The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "amusement parks" ...
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Pulling G's
This investigation looks at the G forces riders experience on thrill rides at central Florida theme parks. The parks have resisted releasing such information, so Florida Today measured them, developing data using a 3-axis accelerometer. Despite much concern, the rides were within established safety limits.
Tags: amusement parks; roller coasters; thrill rides; Disney World; g forces; physics; theme parks; safety; tourism
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Thrilled to Death
This story took a look at amusement parks in Texas and found evidence of numerous serious injuries, faulty ride maintenance, and negligent behavior on the part of employees. It found several amusement park operators had failed to report numerous injuries to state regulators, in violation of Texas law. It also found evidence that state and federal regulations and enforcement are inadeqate to ensure ride safety.
Tags: amusement parks; ride safety; Texas Department of Insurance; Six Flags; government safety regulations for amusement parks
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Magic Mountain
Six Flags is one of the largest regional park company and this investigation looks at how some of the guards at these amusement parks are trained to target African-Americans and Latino customers. It also reveals that a person visiting the amusement park in Southern California was an Olympic gold winner who was humiliated at the theme park.
Tags: racial profiling; discrimination; African- American; Mexicans; Latino; Olympics; Southern California; six flags; amusement parks; racial profiling by security
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One-Ticket Town
Orlando's economy is based on tourism. The theme parks, the shops, everything about Orlando is there for tourist purposes. The Sentinel takes a look at the pros and cons of such a tourism dependent economy.
Tags: tourism; Orlando; economy; theme parks; amusement parks
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Indentured in America
A joint investigation by the Baltimore Sun and the Orlando Sentinel revealed that "a century and a half after the Emancipation Proclamation... slavery of a sort still (exists) in America. Today's victims are not bound by metal shackles, but legal contracts in which they sign away years of their lives... (The) three-part series told how thousands of Pacific Islanders were lured to America with promises of high-paying nurse's jobs, but ended up emptying bedpans in nursing homes or working at menial tasks at amusement parks, jobs American workers wouldn't take. The contracts, which few of the islanders understood, required them to stay on the job for as long as two years and made them liable for damages of up to $6,250 if they bolted... The islander's meager paychecks, barely more than minimum wage, were depleted by 'service charges.' ... The series was a novel joint venture between The Sun and another Tribune paper, The Orlando Sentinel. After (Walter F.) Roche (Jr.) discovered many of the workers and recruiters were in Florida, (Willoughby) Mariano joined him to complete the reporting on the series. Both papers published it simultaneously."
Tags: Emancipation Proclamation; indentured servants; slavery; contracts; Pacific Island; labor; jobs; servitude; legal; liable; minimum wage
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Free Ride
The Star-Telegram reports that Six Flags Over Texas did not follow the law "that requires parks to report injuries during the three-month period in which they occurred." The newspaper found over 30 lawsuits that the state was not told about. Texas park safety laws declare "annual inspections should be done by insurance companies because they have a financial interest, along with the parks, in keeping patrons safe." But some say that "allowing businesses to regulate themselves opens the door to problems, even if they have every reason to ensure patrons' safety." Sean Wood and Jennifer Autrey report more on the injury reporting law and amusement park safety records.
Tags: amusement parks; safety; consumers; injuries; insurance; International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions; annual inspections; Department of Insurance; Consumer Product Safety Commission; ride safety law
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Park Safety Rules Lax
"This package examined the inconsistent nature of amusement ride inspections and amusement ride injury reports in the United States."
Tags: amusement rides; deaths; accidents; safety
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How Safe is That Theme Park?
Amusement park injuries are on the rise as roller coasters get faster, twistier and scarier -- and their riders get older. The Journal reviews injury reports at nine major parks in California, Texas, New Jersey and Florida.
Tags: None
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Twists and Shouts
Elictch's doesn't want the public to know that its top ride is a real pain in the neck. But 31 customers already do. The Mind Eraser is one of Elitch's most popular rides, but it's been blamed for numerous neck, back and head injuries; the park maintains a first aid station about twenty yards from the ride.
Tags: Roller coaster; health; amusement park.
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Low tide for Marineland
The News-Journal details ethically and legally questionable decisions that led to the financial ruin of Marineland, the world's first oceanarium and Florida's first major theme park. The investigation reveals shady municipal bond deals and how Marineland took advantage of its official status as a Florida city for 60 years.
Tags: Amusement Parks Business City government Entertainment