Let the games begin...........
frommers.com:80/newsletters/01-13-99/article1.html
Showdown in Orlando: Universal Studios Debuts
Huge New Park, Great New Prices This Summer
If you and the family like vacationing in
Orlando but have done all the theme parks or
are having second thoughts about the Disney
parks' rather stiff gate fees, you'll want to hear
about one of the biggest entertainment
developments to hit the area since the
film-and-TV-oriented Universal Studios
Florida opened for business in 1990. Early this
summer, Universal's finally unveiling its
110-acre Islands of Adventure: five isles sprawling across a huge manmade
lake and crammed with state-of-the-art rides, shows, and other attractions
(not a few of which actually have some educational value). Seuss Landing is
based on the Cat in the Hat and the other whimsical characters of Dr.. Seuss;
the Marvel Superheroes Island showcases Spiderman, the Hulk, and the rest
of the famous comic-book pantheon; the Lost Continent focuses on the
legendary tales of Sinbad, Atlantis, and Merlin the Magician; Toon Lagoon is
a stroll through the funny pages past and present; and Jurassic Park drops
visitors into a Steven Spielberg-produced update of his hit dinosaur flicks.
Besides being a needed shot in the arm to the Orlando entertainment scene,
Islands of Adventure will also be a boon to the budgets of vacationing
families, since Universal is at the same time introducing a new "Orlando
FlexTicket." Good for seven days, $159.95 per person (or $127.95 for ages
3 to 9) buys unlimited admission to Islands of Adventure, the original
Universal Studios movie park, the delightful Sea World, and the water park
Wet 'n Wild. For an additional $37 and $30, respectively, you can get a
10-day version that also includes Busch Gardens in Tampa. That stacks up
well indeed against Disney's nearest equivalent pass, the "Park Hopper,"
which covers its big four (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, MGM Studios, and
Animal Kingdom) for $189--under 10, $151--and only gives you five days
(although at least with Disney unused days never expire; with Universal it's
use 'em or lose 'em). Universal also tosses in an extra bonus of sorts in the
form of its recently inaugurated CityWalk, which offers access at no extra
charge to 30 entertaining acres of shops, restaurants, theaters, and bars
dedicated mostly to pop music and its stars. Even the soon-to-open
Portofino Bay Hotel provides a free theme-park-like spin--to guests and
non-guests alike--through a recreated Mediterranean village.
For more details, click on www.universalstudios.com or call Universal
Studios from late February (their reservations system isn't ready with the
details yet). The Universal Studios Florida guest services are at
407/354-6356. A vacation package booking number, 888/837-2273, can
also provide information later on. |
