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Focuses on the plans by billionaire Alan Gerry to turn the grassy hill in Bethel, New York where the Woodstock rock festival was held in 1969 into a music-themed tourist attraction. Gerry's motivations for the project; Size of the proposed theme park; Plan for construction of an amphitheater in 2000; Gerry's efforts to distance his venture from the historical reality of what took place at Woodstock.

The author discusses a Kentucky theme park called Ark Encounter which is focused on the Biblical story of Noah's ark and promotes itself as a family-oriented educational retreat. The author argues that the park misinforms guests and goes against the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government bodies, including schools, from endorsing one particular religious belief over others, as the park endorses founder Ken Ham's reading and interpretation of the Bible as the truth.

The article provides information on "Start Trek": The Cruise, a cruise for fans of the television series "Star Trek" held by the Norwegian Cruise Line. It discusses how the cruise reflects a larger trend of themed cruises inspired by popular culture, noting the social aspects for guests and the opportunity for new clientele for cruise lines. Comments from Michael Lazaroff, executive director of Entertainment Cruise Productions and the creator of the "Star Trek" cruise, are included.

The article reviews several places for children's entertainment in Sarasota, Florida including Payne Theme park, Sarasota's Children's Garden and South Florida Mueum.

The article offers information on six transformative event themes which can be implemented by meeting and event professionals. Themes discussed include converting part of show venue into an urban setting, themes based on digital exploration and arranging a royal-themed dinner. Themes including prom night settings, vintage settings and aviation and space exploration themes are also discussed.

The article discusses the history of amusement parks in Indianapolis, Indiana. It describes such issues as how amusement parks symbolized the Enlightenment ideal of technological progress, the rise of entertainment industries and their social aspects, and the variety of roller-coasters, carnival games, and railroads.

The article focuses on a themed playground that provides a place where families and communities can congregate on weekends and weekdays. It mentions that giving a park playground a specific theme will give the park a personalized aura that brings identity to the neighborhood along with the fun. It states that park planners should select design elements for play opportunities with the equipment, site amenities, buildings, and topography that define the community as well as support the theme.

Highlights the events in the science -themed Carnaval parade which includes competition among samba schools in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil which was held in February 2004. Role of Paulo Barros, a carnaval parade designer, in the celebration; Involvement of scientist Roald Hoffman in the parade; Winners in the competition.

Focuses on developing a theme for aquatic parks in the U.S. Reasons of parks and recreation director Dan Smith for installing a water playground in Troy, Alabama; Significance of cost effectiveness in planning for recreational facilities in Hialeah, Florida; Details of a theme park at the Hamilton County Park District in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The article focuses on the Merlin Entertainment Group, an attraction operator that is second only to Walt Disney Co. The company's attractions include Madame Tussauds wax museums and Legoland theme parks. Comments are offered from Nick Varney, chief executive of Merlin. Topics include speculation about an initial public offering, how diversification is the key to the company's success, and plans to open other attractions around the globe.

The article lists hotels, restaurants and bars engaging science as an attraction to consumers, including the the igloo hotel Village Jukkasjärvi in Sweden, the space themed Astronomers Inn in Beson, Arizona, and the science-based restaurant El Bulli in Costa Brava, Spain.

The article provides the author's insights about the trends in the amusement park industry. He mentioned that the amusement park industry was embracing the science of demographics with a variety of activities that are usually encountered among political-campaigns and advertising events. He also noted the transformation of amusement park business into a theme park business with the addition of roller coasters and other amusement rides with new concepts.

The author shares his insights and experiences while visiting the Walt Disney World in Florida with his wife and their three-year-old daughter. He comments on the park's attractions, employees and customers, and reflects on the proper attitude that customers should have to enjoy Walt Disney World. He offers his views on the concerns raised by his wife about Mickey Mouse's flattened face, the hiring policy of Disney, and the quality of the park's services and products.

This article states that the talk of the failure of Euro Disney is exaggerated. While the media were hanging crepe about the first year's $920 million in red ink, the hotels were heavily booked Christmas week and on New Year's Eve the park was packed, 35,000 strong. A week later, on a dank January day there were still 40-minute waits for Pirates of the Caribbean and Big Thunder Mountain. The lines for the Silver Spur Saloon wound out the door. Management had hoped to reduce the leverage by selling the hotels, but the hotels, with occupancy rates of just 55%, have been the most disappointing part of the project.

The article focuses on the efforts of Charles H. Stein of Hardwicke Cos. for the business recovery of the Great Adventure Park in New Jersey after the disaster. It mentions Stein's contribution for the theme park's recuperation by obtaining loan from the National Bank of Chicago worth 60 million U.S. dollars. Furthermore, their efforts in restoring the park's destinations are also mentioned.

The article presents the plan for the Dubai iPad, an apartment building shaped like an iPod. The building, developed and designed by Omniyat Properties in Dubai and James Law Cybertecture International in Hong Kong, will tilt six degrees like an iPod in a docking station. The building will be futuristic with a glowing facade and the apartments will be equipped with high-tech devices.

The article discusses the Adventures in the Sky program, from VistaJet Group Holding Ltd., which offers chartered jets with children's entertainment for $12,000 hourly. Topics discussed include actors involved in the project, including Fergus Adamson, the benefits of private jets for parents and wealthy patrons and how members of the program have a net worth of 670 million to 1.1 billion U.S. dollars.

The article discusses the proliferation of Buddhist-themed restaurants in New York City and the rest of the United States. Some wonder whether using Buddhism as a marketing tool would be offensive to the Buddha's teachings. Some take say that the atmosphere in restaurants and bars with the Buddha's image goes against actual Buddhist teachings. Others are using Buddhism's marketing ability to further the cause of Tibetan refugees.

Looks at the planned "East Village" project in Las Vegas, Nevada. Comments from project developer Mark Advent on the need for an organic city center in Las Vegas; Review of how the project is planned to open in mid-2007 and will cost over two-hundred million dollars; Discussion of how the East Village project will resemble the real New York City; Comments from CBGB's rock club owner Hilly Kristal on the club's possible move to Las Vegas.

Offers a look at the price of food at four amusement parks in the United States. Reference to a food pass offered at Universal Studios; Lunch offered at SeaWorld; Breakfast offered at Disneyland with characters such as Cinderella; Ability to rent a cabana at the Six Flags amusement park in Washington, DC.

Focuses on Hong Kong Disneyland. Perception of the $1.8 billion park as a new era for Disney in Asia, according to Disney head Robert Iger; Plans for more sites in China; Why Disney is confident about Asia; Disney's efforts to reach young people; How Disney has learned from past mistakes.

The article looks at the success of Rovio Entertainment Ltd. (REL) with the Angry Bird brand. Topics include the strategy of REL in retaining the collaborative mindset, the game applications produced by REL along with educational products, books and theme park attractions. Also mentioned is the first animated series of REL entitled "Angry Birds Toons," their own ToonsTV channel and the partnership of REL with The Jim Henson Co. and Hasbro Studios.

Reports that restaurateur Patrick Turner will open the Crash Cafe theme restaurant in Baltimore, Maryland to take advantage of people's appetite for crashes and air disasters with the appetite for good food. Façade with a smashed DC-3 aircraft; Videos of train collisions and building implosions.

The article reports that the special administrative region (SAR) in China received a gift from the Central Government— a pair of giant pandas, An An and Jia Jia. The new arrivals were settled in Ocean Park Hong Kong, an amusement park, marine mammal park and animal themed park as well as oceanarium rolled into one.

The article features the Environment, a place where people can attain serenity and peace designed by Aleksandra Kasuba, in New York City. Kasuba has taken white nylon netting and stretched it between plywood frameworks to form convex and concave walls to create the place. The renovated area is a complex of seven space-shelters each designed for a special activity. On walking into the place, one had a sense of lightness and whiteness and serenity.

The article reports on the battle between MCA Inc. and Walt Disney Co. over the control of theme-park market. The Hollywood's two biggest companies are exporting their fight to Europe wherein MCA plans to construct a park in France while Walt Disney intends to breakground on its $1.7 billion Euro Disneyland outside Paris. The two U.S. giants will have company backers as diverse as Barclays Bank and the Kuwait Investment Authority are aiming to participate in Europe's tourist trade.

Reports that Universal Studios Florida has established Halloween attractions for 1995. Information about new features of the movie-based park which include three haunted houses; Remarks on the increasing number of theme parks with Halloween attractions in the U.S.; Information about other theme parks such as Six Flags' Fright Fest and Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.

The article looks at the Shanghai Disneyland theme park resort being built in Shanghai, China, by mass media and entertainment company Walt Disney Co., focusing on how the park will be both similar to and different from Disney's U.S. parks and on Chinese cultural elements that are being incorporated into it. Topics include the company's forecast that park visitors will include a high ratio of adults to children.

The article looks at the economy and real estate market in the Orlando, Florida, area, reporting on a rise in home sales, home construction, and employment. It cites factors including the growth of tourism spurred by the opening of areas focused on the fictional character Harry Potter at the Universal Orlando theme parks and the effort of the state's courts to handle the backlog of home foreclosures.

The article discusses how theme parks need tentpole attractions to entertain visitors just like the motion picture industry. Such attractions can make or break a park's success, generating all kinds of revenue streams: from hotels, food and drinks to merchandise and admissions. John Robinett, senior vp economics at AECOM, says Harry Potter has proved to be effective in producing a large attendance increase and the theme is very popular too.

The article features several progressive theme cruisers and cites their strategies on how they satisfy their clients' hobbies and passions. They include the annual motorcycle theme cruise called Hogs on the High Seas (www.hogsonthehighsease.com), the Baseball Greats of MSC Cruises (www.msccruises.com), and the Groove Cruise of Jason Beukema, head of Miami-based Whet Travel (www.whettravel). It states that the Hog on the High Seas conducts entertainment activities, such as topless hombre contest.

The article focuses on the emergence of themed cruises with broad-based niche interests. These interests include wine and cuisine, health and wellness, dance, ecological travel and sports appeal. Themed cruises are found effective for getting first time cruisers onboard. In fact, cultivating a theme puts agents into a mindset of booking groups, which has high revenue potential.

The article focuses on the professional achievements of Andy Woodworth, adult services librarian at Bordentown Library in New Jersey. Woodworth is curator of "People for a Library Themed Ben & Jerry's Flavor," a group that he started on social networking website Facebook.com in June 2009. He started the group in order to bring publicity and additional funding to libraries.

The article reports on the design of a proposed amusement park center in Montereau-Fault-Yonne, France that focuses on the life of French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte who conquered most of Europe before his defeat in 1815. The amusement park project is being spearheaded by Montereau's Mayor Yves Jégo along with a steering committee and is scheduled for completion by 2017.

The article examines the World Expo, a world's fair to be held in Shanghai, China from May-November, 2010. The city has spend $4.2 billion on the event, in contrast to a decline in interest in world's fairs in most other countries. The event contains elements of an amusement park as well as the traditional exhibitions of world's fairs. The construction of a Disneyland amusement park by Walt Disney Co. in the Shanghai area is discussed.

The article reports that "Sesame Street" characters will be appearing as part of the attractions at Sea World in San Diego, California. Theme parks operator Busch Entertainment Corp. is planning to open the "Sesame Street Bay of Play" with three new rides for young children in May 2007. According to Carl Winston of San Diego State University's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, the relationship between Sea World and "Sesame Street" is good for marketing and strategy.

The article reports on the ranks of theme parks by the number of people who passed through their gates in 2006 in North America. The Carlsbad Theme Park was placed last according to a study by Themed Entertainment Association and Economics Research Associates. The Disney parks occupied the first five slots with a combined estimated attendance of 60 million. Meanwhile, Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Florida ranked number 1 with 16.6 million visitors

The article features the Storybook Land theme park in New Jersey. The park provides a pleasant environment for children and their parents. It has themed rides and fairy tale attractions such as ferris wheel, carousel and antique cars. Among the themed rides that can be found in the park are the Candy Cane Express, Jack and Jill Slide and the Alice in Wonderland Card Maze.