Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
309
photos of Ubangi women with wooden plates in their lips. There are exhibits on Hou-
dini and films of people swallowing coat hangers. Visitors are greeted by a hologram of
Robert Ripley. Allow 2 hours.
8201 International Dr. (1
1
/
2
blocks south of Sand Lake Rd.).
&
407/363-4418.
www.ripleysorlando.com.
Admission $19 adults, $12 children 4-12. Daily 9:30am-midnight. Free parking. From I-4, take exit 74A,
Sand Lake Rd./Hwy. 528, and turn right on International Dr.
Wet 'n Wild
Who knew people came in so many shapes and sizes? Stacked or
stubby, terribly tan or not, all kinds come here, so there's no reason to be bashful about
squeezing into a bathing suit and going out in public. The 25-acre Wet 'n Wild is
America's third most popular water park (behind Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon,
respectively). In 2007, the park's thrill lineup got a new addition:
Brain Wash
is a mul-
tiperson tube ride with a 53-foot drop into a 65-foot domed tunnel with areas of com-
plete darkness; it has high-tech special effects that include video projection and special
lighting.
Disco H20,
an enclosed flume ride where a four-passenger raft sends you flying
through the sights and sounds of the '70s, complete with mirrored lights and disco tunes
blasting in the background, debuted in 2005. Other options include the
Flyer,
a six-story
four-passenger toboggan run through 450 feet of banked curves; the
Surge,
which is one
of the longest (580 ft. of curves) and fastest multipassenger tube rides in the Southeast;
and the recently renovated
Black Hole-the Next Generation,
a two-person spaceship-
style raft that makes a 500-foot twisting, turning voyage through the darkness—but
watch out for an explosion of color and sounds that will shock your senses along the way
(each of the three rides carries a height requirement of between 36 and 48 inches, and
adults are required to accompany children). You can also ride the
Knee Ski,
a cable-
operated half-mile knee-boarding course that's open in warm-weather months only (56-
in. height minimum);
Der Stuka,
a six-story, free-fall speed slide; and
Mach 5,
which
has a trio of twisting, turning flumes, among other thrillers. The park also has a large
kids' area with miniversions of the big rides. If you enjoy the water, plan on spending a
full day here.
Note:
In addition to the admission prices below, Wet 'n Wild is part of the multiday
FlexTicket
that includes admission to Universal Orlando (which owns this attraction),
SeaWorld, and Busch Gardens in Tampa (see p. 264 for more information).
6200 International Dr. (at Universal Blvd.).
&
800/992-9453
or 407/351-1800. www.wetnwild.com.
Admission $44.95 adults, $38.95 children 3-9. Hours vary seasonally, but the park usually is open at least
7
Have Some Extra Time?
Wonder Works
is just the spot to spend an hour or so if you're in need of a less
intense evening or rainy afternoon activity. This upside-down building's exterior
catches the eye, and it's just as interesting on the inside, with an array of unique
hands-on exhibits that include a bed of nails, the bridge of fire, the Wonder-
Coaster, and more. There's plenty for kids ages 4 to 12, who (among other
options) can stomp on giant piano keys to make music or create sheets of bub-
bles with bubble machines, land the space shuttle, pilot a jet fighter, don an
astronaut space suite, and experience an earthquake. Call
&
407/351-8800
or
go to www.wonderworksonline.com for more information. Basic admission
(there are several options) runs $20 for adults, $15 for kids ages 3 to 9.
