The Coaster Critic's Blog

Branson's Celebration City Closes
Celebration City in Branson, Missouri closed its doors for good on Saturday. The park was purchased by the owners of the nearby Silver Dollar City. Celebration City was supposed to be the companion park to Silver Dollar City as guests were to visit SDC during the day and Celebration City during the night. Park owners, Herschend decided to close the park citing a shift in strategic direction. I'm sure the economy didn't help either.

Herschend also operates Dollywood which just canceled its 2009 attraction. The owners are exploring new ideas for the land that the park is on including an aquarium, re-theming the park, other family attractions, retail, and dinning.

The park was home to the Ozark Wildcat a GCI twister wooden coaster. There was also a S&MC Hurricane called Thunderbolt and a Miller family coaster called Jack Rabbit. No word yet on where these or the other rides from the park will end up.

What do you think of this news? Will you miss Celebration City? Leave a comment below.

Hard Rock Park Closes Early, Files Bankruptcy
In its first season of operation, Hard Rock Park has closed its doors with hopes to reopen in 2009. As the saying goes, the writing has been on the wall. Word that the park was not hitting the attendance numbers it had hoped for having been swirling around the 'Net for months.

Many in the theme park community point to the $50 ticket price as the main reason for the park's downfall. While I'm sure it didn't help matters, I think the troubled economy was the x-factor that the owners could not have foreseen in the seven years leading up to this year's opening. After visiting the park during its media day last May, I know how much time and money they put into the park. Hopefully, they can figure out a way to reopen the park and recoup some money in 2009.

What do you think of the park's closing? Leave a comment below.

When Rides & Food Don't Mix
In Tim Mollen's syndicated humor column called Lost Journal, he recounts a day from his past and writes about it like a journal entry. This week, Tim sent me his piece about a childhood experience at the now defunct Magic Valley Park in Bushkill, PA. I don't want to give away the ending, but it involves a bad combination of junk food and the merciless spin of a scrambler ride.

Read the column: Amusement Park Ride 'Brings Out' the Worst in a 5th Grader.

Ever been sick on a ride or roller coaster? Leave a comment below.

Geauga Lake to be Changed into a Water Park
Cedar Fair announced today that Geauga Lake, an amusement park in Eastern Ohio, will be transformed into a water park. The proverbial writing was on the wall. As I reported in "Geauga Lake Loses More Coasters", rumors of Cedar Fair moving Dominator and Thunderhawk to other parks have been making the rounds on the 'Net.

Roller Coasters on the Move
Today, Cedar Fair made it official with a press release. Obviously, this is bad news for coaster enthusiasts and Geauga Lake fans in the area (sorry Judy), but their loss could be your gain. If you live near another Cedar Fair park be on the lookout for a new-ish coaster. The wooden roller coasters on their roster like Villain, Raging Wolf Bobs, and the 80 year old Big Dipper will be harder to relocate. But steel coasters, Double Loop, Beaver Land Mine Ride, and Head Spin should find their way to a Cedar Fair park near you. It's a good thing I made it to the park a few years ago.

Check out the full announcement here. Anyone upset about the Geauga's transformation? Any rumors or leads on where the moved coasters will re-appear?

The Historic Brooklyn Park Appears to be Closing for Good
It's a sad day for theme park enthusiasts. New York City has been planning a new Coney Island for a few years and it looks like there's no room for Astroland and in the plans. The developers plan to offer tourists a new park, hotel, restaurants and time-share units on 10 acres of land between West 10th and West 15th Streets and south of Surf Avenue in the Brooklyn neighborhood. Unfortunately, a space for Astroland and its many flat rides and attractions could not be found.

Luckily, since the legendary Cyclone was named an official city landmark it is safe from being removed. However, the rest of the park will likely be removed. More details at the New York Post.

Anyone needing to vent their outrage or mourn, leave a comment below.

Wild West World Open As Long As a Hollywood Marriage
After only two months in operation the managing company for Wild West World has declared bankruptcy. Sadly, Kansans will have to look elsewhere for their roller coaster thrills. At least an old wooden coaster reopened last year after being dormant for nearly 60 years. The coaster was renamed Nightmare and is also located in Wichita at Joyland. There's a success story!

For more details on the short-lived Wild West World see ThrillNetwork.

Anyone from that neck of the woods distraught over WWW's early closing? Does anyone have any insight into its closing or chances of re-opening? Leave a comment below.