PASS PLAY THEME PARKS LURE REPEAT VISITORS WITH SEASON TICKETS, NEW AMUSEMENTS.Byline: Jerry Rice Jerry Lee Rice (born October 13, 1962 in Crawford, Mississippi) is a former football wide receiver in the NFL. Rice is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NFL history, consistently showing exceptional performance and strong work ethic on and off of the field. Staff Writer SeaWorld and Universal Studios Hollywood have reduced the cost of an annual pass to as low as they can go - to zip, nada, nothing. But there's a catch: The deal involves buying an admission ticket at the regular price. At SeaWorld, it's the Fun Card. At Universal, the name of the promotion is longer but more descriptive: Buy a Day, Get a Year Free. ``That's probably the best you can get with discounting without giving it all away,'' says Tim O'Brien Tim O'Brien can refer to:
The deals come at a time when Southland parks are taking the wraps off new attractions for the coming year. Among them: --Universal Studios Hollywood has ``Shrek 4-D,'' a multimedia production that continues the adventures of the green ogre and his princess, and will wrap this summer's expected box-office blockbuster ``The Hulk'' into its Special Effects special effects, in motion pictures, cinematographic techniques that create illusions in the audience's minds as well as the illusions created using these techniques. Stages attraction. --Disney's California Adventure officially launched its ``Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular'' earlier this month and will bring popular Disney Channel  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. characters to the park in
April for the ``Playhouse Disney For the Playhouse Disney in other countries, see Playhouse Disney around the world. Playhouse Disney is the brand name for Disney Channel's preschool programs, often airing as its own channel outside of the United States. - Live on Stage'' show.
--SeaWorld is promoting the May debut of its new attraction, ``R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse'' - a 22-minute spine-tingler about a sister and brother who investigate the legend behind a haunted lighthouse. In essence, guests are getting more bang for their bucks - especially if they're taking advantage of the special deals. ``Discounting reigns supreme,'' O'Brien says. ``It always has, but in the last few years it's gotten bigger. Across the country, less than 20 percent of people who pay to get into a park pay the posted price.'' If that's the case, it could be argued that few Disneyland guests are affected by a $2 price hike announced earlier this month (the full-fare rate is now $47) because of the park's current offer. For the price of a single-day admission, Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, residents can spend one day at Disneyland and another day at 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. . The two-for-one deal continues through May 14. But annual passes to the theme parks Mickey Mouse Mickey Mouse Famous character of Walt Disney's animated cartoons. He was introduced in Steamboat Willie (1928), the first animated cartoon with sound. Mickey was created by Disney, who also provided his high-pitched voice, and was usually drawn by the studio's head animator, calls home are not discounted as aggressively. Prices range from $105 to $225, depending upon the number of blackout dates and other factors - considerably more than the deals being offered at SeaWorld and Universal Studios. That's not looking at the whole picture, counters Disneyland Resort
The Disneyland Resort is a recreational resort complex in Anaheim, California. spokeswoman Chela che·la n. pl. che·lae A pincerlike claw of a crustacean or arachnid, such as a lobster, crab, or scorpion. [New Latin ch Castano. ``With what we offer for entertainment - the shows, the attractions, both parks - we think we have a great value for the price,'' she says. Annual pass sales, she adds, have actually increased since the opening of California Adventure. ``We haven't boosted our advertising from years past; it's virtually the same,'' Castano says. ``I just think guests are seeing it as a better value.'' Besides offering - in some cases - the chance to visit a theme park every day of the year, annual passes come with add-ons such as price reductions on dining and souvenirs and even tickets to TV show tapings. ``We're continuously coming up with special pass-holder benefits, whether it's sneak previews of attractions or special meet-and-greets with characters, even exclusive merchandise or discounts for things around the park,'' says Brian Pope, vice president of marketing services at Universal. Among other activities, the park is planning an advance look at ``Shrek 4-D'' for those with Celebrity Annual Passes - the ones in the Buy a Day, Get a Year Free promotion. ``We communicate with our annual pass-holders on a monthly basis, through e-mail and regular newsletters,'' Pope adds. ``In each one of those communications, we always make sure we have a special added benefit.'' Those benefits amount to 12 months' worth of rewards for the best customers. ``Loyalty programs have turned into a very big deal for us and for other major theme parks,'' says SeaWorld spokesman Bob Tucker. ``It's like the frequent-flier programs have turned out to be very beneficial for the airlines and their customers. It's a great opportunity for both, and it's a way for us to talk directly to our loyal customers who are raving fans of what we do.'' In other words Adv. 1. in other words - otherwise stated; "in other words, we are broke" put differently , annual passes appear to be a good thing for all involved. Park guests benefit by being able to return throughout the year without having to purchase a new ticket each time. And it's a plus for places like SeaWorld, where in-park spending is up despite last year's reported 2 percent drop in attendance. ``It's a psychological thing,'' Tucker says. ``They click through the turnstile and they say, `I've just saved $44.95. Now I might go have lunch at Shipwreck shipwreck, complete or partial destruction of a vessel as a result of collision, fire, grounding, storm, explosion, or other mishap. In the ancient world sea travel was hazardous, but in modern times the number of shipwrecks due to nonhostile causes has steadily Cafe or I might buy that really cool T-shirt I saw the last time I was here.' '' PREVIEWS AND PASSES Disney's California Adventure What's new for 2003: ``Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular,'' a 40-minute stage show based on the animated movie, officially opened earlier this month. Coming in April is ``Playhouse Disney - Live on Stage!'' It's a 20-minute show featuring characters from ``Rolie Polie Olie,'' ``Stanley'' and ``Bear in the Big Blue House Bear in the Big Blue House is a television program for young children produced for the Disney Channel by The Jim Henson Company. The program taught simple life lessons by following the title character and his puppet friends as they went through their day. .'' Annual passes: Two-park passports, which include admission to Disneyland, are $105 (with up to 160 blackout dates), $165 (with up to 45 blackout dates) and $225 (with no blackout dates, free parking, restaurant and merchandise discounts, lower rates on accommodations and a one-year subscription to Disney Magazine). Information: (714) 781-4400; www.disneyland.com. Disneyland What's new for 2003: ``The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,'' featuring Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet and, of course, the honey-loving bear, takes guests riding ``hunny bee-hives'' on a journey through the Hundred-Acre Wood. The new addition to Critter Country Critter Country is one of the "themed lands" at the Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland parks run by The Walt Disney Company. Versions Disneyland The area now known as Critter Country opens in April. Annual passes: See Disney's California Adventure, above. Information: (714) 781-4400; www.disneyland.com. 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. What's new for 2003: The park is sprucing up 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 for its 20th anniversary with a new theater show and other improvements. Annual passes: $59.95 discounted price available for everyone through Feb. 28. $89.95 for pass that also includes Soak City Soak City is a waterpark, located in Ontario Place, in Canada. Features It includes a wide variety of water slides and other water features, including a giant tipping bucket that fills with water and tips over every 6 minutes. U.S.A. water parks in Buena Park Buena Park (bwā`nə), city (1990 pop. 68,784), Orange co., S Calif.; inc. 1953. Food processing, the manufacture of aircraft, and tourism are important to the city's economy. , Chula Vista Chula Vista (ch  `lə), city (1990 pop. 135,163), San Diego co., S Calif., on San Diego Bay; inc. 1911. and Palm Springs.
Information: (714) 220-5200; www.knotts.com. Legoland What's new for 2003: In what's being billed as the park's most aggressive expansion yet, a 16,000-square-foot SPORTSZone is set to open this spring featuring a twisting, turning BIONICLE BIONICLE Biological Chronicle (Lego) Blaster ride. The addition will include life-size NBA NBA abbr. 1. National Basketball Association 2. National Boxing Association NBA (US) n abbr (= National Basketball Association) → Basketball-Dachverband (= ``players'' - constructed entirely out of LEGO bricks, of course - an area for kids to test their soccer skills and (during the summer) an extreme sports extreme sports Sports events characterized by high speed or high risk. Such sports include aggressive inline skating, wakeboarding, street luge, skateboarding, and freestyle bicycle events (wherein tricks such as back flips are performed on a bicycle). show. Annual passes: $79 for adults and children 13 and older, $59 for ages 3 to 12 and 60 and older. The ``Primo'' pass, which includes parking, an extra one-day admission ticket and no blackout dates, is $109 for adults, $89 for ages 3 to 12 and 60 and older. Information: (760) 918-5437; www.legoland.com. Queen Mary Queen Mary, Queen Marie, or Queen Maria may refer to: Queens Britain England
What's new for 2003: Nothing major aboard the ship, however Carnival Cruise Lines This article or section needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. is moving its operations from San Pedro and opening a new terminal near the Queen Mary. Annual passes: Coming on or about Feb. 1 is a new pass allowing a year's worth of admissions at $39.95 for adults and children 12 and older and $19.95 for ages 5 to 11. It's good for admission to the ship, the self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Tour. Information: (562) 435-3511; www.queenmary.com. SeaWorld Adventure Park What's new for 2003: ``R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse,'' arriving in May, is a spooky 3-D movie - albeit a kid-friendly one - based on the story by the author of the ``Goosebumps'' and ``Nightmare Room'' books. Water sprays, air blasts, rain and other special effects round out the 22-minute experience, which stars Christopher Lloyd and Lea Thompson. Annual passes: The Discounted Fun Card, available through April 30 at $44.95 for adults and $34.95 for children, includes deals on dining and souvenirs at the park and a pass-holders' preview of ``R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse'' before its debut. Besides the park and online, the passes are available at Ralphs supermarkets. Information: (866) 742-6838 or (619) 226-3901; www.seaworld.com. 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] What's new for 2003: Scream - the theme park's 16th coaster, giving it the most of any in the country - is set to open in early April. ``It's the perfect ride for this park because it's a world-class coaster, yet it's going to appeal to a wide age group,'' says Magic Mountain spokesman Andy Gallardo. ``It goes upside down and has some great features, but it's also a very comfortable and very smooth ride.'' Also, Retrofest, featuring bands from the 1970s and '80s, is coming Saturdays in July. Annual passes: $52.99 for Magic Mountain, $39.99 for Hurricane Harbor. Both available through Feb. 23. Information: (661) 255-4111 or (818) 367-5965; www.sixflags.com. Universal Studios Hollywood What's new for 2003: ``Shrek 4-D,'' a continuation of the popular animated fable starring the green ogre and a tag-along donkey. The 15-minute show bridges the gap between the original movie and its 2004 sequel from DreamWorks. Seats that move both horizontally and vertically are part of the fourth dimension. They're ``equipped with tactile transducers, pneumatic air propulsion and water-spray nodules Nodules A small mass of tissue in the form of a protuberance or a knot that is solid and can be detected by touch. Mentioned in: Leprosy ,'' says an attraction preview. Annual passes: $47 for adults and children 10 and older, $37 for ages 3 to 9. Deluxe passes without blackout dates are $79 and $69. Passes include discounts on merchandise and food (at both the theme park and the adjacent CityWalk), special rates at hotels and a newsletter. Prices available through April 30. Information: (818) 508-9600 or (818) 622-3801; www.universalstudioshollywood.com. FIVE ATTRACTIONS, ONE TICKET Ready for a theme-park workout? Here's your chance. CityPass is offering a Southern California attractions ticket good for admission to five locations - Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, SeaWorld and 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. . The $166 price is a 30 percent savings off the combined regular prices at the parks. However, make sure you're well-rested because the tickets are valid for two weeks and the clock starts ticking once the first one is used. ``If you've got friends or family coming and they want to hit every theme park in the area, CityPasses are the perfect thing to get,'' says Knott's spokeswoman Susan Tierney. ``As far as locals go, I don't think it's going to be a tremendous draw for that market because ... there are not too many locals who are going to want to hit five attractions in 14 days.'' There's a CityPass for Universal Studios as well, but that one has a decidedly more show-biz slant. It offers admission to the movie theme park, American Cinematheque, the Hollywood Entertainment Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum The Petersen Automotive Museum is located on Wilshire Boulevard along Museum Row in the Miracle Mile neighborhood of Los Angeles. One of the world's largest automotive museums, the Petersen Automotive Museum is a non-profit organization specializing in the education and history of , the Museum of Television and Radio Museum of Television and Radio, American museum that chronicles the evolution of radio and television; opened in New York City as the Museum of Broadcasting in 1976. It is in effect the first public library devoted to the electronic media. , the Autry Museum of Western Heritage and Starline Tours of Hollywood. Priced at $59, it is good for 30 days from the day of first use. CITYPASS DETAILS Hollywood Pass: Offers admission to Universal Studios Hollywood and six other attractions in a 30-day period. Cost is $59 for adults and $39 for ages 3 to 11. Southern California Pass: Offers admission to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure (a three-day Park Hopper ticket), and one-day admissions to Knott's Berry Farm, SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. Valid 14 consecutive days from the day of first use. Cost is $166 for adults and $127 for ages 3 to 9. Information: www.citypass.com. - Jerry Rice CAPTION(S): 2 photos, box Photo: (1 -- 2) Shrek, opposite, is coming this year to Universal Studios Hollywood, where he'll star in a new multimedia show. At right, ``R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse,'' making its debut in May at SeaWorld, is based on a story by the author of the ``Goosebumps'' and ``Nightmare Room'' books. Box: FIVE ATTRACTIONS, ONE TICKET (see text) |
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