The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 109

8H THE PALM BEACH POST SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2000 1 i iA Orlando's big thrills Hold on to your seats We're headed for some hair-raising rides. ft i 7 By Don Oldenburg Ihe Washington Post ou're driving down a New York City street when 1 If Vj Hf i i- suddenly there's a thump: Spider-Man lands with a thud on the hood of your car! Pointing right at you, he screams that you shouldn't be here but the warning comes too late. In seconds, you're caught in the cross-fire of a raging battle with a gang of sinister super-villains. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Tour Guide Tim won't even try to hurry you back to the bus. He knows you'll keep going back for more.

Universal Studios After Spider-Man (above) thuds startlingly on the hood of your car and warns you of trouble, you won't believe what happens next. craft suddenly plunges headfirst into a 400-foot "sensory descent" a free fall so real youll probably squeeze your eyes shut in terror the first time. The Big Picture: Universal calls it the "next threshold attraction" in sensory immersion entertainment Believe it Its "wow" power is nonstop, the action is 360 degrees above, below and on all sides. And it combines a rapidly moving ride, acres of remarkable sets, multi-screen and mobile rear-projection 3-D, and special effects to create a seamless and totally convincing experience. Bottom Line: I was blown away.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Rating: Where: Disney-MGM Studios. Best for: Rod Serling fans. Fear of heights? Forget it The Setup: Walk past the long-neglected courtyard into the time-frozen lobby of this abandoned 1939 Hollywood hotel and enter a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man in the middle ground between light and shadow. In this classic Twilight Zone episode, you're the star. The Big Thrill: Seated aboard a rustic freight elevator, you rise past floor after floor inhabited by ghostly guests.

lightning strikes. Everything goes black. The elevator races upward, stopping for a moment on the 13th floor. Sparks fly, the elevator cables snap and you plunge screaming into a harrowing free fall until you stop abruptly, and do it again. And again.

The finale allows a disturbing view through shaft openings of how high up you are just before the final plunge. The Big Picture: The Disneyesque attention to detail from strange-mannered bellhops to dust layering the lobby makes this a must-see tribute to The Twilight Zone. Bottom Line: My stomach resided in the Throat Zone a good while afterward. Dueling Dragons Rating: Where: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Best ton Coaster junkies.

The Setup: Passing by previous victims' remains of the two colossal enemy creatures, you're warned by Merlin the Magician and told the brutal medieval tale of the fire dragon and ice dragon. The Big Thrill: The world's first inverted (feet dangling), dual-racing roller coasters, the dragon-shaped red and blue cars start simultaneously on separate intertwining metal tracks. More than 100 feet above the ground, they barrel toward each other at speeds approaching 60 mph, missing On the Dueling Dragons roller coaster (left), you won't care who wins, just so you live through it. Universal high-adrenaline action attraction is an extraordinary state-of-the-art 3-D excursion that, for 4V heart-palpitating minutes, immerses riders in a perilous super-hero "reality." And did I mention that it's jaw-dropping scary? Recently, I traveled to Central Florida's theme-park mecca in search of the area's baddest, fastest, downright scariest rides. The scary attractions that made my list rate highly not only for sudden-shock value but also for their sustained intensity, overall exhilaration, even the quality of the setup that messes with your mind during line time before the big payoff.

After two days of tackling one thrill ride after another, here are my gut reactions, rated from (disquieting) to (break-out-in-a-cold-sweat intense). Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man Rating: Where: Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. Best for Spidey fans and anyone curious about how on-the-edge technology can manipulate perception. The Setup: In the Daily Bugle newsroom where Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) works his day job as a photographer, radio and TV reports blare urgent news that super-villains have taken over New York City. Boarding a special SCOOP mobile, you drive into the maelstrom to get the story and help Spider-Man save the Big Apple.

The Big Thrill: Aiming his Doomsday Anti-Gravity gun at your vehicle, Doc Octopus zaps you to the top of the buildings where you hover for a few seconds until another villain attacks. Your Universal Studios ble a being from outer space and reassemble him in the huge glass cylinder contraption before you. The Big Thrill: Soon after you're restrained in your padded shoulder harness, the experiment goes terribly amiss. Amid sirens, smoke and horri-. tying screams, one nasty looking animatronic exT traterrestrial creature is mistakenly teletransport-, ed into the glass chamber.

Technical difficulties plunge you into total darkness. You hear the glass chamber shatter and lights flicker enough to see that the flesh-craving alien has escaped into the dark lab to snack. The Big Picture: The Magic Kingdom's only terrorizing experience teams Disney and George "Star Wars" Lucas in creating this 20-minute "sensory thriller" whose apt story and special effects (hot breath on your neck, bodily fluids splattering), produce entertaining, gruesome theater. Bottom Line: Some youngsters left crying; I exited nervously bemused. three awesome near-collisions by about 12 inches.

The Big Picture: As my ice dragon finished a seemingly life-threatening loop, I actually yanked my feet up just in time to miss a stone wall I was hurtling toward. Speeding through camelbacks, double helixes and compound inversions, this one-of-a-kind theme coaster is a fantastic two-minute adrenaline rush. Bottom Line: I'm still recovering. ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter Rating: Where: Disney World's Magic Kingdom. Best for: Fright freaks and sci-fi aficionados.

The Setup: Enter the circular showcase laboratory of alien corporation X-S Tech to witness a demonstration of new interplanetary teleportation technology attempting to molecularly disassem- Heart of South i AMPRICA'C IPAnPD IH TRAVEL 5 Days4 Nights Day Flights 814-18 HUM Si LUXOR PARK MUTS MARRAM'S 493 487 536 461 '498 DM KLLAGIO MOCTECJAD MSM WtWI 483 $23 481 484 $487 to ItoW. Transnirt, TShow. 3 OWf Trip Subject To Availability. AIRLINE TICKETS CRUISES AMTRAK BUS TOURS 4 Nights 729 82 From Fort Lauderdale TKASUKSi CAESM1 HAMUH'S KLLAGH) MONTE CAflLO '459 t508 '436 596 '450 LUXOR PARIS DESERT Ml MIRAGE IAuTS '452 501 535 520 '445 Air, Hotti, 4 Stan Fret Transfeii. Suty to Avtli -rJTJr STdrS 1 -888-272-8002 15 Days 15 Days I "IT PAYS TO GO WITH THOSE WHO KNOW" $1267 Add $138 Port Charg $1759 EscomdTour Escorted Tour MARIE'S CHARTER BUS CO.

toULSVEUS I UUU LIL VUUL From. FUmCtty Pfcg hicn tor above dale par pamntttri. 3095 South Military Trail Coach USA Company tS day tour. Sm Ntw Orleant. Mamphli, Atlanta, Nathvlllt and tha Weitern Caribbaan.

You'll vlait Gracaland, Southarn Plantationa, Military Park, Frencn Quartaf, Cozumal, Grand Cayman mora. Incredible 1 5 day tour, tee four fabulous iilandt of Hawaii, Maul, Kauai Oahu. See Volcano National Park, Fern Grotto, Punch Bowl Crater much moral! Call today for free NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE Prlca Includea tax ia baaad on par parson doubta occupancy, Hotaia Accommodationa. Motorcoach tranaportation Baggaga Handling. Supptamant cnarga on aeaaonat or dapartura city may apply.

fit GALA NEW YEAR'S CELEBRATION! SUN, DEC 31 MON, JAN 1 Celebrate the New Year with your friends at Tippett Travel Limited Space Hurry, Hurry, Hurry $299 ppdo MARIE CHUCK TIPPETT JUNE 18 FATHER'S PAY BRAZILIAN TROPICANA MATINEE SHOW 542 JULY 20 FASCINATING GERSHWIN LUNCH PALM SPRINGS REST $49j AUG 9 ROYAL PALM DINNER THEATRE "OF THEE I SING -MATINEE-MEAL $43 AUG 27 CALDWELL THEATRE 'AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN1 $49 SEPT 3-9 ATLANTIC CITY JOIN MARIE CHUCK 4 NITES THE HILTON CASINO $689ppdo Norwegian riajestu 4-Day Sailing Florida Resident Program November 610, 2000 929.00 ZPu Sailing from Miami to Key West and Cozumel Mexico Join us again this year for our 5th Annual Fall Cruise Best Available Outside Cabin at Time of Booking I Price Includes: 4-Day Cruise, All Port Charges and taxes, Bus Transportation from Nassau Square to Miami and Return, $100.00 of Norwegian Discount Coupons per cabin in on-board values. Price subject to availability BOOK EARLY. Deposit of per person due with reservation. Final payment due by September 15, 2(KK). Trip cancellation insurance is additional and is Highly Recommended.

South America Amazon Cruises Buenos Aires to Manaus January 20, 2001 ROYAL PRINCESS SEPT 11 BRANSON MISSOURI 9 SHOWS, SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF BRANSON, BREAKFAST DINNER DAILY, VICKSBURG NATL MILITARY PARK TOUR, New Year's 2001 Paradise Cruise Only Non-Smoking Ship 7 Nights Rates from 833 includes taxes 3 Day Bus Tour to Lake Placid, Busch Cypress Gardens '379 inclusive 7 Day Cruises Dec. 31 Grand Pnncess Eastern Caribbean Dec. 31 Paradise Weslern Caribbean GRACELAND TOUR, CASINOS, PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE. ALSO SEPT. 25 $989 ppdo WHEN CALLING ASK FOR BUS TOUR DEPT.

Spend the Jewish Holidays with Florence Kaplan Cruise from Istanbul to Rome with Egypt Israel 2 nights in Rome aboard the NOORDAM Sept. 28 -Oct. 11 jSnp Nassau Square Shopping Center 0S at tUa Tumnike I ake Worth. FJ. ROBIN'S 561-963-4600 E-Mail: robinswspan.com Web Site: www.robinstravel.com Celebrity Cruises New Ships MILLENNIUM INFINITY new Golden Princess Europe Cruises 2001 May 16 MedAU LondonBarcelona June 9 Grand Med IstanbulBarcelona July 3 Grand Med IstanbulBarcelona HOLLAND AMERICA CRUISES OF EXCELLENCE OCT 28 WESTERDAM -7 DAY EASTERN FROM $649 pp NOV 19 MAASDAM -7 DAY EASTERN FROM $841 pp DEC 3 ZAANDAM -JOIN MARIE AND CHUCK ON THEIR ANNUAL CRUISE BRAND NEW SHIP -10 NIGHTS SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN FROM $1 507 pp 1 Dec.

10-17 March l0-24 5p Caribbean CjSai Panama Aug. 8 Grand Med BarcelonaIstanbul Sept. 25 MedTrans-AU Barcelona lo Ft. Lauderdale CELEBRITYROYAL CARIBBEAN- AUG 9 SPLENDOUR OF THE SEAS-12 NIGHTS-SCANDINAVIA-RUSSIA AIR INCLUDED PLUS 2 NIGHTS LONDON FROM $3349 pp SEP 2 GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS -7 NIGHTS -EASTERN CARIBBEAN FROM $754pp NOV 12 VOYAGER OF THE SEAS--WORLD'S LARGEST SHIP FROM $1104pp sat 50 OFF laaMBaMaaaaaai RoyalCaribbean Tnternational 6 COSTA CRUISES Alaska Bahamas Europe Caribbean Canal 34 nt Bahamas fr. $329 7 nt Mexican Riviera NOV 19 ATLANTICA -JOIN MARIE i CHUCK, THANKSGIVING CRUISE 7NTS- W.

Carib $854pp DEC 3 ATLANTICA -7 NIGHTS WESTERN CARIBBEAN FROM $754pp DEC 10 ATLANTICA -7 NIGHTS EASTERN CARIBBEAN FROM $754pp VERANDAH -Cabins Avail DEC 3 DEC 10 FROM $1034pp 7 nt Caribbean fr. $699 10 nl Ultimate Caribbean fr. $1449 10 nt Panama Canal fr. $1,299 11 nt Hawaii fr. $1399 Rsqistfy Psnama Lihsrla HCarnK'al.

CARNIVAL 7 nt Carib fr. $599 Journey Back In Time On A Steamboatin Civil War Vacation. Relive the grace, the glory and the conflict of a nation divided on a Steamboatin" Civil War Vacation on the legendary Delta Queen, the magnificent Mississippi Queen or the grand American Queen! Book today to receive 50 Off Your Companion Cruise Fare Airfare! Call your AAA Travel Counselor for reservations. Steamboat and 34 nt BahMex fr. $329 7 nt Carib fr.

$629 10 nt Canal fr. $899 7 nt Alaska fr. $899 10 nt Caribbean fr. $1299 14 nt Canal fr. $1449 nqmtry Panama lrmna 10 nt Carib fr.

$1299 10 Day Canal fr. $1499 i Avowtry NvftMfriaridH NOV 19 VICTORY -7 DAY EASTERN FROM $840 pp NOV 27 IMAGINATION -5 NTS'-GRAND CAYMAN FROM $494 pp DEC 10 PARADISE NEW NONSMOKING SHIP-7NTS E. CARIB FROM $614 pp Holland America Line Maasdam LAS VEGAS nt Baltic titocKnoim to ttocKnoim-i June 18 25 sailings From $1689: incl. air from JFK! SEPT 3 RIO SUITES HOTEL -6 NIGHTS AIR FROM PALM BEACH FROM $689 pp INCLUDES LAUGHLIN TOUR, MATCHPLATE CHIPS AND MUCH MORE. i a.

fr. $1099 Med. fr. $1299 fr. $1699 Princess Cruises 12 Da1 Western pmtlm 12 Day Eastern I Med.

Cruise Number Dates: Night: Routing: DQ 724 Jul 12-21 9 Nashville Chattanooga MQ. 836 SepU2-tW 7 Chattanooga Nashville 837 Sep 09 -16 7 Nashville Chattanooga" 838 Sep 16 23 7 Chattanooga Memphis AQ. V32 Aug U7 -14 7 Memphis New Orleans 933 Aug 14 -21 7 New Orleans Memphis 936 Sep 05 12 7 St. Paul St. Louis 34 nt Bahama or Mexico 1 NORWEGIAN' Norway fr.

$34ST fr. $599 fr. $799 fr. $599 CtUISf LIN1 7 nt NCLSKY 7 nt Bermuda FRE HMNSPORTATBfi TOFROM PORT W7 DAY OR LONGER CRUSES EH Odtr valid onlv fnr cniiK vaianim listnl. dnc mil apnlv to airline nn h-iKf, and i valid imlv urtair is reserved rhnitiKh llie I leita Quern SteaintKl Co.

t.mi llwIMnlirenSnMmhiatln Oftrr i limitrd anil siitiKvt avmlaKilitv, jnd valid lur (Tate-romiu'jreK'Tic and ahtiw. Karrttmluiir fiftcharKw and ctKf of Nnv tmokinK imlv. nin lombimhlf with anv otlicriittmiif diH'nunK and not valid Im rwp tru. SMALL ADS GET READ, TOO Call (561) 820-4300 to advertise. The Palm Beach Post 22L.

IV Drill Vwn Slnmboil Rmm Strtrl Wharf.