Universal Studios

Like that "other" Orlando attraction destination, Universal Studios theme park Orlando is a world-class Florida attraction with wild rides and famous characters. Built as a direct challenge to Disney World in 1990, Universal Studios Orlando has succeeded with interactive rides where guests play action star in blockbuster movies. More than just a working studio theme park, Universal Studios Orlando destinations also include Universal Islands of Adventure amusement park, and the Wet 'n Wild water park.

Universal Studios

Discover a world beyond Disney at Universal Studios. Universal has six themed areas, made up of a Hollywood backlot area where guests enjoy interactive 3-D movies and film-related displays, and a lagoon encircled by awesome thrill rides. While grown-ups scream on action rides like Twister ... Ride It Out, Terminator 2 3-D: Battle Across Time, and Men in Black: Alien Attack, toddlers can spend A Day in the Park with Barney. Avoid long waits at major attractions with the Universal Express and Express PLUS passes.

Revenge of the Mummy takes you back to ancient Egypt in a $40-million indoor rollercoaster. Ten years in the making, this hi-tech surround-sound-enhanced ride hurls riders twisting and turning through darkened tombs past skeletal warriors, fireballs, and creepy crawlers.

Shrek 4-D lets you join Shrek, Princess Fiona, Lord Farquaad, and the Three Little Pigs on a multi-sensory fairytale adventure. Special effects involve water spritzers, pneumatic motion simulator seats, and "OgreVision" glasses.

Nickelodeon fans of all ages will enjoy Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast. Travel on state-of-the-art motion simulator seats in Jimmy's Rocket Pod, along with Cindy Vortex and Jimmy's robot dog Goddard. Also featured are characters from SpongeBob SquarePants, Rugrats, and the Wild Thornberrys.

Other longstanding favorites include ET Adventure, Earthquake - the Big One, and Jaws.

Universal Studios is a working motion picture and TV production studio. Occasionally there's live filming done at Nickelodeon's sound stage. Forty actual sets are exhibited along Hollywood Boulevard and Rodeo Drive.

Universal Islands of Adventure gives stiff competition to Tampa rival Busch Gardens and lesser cheap Florida theme parks for thrills. Its six themed areas include Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, Lost Continent, Seuss Landing, and Port of Entry.

The top draw is the Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, rated best attraction in the world by Theme Park Insider. It uses coordinated motion simulation, computer animation, 3-D glasses, and special fire and water effects. This literally amazing adventure sends you twisting, spinning, and flying after Spiderman's nemesis, Doc Oc, who breaks through a brick wall, raises your car to the top of a skyscraper, and then releases you for a simulated 400-foot free fall to the pavement below.

If you love roller coasters, you'll love Dueling Dragons. It suspends you beneath one roller coaster track as you hurtle into terrifying near misses with other riders coasting on a dual track.

Recently purchased by Universal, Wet 'n Wild is the most popular water slide park in America, with raft flumes, nearly vertical body slides, wave pools, water cannon battlegrounds, and the indoor water disco Disco H20.