Disneyland Resort
Anaheim, CA
Let the Memories Begin
"Let the Memories Begin" will be the theme for the 2011 promotion at the US Disney parks. Guests will be able to have their images projected onto the outside of it's a small world (sic) at Disneyland and Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom as part of a new nightly show. User-generated videos, images, and stories will also be featured on a Disney website and in television commercials to promote the parks.
The Little Mermaid Ride
As part of the expansion of Disney California Adventure, the Paradise Pier area will get an E-ticket (rumored to cost $100 million) dark ride featuring the wonderful music and characters from the hit film. Now open! Read my review.
Star Tours II
The groundbreaking motion simulator attraction, Star Tours, is getting spiffed up with 3-D imagery, all-new footage, and multiple story lines and endings that will make dozens of unique ride experiences possible.
- The new Star Tours ride is now open. Read my review of Star Tours - The Adventures Continue
- Video preview of Star Tours II
Knott's Berry Farm
Buena Park (Next to Anaheim), CA
WindSeeker
Seated in two-person swing-style seats with their feet dangling, passengers will get lifted to the top of a 300-foot tall tower and spin around for a three-minute ride. As they spin, riders' seats will lift away from the tower at a 45-degree angle. Cedar Fair says that the ride will cost $5 million.
Legoland California
Carlsbad, CA
Star Wars Miniland and Octopus Garden
The Star War characters get their own Lego-filled land. Also a new Octopus exhibit opens at the (separate-admission) Sea Life Aquarium.
SeaWorld San Diego
San Diego, CA
Sea Turtles and One Ocean
Green and hawksbill sea turtles along with loads of tropical fish will be on display in a 300,000-gallon aquarium with an underwater viewing window. Also, all three SeaWorld parks (in Orlando, San Antonio, and San Diego) will debut a new killer whale show this spring called "One Ocean." As with past presentations, there will be giant LED screens, original music, and special effects to help tell an overarching story--in this case, that we all share the planet and need to play a role in its ecological stewardship.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Vallejo (near San Francisco), CA
SkyScreamer
A spinning swing ride, SkyScreamer will rise 150 feet into the air and reach speeds of 43 mph.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, CA
Green Lantern coaster, revamped Superman: Escape from Krypton coaster, and Little Flash
With an additional two coasters coming in 2011, Magic Mountain will have a total of 18 and will reclaim the world's record for most number of coasters at one park.
- Read more about Six Flags Magic Mountain's new coasters, including the unique Green Lantern ride and the rest of its exciting 2011 season.
- 2011 season preview video
Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal City, CA
Coming in 2012:
Transformers Attraction
Originally announced as opening in 2011, Transformers will debut in 2012. The blockbuster film and toy franchise, Transformers, would seem to be ideally suited for a theme park attraction. It's flashy, it's part of the cultural zeitgeist, it's larger than life, and...it's GIANT ROBOTS! THAT CAN TRANSFORM! In early 2011, Universal Studios Hollywood will bring the changeable robots to life in a ride that will include 3-D, high-definition projected images, 4-D sensory and special effects, and large-scale animatronic characters.
