Theme Park Thrills
by Candyce H. Stapen
Where do you go to get tossed, twirled, dropped, and scared, but
come away asking for more? To a theme park of course. The new thrill
rides, shows and attractions debuting this spring and summer provide
a good reason to get away for family fun to a regional amusement
park as well as to Orlando and Anaheim's mega-resorts. So that you'll
end up screaming only on the rides, remember two key rules: don't
try to do it all and if possible, divide and conquer-let one parent
tackle the coasters with preteens while the other visits the playland
with preschoolers. That way neither age group will get whiny because
of waiting.
Cedar Point Amusement Park - Sandusky, OH 
This park is home to the world's largest collection
of roller coasters-16-as well as additional rides. This season's
new thrill ride, Skyhawk, although not a coaster, uses its
giant arms to swing 20 riders up to 125 feet in the air at 60 miles
per hour, giving them plenty of reason to scream. Cedar Point's
Top Thrill Dragster, the second tallest coaster in the world
at 420 feet high, hurls riders at speeds up to 125 miles per hour.
For little ones, there's Camp Snoopy, whose highlights are the Woodstock
Express, a 38-foot-tall family coaster, as well as appearances
by Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other Peanuts characters. You can splash
at the adjacent Soak City, an outdoor waterpark, or at Castaway
Bay, an indoor waterpark attached to a Cedar Point hotel (www.cedarpoint.com).
Six Flags Great Adventure - Jackson, NJ
To celebrate 45 years, Six Flags Great Adventure
debuts Bugs Bunny National Park, a place for pint-sized adventurers
with 12 rides, including Road Runner, a "first coaster."
Big kids and adults can take on El Toro, the new monster
wooden roller coaster that features the world's steepest wooden
coaster drop-a scary 76-degree drop. Master that and then try Kingda
Ka, the park's star, and the world's tallest (456 feet) and
fastest coaster (128 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds) (www.sixflags.com).
| |
|
Great Places, Great Deals
|
| |
|
Switzerland:
Take advantage of Switzerland's long summer days,
cool mountains and beautiful scenery. At the Palace
Luzern with the Summer Privileges package, available
through October 31 excluding the Lucerne Festival
from August 10 to September 20, you get two-night
accommodations, daily buffet breakfast and room
service dinner on your day of arrival. Children
up to 15 are offered accommodations free of charge
and receive a 50 percent reduction off breakfast
and in room dining. Rates: approximately $621
per person in a deluxe room with lake view (011
41 41 416 1616; www.palace-luzern.ch).
Alaska:
At Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park concessionaire
ARAMARK bundles lodging and meals with your choice
of flightseeing, kayaking or an eight-hour tour
by high-speed catamaran plus fishing and whale
watching. Cost is $394.50 adult and $199 for ages
12 and younger (888-BAY-TOUR; www.visitglacierbay.com).
Grand Cayman: With Summer Splash 2006, available
June through mid-September, receive discounted
fares on Cayman Airways; one free night when booking
five; some free meals and free activities for
children 12 years and under. The Cayman VIP Card
also gets you discounts on car rentals and activities.
Visit www.caymanislands.ky
or www.divecayman.ky.
|
|
| |
|
Walt Disney World Resort - Orlando, FL
With four theme parks, big and bold water play
parks, plus Downtown Disney, a dinner, entertainment and shopping
complex, Walt Disney World is still Orlando's number one attraction.
Disney's Animal Kingdom, featuring real and imaginary animals, many
from Africa, debuts "Expedition Everest," a high-speed train ride
through bamboo forests and past thundering waterfalls.
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom charms kids with classics such
as Pirates of the Caribbean. Epcot, still divided into Future
World and World Showcase, presents the popular 3-D version of Honey
I Shrunk the Kids as well as Body Works, a bumpy ride through
the human body.
At Disney-MGM Studios, a look at moviemaking through rides and attractions,
walk through a wardrobe and enter a stage set and see costumes and
props from The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch, and
the Wardrobe.
Universal Orlando Resort - Orlando, FL
You ride the movies at Universal Studios. Men
In Black, Alien Attack, Terminator 3-D, and other
attractions turn blockbusters into immersive experiences spiked
with special effects. Islands of Adventure, the sister park, adds
thrills with stomach-churning coasters based on comic books. Islands'
is also home to Seuss Landing, a whimsical ride and play area based
on scenes and characters from the much-loved Dr. Seuss books. On
the High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train ride, which debuts this
summer, Sneetches (Seuss creations) stamp out stars, adding sparkle
at the Star Wash. Then, the train heads outside, offering riders
an overview of the Seuss-inspired landscape (800-U-ESCAPE; themeparks.universalstudios.com).
Disneyland - Anaheim, CA
Little ones love swirling on the Mad Tea Party
ride, watching the Henson Muppets 3-D show and meeting Cinderella
and Snow White. Grade-schoolers like Space Mountain and families
like the restaurants, shops and music at the Downtown Disney District.
Disney's California Adventure Park, a 55-acre park adjacent to the
original, celebrates the Golden State. Four themed lands recreate
California's history in rides and entertainment. Favorites include
Grizzly River Run, a white water rafting ride, and Soarin'
Over California, a film that delivers the sensation of gliding
over the scenic countryside. New in 2006 is Monsters Inc: Mike
and Scully to the Rescue, based on the popular movie.
*****
– Candyce H. Stapen is the author of
27 books, including National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family
Vacations.
|
