Florida’s Real”Fountain of Youth
Article and Photos by
Ren�e S. Gordon
More than 325,000 Native Americans
had occupied the area that is now Florida for more than 12,000-years
when the first documented European reached its shores 500-years ago
and at that time the native population was approximately 35,000.
Juan Ponce de Leon had sailed on Columbus’ second voyage and had
been intrigued by the “island” and tales he had heard of great
wealth and waters with restorative powers. On March 27, 1513 three
ships under his command landed, named and claimed the land for Spain
and his subsequent search for the “Fountain of Youth” is
commemorated in the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park, Florida’s
oldest attraction, in St. Augustine, Florida.
www.fountainofyouthflorida.com
The quest for eternal youth has
only grown more intense and moved 100-miles south since the time of
the conquistadors. Thousands of people flock to Orlando, Florida
annually to share the limitless joy and unbridled excitement of
childhood both with their families and to recapture the uninhibited
elation of youth. There is no other destination on earth that offers
such a wide variety of sites, attractions, accommodations and dining
opportunities designed to inspire and encourage visitors to use
their imaginations, make memories and generally have the time of
their lives.
www.visitflorida.com
Orlando is not coastal so
the first Europeans did not settle the area until the late 1830s.
The removal of the indigenous Seminole Tribe who had lived there for
thousands of years, was the government’s objective until President
John Tyler gave up in 1842. The Seminole Wars had cost the United
States $20 million and therefore refused to surrender and simply
relocated into less habitable areas of the region.
Fort Gatlin was built in 1838 to
protect the settlers and was named in honor of John Gatlin, who was
killed in a massacre in 1835. A town, Jernigan, soon grew up around
the fort. The town was renamed Orlando in 1857 and there are several
stories regarding the origin of the name. The most common story
states that it is named after Orlando Reeves, a soldier killed while
on duty.
Nickelodeon Suites Resort is the
only children’s resort in the world and it provides ideal
accommodations for Orlando visitors. It is the small details that
can make or break a vacation and the Nickelodeon Resort has
incorporated all the features that make a stay memorable. Security
is an absolute priority, the most important amenities are provided
at no cost, food is affordable and shuttle service to area theme
parks is regularly scheduled. Maps of the property are strategically
placed throughout the complex and atop each building is a large
picture of a Nickelodeon character to make identification easier.
The all-suite accommodations
feature one, two or three bathrooms, kitchens or kitchenettes, and a
living room. The Mall features shops, eateries, the Kid’s Spa, the
Arcade and Studio Nick where families can participate in live
entertainment. The 4-D Experience Theater shows a number of
state-of-the-art, child length, movies including Sponge Bob’s
recently premiered “The Great Jelly Rescue.” There are so many
entertainment options that a weekly bulletin, “The 411,” is
available, as well as guest services, to ensure that guests don’t
miss anything.
“Slime” is one of the hallmarks
of the Nickelodeon experience and no self-respecting fun-seeker
leaves home without being slimed. In fact, it is so popular that the
resort uses 150,000 gallons of slime and 10,000 creme pies annually.
The best place to have “the slime of your life” is the Lagoon Pool
where they pour 400-gallons of green slime in the daily. This
courtyard water park boasts the first zero-depth, heated, entry pool
and a massive series of water ramps, walkways, chutes and seven
slides.
The Nickelodeon story began in
1977 when, as Pinwheel Network, it became the first channel for
children. Two years later it relaunched as Nickelodeon. In 1991 the
first three Nicktoons premiered, “Doug,” “Ren & Stimpy” and
“Rugrats.” Since that time the cast of characters has grown
substantially longer and more beloved. Daily character breakfasts
and dinners give visitors an opportunity to meet and interact with
SpongeBob Squarepants, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Dora and
others.
One can think of the Nickelodeon
Suites Resort Lagoon pool as the modern Fountain of Youth with the
addition of great globs of green slime. You will love it!
Information, promotions and specials are available online.
www.nickhotel.com
Historians trace the origins of
the roller coaster to a ride known as the Russian Mountain dating
from the 15th-century. An 80-ft scaffold was built, packed with snow
and allowed to ice over. Patrons then climbed on a sled and rode
down the resulting hill at a 50-degree angle. The Russians so loved
this form of entertainment that even Catherine the Great had one
built in her garden. By the 17th-century the idea had reached France
and in 1817 documents indicate that someone added wheels. Twenty-six
years later the first loop was added and 33 years later
Pennsylvania’s Mauch Chunk Railway was the first coaster to complete
a circuit. The wooden Leap the Dips roller coaster in Altoona, PA
that operated from 1902-85 reopened in 1999. It is the world’s
oldest operating roller coaster and has been a National Historic
Landmark since 1996.
Theme parks are the most recent
form of what began as Medieval European pleasure gardens, with shows
and vendors, and migrated to the US as amusement parks in the
19th-century. The 1927 inclusion of the Cyclone roller coaster on
Coney Island made it the standard ride in both theme and amusement
parks. In the 1950s amusement parks made the transformation to theme
parks with rides and attractions that are built around a predominant
concept, story or characters.
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| Universal Studio Orlando |
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Universal has been both the
beneficiary and an innovator in roller coaster and theme park
evolution. It began as a basic tour of a functioning Hollywood
Studio nearly 50-years ago. In 1990 Universal Studios Florida
opened. Currently Universal Orlando Resort has two distinct areas,
Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure and if you are a
coaster aficionado you should be on your way to Universal now.
Highlights of a tour of the
Islands of Adventure include “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter”,
complete with talking portraits, a tour of Hogwarts, the Hogwarts
Express Train and “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”, the ride
of your life. J. K. Rowling personally approved the Potter area just
as the wife of Dr. Seuss approved Seuss Landing dedicated to the
Seuss books. There are no straight lines in this section and the
oddly, but naturally, twisted trees were bent by a hurricane and
replanted here. The $100-million “Amazing Adventures of
Spider-Man” invites you to assist as Spiderman saves the Statue of
Liberty in 4-D. This is your only opportunity to swing down the
streets of New York and fight for truth, justice and the American
way simultaneously. Mythos, the #1 theme park restaurant in the
world is located in this area and it meets all your expectations for
taste, service and hospitality.
At Universal Studio
Philadelphians come face-to-face with an onscreen version of
Philly’s own Will Smith in the “Men in Black” control room just
before fighting aliens in “Alien Attack”. Other movie inspired
rides, “Revenge of the Mummy,” “ The Incredible Hulk” and the newest
movie, “Despicable Me Minion Mayhem”, are equally exciting. The
Radical Hulk roller coaster has seven rolls and for a brief time you
are weightless. This continues to be a working studio and as you
walk you pass movie props and streets used as sets.
Bring water and wear sunscreen
and a hat. Your best bet is to arrive early and go directly to the
rides you most want to take. The lines can be long. A number of
special passes are available for entry into the park as well as VIP
Tours that provide a private guide and the opportunity to bypass the
lines. All information to plan your visit can be found at
www.universalorlando.com
Universal CityWalk is adjacent to
Universal Resort and is a dining, shopping and entertainment complex
featuring the world’s largest Hard Rock Cafe. It should be noted
that some individual venues have a cover charge but All Access and
VIP passes are available.
www.citywalkorlando.com
SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment’s
primary goals are to educate the public about conservation and
rescue, rehabilitate and return creatures to the wild and all sites,
attractions and entertainment have some connection with the sea. The
park offers behind-the-scenes tours, interactive areas where
visitors can feed the fish and VIP tours.
In 2012, “Turtle Trek” opened,
the first 3-D, 360-degree, movie. You experience the birth and
journey to the sea of a newborn turtle. The 68-mph Manta and The
Kraken are the two signature roller coasters in the park and “One
Ocean” and “Shamu Rocks” are the iconic shows.
www.seaworldorlando.com
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| SeaWorld's One Ocean |
SeaWorld is comprised of two
additional sections, Discovery Cove and the water park Aquatica. The
all-inclusive Discovery Cove is located across from SeaWorld and
provides interactive experiences including swimming with dolphins,
snorkeling and bird feeding. Admission includes equipment, meals,
beverages and a wealth of experiences.
www.aquaticabyseaworld.com and
www.discoverycove.com
My guess is that Ponce de Leon’s
legends were true, he simply sought the fountain too far north.
Whether you are a child or just have the heart of one you will love
Orlando!
You can obtain all the
information you need to plan a “youthful” trip to Orlando on the web
at
www.visitorlando.com
You can get
Discounts on Disney Park Hopper Tickets!
