New Ways to Have a Blast

If the levers, pumps and gadgets on the Nickelodeon TV channel comprise the playground of kids’ dreams, Universal Studios is making them a reality.

The San Fernando Valley theme park opens two new attractions on Friday: a 30,000-square-foot Nickelodeon Blast Zone and Animal Planet Live! Both attractions borrow from the popular TV networks they’re named for, and both are geared to families, especially the youngsters who get shut out of the park’s more intense major attractions.

Familiar faces from Animal Planet, including Jeff Corwin and the Emergency Vets, will interact via video screen with the live animal show onstage for Animal Planet Live! The show is a hip mixture of music, animal antics and information on conservation of endangered species. The real star, however, is Louis, a mischievous orangutan who performs live, and inevitably steals the show.

The Nickelodeon Blast Zone is an action-packed playground in an area formerly occupied by a dining knoll. Upon first inspection, it appears that the colorful Blast Zone could keep kids entertained for days.

The Blast Zone is divided into four areas. First is the Nickelodeon Splash, which is like a fun house with water. Kids and parents can make their way along a two-level route fixed with buckets, levers, water cannons and surprise effects. The amount of time you spend and the direction you take are up to you.

On the second level, visitors can take up offensive positions, operating the various water cannons and valves, taking aim at the challengers in the splash zone below.

One thing is certain in Nickelodeon Splash: You’re going to get wet.

Even if you’re crafty enough to avoid the water cannons and buckets from above, there are a few trick contraptions that can soak unsuspecting victims on either side of the course (beware of the Angry Beavers!).

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One prominent ingredient from the Nickelodeon TV network that is missing from Universal’s Blast Zone--and for which parents may be grateful--is green slime. Instead, kids will get sprayed, splashed and doused with water.

“We’ve tried very hard to translate the Nickelodeon shows, to pull Nickelodeon out of the television,” says Mark Shumate, the designer of the Nickelodeon Blast Zone.

Indeed, familiar faces decorate the attraction--the Rugrats, Sponge Bob Square Pants and the Wild Thornberrys--along with the bright green, red, yellow and orange that are Nickelodeon trademarks.

Among the stationary targets in the Blast Zone is a bright orange, 30-foot Nickelodeon rocket. If kids aim precisely, they can initiate a rocket launch, which causes bells to sound and smoke to billow out from below.

Visitors can take refuge in dry zones, designated by the color of the concrete (blue concrete means very wet, gray is a little wet, brown stays dry). The brown area offers a concession kiosk and a good sight line for adults who would prefer to enjoy the fun from a distance.

Kids will also stay dry in the second play area, the Wild Thornberrys Adventure Temple, a three-story, jungle-themed enclosure containing 25,000 foam balls. The exotic surroundings are typical of a place the Wild Thornberrys might venture on the popular Nickelodeon cartoon show, about a family of nature filmmakers who travel the world. Kids can shoot foam balls into hoppers or at the mouths of exotic masks that light up. Also, as balls accumulate inside the giant orangutan idol’s mouth, it will eventually explode, sending foam balls in every direction.

“There are 30 different kinds of ball action-adventure equipment,” says Shumate. “As you discover how to play here, the play gets more exciting.”

For the littlest adventurers, Nick Jr. Backyard is a kinder, gentler, interactive play area, intended for ages 5 and younger. The central structure has slides, tunnels and cargo nets to climb on, as well as a fountain-like water attraction with water jets that spray a couple of feet into the air.

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Lastly, the Rugrats Magical Adventure anchors the south end of the Nickelodeon Blast Zone. The indoor stage show that debuted last year features the Rugrats, some of the most popular Nickelodeon characters, in a 20-minute show.

The entire Nickelodeon Blast Zone was designed with just one entrance, so parents can more easily keep an eye on their kids if they don’t want to get in on the action.

“If for some unknown reason you don’t want to get absolutely soaked with your kids,” says Shumate, “you can hang out at the kiosk while your kids work themselves into an early bedtime.”

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* Animal Planet Live! and Nickelodeon Blast Zone open Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal City. Adults $43; children 3-11, $32. Parking $7. (818) 622-3801.