Page 311 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

ORLANDO & THE SP A CE C O AST  309

of 3-D tech nology with VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
motion simulation. Toon
Lagoon, where cartoons Practical Information
transmute into reality, 1000 Universal Studios Plaza,
hosts a wet ride – Popeye exits 29 or 30B on I-4.
& Bluto’s Bilge-Rate Tel (407) 363-8000.
Barges®, a twisting, ∑ universalorlando.com
churning, and splashing Open 9am–6pm daily; extended
raft ride. Skull Island: evening hours in summer & on
Reign of Kong, is a public hols. & 7 = 0
multi-sensory and multi- Transport
dimensional ride that @ 21, 37, 40 from Orlando.
takes visitors on a journey
through a jungle of
The entrance to Universal Studios Florida ® prehistoric predators and creation of Theodor Seuss Geisel,
theme park underworld caves before caters to children. The Cat in the
coming face-to-face with Hat™ ride serves as an introduction
in a simulator, battling aliens the colossal ape himself. to the characters. There are also
with lasers and cannons. In Jurassic Park boasts the a host of innovative rides that
Woody Woodpecker’s Kid Zone, Jurassic Park River Adventure®, captivate younger children.
the enchanting ET Adventure® a cruise where visitors see
is based on Steven Spielberg’s friendly dinosaurs before being Universal CityWalk®
1982 film. Guests soar off to ET’s diverted due to a raptor
home planet on a flying bicycle, breakout. The Pteranodon Inspired by many of popular
gliding over a twinkling city- Flyers® ride flies pairs of riders culture’s innovators, such as Bob
scape, before arriving at a world over the island on an 80-second Marley, Universal CityWalk® is a
inhabited by ET lookalikes. trip, while the Discovery 30-acre (12-ha) entertainment
The San Francisco section has Center® is an interactive natural complex of restaurants, night-
been udergoing renovation and history exhibit where guests clubs, and cinemas. Open
Fast & Furious: Supercharged, a can view the results of mixing between 11am and 2am, its
major attraction based on the DNA from various species, dazzling array of restaurants
popular movies, is expected to including themselves. range from Emeril’s (a top TV
open in 2017. The latest attrac- The Wizarding World of chef) to the nostalgic Bubba
tion promises to offer a thrilling Harry Potter – Hogsmeade™ Gump Shrimp Co.™, and the
high-tech, high-speed ride. takes visitors to Hogwart’s Castle famous Hard Rock Café ® . A
A popular attraction is Fear and features the parks’ most restaurant known as “Bob Marley
SM
Factor Live, the first ever theme popular rides: The Dragon – A Tribute to Freedom ,” is an
park experience based on a Challenge™ coasters, and exact replica of this famous
reality TV show. Casting takes Harry Potter and the Forbidden musician’s home. Among the
place 75 minutes before the Journey™, a tour de force mix of many nightclubs are Hard
show, which tests the courage roller coaster and film that leaves Rock® Live! and the groove
and strength of participants. riders gasping. The faint of heart dance club where visitors can
have the option of touring the watch live musical performances.
castle and skipping the ride. The complex also has stores
Universal’s Islands Stage shows include the Eighth and movies, and its stages
of Adventure®
Voyage of Sinbad® Stunt Show, host concerts, art festivals,
One of the world’s most and Poseidon’s Fury®, with and celebrity appearances.
technologically advanced theme myriad special effects. Seuss A lagoon provides a picturesque
parks, Islands of Adventure® Landing™, based on the popular setting to sip a cool drink or
demands a day’s visit of its own. Dr. Seuss children’s books, the take a moonlight stroll.
The first island visitors encounter
is the Marvel Super Hero Island®
where the theme draws from the
Marvel Comics’ Super Hero stable
of characters. The Incredible
Hulk Coaster®, probably Florida’s
best, is a green leviathan that
accelerates you to over
40 mph (64 km/h) in two
seconds before turning upside
down at 110 ft (33.5 m) above
the ground. The Amazing
Adventures of Spiderman
shows a stunning integration Flight of the Hippogriff™ ride, part of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade™

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