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| TurtleTrek Photo: SeaWorld Orlando. |
2012 Brings New To-Do's At Orlando Theme Parks
- TurtleTrek at SeaWorld
- The New Fantasyland at Disney's Magic Kingdom
- Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida
New attractions are rolling out at
Orlando's major theme parks. Here's a quick summary of the new year's new cheers!
TurtleTrek at SeaWorld
Opening in spring 2012, TurtleTrek is SeaWorld's unique way of giving guests a "turtle's eye view" of the ocean's wonders. First, guests will visit two massive naturalistic habitats: one filled with hundreds of freshwater fish and gentle manatees, the other home to over 1,500 saltwater fish and more than a dozen sea turtles. Many of the manatees and sea turtles were rescued via SeaWorld Orlando's renowned rescue program or were born at SeaWorld.
After the live habitats, guests enter a domed theater to view a first-of-its-kind 3D/360-degree film. Completely immersive—and even submersive—the dome allows a hyper-realistic telling of a sea turtle's journey all around guests, even above them. TurtleTrek ends with a call for all guests to join the conservation effort.
The New Fantasyland
at Disney's Magic Kingdom
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| Artist rendering of Storybook Circus in the New Fantasyland at Disney's Magic Kingdom. photo: ©Disney |
If you thought you'd seen everything when you saw an elephant fly, think again. As part of the "re-imagineering" and expansion of Fantasyland that is taking place throughout 2012, guests will be seeing double flying elephants. In early 2012, a new Dumbo ride will open in the Storybook Circus area of the New Fantasyland, just northeast of the Mad Tea Party. But this Dumbo will be flying in a clockwise direction (purists know the original Dumbo flies counter-clockwise). At the same time, the existing Dumbo ride will close, be refurbished, then moved next to the new Dumbo attraction. The result when completed later in 2012: double Dumbos!
Also in early 2012, two other Storybook Circus elements planned for opening are The Barnstormer and Fantasyland Station. Guests who enjoyed The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm will be happy to know the thrills of that junior coaster are back with a thematic change: Goofy is now a circus stunt pilot and magician, The Great Goofini. The completely re-imagined train station will serve as the gateway to Storybook Circus and all Fantasyland points beyond.
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| Kelly Clarkson comes to Mardi Gras 2012. Photo: © 2011 Universal Orlando Resort. All rights reserved. |
Mardi Gras
at
Universal Studios Florida
On select nights Feb. 11 through April 14, The Big Easy returns to Universal Studios for Mardi Gras 2012, completely transforming the park into the famed New Orleans street party replete with elaborate parades, delicious Cajun cuisine, tons of colorful beads, and great live music. The Mardi Gras 2012 concert series will feature performances by 14 top-name musicians, including global superstar and original American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson.
Before each live concert, guests can dance along with colorfully costumed street performers and collect beads by the handful as the Mardi Gras parade winds through Universal Studios. The parade's elaborate, handcrafted floats are built by the famous Blaine Kern Artists, the same company that designs the floats for the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans, which makes Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando a truly authentic experience.