From ticket deals to splash zones to vampire movies and retro wonders, California theme parks are offering a glittering welcome this summer, delighting vacationers and locals alike with eye-catching roller coasters, glitzy rides and special events large and small.
Here's what's recent at theme parks within the Golden State this yr – and within the years to return.
An enormous centenary
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk will have fun the a centesimal anniversary of its historic wood roller coaster – the Giant Dipper – with a centennial fireworks display on May 18 and “Dipper Days,” during which ticket prices will increase to $1 on Wednesdays from May 29 to August 7 This summer, two recent rides await boardwalk fans: The Dream Wheel, a 65-foot Ferris wheel, sends families soaring into the sky aboard 15 rotating gondolas, while a Surge ride takes guests on a fast-paced, tilting ride takes a ride.
The boardwalk's popular “Free Movies on the Beach” returns June 14 with cult-favorite vampire film “The Lost Boys,” kicking off a Friday night series of family movies including “The Sandlot,” “Ferris Bueller's.” Day Off,” “Barbie” and “The Lost Boys.” “Wonka” until August ninth. Evenings on the Colonnade, which include food, music and entertainers, run from June 17 to August 9. 8. And a brand new Mornings within the Plaza series offers half-price arcade games, breakfast specials and an early morning dance party for revelers.
Details: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk season passes start at $90, every day ride wristbands start at $40; https://beachboardwalk.com.
Disney summer deals
The House of Mouse can be cheaper this summer as Disneyland drops prices for multi-day tickets to only $50 per day. Three-day, one-park-per-day admission tickets start at $149 for youngsters and $249 for adults and will be used from June 10 through September 26 for visits Monday through Thursday. That works out to slightly below $50 per day for youngsters and $83 per day for adults. (Ticket sales begin on May twenty ninth. and sales will be paused or stopped at any time, so don't hesitate.)
A weekend option – three-day park admission tickets valid Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays – costs $199 for youngsters and $299 for adults. That's $67 per day for youngsters and $100 for adults.
The three-day passes don’t should be used on consecutive dates, but reservations are required for every visit. Disneyland warns that it might be difficult to get reservations because the ticket expiration date approaches. Ticket offerings include Pixar Fest (running through August 4th), nighttime spectacular “Fantasmic” (returning May twenty fourth) and Halloween Time (starting August twenty third).
Details: For details about Disneyland reservations, tickets and attractions, visit https://disneyland.disney.go.com. Summer ticket deals begin May twenty ninth.
Retro studio tours
Universal Studios Hollywood is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary with a nostalgic tour aboard red and white striped retro vehicles from now until August eleventh Glamor tramsno less – through six many years of Universal theme park history.
Attractions include: a 10-foot scale replica of the Hollywood Sign, an updated version of the Earthquake attraction, the return of the Runaway Train, a growling T-Rex, a large King Kong photo backdrop, Great White Shark and Doc Brown's tinkering with the DeLorean time machine at Courthouse Square. Expect retro-style food and drinks at Hollywood & Dine, Mel's Diner and Studio Scoops ice cream parlor.
Details: Day passes for Universal Studios Hollywood start at $109; www.universalstudioshollywood.com.
Carousel makeover
California's Great America, Santa Clara amusement park, has reopened for the season. Weekend hours give method to every day operations after Memorial Day, and South Bay Shores Water Park can be open May 25 through September 2. You will find each Carousel Columbia and Celebration Swings have been fully restored and other areas of the park have been modernized. Live Nineteen Fifties-style musical performances were added on the Gazebo Stage.
The New Orleans-inspired Carnivale at Orleans Place runs July 12-August. 4 with live music, Cajun food, a Spectacle of Color Parade and fireworks. Tricks and Treats returns to the stage from September twentieth to October twenty sixth, and WinterFest can be back from November twenty ninth to December twenty ninth – with snow. 31.
Details: Single day passes start at $40, season passes start at $90; www.cagreatamerica.com.
Gilroy water feature
Gilroy Gardens Family Theme Park is getting splashy this summer with the opening of a brand new Lakeside Splash water play area for Memorial Day weekend, expanding on the water fun that Water Oasis already offers. The recent lakefront area features water slides, a water maze, sprayers, spinners and other fun. Also nearby: parent-friendly, reservable cabanas with lounge chairs and 32-inch TVs, plus a newly remodeled restaurant serving grills, cocktails, and beer for individuals who prefer less frolicking… wet.
Details: Cabana rentals at Lakeside Splash start at $250. Theme park tickets are $80 (or $65 online); www.gilroygardens.org.
Michelin Mickey
The recent $25 million Paseo at Downtown Disney encompasses a trio of Mexican cuisine concepts – Paseo Restaurant, Centrico Courtyard Bar and a Tiendita concession stand – from celebrity chef Carlos Gaytan. The recent restaurants have fun Mexican taste and heritage, offering small plates, seafood, tacos, ceviches and tequila-based cocktails.
The menu is inspired by Gaytan's Chicago restaurant Mexique, which received its first Michelin star in 2013. Mexican dishes that make a reappearance here include mejillones ($26), Prince Edward Island mussels with saffron beurre blanc, pulpo enamorado ($24), and carne asada ($54), a 12-ounce New York -Steak with oven-roasted tomatoes and fingerling potatoes.
Dinner reservations begin June 1 for Paseo and Centrico. Centrico can be open for lunch, with every day lunch and weekend brunch service coming soon to Paseo.
Details: Paseo is open every day from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1580 Disneyland Drive in Downtown Disney, Anaheim. www.paseoanaheim.com.
Still ahead…Zydeco Disney
A musical group of beavers, opossums, raccoons, bobcats and other audio-animatronic bayou creatures will perform songs from the 2009 animated film “Princess and the Frog” when Disneyland's Splash Mountain transforms into Tiana's Bayou Adventure in the autumn or winter is accomplished by 2024.
And… Hollywood Drift
The recent “Fast & Furious” roller coaster coming to Universal Studios Hollywood will feature 360-degree rotating roller coaster vehicles that seem like drifting race cars from the film series, which has grossed $7 billion at the worldwide box office. This can be the theme park's first high-speed outdoor coaster – 2004's “Revenge of the Mummy” is an indoor coaster and 2016's “Flight of the Hippogriff” is a children's coaster.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift riders enter the park through a red brick auto repair shop before boarding a roller coaster vehicle modeled after an authentic Fast & Furious movie automotive. The roller coaster will debut on the Upper Lot of Universal Studios Hollywood in 2026.
And far, far ahead…
We don't speak about Bruno, no, no, no – or fairly, yes, we do. That's because 10 recent themed lands – including Encanto-inspired expanses in addition to Avatar, Frozen, Tangled, Black Panther, Coco, Zootopia and more – could possibly be relocated to Disney theme parks in Anaheim as a part of an ambitious four-decade plan called DisneylandForward.
The Anaheim City Council unanimously gave tentative approval to the proposal in mid-April, final approval is anticipated in May, and there have been major announcements — maybe even, what is going to Disneyland construct first? – expected in August in the course of the D23 fan event on the Anaheim Convention Center. Disneyland has committed to spending $1.9 billion over the following decade as a part of DisneylandForward and hopes to bring much of the $60 billion Disney has earmarked for theme park investments to Anaheim.
image credit : www.mercurynews.com