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What’s cooking at theme parks? Always Amused August 2019
What’s cooking at theme parks? Deals, healthy options now on the table Always Amused August 2019 By Erik Chalhoub A theme park without food is like a car without wheels — you can’t operate one without the other. With most guests at parks making their visit a day out of it, coupled with the amount of walking to and from attractions, it can be a good workout, and a great way to work up an appetite. But theme park food is notorious for being greasy, unhealthy, heavily-processed grub. Worst of all, it’s overpriced ($40 pizza, anyone?). Sadly, that is still the case, but fortunately no longer the entire story. Over…
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New, Technologically Advanced Coaster Opens in Vallejo: Always Amused July 2019
New, Technologically Advanced Coaster Opens in Vallejo: Always Amused July 2019 By Erik Chalhoub With theme parks in Southern California getting all the hype this year — Star Wars: Galaxy Edge recently opened at Disneyland, a new quadruple-launching coaster is being built at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Universal Studios Hollywood is about to debut its re-imagined Jurassic World attraction — parks in Northern California have been relatively quiet in 2019. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk added two new family rides — Twirlin’ Teacups and Crazy Surf — while California’s Great America is prepping for a yet-to-be-announced water park expansion. Gilroy Gardens, meanwhile, is still riding high with its 2018…
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Santa Cruz Landmark Turns 95: Always Amused June 2019
Santa Cruz Landmark Turns 95: Always Amused June 2019 By Erik Chalhoub In early 1924, Calvin Coolidge became the first U.S. president to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios had also been founded that year and was well on its way to dominating Hollywood. Meanwhile, a 50-man crew was hard at work on the beach in Santa Cruz, hammering away at a wooden structure that would become not only the most iconic landmark in the city, but something that would one day be recognizable across the world. Ninety-five years later, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s Giant Dipper is still shaking, rattling and rolling its way into…
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Living a Dream: La Selva Beach Native Finds Career in Theme Park Industry
Living a Dream La Selva Beach Native Finds Career in Theme Park Industry Always Amused By Erik Chalhoub What started as a kindergarten hobby has turned into a lifelong pas- sion for La Selva Beach native Nicholas Laschkewitsch, and he has taken that love to find not only a career, but the opportunity to work on a project that will be seen by millions of people from throughout the globe. If you plan to brave the crowds later this year when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is slated to open at Disney- land, you too can see just what Laschkewitsch helped make a reality. Laschkewitsch recently wrapped up a five- month…
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Dangers Imagined and Real: Always Amused February 2019
Dangers Imagined and Real: Always Amused February 2019 By Erik Chalhoub You’ve loaded the family in the car, driven a few hours, and you’ve gotten through the main gate. All that built-up excitement and anticipation upon entering a theme park can be overwhelming, especially for younger children: which ride do you hit first? What time do the shows start? Where should we get lunch? But, you should be focusing on one thing above all else: safety first. Sorry to be a buzzkill. From all my years visiting theme parks, I’ve seen some crazy things, all of which were the fault of the guest, not the park. I’ve seen kids dive…
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Season Pass Buying Guide: Always Amused January 2019
Season Pass Buying Guide: Always Amused January 2019 By Erik Chalhoub January is here, and that means there are months of theme park adventures right around the corner. That also means it’s time to break out the wallet again. Anybody who has visited a theme park knows it can be a very expensive hobby or time out with the family. As the new year begins, and most parks are hibernating in the offseason, it’s a good time to plan out your potential theme park visits for 2019. Through the planning process, you are almost guaranteed to ask the question: Should I splurge for a season pass, or purchase separate tickets?…
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A Look Back at 2018’s New Rides Holiday Events on Tap for December: Always Amused: December 2018
A Look Back at 2018’s New Rides Holiday Events on Tap for December: Always Amused: December 2018 By Erik Chalhoub As 2018 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect back on the new rides I experienced this year at California theme parks, while also get excited for the new-for-2019 attractions that are right around the corner. Instead of a traditional “top five new rides list,” I’m doing something slightly different. Even though I have a clear favorite coaster and worst coaster, ranking rides, for me, has become too muddy and constantly changes as the years, and sometimes weeks, go on. Here are my “awards” for 2018: BEST NEW OLD…
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How Parks are Surviving the Off-Season: Always Amused November 2018
How Parks are Surviving the Off-Season: Always Amused November 2018 By Erik Chalhoub It’s November. Summer is long past and Halloween is in the rear-view mirror. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is now in limited operation mode, California’s Great America is closed until its WinterFest event starts at the end of the month, and rides in parks throughout the state and nation are down for their annual maintenance. The off-season blues are kicking in. So why are parks reporting record numbers during this time of the year? According to Cedar Fair, the company that owns Great America, revenues increased by 19 percent in 2017 from October through November compared to…
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It’s the Spookiest Time of the Year: Always Amused October 2018
It’s the Spookiest Time of the Year: Always Amused October 2018 By Eric Chalhoub October is the start of the fall sea- son — the days become shorter, trees become bare, orange becomes the common color, and zombies start to roam the streets (in larger numbers, at least). It’s also one of the best, if not busiest, times to visit a theme park, and locally, we’ve got one of the best Halloween events around. California’s Great America’s 11th annual Halloween Haunt got the spooky season underway Sept. 21, and will continue to run Friday through Sunday nights up to Oct. 28. This year, the event sees a new maze (Tooth…
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What Do Theme Parks Do When Summer is Over?
What Do Theme Parks Do When Summer is Over? Always Amused: September 2018 By Erik Chalhoub Photos by: Erik Chalhoub. ALL NIGHT LONG it’s a bit like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when Santa Cruz kids get a chance to camp at the boardwalk all night this month. School is back in session, summer is nearly over and the weather is mild. September is here, and that means it’s one of the best times to visit a theme park. Yes, there may be fewer days and hours the parks are open, and the kids are busy with homework, but now is the time to hit the roller coasters, take a…
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Many Iconic Rides Built by Former Local Company: Always Amused 2018
Many Iconic Rides Built by Former Local Company Always Amused August 2018 By Erik Chalhoub The trains for the Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk were manufactured by Morgan Manufacturing in 1984. By Erik Chalhoub Giant Dipper at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Quicksilver Express at Gilroy Gardens, and Grizzly at California’s Great America are staples at their respective parks. But you might not know that all three roller coasters are tied together by a local connection. That is D.H. Morgan Manufacturing, a company founded by Dana Morgan in Scotts Valley in 1983 that eventually moved its operations to San Andreas Road in La Selva Beach in 1991,…
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Fly and Get Wet in Two New Area Amusements: Always Amused
Fly and Get Wet in Two New Area Amusements: Always Amused By Erik Chalhoub For those of us who live in Santa Cruz County, we are lucky when it comes to finding thrills the whole family can enjoy. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, named the best seaside amusement park for 10 years by Amusement Today, is right in our backyard. But we are also fortunate that two stellar parks, Gilroy Gardens and California’s Great America, are both within an hour’s drive from us. And 2018 is shaping up to be a major year for both of them. Gilroy Gardens, nestled in the Santa Cruz Mountains on 3050 Hecker Pass Highway,…
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Always Amused: Your Guide to Theme Parks, Tourist Attractions, Rides and Cool Events
Always Amused Your Guide to Theme Parks, Tourist Attractions, Rides and Cool Events By Erik Chalhoub In the late 1990s, Smash Mouth was on top of the music world. Its first major hit in 1997, “Walkin’ on the Sun,” hit number one on a slew of charts, and its follow-up in 1999, “All Star,” propelled the band to seemingly another universe. You couldn’t turn on the radio, watch a movie, or attend any kind of event without hearing the San Jose-based band telling you to get your game on and how only shooting stars break the mold. For me, as an elementary-schooler at the time, I was hooked. But as…
