Six Flags

Disney plans to introduce the Avengers, X-Men,  Spider-Man and other Marvel characters in a theme-park setting for the first time since acquiring the comic book company in 2009. PHOTOS: Marvel characters coming to Middle East theme park The Marvel Adventure family entertainment center is expected to open in late 2013 in the United Arab Emirates with superhero-themed attractions, restaurants and shops. The eight-acre indoor mini theme park will be part of the $5-billion City of Arabia entertainment, commercial and residential development in Dubailand.

The once-famed Steel Pier on the long-faded Atlantic City Boardwalk will invest more than $100 million on new amusement rides and entertainment venues after scrapping plans to revive its centerpiece diving horse act amid an outcry by animal rights activists. PHOTOS: New rides at Steel Pier in Atlantic City Located across from Donald Trump's Taj Mahal casino on the New Jersey shore, the 1,000-foot-long amusement pier will add 11 rides, an arcade, nightclub, museum and ballroom during a four-year expansion project.

Real Madrid plans to open a $1 billion soccer-centric theme park on a United Arab Emirates man-made island in January 2015 that celebrates the history, triumphs and hubris of the richest football club in the world. PHOTOS: Real Madrid Resort Island in the Middle East The 100-acre Real Madrid Resort Island  will feature a roller coaster that extends out over the water, a SeaWorld-style dolphin show and a hologram soccer movie inside a climate-controlled theme park.

Orly Adelson has been named president of Dick Clark Productions Inc., producer of the American Music Awards and other awards shows. She previously headed her own production company, Orly Adelson Productions. Adelson takes over from Terry Bateman, who is stepping down as chief executive but will remain a "special advisor" to the company. Adelson will report to Mark Shapiro, chief executive of Six Flags Inc., which owns 40% of DCP.

Six Flags Inc., the second-largest U.S. amusement-park chain, said third-quarter profit rose 60% because of higher attendance and sponsorship fees. Net income increased to $143.5 million, or 95 cents a share, from $89.7 million, or 61 cents, a year earlier, the company said. Revenue rose 5.4% to $489.3 million in the three months ended Sept. 30.

Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., the amusement park owner whose properties include Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, on Tuesday called off its buyout deal with private equity firm Apollo Global Management after major shareholders objected. But Cedar Fair stock rose on speculation about other possible merger ideas. The Ohio company said it pulled out of the deal because the transaction lacked "the required level of investor support." The firm said it would take time to consider its "next steps."

So, you're bored with "Slowtime," Mr. Barnett (Viewpoint, Dec. 14)? So you would rather see the Lakers fast break and lose instead of seeing them play some defense and win? You say you have been rooting against the Lakers because they are boring and have gotten away from an entertainment tradition? Let me tell you something. The Lakers have a tradition, all right. It's a tradition of winning, and if you don't realize that, then take a look at those six flags on the wall of the Forum.

Get ready to open your wallet wider this year if you're going to some of Southern California's theme parks. Reporter Hugo Martin explains which parks are raising prices and why in this video. Daily passes for Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park rose this month from $80 to $87. The biggest increase hit the 300,000 park-goers who buy premium annual passes that include parking. Those went from $499 to $649. At Universal Studios Hollywood, one-day passes increased recently from $77 to $80, and annual passes that include parking jumped from $149 to $169.

As part of a multiattraction expansion this spring, Legoland California plans to update the Star Wars Miniland area that debuted last summer, add a pirate-themed shoot-the-chutes water ride and install a crab exhibit at the adjacent SeaLife Aquarium. Set to open March 29, the Star Wars Gallery will include 3-foot-tall Lego models of a dozen characters from the epic film saga, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, R2D2, Yoda and Darth Vader.  At the same time, model builders will install new characters, weapons and spacecraft to existing Star Wars Miniland scenes rendered in 1:20 scale using Lego bricks.