Going places: Florida Fun

Who knew that tigers like to swim? That orangutans can paint? Or that there really is a theme park area with rides just for 'tweeners?

It's all at Jungala, the new 4-acre attraction at Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa.

Thanks to inventive see-through barriers and viewing areas, visitors can get close to Bengal tigers, orangutans, flying foxes and gibbons. At the Test Your Strength interaction, animal caretakers hand one end of a rope to a 220-pound tiger, the other end to park guests via a double-thick mesh barrier. On a signal, the tiger pulls, playing tug-of-war.

Other tigers plunge into a shallow pool with an underwater viewing area or wander past guest areas such as an underground window and a glass cupola that pops up into the exhibit.

The exhibits are designed on multiple levels, so visitors can watch an animal -- or a ride -- from above or below. A village plaza offers surprise visits with animal ambassadors such as servals or snakes.

When kids have watched long enough, they can burn off the buzz on the intricate maze of nets, bridges and tubes that duck into the gibbon area; hop on the 35-foot pneumatic pop-up ride or glide above it all on a gentle zip-line ride -- all designed for ages 6-13.

Information: Adult tickets $64.95; ages 3-9 $54.95; access to all attractions is included with park entry (www.buschgardens.com; 1-888-800-5447).

Block Party Bash is a parade that features characters from Pixar films on Hollywood Boulevard. There are Green Army Men from "Toy Story," Mike and Sully from "Monsters Inc." and Flik and Atta from "A Bug's Life."

High School Musical 2: School's Out brings the stage-and-celluloid smash to the park with a stage that rolls up to Mickey's massive Sorceror's hat. A dozen wildly energetic performers sing and dance their way through summer jobs and Wildcat Fever, urging young guests to join them as they dance in the streets.

Even the tiniest toddlers can get into the action at Playhouse Disney -- Live on Stage! -- a 22-minute show featuring Mickey, Minnie, Pooh and Roo in a lighthearted story with some serious messages about friendship.

Information: One-day, one-park tickets cost $71 for ages 10 and up, $60 ages 3-9; all attractions are included in the entry price (www.disneyworld.com; 1-407-939-1289) .

Krusty the Clown is opening a new ride at his namesake theme park, Krustyland, and the Simpsons are first to take the ride. Little do they know that Sideshow Bob -- pushed over the emotional edge by being shot from a cannon and nailed by cream pies -- has escaped from jail, stolen Scratchy's character suit and is loose in the park. His goal: Destroy it all.

The tale features some bound-to-become-classic lines. "A fate worse than death -- a kiddie ride," exclaims Marge.

"I'm scared, Dad," screams Lisa. "Sweetie, they won't kill you in an amusement park as long as you've got a dime left to spend," Homer replies.

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