Nearly one year after COVID-19 shut them down, California theme parks do not have a quick path to reopening, so they’re once again pivoting to special, ride-less events to generate revenue. 

Six Flags Magic Mountain announced Thursday it will hold what it calls “the world’s first drive-thru auto show. “The Cruis’n the Park Car Show will feature more than 100 muscle cars, hot rods, mini trucks and even water craft from West Coast Customs. The Burbank-based auto customization brand had previously teamed up with Magic Mountain on West Coast Racers, the Premier Rides dueling launch coaster that debuted in late December 2019. 

“We know that people are searching for fun and safe activities to do with their families. This is a really innovative concept that is sure to offer a fun experience for car lovers of all ages,” Six Flags Magic Mountain president Don McCoy said in a press release. 

Guests driving around the park will be able to listen to narration from West Coast Customs CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus. The experience, which will last about 30 minutes, will run on Feb. 26-28, March 5-7, and 12-14. Advance reservations will be required, with time slots available from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and 12 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 

Having been closed since mid-March 2020 due to the pandemic, Magic Mountain first partially reopened for a drive-thru holiday lights event. Other Six Flags parks, such as Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, followed suit with our own drive-thru events.  

At Legoland California, the park will reopen play areas and restaurants (outdoor dining only) for a new Build ‘N Play Days event starting March 5. 

Guests will be able to enjoy the themed play structures around the park, such as Kai’s Spinners in Lego Ninjago World and Duplo Playtown, go on a scavenger hunt in Miniland USA and participate in Lego building activities with separated, sanitized packs of Lego bricks. 

“Over the last 12 months we have had to reimagine the world as it is and rebuild, so to speak, our world as we know it,” Legoland California president Kurt Stocks said in a press release.  “Build ‘N Play Days gives children and their families the opportunity to reimagine their world using the power of play in a fun and safe environment. We’re eager and ready to open the rest of our Park responsibly as soon as possible, but, until then, we know our guests will make memories during this experience.”

The schedule for the event will be the weekends of March 5-7 and 12-14, then running daily from March 19-April 11, then returning to weekend-only operations for April 16-28, 23-25, and finally April 30-May 2. Ticket prices range between $20 and $30 for regular guests, depending on the date of the visit. Legoland passholders can get a discount of between $5 and $10 per ticket. 

Guests staying at the Legoland Castle Hotel will be able to upgrade their tickets for $10 each to visit select locations in the Lego Chima Water Park. 

The Magic Mountain and Legoland events follow Knott’s Berry Farm returning to hard-ticket food festivals next month. Disneyland Resort will follow suit with its own food event at Disney California Adventure. SeaWorld San Diego has reopened some of its animal exhibits on weekends and holidays. 

The only major Southern California park that has not reopened in any capacity is Universal Studios Hollywood, though some dining and shopping locations at the nearby CityWalk are open.

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