Editor Letter: A Journey Inward and a Journey Forward

JENNIFER MCKEE Orlando Magazine Editor

I’ve always been fascinated by science, so when EPCOT opened up the now-defunct Body Wars simulator shortly after I graduated from high school, I couldn’t wait to queue up. 

For those who don’t know, or vaguely remember, the premise was this: A team of volunteers was miniaturized and sent into the body of a research subject who had a splinter. They were on the trail of a doctor who had accidentally gotten sucked into a capillary while studying the role of white blood cells during an infection. It appeared to be a straightforward mission.

But, as we know, things tend to go awry in plots like these. The bumpy ride took visitors precariously past major organs, only to collide with many cells. The threat of disaster was imminent. It was not for the squeamish, but oddly, complaints cited motion sickness and nausea rather than content matter. For hardened thrill seekers, however, this was hardly a concern, and the adventure proved a worthy ride. It was awesome.

Body Wars opened in 1989 and certainly seemed high-tech at the time. How would it fare in comparison to EPCOT’s rides today? In addition to retro appeal, I believe it could hold court with the best of ‘em! 

So, what makes me think of a ride that closed almost two decades ago? Why, it’s our Tech Issue, the first we’ve done in a long time. Our main feature focuses on 10 tech leaders that are making a difference in Orlando and across the world. You’ll also learn about the different ways to travel on Orlando’s high-speed passenger train, Brightline. Then, we’ll take you into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence and how it empowers users and fosters inclusivity. If you’ve ever wondered—or worried—about the state of AI in our world, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by guest colunmnist Ed Watal’s findings. I was.

And theme park connoisseurs won’t want to miss our comparison of annual passes at the Big Three Orlando parks.

Plus, meet the dentists chosen as the finest in the area by their peers in  our Top Dentists section. We’re lucky to have such an esteemed group in Central Florida.

The March issue marks my first full issue as editor of Orlando magazine, and I’m honored to represent a magazine that is so rich and vibrant. It was a highlight of my 2023 to contribute to this magazine, flexing my journalistic muscles and writing more in-depth content. I’d love to hear what you, our readers, want more of—I’m only an email away! Thanks for taking this journey with me. I promise there won’t be any splinters.