Universal’s Islands of Adventure® labels 2012 “An Extraordinary Year to Be Here.” The reasons why, of course, are the rides: one a mind-blowing revamp, the other debuting not all that long ago.
It’s amazing what a difference high-def 3-D makes – especially then the subject is a guy dressed in spidery red and blue tights. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® just reopened with new high-def animation, great graphics and upgraded sound and lights. The effect is seamlessly stunning.
This ride’s not for everyone. There’s a height limit. Kids between 40 inches and 48 inches tall have to be accompanied by what Universal terms a “supervising companion.”
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ has been around for a while, but it’s still just as magical, just as mythic. Enter via towering castle gates, and wind your way through the maze-like corridors of Hogwarts. See Dumbledore’s Office, the brooding Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, and the Gryffindor Common room. All conjure up memories of book and film.
That done, soar above Hogwarts , the magical castle that’s been indelibly embedded in our collective entertainment conscious for the past 10 years.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey™ has won all sorts of accolades form theme park aficionados. Head on down and see why.
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Images: Universal Orlando)