The new additions include a face-painting booth, trapeze school, a renovated kiddie ride area, and a pavilion/shaded seating area to protect you from the Florida sunshine (and rain!).

There’s also an expanded range of tasty treats. Before you even enter Fun Spot, you will be enticed by the sweet aroma coming out of the newly-opened Sweet Spot. Be sure to take a look inside – here you will find Fun Spot-themed chocolates, caramel apples, and a variety of candy to sooth your sweet tooth.

And if you have a really big sweet tooth, you’ll want to check out the Freedom Flyer treat cart inside the park. This is where you’ll find deep-fried Oreos, candy bars, and funnel cakes, including red velvet funnel cakes – yum!

If it’s a real meal you’re looking for, and not just dessert, Sky Diner is the main dining hub within the park. Its menu items include burgers, pizza, chicken strips, wraps, salads, hummus, cakes, cookies, and ice cream – and, also, the refreshing and ever-popular Dole Whip. For the adults, there is also a nice selection of bottled and draft beer, plus a nightly Happy Hour that runs from 8pm to 9pm and again from 10pm to 11pm. Drink pricing is quite reasonable any time of day, though.

The outdoor seating area that is perched above the Sky Diner is a great place to enjoy your meal. I love the view from up there, especially at night. It has become a tradition to visit the park in the evening, grab a cup of Dole Whip, and relax at one of the many seating areas around the park, especially this one.

For a complete listing of all of Fun Spot’s dining options, follow this link (PDF file).

One great perk about this park, besides its culinary offerings, is that you can make your visit as long or as short as you want. You can easily spend hours enjoying the arcade, flat rides, rollercoasters, and amazing go-kart tracks – but, on the other hand, you can also make it a quick visit for when you’re short on time. There are not many amusement or theme parks, especially in Orlando, where you can park, get your wrist band, take a few laps on a wooden rollercoaster, and be back in your car in less than half an hour. You can really do it all in 10 minutes if you only ride one time (although it’s very hard to ride just once!).

I also really love how they’re open until midnight. Once all of the other area parks are closed for the day, the fun can continue at Fun Spot.

Fun Spot has quickly become one of my favorite places to visit. Along with having the only wooden rollercoaster in Orlando, White Lightning (which is my favorite coaster), another thing that really stands out is their super-awesome employees. Be it the smiling faces that greet you at the ticket booths or the go-kart employees and ride ops who add their own flare to make each ride extra fun for the whole family, all of the employees at the park are there to ensure your visit is full of “Safe, Clean, Fun!” – the Fun Spot motto.

Remember, Fun Spot has free parking and no gate fee. So stop in, take a look around, and grab a Dole Whip while you’re at it!

If you’re thinking about visiting Fun Spot, be sure to check out these deals:

• Fun Spot has new SkyCoaster t-shirts! If you purchase a ride on the SkyCoatser, you can get a video and a t-shirt for just $15.00 extra. You must purchase this add-on before you fly.
• Don’t throw away those Fun Spot-marked Diet Pepsi cans! Bring them to the park and get a free ride on White Lightning. (One ride per person, per day. Valid through May 31, 2014.)
• Buy a popcorn cup for $6.00, and your first refill is free!
• Buy a souvenir drink cup for $6.00 and get free refills all day!
• Annual Passholders get a 10% discount off Unlimited Armbands for up to six people!
• Save 10% on admission by purchasing in advance online.
• For updated specials, check this page.

If you liked this article, you can see all of our blog posts about Orlando’s attractions or activities on I-Drive.

Fun Spot America – map

Click any marker to display the attraction or venue name. To scroll or zoom, use the controls on the bottom-right of the map. You may also switch to different map views by using the buttons on the bottom-left of the map.

View Larger Map

Fun Spot America – photo gallery

Click any image to view it full-screen. When the full-screen image is open, click to the right or use the right arrow on your keyboard to advance through the gallery.

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The post Fun Spot America trip report – April 2014 (new attractions, the Sweet Spot & deals to save you money) appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Located just half a mile from the Orange County Convention Center, this is an all-suites property. You have the option of choosing from a king room suite (452 square feet), a double bed suite (493 sq ft), as well as a two-bedroom/two-bathroom suite (1,088 sq ft). Executive and accessible rooms are also available.

The two-room suites each feature a private bedroom and separate living area. The living area consists of a sofa with bed, arm chair, television, work/dining table, and a wet bar with mini refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker. The wet bar area is perfect for keeping your leftovers, snacks, drinks, and groceries for breakfast or light meals. Each room of the suite also has a 32” LCD flat panel television.

In the bedroom, you’ll find a six-drawer dresser, wardrobe, ironing board, luggage stand, television, comfortable bed, and a feature that we really enjoy having: a vanity area with sink.

One of the really great perks of this hotel is their complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, which is available every morning. The breakfast offerings you can expect to see are selections like scrambled eggs, made-to-order omelets, bacon, oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, toast, bagels, pastries, and more. You will also want to visit the evening reception for complimentary snacks and drinks, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options available.

Embassy Suites is also home to the Fisheye Grill restaurant. Enjoy a Florida-inspired menu featuring specials from both land and sea. You can enjoy your meal in the main dining room, bar, or outside patio – perfect for enjoying Florida’s beautiful weather. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and is also available for in-room dining.

Beyond the in-house option, there’s also many great restaurants within walking distance from the hotel, including Café Tu Tu Tango, Bahama Breeze, and Fogo De Chao, along with a variety of others.

Additionally, there are a lot of attractions you can visit by foot. Wonderworks, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, Dave & Busters, mini-golf, and Pointe Orlando are all located on the International Drive strip.

If you’d like to venture out a little further around the area, you can hop on the I-Ride Trolley, which has pick-up and drop-off stops all along I-Drive. You can buy I-Ride Trolley tickets inside the hotel’s lobby. There is also a car rental desk on-site, as well as a free scheduled shuttle to the Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld parks. And, finally, Fun Spot America and Wet ‘N Wild are also conveniently nearby.

If you’re looking to spend time enjoying the hotel itself, you will find an indoor and outdoor pool, spa, sauna, fitness and business center, arcade, room service, and a gift/convenience store.

I can’t forget one of my favorite features that Embassy Suites is known for – their beautiful atriums!

As soon as you enter the main lobby or step outside of your room, you are greeted by the atrium. It’s the perfect place to enjoy your breakfast, have a drink, hang out with friends, or just sit back and relax.

We’ve stayed at this location twice, several years apart, and have been more than pleased both times. There was some wear on the furniture in our room this last time, but I didn’t even notice that until it was pointed out to me, and it didn’t affect my thoughts on our stay. The room – and the entire property – was all very clean.

If you liked this article, you can see all of our blog posts about hotels & resorts or activities on I-Drive. Or start planning the rest of your Universal Orlando vacation completely for free in the OI Universal Center.

Embassy Suites Orlando – map & links

Click any marker to display the attraction or venue name. To scroll or zoom, use the controls on the top-left of the map. You may also switch to different map views by using the buttons on the top-right of the map.

Official website

TripAdvisor

Note: there are two Embassy Suites in this area of I-Drive. The one reviewed in this post is south; the other is north.

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The post Embassy Suites Orlando South on I-Drive: Vacation the way it should be appeared first on Orlando Informer.

#5 – Visit the water’s edge at CityWalk

Universal CityWalk, Orlando’s dining and entertainment capital, might seem like a place full of hustle and bustle and one dancing mirror lady. But when nighttime falls, grab your special someone and take a seat near the lagoon. Enjoy the glitter of the lights and the sounds of happiness as you make plans for your night of adventure!

Universal Orlando CityWalk at Dusk

Looking for a bit of privacy? The small stretch of walkway at the lagoon’s edge, starting at Jimmy Buffet’s Lone Palm Airport tiki bar, is usually the most deserted.

#4 – Stroll through the parks after sunset

Universal Orlando is full of magic, and once the sun begins to set and the lights turn on, it creates a whole new magical atmosphere. Taking a stroll throughout the parks, hand-in-hand, with the beautiful scenery and lighting is very romantic.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure after the sun sets.

If you’d like to add a little suspense and thrill to your evening stroll, trying taking a turn into Camp Jurassic inside Islands of Adventure. You’ll have to hold your loved one close as you brave the twisting paths, overgrown shrubs, huge rock piles, and dimly-lit tunnels, all while the wails and cackles of dinosaurs race around you. This is a true place for romance.

Camp Jurassic at Islands of Adventure.

#3 – Dinner & a movie

Is there a more classic night of romance – especially for a first date – than dinner and a movie? Probably not, so it’s a good thing you can easily do both at Universal Orlando.

AMC Universal Cineplex 20 at CityWalk.

And to make the offer even more enticing, check out the Meal & Movie deal offered at CityWalk’s AMC Universal Cineplex 20. This is one of Universal’s beat deals that many guests don’t even know about. Or, for those wanting to dance the night away with their special someone, check out the CityWalk Party Pass & Movie deal. More info about both can be found in the “Add-Ons” section of Universal’s online ticket store.

#2 – Lose yourself in the tropics at Royal Pacific Resort

There is always something romantic about a tropical setting, be it the sounds of bamboo swaying, light flickering off the water, or the warm breeze spilling over a lover’s embrace. If this sounds like the perfect place for you and you-know-who, make your way to Universal’s Royal Pacific Resort and enjoy the tropical scenery together. Start the evening off with a drink at Jake’s American Bar, then head over to Emeril’s Tchoup Tchoup for a romantic dinner (reservations highly recommended).

Inside Emeril’s Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific Resort.

At the end of the evening, we encourage you to find your way down the Garden Walkway between Royal Pacific and CityWalk, where the glow of the lighthouse may just be the spark you need for that first kiss!

Want a classic Emeril’s meal without having to go to one of the on-site hotels? You’re in luck, because Emeril’s Orlando, located at Universal CityWalk, delivers a whole extra set of delicious offerings.

#1 – Explore the Italian Riviera at Portofino Bay Hotel

Portofino Bay Hotel has much to offer when it comes to romance! Take a stroll together around the gorgeous Harbor Piazza, where you can stop by the Gelateria for some sweet treats and coffee, or take a seat at one of the piazza tables and enjoy the beautiful views of the harbor together.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at night.

But if you really want to impress the love of your life, stop by the on-site Mandara Spa for a couples massage.

To end your visit, wait until dusk, when the hotel celebrates Musica Della Notte, a unique blend of classic opera and romantic and festive music, along with “popera” favorites, performed live at the Harbor Piazza.

Honorable mention – love birds at Islands of Adventure

Before you leave the park, know that you and your partner aren’t the only two animals in love at Universal! See if you can spot these two love birds in the Port of Entry area at Islands of Adventure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAB_kjiakxo

If you liked this article, you can see all of our BIG 5 blog posts, or start planning the rest of your Universal Orlando vacation completely for free in the OI Universal Center.

The post THE BIG 5: Top five best ways to find romance at Universal Orlando on Valentine’s Day appeared first on Orlando Informer.

During HHN Carnival of Carnage in 2007, Universal made the dream world of Freddy Krueger a reality in A Nightmare on Elm Street: Dreamwalkers; they also put us up close and personal with Mary Shaw and her dolls in Dead Silence: The Curse of Mary Shaw. Throughout the years, Universal took guests into the mastermind of Alfred Hitchcock with several “Psycho” influenced houses. Other popular houses featured in the epic event in past years have included SAW, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Doomsday, Friday the 13th, and many more. This year, Universal has brought to life Cabin in the Woods, An American Werewolf in London, Evil Dead, Resident Evil, and The Walking Dead.

Alongside these popular horror tales, HHN has also developed original concepts like the Body Collectors, which featured creepy, pale skinned men in suites who collected bodies for their own research. In Terror Mines, aliens dwelled in the mines waiting for unsuspecting victims. Leave it to Cleaver introduced us to Mr. Sam Meetz, a butcher who was after more than livestock for his shop. Other fan favorites include event icons Jack the Clown, The Caretaker, and the Director. This year, Universal brings us face to face with a serial killer on death row in Afterlife: Death’s Vengeance as well as Havoc Derailed, where guests have to escape a train full of genetically engineered maniacs.

Longtime fans of Halloween Horror Nights often credit the original concepts as the reason why HHN has become a world-renowned event, and each year many of these fans criticize HHN as they see more and more of the originality disappearing. On the other hand, Halloween Horror Nights also has a rapidly growing base of new fans, many of whom love the idea that the event is taking a page from its host, Universal Studios Florida, and letting guests experience some of the best horror stories popular culture has to offer.

This leads us to this week’s poll and the moment of truth (current tally will be revealed once you vote)…
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Note: You don’t have to sign into a social network to vote, that is just a feature offered. If you prefer to vote anonymously, click your selection in the poll and when you see the pop up, click “Keep vote anonymous”.[/wptouch]

Last week’s polls:

Where have you experienced better guest service, Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando? With 331 out of 592 votes (55.9%), Disney wins — but honestly, I quite impressed that there was only a 10 point spread between the two resorts.

Which expansion project are you most excited for, AVATAR or Harry Potter? With 445 out of 515 votes (86.4%), Harry Potter wins.

View all of our reader polls

The post Reader poll: Do you prefer when Halloween Horror Nights is based on popular stories or original concepts? appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Each season of the year offers unique and fun happenings at Universal Orlando Resort. In this week’s poll, let’s find out which one is your favorite!

Spring at Universal means it’s time to kick back with a drink, enjoy the tastes of New Orleans and dance the night away at Universal’s Mardi Gras celebration. The event’s biggest highlight: the boisterous parade featuring beautiful, handcrafted floats, party music, and best of all, so many beads! After the parade, some of the best known bands in the country take to the Universal Music Plaza stage — and the Mardi Gras concerts are included with admission. Spring also means that families are celebrating Spring Break, which can be very busy but also very exciting.

Beginning in June, Universal kicks off summer with their Summer Concert Series, featuring even more of the biggest names in music. The summer season is also when new attractions usually debut. In 2012 Universal introduced us to The Superstar Parade, Cinematic Spectacular, and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. Then in 2013, we were asked to “prepare for the greatest battle you’ll ever ride” when Transformers: The Ride 3D officially opened on June 20. Next year, rumors point to June again for Diagon Alley’s grand opening.

The fall season at Universal Orlando is best known for the award-winning, absolutely terrifying Halloween Horror Nights. From the gory details of the haunted houses, to the elaborate outdoor scare zones and all-around immersive atmosphere, this event does not disappoint. Fall also brings with it lighter crowds and lower temperatures, providing some of the most beautiful weather for touring Universal’s theme parks.

During the holiday season, guests are dazzled by the Macy’s Holiday Parade and filled with cheer by Mannheim Steamroller live in concert at Universal Studios Florida. Over at Islands of Adventure, Seuss Landing becomes Whoville as the park celebrates Grinchmas, complete with a charming stage production of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. And don’t forget to come back on New Year’s Eve, when Universal CityWalk throws one of Orlando’s biggest end-of-the-year parties!

There is one more theme park “season” we need to mention: the time in between major events and holidays, when kids are in school and the crowd levels at the parks are very low. We’ll call this the slow season, and it happens several times each year: parts of January and February, the lull between Spring Break and summer, most of September and November — like we said, basically whenever kids are in school. Low crowd levels may mean shorter park hours, but when you only have to wait 20 minutes instead of two hours for Despicable Me, the shorter park hours don’t seem so bad.

And now the moment of truth…

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Note: You don’t have to sign into a social network to vote, that is just a feature offered. If you prefer to vote anonymously, click your selection in the poll and when you see the pop up, click “Keep vote anonymous”.

Learn more about these topics:

Free 12-month Universal Orlando crowd calendar

Universal Orlando’s annual events

Biggest thrill this Halloween season: Win a $500 Universal gift card

Universal Snapshot: See everything that’s happening right now

Last week’s poll: If you could, which closed USF attraction would you bring back? With 236 out of 624 votes (37.8%), JAWS the ride & Amity win. Back to the Future was second with 178 votes (28.5%). View all of our reader polls

The post Reader poll: Your favorite time of the year to visit Universal Orlando Resort appeared first on Orlando Informer.

Universal Orlando is recognized around the world for their collection of first-class attractions. Unfortunately, as we all know, to make room for new attractions sometimes old ones have to be replaced. Over the years we’ve seen attractions that we hold near to our hearts disappear from Universal Studios Florida, the original theme park at Universal Orlando. In this week’s poll we take a look at the most popular lost attractions:

JAWS and the Amity backlot of Universal Studios Florida is the most recent area to close. Jaws gave it’s last voyage on January 2, 2012 to make room for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley expansion. On the JAWS ride, guests would hop aboard a ship with the world-famous skippers to explore the wonderful Amity Island. But things took a turn for the worst when JAWS makes his presence known and its kill or be killed! This attraction thrilled guests until its closing, a true classic among park goers.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies was a mix of a 3-D movie and live action show. Anthony Perkins, who played Norman Bates in Psycho, was the narrator. During the show guests experienced scenes from Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds and other movies. The classic shower scene from Psycho was a key point in this attraction. In January 2004 Alfred Hitchcock: The Art of Making Movies gave it’s last scream to make way for Shrek 4D.

Kongfrontation gave guests an eye-to-eye encounter with a massive King Kong animatronic. Riders climbed aboard an ariel tram and went above the streets of New York City on the run from King Kong. There was plenty of destruction to see, courtesy of Kong, as riders tried to escape his path. Thankfully guests eventually made their way to safety and out of the city, where they were given the opportunity for a King Kong photo op. Kongfrontation closed in September of 2002 and was replaced by Revenge of the Mummy.

Back to the Future: The Ride was a simulator attraction based on the Back to the Future film franchise. Park guests were asked by Doc Brown to be volunteers as part of a time travel experiment. Riders boarded a DeLorean ride vehicle and soon found themselves in a crazy adventure across time, in hopes of capturing the movie’s villain, Biff. Back to the Future’s last time travel adventure was in March of 2007; it was replaced by The Simpsons Ride, which opened in May 2008.

Nickelodeon Studios was both a family attraction and working production studios that was with Universal from the beginning. Double Dare, GUTS and All That are just a few of the classic Nickelodeon shows that were filmed on-site. Sometimes guests were allowed inside to be a part of these show’s studio audience. There was a 40-minute behind the scenes tour that took park guests through various Nickelodeon sets and offered a look into the different production areas — and if you were lucky, you sometimes got a glimpse of your favorite Nick stars! Nickelodeon Studios permanently closed in 2005 and is now home to Blue Man Group.

We all have our favorite memories of past attractions, so now we want to know: if you had the power…

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Upset your favorite wasn’t available as an option? Please tell us in the comments!

And after you’ve voted, here are a few fun blog posts to check out:

Remembering Universal history through memorabilia (plus, how to find the best stuff)

Nickelodeon Studios: A cherished history & our hope for its return

Rumor round-up: King Kong returns to USF & more

View all of our blog posts tagged with “UOR history”

Last week’s poll: The best place to party in Orlando? With 46 out of 73 votes, Universal CityWalk wins. I guess we should have expected that! View all of our reader polls

The post Reader poll: If you could, which closed USF attraction would you bring back? appeared first on Orlando Informer.

There are an endless amount of fun things for people of all ages to do in Orlando, but for this poll — inspired by all the twerking in the news and the extended Labor Day weekend — let’s focus on an adult activity: your favorite place for a little naughty vacation fun and party thrills. (And of course, by naughty vacation fun, we mean the kind that still lets you get up with the kids first thing in the morning!)

Here are the most popular destinations:

Universal CityWalk

At “Orlando’s entertainment capital” you have many options to choose from — and if you’re staying on-site, you have the perk of not having to worry about needing transportation to get back to your hotel. Pick up a Hurricane from Pat O’Brien’s, stop at Margaritaville for their signature margaritas, or choose from an array of other bars, restaurants, and clubs all within steps of each other.

Downtown Disney

While no longer in its partying heyday (none of us can stay 21 and single forever, right?), Downtown Disney is still known for a good selection of restaurants with bars, including Splitsville, Paradiso 37, Raglan Road, and House of Blues, where you might even be able to catch your favorite musical artist on stage!

Epcot’s World Showcase

An international adventure awaits Epcot guests who embark on “Drinking Around the World”. During the tour you can enjoy homeland beer selections and specialty drinks from Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, the United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom, and Canada. Doubling down on the theme, Walt Disney World kicks off Epcot’s annual Food & Wine Festival each year in September (this year’s dates are September 27 through November 11).

International Drive

The I-Drive tourist corridor is another great place for nighttime entertainment. Here you have Howl at the Moon, a world-famous dueling piano bar; the arctic Ice Bar, where everything is frozen and drinks are served in glasses made of actual ice; new venues such as Dave & Busters and Kings Orlando; and don’t forget the slew of choices at Pointe Orlando: Hooters, Adobe Gilas, B.B. Kings Blues Club, and the after-hours craziness of Tavern Opa.

Downtown Orlando

We can’t forget Orlando’s original party destination: downtown. Here visitors can find renowned local destinations including The Courtesy, Independent Bar, The Woods, The Other Bar, The Social, Corona Cigar Company, Tap & Grind, Finnhenry’s, all of Wall Street Plaza, and so many more. Can’t decide where to start? Sign up for an Orlando Pub Crawl and let something else do the thinkin’ while you do the drinkin’.

Now the moment of truth…

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After you’ve voted, here are a few fun blog posts to check out:

THE BIG 5: Top five outdoor bars at Universal Orlando Resort

Drinking around the world: Epcot edition

My first experience at “Crazy 80s” pub crawl in downtown Orlando

All of our blog posts filed under “nightlife & live entertainment”

Last week’s poll: Which is your favorite Universal Orlando on-site hotel? With 78 out of 184 votes (42%), Loews Royal Pacific Resort wins! View all of our reader polls

The post Reader poll: The best place to party in Orlando appeared first on Orlando Informer.

One thing I love about Orlando is the variety of beautiful hotels that are in the area. At Universal Orlando specifically, guests will find three AAA Four Diamond award-winning luxury resorts: Loews Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Portofino Bay Hotel.

Not only are these properties visually stunning, but they offer a lot of extra perks when you stay on-site. For starters, you’re only footsteps (or a water taxi ride) away from CityWalk and both theme parks. You also get unlimited Express Passes and priority seating at restaurants, just to name a few benefits!

Let’s take a closer look at each on-site property:

Loews Royal Pacific Resort

At Royal Pacific you’re transported to a tropical paradise, surrounded by lush landscaping and an island theme. Dine on-site at one of Royal Pacific’s several restaurants and lounges, including Emeril’s Tchoup Chop. On Saturday nights you can participate in an authentic luau at the Wantilan Luau, complete with Polynesian food, live entertainment, and complimentary mai tais. You can also kick back and relax at the lagoon-style pool, one of the largest of its kind in Central Florida.

Hard Rock Hotel

At Hard Rock guests are treated like rock stars! There is an on-site Rock Shop featuring authentic Hard Rock merchandise and apparel, a body rock fitness center, and live concerts in their lobby on the last Thursday of every month (on August 29 Modern English is performing). But the most popular amenity at this hotel is the 12,000 square foot beach pool, complimented with a water slide and an underwater music system. This hotel is classy yet casual, and for the music fan it features over one million dollars worth of rock ‘n roll memorabilia on display in its public spaces.

Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

At Portofino Bay you’re surrounded by luxurious accommodations and beautiful, romantic scenery that replicates the Italian seaside village that is Portofino Bay Hotel’s namesake. As Universal Orlando’s flagship property, the hotel features three pools, several shops, many dining venues and lounges, the full-service Mandara Spa, and every evening at dusk guests can experience Musica Della Notte — a live opera set performed on a balcony overlooking the hotel’s signature harbor (see a video).

Now the moment of truth…

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Learn more about Universal’s on-site hotels

See our in-depth comparison of the three properties

Where’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort? It doesn’t open until next spring, so Universal’s newest property isn’t part of this poll. But we do have a lots of information about the hotel if you’d like to learn more — click here.

Our previous poll: What’s the best water park in Orlando, Aquatica, Wet ‘n Wild, Typhoon Lagoon, or Blizzard Beach? With 57 out of 160 votes (36%), Typhoon Lagoon wins! But Aquatica was a close second with 51 out of 160 votes (32%). View all of our reader polls

The post Reader poll: Your favorite on-site hotel at Universal Orlando appeared first on Orlando Informer.

There are plenty of amazing theme parks in the Orlando area, but it is also home to many first-class water parks as well! In case you need a little help remembering their specific characteristics, here’s a rundown of each one:

Aquatica – SeaWorld

At Aquatica, SeaWorld’s water park, you’re surrounded by pristine beaches, beautiful landscaping, great attractions for guests of all ages and of course, wild life! You can race with your family on the Taumata Racer mat slides, get a rush thru the speed river at Roa’s Rapids, zoom down the tube slide that takes you right through the commerson dolphin pool or just sit back and relax on the beautiful white sand beaches. Keep an eye out for various animal interactions throughout the day too!

Wet ‘n Wild – Universal Orlando

This water park for thrill seekers. Rides include Disco H20, a large funnel attraction that puts you into an actual disco complete with music and lights. The Black Hole is a two-person raft attraction that starts out in a space ship and takes you down a winding course in complete darkness. Mach 5 is an excellent collection of three mat slides with a length of over 1700 feet! And we can’t forget about The Bomb Bay, a 76-foot near vertical slide that starts off by dropping you through a trap door! Wet ‘n Wild has many other intense, and not-so intense attractions, that everyone can enjoy. While not on Universal Orlando property, Wet ‘n Wild is owned by the resort and it seems like only a matter of time before Universal fully claims it as its own.

Typhoon Lagoon – Walt Disney World

This is the largest of the Disney waterparks. Along with all of the fun attractions that Typhoon Lagoon has to offer, they also feature a special area, the Shark Reef, where guests can snorkel with tropical fish and sharks! “According to Disney legend, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon was created by an epic storm. Surfboards were hurled into palm trees and boats were tossed around like toys.The typhoon made the storm-soaked Mount Mayday an ideal source for exhilarating waterslides. Surrounding the mountain, a 56-acre topsy-turvy tropical paradise was formed—full of waterways, rivers, rapids and slides.”

Blizzard Beach – Walt Disney World

Blizzard Beach is where you can experience all the fun of a waterpark while being in a snowy atmosphere, complete with ski lifts and Christmas music – minus the cold temperatures! The story behind Blizzard Beach: “After a freak snow storm blanketed Florida in white, a ski resort sprang up with slalom courses, toboggan slides and iceberg walkways. When the weather shifted back to hot, the whole resort started to melt. What to do?An enterprising alligator saw an opportunity. Clad in a scarf and hat, the gator slid down the ski jump, shouting ‘Yahoooo!’ all the way. With a big splash he landed in a pool of melted snow below the mountain, and the slushy, slippery slopes became an exhilarating water park like no other in the world.”

So, the moment of truth…

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See my in-depth review of Wet ‘n Wild

See my in-depth review of Aquatica

Last week’s poll: Which side of Dragon Challenge is better, Chinese Fireball vs. Hungarian Horntail? With 22 out of 39 votes (56%), Chinese Fireball wins! View all of our reader polls

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Dueling Dragons was the original name of this attraction when Islands of Adventure opened its gates on May 28, 1999, and it was located in the Lost Continent section of the park. When Universal announced the Wizarding world of Harry Potter, we learned the attraction would be re-themed and re-named Dragon Challenge. Fire and Ice would become Chinese Fireball and Hungarian Horntail. The coaster made its soft opening debut under the new Dragon Challenge moniker in March 2010 and officially opened to the public in June.

Dragon Challenge was designed by roller coaster manufacturers Bolliger and Mabillard. It is an inverted coaster, meaning the train hangs below the track versus the classic on top-of-the-track design. Doubling down on that feature, Dragon Challenge remains the world’s only dueling inverted coaster (in the sense that it has two separate tracks that intertwine). Longtime fans know that the two coasters no longer run in “duel” in the truest sense, meaning they no longer launch simultaneously, due to safety reasons. Nevertheless, the attraction offers two completely unique ride layouts, both incredible in their own ways.

Between the two designs, Chinese Fireball (Red) is considered the more intense. This ride features two Immelmann elements, a vertical loop, and two flatspins while traveling at a top speed of 60mph along the 3,200ft course. The Hungarian Horntail (Blue) reaches a top speed of 55mph and features a zero gravity roll, vertical loop, cobra roll and one flatspin. Depending on your preference of ride elements, each person will have their favorite.

Dragon Challenge is unlike any other ride in existence to this day — 14 years on and the attraction is still considered among the best inverted roller coaster experiences in the world!

So what’s your…

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Learn more about Dragon Challenge

Learn more about the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Last week’s polls: Which ride is better, Spider-Man or Transformers? With 34 out of 62 votes (55%), Spider-Man wins. Which is the better specialty drink, Disney’s Dole Whip or Universal’s butterbeer? With 83 out of 124 votes (67%), butterbeer wins. View all of our reader polls

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For those not familiar with either of these beverages, here’s the lowdown: Dole Whip is a soft serve frozen treat. Though it can be found in some other locations and flavors, it is probably most well known for it’s pineapple soft serve that is available at the Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle and at Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s Captain Cook’s. A Dole Whip float takes this pineapple dessert one step further and tops it with Dole’s pineapple juice. Butterbeer can be found in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. It is sold in two varieties, frozen and regular. The flavor is similar to cream soda and butterscotch. Both butterbeer versions are topped off with a frothy flavored foam.

So what’s it gonna be…

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Next up we have the battle of Spider-Man versus the TRANSFORMERS bots!

Until recently The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man was the only attraction of its kind at Universal Orlando, combing vehicle motion, special effects, larger-than-life moving sets, and incredible 3D film projection. But now it has some serious competition with the newly opened TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D.

These attractions are quite similar, yet at the same time they are very different. Let’s take a closer look at each one: In The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man you become a news reporter for the Daily Bugle, quickly finding yourself on the trail of an amazing story. You soar with Spidey as he takes on several of Marvel’s sinister villains, traveling through neighborhood streets scaling skyscrapers — ending with a 400-foot simulated free fall. The clever mix of physical sets and projected 3D animation throughout the attraction blend seamlessly, soaring Spider-Man to one of the all-time best and most loved dark rides. At TRANSFORMERS you become a N*E*S*T recruit and battle alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee as they fight the intergalactic battle for the AllSpark. TRANSFORMERS is an ultra-immersive thrill ride, fast-paced and full of action. While Spider-Man has more physical sets, TRANSFORMERS features nearly life-like 3D animation, putting all of your senses right in the middle of the fight between Optimus and Megatron.

Both attractions are fantastic, but only one can be the best…

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Learn how to make butterbeer at home

Learn more about Spider-Man or share your ride review

Learn more about Transformers or share your ride review

Last week’s poll: What’s your favorite specialty drink at Universal Orlando? With 67 out of 80 votes (84%), butterbeer was the winner. View the poll

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There are so many reasons why we love Universal Orlando Resort! Not only do you get to ride out your favorite movies and mingle with your favorite characters, but you also get to indulge in delectable treats and beverages that you’ve always wanted to try. That’s because the resort has taken some of the most popular drinks from our favorite movies, books and TV shows and turned them into a reality for park guests to enjoy.

Ever dreamt of Moose Juice? Or how about Goose Juice! You can try them both at Islands of Adventure’s “Moose Juice Goose Juice” stand in Seuss Landing. Moose Juice is a green sour apple juice and Goose Juice is orange tangerine. Both served fresh or frozen.

Continuing our journey through Islands of Adventure, there is another drink that is served both frozen and unfrozen: butterbeer! For years Harry Potter fans have always wondered what a real butterbeer would taste like — and thanks to the amazing team at Universal Orlando, now guests can indulge in the sweet and delicious taste of this creamy butterscotch beverage. Butterbeer stands can be found throughout the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the drink is also sold inside Three Broomsticks & Hogs Head.

Also located in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is Pumpkin Juice. If you enjoy the flavors of the fall season, this beverage will not disappoint! Pumpkin Juice is available in a cool collectors bottle sold in the outside carts and Honeydukes. Inside Three Broomsticks & Hogs Head, carbonation can be added when ordering to create Pumpkin Fizz.

Next we make our way over to Universal Studios Florida and the brand new Simpsons’ Fast Food Boulevard. For decades we’ve watched the residents of Springfield enjoy Duff beer at Moe’s Tavern, and now park guests can step into this same world and drink their very own Duff! And the kids aren’t left out either, as they can try a non-alcoholic Flaming Moe with its surprisingly fun “flaming” effect.

So this week’s reader poll asks…

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There are so many new and exciting things going on at Universal Studios Florida this summer. We’ve got the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter expansion in progress, the newly opened TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D, The Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard and more!

When visiting Universal Studios Florida, not only do you get to ride out the movies, but you also get to meet many of your favorite movie and television characters too. Along with all of the new attractions, there have been some new faces spotted roaming around the park. Many of you are probably familiar with Transformers very own Bumblebee, Optimus Prime and Megatron, who can be found meeting park guests in between battles. You might also have an encounter with the sinister but harmless Sideshow Bob or the goofy Krusty the Clown, who have recently been added to USF’s character lineup.

Along with these new faces guests can also meet the ever so adorable Despicable Me minions, Bikini Bottom’s very own SpongeBob SquarePants, the sassy Marilyn Monroe and more!

You never know who you might meet at Universal Studios Florida. So…

[socialpoll id=”10266″]

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A personal favorite of mine and many others is Jimmy Buffet’s Lone Palm Tiki Bar, located directly across from Margaritaville.

Lone Palm is perfect for those days when you want a taste of Margaritaville, but just don’t have enough time for a full-service meal. Even though the Lone Palm is a quicker option, it doesn’t slack on atmosphere! Enjoy the tunes of Jimmy Buffet while being surrounded by palm trees, sand and Jimmy’s own Albatross plane known as the Hemisphere Dancer.

The Lone Palm offers wings, shrimp, conch fritters, hot dogs, beer, specialty drinks and the famous margaritas and Volcano Nachos – YUM! And don’t miss out on Happy Hour during the week.

There are a handful of other restaurants and bars at CityWalk that also have express options:

Fat Tuesday’s has an exterior walk-up counter where you can enjoy frozen daiquiris, hurricanes and more.

At Latin Quarter Express you can try Caribbean sandwiches and drinks to go.

Pastamoré Market Café offers breakfast in the morning and pizza, pasta, sandwiches, salads and desserts later in the day.

There are also several CityWalk bars to pick up a refreshing beverage as you make your way in between the two parks.

For those who have a sweet tooth, be sure to check out TCBY for delicious frozen yogurt and the always classic Cinnabon shop. In the mood for coffee? Starbucks on the second level of Universal CityWalk offers everything you’d expect to find at any other Starbucks across the globe, except for free wifi. (If you want free wifi — get this — you just need to visit Burger King in the food court).

Love fresh doughnuts? Be sure to stop by a new favorite of mine, the CityWalk Café! Here you’ll find fresh made beignets, churros, apple fritters, krulers, coffee, corn dogs and hot pretzels.

The beignets are so good, made to order and served hot and fresh loaded with powdered sugar and a side of chocolate sauce. There is a seating area with a beautiful view behind the café to sit and enjoy your tasty treats.

If candy is your idea of sweet eats, make sure to visit Katie’s Candy Company where you will find over a hundred kinds of bulk candy including M & Ms, jelly beans, taffy and gummi candies to name a few. Katie’s also has fresh made fudge, caramel apples, jawbreakers, chocolates, chocolate covered pretzels and a lot more!

If you have a little extra time for your quick bites, you can head to the food court at the top of CityWalk and grab a bite at one of their several counter service restaurants:

Burger King Whopper Bar
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Panda Express
Fusion Bistro Sushi & Sake Bar
Big Kahuna Pizza

I am sure there are many more tasty express options hiding within Universal CityWalk. What are your favorite places to grab a quick bite or take a break?

Universal CityWalk quick bites – photo gallery

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To make your Minion cupcakes you will need the following:

• Box cake mix (or your own from scratch recipe.)
• Frosting
• Twinkies
• Smarties candy
• Brown sprinkles
• Writing icing (black if possible – I didn’t have black so I used green and blue)

Follow directions on cake mix box for the cupcakes. For a healthier option, you can substitute oil with applesauce. Once baking is complete, allow some time for cooling.

While the cupcakes are cooling you can prepare your Minions. For your minions you will cut the Twinkies in half.

To prepare the goggles/eyes pick two Smarties of the same color. Place two dots of writing icing on the Twinkie where you want your Minion’s goggles to be. This will act as glue to hold them on. Next, outline the goggles with your writing frosting and add the goggle headbands.

Once that is done, you’re ready to place a dot of writing icing in the middle of each Smartie to complete the eyes.

Now it’s time to frost the cupcakes. I added blue food coloring to mine to match the Minion’s uniforms.

Now you can give your Minions a mouth and place them on top of the cupcakes. Next grab some brown sprinkles and place them into the top of their heads for the hair. It’s fun to get creative with these!

For extra fun, I made some speech bubbles. These would be a great way to add a message to your cupcakes, Happy Birthday for example.

Your Minion Cupcakes are now complete. Time to enjoy!

If you’d like to learn more about the attraction at Universal Studios Florida, visit the Despicable Me Minion Mayhem page in the OI Universal Center.

Minion cupcakes – photo gallery

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Look no further — Fun Spot is the place for you!

The Fun Spot parks are a set of local, family-owned and operated amusement parks with locations in Orlando (on International Drive) and Kissimmee (on Hwy 192), just miles away from Universal Orlando and the Disney parks. Both Fun Spot parks offer free admission, free wifi and free parking! This means the non-riders in your family can still come into the park at no cost and enjoy the day. For the more adventurous, you can pay by the ride or get an all-day riding wristband. For the true thrill seekers, you can purchase a season pass and experience the fun all year long!

You’ve probably seen the billboards around town or even passed one of the Fun Spot parks themselves. “It’s HUGE!” is what they say, but now Fun Spot America is even “Huge’er!”.

Fun Spot America just had it’s grand re-opening this past weekend and has tripled in size over the past year, expanding from five acres to fifteen. Included in this large expansion are some awesome new attractions, like the world’s second tallest SkyCoaster at an astonishing 250 feet high! The world’s tallest SkyCoaster can be found at Fun Spot’s other location, Fun Spot USA, located in Kissimmee. Also included in Fun Spot America’s expansion are four new flat rides, a new go kart track, a food court, and not one but two new roller coasters.

One of the new coasters is Orlando’s first wooden roller coaster: White Lightning. It’s a compact, out and back roller coaster designed and built by Great Coasters International, known internationally for extremely smooth, fast and twisted wooden coaster designs.

This ride offers a very steep, twisted first drop, fast turns, airtime and a crazy ending that will make you want to ride again and again!

The second coaster is a customized suspended family steel roller coaster, Freedom Flyer, built by Vekoma of the Netherlands. Freedom Flyer is a inverted roller coaster that is great for people of all ages, flying over park midways, and offering excellent views of the newly developed areas of Fun Spot America.

Having visited both parks recently I was truly impressed! I have never experienced a group of employees that were so wonderful and friendly. We visited the park many times during our vacation, and each and every time we were greeted by smiling faces. The employees really made our visits a lot more enjoyable and memorable.

The other thing that I LOVED is White Lightning. Being a roller coaster fanatic I have been on quite a few roller coasters of all varieties, and White Lightning has quickly moved into one of my favorites! If you enjoy roller coasters, you will not want to miss White Lightning or Freedom Flyer.

Both Fun Spot locations are currently open daily 10:00am to midnight…

This makes Fun Spot great place to visit in the evening once the other parks have closed for the day.

Fun Spot America (International Drive)

Offers a choice of roller coasters, Thrill rides, go karts and games, including:

• Orlando’s Only Wooden Roller Coaster—White Lightning
• 4 Go-Kart Tracks—3 multi-level, 1 speed track
• 7 Family/Thrill Rides – Including the Paratrooper, Rip Curl and Revolver
• World’s Second Tallest SkyCoaster at 250 Feet
• Cadet Go-Kart Track Designed for a 4, 5 and 6-year-old. A child’s First Drive
• 8 Kid Spot Rides for Preschooler Fun
• 2 Stories of Over 100 of the Hottest New and Classic Arcade Games

Fun Spot USA (Hwy 192)

Offers a HUGE array of thrill rides, go-kart tracks, and arcade games:

• The World’s Tallest SkyCoaster at 300 Feet High
• 4 Go-Kart Tracks—2 multi-level, 2 speed tracks
• 10 Family/Thrill Rides – Including Rockstar Coaster and Screamin’ Eagles
• 8 Kid Spot Rides for Fun for the Younger Set
• Over 60 of the Hottest New and Classic Arcade Games

Official website: http://www.funspotattractions.com.

Looking to celebrate a Birthday? Be sure to check out Fun Spot’s Birthday packages, available at both parks. Also take a look at the event calendar, as the parks host a variety of events and deals often.

See ya on White Lightning!

Fun Spot America – map

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Fun Spot America – photo gallery

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What is the IceBar you ask? It’s a bar, of course, but it is also an icy wonderland made out of 50 tons of carved ice. Some things you will find inside are a beautiful ice throne, seats made of ice, carved animals and a full-service bar. There is also a Fire Lounge area that is perfect for warming up after your icy expedition. The Icebar has even been featured on a several television shows such as “America’s Best” on Food Network, Travel Channel’s “Extreme Barhopping”, Fox News, CNN and more.

Although I fully despise winter, this experience is completely different. The thought of entering into an icy wonderland in the middle of Orlando just seems magical and inviting, so I was really excited to visit!

Entry into the IceBar used to be by a set reserved time slot time only, but now a reservation is not required. Hours are:

• Monday – Wednesday: 7pm – 12AM
• Thursday: 7PM – 1AM
• Friday – Saturday: 7PM – 2AM

We had no problem getting in without a wait. However, we went on a Monday, and crowds can vary greatly depending on the day/time you visit and if any special events are scheduled. So it would be a good idea to call ahead just to make sure you won’t encounter a long wait.

There is parking on-site, behind Icebar. Once inside a hostess will explain the different options, prices, and answer any questions you might have. There are several different “Expeditions” that you can chose from. The main differences in the Expeditions are (1) if drinks are included with your package and (2) how many.

View the Expeditions available

We went with the Arctic Expedition, which includes entry into the Icebar, one Fire Lounge drink and one drink inside the Icebar. We were given our Icebar entry tickets and drink tokens (which you will give the bartender to receive your drinks). The usual route is: visit Icebar first and then come out and warm up in the Fire Lounge, but we decided to visit the Fire Lounge first to get a better feel for the place first.

Our main gripe about the experience was the lack of guidance and not having a menu/drink list to pick from at the Fire Lounge. None of us are all that knowledgeable when it comes to drink choices, so it was a bit confusing when it came to knowing what we could order. They did have a few signs with drink specials, but it would have been nice to have a list of other options as well, just for a little inspiration.

Between the three of us we had a rum and coke, a fruity drink and one of their specials, a Flaming Hurricane. The Flaming Hurricane is served in a souvenir glass and lit on fire. We were all a little confused about the drink specials. We were not sure if they were included with our expedition or if they were a separate cost of $8.99 as listed on the sign. Two of us had already ordered drinks by the time we found out that if we wanted the drink special with souvenir glass that it was only $3.00. Had we of known it was only an up-charge of $3.00 we would have probably all got one.

We enjoyed our drinks, then were ready to make our journey into the Icebar! Before entering you get your parkas and gloves. For an additional $10.00 you can upgrade to a fur coat. The gloves we were given made us chuckle a little as they were more like gardening gloves versus winter gloves, but since you’re not spending hours inside they kept our hands pretty warm.

I will admit, the actual ice room was a lot smaller than I had thought it would be. But other than that it was just as I imagined and super cool (no pun intended)! We were the only ones in the room at this time and took our time exploring, taking turns sitting in the ice throne and checking out all of the sculptures. The bar area is also made out of ice and just really neat to see, all of it is. The bartender came out — a really friendly guy — and we placed our orders. This set up was better than Fire Lounge because they had an actual drink list to look at and the bartender had some recommendations as well. I got the Pinnacle Whipped Cream Vodka with Orange juice, YUM! I forgot to mention, the glasses your drinks are served in are also made out of ice, pretty neat!

By now more people were entering into the bar. Everyone who came in all really seemed to be enjoying themselves and loved looking at all of the ice features. There is a photographer that will come around to take photos and show you different photo packages that are available for purchase. Of course, you can kindly decline and taking your own photos inside is allowed.

We finished our drinks, took photos and just enjoyed the translucent paradise. We were inside about a half hour before we all started to get a bit chilly and slowly made our way back to the Fire Lounge. It did feel good to be back in the warmth. We hung around a little while longer before making our way out. If you decide to purchase one of the souvenir glasses be sure to pick it up at the front counter on your way out.

If you read reviews about Icebar Orlando you will see a lot of people calling it a tourist trap or that it isn’t worth the money, but we really enjoyed it! We all agreed that it is a really fun experience and worth checking out. We visited with someone who lives in the area and he really enjoyed it too, so it’s not just for tourists. It’s probably not somewhere that you will visit every week, but definitely worth your time at least once. In fact, even though we went to Universal and other spots over the weekend, Icebar Orlando really was a highlight of the trip!

Some additional information: Adults 21 and up are welcome at all times, guests ages 8-20 years may enter the Icebar between 7:00pm-9:00pm, 21+ For Icebar and Fire Lounge after 9:30pm. Sorry, small children are not permitted. No one under 21 may enter the Fire Lounge except during special events.

Icebar Orlando is located about a block north of Pointe Orlando, within walking distance of the Orange County Convention Center. And yes, there are I-Ride Trolley stops nearby.

Icebar Orlando – map & links

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Official site: http://icebarorlando.com

Icebar FAQs: http://icebarorlando.com/index.php/pages/faq

Icebar Orlando – photo gallery

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Like everything on the Margaritaville menu, the Volcano Nachos are especially delicious paired with one a refreshing margaritas. If you order the restaurant’s namesake, try the “perfect margarita” instead of the house blend. It’s made with fresh squeezed juice instead of a mix, and it’s worth the extra dollar or two.

For those of us who have experienced the awesomeness of these nachos, I am sure you find yourself craving them during the times that you can’t get to Jimmy’s Central Florida home. Of course, nothing can compare to the real thing, but here is a mock up recipe that will help to hold you over in between visits.

You will need:

• 1 bag tortilla chips (You can even get the official Margaritaville brand)
• 1 – 2 cans of chili (or homemade)
• 1 jar salsa con queso
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Green Onion
• Canned jalepeno slices
• Diced Tomato
• Guacamole (Fresh or store bought)
• Sour Cream

To start you will want to preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

In the meantime prep the nachos. Now there are two ways you can go about doing this. The classic Volcano way or you can take another route of using a cookie tray and rather than layering up the chips to make the Volcano you can do them flat style, one layer only. Both ways taste great!

Like my previous recipe for the Caesar Chicken Sandwich from Disney’s Hollywood Studios, I will not give exact measurements of how much of each ingredient to add, just put as much as you like. That is the joy of preparing dishes at home, you can add as much (or as little) of the ingredients as you want.

You will want to get an oven safe dish — cover the bottom of dish with a layer of tortilla chips.

Now add your salsa con queso.I have seen several variations of how to make these at home and some just layer the tortillas with the salsa con queso and only add chili to the top layer, but I like to add chili on all layers to ensure each layer is filled with everything.

Sprinkle with shredded cheeses and repeat these steps two more times, for a total of 3 layers of tortilla chips (or you can go crazy and keep laying as much as you want, really create a volcano.)

Once you have your Volcano assembled, place it in the oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Remove from oven and top with tomatoes, green onions, jalapenos, guacamole, sour cream. Now invite a dozen of your friends over, pour the drinks, crank up the tunes, and DIG IN!

Jimmy Buffett / Universal Fun Fact

Thanks to our friends over at USFAddicts.net, we found out that Jimmy’s 1994 music video for the song Fruitcakes was filmed all around Universal Studios Florida? Here’s the video — see if you can spot some of your favorite locations from the theme park:

[youtube_video]wneCa_yIuzg[/youtube_video]

Did you notice Gertner’s Bakery around 0:35 in the video? Here’s the building facade as of two days ago:

Margaritaville Volcano Nachos – photo gallery

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Although Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) and Universal Studios Florida (USF) share some of the same attractions, the park experience itself is quite different. Both are excellent in their own ways.

USH vs. USF: The park experience

When approaching Universal Hollywood, the atmosphere seems a bit more “reserved” compared to when you approach Universal Orlando. The parking decks are more cramped compared to Orlando and not as orderly and controlled when being directed to an open spot. In fact, once you got into the garage there was little direction where to go. However, Universal Hollywood does provide cards with you parking location. Maybe not the most “green” option, but I thought it was a nice touch!

It was very exciting entering CityWalk. I had seen it on television and in photos many times. It was like a dream becoming a reality as we made our way in, especially seeing the iconic King Kong sign that hangs off one of the buildings in CityWalk. My group thought Hollywood’s CityWalk was brighter and, in a way, more fun than Orlando’s. Both are great, but we liked the variety of shops and confectioneries Hollywood has.

Of course, there is no Margaritaville or Lone Palm in Hollywood, so that is quite sad! The Lagoon in Orlando also adds for a very relaxing setting, so both locations have their pros and cons.

As we got closer to the park we saw the famous Universal globe! The lack of it setting on the water with the mist around it made it less exciting than Orlando’s version.

But something I really enjoyed about Hollywood’s entrance is the red carpet leading up to the entrance archway. It really made you feel like a VIP upon entering the park.

As soon as we entered into the park we immediately noticed was how COLORFUL it was. Everywhere you looked were vibrant colors and great theming. Universal Orlando has some great themed areas, but Hollywood wins for overall atmosphere and street settings.

It was so fun exploring the park! Being there kind of played tricks on my mind. It was like being at the Orlando park that I know and love, but yet completely different and new at the same time. I felt like a kid in a candy store.

Along with the colorful atmosphere, the Hollywood park also boasts some incredible views! We were really captivated by California’s mountainous beauty and Universal is a perfect place to take in some amazing views with all the scenic overlooks located throughout the park.

Another unique feature of Universal Studios Florida is the park’s three different levels: the upper level, which includes the entrance of the park; the mid-level, which includes the Studio Tour; and the lower level, which is home to a few of the signature park attractions.

All levels are accessed by a series of elevators, and the main upper to lower level escalator is known as the Starway.

Each level is complete with a collection of attractions, shows, and food and merchandise shops. The first time we took the Starway I felt like it took forever, but the more we rode it the more we got used to it. It’s interesting having the multiple levels, but I prefer Orlando’s one level easy access.

USH vs USF: The attractions

House of Horrors

Universal’s House of Horrors was the first attraction we came across. We got in line immediately, as this was something I was very excited for.

The queue is much like a horror museum with props for you to look at while you wait. This attraction is fantastic! Having missed Halloween Horror Nights the last few years, it gave us some good memories of the event and allowed us to experience some haunted house fun (and scares!). We were surprised how many times the cast got us, given the minimal staff inside. The house is complete with very effective scares, great props and theming. Got to love a year-round Haunted House, especially done Universal style!

Jurassic Park – The Ride

We love Orlando’s Jurassic Park River Adventure and were curious to how this one would compare. Some slight changes we preferred: the heavy mist at the beginning (never seems as effective in Orlando), the famous movie scene with the jeep falling down the wall and having two T-Rex at the top of the lift, prior to the drop. Overall it felt like a more immersive atmosphere. Both are excellent, but the edge goes to Hollywood.

Revenge of the Mummy

We were really looking forward to this after years of reading comparisons online. Crazy how different they really are!

We really enjoyed some of the animatronics and effects at the beginning of the ride, but that was about it. We feel that Orlando’s version is a MUCH better ride. Hollywood’s coaster portion was not nearly as good and the ending was weak. It was still a fun ride, though.

Transformers: The Ride 3D

A lot of you might be curious about Transformers, since it will be opening soon in Orlando. It is a very well done attraction, but I prefer The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man an at Islands of Adventure much more. Having been on Spider-Man so many times, riding through Transformers was not all that thrilling. More impressive (to me) are the huge Transformers that roam the area outside for photo ops — but the actual ride experience is so similar to Spiderman, with less physical props, that it actually felt a bit downgraded to us. Maybe there will be some beneficial tweaks that will be integrated into the Florida version to make it stand out a little more.

Studio Tour

Along with House of Horrors our other favorite attraction was the Studio Tour. Having been on Orlando’s tram tour a few times, this brought back some memories and created many new ones as well. It’s about a 45 minute tour, where you pass by working studios, street sets, Alfred Hitchock’s office, some great movie and television sets such as a scene from War of the Worlds, the streets of Desperate Housewives, the Grinch that Stole Christmas and more. Also included along the tour are some rides and special effect stops. The Bates Motel scene was my favorite part and really made me miss the Alfred Hitchcock attraction that used to be in Orlando.

Along with that, they also had an Amity/Jaws area, King Kong 360 3D (very well done), Tokyo Drift and their earthquake simulator, which is identical to Disaster. Jimmy Fallon, who is an on screen tour guide during your ride, sings a special song for you at the end, which will be forever burned into your head for hours after riding. Needless to say, it is on my iPod now.

Other attractions

We didn’t visit the Shrek attraction but enjoyed watching Donkey interact with all of the park guests at his Waffle Stand. This is very similar to the talking fountain located at IOA in the Lost Continent, but Donkey style! We also skipped The Simpsons, as we did not expect it to be any different from Florida.

The love affair with Orlando continues

There were many things we deeply enjoyed about Universal Studios Hollywood, but overall Universal Orlando still holds my heart. If only I could transport House of Horrors and the Studio Tour to Orlando…

Overall, USH is a very beautiful park. We had a great experience and would very much like to come back the next time we visit California. We really got a kick out of all the movie history, the museums and the “feel” of the entire park.

How fortunate we are to have a Universal resorts on each of our coasts!

Learn more about Universal Studios Hollywood

Learn more about Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Hollywood – photo gallery

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You might be wondering, who is this Ripley character? “Robert Ripley, the cartoonist, the explorer, the reporter, adventurer, illustrator, collector and seeker of the odd and unusual, is a man who lived a life that can only be summed up by the statement he himself created; ‘Believe It or Not!’ His life’s work, his discoveries, his artistry, and the tales he told and adventures he lived will forever be the foundation of all that Ripley Entertainment encompasses.”

Ripley’s is a self-guided tour. Upon purchasing your tickets they will offer you a guidebook at an additional cost of $3.00. I don’t think the guide is necessary, but it might be a good souvenir if you’re looking for a keepsake from this strange tour.

Once inside Ripley’s you will see all kind of unique things, such as artwork made entirely out of candy, paintings done with nothing but nail polish, wax statues, illusions, the world’s smallest violin, dinosaur fossils, murals made out of playing cards, a collection of bed pans, and a hypnotic tunnel that will send you spinning. My friend, this is just the beginning.

We spent a little over an hour exploring inside. We tend to be more visual, but if you take time to read all of the plaques near each display, I am sure you could spend several hours inside. Each exhibit’s plaques give information about the artist and/or history of each artifact. There are a few exhibits you can interact with. Keep in mind that things aren’t always what they seem in the world of the odd. You might become someone else’s entertainment if you’re not careful. I don’t want to give too much away, but just remember someone might be watching you try to perform a special trick — you will see which exhibit I am talking about later during your tour. We found it to be quite amusing. One of the more memorable areas of Ripley’s is a crooked room, complete with a pool table and grizzly bear. As soon as we stepped into this room we got completely disorientated, much like a fun house. It was quite a hit with everyone in a group behind us as well.

Overall, we enjoyed our time at Ripley’s Believe It or Not and had fun looking at all of the strange and unusual items. I would recommend a visit if you encounter a rainy day during your vacation and need something indoors to do, or if you’re looking to get out of the house and explore something new. One thing we did really like about Ripley’s is that it is open until Midnight, so it gave us something to do in the evening after the parks and other places nearby had already closed for the night. Free parking is available on-site and, if possible, purchase your tickets online for a discounted rate. Also, keep your eyes out for area coupon books, as some offer a buy one get one free coupon. Finally, I would try to visit during off peak times, because the exhibits can become congested in the more popular areas of the museum.

Oh, by the way, if you want to experience some Ripley entertainment without having to buy a plane ticket to Orlando, check out the Ripley sword-swallowing app available for iPhone.

Educator Appreciation Days

Ripley Attractions in the state of Florida will be hosting Educator Appreciation Days for all K – 12 Florida Educators from September 4th thru October 14th, 2012. Florida Educators will be admitted FREE with a current pay stub and photo ID to all Florida Ripley Attractions! Guests of Educators will receive a 50% off discount. Learn more

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando – map & links

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Official website: http://www.ripleys.com/orlando/

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Orlando – photo gallery

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I recently learned that the phones at Epcot do indeed receive calls, and I was immediately intrigued by this. To be able to make a call into the park and see how someone’s visit was going seemed like such a fun idea, so I decided to give it a try! The first few times I tried the phone just rang and rang and eventually turned over to the sound of a fax machine. I finally got a few answers, but I think whoever was on the other end was too afraid to actually speak as they never said anything and then just hung up. I also had a few “Hellos” and when they heard someone was actually on the line they would quickly hang up. I heard one person start to shout and say “someone is really on there!” then I heard another voice say “there is no one there!” and slam down the phone. It’s quite entertaining.

I decided to try a few more times and finally I got a friendly “Hello” from a women. When I told her I was calling from Ohio, she asked if I was pulling her leg. I assured her I was telling the truth and told her to Google it when she got home. She was laughing and having such a fun time. She told me they were trying to see how many people they could fit into the phone booth and all of her children wanted to say hello as well. They were all very excited to be in the phone booth and receive a mysterious call. Turns out they were from Indiana, which we thought was neat seeing as we are neighboring states. I asked them if they had been to Club Cool to sample the Coca Cola’s from around the world. They had never heard about this and were excited to check it out. It was cool to know I was able to give someone right inside the park an Epcot tip and bring some extra fun to their day (and mine also!)

That was so cool I decided to try again. I eventually got a hold of two local girls named Ruby and Maddy/Maddie. They told me they were heading over to a bench that they always take a photo at and as they were passing by the phone booth heard it ringing and decided to pick it up. They were so stoked that someone was one the line. We talked about everything from the weather to restaurants, crazy drivers, seasons and more. They are both hoping to attend school in the Northern States so they can truly experience the different seasons. They had recently played Hollywood Drive-In mini golf at CityWalk and loved it! However, they have not been to the Universal parks in years. I told them they definitely need to check out the Superstar Parade and Cinematic Spectacular nighttime show.

We also talked about frozen yogurt and how there are so many different frozen yogurt shops in the Orlando area. I told them they HAVE to get the Peanut Butter and Jelly when it is available at Pinkberry and how I dream of it because it is so amazing! Soon enough the call wrapped up and I thanked the girls for taking time out of their park visit to chat with me. They said that our call was the most random and memorable phone call ever and was way more fun than their usual visit to the park (they have a family member who works there so they visit often.) Talk about a nice thing to hear!

Something that I thought was really cool about both of my conversations: the parties wanted a photo in the booth while talking on the phone to add to their memories.

Just in case the family from Indiana or Ruby and Maddie stumble upon this I’d like to say Hello. I’m glad you picked up the mysterious ringing phone!

During my last call a woman from Israel picked up. It was her first time to Disney and she said it was her last day in town before heading to New York and Seattle. Who would ever guess you would be speaking to people from all over the world and hearing about their adventures.

Another fun thing you can do is make a call from inside the park. Find a bench nearby and wait for an unsuspecting guest to enter the booth. Getting to watch their reactions as they answer your call will be priceless. This would also be a great way to surprise other people in your group. Sneak off while near the phone booths and call them up. Have a little fun with them or give your kids a special call from a Disney character and really make their day.

Want to give it a try yourself? Here are the phone numbers – keep in mind long distance rates may apply.

UK phone booth numbers

Right booth: 407 827-9861
Left booth: 407 827-9862
Center booth: 407 827-9863

If you decide to ring up the booths at Epcot and the person on the other end is curious how you found out about calling you can tell them you saw it on OrlandoInformer.com! This is a great way to bring the magic of Disney to your day when you can’t be there in person.

Red telephone booths in Epcot’s UK Pavilion – photo gallery

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Tijuana Flats opened its first location in Winter Park, Florida in 1995 by a young gentleman named Brian. The concept now has over 79 restaurants in 5 states and more on the way! Not only was Brian successful with his restaurants, but he also created his own line of hot sauces including the “Smack My Ass and Call Me Sally” line of sauces, which include some of the hottest sauces around. For a more in depth look at the history of Tijuana Flats you can check out this page.

Now that you have a little background information, let’s get to the food! They have salads, nachos, tacos, chimichangas, quesadillas, burritos, burrito bowls, flautas, tostadas, enchiladas and more. They also have a Lo Menu option where items are 500 calories or less, a “Little Lizards” menu for the kids as well as some dessert items. And the churros are awesome!

The dining experience is simple; you can dine in or get your meal to go. If you plan to get your meal to go, you can place your order online ahead of time so your meal will be ready when you arrive. You can order online here: http://tijuanaflats.munchaway.com/

If you plan to dine in, Tijuana Flats is considered a “Fast Casual” type of restaurant. This means you will place your order at the counter, much like at a fast food place, give them your name, pick out your table and when your meal is ready they will bring it out to you. Upon entering there are menus for you to look over before heading up to the counter (see the menu here).

Often times someone will ask you if you’ve ever been there before and will explain the process if you’re a first timer. The employees will also come around during your meal to see if you need a refill, to take your trash away and make sure everything is well while you dine. You are also welcome to take your cup up to the counter for a refill if you don’t want to wait. Be sure to take note of the crushed ice, this is a staple of theirs. The table-side service probably depends how busy they are, so during peak times they may not be around the dining area as much.

Something that you will notice upon entering Tijuana Flats is the super cool murals they have all over the place. Each restaurant is covered in colorful artwork. It’s fun to take a seat and really look at all of the décor while waiting for your food. That is also what makes visiting different locations fun, is that they all have the same type of atmosphere and theme, but the artwork is different at each location so it’s fun to check them all out!

Another thing you will notice pretty quickly is the famous sauce bar. The sauce bar features a large variety of sauces, ranging from mild to extremely spicy. All with entertaining names that give an insight to how hot/mild the sauces are. The line up starts with “Sissy” (mild sauce, marked with a happy face) and ends with the sauce titled “Death” (the hottest sauce, marked with a dark looking death face.) They also have a wide selection of sauces available to purchase.

We can’t forget about the sweet endings! You have your choice of cookie dough flautas, churros (or both!). The flautas are good, but we LOVE the churros!! Served hot, fresh and just oooooo so good! Sometimes we stop in for the churros alone.

We’ve eaten at Tijuana Flats several times during our visits to Orlando and is always one of those “vacation places” we think about when we’re back home – and often crave those churros! We usually stop here on a day that we want to go out, but don’t want to deal with a full-service restaurant or on days when we want to get our meal quickly. It’s not gourmet food, but is tasty and will get the job done. If you’re looking for a quicker, fun meal, it’s a great place to check out.

Keep in mind that every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday. You can get two tacos, chips and drinks for $4.99. Looking for someone to cater an event? Tijuana Flat does that too!

Oh, by the way, dads eat free this Sunday for Father’s Day! Dad’s can get a free entree with the purchase of another entree.

Tijuana Flats closed to Universal – map & links

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Official website: http://www.tijuanaflats.com/locations/fl/orlando/sand-lake

Tijuana Flats – photo gallery

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One of the many great things about Orlando is that there is plenty to do, even on rainy days. Don’t let the rain spoil your fun! Here are some great ideas for rainy days around the International Drive area when the weather tries to soak your good mood:

Attractions

Explore a world of whacky fun at WonderWorks and Ripley’s Believe it or Not! WonderWorks is an “amusement park for the mind!” You can have fun with over 100 interactive exhibits, including laying on a bed of nails, lazer tag (additional cost) and designing your own roller coaster. At Ripley’s Believe it or Not you get to explore the world of the bizarre and weird showcased in variety of displays and galleries.

www.wonderworksonline.com/orlando

www.ripleys.com/orlando

For the thrill seekers there is iFlyOrlando, where you can experience the sensation of sky diving indoors!

www.iflyorlando.com/ifly-indoor-skydiving

Take a trip back in time at Titanic the Experience. Updated in January of 2012, Titanic the Experience features over 400 pieces of memorabilia and 100 artifacts recovered from the wreck site of Titanic. Some of these items include personal belongings from the Titanic’s passengers and crew as well as a 3-ton portion of the ship’s hull!

You will be guided through this experience by storytellers in period costumes.

www.titanictheexperience.com

NEW! CSI: The Experience gives you the chance to test your investigative skills and crack the case.

orlando.csiexhibit.com/index.html

Recreation

If you’re looking for a place to have the kids burn off some energy stop by Monkey Joe’s. They’ll be able to bounce, slide and have tons of fun at this indoor playground

www.monkeyjoes.com

Stop by the World Bowling Center for some family fun or a day of friendly competition with friends. This state of the art bowling center has 32 lanes, touch screens, a snack bar and full beer and liquor bar.

www.worldbowlingcenter.com

Dave & Buster’s is a great place to grab a bite to eat and enjoy some of the latest and greatest video and interactive games. See the OI review or visit their site:

www.daveandbusters.com

Shopping

The outlet malls on International Drive are one of its most popular destinations. With hundreds of shops, tons of discounts, and an almost endless amount of retail shopping choices for everyone in the family, at least one stop should be on your itinerary regardless of the weather.

Orlando Premium Outlets International Drive (closer to Universal):

www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=96 – or see the OI review

Orlando Premium Outlets Vineland Ave (closer to Disney World):

www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/outlet.asp?id=17 – or see the OI review

Another shopping destination is Pointe Orlando, near the Orlando Convention Center. While it does not offer quite the array of shopping available at the outlet malls, the complex does have a fabulous movie theater and many superb restaurants, so shopping is only part of the only reason to visit:

www.pointeorlando.com – or see the OI review

It is important to note that the options above are “outdoor” malls, meaning that you will have to walk outside to get from one shop to the next. If you want a traditional “indoor” mall setting, you have three choices…

Festival Bay Mall features a collection of specialty stores like the Bass Pro Shop Outdoor World, Ron Jon Surf Shop and Sheplers Western Wear to name a few. However, it is worth noting that the mall is in the process of switching owners, and there are many empty retail spaces in it.

Don’t miss the Putting Edge for an indoor glow in the dark mini golf experience — check out the OI review.

Festival Bay Mall also houses a movie theater and a variety of eateries including Fuddruckers, Asian Café, ChurroMania (one of my favorites) and more.

www.shopfestivalbaymall.com

For people who want to purchase upscale merchandise — or just browse through it — Mall at Millenia will be your destination. Featuring big name fashion and homewares in a sublime shopping environment, this complex is an ideal retreat from the rain. However, do note that Mall at Millenia is a few miles north of International Drive.

www.mallatmillenia.com

Movie Theaters

Catching a movie is always a great way to spend a rainy day. There are several movie theaters in the area.

Cinemark at the Festival Bay Mall

Regal Cinemas at Pointe Orlando — they’ve got a fantastic IMAX screen

AMC Universal Cineplex 20 with IMAX at Universal City Walk – Don’t forget about the Meal & Movie deal when at CityWalk!

Dinner Shows

Dinner Shows are great for a rainy day and add fun entertainment to your dinning experience. International drive has a variety of options for you to pick from.

Pirate’s Dinner Adventure: Live your night as a Pirate at this interactive dinner show. Enjoy a musical comedy theatre, full of action and adventure! And a Caribbean Pirate’s feast. The best part is all of the action takes place on a replica 18th century Spanish Galleon.

www.piratesdinneradventure.com

Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater: At the Sleuths Mystery Dinner you’re the detective! Enjoy a delicious dinner (you will have a menu to select from a variety of options.) All meals are served with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks. Visitor’s will be a part of the action and mingle with characters to help solve the crime!

www.sleuths.com

Titanic Dinner Event (at Titanic the Experience): Relive one of the most famous dinner parties in history. You’ll recreate the Widener Party, celebrating the retirement of Captain Smith.

www.titanictheexperience.com/titanic-dinner-event/

Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show (at Wonderworks): Be entertained by comical magic while enjoy a variety of unlimited pizza, salad, popcorn, beer, wine, soda and desserts.

www.wonderworksonline.com/…/outta-control-magic-comedy-dinner-show/ – Or see the OI review

Nightlife

Ice Bar Orlando: At the Ice Bar you’ll be transported to an icy wonderland. 50 tons of ice creates this winter wonderland. You’ll be given a warm thermal cape and gloves to keep you warm during your experience (and returned upon exit.) Enjoy adult beverages and a visit to the Fire Lounge to warm up after your chilly adventure.

www.icebarorlando.com

Howl at the Moon: This dueling piano bar is one of International Drive’s most popular nightlife spots. Stop in for drinks and high energy piano dueling.

www.howlatthemoon.com/locations/location-orlando

Along with these two fun places, Pointe Orlando is full of a variety of restaurants and nightlife entertainment as well.

www.pointeorlando.com

How do I get there?

All of the places mentioned above can be reached by the I-Ride Trolley. You can visit their website for route information, pricing and more. OI subscribers, view our I-Ride Trolley guide.

How do I save money?

You will almost always pay the highest price right at the door for any attraction or show. (After all, you’re standing right there, waiting to get in.) So, to save money, be sure to check the websites we’ve provided — many offer discounts for online or advance purchases.

For more information about the International Drive area, check all of our blog posts filed under International Drive or visit InternationalDriveOrlando.com.

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