What’s New in Theme Parks: New Waterpark, Rides and Shows
If your family is visiting Orlando this fall, you’ll have plenty of thrills to experience. The destination is loading up on the new theme-park action, providing parks, rides, shows and parades that are only available in Orlando. Get wet at AquaticaTM — SeaWorld’s Waterpark, take a ride with at Universal Studios Florida® or have a “Block Party Bash” at Disney’s Hollywood StudiosTM. Just remember to get some rest, because with all of the new excitement, you’re going to need it.
Worlds of Discovery
The Busch Entertainment Corporation family of adventure parks is now known as Worlds of Discovery. Worlds of Discovery parks include Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Busch Gardens Africa, SeaWorld Orlndo and Discovery Cove, as well as the company’s other theme parks throughout the country.uatica SeaWorld’s Waterpark
 Aquatica — SeaWorld’s Waterpark opened in March 2008. The one-of-a-kind park will include up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches. Aquatica is the first new water park to open in Orlando in 12 years. It features 36 water slides; six rivers and lagoons and more than 80,000 square feet (7,432 square meters) of beach area. Guests are immersed with live animals in the park, including Commerson’s dolphins, brilliant macaws and colorful fish.
Busch Gardens Africa unveiled an exotic jungle area in the theme park, called Jungala. The four-acre (1.6-hectare) attraction area is be located in the existing Congo area and includes tiger, orangutan and gibbon habitats mixed with dense landscaping. Two signature rides have been added including a zip line experience with three different flight patterns, and a ride launching guests above a towering waterfall. A three-story family climbing area letting visitors explore different layers of jungle life and a children’s water-play area has also been constructed. Two new restaurants, Bengal Bistro and Orang Café, opened in the themed area.
Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Studios Florida unveiled a new ride based on FOX’s blockbuster hit series, The Simpsons. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson — stars of TV’s longest running series — ride along with guests in the new attraction, which takes them on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure.
Walt Disney World
Disney-MGM Studios theme park has been renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new name, which reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today’s Hollywood has to offer, debuted in Jan., 2008. The park will unveil the following attractions throughout the year:
- Toy Story Mania! involves an interactive “Toy Story” competition inspired by the film. 3-D glasses put guests in the middle of the action as they board vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by their favorite characters. The ride opened in summer 2008.
- “Block Party Bash” encourages guests to play, party and dance at the new interactive Disney parade, which opened in March, 2008.
- “Playhouse Disney — Live on Stage!” introduces a whole new cast of friends engaging children in singing, clapping and dancing. The new show opened in Feb., 2008.
- At "The American Idol Experience," guests will experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing and the thrill of judging performances live on an interactive set. Guest performers with the highest votes will win a guaranteed reservation for future "American Idol" auditions. The attraction is slated to open in Jan., 2009
- Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced that its theme parks will also extend their popular “Year of a Million Dreams” promotion through the end of 2008. The program is highlighted by daily prize giveaways like FASTPASS tickets, free concessions or a stay in the Cinderella Castle suite. So far, more than 846,000 dreams have been awarded to guests at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
IN THE NEWS:
The Simpsons Ride is now open at Universal Studios Orlando.
Aquatica - SeaWorld's Water Park is now open - They have walk around animal attractions, dolphins, an aviary, and rides like Dolphin Plunge, innertube rides, white water rapids, water slides, giant wave pool, aquariums, restaurants, stores and more!
Busch Gardens Africa (in Tampa) opened its new kid-friendly Jungala attraction with new rides and new walk around animal habitats.
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner & Showclosed its doors in Orlando, but can be visited in other states.
Titanic, The Experience closed its doors on Sept. 3 2007. According to television news outlets they encountered issues with the site owner, and according to the folks who run the exhibit they will be attempting to relocate within the Orlando region.
Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven has opened the Starliner roller-coaster which was brought in from Panama City Beach after serving there since 1963. It's a classic coaster that cost the park over 4 million dollars to install.
Busch Gardens® Tampa's SheiKra is now floorless, carrying riders up 200 feet and then hurtling them 70 mph straight down at a 90-degree angle. SheiKra is the first of its kind to incorporate an Immelmann loop (a rolling maneuver), a second, 138-foot dive into an underground tunnel and a water-feature finale. With more than half a mile of steel track, SheiKra offers a total ride time of just over three minutes.
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