Theme Park Rangers Radar: Universal eating, SeaWorld shortcut, Fun (photo) Spot

Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel
Updated ·4 min read

In this week’s exploits of Theme Park Rangers Radar, we get hungry at Universal Studios, then suddenly happy at SeaWorld Orlando. And as a bonus blip, we lead readers to a huge discovery at Fun Spot. Where else?

Radar is a weekly guide and grab bag about Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions. It appears on OrlandoSentinel.com on Wednesdays.

Eating is Universal

Tucked behind construction walls at Universal Studios have been major projects such as Villain-Con Minion Blast (set to open this summer) and smaller undertakings, such as the recently reopened food stands on the corners of the Gramercy Park area.

These stations haven’t been blatantly themed in the past, and the fare was fairly standard: popcorn, churros, etc. Now that the walls are down on these corners, we can see improvements and the menus.

On the side that’s closest to the Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon ride, the refreshed eatery is called Avenue Eats. The posted menu includes “New York Sized Homemade” pizza slices (judge for yourself, Yanks), calzone, Caesar salad and mini apple streusel mousse.

On the next corner, closer to Revenge of the Mummy coaster, stands 57 Fare. Food there includes papa rellena, empanadas, queso arepas and flan.

It’s interesting that each place, mere paces away from one another, serves different draft beers. At Avenue Eats, it’s Peroni and Miller Lite; at 57 Fare, it’s Bud Light and Heineken. Both spots have canned beers, too, plus the ever-present Freestyle Soda dispensers.

The buildings are straightforward, maybe a little sturdier and more modern now with the menu screens.

Best design touch: At the bottom of 57 Fare menu is a faux subway map, as if routes really ran beneath Universal Studios (and around that lagoon). Rail stops are listed, as are nods to Amity, Expo and “Esoteric Zone,” which we call the Hollywood area. I’d buy a T-shirt with that design.

SeaWorld signs

I was happy coming and going at SeaWorld Orlando recently.

After waiting behind about 20 cars to get through the parking gate, deep, cleansing breaths were required. But if theme parking the week before Easter, a crowd is to be expected. Exhale. To be fair, the employee in the booth was working hard and efficiently with motorists. Still, my parking spot was farther away from the front gate than hoped.

Pep returned to my step after walking through the security stop. I noticed a sign for VIP entry. In smaller type: For platinum and gold pass members. An arrow pointed down the walkway near the SeaWorld lighthouse and I strolled in.

I couldn’t resist then backtracking to the main entrance. I would have been behind about 35 people. Exhale. Long live VIP entry. (That space has been in flux over the years, so fingers crossed.)

On the way out of SeaWorld, I noticed signs over the doors of the store near the parking lot. One reads EXIT GIFTS. Over the other one, it says ENTRANCE GIFTS.

It’s all in your perspective.

Fun with photos

Here’s a fun Fun Spot America fact: You know John Arie Jr., the attraction’s owner and CEO. He’s the “it’s huuuuuge” guy seen in commercials. You can see a photo — and, yes, it’s huge — of teenage John Arie Jr. at the Fun Spot location near International Drive.

He’s one of the Go-Kart drivers in a photograph that covers an entire inside wall on the second story of the entrance building on Del Verde Way. It’s the southern end of the property, farthest from the parking lot, and it houses a dining area, offices and an arcade.

Weekend outlook

  • Let the good times roll out of here, y’all. It’s the final weekend of Mardi Gras food and festivities at Universal Studios. The parade is at 7:30 p.m. nightly through Sunday.

  • Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival continues daily. Upcoming Garden Rocks concert performers include Blue October (Friday and Saturday) and Switchfoot (Sunday and Monday).

  • SeaWorld Orlando’s Seven Seas Food Festival continues, with Bayside Stadium concerts by Chris Lane on Saturday and Marshall Tucker Band on Sunday.

  • Sunday will be $12 Day at Orlando Science Center, where the admission will be, predictably, $12 for the day. Tickets and more info at OSC.org.

What’s on your radar? Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com.