PARKS AND CONS
  • Home
  • Electronic Press Kit
  • Podcast
  • Industry Updates
  • Contact Us

NEW HALLOWEEN ATTRACTION COMING TO LA - Shaqtoberfest

6/21/2022

 
THE FIRST-EVER SHAQTOBERFEST HALLOWEEN EVENT COMES TO THE ICONIC QUEEN MARY IN LONG BEACH THIS OCTOBER
 
ABG Entertainment and Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Join Forces to Bring the New Halloween Attraction to Life Providing Seasonal Fun for All Ages
Picture
LOS ANGELES, CA (June 21, 2022) - 15-time All-Star and basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal and ABG Entertainment today announced a partnership with Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the producers of world-class live events and location-based entertainment experiences including LA’s own Haunted Hayride, for the first-ever SHAQTOBERFEST Halloween event, taking place at the historic Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA this October. Officially open to the public beginning late September through Halloween, the interactive experience will be the ultimate Halloween destination for family-friendly trick-or-treating, ghoulish games, delicious treats, specialty libations, frightfully fun nighttime haunted trails and exciting live entertainment that encapsulates O’Neal’s playful personality. 

"Halloween can’t come soon enough,” said O’Neal. “Thirteenth Floor Entertainment and I have some tricks up our sleeves to make this the most spook-tacular Halloween event ever!”

Located alongside one of Los Angeles’ most haunted landmarks, SHAQTOBERFEST will include six thrilling Halloween-themed areas for guests to explore, each featuring Halloween trails, games, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors and more. The experience will be narrated by O’Neal’s instantly recognizable voice.

“We are beyond thrilled to be partnering with Shaq and ABG Entertainment for a truly unique Halloween experience coming this fall,” said Chris Strafford, CEO and Founding Partner of Thirteenth Floor Entertainment. “SHAQTOBERFEST will be unlike any other Halloween attraction that we have ever produced, and we couldn’t be more excited to be launching it at one of the area’s most well-known locations and show our fans what we’ve created for them. Not to mention, we’re really excited to be able to produce an event in Long Beach, which has a long running history of hosting amazing Halloween celebrations.”

Each afternoon will provide family fun trick-or-treat offerings and entertainment for children of all ages who are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes. Come nighttime, the energetic lights and music turn on as the witching hour begins, unleashing O’Neal’s ghoulish minions into the haunted trails and midways as the spirits of SHAQTOBERFEST are brought to life.

“We are incredibly excited to launch the first-ever Shaqtoberfest,” said Matt Goldstein, SVP, Entertainment and Special Projects at ABG Entertainment. “Fans of all ages are going to have the time of their lives celebrating Halloween with Shaq.”

For more information and to stay up to date on ticket information, activations and location announcements visit Shaqtoberfest.com and follow us on Instagram at @Shaqtoberfest.


About Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group:
Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group produces world-class live events and location-based entertainment experiences and is the world’s largest Halloween themed entertainment company. With over 16 locations and counting, every year, Thirteenth Floor brings premier Halloween experiences to markets all across the country. Designed by world-renowned haunted house engineers and featuring makeup and effects from Hollywood special effects artists, their attractions take fright to a whole new level. ThirteenthFloor.com 

About Shaquille O’Neal:
Shaquille O’Neal is one of the world’s most successful athlete-turned-businessmen, whose accomplishments both on and off the court have translated into a highly sought-after consumer brand. As an entrepreneur, sports analyst, DJ, restaurateur, and brand ambassador, Shaquille O’Neal’s signature “Business of Fun” mantra resonates throughout each of his countless endeavors.

The 15-time NBA All-Star’s unprecedented athletic career spanned nearly two decades and earned him countless awards and honors, including NBA Most Valuable Player, NBA Rookie of the Year, four NBA Championships and a First Ballot NBA Hall of Famer.  Currently, O’Neal is an analyst on TNT’s Emmy Award-winning “Inside the NBA.”

O'Neal, who has a PhD in Leadership and Education, established The Shaquille O’Neal Foundation which provides resources for underserved youth. He also gives back through a number of annual philanthropic programs including Shaq to School, Shaqsgiving, and Shaq a Claus.

The launch of his Las Vegas eatery Big Chicken has further elevated Shaquille’s status as he has positioned himself as a successful restaurateur. The brand currently has sites open in Las Vegas, Glendale, CA, two Carnival Cruise Ships (Mardi Gras and Radiance), Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, UBS Arena in New York with many more locations under development.

Follow Shaquille O’Neal on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About ABG Entertainment:
ABG Entertainment offers unparalleled storytelling through long-form and short-form content, live event production, hospitality and immersive experiences in collaboration with the world’s most influential creators, distributors, brands and artists. ABG Entertainment is a division of Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development, marketing and entertainment company, and owner of a portfolio of iconic and renowned brands that generate more than $21 billion in retail sales worldwide. For more information, visit authenticbrandsgroup.com

Universal Studios Hollywood Delivers Nonstop Summer Fun with Its Blockbuster Rides, Attractions and Lands

6/16/2022

 
Universal Studios Hollywood Delivers Nonstop Summer Fun with Its Blockbuster Rides, Attractions and Lands, Including “Jurassic World—The Ride,” “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” and Illumination’s “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” and “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!”
 
Click Here to Purchase Tickets to Start Planning the Best Day in L.A.
Picture
Universal City, California – June 16, 2022 – The Best Day in L.A. starts at Universal Studios Hollywood as the popular theme park brings some of the most popular franchises in film history to life and readies for nonstop summer fun with its blockbuster rides and attractions, including the return of “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts TM Castle” in "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

As the hottest movies of the year hit the big screen, Universal Studios Hollywood is the only place in L.A. to catch the action after the credits roll and become immersed in one-of-a-kind blockbuster attractions. After watching the epic conclusion of Universal Pictures’ Jurassic World Dominion, which opened as the #1 movie in the world, guests can experience “Jurassic World—The Ride” where they will be caught in the middle of an extraordinary battle between the Indominus rex and her arch-rival, the Tyrannosaurus rex.

Minions continue to run amok at Universal Studios Hollywood as the theme park prepares for the theatrical release of Illumination and Universal Picture’s newest film, Minions: The Rise of Gru, on July 1.

From Monday, June 27 through Sunday, July 17, mischievous Minions will take center stage at Universal Plaza, where guests can meet the newest Minion, Otto, along with fan favorites Jerry and Dave before they set off on an adventure aboard the “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem” ride. The Minion activation also features exclusive experiences for guests, including interacting with a 16-foot Minion squishy and engaging in a specially-created Minion-themed game through Sunday, August 14.

Family fun continues on Illumination’s award-winning ride The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash!” where guests become transformed into stray puppies looking for their forever homes, and within the immersive "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” land. For a sneak peek of an authentic movie and television production studio, guests can get a bird’s eye view on the world-renowned Studio Tour, which now features several electric trams in its current fleet.

Beginning today, “The Nighttime Lights at Hogwarts Castle” returns with a dazzling light and special effects projection display set against the backdrop of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As night falls on Hogsmeade village, guests can enjoy an awe-inspiring spectacle that showcases the four houses of Hogwarts: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin, accompanied by a special musical arrangement based on original scores from the film series.

This summer also sees the return of the “Special Effects Show,” a fast-paced and entertaining behind-the-scenes peek at the world of Hollywood movie-making magic. The Special Effects Show will run daily from Friday, July 1 through Sunday, August 14, then weekends only, beginning Saturday, August 20. 

Preparing for a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood to experience the Best Day in L.A. is easy with a series of convenient online tools that range from Universal’s interactive mobile app and website and all-new Discover Universal hub, designed to help maximize trips for the ultimate visit.

​More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter. Admission to Universal CityWalk is free. More information available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com.

Six Flags Magic Mountain Announces Exciting Event Lineup and Launch of New Annual Pass Program

6/10/2022

 
Picture
12-Month Pass to Include Summer Events and More
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — June 10, 2022 — Six Flags Magic Mountain, the undisputed “Thrill Capital of the World,” today announced an exciting lineup of events and the introduction of the new Six Flags Annual Pass program. During a season that already includes the largest array of guest experience improvements in the park’s 50-year history, the summer kicks off with an exciting event lineup, a new pass that provides more flexibility and value than ever before, and coming soon, the addition of the park’s record 20th coaster.


Events include:


  • Coca-Cola July 4th Fest (July 2 – July 4) – One of Southern California’s most spectacular fireworks shows runs nightly July 2 through July 4 at 9:15pm. Guests can celebrate the red, white and blue with an ice-cold Coca-Cola, live music, limited-time culinary offerings, and the most thrilling collection of world-class coasters. This event is included with theme park admission.
 
  • WONDER WOMAN™ Flight of Courage – The park’s record 20th coaster—the most at any theme park on the planet—makes its debut this summer as the tallest, longest single-rail coaster in the world. Riders will take flight single file, on an incredible journey up a towering 13-story first drop, reaching speeds up to 58 miles-per-hour while soaring through a series of dives, banks, rolls, and turns over 3,300 feet of track.
 
  • Fright Fest (Select Nights September 10 – October 30) – One of Los Angeles’ most thrilling Halloween events, Fright Fest, returns with Thrills by Day and Fright by Night featuring a bone-chilling lineup of haunted attractions. Plus, face your fears in total darkness on the park’s most popular monster coasters…without the lights.
 
  • Holiday in the Park (Select Evenings November 24 – January 1) – Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a magical winter wonderland featuring millions of twinkling lights, beautifully themed areas throughout the park, festive shows and delicious holiday food and treats.


Six Flags has also made technological improvements throughout the park for more streamlined operations in rides and culinary locations. It includes the addition of several digital ride wait time monitors and mobile food ordering through the Six Flags App. Plus, park beautification enhancements consist of more shaded guest seating areas and an array of drought-tolerant plants.
 
Six Flags Announces New Annual Pass Program
 
Six Flags unveils a new pass program featuring different levels of benefits tailored to suit each guest’s preferences. This flexible new program offers the option for 12 easy monthly payments:  


  • Annual Thrill Seeker Pass;
    • $140.00 or 12 payments starting at $11.67;
    • Includes admission to Six Flags Magic Mountain & Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles and Phoenix (blockout dates apply), plus general parking and special savings on food and merchandise;
  • Annual Extreme Pass;
    • $195.00 or 12 payments starting at $16.25;
    • Includes admission to all Six Flags Outdoor Parks plus preferred parking, two Junior Passes (valid for guests 42” and under) and special savings on food and merchandise; and
  • Annual Ultimate Pass;
    • $350.00 or 12 payments starting at $29.17;
    • Includes access to all Six Flags Outdoor Parks plus front gate parking, two Junior Passes (valid for guests 42” and under), a ten-meal dining plan, and special savings on food and merchandise.


For a limited time, guests also have the option to purchase Passes valid through Labor Day including:


  • Summer Pass for only $99.99, which includes admission to Six Flags Magic Mountain; and
  • Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles Pass for only $99.99, including admission to the water park and general parking.
 
Guests can purchase and manage their Six Flags Annual Pass now by visiting sixflags.com/magicmountain or through the Six Flags App, where they can access a full list of benefits associated with their pass.


Six Flags is currently hiring for more than ten diverse departments offer exciting opportunities with flexible hours and great perks. Team members receive in-park discounts, rewards and recognitions, exclusive Team Member events, and more. Select jobs start at $17 an hour. Applicants, age 16 and older, can visit SixFlagsJobs.com for immediate openings.


About Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor
Six Flags Magic Mountain, known as the Thrill Capital of the World, boasts more roller coasters than any other theme park on the planet and is home to more than 100 rides, shows, and attractions for thrill-seekers of all ages. Right next door, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor features over 25 slides and attractions for water park lovers of all ages in a tropically themed paradise. www.sixflags.com/magicmountain
 
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is the world’s largest regional theme park company and the largest operator of water parks in North America, with 27 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada. For 60 years, Six Flags has entertained millions of families with world-class coasters, themed rides, thrilling water parks and unique attractions. Six Flags is committed to creating an inclusive environment that fully embraces the diversity of our team members and guests. For more information, visit www.sixflags.com. 
 
 Follow us on Twitter @sfmagicmountain 
 Like us on Facebook @sixflagsmagicmountain @sixflagshurricaneharborla
 Follow us on Instagram @sixflagsmagicmountain 
 Follow us on TikTok @sfmagicmountain @hurricaneharborla

HALLOWEEN’S RELENTLESS SLASHER MICHAEL MYERS MAKES HIS VENGEFUL RETURN TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS’ HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS

6/8/2022

 
Picture
HIS BEGINNING IS YOUR END
 
HALLOWEEN’S RELENTLESS SLASHER MICHAEL MYERS MAKES HIS VENGEFUL RETURN TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS’
HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS IN HAUNTED HOUSES INSPIRED BY THE CLASSIC 1978 FILM
 
Relive the Most Iconic Moments from Halloween Beginning September 2 at Universal Orlando Resort and September 8 at Universal Studios Hollywood
 
Click Here for a Glimpse at the Terror that Awaits​
Picture
​Orlando, Fla., Universal City, Calif. (June 8, 2022) – John Carpenter’s classic 1978 slasher film Halloween returns to stalk Halloween Horror Nights in terrifying haunted houses where guests come face-to-face with the merciless Michael Myers, beginning September 2 at Universal Orlando Resort and September 8 at Universal Studios Hollywood.
 
Halloween is one of the most popular horror films of all time and to many fans, spawned the most-feared antagonist in horror movie history – Michael Myers. As the franchise’s latest trilogy concludes with Universal Pictures’ release of Halloween Ends on October 14, guests will venture back to where it all began in “Halloween” – eerily authentic haunted houses that depict the most chilling moments from the critically-acclaimed original film.
 
On both coasts, this year’s harrowing experiences will transport guests to the infamous town of Haddonfield, Ill. on Halloween night, when Michael Myers first donned his notorious mask to embark on his brutal rampage. As guests make their way through his dilapidated home and iconic scenes from the movie, they’ll narrowly dodge attacks from the knife-wielding Myers as he stalks their every move. Myers is the embodiment of pure evil who unleashes terror at every turn, and guests will quickly realize that he will stop at nothing and no one to take his bloody revenge.
 
Select tickets and vacation packages are now on sale for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando Resort which begins Friday, September 2, and tickets for Universal Studios Hollywood, which kicks off Thursday, September 8, will be available soon. Both events will run select nights through Monday, October 31, and additional details and haunted houses will be revealed soon. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit  www.HalloweenHorrorNights.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood Reveals Details of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s Signature Ride Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge Opening in Early 2023

6/2/2022

 
Picture
Universal Studios Hollywood Reveals Details of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD’s Signature Ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,” Opening in Early 2023 as Guests and Fans Eagerly Await the Arrival of the Theme Park’s All-New Immersive Land
 
Inspired by the Popular MARIO KART™ Video Game Series and Featuring Cutting-Edge Augmented Reality, this All-New Technologically-Advanced Ride Raises the Bar on Interactive Theme Park Attractions
 
Click Here for a Sneak Peek of the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” Ride

Picture
Picture
Universal City, California, June 2, 2022 – When “Mario Kart™: Bowser’s Challenge” opens in SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™ at Universal Studios Hollywood in early 2023, guests and fans will find themselves immersed in one of the world’s largest, most interactive rides they have ever experienced. It seamlessly fuses augmented reality with projection mapping technology and actual set pieces along a moving ride track to debut a ride that’s unparalleled anywhere within the theme park industry.

The highly-anticipated opening of SUPER NINTENDO WORLD at Universal Studios Hollywood represents the first SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to debut in the United States, designed to transport theme park guests and Nintendo® fans into the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach to be part of the Mushroom Kingdom.

Guests will access SUPER NINTENDO WORLD via the iconic Warp Pipe to enter the land where they will find the “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” ride located within Bowser’s Castle.

This innovative achievement will propel guests into a multi-dimensional experience that recreates iconic environments from the Mario Kart games and where no two races are alike. “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” is also one of the most complex rides ever built within the entertainment industry.

The sophisticated ride is a multi-sensory cornucopia of color, sound and movement that invites guests to navigate familiar environs through the creative use and integration of head mounted augmented reality (AR) goggles—a key point of differentiation that distinguishes this ride from other theme park attractions.

From the depths of the dungeon within Bowser’s Castle, guests will climb aboard stadium-style, four-seat Mario Kart vehicles inspired by the video game, put on their AR goggles …and then with a 3-2-1 GO! signal from Lakitu, they will be off to the races.

The premise is simple but equally inspiring and challenging and will appeal to guests of all ages regardless of gaming experience. As part of Team Mario, guests will steer through courses underwater and in the clouds to compete for the Golden Cup while collecting coins to defeat Team Bowser and win.

“Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge” raises the stakes for guests as an intriguing and repeatable ride with a variety of outcomes.

SUPER NINTENDO WORLD is conceived in partnership with Nintendo and the visionaries at Universal Creative to deliver exhilarating entertainment with innovative technological achievements inspired by characters and video games that have appealed to Nintendo fans for generations.

The immersive land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colors and architectural ingenuity located within a newly expanded area of Universal Studios Hollywood that will feature the groundbreaking ride, “Mario Kart: Bowser’s Challenge,” and interactive areas, to be enjoyed by the whole family, along with themed shopping and dining to enhance the entire experience.

Universal Studios Hollywood and guests continue the countdown to the land’s early 2023 opening with the Feature Presentation retail store, well stocked with SUPER NINTENDO WORLD merchandise such as Mario and Luigi themed apparel and iconic character hats and a selection of plush characters, including Mario, Luigi, Yoshi and Bowser.

More information and details will be shared soon. In the meantime, guests can visit www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com for theme park updates. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and Twitter.

    Press Releases

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Picture

Services

Home
Podcast
Industry Updates

Company

About
Contact Us
© Parks And Cons... All rights reserved.