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theme parks
The Fun Starts Here
Smiles abound for the young and young-at-heart
at California’s theme parks
By Matt Villano
AMUSEMENT PARKS
Europeans started the concept of amusement parks centuries ago with fairs and pleasure gardens created for recreation. The world’s oldest amusement park is Bakken, just north of Copenhagen, Denmark, which opened in 1583. The oldest theme park in the United States is Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari (called Santa Claus Land from its opening in 1946 until 1984) in Santa Claus, Indiana. California’s theme parks date from 1950.
Diversions abound in California, as plentiful as its sunshine. The biggest being the state’s theme parks. Each one is a world of its own, centered on fairies, films, bricks, sea life, or a certain famous mouse. Though most parks are in Southern California, the granddaddy of them all lies up north.
Universal Studios Hollywood
This film-themed park began in the 1960s with walk-throughs of Universal Studios’ sets. Over time, it evolved into a full-fledged park, anchored by its famous backlot tram tour showcasing stunt demonstrations and thrilling staged events like the Jaws shark encounter.
Recent highlights include Super Nintendo World, featuring the immersive Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge, Bowser’s Castle, and the interactive Toadstool Cafe. Wearable Power-Up Bands sync with a free app for an enhanced experience. Another standout is The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, a dark ride through animated New York City. Fan favorites like Jurassic World — The Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter endure, with rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The park’s Upper and Lower Lots host family-friendly attractions like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and thrill rides like Transformers: The Ride 3-D.
Meanwhile fans of the Fast & Furious franchise, anticipate the debut of Fast & Furious: Drift Force, a high-speed thrill ride, opening in 2025. It’s sure to bring new excitement to the Lower Lot.
Children’s Fairyland
Believe it or not, the first theme park in the U.S. to cater to families with young children was Children’s Fairyland, a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it theme park on the shores of Lake Merritt in Oakland. The place opened in 1950 (original admission started between 9 and 14 cents), making it the first official theme park in California, as well. According to some, it was one of Walt Disney’s inspirations for the eponymous park he created five years later.
Today, Fairyland includes small rides such as a mini Ferris wheel and carousels, and life-sized sets depicting scenes from timeless storybooks (The Old Lady in the Shoe and The Alice in Wonderland Tunnel are two favorites). The theme park also is home to the Storybook Puppet Theater, which opened in 1956. A number of the country’s most famous puppeteers got their start here, including a teenager by the name of Frank Oznowicz. You likely know him as Frank Oz.
Disneyland
Since its 1955 debut, Disneyland has grown exponentially, adding Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and new attractions.
There’s even a reimagining of Mickey’s Toontown, including CenTOONial Park and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
The newest themed area or “land” is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Be part of a six-person crew on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run where you walk through a full-sized replica of the Millennium Falcon and then climb into the cockpit where Hondo Ohnaka leads a secret mission to steal coaxium for the Resistance. Each person has a role assignment—a pilot, gunner or engineer. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a massive, multi-platform attraction, unlike anything else at Disneyland. Captured guests are in an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance, boarding an Imperial Star Destroyer with animatronic storm-troopers and Kylo Ren. A team of Resistance fighters with Rey and BB-8 are there to help you escape.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a reimagined attraction replacing Splash Mountain, opens in late 2024 and will continue to draw crowds in 2025.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm began in the 1920s as a family-run roadside berry stand. Today this 160-acre amusement park has thrilling rides, shows, restaurants and attractions in four themed areas: Ghost Town, Fiesta Village, The Boardwalk and Camp Snoopy.
Other Bay Area Parks
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to two popular parks: California’s Great America (in Santa Clara) and Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (in Vallejo).
California’s Great America is a top destination for thrill-seekers and families alike and the only amusement park in Northern California that includes a water park with park admission. Visitors can expect a fully restored Carousel Columbia and Celebration Swings as well as a new open air look for American Café, complete with mobile ordering. The park is also known for its rides, which range from scream-inducing like Flight Deck, a roller coaster with one 360-degree loop and a zero-gravity roll to other family-friendly rides.
The vibe at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is more eclectic. In addition to rides such as the thrilling Medusa roller coaster, BATMAN: The Ride is a world-class 4D Free Fly Coaster that thrusts you into a totally immersive, high-speed Gotham City adventure. Riders flip head-over-heels at least six times along a weightless, tumbling journey with unexpected drops and vertical free-falls. The park also is home to a number of animals, such as giraffes, lions, penguins and Siberian and Bengal tigers.
San Diego Area Parks
San Diego shines with SeaWorld, where exhibits educate about marine life rescue and rehab. The Emperor coaster delivers high-speed thrills, while nearby Sesame Place San Diego charms families with 18 rides, including a roller coaster, in a Certified Autism Center. In Carlsbad, LEGOLAND celebrates creativity with LEGO-themed attractions like LEGO Ferrari Build and Race.
Find Your Fantasy
Universal Studios Hollywood universalstudioshollywood.com
Children’s Fairyland fairyland.org
Disneyland disneyland.disney.go.com
California’s Great America cagreatamerica.com
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
Legoland California legoland.com/california
SeaWorld seaworld.com/san-diego
Knott’s Berry Farm knotts.com
