California Theme Parks


Book Description

Amusement parks have been a staple of California recreation and entertainment for over a century. First appearing along the beaches and multiplying up and down the coast, these parks ignited an industry that has seen tremendous change and innovation. Children's Fairyland--America's first theme park--and Knott's Berry Farm--the first children's park--set high standards for the amusement world. When Disneyland opened in 1955, amusement parks became destinations in themselves, transforming surrounding communities. Discover how these magical places came to be. Learn little-known secrets of 20 California parks and what makes them landmarks. For guests of all ages, California's theme parks offer an abundance of entertainment possibilities. 301 color photos provide a unique glimpse into an industry that forever changed family entertainment.




Lost Amusement Parks of Southern California: The Postwar Years


Book Description

After World War II, veterans and their growing families flocked to sunny Southern California for jobs in the aerospace and defense industries. Capitalizing on the baby boom and expanding suburbs, amusement parks sprang up to entertain residents and their visiting relatives. The crown jewel was Disneyland, which focused on themed sections and changed amusement parks forever. Other parks followed, transforming Southern California into one of the world's top vacation destinations. Parks like Lion Country Safari, Corriganville, and Marineland--along with many kiddie lands and animal, water, and theme parks--came and went in the postwar decades. Some were planned but never developed, while existing popular parks like Disneyland and Universal Studios periodically close rides only to substitute them with attractions considered more crowd-pleasing.







Early Amusement Parks of Orange County


Book Description

The Orange County coast had its Joy Zone and its Fun Zone in the early decades of the 20th century. Knott's Berry Farm sprouted from a simple berry stand in Buena Park. The spot that would become Walt Disney's theme-park empire began as a citrus grove in Anaheim. Before long, Orange County was recognized as the nurturing ground for the growing amusement park industry. This book concerns the early history of such parks in the county east and south of Los Angeles, before high-tech digitization, when custom cars, enormous alligators, stunt planes, dolphin leaps, and movie stars' wax likenesses thrilled patrons. Some amusement parks have come and gone over a century of development, and some are still here, changing with the times to create new adventure and excitement for park goers.




Amusement Parks in California


Book Description

Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 56. Chapters: Knott's Berry Farm, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure Park, SeaWorld, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Monica Pier, Legoland California, Orange County Fair, Universal CityWalk, Dolphin Cove, Fisherman's Village, Pharaoh's Adventure Park, Pacific Park, Adventure City, Gilroy Gardens, Belmont Park, Safetyville USA, Shambala Preserve, Animal theme park, Scandia Amusements, Castle Park.




Disneyland and Beyond


Book Description

The fourth edition of this guide which combines the most up-to-date information on Disneyland with extensive coverage on Southern California's other theme parks and on all the region's family attractions, including beaches, parks, restaurants, reasonably priced hotels and campgrounds.




Disneyland California Travel Guide


Book Description

This fun and informative ebook includes everything tweens need to know about Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, including information about attractions, food, shows, Downtown Disney and Disney hotels. Disneyland California Travel Guide makes Disneyland one of the most accessible theme parks in the world. With advice that is direct, prescriptive, and detailed, it takes the guesswork out of the reader's vacation. Whether they are at Disneyland for a day or a week, there is a plan for any group or family. They can enjoy the rides, activities, and entertainment instead of spending their time in lines.




Fodor's Disneyland & Southern California With Kids


Book Description

Providing helpful guides to traveling with children, these easy-to-use travel handbooks offer a wide variety of fun-filled, educational, hassle-free activities available in cities and regions around the world, covering everything from family days to puppet theaters and museums, along with planning tips, addresses, admission prices, age appropriateness, and nearby lodgings and restaurant recommendations.




A Cultural History of the Disneyland Theme Parks


Book Description

The writing is academic, but it is not inaccessible. It will have wide disciplinary appeal within academia, as tourism studies cross into a variety of fields including history, American studies, fandom studies, performance studies and cultural studies. It will be invaluable to those working in the field of theme park scholarship and the study of Disney theme parks, theme parks in general and related areas like world's expositions and spaces of the consumer and lifestyle worlds. It will also be of interest to Disney fans, those who have visited any of the parks or are interested to know more about the parks and their cultural situation and context.




California's Great America


Book Description

In May 1972, actor Fess Parker of Davy Crockett fame announced plans for a huge theme park complex in Santa Clara, California. Eventually, the Marriott Corporation joined the effort. Parker later departed, while Marriott continued with what was the corporations largest project to date. Marriotts Great America opened its gates on March 20, 1976. It featured a variety of family and thrill rides on a grand scale plus live entertainment, including multiple stage shows and even a full circus. From Marriott to the parks current owner, Cedar Fair Entertainment Company, Great America has entertained and continues to entertain millions of guests in what is now the heart of Silicon Valley.