Special Reports Archives
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October
1, 2001 by Jeff Kern
Walt Disney World Resort officially started their
15-month-long celebration in honor of the man that started it all, Walt
Disney. This year, December 5, 2001, marks the 100th anniversary of Walt's
birth and the resort has decided to celebrate in all corners of their
World.
I decided to take the opportunity of an extra day off of
work and see some of the things that were going to happen during this
celebration.
I started out at the Magic Kingdom on October 1st,
coming off of the first express monorail from the Transportation and
Ticket Center. I found coffee and then a spot in front of the train
station to see what was going on.
A short and sweet, but well-done, ceremony was held to
start things off for the next fifteen months. Some music from the Main
Street Philharmonic and the Barbershop Quartet started the morning, and Al
Weiss greeted everyone with a short dedication. Cast members who have been
with Walt Disney World for the thirty years that it has been open were VIP
guests, and a train filled with everyone's favorite characters pulled into
the station to help start the party. A song from an anonymous singer
brought Mickey Mouse out and revealed the logo for the celebration.
Cinderella Castle was my next stop to see the new stage
show, Cinderella's
 Surprise Celebration. It's not a cast of thousands, but
a well-done production that stars Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother, and
many of the characters that we've all become familiar with our entire
lives. It's the first new show I've seen done at the castle in many, many
years. After the show, a group of characters came down to meet and greet
guests in the hub.
A special 11 a.m. performance of the "Share a Dream
Come True" parade was being presented, so I found a good spot on the
curb. The parade is comprised of snow globes that feature Mickey Mo use,
Pinocchio, Aladdin, the Evil Queen from Snow White, a triple-length float
with Cinderella & Prince Charming, Belle & the Beast and Ariel
& Prince Eric, and the finale float featuring the Castle. The floats
have a mix of well-known Disney characters on and surrounding them, each
with a theme to add to the theme. The parade stops, does a little show,
and then brings people into the street to interact with the characters for
a few minutes; then it moves on down Main Street.
Following the parade, I had a little lunch at Cosmic
Ray's Starlight Cafe and then decided it was time to start the rest of my
journey, using Disney transportation, of course. A monorail ride and then
bus ride took me to Disney's Animal Kingdom for my next dose of the magic.
I had some free time, so decided to go and see Festival
of the Lion King. I've seen that show many times and I still enjoy it as
much as the first time I saw it.
Are you ready for my biggest complaint of this whole 100
Years of Magic celebration? The answer is pre-parade and pre-show
announcements. They have really nice lead ins to parades and shows, even a
new one for the Lion King show, and they all start with a voice that talks
about Walt Disney and then leads into to "Walt Disney once said …"
and the voice changes to a male voice to finish the sentence. It's not
Walt Disney, so why change the voice to a man. Just say it. Anyhow, I
digress.
I parked myself in Discovery Island, behind the masking
tape, and waited for the 3 p.m. Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade. I was
skeptical because of the
 past, but was very surprised by the performance
that awaited me. Simple, yet effective is the only way I can describe it.
It has all of the basics, a kitchy soundtrack, characters on four main
floats, dancers, smaller floats and performers between the main float, and
guests riding in the parade. It's approximately ten minutes long and it's
perfect for the park by giving everyone just enough and not filling up the
entire park with floats making it impossible to travel anywhere.
I strategically located myself so I could exit quickly
after the parade had finished, because I had to hop on a bus and head over
to the Disney-MGM Studios for the 4:30 p.m. Stars and Motorcade Parade. I
had plenty of time, so I got a beverage and found a spot to sit and enjoy
it. The parade is set as an old Hollywood parade that brings the stars
down the boulevard in a convertible to wave to the crowd and to a
television/movie audience. In the same style as those old parades, there
is a host located at three points along the parade route to commentate and
introduce the big stars to everyone. The stars do come out and travel in
cars designed just for them. While I won't name them all, expect to see
stars from Mulan, Aladdin, Star Wars and Disney Playhouse as well as many,
many others. This parade also shows that Walt Disney World really took
their theme parks and built a parade around them and themed each of them
to their surroundings.
I had one magical stop left to make, so I hopped on
another bus and was off to Epcot, the final stop of the evening. I took a
spot in World Showcase, between Mexico and Norway, to watch the new
Tapestry of Dreams parade.
 Epcot has taken the same drum floats, giant
puppets and background music from Dreams' predecessor and replaced the
Sage of Time with the Dream Makers. The Dream Makers are elf-like
characters who spawn children's dreams, as heard throughout the show with
sayings in different languages like "I want to grow up and be an
astronaut" and "I want to learn a foreign language." I
don't think the changes were drastic enough to show it as something new,
but it's different, and whether I like that or not, it's something that
people will enjoy while they're in World Showcase.
My 12-hour journey had to come to an end, mostly because
I had dinner plans and was tired from all the moving around, so off to the
monorail and the Magic Kingdom parking lot to end my day of four parades
in four parks in one day!
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By Valerie L. Bungart
You can’t teach your tired old taste buds new
tricks…or can you? It
seems you can when you spend an evening discovering all there is to
enjoy at Jiko, the upscale restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Lodge.
 The culinary gurus behind Jiko have set out to
take ingredients you’ve always known and loved, and combine them
unconventionally. This
forces your taste buds to take a journey out of the ordinary and
venture off into a whole new direction.
So if you’re game, grab your napkin and let’s begin.
Consider baked chicken and mashed potatoes.
Just like Grandma served every Sunday, right?
Well, not quite. Jiko
takes those tired old chicken and spuds and livens them up with
grapefruit, garlic and olives.
It’s not grandma’s Sunday dinner any more!
Other unique combinations include:
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Beef tenderloin over roasted macaroni and
cheese with red wine sauce
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Crispy cinnamon-spiced beef
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Sea bass with apples, mushrooms and pureed
asparagus steamed and wrapped in a banana leaf
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Cucumber, red onion and tomato marinated in
vanilla with watermelon dressing
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Champagne and sugar congealed to the
consistency of “gummy
bears,” cut into strips and served as dessert noodles covered in
Moroccan tea and surrounded by blackberries and raspberries
Sound wild?
No doubt. Is it
delicious? Absolutely!
Still feeing adventurous?
(I knew you would…) Here
are a few recommendations to take with you when you visit Jiko:
As you prepare to read the menu, tell you taste
buds, “For the next several hours, we’re going on a little
adventure. It worked
for Lewis and Clark, and Ben and Jerry, and it will work for us.
Jiko is a little different from any place we’ve been before, but I
promise you it won’t hurt a bit…in fact, we’re going to enjoy
it.”
Ask questions of your servers. The staff is highly knowledgeable, very attentive, and aware
you might be just a wee bit leery of trying somewhat different food.
They’ll offer suggestions, tell you how food is prepared,
and even let you know what taste sensations to expect from various
combinations.
Take time to sit back and enjoy your
surroundings. Jiko’s
décor is simple yet beautiful.
The bird lamps “flying” across the dark blue ceiling. the
luminescent tiles decorating the
large floor-to-ceiling columns, and the two wood-burning ovens all
give Jiko a tranquil, warmly intimate feel.
If you like wine, again, Jiko is the place to
be adventurous. The
restaurant prides itself on offering only African wines…some
70-plus varieties, many, of which, are available only at Jiko
(unless you plan to travel to Africa, of course).
And when you dine, your experience will be made
all the more special if your server is Jeff from Boston, Mass. Jeff answered every question, filled every request, paced the
meal perfectly, and kept us entertained with his humorous
observations. Jiko
would be a delight any night, but it was even more so thanks to
Jeff.
Jiko (gee’ koh) is Swahili for “the cooking
place.” Without a
doubt the kitchen staff definitely knows how to cook in this place!
So leave your pre-conceived ideas of what food “should”
taste like and dive into the gourmet adventure that is Jiko.
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By Rick and Gayle Perlmutter
 Lately,
we’ve been spending a lot of time at Universal Orlando. It might
seem odd for a couple who usually write about Walt Disney World, but
we’ve had our reasons. This year, for the first time, we’re
covering Universal Orlando in our guidebook. If you’re
wondering why, the answer is simple: Now that Universal Orlando has
2 luxurious resorts, it has become a theme park destination.
Of course, we love theme parks. But we must tell you that for us, a
theme park adventure must be part of a larger picture, one that also
includes luxurious accommodations, good food, and exciting night
life. In just one brief stay at Universal’s Portofino Bay Hotel,
we found all these things and a kind of theme park adventure that
was something really different from what we were used to.
Universal’s
two theme parks, Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, have an
“in-your-face” kind of fun and an edginess that was new to us.
Universal Orlando is a place of over-the-top coasters and
pulse-pounding thrill rides. It’s a different kind of theme park
adventure and one we thought our readers would want to know about.
The Hotels of Universal Orlando
We love
luxury resorts. For us, it’s what travel is all about. If all it
took to satisfy us was “all the comforts of home,” we’d
probably just stay there. These hotels did not disappoint.
Universal
Orlando features 2 very different resorts, Portofino Bay Hotel and
Hard Rock Hotel. Both are luxurious and comfortable and both feature
everything that seasoned travelers like ourselves have come to
expect: beautiful and spacious accommodations, wonderful service,
great restaurants, and a special and memorable atmosphere. And these
wonderful hotels not only offer an unequalled proximity to the
Universal Orlando attractions but also a theme park benefit so
amazing it made us feel very special. In fact, it gave us an idea of
what a visit to Walt Disney World must be like for Michael Eisner.
“No
Line, No Wait” is a perk for guests of Hard Rock or Portofino Bay
that enables them to get right into virtually any attraction at
Universal Orlando without waiting in line. It’s like FASTPASS on
steroids and it made our time at Universal casual and relaxing. And
this perk allowed us to see just about everything we wanted to see
in just a few days. “No Line, No Wait” makes staying in one of
Universal Orlando’s onsite hotels a real “no-brainer.”
As for location, guests
of either hotel can simply hop aboard one of the beautiful motor
launches that make the quick trip to the Universal Attractions.
Disembarkation is at CityWalk and only a few steps from either theme
park. A charming garden walkway is another choice and is especially
nice after dark.
Both
Portofino and the Hard Rock are Loews Hotels, a company that
proclaims “Loews loves kids!” Both hotels feature a
variety of perks for young guests: from a “Kid’s Closet” of
toys to affordable two-room Kids Suites designed especially for
families. Parents Magazine cites Loews as the top U.S. hotel chain
for family travel. It’s easy to see why.
The Portofino Bay Hotel
 This
charming place is a re-creation of its namesake, a picturesque
village on the Italian Riviera that is a getaway for the world’s
rich and famous. We’ll tell you that it seems more like a village
in Italy than it does a themed hotel. Universal’s Portofino clings
to the shores of a small harbor where a fleet of fishing boats lay
quietly at anchor. The hotel’s beautiful piazzas, sparkling
fountain courtyards, and narrow cobbled streets make it romantic and
picturesque. Olive groves, small vineyards, and the colorful and
decorative trompe l'oeil lend it a real sense of authenticity. And
here on the lovely shores of Universal’s Mediterranean, is the
luxurious Spa at the Portofino Bay Hotel.
Our
standard room was lavishly furnished and surprisingly spacious (a
stunning 450 square feet!). Bath robes, umbrella, bathroom scale,
and luxurious toiletries were just a few of the amenities we
enjoyed. After our first restful night, our only discomfort
came with thoughts of check out.
The Hard Rock Hotel
 The
beautiful fountain in front of this California mission-style hotel
is a water-splashed spiral of bronze electric guitars. It speaks
volumes about this place. Inside, the strains of classic rock are
nearly everywhere. The lavish lobby features numerous displays of
Hard Rock’s extensive collection of authentic rock memorabilia:
autographed guitars, sequined costumes, and psychedelic posters
advertising famous music festivals. But all is not simply music and
artifacts here at the Hard Rock. This hotel is not just luxurious
and beautiful but also casual and fun. Hard Rock claims to be the
first in a new generation of hotels. We couldn’t agree more.
Even
though the Hard Rock is a place of non-stop music and partying, our
room was a safe haven of luxury and peace. Our spacious and
well-appointed accommodations enjoyed some smart and stylish
contrasts. The monotone beige of walls, bedspreads, and drapes were
elegantly contraposed by the simple black and white photos of rock
superstars and by the gentle curves and warm wood tones of bedstead
and dresser. As modern as these furnishings were, they also seemed
to evoke the stylish opulence of the 1920s. A plush carpet of teal
and green brought everything together, to create an overall effect
that seemed chic and soothing, even glamorous.
The Universal Orlando Theme Parks
 Our
first theme park visit to Universal Orlando was to Islands of
Adventure. The five separate areas here are really like different
parks, each with its own unique theming and assortment of rides,
shops, and restaurants. Some of the theming we enjoyed especially
well: Port of Entry, Jurassic Park, and the Lost Continent.
Nearly
wherever we went in the park, we could hear the screams coming from
the park’s three world-class roller coasters, as they whipped
through impossible-looking corkscrews and loop-de-loops. It’s hard
to have favorites with this many rides, but here are few of them:
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Popeye & Bluto’s
Bilge-Rat Barges, Poseidon’s Fury, and Jurassic Park River
Adventure.
We
hadn’t visited Universal Studios in years and were delighted to
find so many new attractions that it seemed like a different place.
We rode Men in Black at least three times (Gayle has recently
discovered she likes to shoot things). Other favorites here were
Terminator 2 3-D, Jaws, Back to the Future, and Alfred Hitchcock
Presents. There were many others and we spent several days enjoying
the Studios. It was especially easy with our “No Line, No Wait”
passes.
CityWalk
CityWalk is Universal’s place for nightclubs, restaurants, dance
clubs, and shops. It even has a 20-screen Cineplex (we saw Crouching
Tiger, Hidden Dragon). Some of the clubs here are surprisingly
beautiful, especially Pat O’Brien’s and Bob Marley’s. In the
evenings, there’s always something fun going on at the CityWalk
stage. Later, clubs like CityJazz and the Latin Quarter
feature live music well into the wee hours. We especially enjoyed
the entertainment at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. We spent more
than a few evenings here, browsing the shops (our favorite is The
Endangered Species Store) and enjoying the food and music.
Dining at Universal Orlando
There are so many great places to eat at Universal Orlando that we
had trouble fitting them all in. At the hotels, we enjoyed The Palm,
Sunset Grill, Mama Della’s, and the sublimely romantic Delfino
Riviera. Eating at CityWalk was no less inviting with Emeril’s
Restaurant Orlando, the Latin Quarter, NBA City, and Jimmy
Buffett’s Margaritaville. Even the theme parks have some good food
offerings. Our meal in Mythos at Islands of Adventure was memorable
and reasonably-priced, too.
And in the End …
So, after more than a month of
Universal Orlando, we are just as impressed by it as we were during
our first days. If you’ve never been, we think you should give it
a try. Just don’t go expecting to find a place that tries to be
another Disney. Universal doesn’t try to be like any other place.
It simply doesn’t have to.
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for Themeparks.com by Valerie Bungart
 Recently I was treated to a construction tour of the
soon-to-be-completed Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The following
adjectives immediately came to mind: Breath-taking. Beautiful.
Unbelievable. Huge. Gorgeous. Exquisite. O.K. So by now you probably get
my point: this is resort paradise! Let’s just say that if you crave
luxury, first-class treatment and being surrounded by atmosphere, subtle
elegance and animals, animals and more animals, then you are going to
absolutely love this place!
I’ve never been to Africa, but I can imagine that
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge looks as authentic as any man-made
structure can. Designed by architect Peter Dominick (who also designed
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge), this sprawling resort will magically take
you away from Central Florida and plop you down in the middle of a
thriving African savannah…complete with the unique vistas, sounds and
creatures naturally found there.
When entering the lobby, guests will realize they’re
actually on the third floor of the resort. This doesn’t become apparent
until you’re inside and see before you a gigantic wall of glass
affording you an uninterrupted view of the animals on the savannah below.
The lobby is meant to bustle and thrive with the excitement and movement
of an African village. Here guests will move about, "natives"
will entertain with songs, dances, artwork and tales of old, and African
tribal masks and spears will decorate tall wooden pillars. A three-story
mud fireplace will be the center of activity. And a stream will flow
through the lobby.
Now the stream begins to spill and rush downward to the
ground floor three stories down. In so doing, the stream becomes the
architect’s version of Africa’s Victoria Falls. The water gushes past
the glass walls of Jiko, the resort’s signature fine-dining restaurant,
specializing in home-cooking and a massive selection of African wines.
At ground level the waterfall comes to an unexpected
hush as it becomes a still "lake" – actually the resort’s
massive swimming pool. The pool comes complete with a twisting slide, and
what I call a "swim in" where wheelchair guests can literally
roll their chairs into the water for easy access for a swim.
That same water that flows through the lobby, becomes
the waterfall and then fills the pool, continues to appear to fill a small
lagoon beyond the swimming pool. This lagoon is home to numerous water
fowl, including exotic ducks, ibis and flamingos.
After a sumptuous meal and an invigorating swim, it’s
time to retreat to our guest rooms, which you’ll find are comfortably
appointed and beautifully decorated. As with most Disney resorts, the
rooms at the Animal Kingdom Lodge typically include two double beds,
several chairs, an armoire, large bathroom, and balcony.
As for décor, visualize the colorations and markings of
a lion, cheetah, giraffe, leopard and gazelle. This should give you a good
idea of the hues, shades and textures used in the interior decorating
scheme, which is rich and warm. Each room has chairs, headboards, mirror
frames and armoires of the same dark wood and carved designs, yet each
piece will be unique unto itself. This is because every wood item was
hand-crafted by an African artisan and therefore carries his/her own
distinct style.
Many of the 1,293 rooms offer a spectacular view of the
savannahs, where giraffes, zebras, ostrich and gazelles live and roam. But
oh beware the rooms that overlook the parking lot and the service
area/unloading dock. No doubt these are the $199/night views.
Now let me tell you about the $510-plus/night views!
There are 980 first class rooms; 294 deluxe; 17 one-bedroom suites, one
Presidential suite and one Vice Presidential suite. It’s easy to spot
the suites…all are located on the top floor, overlooking the savannahs.
Each has a domed thatched roof, and because they skim the treetops, they
give the appearance of being little African tree houses scattered across
the savannahs. We were given access to a one-bedroom suite. It featured a
half bath, wet bar and refrigerator, large sitting room, bedroom,
gargantuan bathroom, walk-in closet and a huge balcony that spanned the
entire width of the suite. The view was spectacular! Not only were we
looking across treetops in the distance, but we also had the entire
savannah and its animals at our feet. The visual effect was incredible. I
can’t begin to imagine what the luxuries and views must be like from the
Presidential and Vice Presidential Suites.
We asked about the safety of the animals. After all,
guests are going to be within easy range of tossing gummy bears, toys,
plastic bags, cans and bottles and all nature of dangerous objects at the
animals below. We were told there will be a seemingly endless supply of
in-room warnings in the form of magnets, stickers, notes and the like to
remind guests to be respectful of the animals. My favorite means of animal
protection is the corral; but not the type of corral you’d expect. Yes,
it’s an enclosed structure comprised of red clay ground and a
surrounding fence. But it’s not for the animals…it’s for the resort’s
guests! In the event of an emergency that necessitates the evacuation of
the building, some of the guests might be forced to evacuate to the rear
of the building. In the event this occurs, the guests will be
"herded" into the corral as a means to keep both the animals on
the nearby savannah and the people safe!
There are many more areas of the Animal Kingdom Lodge
that were not yet complete enough to be included in our tour. They include
Boma: Flavors of Africa (a self-service, family-style restaurant with a
marketplace setting); Mara (an express restaurant); Victoria Falls
(gourmet coffees and teas, South African wines, international beers, and
cocktails in the mezzanine lounge); and Zawadi Marketplace (a "gift
safari" featuring Zulu baskets, hand-loomed fabrics and hand-carved
masks). Bus transportation will be available from the Animal Kingdom Lodge
to all points of Walt Disney World. There will be no walking trails
between the lodge and the Animal Kingdom park; bus transportation or
personal auto will be the only means of travel between those two
locations.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is scheduled to open
April 16, 2001, six days short of the third anniversary of the opening of
Disney’s Animal Kingdom park.
At the moment, the Animal Kingdom Lodge might still be a
construction site, but it’s already the most amazing Disney resort I’ve
seen…and that’s saying quite a lot! If you’re interested in making
reservations (and I know you are), phone 407.W-DISNEY (934-7639).
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for
Themeparks.com by Rick and Gayle Perlmutter
email Rick and Gayle
 This
tale begins with “Deep in the heart of Africa...” Well, actually
it’s really more like “somewhere at Disney’s Animal Kingdom…”
there is a delightful little trail that you’ll find neither on any map
nor marked by any signpost. Created as part of the park’s sense of
adventure, this hidden feature is there solely for you to discover. Of
course, we won’t tell you where it is, but we’ll tell you what it’s
like and how we found it.
 Before
the park opened, we had visited several times and were organizing our own
information so that we could write about it accurately. Amidst our piles
of notes and press releases, we found an interview of Joe Rhode, one of
the moving forces behind this marvelous place. Late in the interview, he
mentioned a “hidden walk” somewhere in the park. It was there, he
said, simply for people to discover on their own. No signs, no pavement,
and it did not appear on any map.
The next morning, we rushed to the
park and began a careful search. It didn’t take us too long to find it
and, while it is certainly not “an attraction,” it most definitely was
a discovery. The small and unpaved loop path runs through the dense
“jungle.” If you take it, you’ll know you’ll have found it when
you ford several small streams on some well-placed “rocks.”
On our visits to Disney’s Animal
Kingdom, we always take this short stroll both to enjoy the solitude
[we’ve never seen another soul on it] and to see how discovered it has
become. No doubt, others have found it, for the signs are there to see.
Yet, it seems mostly missed by the park’s many visitors and thus, what
we call “the secret path,” largely remains one of the Animal
Kingdom’s undiscovered adventures.
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Disney's
Animal Kingdom Lodge
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 for
Themeparks.com by Rick and Gayle Perlmutter
email Rick and Gayle
Friends, we just returned from a tour of the
under-construction ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE and are quite anxious to get a few
words down on paper [so to speak]. First off, for those of you waiting for
this place to open, we can only say : “make your reservations.” This
place will really be something special, even compared to other Disney
Resorts. Also, we were told that CRO started booking rooms on April 1st
at a speed never before seen for a new resort. We can tell you how
wonderful this resort will be and this from seeing many renderings, room
mock-ups, furniture and room furnishings, a model, and then walking and
driving around and through the site with the GM. Here’s a little of what
we learned:
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The AKL will be a big resort [1307 rooms], but because of
its unique semi-circular design, it will not seem overly large. Theming
and architecture will come together here in ways only hinted at by
the Wilderness Lodge. The resort will appear almost hidden from view from
the entrance, which will actually be on the 3rd floor of the
cavernous lobby building. A “log” superstructure and “thatch”
roofing will make it look like something of a large, natural structure.
The resort will feature 3, 10-acre savannahs, each featuring its own
collection of animals. These savannahs were actually constructed first so
that the animals can be introduced this summer. They are
impressive, indeed. 90% of the rooms will feature views of one or more of
these wildlife areas. A mere 70 rooms will have views of the parking areas
in the front of the resort.
As we’ve said, the lobby is large, maybe even larger
than the Grand Floridian. Certainly, it will be more themed, more exotic,
more impressive. A suspension bridge, a waterfall, chandeliers of Zulu
battle shields, and a glass wall at one end that overlooks the central
savannah are but a few of the amazing details here. Disney, we can tell
you, is really going all-out for this one! But wait, there’s so much
more…
Accommodations at this marvelous creation will feature
hand-carved room furnishings; each room will be unique and definitely
exotic. Fabrics will be African and drapes will resemble tent material,
tied back as they would be on the African veldt for your own safari view
of the animals below. Rooms will be standard or deluxe and price point
will be from Wilderness Lodge to Grand Floridian, depending on your choice
of room, floor, and location. Concierge service and suites will be located
in the lobby, as are those at the Grand Floridian. Like the Wilderness
Lodge, some rooms will feature a single queen bed and bunk beds.
Each wing of the resort will feature viewing areas as
well as the vistas from balconies [all rooms have balconies]. A walkway
will take you from the lobby out onto the central Savannah for a close-up
look of the wildlife gathered around the watering hole. Such strolls will
be possible at all hours of day or night. Each wildlife area will feature
giraffes and other beasts and birds.
For restaurants, there will be two table-service
eateries adjacent to the lobby and overlooking the pool and wildlife area
just beyond it. One restaurant will be a family one, featuring an eclectic
mix of cuisines, much like what you might find in various places on the
African continent. The second restaurant will be contemporary, perhaps
something you might enjoy in one of Africa’s larger cities such as
Durban or Capetown. There will also be a unique counter-service restaurant
that will feature cooked-to-order meals. Of course, there will be lounges,
a pool bar, and lots of other surprise, both large and small. And of
course, there will be the story of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. All this and
more await this resort’s guests. We don’t know about you, but we
can’t wait until opening day in April 2001.
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SeaWorld
Orlando's Kraken
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Kraken
for Themeparks.com by Valerie Bungart
Soaring. Sailing. Swooping. Spiraling. Spinning.
Speeding silently through space. Taking a ride on Kraken, the
soon-to-open-record-setting roller coaster at SeaWorld Orlando, is all
this and more!
Billed as the longest, highest and fastest coaster in
Orlando, Kraken takes riders through seven inversions, three underground
tunnels, a 150’ drop, and possibly the smoothest and most exhilarating
ride you’ve yet to experience.
 Just
climbing to the top of the lift hill is thrill enough. It takes a while as
your 32-passenger car creeps into position. As you momentarily sit at the
top of the world (Wow! What a view from up there!), your adrenaline starts
pumping and you’re ready for the ensuing ride. It’s so fast (65 - 69
mph) and so smooth (specially designed Nylon wheels make for a sleek,
almost silent ride), that you’re giddy from the feeling of taking flight
and soaring like an eagle high above the earth.
Kraken is being labeled a "floorless" coaster
– there is no structure over the riders’ heads; their feet dangle
freely; and their seats sit "armchair-style" on the coaster
track. Did this design make a difference in the ride? I must admit I was
having such a grand time, I didn’t even notice. But I promise I will
return to ride again and again…and next time I will be more observant of
my surroundings.
SeaWorld has a mega hit on their hands. Start queuing
now…the lines are certain to be long. But it will be worth the wait.
Kraken is now officially open to the public...go forth
and ride!
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