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7 Great Orlando Theme Parks — Locals’ Picks

By U.S. News & World Report

The words “theme park” are so synonymous with Orlando, Florida, that many visitors are unaware of anything in the city outside the magical realm. If thrill rides and fantasy worlds are on your vacation to-do list, here are some amusement park highlights recommended by local Orlando experts.

Magic Kingdom Park

First-timers to Orlando must visit Magic Kingdom Park, one of the four theme parks in Walt Disney World Resort. Home to the iconic Cinderella Castle, classic film characters and kid-friendly rides, Magic Kingdom is perfect for families. But there’s plenty of excitement, too.

What are the most thrilling rides? “I could just say ‘the mountains,'” says Jeff Silsbee, director of guest services at Waldorf Astoria Orlando, referring to Space Mountain, Splash Mountain and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

[Read: The Best Hotels in Orlando-Walt Disney World.]

Many Magic Kingdom rides are dated, but that’s their draw. As Richard Tribou, travel editor for the Orlando Sentinel, explains, “If you could ride only one ride in Orlando, it would have to be ‘It’s a Small World’ because you have to know whether you love it or hate it.” Ride it once and you’ll have the song stuck in your head for eternity.

Epcot

Epcot is composed of the science-y Future World and the World Showcase, which explores art and culture. At the Future World, design and race a concept vehicle at Test Track, explore The Seas with Nemo & Friends or use Ellen DeGeneres’ brain as a time machine in Ellen’s Energy Adventure. For a bonus thrill at the World Showcase, you can eat and drink around the world in a day at 11 represented countries.

Top ride draws at Epcot are Frozen Ever After and the newly revamped Imax global hang-gliding adventure Soarin’. “I love that experience,” says Sandra Ferrarese, chief concierge at Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort. “Sitting there hanging, going through all those amazing places and having the feeling that you’re there.”

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park focuses on our furry, feathery and leathery friends, from the ancient past to the possible future. Come face to fang with monstrous lizards on the Dinosaur tour in DinoLand U.S.A. Escape the yeti on the coaster Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. And interact with creepy crawlers in the 3-D Pixar film “It’s Tough to be a Bug!” Hundreds of exotic animals also live throughout the park. Experience some of them up close on the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Newly opened is Pandora — The World of Avatar, which recreates filmmaker James Cameron’s spellbinding movie. Stroll under floating mountains, take a Na’vi River Journey through bioluminescent forests or ride a banshee on Avatar Flight of Passage. “It’s breathtaking,” Tribou says. “It’s perhaps the best attraction Disney has ever produced.”

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If there’s one reason in this galaxy for visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s for another galaxy far, far away. Disney’s “Star Wars” attractions are a megafan experience. With 3-D simulator rides, live character interactions and a nighttime galactic spectacular, “Star Wars” is a blast for those strong with the force.

[Read: The 6 Best Places to Shop in Orlando.]

If you avoid droids, other thrills abound, including a plummet from The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, a 4-D shoot’em-up on Toy Story Mania and a scream-inducing limo ride on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.

Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida has cornered the simulator and 3-D market. Relative newcomers Transformers: The Ride — 3D and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem join classics like Terminator 2: 3-D and The Simpsons Ride. The latest addition to sensory overload is Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon, a humor-packed high-velocity adventure that will make you dizzy.

Universal Studios’ biggest draw is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Diagon Alley. “I’m a huge ‘Harry Potter’ nerd,” says Anna Duncan, former concierge supervisor at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes. “I have to go on the Gringotts bank ride; I have to wear my Gryffindor scarf; I have to stop for my Butterbeer ice cream.” For a unique adult thrill, the Hogwarts Express, which transports park-hoppers to and from Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is the only ride at Universal Orlando Resort that lets you drink a beer on board.

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

Thrill ride enthusiasts know that Universal’s Islands of Adventure equals adrenaline. Marvel Super Hero Island alone packs a wallop. “I think the No. 1 coaster … is ‘The Incredible Hulk,'” says Tribou of the newly redesigned ride. “It has the best launch of any coaster in all of central Florida.”

Next door, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man does what the Hulk can’t with one of the most advanced 3-D simulators on the planet. Not to be outdone, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey combines motion simulation with both animatronics and film for a stomach-churning dragon-evading journey.

[Read: The Best Things To Do in Orlando-Walt Disney World.]

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando, while still an aquatic animal park, packs an adrenaline rush that rivals the excitement other big parks offer. The tallest, longest, fastest coaster in Orlando, Mako reaches 73 mph down a 200-foot drop.

To simulate the flying motion of a ray, the Manta positions riders head first, parallel to the track to twist through four inversions. And floorless coaster Kraken got a makeover and reopened as Kraken Unleashed in June 2017, allowing you to don virtual reality goggles for extra gut-churning as it spins through seven inversions at 65 mph.

If you swoon easily, the park has plenty of slower rides, such as the adorable Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin.

To experience more of what Orlando has to offer, check out the U.S. News Travel guide.

More from U.S. News

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The 15 Best Family Vacations in the USA

Why Go to Orlando-Walt Disney World?

7 Great Orlando Theme Parks — Locals’ Picks originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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