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Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom Opening Scheduled for June

JACKSON, NJ – May 15, 2014 – Thrill-seekers eagerly anticipating the opening of this year’s most extreme new ride, Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, will have to wait a few more weeks thanks to Mother Nature.

Zumanjaro was originally slated for a Memorial Day weekend opening, but the combination of high wind, snow and cold challenged construction at the top of the world's tallest and fastest drop ride.

“We battled through one of the harshest winters in history and high wind challenged the construction crew atop Zumanjaro’s massive towers this Spring,” said Six Flags Great Adventure President John Fitzgerald. “Our teams have done an incredible job staying very close to schedule despite Mother Nature’s wrath. It is even more amazing considering the dizzying heights of this project.”

Fitzgerald expects to announce an early June opening date for Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom in the coming weeks.

Connected to the iconic Kingda Ka roller coaster—the 45-story monster that ranks as the world’s tallest and fastest coaster—Zumanjaro will hoist riders 41 stories into the sky and rocket them back to Earth at speeds up to 90 miles per hour.

Three soaring Zumanjaro towers have been built on the face of the massive Kingda Ka coaster. Each drop tower features a gondola with eight riders. The gondolas rise to the top of the tower in approximately 30 seconds. Riders pause for a few terrifying moments, 415 feet in the air—even higher than London’s Big Ben and twice as high as the Statue of Liberty—allowing them to catch a glimpse of the skyscrapers in Philadelphia 52 miles to the south before gravity plunges them back to ground level in less than 10 seconds.

Six Flags Great Adventure and Safari is currently open weekends for the 2014 season, and will begin daily operation May 22. For more information, visit
www.sixflags.com/greatadventure.

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About This Attraction:

• 3D 
  
• Must be at Least 42" tall
  
• Best for Family
  

At the far end of Diagon Alley™ stands Gringotts™, the goblin-run bank. Inside, you’ll experience a pulse-pounding adventure on the groundbreaking, multi-dimensional thrill ride that puts you right in the middle of the action as you navigate your way through the perils of the Gringotts vaults – encountering Harry, Ron, and Hermione along the way! 

Enter Gringotts™ bank beneath the massive fire-breathing dragon at the far end of Diagon Alley™. Inside Gringotts™ you’ll walk through the bank’s grand marble lobby and see goblins hard at work. Then, get ready to take a journey through cavernous passageways that lead deep underground as you climb aboard Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™. 

This new, multi-dimensional 3D thrill ride puts you right in the middle of the action as you face the bank’s stringent security measures while navigating the perilous underground vaults. You’ll encounter Harry, Ron, and Hermione along the way, but you’ll have to evade the wrath of malicious villains Voldemort™ and Bellatrix as well as trolls and other creatures who stand between you and a safe return to Diagon Alley™. 

See a wand choose a wizard at Ollivanders™ wand shop. Pick up magical jokes and novelty items at Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. Find all your wizardwear needs at Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions. Bring home a furry, feathered, or scaly creature from the Magical Menagerie™. Search for supplies at Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment. And gather all your gaming gear at Quality Quidditch™ Supplies. 

Practitioners of the Dark Arts will find everything they need down the gloomy Knockturn Alley, featuring the infamous shop, Borgin and Burkes. 

Pass through the brick archway and you’ll find yourself in Diagon Alley™, the cobbled street where witches and wizards have gathered to do their shopping for hundreds of years. Here you can explore some of the most famous shops and establishments in the wizarding world. Also, practitioners of the Dark Arts will find everything they need down the gloomy Knockturn Alley. 

Ollivanders™: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC

Purchase your own Ollivanders™ wand, or choose from a selection including Harry Potter™ film character wand replicas, collectible wand sets and more. 

Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC, Ollivanders™ is one of the wizarding world’s premier wand shops. Here visitors will be able to witness the magical experience of a wand choosing a wizard. Guests will also be able to purchase their own unique Ollivanders™ wand, or select one of the many Harry Potter™ character wand replicas, as well as wand sets. 

Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes

In the Harry Potter™ stories, Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes is the novelty joke shop run by identically ingenious prankster twins Fred and George Weasley. It offers patrons all manner of mischief, from Extendable Ears to love potions and much more. 

Borgin and Burkes

You don’t have to be a Death Eater to gain entry to this infamous shop. As you wedge your way through the fascinating, eclectic collection of Dark Arts objects, you may find Death Eater masks, skulls, and costume replicas. The shop also sells apparel, accessories, jewelry, collectibles, and gifts. 

Madam Malkin’s Robes for All Occasions

Here, guests will find Hogwarts™ school uniforms, ties, scarves, sweaters and cardigans, as well as other apparel and jewelry fashion items inspired by the four school houses of Gryffindor™, Ravenclaw™, Hufflepuff™ and Slytherin™. Don’t forget to top it all off with a new wizard hat from the finest and most fashionable assortment in Diagon Alley™. 

Magical Menagerie™

Here a guest can purchase a variety of plush toys including Crookshanks™, Fang, Buckbeak™, Fluffy and Scabbers™. Also available are cats of every colour, ravens, sleek black rats, and fat white rabbits that transform to and from a silk top hat. 


Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment

At Wiseacre’s Wizarding Equipment, visitors will find a variety of wizarding wares and supplies including crystal balls, telescopes, binoculars, armillary spheres, compasses, magnifying glasses and hourglasses. Don’t miss the unique selection of apparel and accessory products from your favorite Hogwarts™ house! 


Quality Quidditch™ Supplies

Quality Quidditch™ Supplies is the destination to find everything you will need to play the most popular sport in the wizarding world! The shop will carry a wide assortment of Quidditch™ apparel and equipment including Quidditch™ sweaters, brooms, Golden Snitches, Bludgers, Bludger bats, Quaffles and more! 

Whether you are a fan of the Holyhead Harpies, the Chudley Cannons, Ireland, or Bulgaria, you can show your team spirit with apparel, hats, pennants, and accessories themed around your favorite teams. 

Wands by Gregorovitch

In this legendary wandmaker’s shop you can choose from a wide assortment of Harry Potter™ film character wand replicas, and more. 

Scribbulus

Find all the writing supplies a witch or wizard could need, including feather quills, parchment paper, journals and postcards. 

When you’re feeling a bit hungry you can dine on delicious pub fare at the Leaky Cauldron™. Sit down and relax as you enjoy a traditional British meal, or indulge in a frozen treat at Florean Fortescue’s Ice-Cream Parlour. 

When you visit The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious British fare, as well as authentic food and drink found in the Harry Potter™ books and films. Try something different each time you’re here! 

Leaky Cauldron™

Pull up a chair and enjoy hearty British fare in this famous inn, as well as delicious, frothy Butterbeer™. The children's menu offers items that kids will love, such as chicken fingers and macaroni and cheese. 

Cuisine: Cottage pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Scotch eggs, stew, and much more. 
Children's Menu: Fish and chips, chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese, and more 
Service Type: Buffeteria 
Dining Hours: Lunch and Dinner daily 

Florean Fortescue's Ice-Cream Parlour

Stop in during the morning hours for breakfast items and pastries. Later, enjoy scoop and soft-serve ice-cream in a variety of interesting and unique flavours. 

Magical displays of ice-cream cones welcome guests into this colourful, quaint ice-cream parlour where they can enjoy scoop and soft-serve ice-creams. Continental breakfast items and pastries are available in the morning hours along with bottled Pumpkin Juice™, teas and water. 

Cuisine: Scoop and soft-serve ice-creams, breakfast items, and drinks 
Service Type: Counter 
Hours: From park open to one hour before park closing 

Street Vendors

Multiple kiosks, carts and quick service options are also available throughout Diagon Alley™. You can satisfy your appetite with sweet treats, quench your thirst with a refreshing Butterbeer™ or Pumpkin Juice™.

If you have a Park-to-Park Ticket or Annual Pass, you can pass through Platform 9 ¾™ and board the Hogwarts™ Express* from King’s Cross Station in London, located inside Universal Studios Florida® theme park, and travel to Hogsmeade™ Station, located inside Universal’s Islands of Adventure® theme park (right next door to Universal Studios®). Or you can ride the train in the other direction—it’s a different experience each way!

From Hogsmeade™ to London

Hogsmeade Station is located inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Hogsmeade™ In Universal’s Islands of Adventure®

From the train windows, guests will see some of the magnificent scenery of London and the British countryside, encounter characters featured in the films and enjoy a unique experience during each leg of the journey as they travel to and from London and Hogsmeade™. This will truly be an enchanting encounter with the magical world for the whole family to enjoy! 

From London to Hogsmeade™

King’s Cross Station is located inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Diagon Alley™ In Universal Studios Florida®

This will be the first time that Muggles™ are allowed to board the famous train that’s such an important part of the Harry Potter™ stories. Guests will travel on the iconic steam engine through the urban outskirts of London to the charming village of Hogsmeade™, replicating one of the memorable elements of Harry Potter’s school life. The Hogwarts™ Express connects the two locations in the two theme parks, creating a unique and seamless journey for guests of both parks as they travel between them. 

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Reflecting the local theme, water rides and attractions at Knott’s Soak City pay tribute to Orange and Los Angeles County’s rich surfing heritage with names like Malibu Run and Laguna Storm Watch Tower. Fun facts about the water park include:

• NEW FOR 2014 Season Passholders can start their day off with a complimentary yoga class every Friday and Saturday morning from 8:45-9:45am  (June 27- August 9)
  
• NEW FOR 2014 Knott’s Soak City, Gold and Platinum Season Passholders can enter the water park an hour and half before it opens to the general public with exclusive early entry starting at 8:30 a.m.
  
• 1.8 million cumulative gallons of water in all Knott’s Soak City rides and attractions  (Water is continually recycled, filtered and chlorinated.)
  
• 7,670 cumulative length in feet of all water chutes, slides and rivers inside the City (1.45 mi.)
  
• 50-75 certified Knott’s Soak City lifeguards on duty at any given time.

BUENA PARK, Calif. (May 2014) – Summer fun is just around the corner at the 13-acre water wonder world, Knott’s Soak City. Adjacent to the world-famous Knott's Berry Farm Theme Park, the water park will open for the season May 17 through September 14.

Soak City is Southern California’s prominent water park with a theme inspired by beach and surf towns of the 1950’s Orange and Los Angeles County coast.  Water slides and attractions at Knott’s Soak City pay tribute to the area’s rich surfing heritage with names like Malibu Run and Laguna Storm Watch Tower.  And like those at Knott’s Theme Park, the rides and attractions at Knott’s Soak City are truly world-class. 

Pacific Spin is Soak City’s most action-packed water adventure to date, carrying 700 passengers per hour at a maximum speed of 35 feet per second! This thrilling multi-person raft ride includes a 132-foot long tunnel that drops its riders 75 feet into a six-story funnel.  After pitching riders back and forth through 5,500 gallons of swirling water, the ride culminates in a waterfall splash.  If you have the need for more speed, brave the waves from high atop Old Man Falls or race your friends as you go headfirst on a mat down the multi-lane speed slides of Banzai Falls.  If you care to slow it down, the 750,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay wave pool is one of the world’s largest.  In addition, the park’s 1,700-foot.-long (1/3 mile), figure-eight Sunset River is the widest and one of the longest water park lazy rivers anywhere!

Time to relax?  With 35 semi-private cabanas available for rent by the day, guests can have it made in the shade.  Soak City cabanas are furnished with lounge chairs and your own semi-private dining area; complete with waiter service and free inner-tube rentals.  For cabana reservations visit soakcityoc.com or call (714) 761-6268.

New for the 2014 season, Season Passholders can start their day off with a complimentary yoga class every Friday and Saturday morning from 8:45-9:45am.  A certified yoga instructor will lead invigorating classes on the grass near the newly painted Gremmie Lagoon. Additionally, every Friday and Saturday June 27 - August 9, all 2014 Knott’s Soak City, Gold and Platinum Season Passholders can enter the water park an hour and half before it opens to the general public with exclusive early entry starting at 8:30 a.m.

Knott’s Soak City Orange County also owns the distinction of being one of the safest water parks in the United States. For the twelfth consecutive year the lifeguard staff of Soak City Orange County has been awarded the Platinum National Aquatic Safety Award for consistently exceeding the criteria for aquatic safety. This award is granted only to facilities scoring in the top 8 percent of the audit criteria as established by Jeff Ellis & Associates, a leader in aquatic safety consulting for water parks worldwide. Soak City Orange County was also awarded the Decade of Aquatic Safety Excellence Award at the 2013 IASS Training in Arizona.

This commitment to both safety and family fun continues for the 2014 season.   Soak City Water Park officially opens May 17, and then continues operation daily May 24 through September 1, 2014.  Operation will continue weekends only September 6 through 14, 2014. Regular admission is just $36 and $26 for juniors (ages 3-11) and seniors (62 and over) and includes unlimited use of all water park rides and attractions. Kids under 3 years old are always free! 

Also providing value is a Knott’s Soak City Season Pass valid every day of the 2014 operating season. Season Pass prices passes are currently $66 or 6 payments of $11; prices go up May 26th. Guests can maximize their summertime fun by upgrading to a Gold Season Pass and ride and slide at both the Knott’s theme park and Soak City every day of the 2014 season.

During the summer, Knott’s Soak City Water Park will also offer its guests the opportunity to purchase an All Day Dining Plan. The Plan can be purchased online while guests plan their fun-filled day at soakcityoc.com, or it can be purchased in-park on the day of their visit for just $29.99+tax and applicable fees. Every 90 minutes guests can dine again and enjoy a wide variety of entrées at Soak City’s Long Board Grill.

Single Meal Deals, available exclusively online for just $13.99+tax and applicable fees, offer the convenience of pre-purchased vouchers redeemable for a variety of combo meals at the lowest available price. Upon arrival at Knott’s Soak City, guests can redeem their Single Meal Deal vouchers for various appetizing meals at Long Board’s Grill that include an entrée, a side and a 20 oz. fountain drink.

Families can also take advantage of Knott’s affordable vacation packages.  The Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel, just steps away from the theme park, offers many family vacation options including theme park and water park tickets. Vacation package information is located at www.knottshotel.com or guests can call Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel Reservations at (866) 752-2444.

Operating hours vary and are subject to change as are prices, promotions and attraction availability.  For information on the day that you plan to visit, please call (714) 220-5200 or visit us online at www.soakcityoc.com. Join the conversation by using #SoakCityOC.

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Knott's Berry Farm will now offer its guests a new way to customize their stress free visit to the Park while enjoying valuable savings, with the introduction of two new dining options: the All Day Dining Plan and Single Meal Deals. During the summer, Knott’s Soak City Water Park will also offer its guests the opportunity to purchase the All Day Dining Plan and Single Meal Deals.

Both options serve up inventive and convenient ways for guests to savor the variety of entrees at dining locations throughout the theme park.

All Day Dining Plan

• Can be purchased online while guests plan their fun-filled day on knotts.com
  
• Costs just $29.99+tax and applicable fee
  
• Guests can dine again every 90 minu
  
• Up to 20 different food combinations to try!
  

Single Meal Deals

• Only available online
  
• Cost is just $13.99+tax and applicable fees
  
• Voucher is redeemable for one meal
  
• Meals include an entrée, a side and a 20 oz. fountain drink
  

The press release is below: 

NOTT’S BERRY FARM OFFERS UNIQUE NEW DINING OPTIONS FOR GUESTS

Guests Pay Once and Dine All Day at the Park Famous for its Food

BUENA PARK, CA (May 2014) Knott’s Berry Farm offers its guests a new way to customize visits to the theme park while enjoying valuable savings with the introduction of two new dining options: the All Day Dining Plan and Single Meal Deals. Both options serve up inventive and convenient ways for guests to savor the variety of entrees at dining locations throughout the theme park.

The All Day Dining Plan can be purchased online while guests plan their fun-filled day atknotts.com. For just $29.99+tax and applicable fees, guests can enjoy a wide variety of entrées, including mouth-watering pizza, flavorful tacos, and juicy burgers.  Every 90 minutes, guests can dine again and select from one of 20 combinations at any of the six participating dining locations throughout the park.

Single Meal Deals, available exclusively online for just $13.99+tax and applicable fees, offer the convenience of pre-purchased vouchers redeemable for a variety of combo meals at the lowest available price. Upon arrival at Knott’s Berry Farm, guests can redeem their Single Meal Deal vouchers for one of nearly two dozen meals that include an entrée, a side and a 20 oz. fountain drink.  Single Meal Deals are available at six dining locations throughout the park, including Sutter’s in historic Ghost Town and Coasters in the new Boardwalk area. Knott’s Soak City Water Park guests can enjoy the new dining plans at Long Board’s Grill, summer long.

These convenient additions make the Knott’s Berry Farm dining experience more fun and affordable than ever.  In 1920, delicious boysenberry recipes made the Farm famous, and that same commitment to outstanding culinary quality and superior guest service is why guests from all over the world return to Knott’s again and again. 

For information about Knott's Berry Farm, and a complete list of All Day Dining and Single Meal Deal entrees and locations, visit www.knotts.com. (Locations and entrees are subject to change.)

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The family focused on all of the park’s world-class roller coasters including El Toro, Nitro, BIZARRO, GREEN LANTERN, SUPERMAN – Ultimate Flight, BATMAN the Ride and more. Shields and her daughters declared that El Toro, the world’s No. 1 wooden coaster, was their favorite ride of the day.

Throughout the day, Shields graciously stopped for photos with any park guest who inquired. They ended their visit with a birthday celebration at the Liberty Pub on Main Street with cake and the frozen treat Dippin’ Dots.

Shields alluded to her Mother’s Day plans at Six Flags Great Adventure last week in an interview, after she was one of three women honored at the annual Outstanding Mother Awards sponsored by the National Mother’s Day Committee.

Shields guest co-hosted NBC’s TODAY show with Willie Geist and Al Roker August 30, 2013, the day Six Flags Great Adventure announced the world record-breaking Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom. She talked about her love of roller coasters but declared that fear would keep her off the world’s tallest and fastest drop ride, opening late spring. Park officials plan to invite Shields back to conquer her fears of Zumanjaro.

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