A: Orlando is not only famous for Walt Disney World. There are a number of other superb attractions which brought my family and I back for a second year in a row. The Universal Orlando resort destination (www.universalorlando.com) is highly impressive. It includes two dramatically distinct and adjacent theme parks, the Universal Studios motion picture and television theme park and Islands of Adventure. Universal Orlando also includes CityWalk, a 30-acre dining, shopping, club and live-entertainment venue as well as world-class film and television production facilities, which does not require an admission ticket. Attractions are based on pop-culture icons and blockbuster films - creating experiences such as The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk Coaster at Islands of Adventure — or Fear Factor Live, Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride and Shrek 4-D at Universal Studios. The five themed Islands of Adventure are home to some of the most technologically advanced rides and attractions ever made - along with some of the world’s most beloved characters, including Cat-in-the-Hat and the dinosaurs of "Jurassic Park."
ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE:
Opened in 1999, the 110-acre Islands of Adventure is forever caught in an epic battle between Marvel super heroes and super villains. One of the more recent additions is the High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride, which immerses guests in the world of Dr. Seuss and his famous stories, including "Dr. Seuss’s ABCs" and "The Sneetches and Other Stories." Doctor Doom’s Fearfall is designed to extract fear from hapless riders. In Storm Force Accelatron X-Men superhero Storm summons the forces of nature by putting riders in a whirling, twirling, spinning power generator. Toon Lagoon is a delightful land where everyone’s favorite cartoon characters live. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls features the Canadian Mountie who must save Nell from the clutches of Snidely Whiplash, and, in so doing, sends guests rocketing over a waterfall in this wild and wet flume ride. Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges is a white-water raft ride. In Jurassic Park dinosaurs come roaring back to life.
Myths and legends become reality on The Lost Continent, a mysterious island which features three sections. Poseidon’s Fury allows guests to tour the ancient temple of Poseidon. The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad Stunt Show includes amazing stunts and feats of skill. The Flying Unicorn is a family-styled roller coaster while the Cat In The Hat ride is basically a moving couch through the pages of Dr. Seuss’ "The Cat in the Hat." To make your visit to the theme parks hassle-free, I recommend guests purchase Universal Express Plus passes to bypass regular lines on most attractions. It saved us hours of waiting time.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS:
You really must budget your time if you want to experience both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios on the same day. The latter opened in 1990 with cutting-edge attractions, based on pop-culture icons, Hollywood blockbuster films and hit television shows. Universal 360: A Cinesphere Spectacular opened last July. This new high-tech nightly lagoon show is a sweeping celebration of blockbuster films. Fear Factor Live allows guests test their courage and strength as they perform exhilarating stunts, based on the hit reality television show. The Revenge Of The Mummy - The Ride, based on the popular "Mummy" films, is the world’s first "psychological thrill ride." In Shrek 4-D the screen and theater come alive with the adventures of Shrek, Princess Fiona and Donkey. Terminator 2: 3-D Based on the blockbuster motion picture, is a 12-minute, 3-D film shot especially for Universal Studios that features the cast and creative team from the Terminator films. Twister…Ride It Out, based on the hit film, places guests a mere 20 feet away from the awesome live spectacle of a five-story tornado. Back To The Future…The Ride sees time-traveling volunteers fly specially designed DeLoreans into the futuristic Hill Valley and blast back to the Ice Age. Jaws reawakens guests’ most primal fears by recreating the spine-tingling thrills of Spielberg’s blockbuster movie. Earthquake: The Big One introduces visitors to the world of special effects. Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone is a highly-themed area dedicated to kids, E.T. Adventure continues the saga of one of the world’s most beloved screen characters. There are also a number of live shows.
WHERE TO STAY:
The neighbouring community of Kissimmee (www.FloridaKiss.com) provides guests with a wide variety of lodging options., The Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration (www.radisson.com/orlando-celebration) remains the only choice for my family. The hotel has 718 well appointed guest rooms, double and king bed options, high speed internet access, 20 acres of lavishly landscaped grounds, a giant free-form pool with waterslide and waterfall, a heated pool, two outdoor spas, a children’s pool and playground, a fitness center with sauna, a sand-based volleyball court, two lighted tennis courts, a full service restaurant, an on-site Pizza Hut , a 50’s style diner and deli, a snack bar, sports lounge, gift shop, game room, and laundry facilities. Kids eat free while those aged 18 and under can stay in their parents room at no cost. Located only a few short miles from the theme parks, the hotel provides free transportation to Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Studios. This is a tremendous bonus, especially if you are traveling with grandparents who wish to arrive and depart at different times. The hotel has introduced an entire entertainment department, with activities scheduled virtually 24/7 for kids and adults. Plans call for more family suites with bunkbeds to be introduced.
For familes travelling together, this place is just perfect. A family consisting of two grandparents, two parents and their kids can be accommodated perfectly. When making reservations, ask for this neat configuration: one king, one "sea" room for the kids and another with two double beds. The stylish and recently remodeled guest rooms and suites at the hotel are richly appointed with custom crafted Italian furniture and luxurious marble and granite bathrooms. And the Radisson welcomes plenty of Jewish guests. They have a chef who is very familiar with kosher requirements. For groups, they have the capability of having a kosher kitchen. Guests can also order kosher food which is brought in from a specialty company. Sales and Marketing Director Steve Crist notes that a group of orthodox Jewish guests recently stayed at the hotel over Shabbat. "We had the bellman accompany each of them to their rooms as often as necessary to let them in with the electronic key," he said.
DINING:
Orlando is also where the head office of my favorite restaurant chain, Red Lobster (www.redlobster.com) is based and as a result there are a number of locales to choose from in the area which was great news for my family.The menu features a wide selection of succulent fresh fish, seafood, beef, chicken and combination platters, as well as salads, appetizers, desserts and cocktail service. Start off with the signature Red Lobster rolls, baked piping hot and some clam chowder. Kids are greeted with an activity guide, crayons and lots of enthusiasm. The children’s menu has plenty of appetizing choices, at very low prices. For mom and dad, the selections seem endless: their famous lobster (broiled or stuffed), salmon, trout, arctic char and tilapia. There’s a host of salads, yummy clam chowder, pastas, shrimp, steak and chicken. Try the decadent chocolate wave cake for dessert. I will say that it was nice on our final evening of the trip not to have to get into the car. Instead we walked over to Mandolin’s, the hotel’s full-service family restaurant best known for its extensive buffet breakfast bar. There is a wide array of fish, meat and pasta dishes to choose from. Make sure to try the chocolate cake for dessert.
Q: And what can you tell me about SeaWorld Orlando?
A: SeaWorld (http://www.seaworld.com/) is the globe’s premier marine adventure park, with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters and you an enjoy it rain or shine. It poured the entire day we visited. We simply purchased a number of SeaWorld ponchos and stayed till closing time.Millions of visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating experiences. State-of-the-art rides give guests unprecedented thrills, while amazing animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks and more.SeaWorld recently took flight with the "Shamu Express," the park’s first family-oriented roller coaster. Themed after SeaWorld’s famous killer whale, the "Shamu Express" gently thrills 28 children and parents in killer whale-themed cars down more than 850 feet of track at 26 mph. Two more brand new "kid-friendly" additions include a jellyfish-themed samba tower ride and a waterspout-themed tea cup ride. "Jazzy Jellies" will lift and spin families in jellyfish-themed seats while "Swishy Fishies" will enable adventurous youngsters to sit in themed seats while they spin around a giant waterspout. And Shamu’s Happy Harbor is a three-acre children’s play area that offers SeaWorld’s littlest guests four stories of colorful climbing nets and tunnels, nine slippery slides and a splashy water maze.
In addition to Believe, "Blue Horizons" is a new breakthrough theatrical spectacular that showcases graceful dolphins and false killer whales, a rainbow of exotic birds and an entire cast of world-class divers and aerialists draped in elaborate costumes. This was my favorite feature of the park, especially afterwards when we ventured top Dolphin Cove. We could have stayed there all day, feeding and touching the dolphins. It cost me $15 in fish and $17 for a photo, but I happily parted with every cent. "Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island" stars the park’s hilarious sea lions, otters and walrus in a swashbuckling adventure and a sensational tale of lost loot, pirate plunder and misadventure on the high seas. Later, you can buy some more fish and feed the sea lions.
