An Introduction to Sea World

This popular 200-acre marine park explores the mysteries of the deep in a format that combines wildlife conservation awareness with plain old fun. While that's what Disney is attempting with its latest park, Animal Kingdom, the message here is subtle and a more inherent part of the experience.

Sea World's beautifully landscaped grounds center on a 17-acre lagoon and include flamingo and pelican ponds and a lush tropical rainforest. Shamu, a killer whale, is the star of the park along with his expanding family, which includes baby whales. The pace is much more laid-back than at either Universal or Disney, and it's a good way to break up a long week trudging through the other parks. Close encounters at feeding pools are among the real attractions (so be sure to budget a few extra dollars to buy fishy handouts for the sea lions and dolphins, which make begging an art form).

Sea World manages a few thrills and chills. Journey to Atlantis is a high-tech water ride similar to Splash Mountain at Disney's Magic Kingdom and Jurassic Park River Adventure at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure. And Kraken is a floorless roller coaster that sports seven inversions, much like coasters such as Montu and Kumba at SeaWorld's sister, Busch Gardens in Tampa. But this park doesn't try to compete with the wonders of WDW or Universal. Instead it lets you discover the crushed-velvet texture of a stingray or the song of the seals.

An Introduction to Islands of Adventure

Universal's second theme park opened in 1999 with a vibrantly colored, cleverly themed collection of fast and sometimes furious rides. At 110 acres, it's the same size as its big brother, Universal Studios Florida, but it seems larger and it's definitely the Orlando park for thrill-ride junkies. Roller coasters roar above pedestrian walkways, and water rides slice through the park. The trade-off:- There are very little shows.

Expect total immersion in the park's various "islands." From the wobbly angles and Day-Glo colors in Seuss Landing to the lush foliage of Jurassic Park, Universal has done a good job of differentiating various sections of this $1 billion park (unlike Universal Studios Florida, where you ease into the next area and all of a sudden you realize that you're in San Francisco, not New York any more). It's also done an outstanding job of differentiating Islands from Disney or any other Orlando park. The closest competitor in Florida is Busch Gardens in Tampa, but this park clearly has the edge on the ride front.

The adventure is spread across six islands: the Port of Entry, a pass-through zone that has a collection of shops and restaurants, and five themed areas -- Seuss Landing, The Lost Continent, Jurassic Park, Toon Lagoon, and Marvel Super Hero Island. The park offers a concentration of thrill rides and coasters, plus it has generous play areas for kids.

An Introduction to Universal Studios

Even with fast-paced grown-up rides based on blockbusters such as Twister, Terminator, and Men in Black, Universal Studios Florida is a ton of fun for kids. And, as an added plus, it's a working motion picture and TV production studio, so occasionally there's some live filming done at Nickelodeon's sound stages or elsewhere in the park. Even if there isn't a film or show in production, you can see reel history displayed in the form of some 40 actual sets exhibited along Hollywood Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. And there are plenty of action shows and rides including Twister . . . Ride It Out, Earthquake -- The Big One, Jaws, Terminator, and the just-opened Revenge of the Mummy.

After a period of quiet on the expansion front, 2003 saw Universal add two new attractions -- Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, and Shrek 4-D -- and 2004 saw the debut of Revenge of the Mummy, a ride based on the hit film, The Mummy.

Universal Characters & Shows, Too--Universal Studios Florida has a host of street characters and shows to entertain the crowds that flock here. The lineup includes: Extreme Ghostbusters: The Great Fright Way, a revised show that has Beetlejuice and The Ghostbusters singing and dancing to hits from the '60s through the '90s; Lucy and Ricky, in which Lucy pulls guests into an impromptu conga line; Sarita and Rico, two Latin characters who get guests singing and dancing to high-energy tunes such as "Hot, Hot, Hot" and "Mambo #5"; and the Men in Black show, in which the agents know there are a lot of aliens in the park, and they must put unsuspecting guests through a humorous screening test. Note: Characters rotate or appear seasonally.

BUSCH GARDENS TIPS

BUSCH GARDENS

How to See Busch Gardens... You can save a few dollars and avoid waiting in long lines by buying your tickets to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay at the privately owned Tampa Bay Visitor Information Centre, opposite the park at 3601 E. Busch Blvd., at North Ednam. Owner Jim Boggs worked for the park for 13 years and gives expert advice on how to get the most out of your visit. He sells slightly-discounted tickets (buying here will also save you from standing in line to buy tickets at the parks) to Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, and other attractions, and he will book hotel rooms and car rentals for you, often at a discount. The centre is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm, Sunday from 10am to 2pm, except Christmas.
　
Arrive early and allow at least a day to see the park. Try not to come when it's raining, since some rides may not be operating. Bring comfortable shoes; and, remember, you will get wet on some of the rides, so wear or bring appropriate clothing (shops near the rides sell plastic ponchos for $5 or $6, but they're cheaper in the outside world). There are lockers throughout the park where you can stash your gear.
　
As soon as you're through the turnstiles, pick up a copy of a park map and the day's activity schedule, which tells what's showing and when at the 14 entertainment venues in the park. Then take a few minutes to carefully plan your time--it's a big park with lots to see and do.
　
Although you'll get close to Busch Garden's predators, hippos, and elephants in their glass-walled enclosures, the only way to mingle with the grazers is on a tour. The best is a VIP Animal Adventure Tour, on which you'll roam the plains in the company of a zoologist. These 2-hour excursions cost a pricey $100 per person (in addition to the park's entry fee) and usually leave about 1:30pm daily. The tours can fill up fast, and you can't call ahead for reservations, so as soon as you enter the park, go to the Expedition Africa Gift Shop, opposite the Crown Colony Restaurant in the Edge of Africa, to reserve a spot. Another (though less attractive) alternative is the 30-minute, zoologist-led Serengeti Safari Special Tours, in which you ride out among the grazers on the back of a flatbed truck. These are worth an extra $30 per person regardless of age. You can make reservations for the morning tour at the Expedition Africa Gift Shop, but the midday and afternoon tours are first-come, first-served. Note that children under 5 are not allowed on either tour.

Tips for visiting Universal's Islands of Adventure

1) If you have access to get into the park an hour early, go to Hulk first, then Spider-Man. We once did hulk 4 or 5 times in a row, without waiting and got front row every time.

2) The week before a holiday is the best time to go.

3) Yes, If at Universal's Islands of Adventure dining at Mythos Resturant is a MUST. The food is awesome and the resturant decor is great!

4) Never carry your shopping bags when you are in the park for a day or so.. Just put your name on the card and send it to trade co. Of IOA which is near to the gate. You can always get your shopping bags and still enjoy the rides without lockers.

5) If you have access to get into the park an hour early, go to Hulk first, then Spider-Man. We once did hulk 4 or 5 times in a row, without waiting and got front row every time.

6) Get a MealDeal for $18-$25. Flash your wristband just three times ($9 average per meal) and you're ahead of the game.

Tips for visiting Sea World Orlando

1) When visiting Sea World Orlando get on Kraken and Journey to Atlantis during the last hour the park is open to get on with no wait.

2) Ride Kraken or Journey to Atlantis right before the park closes at night- everyone's at the show and you can see the fireworks from the rides.

3) Get to Shamu Stadium as early as possible- the whole place fills up in a matter of minutes.

4) Avoid riding Journey to Atlantis or Kraken right after the Blue Horizons show as the crowds tend to head for these rides after the show resulting in longer lines.

5) If you're going to Aquatica, get there early. If not you'll never get in the park. They close the entrances once all the parking spaces are filled. Most of the time at about 9:00 is when the parking spaces are fillled!

6) Must see shows in SeaWorld- Believe, Blue Horizons, Clyde & Seamore Otter Show, Shamu Rocks. Manage other activities around these show timings. Kraken is the only good ride for adults.

7) When purchasing merchandise, you can use the free package pickup service where your purchases are sent to the main gift shop at the front of the park. This allows you to enjoy the park without carrying your shopping bag all day.

8) Its a great idea to grab a map with a timesguide on the back to make sure you get to see all the great shows seaworld has to offer.

9) Get on Journey to Atlantis first in the morning (due to the fact it breaks down often)

Tips for visiting Universal Studios Florida

1) On Men in Black, aim for the light at the top of the car on the other side of the track when you are turned face-to-face with it, and do not forget to hit the red button on your dashboard when it flashes and you are told to hit it.

2) If you love Men in Black and Hate the long lines, you can ride an insane number of times by using the single riders line

3) When riding the mummy in the first few hours that the park is open the single riders line is extremely fast and saves a great amount of time.

4) When on Men in Black aim for the red light on your OWN vehicle. You will hit it every time and you get MAJOR points. Also, don't keep squeezing the trigger; just hold it down.

5) If your a fan of a great hamburger than go to margaritaville (in citywalk) and have a cheeseburger in paradise.

6) If you were never a big fan of the "Earthquake" attraction, you may want to skip "Disaster", as only the pre-show and audience interaction have changed. The ride is still the same.

7) On the Men In Black ride hold IN the red button at the end of the ride while shooting the giant aliens eyes. You'll earn another 100,000 points!

8) To be a participant in the Disaster show, place yourself a few people back from the host and raise your hand enthusiastically when they ask for volunteers. Works every time.

9) For a glimpse at nostalgic Universal, go behind the Woody Woodpecker coaster near the Curious George play area. There rests a barracaded version of the old Hard Rock Cafe restaurant still in tact. It is currently used as a staging area for the park.

10) Florida residents save $20 off the front gate price when you purchase a 1-Day/1-Park ticket online.

11) Go to The Simpsons Ride when the park opens.

12)Do Shrek 4D first to save time then you can do the other attractions after that.

13) On the Men in Black ride just keep the trigger pressed down and your score will be higher than anyone else's.