Introduction to Universal Studios Florida

"Anything you can do, we can do better." This seems to be the Orlando motto. Every time one park adds an attraction, the next park feels the need to add two attractions (or at least one that's far more impressive), and so on, and so on, and so on. This has been going on since Mickey first arrived in town. The game of cat and mouse between Disney and its top-ranked challenger Universal Orlando, which each year since 1999 has chipped away at what was once WDW's virtual monopoly, however, is all good -- at least for you and me. Each time one park tries to outdo the other, we reap the benefits of their additions. Still, make no mistake: Disney is king, leading in theme parks (4-2) and smaller attractions (9-1). It has a 2-to-1 edge in nightclub venues, a huge lead in restaurants, and, when it comes to hotel rooms, its lead is insurmountable.

Nevertheless, Universal is trying. It had a substantial growth spurt in 1999, bolstering its original park, Universal Studios Florida, with a second theme park, Islands of Adventure; a nightclub and restaurant complex, CityWalk; and its first resort, Portofino Bay, a 750-room Loews hotel. In January 2001, it opened a second resort, the Hard Rock Hotel; and, in 2002, it followed up with the Royal Pacific Resort. And as this book went to press, Universal sent J.K. Rowling fans into a tizzy when it announced it would open a Harry Potter-themed section in Islands of Adventure in 2009. Universal Orlando still has plenty of room for expansion beyond that, and, while the company's lips are sealed, it's known there are plans for at least two more hotels (and they've partnered with several area hotels in the meantime). A golf course and acres of additional rides and attractions are also not inconceivable.

Aside from greater variety, these players mean more multiday packages and special deals for you. To compete with Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Orlando teamed up on multiday pass options a few years back. They offer a FlexTicket that also includes admission to Wet 'n Wild (a Universal-owned water park) and has an optional add-on that includes Busch Gardens in Tampa.

While the wars rage on in the traditional tourist areas, it has finally dawned on the rest of Orlando that Central Florida is one of the world's favorite vacation destinations.

Since the early 1990s, and most notably in the past few years, downtown Orlando has undergone a transformation in hopes of wooing tourists to its own set of attractions, nightclubs, and restaurants. Expansions at the Orlando Museum of Art and the Orlando Science Center combined with an ever-increasing number of upscale dining options and trendy clubs shows the city is trying to grab back a share of tourist dollars. This expansion means visitors can enjoy the spoils: more variety, greater opportunities, and a world beyond the theme parks.

Universal Studios Florida

Even with fast-paced grown-up rides based on blockbusters such as Twister, Terminator, The Mummy, and Men in Black, Universal Studios Florida is a ton of fun for kids. And, as an added plus, it's a working motion picture and TV production studio, so occasionally there's even some live filming taking place. Even when there isn't a film or show in production, you can see reel history displayed in the form of some 40 actual sets exhibited along Hollywood Boulevard and Rodeo Drive. And there are plenty of action shows and rides including Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast, Shrek 4-D, Revenge of the Mummy, Fear Factor Live, and Blue Man Group (a separately ticketed show, and the park's most recent addition).

Universal Has a Few 'Toons, Too

While the options pale in comparison to Disney, Universal has character meet-and-greets on a rotating basis. At Universal Studios Florida, you may run into Woody Woodpecker, SpongeBob SquarePants, Shrek, and Jimmy Neutron, among others. At Islands of Adventure, the cast may include Spider-Man, Popeye and Olive Oyl, Beetle Bailey, the Cat in the Hat, Betty Boop, or Boris and Natasha.

Some of the park's best rides are action-based thrill rides, so your options are limited if you're pregnant, are prone to motion sickness, or have heart, neck, or back problems. The same applies to smaller children. Review the rides and restrictions on the following pages or when you enter the park so that you don't stand in line for something you're unable to enjoy. (There are stationary areas available at some moving rides. Check your park guide under "expectant mothers," as well as the boards in front of each ride, and then ask the attendants for help as you enter.) A child-swap program (allowing parents to switch off on rides without having to stand in line twice) is available at the rides as well.

Lots of Character

Universal Studios Florida has a host of street characters and shows to entertain the crowds that flock here. The lineup includes: Lucy and Ricky, in which Lucy pulls guests into an impromptu conga line; Sarita and Rico, two Latin characters who get guests singing and dancing to high-energy tunes such as "Hot, Hot, Hot" and "Mambo #5"; and the Men in Black show, in which the agents know there are a lot of aliens in the park, and they must put unsuspecting guests through a humorous screening test. Note: Characters rotate and often appear only seasonally.