Bits Beyond the Berms 3/19/07 - 3/25/07

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SeaWorld Announces New Rides

Scott Powers | Staff Writer
OrlandoSentinel
March 19, 2007

Three new children's rides and a new show tied to Sesame Street will be debuting at SeaWorld Orlando this spring, the theme park announced Monday.

The show, called "Elmo and the Bookaneers," combines singing, dancing and a swashbuckling-pirate story, featuring Sesame Street characters.

The rides, Ocean Commotion, The Flying Fiddler and the Sea Carousel are being built in SeaWold's children's area, called Shamu's Happy Harbor.

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Fremont Park Plan Hits Choppy Waters
Work estimates $3 million higher than expected; City Council to vote on next step

By Chris De Benedetti | STAFF WRITER
The Argus
March 19, 2007

FREMONT — The city's long-planned water park has hit another obstacle that may send its budget spiraling upward yet again.

Construction bid estimates submitted last week for the project are about $3 million higher than the city's figure, Deputy City Manager Christine Daniel said.

City engineers estimated that Fremont's Water Play Facility construction costs would be about $8.84 million. But the two submitted bids were well above that figure, offering separate estimates of $11.75 million and $11.975 million, Daniel said.
BRCO Constructors Inc., based in Loomis, had the lower bid, while Novato-based West Bay Builders Inc. submitted the higher bid.

The news has sent city officials back to the drawing board to study what caused the gap. To that end, they will work with Anchor Engineering Inc., a construction management firm hired by Fremont for $600,500.

The Oakland company would manage the water park project before and during its construction, and also is assisting the city with the bid review process.

"We can pick the low bid, or we can reject all bids," Daniel said.

Fremont officials plan to have an answer by March 27, when the item is likely to go before the City Council, Daniel said.
Now budgeted at $14.6 million, the water park looks likely to get more expensive — again.

In December, a serious budget gap was filled when council members reallocated $3.8 million of park funds to prevent spiraling costs from sinking the project. Its budget had grown well above the $10.8 million figure that the city originally set aside for it.

The project has been in the works since 1999. Plans call for it to be built on the former site of the Puerto Penasco Swim Lagoon, on the southern edge of Central Park.

Fremont officials plan to break ground there next month and open the park by Memorial Day 2008.

Once built, the water park is expected to be open from Memorial Day to Labor Day — or, slightly more than three months each year.

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Wyndham Vacation Ownership Announces Major Expansion of Steamboat Springs, Colorado Resort

Wyndham Vacation Ownership Press Release
March 19, 2007

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Wyndham Vacation Ownership, the world's largest vacation ownership company and a member of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies (, today announced it has begun construction to expand its WorldMark at Steamboat Springs resort in Colorado by adding 142 vacation ownership units to the existing 35 units currently operating in its WorldMark, The Club portfolio. The additional units will be divided between the company's FairShare Plus by Wyndham and WorldMark, The Club portfolios for a total of 71 and 106 units, respectively.

"Steamboat Springs is a world-renowned ski destination and this expansion is a testament to the tremendous popularity of the region among our more than 800,000 owners," said Franz Hanning, president and chief executive officer, Wyndham Vacation Ownership. "This property is among the elite resorts in our portfolio because it is one of only a few of our approximately 150 resorts that accommodates both of our vacation ownership programs and their owners."

Once complete, the property will boast 177 condominium-style units featuring a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom units including two- and three-bedroom penthouse and presidential suites. The expansion also includes a new recreation room, arcade, exercise facility, sauna and business center. Additionally, a new outdoor pool and two outdoor spas will be added and the two existing pools will be completely refurbished. The resort expansion is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2009.

A short drive to the area's famous ski slopes, WorldMark at Steamboat Springs resort offers owners and their guests' convenient access to a myriad of activities including golf, river rafting, mountain biking, hiking and fly fishing in the Colorado River.

About Wyndham Vacation Ownership

Wyndham Vacation Ownership, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide , is the world's largest vacation ownership business, as measured by the number of vacation ownership resorts, vacation ownership units and vacation ownership interests. Wyndham Vacation Ownership develops, markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to owners through its three primary consumer brands, Wyndham Vacation Resorts, WorldMark by Wyndham, and Trendwest South Pacific. Wyndham Vacation Ownership has developed or acquired approximately 150 vacation ownership resorts throughout North America, the Caribbean and the South Pacific that represent more than 20,000 individual ownership units and more than 800,000 vacation ownership members. Wyndham Vacation Ownership is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and is supported by more than 16,000 employees globally.

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Royal Caribbean International Gives Cruisers a Total Mind, Body and Soul Vacation
New Vitality Program Encourages Guests to Achieve Wellness and Life Balance

Royal Caribbean International Press Release
March 19, 2007

PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Vacationers in search of better balance in their lives can experience a total mind, body and soul vacation with Royal Caribbean International's new Vitality program. Launching in April 2007 on the cruise line's newest ship, Liberty of the Seas, the program provides an integrated approach to wellness, offering guests more choices to foster a healthier lifestyle. The program covers every aspect of the cruise experience, including new fitness and spa offerings, wholesome culinary options and active onboard and shoreside activities.

"This all-encompassing program is designed to encourage and educate our guests to achieve wellness through a balance of lifestyle choices that may even include the occasional dessert or an indulgent morning spent sleeping in," said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "Guests will be able to get their feet wet with one or two of the Vitality elements or have a total experience with the onboard spa and fitness classes, shoreside activities and special menus, and then continue that experience with take-home workout plans, virtual personal trainers and healthy cooking recipes."

Fitness Classes and Spa Treatments

The Vitality program provides guests with opportunities to incorporate sports and fitness of every activity level into their cruise vacation. In addition, a variety of spa treatments are aimed at helping guests find their individual lifestyle balance. Tai Chi and meditation classes, therapeutic Chinese herbal medicinal offerings and acupuncture at sea round out the new roster, taking everyday relaxation to the next level. For an outward boost of confidence, guests are encouraged to participate in the revamped "New Look & New You" program, which offers mini-makeovers. The "Eat More to Weigh Less" program includes a personal tour of Windjammer Cafe, the cruise line's buffet restaurant, with an instructor who provides tips on healthier food choices and information on developing eating habits for lifelong health.

Onboard and Land-Based Activities

Guests eager to go the extra mile for a healthier, more balanced perspective on life can look to the Vitality program lecture series developed by a health and wellness expert for advice on stress and relaxation, weight management, and health and fitness.

Brand partner New Balance is bolstering the Vitality program by installing a virtual personal-trainer kiosk on the line's Freedom-class ships to assist guests in creating a customized cruise vacation fitness regimen as well as a post-vacation exercise plan. Land-based Vitality fitness offerings will be available in various ports of call as well as New Balance self-guided running maps and an extensive running course on Labadee, Haiti, the cruise line's private island destination.

Shore Excursions

A lifestyle balance extends well beyond the onboard experience, and Royal Caribbean's popular shore excursions also will reflect the new Vitality program. Recommended excursions are perfect for active families and singles ready to hit the ground running, biking or zip-lining, including the Dragon's Flight Zipline on Labadee, Haiti; the Jungle Bike Adventure on Cozumel, Mexico; the Kayak, Snorkel and Beach Experience in George Town, Grand Cayman; and Jungle River Tubing in Montego Bay, Jamaica. These Vitality excursions are paired with discounted onboard spa treatments to rejuvenate guests' senses after an exhilarating day shoreside.

Culinary Offerings

The Vitality program will offer guests more dining choices to reinvigorate the body and recharge the soul. Energy bars, protein and green tea drinks, and Tazo iced- and hot-teas have been added to menus in locations like the popular "Squeeze" juice bar. Without sacrificing flavor and taste, healthier menu options, including trans-fat-free meals, all-natural ingredients and freshly prepared breads and meals, will be offered ship- and fleet-wide, alongside staple favorites.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and three under construction. Liberty of the Seas, the cruise line's newest ship, which debuts in April 2007, will share the title of largest cruise ship at sea with sister ship Freedom of the Seas. At 160,000 GRT with a capacity of 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Liberty of the Seas will sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. The line also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand through its cruisetour division. For additional information or to make reservations, go to royalcaribbean.com or call (800) 327-6700.

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Lake Compounce, Nation's Oldest Amusement Park, Zooms Into the Future With a 1956 Mini Corvette Ride
Zoomers Gas 'n Go, Rainbow Riders, Cabana Boat Are New Additions for 161st Consecutive Season

Lake Compounce Press Release
March 20, 2007

BRISTOL and SOUTHINGTON, Conn.,(PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Lake Compounce Family Theme Park, America's oldest amusement park and Connecticut's largest water park, zooms into its 161st consecutive season on Saturday, May 12, 2007 with Zoomers Gas 'n Go, a mini Corvette ride guaranteed to generate memories of when gas was low and ponytails and pompadours were high, according to General Manager Jerry Brick, who begins his third season as GM.

The park opens on weekends, beginning May 12, and will be open seven days a week starting June 18. The last operating day of the summer season will be September 9. Haunted Graveyard begins September 28.

``In 2006, Lake Compounce saw one of its best years,'' Brick said. ``We continue to attract families, from Connecticut, New York's five boroughs, upstate New York, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. And this year, we're spending nearly $4 million on additions like Zoomers Gas 'n Go and a Kiddieland ride called Rainbow Riders. Our Caterpillar Train is also getting an exciting new look.

Brick added that a new Cabana Boat will move guests across the lake to access catering pavilions, the Compounce Sky Ride and Thunder Rapids Raft Ride. Returning for entertainment will be Cirque En Vol, urban acrobats, dancing flying and twisting through the air, and RWS and Associates from NYC with unique new acts.

``Boulder Dash, our nationally recognized wooden roller coaster, which opened in 2000 and is the only coaster of its kind to be built into the side of a mountain, is being re-tracked to provide a smoother and even more thrilling ride, ''Brick said. ``And our other wooden coaster, Wildcat, will have new magnetic brakes and a fresh coat of paint. The magnetic brakes will enable us to run a second car, allowing more riders and shortening the lines.''

In 2006, Lake Compounce introduced 'Thunder N Lightning,' a ``screaming swing,'' with two giant swing arms, holding 32 passengers and catapulting riders to heights of almost 100 feet at 60 miles per hour, with four G's of force.

Season passes are available for a discounted rate of $69.95 through May 30, 2007. Regular price for a season pass is $74.95. Regular daily adult admission is $33.95, junior admission for children under 52`` is $24.95, senior admission is $16.95, and children 3 years of age and under are admitted free. All tickets and season passes may be purchased by visiting lakecompounce.com. And for the first time ever, season passes can be processed year-round in the park administration offices.

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Marvel in Pact for $1B Dubai Theme Park

By: David Jones
Crain's New York Business
March 20, 2007

Marvel Entertainment Inc. said Tuesday that it has teamed up Al Ahli Group to develop a $1 billion theme park in Dubai based on Marvel superheroes, including Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and The Fantastic Four.

Manhattan-based Marvel said the park, which is scheduled to open in 2011, will be the first global destination theme park in the Middle East. Dubai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in that region, drawing visitors from Europe, Asia and the Americas, who visit the city-state's luxury resort hotels and high-end retail stores.

The agreement marks the first major deal completed by Marvel Studios' new Chairman David Maisel, who was named to the post earlier this month amid a shakeup of the company's feature film business. Michael Helfant, who had been president and chief operating officer of Marvel Studios, was ousted.

Marvel is making a big push to become a stand-along film studio after years of collaborating with established studios like 20th Century Fox.

Marvel's first independently produced feature films -- "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk" - are scheduled for release in the summer of 2008.

Marvel has been in talks with the Al Ahli Group for more than two years on the theme park and the companies said they are holding discussions about additional projects in the Middle East. The 39-year old firm has been a driving force in building infrastructure projects in the Middle East. Among its major projects, Al Ahli Group is leading the development of a $1 billion shopping mall, called Dubai Outlet City.

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Amusement Park Plans Kids' Area

By NATALIA E. ARBULÚ
The Republic
March 21, 2007

AGAWAM - The Planning Board has approved site plans for a new children's area at Six Flags New England and a retail and office building on Suffield Street.

Board members voted 3 to 0 on both site plans during a meeting last week. Board chairman Dennis B. Hopkins and Travis P. Ward did not attend the meeting.

Six Flags New England will create Thomas Town on an existing parking lot, said Deborah S. Dachos, the city's director of planning and community development.

The attraction will open in June.
City resident Gary E. Suffriti will construct a 2,040-square-foot building at 305 Suffield St., Dachos said.

Suffriti was given permission to tear down an old garage at the property that was listed in the city's historic inventory.

As a result, the Historical Commission must approve the design of the new building's facade, Dachos said.

The site plan approval is based on the condition that lighting from the building be shielded so it does not shine on adjacent residential property.

The Planning Board will also review the elevation of a proposed sign at the site. Drainage issues must also be addressed.
The property is owned by Suffriti's father, Everett D. Suffriti.

Gary Suffriti said he is working to secure a tenant for the building.

Thomas Town will be based on the children's television show "Thomas & Friends."
The area will be created adjacent to the park's main entrance and will feature various rides, including a train ride.

The board's approval is conditional pending the Fire Department's input on the plan, information on sound from the train ride's whistle, and a revised plan indicating where handicapped parking is and what vegetation will be placed along Main Street, Dachos said.

Park spokeswoman Melissa Pinkerton said the board's conditions are not a problem.
"We always work hand in hand with the board so it is part of the process we go through," Pinkerton said.

The parking lot was designated for full-time employees and handicapped guests.

The lot will now be pushed away from the park's front gate to the other side of Thomas Town, Pinkerton said.