Florida Vacation Blog

Archive for June, 2010

Get ready for another blast from the past at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.

On July 2, Disney will bring back the 3-D sci-fi movie, “Captain EO,” starring the late Michael Jackson.

The film which originally ran at Epcot from 1986 to 1994, will take over the Imagination Pavilion’s 570-seat theatre that had housed, “Honey I Shrunk the Audience.”

The 17-minute, 3-D movie was one of the first films ever to incorporate 4-D, in-theatre effects like wind, water and lighting. The movie will have only minor tweaks from its original version. Even the show’s original marquee sign is back. Captain EO is also playing at Disney parks in California, Tokyo and Paris.

Epcot will open its gates early at 8:30 am on July 2 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony prior to the re-opening of the show.

The movie, which co-stars Anjelica Huston, features two Jackson songs and lots of dancing. For more information on Epcot and Disney World Resort or Disney tickets, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Surf’s up. And you won’t even have to go to the beach to find the perfect wave! That’s because indoor surfing is coming to the Orlando area this fall.

It’s all part of the excitement at Fantasy Surf, an all-new, indoor aquatic recreation facility currently under construction at FantasyWorld Resort in Kissimmeee, FL.

The new water park venue will utilize a FlowRider system to provide a controlled surfing style environment. When completed, the Fantasy Surf system will be 32 feet wide by 49 feet long. It will also included padded walls a 3-inch sheet of water will create the surf conditions.

The 14,000 square-foot surfing center is tentatively scheduled to open in October, 2010.

For more information on Orlando area hotels, water parks and theme parks, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or go to www.WestgateReservations.com to find discount Orlando vacation packages and discount Orlando tickets.

Another weekend, another concert in Orlando!

Fire up your summer at Universal Studios tomorrow night; catch the next entrée on the theme park’s ongoing Summer Concert Series schedule. June 26, it’s Earth, Wind and Fire taking the Universal concert stage.

After earning eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, eight double platinum/Top 10 Pop albums, eight #1 R&B singles, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a year 2000 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement honors from the NAACP, ASCAP and BET - Earth, Wind & Fire remains an inspirational and influential group in the music industry.

For more information on Universal’s Summer Concert Series, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. For details on discount Universal tickets and discount Orlando vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Disney World continues to add new wrinkles throughout its Orlando theme parks. This time, it’s Animal Kingdom which is offering a new event called The Taste of Africa Street Party, to be held in the Africa section of the park.

The Taste of Africa is slated to debut July 9 and begins nightly right after Mickey’s Jammin’ Jungle Parade. The party runs until park close. On Extra Magic Hours evenings, the event will continue throughout those hours.

The fun-filled event will feature a unique music and dance party led by Harambe’s DJ Khalifa. In addition, outdoor vendors will offer unusual African foods and beverages. There will also be beer and wine tastings at Tamu Tamu Courtyard and performances by the musical group Wasslou. Children will also get a kick out of the animal education experiences offered by the Harambe Wildlife Team.

For more on Disney’s Animal Kingdom and other Orlando theme parks, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or go to www.WestgateReservations.com for details on discount Orlando hotels and resorts or discount Orlando vacation packages.

SeaWorld Orlando is ready to put a little more flare into its Independence Day events.

The theme park will add more live music to its SeaWorld AfterDark events in honor of America’s birthday celebration. Prior to the July 4 showing of “Reflections,” a fireworks-and-fountains presentation, the 13th Army Band of the Florida National Guard will perform on the stage at Bayside Stadium. The 40-piece band is expected to provide both classic and contemporary musical selections.

After the music, the park’s traditional fireworks show will be extended for the evening and include a patriotic stretch.

In addition to fireworks, SeaWorld offers lots of other “AfterDark” fun, including the “Shamu Rocks” killer whale show and the comedic “Sea Lions Tonite” show. It’s all part of SeaWorld’s summer fun and it’s all included with regular SeaWorld admission. For more park details, please visit www.seaworldorlando.com.

SeaWorld’s sister park, Tampa’s Busch Gardens, also offers up some Independence Day extras. Fireworks will go up on both July 3 and July 4, and the park will remain open until 10 p.m. See www.buschgardens.com for more information.

Or go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com for discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation package options.

With the recent opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal has unveiled its latest epic ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey^TM.

The adventure begins long before you actually reach the ride. The ride queue is an adventure in and of itself. You’ll make your way through some of the familiar classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts^TM School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

You’ll visit a variety of iconic locations from the Harry Potter movies, such as Dumbledore’s office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, the Gryffindor^TM common room, the Room of Requirement and more. Finally, you’ll reach the actual ride which takes you soaring above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter^TM and his friends on an unforgettably thrilling escapade.

Along the way, you’ll come face-to-face with an array of magical creatures and events. Riders will come face-to-face with Harry, Ron and Hermione, visit the Forbidden Forest, get in the middle of a Quidditch match and even run into dragons and Dementors. It’s all part of the fun of a ride that features groundbreaking new technology to create a one of a kind moment of exhilaration.

For information on Universal’s Islands of Adventure and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or visit www.WestgateReservations.com for discount hotel and resort accommodations or discount Orlando vacation package deals.

While the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter is stealing all the headlines, there’s another world renowned show also ready to grab your attention at Universal Orlando Resort.

So while the crowds are squeezing into Hogwarts castle and sipping on Butter Beer, now is a great time to sit back, relax and enjoy the antics of Blue Man Group. The show is full of live music, side-splitting humor, audience interaction, original musical instruments, multimedia theatrics and paint; lots and lots of paint!

Every minute of the show is packed with the Blue Man Group’s unique entertainment, providing a totally outrageous experience for all not to mention a fun-filled party atmosphere.

After experiencing the Blue Man Group, you can also enjoy free admission to select Universal CityWalk® venues with the presentation of your Blue Man Group ticket stub.

For more information on Universal Orlando Resort and discount ticket options, visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

There’s sure to be plenty of excitement at Universal’s Islands of Adventure this weekend with the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. But for those who prefer music over magic, it’s also a great time to head over to Universal Studios for the continuation of the Summer Concert Series on Saturday night.

The featured musical guest for June 19 is Pitbull who takes the Universal stage at 9 pm. The live concert is included with regular theme park admission.

The Summer Concert Series continues through July 17. Next week’s featured musical guest is Earth, Wind & Fire.

If you can’t be part of the fun in person at Universal Orlando on June 18 for the official Grand Opening of the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter, you can still witness some of the early excitement.

Universal Orlando is providing live streaming of the grand opening ceremonies at Islands of Adventure theme park from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

To watch the live coverage at Wizarding World, go to www.UniversalOrlando.com/HarryPotterNews and click on the “Live feed” link.

For additional details on the Wizarding World and Universal Orlando tickets and discount vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Music is in the air. At least it will be starting Saturday night at Universal Orlando.

The Universal Orlando Summer Concert Series kicks off June 12 at Universal Studios Florida with featured musical guest, Train.  It’s the first in a series of Saturday night concerts slated throughout the summer season. Other performers scheduled include Pitbull, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rob Thomas, Pat Benetar and REO Speedwagon, as well as Counting Crows.

For details, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com. Or for more information on discount Universal theme park tickets and Orlando vacation packages, go to www.Orlandothemeparkvacations.com.