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The Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios. Photo by The Simpsons™ & 2007 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation.
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There’s lots of great summer fun to experience this year—from cool historical city celebrations to splashing silliness at waterparks.
Quebec City’s 400th Anniversary celebration is going on all summer. You’ll feast on traditional medieval fare as you’re entertained by merry musicians clad in 17th-century attire. First founded in 1608, Quebec City became the cradle of French civilization in North America. Today, 98 percent of the population is French speaking. This rich history brings a distinctly European flair to the culture, food and magnificent architecture of this quaint city.
And if you’re ready for a respite from the summer heat, there’s no better way to cool off than slip-sliding over to one of the many great waterparks around the country. Long gone are the days of a simple wading pool at the end of a curly slide. Today’s waterparks have wave pools, lazy rivers and thrill rides that jettison you through tubes, hydro-vault you over rapids, and let you scream together in family-sized careening rafts. Nothing brings a family closer than a bit of terror followed by a good dunking. Check out Missy Kavanaugh’s experience with her young daughter in Waterpark Thrills.
The 2008 Summer Olympic Games have focused the world’s eyes on Beijing, China. Journalist and photographer David Noyes visited this eternal city to share his perspective on one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Although new stadiums, parks and other venues were built to host this year’s Olympics, Beijing is best known for its world-famous landmarks, including the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. Follow Noyes as he reveals the history of this miraculous city.
Closer to home, discover something new at Universal Orlando. You’ll find Homer is in rare form in the “The Simpsons Ride.” Set in Krustyland, riders follow the adventures of the whole quirky Simpson family as they swoop and soar down roller coasters and kiddie attractions gone wild. The animation is brilliant, and the ride takes the concept of motion-based simulator rides to a new level. The images are four times the standard High Definition found in most home theaters, and the state-of-the-art digital projectors cover an 80-foot dome surface. Doh! It’s cool!