Which theme-park attractions take the cake in 2008?

Dewayne Bevil | Theme Park Ranger

October 3, 2008

Sajeel Manzoor and his 2-year-old daughter, Nemo, stand below Krusty the Clown at the entrace to the Simpsons Ride at Universal Studios Orlando. (ROBERTO GONZALEZ, ORLANDO SENTINEL / April 29, 2008)

As I re-read last year's best-of list, I realized my most favorite theme-park things haven't shifted much in the past year. I'm still a steadfast fool who will stand in line for the Amazing Adventure of Spider-Man ( Islands of Adventure), Kraken ( SeaWorld Orlando), Festival of the Lion King (Disney's Animal Kingdom) and Tower of Terror (Disney's Hollywood Studios).

So for 2008, I'm introducing more sub-categories, to steer folks to a few less prominent attractions within the parks, plus some new entries amid old favorites.

*Best T-shirts: Yak & Yeti souvenirs (Disney's Animal Kingdom). Great variety and designs -- and little Disney branding. In fact, the word "Orlando" is used prominently. Kudos to merchandising throughout this park with special notice for the creative Expedition Everest gear.

*Best twist on a standard idea: Roa's Rapids ( Aquatica). It's a lazy river for the 21st century. Some call it "the crazy river" as it accelerates in a way that's both exhilarating and exhausting. There are no tubes allowed, thus no awkward dismounting or logjams. Runner-up (also from Aquatica): Banana Beach Cookout, the all-you-can-eat, all-day water park buffet.

Dewayne Bevil Bio | E-mail | Recent columns

*Best use of the baby-powder scent: Simpsons Ride ( Universal Studios). Little Maggie has a big, big role -- and it smells like baby in a good way -- in the new motion simulator. Other Simpsons superlatives: best virtual spin maneuver, best snarky pre-show, best old-churros reference.

*Best place to exhale, relax, take it all in for no admission charge: Old Town (Kissimmee). If you hot-foot it through this retail-and-rides strip, you might miss the Old Florida charm. It's part throwback, part curiosity, part Americana (Scrambler, mechanical bull, bumper cars, etc.). Also stroll next door through Fun Spot, which sports revved-up things such as high-up thrill rides and low-to-ground go-karts.

*Best self-deprecating show: Sea Lions Tonite (SeaWorld Orlando). Sometimes I can't believe what I'm hearing at this seasonal show, which mixes animal tricks with potshots at fellow SeaWorld attractions and even Anheuser-Busch. It's wink-wink-nudge-nudge-hold-sides funny.

*Best nature walk: Botanical Gardens ( Cypress Gardens). Lush, winding adventure on the shores of Lake Eloise (beware of alligators, signs warn), surprisingly capped off with a swimming pool shaped like Florida.

*Best oversized American icon: Rosie the Riveter in 'Rockwell's America' ( Orlando Science Center). She's way bigger than life and perched on a plane wing for photo opportunities. Hurry, this exhibit ships out Oct. 12.

*Best holiday overlay: Castle Dream Lights (Magic Kingdom). In-person viewing of the glimmering, shimmering icon far outranks photos. Nip in air optional but preferable. How major an undertaking is this? Workers already have been dangling for weeks.

*Best attitude or at least best show faces: Performers in 'High School Musical 2: School's Out!' (Disney's Hollywood Studios). Imagine doing all that choreography in the Florida sun, repeatedly, to the tune of "What Time Is It?" with a broad smile on your face. That, my friends, is acting. Likewise for its sister act, Block Party Bash, but at least that has classic hits as its soundtrack.

*Best feature that's gone already: Single-rider line, Toy Story Mania (Disney's Hollywood Studios). Yeah, yeah, it wasn't perfect or consistent. But it usually got me in and out of there in a snap without making small talk with Mr. Potato Head.

*Best low-tech, somewhat hidden exhibit: Epcot 25th Anniversary Gallery (Epcot). It's the futuristic costumes from the past that get me -- so '80s. The display is tucked on the south side of Innoventions West, but its days are numbered. Disney says it will be gone by "mid-month."

*Best post-show you might be tempted to zip past: Spaceship Earth (Epcot). It's loud and hyperactive, but give Project Tomorrow a try, especially the shuttleboard-type game. You might learn something, and you'll extend your time in the air conditioning.

*Best things to look forward to: Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure (Epcot, this fall), Manta roller coaster (SeaWorld, 2009), Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit coaster (Universal Studios, 2009), Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Islands of Adventure, 2010).

Dewayne Bevil can be reached at 407-420-5477. dbevil@orlandosentinel.com

E-mail

Reprint

We encourage conversation about our stories and hope you will share your thoughts. We do have some rules of the road: no comments that are obscene, sexual in nature, racist or otherwise inappropriate. If you post such comments, we will remove them.

-- Orlando Sentinel

Note: Not all stories have active discussions. Click here to view all discussions

Which theme-park attractions take the cake in 2008?

The scoop on Orlando's best attractions...

More Orlando Sentinel blogs

Travel, tourism, airline and airport news...

More Orlando Sentinel blogs

Which theme-park attractions take the cake in 2008?

Related links

Related topic galleries: Universal Orlando, Expedition Everest, Islands of Adventure, Tourism and Leisure, Music Theater, Theater, Aquatica

Search Classifieds

Popular stories: Travel

Photos of Disney's theme parks