Theme Park Fun

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

05 Mar 2009 02:02 PM

Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri just announced that it is teaming up with area hotels and other attractions to offer discounts on package deals to families who want to spend spring break in the Show-Me-State without breaking the bank. The popular theme park is just one of dozens of companies lending a helping hand to cash-strapped parents, who want to make this spring break memorable for their kids.

Sea World in Florida and the San Diego Zoo are also appealing to families on a budget. Both theme parks are freezing the price of their annual passes, in an effort to reward their most loyal customers. Admission price is also staying put at Universal Studios Hollywood, but visitors there will be getting more bang for their buck this summer.

Execs with the company say new movie sets are now being built to replace the ones that were damaged in a fire last June. You'll recall that roofers using a blowtorch accidentally started a massive blaze at the park, which destroyed the King Kong attraction and a video vault.

You'll get to view the new sets if you sign up for the tram-led Studio Tour or if you purchase tickets for Universal's behind-the-scenes "V.I.P. Experience" tour, which offers a more in-depth look at productions and locations. The trams stop at locations used to film popular TV series and movies, including "Desperate Housewives" and "Psycho."

In addition to the new sets, visitors taking the tour will be treated to upgrades, including hi-definition, flat-screen monitors, which will be installed on all Studio Tour trams. The new monitors will be used to show passengers footage of action shot on the Universal backlot, including scenes from "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "Ghost Whisperer." Tour guides will also use the monitors to show clips from hundreds of other popular movies and TV series as the tram moves between various locations on the Universal lot.

According to Universal execs, the new sets will include a gas station, firehouse and urban cityscape with glass and steel facades. In addition, Universal's Courthouse Square and Brownstone Street, which have been used in numerous movies and television shows are also undergoing a makeover, just in time for the summer rush.

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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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