Universal Studios challenges Knott's for Halloween domination

The theme park adds a character based on the Latin American myth of La Llorona, Spanish for 'the Wailer,' to its seasonal cast of ghouls, ax murderers and demented clowns who try to scare visitors.This Halloween season, for the first time, Universal Studios Hollywood introduced a character based on the Latin American myth of La Llorona in its annual Halloween Horror Nights in an effort to connect with Southern California's sizable Latino population.

Coast Rider and Surfside Glider will focus on family fun, not extreme thrills, a Knott's spokeswoman says.

Universal Studios Hollywood is launching its Transformers ride this weekend and Six Flags Magic Mountain is planning a drop-tower Lex Luther ride.

The continent has lured many of the industry's Southern California-based designers, who have grown accustomed to globe-trotting as the U.S. has become loaded with theme parks and other entertainment venues.To round up talent to build Universal Studios' newest theme park in Singapore, chief designer Kevin Barbee didn't look far from his Wilshire Boulevard office.

Legoland, Knott's Berry Farm and other parks in Southern California plan to open attractions in the spring and summer.

Vacationers are turning to old-fashioned Ferris wheels and carousels over expensive, high-tech thrill rides. What's the appeal? Free admission. In the midst of one of the worst recessions in decades, tiny beach-side amusement parks along the California coast are reporting robust business and big crowds while most of the state's big theme parks have seen shrinking revenue.

With few new rides and attractions, Southern California theme parks will be offering bargain prices to lure recession-weary vacationers. A wooden roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain will fire riders down a 100-foot drop. An exhibit at the San Diego Zoo will feature elephants, camels and 4-foot rodents in a new habitat the size of a soccer stadium.

It’s become an annual springtime tradition. Each year around Memorial Day, some theme park—likely in central Florida—jacks up ticket prices by a few bucks, prompting the competition to follow suit with their own price hikes. This year, like last, it’s Universal Studios Orlando leading the charge. Toward the end of May 2012, the company raised its single-day admission to $88, up from $85, making Universal Studios Orlando the most expensive theme park in the U.S. Within weeks, Walt Disney World took over that title by boosting its one-day base pass to $89.