Gas prices not stopping travelers

Will rising gas prices cut into your vacation plans this summer? Not necessarily, according to the majority of those who answered our poll question from the May/June issue.

If you plan to hit the road, include AAA’s fuel cost calculator in your travel planning. Visit AAA.com and click on the News & Safety section on the home page.

Good deals drive Mississippi golf

Swing into Mississippi this summer to score good deals at state park golf courses. Three courses are offering foursome rates of less than $200 for 18 holes and two carts.

The Dogwoods Golf Course at Hugh White State Park in Grenada has $49 green fees ($39 for players 60 and older, $27 for students).

Another northern Mississippi course, Mallard Pointe at John W. Kyle State Park in Sardis, has $35 rates offered Monday– Thursday ($30 for seniors, students and military). Beat the heat with a $33 twilight rate available after 3 p.m. daily.

Quail Hollow Golf Course at Percy Quin State Park in McComb is a southern Mississippi favorite with $39 fees.

Get a free Golf Travel Guide by calling (866) 801-8551 or visit www.visitmississippi.org/golf.aspx.

Cruise into travel with AAA Vacations

If a cruise is on your horizon, consider the many benefits of AAA Vacations®. Known for outstanding land tours, AAA Vacations now offers a cruise program that includes:

AAA preferred cruise providers participating in AAA Vacations are Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

Each AAA Vacations package includes different added amenities. Not all AAA preferred providers’ cruises are offered through AAA Vacations. To find a AAA Vacations cruise, visit AAA.com/Travel and click on cruises. Look for the AAA Travel logo located next to the cruise and scroll over the logo to view the added amenities for that particular cruise. With more than 400 departures, you’re bound to find the right vacation.

For more information about AAA Vacations, contact your AAA Travel professional or call (888) 366-4222.

New ride to debut at Universal

The newest attraction for Universal Orlando Resort is based on the hit animated film, “Despicable Me.” It will replace the Jimmy Neutron attraction at the Universal Studios theme park. In addition, the Amazing Adventures of Spiderman attraction at Islands of Adventure will be reanimated for higher definition. Universal announced both attractions will open in 2012.

Using new 3-D projection technology, the “Despicable Me” attraction will tell the story of master villain Gru at Universal with his evil empire and three daughters. Because he needs help pulling this one off, the audience will be transformed into minions.

“At the heart of the film are the characters,” said Chris Meledandri, founder of Illumination Entertainment and the film’s producer. “My favorite character is Gru, and I’ve yet to meet anyone who hasn’t loved the minions.”

“Despicable Me 2” is due in U.S. theaters July 3, 2013.

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man debuted at Universal Orlando Resort in 1999. The popular motion-based ride will be reanimated in 4K high-definition–the highest resolution available–creating a more real experience for guests.

“Guests will not believe their eyes when they experience the new Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man,” said Thierry Coup, senior vice president of the Universal Creative Studio.