Ride With Us!
Welcome to the June 2010 edition of ACE NorCal News!
In this issue:
Photo report: SCBB Haunted Castle — 2 June 2010
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 2010 Summer Season Launch Party
Fun Town
California’s Great America, June 2010 update
Gilroy Gardens, June 2010 update
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach, June 2010 update
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, June 2010 update
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, June 2010 update
— Steven Wilson
Correspondent Nicholas Laschkewitsch sends in another photo report on the construction of the new Haunted Castle attraction at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The ride is scheduled to open this Friday! These photos are from 2 June 2010:
photos: Nicholas Laschkewitsch
As ACE NorCal’s Chief Correspondent on everything about the new Haunted Castle at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Nicholas Laschkewitsch was invited to represent ACE at the park’s VIP 2010 Summer Season Launch Party. The special event was to include sneak preview rides on the new Haunted Castle attraction. Here is Nicholas’ report:
Nicholas at the Boardwalk
I was recently was invited to go to a 2010 VIP Launch Party at the Boardwalk on May 27th. I did not know much about what was going to happen at the event. It ended up being a real blast! According to the agenda I was emailed, there was going to be live entertainment, free lunch (and dessert!), an announcement about the summer events on the beach, and a preview of the NEW Haunted Castle dark ride. All of this happened, except for the preview of the Haunted Castle.
However, there were a few other things to do there that weren’t announced on the agenda. In the Boardwalk’s Ballroom they had tons of Haunted Castle concept art on display from the new ride -– it was really cool. Some of the pieces were from over two years ago and it turned out that there were at least three different designs that they were considering. They also had a large projector screen set up with the time lapse videos of the construction of the Haunted Castle playing.
After my father and I checked out the awesome concept art, we grabbed something to eat. The food was very delicious. The entertainment that they had was some live Hawaiian music along with Brazilian dancers who came out later during our meal. Kris Reyes, director of community relations for the Santa Cruz Seaside Company, came up to the stage to talk about the upcoming “Bands on the Beach” and about Circo Brazil, a Brazilian circus coming to the beach. We found out later that the Brazilian dancers we had seen earlier were from that show. He then announced that the Haunted Castle ride would NOT be opening that day. I already knew that this was going to be closed. As consolation, they gave everyone free mini-golf and laser tag tickets along with free all-day ride wristbands! Thanks, SCBB! Kris Reyes then said, “Welcome to our 103rd season. Enjoy your lunch!” and we were let free to roam around the Boardwalk. I also checked out the Haunted Castle that day and it was looking fabulous.
I would like to thank Brigid Fuller, Kris Reyes, Ted Whiting, and all of the staff at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Santa Cruz Seaside Company for making this VIP event so unique and fun. Thanks! And congrats on your 103rd season. How about another 100!
— Nicholas Laschkewitsch
— photos: Brian and Nicholas Laschkewitsch
Fun Town Amusement Park at Micke Grove
Fun Town, formerly known as Funderwoods, is located inside of Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi. The park’s Miler coaster features a giraffe and adults are welcome to ride the coaster. The roller coaster costs only $1 to ride. Admission into the amusement park is free. Admission into Micke Grove Regional Park is $5 per vehicle. Other rides include a carousel, train, tilt-a-whirl, antique cars, scrambler, and kids’ rides such as transportation vehicles and fish. The park is open weekdays from 11:00 — 5:00 and weekends and holidays from 11:00 — 6:00 from April to September and reduced hours in the winter. Other Micke Grove attractions include the Micke Grove Zoo and the San Joaquín County Historical Museum. For more information, visit: http://www.funtownmg.com/
If you are in the area, you might also want to visit Pixie Woods in Stockton. Pixie Woods does not have a roller coaster, but the park was featured in the movie This is Spinal Tap. Pixie Woods has a train, a boat, and a carousel. For details, see: http://www.stocktongov.com/pixiewoods/
If you contact Emi, she has some leftover ride coupons for Fun Town and discount coupons for Pixie Woods that she can mail you.
— Emi Pearce
— photos: Emi and Matthew Pearce
California’s Great America is now open daily. For hours, see: http://cagreatamerica.com/visit/visit_calendar.cfm
Come on out for a spin on Flight Deck (formerly Top Gun), a drop on the Drop Tower, and check out the new Planet Snoopy.
California’s Great America
web site: http://www.cagreatamerica.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/cagreatamerica
— photo: Steven Wilson
Gilroy Gardens is open this Saturday and Sunday. Then daily operation begins on Saturday, June 12th. For hours, see the operating calendar: http://www.gilroygardens.org/calendar.html
Military, Police, and Fire personnel receive free admission to Gilroy Gardens now through July 5th. For details on this Salute to Heroes, see: http://www.gilroygardens.org/events2.html
Gilroy Gardens
web site: http://www.gilroygardens.org/
— photo: Steven Wilson
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach June highlights:
June 5 and 6: “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over!” Celebration
Celebrate the beginning of summer vacation here at Playland with special games and surprises.
June 12 and 13: Eartha Kitt Weekend and Craft Fair
The President of the Eartha Kitt Fan Club will be here to show off rare memorabilia, along with a special tribute to the singer/dancer/actress. Playland is also hosting its very first Crafts Fair on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
June 19 and 20: Father’s Day Weekend
On both Saturday and Sunday all dads get in for half price with the purchase of a regular priced ticket.
June 26 and 27: Playland’s Time Machine: The 1940s
Enjoy the music, movies and entertainment of the 1940s decade at Playland. Big Band Music, Jack Benny, the Andrew Sisters and much more.
Monday — Friday, June 28 — July 2: Magic Workshop 2010 with Mike Della Penna
Playland’s first summer camp! Come join teacher and popular performer Mike Della Penna for a week of magic instruction at Playland Not-at-the-Beach! Get more information on this week of magic classes, a kind of magic camp for all ages here: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org/magiccamp2010.html Enrollment is limited to 15 students.
“Remembering Playland” at the Balboa Theater
Since opening on March 26th , over 10,000 people have gone to see the new documentary “Remembering Playland” at the Balboa Theater in San Francisco! If you have not yet seen the “Remembering Playland” movie, it plays daily at the Balboa Theater at noon. It will bring back your fondest memories of Whitney’s many attractions at the beach. They are even selling ITs IT ice creams in the snack bar! And our museum has installed a huge display in the lobby with artifacts and photographs from Whitney’s Playland. Don’t miss it!
Buy the DVD of “Remembering Playland” with 20 Minutes of Extra Footage!
Or if you want to buy a copy of the expanded DVD version of “Remembering Playland” that includes footage not in the theatrical release, you can order a copy now from Playland-Not-at-the-Beach. The price is $20 plus tax if you purchase it at our museum Souvenir Shop. For mail order the price is $25.00 including tax, shipping and handling. Call (510) 232-4264 ext. 24 to order your copy. We have them in stock now, and the first 100 orders each receive an authentic artifact from Whitney’s Playland from the 1940s as a free gift. This is a limited edition DVD, so order early and don’t get left out.
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach nonprofit Museum of Fun, open to the public every Sat, Sun and school holiday. Open evenings for private events 365 days a year. 10979 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 (510) 592-3002. http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org . Admission $10 for kids (to 13), $10 for seniors (55 and up), and $15 for general admission. Admission includes 34 free pinball machines, penny arcades, carnival games, treasure hunts, miniature dioramas, and surprises around every corner. ACE members receive a $5.00 discount on admission upon presentation of their ACE membership cards.
— Thanks go to Richard Tuck for contributing to this article.
Playland-Not-at-the-Beach
web site: http://www.playland-not-at-the-beach.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Playland-Not-At-The-Beach/99162687027
— photo: Steven Wilson
In this issue, also see:
Photo report: SCBB Haunted Castle — 2 June 2010
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk 2010 Summer Season Launch Party
The new Haunted Castle’s opening is scheduled for this Friday. Season Pass Holders have exclusive ride time on the Haunted Castle this Saturday morning from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
http://beachboardwalk.com/seasonpass/
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk June Highlights:
The popular Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach concert series starts on June 18th. For the band lineup and more information, see: http://www.beachboardwalk.com/concerts/
Be sure to catch the free Lost Boys Outdoor Movie Event with Special Guest Corey Feldman on Wednesday, June 30th. For more information, see: http://beachboardwalk.com/01_events.html
Weeknight Discount Events begin June 21st, Mondays through Thursdays after 5:00 PM. Mondays and Tuesdays are 1907 Nights with special old-time pricing with rides at $1.00 each as well as $1.00 each for hot dogs, cotton candy, and Pepsi-brand soft drinks. Wednesdays and Thursdays are Pepsi Nights, on which an empty Pepsi can will entitle you to purchase an unlimited rides wrist band for $9.95 plus tax.
The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s rides are open daily in June. See the park’s calendar for full details:
http://www.beachboardwalk.com/calendar/2010/june.html
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
web site: http://www.beachboardwalk.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SantaCruzBeachBoardwalk
— Thanks to Brigid Fuller of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk for contributing to this article.
— photo: Steven Wilson
Take a Walk in the Park at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom on Saturday, 26 June 2010 to raise funds to benefit Cure Kids Cancer at Children’s Hospital Oakland. For more information and to register, visit: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/events/WalkinthePark2010.aspx
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is open daily in June. See the links below for more info.
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
web site: http://www.sixflags.com/discoveryKingdom/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/discoverykingdom
photo: Steven Wilson