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As I reported in the July issue of The Genre Traveler, the "Back to the Future - The Ride" at Universal Studios Hollywood is going to be transformed into a Simpsons thrill ride due to open in Spring 2008. Therefore, this ride will be closing soon.

Yesterday, Universal Studios Hollywood announced that "Back to the Future - The Ride" will close when the park closes on Labor Day, Sept. 3, 2007.

Not to say anything bad about the Simpsons -- I guffaw each night to the shows re-runs -- but I'm really going to miss the Back to the Future ride. I've ridden many times, both sober and intoxicated. It is a hoot and a half regardless of your state of inebriation. In fact, this ride was often the reason I would go to the L.A. Dance-a-thon when I lived in the area eight years ago.

"Back to the Future - The Ride" was introduced in 1993 as a continuation of the Oscar-winning blockbuster Back to the Future film trilogy directed by Robert Zemeckis and executive produced by Steven Spielberg for Universal Pictures. Since that time, more than 61 million visitors have experienced this time-travel adventure ride.

To give the ride a proper send off (and, I'm sure, as a ploy to increase summer visitorship), Universal Studios Hollywood is giving people the opportunity to win a 1981 DeLorean. To learn more about winning the DeLorean, visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com or the theme park to register at specially-created Back to the Future kiosks.

According to the International Association of Haunted Attractions (IAHA), haunted houses aren't just for Halloween anymore.

"There are over four dozen haunted attractions scattered across North America that are open all or most of the year," says Bill Criscione, Vice President of the IAHA. Many of these haunted attractions are in tourist rich cities like Myrtle Beach, Wisconsin Dells, or Niagara Falls.

In recent years, even seasonal haunted houses have dramatically expanded their operating schedules. "Many now open in early September," said IAHA President Timothy Gavinski, "and with Halloween falling on a Wednesday this year, many will stay open through early November."

For a list of year-round haunted houses visit www.iahaweb.com.

Modern horror icons Freddy Kreuger, Jason, and Leatherface are heading to Halloween Horror Nights 17 at Universal studios this Halloween season.

Universal studios is running a contest now through August 15, 2007, where the winner receives a trip for four (4) to either Universal Orlando Resort or Universal Studios Hollywood to attend this year's Halloween Horror Nights. To enter, click here.

I just read a story about how the Moscow Circus will be performing at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk from July 8 to August 16, and it brought back memories.

I got my Bachelor's degree at U.C. Santa Cruz and lived in Santa Cruz for about 5 years. In fact, it was while I lived there I learned to belly dance, which is mentioned in the July issue of The Genre Traveler.

Anyway, after graduating I worked at a software company, The Santa Cruz Operation, which would hold its annual employee party at the Boardwalk. It was always a great time. People would come in jeans or cocktail attire, drink, ride the Giant Dipper and generally be merry. Fun was had by all.

So, one year, I wore this dress that I designed. It was made with wine-coloured satin, had one shoulder strap and black fringe draped along the torso. But, apparently it had a flaw. But I get ahead of myself.

Part of riding the Giant Dipper is standing in line and slapping the hands of those who are just coming back from riding the coast as the car comes back to the gate.

So here I am, wearing a nice satin dress, raising my right arm to slap the hands of the people in line, when I feel a breeze where a breeze shouldn't be. I look down and, yep, my right boob is hanging out of my dress.

Oops. I put it back where it belongs and laugh. Of course I had been drinking, so the embarrassment wore off quite quickly.

That story always brings a smile to my face. I don't know if anyone other than my girl friend's boyfriend saw it, because no one mentioned it to me.

Remember, everyone else had been drinking, too.

Anyway, I have a lot of great memories of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. So, if seeing the Moscow Circus can bring you to this special place to make memories of your own, so much the better.

DETAILS:
What:
The Moscow Circus

Where:
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz, Calif.

When:
July 8 - August 16

For More Information:
www.beachboardwalk.com
The Moscow Circus
Moscow Visits Santa Cruz

Wannado City, America's first indoor role-playing theme park for kids based in South Florida, has recently opened M-Lab. Created by Motorola, M-Lab emplowers young visitors to discover a career in innovation while touching upon science and technology in a high-tech, highly immersive environment.

In a press release, Peter Aloumanis, vice president, Motorola Sales & Services, is quoted as saying: "As a global technology company with a significant presence in South Florida -- and a major facility literally down the street from Wannado City -- it only made sense that we should have a venue [there]. With Motorola's more than 75-year history in technological innovation, we feel it is particularly appropriate to invest in the future by introducing children to innovation at a young age."

Designed by Gensler for children ages 8-12, the Motorola M-Lab simulates a scientific laboratory. Each visitor plays the role of an M-Ventor(TM) tasked with helping different organizations solve difficult problems using technology, teamwork and innovation. Assigned a sub-role within the M-Ventor teams, children must work together using an interactive video game to solve the problem.

"Wannado City is excited to have Motorola join our city," Luis Laresgoiti, chief creative officer of Wannado City said in the press release. "With the introduction of a science and technology venue, Motorola will provide kids with a fun and educational experience that is a perfect compliment to our existing professions."

Located in South Florida's Sawgrass Mills, the state's largest mall and the number two tourist destination in Florida, Wannado City is an indoor 140,000 square-feet facility -- the size of three football fields. Here, "kids can do what they Wannado"(TM), enabling children to experience a variety of occupations, from fire fighter to doctor to airline pilot.

For more information:
www.wannadocity.com
www.motorola.com/m-lab