November 6, 2002
Many Amusement Parks Open For Off-Season Operations
Los Angeles, CA -- The end of October marks the traditional end of operations for seasonal amusement parks in the United States. Last weekend, was the final operating days for the few that remained open past the end of October. Seasonal parks will now remain closed until spring 2003. The start of the off-season for many roller coaster enthusiasts means the onset of "roller coaster withdrawal."
Fortunately, the "off-season" doesn't mean the fun has to end. There are number of amusement parks in warmer climates that continue to operate year-round and a several more that operate at least until the end of the year. If you're going to need a fix for the winter coaster blues, then it's time to make plans for a winter amusement park vacation.
The following is a list of amusement parks that operate during the fall and winter months. This list may help you plan an off-season roller coaster trip. Please call the park in advance to confirm operating days and hours.
California
Adventure City, Stanton
Open weekends, most Fridays, holidays and daily during holiday periods.
Belmont Park, San Diego
Open daily year-round.
Castle Park, Riverside
Ride park open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and daily during holiday periods.
Disneyland, Anaheim
Open daily year round with extended evening hours nightly, Fridays and Sundays until 10 p.m., Saturdays and holiday periods until Midnight. New Year's Eve until 2 a.m.
Disney's California Adventure, Anaheim
Open daily year round with extended evening hours Friday, Saturdays, Sundays and holiday periods. Open New Year's Eve until 1 a.m.
Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park
Open daily year round except Christmas Day with extended evening hours on Saturdays and holiday periods.
Pacific Park, Santa Monica
Open Friday-Sunday, holidays and holiday periods with extended evening hours.
Pharaoh's Kingdom, Redlands
Midway ride park open Saturdays and Sunday, and some holidays.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Limited operations weekends through December 1, including the Friday after Thanksgiving and December 26-January 1. Open weekends and holidays again in January and February.
Scandia Fun Center, Ontario
Open weekends, holidays and selected evenings year-round. Late evening operations on weekends and holidays.
Sea World Adventure Park, San Diego
Open daily year-round.
Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia
Open weekends and holidays year-round, daily November 27 - December 1 and December 21 - January 12, except Christmas Day.
Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City
Open daily year-round.
Florida
Boomers!, Dania Beach
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours.
Busch Gardens Tampa, Tampa
Open daily year-round.
Disney's Animal Kingdom, Orlando
Open daily year-round, with extended evening hours on New Year's Eve.
Disney's Magic Kingdom, Orlando
Open daily year-round, with extended evening hours on weekends, holidays, holiday periods and New Year's Eve.
Disney MGM Studios, Orlando
Open daily year-round, with extended evening hours during holiday periods and on New Year's Eve.
EPCOT, Orlando
Open daily year-round, with extended evening hours.
Old Town, Kissimee
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours.
Sea World Orlando
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours on New Year's Eve.
Universal Studios Florida, Orlando
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours during holiday periods.
Universal's Islands of Adventure, Orlando
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours during holiday periods.
Georgia
Wild Adventures, Valdosta
Open Thursdays - Sundays, holidays and daily December 12 - January 5, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Extended evening hours Fridays and Saturdays in November and all operating days in December.
Missouri
Silver Dollar City, Branson
Open Wednesday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. through December 22.
Nevada
Adventuredome, Las Vegas
Open daily year-round, with extended evening hours on weekends and during holiday periods.
Buffalo Bills Hotel and Casino, Primm
Open daily year round, with extended evening hours on weekends and during holiday periods.
Las Vegas Grand Prix, Las Vegas
Open weekends, holidays and during holiday periods with extended evening hours.
NASCAR Cafe, Las Vegas
Open daily year round with extended evening hours on weekends.
New York New York Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours.
Stratosphere Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas
Open daily year-round with extended evening hours.
Pennsylvania
Hersheypark, Hershey
Open selected days for Candyland Holiday Event November 8 - January 1. Limited ride operations, pay-as-you-go, and no roller coasters.
Tennessee
Dollywood
Open selected days through December 30 for Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas.
Texas
Sea World Texas, San Antonio
Open weekends through December 1 and Friday, November 29.
Six Flags Over Texas, Arlington
Open weekend evenings November 29 - December 8, then nightly December 13 - December 23 for Holiday In The Park. Park open daily December 26 - 29 and January 1 - 5.
