(My OJ State Vacation Saga - Part 3 of 8)
Islands of Adventure
A lot is packed into this one theme park at Universal Orlando. While the Harry Potter section definitely hogs the limelight, this park really has a lot of other cool stuff. There are some six different islands or area, each offering a different themed adventure.
One of the best rides had to be the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman – a 3D Simulation ride. It is amazing how our sensory system can be tricked into thinking that it is free falling from the top of a skyscraper, with the tilt of the car we ride in and visual images that flash before our eyes. Numerous arch-villains of Spiderman turn up with their heinous schemes to do away with us, but Spidey always swings in to the rescue and saves the day. The island that this was in, was of course the “Marvel Super Hero” Island. Much like the comics, the buildings in this area has exaggerated comic-book facades and dialogue snippets enclosed in cloud bubbles. I have to admit, the loud music that bombarded the ears and the exaggerated facades were a bit overwhelming for the sensory system.
The Jurassic Park River Adventure was the other ride I enjoyed thoroughly. It’s a water ride through Jurassic Park (as shown in the movies). First the visitors are shown the human-friendly animatronics dinosaurs, but then the boat careens off into the predator area with raptors, broken fences and warning flashing lights. Just as an enormous T-Rex lunges to make a snack out of you, the boat plunges down an 85 ft drop and the ride comes to an end.
The Poseidon’s Fury show in the Greek themed Lost Continent has some interesting special effects, especially the water tunnel, the prisoners (audience) had to walk through, in the middle of the show. Weapons of flames and water were used and the captives were finally released.
The Popeye Circular Raft was a nice wet ride, given that it was a hot summer day – everyone got drenched by a waterfall and splashes. It beats me how this ride ties into Popeye the Sailor Man rescuing his girl Olive Oil though. I really did not see the connection. The Ripsaw Falls ride in Toon Lagoon was probably the worst ride there – a violent rush up and down in a log ending with a sudden drop.
A Great Fun-Packed Theme Park (with Harry Potter being the highlight of course)
To continue.. More on my OJ Vacation saga....
2. Wizarding World of Harry Potter
4. Universal Studios, City Walk, Downtown Disney
5. Typhoon Lagoon and Back to Islands of Adventure
6. NASA - Kennedy Space Center
7. Everglades - River of Grass
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