Archives for June 2013

Welcome to Springfield in Orlando, Florida

June 28, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Fans of The Simpsons can now enter the once fictional and animated world of Springfield at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The life-size home town of one of TV’s most loved families of all time, The Simpsons, will be serving up characters and previously only fictitious delights such as Duff Beer.

What is there to do?
Well as this is only the first stage of the developments for this attraction, visitors can get their thrills on the existing Simpson Ride. The ride involves a visit to Krusty the Clown’s low-budget take on a theme park called Krustyland. Guests experience his vision of theme park fun along with Homer, Bart, Lisa, Marge and Maggie. They’re in for a Krusty time.

However, as The Simpsons attraction expands throughout the year, fans will also be able to experience a new ride based on the show’s aliens. The ride will be called Kang & Kodos Twirl ‘n’ Hurl, which gives a little insight into what to expect. Perhaps fans shouldn’t try this one on a full stomach.
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Universal Studios Transformers ride now open!

June 22, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

If your heading to Universal Studios soon, you’ll be happy to know that the new Transformers ride is now open! At two stories high and sitting right in the middle of the park you can’t miss it.

The new Transformers ride is in the Universal Studios Florida park, not Islands of Adventure. They have had a soft opening for the last few weeks but yesterday was the official grand opening. That means they should have all the bugs worked out of it, hopefully.

You can expect very long lines to this ride all summer long. If your a local I would wait until this fall when the crowds thin out to check it out. A few hours wait time will be the norm all summer.

If you don’t want to wait you can purchase an express pass that will get you to the front of the lines, but they are expensive. Another option is to use the single rider line if you are alone or don’t mind your group being split up.

That is what I will do when I go, which hopefully will be soon. I’ve heard the ride is great, with a combination of 3D screens, simulator and real motion. I’m sure it will be a blast.

So if you like the transformers and can’t wait to do the ride, it’s now open! If you do decide to just get in the normal line, have some water with you and prepare for a long slow wait anytime this summer.

Filed Under: Theme Park Ride Reviews, Universal Studio Tagged With: theme park rides, transformers, Transformers ride, Universal Studios

Orlando Theme park water ride tips

June 15, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Summer is here in Orlando, Florida, which means all the kids want to go on the theme park water rides! I’m always surprised to see parents acting shocked when they go on a water ride and get a lot more wet then they think they will.

I guess a lot of folks think that the theme parks would not dare to get them too wet. HA ha ha! Yes they will, and they do. Some water rides get you more wet than others of course. But basically if you go on a water ride, expect and dress as if someone is going to throw a 5 gallon bucket of water over you.

I’m not talking about water parks or kiddie water play areas. All the theme parks have at least one real ride that involves water, lots of it! The whole point is to get you wet, so expect to do so.
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Filed Under: Theme Park Ride Reviews, Walt Disney World Tagged With: disney, Orlando, theme park, theme park water rides, Universal Studios, water ride tips, water rides

Florida summer sun equals sunburns!

June 6, 2013 by Orlando Vacations

Now that it’s summertime in Orlando Florida people are flocking to the beaches and spending more time outside. One thing most forget about is just how hot and intense the Florida sun is.

Since most are tourist from other places and countries they often have no idea that it’s easier to get a sunburn in Florida during the summer than where they are from. It can only take 10 minutes in the sun to get a nice red glow!

Florida has a more direct and closer distance to the sun than other places, thanks to being closer to the equator. Summer also puts it closer to the sun, plus most days are very sunny and cloud free.
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Filed Under: Orlando vacation Tagged With: Florida, Florida beaches, Orlando, sunblock, sunburn