By SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE
Times Staff Writer
At SeaWorld's new attraction, Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, the only thing separating you from more than 200 penguins is a low rock wall. Nope, not even a glass partition.

TAMPA — There's a fantastically subversive moment in the first Madagascar 'toon when Alex the lion — an escaped N.Y. zoo critter freaked out by his newfound freedom — gets zapped with a tranquilizer dart. He immediately spins into a hallucination soundtracked by Sammy Davis Jr.'s Candy …

A host of pop stars will take the stage this summer as part of Universal Studios' Summer Concert Series, starting June 1 with R&B's Ne-Yo (So Sick, Because of You). The series runs six consecutive Saturdays on the theme park's Music Plaza stage. Here's the complete lineup: Ne-Yo (June 1), Big Time Rush (June 8), …

HOMESTEAD
In South Florida, where burglar bars are as common as alligators, nervous clerks store their trusty 12-gauges behind the counter. Terrible things have happened to Robert Moehling, no doubt about it, but that's not a Glock loaded and ready under the cash register.
It's a power drill.

NEW YORK
Disney Cruise Line's oldest ship, the Disney Magic, is getting a makeover, including the addition of a children's area themed on Marvel Comics superheroes and a three-story water slide.

TAMPA
5.14 miles: Doubt sets in.
16 miles: If not self-loathing, then something like extreme self-annoyance. What was I thinking? How many practice rides had I done, how many fully loaded with gear?

The 80-foot Transformer display plastered on the side of a downtown Orlando office building blinked the news Thursday morning: "Prepare for battle June 20," which means the highly anticipated Transformers 3D ride at Universal's Orlando theme park finally has an opening date.

For anyone who thinks a full day at Disney isn't already a test of endurance, the Magic Kingdom will stay open 24 hours nonstop over Memorial Day weekend. The Magic Kingdom, along with Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, will stay open from 6 a.m. May 24 to 6 a.m. May 25. It's part of the hoopla surrounding the …

MADEIRA BEACH — Construction will finally begin in May on the Secrets of the Sea aquarium at John's Pass Village. If its aggressive timetable stays on course, the new and much improved home of the St. Petersburg Pier Aquarium will open Nov. 12.

ORLANDO — Transformers: The Ride is set to open at Universal Studios Orlando this summer, and the Tampa Bay Times got an inside sneak peek at its marvels, including an engaging queue and a walk through some of the movie trickery used to make you feel like you are in the movie.
