I enjoyed yesterday’s article about all the Walt Disney World guidebooks. I was wondering if you have any recommendations regarding guidebooks for Universal Studios or Sea World. My family and I will be spending two weeks in Orlando next month. And while we’re in town, we'd like to check out Disney’s competition. So any help when it comes to preplanning this part of the trip would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Todd –
Hmmn. Well, this situation certainly isn’t a repeat of last week. This time around, we’re not talking about dozens of guidebooks. But just three.
Copyright 2007 Wiley. All Rights Reserved
The first one – “Beyond Disney: The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida” (Wiley, April 2007) – will basically provide you with all the information that you need in one hefty paperback. And given that this 384-page book is published by the exact same folks who brought us “The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World,” you can expect the same insane attention to detail, those same great touring plans of the Parks, even the same snarky sense of humor.
My only quibble with “Beyond Disney” is that … Well, it was published back in 2007. And given how quickly things can change at Central Florida’s theme parks, it’s not wise to work with even slightly out-of-date info. ( Not to worry, though. A brand-new edition of “The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld & the Best of Central Florida” will hit store shelves on April 20th. And this updated version of the guidebook will undoubtedly talk about how “Manta” [i.e. SeaWorld Orlando’s soon-to-open flying coaster] will probably affect guest flow patterns in that Park. Not to mention how “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” will impact Universal Studios Islands of Adventure when that brand-new "land" opens in 2010.)
Copyright 2008 The Intrepid Traveler. All Rights Reserved
But since the updated version of this catch-all guidebook won't be on sale until after your trip, may I now recommend “Universal Orlando 2009: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure ” (The Intrepid Traveler, November 2008) and “SeaWorld, Discovery Cove & Aquatica: Orlando's Salute to the Seas” (The Intrepid Traveler, February 2009)? These two paperbacks should give you & your family all the information you need to properly plan any excursions you may take way from the Mouse House.
“Universal Orlando” takes a somewhat unique approach to covering these two theme parks. In that Kelly Monaghan, the book’s author, argues that Universal Studios Florida & Islands of Adventure have become “ … the preferred destination for sophisticated adult fun-seekers and thrill-seeking teenagers.” Which is why he uses all 256-pages of this paperback to lovingly describe every single ride, show and attraction at the Parks. Not mention walking you through all three of the Universal Orlando Resort’s luxury hotels as well as giving you a detailed overview of CityWalk’s restaurants, shops and clubs.
As you page through “The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure,” you can’t help but come away with a far stronger appreciation of USF & IOA. How these theme parks really have stepped up their game over the past 10 years to truly become serious completion for the four Disney Parks in Central Florida.
Copyright 2009 The Intrepid Traveler. All Rights Reserved
Monaghan takes a similar approach to reporting on the Anheuser-Busch Parks in “SeaWorld, Discovery Cove & Aquatica.” Just as he did with “Universal Orlando,” the author walks you through all three “Worlds of Discovery” and then points the very best way to experience those Parks’ rides, slides, shows and attractions. As an extra-added bonus, Kelly tosses in chapters about Busch Gardens Africa (which features a great write-up on Jungala, the latest addition to that theme park) & Adventure Island (which highlights Wahoo Run, the newest mega slide to be added to this 30-acre water park) in Tampa.
And if you’re thinking about staying off-property, Todd … Well, then you definitely want to pick up a copy of “Orlando’s Salute to the Seas.” For Monaghan includes a section in this 238-page paperback that then discusses some of Central Florida’s finest hotels: the Renaissance Orlando Resort, Marriott’s Grande Vista, the Peabody Orlando and the Rosen Shingle Creek. So if you’re toying with pampering the family as part of this upcoming trip to O-town … Well, “SeaWorld, Discovery Cove & Aquatica” is definitely a book that you want to check out.
So – in short – if you want to learn about what else there is to do in Central Florida beside hang out with a mouse that clearly has some pituitary problems, then you should probably seek out copies of these three paperbacks.
Hmm, apparently my wife and I aren't sophisticated, since we prefer WDW to Universal. Nothing like insulting your target audience!