Sounds Like Summer Concert Series Underway at Epcot

Sounds Like Summer is an annual live concert series at Epcot theme park located at Walt Disney World Resort that brings together a talented collection of tribute bands to authentically recreate the classic hits of legendary musical icons.

The concerts are located near the lagoon side of the America Gardens Theatre—adjacent to the American Adventure Pavilion. Listen to the tunes that inspired everyone's favorite youthful memories as you celebrate the spirit of summer vacation, day trips to the beach, backyard cookouts and relaxing under a shady tree.

2009 Performers

· June 29 - July 8: Slippery When Wet, A Tribute to Bon Jovi
· July 9 - July 17: 52nd Street, A Tribute to Billy Joel
· July 18 - July 26: Sounds of The Supremes, A Tribute to The Supremes
· July 27 - August 2: 2U, A Tribute to U2
· August 3 - August 9: Petty Theft, A Tribute to Tom Petty

Showtimes are schedule for 5:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.—except on July 4. On July 4, showtimes are scheduled for 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Wine & Dine at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Disney World Orlando is scheduled for September 25-November 8. This year’s event features a lineup of popular music acts, including several Grammy-winning bands, all ready to rock the night away during this fall festival, which transforms the worldly Epcot into a food and wine lovers paradise. Specialty food items, culinary events, parties and music and more make this Disney event a great place to eat to the beat!

The Eat to the Beat! concert series will bring 17 acts – showcasing everything from rock to jazz, funk to pop – to the America Gardens Theatre stage during the 45-day festival. The lineup includes five performers playing the festival for the first time: Richard Marx, Better Than Ezra, Vanessa Carlton, John Waite and Billy Ocean.

Epcot theme park admission is required. Some Epcot International Food & Wine Festival events require ticket fees in addition to admission to Epcot theme park. Availability is limited for some events. Events may be rescheduled or cancelled at any time.

Concerts, which are included with Epcot admission, begin at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm daily.

The lineup (subject to change) includes:

September 25-27 Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (“You & Me & The Bottle Makes 3”)
September 28-29 Richard Marx ("Hold On to the Nights")
September 30-October 3 Starship starring Mickey Thomas (“We Built This City”)
October 4-6 En Vogue (“Free Your Mind”)
October 7-8 Better Than Ezra ("Good")
October 9-11 Sister Hazel (“All for You”)
October 12-13 Kool & The Gang (“Celebration”)
October 14-16 Spyro Gyra (“Morning Dance”)
October 17-18 Jon Secada (“Just Another Day”)
October 19-20 Sister Sledge ("We Are Family")
October 21-22 Vanessa Carlton ("A Thousand Miles")
October 23-25 Taylor Dayne ("Tell It to My Heart")
October 26-28 Boyz II Men (“Motownphilly”)
October 29-31 John Waite ("Missing You")
November 1-2 Night Ranger (“Sister Christian”)
November 3-5 Billy Ocean ("Caribbean Queen")
November 6-8 Los Lobos (“La Bamba")

Guests nibbling and sipping their way around World Showcase can see performers from many countries weave music, dance, acrobatics, comedy and other acts into the festivities. A sampling of World Showcase entertainment includes:

High-energy Celtic music of Off Kilter (Canada)
The Arabic rhythms of Mo’Rockin (Morocco)
Perfect harmony of Voices of Liberty (American Adventure rotunda)
Infectious beat of internationally acclaimed Mariachi Cobre (Mexico)
Retro British hits by The British Invasion (United Kingdom)
Jaw-dropping stunts by Dragon Legend Acrobats (China)
Hilarious antics of World Showcase Players (Italy and United Kingdom)

“IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” lights up World Showcase with lasers, music and fireworks to provide spectacular ending to each festival evening.

Walt Disney World Resorts Celebrate July 4th

All four Walt Disney World theme parks present special shows to mark July 4. Most notable perhaps are the celebrations at the Magic Kingdom presenting SpectroMagic (lighted parade) and Disney's Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert In The Sky on July 4. Incidentally, the park's Audio-Animatronics figure of President Barack Obama is currently slated to be in place at the park's Hall of Presidents "in early July," according to Disney, so it could be that it is available to be viewed on the Fourth. For its part, Epcot presents a special holiday fireworks display along with its laser/music/fireworks spectacular, IllumiNations on July 4. The festivities are included in park admission.

Magic Kingdom: A Fourth of July "Concert in the Sky" will light up the night at Magic Kingdom in honor of Independence Day. Featuring a magnificent display of aerial fireworks, dazzling pyrotechnic effects and dynamic music, the show, entitled "Disney's Celebrate America!-A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky," is a grand tribute to the United States, its people and traditions. The special show is scheduled for 9 p.m. Magic Kingdom also will feature two performances of the "SpectroMagic" nighttime parade, first at 10:30 p.m. and then again at 12:30 a.m. that same night.

Epcot: A holiday-inspired finale will be added to Epcot's nightly fireworks extravaganza, "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth." The park's American Adventure pavilion also will feature enhanced entertainment throughout the day, with visits from historic characters who will share their stories. American Adventure also will feature additional performances of its signature musical group, Voices of Liberty, performing patriotic classics.

Disney's Hollywood Studios: Disney's Hollywood Studios will present a special July 4th fireworks show at 9 p.m., with skyrockets and patriotic music filling the air at the showbiz-themed park. The park's popular "Fantasmac!" show, featuring fireworks, animation, dancing waters and Disney characters, will be presented on July 4 at 10:30 pm.

Downtown Disney: Downtown Disney will present July 4th fireworks at 10:30 p.m. for the revelers, shoppers and diners enjoying the nighttime entertainment district.

Downtown Disney Opens Paradiso 37 Restaurant

Paradiso 37, a high-energy restaurant and bar featuring cuisine from North, South and Central America, will welcome guests in May at its location in Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney.

The lakeside eatery will offer a variety of menu offerings representing the 37 countries of the Americas, plus an international wine bar, 37 varieties of tequila and 10 signature frozen margaritas.

The new concept was developed by Orlando-based E-Brands Restaurant Group, a multi-concept restaurant group which currently owns and operates Timpano Chophouse, Samba Room, Taqueria Canonita, Aquaknox, David Burke, Salsa Orlando and Canonita Express in a number of locations across the United States.

The Downtown Disney restaurant will feature nightly entertainment and will be open daily from 11 a.m. until late night.

Star Wars Weekends Return to Disney World

Star Wars Weekends returns to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios for a special summer event celebrating the classic sci-fi series. The sci-fi fan-fest takes place every Friday, Saturday & Sunday from May 22 – June 14, and during this time Disney World Hollywood Studios is transformed into part of the Star Wars galaxy, complete with Ewoks, Wookies, Storm Troopers, Jawas and other Star Wars creatures. The specific Star Wars Weekend dates are May 22-24, May 29-31, June 5-7, and June 12-14.

Fans of the Star Wars universe will be able to face to face with many of their favorite characters during meet and greet sessions, where anyone from Anakin Skywalker to Darth Vader may appear. Youngsters can practice their lightsaber skills at the Jedi Training Academy which prepares them for a battle against Darth Vader himself.

Star Wars trivia contests will also give fans a chance to prove their mastery of the series, while a ride on the famed Star Tours attraction Starspeeder lets guests test their speed skills. One-of-a-kind Star Wars memorabilia will also be available for purchase. Plenty of the Star Wars characters will be on full display during the Star Wars parades as well. End your day with the Hyperspace Hoopa! Show, where Star Wars favorites cut loose and have fun with music, comedy & dancing.

For Orlando Hotel Reservations for Star Wars Weekends, please visit ReserveOrlando.

Disney's Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Ready to Bloom

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, presented by Disneynature, is a special spring event presented each year to highlight flowers, gardens, topiaries, live music and educational events. This year’s festival is scheduled for March 18, 2009 – May, 31 2009. Even if you’re not a gardener at heart, you’ll love this event because it showcases the beauty that is Mother Nature, all on the grounds of Disney World.

A few of the festival highlights include:

Poster Artist Heather French: Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday Heather French will be creating art at the Garden retreat, adjacent to the Canada Pavilion.

Garden Explorations: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 9am – 12pm, guided tours of the award-winning gardens of Epcot are available. The three hour tours are guided by a Disney Horticulturist.

Garden Town Discoveries: Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday special events are held during the festival at Future World East. Tricks of the Trade is scheduled for 10am – 7pm and allows guests to get a behind the scenes look at how Disney’s horticulturalists create some of their most popular designs. Planting Pointers is held at 1pm & 4pm, and lets guests join gardening experts from IFAS at the University of Florida for great gardening ideas. Disney Gardening at Home is scheduled for 11am & 2pm. At this event guests can meet Disney gardening experts and also participate in a hands-on demonstrations. The Great American Gardeners show occurs at 12pm & 3pm, and will entertain with presentations from nationally recognized garden personalities.

Other events include Art in the Garden, a unique look at nature through the eyes of “Plein Air” artists, Environmentality, which shows visitors how to keep our planet green, the Florida Farmers Market, a bountiful market located in Garden Town, as well as continuous shows of “The Making of the Flower & Garden Festival.”

The 2009 Flower Power Concert Series at Epcot spotlights groovy tunes from the ‘60s and ‘70s and begins March 20. Flower Power concerts take place at the Americana Gardens Theatre at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 each Friday, Saturday & Sunday of the festival. Concerts are included with regular admission price.

The Flower Power Concert Series Line-Up:

March 20-22 – Davy Jones “Daydream Believer”
March 27-March 29 – Paul Revere & The Raiders “Good Thing”
April 3-April 5 – The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie “Happy Together”
April 10-April 12 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone “I’m Henry the VIII, I Am”
April 17-April 19 – The Ventures “Hawaii Five-O”
April 24-April 26 – Harold Melvin's Blue Notes (NEW) "If You Don't Know Me By Now"
May 1-May 3 – Chubby Checker & The Wildcats “The Twist”
May 8-May 10 – Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons “Love and Affection”
May 15-May 17 – Jose Feliciano “Light My Fire”
May 22-May 24 – The 5th Dimension “Up, Up and Away”
May 29-May 31 – Tony Orlando “Tie a Yellow Ribbon”

Disney World Orlando the Perfect Place to be a Kid

Millions of people flock to Disney World in Orlando, Florida each year. The parks Walt Disney made famous are synonymous with family fun and the magical whimsy of childhood. I missed out on the Disney experience as a child, but was bound and determined to not let my inner-child miss out on Disney World. So, at the age of 25, I packed my bags, mouse ears included, and made my way to the sunny state of Florida to spend a few days with the main mouse, Mickey, and all of his cohorts.

I was as excited as any child, and was filled with awe over what to expect. The night before the big day, I had visions in my head of doing the robot with Buzz Lightyear, skipping through the park with Snow White and quacking along with Donald Duck himself. The whole event was already playing in my mind like a Disney Movie, and I already had a perfect ending: dinner at Disney’s California Grill, perfectly timed so I could watch the firework displays as I dined.
The next morning, as I drove towards the gates of Disney, I was ecstatic to see Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom signs flash before my eyes. I was on a mission at Disney, and was bound and determined to experience as much of Disney as I could in one day. Due to a time constraint, one day was all I was allotted at Disney, so one day had to fulfill my inner child’s wishes.

With Disney ticket in hand, I started at the Animal Kingdom, since they close the earliest (5pm.) I headed straight towards the Tree of Life to get an up close view of this iconic tree. The detail and design of the tree was incredible, and so was the It’s Hard to be a Bug attraction held inside, at the base of the tree. Starring “Flik,” from the Disney-Pixar Film “A Bug’s Life,” this 8 minute 3D film is fun for those of all ages. I thoroughly enjoyed the 3D look at a bug’s life, and the special effects made me feel like I could reach out and grab the butterflies, snakes and other creatures. I even felt mice running on the floor. I don’t want to give too much away; just be sure to make time for this during your visit to the Animal Kingdom. Another highlight from the Animal Kingdom was the Kilimanjaro Safari, where I sat in an open air safari bus for a one-of-a-kind look at some of the Sahara’s most beautiful animals. The landscape was right out of Africa, and the animals were very energetic and lively, something you don’t always witness at zoos. I was amazed at the variety of animals, and have to say the elephants and giraffes were my favorite safari finds.

After a delicious lunch at the Rainforest Café, my companion and I headed to Epcot for a quick trip around the world. First, though, we made a trip around Earth on the attraction Spaceship Earth and then shrank back down to size at the Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, a 3D show where scientific fun turns into mayhem for the audience. My favorite ride, though, was Soarin, an interactive attraction that simulates hang-gliding in coastal California. The line was long for this attraction, but it was worth the wait! The world showcase pavilions, where France, Germany, Italy, Norway, America, Canada, Japan, China, Mexico, Morocco and the United Kingdom are represented, are truly a sight to see. It was if I had packed my passport and had been flown around the world. The architecture, food, and ambiance of each pavilion made you treasure the unique aspects of each culture. By the time I had toured every country, I felt like my passport had a whole new set of stamps in it.

However, my world tour had to make an important pit stop at a special, far away land known as the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is what first comes to mind for many when they think of Disney. Images of Cinderella’s Castle, Mickey Mouse and Splash Mountain are conjured in one’s mind as the epitome of the Disney Concept. I had these images floating through my head as I made my way, by tram, to the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. However, nothing prepared me for actually seeing Cinderella’s Castle in all her glory. It is a magnificent structure that harkens visitors, or at least me, to become giddy with joy. Even at the age of 25, I was compelled to run towards the castle, eager to see what it held. Be sure to make time for Castle tours they do periodically throughout the day, as there are some neat behind-the-scene discoveries.

My exploration of the Magic Kingdom found seven different lands to journey through, each with a theme like Tomorrowland, Frontierland or Main Street USA to distinguish it from the sprawling 107 acres consisting of the Magic Kingdom. I visited Adventureland first, where I climbed through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse before I murkily made my way through the treacherous waters of the Pirates of the Caribbean. From there, I ventured to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland for a runaway train coaster ride. Fantasyland and Tomorrowland were up next, but before we made it there, we encountered the Move It! Shake It! Celebrate It! Street Party that had me grooving along with Disney characters such as Genie, from Aladdin, & Sebastian, from The Little Mermaid. I found several character greetings at Fantasyland, and although the lines were too long for my time constrained trip, I will definitely make it a priority on my next trip. When else can you have your picture snapped with Goofy? Tomorrowland lived up to its name with Space Mountain, a rocket of a ride that visits our mysterious galaxy.

By the end of my ride on Space Mountain, it was time for dinner at Disney’s California Grill. It was a great way to end my special day. So special in fact, that the glittering night sky boasting colorful fireworks felt like it was just for me. It was truly magic, truly Disney and truly worth the 25 year wait.

Orlando Attractions Have Something Special Underway

A number of sharp-eyed fans have spotted the rooftop of a structure rising in Universal Orlando's Wizarding World of Harry Potter that looks an awful lot like Hagrid's Hut, home of the half-giant character from the Potter novels and movies.

Looks like those fans nailed it.

Building permits pulled by Universal for the much-anticipated, highly secretive Potter project show that the resort is indeed constructing Hagrid's Hut. The setting, according to the permits, is being built for Universal by the Nassal Co. of Orlando, which specializes in themed construction projects.

While the permits offer few details, it appears Hagrid's Hut will be mostly for display purposes. The documents suggest the interior of the building will be used for prop storage.

"Hagrid's Hut is an unoccupied themed prop structure," according to one permit description.

A dream is a wish . . .

With Walt Disney World's latest attraction, the American Idol Experience, formally open in Disney's Hollywood Studios, the company is kicking its vaunted publicity machine into full gear.

Billboards have sprouted around Orlando featuring a slogan for the attraction that ties a quintessential Disney character to a production that's otherwise best known for airing on FOX.

The slogan: "Be part of the next Cinderella story."

Cypress Gardens changes

Cypress Gardens is getting ready to announce new management this week, according to the park's lawyer and spokesman, Rick Dantzler.

The small Winter Haven theme park, known for its botanical gardens, ski shows and Southern belles, closed in November after struggling with low attendance. The owners plan to reopen in late March with a new game plan that involves eliminating the park's amusement rides and focusing on the original gardens and a water park that is popular with locals.

The new management will replace Baker Leisure Group, an Orlando-based company that ended its management role at the park last summer.

Under its new structure, Cypress Gardens will likely have two admission prices: one for the gardens only, and another that includes the water park.

Information courtesy of Orlando Sentinel

Image property of Universal Orlando Resort

March Events in Orlando Florida

Special Events in Orlando during March 2009:

DISNEY'S EPCOT
International Flower & Garden Festival
March 18 - May 31, 2009: The annual brings entertainment, food, education and of course loads of beautiful flowers to Epcot during this festival.

SEAWORLD
Viva La Música
Join the fiesta every weekend, March 7, 2009 through the 29, when Grammy and Latin Grammy-award winning acts perform salsa, merengue, reggaeton and more for Viva La Música. The red-hot lineup includes El Gran Combo, India, Tito El Bambino and Fonseca Saturdays at SeaWorld, and R.K.M and Ken-Y, Guayacan, Grupo Mania and El Gran Combo at Busch Gardens Sundays. Live music, Hispanic food and the fiery flair of Latin heritage combine for this lively experience.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
Mardi Gras
February 7 - April 18, 2009: On Saturday nights in February, March and April, Universal Studios Florida celebrates the spirit of New Orleans with the annual Mardi Gras celebration.

BOK TOWER
• Bok in Bloom!
January through March: Seasonal blooms throughout the historic Bok gardens.

MORSE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
• Music in the Galleries
November through April, free admission into the museum on Friday evenings from 4:00 - 8:00pm. Live music in the galleries on Friday, March13, Beautiful Music Muse Duo (classical guitar and flute).
• A Brilliant Setting - American Cut and Pressed Glass Tableware 1876-1917
Through September 15, 2009: Includes more than five dozen examples of American-made glass tableware from the late-19th and early 20th centuries.

ORLANDO MUSEUM OF ART
• Of Cloth & Culture: African Textiles
Through December 2009: Exhibit features textiles from various regions of the African continent, including Kente cloth from West Africa, beaded aprons fron the Kirdi of Cameroon, and beaded animal skins of the San people of South Africa.
• American Portraits & Landscapes
Through December 2009: Features works by Benjamin West, Thomas Moran, Rembrandt Peale, John Henry Twachtman, and Carl Wuermer representing art from the Colonial period through the early 20th century.
• 19th & Early 20th Century American Art
Through December 2009: Drawn from the museum's permanent collection, the exhibition features paintings by George Inness, John Singer Sargent, Georgia O'Keeffe, William Harnett, Alfred Bricher, William Merritt Chase, Frank Weston Benson, and the museum's recent acquisition, The Sun Vow, 1901, a sculpture by Hermon A. MacNeil.

OTHER
• Manatee at Blue Springs
November through March: Manatee fleeing the cold ocean waters flock to the warmer temperatures of Blue Springs during the months of November thru March.

SPECIALS FOR MARCH
Please call to verify specials and free admission as museums occasionally change their policy during special exhibits.

• Morse Museum of American Art
Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival open house. Enjoy free admission to the galleries on Friday, March 20, 21, 22, 2009. Call 407-645-5311 to confirm.

• Disney's "Armed Forces Salute"
Active and retired U.S. military personnel can receive a free five-day multi-pass to Walt Disney's Orlando Theme Parks. Special pricing for up to 5 friends and/or family members is also available. Call 1-407-939-6244 to confirm.

• Disney's Free Admission on Your Birthday
"What Will You Celebrate?" Throughout 2009, Walt Disney World is offering one day of free admission to any one of their theme parks for your birthday. Call 1-407-939-6244 to confirm.

• SeaWorld's Fun Card
Florida Residents can pay for a day and receive the rest of 2009 free!

• SeaWorld's "Here's to the Heroes"
Free admission to Worlds of Discovery Theme parks for Military members and direct dependents during 2009.

• Morse Museum of American Art
Free admission to the galleries every Friday evening from 4pm to 8pm from the beginning of November till the end of April. Music in the galleries on select nights. Call 407-645-5311 to confirm.

• Leu Gardens
Free admission to the gardens every Monday from 9am till noon. Be sure to arrive early as parking is at a premium on Monday mornings. Call 407-246-2620 to confirm.

• Orlando Museum of Art
Free admission to the museum on Thursday afternoons from 1pm to 4pm for residents of Orange, Seminole, Lake and Osceola Counties. Call 407-896-4231 to confirm.

Information courtesy of About.com

Orlando Walt Disney World Fastpass Details

Disney's FASTPASS is a revolutionary guest enhancement at Walt Disney World Resort enabling guests to have an alternative to waiting in lines for many of the most-popular attractions. There is no additional charge to use the FASTPASS service.

FASTPASS, Step-By-Step

1) Ticketed guest or annual passholder enters the park main entrance gate.

2) Guest visits any attraction offering the FASTPASS service. Here, guest has the option of waiting in the regular standby line or choosing FASTPASS.

3) If the FASTPASS option is chosen, a guest inserts his or her theme park ticket into the FASTPASS machine. Out comes the FASTPASS denoting when to return to the attraction. Holders of FASTPASS are given a one-hour window for their return -- for example, 10:05-11:05 a.m. That means the guest cannot enter the attraction using FASTPASS before 10:05 but is free to return at any time during the designated one-hour window.

4) Upon returning at the designated time, the guest heads straight for the FASTPASS entrance and proceeds directly to the attraction pre-show or boarding area with little or no wait.

Guests are able to get several FASTPASS tickets during a day in the Disney theme parks. However, they cannot immediately obtain multiple FASTPASS tickets.

How often can they get one? While the answer varies, it is printed on the guest's current FASTPASS ticket.

FASTPASS is offered on the following attractions:

Magic Kingdom: Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, The Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Epcot: Test Track, "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience," Living with the Land, Maelstrom at the Norway Pavilion

Disney-MGM Studios: Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Tower of Terror II, Star Tours, "Voyage of the Little Mermaid," "Jim Henson's Muppet*Vision 3-D," "Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!", "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire - Play It!"

Disney's Animal Kingdom: DINOSAUR, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safaris, "It's Tough to be a Bug"

Information courtesy of About.com

Disney's American Idol Experience Opens Feb. 14

Disney World's specialty is fantasy, but a new attraction opening Feb. 14 will deal in real-life dreams.

The American Idol Experience, a near-exact replica of the theater the "American Idol" TV show uses, will give singers a chance to audition, perform and maybe even get a spot to try out for the real "Idol."

If the singing is as polished as the set, it should be another Mickey triumph.

If the singing is bad, no Disney magic will be able to fix it.

I got a look at the "Idol" set. It has a black, blue and silver stage, replete with hi-def cameras, judges' table and a 1,000-seat auditorium.

American Idol Experience is in Disney World's Hollywood Studios area (formerly MGM).

Here's how it will work: Up to about 400 people a day will be able to sign up for auditions online (at www.disneyworld.com/idol) or in person. Each singer will do a short a cappela song of his or her choice, in front of a casting director in a private room. That casting director will give the singer tips and determine whether he or she goes on to the next stage or, like most, gets the boot.

"The majority of people who watch the show know that only a small percent of singers will go on, but they will still have fun. So even if you experience what you would call rejection, they've still had a good experience," says Laura Offerdahl, Disney entertainment producer for the Idol Experience.

Those who make it through will go to a VIP room to choose songs from 113 choices, get vocal tips, then sing in front of a producer, using a microphone and taped music.

Every day, producers will choose 21 people from the VIP level to sing in front of the Disney audience -- three singers at each of seven performances.

That's no small thing. The huge audience will have armchair electronic voting pads to vote for their favorite performer -- and determine who wins. The final seven favorites (one from each performance) will sing in a finale at each day's end, and the ultimate winner gets a prize -- a "head-of-the-line" pass to audition for the real "Idol."

Restrictions? You must be 14 or older. You must be available to come back for shows later that day if selected. And hopefully, you must be able to sing.

The American Idol Experience is the biggest of the rather small number of new attractions at Disney this year. Recently opened is Toy Story Mania, a tame but fun ride where riders wear 4D glasses and shoot at targets, just like a high-tech carnival midway game. Opening on Jan. 28 is Kim Possible, a scavenger-hunt game for children; participants get a cell-phone type communicator at a stand, then play along by finding spots and clues at Epcot and working to solve a mystery.

In addition, there's a new rule this year that visitors get free admission to one Disney park on their birthdays -- a $63-$75 value. Already, that's a big hit.

"It's only the beginning of the year, but it's already been used by twins and triplets," says Disney spokesman Rick Sylvain.

But the Idol attraction should be the big draw this year. It will have an extra virtue for audience members.

"It's not a Disney thing, but it's even OK to boo the judges if you disagree with their comments," says Offerdahl.

No booing, however, in the happy-go-lucky rest of the park.

Information courtesy of Detroit Free Press

Go Behind the Scenes at Disney World Orlando

Disney World wants its guests to spend their time playing, not planning, so it offers private tour guide service at each of its four parks: Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. For $125 per hour, including tax, for a minimum of five hours, plus park admission, the private tour guide will create your ideal itinerary and reserve the best seats in the house for live shows, parades and nighttime spectaculars.
Disney also offers a variety of backstage and special interest tours:

Magic Kingdom Park
If you're fascinated by trains, check out The Magic Behind Our Steam Trains, a three-hour tour that gives you an insider's look at the Walt Disney Railroad. You'll enter the park before it opens to see how the train operators prepare the engines for another day of service. Guests must be at least 10 years of age. Cost is $40 per person, including tax, plus park admission.

Disney's Family Magic tour is a primer for families with small children (ages 3 and up) who are visiting the Magic Kingdom for the first time. This two-and-one-half-hour tour provides an overview of the park via a fun-filled scavenger hunt in which guests "save" the park from an evil Disney villain. Cost is $27 per person, including tax, plus park admission.

At Disney's Keys to the Kingdom tour, guests learn the history and philosophy behind Walt Disney's grand vision, and take a look backstage at several rides and attractions. Cost for this five-hour tour is $60, including tax, plus park admission. Guests must be at least 16 years of age.
Mickey's Magical Milestones tour traces the creation and career of Mickey Mouse. Cost for this two-hour tour is $25 per person, including tax, plus park admission. Guests must be at least 10 years of age. Tour is offered at 9 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Epcot
The Seas Aqua Tour provides guests an up-close experience with more than 65 species in Epcot's 6-million gallon (23-million liter) indoor aquarium. Guests use scuba-assisted snorkeling equipment during this two-and-one-half hour experience and do not need scuba certification. Cost is $100 per person, including tax. Guests must be at least 8 years of age and children ages 8-16 must be accompanied by a paying adult. Theme park admission is not required.

Certified open-water scuba divers ages 10 and older can go even deeper into the The Living Seas aquarium on the DiveQuest tour. This three-hour experience provides 40 minutes of dive time with protected species of sharks, sea turtles, eagle rays and schools of colorful fish. Cost is $140 per person, including tax, all gear and a commemorative T-shirt. Children ages 10-14 must have Jr. SCUBA certifications and dive with a parent or legal guardian. Theme park admission is not required.

The three-hour Dolphins in Depth program allows guests to interact with its friendly and frisky dolphins and learn about their behaviors. This experience takes place in knee-deep water and you do not need to be able to swim. Guests must be at least 13 years of age and all minors must be accompanied by a paying adult. Cost is $150 per person, including tax. Theme park admission is not required.

Learn the secrets of Disney's green thumbs on the Behind the Seeds at Epcot tour. This one-hour tour takes you backstage at The Land pavilion to explore Disney's greenhouses and hydroponic growing areas. Cost is $14 per adult, $10 for children ages 3-9, including taxes, plus park admission.

Subtle details of art, architecture and costumes come alive within each country's pavilion at the Hidden Treasures of the World Showcase. At the Gardens of the World tour, you'll nurture your green thumb as Disney gardeners show you how they maintain the colorful gardens of the World Showcase. Each three-hour tour is offered to guests ages 16 and older for $59 including tax, plus park admission.

At Epcot's UnDISCOVERed Future World, learn how Walt Disney's desire to improve the world led to the creation of this park and get rare glimpses of backstage areas. This four-hour tour is available to guests ages 16 and older. Cost is $49, including tax, plus park admission.

Segue to the future on the Around the World at Epcot tour as you ride a Segway Human Transporter around the park on a two-hour tour. Cost is $85 per person including tax, plus park admission, and includes Segway riding lessons. Guests must be at least 16 years of age, weigh less than 250 pounds and be able to stand for the duration of the tour. Tours are offered daily at 7:45 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park
On the three-hour Wild By Design tour, guests learn how art, architecture, artifacts and story-telling combine to transport guests to the faraway lands of real and imagined animals. Cost is $58 per person, including tax, plus park admission. Guests must be at least 14 years of age.

The Backstage Safari tour shows guests how Disney's animal specialists care for the many exotic creatures that call Animal Kingdom home. You'll tour the animal nutrition center, the veterinary hospital and other backstage areas. This walking safari lasts three hours and costs $65 per person, including tax, plus park admission. Guests must be at least 16 years of age.

Multi-Park Tours
On the Backstage Magic tour, guests will discover some of Disney's most magical secrets as they delve into the special effects and "imagineering" that go into the creation and operation of Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom. This seven-hour tour is $199 per person, including lunch and tax. Theme park admission is not required. Guests must be at least 16 years of age.

If you want to experience this Orlando theme park in a way that others only dream about, or if you simply want to make the most of your limited time in Orlando, take advantage of these exciting behind-the-scenes experiences and VIP tours.

Information courtesy of Orlando CVB

More Ways to Celebrate New Year's Eve in Orlando

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomes the New Year with entertainment and fireworks on Wednesday, and builds up to the celebration with parties tonight through Tuesday. The festivities are included in park admission: $67.95 for adults and $57.95 for children.

SeaWorld Orlando is throwing a big party on Wednesday complete with Michael Andrew & The Atomic Big Band performing at Bayside Stadium, followed by fireworks. Visitors may dance to the beat of a DJ as the countdown to 2009 begins at The Waterfront section of the park. At midnight, fireworks will light up the skies. The party is included in daily admission: $69.95 for adults; $59.95 for children.

Universal CityWalk: This 30-acre entertainment complex by Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure hosts a party with the Doobie Brothers, a buffet, champagne toast and live entertainment at its nightclubs. Advance tickets are $119.99; $124.99 after Tuesday.

Walt Disney World: The parks bid farewell to 2008 with a variety of events. Epcot features DJs and evening dance parties throughout World Showcase as well as a special presentation of the "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" lights, lasers and fireworks display. Disney's Hollywood Studios offers multiple presentations of the show Fantasmic! and also a special "Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!" fireworks spectacle. The Magic Kingdom features special presentations of the "SpectroMagic" parade and multiple nighttime fireworks displays, including "Holiday Wishes" and "Fantasy in the Sky" at midnight. The events are included in regular park admission: $75 for adults, $63 for children.

Information courtesy of South Florida Sun-Sentinel

American Idol Attraction to open at Disney World Orlando

Starry-eyed singers who dream of being discovered -- like Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson or Clay Aiken -- will have a chance when a new "American Idol" attraction opens in February at Walt Disney World in Orlando.

Or, if singing on stage doesn't appeal, visitors to the theme park's new attraction can make like Simon Cowell or Paula Abdul by taking on the role of judge in the live, interactive competition.
The attraction, scheduled to open Feb. 12 at a time when attendance and revenues are down at the Orlando theme park, was announced December 18 in a joint statement by Disney Parks and Resorts and producers/creators of the phenomenally popular "American Idol" TV show, Fremantle Media Licensing and 19 Entertainment.

Like the TV show, Disney's "American Idol Experience" attraction will include a nerve-racking audition process in which eligible park-goers will perform in front of a Disney producer for a chance to be cast in a show at the theme park -- and a possible shot at eventually competing in the real TV show.

"One of the most remarkable elements about 'American Idol' is that for a brief moment each week, we can provide TV viewers the opportunity to imagine life as America's next superstar," said Simon Fuller, CEO of 19 Entertainment. "Disney's new attraction perfectly captures what we at 'American Idol' feel is the heart and soul of this brand, real people getting a shot to make their dream a reality."

The attraction will be located in the Hollywood Studios section of Disney World. Parkgoers who are deemed to have "star quality" during a screening process -- and after working with a vocal coach, hair stylist and make-up artist backstage -- will perform on Disney's "American Idol Experience" stage set before a live audience and a panel of judges.

Those with the highest votes will compete in an end-of-day grand finale show at Disney World; the winner of the grand finale show will receive a guaranteed reservation for a future regional stadium audition for the "American Idol" TV show.

"Millions of people have imagined themselves standing on the 'American Idol' stage," said Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts. "We're excited that we will be bringing this dream to life every day at Walt Disney World."

Information courtesy of The Detroit News

December in Orlando Offers Fun for Everyone

December in Orlando offers plenty of fun for everyone, including events at Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort & SeaWorld.

DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade
November 28, 2008 - January 04, 2009: Join Mickey and friends as they celebrate the holidays, safari style with decorations, live entertainment and photo opportunities.

DISNEY'S EPCOT

Holidays Around the World
November 28 - December 30, 2008: International holiday traditions unfold throughout World Showcase when storytellers portraying cultural icons of the season.

Candlelight Processional
November 28 - December 30, 2008: A heartfelt holiday tradition led by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra showcases the reason for the season.

DISNEY'S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights
November 28, 2008 - January 4, 2009: Partake in the wondrous light show at MGM Studio's Streets of America backlot.

DISNEY'S MAGIC KINGDOM

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
November 10 - December 19, 2008: Experience the enchantment of "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" and the excitement of a holiday-themed fireworks during a special after-hours party inside the Magic Kingdom theme park. Nov. 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30; Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

Festival of the Seasons
November 28 - December 24, 2008: Downtown Disney rings in the magical shopping season with more than 50 unique stores and merchandise locations across the shopping, dining and entertainment district. The holiday celebration includes festive holiday décor, carolers, nightly tree lighting and photo opportunities with Santa.

SEAWORLD

Polar Express
November 14, 2008 - January 4, 2009: SeaWorld transforms the Wild Arctic into the fables Santa Town where guests are taken on a magical trip to the North Pole.

Wheel of Fortune
December 11, 12, 14, 15, 2008: Watch the taping of 4 episodes of Wheel of Fortune featuring host Pat Sajack and Vanna White.

SILVER SPRINGS

Annual Festival of Lights
December 05 - 06, 12 -23, 26 - 27, 2008: Featuring more than a million twinkle lights and dozens of neon displays each evening from dusk till 8:30om. Enjoy strolling carolers, alighted boat parade and Santa Clause. Included in the admission cost.

Traveling Vietnam Wall
December 05 - 07, 2008: AVTT travels the U.S.A. remembering and honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for our country's freedom. Included in the admission cost.

UNIVERSAL RESORT

Celebrate Grinchmas
December 7, 2008 - January 1, 2009: Celebrate the holidays at Universal Orlando as the resort's two theme parks, on-site hotels and CityWalk transform into a seasonal spectacular featuring special holiday-themed entertainment, decorations, food and more. Meet the Grinch at Islands of Adventure and join in on the excitement of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade transported from New York.

UNIVERSAL CITYWALK

New Year's Eve at Universal CityWalk
December 31, 2008: The evening features live performances by national acts, an expansive gourmet buffet, a champagne toast and live entertainment.

CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO

Breakfast with Santa
December 13,, 2008: Annual holiday breakfast at the zoo. Call 407-323-4450 for more info.

LEU GARDENS

Leu Holiday House
November 27, 2008 through January 1, 2009: The house is open each day from 10:00 - 10:30. The historic house is decorated with festive trees, ribbons and bows. Dioramas from Ron's Miniature Shop and Museum along with beautiful ornaments that garnish every room. Admission to the house is included with garden admission.

MORSE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART

The Quest of Beauty – Louis Comfort Tiffany's Life and Art
Through January 25, 2009: Louis Comfort Tiffany's lifelong "quest for beauty" is reflected in his work across various media.

A Brilliant Setting - American Cut and Pressed Glass Tableware 1876-1917
Through September 15, 2009: Includes more than five dozen examples of American-made glass tableware from the late-19th and early 20th centuries.

ORLANDO SCIENCE CENTER

Beakman’s World Tour
Through January 2009: Based on the children’s hit television show Beakman’s World, this hands-on version will explore four very different worlds in exciting and innovative ways. Children and the young at heart can satisfy their curiosity for the worlds of the human body, space, dinosaurs, and rainforests.

Titanic - The Experience
Through December 2008: The world-famous exhibition, features full-scale recreations of the ship's most famous locales along with historians in period costume interacting with guests as you explore the history and science behind the "ship of dreams."

Information courtesy of About.com

16th Epcot Flower & Garden Festival Gets Even Greener

An elaborate “Cinderellabration” topiary and an environmentally friendly Green Garden will bring fresh springtime flair to the 16th annual Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival March 18-May 31, 2009. Amid a colorful tableau of flowers, plants and topiaries, Walt Disney World guests of all ages can explore a variety of exhibits and activities geared toward gardening and outdoor fun. Weekend Flower Power concerts will pump up the volume and spread a groovy vibe at America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.

Each year, Disney gardeners channel their creative energy into presenting an intricate topiary display against the backdrop of Spaceship Earth. This year, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Snow White and the seven dwarfs, Sleeping Beauty and Prince Phillip, and Belle and Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” will debut in all their “blooming finery” as the grand front-entrance topiary during the 75-day festival.

New gardens, events and children’s play areas offer more reasons to visit the 16th annual festival:

• Green Garden– Anyone can create an environmentally friendly garden; here’s where guests will learn about low-water-use gardens, incorporating native plants into their garden and recycling.

• Pixie Hollow – Colorful topiaries of Tinker Bell and her friends from Walt Disney Pictures’ “Tinker Bell” will sprinkle pixie dust over this playful garden designed just for kids.

• Pirates Adventure Zone – Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Croc topiaries will lure young swashbucklers to this interactive space designed for exploration and adventure.

• Special Environmentality Celebration (April 24-26) – This special event will showcase how to keep the planet green through solutions like reducing waste and using friendly bugs.

Throughout the festival, more than 70 topiaries will decorate the park landscape and showcase the extraordinary craftsmanship of Disney gardeners. Sweeping floral beds and exhibits will feature 30 million blooms. A Fragrance Garden at the France pavilion will tell the “love story” of plants and perfume, and the English Tea Garden at the United Kingdom pavilion will explore the art and history of blending tea plants. The art of bonsai will “wow” guests at the Japan showcase.
Popular bands will rock the open-air America Gardens Theatre every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5:15, 6:30 and 7:45 pm. The concert lineup is slated to include new acts like Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, plus pop favorites like Davy Jones, Chubby Checker & The Wildcats, Tony Orlando, Jose Feliciano, Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone and other top acts.

Information courtesy of MouseSavers Newsletter

Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex

Major League Baseball’s Atlanta Braves return to Champion Stadium for their 12th edition of Spring Training at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in March 2009. The Atlanta Braves will host several marquee opponents in 2009, including visits from the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets and World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, during the Major League Baseball Spring Training season at Champion Stadium at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex.

After two weeks of workouts, the Braves play an 18-game home schedule that includes a number of premier opportunities for fans in 2009, such as World Baseball Classic Exhibition games featuring Panama (March 3) and Venezuela (March 5), and a pair of contests against the Yankees and Mets at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, the leading venue for amateur and professional sports in the country.

Each game has fun for the whole family, including entertainment in a way that only Disney can do, with appearances by Disney characters, live music, an all-new On-Field Spectator Experience and the opportunity for kids to run the bases after every game.

Last spring, the Braves finished 10-5-1 at Champion Stadium, with three of the top all-time home crowds at Disney, on the way to ranking second only to the New York Yankees in Grapefruit League attendance.

Multi-game ticket packages for the Braves’ home spring training season can be purchased now at http://www.ticketmaster.com/

Individual game tickets go on sale Saturday, January 10, at 10 am through http://www.ticketmaster.com/

Information courtesy of MouseSavers Newsletter

Disney Dazzles This Holiday Season in Orlando

Walt Disney World Resort blings in the holidays with sparkling, jewel-like crystals adorning the iconic Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom and a city streetscape alive with millions of multi-color lights glowing and dancing to music at Disney's Hollywood Studios and a breathtaking bridge of twinkling lights that welcome guests to World Showcase at Epcot.

And to go with all the sweet treats for the eyes: seasonal festivities that blanket the Vacation Kingdom by late November as first Magic Kingdom and then Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney take the wrappings off their own Santa sleighfuls of yuletide gaiety.

Guests began to get in the spirit the beginning of November by beholding the 200,000 twinkling lights of Disney's newest holiday tradition - Castle Dreamlights - in Magic Kingdom. Donning their holiday finest, Cinderella and friends take to the Cinderella Castle stage daily for a dream-come-true, light-the-night moment.

Also underway in during the Holiday Season: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on select evenings in Magic Kingdom. During this popular special ticket event, guests are treated to "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade," "Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season" fireworks spectacular plus special holiday-themed shows featuring Disney characters decked out in their seasonal finest, carolers, festive tree lightings and more.

The "Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" celebrates the festive moods of the season with dancing snowflakes, marching toy soldiers, horse-drawn sleighs, enchanting floats and spirited characters all proceeding through the streets of the theme park in a merry and melodic cavalcade.

During "Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season," the radiant castle beams brightly as the evening is magically capped with festive fireworks orchestrated to classic holiday tunes.

Favorite attractions are open throughout the evening, and while forecasters predict the first snowfall of the season will swirl a winter-like effect down Main Street, U.S.A., guests can take heart: there's hot cocoa and cookies to add a warm spirit for a not-to-miss outing for the whole family.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party dates in 2008: Nov. 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30; Dec. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, from 7 p.m.-midnight.
Walt Disney World Resort unwraps more wintertime wonderment throughout property beginning Nov. 28. Here's the lineup:

* Epcot Presents Holidays Around the World - International holiday traditions unfold throughout World Showcase Nov. 28-Dec. 30 when storytellers portraying cultural icons of the season - such as France's Pere Noel, Italy's LaBefana and America's Santa Claus - spread messages of goodwill. Nighttime sparkles with a luminous light bridge adorning the breezeway to World Showcase Plaza, where guests can see a magnificent holiday tree. And to cap off the day, Epcot's kaleidoscope of lasers, lights, fireworks and music - "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" - takes on a spirited holiday finale.

* Candlelight Processional at Epcot - A heartfelt holiday tradition led by a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra showcases the reason for the season Nov. 28-Dec. 30. Staged at America Gardens Theatre at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m., Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator who retells the joyous Christmas story. The narration is interspersed with memorable music. Performances are included with Epcot admission.

Scheduled celebrity narrators include (subject to change):

11/28-30

John O'Hurley

12/1-3

Neil Patrick Harris

12/4-6

Brian Stokes Mitchell

12/7-9

Virginia Madsen

12/10-12

Marlee Matlin

12/13-15

Monique Coleman

12/16-18

Chita Rivera

12/19-21

Abigail Breslin

12/22-24

Steven Curtis Chapman

12/25-27

Edward James Olmos

12/28-30

Angela Bassett & Courtney Vance

* The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios - Bathed in bulbs of brilliance, New York Street glows with millions of dancing lights and animated displays in a revered Disney holiday tradition Nov. 28 through Jan. 4, 2009. Amidst gently falling snow, guests will bask in the glow as twirling carousels, melodic angels, colorful wreaths, marching toy soldiers and Santa and his reindeer move to high-energy music and 3-D effects, creating a dazzling symphony for the senses. This enchanting spectacle results from a crew of 18 electricians working some 14 weeks using six miles of rope lights, 84 angels and 66 snow machines.

* Disney's Animal Kingdom - "Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade" gets a holiday makeover Nov. 28 through Jan. 4, 2009, when it is magically transformed into "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade." This rompin' spectacle is a theatrical showcase of characters with whimsical floats and puppetry with a holiday world-beat twist. Guests also can meet Disney characters decked out in their holiday best at Camp Minnie-Mickey which also features live seasonal entertainment, holiday photo opportunities and decorative Christmas trees.

* Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney - There are enough toys to fill up Santa's sleigh at stores such as Once Upon a Toy, Team Mickey's Athletic Club, LEGO Imagination Center and the World of Disney store. Guests can finish their holiday shopping at this one-stop mecca featuring something for everyone on their list - Basin bath and body shop, Arribas Brothers, Disney's Days of Christmas holiday shop, Fuego by Sosa Cigars and more - and enjoy the dazzling light display and holiday décor that adorns the Downtown Disney streets Nov. 28-Dec. 24, 2008. Youngsters can bring their Christmas list and visit Santa Claus from noon-10 p.m. daily.

Information courtesy of Magical Mountain

Orlando Theme Parks Offer Something New for Everyone

If you think that Disney World and the other theme parks in the Orlando area just stay the same from year to year, then you are wrong. There is always a new ride, a new attraction and sometimes even a whole new theme park to make this year’s visit to the Orlando area much more exciting than your last visit. Let’s take a look at the latest offerings from the major entertainment centers in the greater Orlando area.

Starting with Universal Studios the big news is that they unveiled a new ride based on Fox’s blockbuster hit series, The Simpsons. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie Simpson — stars of TV’s longest running series — ride along with guests in the new attraction, which takes them on a hysterical, almost unimaginable adventure. If you or anyone in your family is a big Simpsons’ fan, then this ride is not to be missed.

Not to be outdone by Universal Studios, Disney World has a long list of new features and attractions. First of all, Disney-MGM Studios theme park has been renamed Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The new name, which reflects how the park has grown from representing the golden age of movies to a celebration of the new entertainment that today’s Hollywood has to offer, debuted in Jan., 2008. The park will unveil the following attractions in the coming months:

* Toy Story Mania! involves an interactive “Toy Story” competition inspired by the film. 3-D glasses put guests in the middle of the action as they board vehicles and zip into a world of exciting midway-style games hosted by their favorite characters. The ride opened in summer 2008.

* “Block Party Bash” encourages guests to play, party and dance at the new interactive Disney parade, which opened in March, 2008.

* “Playhouse Disney — Live on Stage!” introduces a whole new cast of friends engaging children in singing, clapping and dancing. The new show opened in Feb., 2008.

* At "The American Idol Experience," guests will experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing and the thrill of judging performances live on an interactive set. Guest performers with the highest votes will win a guaranteed reservation for future "American Idol" auditions. The attraction is slated to open in Jan., 2009.

The third great entertainment player in the Orlando area, The Busch Entertainment Corporation family of adventure parks, is now known as Worlds of Discovery. Worlds of Discovery parks include Aquatica – SeaWorld’s Waterpark, Busch Gardens Africa, SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove, as well as the company’s other theme parks throughout the country.

Aquatica - SeaWorld's WaterparkAquatica — SeaWorld’s Waterpark opened in March 2008. The one-of-a-kind park includes up-close animal experiences, high-speed thrills and wide, sandy beaches. Aquatica is the first new water park to open in Orlando in 12 years. It features 36 water slides; six rivers and lagoons and more than 80,000 square feet (7,432 square meters) of beach area. Guests are immersed with live animals in the park, including Commerson’s dolphins, brilliant macaws and colorful fish.

Busch Gardens Africa unveiled an exotic jungle area in the theme park, called Jungala. The four-acre (1.6-hectare) attraction area is to be located in the existing Congo area and includes tiger, orangutan and gibbon habitats mixed with dense landscaping.

As you can see, there are plenty of new things to see at the Orlando theme parks, so now is the time to plan your next visit there. And if you have never been to Disney World and other Orlando venues, then what are you waiting for?

Information courtesy of Bharatbhasha.com

Disney World in Orlando is the Place to be for the Holidays

There’s No Place Like Walt Disney World for the Holidays!

It was once suggested that while there's no place like home for the holidays, the next best place on the planet may be Walt Disney World Resort. The good news is that guests don't have to choose: They can experience the sparkling decorations and joyous seasonal entertainment throughout the Vacation Kingdom and still be home for Christmas, because the festivities begin weeks before December 25. Here's a sampling of what's in store:

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights -- As "snow" falls overhead, the Streets of America backlot cityscape at Disney's Hollywood Studios comes alive November 28-January 4, 2009, with millions of holiday lights that dance to music, animating sparkling displays to create twirling carousels, marching toy soldiers and even Santa and his reindeer taking flight. The synchronized music and light show is presented in collaboration with famed Arkansas businessman Jennings Osborne, who developed the dazzling display for his daughter more than a decade ago at his Little Rock, Ark., home. The spectacle is included with Disney's Hollywood Studios admission.

Holidays Around the World / Candlelight Processional -- An Epcot tradition continues November 28-December 30 with holiday customs from around the globe, international storytellers, a nightly tree-lighting ceremony featuring Disney characters, a stunning display of snow-white and colored lights, and Candlelight Processional. A beloved Disney tradition that began long before Epcot, Candlelight Processional features celebrity guest narrators accompanied by a mass choir and 50-piece orchestra for a retelling of the Christmas story at America Gardens Theatre at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 pm. All of the Epcot holiday fun is included with regular theme park admission.

Castle Dreamlights -- A dazzling lighting spectacle transforms the iconic Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom into a glimmering, shimmering ice palace at holiday time. Bathed in more than 200,000 tiny white lights, the castle glows and glistens nightly beginning November 10. It's all a fulfillment of Cinderella's holiday wish, as guests learn during a special show that climaxes with the transformation of the famous Magic Kingdom icon.

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade -- A Disney's Animal Kingdom tradition, the procession results from Mickey Mouse's invitation to a special group of friends to join him on a holiday adventure. The parade is filled with gaiety -- the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings of the season. Mickey and his friends are no exception. They've added holiday accessories to their safari costumes. Add in some special music and you have a combination that celebrates the holidays in a Disney's Animal Kingdom way November 28-January 4, 2009.

Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney – Guests can finish their holiday shopping at this one-stop mecca featuring something for everyone on their list and enjoy the dazzling light display and holiday décor that adorns the Downtown Disney streets November 28-December 24, 2008. Youngsters can bring their Christmas list and visit Santa Claus from noon-10 pm daily.

Information courtesy of Mousesavers Newsletter

New Year's Eve at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort Rings in a Happy New Year 2009 With Parties, Extended Hours and Fireworks Galore.

Walt Disney World Resort offers many options for celebrating the official kickoff of 2009 - from ringing in the New Year at a special party at Downtown Disney to getting festive in the parks.

DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS

The Disney Studios are aglow with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Millions of sparkling lights adorn the Streets of America backlot through Jan. 6, 2009. Special New Year's Eve park hours: 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Special entertainment includes a trio of "Fantasmic!" fireworks shows at 6:30, 8:30 and 10 p.m., plus a special showering of fireworks at midnight.

MAGIC KINGDOM

Donning hats and noisemakers, revelers can party on until 1 a.m. at Magic Kingdom with double the parades and fireworks. Guests can count down to the magical hour with the "SpectroMagic" parade at 7 and 10:30 p.m., plus "Holiday Wishes" fireworks at 8:30 p.m. and "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks at 11:50 p.m. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

EPCOT

A special version of "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" laser-light spectacular will be presented at 7:30 and 11:40 p.m. at Epcot. Latin crossover band Papo's Groove and the energetic DJ Indio Davila will entertain partiers at America Gardens Theatre, while the big band swing music of the Tom Butler Orchestra will fill World Showplace. Rockers can boogie down at Scooter's dance party at the Fountain Stage, plus techno rock at the China pavilion and classic rock 'n' roll at the Italy pavilion in World Showcase. The park is open from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.

DISNEY'S ANIMAL KINGDOM

"Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade," an outrageous street party starring favorite Disney friends, winds through Disney's Animal Kingdom at 3:45 p.m. Theme park hours are 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

At Downtown Disney, Cirque du Soleil fans can celebrate the New Year La Nouba style with two presentations of the theatrical production, at 6 and 9 p.m. A champagne toast celebration, souvenir program, glow sticks and gift are included in the special ticket price. Tickets are from $67 to $139, plus tax, depending on category.

Information courtesy of About.com

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights Dazzles at Disney

The Streets of America backlot again will sparkle brightly as millions of twinkling lights dancing to music illuminate the area starting in November and continuing into December and the first week of January, during the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Amid "Florida snow" flurries, the building facades, trees and streets of Disney's Hollywood Studios backlot dazzle with three-dimensional and motion-based displays - some originally created at the Osborne home in Arkansas by businessman Jennings Osborne as a holiday display for the delight of his daughter.

After the Arkansas home exhibit grew larger and brighter over the years, the million-light display was transported in 1995, where the spectacle continues to grow larger and brighter each year. Some of Osborne's original creations still sparkling brightly at the park today include dozens of flying angels and Santa Claus light designs.

Amidst gently falling snow, guests will bask in the glow as twirling carousels, melodic angels, colorful wreaths, marching toy soldiers and Santa and his reindeer move to high-energy music and 3-D effects, creating a dazzling symphony for the senses. This enchanting spectacle results from a crew of 18 electricians working some 14 weeks using six miles of rope lights, 84 angels and 66 snow machines.

It all began in the mid-1980s in Arkansas when a little girl asked her daddy if he would decorate their house with Christmas lights. Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock businessman obliged his daughter's wishes and started the first Osborne holiday tradition with a modest 1000 lights. Each year the number of lights grew, along with lighted floating angles, ornaments, wreaths holiday greetings and much more. Within seven years the once simple tradition was transformed into a massive display of over 4 million lights.

Though a joy for many who traveled to Little Rock just to view the Osborne lights, the neighbors and community found the lights to be excessive and disturbing. They cited the display as a nuisance and filed a law suit that was eventually heard by the Arkansas Supreme Court. Soon the display of lights was forever shut down at their Little Rock home. The media attention of the Osborne lights was spread nationwide, and in 1995 Walt Disney World representatives contacted Jennings Osborne about bringing his lights to Orlando Florida.

Now guests to Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park can stroll the backlot where they are surrounded by the multi-colored display. With special holographic glasses that are provided at the park, the millions of tiny twinkling lights appear as dancing angles. Keeping the creator's name, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights has become the park's third largest attraction.
The Osborne’s dream has not stopped growing. Thanks to a little Disney magic, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights now boasts five million lights and even enjoys its very own Florida “snowfall.”

Information courtesy of About.com