What better place to take your family than Disneyworld in popular Orlando, Florida. With multi option theme parks, resorts (such as the most affordable All Star Resort Hotels), Restaurants and nightlife, you will be entertained. The four most popular parks are the “Magic Kingdom”, “Epcot Center”, “MGM Studios”, & the “Animal Kingdom”. All have their uniqueness & specialties.
Magic Kingdom is the most well known and first one opened. A vast array of family & kids rides; fast roller coasters, and of course all your favorite Disney characters are here to meet and take pictures with on timed schedules. There are different lands to visit (Tomorrow Land- Don’t miss Space Mountain if you are into speed rides); Adventure Land; Fantasy Land; Frontier Land;
Liberty Square
and
Main Street
(right near the entrance and where the parade is). Many restaurants, shops, nightly fireworks and more at the happiest place on Earth.
Epcot Center is split up with a diverse union of 11 countries, a huge lake in the middle of the park, restaurants from each country, attractions, rides and shows. The popularity here is to see what the different countries look like and offer as far as culture, food and people. Everyone working there is from that native country. The countries include Canada, United Kingdom, France, Japan, China, Norway, Morocco, Mexico, Italy, Germany, and of course the USA. Each offers something unique being either a short film or live show about the background, history, and beauty. plus you can try their ethnic food at a casual place or by making dining reservations at their more up-scale restaurant. Visit customer relations to book that. Don’t forget to visit the other side of the park for the rides, attractions, and more modernized fun stuff. Some examples include Innovations with computers, space oriented games, and the best ride in the park called “Soarin” (a hangliding simulation with breathless and spectacular views of many places in the world).
MGM Studios is the 3rd major theme park filled with many movie/music/entertainment related attractions and shows. The two most popular rides are the “Rock and Rollercoaster “featuring Aerosmith music as you speed on the best ride of Disneyworld in my opinion if you like the fast thrill. There is also the Tower of Terror (an elevator ride with the Twighlight Zone theme attracted to it) as you get transported up a service elevator but free fall down before bouncing back up & down. The “Indiana Jones” stunt show was my favorite one but there are quite a few others to see.
Lastly, the Animal Kingdom is a combination zoo/safari/rides &attractions park where you visit different areas and time periods. From the pre-historic dinosaurs with a great Dinosaur Ride, to the African safari 20 minute ride seeing all the live species from lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, monkeys and more. There are other popular stops from the gorilla pit, bird attraction and Asia area featuring animals from the far-east. Plenty of options for food including the atmospheric Rainforest Café to the best show in my mind called the “Lion King” taken from the movie. This spectacular show features acrobats, singers, dancers, a fire performer, and great music in the beautiful Disney Theme.
Other notable things to keep in mind include the Fast Pass (a popular feature at the parks for the more crowded rides. Just slip your ticket into the machine and you will be given a time to come back (approx. 1-2 hrs. later) where you enter through a shorter, faster line. Disney also offers bus & water transportation to and from all of their theme parks, resorts, and Disney related destinations such as downtown Disney. Buses are complimentary. You can also get a bus to and from the airport at no cost when you are staying at a Disney property.
Lastly, the show not to miss is “La Nouba”- The ongoing Cirque du Soleil attraction located at downtown Disney adjacent to the House of Blues and near the AMC Theaters & Pleasure Island (the young nightlife area with 7 different clubs to choose from with different music and themes).
La Nouba, which means to live it up or party on in French, is a great creation with a variety of acts, outstanding live music (CD’s are available) and plenty of characters. There is a pre-show with the 2 clown/mimes as they entertain and make fun of each other as well as guests that are just arriving. The start of the show is a fantastic introduction of many of the performers as they walk around the middle walkway of the beautiful tented theater.
This incredible journey incorporates tissue performers hanging and using strength and athleticism; high wire trapeze acts; remarkable balancing by a jaw dropping male gymnast on top of uneven chairs (you have to see this to believe it); a full team of trampoline gymnast & acrobats; & the 2 Best Acts – 2 bicycle riders performing daredevil stunts, jump spins, balancing exhibitions over other performers & invited guests to the stage. Lastly, the 4 young Chinese girls juggling what looked like big spools on yard/rope high into the air while tumbling and performing gymnast moves. These girls didn’t look like they were older than 10-12 years old if that. Just incredible!!
For information on Disneyworld, please visit their specific website at www.disneyworld.com to plan your vacation or buy tickets. For La Nouba, please call (407)939-1298 for the box office for tickets or visit www.cirquedusoleil.com
