Zip through Orlando at Grand Lakes

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Climb, zip and traverse: Grand Lakes Orlando‘s newest attraction can be summarized succinctly, but what really happens is far more interesting. Based at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, this destination has created a unique experience that leaves guests hanging – and flying and swinging. Put on a harness, and you can experience 25 climbing and traversing structures that are suspended 15 feet to 55 feet from the ground. The 40-foot swing and 600-foot zip lines are among the standouts on the course.

Grand Lakes Orlando offers several packages designed to scratch your particular itch while appealing to both individuals and families. The Open Session Adventure gives you 2 ½ hours on the course (at a bargain price of $60 for adults and $45 for children). If you prefer a bit of exclusivity, schedule a private event. Up to eight people can be accommodated for a two-hour experience, where you can enjoy the suspension apparatus in a high-touch service environment. Climbing and rappelling classes are also offered.

This is a side of Orlando that many miss. Skip the Mouse for an afternoon, and put your body to work in a setting that blends the natural and synthetic seamlessly.

Universal Studios Orlando unveils Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

by Grant Martin on

Universal Studios in Orlando just released plans and animations of their new ride, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a state of the art roller coaster ride with all sorts of new features.

The experience starts before you even get in the ride vehicle. People movers have been integrated into the launchpad to streamline vehicle loading and unloading, meaning more launches and faster lines. Once you get into the vehicle (pictured) you have a personal bucket seat and Guest Interface Panel, where you can select a soundtrack for your journey that plays through integrated speakers.

Vehicles are staged in stadium style seating, meaning everyone gets a front row seat — which is important, because 14 cameras along the ride will be filming you. At the end of the journey, clips from each camera will be beamed to the video desk on the way out, so you can purchase a custom tailored video of you screaming your head off.

The Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit represents the newest, most cutting edge technology in roller coaster design. We can’t wait to get onboard.

Orlando wants a smile from you

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The Orlando Convention & Visitors Bureau is looking for an adventurous smiling couple. The winners will not have an easy task. Over 67 days, they will have to experience every attraction in Orlando – more than 100 in all. This includes everything from theme parks to alligators. Every day, the couple will use social media outlets and traditional interviews to communicate their experiences to the world.

“There are clearly a lot of frowns throughout the world because of the economic downturn,” said Danielle Courtenay, Orlando CVB Chief Marketing Officer. “We want an engaging pair of people who you can’t help but smile along with as you follow their Orlando tale of some of the best vacation experiences in the world. You don’t have to have a perfect smile to apply – just a ‘smiling’ personality and outlook on life.”

“We have also decided to search for a pair because a big part of what makes you smile in Orlando is sharing the experience and creating memories with someone special,” Courtenay explained.

The team accepted for this adventure, as part of Orlando’s “Orlando Makes Me Smile” campaign, will live in a two-bedroom condo in Downtown Orlando (which I find to be the best part of town) and receive $25,000 to cover their living expenses back home. Over the two-month-and-a-week assignment, they’ll ride rollercoasters, hang gide, swim with dolphins, get rubbed in massages, wrestle gators and swing a few golf clubs.

For more information and to apply, go to VisitOrlando.com/67DaysofSmiles. For real time updates follow Orlando on Twitter at Twitter.com/VisitOrlando or become a fan of 67 Days of Smiles on Facebook.

Delta plane diverts after food poisoning scare

by Scott Carmichael on

A Delta flight on its way to Atlanta had to make an unscheduled stop at Orlando International Airport to offload three passengers suffering from food poisoning.

The plane had departed Ecuador, but the condition of the three passengers was serious enough to warrant an early stop to get some medical attention. Two of the passengers were transported to a local hospital, the third refused any help.

The passengers did not become ill from any of the food served on the plane and it is not immediately clear whether they were traveling together.

None of the other passengers on the flight became ill, but I’m sure they were not too thrilled by the 3 hour delay. The Delta Airlines site shows the course of events, and clearly shows the delay and diversion.

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Disney stops looking for breasts after a decade of trying

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Why do I always miss the good stuff?

Disney has announced that it’s no longer going to scan riders on Splash Mountain, Tower of Terror, Space Mountain and California Screamin … for unfettered chests. Apparently, women are known on these rides from time to time to flash for the camera. Though I’ve looked for it on each ride, I’ve never witnessed these public displays of exuberance.

I’m not sure why this warrants an announcement, as Disney does say that such acts are rare. But, every now and then, a bare pair winds up in a souvenir photo. The parks will no longer be looking for this – which means everyone else will be.

The company began looking 10 years ago, unlike the rest of us, who started when we were around 12.