening at Kennywood, but what about the little steel coaster at Idlewild Park that has been closed for almost a year? Well, ride enthusiasts, listen up. The Wild Mouse rollercoaster returns later next month. It is a sight that hasn't been seen, heard or felt in almost a year. But come the middle of June, the Wild Mouse will be back in the house for Idlewild's 148th summer season. "It's quick, it's fast, it's got a lot of fun turns and dips, and people just really enjoy riding it," says Jeff Croushore, marking director of Idlewild & SoakZone "The ride is getting a complete electrical upgrade, including a new control system, new sensors along the ride and what we call the logics of the ride — everything including the chain, the chain linear, a new compressor for the ride. And it's going to be great." And not only has this ride received a full mechanical makeover, but all the cars are getting re-skinned to bring back their classic look and design that they had when the ride first debuted at Idlewild in 1993. "All the improvements will allow the ride to run five cars, which previously we were only running three. So, it will increase capacity and lead to shorter lines," Croushore said. Above all, Idlewild hopes that the improvements made to the Wild Mouse will make for a better overall rider experience, and the park hopes the Wild Mouse will continue to be that great gateway coaster for all the young thrill seekers out there. Again, the Wild Mouse will be back in action this June, but Idlewild has already opened daily for the season. For tickets and more information on all the family fun, click here.
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I got a sneak peek at Universal's new theme park Epic Universe... here are the hidden secrets I wish I knew
Theme park fans all across the globe have long been awaiting the opening of Universal Studio's new theme park Epic Universe for years... and now, it's finally just days away. That's right, the highly-anticipated amusement park will officially open on May 22, 2025, and it will introduce five stunning new lands.
