Theme Parks

Higher attendance at its overseas theme parks and cruise lines as well as growth in the rates that cable and satellite companies pay to carry ESPN helped drive growth for Walt Disney Co. last quarter. The Burbank media giant's revenue increased 3% to $10.8 billion in the three-month period ended Sept. 29, its fiscal fourth quarter, while net income increased 11% to $2.3 billion. The company behind Mickey Mouse, “Toy Story” and “The Avengers” managed that increase despite revenue declines in its movie and interactive businesses.

Thrill seekers will have to wait a little longer for a big new ride as Knott's Berry Farm unveiled plans for a trio of family attractions in 2013 aimed at bridging the gap in the Buena Park theme park's collection of kiddie and extreme rides. > Photos: A trio of family rides coming to Knott's in 2013 Knott's plans to add a wild mouse coaster, a flying scooter and a classic scrambler ride in summer 2013 to the Boardwalk section of the park, reusing a man-made lake left over from a water ride removed to make room for the new additions.

Even the most diligent parent can lose a kid now and then - mostly now. A new product may help take some of the angst and desperation out of such an event. SafetyTats are temporary tattoos that read “If Lost, Please Call” and list a parent or guardian's cell number. They were invented by a mom named Michele Welsh, who as a precaution would write her cell number on her children's arms in crowded public venues, like theme parks.  She explained to her three active boys to stay with Mommy and Daddy, but they were told that if they did get separated, they could show the numbers to an adult.

Adding another marquee pop-culture property to its roster, Walt Disney Co. has agreed to pay $4.05 billion to acquire the company that controls the blockbuster "Star Wars" franchise -- allowing Disney to exploit the brand through film, television, consumer products and theme parks. With the purchase of Lucasfilm Ltd., Disney plans to churn out new "Star Wars" movies every two or three years beginning in 2015 with "Star Wars Episode 7," Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said in conference call with analysts late Tuesday.

Walt Disney Co. has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in a surprise deal that gives the media giant control of the "Star Wars" franchise. Along with the purchase, Disney announced that it plans to release a seventh live-action "Star Wars" movie in 2015. The agreement continues Chief Executive Bob Iger's strategy of growing Disney through huge acquisitions that give the Burbank company control of key pieces of intellectual property. In 2009, Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, a deal that resulted in this year's hit "The Avengers.

Walt Disney Co. has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm for $4.05 billion in a surprise deal that gives the media giant control of the "Star Wars" franchise. Along with the purchase, Disney announced that it plans to release a seventh live-action "Star Wars" movie in 2015. The agreement continues Chief Executive Bob Iger's strategy of growing Disney through huge acquisitions that give the Burbank company control of key pieces of intellectual property. In 2009, Disney acquired Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion, a deal that resulted in this year's hit "The Avengers.

Even before the fake blood and plastic skeletons are put away after Halloween, Todd Faux is already thinking of new ways to dispatch his 1,000 or so monsters to scare the living daylights out of you next year. As entertainment design manager at Knott's Berry Farm, Faux has unleashed vampires, a deranged butcher, zombie cannibals and a homicidal Pinocchio on park visitors during its annual Halloween Haunt event. His task now is to come up with something even creepier for next Halloween.

The Angry Birds, the Bad Piggies, the eggs - you know the game-on drill. But what if you use your hands and feet instead of a smartphone app to move to the next level? That's the idea behind Angry Birds activity parks planned at three hotels in Finland - and they're not your typical amusement parks. "There will be different kinds of activities for children as well as for grown-ups," Iiro Rossi of Holiday Club Resorts wrote in an email. "There will be climbing, sliding, crawling, parkour, jumping, scoring, driving, playing, you name it. One thing missing are traditional rides usually seen in amusement parks.

A group of British developers has signed a licensing deal with Paramount Pictures for a planned 2-billion  pound theme park outside of London. The development consortium, London Resort Co. Holdings, has signed a deal to make Paramount film properties such as "Mission: Impossible," "Star Trek" and "Paranormal Activity" part of the park, which it intends to build in North Kent in Southeast England. The agreement is exclusive in the Britain. (Paramount does not have the right to license its "Transformers" movies, as the property is owned by Hasbro.)

As we slip into October, I decided to assemble my first-ever Fantasy Halloween League of the Top 13 haunted mazes at theme parks around the world. Think of the Top 13 list as a nightmare fantastic park with the most demented, disturbing and disgusting collection of haunted attractions ever gathered in one virtual place. Or my definition of a dream vacation if I had a bottomless budget and unlimited vacation time to jet around the world to the best and most bizarre haunts.