If thrills and chills are a highly anticipated part of your Orlando vacation, make visiting each of these headlining attractions a priority. Each of these rides has a height restriction, and these are not ideal for expectant mothers or those with health issues–but if you’re over 48″ tall and healthy, then get in line for the ride of a lifetime!
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios): Take the plunge down a dark elevator shaft in this fully themed adventure. The Tower of Terror incorporates all the little touches Disney is known for–and you’ll get a different experience each time, thanks to some innovative ride programming.
Hulk (Universal Orlando, Islands of Adventure): From the green track that dominates the Islands of Adventure skyline to the load roar emitted by the ride vehicles, the Hulk is one of Universal’s most thrilling experiences. Expect surprises and extreme G-Forces from the stunning launch through the inversions and corkscrews offered by the Hulk. You won’t catch your breath until you are back on the ground.
Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom): Disney’s latest coaster is one of its greatest thrill rides ever. Expect to experience high speed twists and turns, a full ride reversal and an encounter with the resident Yeti himself.
Kraken (Sea World): Billed as Orlando’s tallest, fastest coaster, the Kraken is one of Sea World’s most thrilling attractions, with huge drops and multiple inversions. The ride car is floor less, so riders feel as though they are whipping through space. This ride is visually intimidating–so the line may be shorter than you would expect. You can board Kraken without a huge wait time almost any time of year–if you dare.
Dragon Challenge (Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter): While the Dragon Challenge lost a little of its bite earlier this year, the coaster still offers plenty of thrills for riders, offering side by side tracks, plenty of high speed inversions, twists and turns. A bonus for young riders is the Harry Potter-inspired theming. Arrive at the Wizarding World early if you want to ride Dragon Challenge–the line can be as scary as the ride itself if you show up later in the day!
Dragon Challenge, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter’s high speed roller coaster, marks a permanent change this week. The ride consists of two separate tracks that intertwine — part of the thrill of this attraction is the near miss experienced when ride vehicles are released and hit the intersection at the same time.
Due to concerns about flying objects (at least two riders were hit with flying debris this summer), Universal Orlando had temporarily changed the timing for this ride. This week, the change became permanent; while both coasters will continue to run, the cars will be released at different times, so they do not cross paths during the ride experience.
Originally released as Dueling Dragons, the coaster features a pair of inverted cars; each track offers riders a different experience. The ride was given a makeover and included in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area, though the vehicles and themeing look different,the ride remains the same.
In recent months, the ride, renamed Dragon Challenge has sparked safety concerns as at least two park guests have been injured by falling debris. The primary concern surrounds items that fall from rider’s hands and pockets while the coasters intersect. At high rates of speed, even pocket change can pose a risk to guests aboard one of the Dragon Challenge vehicles.
Failure to secure loose items presents a safety challenge shared by other coasters, including Disney’s Rock N Roller Coaster and Sea World’s Manta. The risk is magnified by Dragon Challenge’s interlinked tracks and deliberate close calls. By modifying the timing of the Dragon Challenge cars, Universal can eliminate the risk caused by the “close calls” without modifying the track or detracting from the ride.
The change to Dragon Challenge went into effect in mid-summer, and became permanent this week.
If you are heading to our area for an Orlando vacation, we’ve assembled some helpful information to let you get a head start on your packing and itinerary planning. Knowing what to bring can save you some space in your suitcase (and excess baggage fees if you are flying), while hitting the right theme park on the right days can dramatically cut the amount of time you spend waiting in line:
Weather: If an Orlando vacation is in your forecast for October or November, plan on enjoying comfortable temperatures, but pack a lightweight jacket just in case. You may want to keep an eye on the tropics as well. Though it may feel like summer has passed, hurricane season is still in effect in fall.
Events: The Orlando theme parks are bursting with fall events, from the fun and festive Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom to a special Harry Potter film celebration at Universal. If you are in town during the fall, check out the event schedules for each park you plan on visiting so you won’t miss out on the fun.
Crowds: Expect the theme parks to be less crowded than usual, meaning you should be able to enjoy more rides and attractions per day. It is still a good idea to arrive when the park opens; or arrive late in the day to take advantage of evening hours, but even the middle parts of the day will be manageable at Sea World, Universal and Disney World.
Itinerary Tips: Plan to visit the Disney theme parks on days with Extra Magic Hours if you are staying on Disney property. Avoid the Extra Magic Hours park of the day if you are staying offsite; the park will be packed with onsite guests by the time you are allowed in.
Consider these tips as you pack and plan for your fall trip and you’ll be able to add plenty of seasonal fun onto your Orlando vacation.
County commissioners may get a first glimpse into the $200 million dollar addition to Islands of Adventure, but they won’t have any fancy invitation trinkets as mementos. According to new rules regarding gifts, commissioners can’t keep the fancy trinket invitations originally sent by Universal Studios. In the wake of a lobbying scandal,t he county attorney’s office recently instructed a lobbyist for Universal not to send county commissioners elaborate invitations to a May reception previewing the Wizarding World attraction. The exclusive invites included a $40 Harry Potter mementos, which constitute illegal gifts. Commissioners are banned from accepting any gifts, other than meals, from companies and other organizations that employ lobbyists.
Universal would not describe its $40 Harry Potter keepsakes, but said he was told only that they were “something you can put on your desk.” Assistant County Attorney Charles Hawkins said.
Universal Studios hopes to benefit from the wave of enthusiasm that typically accompanies a Harry Potter book or movie release. The theme park is in much need of a positive bounce in visitor attendance, especially after they announced a 12% drop in visitor attendance. Harry Potter’s section in Islands of Adventure marks one of the biggest enhancements to the park since it first opened in 1999. The Wizarding World Of Harry Potter features three main attractions: The Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. Each of the three attractions features revolutionary technology that’s sure to make a lasting impression on every guest. Fans of Harry Potter should find the Island with ease, since the prominent center hub of the Island is Hogwarts castle. Forbidden journey is an interactive journey that combines a robotic ride system with visual immersion special effects. To give the land a 100% authentic feel, Universal park made a series of trips to Scotland to consult with the hands-on Rowling, who signed off on everything from what would be displayed in the Hogsmeade shop windows to the recipes for the butter beer and pumpkin juice served in the restaurant. Click here for Universal Studios Package Deals
Fans of Harry Potter will experience the stories in a new dimension this summer, as Universal Studios opens the Wizarding World Of Harry Potter, the newest island to be added at the popular theme park in Orlando. Previews of Wizadring World have generated a buzz comparable to the lines for a new book release.
J.K. Rowling’s best-selling book series. The new island will feature three main attractions: The Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff and Dragon Challenge. Each of the three attractions features revolutionary technology that’s sure to make a lasting impression on every guest. For example, The Forbidden Kingdom combines an advanced robotic ride system technology with innovative, immersive filmmaking, on a ride that features popular characters from the series, including Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger, Albus Dumbledore, Rubeus Hagrid and Draco Malfoy, Fred and George Weasley, Ginny Weasley and Neville Longbottom. Music on the ride was conducted by the legendary composer, John Williams, who also composed the scores for Jaws, Jurassic Park, Indian Jones, Star Wars, Saving Private Ryan, the Indiana Jones series and many other blockbusters. During the ride, you’ll journey through Floo powder and fly through Hogwarts Academy. Highlights of the ride include a dragon attack, a close encounter with the Whomping Willow, a Quidditch match and more.
Serving as the hub for each of the attractions will be will be Hogwarts castle, a majestic structure that towers over the island. Attractions within the island include Dumbledore’s office, where you meet the Headmaster as he welcomes you to Hogwarts, Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, where you first meet Harry, Ron and Hermione, the Gryffindor common room: along with three other characters who prepare you for your journe. There’s also the Room of Requirement, with hundreds of floating candles above, you take your seat on an enchanted bench and begin the Forbidden Journey
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