Florida Vacation Blog

As one of the world’s most popular destinations, it seems you never have to wait long for a new attraction to pop up in Orlando. While the theme parks have been busy adding new shows, new rides and new adventures, another major tourist area has announced plans for more excitement.

Already renowned for its shopping, dining and myriad attractions, Orlando’s famed International Drive is preparing to begin work on an all new $100 million project called I-Drive Live.

Set to be built on the 19-acre property formerly known as the Mercado, the new entertainment complex will include a towering, 425-foot-high observation wheel, a Madame Tassaud’s Wax Museum and a Sea Life aquarium.

The development will likely add a number of other restaurants and shops as part of its initial phase. Future development could also include a parking garage and two themed hotels.

For more information on I-Drive attractions and discount tickets, as well as discount Orlando vacation packages, please visit www.westgatereservations.com.

It’s almost time to Rock the Universe at Universal Studios Florida. The annual fall Christian music festival returns to Orlando’s popular theme park on September 9-10 and, once again, some of the biggest names in Christian rock will be there.

The special separate ticket event runs from 4 pm til 1 am at Universal Studios on Friday and Saturday. The lineup for Friday, Sept. 9 includes:

• Switchfoot
• David Crowder Band
• Anberlin
• Grits
• Family Force 5
• Rhema Soul
• Hyland

Scheduled performers for Saturday, Sept. 10 include:

• Casting Crowns
• Third Day
• Relient K
• Red
• Tenth Ave North
• Brandon Heath
• Live Fish

In addition to the great music, Rock the Universe guests can enjoy all of the fun and excitement of Universal Studios’ thrill rides and attractions. The exciting Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit music video roller coaster will feature songs from many Christian bands during the two-day event.

For more information on Universal Studios tickets and discount Orlando vacation packages, go to www.westgatereservations.com.

With hundreds of alligators, crocodiles and other wildlife, there’s always been plenty to see at Gatorland in Orlando. But now you can enjoy an entirely different viewpoint.

Clip in and zip off on a thrilling outdoor adventure while enjoying a bird’s eye view of the gators aboard Gatorland’s new Screamin’ Gator Zip Line.

You’ll soar across 1,200 feet of heart pounding zip line, moving from tower to tower. The multilevel launch pads stand more than seven stories high, while providing breathtaking views above the park’s giant Cuban and Nile crocodiles and the Alligator Breeding Marsh filled with 138 alligators.

On the Screamin’ Gator, you can launch from heights up to 65 feet and fly along five intense zip lines ranging in length from 230 to 500 feet at speeds near 30 miles per hour. Participants can also cross a swinging bridge over the park’s main walkway.

The 2-hour long zip line experience begins with a short safety and orientation session. Each adventure is led by a highly trained guide ready to share stories and myths about the Gatorland inhabitants. The Zip Line adventure includes all day admission to the park.

For more on Orlando area theme parks and attractions including discount tickets and Orlando vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Get your fix of great music with the popular Velvet Sessions concert series at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. This month’s special musical guest is The Fixx, appearing live in concert on July 28.

Velvet Sessions concerts offer a quaint and up-close atmosphere as performers hit the stage in the lobby of the Hard Rock. An English rock band, The Fixx is best known for hits like “One Thing Leads to Another,” “Are We Ourselves?” and “Deeper and Deeper.”

Admission to Velvet Sessions 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 (which vary monthly) 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 the Velvet Sessions 2011 concert series, 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.

While visitors to Disney can enjoy a world of adventure, but for an even more international experience, no trip to Orlando why not try spending some time along the city’s famed International Drive.

Although International Drive stretches for miles, you never have to venture far to find something fun to do. The popular I-Drive area puts you on the doorstep of six amazing theme parks, including SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove, Aquatica by SeaWorld, Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure and Wet ‘n Wild water park. You’ll also find I-Drive is home to more than 100 hotels and resorts, nearly 500 shops, more than 150 restaurants, three entertainment complexes, movie theaters and even the nation’s second largest Convention Center.

When you walk up International Drive - or take the I-Ride Trolley - you’ll discover plenty of options for the entire family. Try your hand at mini golf. Put the pedal to the metal aboard racing go-karts. Check out the towering Titanic Museum. Climb into a helicopter for a bird’s eye view of the city. Experience the thrills of indoor sky diving. Shock yourself at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. Or kick back and enjoy a cocktail at one of only two Ice Bars in the world.

You can watch the daily parade of ducks through the elegant Peabody Orlando hotel. You can walk through an upside down building full of fun at WonderWorks. You can play championship golf at Shingle Creek. Or you can enjoy a true dinner adventure inside the giant galleon at Pirate’s Dinner Adventure. Or you can even test your mental skills in trying to solve a murder at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater.

Train Land International is a museum featuring 14 miniature trains traveling through an indoor garden amidst 12-foot high mountains, waterfalls and more than 30 trestles and tunnels.

Shoppers will find a wealth of opportunities to browse everywhere from designer boutiques to popular outlet malls. Or choose from the many restaurants offering tastes from around the globe.

There’s never a lack of adventure along International Drive. So spend a little time along I-Drive and discover some of central Florida’s other attractions. For information and discounts on Orlando family vacation packages and discount accommodations, please go to www.westgatereservations.com.

Orlando remains one of the world’s most popular destinations thanks in large part to the ongoing popularity of the area’s major theme parks and attractions. Based on this year’s recently announced Theme Park Insider Awards, Orlando should remain a tourism hotspot for years to come. 

Orlando area theme parks captured the top spot in three of the four categories in the Theme Park Insider Awards competition. The awards are based on average reader ratings at the website www.themeparkinsider.com over the past 12 months.

Registered users of the theme park insider site are offered an opportunity to rate attractions, restaurants and hotels on a scale from 0 to 10 and may vote once on each location. ThemeParkInsider.com combines those user ratings and computes averages for each location to determine the winners.

2011 Theme Park Insider Awards

Best Theme Park: Universal’s Islands of Adventure - home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Islands of Adventure won the award for the second consecutive year. One of the runners-up was Busch Gardens in nearby Tampa, Fla.

Best New Attraction: Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and Disneyland) - one of the runners-up was Cheetah Hunt at nearby Busch Gardens Tampa.

Best Theme Park Restaurant: Epcot’s Bistro de Paris - the popular Bistro won the award for a second consecutive year. Runners-up include Mythos at Islands of Adventure and Via Napoli at Epcot.

Best On-Site Theme Park Hotel: Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. - runners-up included Universal’s Portofino Bay and Disney World’s Beach Club Resort.

For information on Orlando’s theme parks and discount Orlando theme park vacation packages, visit www.westgatereservations.com.

Orlando’s theme parks will be filled with music again this weekend.

The music kicks off tonight at Disney’s Epcot where the annual Sounds Like Summer concert series features Stayin’ Alive, a Tribute to the Bee Gees. It continues on Saturday with another set of shows featuring Slippery When Wet - The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute. Concerts sets are scheduled for 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m. both evenings.

At Universal Studios, the Summer Concert Series returns to the Universal Music Stage on Saturday night with a live performance featuring Third Eye Blind beginning at 9 p.m.

Meanwhile, at SeaWorld Orlando, guests can stay late as the park’s Summer  Nights at SeaWorld keeps the park open til 10 pm from now through August 14. The Summer Nights fun includes the popular shows Shamu Rocks, Sea Lions Tonite and Reflections, a fireworks and fountains grand finale. There’s also the new Summer Nights Central, a family gathering and party area that stretches along the pathway to Bayside Stadium at opens at 6 pm nightly.

Events at all three theme parks are included with regular park admissions.

The music starts a day earlier next weekend with the Thursday, June 30 appearance of Psychedelic Furs at Velvet Sessions, the monthly rock and roll party at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. Go to www.velvetsessions.com for event, ticket and price information.

Go to www.westgatereservations.com to find discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando family vacation packages.

Orlando’s theme parks are full of fun and live concerts this weekend. 

At SeaWorld Orlando, Saturday kicks off the start of “Summer Nights at SeaWorld.” Events include the return of the popular killer whale show, Shamu Rocks as well as Reflections, a nightly grand finale fireworks and water fountain show. A new adventure for summer at SeaWorld is a family friendly party zone - Summer Nights Central - that stretches along the path to Bayside Stadium. The area will also feature live music on weekends from now thru August 14.

SeaWorld Orlando also offers extended hours for the summer with the park open until 10 pm.

At Universal Studios, the weekend means another round of the park’s Summer Concert Series. This week’s special musical guest, Nelly, hits the Universal stage at 9 pm on Saturday.

Keeping in step with the other parks, Disney World Resort offers up the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series featuring tribute bands at Epcot. This weekend’s shows on Friday and Saturday feature Hotel California - A Tribute to the Eagles. Beginning Sunday, June 19 and lasting all week, musical performances will feature Stayin’ Alive - A Tribute to the Bee Gees.

Epcot’s Sounds Like Summer concerts are held at 5:45, 7 and 8:15 p.m.

Concerts at all three theme parks are included with regular admission.

The popular Velvet Sessions concert series makes its monthly appearance at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel on June 30 with special musical guest, Psychedelic Furs.

Velvet Sessions offers an an engaging and personal atmosphere as performers hit the stage in the lobby of the Hard Rock. The English rockers, Psychedelic Furs are best known for hits like “Pretty in Pink” and “All That Money Wants.”

Admission to Velvet Sessions 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 (which vary monthly) 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 the Velvet Sessions 2011 concert series, 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.

Memorial Day weekend means summer is just around the corners! It also means there are plenty of great entertainment options throughout the Orlando and central Florida area theme parks and attractions.

For those looking to get an early jump on the weekend fun, you can start with the monthly concert series, Velvet Sessions, at Universal’s Hard Rock Hotel. This special rock ‘n’ roll cocktail party and lobby concert features musical guest Ed Kowalczyk. The fun gets started at 6:30 pm with food and specialty themed drinks. The musical guest is Live’s Ed Kowalczyk. For tickets and additional details, visit www.velvetsessions.com.

Star Wars fans can enjoy the second of four Star Wars Weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The annual Star Wars celebration features dozens of your favorite Star Wars characters, special motorcades and events and more. This weekend’s special guests include actor Anthony Daniels who portrayed C-3PO, Bruce Spence who played Tion Medon and Dee Bradley, the voice of Captain Rex in the animated television show Clone Wars.

The Disney park also features a newly revamped Star Tours ride. Now in 3-D, the Star Wars ride now includes multiple missions, making it a new adventure every time. 

Meanwhile, just a short drive from Orlando, you’ll also find some new excitement at Busch Gardens Tampa where the theme park’s newest roller coaster, Cheetah Hunt, is scheduled to open on Friday. The park’s longest coaster, the Cheetah Hunt attraction also includes an adjacent cheetah habitat called Cheetah Run.

For more information about Orlando area theme parks and attractions, visit www.westgatereservations.com.