After only two summers, Six Flags Magic Mountain will dump the Terminator name from its newest wooden roller coaster as part of a company-wide cost-cutting initiative.

The Napa Valley town of Yountville kicked off its first WinterScape celebration last weekend. Ice skating under the stars in a clear-top tent, horse-drawn carriage rides and, of course, wine tastings are some of the activities this month. In keeping with the spirit, a number of hotels, inns and wineries are luring merry-makers with seasonal specials.

Several Disneyland rides were temporarily closed Thursday afternoon after reports of smoke in an area near the Pinocchio Daring Journey ride in the Fantasyland section of the theme park, according to fire department and park officials.

A Colorado-based investment firm has announced plans to acquire the Squaw Valley USA resort near Lake Tahoe and invest $50 million in improvements there.

The Montage Laguna Beach, a luxury hotel that opened in 2003 along the Orange County coast, has fallen from the AAA Five Diamond firmament. After two years on the widely followed roster of top-rated lodgings that is issued annually by AAA, the Montage does not appear on the 2011 list, which was released this week by AAA's local affiliate, the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Does the ABC-TV show “Skating With the Stars” leave you longing to glide around an ice rink? Chill out this holiday season with a new hotel trend: temporary rinks.  

Here's a way to stay close to home and still indulge in a luxury cruise. Crystal Cruises is offering two-for-one fares for sailings from Los Angeles to Canada and Mexico next year that come with a $1,000 onboard credit per couple and a kid-sail-free promotion.

With 14 rides, including eight roller coasters, the proposed Orlando Thrill Park hopes to cater to enthusiasts underserved by Florida's theme parks.

• Photo gallery: 14 proposed Orlando Thrill Park rides

Roadside attractions like the kitschy South Dakota building are drawing fewer and fewer visitors every year. Many owners face the choice to revamp or shut down.

Winter airfare sales are such a distraction at this time of year. Aren't we all supposed to be holiday shopping? Nevermind. Check out what could be good savings on fares for winter or spring break. Would you believe $19 to Las Vegas?

At the new version of the Jamaica Bay Inn, Marina del Rey gets what it has needed for a long while: an on-the-water, upscale hotel that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Call it barefoot luxury.

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, one's thoughts may turn to Christmas. Many will have family, friends and loved ones coming to visit and may be trying to come up with things to do in the holiday spirit to entertain guests. The nation's largest boat owners group wants to assist, and suggests enjoying some festive holiday cheer on the waterfront. To help facilitate this, Boat Owners Assn. of the United States is offering a holiday boat parade finder on its website.

All this holiday planning has me thinking about packages but not the kind that fit under the tree. For example, a winter-spring package to Tuscany, Italy, neatly wraps up airfare from Los Angeles, a six-night stay and a rental car into one great price starting at $1,039 per person.

Sierra Summit resort in California has reclaimed its old name, China Peak, and opened for the 2010-2011 ski and snowboard season with new ownership and new and renovated facilities.