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What's this?The classic theme-park formula - rides, shows and county fair-inspired food - hasn't changed much over the years, but fierce competition forces the parks to constantly keep things fresh.
In other words, bring on the new stuff.
Here's what California amusement parks have planned for this year.
Northern California
California's Great America
Another year, another name. Heck, plenty of old-timers still call the place "Marriott's," so it probably matters little.
The big change this year is the addition of "Firefall," a thrill ride that takes its riders to a height of 60 feet, then introduces a series of spins, flips and turns - with some in-your-face fire and water effects added for good measure.
Also new is "Endless Summer," an ice show that makes its debut in the Great America Theater on May 31.
n Details: 4701 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara. 408-988-1776, www.cagreatamerica.com.
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Perhaps because of its history, the Boardwalk doesn't try to constantly reinvent itself. By now, it's largely about the familiar: the Giant Dipper, the Looff Carousel and Marini's salt-water taffy.
The Boardwalk's 101st season officially kicks off this weekend with high-dive exhibitions and performances of Chinese acrobats hourly from noon to 5 p.m. The acrobats will stay through the summer, performing two shows Sundays-Thursdays through August 21.
The free Friday Night concert series also returns starting June
Gilroy Gardens
By most standards, the rides here are relatively tame, making the park ideal for families with young children. It's a quieter, more intimate experience than most other theme parks.
Fittingly, there's no new inverted corkscrew roller coaster for 2008. Instead, the park is adding three new educational exhibits, featuring the natural wonders of the monarch butterfly, honeybee and the giant redwood.
The park's popular "Summer Safari" returns July 14-Aug. 17, featuring a new cast of wild animals for guests to learn about and see up close. Bonfante's Splash Garden play area also returns for another season.
Six Flags
Discovery Kingdom
In addition to the tigers, dolphins and killer whale show, the park formerly known as Marine World now can claim the Hawk. "Tony Hawk's Big Spin," Discovery Kingdom's new roller coaster, uses a car that spins as it careens through the turns, curves and drops of the 1,300-foot-long track. Designed to resemble one of Hawk's skateboards, the independent motion of the car ensures no two rides are alike. The ride opens Friday.
Southern California
Disneyland/California Adventure
This summer, Disneyland is largely standing pat, with the bulk of new rides and attractions debuting at its sister park, California Adventure. "Toy Story Mania," opening June 17, adds a video-game element to the traditional character ride. Riders, donning 3-D glasses, wield laser guns and blast away at various targets, adding the "fourth dimension" of interactivity.
Pixar favorites also figure prominently in the new "Pixar Play Parade." Both are slated to debut in mid-June. The tween megahit "High School Musical" also gets its due in a new street show, with performances daily.
Over at the main park, "It's a Small World" remains closed for renovation. But another chestnut from the '60s, Tomorrowland's "House of the Future," has been reinvented as the technology-packed "Innoventions Dream Home," scheduled to open June 17.
Universal Studios
It's not unusual to see riders walk away from thrill rides in various shades of green. But yellow? It's commonplace in Springfield, the setting of Universal's new ride, "The Simpsons," which takes place in an imagined park created by Krusty the Clown. The ride opens Monday.
Also new this year is "The Adventures of Curious George," in which three of George's most popular stories are brought to life in a 30,000-square-foot play zone.
The attraction, which opened in March, takes visitors on a space voyage, a romp through the jungle, and a trip to the zoo — with George providing a few surprises along the way.
Knott's Berry Farm
Giddyap! The old hobbyhorse gets supercharged with the Memorial Day arrival of Knott's new coaster, "Pony Express." Unlike with conventional train-style coasters, riders sit astride mechanical horses as they buck and navigate the 1,300-foot-long track at speeds up to 38 mph.
"All Wheels Extreme," a show featuring skateboard and bicycle daredevils, also makes its debut this summer.
Legoland
Some parks try to offer something for everyone. Carlsbad's Legoland is more focused, tailoring its attractions for kids younger than 12 and their families.
A 16-foot-tall Lego pharaoh towers over the "Land of Adventure," which opened in March.
Styled after 1920s Egypt, the area features the "Lost Kingdom" ride, where riders blast bad guys with lasers, save the damsel in distress, and discover a cache of treasure (made of plastic interlocking blocks, of course).
Opening in July is the Sea Life Aquarium, which replicates an underwater voyage from the waters of the Sierra Nevada to the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean. Highlights include a 360-degree panoramic tank and tide pool exhibit where young visitors can handle various sea creatures. Admission to the aquarium adds an extra $10 to the regular park fee.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Coaster fanatics know: Magic Mountain is probably the top pick in the state for thrill rides.
A tribute to the glory of twisted steel, the park's impressive lineup continues to push the envelope: The older "X" coaster is being juiced up with a variety of special effects to become "X2," reopening Saturday. Not enough? Tatsu, billed as the world's fastest and tallest coaster when it opened last year, is still putting nerves and stomachs to the test.
For the younger set, a more gentle option is a trip around the Island of Sodor with Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas and the gang will be on hand to greet their fans when "Thomas Town" opens June 5.
