Oristavilla

Theme parks

 

A prestigious villa for rent, offering Choice, Comfort, Luxury and Relaxation for the perfect break, at an affordable rate.

Magic Kingdom


The MAGIC KINGDOM, which covers 107 acres, opened on October 1, 1971. It's been dubbed "The Most Magical Place on Earth!" and is home to seven themed lands, and dozens of attractions that appeal to all ages.

WALT DISNEY WORLD is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney...
and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney's dream come true.

LAY OF THE LAND: The Magic Kingdom is laid out like a wheel, with the hub centred directly in front of towering Cinderella Castle. Pathways act as the spokes leading to the following themed areas:

Main Street, U.S.A. -- Inspired by Walt Disney's memories of his hometown, Main Street U.S.A. is a re-creation of early 20th century small-town America, on a 7/8 scale. There are quaint shops, a town hall, fire station... even an old-style barbershop.
Adventureland -- An exotic mix of jungles, wild animals, pirates and a Middle Eastern bazaar, Adventureland is home to several of the Magic Kingdom's best-known and best-loved attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise.Frontierland has all the adventure and excitement of the Wild West, including the wet wonders of Splash Mountain and the wild thrills of roller coaster Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Liberty honours this country's colonial heritage with the Hall of Presidents. It is also home to the ever-popular Haunted Mansion. Fantasyland is the quintessential fairytale experience with castles, princesses, pixies and boys who won't grow up.Mickey's Toontown Fair is THE place to meet Mickey, Minnie and the gang up close and in person. Geared specifically to the littlest park-goers, there's even a kid-sized coaster, The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm. Tomorrowland is a look at the future where you can battle aliens at Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, or hurtle through the universe on a high-speed coaster at Space Mountain.

Magic Kingdom is THE place for children to meet and greet their favourite characters. Consult your daily Guide Map and Times Guides for times and locations.

Epcot

To all who come to this place of joy, hope and friendship, welcome.
Epcot Centre is inspired by Walt Disney's creative genius. Here, human achievements are celebrated through imagination, the wonders of enterprise, and concepts of a future that promises new and exciting benefits for all.

Welcome to Epcot, a theme park design to both entertain and educate. Epcot is twice the size of the Magic Kingdom, so be prepared to walk. You really won't be able to see it all in one day, so if that's all the time you have, plan carefully.

The 9,000 space parking lot rarely fills. Trams take you to the main entrance of Epcot where you enter the turnstiles and find yourself right in front of Spaceship Earth.

Epcot is made up of Future World and World Showcase. Future World is where you can experience the past and future of technology advancements. World Showcase highlights the art, architecture and culture of the countries that surround the World Showcase Lagoon.

Epcot is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Most of Future World remains open until 7 p.m.; World Showcase opens at 11 a.m. and remains open until 9 p.m. Illuminations is shown nightly, at closing, around the World Showcase Lagoon. On busy holidays (4th of July, Christmas, Easter) Epcot may remain open until 10 p.m. or later.

 

Hollywood studios (Formally MGM)


Through its exciting attractions, like the new Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Broadway-calibre shows, and hands-on participation, the Disney-MGM Studios not only entertain but educate. The Studios have nearly doubled in size in the last 10 years and continue to expand -- in fact, the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, an indoor roller coaster featuring a high-speed launch of 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, was part of the largest property-wide expansion in Walt Disney World history.

HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD: At Disney-MGM Studios, guests enter the turnstiles onto the main street, Hollywood Boulevard, where reality blends into fantasy -- neon and chrome, art deco and modern architecture dominate the scenery. To enhance the old-time atmosphere, Streetmosphere characters like 1930s detectives, starlets and gossip columnists, populate the streets, interacting with the crowds they draw. Colourful shops and restaurants reinforce the feeling of yesteryear -- the Hollywood Brown Derby, for example, faithfully recalls the landmark meeting place of the stars, right down to its signature Cobb salad and grapefruit cake.

As you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, immediately in front of you you'll see the park icon, a gigantic Sorcerer Mickey Hat, originally built to mark WDW's 100 Years of Magic Celebration. Behind that is a replica of Mann's Chinese Theatre, which houses one of the park's hallmark attractions, The Great Movie Ride. This slow-moving tram ride showcases some of the most memorable moments ever captured on the silver screen. In front of the Chinese Theatre, you'll see where numerous celebrities, including Robin Williams, Samuel L. Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley have left their handprints in cement.

ECHO LAKE: The first left you encounter off Hollywood Boulevard takes you past Echo Lake, distinguished by the towering Dinosaur Gertie who serves up snacks and desserts. You pass by a pair of eateries -- Hollywood & Vine, home of a new character breakfast and lunch featuring the Little Einstein’s and JoJo and Goliath, and the '50s Prime Time Cafe, where the servers treat you like family -- right down to scolding you for putting your elbows on the table! As you follow around the lake, you encounter the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, a live show with death-defying stunts. Nearby, Star Tours takes you on an amazing journey to the Moon of Endor, featuring some of the familiar Star Wars characters. On the other side of the lake is Sounds Dangerous, a showcase for special sound effects featuring funnyman Drew Carey. Next door is the ABC-TV Theatre, currently vacant. In between these two attractions is the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame Plaza, which features sculptures of famous television legends, as well as the second-largest Emmy statue in the world (14 1/2 feet from its base).

SUNSET BOULEVARD: As you make the first right off Hollywood Boulevard, you come upon Sunset Boulevard, with its specialized shops that feature gifts themed to classic films and Disney characters, especially the Disney Villains spotlighted in the night-time show Fantasmic! In fact, the entrance to the Hollywood Hills Amphitheatre, home to Fantasmic!, is just a little further down Sunset on the right. Light dining and snacks can be found at the outdoor Sunset Ranch Market on the left. Looming menacingly at the end of Sunset Boulevard, is the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which dares guests to enter The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Adjacent to the Tower of Terror is the Studios' hot thrill ride, the indoor Rock'n'Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Across the street from this coaster, is the Theatre of the Stars, which houses Beauty and the Beast -- Live on Stage, a lovely musical stage show based on the hit Disney movie.

MICKEY AVENUE: To the right of the Chinese Theatre is Mickey Avenue, home to several of the park's production facilities. At the end of Mickey Avenue, guests can board the Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour for a 25-minute tram tour that allows theme park guests to peek in at shooting on state-of-the-art soundstages and sprawling Backlot sets. One behind-the-scenes treat along Mickey Avenue is the not-to-be-missed Walt Disney: One Man's Dream exhibit, as well as regular appearances by JoJo and Goliath, Little Einsteins and other Disney stars.

ANIMATION COURTYARD: At the other end of Mickey Avenue is the Animation Courtyard. Here you'll find the popular Voyage of the Little Mermaid, delighting young and old as you journey Under the Sea. Another major attraction in real-life film making is The Magic of Disney Animation, a tour allowing guests to get an insider's view of animators. Across the Courtyard, children can see their favourite characters like the Bear in the Big Blue House, Jojo and Goliath, Stanley and Pooh in the Playhouse Disney Live! show.

STREETS OF AMERICA: To the left of the Chinese Theatre is Commissary Lane, featuring several dining options, including the Sci-Fi Dine In Theatre Restaurant. At the end of Commissary Lane turn right onto the Streets of America, which create the illusion of New York City, San Francisco and other cities using forced perspective techniques. The new Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, inspired by a popular show in Disneyland Paris, debuted in this area in May 2005. With stunt cars and motorcycles, and even some daring jet skis, this show, in a newly constructed amphitheatre that holds 5,000, gives an adrenaline rush to the once-quiet Backlot area.

Kids can spend some time the size of ants winding their way through giant blades of grass in the Honey, I Shrunk The Kids Movie Set Adventure. Nearby, the Muppets star in Muppet*Vision 3D, which combines Jim Henson's puppets and special-effects with Disney's famous Audio-Animatronics. Finally, spot your favourite Toy Story characters at the nearby Al's Toy Barn.

Fantasmic! is shown nightly at park closing. During busier seasons, Fantasmic! may have two performances nightly. When this is the case, the later show is much less crowded -- consider staying for that if it's practical for you. Or take advantage of the Fantasmic! dinner package for special seating, to avoid the long wait. If you don't mind waiting, though, plan to arrive at the theatre early to ensure getting a seat at this popular show.

 

Animal Kingdom

The Adventure Begins at Animal Kingdom - Each morning, 15 minutes before the schedule opening time, you can go through the turn styles and head to the Tree of Life area. Soon, Minnie, Pluto, and Goofy arrive to welcome you to the park! Soon Mickey appears and gets on the truck and you can follow them into Harambe as the Adventure Begins in the Animal Kingdom! (All Ears would love photos of this Animal Kingdom Opening!)  Disney's Animal Kingdom is a spectacular theme park unlike anything you have ever experienced. Animal Kingdom has an afternoon parade Mickey's Jammin Jungle Parade.

The Tree of Life, an impressive icon, stands tall in the distance as you emerge from the entrance, called the Oasis. Then think of the park as a bicycle wheel, the Tree of Life is the hub and the various lands stretch out like spokes.

Animal Kingdom opened with the Oasis, Safari Village (renamed Discovery Island), Camp Minnie-Mickey, Africa, Conservation Station (renamed Rafiki's Planet Watch), Dinoland USA and a small portion of Asia. Before the park's first birthday, a larger portion of Asia opened to complete the circle.

Some say Animal Kingdom is only a half day park and not worth the price of admission. I disagree, yet there is a fair group of visitors that feel that way. I tend to think those are the folks who run from attraction to attraction, with the sole purpose of checking off what they have done and to hurry and get to what is left. By doing so, you'll miss much of what Animal Kingdom is about.

"Disney's Animal Kingdom won't be for everyone. The difference will largely be in one's expectations. Come expecting "rides" and you're bound to be disappointed. That's why Disney is advertising it as "a different kind of theme park". If you come expecting to learn a bit about animals, to view them in as natural a situation as any zoo in the world, to experience a themed environment as convincing as Main Street or Hollywood Boulevard, and to be awed by the many fantastic details from the walkway design to the Tree of Life, you'll love it!" (ZaZu)

The exquisite detail that Disney is known for shines through in Disney's Animal Kingdom where landscaping and attention to details dominate the 500 acre park. Two "Behind the Scenes Tours" are offered for you to learn more about Animal Kingdom. A special Wildlife Discovery Excursion is available to any Disney Resort Concierge Guests. Your itinerary planner can

assist you with reservations. On the south-western edge of the Walt Disney World Resort, Imagineers have created a nature rich and protective environment for exotic animals. Most of the barriers between the animals and you are natural looking or invisible.

Disney craftsman had the difficult task of making something brand new, look very old - with crumbling walls and roots sticking up into the walk ways. To create just the right feeling, buildings are a maximum of 30 feet tall, while many of the trees are over 40 feet tall.

The park is beautiful with wondrous vegetation, a Broadway class show (Festival of the Lion King), a 20 minute journey into an African savannah (Kilimanjaro Safaris), time travel back to the Cretaceous Period (Dinosaur), and lots of exotic birds and animals to discover

 

 

 



Cirque du Soleil is a theatrical performance unlike anything you have experienced before. Cirque du Soleil was conceived by a group of street performers in Baie-Saint-Paul, Quebec. With a desire to inspire, astound and transport patrons to a new, unearthly world, the early eighties marked the beginning of this novel venue.  This vision of the original Cirque troupe has grown precipitously and Cirque du Soleil now has 7 different shows in production, 3 of which have permanent homes with the rest touring throughout the world.

Cirque du Soleil is not a traditional circus as the name implies.  At Cirque du Soleil, you will not find any animals in the cast.  Unlike other circuses, there are no dancing bears, lions leaping through hoops or elephants doing tricks.  Rather, Cirque du Soleil is a completely immersive combination of circus and theatrical presentation combining elements of modern dance, staging, humour and acrobatic stunts.  Dispersed throughout the show are acts of hilarity, peculiarity, inspiration, excitement and amazement.  The experience of a Cirque du Soleil show always ends with you wondering how it was possible for time to move so fast from the intriguing, attention grabbing pre-show, to the final standing ovation.  The creativity of this highly sophisticated show abounds and enthrals.  The costumes are wonderfully exotic, the sets unusual, the action of the brilliant choreography non-stop, and the original music and dramatic lighting is capturing to say the least.  

It is simply not possible to describe what exactly Cirque du Soleil is with words.  You have to experience it to truly understand it.

Disneyquest

Located at Downtown Disney West Side, this 5 story, 100,000 sq. ft. attraction houses some of the most cutting edge technology, mixed with the very best concepts from Disney's Imagineers

There are five zones of play:

 

UNIVERSAL'S ISLAND OF ADVENTURE®

 

At the Islands of Adventure® theme park, you will take an amazing journey through five awe-inspiring islands, each one featuring exciting adventures that bring your favourite stories to life. Explore Seuss Landing™, The Lost Continent®, Jurassic Park®, Toon Lagoon® and Marvel Super Hero Island®, where the world's most state-of-the-art rides and attractions challenge all your senses.

 

 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS®

 Ride the Movies® at Universal Studios® theme park, the number one movie studio theme park in the world. It's the only place where you can blast off on the new Jimmy Neutron's Nicktoon Blast® and enjoy the all new Shrek 4-D™. Save the earth from aliens on the interactive ride Men in Black™ Alien Attack™. Soar through time and space on Back to the Future Ride®. Plunge into 3-D cyber-adventure Terminator 2:3-D™ and have a ball in Woody Woodpecker's KidZone®.

 

                                                                                                                                                   
 UNIVERSAL CITYWALK®


Orlando's hottest spot for entertainment, CityWalk®, is home to the best in live music, casual and fine dining, dancing, shopping, state-of-the-art films and more! Only at CityWalk® will you

find the world's largest Hard Rock Cafe® Orlando and enjoy 200mph thrills of the officially sanctioned NASCAR®-themed restaurant, NASCAR Cafe™ Orlando. Sip the ultimate margarita at Jimmy Buffett's® Margaritaville®, reggae the night away at Bob Marley - a Tribute to Freedom and enjoy the extraordinary cuisine at Emeril's® Restaurant Orlando. The list goes on! From early in the morning until late in the evening, no matter what mood you are in, CityWalk® has it all.

 

FANTASTIC BENEFIT - UNIVERSAL EXPRESS SM RIDE ACCESS
Enjoy the extra benefit of Universal ExpressSM ride access to the attractions at both Universal Studios® and Islands of Adventure® theme parks. Visit the Universal ExpressSM entrances to receive a card with a reserved ride time, and ride without waiting! There's no better way to get the most out of your day! Restrictions apply.

 

SeaWorld

SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando, Florida which is operated by the Busch Entertainment Corporation (the theme park division of Anheuser-Busch) opened in 1973.SeaWorld Orlando is the world's premiere marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. More than 80 million visitors have explored the mysteries of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating thrills. New state-of-the-art rides such as "Kraken" and "Journey To Atlantis" twist, turn, and drench guests with unprecedented thrills, while amazing animal encounters include killer whales, dolphins, sea lions, stingrays and more.

SeaWorld Orlando unveiled details about its Aquatica water park at a webcast press event this afternoon. The 59-acre park will open in March 2008 and will, in the words of SeaWorld's Jim Atchison, "blend up-close animal experiences with high-speed thrills and expansive beaches, all with a focus on great service."

Busch gardens

Busch Gardens Africa Tampa Bay, operated by the Busch Entertainment Corporation (the theme park division of Anheuser-Busch), is a 335-acre African-themed park located in Tampa, Florida. It opened on March 31, 1959 as an admission-free hospitality facility for the Tampa Anheuser-Busch brewery and has become one of America's largest zoological institutions, featuring more than 2,000 endangered and exotic animals. Attractions include: Rhino Rally, Congo River Rapids, KaTonga, Montu, Kumba, Scorpion, Gwazi, Edge of Africa, and the new vertical dive coaster SheiKra. The theme park is located about 20 minutes from the downtown area in the northern part of the Tampa city limits; it borders the town limits of Temple Terrace.

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is an Orlando, Florida theme park in which guests can interact with a variety of marineanimals, most notably bottlenose dolphins. The park, which is operated by the Busch Entertainment Corporation (the theme park division of Anheuser-Busch) is adjacent to SeaWorld Orlando. In addition to swimming with dolphins, Discovery Cove guests can interact with exotic birds, tropical fishes, sharks, rays and land mammals. The park differs from other U.S. theme parks in both admission price, which approaches $280 per guest (peak season), and in the fact that reservations are required. A Discovery Cove admission includes breakfast, lunch,all you care to drink AB products (for those 21 and up), equipment rental and ticket to either SeaWorld Orlando or Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The park recently launched a program called "Twilight Discovery" that also includes a gourmet dinner and drinks.