Extend Your Stay to Catch Orlando's Hot New Theme Park Rides and Shows
With a multitude of exciting new rides and shows at Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando, you won't want to go home without seeing at least a few. Why not make plans to extend your stay? And don't forget to bring the whole family! You'll be among the first to experience all of Orlando's newest offerings, from glittering princesses and leaping dolphins to high-speed crashes and death-defying stunts.
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a little bit of tropical island paradise, dropped into the middle of Orlando. When you enter the beautifully landscaped property, you are transported to a land where humans glide peacefully through the water with graceful dolphins and time has no meaning. Now, the wonder of Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive dolphin swim package. Swim with a playful bottlenose dolphin, snorkel among thousands of rays and exotic fish on a coral reefs, feed and interact with hundreds of colorful tropical birds in a free-flight aviary. Your ticket now also includes all snacks and beverages throughout the day, a continental breakfast and lunch at the Laguna Grill.
SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld Orlando recently unveiled its most ambitious entertainment project ever, a new production called "Believe" that showcases SeaWorld's majestic killer whales with awe-inspiring choreography, an elaborate three-story set, original musical score and panoramic LED screens. A first for SeaWorld, the intense choreography of the new show creates a breathtaking "killer whale ballet" of grace and agility, as every movement of the powerful whales - each weighing 6,000 to 10,000 pounds (2,700 to 4,500 kilograms) - is matched to the corresponding beat of a stirring, original musical score.
Want an up-close encounter unlike anything you have ever experienced? Slip into the chilly waters that are home to the beluga whale to learn about the mysterious white whales under the supervision of the animal care staff at Wild Arctic. The Beluga Whale Interaction includes touching and feeding the belugas, and learning from the trainers how to communicate with the animals through hand signals. SeaWorld Orlando is one of the few places in the world where you can interact with belugas.
Shamu's youngest fans will find new offerings just for them at Shamu's Happy Harbor play area. The Shamu Express is the park's first family-oriented roller coaster. Themed after SeaWorld's famous killer whale, it gently thrills 28 children and parents in killer whale-themed cars down more than 850 feet (260 meters) of track at 26 mph (42 km/h). Jazzy Jellies, a jellyfish-themed samba tower ride, lifts and spins you while Swishy Fishies sends your little adventurers spinning around a giant waterspout.
Universal Orlando Resort
Enter the world of Dr. Seuss at Universal's Islands of Adventure. The High In The Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride! will take you and your family on a journey throughout Seuss Landing on one of two different tracks. You'll follow the story of the Sneetches (those with stars on their bellies and those without) as you gently ride high above the colorful rides and attractions below. Whether you're cruising over Sneetch Beach or riding through Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous, you'll enjoy an unforgettable bird's-eye view of all of Dr. Seuss's whimsical creations.
If you have ever wanted to be part of the studio audience, you won't want to miss iVillage Live which tapes daily at Universal's Islands of Adventure. The hourlong talk show features multiple hosts talking to each other and guests on a wide variety of topics - ranging from decorating and cooking to parenting and Hollywood gossip. The show is broadcast live on select NBC stations and on iVillage.com and rebroadcast on Bravo.
Beetlejuice's Graveyard Review at Universal Studios has a new look and a new sound. New costumes, new music and a surprise ending will have you singing along with Universal's classic movie monsters in this rock 'n roll revue with a twist.
Walt Disney World Resort
A visit to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park will put you face-to-face with the mythical Yeti as you careen through Expedition Everest in a rickety railcar. Soaring nearly 200 feet (60 meters), this new ride combines coaster thrills with the magic of Disney Audio-Animatronics to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Not ready for the Himalayas? A trip to the Magic Kingdom Park will have you sailing the seas with Captain Jack Sparrow on a newly refurbished Pirates of the Caribbean attraction.
Fans of Disney-Pixar movies like "Monsters, Inc.," "Finding Nemo" and "Cars" will find some of their favorite movie characters taking up residence at Walt Disney World as part of new attractions and shows, opening in the coming months.
Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomed an all-new musical stage show, "Finding Nemo - The Musical" in late-2006. You are immersed in the story of that fishy father-son team, Marlin and Nemo, in a show combining puppets, dancers and acrobats against an animated backdrop. The 30-minute show is staged several times daily in the newly enclosed Theater in the Wild.
Nemo is also swimming over to Epcot's The Seas pavilion to star in The Seas with Nemo and Friends. Technology puts the stars of the animated motion picture into the aquarium alongside live marine life. Hop into a "clamobile" for an undersea voyage into a colorful coral reef on an adventure featuring Nemo, Mr. Ray, Dory, Bruce, Marlin and Crush. The Seas pavilion is also home to two other Nemo-themed attractions, Turtle Talk with Crush - an unscripted, real-time interactive experience - and Bruce's Shark World - a fun and informative shark exhibit.
Feeling the need for speed? Head over to Disney's Hollywood Studios to see the animated stars of "Cars" lead the park's daily Disney Stars and Motorcars parade. Lightning McQueen, the hotshot rookie race car, and good ol'boy tow truck, Mater are the parade's honorary Grand Marshals and will also make meet-and-greet appearances in the park.