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CONTRIBUTORS T he tourism numbers tell us people from around the globe visit the attractions in Central Florida. How lucky are Floridians to live with such easy access to the most popular tourist attraction in the world? So, for this Orlando-centric issue, we asked our contributors to tell us: What is your favorite ride or attraction at Disney World or Universal Studios and what might that say about your personality? SUMMER/FALL 2016 INFLUENCE | 11 Scott Powers The Amazing Adventures of SpiderMan. I’m old school. For more than a decade, independent ride designers pointed to this ride as the best virtual ride in the world, and I agree. Rochelle Koff Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. I’m a kid at heart — well, basically I’m mentally age 12, so I love the fantasy (quidditch, c’mon!). My daughter and I read Harry Potter while she was growing up so it brings back fond memories. James Rosica I can’t remember the last time I was at either park. Well, not true, I think I was last at Universal in the early 2000s. I seem to recall getting on the Incredible Hulk Coaster and instantly regretting it and then keeping my eyes closed the whole time. So what it says about my personality is that speed and heights freak me out. Mitch Perry Not to sound elitist or out-of-touch, but I’ve never been to Disney World, nor Universal in the 16 years I’ve lived in Florida. Now, I was born and raised in California, and did visit Disneyland five times by the time I was 18. Always a fan of the Matterhorn, I recall. Rosanne Dunkelberger The Haunted Mansion. My family went the first year Disney World opened and it was one of the original E-ticket (I date myself) attractions. It was thrilling to see the twirling dancing ghosts and the singing statues. I think this tells you I like scary — as long as it’s not TOO scary. Jenna Buzzacco-Foerster It’s been eons since I’ve been to Disney or Universal, but if I had to pick an attraction to best describe me it would be “It’s a Small World” — pleasantly annoying … until it’s not. Mary Beth Tyson This is sad but I haven’t been to any of those places in 18 years. Jeannette Rivera-Lyles I’m a Potterhead who gets stomach butterflies every time I ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, my favorite ride. The sensation of flying fast, feet off the ground, that it delivers is just awesome. Magic, of course, isn’t real but it is still fun to let the imagination go wild pretending that it is. It would have been hilarious (and helpful) to have Hogwarts’ Sorting Hat to sort our recent presidential candidates. Oh, the suspense. Who would get sent to Slytherin, home of the cunning? Who would be worthy of Gryffindor, home of the brave at heart? I dare not say. Phil Ammann I have frequently trekked to Epcot’s World Showcase, which allows park-goers to wander, cold beer in hand. Begin to the left, and the Mexico Pavilion offers La Cava del Tequila; to the right, you’re greeted with a Canadian Molson. Either way, arriving at the Norway Pavilion means park goers have (at least) two adult beverages under their belt. And there, nearly hidden in the back, was my favorite Disney ride — the late, great Maelstrom. It was a literal oasis of air-conditioned comfort for weary (and tipsy) travelers halfway around the “world.” Many times, I’ve enjoyed its brief respite, preparing my second wind. What does that say about me? Your guess is as good as mine. Dan Tracy Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is my favorite ride. Reminds me of political discourse — plummeting faster all the time. Tısha Keller When I was a kid, we had annual passes to Disney — and we lived in Orlando — so we went there all the time (as in, for dinner and on bored weekends). I always favored the People Mover in the Magic Kingdom. I loved how it peeked into the nearby rides and carried the promise of a “can-you-imagine-it-future.” I adored it so much, in fact, that years later as a Disney cast member in college, I often went in early just to ride a few times before work. I haven’t been back to Disney in a long time, mainly because I really like remembering it the way I experienced it as a kid — and I maintain that it really is magical, even when you’ve worked “Backstage.”


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