Ride With Us!
Welcome to the January 2010 edition of ACE NorCal News!
In this issue:
The Walt Disney Family Museum
California’s Great America, January 2010 update
Gilroy Gardens, January 2010 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, January 2010 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, January 2010 update
— Steven Wilson
Looking for something new to do while most of the nation’s roller coasters are closed? You should check out the new Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco’s Presidio. The exterior of a historic Presidio building gives little clue as to what treasures may be found inside.
The museum tells the story of Walt Disney’s remarkable life. It’s not an indoor miniature Disneyland. So don’t go there with that expectation. Instead, be prepared to learn the story of Walt’s life, beautifully told in sequence through a series of galleries. You’ll see how Walt got started in the animation of cartoons, including the earliest known sketch of Mickey Mouse. You’ll see how animated cartoons led to Walt Disney feature films and television.
Of course, Disneyland and Walt Disney World are covered, within the context of Walt’s life story. And while the museum itself is not an indoor miniature Disneyland, there is a fascinating model of Disneyland that combines past and present elements.
You could easily spend three hours and not see it all. Stay all day if you are a big Disney fan. Keep in mind that children may not find the history to be of sufficient interest to keep them happy for a long visit. There are interactive exhibits, however, that children will enjoy. Also note that there is a strict no-photography policy. There’s plenty of free parking. For more information, you can reach the museum’s web site for more information, including hours, ticket prices and ticket sales at: http://www.waltdisney.org/
photo: Steven Wilson
California’s Great America will reopen this spring with Planet Snoopy replacing Nickelodeon Central. If you’re interested in working at California’s Great America, there’s a job fair on 23 and 24 January. See http://cagreatamerica.com/events/events.cfm for more details.
Now would be a great time to buy your 2010 season pass. For more information and to buy your passes, visit
the California’s Great America web site.
— photo: Steven Wilson
Gilroy Gardens opens for the 2010 season on 28 March. Now would be a great time to purchase your 2010 memberships. Visit their web site for more information and to buy your memberships.
For more information on planning your visit, go to
the Gilroy Gardens web site.
— photo: Steven Wilson
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open on weekends in January and on Monday, 18 January 2010 for limited operation. Please note that the Giant Dipper is scheduled to be closed for maintenance through 10 January 2009. Be sure to check with the park that it’s reopened before heading to Santa Cruz if you want to ride the Giant Dipper. Call 831 423-5590 to verify operating rides on the day of your visit.
For more information on the park, visit
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s web site.
— photo: Steven Wilson
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom will open for the 2010 season on 6 March 2010. Now’s a great time to get your season pass at a low price. Go to their web site for more information and to buy your passes.
For more information about Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, check out their web site.
photo: Steven Wilson