Always Amused - Growing Up in Santa Cruz

Easing the Pain of Ride Breakdowns

growingupsc — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 20:55:20 +0000

I recently returned from a few days in Southern California to visit Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain for the first time since 2019. Being that it was my first visit since before the pandemic, I was thrilled to hit my favorite rides, after wondering three years ago if I would ever have the opportunity again. The primary purpose of my visit was for both parks’ Halloween spectaculars. Word of advice: try every other theme park Halloween event before going to Knott’s Scary Farm. Knott’s haunt is second to none, and will seriously ruin every other due to the impossibly high bar it sets. If my trip, however, was just for the rides, I would’ve been sorely disappointed. Two of my favorite roller coasters at Knott’s Berry Farm have been down for a combined total of nearly three years. At Magic Mountain, another two of my favorites were shut tight, while many others were running only one train, which automatically doubles the amount of time it takes to ride. Even worse, I experienced multiple breakdowns while waiting in lines, including one coaster that “experienced a temporary delay” twice in the hour-and-fifteen minutes I was standing in line. Maybe next year, Full Throttle. The ride closures, breakdowns and overall uncertainty over operations got me thinking: how can parks handle this unfortunate reality better? In a post on LinkedIn, Neil Wilson, a theme park industry veteran whose resume includes stints at Walt Disney World and Alton Towers, described a recent breakdown he experienced at the Bourne Stuntacular ride at Universal Orlando, an action show that combines virtual screens with real-life props and actors. The stage manager took to the stage to address the audience, first to apologize to the crowd, but then took the time to describe all the complex technical aspects of the performance in an interesting way that gave the audience an inside look at how everything operates. This interaction goes above and beyond what most other parks do when their attractions break down, oftentimes telling people they can leave or wait until things get back up and running. Here, the audience can get some sort of entertaining experience for the amount of time they waited in line. Time wasted is the biggest gripe most park-goers will cite when asked what frustrated them the most because of a breakdown. What else can be done? Offering those in line food discounts or front-of-the-line passes would help ease the pain. While most parks have TVs in line that screen advertisements or trivia, take it a step further by offering an app where people stuck in line can compete with their fellow park-goers for prizes through games on their devices. At the very least, there should be benches and constant shade in line for those of us exhausted from being on our feet all day. Boardwalk introduces two new rides for 2024 In a previous column, I wrote that the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk was in the process of adding a new Ferris wheel after the ride’s six-year absence. The Boardwalk made the news official recently, unveiling a name for the ride, Dream Wheel, and a targeted spring 2024 opening date. The Dream Wheel, at 65 feet tall, replaces Rock & Roll, the spinning and swinging ‘50s-themed car ride that has been dishing tunes since 2002 near the first drop of the Giant Dipper. The colorful ride, which is sure to make a splash in the Boardwalk’s skyline, will feature 15 gondolas that can sit up to four adults or six children at a time. “Ferris wheels are as much a part of a classic seaside amusement park experience as wooden roller coasters, carousels and cotton candy,” Boardwalk spokesperson Kris Reyes said. “We are thrilled to add Dream Wheel to our lineup of amazing rides, and I know our guests will love the stunning views.” Also coming in 2024 around Memorial Day weekend is Surge, replacing the long-standing Cliff Hanger ride. Surge is a spinning and tilting ride that can seat up to 24 riders on a dizzying 360-degree journey. Save the Dates Holiday Season: Our regional parks are once again ready to get festive. Most events begin near the end of November. Check their websites for dates and times. New Year’s Eve Celebration: Gilroy Gardens will ring in the New Year with a dance party, food, fireworks and more. May 17, 2024: The Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk celebrates its 100th birthday. What will be in store for the momentous occasion? By Erik Chalhoub

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Iconic Attraction Returns Soon to the Boardwalk

growingupsc — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 15:21:48 +0000

Something has been missing at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for too long, an attraction that is a staple at any seaside amusement park: a Ferris wheel. Thankfully, that’s about to change. Plans are in the works to install a new Ferris wheel at the Boardwalk, more than five years after it removed its classic ride due to decades of wear and tear and salty air. This Ferris wheel, approved by Santa Cruz city planners in August, will stand 68 feet tall, roughly the same size as the previous one, and feature 15 gondolas that can sit up to four adults or six children at a time, according to the plans. Manufactured by Kansas-based Chance Rides, it will be located across from the Giant Dipper’s first drop, and replace Rock & Roll, the spinning and swinging ‘50s-themed car ride that has been dishing tunes since 2002. The Ferris wheel last operated at the Boardwalk in 2017, but was removed early the next year after Boardwalk maintenance crews determined its age meant it had spun riders for the last time after nearly six decades. Everyone that I’ve talked to about the new Ferris is excited to hear that it’s coming back new and improved. Rather than being stuffed in the back corner of the park, the new central location is perfect, and should provide some never-before-seen views of the Giant Dipper. Also, a fond farewell to Rock & Roll, even though I always thought the ride was a bit of an oddball in the Boardwalk’s lineup. It is too similar in appearance and experience to another ride, Tsunami, which is also within sight of one another. That area of the park has hosted a number of spinning rides throughout the Boardwalk’s history, previously housing Wave Jammer, which I felt was more thrilling than Rock & Roll. Hit the skiesSpeaking of new rides, California’s Great America opened Pacific Gliders in August. Manufactured by Italian company Zamperla, the “Windstarz” attraction, as it is referred to, features 12, two-person “hang gliders” that rotate and allow the rider to control their own movement. It’s perfect for families, as you can decide how thrilling or calm you’d like to ride. Want to stay low to the ground or soar in the air? It’s all up to you. Being the thrill-seeker myself, I discovered how to make things a little more exciting. Let’s just say you should stick to the middle and time your glider’s movements to catch the air. Pacific Gliders is part of a newly renovated area of the park called NorCal County Fair, where the classic car ride attraction, renamed Barney Oldfield’s Redwood Rally, received a number of upgrades and surprises. The continued investment in Great America, a year after its owners announced it would be closing within the next decade, has given many hope that the park may still have a future after all. The year 2026 will be a big one for Great America. Not only will it be celebrating its 50th anniversary, but its parking lot neighbor, Levi’s Stadium, will be hosting some of the world’s biggest sporting events: the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup. Soarin’ over MontereyIn a previous article for Growing Up in Santa Cruz, I wrote about the new Treasure Hunt ride that opened in Monterey’s Cannery Row, a pirate-themed adventure where riders traverse in small vehicles and shoot at targets, à la Ghost Blasters at the Boardwalk. Turns out, the area is becoming quite a hotbed for amusement rides. Under construction in a former IMAX theater a couple of blocks away at 640 Wave St. is a “flying theater” ride known as “Encounter.” The moving theater seats, which can hold up to 39 people, will be suspended over a panoramic screen, giving the audience the illusion of flying through various scenes. The ride is being developed by Dynamic Attractions, the same company behind “Soarin’ Over California” at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim. No word yet on an opening date. A video that shows off what the ride will look like can be viewed at: tinyurl.com/3x7upd2u. Save the DatesFiesta en la Playa: The Boardwalk will celebrate the Latino community with mariachi performances, folklorico dancers and a free beach concert on Sept. 9. Fall Campout: Set up your tents overnight at the Boardwalk from Sept. 29-30. To register, visit beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Overnights. Boardwalk Fright Flicks: On Wednesday nights from Oct. 4-25, the Boardwalk will screen scary movies in the Cocoanut Grove ballroom, including “Us,” “Child’s Play,” “Zombieland” and “Halloween (2018).” Tricks & Treats: California’s Great America’s family-friendly Halloween event that debuted last year runs select days from Sept. 22-Oct. 29. The Great Big BOO: Gilroy Gardens will undergo its annual spooky transformation from Sept. 29 through October. By Erik Chalhoub

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Treasure Hunting in Monterey

growingupsc — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 16:11:40 +0000

Ready to hunt for some undersea treasure in Monterey? Treasure Hunt: The Ride will soon open on Cannery Row, taking riders on an interactive, pirate-themed adventure as they battle not only friends and family to score the most booty, but also against ghosts, skeletons and other creatures that lurk in the “newly discovered” caverns. Located near the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the ride will feature hand-crafted set pieces, animatronics and special effects blended with interactive media. Riders will use onboard interactive “Treasure Collector” devices (think Ghost Blasters at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk) to rack up a score. Treasure Hunt is the brainchild of manufacturer Sally Dark Rides, known for its attractions such as the Haunted Castle at the Boardwalk and Justice League at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and fabrication experts Daniels Wood Land, who were involved with the architecture on the Boardwalk’s new main entrance in 2017. The ride at 700 Cannery Row is squeezed into an 8,145-square-foot area, which includes the queue and maintenance areas. Six four-passenger vehicles will traverse a track, which is expected to take about four-and-a-half minutes. A six-minute pre-show is also planned, featuring an animatronic pirate and parrot hoping to entice passersby. “Cannery Row is an incredible destination, and it provides the perfect setting for us to weave a new story about a legendary pirate captain, hidden treasure, spooky caverns, a mythical kraken and even the rising tide of the Bay,” said Ron Daniels, president of Daniels Wood Land, in a press release. “Artisans have been working around the clock to craft the perfect environment for the experience. Wooden planks, cave walls, stalactites, skeleton bones, canons, treasure chests and countless gold coins have been strategically placed. The track is completed, and the ride vehicles are exploring the twists and turns. Thematic lighting is complete and we are well on our way to soon welcome our first guests.” Treasure hunters can keep track of the ride’s progress and opening date by visiting treasurehuntride.com. Summer Rush Begins It’s June, so that means summer is heating up and getting loud at the Boardwalk. On Thursdays from June 15 to Aug. 10, bands from across the Bay Area will bring the party to the Colonnade Stage in front of the Pirate Ship. On tap to perform from 8:30-10pm are Santa Cruz favorite Extra Large, Man in Black, Tsunami Band and others. The summer movie series kicks off June 16 with the screening of “The Lost Boys.” The series runs every Friday at 9pm through Aug. 11, featuring “Space Jam,” “Selena, “Top Gun: Maverick” and more.Daily entertainment is also on tap from June 19 through Aug. 11, featuring two performances from magicians, acrobats, jugglers and comedians. Performances will take place on the Colonnade Stage in front of the Pirate Ship and near Logger’s Revenge. More information on the summer entertainment lineup can be found at beachboardwalk.com/events. Chaperone Policy Now in Effect Parents and guardians of younger teens, be aware of this change in operations at California’s Great America. In late April, a new chaperone policy went into effect in an effort to curb the number of “unruly” incidents that have plagued theme parks nationwide over the past two years, according to the park. Under the policy, all guests ages 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a chaperone who is at least 21 years old in order to be admitted to, or remain in, the park after 4pm to closing time. The chaperone must show a government-issued photo identification with date of birth at ticket entry. One chaperone may accompany no more than 10 guests ages 15 or younger per day, the policy states.For information on the policy, visit cagreatamerica.com/code-of-conduct. Save the DatesLakeside Splash: Gilroy Gardens is debuting a new water area this summer. Taking over the former Bonfante Falls section, the area is equipped with new water slides, interactive features, upgraded cabanas and a new restaurant, The Smokehouse BBQ. Carnivale at Orleans Place: California’s Great America’s annual celebration of Mardi Gras returns July 19.Fiesta en la Playa: The Boardwalk will celebrate the Latino community with mariachi performances, folklorico dancers and a free beach concert on Sept. 9. Fall Campout: Set up your tents overnight at the Boardwalk from Sept. 29-30. Registration will be available soon at beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Overnights. By Erik Chalhoub

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Are Video Games the Next Theme Park Frontier?

growingupsc — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 18:40:00 +0000

An exciting new trend is gaining traction in the theme park industry, one that could create worlds like no other that we’ve seen off the screen. While video games and theme parks have gone hand-in-hand for decades, namely in the form of arcades, entire themed areas dedicated to a video game world has gone largely untapped. Until now. Super Nintendo World is set to open Feb. 17 at Universal Studios Hollywood, featuring attractions based on the Super Mario franchise, known among gamers since the 1980s but now exploding in popularity with a film coming to the big screen in April. At Super Nintendo World, you’ll be dropped right in the middle of the Mushroom Kingdom, where you’ll have the chance to get behind the wheel of a “Mario Kart” while collecting coins and throwing Koopa shells to throw off your opponents, using augmented reality headsets as your vehicle traverses a go-kart-style course. The newly built land within Universal Studios also features various video game-inspired challenges, along with dining and shopping options, as well as a chance to snap a selfie with the mustachioed plumber himself. Universal Studios Japan opened a similar area in 2021, with more planned across other Universal Studios parks. Could this be the catalyst for future video game theme parks? Some industry experts think so. Lance Hart, founder of Screamscape, a theme park rumor website that is frequently spot-on with its predictions, writes that as Hollywood begins to tap into video games for its new movies, the theme park industry will follow, as history has showed. Just over the past few years, we’ve seen Sonic the Hedgehog get his own series of movies, while a new streaming series based off of the PlayStation game “The Last of Us” has recently been released. “Uncharted” got its own movie starring Tom Holland in 2022, and later that year, PortAventura in Spain announced it would open a roller coaster based off of the series in 2023. Closer to home, we’ve seen California’s Great America turn a video game franchise into an attraction. In 2016, the park opened Mass Effect: New Earth, refreshing the park’s 4D theater with a new experience based off of the world and characters from the popular “Mass Effect” games, including a live actor to help guide riders through the attraction. As a lifelong gamer, I’m beyond excited to see my two nerdy passions bridging the gap with each other. On the Horizon Expect Treasure Hunt: The Ride to open sometime this year in Monterey, after it missed its advertised “late 2022” opening date. The pirate-themed “dark ride,” now under construction on Cannery Row, takes riders on a four-and-a-half minute journey featuring hand-crafted set pieces, animatronics and special effects blended with interactive media. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has a new ride cooking, according to a permit application filed earlier in 2022. Details are slim right now, but I’d expect to learn more as the year progresses. Some breaking news as I type this: On Jan. 12, Great America applied for a permit to construct a “Windstarz” ride in the place of an existing attraction. No other details are available. A “Windstarz,” manufactured by Zamperla, features 12, two-person “hang gliders” that rotate and allow the rider to control their own movement. With park owner Cedar Fair announcing in 2022 that it would be closing Great America sometime in the next decade, I expect these carnival-type rides will be the only new additions to come in the following years. Great America opened Liberty Twirler, a classic scrambler, in 2022. Save the DatesClam Chowder Cook-Off: The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s 42nd annual Clam Chowder Cook-Off, benefiting Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation, returns Feb. 25-26. Info: beachboardwalk.com/Clam-Chowder-Cook-Off Fun Run: Registration is now open for the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Fun Run on April 1, featuring a 1K race for children 12 and under and a 5K for everyone 4 and up. Info: beachboardwalk.com/Fun-Run Gilroy Gardens Opening Day : March 25 Great America now open weekends: California’s Great America is now open year-round, operating during weekends in January and February for the first time in its history. Peanuts Celebration: From April 1-30, the Peanuts Gang will take over the entire Great America with new musicals, activities and special food and drinks.

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The End of an Era

growingupsc — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 21:31:43 +0000

Great America is Closing: What Can You Expect? By Erik Chalhoub The news of California’s Great America’s eventual closure sent shockwaves through the Bay Area and the theme park community. We haven’t experienced such a loss in our region since Santa’s Village in Scotts Valley shut down for good in 1979. So what might this mean for Great America visitors? Let’s take a look.Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, which has owned Great America since 2006 and the land it sits on since 2019, announced in late June that it had sold the land to real estate developer Prologis for $310 million, and would wind down operations of the Santa Clara park in preparation of its eventual closing within 11 years. Cedar Fair has not yet committed to a hard closure date for Great America. But a review of the lease agreement between Cedar Fair and Prologis helps us narrow down the date ever so slightly. According to the agreement, the lease has a six-year term, with an option to renew for another five years. However, Prologis can terminate the lease at any time, provided it gives a two-year notice. This means that, if Prologis gives notice today, Great America could close in 2024. The latest it could remain open is 2033. But what will Great America look like in the next year or five? It might be completely unrecognizable. Shockingly, this is not the first time Cedar Fair has shut down one of its parks, and we can look to the past to get some sense of how Great America is going to fade into the sunset. In 2004, Cedar Fair purchased the Geauga Lake theme park in Ohio, but, citing financial issues, shut down the amusement park side of Geauga Lake in 2007 but kept its recently upgraded water park operational through 2016. During the ensuing few years, Cedar Fair relocated rides to other parks in its portfolio. Ironically, the now-defunct FireFall at Great America came from Ohio.Expect to see the same situation play out at Great America. 2022 will likely be the last time the park is “whole” before rides are shipped out elsewhere. Strong rumors suggest that Psycho Mouse, the wild mouse-style coaster toward the rear of the park, will be the first to go at the end of this year, and will be relocated to Cedar Point in Ohio. Newer, more-marketable rides such as RailBlazer will likely follow suit over the next five years. It’s not completely unimaginable to see Great America’s new water park, South Bay Shores, be the last area standing, similar to Geauga Lake’s water park. Great America has already been flirting with water park-only operation this summer.Any new investment (i.e. rides) into Great America is probably a thing of the past, making Liberty Twirler, a scrambler-type carnival ride opening soon, likely the final new ride at the park. Cedar Fair, however, has committed to continuing special events at the park throughout its final years. Whatever happens, we can expect Great America’s closure and redevelopment to be a painful, long-drawn-out process that extends well into the next decade and maybe even beyond. Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor said the property is currently zoned for a theme park, and any changes must be approved by the Santa Clara City Council. Make sure you get those final rides in at Great America, because nothing can be taken for granted. Save the DatesThe Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Evenings on the Colonnade continues Thursday evenings through Aug. 11. Performing in the final two weeks are Coffee Zombie Collective on Aug. 4 at 8:30pm and The Joint Chiefs on Aug. 11 at 7:30pm.Free Movies at the Beach continue on Fridays through Aug. 12. “Trolls” will be screened on Aug. 5, with “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on Aug. 12. Showtimes are 9pm. Don’t forget to celebrate National Roller Coaster Day, this year taking place on Aug. 14. The best way to do so is to take a spin on the Giant Dipper at the Boardwalk, and the first 100 riders of the day will receive a souvenir cup.By popular demand, Gilroy Gardens is hosting Back-to-School Family Camp Night on Aug. 6-7. Attendees can experience camping overnight at the park with a dinner and a movie, with breakfast, lunch and a day at Gilroy Gardens the following morning. Read More Articles

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Legoland

growingupsc — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 18:31:52 +0000

The Surprising Things About Legoland By Brad Kava I was so happy that a 6-year-old could appreciate an exhibit I would have figured would be more interesting to grown-ups. It wasn’t just amazing that they did this with Lego, but that they did it so remarkably authentic. It felt like being there. I took my 6-year-old son, Parker, to his first trip to Legoland last month and it was a blast, but not for the reasons you might expect. Yes, he loves Lego. He’s been doing one or two a week since he was 3. At 6 he does the ones way above his age group and our house already feels like a Legoland. But he couldn’t wait to see the real thing. We expected the highlights to be the rides, as they are at most theme parks, but what we really loved were the unexpected attractions. The first was a trading system they have. You bring in any of your small Lego characters and you can trade them with staff, guests and at little booths around the park. We had no idea that was a thing, but it turned out to be a wonderful one.First off, all the staff members have little Lego clipped to their shirts. If you see one you like they will make a trade. Also, if you see other kids with Lego figures, you can trade with them. We met so many people from all over the world by sharing our Lego. For Parker it was like we were the ones traveling the globe and it did what is too often lacking at theme parks—It got us talking to strangers and sharing stories, which made every day a friendly learning experience. Even the lines were more chill than at any other theme park we’d been to because we were compelled to talk to each other. Next up was the Lego models of cities from around the world. Our first day in the park we breezed through it, because I was afraid Parker wouldn’t really appreciate it. But he asked to go back there the second day and we spent hours looking at giant models of New York, Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Las Vegas and London. He was most interested in DC and needed to know what was in every building. Luckily, I was raised there and could answer most of his questions. I had taken him out of school for three days, claiming it was educational. (Don’t judge me.) But as we explored the government buildings in the capital, he spoke up: “See, Dad, it is an educational field trip.”) I was so happy that a 6-year-old could appreciate an exhibit I would have figured would be more interesting to grown-ups. It wasn’t just amazing that they did this with Lego, but that they did it so remarkably authentic. It felt like being there.We also spent time building Lego in various exhibits. It is Legoland, after all, but the chance to make something and keep it was just about worth the price of admission for a Lego fanatic. Last but not least—the hotel. We stayed at the castle, in a room for magicians, rather than ones for knights and dragons. The décor was beyond belief. Every inch was beautiful and magical and worth the expense, which was much higher than an off-campus motel would have been. (It’s considerably cheaper than the $1,000 plus per person Star Wars rooms at Disney. We paid $1,500 which included two-day passes to the park, a great buffet breakfast and all-day entertainment.) But there were two things at the hotel that really thrilled the kid: Every day there’s a treasure hunt. You get clues and have to explore the building to answer them. When you do, you get a combination to a safe in your room that has free Lego. Again, we interacted with families following the clues and it made the park so much more friendly than others we’ve been to. Aside from having story time, plays, character visits, big screen movies and kid games, there was one unplanned, unsponsored event—the sword fight pit. A fenced off playground that was used by toddlers in the daytime became a medieval battle ground for older kids in the evening, each of them with the ubiquitous soft foam swords and shields sold around the park (like the wands at Universal’s Harry Potter exhibit—every kid had to have them). The kids ran the show while the parents stood a bit nervously outside the fences watching and meeting. But if a park is for the kids, why not let them do their own thing? We’ve never seen anything like it at any other park. When I think of some other parks I remember tedious lines, high prices and feeling like I was in a shopping mall, more than a place for fun. The way Legoland gets people to interact made it one of the best experiences we’ve ever had and could teach some other parks a thing of two. For all the information you need, hit Legoland.com Read More Parenting Articles

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Always Amused

growingupsc — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 17:02:42 +0000

Santa Cruz Natives Find Success at Boardwalk Seaside Park Promotes Two Long-Time Employees By Erik Chalhoub Jessica Alfaro: Assistant General Manager/Director of Operations. Karley Pope: Director of Marketing and Sales The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk recently shared two success stories within its organization, highlighting the opportunities available for those who grow up in Santa Cruz. Two Santa Cruz natives and longtime Boardwalk leaders, Jessica Alfaro and Karley Pope, were promoted to new positions at the end of January. Alfaro was named Assistant General Manager/Director of Operations, while Pope was promoted to Director of Marketing and Sales. Alfaro, a graduate of Santa Cruz High School and Cabrillo College, began her career at the Boardwalk in 1996 as a game operator. Her work ethic was recognized by her managers, and she later became a supervisor in the Operations Office and eventually manager of Guest Services in 2011. She continued to rise through the ranks, and in 2016 was promoted to Director of Operations, where, according to the Boardwalk, she was tasked with day-to-day operations, employee training and improving the guest and employee experience.Alfaro and her husband Bernardo have two children, whom have both either currently or previously worked at the Boardwalk. Pope attended Aptos High School and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She began at the Boardwalk in 2003 as the Youth Sales Manager, and has filled a variety of roles, such as Promotions Director, where she helped expand the number of special events throughout the season. Prior to her promotion, Pope worked as Director of Sales.Both Alfaro and Pope have also served as leaders in the community, the Boardwalk noted in a press release, with Alfaro having served on the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Cruz County Board of Directors, and Pope previously on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and currently serves on the board of Visit Santa Cruz County. “Jessica and Karley are amazing members of our team,” said Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk President Karl Rice. “They are both great leaders who always find new and creative ways to improve the Boardwalk experience for guests and employees. I’m proud to call them colleagues and thankful for their dedication to our company.” Alfaro’s and Pope’s stories are a great inspiration for youngsters looking to get a jump-start on a career. The Boardwalk is always hiring for various positions, and is currently in a major hiring push as it gears up for the busy spring and summer seasons. Positions open include game operator, ride operator, food service operator, park host, ticket sales representative, parking attendant and more. Depending on the position, candidates as young as 15 can apply, with wages ranging from $15-$18 an hour and full-time opportunities available from June to September.All Boardwalk employees receive free parking and discounts on season passes, food and merchandise. Benefits for full-time employees include medical, 401k, paid time off and more. Interested in applying? Check out beachboardwalk.com/jobs. Fun Run returnsThe whole family is invited to a foot race through the Boardwalk when the Fun Run returns March 26. Open to all ages and abilities, the run features a 1k course for kids ages 12 and under, with a 5k option for everyone 4 and up.The 1k route begins at the Boardwalk Colonnade and out the Main Entrance, running adjacent to the park before wrapping around and finishing near the Pirate Ship. The 5k route is similar, but extends along the San Lorenzo River levee up to the Riverwalk Park before returning. Participants will receive a commemorative finisher medal, Boardwalk treats, up to three hours of post-race free play in the Boardwalk’s Casino Arcade and $15 off a Boardwalk Ride Wristband valid on race day.A portion of the proceeds from registration fees will benefit Haven of Hope, which operates two Short- Term Residential Therapeutic Programs in Santa Cruz County for foster youth. Online registration runs through March 25 at beachboardwalk.com/Fun-Run. Onsite registration is also available on the day of the race from 6:30–8am at the Boardwalk’s Season Pass/Group Services Office. Save the DatesCalifornia’s Great America opens for the 2022 season on March 12, with a special season passholder event on March 11. Gilroy Gardens has not yet announced its opening date as of press time. Raging Waters in San Jose won’t be falling for the unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having as of late, and is sticking to a May 21 opening date. Read More Always Amused Articles

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Season of the Coaster

growingupsc — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 16:42:27 +0000

‘Tis the Season for Coasters Holiday events are back and more festive than ever By Erik Chalhoub For most of November, theme parks are a strange hodgepodge of jack-o-lanterns, zombie heads, colorful ornaments and twinkling lights. The transition from Halloween to the holiday season doesn’t happen overnight. It takes many months of planning, and weeks of hands-on labor, to transform the parks from spooky nightmares to festive wonderlands. Let’s check out what our local parks have planned for 2021.Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkThe Boardwalk’s Winter Wonderland returns select days through Jan. 2. The seaside amusement park will be decked out with holiday flair in this annual tradition, featuring lights and decorations throughout the walk. A three-story-tall Christmas tree, centered in the main entrance, is a highlight of the event.Guests can also see who can pedal the fastest with the return of Boardwalk Racers in the main plaza, and sample traditional Boardwalk fare with a holiday twist and take photos with Santa Claus. Classic holiday movies will also be screened on Neptune’s Stage.A series of special events are also planned throughout Winter Wonderland’s run. Mini Nutcracker performances will take place on Dec. 4 and 5, followed by school choir/band performances the following weekend. The Jingle Bell Rock Run is also on tap for Dec. 12.For hours and information, visit beachboardwalk.com/Winter-Wonderland.California’s Great AmericaWinterFest, billed as the Bay Area’s “most immersive holiday event,” returns to Santa Clara on select nights through Jan. 9. Expect to take part in the festive activities that have become a staple of this relatively new event, such as ice skating in front of the world’s tallest carousel, sending letters to the North Pole, and strolling through themed areas in-between coaster thrills in the chilling winter night. For information, visit cagreatamerica.com/events/winterfest.Gilroy GardensThe horticultural themed park’s Holiday event is back on select nights through Dec. 31, where after ice skating, visitors can settle down to a feast before catching the Charlie Brown Christmas Show. Gilroy Gardens will also be decked out in festive lights, which are even more spectacular than displays elsewhere thanks to the park’s beautiful setting. For information, visit gilroygardens.org/holiday.Time to renew those season passesThe end of the year is usually the season pass … well … season, and this year is no different. But what I’ve noticed in recent years is the rise of options theme parks are offering when it comes to their passes. It’s always nice to have options, but things are now getting complicated and downright confusing in some cases. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk has the simplest option, with season passes for all of 2022 priced at $89.95. New this year, the Boardwalk is taking a Disney approach and offering cheaper, “restricted” season passes at $64.95, but with “blackout” dates. This pass restricts members from visiting on the busy summer weekends and holidays. It’s a good deal for those who avoid the packed weekends anyway and visit on the less-crowded weekdays. Great America offers three different types of passes, in addition to the free Pre-K pass: Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each have their own perks and are priced differently. I always go with the Gold pass, since it includes parking as well as admission to Halloween Haunt and WinterFest. You can also pay the entire price of the pass up front or in monthly installments. It’s fairly straightforward.However, Six Flags passes are a different story. The Season Pass at Discovery Kingdom will get you access to the Vallejo park as well as Hurricane Harbor Concord. I was disappointed, however, to see that the season passes no longer allow you to visit all Six Flags parks throughout the country, which was an incredible value at just under $60. Six Flags offers memberships that are paid by monthly installments, with four different levels: Gold Plus, Platinum, Diamond and Diamond Elite. There are various benefits that come with each level, and Six Flags does a good job at breaking all of them down on their website: sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/store/memberships. If you don’t care about food and merchandise discounts and skip-the-line passes for every visit, I recommend going with the least expensive Gold Plus option, since it includes admission and parking at all Six Flags parks. Take the time to research all the different options and choose the one that fits best for your family, so there are no surprises when you arrive at the gate. Strike Out Hunger returnsThe Boardwalk Bowl’s Strike Out Hunger, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank, is back from its one-year hiatus through Jan. 2. Those who bring a can of food to the Boardwalk Bowl get to bowl for free during the dates of the event. Participants who make a $100 cash donation to Second Harvest during the Strike out Hunger dates will receive 25 free bowling passes for use during future visits. Now in its 14th year, Strike Out Hunger provided 21,334 meals to local families in need in 2019, according to the Boardwalk.For information, visit boardwalkbowl.com/strike-out-hunger. Read More Always Amused Articles

The post Season of the Coaster first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

The Return of Halloween Events

growingupsc — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 17:56:08 +0000

The Return of Halloween Events Theme Parks Announce Scarefests After 2020 Hiatus By Erik Chalhoub I’ve been surprised over the past few weeks as theme parks throughout the state have been slowly announcing their Halloween offerings this year.Curious, mostly, over how events that rely heavily on “in your face scares” can survive and adapt in a world where a pandemic rages on, and where social distancing is still prominent. The parks have so far been mum on what modifications their Halloween festivities will have in light of Covid-19 and its variants. Will plexiglass separate the monsters from the guests? Will capacity inside mazes be extremely limited, therefore requiring reservations? We should find out more this month. But most of all, I’m excited to see the return of my favorite theme park events of the year. It gives me goosebumps to see the teaser videos coming from Knott’s Berry Farm, and to see promotional materials announcing monster hiring events.Here’s what we know so far. This information was accurate as of late August, so check with your favorite park’s website for cancellations and other information before attending. Santa Cruz Beach BoardwalkNo Halloween announcements so far from our local seaside park. But remember, you can experience the scares year-round at the Fright Walk, a walk-through attraction upgraded in 2017 that features some wild special effects and an unnerving atmosphere. Gilroy GardensExpect to see the return of day and night Halloween events at the gardens in October. Live musical shows, trick-or-treating, the “Boo Train” and other spooky festivities are a staple of this family-friendly event. California’s Great AmericaHalloween Haunt is back after last year’s hiatus, running select nights from Sept. 24 to Oct. 31. Full details have yet to be announced, but the park has hinted at the return of such mazes as Backwoods and the lights-off Wax Museum experience, where a small, too-dim flashlight is your only way to navigate the creepy labyrinth. Want to be a monster this year? Check out the various positions that the park is now hiring: bit.ly/3j3MNpK. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Magic MountainFright Fest opens Sept. 11 at Magic Mountain and Sept. 25 at Discover Kingdom, with “thrills by day” and “frights by night” through Oct. 31, the parks tease. Details are to be announced soon. Knott’s Berry FarmOften described as the “granddaddy of Halloween events,” Knott’s Scary Farm (my personal favorite) returns for its 48th season Sept. 16 through Oct. 31. The Southern California theme park will be transformed with eight mazes (one of which is new), four new shows (for a total of six) and five scare zones (including a new experience). Universal Studios HollywoodHalloween Horror Nights is back on select nights from Sept. 9 to Oct. 31, with eight haunted mazes. Rising through the ranksTheme park jobs offer a great opportunity for career growth, and we recently saw another example at the Boardwalk. Omid Aminifard, who began his 36-year theme park career as a park host at SeaWorld San Diego, was promoted to general manager and vice president of the Boardwalk in August. He joined the Boardwalk as the director of Arcades and Attractions in 2000, and six years later was promoted to director of Boardwalk Operations. Prior to his most recent promotion, he was vice president of Boardwalk Operations. “I enjoy the varied and unique challenges of an open-gate amusement park,” Aminifard said. “We have developed an outstanding team of dedicated and caring professionals who understand the importance of delivering world-class guest and employee experience.” The Boardwalk is always hiring. To view available jobs, visit beachboardwalk.com/Jobs. Save the DatesThe Boardwalk’s Fall Girl Scout Overnight takes place Oct. 1-2, followed by the Fall Scout Overnight on Oct. 8-9. Registration ends later in September. To register, visit beachboardwalk.com/events. Professional and amateur chefs will face off for the title of Best Chili at the Boardwalk’s annual Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 23. The registration deadline for competitors is Oct. 18. A portion of the proceeds from Tasting Kit sales will benefit Your Future is Our Business, which provides work-based learning opportunities to elementary, middle and high school students as well as internships for post-secondary students within Santa Cruz County. For information, visit beachboardwalk.com/Chili-Cook-Off. Read More Always Amused Articles

The post The Return of Halloween Events first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.

Back in Rythm

growingupsc — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 14:53:27 +0000

Getting Back in Rhythm Theme Park Operations Slowly Return to Pre-Pandemic State By Erik Chalhoub We all get a little out of practice when we haven’t done something in more than a year. Tucking in our shirts, interacting with colleagues in person, handshakes…the rust is real. The same is happening at theme parks, with most reopening in April and May after a year of Covid-19 closures. I’ve heard horror stories of three-hour waits on GhostRider at Knott’s Berry Farm, where ride operators finally decided to put the second train on the track to speed up the queue … an hour after the park closed for the night. Ouch. Countless rides, after being dormant for so long, are having random breakdowns and other operational quirks that are putting them out of service for some time. It sounds like they need to get back into their rhythm. And speaking of getting back into a rhythm, many ride operators can be slow to get trains dispatched, likely dazed and confused because they haven’t seen so many people in a long time. Just like the rest of us. We are now deep into the summer theme park season, the first we’ve had since 2019. The crowds are here, and likely to get even larger as families take one more trip to the parks before school begins again. The moral of the story is, be patient. Your favorite ride may not be open, or the queue lines may be longer than usual. Be understanding. There’s a lot of rust going around. Reserve no more?The reservation system, which theme parks were using to limit attendance as a way to comply with Covid-19 safety requirements, are slowly going away.The Boardwalk has eliminated its reservation system, as have Six Flags parks in California. However, as of mid-July, California’s Great America and Gilroy Gardens still require reservations, so make sure you check online with those parks before traveling over the hill. Face mask requirements vary, so check with the park before you visit. The Boardwalk is relying on an honor system, and no longer requires fully vaccinated guests to wear a mask inside the park. However, all unvaccinated visitors are only “recommended” to wear a mask, according to its guidelines updated June 15. New coaster for 2022Six Flags Magic Mountain is cooking up something big for 2022.According to documents submitted to the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning, Magic Mountain is preparing to construct a new roller coaster at its northern end, located in the DC Universe section of the park. The coaster is described in the plans as an “RMC,” which is the abbreviation of the famed Idaho-based roller coaster manufacturer Rocky Mountain Construction. The plans show what appears to be a single-rail coaster, a larger version of California’s Great America’s RailBlazer, also designed by Rocky Mountain Construction. The coaster traverses the plot where the Green Lantern coaster once sat, as well as the Tidal Wave water ride, which is currently being dismantled to make room for the new coaster. The coaster has not yet been officially announced. But it’s thrilling to see that new rides are back in the works, as this time last year we were all worried about if our favorite parks would ever open their gates again. National Roller Coaster DayAug. 16 is National Roller Coaster Day, and especially this year, we have much to be thankful for. National Roller Coaster Day marks the moment when manufacturer Edwin Prescott was awarded a patent for the one of the first looping roller coasters on Coney Island in New York on Aug. 16, 1898. The Boardwalk will celebrate National Roller Coaster Day the day before on Aug. 15. The first 100 riders to take a spin on the 97-year-old Giant Dipper will receive a Boardwalk souvenir cup. On this National Roller Coaster Day, let’s celebrate by taking part in our favorite pastime and reflect on how far we have come over the last year-and-a-half of the devastating pandemic. Better days and bigger thrills are ahead. Save the DatesThe Boardwalk will be welcoming Scouts to camp overnight at the historic amusement park, and registration is now open for the October events. The Fall Girl Scout Overnight takes place Oct. 1-2, followed by the Fall Scout Overnight on Oct. 8-9. To register, visit beachboardwalk.com/events. As of mid-July, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios Hollywood are the only two California theme parks that have announced they will be bringing back a Halloween event for 2021, both beginning in September. Stay tuned to see how the typical in-your-face scarefests are modified for the pandemic. Read More Always Amused Articles

The post Back in Rythm first appeared on Growing Up in Santa Cruz.