All Aboard for a Thrilling Start to the Summer Seasonby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 23 May 2008 11:02 AM Memorial Day is the unofficial kick off to the summer season and while most kids still have a week or so of classes to complete before they can ditch the books until September you can bet that amusement parks around the nation are bracing for an action packed weekend. Traditionally, I spend this time of the year blogging about what's new in the world of amusement parks and this summer is no different. Here's a look at where you can get your thrill on this season and what new attractions will help make your summer a hair raising experience: NEW PARK Myrtle Beach, South Carolina is the new home of a $400 million, 55-acre theme park dedicated to music and mayhem. Hard Rock Park is billed as the first new major U.S. theme park in more than a decade. It officially opens on June 2nd but crowds are being let in to enjoy the Memorial Day weekend on the new rides and at the live shows. The park's signature ride is a 65-mph coaster choreographed to the Led Zeppelin classic Whole Lotta Love. Admission is $50 for adults. NEW LOOK Minnesota's crown jewel, the Mall of America, said so long to Snoopy and hello to a new world of animated characters this spring. Camp Snoopy (the mall's indoor amusement park) got the boot and has been replaced by the 7-acre Nickelodeon Universe, which boasts 24 attractions, including the signature SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge, a roller coaster with average speeds of 59 mph. Price is $30 for unlimited rides. NEW RIDES Universal Studios in Orlando and Hollywood just unveiled The Simpsons Ride last weekend and crowds are already lining up to experience what life is like in Krustyland amusement park. Riders enter via Krusty the Clown's extended tongue and hang on for stomach-churning adventure. At perennial favorite Disney theme parks visitors can look forward to Toy Story Mania! an interactive ride-game attraction, which opens May 31st at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando and June 17th at Disney's California Adventure at Disneyland. Three-dimensional characters from the Toy Story films (including a Mr. Potato Head who talks back to riders) appear in scenes that look similar to a carnival midway. Check back for my next blog where I will review some of the new attractions at various water parks and other family-friendly theme parks around the nation. Related Articles: The Nation's Best Amusement Park Summer Travel: Cute and Crazy Rides Summer Travel: Wet and Wild Family Fun Summer Travel: Family Friendly Shows Summer Travel: Calling All Thrill Seekers Where Spider-Man Comes To Life
Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevanttravel tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags amusement park, Hard Rock Park, South Carolina, summer travel, Travel Discuss this article
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