Theme Park Tours are just what the doctor ordered for that nasty bug known as senioritis. It manifests itself in some like a diva-tude in which you begin to think the world revolves around you. And in some as a dark depression when you’re quite sure that graduating means it won’t revolve around you anymore. It’s a sadness because you’ll be leaving your friends behind, an anxiety about the future, a mad rush to finish those last papers, finals, and catch-up credits. You really need a break, don’t you think? And this is just the way to do it.

There are a couple cities in this country where you can fill every single day with a new theme park adventure. The first, and possibly the most obvious, is Orlando. The Disney franchise could keep you hopping for an entire week. But why not mix it up? Disney offers some great parks, The Magic Kingdom being the most popular and Hollywood Studios a favorite for older teens and young adults. But Universal has a corner on this market as well with both Universal Studios itself and Universal’s Islands of Adventure providing some of the best coasters in the nation. Even Sea World has joined the fray. Sea World, you say? With the clapping seals and mischievous killer whales? Yep. Sea World, now home not just to Shamu but to the longest, fastest, tallest coaster in Orlando (the Kracken) and an exciting newer addition, Mantis.

Los Angeles is another amazing city for senior class trips. The beach, the stars, and – in keeping with the tone here – the sheer number of roller coasters and theme parks. Six Flags Magic Mountain, for instance, offers more coasters in one park than almost any other park in the country. You can find the original “happiest place on earth” here as well with Disneyland and its fellow parks (like Disney’s California Adventure). And Universal offers its first creation here as well. Rounding out your tour, you’ll visit Knott’s Berry Farm, which has been thrilling guests since before any of these other yahoos even broke ground.

If you don’t need quite so many thrils but need some chocolate to go with those thrills, then Hershey, Pennsylvania, is for you. These four attractions are all fun, all sweetness, all curing, all the time – from the factory itself, Hershey’s Chocolate World, to the thrilling amusement park anchored by the delightful Kissing Tower and too good for a space between its words, i.e., Hersheypark, you’ll love every minute of your time in Chocolate Town.

So just sit back and endure your “itis” for now. These cities will definitely make the world seem endurable after all. You’ll be all set to take it on with just a few days in these cities packed with thrills.

Related posts:

1. Busch Gardens Europe – A Legend Among Theme Parks
2. Six Flags Great Adventure
3. Movie Land

Michael Eisner’s words at the dedication speech for Disney MGM, which eventually became Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is one of my favorite quotes of all time. He dedicated the park to Hollywood, which he described as, “Not a place on a map, but a state of mind that exists wherever people dream and wonder and imagine.” Disney’s Hollywood Studios is filled with attractions to celebrate that Hollywood spirit.

Disney fans will love the live action theaters that bring to life your favorite animated films, including Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid. To showcase the stunts and special effects at which Hollywood excels, the park created Lights, Motor, Action – a thrilling, high-octane stunt show. The Great Movie Ride slows things down a bit, giving you a tour through Hollywood history, celebrating several of its classic films. You can also take a back lot tour through the Disney studios themselves and maybe even catch a glimpse of some of your favorite stars.

One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The ride begins relaxing enough through the Twilight Zone’s mysterious mansion, but your abrupt and surprising exit from it is the part that produces the terror. It’s the most popular thrill in the park, and you’re sure to love it too.

Besides all these, you can experience exciting attractions based on Star Wars, Indiana Jones, the Muppets, and much, much more. You’ll find gifts in the shopping district you can hardly resist. And you’ll love every minute of your stay in this fantastic movie world: Disney’s Hollywood.

Photo Credit: ivanlanin on Flickr

Related posts:

1. Animal Kingdom – the Disney way
2. Disney Y.E.S. Program
3. Universal Studios

This week I’m highlighting the entertainment powerhouse, Disney, and five of the major reasons you should include it in Orlando student tours. What’s that have to do with an emotional boost? Only this: The Disney franchise is so good at fun, entertainment, and sheer excellence, that each of its parks and opportunities are like the emotional boost of a lifetime – at least for the entire year. And this week I’m going to remind you why.

This photo by d4rr3ll on Flickr shows you one of my favorite, emotional-boosting, aspects of Disney’s amazing and extremely popular Magic Kingdom, the nightly fireworks display. Just try to stay in a grumpy mood during this fantastic sound, music, and fireworks display that is all the more awe-inspiring when you consider the fact that it happens every single night whether you’re there or not. The timing is seriously breathtaking as the fireworks shoot above the castle perfectly synchronized with a soundtrack of Disney songs, music, and movie quotes. 

Of course, that happens at the end of the night just before the park closes. You’re going to enjoy several rides on Space Mountain before that excitement. You will have fully explored the classic rides in Fantasy Land – like Peter Pan and It’s a Small World. You will have seen the exciting addition of Captain Jack Sparrow himself to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride your parents knew without him. You and Brer Rabbit probably got acquainted in line for the favorite, Splash Mountain. You will have laughed through the Jungle Cruise, competed with your friends in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, and probably outspent your allowance on Main Street. 

By the time you witness the amazing fireworks display you should be collapsed on the sidewalk just beyond the castle (try a little to the right side where most of the display takes place). You’ll barely be awake, but the show will stir your heart nonetheless. Exhaustion was inevitable. Emotional boost? Accomplished.

Related posts:

1. Disney on the List
2. Disney Y.E.S. Program
3. Animal Kingdom – the Disney way

This week is all theme parks.  I suppose it’s no surprise that so many exciting attractions made the list.  We don’t get a lot of coaster-riding on the day jobs, and a full day of pleasure and high-thrills usually makes the list when choosing destinations for that next great escape.  Certainly, these choices are perfect for families and students.  Today’s feature is the powerhouse of entertainment:  Disney.  And its parks that made the list can be included in Orlando or Los Angeles student tours.

The Magic Kingdom in Orlando was highest on the list at number Five.  But Disneyland in California was just one spot behind.  Disney has been pleasing visitors since it all began with Cinderella’s castle in California.  Now both parks are a favorite for family vacations, student tours, destination weddings and honeymoons, and every kind of proper escape.  Its classic rides have become American icons.  Its animated characters are beloved around the world, and they come to life in these theme parks both in the rides and attractions as well as the parades and throughout the parks, signing autographs and spreading Disney joy.

The Disney parks are beloved because they have something for everyone – live entertainment, rides for children and adults, snacks, shopping, fascinating exhibits, nostalgic thrills.  They grow all the time with new thrills, and they are surrounded by resorts of the same name so that vacation packages can begin and end with nothing but Disney magic.  

For student tours, the Disney parks offer all the same plus educational opportunities just for students like their Y.E.S. program and thrills just for them as well like their yearly Grad Night extravaganza. 

Come on, you know you wanna.  Don’t let the Small World jokes and Mickey ears burnout stop you from experiencing all that Disney has for people of every age group.  They know they can thrill you, and so do we.  And apparently, most of the country’s population agrees.

(This is a photo of Disney’s nightly fireworks display – a thrilling attraction in and of itself, set to music with amazing precision and timing.  It was taken by d4rr3ll on Flickr.)

Related posts:

1. Disney Magic – ALL WEEK
2. Disney Y.E.S. Program
3. Animal Kingdom – the Disney way