Orlando’s New Attraction Frenzy

In this computer-produced rendering, guests enjoy the “Toy Story Mania!” attraction, a cutting-edge, interactive ride-through attraction that combines the fun of a video game, 3-D technology and interaction with favorite Disney-Pixar stars. Photo: Disney©

>So What's New at Disney?
>Universal Orlando Resort
>SeaWorld's Aquatica

If you automatically think the name “Mickey” is always followed by “Mouse”; the mere mention of a hulking, green man brings to mind a racing roller coaster; and that a wet, whiskery kiss from a sea lion is your idea of Florida fun, then chances are you already know the Sunshine State is the theme park capital of the world.

The Orlando area is home to Walt Disney World Resort (encompassing the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios—a new name—and Animal Kingdom parks); Universal Orlando Resort (with Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure); SeaWorld Adventure Park; its new water park, Aquatica; and neighboring Discovery Cove. Then there’s Cypress Gardens in nearby Winter Haven. Just a short jaunt to the west is Busch Gardens Africa, located in Tampa Bay. It’s a thrill a minute.

So What's New at Disney?

Never one to rest on its laurels, Disney has scheduled some new experiences for guests in 2008. With new songs and a rollicking new spirit, the fun of the Disney Channel original movie High School Musical 2 comes to life on Disney Hollywood Studio’s streets in High School Musical 2: School’s Out! Kids also will be on their feet singing, clapping and dancing to performing stars from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Handy Manny and more.

Beginning in summer 2008, the toys are back in town at Walt Disney World Resort with Toy Story Mania!, an attraction that combines the popular characters from the Toy Story films with whiz-bang technology to create an interactive ride-through video game—in three dimensions. Guests board colorful vehicles to see who can rack up the most points playing—actually being in—midway-style games. Star Wars Weekends return to Walt Disney World Resort in June as Disney’s Hollywood Studios becomes Star Wars Central for sci-fi fans of all ages. The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, now in its 15th year, runs through June 1. Whimsical character topiaries, brilliant beds of flowers, rose displays, water gardens and many more verdant exhibits set the scene for a garden party like no other. Those are just a few of the happenings at this world-class theme park.

When you go, check out the luxurious and magical surroundings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. With 17 spectacular restaurants and lounges, five pools, a white-sand beach, two health clubs and more, you may never want to leave!

Universal Orlando Resort

The new Simpsons ride will open this spring at Universal Studios. Photo: ©THE SIMPSONS™ & ©2007 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.

The multi-park concept is not new to Universal Orlando Resort. The resort offers two spectacular theme parks with two completely different experiences. Islands of Adventure lets guests show their bravado on cutting-edge rides and attractions that bring your favorite stories, myths, cartoons, comic book heroes and children’s tales to life. Universal Studios Florida takes visitors beyond the movie screen and directly into the action.

Join Princess Fiona and other heroes in Shrek 4-D, featuring an original 3-D film, plus an extra dimension of special effects through the miracle of OgreVision. And it’s up to you to protect the Earth from aliens in Men in Black Alien Attack. Coming this spring is even more fun and excitement with the hilarious new attraction The Simpsons.

Whether you’re a fan of thrills and excitement, side-splitting comedy or heart-warming children’s tales, nobody puts you in the heart of the picture like Universal Studios.

At Islands of Adventure, there are five unique and different islands that include high-speed roller coasters, whimsical children’s rides and once-in-a-lifetime thrills. Attractions at this park include The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. Your spider-senses will be tingling as you put on your 3-D glasses for an eye-popping, pulse-pounding, first-of-its-kind 3-D Spider-Man thrill ride.

If you love roller coasters, get ready for an ultimate coaster thrill on the Incredible Hulk. The ride has a total of seven inversions and two subterranean trenches during the two-minute, 15-second ride.

Not tall enough for the high-thrill rides? There’s tons of rides and adventures to explore for younger children, In Seuss Landing, whimsical touches and colors abound for kids of all ages. It’s a treat for the senses, especially your sense of humor! 

SeaWorld's Aquatica

Walkabout Waters at Aquatica. Photo: Aquatica Orlando

There’s a new adventure opening at SeaWorld Orlando that offers guests high-speed thrills, 36 water slides, six rivers and lagoons, close-up animal encounters, undersea adventures and more than 80,000 square feet of beach area. It’s called Aquatica, and it opens to the public in May. Who better to create a water park than SeaWorld, an attraction famous for immersing guests in the mystery of the sea and its animals?

When visitors enter Aquatica, they will immediately experience the vastness of lush landscape inspired by the vivid color, stunning flora and carefree personality of the South Seas Islands. Reminiscent of the rugged beauty of New Zealand, Australia and New Guinea, the landscape of Aquatica is striking. Crystal-blue rivers wind through hidden grottos and refreshing waterfalls, while rich greenery and bright flowers adorn towering rock formations.

The park’s signature ride, Dolphin Plunge, shoots visitors through clear tubes into a crystal-blue lagoon that harbors black-and-white Commerson’s dolphins. Guests feel as if they are flying beneath the sea among these beautiful animals.

Many of the park’s attractions offer dual experiences within the same ride. Two immense wave lagoons create the world’s only side-by-side wave pools that can be operated independently or together. Each lagoon offers a very different experience: one with crashing waves and five-foot swells, the other with a gently rolling surf. Nine different wave patterns can be created throughout the two pools, with the ability to generate one immense wave, or even “dueling” waves.

For more information, call or visit your local AAA branch or visit AAA.com.

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