Guests will enjoy special nighttime shows, including the popular Shamu Rocks - a high-energy, rock ‘n’ roll party featuring Shamu.

Other Summer Nights entertainment options include Sea Lions Tonite - a comedy show featuring the dynamic and hilarious sea lion and otter duo of Clyde and Seamore as well as Reflections, a celebration of animated fountains and sparkling fireworks set along the Waterfront Village.

For those who prefer the thrills of SeaWorld’s epic roller coasters such as Manta, the Summer Nights party means additional hours to catch your favorite rides.

Warm weather, starry skies and good music. It’s all part of the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Summer Concert Series at Epcot runs from June 10 through July 28, 2012 and features high energy performances by some of the world’s best tribute bands. The groups salute the original bands’ work while providing for guests to enjoy classic hits under the stars at the open-air America Gardens Theatre in Epcot’s World Showcase.

Tribute groups will perform three times nightly, with shows at 5 pm. 6:45 pm and 8:15 pm. All concerts are included with regular Epcot theme park admission.

Performance Dates, Tribute Bands (and original artists) include:

June 10-17: Hotel California (Eagles)

June 18-23: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot (Billy Joel)

June 24-30: Stayin’ Alive (Bee Gees)

July 1-7: Slippery When Wet (Bon Jovi)

July 10-17: Police Experience (Police)

July 18-21: Southbound and Company (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

July 22-28: 2U (U2)

But Orlando’s place at number 10 in the Traveler’s Choice Destination Awards was based on more than thrill rides and costumed characters. The theme park capital of the world was also cited for alternative activities ranging from hot air balloon rides and indoor skydiving to being able to find a hotel to suit any family’s taste and budget.

The awards highlight awe-inspiring travel locations of all varieties and are based on opinions, comments and reviews of travelers posting on TripAdvisor, one of the world’s largest travel websites.

For information about Orlando vacations and discount Orlando accommodations such as Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Epcot’s annual International Food & Wine Festival offers something for everyone. The event, set for Sept. 28-Nov. 11, 2012, offers guests an opportunity to dine their way around the world, cultivate their cooking skills or savor a vintage wine.

With delicious tapas and refreshing beverages from around the world, the autumn festival at Disney World in Orlando is perfect for every taste. Of course, the festival also offers up a full menu of live music with its Eat to the Beat concert series.

The 2012 lineup of musical guests is a wide ranging mix of super groups and astounding solo artists. Concerts are held each night during the festival and are included with regular Epcot admission.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series

2012 Scheduled Performers

Sep. 28-30:   Night Ranger

Oct. 1-3:       Sugar Ray

Oct. 4-7:       Starship featuring Mickey Thomas

Oct. 8-10:     Boyz II Men

Oct. 11-12:   Smash Mouth

Oct. 13-14:   Javier Colon

Oct. 15-17:   Air Supply

Oct. 18-19:   Gin Blossoms

Oct. 20-21:   Survivor

Oct. 22-23:   Hanson

Oct. 24-25:   Pointer Sisters

Oct. 26-28:   Sister Hazel

Oct. 29-31:   Billy Ocean

Nov. 1-2:      38 Special

Nov. 3-4:      Howard Jones LIVE

Nov. 5-6:      Blues Traveler

Nov. 7-8:      Dennis DeYoung formerly of Styx

Nov. 9-11:     Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Scheduled performers subject to change.

Walt Disney World has announced that tickets are now available for its popular two-night Christian music event at the theme park.

The after-hours, separate ticket event slated for Sept. 7-8, features multiple performers each night. A number of select attractions will also remain open inside Magic Kingdom throughout the event which runs from 7:30 pm to 1:00 am.

The Night of Joy lineup of performers on Sept. 7 includes Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, Francesca Battistelli, Brandon Heath, Needtobreathe, Disciple and Royal Taylor. The Sept. 8 list of performers includes Third Day, MercyMe, Chris August, Kutless, Lecreae, Thousand Foot Krutch, Yolanda Adams and Dara Maclean.

Tickets are available in advance for $52.95 (all ages) or on the day of the event for $62.95. Two-night tickets are selling for $94.95. For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.nightofjoy.com or call 407-934-7639.

But soon, visitors to SeaWorld Orlando will have an opportunity to discover Antarctica thanks to an all-new Antarctica-themed area slated to open at the Orlando theme park in 2013. The interactive realm will be the coldest theme park attraction in the world, offering a new state-of-the-art ride, a one-of-a-kind, up-close penguin habitat, a new restaurant and a retail location.

The exciting new expansion will create a fully immersive environment highlighted by a special attraction, “Empire of the Penguin.”  The ride will take guests in 8-person vehicles being guided by a young gentoo penguin on a journey through the extreme dangers and incredible beauty of the cold and remote continent. The ride will allow families to choose from various levels of intensity and will vary from one ride to the next.

The park’s colony of penguins – which must remain at temperatures in the low 30’s Fahrenheit – will allow visitors an up-close look at several species of penguins including gentoos, rockhoppers, adelies and kings.

The separate ticket event runs from 4 pm til 1 am. Tickets will be available in a variety of one or two-evening packages. In addition to exceptional Christian rock music on a number of stages throughout the park, Universal Studios will also keep open a select number of rides and attractions such as Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster and the Simpsons Ride. The park’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, a roller coaster that offers riders an opportunity to select their own musical soundtrack, will be loaded with songs and music from Christian artists.

The event also includes a special candle-lighting ceremony on Saturday evening as well as three Sunday morning worship services.

Scheduled musical artists include:

Friday, Sept. 7, 2012

Skillet

Newsboys

Jeremy Camp

For King & Country

Family Force 6

Robert Pierre

Group 1 Crew

We As Human

Everfound

Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012

Switchfoot

tobyMac

Relient K

Britt Nicole

tenth avenue north

Rhett Walker Band

Group 1 Crew

We As Human

Everfound

Colorful hot air balloons and planes will fill the skies March 23-25 at the fourth annual New Smyrna Beach Balloon and Sky Fest along central Florida’s Atlantic coast.

Visitors can be part of the action as the popular event features hot-air balloon, helicopter and airplane rides, as well as balloon glows, two daytime air shows and two nighttime air shows. You’ll also find plenty of food, carnival rides and live music throughout the three-day celebration.

Another special exhibit highlights the “Rise Above” Tuskegee Airmen. The exhibit includes a Red Tail P-51 Mustang fighter jet that was used in the hit recently released movie, “Red Tails.”

Daily admission to the event at the New Smyrna Beach Regional Airport is a suggested $2 donation for anyone over the age of 12.

The event provides plenty of opportunity for visitors to head up, up and away with a variety of ride-along programs. Choose from one-hour balloon rides ($199 per person), 10-minute tethered balloon rides ($10 per person) as well as helicopter ($30 per person) and airplane rides in a 1928 New Standard D-25 open cockpit bi-plane ($58 per person).

Other highlights include balloon glow flights on Friday and Saturday nights, daytime air shows planned for Saturday and Sunday, and night air shows on Friday and Saturday at dusk. There will also be a Kids Fun Zone and an Education Zone. All balloon launches are subject to wind and weather restrictions.

Velvet Sessions provides guests with an up close atmosphere as performers hit the stage in the hotel’s Velvet Bar and Lobby Lounge. Past performers include Brett Michaels, Joan Jett, The Romantics, Eddie Money, The Tubes, Psychedelic Furs, Blue Oyster Cult and Foreigner.

The award winning “Velvet Sessions” also showcases a different type of beverage theme each month. Admission is $29 when purchased online and in advance. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $35. The admission price includes select specialty drinks and finger foods from 6:30-8:30 pm. There is a cash bar when the concert starts at 8:30 pm.

For details on 2012 Velvet Sessions concerts, visit www.velvetsessions.com. For additional information on Orlando theme park concerts and events, go to www.orlandothemeparkvacations.com. Or visit www.westgatereservations.com for up-to-date savings and discounts on Orlando family vacation packages and resort accommodations.

A total of 15 MLB teams call Florida home in the spring and there’s no better way to get your fix of baseball than by bouncing around central Florida where you’ll find a variety of teams just a hop, skip and a jump away.

In Orlando, you’ll find the Atlanta Braves setting up camp in the heart of Walt Disney World at the Wide World of Sports complex. Meanwhile, just a few miles away, you can also catch the Houston Astros in Kissimmee.

From Orlando, hop on I-4 West for the quick drive to Lakeland, home to the Detroit Tigers - one of the American League favorites with new first basemen Prince Fielder.

Keep going west to Tampa/Clearwater area where the Philadelphia Phillies with star pitcher Roy Halladay and perennial powerhouse New York Yankees make their spring training homes.

Just north of Tampa, the Toronto Blue Jays train in Dunedin, while to the south of Tampa, you’ll find the Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton), Baltimore Orioles (Sarasota), Tampa Bay Rays (Port Charlotte) and the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins who share a training facility in Fort Meyers.

On the Atlantic Coast of Florida’s baseball happy peninsula, you’l lfind the Washington Nationals (Viera), the New York Mets (Port St. Lucie) and the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins in Jupiiter.

Wherever you go, you’re sure to enjoy great baseball, epic Florida sunshine and one of the great traditions in Florida each spring!