So, as regular readers here already know for the past several years I have maintained an annual pass to Universal Studios, Hollywood. (‘The entertainment capital of L.A.’ – sigh I remember when they were the entertainment capital of the world, not just one city.) Movies are one of my favorite things and going to the park by myself gave me a day to clear my head, have fun, and let ideas collide on their own while I was distracted. Many a trip ended with new concepts, plots, and characters for my writing.
Sadly, with the coming of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, otherwise known as Harry Potter and The Really big Check — sorry Cheque, they have substantially raised their prices and instituted black out dates – pretty much every weekend during the summer – on their annual pass holders. I made the call that the price was too much, the utilization too limited, and the crowds too large for my purposes.
Searching for a new theme park day trip destination for myself I took a trip Sunday to Knott’s berry Farm. I like roller coasters, it’s half an hour closer than the Universal, and I could get a day pass at nearly half off from my work benefits.
It was a pleasant trip and I had fun, but I have made a discovery that it will not be what I need for creativity. On one point multiple roller coasters are too stimulating and the back burners of my brain appear to switch off. Also I discovered while most roller coasters do not make me motion sick, spiraling ones most certainly do. I had fun, but came home early than normal and with only modest idea creation, most of which occured during the drive time.
I still need the moderate level distraction for hours at a time when I can let creativity occur in the background processes. The answer is going to be the world Famous San Diego Zoo. I can walk it grounds, take in shows, lectures, and tours. Partake in theme park food, see fascinating wild life and be home in time for serious quality time with my sweetie-wife. Plus with two annual passes we can return to our Sunday in the zoo walks.
