Tag: Califorina

It’s Official…Universal Studios Hollywood to Reopen on Friday, April 16!

On By TimothyIn Universal Studios HollywoodLeave a comment

Kicking Off with Special Annual and Season Pass Member Bonus Days
Beginning on Thursday, April 15

Grand Reopening to Introduce Guests to All-New
“The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” Ride and
“Jurassic World—The Ride’s” All-New, Stunningly Realistic Dinosaur, Indominus rex

Initial Tickets will be Available to CA Residents and
Can be Purchased Online Beginning on Thursday, April 8

Universal City, California, March 30, 2021 – At long last,Universal Studios Hollywood rolls out the red carpet to resume operations and welcome guests back to the theme park beginning on Friday, April 16. The momentous occasion will commence with a special park preview for Annual and Season Pass Members starting on Thursday, April 15.

While most rides will be operational, some rides and attractions will reopen at a later date as the theme park complies with government restrictions. Universal Studios Hollywood continues to work in partnership with health and government officials to implement new health and safety procedures that include controlled capacity to enforce physical distancing and required face coverings.  In accordance with government guidelines, only California residents may visit the theme park at this time 

“We are incredibly thrilled to finally be able to open Universal Studios Hollywood, return team members to work and welcome guests back to enjoy our amazing rides,” said Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood. “It has been a very challenging year and we are overjoyed to have arrived at this moment.”

Tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood will be available to California residents only and can be purchased onlinebeginning on Thursday, April 8. The theme park will also celebrate Annual and Season Pass Members—who will be among the first to visit—with a series of complimentary Bonus Days on select days from Thursday, April 15 through Sunday, May 16; these Bonus Days can be reserved by Annual and Season Pass Members online starting on Monday, April 5. Annual and Season Pass Members will be able to resume regular use of their passes starting on Monday, May 17.

Due to capacity limits, until further notice, guests with unredeemed tickets purchased prior to April 8, 2021 will need to make an advance reservation atwww.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for their visit dates.

For more information about Annual and Season Passes, including Pass Members Bonus Days and re-activation of Passes, reservations for previously purchased tickets or to purchase theme park tickets, visitwww.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. 

After more than a year of closure, Universal Studios Hollywood is ready for its close-up and set to call “action” on the all-new “The Secret Life of Pets:  Off the Leash!” and “Jurassic World—The Ride,” which features the spectacularly realistic new dinosaur, Indominus rex.

Here’s what guests can expect: 

A stroll along the cleverly themed Pets Place will bring guests to the front of Katie’s NYC apartment building where the innovative “The Secret Life of Pets:  Off the Leash!” ride resides.

This all-new tech-savvy adventure inspired by Illumination’s blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets films, answers the question, “What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?”

This impressive new ride combines 64 technologically-advanced animated figures with hyper-realistic media and projection mapping designed to take guests on a journey to meet some of their favorite Illumination characters from the movies, including Max, Snowball, Gidget, Chloe and Duke, along with a host of other animal friends, who have all been transformed and transported into the live-action world. From blinking eyes to eyebrow movements, from head tilts to head nods, from moving mouths to smiles, from ear curls to lip curls, from full torso twists to physically walking, the depth of mobility and function programmed within each of these loveable characters creates an experience unlike any other theme park ride. 

The grand reopening of Universal Studios Hollywood also brings guests face-to-face with “Jurassic World—The Ride’s” all-new, extraordinarily realistic dinosaur, the Indominus rex, who stakes her claim at the ride’s finale in a forceful battle with her arch-rival, the Tyrannosaurus rex. 

Breaking new ground with highly complex innovations, this fully-articulated lifelike Indominus injects intense new thrills, excitement and intrigue to the already dynamic ride.  Spanning nearly 55 feet horizontally from head to tail and over 22 feet vertically, the Indominus’ imposing presence will be amplified by the fluidity of her motions and synchronized movements that deliver an unprecedented level of authenticity.  From the subtle blinking of her eyes, the flexing of her arms and claws and clenching of her jaw as she bears her razor-sharp teeth, the colossal Indominus rex will lunge from her hillside setting, stalking guests just before they descend the giant waterfall drop to escape her grasp.

Of course, these new experiences are among the many welcoming attractions and themed environments that await guests upon their return to Universal Studios Hollywood, including “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and the critically-acclaimed rides, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”, “Transformers™:  The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy:  The Ride,” Despicable Me’s “Super Silly Fun Land,” and “Springfield, U.S.A.,” home of America’s favorite animated family, “The Simpsons.” The theme park’s signature attraction and world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of an authentic production movie and television studio and where they can experience such thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D,” will also open.

Because the safety and well-being of guests and team members is a top priority for Universal Studios Hollywood, the following guidelines outline the theme park’s new health and safety protocols, also highlighted in this video and detailed on the Universal Studios Hollywood website.

·     Temperature checks for all Guests upon arrival. If temperatures exceed 100.4° Fahrenheit / 38° Celsius or greater, Guests will not be permitted to enter.

·     Face coverings required for all Guests throughout their visit. Face coverings also will be available for purchase.

·     Controlled capacity within the theme park, and limited occupancy at all CityWalk venues to help enforce physical distancing. Some areas and programs may remain temporarily closed.

·     Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting at all food locations, restrooms, and all other high touch points.

·     Physical distancing practices at all locations throughout the park and at rides and attractions.

·     Eating and drinking permitted only in designated dining areas.

·     Contactless payment options wherever possible.

More information about Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk is available atwww.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Regular updates can be found on Universal Studios Hollywood’s Twitter@UniStudios, Facebook-Universal Studios Hollywoodand Instagram @UniStudios.

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk Health and Safety Guidelines
All Universal guests are urged to follow CDC guidelines and conduct temperature checks prior to their arrival. Guests should evaluate their own risk before they visit, and it is not recommended that older adults or individuals at high-risk with serious underlying medical conditions visit. People who are asymptomatic can still spread COVID-19 if they are infected. Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit. For information on CDC guidelines, clickhere. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.

Knott’s Berry Farm Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary With Grand Summer-Long Celebration

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In 2020, Knott’s Berry Farm will present “A Knott’s Family Reunion,“ a summer- long event paying tribute to the Knott family’s transcendent history by celebrating the last 100 years of memories in the making.

Ghost Town Main Street 1967-OC Archives

The Knott family’s American dream began in the berry fields of Buena Park from a curbside berry stand in 1920 and grew into the world-renowned theme park it is today. What started with a humble farm evolved into a premier destination that has come to witness 100 years of historical and timeless memories shared among friends, neighbors and families from around the world.

To commemorate Knott’s Berry Farm’s milestone anniversary, the park will present “A Knott’s FamilyReunion,” a summer-long event paying tribute to Knott’s history and legacy of family fun. Guests will be immersed in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration featuring festive park décor, themed food items, unique entertainment, exclusive merchandise and special surprises along the way, all paying homage to the nostalgia that surrounds the historic theme park. Details about the exciting 100th anniversary celebration festivities will be announced in the coming months.

Berry Stand c.1920

Background
Nearly 100 years ago, the Knott family settled in the community of Buena Park and began farming 20 acres of land on Highway 39, now known as Beach Blvd. Around 1930, Walter and Cordelia Knott came upon what eventually Walter named the boysenberry – a cross between a loganberry, red raspberry and

blackberry – a new hybrid originally developed by Rudolph Boysen, for whom the berry got its name. While Boysen had no luck bringing the berry to market, Walter did, acquired it from Boysen and today, the roots of the boysenberry can be traced back solely to Knott’s Berry Farm.

Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner
To make ends meet during the Great Depression, Cordelia Knott started selling jams and jellies madefrom Walter’s boysenberries and in 1934, served her first chicken dinner meals on her very own wedding china, charging just 65 cents. Through word of mouth, locals and visitors from around the state began stopping by to enjoy the famous fried chicken dinner meals. To entertain the hundreds of customers lining up at the restaurant for a chicken dinner meal, and to pay homage to the pioneering spirit of his grandparents along with his love of the Old West, Walter built a working Ghost Town, eventually becoming the first of Knott’s Berry Farm’s four themed areas. Slowly Walter brought in relics from other deserted ghost towns and Knott’s Ghost Town as it exists today emerged, becoming the heart and soul of the park. The Knott’s vision and imagination led to the creation of the themed areas that celebrate California’s vast history and landscape. Through hard work and dedication, Walter and Cordelia, along with their four children, created a special place for families to come together to build lasting memories. The “Knott’s Family Reunion” will be the biggest celebration the park has ever hosted to date.

ghost town

“The Knott family vision and values led to the birth of Knott’s Berry Farm, and through this milestonecelebration it is our opportunity to honor the last 100 years of remarkable memories that have shaped our history,” said Jon Storbeck, General Manager of Knott’s Berry Farm. “The 100th-anniversarycelebration embraces the farm’s rich history and signifies the importance of the Knott family’scommitment to building a place for generations of guests to create lifelong memories.”

The best way to enjoy all of the fun offered during the 100th anniversary celebration at Knott’s along with all of the other exciting Seasons of Fun events is with a 2020 Season Pass. A Regular Season Pass includes unlimited admission in 2020 to Knott’s Berry Farm with no blackout dates, and a Gold SeasonPass includes unlimited admission in 2020 to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Waterpark with no blackout dates. Knott’s Season passes are now available at the best offer of the year. Regular Passes are $99 or eleven easy payments of $8.00 after an initial payment and Gold Passes are $120 or

eleven easy payments of just $9.50 after an initial payment. These offers end on October 27, 2019. Applicable taxes and fees apply. Payment plans are only available at knotts.com.

For more information about next year’s milestone celebration and Knott’s Season Passes, please visitknotts.com. Join the conversation about the newly announced event at Knott’s this year by using #Knotts100 or #AKnottsFamilyReunion.

About Knott’s Berry Farm and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company:

What began as a roadside berry stand and chicken dinner restaurant in the 1920s has evolved intoKnott’s Berry Farm, one of Southern California’s most popular theme park destinations combiningworld-class thrill rides with traditional family favorite attractions and entertainment. Knott’s is also home to Knott’s Soak City Water Park, Knott’s Marketplace, and the full-service Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel. Knott’s Berry Farm is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company (NYSE: FUN), one of the largest regional amusement-resort operators in the world, is a publicly traded partnership headquartered in Sandusky, Ohio. Focused on its mission to make people happy by providing fun, immersive and memorable experiences, the Company owns and operates 11 amusement parks, four outdoor water parks, an indoor water park and resort accommodations totaling more than 2,300 rooms and more than 600 luxury RV sites. Its parks are located in Ohio, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan, Texas and Toronto, Ontario. It also operates an additional theme park in California under a management contract.

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT WITH A SPECTACULAR FIREWORK DISPLAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR!

On By TimothyIn Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Merry FarmLeave a comment

The countdown to the New Year is on at Knott’s Merry Farm! With special fireworks, live entertainment, and extended hours, plus Knott’s signature rides and attractions, Knott’s New Year’s Eve celebration is the place to experience an unforgettable night.

Unique one-night-only entertainment serves up fun for a variety of ages and interests including a family-friendly comedian, dance lessons and more. Guests are invited to count down to the New Year with festive music, party hats, noisemakers, and endless fun. To culminate the evening and the final seconds of 2018, Knott’s will light up the night sky with a dazzling firework display at the stroke of midnight.

·         Martini Pop Swing Band is on hand to play the slickest standards ever. Professional swing dancers and instructors will be there to make sure guests don’t miss a single step.

·         The Calico Mine Stage will blast unforgettable pop and rock music courtesy of the ladies of The Suffragettes.  It’ll have guests dancing in the aisles.

·         DJ Howly brings the party to the farm for a special New Year’s celebration with high-energy music and dancing taking place at the Calico Mine Stage.

·         Next to the Calico Mine Stage, the PEANUTS characters will be posing for pictures with guests to celebrate the New Year.

·         The stage will be set at Boardwalk BBQ as two sets of 88 keys go head to head in full keys wage war with PianoMania Dueling Pianos. 

·         Family-friendly comedian, Chipper Lowell, brings his hilarious comedy, magic and audience participation to the Bird Cage Theatre.

·         Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies, four country boys from deep in the hills of Anaheim will have the crowd’s toes tappin’, hands clappin’ and guts bustin’. The best darn tootin’ entertainment this side of the Santa Ana freeway. The comical and musical number can be seen at the Wagon Camp.

·         Fiesta Plaza will feature DJ JC playing upbeat music and will host a dance instructor to teach guests how to dance the Latin way.

·         Midnight Fireworks Spectacular, guests can ring in the New Year with a bang as the park’s skies wonderfully light up for an aerial fireworks display that will leave the young and young at heart in awe.

·         A New Year’s Eve celebration is not complete without a delicious meal. Spur’s Restaurant is serving up a special New Year’s Eve buffet from 4pm-10pm; prices are $34.99+tax for adults, $29.99 for Seniors (62 and over0 and $18.99+ tax for kids (11 and under).

In addition to the special New Year’s Eve entertainment, guests can experience all the magic of Knott’s Merry Farm’s festive lineup of entertainment, delectable food, and holiday shopping including:

·         Merry Christmas, Snoopy! In this exciting show filled with whimsical and spectacular ice skating, Snoopy enjoys all of the best parts of the season including trimming the Christmas tree, awaiting Santa’s arrival and attending the festive Christmas Ball!

·         When the sun sets on the farm, the buildings and paths in Ghost Town twinkle brightly to the beat of holiday favorites as snow gently falls. Park goers can enjoy the nightly Snow and Glow experience  on School House Road and Main Street in Ghost Town.

·         Another nighttime tradition at Knott’s Merry Farm is the joyous Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Calico Tree Lighting Ceremony features the Calico Bell Choir and the mayor of Calico gathering around the tree for an illuminating Christmas celebration.

·         The holiday season celebration continues in Camp Snoopy with a lively performance at the Camp Snoopy Theater A Peanuts Guide to Christmas features delightful mash ups of holiday songs with a cheerful and heartwarming dose of the Peanuts Gang.

·         In the intimate setting of Ghost Town’s historic Bird Cage Theatre, catch a live performance of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol or O. Henry’s A Gift of the Magi.

·         Savor the ultimate comfort foods with Knott’s world-famous holiday treats.Santa’s Christmas Cabin serves up holiday delights like Santa’s homemade cookies, mouthwatering pastries, winter wine, craft beer, and more. Guests can also enjoy the fresh made-to-order churros from the Churro Factory as well as the legendary cooking at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant.  

·         In Ghost Town, the streets transform into a shopping wonderland with the Knott’s Christmas Crafts Village that offers dozens of local artisans selling their unique gifts.

 

Knott’s New Year’s Eve Celebration is included with regular daytime admission.  Park hours on New Year’s Eve are 10am to 1am. A 2019 Knott’s Season Pass is a great way to visit. Season Passes offer unlimited visits in 2019 plus new 2019 Season Passes can be used for one free admission in 2018, including New Year’s Eve!

And for a limited time, Season Passes can be purchased online for as low as $95 or 8 payments of $10 after initial payment. Payment plan only available online. Plus applicable taxes and fees for online orders. To purchase Season Passes or tickets, or for more information about Knott’s Berry Farm, visit www.knotts.com or download the Knott’s mobile app for your smartphone today. And join the conversation using #KnottsNYE.

The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor Hosts Annual Cast & Crew Auditions July 17th – August 4th! Can You Scare the Ship Out Of Them?

On By TimothyIn Queen Mary's Dark HarborLeave a comment

 

The Queen Mary hosts monster auditions and operations interviews for Dark Harbor 2018.

Dark Harbor, SoCal’s most terrifying haunt, is set to return for another frightening year, and you can audition to be a part of the bloodcurdling action! The Queen Mary’s Dark Harbor is the only Halloween attraction in Southern California that’s authentically haunted – if you aren’t afraid of things that go bump in the night, The Queen Mary wants you! Dark Harbor needs hundreds of performers to help bring the ghoulish nightmares to life this October.

  • 2018 OPEN CASTING
    • Main Cast / Back Up Cast (Chef, Scary Mary, Graceful Gale, Samuel the Savage, Half Hatch Henry, Iron Master, Maze and Street Monsters)
    • Specialty Acts (juggling, singing, magic, fire dancing, poi, acrobat, cyr wheel, silks, contortion, blockhead, etc.
    • Sliders
  • 2018 OPERATIONS TEAM
    • Assistant Stage Managers (Maze Supervisors)
    • Operation Supervisors
    • Show Ushers & Greeters
    • Sales Associates
  • 2018 BEVERAGE TEAM
    • Themed Beverage Attendants (bartenders, bar-backs, and cabana attendants)

REGISTER:
To audition for the 2018 Dark Harbor cast or operations team, register online at: http://www.queenmary.com/events/auditions/

WHEN:  
Asst. Stage Manager & Supervisor Interviews will be held:

  • Tuesday, July 17, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 18, 4:30  – 9 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 19, 4:30 – 9 p.m.

Operations & Beverage Team interviews will be held:

  • Tuesday, July 31, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
    • No Beverage Interviews
  • Wednesday, August 1, 4:30 – 9 p.m.
  • Thursday, August 2, 4:30 – 9 p.m.

Monster auditions will be held:

  • Friday, August 3, 6 – 10 p.m.
  • Saturday, August 4, 10 – 7 p.m.

 

WHERE:
The Queen Mary
Exhibition Hall (Ex-Hall)
1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802

Check-in to The Queen Mary’s MOST HAUNTED Cabin Stateroom B340 Room Reservations Open Friday, April 13

On By TimothyIn Halloween, Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, The Fright ZoneLeave a comment

The Queen Mary, dubbed one of the “Top 10 most haunted places on Earth” by Time Magazine, is pleased to announce the notoriously haunted Stateroom B340 will once again be available for overnight guests starting Friday, April 13th. Featured on SYFY Channel’s  Ghost Hunters and the British TV series Most Haunted, room B340 offers thrill seekers and scare enthusiasts the unique opportunity to spend the night in the axiom of all alleged paranormal activity at the Queen Mary. Room reservations will be available at 877-342-0742.

 

“Several of the cabins onboard the Queen Mary are considered haunted. But, the stateroom with the most infamous reputation is room B340,” said Stephen Sowards, General Manager of the Queen Mary. “The last time the room was occupied by a guest was in the 1980’s. For decades we’ve had thousands of visitors request to occupy the room, and after 30 years, we are excited to once again extend the offer to our guests.”

 

Stateroom B340 has a large volume of recorded paranormal activity with many stories of haunted encounters noted in the ship’s logs. Reports date back to the final ocean voyage in 1967 and include complaints from guests staying in B340 claiming that someone was knocking on the door in the middle of the night. Other complaints include bathroom lights turning on by themselves, the sink faucet turning on and off on its own, and unexplained bathroom doors shutting. Some guests have reported the covers of their bed being pulled off while asleep and waking to see a dark figure standing at the foot of the bed.

 

During voyage years, the space encompassed three third class staterooms, and has since been remodeled to become one large guest room suite. A perfect blend of authentic style and modern amenities, B340 is larger than the average cruise ship cabin. Featuring operable portholes and offering all the modern conveniences of a contemporary hotel, the famously haunted stateroom offers a true ocean liner experience. In addition to standard hotel room amenities, B340 will supply a chest with unique items available for guests to amplify their overnight haunt experience, including a Ouija board, tarot cards, crystal ball, and ghost hunting equipment.

 

The Queen Mary’s year-long haunted attractions and tours continue to draw thrill-seekers of all ages in 2018 with continued updates and enhancements. Since its soft opening in winter of 2017, the re-inspired Ghosts and Legends Tour has added more frights with a new scene, more ambient lighting, and elevated scare factors all in hopes to strengthen the presence of the Queen Mary’s resident ghosts. Additional haunted attractions offered onboard the Queen Mary include Paranormal Shipwalk, Dining with Spirits, and Paranormal Investigation. The Paranormal Investigation tour invites guests to join ship para-investigator and ParaXplorer Project founder Matthew Schulz as he leads visitor investigators into the depths of the RMS Queen Mary’s purported active locations.

 

Cabin reservations for stateroom B340 will be available for booking Friday, April 13, 2018 and start at $499 per night. Reservations are available at 877-342-0742.  Check-in is at 3 p.m. and check-out is at 11 a.m.  For more information, or to purchase tickets for the haunted attractions and tours, please visit queenmary.com

 

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About the Queen Mary

Located in the Port of Long Beach, the Queen Mary features a rich maritime history, authentic Art Deco décor, and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Long Beach city skyline. At the time of her maiden voyage in May of 1936, she was considered the grandest ocean liner ever built. The Queen Mary’s signature restaurants include the award-winning Sir Winston’s, Prom Café, and Chelsea Chowder House & Bar as well as a weekly Champagne Sunday Brunch served in the ship’s Grand Salon. History buffs enjoy the ship’s museum and Glory Days tour, the Churchill Exhibit – Their Finest Hours, Ghosts and Legends, and the ship is currently featuring the renowned Diana: Legacy of a Princess exhibit and Titanic in Photos Exhibit. The Queen Mary features event space in 14 remarkable Art Deco salons and award winning staff to create innovative banquets for groups ranging from 10 to 5,000. The Queen Mary boasts 346 staterooms including nine full suites. For more information or for reservations, see www.queenmary.com or call (800) 437-2934. The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queens Highway in Long Beach.