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Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Knott’s Welcomes Kathy and Janet Lennon for “Best Pals” Doll Signing Event

BUENA PARK, Calif. –Kathy and Janet Lennon will be signing their award-winning product line, “Best Pals,” at Knott’s Berry Farm’s Virginia’s Gift Shop on Saturday, March 12.

    The celebrity sisters, who still perform in Branson and select venues throughout the year including the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, developed their doll line based on their lifelong friendship and their love for a pair of ragdolls handmade for them by their mother and their Nana in 1949.   These wholesome toys, with a nod back to their 1950’s childhood, were developed especially for parents and grandparents looking to provide their children and grandchildren with high quality toys at affordable prices.

    Knott’s “Best Pals”  Doll Signing Event will take place at Virginia’s Gift Shop located in Knott’s Marketplace from 11am – 1pm.  Knott’s Marketplace is open to the public and does not require park admission.  Three hours of free parking is also available.

    To find out all the summer activities at Knott’s Berry Farm and to download a money-saving flyer for the Doll Event, visit www.knotts.com.

Adventure Island Opens for the 2011 Season on March 12!

TAMPA, Fla. (March 2, 2011) – Adventure Island kicks off another season of fun in the sun with preview weekend Saturday and Sunday, March 12 and 13, and daily operation beginning Saturday, March 19. New this year: Summer hours are extended until 9 p.m. every night from June 9 through Aug. 14.

BEST OFFERS: The best value to visit all season long is the Adventure Island Weekday Pass.

    * Pay for a Day, and Play Weekdays All Season. Enjoy unlimited weekday access to Adventure Island during the 2011 season with no blackout dates.
    * Valid Mondays through Fridays, March 21 through Sept. 5, 2011
    * Purchase at AdventureIsland.com, 1-888-800-5447 or at Adventure Island or Busch Gardens front gates
    * The Adventure Island Weekday Pass is $42.99 for adults and children

You can also visit Domino’s stores through May 15, 2011, in Tampa, Fort Myers and Orlando to receive a promotion code to save $10 off a single day admission ticket to Adventure Island. Promotion code must be redeemed at AdventureIsland.com by May 15, 2011.

NEW! EXTENDED HOURS ALL SUMMER LONG
This summer, Adventure Island is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ALL SUMMER LONG -- not just during Island Nights. That’s more time to enjoy the thrills, water attractions and family fun offered at Adventure Island.

And Island Nights returns this summer as well, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 5 to 9 p.m., June 9 to Aug. 13. It’s a vacation from the everyday with live music, authentic Polynesian dancers, inspiring cuisine and family friendly beach activities in addition to all the thrilling slides, tube rides and water-drenched fun of Adventure Island.

CABANAS To make the most of your Adventure Island visit, rent a cabana for a shaded, exclusive spot for your family and friends to gather throughout the day. Each cabana includes four chaise lounges, a locker, a mini-fridge with assorted drinks and four souvenir towels. Daily rental prices range from $99.99 to $179.99, based on the time of year.

Visit AdventureIsland.com for extended hour schedules during Spring Break and summer. Single-day admission tickets for Adventure Island are $42.99 for adults and $38.99 for children. Children ages 2 and younger are free, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. All prices are per person, plus tax. Park hours are subject to change. Visit www.adventureisland.com for more information.

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS CONFIRMS TALKS WITH CIRCLE ENTERTAINMENT

Orlando, London (9am EST Wednesday March 2 2011) Global visitor attraction operator Merlin Entertainments (‘Merlin’) confirmed today that it is working with entertainment company Circle Entertainment, Inc. (Cexe.pk) and developer Unicorp, to bring at least three of its best known global attraction brands to Orlando including  Madame Tussauds and the Orlando ‘Eye’ – a sensational 425 ft high wheel! Talks are well advanced, and if agreed, the attractions will form a key part of Circle and Unicorp’s exciting plans for I-Walk Orlando – a new high quality development of retail, restaurant and bars and entertainment facilities scheduled to open in 2013 in the centre of International Drive at the old Mercado location.

Commenting Paul Kanavos, President of Circle Entertainment, said “I-Walk Orlando will be a very exciting addition to International Drive, providing a unique mix of leisure and retail activities. When we were looking for a partner, Merlin was the obvious place to start and we welcome them to I-Walk.  Merlin has a unique portfolio of indoor visitor attractions all with global reputations; but most importantly they are the owners and operators of the world famous London Eye observation wheel in the UK. They are also the second largest attraction operator in the world and are expanding very rapidly here in the USA. Circle Entertainment is committed to building and owning the Orlando Eye at I-Walk Orlando and is seeking other preeminent domestic and international locations for its Observation Wheels under its exclusive worldwide license agreement with US Thrill Rides and Bill Kitchen, its founder."

Unicorp President Chuck Whittall is excited about the project and his development joint venture with Circle Entertainment. 'We are so pleased to undertake this extraordinary new development opportunity that will re-shape the landscape of International Drive.  We waited patiently for four years to create the ideal retail and entertainment destination.  This is it and will be a world wide destination. I-Walk Orlando has secured all necessary zoning and entitlements.”

Commenting Merlin Entertainments’ CEO Nick Varney said “I-Walk Orlando is destined to be a ‘must visit’ destination for Orlando’s millions of visitors. With this project we believe Merlin, Unicorp and Circle Entertainment will be bringing an exceptional group of new attractions to what is undoubtedly the best and most exciting location for family entertainment any where in the world.  More than that, in October we are opening LEGOLAND Florida in Winter Haven, our second LEGOLAND theme park in the USA and fifth in the world underlining the importance of North America, and Florida in particular, as key development areas for Merlin.”

Create a Roller Coaster out of Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels and Win!!

HANOVER, PA ¬( March 3, 2011) – Pretzel lovers, roller coaster enthusiasts and crafters, be on alert. The ultimate test of skill and creativity is about to commence.  It’s time to gather your supplies - Snyder’s of Hanover® pretzels and a glue gun - dream up your plans, and start creating!  Creating what, you ask? Why, an ENTIRE roller coaster made only of pretzels of course!

Entering its third year of competition, the Pretzel Coaster Build-Off Contest sponsored by Snyder’s of Hanover and Busch Gardens® is calling for creative pretzel coaster entries.  Eligible participants from select states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina) are invited to build a miniature roller coaster out of Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels and submit pictures of their pretzel coaster creations to www.snydersofhanover.com. All entries must be submitted between March 14th and June 3rd.

In a new twist to the rules, judges will select four semi-finalists and then give fans the power to vote for the fifth semi-finalist online. Those five semi-finalists and the 2010 defending champion will be awarded an all expense-paid family trip to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg for the final round of competition on July 14th. Each semi-finalist prize includes gas, lodging, tickets to both Busch Gardens and Water Country USA and meals for a family of four. The estimated value of each semi-finalist prize is $1,065.96.

In the final showdown on July 14th the five semi-finalists will race against each other, the clock and returning champion Jennifer Westcott of Wayne, N.J. to create a pretzel coaster replica of one of Busch Gardens’ exciting coasters. The grand prize winner will be awarded a four-pack of two-year, 2-Park passes for Busch Gardens and Water Country USA and a year’s supply of Snyder’s of Hanover pretzels, among other prizes. Estimated retail value is $1,307.96. Second and third prizes will also be awarded. For full contest rules, visit www.snydersofhanover.com.

        SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates 10 parks across the U.S. including SeaWorld parks in Orlando, San Diego and San Antonio; Busch Gardens parks in Tampa, Fla. and Williamsburg; Discovery Cove and Aquatica in Orlando; Sesame Place near Philadelphia, Pa.; and water parks Adventure Island in Tampa and Water Country USA in Williamsburg. 

    Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels have been America’s favorite since 1909. They have been recognized for their creative new products and their assortment of delicious pretzels. For recipes and amusing facts about pretzels visit www.snydersofhanover.com

Friday, March 4, 2011

KNOTT’S BERRY FARM GETS KIDS IN SHAPE DURING SNOOPY’S SPRING TRAINING

WEEKENDS March 19-April 24

BUENA PARK, CA – It’s “game on” at Knott’s Berry Farm this spring!  Guests to the park can join Snoopy and all the gang as they get out in the fresh air and get in shape with all their favorite sports activities.  Kids ages 3-11 will be given a score card upon entering Camp Snoopy and will have the opportunity to try their skill at some of our country’s most popular pastimes.  You can take a turn running the bases, kicking a soccer ball, shooting a few hoops, even doing a little victory dance.  After completing all the stations, everyone goes home a winner with a special prize.

After you get a little exercise you may want to take it down a notch with “Team Charlie Brown,” the live musical revue starring Charlie Brown and the Peanuts’ Gang at the Camp Snoopy Theatre.  Peanuts’ pal J.T. will take everyone out to the ball game with this antic-filled show which includes audience participation and some catchy tunes.

When you are ready to take a break from the action, don’t miss Knott’s Spring Crafts Fair located throughout Ghost Town which runs daily April 1-May 1.  Artisans from throughout Southern California will be on hand selling a unique mix of crafts, jewelry, clothing and other gift items.  

Make your Easter celebration extra special by booking your reservation for the all-you-can-eat Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch featuring glazed ham, roast turkey, smoked salmon, and carved beef at  Knott’s Berry Farm’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant.  Brunch includes special appearances throughout the day by Snoopy and the Easter Bunny himself!  Guests can make reservations by calling, (714) 220-5055.

    Snoopy’s Spring Training runs weekends March 19-April 24. Though Knott’s Theme Park closing times vary, Snoopy’s Spring Training ends at 5:00 pm each day. Training session is included with regular park admission of $56.99 and junior rate (ages 3-11) and seniors (62 and older) are only $24.99.  Take advantage of the discounted online regular ticket price of only $33.99 and $22.99 for juniors and seniors.  For more information on all the exciting things that are going on at Knott’s Berry Farm, call (714) 220-5200 or visit on the web at www.knotts.com.

Universal Orlando Resort Joins Read Across America's Celebration


Orlando Magic’s Community Ambassador and former player, Nick Anderson, was all smiles at Universal Orlando Resort while reading Dr. Seuss’ “The Cat in the Hat” to local schoolchildren in celebration of the National Education Association’s Read Across America day on March 2, 2011. As part of NEA’s 16th annual reading party and Dr. Seuss’s birthday, Universal Orlando hosted two elementary classes from a local school to Seuss Landing in Universal’s Islands of Adventure for a day of Seussian storytelling and celebrations.

LYNYRD SKYNYRD TO BRING SOUTHERN STYLE ROCK THIS WEEKEND AT UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT’S MARDI GRAS

The Biggest Mardi Gras Party Outside of New Orleans Continues Saturday, March 5

WHAT:  This Saturday night, Lynyrd Skynyrd – one of the most legendary rock’n’roll bands in history – will take center stage at Universal Orlando Resort’s Mardi Gras celebration. The band’s southern style, sound and all-American spirit have made them one of the most widely-recognized names in rock.

Lynyrd Skynyrd has produced more than 60 albums and sold more than 30 million copies since the band first began in Jacksonville , Fla., 35 years ago. They remain a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame powerhouse with top hits including, “Sweet Home Alabama,” “Gimme Three Steps” and one of the most famous rock songs of all time, “Free Bird.”

This year’s Mardi Gras concert line-up features some of the biggest names in Rock, Country, Pop and R&B. Together, the headliners have had more than 100 songs on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart and more than 20 Grammy nominations.

2011 MARDI GRAS TALENT LINE-UP

Mardi Gras Event Dates
Headliners (performing in the Music Plaza)

Saturday, March 5
Lynyrd Skynyrd

Saturday, March 12   
Foreigner

Friday, March 18
Neon Trees

Saturday, March 19
The Roots

Friday, March 25
OneRepublic

Saturday, March 26
Blake Shelton

Friday, April 1
Sean Kingston

Saturday, April 2
Ne-Yo

Saturday, April 9
Lifehouse

Saturday, April 16
The Beach Boys

Saturday, April 23
Thirty Seconds To Mars

At Universal Orlando’s Mardi Gras, nationally renowned musical acts combine with an authentic Mardi Gras parade, dozens of colorfully costumed performers, authentic Cajun cooking, and hand-picked New Orleans bands to capture the look, feel and fun of New Orleans – all inside Universal Studios Florida. This year’s ultimate street party runs every Saturday and other select nights through April 23, and is included in regular admission to Universal Studios Florida. For more information, visit www.universalorlando.com/mardigras.

SCHEDULE: 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Grady Champion (New Orleans Band)

8:00 p.m.: Mardi Gras Parade Starts

8:30 p.m.: Lynyrd Skynyrd