Island Real Estate

Orlando Theme Parks ~ Only 2 hours from Anna Maria Island

Please see the links below for assistance on visiting the Orlando Area. Of course Orlando is well known for Entertainment rides, Parks, Restaurants, as well as Water Parks.

Disney World
Bring the kids, young and old, and experience THE most exciting amusement park in the world. Disney offers something for everyone, from Epcot Center to Animal Kingdom, everyone will find a feature they just can’t wait to try.

Universal Studios
At Universal Studios Florida you can “Ride the Movies!” The park offers shows and rides, along with numerous other attractions and distractions. Universal Studios Florida, its sister park Islands of Adventure, CityWalk, offer a great distraction while vacationing in Florida.

Sea World
SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando, Florida is the world’s premiere marine adventure park with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. Explore the mysteries of the sea with up-close animal interactions and exhilarating thrills.

Universal Studios Orlando

A great day trip from Anna Maria Island is a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando! Universal features two parks catering to thrill seekers, movie enthusiasts, and families looking for a fun group activity.
Islands of Adventure Hulk Entrance
Islands of Adventure features multiple roller coasters, including The Incredible Hulk Coaster® which propels riders from 0 to 40 miles per hour in 2.0 seconds! The ride features multiple inversions and is a must ride for any coaster enthusiast! Also check out The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man® ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey® ride, Dragon Challenge™ roller coaster, and The Cat in the Hat™ ride!
Universal Studios Entrance
Universal Studios directly adjacent to the Islands of Adventure park features many more thrills to complement the park-going experience! Of the two parks at the location, Universal Studios is the more interactive of the two, featuring multiple parades throughout the day featuring notable characters, such as Spongebob, Patrick, and Bikini Bottom locals. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem is a 3D motion ride experience, but the most notable feature of the ride might just be the dance party with minions following it!

You can also zap aliens in a team competition on MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™ where you rack up score by hitting aliens strategically placed throughout the ride. Just remember to press the red button (at least before your memory is erased)!

There are also two choices for those who need to satisfy their roller coaster fix. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit® is a vertical lift coaster that features multiple inversions and the ability to pick your own selection of music from various genres. We’ll even let you in a little secret about the Rip Ride Rockit hidden songs! Hold the Universal logo for about 10 seconds after lowering your restraint and enter in the code that corresponds to the song you want!

Rip Ride Rockit

 

Code Song Artist(s)
101 Temples of Syrinx Rush
102 Smithereens Blues Before&After
103 Break On Through The Doors
104 Crocodile Rock Elton John
105 Do It Again Steely Dan
106 Candlebox Don’t You
107 Drivin’ Rain Gov’t Mule
108 8 Miles High The Byrds
109 Fantasy Aldo Nova
110 American Hi-Fi I’m A Fool
111 Unknown Guitar Solo Unknown
112 Freebird Skynyrd
113 Immigrant Song Led Zeppelin
114 Just Because Jane’s Addiction
115 Live Lenny Kravitz
116 Mexicola Queens / Stone Age
117 Unknown Synth Solo
118 Unknown Track Sax Solo
121 Runnin’ Down a Dream Tom Petty
122 Start Me Up The Rolling Stones
123 Stockholm Syndrom Muse
124 Diary of Jane Breaking Benjamin
125 Great Gig in the Sky Pink Floyd
127 Urgent Foreigner
128 Vertigo U2
129 Wheel in the Sky Journey
130 Won’t Get Fooled Again The Who
131 Klein Mandelbrot Blue Man Group: The Ride
132 Drumbone Blue Man Group
301 Float On Modest Mouse
302 I Want You Back Jackson Five
303 In My Pocket Cat Empire
304 Still Rock ‘n Roll To Me Billy Joel
306 Lose Yourself Eminem
307 Ride Like The Wind Christopher Cross
308 Run to You Bryan Adams
309 Save Room John Legend
311 Unknown Track Unknown
312 My Everything Barry White
508 Pivot Dry (local band)
701 Cyanide Metallic
702 Unknown Song Unknown
703 For Whom The Bell Tolls Metallica
704 Forever Down Black Label Society
707 Know your Enemy Rage Against the Machine
708 Lets Go Ministry
709 Mouth For War Pantera
710 Painkiller Judas Priest
711 Paranoid Black Sabbath
713 Wicker Man Iron Maiden
715 Wake Up Dead Megadeth
718 You’ve Got Another Thing Comin Judas Priest
901 Movin Right Along Muppets
902 Rainbow Connection Muppets
904 Night on Bald Mountain Modest Mussorgsky
Source

Revenge of the Mummy ride

Revenge of the Mummy® is an indoor roller coaster that plunges you through the depths of a tomb as you narrowly escape the curse of an ancient mummy! There are a couple cinematic elements and pyrotechnics incorporated that make the ride more immersive than the typical roller coaster.

As well as both of the parks there is plenty to do on Citywalk which is just outside of the parks, and free of charge (sans the parking fee)!  There is miniature golf, numerous restaurants, shopping outlets, entertainment, and at night the area transforms into a hub for the party going nightclub crowd to dance the night away with drink in hand.

MEN IN BLACK™ Alien Attack™

Men in Black™ Alien Attack™ is an interactive motion ride inside the Universal Studios Orlando park in Orlando, Florida.

The queue winds through a MIB training facility featuring many characters from the movies. The cars seat 3 per row with two rows in each car for a total of 6 riders per car. Each rider controls their own ray gun to shoot the aliens throughout the ride with. So how about some tips to help you get the best score and impress everyone with your alien eliminating abilities?
MIB Alien Attack at Universal Studios

  1. Well first and foremost, always be shooting! You can hold down the trigger the whole duration of the ride to rack up points with every tenth shot. You also won’t tire your finger out nearly as much!
  2. The targets that are either farther away or up higher are worth more points than those that are closer!
  3. You can hit the same target multiple times so pick one and aim for the eyes! They will light up red when hit!
  4. Press the red button before entering the final tunnel! Listen for the voice command telling you to do and be one of the first two to do so to score a 100,000 point bonus. At this point there is a large alien right above you serving as a distraction although shooting it does not award additional points!
  5. Not every gun has the same accuracy so some adjustment will be required with each ride, and some seating spots are better than others! Try to get a side seat, and in the back row if possible to get the best chance at maxing out your score!

You will start out in the training area and at this point focus on one of the upper aliens until you cannot shoot them anymore! Then move to a target directly in front of you. As you exit the training area your score will briefly flash, but be ready for the aliens in the next room. Instead of shooting the aliens directly in the bush in front of you go for the ones in the windows to get more points! You can also find Frank the Pug in this area near the newsstand. He may be harder to see if you are in the car on the right-hand track though.

As you enter the next area you will be ambushed and aliens will pop out of boxes and trash cans around you and your car will be sent into a spin. Just aim for their guns for the most points in this area, but you don’t have much time here so be quick!

After the ambush you will enter a forested area before your vehicle is scanned for alien lifeforms. Look to the left and aim for the eyes in the trees! Keep hitting the same target as many times as possible and show your friends that you aren’t just the average galactic defender. After you can no longer shoot the eyes in the trees get ready to look upwards and shoot the aliens above you instead of the car of “aliens” across from you. Yes, you could hit their exhaust (located on the top of of the antenna) and send them spinning, but we’re here to get 999,999 alien slaying points! If you can’t find any more aliens to shoot towards this ending area just shoot at the exhaust on the other car, and prepare for the final push.
Do not shoot!
Now at this point there will be a large alien overhead which may seem like he’s worth a lot of points, but he is just a distraction! Push the red button that is located where you picked up your gun at the beginning of the ride and hope that you’re one of the two in your car that presses it first for a 100,000 point bonus!

With this guide and practice you will be maxing out your score in no time!

This is a great ride to use the single rider’s line on as you can normally get the bonus each time you go, and you’ll be able to get on quicker than waiting with your friends! You can also brag to your friends about how many aliens you slayed without them knowing how awful you actually did!

The Incredible Hulk Coaster®

One of the big attractions at Universal Studios Orlando is The Incredible Hulk Coaster® found inside Islands of Adventure!
Islands of Adventure Hulk Coaster
Upon entering the queue for the roller coaster you are surrounded by the lab equipment of Bruce Banner. As a volunteer for his experiment you await your turn to help him solve how to reverse the effects that caused him to become the Hulk. You can take in the story of the Hulk on the many conveniently placed monitors, as well as the generator, gamma core, and towers of power while listening to or watching through the windows as the roller coaster rips past.
Incredible Hulk Queue
After waiting you will be seated into one of the seats of the car, and pull down your harness and strap in. Banner begins the experiment, but it appears there is a malfunction and you are launched up the gamma tunnel from 0 to 40 mph in 2 seconds directly into a zero-g roll. After a cobra roll the car enters a vertical loop, and is launched through a misty tunnel which then completes a corkscrew.
Incredible Hulk Coaster Car
The length of the ride is approximately 2 minutes, and experiences 1.42Gs during the launch, has 7 inversions, reaches 67 mph, has a largest drop of 105 feet, and reaches a max height of 110 feet.
Hulk Entrance
For those who are interested in saving some time at the cost of possibly being split up, the single riders line can on average save 20-30 minutes especially during busy days and I personally make use of it with my friends each time I visit the park (which is upwards of 10 times a year)! Just let the employee at the entrance of the ride know and they will point you or your group in the direction of the single riders line. You get to stay with your group until you are placed on the ride in most cases so you won’t be away from them except for during the ride!

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey®

After you heard about Hogwarts I’m sure the first thing you did was went back through all your junk mail in the hopes that maybe you missed your letter. Well you may still be a muggle, but now you can take in the wonders of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside Universal Studios Orlando!
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
The feature ride of the wizarding world is Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey®, which takes place  throughout the castle of Hogwarts! You will journey through the castle and the grounds surrounding with Harry, Hermione, and Ron while fighting off a dragon, dementors, spiders, and other creatures! If you successfully make it through you can expect to be greeted by Dumbledore and many other memorable friends thanking you for your assistance.

The ride is a motion ride that tilts and rocks you throughout the challenges, and seats four per car.

For those who are interested in saving some time at the cost of possibly being split up, the single riders line can on average save 20-30 minutes especially during busy days and I personally make use of it with my friends each time I visit the park (which is upwards of 10 times a year)! Just let the employee at the entrance of the ride know and they will point you or your group in the direction of the single riders line. You get to stay with your group until you are placed on the ride in most cases so you won’t be away from them except for during the ride!

Wizarding World of Harry Potter

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter inside the Islands of Adventure Park at Universal Studios Orlando features many rides that bring the world to life to us simple muggles!
Olivander's Wand Shop
You can visit Olivander’s Wand Shop to get your very own wand! However, you may have some difficulty getting the spells down. I’m still yet to figure out how to get the broom to magically sweep on its own or the dishes to wash themselves.
Honeydukes Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Visit Honeydukes to pick up some sweets! Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Jelly Beans, Chocolate Frogs, and many other sweets make their appearance. Just hope you don’t eat a booger flavored one! Save those for when your relatives come to visit!
Hog's Head Butterbeer
There is also the Three Broomsticks for dining. I always pick up a frozen butterbeer from the Hog’s Head pub located inside the restaurant. Butterbeer is served as a non-alcoholic drink and you can choose whether you would like it frozen or not. I personally like the frozen better!
Hogwarts Express
Don’t forget to grab a picture with the Hogwarts Express either! The train operator will be glad to pose with you for a picture. There have been rumors going around that we will eventually be able to ride the Hogwarts Express between the Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios parks! That will save a lot of walking and possibly time as Hogsmeade is located towards the back of the park, and we want you to see all the sights and get on all the rides!

Highlands Hammock State Park ~ the real Florida

If you need a break from the beach take a ride to the “real” Florida. The Highlands Hammock State Park is centrally located in the middle of Florida, near Sebring. This park is one of Florida’s first state parks and known for its beautiful old-growth hammock and cypress swamps. A 3.1 mile loop drive gives a first impression. In addition there are nine different nature trails that take visitors through lush, jungle-like foliage. There are habitats like the pine flatwoods, hardwood swamp, marshes, scrub vegetation and lots of wildlife to discover. White-tailed deer, raccoons, bobcats, tortoises, herons, anhingas, ibis and of course alligators are among the animals living in the state park. The most popular hiking trail is the Cypress Swamp Trail that takes you on a 30 minute walk on an elevated boardwalk. The swamp borders a blackwater stream in the lowest elevation and numerous key points include the variety of plants, birds and other wildlife.
A large picnic area, 159 campsites, horse trails, playground, restaurant and the Civilian Conversation Corps Museum are other features of the park.  During my visit I took the tram ride that leaves daily at 1 pm if there are at least 5 passengers present. For $5 this is possibly the best value you can get in any state park. Our park ranger Nick provided us with a wealth of information while touring the remote areas on this 60 minute ride. I guess it is even more interesting as we were very lucky to see all kinds of wildlife including a wild boar. Take a look at the pictures!

Contact Information:
Highlands Hammock State Park
5931 Hammock Road
Sebring, Fl 33872
http://www.stateparks.com/highlands_hammock.html

For other great activities or suggestions for your leisure time please visit our Island Real Estate blog.

Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon
Sign up for our Email Newsletter





Sea World is great daytrip from Anna Maria Island

Sea World Orlando Sign

Sea World Orlando Sign

Sea World is a great full day activity for Anna Maria Island visitors.  In addition, United Kingdom visitors typically hit Orlando for about 3-5 days then come to Anna Maria Island for a week long REAL vacation.

Sea World is just a short drive from Anna Maria Island.  If you can get the family up and ready to leave by 8:00 AM you should reach Sea World

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando

by 9:30 AM and walking through the front gates of Sea World, Orlando by 10 AM.  We like to leave a little earlier and stop at the Denny’s just across the street from Sea World for a strong breakfast to start our day.  It starts us off on the right foot after the quick 1.5 hour ride to Orlando and seems to help the kids calm down since they can see the entryway to Sea World just across the street.  Most parking in Orlando is NOT free and Sea World charges to park.

Sea World has a ton of stuff to do for all ages.  They have an amusement park outfitted with a roller coaster that any adult would love.  Tea Cups for those of you that have strong stomachs, swing rides, twirling rides, you name it.  Of course Sea World is not as large as a stand alone amusement park but it has plenty to get you past your roller coaster “fix.”   Sea World also has the classic water log ride and you can see a portion of the ride in the video shown below.

SeaWorld also has a pretty large children play area.  Huge climbing nets will keep your children playing for hours and nearby is a water play area if they get bored of nets or other play areas.

Of course we cannot forget the shows.  The biggest show of all, “Shamu” will not disappoint.  Plenty of jumps, dives, and splashes.  Another great show is a dolphin show where more than 5 dolphins jump in unison all throughout the water.  A high diving show lets your children watch as parrots buzz by just over your heads as well divers dressed in costumes dive into water from about 30-40 feet above.   One last show which is great for kids.  The Sea Otter show is filled with blunders, clean jokes, and a few animals that perform tricks that even the toughest critic will be impressed with.

There are lots of sea life to view at Sea World.  There is a great penguin exhibit where you see a great variety of penguins.  There is sea life tunnel where sharks and other sea life swim throughout the tunnel overhead.  The tunnel provides plenty of Oohs and aaahs.  After one of the shows there is a neat spot where the floor below is made of glass and right above is a glass ceiling both outfitted with plenty of sea life.  Children love to run around and chase the fish in the floor.

Be sure to bring your sun screen, some cash, and a little patience and Sea World will offer a life time of family memories.  For more great Orlando things to do be sure to visit our Orlando Activities pages.

SeaWorld Orlando
7007 SeaWorld Drive,
Orlando, FL, 32821
888 800-5447

Sea World is just under 2 hours from Anna Maria, Florida

Sea World offers a great mix of entertainment for children.  Just 1.5 – 2 hours drive away from Anna Maria Island it offers a great full day get away.  Jump in the car as early as convenient for your family and just two hours away you can be in Sea World is just a 2 hour drive from Anna Maria IslandOrlando soaking up the Florida Sun getting entertained by some of the Worlds best shows.

Sea world is a great mixed amusement park for the entire family.  Teenagers love the roller coasters, water log ride, and who does not love a tunnel aquarium?  Younger children love the wild sea lion, Dolphin, and Shamu show.  Adults love it all and the best moments of all are watching the smiles on your family faces.

Directions from Anna Maria Island to Seaworld are very simple and can be found below.  It is best to go straight to Sea World and use parking at the park itself.  Parking runs about $15 and it is well wroth it to walk from your car to the park.  One trick if you are hungry as you arrive is to stop by Denny’s for a quick breakfast.  You can see the Sea World main entrance sign from the Denny’s parking lot on International Drive.
View Larger Map

 

The Dolphin show is great for younger children.   Dolphins, divers, parrots, and plenty of other entertainment during the show makes the 1/2 hr great fun for the entire family.

 

The Shamu show is great fun for all.  There is nothing like watching thousands of pounds of sea life jumping 15-20 feet into the air.  There are only two shows per day and strongly suggest making the first show.  The last show of the day ends when the park closes so you are caught up with alot of people leaving the show and the park all at the same time.

 

 

Sea World has a great area for children.  A huge net area to climb, pint size amusement rides, and water cannons, everything to make the smaller children of the family happy.

UK Toll Free: 0 800 883 0462  |  German Toll Free: 0 800 188 8906