Eating and drinking in the World Showcase
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This is actually quite an enjoyable experience where you can eat and drink specialities (even if they aren't quite genuine) from around the world. From Mexican food with bottled beer (including Lime) in Mayan Temple to Fish n chips and real beer in a pint glass in an English pub. Salmon buffers in Norway, Sweet and sour in China, Oktoberfest in Germany, pasta in guess where, hot dogs and apple pie in the good old USA, sake in Japan, Moroccan fare in Marrakesh, lunch under the Eiffel tower and finally pork pies in Canada. You couldn't really ask for any more!
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Shopping in the World Showcase
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As with the eating your spoilt for choice. You could quite easily trick people into thinking you have been on a round the world trip sporting your sombrero from Mexico, jewellery from Japan and I love Paris T-shirts.
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Each of the World showcase countries has entertainment of some sort or another at various times throughout the day. For details of when these happenings occur make sure you pick up an Entertainment Program. Finally the big one - Illuminations, one of the most amazing firework and laser shows you are ever likely to see. Held just before closing time (and so varies throughout the year) on the World Showcase Lagoon this is a symphony of lights, fountains, fireworks and laser effects working its way around the world. NOT to be missed!
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This 135 acre park opened in 1989 is the newest of the Disney parks and like Universal Studios includes a working film and TV studio. The park proved so popular when it first opened that Disney planned to double its size in the coming years!
The first part of MGM you will experience is Hollywood Boulevard home of the landmark Chinese Theatre. The theatre is home for The Great Movie Ride that lasts ten minutes. This ride takes you through the history of Hollywood classics starring audio-animotronic and real life actors. The Theatre Of The Stars is also on the Boulevard with show times throughout the day starring Disney characters so make sure you get a Show Times guide at the park entrance. If you are a bit peckish and would like elegant Hollywood dining washed down with Californian wine then head for The Hollywood Brown Derby. There are plenty of shops on the Boulevard such as Cover Story where you can have your mug shot on the front of a glossy magazine and Pacific Electric Pictures where you can star in a home video of a Hollywood classic. We next move onto the Lakeside Circle to join SuperStar Television where 'actors' are volunteered or dragged from the audience are superimposed on film footage such as Cheers! In a similar mould is The Monster Sound Show an exploration into the art of movie sound effects. Members of the audience contribute towards the sounds of a haunted house mystery. If you fancy eating somewhere a bit different then try Min And Bill's Dockside Diner a freighter docked on Echo Lake serving sandwiches, salads and snacks. Possibly the best Disney show full stop is the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular located at the Backlot Annex. Lasting 45 minutes this is a live action packed show starring Indi being chased by rolling rocks and Germans with extras from the audience. Again the Show Times booklet is useful to find out what time the shows are scheduled for. Another good ride is the Star Trek type ride in Star Tours in which you take part in an attack on the Death Star. Not recommended if you have just had you dinner! The next ride the Backstage Studio Tour is actually a ride with a number of attraction in it and lasts about 2 hours. You board a stage shuttle at the Backstage Shuttle Station and enter the heart of the Production Center past Costuming and the Scenic Shop where craftsmen build sets before entering Residential Street where you may well recognise homes used in TV and films. One of the highlights of the trip is Catastrophe Canyon where you face an artificial natural disaster. Finally you find yourself on New York Street. Because of the special effects this really does look like a true cityscape so get a snap and tell the folks back home you took the big apple in as well. You now have to walk (might as well get back used to it!) as you visit the Water Effects Tank where a member of the tour is filmed in a sea storm scene (waterproof jacket is provided for the 'volunteer'). Next you explore the Special Effects Workshop And Shooting Stage and the Sound stages where actual filming may be taking place. You can then see the finishing touches being made at the Post Production Editing And Audio before gaining a sneak preview of new movies at The Walt Disney Theater. After the tour the final stop is the Studio Courtyard home of the Animation Tour. The tour is introduced in Back To Never Land starring Robin Williams. You next enter the real animation department with areas for such things as Animation area, Cleanup area and Effects etc. finally moving onto the Editing area where the scenes are joined together. The final part of the journey is a presentation from famous animated films. The shop here, Animation Gallery, sells original animation cels.
Stop press 2.1
Apparently there is a new ride here called Terror Towers. Apparently its a ride in a lift that cumilates in a big drop at the end. Apparently its very good. Anyone been on this one yet??
As well as all the rides there are street shows dotted around the park. Make sure to pick up a show times guide on entering the park. As with the other Disney parks don't miss the evening fireworks 'Sorcery In The Sky' just before closing time.
Open - Times vary throughout the year E.g. May was 9-7 where as June was 9-10
Cost - $35 but is included in 4/5 day Disney passes.
Although this section on Walt Disney World is fairly complete it may be a little out of date. For a more update look at WDW and in more depth may I point you to 'The Very Unofficial guide to WDW' available by FTP at netcom.com (pub/kazrak) and written by Todd D. McCartney.
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Make contact with another world at Orlando's famous marine-life theme park, Sea World. Sea World tends to based more on shows and exhibits than rides but is still a great day out and its suprising how many people prefer it to the Disney parks. The first thing to do when you arrive is to pick up a park map and show schedule. This includes a recommended show schedule which if you follow works out quite well. Possibly the best show and the one most people come and see is at the Shamu Stadium. This 25 minute show includes Killer Whales in a pool that includes a big screen for better viewing. One of the highlights is the soaking of the people who sat to close to the front of the show! Another good show is the Gold Rush Ski Show held on the Sea World Lake and lasts about 35 minutes. The story is based on Paint your wagon and includes some great water skiing action and singing and dancing. To get out of the heat we now head for the Sea World Theatre for a multi-media presentation of Sea Worlds role in marine research. This show includes a water show where colourful streams of water spout into the air to the accompaniment of music. Another good show held at Discovery Cove is the Whale And Dolphin Discovery Show starring bottle nose dolphins and pseudorcas. You get the chance to meet Clyde and Seamore the sealions and there otter and walrus friends with a 30 minute show at the Sea Lion And Otter Stadium. Later in the day you can visit the Sea World Theatre again for the Water Fantasy Show which is another water to music shows and you cant miss the Shamu Night Magic show at the Shamu Stadium and laser/fireworks spectacular (depending on time of year). Aside from the shows there are plenty of exhibits such as the Penguin Encounter. This is a walk through exhibit and you can see these wonderful creatures in there natural habitat (the seasons are created correctly) through a glass wall. Another highlight is Terrors Of The Deep that includes a glass tunnel trip surrounded by Sharks. There is also a tropical Reef and at 160,000 gallons holds a lot of colourful creatures. The newest attraction at Sea World is Mission Bermuda Triangle that is a jerk you about and make you feel sick simulator that takes you on a thrilling deep-sea dive in the Bermuda Triangle. Nearby is Shamu's happy Harbor a kids playground that includes a net climb, mater maze and water cannons. If you like Budwieser (and are not driving!) head for the AnheuserBusch Hospitality Center for some free samples. Next to the center is the Clydesdale Hamlet which will be of interest to horse fans. As well as all these shows and rides there are plenty of other opportunities to get a close look at the sea life such as Harbor Seal Community where you can buy food to feed them and the Dolphin Community Pool. Finally for a small charge you can go up the Sky Tower for a great view and photo opportunity over Sea World and Orlando.
Open - Opens at 9AM every day of the year. Closing time varies according to season. Open until about 7 in winter 10 in summer.
Cost - $32 children $28
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| The big competition for Disneys MGM studios is the Universal Studios, the largest working studio outside of Hollywood. In truth there is very little between the two although I found Universal kept you going that little bit longer. As with the Disney parks the question is where do you start? Well if you arrive nice and early in the morning head for one of the most popular rides such as the ride (simulator) that's supposed to be the best in Orlando, Back To The Future - The Ride. Although possibly not the best ride it could well be the best simulator as you strap into Doc Browns car you are taken for the roughest ride you are ever likely to take! Also in the Expo center area is another of the best rides E.T. Adventure where you board your starbound BMX to fly to ET's home planet with the FBI in pursuit. At the beginning of the ride you may wonder why they want to know your name but listen out at the end and you will find out. |
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