Orlando Vacation Packages SeaWorld Orlando Packages Universal Studios Orlando Vacation PackagesDisney Vacations

All Current & Ongoing Events at Disney World, Universal Studios & SeaWorld Orlando Attractions!

Blog Subscribers

Your email:

Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando, Orlando Vacation Packages

resorts Blogs - Blog Catalog Blog Directory

Travel blogs

blogarama - the blog directory

My Blog Directory

diigo it

Blog directory

Current Articles | RSS Feed RSS Feed

Disney World & Universal Orlando Vacation Packages

Disney World & Universal Orlando Vacations Package Promotions

Universal Studios Orlando

 

Disney World & Universal Studios Orlando Vacation Packages

 Disney Vacation Packages

 

 
  • Internet Wi-Fi Service (Fees Apply)
  • Swimming Pools/Game Rooms/Gym
  • Additional Nights for only $99 p/n
  • Hotel Taxes & Fees are not Include
  • 90/120 Minute Resort Preview Required

Disney 2 Day Touch of Magic (3 Days at Disney) & Universal Tickets
3 Days Access to Both Parks Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure
2 Day Choice of either Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios or Animal Kingdom
3rd Day Choice of either Disney Quest, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon or Wide World of Sports

$759 That's it! Not per person, Not per night. Just $759 for the Package.
(Retail $1509/Savings $750)

Book your Orlando Vacation Package now to Disney World & Universal Studios before it's too late...Christmas time is here and the Orlando Resorts are selling out fast....So if you are planning a Disney World & Universal Vacation, then book now!

Orlando Theme Parks Christmas Holiday Season Events

Disney World, Universal Studios & SeaWorld Orlando Holiday Season Events

Orlando Theme Parks Holiday Season

We've recovered from the Halloween sugar rush just in time for the visions of sugar plums to kick in at our theme parks. Some events are under way already, some favorites are coming up, and there are even new offerings out there this year. There's plenty of time to pace yourself. No need to OD on pixie dust and poinsettias right away.


Walt Disney World

Some of the Disney yuletide events already are in place. At Magic Kingdom, guests can see Cinderella Castle undergo a nightly transformation into Castle Dreamlights! (now with exclamation point) mode, a white-light immersion. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is back with its annual full-on assault of choreographed twinkling.

Also underway is the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party series of after-hours, separate ticket events at Magic Kingdom. New to the party this year is A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas! (again with the exclamation point!) featuring Stitch, Buzz Lightyear and Mike Wazowski. Very Merry includes a special holiday parade (toy soldier alert), themed fireworks, free hot cocoa and other shows. Remaining dates are today, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Nov. 20 and 29, Dec. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18.

Disney's Animal Kingdom shifts its afternoon parade to a holiday version on Nov. 27 when Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade kicks off. It appears daily through Jan. 3.

Epcot goes into holiday mode Nov. 27 with its Holidays Around the World presentation at World Showcase, which sports an international flair plus a special ending to the IllumiNations display. Candlelight Processional, a mass choir and orchestra backing a narration of the Christmas story, begins that night as well. The first celebrity speaker is scheduled to be Isabella Rossellini.

All Disney holiday events - with the exception of Very Merry - are included in regular park admission.


Universal Orlando

The bulk of Universal's holiday celebration takes place at Universal Studios theme park. New to the lineup this year is a three-weekend concert series at Music Plaza, which will kick off with a performance by holiday megagroup Mannheim Steamroller on Dec. 5. Other artists will be Chris Isaak (Wicked Game) on Dec. 12 and Natalie Cole ("Unforgettable") on Dec. 19.

Isaak and Cole will mix holiday songs into their usual playlist. Show times are 7 p.m.

Each concert is preceded by the Macy's Holiday Parade, a collection of balloons and floats imported from the famed Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. There should be a Santa Claus sighting as well. The parades are daily from Dec. 5 to Jan. 1.

Three Universal shows get a holiday overlay: Blues Brothers Christmas Show (with snow on Delaney Street), Kidzone Holiday Show and Barney's Christmas Show. The Universal Cinesphere 360 show returns for a six-day stint beginning Dec. 26.

Next door at Islands of Adventure is the park's musical version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which is performed several times a day, beginning Dec. 5. All of these Universal offerings are included in regular park admission.


SeaWorld Orlando

The Polar Express Experience, a pine-scented overlay of the park's Wild Arctic simulator, returns today for its third holiday season, and " Shamu Christmas ... Miracles," starring a killer whale and gospel music, comes back Nov. 27.

But SeaWorld also has three new holiday productions that will debut Nov. 27.

An ice rink will be built at Bayside Stadium, the location for Winter Wonderland on Ice, an ice-skating show. A Muppet-driven show called A Sesame Street Christmas, featuring Elmo and Big Bird, will be at Seaport Theater, and sea lions will continue their comedy antics in Clyde and Seamore's Countdown to Christmas. That duo has performed a holiday show before but this will be an all-new production, SeaWorld says.

These attractions are included in regular SeaWorld admission.


Still haven't got your tickets or Holiday Vacation Packages yet to Disney World, Universal Studios or SeaWorld Orlando? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Orlando Vacation Packages needs!!!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney's Magic Kingdom Disney World's Annual Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Event Dates & Info

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that is held each winter on select nights at Disney's Magic Kingdom that requires a seperate ticket to attend...This event is filled with a Holly Jolly Holiday Parade, Fireworks & Live Entertainment.

The event will be held from 7pm - 12am on the following dates in 2009:

November 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29
December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18

View all of our Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Vacation Packages and have a chance to see Magic Kingdom theme park all decked out for Christmas as you celebrate the yuletide magic with the ones you love, and join in a festive special event that is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party features:

  • The enchanted Castle Dream Lights at Cinderella's Castle
  • Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus himself.
  • An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza - Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
  • Live entertainment featuring Disney Characters
  • Meet and greet opportunities throughout Magic Kingdom theme park with some of your favorite Disney Characters
  • Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
  • A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
  • Many of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions

Tickets may be purchased in advance and the event can sell out. Standard Magic Kingdom theme park admission tickets will not allow Guests to attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Click here for a couple of video's from last years Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade that we hope you enjoy!

Disney's Magic Kingdom Welcomes Princess Tiana

Princess Tiana makes her official Magic Kingdom debut at Disney World with a special welcome and Showboat Jubilee

Princess Tiana at Disney's Magic Kingdom

The following article & video's ar courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine

A host of Disney characters welcomed Princess Tiana this morning following her horse-drawn carriage ride to Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. Tiana is featured in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated film "The Princess and the Frog" which marks Disney's return to traditional 2-D hand-drawn animation.

 Princess Tiana at Disney's Magic Kingdom  Princess Tiana at Disney's Magic Kingdom 

Today's special welcome was a one-time event in honor of Disney's newest princess making her way to Walt Disney World's most magical theme park. Here's a video of the welcome ceremony:

 

Shortly thereafter, the official premiere performance of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee took place. Following a jazz-filled procession through Frontierland and Liberty Square, Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Dr. Facilier, and Louis the alligator performed with dancers, musicians, and even park guests in a live musical production that takes place on board the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Belle riverboat.

Here's video of a complete show of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee, including the processional beforehand:

 

The processional leads characters onto the Liberty Belle which then paddlewheels her way from the dock in Liberty Square toward Frontierland, stopping by the bridge in front of Splash Mountain where a song-filled performance is delivered to watching guests. Nearly two dozen Disney dancers join 30 randomly-chosen park guests to be part of each show. Guests are not necessarily chosen near the riverboat but throughout the park.

 Princess Tiana at Disney's Magic Kingdom  Princess Tiana at Disney's Magic Kingdom 

Still haven't got tickets yet for Magic Kingdom or haven't got your Disney Vacation Package? Then check out our website for all your Disney Vacations needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com

Disney's Christmas Day Parade 2009

Sign up to attend the 2009 Disney World Christmas Day Parade

 

Disney World Christmas Day Parade
Following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine

It's a well-known "secret" that Disney's annual Christmas Day Parade is actually taped a few weeks before Christmas Day. This year, it's being taped at the Magic Kingdom on Dec. 3, 4, and 5 (Thursday - Saturday).

Registration is now open for anyone who wants to sign up to be part of the crowd and watch the taping. You can register by following this link.

On Dec. 3 and 4, guest star performances will be shot on Cinderella's Castle Stage and Main Street USA for the show. On Dec. 5, the parade itself will be shot featuring Disney Characters and guest star performances along Main Street USA. In the past, stars performing have included the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Jessica Simpson, Katherine McPhee, the cast of "Dancing with the Stars," and many more. The whole event has been hosted by Regis Philbin and Kelly Ripa, though they are generally only present while shooting the parade down Main Street USA.

Here are a few more details about the taping:

Cost: Registration is free.

Online Registration Ends: December 2, 2009 12:00 AM Pacific Time

There is no age restriction on who can attend the taping. Up to 8 people are allowed to attend per family.Children 2 and under will not need a ticket and do not need to be included in the count.

The shoot will start as early as 7:30 a.m. but generally lasts throughout most of the day. Space is available on a first-come basis. If you arrive late on the day of the taping, you will not be guaranteed admission into the park. Word of warning: It can get very cramped in the reserved spaces.

If you decide to visit the Magic Kingdom that day without signing up for the taping, it is still possible to watch the show, but you will not be allowed into the special reserved areas and will be required to keep moving along the sidewalks.

Here's a brief video we shot during the 2007 Christmas Day parade taping:


Still haven't got tickets yet to visit Disney World or haven't got your Disney Vacation Package for Magic Kingdom? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Disney Vacations needs.

The Sum of all Thrills at Disney's Epcot

The Sum of all Thrills at Disney's Epcot

New Attraction & Ride Opened Yesterday at Disney's Epcot "The Sum of all Thrills"

The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine.

The Sum of all Thrills, a new attraction and ride sponsored by Raytheon, opened today at Disney World's Innoventions East at Epcot.

The Sum of all Thrills lets guests create their own ride experience by choosing a ride theme: a roller coaster, bobsled or jet plane. Using multi-touch object recognition tables, guests use math and engineering-based tools to design and customize their ride by adding corkscrews, inversions or steep hills. In the process, guests can learn a little bit about mathematical and engineering principles to determine how much energy is needed for a jet to take off or for a roller coaster or bobsled to make it up its first climb.

When the design of the ride is complete, it is saved on a personal card with a unique bar code. The card is then used to allow each guest to experience his or her custom ride from beginning to end on the robotic KUKA RoboSim 4-D simulator.

Disney previously utilized KUKA robotic arms in their "Rockin' Robots" exhibit also within Innoventions. This particular KUKA RoboSim arm is currently in use in one other United States theme park, this is the first installation combining the robot arm technology with the video simulator and hood. It has also been widely-rumored that Universal Orlando will be using a KUKA robotic arm in its upcoming Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction, though KUKA representatives would not comment on that today.

Inside the simulator, guests experience their ride on high definition video with stereo sound and a fan to simulate wind.

Before reading thoughts on the Sum of All Thrills experience, learn more about the new attraction and the KUKA RoboSim ride system in the following video featuring show producer for Walt Disney Imagineering Eric Goodman, concept designer for Walt Disney Imagineering Brent Strong, director of new market development for KUKA Robotics Michael Beaupre, and vice president of corporate communications for Raytheon Pam Wickham:

There are eight design tables and four robotic arms which each hold two people. Up to three people can experience the same designed ride (utilizing two arms simultaneously). If you're happy with your design, you can keep your card and return to reride the same ride for up to six months.

 The Summ of all Thrills at Disney World's Epcot The Sum of all Thrills at Disney World's Epcot

The ride experience and viewing screen graphics are similar to CyberSpace Mountain at DisneyQuest. Don't expect photo-realism here. Instead, the graphics are more cartoon-like, as shown in the image above.

We rode the Sum of All Thrills five times this morning with varying thrill levels. At the end of each ride, you are literally presented with a "sum of all thrills" in numerical form, rating the various elements you rode. If you don't select any inversions and pick the most basic track elements, your "sum" will likely be in the 200s and your ride will be rather tame, though still somewhat entertaining. The maximum "sum" we received was in the 1,200s for a jet plane ride that included six inversions and a number of thrilling maneuvers. A ride in the 200s feels less thrilling than Big Thunder Mountain, so almost anyone meeting the height and safety requirements should be able to enjoy this experience.Guests must be 48 inches or taller to ride, 54 inches or taller if the designed ride includes inversions. The seats don't fit all body types. Outside of the attraction are two sample seats for guests to try. The hood and screen must come down to a certain point before guests will be able to ride so larger guests may not be able to experience The Sum of All Thrills.

Since the ride system's visually separates riders from the world around them, the feeling of being moved around on the end of a giant robot arm is minimal. Instead, you feel like you're safely seated in a chair that's rolling, pitching, and flipping you upside down. The ride looks more intense from the outside than it feels once you're experiencing it. But that's not to say that six inversions won't make the blood rush to your head.

Overall, The Sum of All Thrills is better than most (if not all) Innoventions exhibits but not quite up there with Epcot's best rides and attractions. The screen inside the hood is smaller than we would have liked. It seems to only be somewhere around a 15-20″ screen, which isn't large enough for a totally immersive experience. But as Innoventions' first ride, it serves its purpose of being entertaining, exciting, and even teaches guests a little something about math. And given the popularity of DisneyQuest's CyberSpace Mountain, The Sum of All Thrills will likely prove to be a winner, especially with the teenage crowd.

In addition to the attraction at Epcot, Raytheon also unveiled a virtual Sum of all Thrills experience online at MathMovesU.com. The Sum of all Thrills world, aimed at middle school students, combines the three ride elements of the theme park experience into one multidimensional ride. Students answer math-related questions to unlock elements that enable them to build their own ride online.

"Sum of all Thrills is an example of how Raytheon is using innovation to encourage students to develop and sustain an interest in math and science," said William H. Swanson, chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company. "By experiencing the ‘thrill' of math in this environment, students have the opportunity first hand to feel the excitement and possibilities of careers that are possible with math and science. We hope young people and adults alike will enjoy this innovative experience."

Still haven't got tickets or a Disney Vacation Package to Epcot yet? Then check out our website for all your Disney World needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com

Disney World "Give A Day - Get A Disney Day"

Disney World 2010 Promotion Offers Volunteers a Free Day

 

Disney World Volunteer Photo

 

 

The following article courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine

Today Disney announced a new program that celebrates the spirit of volunteer service with a simple proposition: "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day."

Disney World hopes to inspire families to volunteer in their communities during 2010 through this first-of-its-kind program. One million people who perform volunteer service for a participating organization will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort theme park.

While the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program kicks off Jan. 1, 2010, you can learn more about the program and how to get your free one-day admission to a Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme park by visiting www.DisneyParks.com or www.DisneyParks.ca (Canada).

This year, guests were given one free allowed into Disney World for free on their birthday as part of the "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign.

"In 2010, we want to recognize and add one more reason for celebration: the contributions people make to their communities every day," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "We want to inspire one million volunteers - people who will invest time and energy to make their own communities and neighborhoods a better place."

To enable people to sign up for an eligible volunteer project, Disney is working with HandsOn Network, the nation's largest volunteer network. Part of Points of Light Institute, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help.

Starting Jan. 1, 2010, guests can go visit the Disney Parks Web site to search for volunteer opportunities available in their area through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. Many of the opportunities will be for projects that entire families can participate in together.

If annual passholders would like to participate, they'll be offered one of three choices instead of the free ticket:
• Special Fastpass cards for certain attractions for up to six people.
• A collectible Ear Hat figurine with exclusive trading pins.
• Donate the free ticket to a non-profit organization designated by Disney.

The free tickets will not be valid at Walt Disney World between March 29 and April 8 or on July 4, 2010.

Ticket quantities are limited. The program begins January 1, 2010 and continues until all tickets are distributed or Dec. 15, 2010, whichever occurs first.

Still haven't got your Disney Vacation Package yet? Then check out our website at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com for all your Disney Vacations needs.

Orlando & Kissimmee Area Hotels

Orlando & Kissimmee Area Hotels

Choosing The Right Hotel For Your Orlando Vacation In The Orlando/Kissimmee Area

If you are traveling to the Orlando are for your Disney Vacation, be sure to look for Kissimmee Hotels rather than a hotel in the downtown Orlando area or around the Orlando airport. The reason that you want to focus your attention away from Orlando, Florida and towards Kissimmee is that Disney World is actually in Kissimmee, Florida and not in Orlando. Orlando just happens to be the largest city in the area.

In fact, if you chose to say in downtown Orlando, you would be a good thirty to sixty minutes away from the Disney World resort. Of course this all depends all the local traffic. If you stay in a Kissimmee Hotel, you will be anywhere from five to twenty minutes from the Disney World Resort.

If you like having a shorter drive to Disney, then try booking a hotel like the Radisson Worldgate, Ramada Orlando Celebration or Celebration Suites at Old Town. These Kissimmee Hotel are not owned by Disney but still sit near the Walt Disney World entrance.

If you like, check out our web site for all your Disney Vacations, Discount Hotels, and all other Orlando Vacation Package needs at Orlando Discount Tickets USA.

Disney World Expansion of Fantasyland Confirmed

 

Fantasyland at Disney World Concept

 

Fantasyland Expansion at Disney World Now Confirmed for Completion by 2013

*Following article/photos courtesy of Orlando Attractions Magazine

The long-rumored Fantasyland expansion / addition has been confirmed at the D23 Expo during the Disney Parks & Resorts presentation. Imagineers did not want to comment specifically on the leaked blueprint but it appears that, more or less, all of what was rumored is coming true.

The Fantasyland expansion will begin construction in early 2010 and all except Pixie Hollow will complete in 2012 with Pixie Hollow to follow in 2013.

Included in the new additions are The Little Mermaid dark ride Ariel's Adventure, a Beauty and the Beast restaurant, elaborate princess meet and greets, and a double Dumbo that will have an interactive covered area rather than a queue for those waiting to ride.

Mickey's Toontown Fair will be completely replaced as part of the Fantasyland addition, replaced by the new Dumbo ride/area and Pixie Hollow. The meet-and-greets for Mickey Mouse and his friends will be moved elsewhere in the park, though Imagineers declined to comment on the plans just yet.

The current west side of Fantasyland that includes Peter Pan's Flight and It's a Small World among other rides will remain the same as it is now and will not be receiving a makeover.

Imagineers say that while there are a lot of new princess elements being added to Fantasyland, they will be incredibly interactive and immersive and should appeal to boys as well as girls.

The new area of Fantasyland will be filled with trees and appear much more lush and shady than the current area.

The new construction will not affect the existing Fantasyland and there will be no major closures. Pooh's Playful Spot may be disappearing as part of the project. The Little Mermaid ride will be taking the spot formerly occupied by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction.

Here is the concept art for the Fantasyland addition that was displayed to the packed audience...

Princess meet-and-greets will be elaborately themed and will serve as much more than just acting as a place to take a picture. Interactive elements and small shows will entertain guests:

 

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

 

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Beauty and the Beast's castle will serve as a meet-and-greet, interactive walkthrough exhibit, and turn into a full-service nighttime restaurant. Scenes to be included will be similar to those found in the Animation area of Disney's California Adventure, with the Beast's library and wilting rose among others, but will be enhanced:

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

The interior ride portion of Ariel's Adventure will be nearly identical to the attraction being built at Disney's California Adventure. However, the exterior will be themed very differently to fit in with the Fantasyland environment rather than DCA's Boardwalk area:

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

The Dumbo area of the Fantasyland addition will be huge, encompassing much of the existing Toontown. It will include two Dumbo carousels and a circus-themed interactive waiting area to ride. There will no longer be a long, hot queue:

Fantasyland & Dumbo at Disney World concept art

Pixie Hollow, coming in 2013, will allow guests to greet the Disney Fairies in their own elaborate environment:

Disney World Concept Art of Fantasyland

Still haven't got tickets for Disney World or booked your Disney Vacations yet? Then check out our website for all your Disney World needs at www.orlandodiscountticketsusa.com

Disney World Purchase of Marvel UnFair

MarvelMany are saying that the Disney World purchase of Marvel is very Unfair

The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith is investigating whether the Board of Directors of Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL) breached its fiduciary duty to its shareholders in agreeing to sell the Company to The Walt Disney Company for $30 per share in cash plus approximately 0.745 Disney shares, which translates to approximately $50.00 per share.

The Law Offices of Howard G. Smith believes that the deal is suspicious because it appears from a review of the Company's financial statements that the inherent value of the Company's stock is greater than $50.00 per share and also because it appears that Marvel did not conduct a fair bidding process to ensure that the Company sold for the best price possible.

All Posts