Gillian's Amusement Pier May Partially Rise Again as Icona in Wonderland
Gillian's Amusement Pier May Partially Rise Again as Icona in Wonderland
Gillian's Amusement Pier is shuttered for now, but the new property owner planning to build on the Ocean City, New Jersey site, is planning to reopen at least some rides.Developer Eustace Mita is seeking to construct a 252-room hotel, but he's also planning to reopen and revamp the amusement pier's iconic Ferris wheel, as well as its charming wet boat ride, and classic carousel. He's stated that he is also planning to add brand new kiddie rides to the hotel grounds, as well as some retail shops. Mita has already purchased two refurbished "Batman"-themed rides, a "Batcopter" and a fighter jet. Both were created in the 1980s. Investing between $135 and $155 million should allow Mita to build his envisioned “Icona in Wonderland” development. With his family having lived in the Ocean City area for decades, he explains ... [read more]
Hattiesburg Zoo Opens Serengeti Springs Waterpark
Hattiesburg Zoo Opens Serengeti Springs Waterpark
A new $10.5 million water park at the Hattiesburg Zoo in Hattiesburg, Miss., has finally opened with a lion's roar of excitement in 2024. Serengeti Springs has been in the works since 2022 and was originally scheduled to open in 2023.Delays in materials to even build the park were a big part of the delay on the project, with heavy rains further complicating the construction. But now that the waterpark has arrived, Hattiesburg Convention Commission executive director Rick Taylor describes the attraction as expected to bring in approximately $12 million in new spending annually to the community. His prediction seems on target: season passes sold out for the park before it was even open two weeks, and many summer days and evening events have been sell-outs.Hattiesburg Zoo was first established in 1950. The zoo is primarily focused on ... [read more]
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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Friday, January 10, 2025 that all slots for returning H-2B workers for the first half of the 2025 H-2B cap have been fulfilled. These petitions were for workers with a start date of March 31, 2025 or earlier. As stated on USCIS' web site:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025 with start dates on or before March 31, 2025, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2025 TFR). Jan. 7, 2025 was the final receipt date for petitions requesting supplemental H-2B visas under the FY 2025 first half returning worker allocation.
It has been reported that all petitions received after January 7 will be returned.Employers who filed for the second half of the cap with start dates on April 1 or after were entered into a ... [read more]
Charlotte, NC – The National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) is excited to announce the addition of 16-hours of comprehensive amusement ride inspection courses conducted entirely in Spanish at its 38th Annual Safety Seminar. These will occur from Monday, January 27, to Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at the Hilton Charlotte Airport in Charlotte, NC.
NAARSO, a non-profit organization committed to promoting safety within the amusement industry, invites traveling shows, amusement parks, water parks, and other facilities to have team members attend this who are involved with the inspection of amusement rides and whose first language is Spanish. This new educational offering is designed to provide fundamental training across multiple disciplines involved in inspecting amusement rides and devices, including:
Electronics
Hydraulics
Industry Standards
Ride Inspection Techniques
And more!
The courses will be available in both virtual and in-person formats. ... [read more]
Charlotte, NC – The National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO) is thrilled to announce that registration for the 38th Annual Safety Seminar is now open! The seminar will take place from January 26 to January 31, 2025, in beautiful Charlotte, North Carolina.
NAARSO, a non-profit organization committed to promoting safety within the amusement industry through the doctrine of “Safety Through Communication,” invites industry professionals to register for this comprehensive event aimed at enhancing the safety and reliability of amusement rides and attractions.
Seminar Highlights:
Expert Speakers: Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders about best practices in amusement ride safety.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers, professionals, and vendors from across the industry, fostering valuable relationships and collaborations.
Certification Courses: Participants can enhance their qualifications with specialized ... [read more]
Amusement Park News Links
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Kings Island announces opening dates for 2025 season. Here's when (OH)
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Cedar Point Ride Removed To Make Way For Future Development (OH)
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New Indoor Amusement Park In Cincinnati Has 50,000 Square Feet Of Attractions (OH)
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Upstate New York thrill: Adirondacks’ new rollercoaster named one of America’s best (NY)
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