Theme park news: Another Disney World death, Dale Earnhardt coaster, Star Tours 2.0, Say No to B.O.

A roundup of my theme park Twitter updates for the last week:

* Walt Disney World actor dies during rehearsals for Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Investigators searching for “any pattern” in three Disney World employee deaths this summer. (Orlando Sentinel)

* Video: Kings Dominion in Virginia announces $25-million Dale Earnhardt-themed Intimidator 305 coaster for 2010.

* Katrina-battered Six Flags New Orleans to reopen as Nickelodeon Universe-New Orleans theme and water park by late 2010. Theme Park Insider: Why it won’t work.

* Dollywood’s Splash Country water park in Tennessee announces Slide Rock Racer side-by-side mat racer slide for 2010. (Screamscape)

* Disney dispatches Star Wars storm troopers to guard “imperial dignitaries” at D23 Expo. Is Star Tours 2.0 coming to Disneyland?

* Howl-O-Scream 2009 at Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia: 6 mazes, 7 scare zones, 5 shows. (Screamscape)

* Power outage at Chessington World of Adventures in Britain traps riders for hours: Panic! Mayhem!! Chaos!!! Lions and Tigers and Fears. Oh My!

* Concept art: Halloween Horror Nights “Welcome to Hell” scare zone at Universal Studios Hollywood. Demons, preachers, go-go dancers. (Dread Central)

* Mark your calendar: Disney and More blog reports that a third theme park is on the horizon for Disneyland Paris in 2020.

* Carowinds to add $11-million ride on South Carolina side of park for 2010.

* Nick Universe opens a 4-story-tall Flying Dutchman Ghostly Gangplank rope course at Mall of America in Minnesota. (Screamscape)

* D23 Expo costume guidelines: OK to dress as Disney characters, but no forming lines or accepting cash for autographs or photos.

* How to unlock the 969 hidden music tracks on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit coaster at Universal Studios Florida. (Screamscape)

* Disney’s Hollywood Studios releases lineup for 27th annual Night of Joy contemporary Christian music fest Sept. 11-12.

* Shaquille O’Neal tweeting from Knott’s Berry Farm: “my butts 2 big 2 fit in da seats on ride. ahhhhhh (dats me yellin)”

* 20-acre Splash Canyon water park in Temecula set to open in Summer 2010. (Screamscape)

* Thorpe Park in Britain bans riders from putting hands in air while riding coasters due to body odor. Signs: Say no to B.O.

Find the latest amusement and theme park news at the Los Angeles Times Funland blog: www.latimes.com/funland. Follow Funland on Twitter and Facebook.

— Brady MacDonald, Los Angeles Times staff writer

Photo: Dale Earnhardt-themed Intimidator 305 roller coaster at Kings Dominion.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, August 22, 2009 at 6:02 am by Brady MacDonald and is filed under California, Celebrity, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Europe, Family & Kids, Florida, Great Britain, Knott's, Los Angeles, Magic Kingdom, New Orleans & Louisiana, Orange County, Southern States, Theme Parks, Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.