Deseret News | Frills & Chills: A look at what's new at theme parks around the country

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Frills & Chills: A look at what's new at theme parks around the country

By Beth J. Harpaz
Associated Press

Published: Sunday, June 15, 2008 12:01 a.m. MDT

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TOY STORY MANIA!, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., www.disneyland.com and Disneyland, Anaheim, Calif., www.disneyland.com. Interactive ride where you shoot at virtual targets, inspired by the "Toy Story" movies. Opened at Disney World in Florida May 31 and will open at Disney's California Adventure June 17. Mandt said the ride is a good example of the interactive trend hitting theme parks: "Your first ride and second ride are different, and you actually have a role to play in the outcome." Also new at Disneyland in Anaheim, Innoventions Dream Home in Tomorrowland, a 21st century redesign of the classic House of the Future, and Pixar Play Parade at California Adventure with characters from movies like "Toy Story," "Monsters, Inc." and "Cars" on giant floats.

JUNGALA, Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay, Fla., www.jungala.com. Interactive animal park, where you can watch white-cheeked gibbons up close, observe an orangutan paint, and experience tug of war with a Bengal tiger. Geared to families with children ages 6-14.

AQUATICA, SeaWorld, Orlando, Fla., www.aquaticabyseaworld.com. Water park adjacent to SeaWorld, with waterfalls, racing slides, a raft ride, wave pools, rivers, lagoons, a beach and 36 slides. The park is also home to dolphins, birds and fish.

SESAME STREET BAY OF PLAY, SeaWorld, San Diego, Calif., www.seaworld.com/sandiego. Themed kiddie park with Sesame Street characters, three rides and live show.

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PACIFIC WHEEL, Santa Monica Pier, Calif., www.pacpark.com. This new, $1.5-million Ferris wheel with 15,000 lights replaces the old Ferris wheel, which recently sold on eBay to a buyer from Oklahoma.

LAND OF ADVENTURE, Legoland, Carlsbad, Calif., www.legoland.com/California.htm. A new area of the park with attractions that include a dark ride, Lost Kingdom Adventure, and Pharaoh's Revenge, where you shoot foam balls. New Sea Life Aquarium expected to open in July.

FIREFALL, California's Great America, Santa Clara, Calif. www.cagreatamerica.com/. Thrill ride that flips and turns riders through fire and water effects.