When I took my two year old out going daughter to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, I was a little concerned with how she would react to the Disney characters that make appearances in the theme park. After all, she was only two. The characters all are friendly, of course,  and they will take [...]]]>

Tigger

When I took my two year old out going daughter to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando, Florida, I was a little concerned with how she would react to the Disney characters that make appearances in the theme park. After all, she was only two. The characters all are friendly, of course,  and they will take the time to pose for family photos and will sign autograph books and memorabilia. At any given time, you can find famous Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Tigger, Captain Hook and a host of other characters throughout all of the Disney parks.

Anyhow, while we were at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios I noticed Tigger not to far from us, and before I could grab my daughter, she ran off to him. She was not intimidated in the least. Once she got to him, she just stood there and looked at him. I think she wanted a hug or to be picked up by him. Her response really surprised me because smaller children can tend to be afraid of the characters especially the Disney villains. Tigger was kind enough to take a picture and sign her autograph book for her. Now, our daughter is a teenager and really does not remember meeting Tigger, but we have a picture, memories, and autograph to prove it.

Are you tired of the same routine every holiday season. All the fuss about what to buy and where you have to go during your holiday vacation? If you would like to try something different, and you don’t mind a visit to sunny Orlando, Florida, then, we have just the holiday [...]]]>

Christmas at Sea World

Are you tired of the same routine every holiday season. All the fuss about what to buy and where you have to go during your holiday vacation? If you would like to try something different, and you don’t mind a visit to sunny Orlando, Florida, then, we have just the holiday vacation celebration that you and your family are looking for in Orlando, Florida at SeaWorld.

SeaWorld Orlando has just added 3 brand new shows to its 2009 holiday celebration. For families with preschoolers, they have added “A Sesame Street Christmas” with all of your child’s all time favorite Sesame Street characters. They have also added “Clyde & Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas” which features some very special sea lions. All of the family will truly enjoy this show as well as get a laugh or two. Lastly, the “Winter Wonderland on Ice” is now running and this features a marvelous figure skating display that takes place at the Bayside Stadium which is held outdoors.

Returning acts to this years holiday celebration include Shamu’s Christmas, and the Polar Express Experience which is inspired by the holiday hit movie. SeaWorld does not run the holiday shows every day so be sure to check their events calendar before booking your vacation. Seaworld Orlando is a great theme park to visit for the whole family and a trip their during the holiday season will certainly create memories for a lifetime.

If you are looking for a great way to get a way from all of the holiday stress this holiday season, and you will be in the Orlando, Florida area, then, you might want to take the family to special event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This event will [...]]]>

Merry Christmas

If you are looking for a great way to get a way from all of the holiday stress this holiday season, and you will be in the Orlando, Florida area, then, you might want to take the family to special event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. This event will truly provide everyone with some very special memories this holiday season.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom is an add on event (requires a separately purchased ticket)  that takes place at each year at Walt Disney World Resort inside the Magic kingdom, and this year the event is being held on November 10th through December 18th. The hours for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are 7:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are roughly $50 per person, and special wristbands are issued to guests attending the holiday celebration. Those who do not purchase the ticket must leave by 7:00 PM.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features parades, marvelous fireworks, a visit from the North Pole’s most popular resident, Santa Clause, tasty cookies, hot cocoa, some snow, and you can also ride all of the fun Disney rides throughout your time the magic Kingdom.

So if you have the time and the itch to do something different this year, then give Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party a visit for a time that you and your family won’t forget.

If you are looking for some holiday fun, then pack up the family and head out to one of the funnest theme parks in all of Orlando, Florida, Universal Studios Orlando. Universal Studios Orlando begins their holiday festivities on December 5th and they continue all the way through New Years day of 2010.

You [...]]]>

Santa Parade

If you are looking for some holiday fun, then pack up the family and head out to one of the funnest theme parks in all of Orlando, Florida, Universal Studios Orlando. Universal Studios Orlando begins their holiday festivities on December 5th and they continue all the way through New Years day of 2010.

You will not have to pay extra,, money beyond your initial theme park ticket price, in order to enjoy all the holiday entertainment. Concerts at the park are scheduled to start at 7:00 PM. These concerts are an added benefit to this years holiday celebration. Performers scheduled for this year are:

- Mannheim Steamroller is scheduled to perform on Dec. 5

- Chris Isaak is scheduled to perform on Dec. 12

- Catch Natalie Cole is scheduled to perform on Dec. 19

In addition to the concert performances, the world famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day floats will be at their holiday best as they appear at Universal Studios Orlando as well as at Islands of Adventure. Who would have ever though that floats could go on tour?

Specially priced holiday packages are available but tend to sell fast so you will want to be sure to book your as soon as possible because of the limited availability and high demand.

It was announced this week that Busch Entertainment is now going to be called Sea World Parks and Entertainment. This is due to the sale of Busch Gardens, Sea World and Aquatica last month. The name change is no big surprise. The Sea World parks bring in more money than Busch [...]]]>

Sea World

It was announced this week that Busch Entertainment is now going to be called Sea World Parks and Entertainment. This is due to the sale of Busch Gardens, Sea World and Aquatica last month. The name change is no big surprise. The Sea World parks bring in more money than Busch Gardens and there are also more of them. Besides, the name Busch Entertainment does not really fit anymore, since the parks are no longer owned by Anheuser- Busch and hasn’t been for over a year. Since Sea World is a brand recognized around the world, it was a logical change.

The new name of the company does not affect the name of the two Busch Gardens theme parks, one in Florida and the other in Virginia. Their names will remain the same due to a contract with the In-Bev company, the company who purchased Anheuser-Busch.

As far as other changes to the parks, none have been announced. It is expected that the parks will not be greatly affected by this new ownership and name change, except for the removal of Busch signs and logos. The signs have been coming down and the new signs boasting the new name will soon start appearing. This is good news for the millions who visit these parks each year and love them. There has been some concern that they are “messing with a good thing” and the Sea World and Busch Gardens that the visitors enjoy so much could turn into something less attractive and fun.

It seems that the two largest theme parks in Orlando, Florida are competing for attention more than usual this year. You can’t avoid the news lately. First we hear that Universal is coming out with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. With billions of Harry Potter fans around the [...]]]>

Disney Castle

It seems that the two largest theme parks in Orlando, Florida are competing for attention more than usual this year. You can’t avoid the news lately. First we hear that Universal is coming out with The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. With billions of Harry Potter fans around the world, this new attraction is destined to be a big hit among park-goers. Opening next Spring, people all over the world are waiting in anticipation to be among the first to experience the Harry Potters films in person.

Next, we learn that Disney has purchased Marvel. Well, everyone knows that Universal Orlando has Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure, which features Marvel characters. This section of the park contains rides and attractions with Spiderman, Hulk, and X-Men. So, the Disney purchase of Marvel is bound to affect Universal’s park in some way.

Then last month it was announced that Disney will be expanding and improving their Fantasyland, part of the Magic Kingdom theme park. This announcement has earned mass and expected appeal from little girls, because of the focus on Disney’s princesses. But little boys and adults alike are also looking forward to the new “land.” New rides and attractions, plus improvements to some existing ones promise to boost attendance of people who have “done Magic Kingdom” before and thought they wouldn’t be interested in going back for a long time. Well, Disney has given the world reasons to visit again- soon.

All of these changes do breed competition among the big theme parks of Central Florida, but this only means good things for tourism in the area. It poses a dilemma for people who do not live in the Orlando area, though. Some who travel here will be forced to choose between the parks, but since they’re opening the new attractions years apart from one another, it may be the best scenario for the Orlando area. Hopefully, people will rush to Universal when the Harry Potter park opens and then rush back to Orlando when Disney’s made its changes to Fantasyland. We Floridians say, “Keep ‘em coming!”

Orlando, Florida is one of the best vacation destinations for families. Sure, there’s Tahiti, Bermuda, Europe- all beautiful places to visit. But the amount of family activities and sights to see in the Orlando area are endless. It’s hard enough for a couple to choose a vacation destination, but add in [...]]]>

Space Shuttle Launch

Orlando, Florida is one of the best vacation destinations for families. Sure, there’s Tahiti, Bermuda, Europe- all beautiful places to visit. But the amount of family activities and sights to see in the Orlando area are endless. It’s hard enough for a couple to choose a vacation destination, but add in a child or two and pleasing everyone becomes next to impossible.

Some people think that if they’ve been to the big theme parks that the Orlando area has to offer, then they have done all that there is to do. Wrong. There are new attractions popping up in the Central Florida area almost every year, even in this economy. Sea World added a new water park this year called Aquatica. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is currently working on a new park within a park called The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

But besides the parks, there are so many other things to do in the area. Have you ever been on an airboat ride? An airboat is different from a regular boat in that it hovers above the water instead of sitting in the water. Why this is key is that it allows the airboat, filled with passengers, to take you to places that a boat could not, because of the depth of the water. As a matter of fact, airboats can hover over land, too.

My first airboat ride was awesome. Yes, the engine is loud, but you get earplugs to help diminish the noise. But with hearing somewhat disabled, your other senses become more acute, especially the eyes. And boy, what sights can be seen on those everglades and other wetlands of Florida. I have seen alligators up close and personal, in the wild. I also watched the space shuttle launch from an airboat one time and it was a moment I will never forget. We were surrounded by nothing but nature- no telephone poles or wires, no satellite towers, nothing manmade visible except for the boat we were riding in. And then, suddenly, a blast of light appears on the horizon and you see how far we have come as a species. The contradiction of nature untouched by man and the advanced technology of space flight was a real trip for the mind.

So don’t put off coming back to Orlando because you have been. With airboat rides, Kennedy Space Center, Fort Christmas, Port Canaveral and all of the cruise ports it can lead to, you could come back every year and not see and do it all. And I haven’t even mentioned the beach. Orlando can be your every year vacation destination. It was for my family as a child and I have so many wonderful memories because of it.