LONG BEACH, Calif., (November 14, 2014) –Hot off the heels of a record breaking year for Dark Harbor, The Queen Mary’s full holiday event season continues as the coolest winter wonderland in Southern California, CHILL, prepares to open on November 21. New in 2014, all CHILL guests can enjoy unlimited access to The Ice Kingdom, ice tubing, ice skating with skate rentals and a visit on the Queen Mary ship with the purchase of general admission tickets.

This season The Ice Kingdom at CHILL will showcase holidays in the Golden State with the magic of a California Christmas theme meticulously hand sculpted by a team of international artists, and made entirely out of 2 million pounds of ice. The California Christmas theme begins with a traditional poinsettia entrance lined with toy soldiers standing over seven-feet tall. Next comes the candy cane forest with ten-foot candy canes that unveil a surfing Santa shredding through twenty-foot tall waves. Guests can gaze at the giant ice Christmas tree with tons of gifts for boys and girls and Jolly Old St. Nicholas on the rooftops with his team of reindeer. Venture onto the ice replica of the Queen Mary ship with four new lanes of ice slides for all to enjoy. A nativity scene, forest of penguins and the fairytale kingdom with the almighty ice queen round out the California Christmas theme in The Ice Kingdom.

The Ice Kingdom is kept at a chilling 9-degrees Fahrenheit to preserve the glistening ice sculptures. Public parkas are available, and guests are encouraged to bring their own jackets, hats and gloves to stay warm while inside the giant igloolike exhibit.

The Glacier Glide at CHILL offers guests unlimited ice tubing down six-lanes made entirely out of ice that stand more than two stories tall and 100-feet long. Guests can enjoy a perfect Southern California evening on a yuletide glide on the CHILL Ice Rink presented by the Port of Long Beach. The world-class 6,500 square foot outdoor ice skating rink gives skaters an awe inspiring view of the majestic Queen Mary, complete with twinkling lights installed just for the holidays, on her world famous stacks. This year ice skate rentals are included with each ticket or guests are welcome to bring their own skates.

CHILL also invites visitors to explore the festive holiday village complete with a gingerbread house, holiday carolers, the decoration adorned Candy Lane and a visit with Santa Claus. CHILL features live festive entertainment, food and beverages nightly.

A holiday experience like no other, CHILL tickets start at $39.99 for adults and $29.99 for kids (ages 4-11). Tickets include entrance to The Ice Kingdom, ice skating and skate rental, ice tubing and access to the Queen Mary ship. Lodging packages are also available. CHILL will be open Nov. 21-30, Dec. 2-7, Dec. 9-Jan. 4 and Jan. 8-11. CHILL sponsors include The Port of Long Beach, Hawaiian Host, YP, Coca-Cola, Heineken and Finlandia. For more information, including hours or to purchase tickets online, visit http://www.queenmary.com/events/chill/.

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Universal City, California, November 6, 2014 - Universal Studios Hollvwood's annual "Day of Giving" community outreach program celebrates a milestone 1Oth anniversary with the theme park empowering hundreds of employee to volunteer at six non-profit organizations across Los Angeles on Thursday, November 13, 2014.

The inspirational "Day of Giving" event is Universal Studios Hollywood's decade long tradition designed to connect employees with diverse community organizations, many of which are beneficiaries of the company's philanthropic foundation, Discover A Star, whose mission is to empower individuals and families to lead more productive and fulfilling lives.

As part of this year's event, Universal Studios Hollywood will once again serve as home base for Operation School Bell, hosting 250 homeless children from over 30 LAUSD elementary and middle schools. After the children are treated to new clothing and supplies, they will accompany volunteers for an afternoon of fun at the theme park that includes experiencing the new 3D Ultra-HD adventure, "Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Super Silly Fun Land" play zone.

The day-long event will also send employees around Los Angeles to assist staff with stocking food supplies for persons affected by HIV/AIDS at AIDS Project L.A. (APLA); participate in a basketball game with youth and serve a hot lunch prepared by Universal Studios' culinary team at Pacific Lodge Boys' Home; beautify the grounds and classrooms at M.E.N.D.'s (Meet Each Need with Dignity) Educational Training Center; engage in playtime and arts and crafts with kids with disabilities at Shane's lnspiration's playground; provide meals and interact with homeless and low-income women in L.A.'s Downtown Women's Center; and provide less fortunate children of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) with clothing and uniforms, sponsored by Universal Studios Hollywood, as part of Operation School Bell.

Discover A Star Foundation is Universal Studios Hollywood's philanthropic division committed to making a significant impact in local underserved communities by providing grants to deserving non-profit organizations. Originally founded in 1993 as a college scholarship program for graduating high school seniors, Discover A Star redefined its mission in 2004 to provide financial assistance to neighboring nonprofit groups. To date, Discover A Star has provided financial assistance to over 65 nonprofit organizations.

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Buena Park, Calif. (November 13, 2014) – Knott’s Berry Farm announced plans for a spectacular new interactive 4-D attraction for 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef.  Opening spring 2015, Voyage to the Iron Reef adds high-tech fun for everyone as guests save Knott’s from mysterious creatures emerging from the seas beneath the Boardwalk in a cutting edge media-based battle.

Ever since construction crews finished expanding the Boardwalk Pier in 2013, guests have happily enjoyed the many new attractions like Coast Rider and Surfside Gliders.  But all that activity on the Boardwalk shores has reawakened a mystic lair in the depths below, filled with creatures who have risen up to wreak havoc on the classic So Cal theme park.  

The Queen of the Kraken and her aquatic army have surfaced to feed on the steel of any attraction within their grasps.  Their unquenchable appetite for coaster metal has turned these creatures into swimming mechanical monsters unlike anything ever seen on the ocean floor. 

Guests who have what it takes to become brave deep sea navigators will climb aboard four-person submarine-inspired ride vehicles and embark on the four-minute gaming adventure into the Iron Reef.  Equipped with an interactive freeze ray, guests will aim for ballooning puffer fish, an iron clad octopus and other exciting 3-D creatures as they attempt to blast the most sea life and save Knott’s from a watery doom.

Through enchanting underwater forests, disorienting ocean current tunnels, and mysterious mechanical wreckage, high definition 3-D animation will surround guests at every turn.  Along the way, the submarines navigate 600 feet of track and 11 scenes featuring hundreds of media-based creatures and live action special effects.   

Altogether, it’s an interactive voyage that features a different experience every time and reacts to the actions and accuracy of the guests onboard.  Following the thrilling finale, the number of creatures taken is digitally displayed onboard and in the undock area.

Montreal-based Triotech, the multi-sensory attraction developer that animated the popular Wonder Mountain’s Guardian at Canada’s Wonderland, is the creator behind the groundbreaking gaming system and animation for Voyage to the Iron Reef. 

“Triotech is thrilled to cooperate with Knott’s team and bring our media-based interactive dark ride to Southern California, an area with a rich attraction and entertainment heritage.  We feel that guests of all ages will enjoy this unique attraction,” said Ernest Yale, Triotech’s President and CEO.

Knott’s is well prepared to integrate new technologies into traditional dark ride experiences.  Next year will mark the third consecutive year the park has reintroduced spectacular and unique family attractions.  Both the Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride recently delighted guests after both underwent extensive technological and special effect upgrades, reestablishing Knott’s as a destination renowned for premier theme park experiences. 

The future home of Voyage to the Iron Reef is hallowed ground for Knott’s enthusiasts.  In 1975, the show building was originally the site of the wacky and whimsical Knott’s Bear-y Tales.  Designed by legendary theme park designer Rolly Crump, Knott’s Bear-y Tales transported guests to a county fair filled with anthropomorphized frogs, owls, and bears.  In 1987, dinosaurs once again ruled the earth as Knott’s Bear-y Tales transformed into Kingdom of the Dinosaurs, capturing the imagination of a new generation of fans.

 “The same commitment to storytelling and dedication to incorporating the most cutting edge ride technologies that made Knott’s Bear-y Tales and Kingdom of the Dinosaurs so popular is what has driven the Iron Reef creative process,” said Raffi Kaprelyan, vice president and general manager of Knott’s Berry Farm.  “The technology showcased in Iron Reef will honor the legacy of the attractions that preceded it, and propel the on-ride experience into the 21st century.”

Voyage to the Iron Reef is the centerpiece of an exciting 2015 at Knott’s Berry Farm.  For project updates and park information, visit knotts.com or download the Knott's Berry Farm app for your smart phone.  Join the conversation about the new attraction using the hashtag #KnottsIronReef on the Knott’s Facebook or Twitter page.

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No more purging to be had. Thanks Obama. 

And just like that, it's time for Grinchmas

Just because it's 90 degrees outside doesn't mean we can't start putting Christmas trees up. =)

Mask-A-Christmas? 

Even though there are walls covering up half of the entrance, there is a wreath on the Studio Tour entrance. 

The nutcrackers don't have their heads covered up so I guess they've cracked all the nuts they are going to crack this year. 

Here is what these guys looked like just over a week ago. I'm guessing the red ones ate the blue ones? =)

We'll start outside the park as they are continuing to build smaller pieces for both Springfield and Wizarding World. 

If only J.K. Rowling could see a Springfield window right next to her Wizarding World building props. =)

If you look closely you'll see a few different Springfield things in this picture. 

Wizarding World

You'd be surprised how many people were asking employees which way to go even in the 10 seconds I stopped to take pictures. Well, you probably wouldn't be surprised. =)

This walkway is actually a bit wider than it was for our last report. 

Big ol' Trash Compactor

More walls are going up on the outside of Forbidden Journey. You can see spots where they'll be attaching things ... like castles and stuff. =)

What's up guys!!! Want to come and remodel my kitchen? it'll take you about an hour if we are basing it off how fast you guys have done Harry Potter. 

Lots of itchy pink stuff

Buildings and fireplaces for Hogsmeade

You can actually see a bit more definition in the buildings in recent weeks

If you haven't seen it in person I think you'll actually be surprised how much is revealed when the scaffolding comes down in a few months.

Still a LOT more room for stuff, like a coaster. =)

We are certainly in the time frame where we aren't going to see much movement on Fast and Furious until it opens next year. The building is done, they are working on the inside with props and screens and that's about it. 

I think this is a piece of construction equipment, but it could be a prop. It's been awhile since I've been in any kind of construction yard. 

Actually quite a bit going on outside of the other major projects

A look at the production schedule for last Saturday

House of Horrors is permanently closed, nothing visible on the outside yet, but guessing they are removing everything from the inside. Guessing that we'll see some of the props on something for HHN next year. 

There was a Days of our Lives event going on in CityWalk. I was sad not to see Joey Tribiani on the list. =)

Invasion of the Housewives!! 

(I'll admit, I used to watch Days of our Lives when I was growing up)

Lastly, work on the new structure is progressing very quickly. 

That's going to wrap it up for this update. We'll be back at the park on Thursday as it's the parks annual "Day of Giving" and anything parks do to better the greater community in which we live is something we are all about. 

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Since our last update, more work has been done on the lift hill structure and it appears to be at it's pre-fire height. =)

The double-dip which was the roughest part of Colossus has mercifully been removed. 

More steel is outside ready to be used to support the structure. 

Lots of wood ready to go up

Workers were busy with their saws removing the lower parts of the track for the last turnaround. 

You can see all of the steel support that's going up for support. 

Inside the park, you can actually see the Colossus lift from near Goliath's entrance.

The trees are thinning which allows us to see a bit more of the pre-lift track

Work is still being done in the station, you can't really see a difference but they are certainly working underneath. 

They have been clearing some space on the side of the ride, makes you wonder what they are going to be doing in this area. 

Some of the switchbacks have been removed from the station

The first set of switchbacks after the ride entry have also been removed. Since only one side of the station will be used, this will need to be re-routed. Will be interesting to see the path it takes now. 

From certain angles the lift seems a bit steeper than it was previously. There are more supports under the track than before, so it's probably increased a couple of degrees. 

Preparations for Holiday in the Park have kicked into high gear. Additional decorations have already been added and we are guessing more are on the way. We are really looking forward to this event. 

The entrance to the park, Fright Fest decorations are gone, and we are pretty sure Christmas is on the way. 

Full Throttle Plaza has received some decorations. People were already taking pictures in front of the trees and playing with the blue balls. =)

Very nice tree in front of DC Universe. Looks like Mr Freeze has been busy. 

DC Universe has received a lighted dome

Not sure how well you can see it but lots of lights and icicles have been added under Revolution. 

Looks like somebody flipped a switch for lights near Cyber Cafe

This is generally where Santa is, I'd guess he'll be back in this spot this year. 

Even with Twisted Colossus Construction and the conversion from Fright Fest to Holiday in the Park the park is busy with other off season work. 

Jet Stream is closed, and it looks like flume work is continuing. With only 3 water rides in the park and rumors of Tidal Wave being removed, keeping Jet Stream open and in good operating condition is more important than ever. 

Looks like most of the boats are in storage, hopefully they are getting a nice refurb. They certainly need it. 

You can see the cord of the crew working on the flume. 

Hopefully the outside of the flume is going to get some love as well. 

Breyers > PeptoCopter 

The great facade for Willoughy's is gone, replaced by this. They really should leave the facade up all year. 

Ninja is still only running 1 train

Lastly, the landscaping crew has been hard at work with some nice new flowers at the front of the park. While SFMM is a "Thrill Park" the landscaping crew really does work hard to make sure the planters and gardens are well maintained. 

That's going to wrap it up for this update. We won't have a SFMM update next week but we'll have something very special the week of Thanksgiving. More on that when we can reveal it. 

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