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ParkHoppin’ with Paul Ruben
Penguins R Us
This spring I visited SeaWorld Orlando for the opening of their cool new attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin. Guests are transported on custom-designed ride vehicles through several ice caves as they view rear-projection animated video depicting the life of a young penguin, Puck. The payoff comes at the end of the ride when visitors meet live penguins, who stand on icy rocks or swim, seemingly gaping right back at the shivering humans. One way or another, the encounter sent chills down my spine. It was 90°F (32°F) in the park, but 30°F (-1°C) in the penguin rookery. Nevertheless, I was there to embrace the penguins. No, not just enjoy them, but embrace them. Well, at least touch them, as I did previously in Cincinnati at the Newport Aquarium’s Penguin Encounter. But that was not to be, no penguin touching at SeaWorld. At least until two days after my visit, when a penguin jumped from the water and waddled fearlessly among the onlookers. So I did the next best thing. I went to the gift shop. It had everything for the penguin lover. The store’s penguin-shaped displays are packed with splendid penguin- related items. A plush Puck is expected to be the popular take home treasure.
In the gift shop I could touch all the penguin plush one could imagine, but I found something even better, a penguin “Cup That Cares”.
You put it together yourself, just like Mr Potato Head. See? That’s my Cup That Cares in the photo. The reusable cup promotion encourages thirsty SeaWorld guests to reuse materials and reduce their carbon footprint. An RFID chip embedded in each cup interacts with the Coca-Cola Freestyle dispensers and tells drinkers how they are being more environmentally responsible by choosing to re-use. I thought it would be environmentally responsible to use my cup for Budweiser, but settled for Diet Coke. The purpose of my visit was not only to enjoy Budweiser, but to review SeaWorld’s newest attraction. It transports visitors to Antarctica, the penguins’ home. Being at the bottom of the world, I was expecting SeaWorld had devised a way to transport riders upside down, but that didn’t happen. Instead, we were treated to a ride in an elaborate mobile simulator. The movements allow the riders to become at one with the storyline as they follow and mimic the young penguin’s adventures. The combination of a mobile, moving simulator with a trackless ride is a theme park first. There are 18 species of penguins found in the southern hemisphere. Of these, SeaWorld’s Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin has five: Gentoo, Adelie, King, Rockhopper and Cinderella. The Gentoo is a large penguin with a white band on its head. As its name suggests, the King is the largest, with a black head, chin and throat, plus vivid orange, tear-shaped patches on each side of the head. The Adelie is the classic-looking penguin, medium-sized with a tuxedo appearance. The Rockhoppers are easy to spot with their brightly coloured crests and red eyes. The rare Cinderella penguin? That’s the one with the glass flipper.
6
Springfield
comes to Orlando Universal expands Simpsons land
How the new land wil look when complete
There is a Springfield in every US state, so legend has it, but soon there will be two in Florida. Following the introduction in 2008 of The Simpsons Ride at Universal Orlando, the resort’s Universal Studios park is to unveil an expanded themed area this summer dedicated to The Simpsons. It will be the only place in the world where visitors can walk the streets of the fictional Springfield from the popular animated TV series, complete with a new ride, large food and beverage area and places pulled directly from the show.
A new Flying Fish/Dumbo-style ride – called Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl – will take “foolish humans” on an intergalactic spin. Meanwhile in Fast Food Boulevard (already open) guests can grab a Krusty-certified meat sandwich at Krusty Burger, snatch the catch of the day at the Frying Dutchman, get a slice at Luigi’s Pizza, go nuts for donuts at Lard Lad, enjoy a Taco Fresho with Bumblebee Man and imbibe a Duff beer – brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando – at Moe’s Tavern. “This will be a must-see experience for Simpsons fans all over the world,” says Universal
Creative president Mark Woodbury. “For the first time ever, they’re going to be able to enter a world that they’ve only seen on television – and we’re really excited to bring that world to life.”
Doh-nut!
One hundred glutinous guests at Universal Orlando Resort were treated to a giant, Homer Simpson-approved Lard Lad’s donut on 7 June in celebration of US National Donut Day. This tasty treat is one of several new food offerings now available a Universal Studios Florida’s recently opened Springfield eateries (pictured above). Could you finish one of these humungous snacks?
JULY 2013
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