OrlandoSentinel.com - Theme Park Ranger

Disney exhibit gives Diana royal treatment

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:04:06 -0400

The new exhibit at Downtown Disney showcases the many lives of the late Princess Diana, from childhood to princess to mum to philanthropist to icon.

Want a good park experience? Get in line

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

No one relishes a good, long line. But for most of us, a winding queue is part of theme-park life. Sure, some folks finesse their days through Disney's FastPass or buy front-of-line rights via Universal Express or the Quick Queue at SeaWorld.

SeaWorld's mimes — silent but silly fun

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

SeaWorld Orlando features whales, dolphins, stingrays, penguins, sharks, Clydesdales and more.

Enjoy what's up at Downtown Disney, one year later

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of the big Downtown Disney announcement that killed the Pleasure Island nightclubs.

How to fly high above (and beyond) I-Drive

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

N owhere are there more daydreams about air travel than on a congested highway. So where better to put signage that touts helicopter rides "from $20" than Interstate 4?

A week off with Belle, piggy banks, cyborgs

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

T hat stay-cation trend? Getting on my nerves. But there's solace in knowing that we live in a place that others scrimp in order to visit. My biggest hassle last week was figuring how to get around an accident on I-4. I tried to break my well-worn theme-park ruts and take in shows I had overlooked. Some are new, others had just kind of been there for me yet still under my radar.

Islands of Adventure: A 10-year tenure

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Ten years ago this month, Universal Orlando opened its second Central Florida theme park, Islands of Adventure. The addition invigorated the thrill-ride landscape of Orlando, with the Incredible Hulk coaster, Dueling Dragons coasters and the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man super-duper-simulator leading the way.

Get down and Wookiee at Disney's Star Wars Weekends

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

What happens when two entertainment and merchandising giants collide?

Mantastic! SeaWorld's Manta roller coaster officially open

Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The devil is in the details, especially with a devilish roller coaster such as Manta, which officially opens Friday at SeaWorld Orlando. The ride features a head-first, flying position to rattle riders and a soothing aquarium/queue stocked with hundreds of its namesake rays. It's a big-time attraction, but what about the little things?

New zoo views, baby: Up in the treetops

Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The first step is a doozy. Make that a 50-feet-straight-down doozy.