Toon Lagoon

This island may as well come with a towel rack. Prepare to get wet. Is this the Northern extension of Wet & Wild? Not quite, but somehow, maybe it's because of all the ink that they have been subjected to in their animated lives, these characters want to get you drenched. As a parent, you may be blinking amber. You may not want to hit this island on a cold day until mid-afternoon -- unless you think being a shivering damp clan makes for some good family bonding. Don't let the water scare you though, there is plenty to see here, for kids of all ages.

Popeye & Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges

You have probably gone on the typical white water circular raft rides that are housed in just about every amusement park. These are fun, not only because the ride is thrilling, but because all of the passengers are facing each other, with a great view of the unlucky rider whose turn it is to get soaked as the floating 12-passenger vehicle randomly turns. This ride will go beyond that. You see, Popeye and Bluto are feuding again, and nobody is safe in Sweethaven. From the wild S-curve just as your ride starts to the audioanimatronic Popeye and Bluto duking it out, like a spinach-fed Popeye, this ride packs quite the punch. In an innovative, patented, twist you will find yourself inside a foggy tunnel that will snap, leading to a small yet steep 14 foot drop down the busted pipe. Towards the end you pass through a boat wash complete with bubbles and a lot of water! Loading an amazing 2400 passengers an hour under ideal conditions, the six minute and 15 second ride through Sweethaven will have you asking for spinach -- or a poncho! Also, beware of Olive! You will pass by Popeye's boat, named after his lanky sweetheart, and it is stocked with water cannons for kiddies on the second floor deck to aim your way. This has "Bring a change of clothes" written all over it. It's gonna be a good one. (You must be 48 inches to ride)

Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls

High atop Toon Lagoon you will find a huge replica of Dudley's signature Mountie cap. Wow, two huge hats in one park (the other being Cat in the Hat). Universal Studios is presently working on a movie-version of Dudley Do-Right starring Brendan Fraser, hoping for a summer 1999 release. Coincidence? Anyway, this is a flume ride. Like Splash Mountain it will also happen to be a themed flume ride. Can you help Rocky & Bullwinkle's favorite mountie save Nell from the villainous Snidely Whiplash? Race your hollowed out log in heroic pursuit, have a near-miss with a spinning sawblade, and the grand splash finale -- a 75-foot drop into an exploding dynamite shack, that bills itself as the first flume ride to take one beneath the water surface! How so? The shack is actually an underwater tunnel where you go ten feet below the waterline, only to bunny hop right on out. Phew, you saved Nell. Okay, exit, dry off and prepared to get really, really wet this time on. . . (You must be 44 inches to ride)

Me Ship, The Olive

Olive Oyl is going to have a great view of her two suitors here. This is a three-level children’s playground with water obstacles, not too different from Donald Duck's boat out in the Magic Kingdom. This one is far more elaborate though. You have crawl spaces and gizmos on the first floor, including a cool net climb above swirling sharks below, and slides from the second and third floor decks. There is an elevator available and if you get off on the middle deck check out the piano. If you play the colored notes in the proper sequence an orchestra will ring out with the rest of Popeye's theme song. There is also another special feature here as the boat overlooks the Popeye & Bluto ride and this unseaworthy boat is stocked with water cannons. Yes, as wet as you are going to get on the Popeye raft ride, it could get worse if somebody from The Olive decides to aim a burst of water your way. If you have a three or four year old who didn't make the cut for the Popeye ride, find solace in bringing him or her here to fire away at those who did make the cut -- and maybe even an older sibling.

Theater of the Islands

Housed in Toon Lagoon, on the edge of Marvel Super Hero Island, this sit-down covered theater will house live performances year-round. Rosie O'Donnell officially broke in the stadium when she filmed her show there the second week of May during the park's Grand Opening. After that, Pandemonium took over, literally. The show starred favorite toons in a tribute to the world of non-Mickey Mouse animation. The show closed down earlier this year but the theater awaits special events.

Comic Strip Lane

Ever wanted to walk into your Sunday comic strip section? Was Silly Putty just not immersive enough? Here it is, a street where Beetle Bailey and Betty Boop reside as neighbors, where Cathy sells ice cream and Blondie peddles deli bites. You can follow a Family Circus track to complete a comic strip. You can pose in a cutout of Little Orphan Annie. Bring a camera. Bring an autograph book. This is the meet and greet spot for comic strip lovers. Dudley, Popeye, Olive Oyl and Betty Boop have already made personal appearances here and the rest of the cast of Pandemonium is bound to follow. If you want to take in a nice touch just hang out and absorb the soundtrack as the rooftop cartoon characters get into the act.

Stay onsite at Portofino Bay Hotel

Stay onsite at Hard Rock Hotel

Stay onsite at Royal Pacific Resort

By booking your stay at one of the three onsite resorts you will not only be staying a short walk or complimentary boat ride from the park -- you will also receive the Universal Express Front-of-the-Line benefit to avoid long lines and get on your favorite rides like this one quickly.

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