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CBS News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Disneyland offers discounted park tickets for Anaheim residents
People who live in Anaheim will soon get a chance to visit their backyard amusement park at a discounted rate, as Disneyland is offering $70 park tickets to locals. The discounted tickets will be available to Anaheim residents starting Aug. 4, and the deal continues through Sept. 25, 2025. "It's a wonderful time to visit!" the Disneyland website states, as the park celebrates its 70th anniversary. The yearlong 70th birthday celebration includes parades featuring Disney characters and "Paint the Night," a fan favorite making a limited-time comeback for the resort's anniversary. Special festivities also include "Walt Disney – A Magical Life," a show featuring a lifelike animatronic of the company's founder. More than 70 new themed food and beverage items will be available, with throwback menu items like Cowboy Fries and the W.E.D. Chili Cheese Baked Potato. The Anaheim amusement park first opened its gates on July 17, 1955, with 20 attractions in four themed sections: Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Adventureland, and Fantasyland. Entry tickets were $1, and ride tickets, ranging from 10 to 30 cents, were sold separately. The park's founder, Walt Disney, welcomed guests on opening day, saying, "To all who come to this happy place... welcome!" For the discounted Anaheim resident rate, park reservations are required and subject to availability.

Miami Herald
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
What's new at SoCal theme parks this summer - from lively night shows to ‘Jaws' doughnuts
LOS ANGELES - Summer in SoCal doesn't just mean beaches or bleachers. It's an ideal, albeit crowded, time to visit one of our many theme parks. No matter which park you choose, there's a water ride or two to cool you off and a host of entertainment options. The Disneyland Resort is in the midst of a major anniversary, and Knott's Berry Farm brings back a favorite must-see - or must-play, rather - summer staple. Six Flags Magic Mountain is introducing more theatrics, and Universal Studios Hollywood has made some refreshing tweaks to one of its classic attractions (hint: bring a poncho). Here's a look at the summer highlights at each park. Disneyland The Disneyland Resort is celebrating a major birthday this July 17, although the party started early in May. Much of the key entertainment happens in the evening. The new "World of Color Happiness!" at Disney California Adventure brings water-based projection effects to the park's lagoon, alongside a storyline centered on the characters of "Inside Out." Disneyland has brought back the lively, LED-driven parade that is "Paint the Night," an upbeat and festive jolt of energy that serves as an exclamation point on a day at the park. If fireworks are more to your liking, "Wondrous Journeys" illuminates the skies above Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom via a show that serves as an ode to the company's century of animation achievements. Nostalgia is always an invited guest at a Disneyland party, and those who want to relive memories of years spent at the park should not miss "Tapestry of Happiness," a five-minute love letter to Disneyland that uses the facade of It's a Small World as a canvas while nodding to the artistry of Mary Blair, the Disney legend responsible for much of the look and tone of the ride whose building the show graces. And coming July 17 will be a show that resurrects Disney as an audio-animatronic, temporarily displacing "Great Moments of Mr. Lincoln" at the Main Street Opera House. Disney artisans promise that the robotic figure will be one of its most lifelike to date. There are treats galore and even food offerings that nod to Disneyland's past (look for the decadent apple pancake rolls). The birthday festivities run into next year, although some offerings will pause for Halloween and holiday programming. Knott's Berry Farm No matter the park, the key touchstones of great theme park theatrics are similar. Expect a pun or two and some heightened emotions - and don't be surprised if there's tinge of hokeyness. But in a good way. Like an actor approaching you with a bucket of water and asking, politely, if you would like it dumped on your head. Or another excitedly talking you into having a curly mustache painted on your face. Knott's Berry Farm's now-annual summer offering "Ghost Town Alive!" turns all of the park's ol' West area into a stage, and it's a hoot. "Ghost Town Alive!" is designed to be played. Approach, for instance, the post office in the fictional town of Calico, and you may be handed a package to deliver - only now you're caught up in randomly weird storyline. The narrative has some key beats, but daily shenanigans are often improv-based, and you may find yourself robbing a bank, working as a matchmaker or taking part in a facial hair contest. Every day in "Ghost Town Alive!" is a little different. If you're willing to put yourself out there, don't be surprised if you forget there are coasters to ride, as "Ghost Town Alive!" is a gateway to an alternative reality where wackiness reigns. While in Calico, don't miss the summer show "Miss Cameo Kate's Western Burle-Q- Revue" at the Bird Cage Theatre. It's a 20-minute cabaret-style performance, complete with a torch song and a cancan finale, the latter just a tad risqué. In the evening, Knott's Summer Nights programming brings live music to an assortment of lands. While acts may vary, expect an emphasis on acoustic, rockabilly and Western stylings spread across six stages, turning the park into a mini live music venue. Six Flags Magic Mountain The Valencia coaster park this summer is leaning into superhero properties. The likes of Batman, Superman, Catwoman, the Joker and more are taking part in an evening show that marries dance parties, stunt shows and audience participation. Its "DC Heroes and Villains Fest" runs weekends throughout the summer beginning June 20, with festivities starting at 5 p.m. There's a plot each night, and it centers on villains trying to spoil a statue dedication to Batman. Audiences are said to be able to align with heroes or villains to see who has control of Gotham City each evening. Expect a stunt show finish and plenty of silliness, such as a dad joke or strength contests. Dance events will center on Catwoman, the Joker and Harley Quinn, nonheroes who will be trying to woo guests with family-friendly entertainment. While "DC Heroes and Villains Fest" had yet to begin at the time of writing, Magic Mountain is hoping for a theater-heavy experience. "A lot of my team comes from New York, the Broadway side," Mike Ostrom, manager of entertainment and events for the park, told immersive podcast No Proscenium. "So we're trying to bring a lot of theatrical elements and story arc and all those things that involve the crowd, the participants, to really get involved in what they're seeing." Universal Studios Hollywood Jurassic World - The Ride is already an attraction designed to get you soaked. This summer, however, Universal Studios has made the ride even wetter, thanks to additional dinosaurs and new geysers. Look for four additional Dilophosaurus figures - those mid-size dinos with ornate, skull-like fans surrounding their head - throughout the ride. Otherwise known as "spitters," they do exactly that - spit water at guests in boats. Additionally, once the boat lands after the ride's 84-foot drop, guests will be welcomed with a loud roar and an explosion of new water geysers. Ponchos are recommended. The additions are part of what Universal is calling Mega Movie Summer. The event focuses on treats themed to "Jaws," "Back to the Future" and more - look for a giant doughnut with a shark bite taken out of it, or relax with a lobster roll - as well as photo opportunities and character meet-and-greets. For example, a "Jaws" photo spot features the return of the park's hanging shark and a chance to meet actors portraying shark hunter Quint and Amity police chief Brody. A "Back to the Future" location has the DeLorean time machine and actors inhabiting the roles of Marty McFly and Doc Brown as well as an appearance from canine companion Einstein. Once Universal extends its hours on June 28, a projection show will take over Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Elsewhere, characters from "Wicked" continue to meet guests, and Universal has introduced a 730-pound sculpted Toothless figure from "How to Train Your Dragon." _____ Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.


Los Angeles Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
What's new at SoCal theme parks this summer — from lively night shows to ‘Jaws' doughnuts
Summer in SoCal doesn't just mean beaches or bleachers. It's an ideal, albeit crowded, time to visit one of our many theme parks. No matter which park you choose, there's a water ride or two to cool you off and a host of entertainment options. The Disneyland Resort is in the midst of a major anniversary, and Knott's Berry Farm brings back a favorite must-see — or must-play, rather — summer staple. Six Flags Magic Mountain is introducing more theatrics, and Universal Studios Hollywood has made some refreshing tweaks to one of its classic attractions (hint: bring a poncho). Here's a look at the summer highlights at each park. The Disneyland Resort is celebrating a major birthday this July 17, although the party started early in May. Much of the key entertainment happens in the evening. The new 'World of Color Happiness!' at Disney California Adventure brings water-based projection effects to the park's lagoon, alongside a storyline centered on the characters of 'Inside Out.' Disneyland has brought back the lively, LED-driven parade that is 'Paint the Night,' an upbeat and festive jolt of energy that serves as an exclamation point on a day at the park. If fireworks are more to your liking, 'Wondrous Journeys' illuminates the skies above Walt Disney's original Magic Kingdom via a show that serves as an ode to the company's century of animation achievements. Nostalgia is always an invited guest at a Disneyland party, and those who want to relive memories of years spent at the park should not miss 'Tapestry of Happiness,' a five-minute love letter to Disneyland that uses the facade of It's a Small World as a canvas while nodding to the artistry of Mary Blair, the Disney legend responsible for much of the look and tone of the ride whose building the show graces. And coming July 17 will be a show that resurrects Disney as an audio-animatronic, temporarily displacing 'Great Moments of Mr. Lincoln' at the Main Street Opera House. Disney artisans promise that the robotic figure will be one of its most lifelike to date. There are treats galore and even food offerings that nod to Disneyland's past (look for the decadent apple pancake rolls). The birthday festivities run into next year, although some offerings will pause for Halloween and holiday programming. No matter the park, the key touchstones of great theme park theatrics are similar. Expect a pun or two and some heightened emotions — and don't be surprised if there's tinge of hokeyness. But in a good way. Like an actor approaching you with a bucket of water and asking, politely, if you would like it dumped on your head. Or another excitedly talking you into having a curly mustache painted on your face. Knott's Berry Farm's now-annual summer offering 'Ghost Town Alive!' turns all of the park's ol' West area into a stage, and it's a hoot. 'Ghost Town Alive!' is designed to be played. Approach, for instance, the post office in the fictional town of Calico, and you may be handed a package to deliver — only now you're caught up in randomly weird storyline. The narrative has some key beats, but daily shenanigans are often improv-based, and you may find yourself robbing a bank, working as a matchmaker or taking part in a facial hair contest. Every day in 'Ghost Town Alive!' is a little different. If you're willing to put yourself out there, don't be surprised if you forget there are coasters to ride, as 'Ghost Town Alive!' is a gateway to an alternative reality where wackiness reigns. While in Calico, don't miss the summer show 'Miss Cameo Kate's Western Burle-Q- Revue' at the Bird Cage Theatre. It's a 20-minute cabaret-style performance, complete with a torch song and a cancan finale, the latter just a tad risqué. In the evening, Knott's Summer Nights programming brings live music to an assortment of lands. While acts may vary, expect an emphasis on acoustic, rockabilly and Western stylings spread across six stages, turning the park into a mini live music venue. The Valencia coaster park this summer is leaning into superhero properties. The likes of Batman, Superman, Catwoman, the Joker and more are taking part in an evening show that marries dance parties, stunt shows and audience participation. Its 'DC Heroes and Villains Fest' runs weekends throughout the summer beginning June 20, with festivities starting at 5 p.m. There's a plot each night, and it centers on villains trying to spoil a statue dedication to Batman. Audiences are said to be able to align with heroes or villains to see who has control of Gotham City each evening. Expect a stunt show finish and plenty of silliness, such as a dad joke or strength contests. Dance events will center on Catwoman, the Joker and Harley Quinn, nonheroes who will be trying to woo guests with family-friendly entertainment. While 'DC Heroes and Villains Fest' had yet to begin at the time of writing, Magic Mountain is hoping for a theater-heavy experience. 'A lot of my team comes from New York, the Broadway side,' Mike Ostrom, manager of entertainment and events for the park, told immersive podcast No Proscenium. 'So we're trying to bring a lot of theatrical elements and story arc and all those things that involve the crowd, the participants, to really get involved in what they're seeing.' Jurassic World — The Ride is already an attraction designed to get you soaked. This summer, however, Universal Studios has made the ride even wetter, thanks to additional dinosaurs and new geysers. Look for four additional Dilophosaurus figures — those mid-size dinos with ornate, skull-like fans surrounding their head — throughout the ride. Otherwise known as 'spitters,' they do exactly that — spit water at guests in boats. Additionally, once the boat lands after the ride's 84-foot drop, guests will be welcomed with a loud roar and an explosion of new water geysers. Ponchos are recommended. The additions are part of what Universal is calling Mega Movie Summer. The event focuses on treats themed to 'Jaws,' 'Back to the Future' and more — look for a giant doughnut with a shark bite taken out of it, or relax with a lobster roll — as well as photo opportunities and character meet-and-greets. For example, a 'Jaws' photo spot features the return of the park's hanging shark and a chance to meet actors portraying shark hunter Quint and Amity police chief Brody. A 'Back to the Future' location has the DeLorean time machine and actors inhabiting the roles of Marty McFly and Doc Brown as well as an appearance from canine companion Einstein. Once Universal extends its hours on June 28, a projection show will take over Hogwarts Castle in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Elsewhere, characters from 'Wicked' continue to meet guests, and Universal has introduced a 730-pound sculpted Toothless figure from 'How to Train Your Dragon.'

The Age
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Disneyland is about to turn 70, and it's pulling out all stops
Disneyland in Anaheim, 40 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles, has just kicked off its 70th anniversary celebrations and millions are expected to join the party. It was estimated in 2021 that 750 million or so visitors had walked through the gates of the beloved Southern California park since it opened in 1955. Add in a stream of up to 17 million a year, only interrupted by the pandemic, and the billionth visit doesn't seem too far away. Disneyland is not only the blueprint for the international family of Disney parks – 12 in total – Disneyland inspired the modern theme park concept as we know it. Walt Disney, founder of The Walt Disney Company, showed prescience with his famous inauguration dedication: 'To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past… and here youth may savour the challenge and promise of the future.' It was a hit from that get-go, but it's that sense of wonder for all ages that has ensured its endurance. Also, Disneyland never rests on its laurels. Originally a three-dimensional testimony to the imagination and sentimentality of the genius animator Walt Disney, Disneyland has changed with the times and tastes. Another great mark of its enduring knowledge of what people want is its love of a good party. For the 70th anniversary, the park is pulling out all stops. Now called Disneyland Resort as it comprises two parks (sister attraction Disney California Adventure Park is next to it) and three hotels, the celebrations, which will run well into 2026, include the 'Paint the Night' parade featuring floats illuminated by more than a million LED lights. Also for nocturnal visitors, 'Wondrous Journeys' is an after-dark projection effects show set to music that honours the Walt Disney Animation Studios films. It's accompanied by fireworks on some nights.

Sydney Morning Herald
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Disneyland is about to turn 70, and it's pulling out all stops
Disneyland in Anaheim, 40 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles, has just kicked off its 70th anniversary celebrations and millions are expected to join the party. It was estimated in 2021 that 750 million or so visitors had walked through the gates of the beloved Southern California park since it opened in 1955. Add in a stream of up to 17 million a year, only interrupted by the pandemic, and the billionth visit doesn't seem too far away. Disneyland is not only the blueprint for the international family of Disney parks – 12 in total – Disneyland inspired the modern theme park concept as we know it. Walt Disney, founder of The Walt Disney Company, showed prescience with his famous inauguration dedication: 'To all who come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past… and here youth may savour the challenge and promise of the future.' It was a hit from that get-go, but it's that sense of wonder for all ages that has ensured its endurance. Also, Disneyland never rests on its laurels. Originally a three-dimensional testimony to the imagination and sentimentality of the genius animator Walt Disney, Disneyland has changed with the times and tastes. Another great mark of its enduring knowledge of what people want is its love of a good party. For the 70th anniversary, the park is pulling out all stops. Now called Disneyland Resort as it comprises two parks (sister attraction Disney California Adventure Park is next to it) and three hotels, the celebrations, which will run well into 2026, include the 'Paint the Night' parade featuring floats illuminated by more than a million LED lights. Also for nocturnal visitors, 'Wondrous Journeys' is an after-dark projection effects show set to music that honours the Walt Disney Animation Studios films. It's accompanied by fireworks on some nights.