Ultimate Orlando

TRAVEL IN THE SOUTH

Whether you have a long weekend or an entire week, let us be your guide for a complete theme park vacation.

As a little girl, I lived next door to Disneyland. The woman who played Tinkerbell was my dad's golfing pal. My parents even named me after a Mouseketeer. As an adult, I moved to Central Florida and began visiting Orlando's parks often. So when it comes to knowing the theme parks, I'm your guide. I've developed a system-one that's mindful of different budgets, ages, and time frames-for making them fun. Let me take you through it.

Everyone would like to create a dream vacation that includes each park and restaurant. But when it comes to Orlando, that isn't realistic. You can't do it all in one visit, so why try? You need to save something to come back to next year. Here's my advice for making the most of your time in Orlando.

Three-Day Getaway

Day one-Sea World. Whet your appetite for the larger parks at this compact one. Schedule activities around the shows: Don't miss Shamu, the dolphins, the sea lions, and the waterskiing stunt performances. Fill the time between with shark, penguin, manatee, and Clydesdale encounters. Budget a few bucks to feed the animals.

Day two-Universal's Islands of Adventure. Thrills abound here with some of the best coasters in the world. Blast off on The Incredible Hulk (0 to 60 m.p.h. in two seconds); then test the side-by-side Dueling Dragons to see which you prefer. Mornings in Seuss Landing delight young and old with a colorful carousel and Cat in the Hat ride. (The area lacks shade, making it hot later in the day.) Walk through a circle of spinning water at Poseidon's Fury for a one-- of-a-kind experience. Save The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man for last. We think it's one of the best rides ever, combining 3-D graphics on a motion simulator with live special effects bursting around you. Squeeze in as much as you can; no other park is as exciting as this one.

Day three-Disney-MGM Studios. If you have only one day in a Disney park, opt for this venue that combines the best of Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, and Universal Studios. Grab a FastPass (see "Disney Tips" box, page 16) at the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and line up for the nearby Tower of Terror. Suspense builds as screams peal from each carful of Tower of Terror riders. Pick up the next FastPass at Who Wants To Be a Millionaire-Play It!, and catch the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular for a shady wait. The Fantasmic! show tops off a long weekend you'll remember for years.

Five Days in the Parks

Day one-Universal's Islands of Adventure. If at all possible, splurge for an exciting VIP Tour Experience. Your well-informed guide walks you to each activity, providing behind-the-scenes details and slipping you into the front of the lines without a wait. No matter how you visit Islands, save the three water adventures (Jurassic Park River Adventure, Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls, and Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges) for last so you can change clothes soon after.

Day two-Discovery Cove. This may be your favorite day. Settle into a comfortable lounge chair on a sandy beach. Once you're rested, receive personalized service for a day of cavorting with trained dolphins, schools of tropical fish, and sweet 4-foot rays that nudge your shins like purring kitties.

Day three-SeaWorld. Your ticket to Discovery Cove includes seven free days in neighboring SeaWorld. Watch Shamu in the morning or evening so you can ride Kraken and Journey to Atlantis while everyone else attends the popular 5 p.m. whale show. We actually rode Kraken five times without waiting last summer, then topped the hour with a splashdown in Atlantis.

Day four-Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Take advantage of the monorail to see both parks in one day. Leave your car at Epcot, and zoom to the Magic Kingdom for the morning (this monorail route opens at 8:45 a.m.). Walk the lands counterclockwise, and then claim a curbside seat by 2:30 for the 3 p.m. parade. Afterward, hop in the monorail to Epcot for a stroll around the World Showcase and a fine dinner. Enjoy the IllumiNations fireworks from a waterside seat at the Rose & Crown Pub.

Day five-Disney-MGM Studios. End your week with spectacular shows. Tap your toes to the songs at "Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage" and "Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame-The Musical Adventure"; then chill out at the zany MuppetVision 3-D movie. Kids will gravitate to Star Tours and Voyage of the Little Mermaid-use your FastPass at both. Cure nostalgia at the 50's Prime Time Cafe, where servers insist you keep your elbows off the table and eat your vegetables.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jul 2002
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