Exploring Orlando’s Theme Parks
With everything from roller coasters to performing killer whales, filmy fantasy to amazing shopping and dining ex periences, the theme parks at Orlando provide endless entertainment options, and have catapulted the city into the ranks of the world’s top vacation destinations. The pioneering effort was, of course, Walt Disney World in 1971; other parks quickly followed.
SeaWorld, the marine based park, opened in 1973. With its range of educational and entertaining programs, the park brings visitors in close touch with whales, sea lions, manatees, and many other marine creatures. It also features sea-themed rides such as Kraken, one of the world’s tallest and fastest floorless roller coasters. Located across from SeaWorld, Discovery Cove, which opened in 2001, is a tropical paradise where guests can swim with dolphins, snorkel with fish, and hand-feed exotic birds.
Universal Orlando, which came onto the scene in 1990 with the opening of its park, Universal Studios Florida, is going great guns. A lively entertainment venue, Universal CityWalk, followed in 1998; then came a second Universal theme park, Islands of Adventure. With its wildly exciting, high-tech rides and shows, based on blockbuster movies, Universal Orlando has emerged as serious competition to Disney. Another popular attraction is Wet ’n’ Wild, the world’s first water park in 1977, which now boasts a variety of thrill rides.
The theme parks are constantly evolving, with exciting areas and new, jazzy rides being added at regular intervals. For instance, SeaWorld recently opened The Waterfront, a 5-acre (2-ha) village suffused with the flavor and festivity of the most vibrant cities by the sea, while Universal Orlando’s new Revenge of the Mummy ride showcases cutting-edge technology.
GETTING AROUND
To the northeast of Walt Disney World, Orlando’s other major theme parks are connected to each other and to Disney by I-4, the crucial artery of the Orlando region. Universal Orlando is at one end, situated off exits 29 and 30B from I-4. At the other end is Discovery Cove, across the road from SeaWorld, which is located at the intersection of I-4 and the Bee Line Expressway. Wet ’n’ Wild is situated off I-4, exit 75A.
Apart from the connections offered by the public bus service LYNX, there are private charters as well as free shuttle services provided by some hotels to the various theme parks. If you wish to cover a lot of ground in less time, the best option is to rent a car. However, keep in mind that I-4 is a high traffic zone.
