The Telescope

Issue Date: 5/19/08

Summer plans should involve amusement parks

By Ashley Ward

One of Knott's Berry Farms popular rides, Supreme Scream, shoots riders up in the air at 50 mph then brings them down and up again.

Hollywood Pictures Backlot, one of the lands at Disney's California Adventure, features shops and attractions such as The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Muppet Vision 3-D.

Kids visit with Shamu after the show 'Believe,' one of the many shows Sea World San Diego offers to guests who visit the park.

Summer is upon us and for most Palomar students that means one thing - no school. With the extra time off and the beautiful weather it is one of the best times to gather up your friends and take a trip to an amusement park. Whether it's a local attraction like Sea World, or it requires some more driving time like Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm, you'll be sure to have a great time.

Sea World

Many Palomar students might remember their last time visiting Sea World back in elementary school for a field trip - well it has changed quite a bit since then. Sea World has added a few new attractions in recent years that can please almost everyone. Even though Sea World doesn't have a ton of thrill rides like some of the other parks, they have a lot of amazing animals and it is so conveniently close that it's worth checking out.

Greatest thrills: Sea World only offers a few actual "rides" including Journey to Atlantis, a water ride with a 60-foot drop. You can see the huge drop from Mission Bay Drive before entering the park so it's sure to give those afraid of heights a chill down their spine. Sea World also offers Shipwreck Rapids, a river rafting ride, and Wild Arctic Ride, a simulator.

Fun for everyone: What Sea World lacks in rides they make up for in shows and attractions. Sea World features 11 shows, with two of them starring the world's most famous killer whale, Shamu. "Believe" is a Shamu show that's offered year-round where you're sure to get wet if you're anywhere near the first few rows. "Shamu Rocks" is another Shamu show that combines lighting effects, animation and rock music. This show only runs in the summertime.

"Cirque de la Mer," which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, is a "Cirque du Soleil"-type show that features high-flying acrobatics above water that sure to amaze the whole family.

"I watched the Cirque de la Mer show last year when I took my cousins and it was amazing. It was incredible how they did all the acrobatics above the water, I felt nervous just watching them," said student Andrea Torres.

Other shows include goofy sea lions in "Clyde and Seamore," fireworks show "Sky Blast," and crazy pet tricks in "Pets Rule."

Another great aspect of Sea World is that you can get up close with the sea creatures and learn a lot about them. Attractions like California Tide Pool, Forbidden Reef and Rocky Point Preserve offers visitors a chance to touch starfish, dolphins and bat rays. Wild Arctic and Penguin Encounter are attractions where you'll find all sorts of animals, not just fish. Polar bears, penguins, arctic foxes and walruses inhabit this part of Sea World.

21 and up: For those 21 and older, be sure to check out the Anheuser-Busch Hospitality Center where you can taste some of their beers. By signing up with the Anheuser-Busch Brewmaster's Club, members are given the chance to sample beers, learn proper beer-serving techniques and find out what foods pair best with each particular beer. Nearby, Sea World also has the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses that you can visit and get a picture taken.

Price: If you purchase a Fun Card for $59 (or $49 for those under 10) by June 30, you can visit Sea World for the rest of the year for free.


Disneyland

Located in Anaheim about an hour away (depending on traffic and if you drive the speed limit), Disneyland is still considered "the happiest place on earth" by many. No matter what age you are, chances are you will still have a great time.

Disneyland is known for its history and its impressive attention to detail. Main Street, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country and Mickey's Toon Town are the intricately themed lands that make up Disneyland.

Greatest thrills: For the thrill-seeker in the group visit Space Mountain, a high-speed roller coaster in the dark. That's pretty much the craziest ride you'll find at Disneyland although Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are all rather amusing.

Fun for everyone: Disneyland's most recent addition, Finding Nemo's Submarine Voyage, takes place in the manmade lagoon that once was home to the original Submarine Voyage back in 1959. Even though Finding Nemo's Submarine Voyage has been in the park for about a year, the line is still an hour long so it might not be worth the wait for most people. Another fun ride for the family is Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters.

"Last time I went to Disneyland I went on Astro Blasters for the first time," said student Pete Grove. "It was fun because it was more like a shooting game than a ride."

On Astro Blasters you compete with the person you are riding with and try to shoot as many targets as possible. Another cool aspect is that they take your picture during the ride and you can e-mail it to yourself afterward.

21 and up: Although alcohol isn't sold at Disneyland, the Downtown Disney shopping district just minutes away has lots of bars and restaurants to get your fix. House of Blues, ESPN Zone and the outdoor UVA bar mixes up some of the best drinks.

Price: For a single-day ticket to one park it costs $66, or for $91 you can get a one-day parkhopper pass that will allow you to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure. If you're planning on visiting Disneyland at least twice in one year, the best value is to get an annual pass (which starts at $129 for Southern California residents).


California Adventure

Disney's California Adventure Park, located right across from Disneyland, got mixed reviews when it first opened since it's not like any other Disney park. Although it's a small park and it isn't everyone's cup of tea, it still should be visited at least once before being judged.

California Adventure is also planning a lot of cool additions within the next year that will bring the park a lot more business.

Greatest thrills: One of the most popular rides at California Adventure is the roller coaster California Screamin'. A voice counts down as it blasts riders off to the rest of the ride while music plays in the headrest speakers to enhance to experience. California Screamin' has one loop, sidewinding turns and it also takes your picture so you can view it when you're done.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a hair-raising free fall ride that is sure to give you second thoughts next time you step into an elevator.

Passengers enter a creepy spider web-infested lobby and follow a hallway to the "service elevator." After riders get strapped into the elevator it drops them 13 long stories and sends riders up and down a few more times.

Fun for everyone: California Adventure has some rides that most will enjoy, even though a good amount of them are catered toward little kids.

It's Tough to be a Bug! is a 3-D show that is fun to watch. It allows you to relax and sit down for a few minutes and have some laughs while you're at it. Get "sprayed" by a stink bug, almost attacked by spiders, learn about bugs and feel them while they exit the theater. You must wear 3-D "bug eyes" to get the full effect.

Another amazing ride is the hang glider simulator Soarin' Over California. You sit in a seat that lifts you in front of a big screen with various scenes of California. Scenes like Yosemite, Torrey Pines, the streets of Los Angeles and of course, Disneyland. One of the coolest parts about the ride is that you can feel the wind and you can even smell things like pine trees and orange groves.

21 and up: If you're craving an alcoholic beverage but can't get anything from Disneyland, California Adventure is the place to go. By the Pacific Wharf Cafe near the center of the park, you'll find margaritas and a few different types of beer on tap.

Also go visit the Golden Vine Winery for Napa and Sonoma wines and wine tasting. Wine Country Trattoria is the less expensive, more casual dining experience while The Vineyard Room is a little more pricey.

Price: see Disneyland pricing.


Knott's Berry Farm

Knott's Berry Farm, America's first theme park and the home of Snoopy, offers a well-rounded adventure that will keep the group entertained for hours. Although it's old and somewhat outdated, the park it a lot less crowded and expensive than Disneyland and they offer more roller coasters.

Greatest thrills: Knott's Berry Farm has about 10 thrill rides with each one being uniquely different.

One of Knott's most insane roller coasters, Xcelerator, will have rider's hearts pounding. It blasts riders off at 82 mph in less than two seconds and then sends riders up a 205-foot lift with a 90-degree drop that will make you feel like you're dropping off the edge of the universe.

Knott's biggest wooden roller coaster, Ghost Rider, sends riders on a rickety ride for two minutes. Ghost Rider has a 108-foot drop and although it only reaches 56 mph, the rattling wood makes riders quiver with fear.

Another popular ride at Knott's is Supreme Scream which launches riders up at a record-breaking 254 feet. You can feel the g-forces when you're sky high and it reaches 50 mph. It also gives you a great view of the park.

Fun for everyone: If you're not a fan of roller coasters then unfortunately there isn't many rides you'll want to go on. Most rides are either crazy roller coasters or kiddie rides, there's not really a happy medium.

A fun ride that's great to go on when it's hot is Big Foot Rapids. It's a river rafting ride that floats past waterfalls and trees.

Another great ride for the group is Jaguar! Jaguar! is a mild roller coaster that's amusing and fun even for the people who hate roller coasters. There's no corkscrews or loops that will freak out the faint of heart.

21 and up: Although there isn't alcohol sold at the park, TGIFridays right outside of Knott's has you covered.

Price: It will cost $24.99 to $49.99 for a single-day ticket depending on which type you buy and if there are any special promotions. Year passes also start at $114.99.

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