Date: Nov 22nd Type: Theme Story RE: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure BY: Toni When friends ask me how our recent getaway to Orlando was, I tell them "We had as much fun as you can possibly have in four days". Planning our trip one week prior was just as fun and gave us that feeling of spontaneity (wouldn't always recommend, those airfares can get fairly expensive for last minute travel). We packed our bags and the three of us my husband, 13-year old daughter and myself headed off on our for an action packet adventure. Our daughter had not experienced the Theme Parks since she was 4 years old and we were looking forward to a new and different look at the Parks. Our plan was to visit Universal Studio's and their NEW Islands of Adventure Theme Park, Disney's MGM Studios and the new Cirque Du Soleil show "La NouBa" and believe or not we managed to accomplish all of this! We chose Universal Studios Islands of Adventure as our first stop, and good planning that was, it was much quieter on a weekday and the downpour of rain kept the crowds to a minimum (we didn't mind it a bit). This park is set up with several different themes (islands). Marvel Super Hero Island was first for us the Super Hero city setting is just incredible and makes you feel as if have just stepped into your favorite comic book. The rides here are definitely for an older crowd. We decided why walk when you can run and jumped on the Incredible Hulk Coaster, front seat of course, as my heart jumped to my chest we went round and round and upside down over and over again, what a way to start your day. Doctor Doom's Fearfall rockets you 150 feet into the air, then pushes you down faster than gravity, this was a ride that my husband and daughter went on as I watched. (I was saving myself for the Tower of Terror the following day). We next put on our 3-D Spider-Vision goggles and experienced the eye-popping Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. This was the best ride at the park, packed with every villain Spider-Man has ever comes up against, this is one of those rides that you just have to experience, words can not do it justice. From there we headed to Toon Lagoon, this area is set up for small children with all their favorite cartoon characters coming to life. Here we enjoyed the Dudley Do-Rights Ripsaw Falls a wild flume ride, which has a big drop at the end and is guaranteed to get you wet! Around the bend you enter Jurassic Park, they've done a great job here, the lush vegetation, backgrounds sound and setting give you the feeling you are truly experiencing the movie. Camp Jurassic is prehistoric playground for the smaller child. Take my advice pass on the Pteranodon Flyers a 72 second ride was not worth the longest wait we had all day. Jurassic Park River Adventure on the other had is an exciting ride though primeval dinosaur habitats and of course ends with a big splash. Jurassic Park Discovery Center is an interactive area that all ages will enjoy. You have a chance to pet a moving, breathing dinosaur at the Triceratops Encounter, they've done a great job of making it a real as possible. Next on the map is The Lost Continent, is similar to a medieval village. And yes time for another roller coaster, actually two of them. The Dueling Dragons is the first inverted dueling roller coaster, one dragon fire and the other ice, this was another exciting rides with lots of hoops and turns. Poseidon's Fury: Escape from the Lost City takes you below the sea where you watch a battle between Zeus and Poseidon for control of the Lost City. The Eight voyage of Sindbad allows you to sit down (much need by this time) and enjoy a live action stunt show featuring amazing feats and explosive action. Suess Landing is the following island and a great place for youngsters to enjoy some easygoing rides. It's also a great place for adults, we've all read the books, they have done a great job of making it all come to life. The Caro-Seuss-el is a wonderful Merrily go-round with a menagerie of Seussian creatures. Everyone has to check out The Cat in the Hat ride, you sit on a couch and travel through pages of this famous book. We loved this new and exciting theme park and would definitely recommend it to teenagers and young alike. As much as I would love to tell you more about each and every park I can see I am quickly running out of paper. So just a few quick highlights Universal Studios other theme park is great fun and best of older children. MGM is great for the whole family a must for older children are The Twilight Zone, Tower of Terror, and Areosmith's Rock 'n' Roller Coaster you'll go from 0-60 is 2.8 seconds. La NouBa, I would recommend for 12 and up, adults will love this show, Cirque Du Soleil has once again accomplished their mission statement: "Evoke the Emotions, Invoke the Imagination, Provoke the Senses". It's time to call the experts at James TravelPOINTS and head off to this magical playground for the first time or one of many return trips.