Orlando Travel Blog


The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Update Video



Disney Parks Christmas Parade Tilt-Shift Video



Disney’s Hollywood Studios Thrill Rides

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to two classic rides that are essential for thrill seekers: Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is a lively indoor roller coaster that launches you at a speed of 0 to 60 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds and boasts memorable tunes such as “Walk This Way,” “Sweet Emotion,” “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Nine Lives” from the legendary American rock band, Aerosmith. You must be at least 48 inches tall to ride Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. FASTPASS is available for Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror lies adjacent to Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and features a terrifying 13-story plummet aboard a faulty elevator within a rundown, 199-foot-tall Hollywood hotel. You must be at least 40 inches tall to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. FASTPASS is available for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.



Don’t Miss Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade is a colorful and lively extravaganza that takes place from now until January 3, 2010, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and other popular Disney characters embark on a great jungle adventure while fun-filled performances take place and magnificent holiday music plays. The cheerful and exotic Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade is known for its outstanding abstract animal images, amazing designs with natural materials and fabrics, and unique holiday decorations. Don’t miss it!



Celebrate the New Year at Disney World!

A multitude of activites will take place at Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park to help ring in the New Year at Walt Disney World Resort:

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Fantasmic! nighttime musical special effects extravaganza will take place at 6:30 PM. Live performances by in-park band “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” are scheduled to take place at Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat at 8 PM, 9 PM, 10 PM and 11 PM (DJ starts at 6:30 PM). A special “Lights, Camera, Happy New Year” fireworks show starring “Mulch, Sweat and Shears” will begin at 11:55 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until midnight.

Magic Kingdom Park
The “Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It!” parade and street party will take place at 11 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:40 PM. Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is scheduled for 12 PM and 3:3o PM. The SpectroMagic parade of lights and music will take place at 7 PM and 10:30 PM. In addition, the Holiday Wishes fireworks display is set for 8:30 PM with a Fantasy in the Sky fireworks display at 11:50 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until 1 AM.

Epcot
A special version of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” will take place at 7:30 PM and 11:40 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until 1 AM.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade will take place at 3:45 PM. Park hours on New Year’s Eve will be 9 AM until 7 PM.

Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon
The Electrical Water Pageant will take place at 9 PM and plays to Magic Kingdom entrance area at 10:25 PM.

Planning to spend New Year’s in Orlando? Visit http://orlando-florida.net to take advantage of great deals on Orlando vacation packages!



A Model Day at Epcot



Orlando to Host Star Wars Celebration V!

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars Celebration V will take place August 12-15, 2010, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by Lucasfilm Ltd. and Reed Exhibitions’ PopGroup, Star Wars Celebration V is expected to be one of the largest official Star Wars fan events ever! Highlights of Star Wars Celebration V include appearance by cast and crew celebrities, fan-run events, costumes, music, live entertainment, screenings, autographs, collectibles, panels and sneak peaks into the future of Star Wars.

Star Wars Celebrations were launched by Lucasfilm Ltd. in 1999 and these official Star Wars “parties” have evolved into mega events, attracting tens of thousands of devoted Star Wars fans and their families. To date, there have been four Star Wars Celebrations in the United States (one in Denver, Colorado; two in Indianapolis, Indiana; and one in Los Angeles, California), as well as Star Wars Celebration Europe in 2007 and Star Wars Celebration Japan in 2008. Star Wars Celebration V will be the first Star Wars Celebration produced jointly with Reed PopGroup, which is responsible for the successful New York Comic Con, the new Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2) and more.

Tickets for Star Wars Celebration V will be available to purchase online starting Thursday, December 10, 2009, via www.starwarscelebration.com. Pre-sale Adult Four-Day Passes are $120; Kids Four-Day Passes are $50; pre-sale Thursday, Friday and Sunday Passes are $45; Saturday Passes are $50; and Kids One-Day Passes are $25. Children under six years of age are admitted free. For more information about Star Wars Celebration V, visit www.starwarscelebration.com.



Cirque du Soleil – Inside La Nouba



Flashback: Mickey Mouse Revue, Magic Kingdom, 1971



Enjoy the Holidays at Universal Orlando!

Holiday celebrations will take place at Universal Orlando Resort from December 5, 2009, through January 1, 2010, and all entertainment is included in the price of regular admission. Mannheim Steamroller performs at Universal Studios on December 5, followed by Chris Isaak on December 12 and Natalie Cole on December 19. Each concert begins at 7 PM. The Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios features the world-famous balloons and floats from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Meanwhile, at Islands of Adventure, the immensely popular Dr. Seuss book, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, is brought to life in Grinchmas, a live stage show featuring an original recorded musical score by Mannheim Steamroller.



Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights Video



Aquatica by SeaWorld Videos


Aquatica Makes a Splash Video


Aquatica Water Park Opening Day Video


Aquatica Lazy River & Dolphin Tank Video


Aquatica POV Waterslide Video


Dolphin Tank at Aquatica Video


SeaWorld Aquatica Trailer



Wizarding World of Harry Potter TV Commercial



What are Your Top Five Magic Kingdom Attractions?

Mine are:

1) Splash Mountain
2) Haunted Mansion
3) Pirates of the Caribbean
4) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
5) Space Mountain



Space Mountain Full Ride-Through



Top 10 Places to Shop in Orlando

1. Mall at Millenia: Trendy and upscale, The Mall at Millenia features anchor retailers Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus, as well as an eclectic collection of more than 200 specialty stores.

2. Downtown Disney Marketplace: An entertainment mecca, the 120-acre Downtown Disney area offers visitors the opportunity to dine, shop and dance, as well as enjoy fun-filled shows and activities from sunup until well after sundown.

3. Florida Mall: The largest mall in Central Florida, The Florida Mall features more than 270 specialty stores, including Dillard’s, JCPenney, Sears, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Pottery Barn and J. Crew.

4. Festival Bay Mall at International Drive: The Festival Bay Mall, which was built in 2003 and features 900,000 square feet of retail space, boasts a variety of eclectic specialty shops, restaurants and attractions.

5. Orlando Premium Outlets: Enjoy savings of 25 to 65 percent at more than 110 shops at Orlando Premium Outlets, which lies off Interstate 4, Exit 68.

6. Prime Outlets Orlando: Ideally located at the Northern end of world-famous International Drive, Prime Outlets Orlando features a total of 110 factory outlet stores.

7. Pointe*Orlando: An open-air entertainment complex, Pointe*Orlando is located on world-famous International Drive and boasts a myriad of specialty stores, eclectic restaurants, nightlife and a state-of-the-art movie theater.

8. International Drive: World-famous International Drive (“I-Drive”) in Orlando features dozens of specialty shops and factory outlet stores, as well as eclectic dining, attractions and nightlife.

9. Orlando Fashion Square: Located just East of downtown Orlando, the Orlando Fashion Square features a myriad of specialty stores and restaurants.

10. Old Town: A bustling shopping and entertainment complex in Kissimmee, Old Town boasts 75 specialty shops, eight restaurants and 18 thrilling amusement park rides.



Disney’s Contemporary Resort Retro Video



Walt Disney World Timeline

The Walt Disney World Timeline at www.orlando-florida.net takes readers on a fascinating journey through Disney World history that includes Walt Disney’s first hastily arranged press conference in 1965 detailing his plans for the project, site preparation for Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the grand opening of Disney World in 1971, the original attractions at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and the construction and grand opening of Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios), Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney, as well as the introduction of all new Disney attractions and resorts throughout the years, Disney videos and more. Check it out!



Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Interactive Storybook

Celebrate the spirit of the holidays at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! This wonderful holiday event takes place at Magic Kingdom® Park on select nights through December 18, 2009. The fantastic Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party parade features Mickey and Minnie Mouse with their friends having fun with park visitors as they walk through Main Street. Special performances, “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” spectacular holiday wishes fireworks and even falling snow are part of this incredible party. The cheerful Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a great option to explore during your holiday vacation at Walt Disney World® Resort.



Grand Opening of Disney-MGM Studios Video



The Magic of Walt Disney World Videos



Don’t Miss Disney’s Festival of the Masters

The 34th-annual Festival of the Masters will take place in the Downtown Disney area from Friday, November 13 to Sunday, November 15, 2009. Nearly 150 award-winning artists will display their work at this immensely popular, open-air festival. Highlights of the 2009 Festival of the Masters include live entertainment, children’s activities, food, House of Blues Folk Art Festival, Central Florida Chalk Artists Association, family activities, meet the performers from Cirque du Soleil La Nouba, pin trading and more. Admission is free.



Orlando to Host Anti*Pop Music Festival

The 5th-annual Anti*Pop Music Festival will take place in various venues throughout downtown Orlando from November 11-14, 2009. Cost is $5-$15 for individual shows and 4-day passes are also available for $25. Venues include AKA Lounge, BackBooth, Firestone Live, Gibson Showroom, Peacock Room, Plaza Theatre, Tanqueray’s, Will’s Pub, 57 West, Park Ave CDs, BBQ Bar, Uncle Lou’s, Bold Hype, Central Station Bar, and Stardust Coffee & Video parking lot.

Performers will include Blackguard, Ex Deo, Hypocrisy, Ensiferum, DJ Stranger, Orign, BC of Red Tide, amiam, Grey Matter, Twin Tigers, The Antlers, Minus the Bear, godpawn, Thomas Wynn and the Believers, Gasoline Heart, Isaac Russell, Pete Yorn, dagnese, Fight Like Animals, Dreaming in Stereo, Eliza Rickman, Mumpsy, Mumly Troll, Sincere, Knaladeus, Godamus Rhyme, Tunji, Looptroop Rockers, Grieves w/Budo, Cunninlynguists, Oh Fortuna, Young Brother, Telethon, The Pauses, The Tenant, Yacht, Diddles, Kaleigh Baker, Ben Prestage, John Lee Hooker Jr., Senate, illScarlett, Junkierush, The Crazy Carls, Big D & the Kids Table, Ky-Mani Marley, Yacht, Elephant Gun, The New Lows, The Ludes, Six Dead Horses, Junior Bruce, Dark Castle, Black Tusk, Black Cobra, Jason Choi, Maximino, Great Deceivers, Varras Tower, DJ J Storm, S.K.I.P. and Jimmy, DiVINCI and Beef Wellington, Solillquists of Sound, Death Mites, Rouse, Rug, The Beauvilles, King Bee, Sam Rivers Quintet, The Angst, Idol’s End, Big City Bombers, Tooth and the Enamels, The New Threat, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg, Watch Me Disappear, The Still Voice, Overdale, XOXO, Furious Dudes, The Slippery Slopes, Mowgli, Rabbit Punch, Ventricles, Viernes, I Fight Dragons, Whole Wheat Bread, MC Chris, Shapiro, Spring Tigers, The Ettes, Fake Problems, North Via, Kiv Druidi, Vreid, Alestorm, Belphegor, Eluveitie, The pretty Faces, The Legendary JCs, Zach Williams, Brook Waggoner, Jimmy Gnecco, Copeland, Beardsley, Only Thieves, Buff Clout, Bananafish, So Help Me Rifle, 1991, Republicorpse, Khann, Happy Valley, pan/dos, Sunbears, Dr. Moonstein, Lighthouse Music, The Terror Pigeon Dance Revolt and others.

For more information about the Anti*Pop Music Festival, visit antipopmusicfest.com.



Central Florida Area Animal Attractions

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

SeaWorld Orlando

Discovery Cove

Aquatica by SeaWorld

Busch Gardens Tampa

Central Florida Zoological Park

Jungle Adventures

Brevard Zoo

Silver Springs



Flashback: Boardwalk and Baseball