Battle of the Theme Parks – Disney vs Universal (Parts I & II)

April 3, 2024June 29, 2024Posted in Blog, Disney & UniversalTagged California, Disney, Florida, hospitality, March Madness, themepark, Universal StudiosLeave a comment

Welcome back to the blog! It’s time for our annual tradition of our March Madness event, but this year it is the battle of Disney versus Universal. In this multipart blog series, we will be taking an in-depth look at the history behind these companies, the innovations made along the way, what the future holds, and finally, a guide to all things hotels and dining to help you in your Florida or California journey. So without further ado, let’s jump right into Part 1!

Part 1 – Humble Beginnings: Disneyland and Universal Hollywood

In the grand tapestry of theme park history, two names stand out as pioneers: Disney and Universal Studios. These iconic destinations didn’t just materialize overnight; they emerged from the dreams and aspirations of visionary creators, forever changing the entertainment landscape. Today, we will deeply dive into the two theme park giants… This is the Battle of the Theme Parks. Grab your seats, my friends… This match is gonna be a good one!

Stepping in the ring, in the right corner, the most magical place on Earth… celebrating nearly 70 years- DISNEYLAND. And stepping in the ring, in the left corner, the place with movies comes alive…celebrating 60 years – UNIVERSAL HOLLYWOOD!

Disneyland: Where Magic Began

It all began with Walt Disney and his unwavering belief in the power of imagination. Walt’s dream was to create a place where families could escape the ordinary and immerse themselves in fantastical worlds. And so, on July 17, 1955, Disneyland opened its gates for the first time in Anaheim, California.

But the journey to Disneyland’s opening was anything but easy. Walt faced countless challenges, from securing funding for the park to convincing skeptics that his vision was viable. Yet, fueled by his relentless determination, he pressed on, turning what was once a dream into a reality. Thus truly Walt Disney created what is considered the “most magical place on Earth.”

From its humble beginnings, Disneyland enchanted guests with its themed lands, iconic attractions, and immersive storytelling. Main Street, U.S.A, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland became synonymous with magic and wonder, each offering its own unique experiences. Over the years, Disneyland has seen its share of changes over time, with the most recent being the addition of Galaxy’s Edge which opened on May 31, 2019. As of June 2023, Disneyland has 52 attractions with 49 rides, though remember that Disney uses the term “attractions” as a catch-all phrase for all rides, shows, and exhibits.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Where Hollywood Meets Adventure

While Disneyland was shaping the future of theme parks on the West Coast, another visionary was making waves in the heart of the entertainment industry. Carl Laemmle, the founder of Universal Pictures, saw an opportunity to bring the magic of cinema to life in a whole new way.

In 1915, Universal Studios Hollywood opened its doors as a working film studio and tourist attraction. Visitors were given behind-the-scenes access to the movie-making process, including live stunt shows, studio tours, and encounters with their favorite film characters. This would start the spark that would lead to the creation of the many full-fledged Universal Studios theme parks around the world.

But it wasn’t until the 1960s that Universal Studios Hollywood truly embraced its role as a theme park. With the introduction of guided tram tours and the construction of permanent attractions, such as the iconic Studio Tour and the Psycho House, Universal solidified its place as a must-visit destination for movie lovers and thrill-seekers alike. The theme park that people know and love today is split into three main “zones” or areas: the Upper Lot, the Lower Lot, and the Wizarding World. The newest addition was the whole new Super Nintendo World in February 17, 2023, which was a clone of the rather popular area from the Universal Japan park. On July 12, 2023, Universal revealed they are planning to open a brand-new coaster experience themed to Fast & Furious.

The Legacy Lives On

Today, Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood continue to captivate audiences from around the globe, each building upon its storied past while embracing innovation and evolution. From the enchanting lands of Disneyland to the pulse-pounding thrills of Universal Studios Hollywood, these parks stand as testaments to the power of imagination and the enduring magic of storytelling. The latest records that I could find show that Disneyland recorded 17.13 million visitors in 2022 and Universal Hollywood recorded 8.4 million visitors in 2022. This places Disneyland at #2 in the most visited theme parks in the world, with Universal Hollywood at #13.

As we journey through the history of theme parks, we cannot help but marvel at the humble beginnings of Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. They may have started as mere dreams, but they have since grown into beloved institutions, shaping the way we experience entertainment and inspiring generations to come. But, there was a major issue with the West Coast theme parks…. They were landlocked and there was just not enough room to contain all of the ideas both companies had in mind… so they looked at the road map for the next destination….grab your sunscreen folks, we are heading for the Sunshine State!

Part 2 – Sunshine Expansion: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando

As the sun rose on the horizon of theme park innovation, both Disney and Universal looked to expand their magical empires beyond their humble beginnings. Florida, with its sprawling landscapes and burgeoning tourism industry, beckoned as the next frontier for these entertainment titans. Thus, began the saga of Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

Walt Disney World: The Kingdom of Dreams

In the late 1960s, Walt Disney’s vision expanded beyond the borders of California, setting its sights on the lush landscapes of central Florida. Inspired by the success of Disneyland, Walt envisioned a vast complex that would redefine the concept of a theme park resort. And so, on October 1, 1971, Walt Disney World welcomed its first guests to the Magic Kingdom, a majestic realm of fantasy and adventure.

Designed to supplement Disneyland in Anaheim, California, which opened in 1955, the complex was developed by Walt Disney in the 1960s. Walt wanted to build a new park because Disneyland in California was limited from expanding by the establishments that sprung up around it. “The Florida Project”, as it was known, was intended to present a distinct vision with its own diverse set of attractions. Walt Disney’s original plans also called for the inclusion of an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow” (EPCOT), a planned community intended to serve as a testbed for new city-living innovations. Sadly, Walt Disney died on December 15, 1966, during the initial planning of the complex. After his death, the company wrestled with the idea of whether to bring the Disney World project to fruition; however, Walt’s older brother, Roy O. Disney, came out of retirement to make sure Walt’s biggest dream was realized.

But Walt’s vision didn’t stop there. Over the years, Walt Disney World grew into a sprawling oasis of imagination, encompassing four distinct theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Each park offered its own unique blend of storytelling, innovation, and entertainment, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. The Walt Disney World resort also grew to include several hotels, a campground, 2 water parks, Disney Springs, a sports complex, and much more. From the timeless enchantment of Cinderella Castle to the futuristic landscapes of Epcot’s World Showcase, Walt Disney World captured the hearts and imaginations of guests of all ages, cementing its place as the ultimate destination for magical experiences. Their newest addition was Journey of Water at EPCOT on October 16, 2023, while the other parks had: TRON Lightcycle / Run (Magic Kingdom- April 4, 2023), Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Hollywood Studios- March 4, 2020) & Pandora – The World of Avatar (Animal Kingdom – May 27 2017).

Universal Orlando: Where Thrills Meet Adventure

Not to be outdone, Universal Studios saw an opportunity to carve out its own slice of paradise in the Sunshine State. In 1990, Universal Studios Florida opened its gates, offering guests the chance to step into the worlds of their favorite movies and TV shows. From the exhilarating thrills of rides like The Incredible Hulk Coaster to the immersive environments of attractions like Revenge of the Mummy, Universal Studios Florida quickly became a must-visit destination for movie buffs and adrenaline junkies alike.

The original theme park in the resort, Universal Studios Florida, opened on June 7, 1990, as a theme park that let visitors “Ride the Movies.” The park is composed of themed areas and attractions based on the film industry. Visitors get themed dining and shopping, a variety of special events throughout the year, and may even catch an actual film crew at work on the backlot.

The themes of Universal Studios Florida are targeted at making guests feel like they are on a movie set with rides, shows, and attractions inspired by popular film, television, and music productions. The park currently consists of eight themed areas – Hollywood, Production Central, New York, San Francisco, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, World Expo, Springfield, and Minion Land on Illumination Avenue. Universal also hosts events celebrating many holidays including Mardi Gras, Halloween, and Christmas – all of which are beloved by the fans of Universal as most events are already included in the park ticket.

But Universal’s ambitions didn’t stop there. The second park to open at the resort was Islands of Adventure, which opened on May 28, 1999. It is composed of eight distinct “islands” that are themed to various forms of adventures from literature. Visitors start off at the Port of Entry and make their way through the various islands – Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Skull Island, Jurassic Park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade, the Lost Continent, and Seuss Landing. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, based on the popular Harry Potter franchise, as well as Skull Island, based on the 2005 King Kong film, are the only islands that were added after the park opened. Hogsmeade opened to the public on June 18, 2010, and Skull Island opened to the public on July 13, 2016

However, Universal wanted more. In 2017, Universal would open up a 30-acre (12 ha) themed water park, Volcano Bay. This water park would replace the closed Wet N Wild Orlando location and gained many positive reviews from fans. Then, it was revealed that Universal had a project planned for another theme park to its resort. It would be confirmed later and revealed that Universal was to open a fourth upcoming theme park, Epic Universe, which is set to open in the Summer of 2025.

On August 1, 2019, NBCUniversal announced that it was building a third theme park called Universal Epic Universe. It will be located a few miles south of the existing resort, within a larger 750-acre site. There are rumored to be five lands including a central hub and four other areas themed to How to Train Your Dragon, Wizarding Paris from the Fantastic Beasts franchise, Universal Classic Monsters, and Super Nintendo World (in which its presence was confirmed in January 2020). It was stated that the project would create 14,000 jobs. Brian Roberts, the CEO of Comcast, called Epic Universe “the largest investment we’ve ever made in a park”. The complex will also include separate resort hotels, dining, and retail facilities. Sadly due to COVID, the construction of the theme park was delayed until March of 2021.

A Tale of Two Empires

As Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando continued to expand and evolve, they transformed the landscape of central Florida, turning it into a mecca for theme park enthusiasts from around the world. With their diverse attractions, innovative experiences, and unwavering commitment to storytelling, these two entertainment juggernauts proved that the magic of imagination knows no bounds. The latest records that I could find show that Magic Kingdom (Walt Disney World) claims the crown at #1 with 17.13 million visitors recorded in 2022, compared to the other three parks in the resort ( Hollywood Studios at #6 with 10.9 million in 2022, EPCOT at #9 with 10 million in 2022, Animal Kingdom at #11 with 9.02 million in 2022). Universal is not that far behind actually and both parks recorded rather good numbers with Islands recorded at #5 with 11.03 million in 2022 and Universal Orlando at #7 with 10.75 million in 2022). But, how did the battle between these theme parks really heat up? We have to turn the clock back… way back to the 2000s… when the world was in love with a boy with a strange lighting bolt scar….

Are we leaving you on a cliffhanger? Yes… yes, we are! But fear not our theme park battle will continue in the upcoming parts three through five. Stay tuned! And as always if you are enjoying our content be sure to subscribe and follow us on social media to never miss blog updates and any new posts.

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Exploring SeaWorld Orlando: A Fascinating Journey into Marine Wonder

December 29, 2023December 29, 2023Posted in Blog, Touristician ReviewsTagged Amusement Park, Florida, hospitality, Orlando, Review, SeaWorld, themepark, Travel, zerotoheroLeave a comment

Welcome back to the blog! Previously, in my last post, I began reviewing my experiences from Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure while on my vacation in Florida. Today we are once again back in the fabulous Sunshine State and we are enjoying the sights and sounds of SeaWorld Orlando!

About The Park:

SeaWorld Orlando, located in Orlando, Florida, is a theme park and marine zoological park. It is associated with neighboring parks such as Discovery Cove and Aquatica, all falling under SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. The park is also affiliated with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. In 2022, SeaWorld Orlando welcomed around 4.45 million guests, making it the 10th most visited amusement park in the United States. This high visitation highlights its status as a major attraction, drawing visitors to experience its entertainment and marine life conservation.

SeaWorld Orlando has been a significant part of the Central Florida entertainment landscape since its opening on December 15, 1973. Joining the ranks of the SeaWorld chain as its third park, it quickly became a pivotal attraction, effectively transforming Central Florida into a multi-park vacation destination. Notably, the park’s establishment followed closely on the heels of the opening of Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom by a mere two years. This proximity in timeline solidified the region’s status as a premier global destination for diverse, world-class theme park experiences.

Following its initial introduction, SeaWorld Orlando experienced changes in ownership that further shaped its trajectory. In 1976, the park was acquired by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, marking a pivotal shift in its stewardship. Subsequently, Anheuser-Busch, renowned as the owner of Busch Gardens, assumed ownership of SeaWorld, adding another layer to the park’s rich history. This transition in 1989 not only altered the park’s ownership structure but also contributed to the evolution of its offerings and strategic direction, reflecting the dynamic nature of Central Florida’s entertainment landscape.

Busch was more experienced with theme parks and thus developed SeaWorld in a competitive and aggressive manner, moving the park from a show-based to a ride-based park. The park joined in the Disneyland-started simulator ride wave in 1992 with Mission: Bermuda Triangle (later rethemed into Wild Arctic). The nation’s first combination roller coaster and flume ride, Journey to Atlantis, was installed in 1998. In 2000, the Kraken, a Bolliger & Mabillard floorless roller coaster, was added to the park. The flying coaster, Manta, came to the park in 2009 and won the Theme Park Insider Award as the best new attraction.

After being in business for almost 30 years, Busch Entertainment expanded by adding two parks next to each other. Discovery Cove opened in 2000 and Aquatica water park opened in 2008. The company was sold to a private equity firm in 2009 after Anheuser-Busch was purchased by InBev. This led to the closure of the Hospitality Center in February 2009. Over the years, Sea World has introduced several new attractions such as Mako, Ice Breaker, Sesame Street Land, Infinity Falls, and the latest one this year: Pipeline.

SeaWorld’s commitment to marine conservation and education has been a hallmark of its brand, with initiatives aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of marine life. However, throughout the years while trying to achieve this goal, SeaWorld has faced hefty backlash for serval incidents, including safety violations and significant fines related to one of its main orcas. However, despite some of these challenges and issues, SeaWorld has successfully created a harmonious balance between enjoyment and education, providing visitors with a deeper appreciation for the oceans and the creatures that inhabit them.

The acquisition of SeaWorld by new ownership has brought about significant changes in the park’s operations, with a renewed focus on guest experiences and environmental stewardship. This shift has seen the introduction of innovative attractions and experiences, aimed at captivating audiences while also fostering a greater understanding of marine ecosystems.

In recent years, SeaWorld has continued to expand its attractions, with a keen eye on incorporating cutting-edge technology and immersive storytelling. The addition of rides like Mako, Ice Breaker, and Infinity Falls has enhanced the park’s appeal to thrill-seekers, while Sesame Street Land has delighted younger visitors with its vibrant and interactive offerings.

Moreover, the introduction of Pipeline, the latest attraction unveiled this year, underscores SeaWorld’s ongoing commitment to providing fresh and exciting experiences for its guests. This thrilling new addition is set to further elevate the park’s reputation as a premier destination for entertainment and adventure, solidifying its position as a leader in the realm of marine-themed attractions.

SeaWorld’s journey reflects a dedication to evolution and adaptation, embracing new opportunities to captivate audiences while remaining steadfast in its mission to inspire conservation efforts and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. As SeaWorld continues to chart its course into the future, it stands poised to continue delivering unforgettable experiences that blend entertainment, education, and environmental awareness.

SeaWorld Orlando’s fascinating transformation in the summer of 2014 marked a significant milestone for the renowned company as it celebrated its 50th anniversary. The park underwent a reorganization, dividing into distinct areas known as “seas,” each meticulously crafted to embody a unique thematic essence. This innovative approach invited visitors to embark on a captivating journey, starting from the lower center and unfolding seamlessly in a clockwise direction, offering an unparalleled adventure at every turn. This reconfiguration helped to enhanced the guest experience, and also exemplified the commitment to continuous evolution and creativity that has been synonymous with SeaWorld’s legacy.

Port of Entry

The main entrance of the park features a Florida-inspired theme with tropical landscaping and a large artificial freshwater marina with a Shamu-themed iconic lighthouse.

Sea of Shallows

This area showcases most of the shallow water sea animal exhibits at the park as well as the Dolphin Theater. In addition, the Manta roller coaster travels through this section and the former Turtle Trek, A 360 degree dome film, which featured the story of a turtle. All of the Key West at SeaWorld area is inside of the Sea of Shallows. It is designed to mimic the appearance of the city of Key West, Florida with architecture and landscaping reminiscent of the area. Animal exhibits in this portion of the park include lesser devil rays, cownose rays, southern stingrays, green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, greater flamingos, West Indian manatees, American alligators and brown pelicans. The stingray and dolphin habitats offer opportunities for guests to feed the animals.

Sea of Legends

The Journey to Atlantis is a captivating boat ride that incorporates thrilling roller coaster elements, creating an unforgettable experience for visitors. This attraction draws inspiration from the mythical legend of the lost city of Atlantis, adding an intriguing and immersive narrative to the adventure. Additionally, visitors can also enjoy the adrenaline-pumping excitement of Kraken, a remarkable floorless roller coaster that further enhances the overall thrill of the theme park. The combination of these exhilarating experiences ensures that visitors can look forward to an action-packed and unforgettable time at the park.

Sea of Ice

Sea of Ice, originally named Antarctica, is themed around the Antarctic continent. Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin is the sole attraction in this area as a penguin exhibit. This is where the brand new ride will be based, named Penguin Trek, in 2024.

Penguin Trek is being promoted as an unforgettable family launch coaster adventure capable of reaching speeds up to 43 miles per hour. The ride is themed around viewing the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica from a snowmobile while dodging and narrowly escaping the crumbling hazards of an icy cavern. The ride ends with the rider discovering a real penguin habitat.

Sea of Delight

The Sea of Delight is truly a captivating section of the park, offering visitors a delightful experience reminiscent of a seaside Mediterranean village. The charming sub-area called The Waterfront is a picturesque representation of this, complete with quaint architecture and serene views. One of the highlights of this area is the iconic Sky Tower ride, seamlessly integrated into the theme of The Waterfront village when it made its debut in 2003. This merging of thrilling attractions with the thematic essence of the village adds a unique allure to the overall experience.

Moreover, within this enchanting enclave, guests can also enjoy the captivating Pets Ahoy show, which was hosted in the Seaport Theater. This engaging animal show provided a memorable experience for visitors, becoming a cherished part of their time in The Waterfront. Notably, just beyond The Waterfront lies the Sea Lion and Otter Stadium viewing area, offering a perfect vantage point to observe these fascinating marine animals in their natural element.

The Sea of Delight, with its exquisite blend of attractions and thematic elements, truly stands as a testament to the park’s artful curation of immersive experiences.

Sea of Mystery

The Sea of Mystery is where you’ll find the Shark Encounter exhibit and the Sharks Underwater Grill, as well as the Nautilus Theater, which they use for seasonal shows and events. Mako, a Bolliger & Mabillard steel hypercoaster, was introduced in the area on June 10, 2016. They spruced up the current shark exhibit and the surrounding area, turning it into Shark Wreck Reef. By 2018, they also added the rapids ride Infinity Falls in this area, set in the sub-area of Sea of Infinity. This spot has a rainforest vibe and also features a food spot called Waterway Grill.

Sea of Power

The Sea of Power is where SeaWorld puts on its killer whale shows. Right in the middle, you’ve got the Shamu Stadium, and right next to it is the Wild Arctic indoor pavilion. Inside the Wild Arctic, you can check out some cool animals like beluga whales, Pacific walruses, harbor seals, and there used to be polar bears, too. Right now, the Shamu Stadium is running the “Orca Encounter” as its main show, but you can catch “Shamu Celebration: Light up the Night” and “Shamu Christmas Miracles” during the holiday season.

Sesame Street Land

Formerly named Shamu’s Happy Harbor and Sea of Fun, Sesame Street Land is a kids’ area right next to Shamu Stadium. Here, you’ll find fun stuff for the whole family, like Super Grover’s Box Car Derby (a mini rollercoaster) and a cool water play area. This is the only part of SeaWorld Orlando inspired by the educational TV show, Sesame Street.

My Rating: 6/10

While I enjoyed my time at SeaWorld, my main complaint was the crowd level as the theme park was hosting the Madi Gras celebrations as well as its Seven Seas Food Festival. I am kind of disappointed I didn’t get to try any of the foods but decided it would not be worth the price, but all of the stalls were uniquely themed and the menus did look interesting. A big complaint I have for SeaWorld is their locker policy or their usage of the locker system. You do have to put items in a locker for most of the thrill rides, but they are not free like Universal’s sadly. The system was a bit more confusing to use and took a bit for me to understand fully. I wish they would use the ticket or something similar to Universal, then offer the free lockers that are smaller and paid lockers for bigger items. I loved the different walk-thru exhibits and educational posters that helped teach kids about the animals and how to save the animals. That is something that I think really makes SeaWorld a good place to visit with kids. The live action shows with animals were cute and I did enjoy watching the shows, though I think they missed out by not making the screen at the Orca Encounter in the shape of a whale tale… but eh, that is just my opinion. I did learn that the SkyTower is a charge of fee ride, so that was a bit disappointing. When I did get to the SkyTower, it was either closed or the line was too long.

My biggest disappointment was the meal ticket plan I had gotten. The restrictions of where to eat and what to eat are utterly ridiculous. I feel they could expand this a bit more to include some of the better restaurants… I didn’t really get the bang for my buck with this item and I dont not suggest it.

Tips & Tricks

Just like Universal, Sea World does have an app you can download that will help you keep track of ride times, show times, and more. I suggest just like Universal to see if you look up a calendar to show when Sea World expects a crowded time and try to avoid going to the park during those times. For the small kids, I say you really need to check out Sesame Street Land. It’s a really cute and interactive land for the younger ones, while the thrill junkies can go ride the coasters. It even has a parade of characters, but you can imagine that it causes a bit of a backup even if you are trying to get from one part of the park to the other.

And with that, the review is officially done! Though, we did go to Disney Springs before heading home on the 4th day… I feel it was unnecessary for me to give a full review on the shopping district area as we didn’t spend much time there. Again, the main complaint, the crowds were utterly ridiculous. The line for the Lego store wrapped around the store itself, if that gives you an idea on how busy it was during that weekend.

I thank you all for joining me on my great adventure. I look forward to hopefully sharing more with you all again next time. For now, here are some more pictures from my trip! Enjoy!

Exploring The Sunshine State (Part 3) – Universal Studios Orlando

October 6, 2023September 25, 2023Posted in Disney & Universal, Touristician ReviewsTagged Experiences, Florida, Hotel, Islands of Adventure, Review, themepark, Travel, Universal Studios1 Comment

Welcome back to the blog! Previously, in my last post, I began reviewing my experiences from Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure while on my vacation in Florida. In today’s continuation post, I’ll be reviewing more of the park and rating my dining experience at Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen. So without further ado, let’s get back to Florida!

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

Located in the CityWalk, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Kitchen (yes, that is the full name) is a steampunk-themed restaurant that makes you feel like you are stepping into an inventor’s lab. There is even a backstory that I have included below for your enjoyment.

‘From the Alps to the empire of the Aztecs, from Mongolia to Madagascar, Professor Doctor Penelope Tibeaux-Tinker Toothsome learned new and fascinating methods of infusing chocolate into the most extraordinary recipes, making friends and receiving honors everywhere she went. Upon returning home to London, Penelope determined that she would share her love and knowledge of chocolate with the world. She set about building The Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, an enchanting 19th-century themed, Steampunk-inspired dining establishment with a façade of towering smokestacks and an interior adorned with intriguing gadgets and gizmos.’

Aside from the stunning look of the exterior and interior design, there are the two main characters of Penelope Toothsome and her loyal robot companion Jacques who love to interact with the guests as they eat. The Restaurant is two levels with a stunning bar so you can get different experiences depending on where you sit. The main menu items are, of course, the delightfully delicious milkshakes featuring chocolate, peanut butter, vanilla ice cream, and more. The price range for the milkshakes is between $13.50 – $15. I ordered myself the Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake, which included Sour cream ice cream, cheesecake, graham crackers, fresh whipped cream, and chocolate dipped strawberry. I was even able to keep the cup as a souvenir of my dining experience!

While those may satisfy your sweet tooth, Toothsome also offers a great variety of options from the Savory Kitchen side. They offer appetizers, salads, soups, flatbreads, sandwiches and burgers, pasta, and delicious entrees. For those who are early birds, they even have a whole Brunch menu as well! The price range for the menus is considered between $10 – $33, so I would say a moderately priced restaurant. For my lunch, I ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo which I found to be absolutely delicious!

My Rating: 10/10

What can I honestly say more about this place? The theming: 10/10. The service: 10/10. The food: 10/10. The desert: 10/10. The interactions: 10/10. This is probably one of the best-themed dining experiences in all of Universal in my opinion. I loved watching the screen as the steampunk robots flew around with ingredients, meeting the characters, and the overall feel of the restaurant. There is nothing I would suggest to change here, it’s absolutely perfect! Which makes this rating review probably the easiest and shortest review.

Tips & Tricks

When planning my trip to Universal, I asked my travel agent to add a reservation for Toothsome specifically for the lunchtime period. While you are allowed to go at any time, it is probably best to make reservations ahead of time. The busiest times seem to be late afternoon time (3 pm) and of course, dinner time around 6 pm to 7 pm time frame. Keep in mind that weekends and Fridays may also have a higher crowd level as well. You can also make reservations by calling ahead of time or via the website as well. Another tip I suggest is to take a look at their menu before you arrive to eat. You can find their menus listed on the website as well.

Well, lunchtime is over and I am quite full. Let’s head back into the parks and continue our fun day at Universal Orlando. Keep in mind, you will have to go through the security check at the front gates at the parks even if you had already done so when you first arrived. That is the only grip I had is that I wish there was a way for easier re-entry. I understand though it is for security reasons that we have to re-enter at the gates.

Heading Back To The Park

I went back into the Islands side of the park, this time going counter-clockwise from the Port of Entry. I was able to experience (before its closure this summer) Poseidon’s Fury. I found the indoor special effects show to be quirky but you can definitely tell it was aging since it had been in the park since opening day in 1993. It’s sad how empty Lost Continent is now compared to the original opening-day experience, I can only hope that maybe in the future this land gets a much-needed facelift and rethemed. There are many rumors spreading of the land being replaced by Lord of the Rings or Zelda, but Universal has made no such announcement as of yet.

After Poseidon’s Fury, I was able to catch a ride on the VelociCoaster. Talk about an adrenaline rush. There were several airtime moments that I felt like I was about to come out of my seat. I continued on my journey back into Hogsmeade to ride Forbidden Journey and check on the wait time for Hagrids. However, when I arrived, the wait time was 120+ minutes, and the queue line was stretched into the Lost Continent section. I decided to skip Hagrids and ride the train over to the Studios portion of the park.

Universal Studios Orlando

Universal Studios Florida is split into nine themed lands situated around a lagoon. The nine surrounding themed areas, clockwise from the entrance, are Minion Land on Illumination Ave, Production Central, New York, San Francisco, London/Diagon Alley, World Expo, Springfield USA, Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, and Hollywood. Each area features a combination of rides, shows, attractions, character appearances, dining outlets, and merchandise stores. The newest area, based on Despicable Me, will be added to the park in Summer 2023.

Minion Land on Illumination Ave

This is the newest land which has replaced a portion of Production Central located at the main entrance of the park. This new ‘mini-land’ includes the attraction of Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and the upcoming Villian-Con Minion Blast attraction.

Production Central

This land is mostly themed to music with the rollercoaster of Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit and the Transformers the Ride 3D dark ride. There is no real clear theme to this area, especially with a portion of the land now being rebranded and rethemed to the Minions area coming this summer.

New York

This land is mostly themed to New York City, including many facades of some of the New York Public Library and some other landmarks from the city that never sleeps. This land hosts the attractions of the Jimmy Fallon ride, the Revenge of the Mummy indoor coaster, as well as the preview center and a Blues Brother stage show.

San Francisco

This mini-land is themed to the San Francisco bay area and hosts its only attraction: the Fast & Furious Supercharge dark ride. I have to say that this land is probably one of the weakest ones at Universal Florida sadly. Many guests state that the ride, which had replaced Disaster and Earthquake, is a horrible retheme. Though, many guests do enjoy the queue line that has some props and cars from the Fast & Furious franchise.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley/London

This second half of The Wizarding World is themed to the Diagon Alley / London location from the films. You literally get to step through the brick way into Diagon Alley, where you can not even see the rest of the theme park. This land includes the Kings Cross Stations for the train ride to Islands, a Gringotts-themed ride, and several shops and restaurants themed to the Harry Potter franchise. This is the most popular area of the park and is usually the most crowded. Don’t forget to watch the dragon on top of the Gringotts bank which is set to spit fire every 15 minutes or so.

Springfield

This area used to be part of the World Expo which originally housed the Back to the Future Ride. In 2017, this area would be rethemed to the popular Simpsons television series. The ride would be rethemed into the Simpsons Ride. There is also a spinning ride resembling the title aliens (Kang and Kodos) on The Simpsons. There is no word of what may happen to this area after the leasing of the Simpsons is over.

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

On January 15, 2023, the majority of Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone, including its rides Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster and Fievel’s Waterslide, the play areas Curious George Goes to Town and Fievel’s Playland, and the Shrek-themed meet-and-greet style attraction which was opened the year before after the closure of Shrek 4-D, was permanently closed to make room for an unannounced area rumored to be themed to DreamWorks Animation. E.T. Adventure and Animal Actors on Location were kept, as well as SpongeBob StorePants, a SpongeBob SquarePants-themed merchandise store, and KidZone Pizza Company, a seasonal pizzeria located by the area’s entrance. The only two remaining attractions at KidZone are the Animal Actors show and the E.T. Adventure ride.

Hollywood

There are no major thrill rides in the Hollywood section. However, it is home to the updated Bourne Stuntstactular which replaced the Terminator attraction. Hollywood’s two dining outlets are recreations of actual Hollywood outlets. Schwab’s Pharmacy and Mel’s Drive-In offer guests a variety of food and beverage options. A third outlet, named Cafe La Bamba, operates seasonally. Guests can purchase magic-related items from Theatre Magic.

My Rating: 6/10

While I normally give this a rather good rating, I was rather rushed as I only had 1 day to enjoy the Universal parks. My rating was also lowered due to the rather large crowds as it was a holiday weekend plus the Mardi Gras event at Universal. I feel that the Studios side of the theme park is rather lacking compared to the Islands side. Though, Diagon Alley did help the Studios upgrade its lineup and theming to stepping into the movies. I look forward to what could be replacing KidZone in the coming future, but there are no official announcements. The only area that I feel really needs to be replaced or redone is San Francisco. The ride (Fast & Furious Supercharged) is not really a good ride compared to what is offered in the park. I hope that Orlando decides to replace the dark ride with the coaster like they are in the Hollywood park.

Tips & Tricks

I don’t have any additional tips or tricks that I haven’t already covered in the Islands portion of this review. While you’re in Diagon Alley, I suggest taking a look around to find subtle nods to the Jaws ride that used to be in the area but was replaced. Additionally, I really enjoy all the spell-casting spots in Diagon Alley, though Knockturn Alley does have an interesting effect on the map via the dark light. Another tip, if you haven’t already, is to download the Universal app to keep track of show times, ride wait times, and character meet and greets. The locker system is similar to the Islands of Adventure locker system and uses your ticket to unlock the free small locker. While I don’t think it is required, you can also consider buying the Universal Express Pass, which can sometimes help reduce wait times.

Exploring The Sunshine State (Part 2) – Islands of Adventure

September 27, 2023September 25, 2023Posted in Disney & Universal, Touristician ReviewsTagged Experiences, Florida, Islands of Adventure, Orlando, Review, themepark, Travel, Universal StudiosLeave a comment

Universal Studios Florida is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida that opened on June 7, 1990. Owned and operated by NBCUniversal, it features numerous rides, attractions, and live shows that are primarily themed to movies, television, and other aspects of the entertainment industry. Universal Studios Florida was the first of three theme parks to open at Universal Orlando Resort, joined later by Universal’s Islands of Adventure in 1999 and Volcano Bay in 2017. In 2019, it ranked eleventh in the world – sixth in North America – for overall attendance among amusement parks with approximately 10.9 million visitors.

The success of its sister location, Universal Studios Hollywood, in the 1980s fueled the desire to build a similar park in the Orlando area to compete with Walt Disney World. Two of its early projects were partially developed by famed Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, and many themed attractions over the years were developed in close collaboration with the directors, producers, and actors of the films they are based on. An early layout and design of the park also incorporated active production studios, similar to the Hollywood location, which provided guests with a behind-the-scenes look at film and television. As the interest to produce films in the Orlando area quickly faded, the design of the park transitioned to a more immersive, first-person perspective.

Universal Studios Florida operates a well-known annual event during the fall season called Halloween Horror Nights, where the park transitions to a Halloween theme featuring haunted houses and scare zones on select nights. One of the park’s biggest draws is Diagon Alley, a Harry Potter-themed portion of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that opened in 2014. Other notable attractions include E.T. Adventure, which debuted with the park’s grand opening in 1990, Men in Black: Alien Attack, as well as roller coasters Revenge of the Mummy and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit.

To make it easy for our readers, I will split the day according to how I spent it at the parks. So our review will begin at Islands of Adventure, then have a lunch review from the Toothsome Chocolate Factory, and end the day at Universal Orlando. Here are a few things to keep in mind: During my time visiting, Universal Orlando was celebrating Madi Gras. It was also President’s Day weekend so the crowd level was moderately higher than I liked. So without further ado, let our Journey begin!

Islands of Adventure

Universal Islands of Adventure (also known as Islands of Adventure or IOA), originally called Universal Studios Islands of Adventure and later Universal’s Islands of Adventure, is a theme park located in Orlando, Florida. It opened on May 28, 1999, along with CityWalk, as part of an expansion that converted Universal Studios Florida into the Universal Orlando Resort. The resort’s slogan “Vacation Like You Mean It” was introduced in 2013.

Islands of Adventure is modeled after a journey of exploration, where guests embark on an adventure to visit a variety of themed islands. Initially, the park featured six islands. A seventh, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, was added in 2010, themed to the highly successful Harry Potter franchise. It was Universal’s largest investment since the resort’s founding in 1990. The expansion led to a significant increase in attendance, and in 2013, Islands of Adventure ranked seventh domestically and eleventh internationally after hosting approximately 8.1 million guests. The eighth island, Skull Island, opened on July 13, 2016, and is themed to the King Kong franchise.

Islands of Adventure is split into eight themed islands: (going clockwise around the park)

Port of Entry

Port of Entry is the park’s main entrance and is home to many shops and services including Guest Services aptly named The Open Arms Hotel. The park’s centerpiece, Pharos Lighthouse, is also located within the Port of Entry. Each night, this functioning lighthouse sends out a bright beam to lead visitors to and from the park’s gates. Like many theme parks using the “hub and spokes” format, this entry Island contains no rides.

Marvel Super Hero Island

Marvel Super Hero Island is based on the superhero characters featured in Marvel Comics. The area features comic book-styled architecture, with many building interiors created from a comic book perspective, characterized by exaggerated lines and angles. The exteriors of the buildings are painted with a special paint that appears to change color depending on the viewing angle; sometimes purple, sometimes orange. This island consists of four attractions: one tea-cup-themed ride featuring Storm from X-Men, one freefall tower themed to Doctor Doom from Fantastic 4, one 3-D dark ride themed to Spider-Man from Spider-Man, and one launch coaster themed to Hulk from The Hulk.

Toon Lagoon

Toon Lagoon is based on cartoon and comic strip characters from King Features Syndicate and Jay Ward. The area’s main focus is water-based rides. This island holds three attractions: one log flume ride themed to Dudley Do-Right, one river rapids ride themed to Popeye the Sailor Man, and one interactive kids’ playground themed to Popeye the Sailor Man.

Skull Island

Skull Island is the newest island at the park, having been opened in the summer of 2016. The area’s sole attraction, Skull Island: Reign of Kong, opened on July 13, 2016. The attraction and island mark the return of the King Kong character to the Universal Orlando Resort after the Kongfrontation attraction closed at Universal Studios Florida in 2002 to make way for the Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride. The only attraction on this island is the dark trackless ride based on the Kong films.

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park is themed around the film series of the same name. Set after the events of the first film, the area takes on the guise of John Hammond’s dinosaur theme park featured in the series. As such, the area is filled with attractions and exhibits one would find in the “real” Jurassic Park, including thrill rides and discovery-based exhibits. There are five attractions located on this island: A children’s play area named Camp Jurassic, A river ride named Jurassic Park River Adventure based on the film and book of the same name, A suspended steel flying coaster named Pteranodon Flyers themed to the dinosaurs of the same name, A launch coaster named VelociCoaster themed to velociraptors and the Jurassic World franchise, and the interactive play area of the Jurassic Park Discovery Center based on the film and book of the same name.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is themed around the Harry Potter universe, authored by J.K. Rowling. It officially opened to the public on June 18, 2010. On May 31, 2007, Universal announced that it had secured the licensing rights from Warner Bros. and Rowling to incorporate the Harry Potter franchise into Islands of Adventure. The 20-acre (81,000 m2) island features attractions, shops, and restaurants set inside locations such as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village, and the iconic Hogwarts Castle. Groundbreaking began in 2007, with the official opening scheduled for June 18, 2010, as announced on March 25, 2010. As part of the promotion for the upcoming area, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the production of the park section is included on the Blu-ray and DVD release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

The Lost Continent

The Lost Continent is themed to ancient myths and legends, and is divided into two sub-sections: an ancient Arabian marketplace called Sinbad’s Bazaar, and a Grecian-Atlantis-esque Lost City. Formerly, the Lost Continent included a medieval section called Merlinwood, but the majority of that area was re-themed for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This land is also home to Mythos, which is one of two full-service restaurants in the park and was voted the winner of the best theme park restaurant by Theme Park Insider for six successive years between 2003 and 2008. As of June 1st, 2023, there is only one remaining attraction on this island: The interactive Mystic Fountain.

Seuss Landing

Seuss Landing is based on the works of author Dr. Seuss. The island features several Seuss-themed attractions, especially geared towards small children, as well as a Green Eggs and Ham Cafe and Circus McGurkus restaurant. As in the books, one of the unique characteristics of this area is that there are almost no straight lines anywhere. Palm trees bent by the winds of Hurricane Andrew were even planted in the area to continue this theme.

My Rating: 8/10

I am a bit biased when it comes to the Islands of Adventure rating. This theme park is one of the most brilliantly themed parks in the Orlando area, behind the Disney Parks. Every island has its own character and charm that you can see in the buildings and the views. You feel like you are stepping into your favorite comic strip, whether it be Spider-Man or Popeye. Or you can feel like you are stepping into your favorite book, whether it be Cat in the Hat or Jurassic Park. There are a few reasons why my rating is a bit lower, mostly due to the crowd level. I also am rating this experience on this trip instead of my previous trips before. Another reason why it is not perfect is just the fact that I was rather time-restricted due to the fact that I only had one day in both parks. I also am very lucky to get a chance to experience Poseidon’s Fury before its closure, but my main gripe about the Lost Continent is the lack of attractions since the Wizarding World takeover. This island is one of the remaining islands that have not received anything new since opening day nearly 30 years ago.

Tips & Tricks

As mentioned in the Dockside review, you can catch a shuttle bus from the hotel to the Resort for free. That eases the burden of having to worry about paying for parking at the resort or trying to find a spot in the parking lot if it’s a busy day. One tip was my use of a fanny pack that I carried with me. I kept my wallet, my phone (while on rides), and my glasses (while on rides) inside of the fanny pack and felt it was just easy to keep track of my personal items.

Keep in mind that almost all rides do require you to place items into a locker before boarding the ride, though there are a few that don’t have that rule in place. The major thrill rides, the coasters, will all have a locker system that is provided to you for free or for a paid fee for use of the day. The water rides do offer lockers for guests to use, however, they are paid lockers and there are no free lockers to rent. There are air dryers, which once again are paid, that you can use located near any water ride.

My second tip, download the Universal Orlando app. This app allows you to keep track of wait times for rides, and times for experiences like characters or shows, and allow you to mobile order for food at many of the restaurants.

Stay tuned for part two of my Universal Studios Orlando & Islands of Adventure experience where I’ll review more of the park and review the Toothsome Chocolate Factory restaurant!

Exploring The Sunshine State. Theme Parks, State Parks & Travel Tips! (Part I)

March 30, 2023March 29, 2023Posted in Disney & Universal, Touristician ReviewsTagged Disney, Florida, hospitality, Hotel, Review, SeaWorld, themepark, Travel, Universal StudiosLeave a comment

Greetings friends! I am back with a new blog for all of our friends! I will review the four-day vacation that I took recently, highlighting each day with reviews and thoughts on each park. I will also add my suggestions and tips so that you can make your vacation planning easier! So sit back, relax, and enjoy the review!

My family left our home in North Georgia at about midnight, Friday morning. Our deal was that I would pay for every other refill of gas in the car, as well as half the grocery bill and the parking fees at the hotel. We would stop around 8 am to eat some breakfast at a Pilot Travel Center for a restaurant named Iron Skillet. After our Breakfast, we would head to our first destination on our vacation… Weeki Wachee!

Weeki Wachee Spring State Park

Weeki Wachee was started by a US Navy named Newton Perry, who was looking for an interesting spot for a new business. Newton would experiment and invent a method of breathing underwater from a free-flowing air hose supplying oxygen from an air compressor. This would give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus. They would build an 18-seat theater built into the limestone so viewers could look right into the natural beauty of the ancient spring submerged. On October 13th, 1947, the first showing at the theatre would open. In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nation’s most popular tourist stops.

By the 1960s, girls were coming from Tokyo to try out for the privilege of being a mermaid at Weeki Wachee. The mermaids would perform eight shows a day to sold-out crowds and as many as half a million people would come to the Springs to see the mermaids. The city of Weeki Wachee would become incorporated by 1966, putting the small town on the map. By 1982, the waterpark “Buccaneer Bay” would open with waterslides and white-sand beaches. Weeki Wachee is celebrating 75 ‘fintastic’ years right now, with some beautifully painted mermaids along the main paths.

Now, it is time for my thoughts, reviews, and tips for Weeki Wachee. While we were at Weeki Wachee, we were able to catch the show in the lagoon but the room was rather full already so we didn’t get the best seating to see some of the action. The show they performed was the Little Mermaid, which my sisters enjoyed greatly. My first tip is to arrive at the theatre about 30 minutes before showtime if you wish to have a good seat, as it fills up quickly. Weeki Wachee also offers a boat ride but sadly it was already full for the next three trips, so we skipped the tour. I love walking down the trail as the flora is somewhat beautiful but the shade was much appreciated in the heat that day.

My Rating: 4/10

The reason my rating is so low is just due to how little there is to do at the state park. I think it is a cute pitstop, but with only three mermaid shows and a boat ride. You can easily get bored at the park. I thought they could have done more flora on the trails, though some of the flowers were beautiful. My biggest complaint was the fact that the boat rides filled up rather quickly and made the rest of our visit rather boring. There is some theming around the park, but it is sparse and mostly used for photo ops. The statues they had out for the 75th anniversary could have spread out the park, maybe like a treasure hunt in my opinion.

Tips & Tricks

My first tip for visiting Weeki Wachee is to try going for a boat ride first. Head straight to the boat docks. While many will be watching the mermaid show in the morning, the line for the boat ride will be low. However, after the first show is over, the line and queue fill up for boat rides. My second tip is to keep an eye on the times for the mermaid shows. The park opens the theater for seating 30 minutes before the show and keeps doors open until the theater is full or the show is in progress. When we arrived, the theater was rather full but we were still able to get a seat. However, when the action scenes in the middle took place, it was hard to see much.

Now, for a trick for those who have young kids. The state park does have a Ranger show towards the back that will teach kids all about beautiful animals, there is also a playground for them to burn their energy out on. My biggest trick is that we also took a child harness to help keep the youngest from running off, but allow her to still run around for fun.

Universal Endless Resort- Dockside

Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn & Suites and Dockside Inn & Suites are a pair of hotels located in Universal Orlando in Orlando, Florida forming a single resort. The resorts are built on the former site of Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, which closed in 2016. The hotels were built as value-level hotels for Universal Orlando.

We stayed for 3 nights in a two-bedroom suite on the 4th floor of the 1st tower, with our room in the middle of the tower itself. Each 440-square-foot suite has 2 bedrooms, separate bath and vanity areas, and a kitchenette. Each suite can sleep up to 6 people with two queen beds in one room and one queen bed in the other. Each suite came with two TVs, a mini-fridge, a microwave, a coffee maker, and other guest amenities including a safe. Staying at a Universal property does come with perks, including Early Park Admission alongside free transportation to CityWalk and back.

My Rating: 8/10

I was blown away at how big the hotel was, having only worked in hotels with 100 rooms at most. The lobby was really beautiful with its design and the theme of a beachside getaway. I do have to dock some points for the fact that they didn’t have enough luggage racks to handle so many guests which were rather disappointing. I didn’t include the marketplace or any of the dining options in my review as I didn’t experience it. The pool looked nice but I never got the chance to swim as I was exhausted after each day. My family said that the pool got cold easily so they didn’t stay in the pool for long. The room was really clean and I loved the location with a rather nice view of ICON Park and good views of the sunrise in the morning. Our room keys even had our names on them, with different characters from the Universal parks pictured on them. The room was straightened out each day with beds made. The checkout process was also rather simple and easy, plus we got to keep our keys as souvenirs!

Tips & Tricks

If you are staying at a Universal Resort, I would suggest that the first tip, once you are settled in, is to talk to the Universal Vacations desk in the Lobby. The guest services will be happy to answer any questions, make reservations and help you plan your day at Universal Resort. If you are going to SeaWorld (Like I did), you will need to make a reservation for the shuttle at least a day ahead at the desk as well. Another tip, while you are at the Vacation desk, is to go ahead and buy the PhotoPass. It was $70 plus taxes but cheaper than if you wait to buy the pass once you are in the park. The Photo Pass is well worth the money spent and I will explain it in the next part. When you check in, be warned that you will have to pay for parking ($15/night).

Stay tuned for the next part where I review my experiences at Universal & SeaWorld during my trip!

Autism in the Workplace: Challenges, Job Options, and Employer Support

November 7, 2022May 21, 2024Posted in Blog, Misc., Work ExperiencesTagged ADHD, Advice, Autism, Experiences, Guide, Helpful, hospitality, Work Stories, zerotoheroLeave a comment

Welcome back to our blog. Today is going to be a rather emotional blog about something that affects many people, including myself. So, let me explain a few things. I was diagnosed as a teenager with Asperger Syndrome, including OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder) and ADD/ ADHD (Attention deficit disorder / Attention deficit hyperactive disorder). It made things a bit difficult for me as a kid and of course, later on as I got into the workplace. I am hoping that this blog will shine a light on something that is hidden in plain sight.

What is Autism?

Autism is a developmental disorder that affects information processing. People with autism have difficulties with social and communication skills. They have restricted interests and engage in repetitive behaviors. They also tend to experience sensitivity or discomfort from sensory stimulation such as certain lights or sounds.

Because autism’s symptoms vary greatly, the condition is said to exist on a spectrum, referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Asperger’s syndrome refers to “high functioning” autism, but it’s no longer a formal diagnostic term.

Autism usually manifests by age two. The condition is diagnosed four times more frequently in males than in females, according to the CDC, although women are often overlooked and misdiagnosed. The frequency of diagnosis has surged over the past 20 years; it is not clear whether the incidence is truly increasing, whether experts are more aware of it, or whether the diagnosis has shifted to include lesser degrees of impairment.

There is no cure for autism, nor is one universally sought: Many people argue that autism should not be framed as a medical condition in need of amelioration. For those on the lower-functioning end of the spectrum, targeted practices and therapies can help alleviate symptoms.

Symptoms of Autism

While the severity of symptoms varies greatly, there are invariably impairments to social and communication skills. Some children with autism do not talk at all and remain mute throughout life, while others have mild social challenges. Children with autism also show restricted interests and repetitive behaviors.

Parents may notice that their infant avoids eye contact or doesn’t respond, and it may be difficult for them to form emotional bonds and parental attachment. Children with autism may have unusual responses to sensory stimulation and may be highly sensitive to certain sounds, textures, tastes, or smells. They may have deficits in motor coordination and poor muscle tone.

Autistic children exhibit many kinds of repetitive behaviors early in life, such as hand flapping, body rocking, and making sounds. They may arrange or stack objects over and over again. Some children inflict injury on themselves by repeated actions such as hand biting and head banging. They also have an early preference for unvarying routines of everyday life.

Causes of Autism

No one fully understands what causes autism. The number of children diagnosed with the disorder has increased significantly since the turn of the millennium, but experts are not sure whether that reflects an improvement in diagnostic awareness or a true increase in prevalence.

Research shows that genetics is a factor because people who have a sibling with autism are more likely to have autism themselves. Autism is also more likely in individuals who have an older parent. Very low birth weight is also a risk factor, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, and ASD occurs more frequently in people with some genetic conditions, such as Fragile X syndrome or tuberous sclerosis.

Treatments for Autism

There are many effective approaches for managing or treating autism. Early intervention with highly structured behavioral, cognitive, and communication therapies can sometimes dramatically help children with autism learn skills. School-based educational programs designed for children with autism can be effective in improving intellectual functioning.

Programs that make use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) have become widely accepted as the standard of treatment. In most programs, parents are encouraged to be highly involved in their children’s care.

While no medication can correct the impairments common to autism, psychoactive drugs including antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants are sometimes prescribed to help control specific symptoms. Anticonvulsant medication may reduce the number of seizures a person has but not eliminate them.

Autism and Related Conditions

Autism is often accompanied by a range of medical or psychiatric conditions, such as anxiety, ADHD, epilepsy, sleep problems, and gastrointestinal problems. The scientific understanding of this overlap is often elusive.

Addressing co-occurring problems won’t eliminate the core features of autism. Yet treating specific symptoms that people are struggling with can tremendously improve daily life for those on the spectrum.

Autism and ADHD

Studies estimate that 30 to 80 percent of children with autism meet the criteria for ADHD, and 20 to 50 percent of children with ADHD meet the criteria for autism. Clinicians can now provide a dual diagnosis for children with both conditions, per the DSM-5.

Autism and ADHD can look very similar, as both involve struggles with communication, social cues, attention, and impulsivity. Scientists are currently investigating the biological and genetic roots that the conditions may share.

People with both conditions may be more impaired than people with either condition alone. Individuals with autism or parents of children with autism may want to seek a diagnosis if they believe they have ADHD, as that could influence treatment options, such as the decision to prescribe stimulant drugs.

Autism and Anxiety

Nearly 40 percent of children with autism also have an anxiety disorder—which might include social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or a specific phobia. The overlap of autism and anxiety may be due to the features of autism, such as sensory overload, communication barriers, social challenges, cognitive rigidity, and task frustration. Distinguishing whether symptoms of autism contribute to anxiety or result from anxiety can be challenging.

Parents of children struggling with anxiety can aim to identify what specifically triggers anxiety in their child, and then plan for or modify those triggers. They may explore treatment options such as medication or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Autism and Depression

People with autism are four times more likely to suffer from depression than neurotypical individuals. This trend may be due to genetics as well as the loneliness, bullying, or rumination that some with autism face.

Depression is difficult to spot because people with autism can struggle to express their feelings. There are similar barriers to treatment, such as the ability to explore emotions in therapy and tolerate the side effects of medications. Still, cognitive-behavioral therapy and antidepressants help some, while social support and employment programs are valuable for all.

There are other conditions that are included but I will not list them all. You can find the full list here at: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism/autism-and-related-conditions

Keep in mind that no case of Autism is the same and will have different conditions, symptoms, and more.

Now I am going to move on to the main focus: Autism in the Workplace.

Autism in the Workplace

Individuals with autism can face substantial challenges navigating the workforce. Recent research suggests that 20 percent of adults with autism are unemployed, while other estimates are much higher. This gulf may begin at a young age: Only 58 percent of people with autism aged 18 to 25 worked for pay, while 74 percent of people with intellectual disabilities and 95 percent of people with other learning disabilities worked for pay at the same age.

However, companies are increasingly recognizing the value of cultivating a diverse workforce and embracing those with autism for the unique perspective they contribute. Programs have sprouted up at large companies, such as SAP and Microsoft, which actively hire and support people with autism. The government also provides financial incentives for companies to employ people with disabilities such as autism. These approaches open up the possibility for those on the spectrum to transform their natural interests and abilities into marketable skills.

What are the challenges?

Many adults with autism confront unemployment and underemployment throughout their lives. They may struggle during the interview process, which often relies on eye contact, a bold personality, and creating a bond with the hiring manager. Once in a new role, people with autism may be unable to navigate the social dynamics of a workplace—with regard to assignments, clients, or office politics—and eventually, lose their job.

What are good job options for autistic people?

The passions and fixations that are a hallmark of autism can translate into valuable skills in the workforce. People who are drawn to patterns or puzzles may excel at software testing, quality control, or other roles in the technology sector. Other positions in autism-friendly companies include working on stockroom operations, production lines, data entry, and accounting. Autistic people should explore how their natural interests and talents overlap with the needs of particular positions in the job market.

What are the benefits of hiring employees with autism?

People with autism face a high unemployment rate, but employers and society both gain from hiring workers on the spectrum. Higher functioning individuals can excel in jobs that fit their abilities and interests, from folding laundry to coding software. As autism becomes increasingly prevalent, it’s key for companies to take an abilities-centered approach by identifying what autistic employees are uniquely suited to do and recognizing that they can be reliable and hard-working.

Companies may also be eligible for tax credits and deductions when hiring employees with disabilities. These financial incentives aim to encourage companies to hire differently-abled employees and offset any costs that accompany their condition. Some adults with autism believe that this is the best approach for individuals on the spectrum to obtain and sustain employment.

Should I tell my employer that I have autism?

The decision to disclose an autism diagnosis is a personal choice. It’s up to you to choose when and how you want to have that conversation—with your employer or anyone else in your life.

It’s valuable to discuss the decision with a mentor or loved one ahead of time. Reflect on what you hope to gain, who you want to tell, and how they might react. If your goal is to receive accommodations at work, consider having a discussion with a human resources representative and being specific about what you need. You may also be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act, under which employers must provide reasonable accommodations for workers with disabilities.

How can companies support employees with autism?

Clarity is key for building an autism-friendly workplace: Managers can give clear directives and deadlines to employees, and then help clear any obstacles that prevent those directives from being accomplished. Managers can be open, honest, and appreciative of creativity and different ways of thinking. They can also provide a quiet place to work if the office is loud and ensure that lights are not flickering to address the sensory symptoms of autism.

The traditional interview process focuses on conversation and connection. Replacing that with an aptitude test or skills-based task can help companies hire more capable employees with autism.

In Conclusion

Autism is not really that scary now that you have learned more about it. Those who have autism just function differently, but we are still human. The best thing you can do is to support those who have autism, whether it be as a family member or as a fellow co-worker. When I am working, I often find that if I am at a breaking point, taking a small walk outside helps clear the mind. It could also help to bring along fidget items like a spinner or cube to help with our sensory issues. I want to thank everyone for their support in this.

You can find out more autism by going to:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/autism

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Founding Fathers, The Declaration of Independence

Germany in the Georgia Mountains? – Oktoberfest Celebration Guide

September 7, 2022September 6, 2022Posted in BlogTagged Georgia, Germany, Guide, Oktoberfest, Travel, Travel Tips, Weekend Trip, zerotoheroLeave a comment

Imagine if you will, you are driving down a road when suddenly you see a bavarian-style village on the other side of the hill. Before you panic and try to grab your passport, let me explain that you are still in the United States. You have just stumbled upon a city that looks like it belongs on a postcard… the Alpine Village of Helen, Georgia. Willkommen Freund (Weclome friend)!

What is Alpine Helen, Georgia?

Helen was platted in 1912, and named after the daughter of a lumber official. The town was incorporated in 1913.

Formerly a logging town that was in decline, the city resurrected itself by becoming a replica of a Bavarian alpine town, simply in the Appalachians instead of the Alps. This design is mandated through zoning first adopted in 1969, so that the classic south-German style is present on every building, even on the small number of national franchisees present (such as Huddle House and Wendy’s).

In 1975, DOCUMERICA photographer Al Stephenson documented the life, recreation, and economy of the Helen area before and during the construction of Alpine Helen. The City of Helen does have a sister city: Füssen, Bavaria.

Modern Day of Alpine Helen, Georgia

Tourism is a key economic activity in Helen, catering mostly to weekend visitors from the Atlanta area and also motorcyclists who enjoy riding the roads in Helen and its surrounding areas. Helen can be crowded in late October when autumn leaves typically peak. It also hosts its own Oktoberfest during September, October, and November. Events and festivals are held throughout the year, including the “Southern Worthersee”, which is a stateside Volkswagen and Audi event that pays tribute to the Worthersee Tour in Austria. An annual hot-air balloon race is also held here on the first weekend in June.

The main road through town is north/south Georgia 75. The Helen stream gauge (HDCG1) is located on its bridge over the Chattahoochee in the middle of downtown. A parallel route to the west is labeled Georgia 75 Alt to identify it as a bypass route around the town and its traffic jams in the autumn and on some weekends.

Unicoi State Park and Lodge, spanning 1,050 acres (420 ha), is located immediately northeast of Helen on Georgia 356. The park encompasses Unicoi Lake, a 53-acre (21 ha) freshwater lake, offering outdoor activities for all seasons. Among these are a swimming beach, trout streams, wheelchair-accessible fishing docks, seasonal canoe, kayak, and paddle boat rentals, seven picnic shelters with charcoal grills, three playgrounds for children, spots for birding, 7.5 miles (12.1 km) of hiking within the park (with adjacent trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest), 8 miles (13 km) of mountain biking trails within the park, and several places to enjoy the natural environment of the lake and park. Unicoi State Park also offers lodging in several forms, including in its unique barrel cabins. Access to Anna Ruby Falls, part of the Chattahoochee National Forest, is through the park.

Hardman Farm State Historic Site is also located near Helen, along with the Sautee Nachoochee Indian Mound and the beautiful Mount Yonah for those hikers who wish to challenge themselves.

Oktoberfest in Helen

The Oktoberfest is the world’s largest Volksfest, featuring a beer festival and a traveling funfair. It is held annually in Munich, Bavaria, Germany. It is a 16- to 18-day folk festival running from mid or late-September to around the first Sunday in October, with more than six million international and national visitors attending the event. Locally, it is called d’Wiesn, after the colloquial name for the fairgrounds, Theresienwiese. Oktoberfest is an important part of Bavarian culture, having been held since the year 1810. Other cities across the world also hold Oktoberfest celebrations that are modeled after the original Munich event. However, things are much different in the town of Helen.

Celebrate the start of Oktoberfest with a parade at noon on Sept. 10, 2022, in downtown Helen. Helen’s Oktoberfest runs from Thursday to Sunday through September and daily from Sept. 29 to Oct. 30, 2022.

Like its German counterpart, the celebrations are different from weekday to weekend. Weekends are popular with tour and college groups, while weekdays tend to be a bit more family-friendly. The event is open to all ages. Admission is $8 during the week, $10 on Saturdays, and free on Sundays, with food and drink available for purchase. The doors open at 6 p.m. throughout the week and 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Unlike its counterpart in Germany, Helen continued its Oktoberfest celebrations during the COVID pandemic, though all guests were required to wear face masks and many of the events were postponed till the next year.

Where to Stay in Helen for Oktoberfest

Accommodations book up for Oktoberfest quickly, so make plans in advance. Alpine-inspired hotels like Valhalla Resort Hotel and The Heidi Motel are popular options for their amenities and quirky suites, respectively. There are also outposts of national chain hotels in town.

If you’re traveling with a group, a rental cabin can better accommodate you, which you can find in Unicoi State Park and Smithgall Woods State Park or with companies like Cabin Rentals of Helen, Georgia Mountain Rentals, and Pinnacle Cabin Rentals. Some have hot tubs and others have full kitchens.

Campgrounds are another option, whether you’re looking for basic tent sites or RV sites with all the bells and whistles. You can also stay in nearby communities like Cleveland, Dahlonega, and Blairsville. Helen is an easy drive from Atlanta, less than two hours, and only an hour from the Lake Lanier area.

What to Do in Helen for Oktoberfest

Enjoy live music and dancing

The event has a rotating group of musical acts, playing traditional German tunes and modern favorites. Dance the polka and others with festival regulars. Sing along with the songs like “Ein Prosit.”

Eat and drink

The Festhalle has the ceremonial tapping of keg like you’d see at the Munich version of the celebration. The tents have a selection of German and American beers for those who are of age.

You can’t visit Helen for Oktoberfest without trying some German food! Hofer’s of Helen is where to start your day with delicious pastries or, later in the day, Reuben sandwiches made by Germans who immigrated to the town in the 1950s. Cafe International and The Troll Tavern are also lunch options. Bodensee has authentic favorites like spaetzle, goulash and wursts. The Heidelberg German Restaurant, Old Bavaria Inn Restaurant & Lounge, Muller’s Famous Fried Cheese Cafe, and Hofbrauhaus are additional options.

The bars and restaurants in town have Oktoberfest specials. It should go without saying, but if you’re going to imbibe, make a plan to get home safely via taxi or designated driver.

Explore nearby attractions

While you’re in the area, take advantage of the natural surroundings with a hike to Anna Ruby Falls or visit one of the many nearby vineyards for a tasting. Test your putt-putt skills on one of the many mini-golf courses in Helen or take a ride down the mountain on the Georgia Mountain Coaster. Maybe you want to take a boat out on the nearby Unicoi Lake or try to make your mark in the Archery range at Unicoi State Park. There is so much to do in the city and surrounding area for everyone of all ages! Who knows… maybe you will find some gold while panning.

In Conclusion

As you can see, the city of Helen is so much more than a town. It’s a celebration, a festival, and a party. It may not be the biggest alpine village in the United States- but in my opinion, it is one of the best. With some much to offer year-round, maybe it is time to make plans for a visit. So pack your lederhosen and practice your yodel. We will see you in the Mountains!

Prost, mein Freund <Cheers, my friend>

Reviewing The Great Smoky Mountain Polar Express

December 23, 2021March 9, 2022Posted in Touristician ReviewsTagged Bryson City, Christmas, Great Smoky Mountains, Holidays, North Carolina, Review, Santa, THE POLAR EXPRESS, Trains, Travel, zerotoheroLeave a comment

Author: HyraxNixus

Welcome back to our Blog! Today, I will be reviewing my experience upon the Great Smokey Mountains Railroad Polar Express Train Ride! In this review, I will go over the history behind the Polar Express, the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, and my ratings of the experience. So grab your tickets, a cup of hot chocolate, and relax. All Aboard the Polar Express!

History of The Polar Express

The Polar Express is a children’s book written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg. It was published by Houghton Mills in 1985. The book would go on to become considered a classic Christmas story for young Children, alongside Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas. The book received great praise for its detailed illustrations and calm, relaxing storyline. Van Allsburg won the annual Caldecott Medal for his work on the book. If you have never read the story, I highly suggest you do so. To avoid any spoilers, I am going to avoid telling you the plot. That is a journey you will have to take yourself.

By 1989, The Polar Express would sell over 1 million copies and make the best-seller list four years in a row. It earned the “Teachers’ Top 100 Books for Children” vote in 2007 and “Top 100 Picture Books” in a 2012 poll. In 2004, Castle Rock Entertainment would produce a computer- animated Christmas musical fantasy film by the same name. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, the movie would go on to release on November 10th 2004 and grossed $286 million worldwide in ticket sales. Shortly after the movie release, a video game was released purely based off the movie during the same year. The train model company of Lionel would start releasing model trains of the Polar Express due to its popularity. The movie would also inspire train rides to pop up all over the United States, Canada, and the UK! Even some theme parks would include a Polar Express experience during their holiday season. The Polar Express would be nominated for 3 Academy Awards, A Golden Globe Award, and Visual Effects Society Award. They would win the Grammy for ‘Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media’ in 2006.

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad (or GSMR) is a freight and heritage railroad located in Bryson City, North Carolina. As of 1999, they are operated by American Heritage Railways, Inc. Today, the railroad has excursions along the former Southern Railway branch between Bryson City and Dillsboro. As of right now, the GSMR has two steam locomotives (with one currently operational) and soon-to-be seven diesel locomotives. The GSMR owns 53 miles ( or 85 kilometers) of the Murphy Branch that used to be part of the Southern Railway that went from Dillsboro, North Carolina to Andrews, North Carolina. The line was completed in Dillsboro in 1883 and reached Andrews in 1890. GSMR would start operations in 1988 via lease from NCDOT (or North Carolina Department of Transportation). The GSMR route uses a route which passes through ‘fertile valleys, a tunnel and across river gorges’ in the Great Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. In December 1999, GSMR was sold to American Heritage Railways and debuted as Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. In addition to running tourist excursions year-round, GSMR has also moved freight via interchange with the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad in Sylva. GSMR runs nearly 1,000 excursions each year! In 2004, GSMR debuted its Polar Express train ride, based on the newly released movie and licensed through Warner Bros. The ride has annually been a major economic boost for the railroad and town of Bryson City. In 2019 alone, GSMR broke all attendance records with over 91,000 people riding the Polar Express excursion alone. In 2008, as a result of recession, GSMR closed their Dillsboro Depot and focused solely on the Bryson City operations. Bryson City would become the new hometown for the railroad with the move of the Administration Offices, though excursions were still running between Dillsboro and Bryson City. Due to COVID outbreak in 2020, GSMR had to suspend operations for a short 3 months before re-opening in June 2020. GSMR also owns and operates the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum located adjacent to the Bryson City depot. The museum features a collection of over 7,000 Lionel model engines, cars and accessories!

The Polar Express Experience

Tickets And Sales: Rating – N/A

Our Tickets were pre-ordered by my grandparents as part of our Christmas present. According to the website: Prices range for $43 to $93 per person depending on which class car you book. We had received the Crown class tickets, which is the 2nd cheapest above Coach class. Upon arrival, there were signs stating that GSMR required all passengers to wear masks to prevent any outbreaks. GSMR only allows one person per family to claim pre-ordered tickets located in a tent set up by the depot. You will receive your seat ticket and a golden ticket, just like you see in the film. Depending on your boarding time, they tell you to arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of scheduled time. During this time, you are free to explore Bryson City. Once it is time, you are told to stand in a numbered station, going from 1 (by the train depot) to at most 7 or 8 possibly. During the wait for the train, the GSMR would pump music via speakers and use programmed lights to get you into the holiday spirit and keep your mind off the cold. Once the train is close, the staff ask you to stay behind a safety line before asking you to have your tickets ready and present. When the train has stopped and the last ride is fully off, they will allow boarding to start.

Boarding & Unboarding: Rating – 3 out of 5

Okay, major gripe here. I don’t have a major fear of tight spaces or anything. However, the space between the bathroom and the wall going into the actual train cart is quite a squeeze. You can imagine how you can form a slight fear of claustrophobia with everyone piling in at the same time. Also, taking into consideration the COVID situation at the moment, I feel that they could have done the boarding a bit more smoothly and controlled. Once seated and all were aboard, the train started its journey.

Coming back to the station, I wish they would have done better with the unboarding situation. The major letdown is the tight squeeze to the exit with the huge crowd heading out. Again, a major case of claustrophobia waiting to happen.

The Journey To North Pole: Rating – 5 out of 5

What is there to say on this? If you ever watch or have read the book, you can feel the spirit of the Polar Express during the whole journey. You are first introduced to your server which would have a holiday themed name (for example: Ours was named Mistletoe!). After everyone shouts their name to be introduced, a small clip from the movie would start going over the intercom and speakers. This would be the “Hot Chocolate” scene , which would be introducing the delicious hot chocolate presented to you by your server. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPWYu94mzhE&feature=emb_logo)

As well as the Hot Chocolate, which is served in a small souvenir coffee cup, you are served some cookies wrapped in a plastic bag. This cookie is about the size of your palm , probably a bit smaller but I swear it is big! I believe the cookie to be a sugar cookie or something that was dusted with cinnamon possibly. Out of my family, I would be the only one who would finish the cookie. The journey would continue forward and include cute tidbits from the movie (for example, the “Hey, you forgot your ticket” scene after the Conductors punch the tickets or the howling of the wolves as you pass over the bridge). I do need to warn that a portion of the journey will be during a time where the lights would ‘shut off due to the cold’ as we got closer to the North Pole section of the ride. The major part of the trip to the North Pole area would be taken up by the reading of the Polar Express book, so make sure to bring your own with you!

The North Pole – Rating: 5 out of 5

As you approach the North Pole, you would pass through a wall of ice and enter a small town all decked out as the North Pole. The server will give you a small tour of the town, showing you the houses of the characters from the North Pole and a few points of interest. As you go along, you pass the Town Center where Santa is atop his sleigh waving at the kids. Do note that during this time, the train will stop and pick up Santa before continuing on its journey backwards. (Oh… did I forget to mention that the train travels backwards for the journey to the North Pole, then forward back to Bryson City). The train will suddenly come to another pause where there seems to be caribou blocking the passage back. The train would switch gears and start pulling you forward once more. You may notice (if you were not in the front cars that is) that Santa is no longer on his sleigh. The server will go into a panic and run off to look for Santa. The server would come back in a short while and ask everyone if they were on the nice list. If you are on the naughty list, you get called out and told that to get on the Nice List you must do something. (I guess this can depend on the ride and person, but those naughty in our car had to do the chicken dance). WIth everyone now on the nice list and the kids chanting “Santa”, the jolly man walks in to be greeted with loud cheers. Santa will pass out bells to the kids, with some helpers handing out more bells to others.

The Journey Back To Bryson City- Rating : 4 out of 5

The journey back to Bryson City would continue after Santa’s visit. The server would have you guys play with your bells and sing some Christmas songs. They also like to tell jokes and will sometimes ask for people to share any! The journey back is not as exciting as the journey to the North Pole. You get to see the same scenery passing so I can’t really add that much here not already stated in the previous section. One thing that I can state is that I wish they had put more decorations along the train ride for us to see, as there are parts where you are passing bare spots with nothing to stare at outside the window.

Overall Experience – 17 out of 20 possible

I would definitely suggest you look into booking this incredible experience for your family! What a way to make wonderful Christmas memories! There is a dress code for the ride : pajamas!! Just like the movie, all who board the train are allowed to wear pajamas and robes as part of the experience. I have included the link to the GSMR website so that you may glance at the prices, the experience, and even more.

THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride

Thank you for reading! Happy Holidays!

~HyraxNixus

A Day In The Life of A Front Desk Agent At A Lodge

December 2, 2021July 2, 2024Posted in Blog, Work ExperiencesTagged Campground, hospitality, Hotel, Lodge, State Park, Stories, Travel, Work Stories, zerotohero1 Comment

Welcome to a day in the life of a Front Desk Agent. I (Hyrax) recently started this job back in September of this year, just before the rush of the holidays. My main job is to check in guests at the lodge, cabins and our campground every day. My work shift is from 3 pm to 11 pm, which overlaps sometimes with Reservations and Managers shifts. I am going to explain how things work from day to day without giving out too much information. So, let my day begin!

The 3 P.M. Grind

I start by arriving at work and parking on our 2nd level of covered parking at the front. I must walk to the 2nd floor of our lodge where our punch clock is located. There, I scan my temperature and my thumbprint to clock in. Once I am clocked in, I walk back down to the Front Desk Reception on the 1st floor. The first major task is to count my drawer, including the number of Park Passes and Annual Park Passes. The next task is to check on our Red Book to make sure there is nothing major to note from previous shifts. I also must check our Whiteboard, which stores our Occupancy numbers as well as our Groups in House and Major notes to know. The last thing I must check is what we call our BEO book, which is a black binder full of the group information and things that will happen at the lodge.

Checking In?

Checking in process starts officially at 4 pm, but guests are told that they always come in early to check. Please understand that we can’t promise early check-ins, keep in mind how hard the Housekeeping staff are at the moment. Even our Tavern and Restaurant is dealing with a major staff shortage due to COVID pandemic right now. I ask all guests to be patient and kind to the front desk workers. We are only able to do so much within our powers to make your stay enjoyable. In order for a guest to check in, I ask for a form of ID and a form of payment to be provided. We must match the information provided to us in the system with the information on the ID. As I check the guest in, I make the keys for their room or cabin using our Key Card system. I also ask the guests to sign three main papers: the sign-in sheet, a bear warning sheet, and the authorization or charge for remaining (if any) balance.

Wait… Did You Just Say Bears? Like The Animal?

Yes… I said bears. The lodge is part of a state park located in the mountains, so bears are active. We warn the guests that the bears are actually quite timid creatures and scare easily with any noise. The bear sheet states the rules for campfires and warns of not leaving food or trash out for the bears. After they sign all papers, we present the guests with a Thank You letter, their keys to the room or cabin, and a Park Pass. It is required that all vehicles must have an official State Park Pass located in their rearview mirror with date facing towards the windshield. If a guest is part of the Annual Park Pass, we do refund the guest part of the lodging fees collected upon check in.

The Lodge vs Campground

The main difference between our Lodge and Campground area is the lodging fee that is included. Campgrounds are not charged a lodging fee and have to pay extra for Park Passes if necessary. Campground must also pay the full remaining balance upon check in compared to the Lodge and Cabins which don’t get officially charged until the day of departure. Check In time for the campground is at 1 pm instead of the 4 pm for the lodge and cabins. Guests that are camping can check in either at the Visitor Center at the Campground or at the Lodge (especially if after hours).

My Typical Shift

During my shift, I usually answer the phones if I am not busy. My tasks can range from checking on reservations to making a reservation. If I am busy and alone, I usually try to answer the phone as quickly as I can. As the shift continues, I also must keep track of supplies at the front desk market. I can sell any snacks, forgotten items, and drinks at the front desk. We also sell firewood at the front for anyone to use at the firepits. Yes, we have fire pits around the state park that guests are allowed to use. However, fires are allowed only till 9 pm as quiet hours start at 10 pm.

Sometimes I am able to get a 30 minute break to eat my dinner, but at times I may have to eat at the front desk. When I am alone, it is a rule that states I can not leave the front desk unmanned. Even if I have to go to the restroom quickly, I must put a sign out and lock the doors. Finally, after a long day of working, I must start getting ready to leave for home. During my closing chores, I must print out paperwork necessary for my night audit person. I also must again count my drawer and drop any money over. Once my night auditor comes in and signs off for my paperwork, I am able to head back up to clock out and head home for the night.

And that is a day in my life! It is chaotic but very much enjoyable and relaxing. I put my trust in my fellow staff members to keep all the guests happy and enjoy their stays. Our staff at the front are all laid back and enjoy their job. Thank you all for enjoying this blog!

Part 1 – Humble Beginnings: Disneyland and Universal Hollywood

Disneyland: Where Magic Began

Universal Studios Hollywood: Where Hollywood Meets Adventure

The Legacy Lives On

Part 2 – Sunshine Expansion: Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando

Walt Disney World: The Kingdom of Dreams

Universal Orlando: Where Thrills Meet Adventure

A Tale of Two Empires

Follow Us

About The Park:

Port of Entry

Sea of Shallows

Sea of Legends

Sea of Ice

Sea of Delight

Sea of Mystery

Sea of Power

Sesame Street Land

My Rating: 6/10

Tips & Tricks

Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen

My Rating: 10/10

Tips & Tricks

Heading Back To The Park

Universal Studios Orlando

Minion Land on Illumination Ave

Production Central

New York

San Francisco

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley/London

Springfield

Woody Woodpecker’s KidZone

Hollywood

My Rating: 6/10

Tips & Tricks

Islands of Adventure

Port of Entry

Marvel Super Hero Island

Toon Lagoon

Skull Island

Jurassic Park

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade

The Lost Continent

Seuss Landing

My Rating: 8/10

Tips & Tricks

Weeki Wachee Spring State Park

My Rating: 4/10

Tips & Tricks

Universal Endless Resort- Dockside

My Rating: 8/10

Tips & Tricks

What is Autism?

Symptoms of Autism

Causes of Autism

Treatments for Autism

Autism and Related Conditions

Autism and ADHD

Autism and Anxiety

Autism and Depression

Autism in the Workplace

What are the challenges?

What are good job options for autistic people?

What are the benefits of hiring employees with autism?

Should I tell my employer that I have autism?

How can companies support employees with autism?

In Conclusion

What is Alpine Helen, Georgia?

Modern Day of Alpine Helen, Georgia

Oktoberfest in Helen

Where to Stay in Helen for Oktoberfest

What to Do in Helen for Oktoberfest

Enjoy live music and dancing

Eat and drink

Explore nearby attractions

In Conclusion

History of The Polar Express

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

The Polar Express Experience

Overall Experience – 17 out of 20 possible