Summer Adventures: What’s new in the world of amusement parks

By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

This summer marks a new era of fun for local amusement park fans as renovations and fantasy worlds come alive. Stop by these parks for a refreshing adventure.

Legoland California Resort

Legoland California Resort is celebrating its 25th birthday year with the debut of North America’s Lego World Parade and a new “land,” Dino Valley.

Kicking off Friday, May 24, the first Lego World Parade will boast entertainers in glittering costumes dancing and singing their way through the west side of the park, creating a magical spectacle for all ages.

Additionally, families can come face to face with lifelike Lego dinosaurs in Dino Valley. This immersive prehistoric land features three rides, two new costumed Lego characters, and a build-and-play station.

The new land features many interactive activities. The Duplo Little Dino Trail offers a whimsical journey through a Lego Duplo Dino adventure, where kids can capture dinosaurs with cameras and play hide and seek.

The Explorer River Quest takes visitors on a river expedition to interact with Lego dinosaur models, with the possibility of encountering a T-Rex.

Lastly, at Dino Outpost, guests can uncover fossils in the Dino Dig area, build their own dinosaurs with Lego Duplo bricks, and meet the park’s newest costume characters: Lego T-Rex guy and Lego paleontologist girl.

Legoland Hotel and Legoland Castle Hotel guests have exclusive access to this new land and can explore Dino Valley from 9 to 10 a.m. on days when the park is open until 6 p.m. or later and from 9:30 to 10 a.m. when the park is open until 5 p.m.

Universal Studios Hollywood

Through Aug. 11, Universal Studios Hollywood guests can immerse themselves in the rich history of the park’s iconic Studio Tour ride.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the ride offers nostalgic enhancements, including a step-off onto a movie set, the return of the Runaway Train and a colossal Jurassic World T. Rex encounter pulled from the studio’s archive of prehistoric props.

To honor Hollywood’s legacy and the centennial anniversary of the Hollywood Sign, Universal Studios partnered with the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the Hollywood Sign Trust to celebrate these parallel milestones with the debut of the first original replica of the sign, standing 10 feet tall along the studio backlot.

Guests can engage with its legacy through photos and selfies.

Additionally, explore Courthouse Square aboard the Studio Tour, featuring scenes from the “Back to the Future” movies, and enjoy memorable photo opportunities, including a giant “King Kong” backdrop and the original hanging “Jaws” shark. Experience the 1-year-old Super Nintendo World, along with its new restaurant, Power Up Cafe, serving “Super Mario: Power Up!”-themed menu items.

Disneyland

Disneyland has arranged a fun summer, as Star Tours offers a new ride experience, the Pixar parade returns, and the Splash Mountain replacement is unveiled.

There are exciting new “Star Wars” adventures in Star Tours, where C-3PO, pilots guests’ trip through the galaxy. The new Star Tours offers more than 250 storyline variations.

Then, through Aug. 4, guests can watch Pixar Fest, where beloved characters and colorful floats come to life in a vibrant parade. From Red Panda Mei to Joe Gardner and Luca, there will be over two dozen characters from Pixar Animation Studios films.

Also, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will open this year at Disneyland. Located in Critter Country, the “Princess and the Frog”-themed attraction, formerly Splash Mountain, follows fans’ requests for such a ride.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will reveal many original voice actors from the movie, who will be featured in many animatronic characters throughout the ride.

Six Flags Magic Mountain

Six Flags Magic Mountain invites guests to visit the DC Heroes & Villains Fest on Saturdays and Sundays from June 15 to Aug. 4, where heroes clash with villains in an epic summer showdown.