HOLIDAY HOOPLA ATTRACTIONS MAKE MERRY FOR FESTIVE CROWDS.Byline: Michael Nolan Staff Writer While we ponder the possibilities of leftover turkey and half-eaten pumpkin pies, it becomes official - the 2001 holiday season is here. The pre-Christmas sales are on, the stores are all decked out and Santa Claus Santa Claus: see Nicholas, Saint. Santa Claus jolly, gift-giving figure who visits children on Christmas Eve. [Christian Tradition: NCE, 1937] See : Christmas Santa Claus is holding court in the malls. The magic has begun. And in the Southland's many theme parks - more plentiful than Whos in Whoville - seasonal delights are beckoning. No one does magic better than theme parks, where whole new worlds are created to amaze, thrill and entertain. Especially now, in these nerve-racking times, we need to escape more than ever - for just a little while - to think happy thoughts and be a child again. ``Disneyland is a place where people of all ages can come and forget their cares,'' says Joe Aguirre, park spokesman. ``It's a place of fantasy where you can come and relax and just enjoy yourself.'' A theme park outing, especially during the Christmas season, is a good way to spend time together as a family and achieve a sense of normalcy nor·mal·cy n. Normality. Noun 1. normalcy - being within certain limits that define the range of normal functioning normality , says Brian Sandahl, a Disney designer. ``We've tried to make Disneyland a Christmas destination,'' says Sandahl, who was part of the design team that transformed the Haunted Mansion into a whimsical version of Tim Burton's ``Nightmare Before Christmas.'' ``All Disneyland's different departments - even food - have come together to synergize the experience for our guests,'' Sandahl said. Other seasonal sensory delights - from skating on a Grinch-ishly green ice rink to watching live reindeer romp to listening to holiday music - are all waiting to be savored. Here's a look at what some of the Southland theme parks have planned this holiday season: Universal Studios Hollywood The combination movie studio and theme park celebrates the season by giving out a free admission pass with every full-price ticket. The park's holiday entertainment begins Dec. 15 and runs through Jan. 6, with attractions including the ``Rugrats Holiday Magic Show.'' A happy Who-liday season begins today and continues through January at the adjacent Universal CityWalk. Universal gets Grinched when it begins the season with the new Grinch-green Who-niversal CityWalk ice rink, banks of real snow, Who-face painting and Who-feasts, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today. The Grinch Gala even includes an appearance by his Royal Green-ness, the Grinch himself, today. The free event also features live Seuss-ian entertainment, a display of original movie props and thousands of green lights. The celebration continues weekends with the free Gospel Live! concert series and a dazzling fantasy featuring dancing reindeer, human toy soldiers and snow fairies. Hollywood Freeway (101) at Lankershim Boulevard, Universal City. CityWalk admission is free; park tickets: $43 general, $37 seniors, $33 children 3 to 9. Information: (818) 508-9600. With every full-priced ticket purchased now through Dec. 24, the studio is also offering a full-year free admission pass. Children 3 to 9 can enjoy the same program for $33. Seniors enjoy the program for $37. Disneyland The ``Merriest Place on Earth'' promises more holiday magic than ever this season with the magical transformation of the Haunted Mansion into a vision of Tim Burton's ``Nightmare Before Christmas'' (and even features Jack Skellington's popcorn balls). Holiday festivities fes·tiv·i·ty n. pl. fes·tiv·i·ties 1. A joyous feast, holiday, or celebration; a festival. 2. The pleasure, joy, and gaiety of a festival or celebration. 3. also include the ``It's a Small World It's a Small World (formatted “it's a small world” by the Walt Disney Company) is a popular attraction at several Walt Disney theme parks: Disneyland (in California), the Magic Kingdom (in Florida), Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Resort Paris. Holiday'' attraction, a New Orleans Square New Orleans Square is a themed land exclusively at Disneyland, and is not at any other Disney park; however, a similarly themed area can be found within Tokyo Disneyland's Adventureland. It is based on 19th century New Orleans. Christmas celebration, the park's decorated 60-foot tree, the daily Christmas Fantasy parade along Main Street and visits from Santa Claus. A special version of the popular fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to show, ``Believe ... in Holiday Magic,'' ends with snowfall. 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim. Tickets: $43; $41 ages 60 and older; $33 ages 3 to 9. Through Dec. 18, Southern Californians can pay a single ticket price ($49 adults, $39 children 3 to 9) for admission to both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Disney's California Adventure is a theme park in Anaheim, California, adjacent to Disneyland Park and part of the larger Disneyland Resort. It opened on February 8, 2001. The park is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. on consecutive days. Information: (714) 781-4565; www.disneyland. Disney's California Adventure Meanwhile, next door ... the new Disney's LuminAria lu·mi·nar·i·a n. 1. A votive candle set into a small, decorative paper bag weighted with sand and placed in a row with others along a walkway, driveway, or rooftop as a holiday decoration. Also called regionally farolito. 2. , a spectacle of glittering lights, swirling pyrotechnics pyrotechnics (pī'rōtĕk`nĭks, pī'rə–), technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent. and favorite holiday music, will be performed on the waters of Paradise Bay surrounding the Paradise Pier area. And as though that weren't enough - a 60-foot tree covered with candles will appear to rise from the bay. In addition to LuminAria, Disney's Electrical Parade resumes its nightly run. Information: (714) 781-4565. Six Flags Magic Mountain Six Flags Magic Mountain is an amusement park located just west of the Valencia neighborhood of Santa Clarita, north of Los Angeles. It opened on Memorial Day weekend on May 29, 1971 as Magic Mountain, by the Newhall Land and Farming Company,[1] Toys for the Holidays toy drive is the main focus of the season for Six Flags as it joins forces with KTLA/Channel 5, United Parcel Service United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE: UPS), commonly referred to as UPS, is the world's largest package delivery company, delivering more than 15 million packages[1] a day to 6.1 million customers in over 200 countries and territories around the world. and Boys and Girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. Club of Southern California. Magic Mountain is offering free admission to anyone bringing a new, unwrapped toy valued at $10 or more to the park Dec. 1 and 2, 8 and 9. All toys collected during the four-day event will be distributed by UPS and the Boys and Girls Club to Southland children during the holiday season. In past years, the toy drive has collected more than 400,000 toys for youngsters, making it one of the most successful campaigns in the country. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia. Regular admission: $42.99 general, $21.50 children under 4 feet and seniors. Parking: $7. Information: (661) 255-4111. Los Angeles Zoo The Los Angeles Zoo founded in 1966, is a large zoo located in Los Angeles, California, USA. The Zoo, located in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, is home to 1,200 animals from around the world. The zoo plays host to enough live reindeer to pull a sleigh sleigh: see sled. loaded with toys. ``Reindeer Romp'' celebrates the holidays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Jan. 1 (except Christmas Day) and gives everyone a chance to see live reindeer up close. On weekends, Dec. 1-24, there will be holiday entertainment and crafts for the family - and Santa Claus will be available for photographs. During ``Reindeer Romp,'' the L.A. Zoo Choo Choo will be chugging around the park to give young visitors train rides for a nominal fee. 5333 Zoo Drive, in Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Admission: $8.25 adults, $3.25 children 2 to 12. Information: (323) 644-6400, www.lazoo.org. Knott's Merry Farm Yes, Charlie Brown, it's the magically transformed Knott's Merry Farm, celebrating the holidays with festivities, shopping, dining and entertainment. The park's Christmas Crafts Village features approximately 100 working artisans, including carousel-horse carvers, strolling carolers and actors in classic shows. This year, as part of Knott's new ``Berry Merry Lights'' celebration, brilliant white and multicolored lights illuminate the Crafts Village and Camp Snoopy Snoopy world’s most famous beagle. [Comics: “Peanuts” in Horn, 542] See : Dogs Snoopy imaginative dog. [Comics: “Peanuts” in Horn, 542–543] See : Illusion . There's also Santa's Animated Workshop and live performances of ``Snoopy's Twelve Days of Christmas Twelve Days of Christmas presents increase with each day of Yuletide. [Am. Music: “Twelve Days of Christmas” in Rockwell] See : Generosity on Ice.'' 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park. Park tickets: $30 for Southern California residents; $15 for ages 3 to 11. Discount tickets available at Food 4 Less markets: $22.95 adults; $9.95 ages 3 to 11. Knott's Merry Farm Christmas Crafts shopping: $5 general, $3 seniors; children are free. Information: (714) 220-5200; www.knotts.com. Queen Mary Holiday magic is awash over the regal Queen Mary as the ship decks the hull with the traditional gingerbread gingerbread In architecture and design, elaborately detailed embellishment, either lavish or superfluous. Though the term is occasionally applied to such highly detailed and decorative styles as the Rococo, it usually refers to the hand-carved and -sawn wood ornamentation of masterpiece and commences the annual Christmas tree Christmas tree Evergreen tree, usually decorated with lights and ornaments, to celebrate the Christmas season. The use of evergreen trees, wreaths, and garlands as symbols of eternal life was common among the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Hebrews. lighting ceremony from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 5. The program includes choir performances, a holiday sing-along and complimentary refreshments. Admission is free from 4:30 p.m. A donation of canned food canned food food sterilized by heat in a closed, durable container such as tin and aluminum cans, flexible aluminum foil and thermoplastic containers including squeeze tubes. Technically, the processes used are highly efficient and used universally. , requested but optional, will go to the Long Beach Food Bank. 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach. Tour and show: $19 general, $17 seniors and military, $15 ages 3 to 11. Information: (562) 435-3511, www.queenmary.Com. Aquarium of the Pacific The Aquarium of the Pacific is located in the city of Long Beach, California at the mouth of the Los Angeles River. The aquarium features a collection of over 12,500 animals representing almost 1,000 different species. For the holiday season, seal, sea lion and otter habitats will be transformed into Winter Wonderlands. Seals and sea lions will smack their lips over frozen ``fish-mas'' treats and frolic Frolic - A Prolog system in Common Lisp. ftp://ftp.cs.utah.edu/pub/frolic.tar.Z. in real snow, while sea otters savor candy cane-shaped ice treats, gourmet lobster tails and their own snowmen to play with. Children 7 to 12 are invited to create marine-related gifts at a holiday craft workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Dec. 1. The Aquarium's Pacific Collections offer shoppers an ocean of gift items. 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. Admission: $16.95 general, $13.95 seniors, $9.95 children 3 to 11. Information: (562) 590-3100, www.aquariumofpacific.org. Legoland California The 128-acre, kid-friendly park is opening its gates free to shop from 4 to 8 p.m. daily through Dec. 23. If you purchase an annual pass, you receive 20 percent off all Lego and Legoland merchandise during Holiday Shopping Nights. Then enjoy roller coasters, shows and entertainment for an entire year with your family. One Lego Drive, Carlsbad. Admission: $34 general, $29 for children ages 3 to 16 and seniors. Parking $7. Information: (760) 918-5346, www.legoland.com. Balboa Park/San Diego Zoo Christmas on the Prado, from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8, is an annual Balboa Park festival with free museum admission, music, multicultural activities, food samplings and live entertainment. The Balboa Park Puppet Guild features holiday puppet shows in December, and the San Diego Model Railroad Museum Located on the lower level of the Casa De Balboa on the Prado in Balboa Park, San Diego, California, USA, the San Diego Model Railroad Museum is the world's largest indoor model railroad exhibit. hosts a Toy Train Family Day Dec. 15. Balboa Park, corner of Park Boulevard and Village Place, adjacent to the zoo, San Diego. Information: (619) 239-0512, www.balboapark.org. Polar bears will frolic in the snow, holiday music will fill the air, and Mrs. Claus and Father Christmas make appearances as part of the yuletide celebration at the San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo One of the world's largest collections of mammals, birds, and reptiles, located in San Diego, Calif., and administered by the Zoological Society of San Diego. The 100-acre (40. . ``Jungle Bells'' runs Dec. 15-24 and any youngster age 11 and younger who brings a new, unwrapped toy will receive free admission. 2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, San Diego. Admission: $19.50 adults, $9.50 children 3 to 11. Information: (619) 234-3153, www.sandiegozoo.org. CAPTION(S): 9 photos Photo: (1 -- 4 -- cover -- color) HOLIDAY AMUSEMENT Disney California Adventure, Disneyland, Universal CityWalk, L.A. Zoo (5) Three-year-old Clara Belluci of Thousand Oaks reaches for the artificial snowflakes snowflakes small patches of gray or white hair acquired after birth. Skin color is unchanged. See also achromotrichia, vitiligo. on Disneyland's Main Street, while perched on the shoulders of her father Vince. The Disney snow will fall after the fireworks each night through Jan. 6. (6 -- 7) Knott's Berry Farm Knott's Berry Farm is a brand name of two separate entities: a theme park in Buena Park, California, and a manufacturer of food specialty products (primarily jams and preserves) based in Placentia, California. , known through the holidays as Knott's Merry Farm, features a Christmas Crafts village boasting more than 100 artisans. The ``Peanuts'' gang, far right, will brighten the holidays for visitors to Camp Snoopy. (8) One of Disneyland's special attractions for the season is the Haunted Mansion transformed into a scene out of Tim Burton's ``The Nightmare Before Christmas.'' (9) Skate on Grinch-green ice and indulge in lots of other Grinch-inspired fun at Universal CityWalk, today through Jan. 6 |
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