Newsletter: In the Loop: Inside SeaWorld’s $10 million campaign to counter ‘Blackfish’
Welcome to another edition of In the Loop, the L.A. Times' theme park newsletter. I'm Funland theme park blogger Brady MacDonald, and this week we check in on SeaWorld’s continuing troubles, hunt for vintage amusement park rides in Europe and check out the world’s first launched wooden coaster.
Battling 'Blackfish'
Fast Co. reports on SeaWorld's $10-million marketing and public relations effort to counter the devastating effects of the 2013 "Blackfish" documentary. The key question: Can SeaWorld market itself as an animal-friendly company while still holding orcas in captivity?
The campaign has not reversed the effects yet, with SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. reporting drops in attendance and revenue in the quarter that ended June 30.
Trainers direct killer whales at SeaWorld in San Diego.
(Don Bartletti / Los Angeles Times)
Vintage rides
I talk with Cedar Fair CEO Matt Ouimet about his plans to bring classic family rides back to the amusement chain’s 11 parks. He has sent a pair of antique ride pickers to Europe to hunt for vintage attractions that still pack plenty of thrills.
Flat rides typically travel near the ground and/or rise up into the air.
(Cedar Fair)
Snow queen
Knott's Berry Farm will add a new haunted maze for Halloween Haunt 2015 featuring a vengeful queen. The Dead of Winter maze puts visitors in the icy grasp of a snow queen who sounds a lot like a vengeful version of Elsa from Disney's "Frozen." Elvira Mistress of the Dark returns as the face of the perennial event.
Elvira’s Asylum will include singing, dancing and comedy by the Mistress of the Dark.
(Knott's)
Plus: Pack your sleeping bag for an overnight campout at Knott's and other Cedar Fair parks.
Lightning Rod
Dollywood announces Lightning Rod, billed as the world's first launched wooden coaster and the world's fastest wooden coaster. Check out the preview video at Theme Park Review.
The science of fun
The "Thrill Factor" television show debuting this week on the Travel Channel lets theme park fans get their science on while screaming their heads off. The 10-part series explores the science behind roller coasters, thrill rides, water slides and other extreme experiences using engineering, physics and biomechanics.
“Thrill Factor” hosts Kari Byron and Tory Belleci ride Falcon’s Fury drop tower at Busch Gardens Tampa.
(Travel Channel)
Tower of Terror
The Tracking Board reports that Disney is moving forward with a film project based on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror rides. The family adventure in the spirit of "The Goonies" and "E.T." is said to be more fun than scary.
Crime report
Vice News reports that police in France arrested a man and a woman as they came home from a family vacation at Disneyland Paris with a trunk full of toys and drugs. Officers who searched the vehicle found more than 20 pounds of heroin and cocaine with a street value in excess of $800,000.
Good work if you can get it
A team of student journalists from the Los Angeles Times High School Insider digital platform head out to Six Flags Magic Mountain to ride and rate the Twisted Colossus wood-steel hybrid coaster. Check out the video recap of their visit.
Wonder Wheel
The credit for restoring one of the oldest Ferris wheels in the world — both before and after Hurricane Katrina — goes to the family that owns the nearly 100-year-old Wonder Wheel at Coney Island.
Digital domain
After a number of unofficial offerings, Disneyland releases its own attraction wait time app for Android and Apple phones.
And check out the new ThemeGo website for all your theme park vacation planning.
Still need more theme park news? Check out the Los Angeles Times Funland theme park blog on Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and Instagram. Also feel free to email me with any feedback on the newsletter.
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
