California Theme-ing Trivia Quiz

Answer: San Diego

Developed by John D. Spreckls, a German-American industrialist, Belmont Park sits on the Boardwalk in the Mission Beach area of San Diego. Opening in 1925, its most iconic attraction is the wooden "Giant Dipper Rollercoaster", which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Whilst part of Spreckls' goal was to provide a tourist attraction and entertainment for the locals, his primary mission was to create an asset that would enable him to sell property and add to his burgeoning real estate empire.

As a visitor, you can spend your day playing laser tag, mini-golf and arcade games, or be daring and, either soar along its mighty "Zip-Line" or, be braver still, and have a whirl on the "Beach Blaster", a ride that will rotate you 360 degrees while swinging you back and forth like a pendulum.

Written by Phoenix Rising's pollucci19 who doesn't need a Loop-de-loop to be loopy.

Answer: San Diego

Legoland, in Carlsbad California just north of San Diego, was the first Lego theme park built outside of Europe. Opening in 1999, an aquarium, water park and resort hotels were added over the years. In addition to marveling at amazing Lego creations throughout the park, rides include "driving school," boat rides, and a tower ride that requires the riders to pull themselves up to the top. Shows, many opportunities for shopping, and food stalls are found throughout. The theme park is pitched toward the younger set, with some attractions specially designed to engage toddlers and others more appropriate for children up to age 12. For the park's 25th anniversary in 2024, a new Dino Valley was unveiled.

Player Pusdoc contributed this question for Phoenix Rising's Global Tour; she enjoyed Legoland's first anniversary!

Answer: San Diego

Opened in 1964, the San Diego SeaWorld is situated in Mission Bay Park, San Diego. Part marine park, zoo, aquarium, with shows, rides, and rollercoasters, SeaWorld is a multipart theme park. The focus of their main attraction of killer whales, or orcas, has changed over the years from performing circus style tricks to showcasing natural behaviour, Shamu being their most famous guest. Shamu is now a costume character named after one of the most famous orcas, a female killer whale, who took part in shows for six years before her death in 1971.

SeaWorld has not been without controversy, as attitudes towards captive attractions have changed with time. No longer just entertainment, SeaWorld are supposedly decreasing their in-park breeding programs and have changed the focus of their shows. SeaWorld in San Diego is directly connected to the Pacific Ocean and is therefore ideally placed to rescue, rehabilitate and return marine animals.

Phoenix Rising's smpdit, performs a stunning bellyflop to place this information without a splash.

Answer: Los Angeles

What a wonderful spot for an amusement park - at the end of the Santa Monica Pier, looking out over the Pacific Ocean toward Catalina Island.

Nicknamed the "Coney Island of the West Coast", the park, which opened in 1996, provides free admission, boasts 13 different rides, including the world's first solar powered Ferris wheel. The park offers something for everyone, from a scaled down bouncing drop tower for the kids, called "Inke's Frog Hopper" to the thrill of the "Sea Dragon", a pirate ship with a 180 degree swing. Then, there's the monster... the "West Coaster", a steel rollercoaster that circles the perimeter of the park, has a maximum height of 55 feet and can reach speeds of up 35 miles per hour.

This question was rolled out by Phoenix Rising's pollucci19, who love the predictable uncertainty of rollercoasters.

Answer: Los Angeles

In the San Fernando Valley near the Cahuenga Pass area of Los Angeles County lays the Universal Studios Hollywood, which is a film studio and theme park. In 1915, Carl Laemmle, an East Coast film producer, in conjunction with other film production partners opened the world's largest motion picture production facility on a 230-acre ranch in the San Fernando Valley. He opened the studios to the public for an admission fee of just five cents, which included a packed chicken lunch.

The dedicated theme park alongside the studios themselves started in 1962 when the Music Corporation of America (MCA) took over Universal Pictures. That same year, their staged events and their first rides were built. A zoo was added in 1965. More and more rides and events were introduced in time, usually with themes of what were popular film and television shows du jour. By 2021, Universal Studios Hollywood contained ten rides, seven shows, and many food and merchandise outlets to complement the studio tours.

In 2019, 9.15 million people visited this theme park which was the 15th largest attendance at a theme park worldwide.

This question was produced and directed by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1.

Answer: Los Angeles

Located on 209 acres in Valencia, California, Six Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park which opened in 1971 under the name Magic Mountain. The park was sold to Six Flags in 1979 and renamed.

Over the years the park has transitioned through different themes and mascots, Looney Tunes, Trolls, Thomas the Tank, and DC Universe. The park continues to have themed attractions such as DC Universe with "The Riddler's Revenge", "Lex Luthor: Drop of Doom", and "Batman: The Ride", as well as family friendly rides like "Yosemite Sam's Flight School" and "Looney Tunes Lodge".

Six Flags Magic Mountain is a great thrill park. In 2022, the park boasted having the record for the most roller coasters with their total of 20. They have held various records on and off with the coasters starting in 1976 with the first vertical looping coaster built since 1901 and the world's tallest coaster, "The New Revolution". The latest was in 2018 with "CraZanity", the (then) world's tallest pendulum ride.

Phoenix Rising's jaknginger was thrilled to add this question for the global tour.

Answer: Central/Northern California

Funderland has been a part of William Land Park since the 1940s, sitting next to the Sacramento park and Fairytale Town. Raymond Silva open Land Park Kiddie Land in 1946 and operated the amusement rides until 1978, when his daughter Raylin Silva took over. Sam Johnston purchased the rides in 1984 and remodeled the park between 1990 and 1991. At the same time, he renamed the park Funderland.

The park was built on two-acres in the 100+ year old William Land Park. Funderland is located just down from the Main Entrance to the Sacramento Zoo and across the street from Fairytale Town. The park has ten amusement rides and attractions and Fort Funhouse, nine of the rides parents and grandparents can share with their kids.

JAM6430 of Phoenix Rising, who created this question, is having fun on all the rides.

Answer: Central/Northern California

The boardwalk first opened in 1907, with the intention of becoming the "Coney Island of the West." The boardwalk provides easy access to a public beach along the Monterey Bay, so visitors may see otters and sea lions while there. Attractions on the boardwalk include rides, carnival games, food stalls and entertainment. The "Looff Carousel" still has the original 1894 pipe organ. The "Giant Dipper" is a wooden roller coaster that forms a recognizable part of the skyline. Access to the boardwalk is free.

Player pusdoc strolled along in her memories while writing this question for Phoenix Rising's Global Tour.

Answer: Central/Northern California

In 1950, Arthur Navlet opened Children's Fairyland park in Oakland, California. He charged anywhere from 9 to 14 cents per person for admission into the park. Seventeen climbable, interactive sets awaited the park's young attendees to the delight of many young children. Some of the original sets included "Pinocchio's Castle", "Thumbelina", and "The Three Little Pigs". To enter the park, all adults must be accompanied by children and the guests have to go through the "Old Woman in the Shoe's" "house" where anyone taller than a child would have to bend over to pass through. In 1956, a puppet theater was added which eventually included over 150 different puppet shows. The legendary Frank Oz: Puppeteer, he was! Amazing shows, he did! In 2008, the "Aesop's Playhouse Theater" was joined the other attractions for plays like "The Wizard of Oz," "The Cat in the Hat," and "Little Red Riding Hood."

This question was playfully written by Phoenix Risings BigTriviaDawg who believes his life is often a storybook tale.

Answer: Orange County

Disneyland is located in Anaheim, a city within Orange County, California. Orange County which was originally named because of the orange groves that were strewed across the region. Railway lines, which were being laid out across the US in the late 1800s, came to Orange County and stimulated the development of the region. Anaheim itself was founded by German immigrants in 1857, and while originally planted with grapes, these were later replaced orange groves, walnut trees and chili peppers. Its economic development was further accelerated by the coming of the Disneyland theme park in 1955.

Disneyland was the brainchild of the inventive Walt Disney, who planned as early as the 1940s to offer train ride tours of the Burbank film studios backlot. In addition, he wanted to develop an amusement park for the enjoyment of his employees and their families. What developed over time was the fantasy world where close to 120 million people visit annually to enjoy its many attractions.

The inner child of Phoenix Rising member VegemiteKid was responsible for adding this question to the quiz.

Answer: Orange County

Knotts Berry Farm in Orange County had humble origins, starting in 1923 as a roadside berry stand. Within ten years the Knott family began selling chicken dinners which became a huge draw. In 1940 Walter Knott started to build a replica ghost town which over time transferred into the modern amusement park. In 1997 the Knott family finally sold the park for $300 million. Since being sold, the park now focuses on thrill rides and more traditional amusement park attractions.

This juicy question was picked by Phoenix Rising's BigTrivaDawg who might have enjoyed the ghost town in its heyday.

Answer: Orange County

Located in Anaheim, California, this 72-acre Disney theme park was opened in 2001. It was Disney's way of paying homage to dreamers from the past, present and future that shaped, and continues to shape the diversity of California. The park was originally aimed toward adults but changed due to trending low ticket sales and consumer complaints. By 2007, a major renovation was already taking shape. The re-dedication took place in 2012. By 2018, Disney California Adventure was cited to be the 12th most visited theme park in the world, according to the Themed Entertainment Association.

The adventurous jaknginger of Phoenix Rising added this question for our global tour team quiz.