The Wandering Disciple

Orlando, Florida: Production Central is the main entrance of the Universal Studios theme park. Here guests walk by working soundstages as they embark on a day of riding the movies at the park. As you walk through the gates and see the large studios, its early to see that you are in the place that brings Hollywood to life. It is also home to the newest attraction, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. As you pass though the gates the first ride you encounter is Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast. Climb aboard a rocket to help Jimmy Neutron on a trip to planet Yolkus to retrieve his stolen rocket. Along the way you will pass through neighborhoods of some of the great Nickelodeon cartoons from past and present. Further down the road you will come across the next attraction, Shrek 4-D. Opened in 2003, it combines sight, sound and feel the movie come to life. The movie picks up between the first and second movie as Lord Farquaad returns to kidnap Princess Fiona. Join Shrek and Donkey on the jo...

Orlando, Florida: Located in the Mercado on International Drive, Titanic the Exhibition allows guests to relive the experiences of the Titanic. From the moment you walk through the doors you are immersed in the sights and sounds from the massive ship. As you enter the museum, you receive a boarding pass with a passenger name and classification from the fateful voyage. Then you meet up with your tour guide, dressed in period attire and speaking as if we were standing in front of the Titanic for its voyage, not present day. You will tour the boatyard and see the ship under construction and stand beside the giant propeller. Then its past the ticket booth and onto the docks, where you await to step aboard the giant ship. Once onboard the ship, you begin to feel like you are really part of the story. Your guide takes you through the ship. The ship is recreated with parlor suites, second class hallways, dining area, cargo hold and even the magnificent grand staircase. Along the way, ...

Lake Buena Vista, Florida: Downtown Disney is the shopping, dining and entertainment complex for Walt Disney World. Divided into three sections (Disney Marketplace, West Side and Pleasure Island) with constantly changing venues makes it one of the premiere entertainment complexes in the Orlando area. The concept for Downtown Disney began in March of 1975 with the opening of the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. The village was to serve as the shopping center for the planned residential portion of the Disney development. The residential section never occurred and the complex became the shopping center for the Walt Disney World complex and was renamed Walt Disney World Village. In 1986, Walt Disney World Village grew with the opening of Pleasure Island. Pleasure Island was a an expansion to the village consisting of several adult night clubs, providing Walt Disney World with the adult nightlife it was looking for to help compete with other Orlando clubs. During this time, the Wal...

Orlando, Florida: Right out of the pages of a comic book, Marvel Super Hero Island brings the cartoon characters to live with thrilling amusement rides. The island is home to one of the parks major roller coasters, the Incredible Hulk. It is also home to the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, Storm Force Accelatron and many comic themed shops. The centerpiece of the island is the Incredible Hulk Coaster. Towering over the island, the neon green coaster shoots guests up the launch hill, reaching 40 miles per hour in only two seconds. The coaster features 7 inversions while reaching speeds of 67 miles per hour and pulling 4 G’s at one point during the ride. The top rated roller coaster is based on a Bruce Banner project gone wrong. As riders are in the Project Gama tube, the project malfunctions and guests are shot out of the tube embarking on a wild ride. Next to the coaster is the duel towers for Doctor Doom’s Fearfall. The towers are the tallest attractio...

Orlando, Florida: Dining is just one of the many things that City Walk offers its guests. Tastes from around the world can be found here from breakfast to dinner, there is something for even the pickiest eaters. It features dozens of restaurants from unique dining experiences to grab and go burger and fries. The restaurants of City Walk vary in dining style and food types, here is a summary of the restaurants and the foods they serve. Bob Marley’s-A Tribute to Freedom: the Reggae themed restaurant that features a replica of Bob Marley’s home in Kingston Jamaica. They serve up classic Jamaican foods like Oxtail Stew, Jamaican Curry Chicken, Beef Patties and more. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co: Forrest Gump is alive inside the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. with memorabilia from the movie throughout the restaurant. Just like the movie guests can dine on fried shrimp, spicy shrimp, stuffed shrimp, shrimp, shrimp and more shrimp. They also serve baby back ribs, mahi mahi, salmon and more. Emeril’s Or...

Orlando, Florida: From the moment you walk through the front door, the rock star experience begins at the Hard Rock Hotel. From the musician memorabilia on the walls to the comfortable rooms, it doesn’t take long until you feel like part of the band. Opened in 2001, the 650 room resort contains 29 suites. All rooms are designed with entertainment in mind featuring HD TV’s, CD players and MP3 docking stations. The amenities of the resort are world class. It features a 12,000 square foot pool area with a beach, water slide, Jacuzzi’s and a play area for the kids. They even have an underwater sound system that plays the music underwater. In addition to music, they also host dive in movies where you can watch a film under the stars or in the water. The resort also has the Rock Shop where you can purchase your favorite rock star clothes or Hard Rock logo gear. Finally there is a fitness center and children’s center to round out the vacation. Hard Rock Hotel also features several ...

Orlando, Florida: Port of Entry is the entrance land of Islands of Adventure, from here guests can browse the shops or branch out to the five islands of attraction. The Port of Entry has no ride attractions but is home to a few shops and one of the two full service restaurants in the park. Located just inside the park’s entrance, the Port of Entry is the main thoroughfare through the park, all journey’s start and end here at the port. From here guests can take a boat to the opposite side of the park or begin their adventure on foot to either one of the adjoining islands. There are several shops located here in the Port of Entry, they include: • Islands of Adventure Trading Company: best of souvenirs from all of the park’s islands and attractions. • Ocean Trader Market: Exotic merchandise from India, Indonesia and more places throughout the world. • DeFoto’s Expedition Photography: film and camera supplies. • Port of Entry Christmas Shoppe: Christmas decorations and themed items all...

Orlando, Florida: Built as a mix between a theme park and working production studio, Universal Studios Florida entertains over six million guests that visit the park to “ride the movies”. The park combines the film world with the thrill of theme park rides to create a one of a kind experience. Opened in 1990 with the design help of producer Steven Spielberg, Universal Orlando was designed to be a theme park while still accommodating producers as a production studio. It took concepts from Universal Studios and displayed them on a grander stage. The park is divided into seven sections. Below are the sections and their major attractions: • Production Central: Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit, Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast and Shrek 4-D. • Hollywood: Terminator 2L 3-D Battle Across Time and Universal’s Horror Make-Up Show. • New York: Revenge of the Mummy and Twister. • San Francisco/Amity: Beetlejuice’s Rock and Roll Graveyard Revue, Disaster, Fear Factor Live and Jaws. • World Expo: M...

Orlando, Florida: While having a movie theme, Islands of Adventure was Universal Orlando’s migration from production and rides to strictly thrill rides. It features some of the most thrilling rides in Florida and the country. Opened in 1999, the park is themed as a an exploration on the sea, coming across five islands in the process. Guests arrive to the park at the Port of Entry and then begin exploring the islands. Each island is its own themed portion of the park featuring rides, restaurants and shops consistent with its theme. The five islands and their major attractions are: • Marvel Super Hero Island: Amazing Adventures of Spider Man, Doctor Doom’s Fearfall, Incredible Hulk Coaster and Storm Force Accelatron. • Toon Lagoon: Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, Me Ship the Olive and Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges. • Jurassic Park: Jurassic Park River Adventure and Pteranodon Flyers. • The Lost Continent: Dueling Dragons, Eighth Voyage of Sinbad, Flying Unicorn and Poseidon’s...

Orlando, Florida: Located in the heart of Universal Orlando, City Walk is an entertainment complex featuring dining, night clubs and shopping. Adjacent to the entrances to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, it is a great place to end a day at the parks with dinner and a movie. Opened in 1999, City Walk is the addition that transformed Universal Studios into a full circle entertainment complex. The thirty acre complex features dining, shopping and entertainment. Guests arrive into City Walk via moving sidewalks from either of the parking structures. It is the gateway to Universal Orlando where guests can branch off to either of the parks or just stay and enjoy the amenities City Walk has to offer. The following restaurants are located in City Walk: • Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. • Emeril’s Restaurant Orlando • Hard Rock Orlando • Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville • Latin Quarter • NASCAR Sports Grille • NBA City • Pastamore Ristorante & Market • Pat O’Brien’s The following store...

Orlando, Florida: With lush tropical landscaping and South Seas décor it is hard to believe that you are at Universal Orlando and not on a tropical island in the South Pacific. Royal Pacific Resort is located just steps from Islands of Adventure yet feels miles away from civilization. Opened in 2002, the Royal Pacific Resort is the newest of the Universal Orlando hotels. It is based on the fictional Royal Pacific Company who’s planes and cruise ships were to bring guests to its private resort. Likeliness of the travel company can be seen throughout the resort from the plane in the lagoon to the travel posters in the guest rooms. The resort features 1,000 guest rooms in which 51 of them are suites. There is also a large lagoon style swimming pool with a water play are for the children. The resort features a fitness center, volleyball court and croquet lawn. There are several restaurants located inside the resort. They include: • Bula Bar & Grill: life fare and tropical drin...

Orlando, Florida: Universal Orlando is a theme park/entertainment complex located in Central Florida. With two theme parks, three world class hotels and an entertainment complex it provides fun for all ages. Universal Orlando got started in 1990 with the opening of Universal Studios Florida. Universal Studios is a theme park that allows guests to ride the movies, mixing thrill rides with Hollywood special effects. It is also a working studio with shows being shot on location on a regular basis. The park is also home to Halloween Horror Night, where select nights in October the park turns into a nightlong fright fest. Universal Orlando upped the stakes with the addition of their second park in 1999. Island of Adventure features several islands of thrill rides including two of the nations best roller coasters, the Incredible Hulk and Dueling Dragons. Both theme parks are linked together by Universal City Walk. The entertainment complex is the centerpiece of the resort. Featuring...