Disneyland Resort
Anaheim, CA
Happiest Celebration on Earth, Monsters, Inc., Rockit Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean
While Disney's Happiest Celebration on Earth kicked off in May of 2005, the hoopla to mark Disneyland's 50th anniversary continues through the end of 2006. Read about the attractions, special shows, parades, and other features that debuted in 2005 for the event. New for 2006 is Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! at Disney's California Adventure. The ride-through attraction features the star power of the popular Pixar computer-animated film and is a dark ride in the tradition of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and Peter Pan. At Disneyland Park, Space Mountain will be getting a nighttime-only makeover as Rockit Mountain with new music and effects.
Also, the Pirates of the Caribbean will sink to new Depps when the beloved attraction gets a makeover. Captain Jack Sparrow and other characters from the park-inspired films will join the rollicking cast of mateys. The revamped ride will debut in the early summer to coincide with the opening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest," a sequel to the wildly popular "Pirates" movie starring Johnny Depp.
- Disneyland Happiest Homecoming on Earth Overview
- Looking Back at Disneyland
- 50 Ways to Leave Your Living Room (in Honor of Disneyland's 50th Anniversary)
Part one: 25 New Features at Disneyland
Part two: 25 Classic Features at Disneyland - Disneyland's 50th Anniversary Photo Gallery
- Disneyland's History Photo Gallery
Knott's Berry Farm
Buena Park (next to Anaheim), CA
Pacific Spin
A Tornado funnel ride, Pacific Spin, is coming to Knott's Soak City, the separate admission water park adjacent to Knott's Berry Farm. Funnel rides are a ball to ride and visually striking. To learn more about the unique water park rides, see my review and photos of High Anxiety at New Jersey's Mountain Creek water park.
Legoland California
Carlsbad (near San Diego), CA
Pirate Shores
The new Pirate Shores land will feature a Pirate Splash Battle attraction, a huge interactive water play structure, and a small flume ride.
Paramount's Great America
Santa Clara (near San Francisco), CA
Survivor the Ride
The unusual spinning coaster attraction, based on the popular CBS series, marries a flat ride (think a Round Up), known affectionately among park fans as a "spin and puke" or a "whirl and hurl," with a roller coaster. Riders face outwards on motorcycle-like seats atop a spinning platform as it navigates the hills of a short coaster track. Paramount's Great America is calling the ride "the world's first reality coaster." Unfortunately, that doesn't mean we'll get to see Paris Hilton barf all over Simon Cowell. (Although that would certainly get the park's turnstiles clicking, eh?)
- See an example of a similar ride in action at this Disk'O Coaster video.
Valencia (near Los Angeles), CA
Tatsu
A record-breaking flying coaster that will launch from atop Samurai Summit.
- Read all about the unique coaster at the Tatsu overview.
- Read all about the unique coaster at the Tatsu Preview Video.
- Read all about the unique coaster at the Tatsu Preview Photo Gallery.
Six Flags Marine World
Vallejo (near San Francisco), CA
Tava's Jungleland
A new themed area, Tava's Jungleland (named after one of the park's elephants) will feature kiddie rides and wet and dry interactive play structures. Also, the park is tweaking its killer whale show.
