Experience Universal Orlando

Universal Studios Orlando has opened a sister park, Islands of Adventure, as well as adding two on-site hotels and a dining and entertainment district known as CityWalk. The entire complex is known as Universal Orlando, and it will take you at least two full days to really do it right.

Universal Studios, the original park, is best known for its high-thrill rides based on famous movies. Classics include Kongfrontation, Back to the Future, Jaws, Twister, E.T., and Earthquake. These rides are admittedly pretty atmospheric and probably too intense for a preschooler, but there is also a large kiddie section with such attractions as Fievel's Playground, the Woody Woodpecker rollercoaster, a Barney show, and a water-play area called Curious George Goes to Town. Nickelodeon Studios offers tours to young fans.

Universal Studios has a number of appealing live action shows; your older kids will enjoy Terminator 2:3-D and the whole family will like the Wild West Stunt Show and Animal Planet Live. A definite "don't-miss" is the Men in Black ride, an interactive attraction where you take the part of MIB trainees, riding through scenes of New York and zapping aliens for points. It's like being in the middle of a video game and you're competing not only against the aliens but also against the car beside you for the highest score. Absolutely addictive!

Islands of Adventure has plenty of thrills of its own. Spiderman, an attraction that combines 3-D effects with a moving theme park ride, gets my vote for the best attraction in Orlando. Older kids will enjoy the mega-coasters such as the Incredible Hulk, Dueling Dragons, and Jurassic Park River Adventure. For the younger kids, there's Suess Landing, a whole island themed around the books of Dr. Suess with the appealing Cat in the Hat ride, Caro-Suess-Sel, and the absolutely charming One Fish, Two Fish ride.

Island of Adventure has shows which can be enjoyed by the whole family, wonderful sprawling play areas, and the water rides in the Toon Lagoon section are a blast for all ages. Make that a watery blast--no one emerges from Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges or Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls without getting soaked to the skin. Save these two for the hottest hours of the afternoon, or bring along a change of T-shirts.

CityWalk is the entertainment, shopping, and dining complex linking Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. (Unlike the Disney parks, these two are close enough that you can simply stroll from one to the other.) Eateries include the Motown Café, Nascar Café, Jimmy Buffet's Marguaritaville, and the gourmet Emeril's. CityWalk is a great place to stop for dinner on your way out of the parks, and later, when the jazz, reggae, and salsa clubs open, it's the perfect destination for a parents' night out.

The three resorts on Universal property are the Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort. The moods are different--Portofino Bay has the laid-back elegance of Italy, the Hard Rock is funky and raucous, and the Royal Pacific Resort is an island paradise--but these are decidedly upscale resorts with pricetags to match. (Check Universal Orlando for exact prices during the time you plan to visit.) The biggest perks of being on property include easy access to the parks via boat, early entry into the parks, and (get this!) front-of-the-line access to major attractions. That's right--you can ride Men in Black or Spiderman over and over with virtually no wait.

If these resorts are a bit out of your price range, consider these nearby hotels:

• Delta Orlando: call (407) 351-3340 or (800) 634-4763
• Embassy Suites, International Drive: call (407) 352-1400 or (800) EMBASSY
• Quality Inn Plaza International Drive: call (407) 996-8585 or (800) 999-8585
• Holiday Inn Universal Studios: call (407) 351-3333 or (800) 327-1364

If you're staying offsite call the Orlando Visitors Bureau at (800) 646-2087 and request a Magicard, which entitles you to discounts on area restaurants and hotels. In the guidebook that comes with the card, you'll find a number of hotels in the area that offer sizeable discounts. For proximity to Universal, look for hotels with an address on International Drive, Kirkman Road, Turkey Lake Road, or Major Boulevard.

Call Universal Orlando at (407) 363-8000 or check out their Web site for updated prices, theme park operating times, and other details.

Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in March 2001. Updated August 2002.