Summer Travel: Cute and Crazy Rides

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

01 Jun 2007 11:35 AM

My friend's husband is an adrenaline junkie. But, she knew that was part of his personality before she married him, so she doesn't flinch when he deposits her and their children in the kiddie section of a given amusement park and takes off for the trill rides. Personally, I can barely stomach the merry-go-round so I am only too happy to remain in the children's area with my daughter. (Before we were married I would hang out by the games while my husband braved the twists, turns and drops of the thrill rides--now at least I have my daughter to keep company.)

And so it goes... when you travel as a family you learn to accommodate the likes and dislikes of each family member. That said-as we continue our "Summer Travel" series we look at the newest batch of amusement park rides for the thrill-seeking members of your family and a few fresh ones for the cutest members of the clan.

First, the crazy rides:

Canobie Lake Park---Located in Salem, New Hampshire the park is debuting a new ride this summer called the Xtreme Frisbee. The ride measures 26-feet wide and spins and swings 63 feet high producing moments of weightlessness.

Silver Dollar City---This Branson, Missouri theme park is launching its newest ride called the Giant Swing this summer. You'll need a stomach of steel to survive this ride that sends you up 75 feet in opposite directions and nearly 230 degrees. Park officials say it produces "back-to-back G-force kicks" and sensations of weightlessness.

Now for the rides that are more my speed:

SeaWorld Orlando is expanding its popular "Shamu's Happy Harbor" attraction by adding three new rides. The first, "Ocean Commotion" is a swinging boat ride. The second is called the "Flying Fiddler." It lifts riders 20 feet in the air and shakes them around a bit. The third new ride is a new carousel, which features 65 sea creatures.

Six Flags theme parks in Jackson, New Jersey, Gurnee, Illinois and Agawam, Massachusetts will be debuting a new "Wiggles World" area. The section features rides themed after the popular children's show and supporting characters from the TV show "The Wiggles."

Six Flags in New Jersey will also be unveiling a Wild Safari Exploration Station near the Wiggles attraction--it features hands-on activities about animals on six continents.

Related Articles:

Summer Travel: Wet and Wild Family Fun

Summer Travel: Family Friendly Shows

Summer Travel: Calling All Thrill Seekers

Six Flags Great America

What's New At Hershey

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.

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