NEED TO KNOW

Reserve a ride at Six Flags

Six Flags Magic Mountain will add a computerized ride reservation system in 2009 designed to cut wait times -- for a price. The Q-Bot virtual queuing system allows visitors to reserve a place in line without actually having to wait in line. Testing is set to begin this month at the Valencia amusement park, with an official debut scheduled after the first of the year. The pager-like device, with a heavy-duty strap that attaches to a belt loop with a carabiner, counts down and beeps as the ride time approaches. Prices for the Q-Bot have yet to be finalized, but a premium “gold” Q-Bot will cost more and, it’s estimated, cut wait times by 20%.

-- Brady MacDonald

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‘Twilight’ tours

Fans of the hit movie “Twilight,” inspired by Stephenie Meyer’s vampire book series, are swarming tiny Forks on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, where the novels are set, and checking out “Twilight”-themed tours, hotel packages and even food. Tours of the town’s high school, police station and other “Twilight” sites are booked up through January, said Mike Gurling, who runs the visitor center for the Forks Chamber of Commerce. For the record, none of the movie was filmed in Forks; most of it was shot in Oregon. Here are other “Twilight” tourist tidbits:

* The View Point Inn in Corbett, Ore., where the movie’s ending and prom scenes were filmed, offers “Twilight”-themed slumber parties ($175 per person), tours of film locations in and around Portland, Ore., (starting at $99 per person) and dinners with “Twilight”-inspired dishes such as Bella Ravioli ($22). Info: (503) 695-5811; www.theviewpointinn.com.

* Kalaloch Lodge in Olympic National Park, about 35 miles south of Forks, offers a two-night “Twilight Package,” starting at $349 for two, that includes a map of the novels’ settings, dinner for two and other extras. Info: (866) 525-2562; www.visitkalaloch.com.

* Beyond Boundaries Travel, based in Colorado Springs, Colo., offers “Twilight”-themed tours and events. Info: (800) 487-1136; www.beyondboundariestravel.com.

-- Jane Engle

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Imperial rooms

Visitors soon will have a chance to see a suite of imperial chambers closed since the last Chinese emperor, Puyi, was expelled from the Forbidden City in 1924. Juanqinzhai, or the “Studio of Exhaustion From Diligent Service,” as the ensemble is charmingly called, will be open for viewing in early 2009. It is in the northeast quadrant of the Forbidden City and is part of the Qianlong Garden complex, created as the retirement quarters of Qing emperor Qianlong, who ruled China in the 18th century. A lover of the fine arts, Qianlong commissioned China’s best craftsmen to decorate Juanqinzhai with sumptuous jade inlay, bamboo marquetry and silk murals.

-- Susan Spano

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Travel light

You have a short business trip or quick weekend getaway and don’t want the hassle of packing all the stuff in your medicine cabinet. The solution may be TSA-compliant travel packets from Ontario, Calif.-based La Fresh. In the men’s package, you get deodorant wipes, antibacterial towelettes, shaving gel, dental finger mitts (that let you use your finger like a toothbrush), styling gel, shoe-polishing towelettes and lens-cleaning wipes. All of this comes in a small, plastic, sealable bag that takes up almost no space in your carry-on bag. The package for women includes makeup-removing wipes, nail polish-removing pads and hydrating lotion towelettes. Cost is $8.99 each. Info: www.lafreshgroupcom.

-- Hugo Martin

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For more Travel news, go to latimes.com/travelblog.