Old West New West Magazine – Your Travel & History Guide for Western Adventures. Enjoy Travel Tips, Discounts, Specials, Restaurant Reviews, National Park Information and Much More… http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:21:01 +0000 Joomla! 1.5 - Open Source Content Management en-us http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111218591/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/ghirardelli-chocolate-coming-to-disney-california-adventure-park.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111218591/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/ghirardelli-chocolate-coming-to-disney-california-adventure-park.html Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. will open a soda fountain and chocolate shop inside Disney California Adventure park in late spring 2012, adding yet another layer of traditional San Francisco flair to the Pacific Wharf area of the park.

"The addition of a world-renowned brand like Ghirardelli highlights our focus on providing quality, immersive experiences that transport our guests to a different place - in this case to San Francisco," said Mary Niven, vice president of Disney California Adventure park.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:07:53 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111208589/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-coming-to-universal-studios-hollywood.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20111208589/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/wizarding-world-of-harry-potter-coming-to-universal-studios-hollywood.html The Wizarding World of Harry Potter will be coming to Universal Studios Hollywood.

The announcement was made Dec. 6, 2011 by Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts. The two companies are partnering to bring the enormously popular themed entertainment experience to Southern California.

No date was announced for the start of the new Harry Potter project at Universal Studios Hollywood.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:47:14 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110513519/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/skyscreamer-takes-flight-at-six-flags-st-louis-with-erik-lindbergh-wings-of-hope-pilots-as-official-first-riders.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110513519/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/skyscreamer-takes-flight-at-six-flags-st-louis-with-erik-lindbergh-wings-of-hope-pilots-as-official-first-riders.html SkyScreamer, the newest sensation in swing rides, took flight at Six Flags St. Louis, Mo. May 12, 2011 with famed pilot Erik Lindbergh and Wings of Hope pilots helping launch the inaugural first flight.

Standing at 236-feet, SkyScreamer is the tallest ride in the park and is the centerpiece of Six Flags St. Louis' 40th anniversary season. SkyScreamer was scheduled to open to the public Saturday, May 14.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Fri, 13 May 2011 05:45:14 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110425516/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/six-flags-over-texas-opens-the-new-texas-giant.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110425516/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/six-flags-over-texas-opens-the-new-texas-giant.html Six Flags Over Texas, celebrating its 50th anniversary season in 2011, opened its latest thrill ride on April 22, the new Texas Giant.

This super hybrid coaster is all new from the ground up boasting the steepest drop of any wooden coaster in the world at 79 degrees; three bank turns at more than 90 degrees and a state-of-the-art steel track that zips riders through an unforgettable, white knuckled 1 1/2 minutes of breathtaking twists and turns from start to finish.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Mon, 25 Apr 2011 02:01:55 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110411511/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/world-fest-celebration-returns-to-bransons-silver-dollar-city.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20110411511/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/world-fest-celebration-returns-to-bransons-silver-dollar-city.html Another season of Silver Dollar City's World Fest got underway April 7, 2011 at the Branson,Mo.-theme park with guests to the 1880s theme park enjoying performers from all around the globe who bring their music, dance, culture and foods to middle America.

"World-Fest literally brings the world within reach of so many people. The camaraderie among performers, and the interaction with guests, especially kids, really opens your eyes to how important it is to bring authentic cultures to America's heartland," said Janet Oller, Director of Marketing for Silver Dollar City Attractions.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:51:38 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100825435/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/knotts-unveils-new-aerial-thrill-ride-for-orange-county.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100825435/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/knotts-unveils-new-aerial-thrill-ride-for-orange-county.html Windseeker, a new thrill ride that will take passengers 300 feet above the ground and swing them in gondollas high above Southern California's Orange County, will open in 2011, Knott's Berry Farm annouced Aug. 24.

Opening next summer, WindSeeker will take 64 passengers to new heights as it ascends above the theme park and then swings passengers for a ride like no other.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Wed, 25 Aug 2010 02:36:01 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100703411/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/new-king-kong-3-d-ride-now-open-at-universal-studios-hollywood.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100703411/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/new-king-kong-3-d-ride-now-open-at-universal-studios-hollywood.html "King Kong 360 3-D" created by Peter Jackson and billed as the world's largest most intense 3-D experience, opened to the public July 1 at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park in Los Angeles.

The new ride celebrated its premiere June 29 on the famed Universal Studios Hollywood(SM) Studio Tour, combining a ground-breaking use of Surround Digital 3-D film and thrilling visceral effects to create a next-generation theme park experience.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:19:50 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100601392/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/disneyland-knotts-berry-farm-silver-dollar-city-offering-plenty-of-old-west-fun-for-summer-visitors.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100601392/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/disneyland-knotts-berry-farm-silver-dollar-city-offering-plenty-of-old-west-fun-for-summer-visitors.html Take a bit of the Old West, mix in a hair-raising thrill ride or two, and what do you get? A great way to have fun on this year's family summer vacation.

For 2010 Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, both in Southern California, and Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri, offer great combinations of fun rides and touches of Western heritage for the family.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Tue, 01 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100515381/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/sea-life-arizona-aquarium-opens-to-the-public-with-kelp-cutting-ceremony.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100515381/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/sea-life-arizona-aquarium-opens-to-the-public-with-kelp-cutting-ceremony.html Sea Life Arizona, a 26,000 square foot aquarium designed to provide a fun, interactive and educational experience for kids, opened May 14, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona.

On hand to help open the new aquarium were area families, and 80 children from Children First Academy of Phoenix, the nation's largest school for the homeless.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Sat, 15 May 2010 09:00:00 +0000 http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100422371/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/worlds-tallest-skyjump-thrill-ride-opens-at-stratosphere-las-vegas-hotel-and-casino.html http://www.oldwestnewwest.com/20100422371/things-to-do/resorts-/-theme-parks/worlds-tallest-skyjump-thrill-ride-opens-at-stratosphere-las-vegas-hotel-and-casino.html SkyJump Las Vegas, an 885-foot controlled free-fall thrill ride, opened April 20, 2010 at the Stratosphere Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, setting a new Guinness World Record along the way.

Similar to skydiving or base jumping, SkyJumpers literally leap off the platform to descend to the landing pad below. To make the leap from the 108th floor of the hotel, riders first are suited-up in Stratosphere's custom jump suits and connected to a patented high-speed descender machine.
]]> Mikeharris@oldwestnewwest.com (Mike Harris) Resorts / Theme Parks Thu, 22 Apr 2010 09:00:00 +0000