Thrill seekers delight

There was a random drawing to determine which finalist would attend one of the three more popular theme parks in Orlando. Justin and I were lucky enough to draw Universal Studios over Disney World and SeaWorld. We say lucky because once we arrived we discover that not only were we going to Universal Studios but also its neighbor park Islands of Adventure on a 2 park VIP tour experience.

"All Aboard"! Our first stop was Islands of Adventure. The home of the most innovative, award winning, blood rushing attractions. It is the only theme park in the world where the rides were conceived from print. Print jumps off the page and comes to life with Marvel comic themed rides like...

Spiderman A revolutionary one of a kind 3-D motion ride. In 1999, it was the most expensive ride to ever produced, rolling in at the small amount of One hundred million dollars. Its the first time that a theme park has put a motion moving based platform in a 3 dimensional ride. "Spiderman" simulates a 400 foot free fall, but the physical cart never moves more than 12 inches from the track!

The Incredible Hulk This green monster wastes no time from the start with a launch that shoots you from 0 to 40 mph in two seconds. It's 1 of 2 rides in the world that within 2 minutes and 15 seconds you will experience 7 loops and 2 underground tunnels.

Doctor Doom's Fear Fall Can you stomach the anticipated countdown as you are launched 150 ft up in the air with the thrust of a 747 Jet Engine at speeds faster than the space shuttle? Justin's girly screams were evidence he couldn't.

There are numerous islands to visit on your journey around the park. Take the kids to Seuss Landing where their are no straight lines and speakers are posted at 4 feet for the little kiddies listening pleasure. Venture out into a world where dinosaurs and dragons come alive with rides like Jurassic Park River Adventure and Dueling Dragons.

2 NEW RIDES COMING SOON

We went behind the scenes with our "VIP Passes", and got the scoop on 2 of Universal Orlando Resorts upcoming newest attractions. The Islands of Adventure side of Universal will be opening an entire "theme park in a park" based on the world of JK Rowling's Harry Potter in 2010, just before the final film is released. The attraction will include thrill rides, specialized foods based off the movie. Our VIP Resort Guide was very "Hush-Hush" about the project and was not quite ready to give out all the details behind the magic yet. He did mention their newest highly anticipated attraction will offer guests the chance to visit some of the wizarding world's most famous locations. It is scheduled for completion and public debut sometime next year.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a roller coaster under construction at Universal Studios Orlando. This custom-designed attraction will feature an on-board sound system to provide a soundtrack for the 3,800-foot roller coaster track,as well as video cameras to record the experience. It is scheduled to open in this summer, but here we are and so far.......no show! We did get Brendan to sing like a canary about a few details. Guests will individually have a selection of 30 songs from several genres of music including artists like Kanye West, Fergie, M.C Hammer, Kenny Chesney, and No Doubt to play during the Rockit ride. The coaster will top out at 167 feet, 17 stories high, and the cars' climb will be at a 90-degree angle at 11 feet per second then comes down at 65 mph. We're told it will not do loops and despite the insanity of speed it will not have shoulder restraints...only a lap bar. When does it come out? We asked and after a chuckle, we were told "Soon"