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20 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA THE FUN STARTS HERE Smiles abound for the young and young-at-heart at California's theme parks BY MATT VILLANO D iversions are as plentiful as sunshine in California. One of the most popu- lar outlets: original theme parks. These attractions are meccas to amuse- ment, each focusing rides and exhibits around different concepts such as fairies, film, plastic blocks, sea life and an inimit- able mouse. Most of the parks are situated in the southern part of the state (where the weather is generally warmer), but the granddaddy of them all is up north. Universal Studios Hollywood This film-themed park got its formal start in the 1960s when walk-throughs of Uni- versal Studios soundstages and sets were expanded to include peeks at actual pro- duction. Over the years, the studio added a tram to shuttle visitors through the back lot; this tram remains the best way to ex- perience stunt demonstrations and staged events (such as an encounter with the shark from Jaws). Among the amusement thrills, find SuperNintendo World, which opened recently, located in a newly expanded area of the park. It features the Mario Kart: Browser's Challenge ride, Browser's Castle and the Toadstool Cafe. Power-Up Bands, wearable wristbands, sync with Universal Studios Hollywood's free downloadable app to enhance the many interactive ele- ments within the land. The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash is a dark ride. Take on the role of a stray puppy in search of a forever home as you're whisked around New York City meeting ani- mated figures from the Secret Life of Pets movies along the way. Continued favorites are Jurassic World — The Ride and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, complete with a replica of Hogwarts castle and a recreation of the shops of Hogsmeade. This section is home to two rides: Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, and Flight of the Hippogriff. AMUSEMENT PARKS Europeans started the concept of amusement parks centuries ago with fairs and pleasure gardens created for people's recreation. The world's oldest amusement park is Bakken, just north of Copenhagen, Denmark, which opened in 1583. The oldest theme park in the United States is Holiday World & Splashin' Safari (called Santa Claus Land from its opening in 1946 until 1984) in Santa Claus, Indiana. California's theme parks date from 1950. TADA IMAGES/SHUTTERSTOCK . OPPOSITE: ANJELIKAGR/SHUTTERSTOCK ; CDRIN/SHUTTERSTOCK THEME PARKS