A 'Universal' Guide to Orlando
Disney may get most of the limelight when it comes to Orlando, but Universal also has some heavyweight theme parks, which are incredibly popular. Universal Studios has been a fixture in the Orlando line up since 1990, and it'll be celebrating 20 years in the business come this June. More recently, the incredible Islands of Adventure opened in 1999 to wide acclaim, with many hailing it as 'the best theme park in the world'. With these two great parks, it's not hard to see why Universal is a good alternative to Disney World (particularly if you've got bigger kids). With the new addition of the Harry Potter section to Universal Island's of Adventure, the line up is looking better than ever this year.
Universal Studios
Universal Studios is different from most traditional theme parks in that it is entirely based around the movies, mainly from the Universal library, although there are some different licenses too. As you'd expect, the park sets itself as a working film and TV production facility complete with rides and a number of special effects experiences. There are two large roller coasters in the park: the Rip Ride Rockit and The Revenge of the Mummy, which can obviously offer thrills. However, many of the park's unique experiences are to be found in the spectacular cinematic and live shows. Terminator: 2 3D provides a stunning mix of 3D special effects with live action, including a walk on Arnie, while you can have some family fun at Animal Actors on Location, where highly trained animals interact with the audience. You should also check out Disaster! which shows a wide range of extraordinary special effects used in disaster movies throughout the ages.
Universal Islands of Adventure
Realistically, theme parks don't get much better than Universal Islands of Adventure. Five different 'Islands' or themed zones play host to some of the most fantastic and advanced theme park rides on Earth. There's currently Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing. Added in the new line up for Spring 2010 will be the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed area. You've really got the pick of the rides here, with three awesome roller coasts, Duelling Dragons (two duelling suspended coasters, Fire and Ice) and The Hulk, whilst the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman is an incredible 3D thrill ride. There's also a collection of top water rides, with the Jurassic Park River Adventure providing the dinosaurs and Dudley Do Right's Ripsaw Falls providing you with plenty of laughs, while you can go on what is perhaps the most cloth soaking river rapids ride in the world in Popeye and Bluto's Bilge Rat Barges - just make sure you go on this on a hot day, or you won't dry out!
DialAFlight offer flights to Orlando from £362 (including taxes).
