The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood Turns 60

The Studio Tour at Universal Studios Hollywood has an unusual history. In 1914, a German American immigrant named Carl Laemmle founded Universal City which contained a movie studio, a zoo, its own police department and mayor. The following year he invited the public to get up close and personal to the world of moviemaking for just five cents a ticket. Not a bad deal given that it also included a boxed lunch. But that tour came to an end in 1930 since it was difficult to soundproof the stages. However, in 1964 the movie makers began to offer tours once again.

This time around, guests were paraded inside “Glamor Trams” with red and white awnings. The two-hour long tours (which is about twice as long as today’s tours) would drive by numerous real sets and sound stages used to make movies and TV shows. The house from Psycho was one of the first film sets accessible for visitors to see. No other movie studio was offering such a thing. The trams were loaded up five times a day Mondays through Fridays. Read More >>>

Discovering Canada’s Wine Country

Although you’re probably smarter than me and already know these things, but as it turns out, the southern Okanagan region of British Columbia is actually desert land – the only desert in the country – and it makes an excellent location to grow grapes, as long as there is a good water source. Although farmers in the Okanagan region have been growing orchards full of different fruits, it wasn’t until fairly recently that they discovered that they could grow grapes equally well. And so, in even more recent years, many orchard farms have been converted into vineyards making the number of local wineries to skyrocket. Read More >>>

The Largest Dueling Water Coaster in the U.S. is Being Built Right Now

A lot of changes have taken place at Silverwood Theme Park since its grand opening in 1988, but this summer promises even more – and they are going to be BIG. With 35 years of family entertainment under its belt, the Idaho theme park is currently undergoing one of its largest additions to date which includes an exciting dueling water coaster. Here’s why this is really big news: “Eagle Hunt” will be the first dueling water coaster on the west coast. Not only that, but it will also be longest one in the U.S. too! Read More >>>

Theme Parks

Walt Disney World

TRON Lightcycle Opens in April

The Magic Kingdom has announced that the long awaited attraction, TRON Lightcycle will officially open on April 4, 2023. Based on the two TRON movies, this unique roller coaster races against the “Grid’s” most menacing programs. You’ll surge past your opponents as you attempt to cross through eight “Energy Gates” and secure your team’s victory. A virtual queue will be in place when the ride first opens as a standby queue will not be available at this time. Guests may also purchase a individual Lightning Lane entry.

Disneyland

68 Things You Don’t Know About Disneyland

Inspired by the “Toontown” featured in the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland is getting a redo just in time for the Disney100 anniversary celebration. The “new” Toontown is said to be a reimaging with more activities, attractions and even grassy spaces to just sit down and chill which is practically unheard of at a theme park. The main residents here (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Daisy) have new or remodeled homes for everyone to explore to see how the other half lives. Read More >>>

Silverwood

Why Silverwood is Worth the Drive

If you are unfamiliar with Northern Idaho, you might find it odd that the town of Athol is home to the 413-acre theme park known as Silverwood. Unlike most tourist traps, it pretty much stands by itself. You’re driving along highway 95 and all of a sudden you’ll see a glimpse of a wooden roller coaster out in the distance. As you get closer, you find that this is a world you had no idea existed.

Once the home of the Henley Aerodrome airstrip, Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park are essentially two parks in one. The original park opened its gates to the public for the first time in 1988 with just a handful of small amusement park rides. Today, it boasts of more than 70 rides, shows and attractions. Read More >>>

Silverwood Welcomes New Stunt Coaster

Universal Studios

Jump into the World of Super Nintendo

It looks like 2023 will be the year for the Super Mario Bros. with a new animated movie coming out on April 7 and Super Nintendo World having just opened at Universal Studios Hollywood. The latter had its grand opening on February 17 and it is proving to be pretty popular among gaming fans. So popular in fact that it is just the second of four proposed themed areas for other Universal theme parks (the first opened at Universal Studios Japan and the next two will open at Universal Studios Singapore and Universal’s Epic Universe at the Universal Orlando Resort).

Unlike the Singapore location, Hollywood’s version of Super Nintendo World is quite a bit smaller. Although the theme park did what they could to give guests the best experience possible which involved demolishing some of the Lower Lot’s soundstages to make room for the new residents. The new area of the park also intensifies Universal’s desire to grab families’ attention. Read More >>>