‘California’s Great America Gives New Coaster The Shaft”

There’s plenty of anticipation for the three inverting roller coasters this season. Getting a big lost in the shuffle, however, has been Gold Striker, a more traditional woodie that will be opening at California’s Great America. The park recently announced a new element that should add some pizzazz to the old-school ride. It will feature a tunnel that will envelope riders as they plummet down the first drop.
Tunnels on coasters are fairly common. For example,all three of the wonderful woodies at Holiday World include them as do the Beast at King’s Island and Wooden Warrior at Quassy Amusement Park. According to California’s Great America, the new coaster’s 174-foot tunnel will be the ” world’s longest covered initial descent tunnel on a wooden coaster”.( There are a lot of qualifiers in that claim, but it certainly sounds thrilling). The tunnel will include a corrugated metal roof and will be completely enclosed with in-fill under the tracks. The park is promising a near lights-out experience as the coaster revs up to 54 miles per hour. Befitting it’s 49ers theme(the propectors, not the football team), the tunnel will evoke a mine shaft.
By Deborah Fitts

“It’s Here!! Boardwalk Recieves Roller Coaster Shipment”

Santa Cruz, California- Normally, at an Amusement Park, all of the thrills happen on top of a roller coaster. But, at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, big excitement is happening on the ground.
German manufacturers shipped giant pieces of the “Undertow” to the boardwalk. The first shipment came in Friday and will continue to arrive through the first part of April.
” We’re starting to unpack it and lay all the pieces out and look at the instruction manual. We travel around the country riding rides at other parks to see what we like and what we don’t like. It’s a really fun ride. Not only does it go up, down and around, but you spin while your doing it”, said Kris Reyes, SC Beach Boardwalk spokesperson.
While crews unload the twisting and turning yellow tracks, another set of hands clean and prep the empty spot where the new coaster will go. It’s replacing the historic Hurricane which was recently dismantled.
The Boardwalk is jammed pack everyday this week with Spring Break tourists, and come June, they’ll have one more ride to choose from!
By Deborah Fitts

” Stone Mountain Park”

This Saturday: Spring FUN Break & Lasershow Season Begins!!!
Catch the “Lasershow Spectacular” in “Mountainvision’ presented by Humana!!
This is not to be missed, Atlanta tradition promises to wow your family with state-of-the-art digital graphics and awe-inspiring effects. Experience multi-dimensional magic on one of the world’s largest outdoor screens- Stone Mountain!!
Seen by more than 25 million people for more than 27 years, the “Lasershow Spectacular” is an Atlanta favorite. The Laser Canopy creates a dazzling display of neon laser lights featuring characters, stories, graphics, and fireworks choreographed to popular musical scores, transforming the park into a natural amphitheater – The newly transformed show is enhanced with ‘Mountainvision’,a digital projection technology that adds 3-D like effects without the glasses.
In 2010, the Laser Lawn under went a $4 million restoration initiative and now feature VIP Terraces that showcase an outstanding view of the Mountain, it’s famous carving and the world’s longest running Lasershow. The VIP Terrace seats will give you the best seat in the house, and you can enjoy the show with a snack or dinner package…..Call today to see all the amazing things Stone Mountain has to offer!!!!
For more information call: 770-498-5690
By Deborah Fitts

“International Food Options Highlight Dollywood’s Festival of Nations”

Dollywood Offers Unique Menu Items During Festive Event:
Pigeon Forge, Tenn.March 28, 2013 – During Dollywood’s Festival of Nations presented by Humana, now through April 22, guests can experience new and exciting cultures- and great food- without leaving the Smokies.
A plethora of tasty and unique food options awaits guests thanks to the new World Passport to Food, and expand international menu.Upon arrival, guests can pick up a passport and use it to navigate their way to the delectable delights throughout the park. At all international food locations, guests’ passports are stamped to signify their visit to each country.
Dollywood’s World Passport to Food provides a gateway to experience the culinary highlights of cultures from around the globe.In one afternoon, guests can head south of the border with beef empanadas and chicken tamales, sample the scrumptious croissants of a French cafe’ and visit the streets of Rome thanks to a classic Italian favorite,penne alfredo smothered with asiago and mozzarella cheeses.
Festival of Nations inspires Dollywood’s award-winning foods team to rely on their skills to produce an amazingly diverse menu.Delicious dishes are available for purchase throughout the park and include Brazilian Beef ribs and fried pork chops. Irish potato pancakes and grilled corn and Argentine ribeye steak with chimichurri sauce.Shredded chicken and fried rice from the Philippines and Irish shepherd’s pie also are among the highlights of the international meals.
Fresh off its 2012 Golden Ticket Award for Best Theme Park Food, Dollywood rolled out a massive menu full of ethnic variety.
Dollywood’s Executive Chef, Steve Carideo, says guests should prepare for the ultimate assortment of international foods.
“We’re making almost 100 percent of our Festival of Nations food items from scratch right here at Dollywood” explained Carideo, “and 100 percent of the bakery items are made here.
Festival of Nations guests can experience some of the best food from around the world, and it is priced to allow them to try many different things. For example, guests can sample three different offerings from three different countries for $2.99 or $3.99 each.
“Guests can get chicken paella, turn around and get chorizo potatoes, then go somewhere else to get Brazilian lemonade.When they’re ready,they can go try even more plates.At lunch time, Backstage Restaurant offers the international buffet. There are some amazing items there that guests will want to try during Festival of Nations,because after it’s over, they’ll all be gone”.
The lunchtime Backstage Restaurant buffet offers enchiladas, chicken fajitas, pasta carbonara, pasta marinara, sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli and szechuan chicken. Side items include refried beans,ranchero beans, Spanish rice, baked Tuscan vegetables, green beans with tomatoes, oven roasted potatoes and sesame noodles.
A wide range of delectable pastries and desserts tempt those with a sweet tooth. Polish and German pastries, Baklava, Dutch chocolate-dipped strawberries, French croissants and German chocolate cupcakes make up just a portion of the bakery delights.
In addition, several Dollywood restaurants feature a unique mix of traditional cuisine alongside a sampling of international dishes. Each location serving international foods is marked with a special World Passport to Food sign to assist guests in finding the special menu items.
Food is just one highlight of Festival of Nations. More than 25 countries are represented through their respective heritages of music, dance, food and art in this delightfully diverse event. Authentic cuisine and ethnic activities provide a great insight of other cultures while reminding guests,” We all smile in the same language”.
Several new shows highlight the exciting lineup of acts, illustrating the festival’s extreme diversity. Taking center stage during Festival of Nations are the debuts of Cirque Shanghai and Mystic India. Poland’s Glass Duo and three-time Grammy-Award Winners the Mariachi Divas, also make first time appearances. Another first, Dollywood’s “One World Celebration” unites all Festival of Nations visiting performers in a unique musical and colorful bash throughout Showstreet. Please visit http://www.dollywood.com for a complete schedule and listing of acts.
During Festival of Nations, Dollywood is closed on Tuesdays and Easter Sunday March 31. -dollywood 2013-
By Deborah Fitts

Santa Monica’s Pacific Park Boasts Refurbished “Inkie’s Scrambler Ride”

March 27, 2013– Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier has done some spring cleaning, refurbishing “Inkie’s Scrambler”, a 12 car swirling ride decorated with images of the Park’s octopus mascot.
Thirteen years after its debut, the ride has gotten a fresh coat of paint, new stickers and new lighting.
“With the re-launch of Inkie’s Scrambler, I encourage everyone to visit the Park and ride it again for the first time”,said Jeff Klocke, Vice President of Marketing and Administration at Pacific Park.
According to the Park officials, Inkie’s Scrambler debuted at Pacific Park in 2000 ” as a family-fun ride for both parents and children that accomodates up to three riders per car”.
The ride takes guests on a series of roundabout moves and sidesplitting rotations of more than 11 revolutions per minute”,officials said.
The Scrambler is one of Pacific Park’s 12 rides, including a roller coaster and the world famous Pacific Wheel, a nine story tall Solar-powered Ferris wheel.
“The Pacific Wheel now features 160.000 energy efficient LED lights that present dynamic, custom, computer-generated lighting entertainment each evening”, officials said. “The eco-friendly, enhanced LED lighting provides 75 percent greater energy savings than most Ferris Wheels traditional incandescent bulbs”.
Pacific Park, the only admission free amusement park in Southern California, also boasts the world’s first wind powered amusement park game: The High Striker.
“The 25-feet-tall High Striker features a silver-plated bell that sounds each time a guest is strong enough to strike the pallet with a mallet that sends the puck racing to the top”, officials said.
“All components of the High Striker are completely wind-powered including the chaser lights with more than 100 bulbs, multiple spotlights and sound system”.
Park officials encourage visitors to come enjoy the Spring Weather.
“Spring Break is also one of the best times of the year for family fun at Pacific Park”,he said. It’s perfect outdoor weather and everyone has fun in the sun while playing in the park, on the pier and at the beach”.
For additional information and hours of operation, call 310-260-8744 or visit: http://www.pacpark.com
By Deborah Fitts

“Santa Cruz Boardwalk Slides Into Spring Break With Zip Line”

Santa Cruz- The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s new 26-foot high Fly Wire Zipline on the beach takes viewing the Monterey Bay to a new level.
“Zip lines have been gaining in popularity all over the county, and we wanted guests to test it out”, Boardwalk spokesperson Kris Reyes said.
The temporary Twin Zip Line,available for $10 per ride the next two weeks, is one of the parks latest additions.
With a new track– currently in Boardwalk’s parking lot– arriving from Germany last Friday, construction of the park’s new ‘Undertow’ roller coaster is underway, with opening set for June.
Spring Break, hosted April 1-5, will include inflatable activities and competitions on the beach, interactive booths, Battle of the Bands, appearances by SpongeBob SquarePants, and $5 off rides and attractions with coupon available online.
The park’s upgrades and additional activities are a way to dust off the winter hours and spring into summer, said spokeswoman Brigid Fuller.
By Deborah Fitts

“Carowinds”

March 29th Opening Day, “Join Us For Another Fun-Filled Season”!!!
Light The Night
Began 2013 With A Bang With Eggluminations On March 30.
Make sure you stick around on Saturday March 30 as we present a special Easter-themed fireworks display spectacular,”Eggluminations” at 10p.m. The Season Pass Parking Lot Will Be Closed All Day March 30 To Accomodate For Fireworks.
EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA MARCH 29,30,31
Join us on Easter weekend as we celebrate ‘Carowind’s 11th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza in Planet Snoopy’!!
All Easter activities are located by Gr8 Sk8 in Planet Snoopy. Show and activity times are subject to change and may be cancelled for inclement weather.
By Deborah Fitts

“Spring Break At Six Flags Over Georgia Starts Friday: Spring Break is Two Weeks For The First Time In Park History”

Six Flags Over Georgia;

What–       Six Flags Over Georgia’s Spring Break Starts This Friday March 29, Open For Two Weeks For The First Time Since The Park Opened In 1967.

When–     Park Open Friday, March 29-April 14 From 10:30a.m.- 7p.m.  Monday-Friday, With Extended Hours Of 10a.m.-9p.m.On Saturdays,And 10:30a.m.-8p.m.On Sundays!!

Where–    Six Flags Over Georgia, located at 275 Riverside Parkway SW in Austell off of interstate 20 west of Atlanta.

Six Flags Over Georgia is bringing guests even more exciting entertainment this Spring Break with the all new ‘Christian Music Festival’ – Rock the Flags on April 6. Rock the Flags features some of the biggest names in Christian music with a lineup that includes, ‘Skillet’   ‘Kutless’  ‘Family Force 5’   ‘For King & Country’  and ‘We As Human’.

Tickets are available for purchase at    rocktheflags.com .

For more information, visit:  www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia .

About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation: Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company with $1.1 billion in revenue and 18 parks across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. For more than 50 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water rides and unique attractions including up-close animal encounters, Fright Fest, and Holiday in the Park.

By  Deborah Fitts

 

 

“Slip into Spring With Snow, Waterpark Fun at Michigan’s Boyne Mountain”

Winter may be staging a last hurray in Northern Michigan, which received 18-plus inches of snow late last week, the perfect time to combine both skiing or riding,with an 84 degree day at Boyne Mountain.
How do you do that? With Boyne’s Ski & Stay Spring Package!
Now through the end of the ski season, here’s what you get for just $98 per person,double occupancy, per night:your choice of lodging at either Boyne Mountain, a daytime lift ticket ( 9am to 4:30pm ), plus a hot breakfast buffet, each day.A lift ticket alone here is up to $64 daily, so the package is a HUGE savings!!
Kid’s ages 9-15 get the same deal at a reduced rate, and for those aged 8 and under sleep and ski or ride free. Coming up for ‘Spring Break’ in the next two weeks? Boyne’s got plenty to keep you and the kids occupied. Check out the schedule of events here, from events to riding Boyne’s Ziplines.
Stay at Boyne Mountain and head in from the snow to where it’s 84 degrees all day, every day at Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark and Arcade. It’s Michigan’s biggest, and its features will keep everyone occupied, from the water bucket dumps to the endless surfing at the indoor wave at the Rip Zone.
You and your significant other can also treat yourself to time at Boyne’s Solace Spa!!
By Deborah Fitts

“New Photos of Knott’s Berry Bloom”

 

Boy, there was a lot going on last weekend. The Disneyland Resort opened its new version of “Disney Junior” on Friday. Knott’s Berry Farm debuted its spring entertainment on Saturday, and Disney Princesses were singing in Old Town Temecula on Sunday.
Giant Butterflies and Flowers decorate Knott’s Berry Bloom celebration.
By Deborah Fitts