THE THEME IS SUMMER FUN YOU KNOW DISNEYLAND'S GOLDEN - BUT OTHER PARKS ARE PULLING OUT THE STOPS, TOO.Byline: Michel Nolan Staff Writer Aaah, summer. Backyard barbecues, playing outdoors, days at the beach. And as the weather heats up, so do the new thrills at 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, theme parks. Here's a look at what's new in the parks for 2005: 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. Here, the entire family can go ``under the sea'' in a simulated adventure to the underwater realm of the planet's largest living animal - the blue whale blue whale, a baleen whale, Balaenoptera musculus. Also called the sulphur-bottom whale and Sibbald's rorqual, it is the largest animal that has ever lived. Blue whales have been known to reach a length of 100 ft (30. . ``Whales: A Journey With Giants'' features a multisensory multisensory /mul·ti·sen·so·ry/ (mul?te-sen´sah-re) capable of responding to more than one kind of sensory input, as certain neurons in the central nervous system. realm of light, sound and imagery as the aquarium's Great Hall is transformed into California's deep coastal waters. Visitors will follow the giants and the incredible animals they encounter on their travels, including the great white shark great white shark or white shark Large, aggressive shark (Carcharodon carcharias, family Lamnidae), considered the species most dangerous to humans. It is found in tropical and temperate regions of all oceans and is noted for its voracious appetite. , killer whale killer whale or grampus, a large, rapacious marine mammal, Orcinus orca, of the dolphin family. Male killer whales may reach a length of 30 ft (9 m) and females half that length. , sea jellies and humpback whale humpback whale Long-finned baleen whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). They live along all major ocean coasts, sometimes swimming close inshore or even into harbours and up rivers. Humpbacks grow to 40–52 ft (12–16 m) long. . The aquarium is also home to Shark Lagoon, Lorikeet lorikeet called also lories. See Trichoglossus spp. Forest and interactive Discovery Labs, where visitors can feel a sea star or gently rub an urchin urchin - munchkin . 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach; (562) 590-3100; www.aquariumofpacific.org; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; $18.95 general; $16.95 seniors; $10.95 children 3-11. DISNEYLAND Newly unwrapped 50th birthday gifts include: ``Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams,'' a seven-float procession of iconic Disney characters; ``Disneyland - The First 50 Magical Years,'' an exhibit of attraction models, concept artwork, layouts and maps used to persuade bankers to invest in his dream (a new film, hosted by Steve Martin and Donald Duck, is part of the attraction); ``Remember - Dreams Come True,'' a new 17-minute 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 spectacular; and five new golden crowns on the turrets of Sleeping Beauty Castle
. A new ride, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, lets guests pilot their Star Cruiser vehicles through an interactive space mission in which they collect points by shooting laser guns to try and defeat the evil Emperor Zurg before he corners the world's energy supply. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, which opened at the park in March, adds an online element on June 6. ``Beginning then, anyone at home can log on to www.disneyland.com/buzz, download the Buzz Lightyear game, connect and play with anyone on the ride,'' said Roger Holzberg, vice president and creative director of Walt Disney Resorts Online. ``The game is an extension of the ride that puts park guests and folks at home together in real time. ``We're having tons of fun with it already. I know that one hour after we go live, though, people at home will be getting the top scores. ``Walt Disney challenged employees of his day to create new guest experiences. We are continuing to take up the creative gauntlet to find the best new way to use today's technology.'' And, after a two-year makeover, Space Mountain will be relaunched July 15, using a new generation of special effects. The 50th anniversary celebration continues through fall 2006. 1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim; (714) 781-4565; www.disneyland.com; 9 a.m. to midnight Friday; 8 a.m. to midnight Saturday; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; $53 adults; $43 children 3-9; parking $9. 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. A new high-energy musical parade, ``Block Party Bash Block Party Bash is a hybrid stage show and parade that plays at Disney's California Adventure park. History Block Party Bash (BPB) was introduced in May 2005 in conjunction with Disneyland's 50th Birthday "Happiest Homecoming on Earth" celebration. ,'' features popular characters from animated Pixar releases, including Woody and Buzz from the ``Toy Story'' films; Mike and Sully from ``Monsters, Inc.''; and Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone from ``The Incredibles.'' The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror The Tower of Terror may refer to: Amusement park rides
1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim; (714) 781-4565; www.disneyland.com; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday; $53 adults; $43 children 3-9; parking $9. 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. New shows, rides and nighttime fun are on tap for Knott's summer visitors. ``Snoopy's Summer Vacation ... on Ice,'' featuring the Peanuts gang visiting their favorite vacation spots across the United States, opens June 18 and runs through Aug. 28 (dark Wednesdays); ``Calico Country Jubilee'' livens up the Calico Square Stage in a new country and rock musical review June 25-Sept. 5; and for the young 'uns, ``It's 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 Day, Charlie Brown!'' opens at the Camp Snoopy Theatre. Silver Bullet, a Western-themed floorless coaster that opened last year, shoots through the Ghost Town, Fiesta Village and Indian Trails sections of the park. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; (714) 220-5200; www.knotts.com; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday; cost: $14.95 to $45; parking $9 to $15. KNOTT'S SOAK CITY Knott's Soak City is a chain of three water parks, located in Southern California. The chain is owned by Cedar Fair Entertainment Co. The first park opened in Buena Park, California, as an addition to Knott's Berry Farm. Themed to 1950s-'60s Southern California coastline, the 13-acre Soak City pays tribute to famous surf beaches with 21 intense water adventures including tube slides, body slides and high-speed slides plus a wave pool and sunning area, lazy river, three-story family fun house and kids' activity water-play area. 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park; (714) 220-5200; www.soakcityusa.com; beginning Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; cost: $14.95 to $25.95; parking $9 to $15. LEGOLAND The 128-acre family theme park, geared to families with children 2-12, features hands-on, minds-on interactive attractions. Highlights include the new Knights' Tournament ride, Miniland USA, Dino Island Coastersaurus and ``fossil'' dig. Just like with Lego play materials, kids are the ones who make things happen at the park. They drive, pedal, squirt, climb, jump, stomp, slide, steer, pull, click, push, gallop, laugh, build and program their way through more than 50 rides and attractions. At Legoland, where state-of-the-art technology is a snap, guests can customize the intensity of the new Knights' Tournament ride. Based on the Lego Knights' Kingdom toys, a 14-foot red and black Lego dragon marks the entrance to the ride on the other side of a medieval moat. ``This is the first robo-coaster in North America,'' said Legoland spokeswoman Betsy Sanchez. ``Kids of all ages will like it because they can choose from five different levels of intensity - a 6-year-old will have a different experience from a 14-year-old who wants to be turned upside down and spun 360 degrees.'' The Carlsbad theme park also plans by July 1 to open the Wild Woods Golf Course, a small-scale Lego version of a full-size golf course. The new attractions are snapped together with last year's new mega-hit, Dino Island, where kids can ride the Coastersaurus and dig for ``fossils'' in a giant sand pit. 1 Lego Drive, Carlsbad; (760) 918-5346; www.legoland.com; hours vary; $44.95 general; $37.95 seniors and children 3-12; parking $8. QUEEN MARY Revamped Dinner and a Ghost Tour experience starts at 7 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, beginning at Sir Winston's award-winning restaurant. The evening also includes a tour to the haunted areas of the ship, ending in the Observation Bar, where guests can discuss their findings with a paranormal paranormal, adj 1. outside the realm of normal experience or scientific explanation. n 2. collective term for anomalous phenomena. . Cost: $109 per person; reservations are required. Also, you can board a hot weapon from the Cold War, the Russian submarine, code name: Scorpion. Feel the chill of 300 feet of Cold War menace. 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach Harbor; (562) 435-3511; www.queenmary.com; ship hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays; tickets start at $22.95 general; $19.95 seniors/military; $11.95 children 5-11 for general Queen Mary admission. RAGING WATERS The park celebrates 2005 as ``The Summer of the Dragon,'' with 36 slides and attractions as well as a sand beach throughout its 50 acres. Dragon's Den, the newest attraction, is a two-person bowl slide. Attractions also include High Extreme, the Amazon River, the Dark Hole and huge Wave Pool. For children, there's Kids' Kingdom and Splash Island. 111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas; (909) 802-2200; www.ragingwaters.com; opens at 10 a.m., closing times vary; weekends through June 12, then daily through Sept. 11; $27.99 general; $17.99 seniors; $16.99 juniors (less than 48 inches); also special admission rates after 4 p.m. SEA WORLD The park's newest attraction is ``Clyde and Seamore in Deep, Deep Trouble,'' a submarine-themed adventure featuring California sea lions, otters and fantasy characters in a fun family adventure; also last season's biggest attraction ever - Journey to Atlantis, a splashdown splash·down n. The landing of a spacecraft or missile in water. splashdown Noun the landing of a spacecraft on water at the end of a flight Verb splash down ride featuring a 60-foot drop and a separate dolphin habitat; ``R.L. Stine's Haunted Lighthouse''; Pets Rule!; Wild Arctic; Shamu's House of Douse douse 1 also dowse v. doused also dowsed, dous·ing also dows·ing, dous·es also dows·es v.tr. 1. To plunge into liquid; immerse. See Synonyms at dip. 2. ; and 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 Rapids water raft ride. ``Here's to Heroes'' salute provides a single-day, free admission for any active duty, active reserve, ready reserve service or National Guard member through Dec. 31. Registration required and can be done online at www.herosalute.com. 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego; (800) 380-3203; www.seaworld.com; park hours vary; $50.95 general; $40.95 children 3-9; free to children 2 and younger; parking $8. For a few dollars more, the 2005 SeaWorld Fun Card allows guests to come back again and again. SIX FLAGS HURRICANE HARBOR Hurricane Harbor's lineup features more than 23 slides and attractions including Tornado, the water park's new thrill slide that debuted last summer; Castaway Castaway Arden, Enoch shipwrecked sailor; lost for eleven years. [Br. Lit.: “Enoch Arden” in Benét, 316] Bligh, Captain commander of H.M.S. Bounty who was cast adrift by mutinous crew. [Am. Lit. Cove, a children's water play kingdom; Shipwreck Shores, which offers water play activities for the entire family; Forgotten Sea wave pool; and the River Cruise lazy river. Next to 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] , 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; (661) 255-4111; www.sixflags.com; open daily through Sept. 5; $23.99 general, $16.99 seniors and children shorter than 48 inches; free to children younger than 2; $57.99 two-park combo ticket; parking $9. SIX FLAGS MAGIC MOUNTAIN, THE XTREME PARK Among the park's roller coasters and thrill rides are Scream, X, Deja Vu, Goliath, Superman the Escape, Batman the Ride and The Riddler's Revenge. Bugs Bunny World, a six-acre wonderland for kids, is home to Looney Tunes characters This is the complete list of Looney Tunes characters organised after the year of their first appearance. Note: The more famous or noteworthy Looney Tunes characters are listed in bold. and includes Daffy's Adventure Tours, Merrie Melodies Carousel, Pepe Le Pew Tea Party and Goliath Jr., a miniature version of the original ride. So as not to disappoint older thrill seekers, the park offers 16 world-class roller coasters. From the big screen to the Xtreme Park stage, the new Batman Begins Stunt Show will take Magic Mountain visitors to the edge (of their seats) with state-of-the-art 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. , sound, lighting and special effects. Like the movie, the show explores the origins of the Batman legend and the emergence of the Caped Crusader as a force for good in Gotham City. Set for a June opening, the 25-minute show stars some of the top stunt professionals in Southern California. 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia; (661) 255-4111; www.sixflags.com; open daily at 10 a.m., closing times vary; $47.99 general; $29.99 seniors and kids shorter than 48 inches; free to children 2 and younger; $57.99 two-park combo ticket; parking $9. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD Escape into movie action with a blockbuster roller coaster, Revenge of the Mummy Revenge of the Mummy is the name given to two separate enclosed steel roller coasters. It may refer to:
adj. crawl·i·er, crawl·i·est Informal 1. Creepy. 2. Feeling as if covered with moving things. things, parental discretion is advised. Lankershim Boulevard, Universal City; (818) 622-2962; www.universalstudioshollywood.com; summer hours vary; $47 general; $43 under 48 inches tall. CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- color) ``Fear Factor Live''at Universal Studios Hollywood. (2 -- color) Knights' Tournament, at Legoland. (3 -- color) ``Clyde and Seamore in Deep, Deep Trouble, at Sea World. |
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