Florida Vacation Blog

Archive for the ‘Orlando’ Category

The Space Shuttle program is quickly coming to a close, but the Kennedy Space Center is working hard to ensure that the shuttle remains an active and viable part of the center’s Visitor Complex.

Currently, the future is up in the air as to where the three shuttles - Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour - will end up when the shuttle program is retired in the coming months. As a result, Kennedy Space Center has developed plans for how a shuttle could be incorporated into the Visitor Complex should KSC be awarded one of the space orbiters.

According to Kennedy Space Center, its 10 year plan includes a $100 million exhibit displaying one of the shuttles. The exhibit would be dynamic and interactive while displaying the orbiter in flight and how it was utilized. KSC is, of course, home to the space shuttle as all 132 shuttle missions to date have launched from the central Florida complex.

The concept for the Visitor’s Center display includes a 64,000 square foot area and would also highlight two of the shuttle era’s biggest accomplishments, the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Other plans for the concept include 10 themed areas and improved visitor amenities.

For more information on Kennedy Space Center and other central Florida theme parks and attractions, go to www.westgatereservations.com or www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com.

The Themed Entertainment Association recently honored Universal Orlando Resort with four THEA Awards for the theme park’s new Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

The awards for Wizarding World, which opened to huge crowds in 2010, were announced during the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) convention held in Orlando.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter was recognized for two awards. One was for outstanding achievement in a “new theme park land” and another was for “thematic integration of retail, food and beverage experiences.”

The Wizarding World’s new state-of-the-art ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, also received two awards. One was given for outstanding achievement for a “featured attraction” and the other for “technical achievement.”

Universal was praised for the overall magnificence of the new theme park area and for the level of detail involved in the creation of the Wizarding World.

For more information on discount Orlando family theme park vacations and discount Orlando accommodations such as Westgate Resorts, visit www.Westgatereservations.com or www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

There’s always something new on tap. Central Florida’s theme parks never seem to stop bringing new excitement to the Orlando area, from new rides and new shows to the unveiling of the epic Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

Looking ahead to 2011 and beyond, you can be sure to expect even more thrills.

A list of the top 10 new U.S. theme park attractions for 2011 includes two highly anticipated rides that are slated to open in Central Florida in 2011. One is the Cheetah Hunt, a unique launch-style coaster being constructed at Busch Gardens Tampa that will feature a 130-foot drop and an adjacent live cheetah exhibit.

The other shining star is a revamped Star Tours simulator ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Orlando. Star Tours will be offering a storyline that continuously changes the beginning, middle and end to create a new journey every time.

Not to be left out, SeaWorld Orlando has announced plans to launch an entirely new concept for its killer whale show. The new performance, scheduled for a spring 2011 debut, will replace “Believe” - now in its fifth year - as the theme park’s signature attraction featuring Shamu.

Meanwhile, Legoland Florida will make its debut in 2011, on the grounds of the park formerly known as Cypress Gardens. And Walt Disney World Resort continues to move ahead with its current expansion of the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom park and the construction of a new Voyage of the Little Mermaid ride scheduled to debut in 2012.

If you would like additional details on discount Orlando theme park tickets or Orlando discount vacation packages, go to www.Westgatereservations.com or www.OrlandoThemParkVacations.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.

It’s almost time for another Velvet Sessions at Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando. The popular rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party is held the last Thursday of every month (excluding November and December).

This month’s featured artist is Everclear, best known for songs like “Everything to Everyone” and “Wonderful.” The Universal Orlando Resort hotel event begins at 6:30 pm on June 24, 2010.

Advance admission is available for $25 online and includes specialty cocktails, finger foods and the concert held in the Hard Rock Hotel’s lobby lounge and Velvet Bar. Parking is free.

Each Velvet Sessions event showcases a different type of beverage theme while past  performers have included Joan Jett, The Tubes, Eddie Mondy, The Romantics, The Fixx, Foreigner, ABC and others.

For more information, go to www.velvetsessions.com. For details on discount Orlando vacation packages and Universal Orlando theme park tickets, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Some of music’s biggest stars are coming to Orlando this summer. It’s all part of Universal Orlando’s exciting Summer Concert Series.

Best of all, it’s included with regular theme park admission to Universal Studios Florida. So catch a ride on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit. Ride the Movies. Enjoy a full day of fun in the sun. Then kick back and soak up the sounds of your favorite bands, including:

June 12th - Train
June 19th - Pitbull
June 26th - Earth, Wind, and Fire
July 3rd - Pat Benatar and REO Speedwagon
July 10th - Rob Thomas
July 17th - Counting Crows

It’s all yours this summer and it’s only at Universal Orlando® Resort! For more details on Universal Orlando, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

SeaWorld Orlando began its annual summer celebration over the Memorial Day weekend by welcoming back its popular SeaWorld AfterDark activities and shows.

Back for another fun-filled summer season are the killer whale show “Shamu Rocks,” the comedic “Sea Lions Tonite” as well as “Reflections,” a fireworks-and-fountains finale, which is best seen from seats at Bayside Stadium.

There is one difference in this year’s “Shamu Rocks” show as it will be presented without trainers being in the water with the whales.

SeaWorld AfterDark festivities are scheduled to run through Aug. 15 and all AfterDark shows are included with regular park admission.

For more on SeaWorld Orlando and discount Orlando vacation packages, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. Or for discount Orlando hotel and resort information, visit www.WestgateReservations.com.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with FREE Admission to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales, FL.

The central Florida attraction will feature carillon concerts being performed on the Singing Tower at 1 and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 9.

The “Faces, Events & Places” art exhibit by Owen Jolly and “Fertile Ground” sculpture exhibit by William Kidd will also be on display in the Garden’s Visitor Center through May 27, 2010.

For information, on this and other Orlando area attractions, go to www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Get ready Orlando. Star Wars-style Stormtroopers are coming to take over the Orange County Regional History Center on Saturday, May 8 from 10 am to 4 pm. But it’s all in fun as part of the center’s Galactic Encounter Day.

This special event is being held in conjunction with the downtown Orlando museum’s current exhibit, “Out of the World: Extraordinary Costumes from Film and Television.” The exhibit will remain on display in Orlando through May 16.

In addition to Stormtroopers, other activities slated for Saturday include costume and makeup workshops and crafts. Guests are also invited to assist a LEGO “master builder” create a 4-foot tall Lego replica of Star Wars robot, R2-D2. Participants will receive a $5 coupon for a Lego purchase (while supplies last).

All Galactic Encounter Day activities and events are included with the regular admission price of $12 for adults and $7 for children aged 5-12.

For details on other Orlando area theme parks and attractions, please visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com.

Goodbye April and Hello May! Just a few days away from May 5 and Cinco de Mayo celebrations around the globe.

If you’re in Orlando, you can catch the biggest Cinco de Mayo party in town at Universal Orlando CityWalk’s Latin Quarter from 5 pm til close. Enjoy free admission from 5-8 pm. There will be a $7 cover charge after 8 pm (must be 21 for admission after 8 pm).

The celebration includes one complimentary Dos Equis, Tecate or margarita (must be 21 or older). You can also enjoy a variety of drink and food specials.

For additional information, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.