SeaWorld’s Aquatica announces the opening of Florida’s first-ever dueling racer water slide on April 3, 2021, here in Orlando. This ride, good for up to four people, has you paired off in your own two-person raft. Enter your lane which runs parallel with the competition along the 68-foot tower. Aquatica’s website says, “It’s a dash to the splash as you compete in this side-by-side raft run through high-speed tunnels, twists, and turns.” Low walls help you keep track of the other racers as you (hopefully) maintain first place. It’s been a long year during which Aquatica has been quietly getting this amazing, one-of-a-kind ride ready for the summer. Along with the new ride at the waterpark comes the grand opening of Ke-Re’s Bar and will soon open Papa’s Cantina. Slather on the sunscreen and schedule your next family outing to SeaWorld’s Aquatica.
Tag: family fun
National Crayon day, March 31, is a bittersweet day. This day, reserved to celebrate the beloved crayon and the joy of coloring, is also the day Crayola retires a color. Don’t fret. There is a way to preserve your favorite color forever.
Goodbye Lemon Yellow, Blizzard Blue, Mulberry…
Over the years, we’ve lost a lot of great colors such as lemon yellow, violet blue, and magic mint. More than 50 colors have silently slipped from the crayon box. There is a way to save your favorite color and leave your mark in crayon history at Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall. Before you make history, let’s run through the history of crayons. Did you know…?
- Only professional artists used coloring tools in ancient Egypt, Greece, and throughout the Roman Empire. The coloring sticks in these times were made of beeswax and color pigments.
- In the Middle Ages, again only professional artists used coloring tools. These tools looked more like our crayons today but were more like pastels made of oil, color pigments, and charcoal.
- Crayons became super popular in the Victorian era. In 1828, Joseph Lemercier, a famed lithographer, created a crayon that replaced chalk with a key ingredient: wax, and took out a lot of the toxic ingredients so kids could enjoy some coloring fun.
- In 1885, Crayola was founded by Binney and Smith in New York City.
Hello Creamsicle Orange
Now that we know the history, let’s make some history of our own. When you visit Crayola Experience in Orlando, Florida, stop by the Wrapping Station where you can name a crayon and have your new name printed on the wrapper of your personalized crayon. This keepsake will last a long time but keep it safe and away from heat. Unlike crayons from history, todays are made with paraffin wax and other non-toxic ingredients that melt easily.
Colorful Family Fun at Crayola Experience Orlando, FL
There’s so much to do at Crayola Experience in the Florida Mall. Families can expect to spend about 3 to 4 hours visiting the attractions here. Everyone will have fun in the activity studio—a themed cut, color, and paste experience, solving puzzles and riddles in the adventure lab, and interact with your coloring page as it comes to life in the color magic lab.
There are tons of photo opportunities with amazing backdrops, character meet and greets, as well as with the world’s largest Crayola crayon. This crayon weighs an impressive 1,352 pounds and is 15.6 feet long. (Did Crayola make a sharpener big enough for this crayon?)
As you would expect of a place focused on coloring, there are tons of artistic and craft-like activities for all ages. The cool part is these range from the physical realm—making sculptures and then coloring them, to the coolest of virtual reality—playing in a rainbow of colors that reacts to your movement.
An Affordable Attraction
Aside from the invaluable time spent enriching your children in a world of color and art, families love that this attraction is affordable.
Quick Savings Tips
- Save 15% off full price tickets by subscribing to their email.
- First responders get in free every day, while their immediate family get in free on Sundays.
- Free annual pass for teachers with proof of teaching certificate and photo ID.
- Entry is free on your birthday.
- All tickets are $10 off after 5 p.m.
Add to the savings Rosen Inn closest to Universal Orlando Resort. Our fine accommodations—a quick car ride away from Crayola Experience—provide many family-friendly amenities such as a video arcade game room, seasonally-heated swimming pool with a children’s pool, and onsite dining. Our low rates compliment all the savings you can enjoy at Crayola Experience Orlando, FL. Click Check Availability in the upper right corner to start booking today.
Driving all the way to New Orleans to experience Mardi Gras may not make much sense, especially if you have a family. Instead, visit Universal Mardi Gras where the celebrations are equally vibrant and fun for the entire family. The best part is that you can party with other families every night from February 1 through April 2 without having to buy an extra ticket other than an entry pass to Universal Studios of Florida.
Mardi Gras Parades
First thing that may come to mind about this long holiday are the parades of colorful floats and marching bands. At Universal, Mardi Gras is celebrated nightly with parades, stilt walkers, dancers, and street performers. Of course there will be tons of confetti and beads thrown. Since this is a family friendly event, all you have to do to get beads is smile!
If you or a family member are hearing or viewing impaired, there’s a special area for ADA viewing to the far left of the stage near Rip Roaring Rocket’s entrance. If you or a family member are in a wheelchair, feel free to park on the concrete walkway on either side of the technician’s booth.
Fun Fact: Kearn Studios, who makes the Mardi Gras floats for Universal, also makes the floats for Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
Mardi Gras Fun for the Little Ones
Little tots and small ones in the family are invited to watch the festivities from the Little Jester’s parade viewing area. You’ll find it in front of the Brown Derby Hat. Here you can secure an unobstructed viewing spot an hour before the parade.
Locating the French Quarter Courtyard
If you’ve been to Universal Studios before, you know there’s no section for New Orleans. That’s where theme park magic comes in play. From February 1 through April 2, Universal transforms its New York location into the French Quarter Courtyard—the epicenter of Mardi Gras celebrations.
Beignets and Cajun Food
Now that we know where the French Quarter Courtyard is located, you know where to go for some authentic beignets, jambalaya, and other famous Cajun/Creole cuisine. Mardi Gras isn’t the same without the flavors of New Orleans!
The Sounds of Mardi Gras
After food and floats, Mardi Gras is also extremely well known for the music. Throughout the parade and in special concerts, this celebration is made complete by the unique music of Louisiana Jazz, blues, and Zydeco bands straight from New Orleans. You will not want to miss this unique experience. But of course Universal has to top itself to make Mardi Gras unforgettable, so they’ve invited famous musical acts to play at the Music Plaza Stage during Mardi Gras. The stage is right by Rip Roaring Rocket. The concert line-up includes top acts such as ROOTS, TLC, and Marshmello. Keep track of Theme Park Events for updates on concerts and other special Mardi Gras events at Universal Studios.
Rosen Inn, Closest Rosen Hotel to Universal Studios
By visiting Orlando and Universal Studios, you wisely chose a way for the family to enjoy Mardi Gras. Make another wise decision by staying at Rosen Inn. We’re the closest Rosen hotel to Universal Studios—only a mile and a half away! Many of our guests even walk to the theme park—it’s that close. Closer still is the Check Availability button in the top right corner. Click it to start your next Orlando vacation.
