Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
260
DisneyQuest
Finds
The reaction that visitors have upon experiencing this popular attraction is
often the same. No matter if it's from kids just reaching the video-game age,
teens who are firmly hooked, or adults who never outgrew
Pong,
they leave
saying: “Awesome!”
Four separate zones—
explore zone,
a virtual adventureland;
score zone,
a
superhero competition city;
create zone,
where imagination and invention
rule; and
replay zone,
filled with classic games but in a futuristic setting—
ensures that everybody will be entertained . . . and likely for hours.
This five-level virtual-video arcade has everything from nearly old-fashioned
pinball to virtual games and rides. Want appetizers?
Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride
puts you astride a motorcycle-like seat and
flies through the 3-D Cave of Wonders.
Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial
Alien Encounter
has the same kind of intensity. Your mission is to save colo-
nists from intergalactic bad guys. One player flies the virtual module while
others fire weapons.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold
puts you and three
mates in 3-D helmets so that you can battle pirate ships virtual-reality style.
One plays captain, steering your ship, while the others assume positions
behind cannons to blast the black hearts into oblivion. Each time you do, you're
rewarded with some doubloons, but beware of the sea monsters that can
gobble you and your treasure. In the final moments, you come face to face with
a ghost ship, which can send you to Davy Jones's Locker.
Try the
Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam
if you're a pinball fan. It's an interactive
life-size game where you ride platforms and use body English to score points.
If you have an inventive mind, stop in at
CyberSpace Mountain
, where
Bill Nye the Science-Turned-Roller-Coaster-Guy helps you create the ultimate
loop-and-dipster, which you can then ride in a simulator (yes, you'll actually
turn upside down). It's a major hit with the coaster-crazy crowd.
Finally, if you need some quiet time, sign up at
Animation Academy
for a
minicourse in Disney cartooning (a drawback, however, is that you'll have to fork
out yet more bucks just to keep your artwork). There are also snack and food
areas for those who need something more tangible than virtual refreshment.
DisneyQuest (
&
407/828-4600;
www.disneyquest.com) is located in Down-
town Disney West Side on Buena Vista Drive. The admission ($41 for adults, $35
for kids 3-9; prices don't include 6.5% sales tax) allows you unlimited play from
11:30am to 11pm (until midnight Fri-Sat). Unfortunately, heavy crowds tend to
gather here after 1pm, which can cut into your fun and patience.
6
Note:
The
Hess Sports Field North,
opened in the spring of 2005, is the first expan-
sion of the Wide World of Sports venue since its opening in 1997. The addition features
20 acres of playing fields, with space for four football/soccer fields and four baseball-
softball diamonds.
