In the Parks

In the Parks brings you the latest in what's happening at Disneyland and the Southern California Theme Parks and attractions. This week, we stroll through Disneyland, take a look at the progress inside Disney California Adventure, and check on Knott's brand new super high in the sky crazy spinning round ride. As a special added surprise, we also stop by the Orange County Fair for its opening week, and not to worry, we'll show you what's being fried up for you this year. And if all that wasn't enough, we also swing by the San Diego Zoo, Universal Studios Hollywood and Castle Park. As you will see, there is plenty to do In The Parks this week. There's also a little contest that you'll need to read through the update to find! Well, what are we waiting for? We've got fried dough to eat, chickens to spot, bridges to collapse, big giant scary rides to make us weak in the knees and plenty of beautiful photos to enjoy . . .



Ahhhh Disneyland, the happiest place on earth. Things have been calm this summer season. Why, even Harold the Yeti has gone on vacation. But there is a bit of news we were able to spy over at the Paradise Pier Hotel.

PARADISE PIER HOTEL:
It looks like the Paradise Pier hotel is about to undergo a paint job. But, before they go through with it, they run a color test to see it the chosen shades will look good on the actual building.

Do all these blue swatches remind you of another hotel nearby?

If sky blue can work for Goofy's Sky School, the Hyperion Theatre, and the Disneyland Hotel, why not the Paradise Pier Hotel as well?

MATTERHORN:
The Matterhorn's Harold the Yeti is taking a break while heavy track work is being done inside the attraction.

Here's Sarah's latest from the MiceTube

Disney California Adventure has begun a new phase of change at the front of the park. While the Paradise pier area is, for the most part, done with renovation, there is still more work to be completed in the park. But the big news of the week is the removal of one of the park's early icons. Disney Daniel and CaptPhoebus take us for a look at what's going on.

BUENA VISTA STREET:
The new front gates opened last week and they look great. But what's coming next will be the most logistically difficult part of DCA's facelift, as the main entry way will be turned into 1920's California. The Golden Gate Bridge around the Monorail beam is being removed bit by bit each night. While, at the same time, the alternate passage ways from the front gate, through back stage and into the park are being prepared to route visitors around Buena Vista Street construction.

Main Entrance:
Here is a look at the main entrance.

Soon, you'll be routed off to your right after entering the gates. The temporary entry path will take you backstage toward Sorin' Over California.

Golden Gate Bridge:
Bit by bit, the Golden Gate Bridge shell on the Monorail Beam is being dismantled.

Pic taken Monday


Monday


Tuesday - the cables start to disappear


Wednesday - the cables are gone


Wednesday


Wednesday

The towers themselves are now being disassembled from the top down. By this time next week, it will most likely be gone.

Carthay Circle Theater:

The Carthay Circle theater area is coming along very nicely.

Condor Flats sign. Is this goodbye to a sign which doesn't fit in with Buena Vista Street?



This box covers the curb in Hollywoodland


The track for the Red Car Trolley is laid and ready for brickwork


Here is a close-up of the path leading to Bug's Land and the rest of the park.

CARS LAND:
The Mater's Junkyard Jamboree is coming along rapidly. It has a "V" shaped ride platform.

The 100 million dollar flat ride.





Things are nearing completion on this end.


Can't wait to ride.




Paint is making its way up from the bottom while the sculpting at the top nears completion.

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The Orange County Fair opened on Friday July 15th with the theme "Let's Eat!" It certainly is appropriate, since the big talk each year is always about what the new fried thing is. And this year they get extra points for creativity. The fair also offers the garden variety of traveling rides and a surprisingly good summer concert series. If you buy concert tickets, you get into the fair for no additional charge. It's a good deal.

Upon entrance, you will notice that the fair is taking a cue from area theme parks and has stationed photographers to capture your stay and sell you photos later.

Take your picture?


Looks like the copied the crazy prices too.

CENTENNIAL FARM:
One of our favorite parts of the fair is the centennial farm area. Here real crops are grown and animals raised. Unlike the farm at DCA 1.0, it works for the fair (and has real animals too).

The Animals are out in full force too. Pigs, goats, ponies, chicks, cows, sheep and all sorts of things from the barnyard are here to pet and enjoy.

Bacon

McChicken

Babies on Ponies


Now that's what you call a heifer!

FOOD:
What are the frying this year? Kool-Aid. Yes, you read that right. Fried Kool-Aid! That is the new fried thing this year. How in the world are they doing it you ask? It's a doughnut batter with Kool-Aid mixed in. Some people are raving over them. Give it a try! But, while you are at it, take a look at some of the other edibles on the avenue of food.

Free Sierra Mist Natural


There's the chuckwagon BBQ


Fried Twinkies, chicken kabobs and zucchini!


DEEP FRIED CANDY APPLES - Need we say more?!


Another healthy choice here, Pizza.

More fried dough.


Mmmmm Turkey legs!

Mouth watering yet?

Fried ribs, fried burgers, fried brownies, fried frogs legs, and YES, fried Kool-Aid

THE ICE MUSEUM:
One of the interesting things that they have at the fair this year is the Ice Museum. This is a free walk-through attraction where you can view a variety of sculptures carved from ice. Don't worry. They offer free jackets to borrow if you need them.

Prettyful isn't it?

THE MIDWAY:
If it spins, twirls, flips, gyrates, nauseates, or scares it can be found on the midway. This year, there is really nothing new in the ride department. But it is still a fascinating study in how many combinations of revolutions and forces the human body can be subjected to.

For the faint of heart but rich in wallet, there are also the midway games. Or as we like to call 'em, "There's a sucker born every minute booths."

Classic Tilt-a-whirl.






The merry-go-round and big slide.


Cobra!


Evolution


Hi-Mile






Try your luck?


Their version of King Triton is a little, um . . . grittier . . . than Disney's




The iconic Ferris Wheel






To this day, I can't visit the fair without thinking of a particular song from the classic old animated film, Charlotte's Web. "The fair is a veritable smorgasbord orgasbord orgasbord" - music and lyrics by Richard and Robert Sherman.

The fair is open until August 14th this year every Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit the OC Fair website.



Chicken. That's what I think of when I visit Knott's. Chicken. Too chicken to ride the super tall rides (I'm afraid of heights) but always willing to sit down for some juicy fried chicken at Mrs. Knott's.

WINDSEEKER:
The gondola's have been attached to the ride and the area in front of the queue is being surfaced with some nice brick work.

Nice to see this type of work happening at Knott's instead of just pavement.


The lap bars will lower from above the riders.

Are you ready to be spun around from a dizzying height?

HAUNT TRACKER:
While passing by the Wheeler Dealer this past week, we noticed some flats of wood. Is this the first on-stage sigh of Haunt? YES! We are so excited.

US Navy Comes Ashore at Knott’s Berry Farm July 31st:

Knott’s Berry Farm will welcome the US Navy on July 31st as part of the Los Angeles Navy Week celebration. Festivities for the day include performances by the Navy Band, a Navy simulator interactive educational display and a special presentation by the Navy Parachute Team, “Leap Frogs.”

Los Angeles Navy Week celebration seeks to give the general public an opportunity to meet some of the Navy’s Sailors and learn more about the Navy’s critical missions and its broad-ranging capabilities.

The U.S. Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the “Leap Frogs,” is a fourteen-man team comprised entirely of U.S. Navy SEAL and SWCC personnel. The “Leap Frog” performance displays the team’s skills as they leap out of an aircraft at an altitude of 12,500 feet. During free fall, jumpers reach speeds of 120 mph and can accelerate up to 180 mph by pulling their arms to their sides and straightening their legs into what is called a “track.” The jumpers open their parachutes around 5,000 feet by releasing a smaller pilot chute. After deploying their chutes, the Leap Frogs fly their canopies together to build dramatic formations. After their performance, the Leap Frogs will make themselves available to guests to answer questions about the Navy and Naval Seal Warfare community, as well as to sign autographs.

The Navy Simulator is a 12 –passenger mobile unit featuring live-action Navy films programmed to move in sync with point-of-view imagery presented on a large screen. The Navy Simulator will give guests a firsthand, interactive experience that will provide a glimpse into the life of a Navy sailor.

F!an is back with great news from Universal. This week, a new maze was announced for Halloween Horror Nights, the extended queue for the Tram tour gets restrooms and there is a new element in CityWalk for us to share.

CityWalk:
Ok, that new "element" in CityWalk we wanted to show you is actually a store called "Element".

Literally a new Element in CityWalk

UPPER LOT:
The London Fog effect on Baker Street has been turned on again. Push the button and Baker Street fills with fog just like the real streets of London.

A flip flop shop has opened just outside of the Curious George water play area.

STUDIO TOUR:
With the standby line averaging one hour for the Studio Tour this summer, punny wait time signage has been placed in the queue to break up the monotony.

Portable restrooms have been added near the tram unload area to offer relief after taking an hour long tour after waiting in line for an hour.


Progress of unknown construction just below the Studio Tour Bridge. Whatever it is, the project has gone vertical.



Why is SHE still here? Strangely, they've kept Woopie Goldberg footage on the Mummy section of the Tram Tour, but it just doesn't fit any more now that Jimmy Fallon is the host.

HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS 2011:

The First maze announced for Halloween Horror Nights this year is "The Thing". The maze is based on a film to be release this fall. Two versions of this maze will be produced, one for Hollywood and one for Universal Studios Orlando.

To keep up to date with HHN 2011 news and announcements, visit F!an's Universal Studios Horror Nights tracker: USH HHN 2011 Official Line Up

The Thing maze will be set in an outpost in Antarctica and creative director John Murdy has announced the maze will be cold (via numerous HVAC units) and will be somewhere in the Upper Lot.

Maze walls are about to go up in the JP extended queue.






Terminator extended queue.

At the San Diego Zoo, they are getting ready to open a newly expanded Panda exhibit and offer entertainment well into the evening. We've got to say that we had the most wonderful day at the zoo. It is such a huge and lovely place.

Hi-Biscus!

The Monkeys were particularly active and adorable.



The largest Rodent species in the world.


Here a llama there a llama, everywhere a llama llama.


The elephants love their huge new habitat.

NEW PANDA EXHIBIT:
A new Panda enclosure is being worked on that allows visitors a longer path through new Panda enclosures. The new path winds through and around, allowing nearly every spot to be seen. It also appears that it will be themed rather nicely too.










Sir Clinksalot continue our look at Castle Park. Last week, we showed you the front side of the park where most of the coasters and flat rides are. Now, we come to the more lush back-side of the park.

This area features many rides such as the Log Ride, two train rides and game booths.


You cross over the train tracks for the mini train multiple times, little touches like this urge people to keep out.


The Mini Train tunnel


As you can see, the track is a very narrow gauge.

One of the more themed rides at the park is the Log Ride. Which is no surprise given Wendell "Bud" Hurlbut who designed the Mine Train and Log Ride at Knott's was also the founder of Castle Park.

While obviously not as immersive as the Log Ride at Knott's, it does feature quite a few nice touches.








From the top of the final drop.

Moving towards the back of the park, we find the two train rides

As you go through the train ride, you get to see the park from a different perspective. Much like the train ride at Knott's, many backstage area's are visible from the ride.

Next to the train rides is the Castle Park Antique Car Ride

This ride should look vaguely familiar to those who grew up with Knott's and many would recognize this as the old Tijuana Taxi.

It's truly great to see this Knott's classic attraction living on in this new location.

As you can see, Castle Park is truly a hidden Gem among the Southern California theme parks. We'll have even more from Castle Park's AMAZING miniature golf course soon.

For more information about Castle Park, visit their website HERE


Giveaway!!! We have a Green Lantern light-up Yo-Yo to give away to the first person to answer this Magic Mountain trivia question. The winner will be contacted via Private Message on MiceChat.

We have four prizes to give away and will be giving one away each week for the next four weeks.

Question: Name the 5 different names the current "Magic Flyer" coaster has been known as during it's stay at Magic Mountain. (you already have one of them)

Just type your answer in the comments section below for your chance to win.

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Today's update was brought to you by the following members of our fantastic and talented crew of photographers and news contributors: DisneyDaniel, Capt Phoebus, F!an, Sir Clinksalot, Fishbulb, and Dustysage.

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Would you like to be part of this crew? Do you have a park, zoo or botanical garden that you'd like to share with our readers? We are looking for Southern California theme park reporters. We'd love to hear from you! please contact [email protected].