You can’t get much closer to a Disney World theme park than staying at the Contemporary Resort or on the Boardwalk. Disney’s Contemporary Resort offers views of the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, and is a short walk away from the Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Boardwalk hotels are just a boat ride or walk away from Epcot, and there is also transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You can also take the monorail to Magic Kingdom, or take a bus to Animal Kingdom.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort offers a backyard view into the Animal Kingdom’s exotic savanna, leaving some guests with the feeling that they’re almost sleeping inside the park itself (disclaimer: nobody can actually sleep inside the park, so don’t try it or you’ll get in big trouble. :p )!

The theory I present to you in simple: less travel time, less time in the sun, more time inside the Disney World park attractions. See? Simple.

This beautifully landscaped park is home to some of the coolest roller coasters and rides that an Orlando vacation has to offer. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent, Toon Lagoon, Seuss Landing, and Marvel Superhero Island. The different sections of the park all offer a completely unique experience.

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

Personally, I think this is one of the best coasters the park has. Take off on this coaster is equal to the force of a jet taking off, going from 0 to 40 in 2 seconds with top speed of 67 mph. With a towering height of 150 feet, riders are sure to get their kicks on this one.

Jurassic Park River Adventure

If you’re a fan of water rides, dinosaurs, and awesome, this ride should probably be on your agenda. When it first begins, it seems innocent enough with the cute baby dinosaur and its mother. But things take a turn for the worst when you suddenly find yourself in dangerous territory – Velociraptor territory. It’s a mad dash to safety with screams, blood, and teeth all around. Enjoy the 85 foot drop into the darkness.

Doctor Doom’s Fearfall

For those of you unfamiliar, Doctor Doom is the The Fantastic Four’s mortal enemy who is now out to scare the wits out of you with this ride. I’m not a huge fan of heights, but still ended up on this one. It wasn’t so bad if you enjoy things like terror and having your stomach relocate to your skull. The view of the park is really beautiful when you’re all the way at the top. Then you plummet down faster than the force of gravity!

More ride coverage coming up.

Although audience tickets are all sold out, everyone’s welcome to the Riff Raff Street Party! Guests can see the show taping on the CityWalk Plaza Stage Screen, and of course everyone will be able to watch the show’s musical performances live.

Theme park admission is not required; CityWalk has no fees aside from parking.

CityWalk is a long walkway that connects guests to both theme parks and to the parking areas, and is full of nightclubs, entertainment, shopping, restaurants, and more. Just as Universal is more than a theme park, CityWalk is more than a walkway!

CityWalk features a huge two-story movie theater, the Blue Man Group, Hard Rock Live concerts and dining, CityWalk’s Rising Star karaoke club, clothing, candy, merchandise, and even tattoo shops, restaurants of every kind; from CinnaBon, ice cream, and counter dining fancy table service restaurants, there is something for everyone- and every budget- at CityWalk.

There is always a party or two going on, too- from Mardi Gras to Ellen’s show, from live concerts to parades. Come experience for yourself! CityWalk closes at 2am or later every night, so you can party after a day at the theme parks without having to go downtown!

Club admission fees not included with theme park admission or parking.

But don’t panic, Jimmy Neutron fans! The ride will close permanently on August 18th, but will reopen for limited times during the spring and summer.

The ride itself replaced an old Hanna-Barbera ride that I loved as a kid; in this one, guests board their own rockets. Under Jimmy Neutron’s remote control, guests will encounter favorite Nickelodeon shows, such as Hey Arnold!, Rugrats, the Fairly OddParents, and SpongeBob Squarepants, as well as many other surprises along the way- including a space showdown and a… giant alien chicken dance?

After landing, guests can explore the Control Room, full of props, photo ops, gags, e-mails, games, and much more.

The ride has been around for quite some time now, and has attracted its own fanbase of kids, teens, and even adults; so it was quite a surprise to hear that it’s being replaced. It’s always sad to see old favorites close down. But personally, I can’t wait to see what Universal has in store! After all, last time Universal began to build something we ended up with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Universal knows what it’s doing, and I’m excited to see what they come up with next!

Part 6.5

Continuing on my last post about the movie rides at Universal Orlando Florida, let me also say that this park has something for everyone, no matter what your age. There are rides for children, teenagers, and adults as well as rides for a combination of age groups.

JAWS

Definitely a thriller. This ride is unpredictable except for one thing – he always comes to get you. The Universal Orlando Florida Jaws is extremely realistic. Made of steel and fiberglass, this 3 ton shark moves through the water at 20 feet per second, making this ride one of the most horrifyingly delightful things in the whole park.

A Day in the Park with Barney

This musical show is always a hit with the youngsters. Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop perform every day in a magical park setting where leaves fall, snowflakes drift down, and the stars come out shining. It’s a magical experience for children and pretty fun for the adults to watch their kid’s reactions to the show.

The Blues Brothers Show

For those of you that have thing for that bluesy twang, you have to check out this performance. Jake and Elwood perform every day at Universal Studios Florida, accompanied by Mabel’s soulful vocals and Jazz on the saxophone. This show definitely reflects Chicago’s heart for blues and I recommend it for everyone.

There are many more rides at Universal Studios Florida that will thrill and excite you, as well as rides and shows that your kids will enjoy, which gives you a chance to relax and think about which one you want to go on next!

Part 6: Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida is a good park for adults who want to enjoy their Orlando vacation along with their kids. The park has 6 areas – Woody Woodpecker s Kidzone, Production Central, New York, San Francisco/ Amity, World Expo, and Hollywood. Many of the rides focus on letting the park visitors ride the movies with seats on moving platforms and simulation screens.

Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast

This ride opened in April, 2003, replacing The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera. It s a simulator ride that takes you on Jimmy’s journey to recover his latest rocket invention. The official synopsis of the ride is  The evil Ooblar from the planet Yokian has stolen Jimmy’s newest rocket creation, the Mark IV. Board your own rocket and follow Jimmy on a wild goose chase through your favorite Nicktoons worlds.

Update: Better hurry- this ride is being taken out soon!

Men in Black: Alien Attack

This is definitely one of the cooler rides the park has to offer. It s an interactive ride, meaning you get a gun and the object is to shoot and kill as many aliens as possible, gaining points along the way. Everyone boards a cart and goes through basic training first where the riders shoot at cardboard cutouts of aliens. Then everyone is informed that an alien ship has crashed in New York City and the riders are launched into the middle of the action. At one point, the riders must shoot at another cart to rid it of its alien invaders, causing it to spin out of control, which gives your cart a chance to score more points. At the end of the ride, no matter what your score, everyone gets neuralized and the ride exits to the Men in Black gift shop.

Part 6.5 is coming up!

Part 5: DisneyQuest

Disney’s DisneyQuest is a fairly lesser-known mini ‘theme park’ located in Downtown Disney. It’s right next to Cirque du Soleil and near the (relatively new) hot air balloon ride. It looks pretty small from the outside, but it contains within its windowless walls 5 floors of rides, games, and restaurants. Most of it is based on virtual reality and simulations and there’s something to do for everyone, from younger kids to adults. These are our favorite rides.

First Floor

The Virtual Jungle Cruise

This is a must-do. Guests board an inflatable raft and navigate a prehistoric river using real raft paddles.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold

A captain steers a ship as up to 6 gunners destroy other ships with cannons, taking their gold.

Second Floor

CyberSpace Mountain

This is by far the best ride in all of DisneyQuest! Bill Nye the Scie- sorry, the Coaster Guy hosts this simulation. Guests design their own roller coaster, then get to try it out in a simulator. Guests can make it as extreme or as tame as they want- for me, the more barrel rolls, the better!

Third Floor

Buzz Lightyear’s AstroBlaster

Two players ride in bumper cars that pick up and shoot foam cannonballs at other cars- if the car’s target is hit, it will spin out of control for about ten seconds. A lot of fun for all ages!

I’ll be honest- I don’t go on the attractions on floors four and five much. Instead I play the arcade games- such as Dance Dance Revolution (Supernova 2, for anyone wondering), SoulCalibur, Guitar Hero, and of course Pac-Man, Asteroids, and more.

Banana Beach Cookout (All Day Pass):

Enjoy unlimited visits all day for the best of the grill at our all-you-care-to-eat cookout! And, when we say “cookout” we mean ALL out food and fun. Juicy burgers, flavorful veggie burgers, ball park franks, our famous chicken drumsticks, and a bountiful array of fruits, sides and desserts. Plus, all of the ice-cold Pepsi products you care to drink during your visit!
Adult ALL DAY Pass from $15.99
Child Ages 3 – 9 ALL DAY Pass from $9.99

• The Banana Beach Cookout All Day Pass allows you unlimited visits all day to the Banana Beach Restaurant
• Buffet selections include hamburgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, chicken and fruits and more
• Beverage selections include all of the ice cold Pepsi products you can drink
• There is a 48 hour cancellation requirement policy for refunds
• RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED
• Park admission is required, but not included
• Sharing and take out is prohibited
• Menu and prices are subject to change without notice

This is the main restaurant in Aquatica, and the plan makes sense if you can send the kids to grab a bite or something to drink (Pepsi products) every time they feel hungry, and with the cost of soda products inside the parks, this is of great value, specially during the summer.

The barbecue-style buffet offers bread pudding, cole slaw, potato salad and beans as sides with hamburgers, hot dogs and barbecue chicken drumsticks fronting the main course side of the table. The buffet even includes a moderately sized toppings bar including lettuce, tomatoes, cheese and pickels. All meals include unlimited refills of soft drinks. For the price of an all day buffet, it is worth the money.