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SeaWorld’sHalloween Spooktacular is Back + Kids Free Through 10/31

/ Family Fun, San Diego

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
Guests looking for family friendly Halloween fun can head to SeaWorld Spooktacular® for a festive day filled with candy, costumes, colorful characters, music and more.

This immersive family event features everything kids love about Halloween, from trick-or-treating to hay mazes to a Halloween dance party to fun times with their favorite Sesame Street friends. In addition to all the returning favorites, this year SeaWorld San Diego is bringing back its beloved Spooktacular Pumpkin Hunt! SeaWorld Spooktacular runs weekends now through October 31 and is included with park admission. As an added treat, SeaWorld San Diego is offering one child, aged 3 to 9, free admission with one full-paid adult admission until October 31.

  • Adventures along the Trick-or-Treat Trail: Find waves of Halloween fun when costumed youngsters trick-or-treat for ghoulish goodies. Each candy station on our trick-or-treat trail features an assortment of favorites from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Halloween Dance Party & Costume Parade: Children can join a cast of silly characters for a Halloween Dance Party where they participate in line-dancing favorites and then show off their costumes in the costume parade!
    Meet a Mermaid: Meet the friendly Halloween mermaids each event day in this immersive experience along the Trick-or-Treat Trail.
  • Hay Maze: Wander through our festive hay maze and meet some fun fall characters along the way.
    Sesame Street Countdown to Halloween show: Join Count von Count as he goes on a journey on his favorite night of the year…Halloween! Learning the importance of friendship, he leaves his castle in search of his Sesame Street friends, meeting new friends along the way. See the park schedule for show times.
  • Dia de los Muertos: Back by popular demand is the celebration of the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos. Large, beautifully dressed Catrina statues will welcome guests as they discover ofrendas (offerings) of mementos and flowers honoring loved ones who have passed.
  • Spooktacular Pumpkin Hunt: Families can purchase a Spooktacular Pumpkin Hunt Map to explore the park and track down SeaWorld and Halloween inspired painted pumpkins to redeem a special prize!
    Spooky Family Fun by Day, Terrifying Halloween Frights by Night

For guests who are seeking a scarier Halloween experience, SeaWorld San Diego is debuting its first ever Howl-O-Scream nighttime event. Guests will encounter roaming haunts rampaging through scare zones and haunted houses with dark passageways home to ghoulish creatures lurking in the depths. Adventuresome guests can deepen the thrills with terrifying rides in the dark on Electric Eel, Manta and Journey to Atlantis, quench their thirst for fear at fiendishly interactive bars and feel the monstrous electricity of the live Vampire Circus show. Guests won’t want to miss this “inaugural fear” year of Howl-O-Scream San Diego, select nights now through Sunday, October 31. For more information and ticket purchases for this separate-ticketed event visit http://www.HowlOScream.com/CA.

The Best Way to Experience Spooktacular at SeaWorld: Buy a new 2022 SeaWorld Fun Card, get 2021 FREE! For a limited time, visit again and again with a 2022 SeaWorld Fun Card and get the rest of 2021 FREE! This incredible deal offers more than three bonus months when you buy now, including visits to SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular this year and next year, for only $99.99*.For access with more benefits and low monthly payments starting at $10.50 per month, guests can upgrade to a Silver, Gold, or Platinum Annual Pass to enjoy the perks they want most. Annual Pass Members* receive 12 months of visits with incredible benefits including exclusive ride opportunities, FREE parking, up to 6 free guest tickets, savings on merchandise, and more! Annual Pass Members also get special discounts for the best deals on Howl-O-Scream San Diego. For more information about the SeaWorld Fun Card, please go HERE.

Safety:
The safety of guests, Ambassadors and animals in our care remains SeaWorld’s top priority. Consistent with CDC guidance, SeaWorld recommend that guests wear face coverings while indoors.

Logo, images and video property of SeaWorld and used with permission. 

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® California Resort Tickets Now on Sale

/ Family Fun, LEGOLAND, San Diego

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND® California Resort is back this year with even more Halloween excitement! The Park is open after dark at the only kid-focused Halloween event in Southern California, every Saturday in October. Enjoy rides open late, trick-or-treating, live entertainment, Halloween décor, and more! Eat, drink, and be scary with season-al food and beverage options for the whole family. SEA LIFE® aquarium joins in on the celebration with Halloween décor, live creatures, and spooky-fun exhibits.

Brick-or-Treat dates for 2021 will beOctober 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30.

To purchase tickets, please go HERE. 

There’s so much to do, you’ll want to have a Halloween sleepover just steps away from the Park entrance at the amazing LEGOLAND Hotel and LEGOLAND Castle Hotel. Check out the Brick-or-Treat Hotel and Ticket packages HERE.

Images property of LEGOLAND California Resort and used with permission. 

Celebrate the Halloween Season at Knott’s Spooky Farm Starting September 25

/ Family Fun, Knott's, Orange County

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Knott’s Spooky Farm is back for 2021! This spooktacular family-friendly, daytime Halloween event invites families with little ghouls ages 3-11 to celebrate the delightfully spooky season as the park transforms with themed décor and wicked fun around every corner. The fall Season of Fun offers Halloween-themed activities that celebrate the season, including trick-or-treating, a line-up of original shows, pumpkin decorating and the brand-new Calico Carnival Costume Cavalcade. Knott’s Spooky Farm takes place on weekends, September 25 – October 31.

You can find Charlie Brown, his best friend Snoopy and the beloved PEANUTS Gang celebrating the spooky holiday with their own Halloween costumes at special meet & greets and fun photo encounters throughout Camp Snoopy. Kids ages 3 -11 can participate in a memorable trick-or-treating experience available along Ghost Town’s Main Street and Schoolhouse Road. During trick-or-treating, kids will interact with an array of spooky but friendly shopkeepers as little ones have the opportunity to show off their festive Halloween costumes. In Ghost Town, Stanley Scarecrow has opened the Livery Stable for guests of all ages to get close and personal with the Creepy Critters of Calico.Whimsical jack-o-lanterns surround Calico Park as it changes into an enchanting Pumpkin Patch location for families to enjoy the atmosphere of the season with photo ops and crafters. Miniature pumpkins or Halloween cookies will be available for decorating for a nominal fee. Linus can be spotted at the pumpkin patch, helping little ones pick out their very own perfect pumpkin. Gals and ghouls are in for a treat as new fun Halloween-themed shows are in store with the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre Show at Birdcage Theatre. These peculiar puppeteers will amaze all with a spooky puppet show.

At Camp Snoopy, families can hop aboard the Grand Sierra Railroad, joining Linus in the Pumpkin Patch as he and Sally await the arrival of The Great Pumpkin because Halloween isn’t complete without this timeless tale from the Peanuts Gang. Additionally, The Camp Snoopy Theater is debuting the Great Pumpkin Palooza show, where you’ll get more than a rock as you join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts Gang for a high-energy music tribute to the best holiday ever, Halloween.

The residents of The Timber Mountain Log Ride will celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a family-friendly seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The ride’s interior will feature fun surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns. The seasonal ride will also feature an original song performed by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies. At Camp Snoopy, families can hop aboard the Grand Sierra Railroad to experience a one-of-a-kind adventure with A Trip to Camp Spooky as riders travel with the PEANUTS Gang® and spot 2D and 3D Halloween themed characters and effects along the trail. The fun continues for little ones at the Calico Mine Ride with the newly added ride overlay at Calico Candy Mine Ride every Halloween as it mysteriously transforms from silver ore to pure candy. Grab a seat with your little one on the mine train for a sweet trip through a candy-filled dream. Little ghouls are also encouraged to strut their stuff and show off their Halloween Costumes in the Calico Carnival Costume Cavalcade hosted by the Calico Mayor and Cameo Kate at the Calico Mine Stage.The Halloween fun is park-wide as Día de Los Muertos, ¡ViVir! takes over the Fiesta Plaza Stage. This festive show pays tribute to the Hispanic cultural celebration and traditions of Día de Los Muertos.

Knott’s Spooky Farm runs weekends, September 25 – October 31 from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and is included with regular park admission. For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm and to purchase tickets, please visit knotts.com and follow the conversation on social using #KnottsSpookyFarm.

Images and logo are property of Knott’s and used with permission. 

Halloween Horror Nights is Back Tickets Now on Sale

/ Family Fun, Los Angeles, Uncategorized

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own 

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood is back with a vengeance as tickets are now on sale with menacing fan favorite mazes, “The Exorcist” and “The Curse of Pandora’s Box”, joining an unnerving line-up at Southern California’s intensely immersive Halloween event.

Event dates are as follows: September 9-12, 16-19, 23-26, 30 and October 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 21-24, 28-31. Due to popular demand, the event is expected to sell out. (Click here to purchase tickets.)

This year, guests will be possessed by “The Exorcist” maze, often revered as the most terrifying movie of all-time, as they live the tormented aberrations experienced by Regan and her determined mother. Watch the clip below to get a sneak peek at “The Exorcist”.


Horror also re-emerges in ultraviolet with the addition of the original concept maze, “The Curse of Pandora’s Box.” Inspired by the most fearsome creatures in Greek mythology, this disturbing experience transports guests from the land of the living to the nightmarish netherworld of Hades where the demonic temptress Pandora serves as their guide. Watch the video below for a sneak peek at “The Curse of Pandora’s Box”.

Designed to taunt, terrorize and torment guests as they navigate the darkness from one frightening maze to another, “Halloween Horror Nights” also features the previously announced line-up with more mazes and experiences to be announced soon:

  • “The Haunting of Hill House,” based on Netflix’s critically-acclaimed supernatural thriller.
  • “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” a chilling maze featuring a demented Leatherface and his unrelenting chainsaw.
  •  “Universal Monsters: The Bride of Frankenstein Lives,” inspired by Universal Pictures’ cinematic monsters with an all-original story about one of the studio’s most infamous creatures.

The following are “Halloween Horror Nights” tickets options available for purchase:

  • General Admission: single night ticket to the seasonal event
  • Universal Express™: admission to “Halloween Horror Nights” and one-time express access to each maze, ride and attraction
  • Universal Express™ Unlimited: admission to “Halloween Horror Nights” and unlimited express access to each maze, ride and attraction
  • Day to Night Ticket: after 2pm access to all daytime attractions plus Halloween Horror Nights
  • Day to Night Ticket + Universal Express™: after 2pm one-time express access to all daytime attractions plus Halloween Horror Nights

Tickets are available for purchase at Hollywood.HalloweenHorrorNights.com. All tickets purchased online provide guests early admission with entry beginning at 6:00 p.m. each night of “Halloween Horror Nights”.

“Halloween Horror Nights” at Universal Studios Hollywood brings together the sickest minds in horror to immerse guests in a living, breathing, three-dimensional world of terror inspired by TV and film’s most compelling horror properties.

The event also comes to life at Universal Orlando Resort which celebrates 30 years of fear this year.

For exciting updates and exclusive “Halloween Horror Nights” content, follow #UniversalHHN on social.

Images, logo and videos are property of Universal Studios Hollywood and used with permission. 

 

Knott’s Scary Farm Returns for its 48th Season Tickets Now on Sale

/ Family Fun, Knott's, Orange County

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Knott’s Scary Farm Returns for its 48th Season with Mesmerizing New Nightmares

Southern California’s largest immersive Halloween experience, Knott’s Scary Farm, returns with innovative new scares and bone-chilling thrills for its 48th frightful year. Terror comes to life as the theme park shifts into your worst nightmare, with horrifying monsters and hair-raising scares looming around every turn. This year, guests will have to confront their greatest fears with 15 haunted attractions, including five sinister scare zones, eight mesmerizing mazes, and two seasonal ride overlays to some of your favorite park attractions. Knott’s Scary Farm returns for 27 terrifying nights from September 16 – October 31.

There is nowhere to hide as endless scares await guests around every corner, with the debut of our newest captivating maze, an all-new spine-chilling scare zone, and a frightening lineup of new shows. These new haunted experiences add to the original scares that can’t be found anywhere else.Here are the new offerings for 2021:

Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind (Maze) – The newest haunted maze has arrived; Mesmer: Sideshow of the Mind. Within the canvas tent lies the secret of the most potent force in the universe: the human mind. Give in and succumb to the hypnotist Mesmer and his sinister sideshow, as it preys on your hidden fears. Release your inner thoughts and descend into a world of madness, torture, and eerie enlightenment. There you will uncover the grotesque secrets hidden as you brave through the most terrifying show ever created.The Gore-ing 20’s (Scare Zone) – Step back into the dark decadence of a by-gone era as the newest scare zone, The Gore-ing 20’s, terrorizes even the bravest and most brutal souls. Here gangsters run illicit hooch for the ghostly revelers as the otherworldly musicians play the music of the damned. Tell the Bouncer the secret password, and you’ll have the time of your life for as long as it lasts.

Carnaval du Grotesque (Show) – Calico Mine Stage
Grab a seat as the show is about to begin! Your mind will melt at the sights and sounds of the Carnaval du Grotesque. Live bands provide the soundtrack for the creepiest company of performers to ever disgrace the stage.

Invitation to Terror (Show) – Mystery Lodge
Invitation to terror is a digital illusion horror show which tells the story of Millionaire Tom Shackleford, he is set to unveil the secret project that he promises will change the world. Set in Calico 1986, guests are invited to the debut of Futuretronics, the world’s top technology creator, latest technological advancement. It’s going to be a killer party with plenty of terrifying surprises no one will ever see coming.

Wicked Drums (Show) – Camp Snoopy Theater
Deep within The Hollow, The Witches summon you to a percussion ritual to awaken the dead. Hosted by the evil Hag of the Hollows, Wicked Drums, high energy drumming collides with ancient witchcraft in a sensory overload sure to raise your spirits. It’s a Halloween activity worth witnessing.

Doce de la Noche (Show) – Fiesta Plaza
The night comes alive at the stroke of midnight when our electric dance group takes the Fiesta Village stage. Dressed in colorful and vibrant colors, the lively dancers dazzle all with their moves set to high-energy music, which takes over all senses and has everyone dancing their feet off.

Returning Mazes:

Wax Works – Mysterious lights and strange noises have begun to emanate from the eerie abandoned wax museum. It’s rumored that blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the halls of Wax Works as victims are horrifyingly submerged into a scorching hot cauldron of bubbling wax. The once prominent plastic surgeon, Dr. Augustus Scratch, has been seen tinkering at night and is now ready to show off his beautiful yet terrifying life-like masterpieces of hot molten wax and bloody flesh. Take a closer look at his gruesome works of art and try to escape his deadly grip or become the newest masterpiece to add to his collection.

Origins: The Curse of Calico – Pierce the veil of time and discover the secret of the evil fog that hangs over Knott’s Scary Farm in Origins: The Curse of Calico. Unearth the sinister paranormal activity that plagues the town as Sarah Marshall is put on trial for her suspected crimes of witchcraft. All will be unveiled when the Green Witch rises and curses the townsfolk, transforming all who have accused her into a wicked horde of malicious creatures with an eternal quench for the living.

PARANORMAL, INC. – The Haunting of Hayden Hill: Paranormal Inc. maze reopens its doors one final time to those brave enough to uncover a bizarre and supernatural adventure. Guests investigate a haunted hospital where the patients were tortured for decades by deranged doctors and nurses. Demonic spirits of the murdered victims have been detected throughout the mysterious halls, while evil medical staff prowl for new patients to torture.

Pumpkin Eater – Survive the wrath of the murderous 7-foot tall creature that haunts the old woods surrounding The Hollow in the Pumpkin Eater maze. The notorious creature is on the prowl, hidden within the dark confines of the haunted town he once terrorized. To escape the sinister Pumpkin Eater’s wrath, all who enter must go on a quest through the silent town of victims, face a cave of crawling insects and solve the labyrinth of thorns that blocks the way out.

Dark Ride – Journey through an abandoned carnival ride where cruel carnie folk still linger in the shadows in Dark Ride: Castle of Chaos. The carnival has become a refuge for freaks and carnies. Now those shunned performers have created a dark world of terror which they plan to unleash on those who enter. Dark Ride will lead brave visitors through a treacherous path and into the bowels of a long-neglected attraction, as sinister shadows and horrifying scenes cast the gloom over the once pleasant ride. It’s everyone’s worst nightmare, being helplessly trapped inside an abandoned carnival ride without a way out.The Depths – A heavy fog drapes over an abandoned port village where ancient creatures lurk inside the pitch-black underground caves hidden below the seaside shores. The Nightwatch Mining Crew has mysteriously disappeared, and village rumors point to the eerie tunnels the town sits upon. But be warned, all who have entered have never resurfaced. Myths of the terrifying horrors that lurk within the cave have often been whispered but never confirmed. Did the crew meet their demise at the hand of vicious creatures that live within the cave? Journey into the ominous caverns to discover if the superstitions revolving around the cave are true or not.Dark Entities – Teleport beyond earth into a realm where the darkness is absolute. In the depths of space, a lone station faces terror beyond all imagination. An extraterrestrial mutation has invaded the station, and it’s on the prowl for new hosts. The unearthly inhabitants’ force increases as it feeds on its unwilling victims. Escape the dark entities before their deadly force eliminates all living forms aboard the station. There’s nowhere to escape when time is running out!Halloween Hootenanny – The Timber Mountain Log Ride residents celebrate the Halloween Hootenanny, which adds a seasonal twist to a park favorite. Mysterious creatures of Timber Mountain that live out in the woods and caverns join the citizens as they honor the season at the Halloween Hootenanny. The Ride’s interior features surprises as guests venture past the Calico Coffin Creeper band, the town’s green witch, and splash down Skull Mountain through a labyrinth of jack-o-lanterns all set to an original soundtrack by Krazy Kirk and the Hillbillies.

Knott’s Scary Farm is far more than a collection of haunted attractions.Every night monsters spill out onto the streets and turn theme park midways into murderous scare zones. From the world-famous Ghost Town Streets to the Boardwalk area filled with evil clowns, there’s nowhere to hide in Knott’s Scary Farm.
Here are the returning Scare Zones: 
-Ghost Town Streets is the original and largest, most terrifying scare zone that started it all. Bands of half-human, half-animal monsters prowl the streets and inhabit the fog, and beware the notoriously stunning sliders, who lunge from fog-filled corners of the land.

-On the Boardwalk, deviant clowns crave your undying attention in the CARNEVIL scare zone.

-The Hollow scare zone will terrorize guests as the Witches of the Hollow, and their armies of creatures have risen once again to battle with the Witch Hunter.

-The Lake underneath Silver Bullet recedes to reveal the Forsaken Lake scare zone, where gothic creatures ravaged by the dark and murky waters wander from their crypts preying on unsuspecting visitors, looking for victims to drag back to their watery graves.

Here are the returning shows for 2021:

Puppet Up! Uncensored (Show) – The Walter Knott Theater – Returning nightly to Knott’s Scary Farm for the 2021 season, Puppet Up! Uncensored is an outrageous, off-the-cuff show featuring a combination of improvisational comedy and the magic of puppetry performed by a cast of world-class comedian puppeteers from The Jim Henson Company. Created by legendary puppeteer and award-winning director Brian Henson and directed by Patrick Bristow (Ellen, Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Puppet Up! – Uncensored is no ordinary puppet show. The content is driven by audience suggestions and participation in proper uncensored form, topped with the zany antics and naughty shenanigans of the colorful and brazen puppet cast. Puppet Up! – Uncensored will be performed three times each night at Knott’s Scary Farm and is intended for mature audiences.

Conjurers (Show) – Bird Cage Theater
You won’t believe your eyes when our skilled Illusionist takes the stage in the heart of Calico. Get there early as seats have been known to vanish.

Knott’s Scary Farm Admission & Offerings

– Single night tickets – Buy tickets at KnottsScaryFarm.com and save up to $39 off the regular main gate price of $89. Knott’s Season Passholders receive a discount on single-night tickets. Applicable taxes and fees apply to online orders.

– Fright & Fast Lane – Ride and scream all night long with unlimited priority access to all mazes plus priority boarding on all Fast Lane rides. Fright & Fast Lane starts at $99 and varies by night. Separate Scary Farm park admission required and not included.

– Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-Fet – Offered at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and Spurs Chophouse. Meals include a 2021 souvenir bottle, which gives unlimited complimentary refills on the event night and $1.00 refills for the rest of the 2021 season. After dinner, enjoy early entry into select areas of Knott’s Scary Farm a few minutes before it opens to other mortals. Boo-fet early entry will be to Paranormal Inc., Dark Entities, The Depths and Wax Works, and exclusive photo opportunities with the monsters. The Knott’s Scary Farm Boo-fet dinner is $45 + applicable taxes and fees when purchased online. Separate theme park admission is required and not included.

All Season Long Parking is valid for Knott’s Scary Farm nights. – Knott’s Scary Farm General parking is $25 per vehicle and can be purchased online or at the parking booth upon arrival. Applicable taxes and fees apply to online orders.

Knott’s Scary Farm has welcomed millions of visitors for over 47 years and has become an institution in the Southern California theme park landscape. This year, the event returns September 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30 and October 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29, 30 and 31. Knott’s Scary Farm is open 7:00 pm – 1:00 am on select Thursdays and Sundays, and 7:00 pm – 2:00 am Fridays and Saturdays. Due to the explicit and frightening nature of the event, it is not recommended for children under 13. This year’s Knott’s Scary Farm experience is Where Nightmares Never End!

For more information on Knott’s Scary Farm, including admission, park hours, and events, please visit knottsscaryfarm.com or download the Knott’s Berry Farm app for your smartphone. Join the scary conversation on social using #ScaryFarm.

Images and logo are property of Knott’s Scary Farm and used with permission. 

Universal Studios Hollywood Now Open!

/ Entertainment, Family Fun, Los Angeles, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own. 

Today is a day! Universal Studios Hollywood has officially reopened and is welcoming guests back to the theme park to experience its dynamic thrill rides and attractions, including the all-new “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” and “Jurassic World—The Ride,” which features the spectacularly realistic new dinosaur, Indominus rex.While most rides will be operational, some rides and attractions will reopen at a later date as the theme park complies with government restrictions. Universal Studios Hollywood continues to work in partnership with health and government officials to implement new health and safety procedures that include controlled capacity to enforce physical distancing and required face coverings. In accordance with government guidelines, only California residents may visit the theme park at this time and party size is limited to three households.

“We have been looking forward to this moment for over a year and are incredibly thrilled to reopen our theme park today. There is certainly lots to celebrate and we are overjoyed to return team members to work and welcome guests back to enjoy a Universal Studios Hollywood experience that is better than ever.” -Karen Irwin, President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood

Tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood are on sale for California residents only and can be purchased here. The theme park is continuing to celebrate Annual and Season Pass Members with a series of complimentary Bonus Days on select days through Sunday, May 16; these Bonus Days can be reserved here by Annual and Season Pass Members. Annual and Season Pass Members will be able to resume regular use of their passes starting on Monday, May 17.

After more than a year of closure, Universal Studios Hollywood is ready for its close-up and calling “action” on the all-new “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” and “Jurassic World—The Ride,” which features the spectacularly realistic new dinosaur, Indominus rex.

Here’s what guests can expect:

A stroll along the cleverly themed Pets Place will bring guests to the front of Katie’s NYC apartment building where the innovative “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” ride resides.

This all-new tech-savvy adventure inspired by Illumination’s blockbuster The Secret Life of Pets films, answers the question, “What are your pets really doing when you’re not at home?”

This impressive new ride combines 64 technologically-advanced animated figures with hyper-realistic media and projection mapping designed to take guests on a journey to meet some of their favorite Illumination characters from the movies, including Max, Snowball, Gidget, Chloe and Duke, along with a host of other animal friends, who have all been transformed and transported into the live-action world. From blinking eyes to eyebrow movements, from head tilts to head nods, from moving mouths to smiles, from ear curls to lip curls, from full torso twists to physically walking, the depth of mobility and function programmed within each of these loveable characters creates an experience unlike any other theme park ride.

The grand reopening of Universal Studios Hollywood also brings guests face-to-face with “Jurassic World—The Ride’s” all-new, extraordinarily realistic dinosaur, the Indominus rex, who stakes her claim at the ride’s finale in a forceful battle with her arch-rival, the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Breaking new ground with highly complex innovations, this fully-articulated lifelike Indominus injects intense new thrills, excitement and intrigue to the already dynamic ride. Spanning nearly 55 feet horizontally from head to tail and over 22 feet vertically, the Indominus’ imposing presence will be amplified by the fluidity of her motions and synchronized movements that deliver an unprecedented level of authenticity. From the subtle blinking of her eyes, the flexing of her arms and claws and clenching of her jaw as she bears her razor-sharp teeth, the colossal Indominus rex will lunge from her hillside setting, stalking guests just before they descend the giant waterfall drop to escape her grasp.

Of course, these new experiences are among the many welcoming attractions and themed environments that await guests upon their return to Universal Studios Hollywood, including “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™” which features a bustling Hogsmeade village and the critically-acclaimed rides, “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™” and “Flight of the Hippogriff™”, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D,” “Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride,” Despicable Me’s “Super Silly Fun Land,” and “Springfield, U.S.A.,” home of America’s favorite animated family, “The Simpsons.” The theme park’s signature attraction and world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of an authentic production movie and television studio and where they can experience such thrill rides as “Fast & Furious—Supercharged” and “King Kong 360 3D,” will also open.

The safety and well-being of guests and team members is a top priority for Universal Studios Hollywood, and the following guidelines outline the theme park’s new health and safety protocols, also highlighted in this video and detailed HERE.

Temperature checks for all Guests upon arrival. If temperatures exceed 100.4° Fahrenheit / 38° Celsius or greater, Guests will not be permitted to enter.
Face coverings required for all Guests throughout their visit. Face coverings also will be available for purchase.
Controlled capacity within the theme park, and limited occupancy at all CityWalk venues to help enforce physical distancing. Some areas and programs may remain temporarily closed.
Rigorous cleaning and disinfecting at all food locations, restrooms, and all other high touch points.
Physical distancing practices at all locations throughout the park and at rides and attractions.
Eating and drinking permitted only in designated dining areas.
Contactless payment options wherever possible.

*Images are property of Universal Studios Hollywood and used with permission. 

Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal CityWalk Health and Safety Guidelines
All Universal guests are urged to follow CDC guidelines and conduct temperature checks prior to their arrival. Guests should evaluate their own risk before they visit, and it is not recommended that older adults or individuals at high-risk with serious underlying medical conditions visit. People who are asymptomatic can still spread COVID-19 if they are infected. Any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and Universal cannot guarantee guests will not be exposed during their visit. Due to the evolving nature of this situation, details are subject to change without notice.

The All-New Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween Begins September 25

/ Family Fun, Knott's, Knott's, Knotts, Orange County, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Have you heard what’s next at Knott’s Berry Farm? The All-New Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween is set to start on September 25th and will offer safe family outdoor activities, themed food and treats & a special trick-or-treat trail in celebration of the Halloween season!

While the theme park remains closed, Knott’s Berry Farm introduces its newest family-friendly outdoor food and retail experience celebrating the Halloween season and the flavors of Fall with Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween. Taking place Fridays through Sundays beginning September 25th, Knott’s pays tribute to the year’s spookiest season with a Fall food experience unlike any other. The spirit of Halloween comes to life with a cornucopia of Harvest and Halloween décor that will transform the park for the season. Guests of all ages can dress up in their most festive costumes* to experience one-of-a-kind themed food and treats, exclusive event merchandise including specialty items from local crafters, an all-new “Into the Fog” art show with over 45 new art pieces celebrating the scary season, and so much more. Plus included with a junior tasting card, young guests will have an opportunity to take a trip through the fully themed Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail presented by Hershey, loaded with multiple treat stations and special spooky decorations. All Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween activities will be conducted at a safe and socially distant space for families to enjoy.

Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween will take place Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, September 25 -November 1. The only way to experience the limited time Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween is with a tasting card purchased in advance at knotts.com (a tasting card is required for event entry). Event hours will be Fridays and Saturdays from 12pm -9pm and Sundays from 12pm to 8pm. Regular tasting cards (ages 12+) are priced at $35 (plus tax) and will include five food tastings and Junior tasting cards (ages 3-11) are $20 (plus tax) and include three tastings plus a trip through the Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail. Tasting cards are date specific and must be purchased online at knotts.com or through the Knott’s Berry Farm mobile app prior to the date of visit. Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween hotel packages are also available at Knotts.com. In order to manage proper physical distancing of guests, Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween tasting cards will be limited each day and may sell out.

As Knott’s Berry Farm continues to follow state, local and CDC health guidelines, these are the continued safety measures and operational changes we have established to ensure the safety of guests:

  • · Tasting cards are limited each day to ensure proper physical distancing
  • · Upon arrival, guests will be required to enter a temperature screening and security checkpoint at the main gate
  • · All associates and guests must wear a facial covering while visiting Taste of Fall-O-Ween or the Knott’s California Marketplace store locations and restaurants – masks are not required while sitting at a table or bench to eat
  • · Frequently touched surfaces are disinfected daily and sanitized frequently. This includes but is not limited to cash counters, scanners, EMV readers, pens at cashier counters, register screens, store fixtures, door handles, and shopping baskets
  • · Signage is present to aid guests in the proper direction of travel and as a reminder to practice social distancing
  • · Seating is spaced out throughout the Taste of Fall-O-Ween event footprint
  • · Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the event area
  • · All associates will be screened, including temperature and symptom checks using CDC guidelines before being allowed on the property to work
  • · Associates have been trained on the importance of handwashing, physical distancing, and overall hygiene
  • · Separate entrances and exits will appear at some store locations
  • · Store occupancy is limited to less than 50% of the normal building capacity Queue lines outside of store locations are marked with six-foot markers where needed.

Knott’s Berry Farm is located at:
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620

Please note: While guests are encouraged to come dressed in their most festive costumes, approved face coverings still are mandatory. Costume masks are not allowed as a substitution for required face coverings.

For more details about Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween and the park’s current health and safety screenings, please visit knotts.com.

 Join the conversation on social using #Knotts #TasteofFallOWeen.

Images used with permission. 

All-new ‘Magic Happens’ Parade to Debut at Disneyland Resort 2/28 with Magical Moments from Beloved Disney and Pixar Stories

/ California, Disney, Disney, Disneyland Resort, Family Fun, Orange County, SoCal Fun, Travel

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 

Disneyland Resort will debut its all-new “Magic Happens” parade at Disneyland Park on Feb. 28, 2020. The incredible “Magic Happens” daytime spectacular celebrates the awe-inspiring moments of magic that are at the heart of so many Disney stories! This new parade, led by Mickey Mouse and his pals, celebrates moments of magic from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films as they are brought to life on a grand scale with stunning floats, artistic costumes and a surprising and energetic musical score combined with beloved Disney tunes.

“When you come to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, there are so many ways to
immerse yourself in our stories, but a parade is a unique experience because it’s the only way
for you, as the audience, to stay in one place and have so many stories, characters and magical
moments pass right in front of you. We’ve designed the ‘Magic Happens’ floats so that characters, scenes and surprises are revealed a little at a time, making each float a journey of discovery” – David Duffy, creative director for Disney Live Entertainment

“Magic Happens” includes something for everyone and will be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
This new parade features nine newly designed floats, highlighting magic from classic Walt
Disney Animation Studios tales such as “The Sword in the Stone,” “Cinderella” and “Sleeping
Beauty,” to more recent stories including “Frozen 2,” “Moana” and “The Princess and the Frog,”
as well as Disney and Pixar’s “Coco.” The new floats were created as pieces of moving art, with
their lines and aesthetic design working to tell a story along the parade route, while also evoking
a sense of magic.

In addition to the stunning floats, the parade route along Main Street, U.S.A., will be filled with
dynamic performers and more than two dozen Disney and Pixar characters. The parade’s
costume design draws inspiration directly from modern runways, making each costume look
fashion-forward, yet uniquely Disney. Many performers and characters in “Magic Happens” will
don all-new costumes, specifically made for this parade.
Watch this sneak peek of “Magic Happens”:

While the music and stories seen in “Magic Happens” are rooted in iconic Disney lore, the
soundtrack and choreography are heavily influenced by today’s pop culture designers, putting a
contemporary spin on the classic Disney hits. “Magic Happens” features an energetic musical
score and new songs, co-composed by singer-songwriter, Todrick Hall. “Magic Happens” is a whimsical and joyous procession that allows the Disney magic to shine through. The parade features distinct stories with a mix of characters, making it feel contemporary and classic, fun and regal, and surprising and familiar – all at the same time.
Highlights of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade include:

  • Mickey Mouse leads the way, gliding along on glistening swirls of magic emanating from
    a giant, iridescent magical hat. Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n
    Dale join in, dancing along with a group of eclectic and artsy performers representing
    stylized aspects of magic.
  • On her voyager canoe, Moana journeys forth on the crest of a towering wave, inspired
    by beautiful koa wood carvings, and inset with dazzling, animated glimpses into the
    magic the ocean holds. This is the first full-scale “Moana”-inspired float to be created for
    a Disney park.
  • Joining Moana on her journey is Maui, who travels along on his own magical piece of the
    islands with Moana’s adorable pet pig, Pua. Maui makes his official Disneyland Resort
    debut in “Magic Happens.”
  • Miguel appears in person for the first time, celebrating the magic that happens when he
    strums the guitar of Ernesto de la Cruz in the Disney and Pixar film “Coco.” This
    spectacular float connects the Land of the Living and the Land of the Dead with a vibrant
    marigold bridge, and fantastical alebrije spirit animals join the procession, along with
    Miguel’s dog Danté. This is the first time the film “Coco” has inspired a float for a Disney
    Parks parade.
  • From “Frozen 2,” Anna and Elsa explore the mysteries of the Enchanted Forest
    protected by the Nokk, the mystical water spirit, as their friends Kristoff, Sven and Olaf
    tag along.

The regal grand finale of “Magic Happens” celebrates magical moments from several
classic Disney stories. The start of the finale brings together a collection of many iconic
magical characters, including Genie, Aladdin, Tinker Bell, Peter Pan, Blue Fairy,
Pinocchio and Fairy Godmother. These characters lead the way as more floats are
introduced, each highlighting the moments of magic that changed the characters’ lives.

  • From “Cinderella,” guests watch the moment of “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” as
    Cinderella is seen inside a grand pumpkin, just as it magically transforms into a
    glistening carriage to whisk her off to the ball.
  • From “The Sword in the Stone,” Merlin wisely leads the way for young Arthur,
    who finds the magic within himself as he pulls the sword from the stone, claiming
    his place upon the throne.
  • Tiana and Naveen from “The Princess and the Frog” are seen amidst a swirl of
    golden flowers where they share a kiss, completing their transformation back into
    human forms.
  • The happily-ever-after scene from “Sleeping Beauty” features the three good
    fairies and Princess Aurora, whose gown shimmers between hues of pink and
    blue.

Spring is a great time to visit the Disneyland Resort and experience the new “Magic Happens” parade, as the resort is offering special, limited-time ticket and hotel offers. Kids everywhere* along with Southern California residents** may visit the theme parks for as low as $67 per person, per day with 3-day, 1-park per day tickets through May 21, 2020, which you can read more about HERE.Are you as excited as I am about the debut of the all-new “Magic Happens” parade  at Disneyland Resort? Tell me about your plans to visit and experience it.

Some images and video are property of Disneyland Resort and used with permission. 

Celebrate Lunar New Year and the “Year of the Rat” at Universal Studios Hollywood Starting Jan. 23

/ Family Fun, Los Angeles, SoCal Fun

This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. 
Universal Studios Hollywood ushers in the “Year of the Rat”,  the first of the Chinese zodiac animals, as the theme park celebrates with the Lunar New Year event from Thursday, January 23 through Sunday, February 9. Lunar New Year is included in the price of admission to the theme park.

This spectacular themed Lunar New Year event will take place within Universal Plaza, located at the heart of the theme park. Under a curtain of traditional red Chinese lanterns and stunning plum blossom Wishing Trees, the festivities will come to life as guests discover the 12 zodiac animal signs accompanied by their symbolic attributes. Guests with birthday years that correspond with the “Year of the Rat” are said to be intelligent, witty and charming.

The immersive event will feature Po and Tigress from the thrilling “Kung Fu Panda Adventure” attraction who will greet guests and pose for engaging photos; Mr. Ping’s Noodle Shop returns by popular demand to serve up delicious culture-themed food, and Mr. Ping himself will be on hand to interact with guests and take memorable souvenir photos. Guests can learn how to draw Po and take home the drawing as a keepsake memento and, on select days, community cultural performances featuring traditional lion dances will round out the program.

Beloved global pop icon Hello Kitty, created by the lifestyle brand Sanrio, further complements this year’s Lunar New Year celebration when she steps out in style wearing her signature red bow and specially designed Lunar New Year attire. Hello Kitty will be available to meet guests at the Hello Kitty Shop located within the Animation Studio Store.

Keeping with Universal Studios Hollywood’s Lunar New Year tradition, MEGATRON from the TRANSFORMERS franchise will be speaking Mandarin while interacting with guests at the entry of the festivities. The imposing robot leader of the DECEPTICONS will engage attendees in real-time conversation reflective of his persona and will be sure to entertain TRANSFORMERS fans visiting the park. MEGATRON is one of the stars of Universal Studios Hollywood’s thrill ride, “Transformers™: The Ride-3D.”

Illumination Entertainment’s Minions from the theme park’s popular Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride will add to the festivities, entertaining guests in their brightly colored traditional Lunar New Year attire.

The world-famous Studio Tour is available in Mandarin at select times throughout the day. Featuring expertly-trained Mandarin-speaking tour guides, the experience provides insight into the world of movie-making magic as guests enjoy behind-the-scenes access to one of the largest production studios in the world. In-language park maps are also available for guests.

Guests can continue their Lunar New Year celebration at Universal CityWalk’s Dongpo Kitchen restaurant which features upscale and modern Sichuan cuisine. Inspired by China’s premier restaurant Meizhou Dongpo, Dongpo Kitchen offers the comforts of a casual dining environment with both indoor and al fresco seating and caters to an eclectic palate with a variety of signature dishes.

For more information, please visit HERE. Mandarin-speaking guests can learn more about the Lunar New Year event HERE.
Some images and video are property of Universal Studios Hollywood and used with permission.