Hi Coyne! So you are making that exciting drive from Pcola to ORlando?!! (Or maybe you are lucky and will be flying?!). I went to Universal with some visiting friends last month. They were here all week... I was cheaper for me to buy a year pass (if you bring a certain Florida lotto ticket you automatically get 2 years) that to pay for admission each day. I think my FL res year pass was 99.00... just not good on the weekends, which I would stay away from anyway. I now wish I would have forked over 20 or 30 more bucks for the one with the parking...as parking at Universal is 8.00 a day. Big mistake on my part.
As far as the new rides go... well.. I had only been to Islands of Adventure once 2 years ago, so I am not quite so sure as to what is new and old! I do know that on our 2nd time on the Dueling Dragons, I "grayed" out. Everything went dark on me, I thought the ride had stopped, and my friend said my eyes were open and everything. I have never had anything like that happen to me and it was weird... and I love roller coasters! I think we hit up every ride, so if you have any in particular that you want to know about, let me know.
I went to Sea World in January when they were letting all military and their families in for free... couldnt beat that! I really enjoyed it. Two of our neighbors are dolphin and umm.. I forget the other one... trainers. She let us and our friends (with 3 little girls who loved it) back to the training area and the girls got to play with the dolphins which was great. I will check on discounts and get back to you, ok?!
I hope you have a great time. If there is anything you need, please let me know! As you pass Celebration, next to WDW, please wave to me!
deb