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Describes the design of a roller coaster manufactured by Arrow Dynamics for Magic Mountain park in Valencia, California. Features of the roller coaster; Reasons for designing the roller coaster; Safety limits for roller coasters. INSET: Fatal attraction..

The article focuses on the Iwerks Entertainment Inc. of Burbank, California and the entertainment centers it is designing called Cinetropolis. The company, which started out seven years ago making films and motion- based simulators for amusement parks, has what Wall Street likes to refer to as a "concept." This concept has quite a lot going for it. Iwerks is designing a series of entertainment centers to be called Cinetropolis--a kind of high-tech amusement park in a box-that will offer stomach-churning thrill rides using motion simulators and big- screen film. Nearly all the top 50 U.S. theme parks have one or bigger simulator rides in the works, usually keyed to movie hits and embellished with elaborate layouts and pre-ride video scene setting. The theme parks are a huge potential market. Essentially, these rides are an evolutionary development of the movie business, using technology to make the viewer feel much more part of the action.

The amusement park advertised throughout the world as Disneyland is a collection of Midway rides, concessions, hot-dog stands and soft drink counters, peep-shows and advertising stunts for big corporations, neatly laid out on several hundred acres twenty minutes' drive on a super-highway from downtown Los Angeles or a few minutes flight by direct, scheduled helicopter service from the Los Angeles International Airport. As one go to the press, it would seem that statehood for the convenience of pilgrims who have traveled considerable distances and who don't want to be distracted from the main purpose of their visit, there is a large hotel on the grounds and, if one can believe the billboards, it's possible to relax there in a luxurious hotel atmosphere, where formal attire is unnecessary, while enjoying an extended visit.

Discusses the growing number of roller coasters that are being built in the United States at the end of the 1990s. Number of roller coasters that were built in 1999; Why people enjoy roller coasters; The world's highest coaster; Why roller coasters are considered safe. INSET: America's Top Ten Scream Machines.

States that Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida will open a theme park, Islands of Adventure, in May 1999. Cost of the park, which is designed for thrill seekers; The deluxe hotel; The technique of `pirate marketing'; How Islands of Adventure is different from other parks; The rides such as roller coasters; Competition with Disney World. INSET: Island Hopping: Will They Wow the Crowds?.

Presents a guide to Orlando, Florida's Universal Studios park. Details about the rides including the Incredible Hulk Coaster; Playgrounds such as Camp Jurassic; Reaction from locals; Other attractions.

Highlights Universal Studios' Islands of Adventure (IOA) theme park in Orlando, Florida. Competition between Walt Disney World and Universal; Description of rides and attractions at IOA for both children and adults.

The article discusses the contribution of technology to the innovation of roller coasters in the amusement park industry in the U.S. High technology can make roller coasters safer and at the same time helps generate about $4-billion-a-year revenue. Ronald Toomer, president of Arrow Dynamics Inc., states that scaring people in the rides means big business. INSET: "We are forever on the hook".

The article discusses state fairs in the U.S. Many of the biggest and best-known fairs began in the Civil War era. Even the earliest fairs went beyond agricultural displays to feature such events as horse races and plowing contests. Although subsequent fairs have evolved to reflect the technology of the times, old-fashioned attractions such as Ferris wheels remain popular.

The article offers engineering-related news briefs in the U.S. The $21 million-roller coaster Maverick at the Cedar Point amusement park in Sandusky, Ohio was aimed to be the fastest by using linear synchronous motors (LSMs) to magnetically propel its trains on the track. International Motion Control (IMC) Inc. was acquired by ITT Corp. for $395 million. Phyllis Russell was appointed executive director at Power Transmission Distributors Association (PTDA) Foundation in Chicago, Illinois.

Explores couple Rob Weitzner and Tamar Fellner's interest in roller coasters in the United States. Favorite rides; Preparations made by the couple before riding coasters; Career highlights; Interpersonal relations; Death of Fellner when she fell at the Raven, considered as the top wooden roller coaster in the world; Lessons learned by Weitzner during the death of Fellner.

Announces the schedule of the 2004 South Carolina State Fair in Columbia, South Carolina. Types of rides at the fair; List of fair food; Admission fee.

Features several roller coaster attractions in the Midwest for amusement park enthusiasts in the U.S. Key features and specifications; Safety issues concerning roller coasters; Implications on amusement parks.

Presents information on X Scream, an amusement ride which operates from the top of the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Description of the track for the ride; Details of welding procedures according to Kevin Jepperson, co-owner of fabricator The Metal Shop.

Reports on the success of non-profit organization Holyoke Merry-Go-Round in Massachusetts. Accounts on the fundraising campaign following the closing of Mountain Park; Amount of funds raised; Symbol of the city's history.

Provides tips on how to spend and enjoy the summer holidays in the U.S. Activities at the Blue Lagoon Wave Pool at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor; Recreational experience during the Quick Chek New Jersey Festival of Ballooning; Tour on Long Beach Island manses.

Rates theme parks in the U.S., and considers aspects of park visits including costs, quality of rides and roller coasters, and value. Top scores which were earned for SeaWorld and Epcot, which are located in Orlando, Florida; Problems of overcrowding and long lines in Disneyland in California and Cedar Point in Ohio; Availability of discounts at amusement parks; Other considerations, such as the cost and quality of lodging and food. INSETS: The cream of the scream machines;A rough ride? Assessing park safety;Profiles of the parks.

Focuses on the springtime favorites of actress Christina Applegate in California. Description of the Gucci jacket; 'Brushfire Fairytales' compact disc by Jack Johnson; Throw-up rides at Santa Monica Pier.

Discusses the developments in several theme parks in the United States. Description of the theme parks in Walt Disney World; Views on the transformations of theme parks in the country; Comments on the rides.

Evaluates the Mission: Space ride at Walt Disney World theme park. Features of the ride; Simulation of real space ride.

Features the top ten roller coasters in the United States, based on a survey of teenagers in the country. List of crazy coaster names and locations; Teenagers' experiences and anecdotes of rides taken.

Provides information on the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida. Amusement rides available in the theme park; Features.

Discusses the efforts of state safety inspectors to ensure the safety of riders of fun rides in amusements parks in New Jersey. Potentials for injury to riders; Inspectors' visiting of theme parks during months of operations to inspect for safety infractions; Incidences of accidents involving fun rides in the state; Enactment of legislation that increase the cap per infraction on fines for operators.

Features the ride simulators found at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, Illinois. Educational benefits of ride simulators; Computer software programs used in the simulators; Plans for the development of a partnership between the educational community and the simulator industry.

Describes a road test done on the Indiana Jones Adventure Troop Transport, a Walt Disney Imagineering-manufactured automobile that is used to transport visitors to the Indiana Jones Adventure section of the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California. Seating; Ergonomics; Chassis and body; Handling characteristics; Test conditions; Engine.

Features several thrill rides in the United States. Purpose of the rides; Reason for the popularity of the rides; Riding tip from Life Scout Bruce Barry Jr.

Features amusement rides in the United States. Includes rides in Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York; Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven, Florida; Kennywood in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania; Playland in Rye, New York. INSET: European classics..

Discusses old-fashioned amusement parks in the United States. The Jack Rabbit roller coaster at Kennywood, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Comments from Kennywood's Mary Lou Rosemeyer; Historical amusement parks and their origin; Allure of the old parks; Features at Kennywood and at Knoebels Amusement Resort in eastern Pennsylvania; Other parks; Rinky-dink attractions.

The article focuses on Joe McKee, a scientist capable to design and build a roller coaster in the U.S. McKee has been building roller coaster for about 41 years and has been in-charged in constructing various implements of torture. He emphasized that people should not be scared in the ride because there is nothing to be afraid of. Furthermore, McKee stressed that fright against ride is just an illusion of the mind of the rider.

The article offers information on the issues in the U.S. in 1982. It states that interior designer Kitty Weese was asked by president and chief executive officer (CEO) Ben W. Heineman to create a new desk that will enable him to have easier access to computer. It mentions that the thrill ride called FreeFall will open at Six Flags Over Texas in Dallas/Forth Worth, Texas in June. It adds that office-furniture specialist Lewis Itkin suggests the extension for old desk to hold computer.

This article focuses on a zero gravity experience. The designers of roller coasters, which at their core are nothing more than falling simulators, have to annually produce ever more complicated curlicues of steel to overcome one's increasingly hardy tolerances for vertigo. The company Zero-G promises, for a fee of $100 a minute, that specially trained pilots will fly one out over the ocean in a 727 cargo jet. Once the plane reaches about 32,000 feet, the pilots will push it into a nosedive. They will accelerate downwards very, very fast. Zero-G and its tricked-out plane, G-Force One, were visiting airports around the U.S., inviting journalists and a handful of contest winners to take part in its first round of flights.

Presents information on several theme parks in Orlando, Florida. Features of Discovery Cove; Description of the SeaWorld Orlando theme park; List of amusements and attractions at Islands of Adventure.

Presents information on three water park rides in the U.S. Schlitterbahn's Master Blaster in New Braunfels, Texas; Disney's Summit Plummet in Orlando, Florida; ZOOMbabwe in Indiana.

Focuses on the safety of roller coasters and amusement park rides in the United States. Reaction of the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions on the issue; Introduction of a bill calling for federal regulations of amusement parks; Citation of safety tips.

This article discusses zip-lines allow a rider to descend a mountain, or a similar geographically dramatic descent on a cable. The zip line's origins as an amusement ride in the Costa Rican Rain Forest, and the increasing popularity of these rides at ski resorts in the U.S. are discussed. Several U.S. resorts featuring zip-lines are mentioned including Heavenly Mountain Ski Resort in California, Wildcat Mountain in New Hampshire, and Alaska Straight Point, near Juneau, Alaska.

Discusses America's obsession with roller coasters. History of the contraption; Contest for the most terrifying ride which is being played out with new hypercoasters across the country; Fierce competition for the next record-breaking coaster; Increase in amusement-park attendance.

Focuses on attractions as several amusement parks in the United States. Relaunching of the ride Space Mountain at Disneyland, in commemoration of its 50th anniversary; Suggestions for booking a travel package to Disney online; Attractions at Universal Studios.

Offers a look at water park rides and amusement parks in the United States. Rides found at Universal Studios' Wet 'n Wild water park in Florida; Ride found at Six Flags Theme Parks; Report that Great Wolf Resorts owns six hotels with adjacent indoor parks; Concerns of safety.

Discusses how Six Flags New Jersey held an event for Muslims called Great Muslim Adventure Day. How a website advertisement was used to promote the event to Muslims in the U.S.; Efforts of the New Jersey chapter of the grass-roots organization Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) to create a Muslim-friendly atmosphere for those who may not always feel comfortable; Allegations that the ICNA is linked to terrorist activities; How a bazaar at the theme park sold stylish headwear and Koranic commentaries; Consideration of how the Muslims in attendance completed their prayers towards Mecca to Allah while at the park.