Archive for August, 2009
Equipped with a passionate team, a dedicated investment and a strong call to action, the “Discover Vacation Homes” and Ypartnership Public Relations teams were recognized Monday evening with a “Best of Show” Flagler Award for marketing budgets of less than $100,000 last year.
Established by the Florida Commission on Tourism to recognize outstanding tourism marketing in Florida, the Flagler Awards honor the individuals and organizations that help maintain and improve Florida’s position as one of the world’s most popular travel destinations.
Last year’s founding “Discover Vacation Homes” campaign was pioneered by eight of the most well-established vacation rental management companies in the Orlando area which, together with its Ypartnership PR team, elevated consumer awareness of the region’s vacation rentals as a viable lodging option and as one of the hospitality industry’s fastest-growing categories.
Additional support for the nonprofit organization’s award-winning PR campaign in 2008 came from leading theme park brand Worlds of Discovery Parks through a landmark program sponsorship. In-kind partnerships also resulted in the creation of www.DiscoverVacationHomes.com through the supportive donation of skills and services from Orlando’s Metropolis Advertising and Idaho’s LiveRez, Inc.
August 28th, 2009
by Rick E-Mouse
August 28, 2009 Edition
Orlando Magical Dining Month Starts Next Week
Get ready for 30 days of mouthwatering savings! Celebrate the 4th Annual Orlando Magical Dining Month, starting next Tuesday and running the entire month of September.
Enjoy three-course prixe fixe dinners, including traditional and specialty cuisine at over 60 Orlando area restaurants. Meals are just $20 at casual eateries and $30 at upscale restaurants, and all include an appetizer, main entree and dessert.
These special prices are available nightly during normal restaurant dinner hours. Plus, one dollar from each meal will be donated to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.
Participating Orlando dining destinations include:
- Portobello Trattoria in Downtown Disney
- Los Generales Mexican Grill in the Hunter’s Creek Area
- The Oceanaire Seafood Room at Pointe Orlando
- Vines Grille & Wine Bar in the Sand Lake Road Area
- Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant at Universal CityWalk®
…plus many more!
Get a taste of Orlando and save – celebrate Orlando Magical Dining Month this September!
And for more information on Orlando vacation dining, visit the ALL STAR Vacation Homes Orlando Restaurant Guide.
August 28th, 2009
ALL STAR Vacation Homes welcomes Kyle Post and Stacey Doornbos, Orlando’s 67 Days of Smiles Ambassadors, who arrived in Orlando Tuesday, August 25th.
The pair were selected earlier this month by the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau (OOCVB) to spend a 67-day Orlando vacation adventure where they’ll enjoy over 100 Orlando attractions.
Upon their arrival, Kyle and Stacey were introduced to their new home for the next 67 days: a two bedroom condo in downtown Orlando at The Paramount on Lake Eola.
They also received a rental car plus a variety of computer, video and other tech tools they’ll be using to document and share their 67-day Orlando vacation experience.
Their first outing will be to swim with the dolphins at Discovery Cove today!
To follow their Orlando adventures, visit Kyle and Stacey on the 67 Days of Smiles blog.
August 27th, 2009
Don’t miss one of the most anticipated Orlando vacation attractions ever: Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM – now open at Universal Studios Florida®!
Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM will take you above, around and under the park while you rock to your own personal soundtrack!
Featured thrills include:
- Your choice of a personalized song from a list that includes selections of pop/disco, classic rock/metal, rap/hip hop, country and club/electronica tunes
- A suspenseful 16-second, completely vertical 17 story climb to the top that ends in a 65 mph drop
- Three unique and hair-raising maneuvers: The Double Take, The Treble Clef and The Jump Cut – the first of which is a one-of-a-kind non-inverted loop!
And afterwards, you can purchase a customizable video of your experience to upload to the web and share with family and friends!
Get rocked on your Orlando vacation – experience Hollywood Rip Ride RockitSM – now open at Universal Studios Florida®!
August 25th, 2009
by Rick E-Mouse
August 21, 2009 Edition
Fun Things to Do at the Kennedy Space Center
At the Kennedy Space Center, it’s 3-2-1…FUN! Check out these out of this world attractions and events at the Center on your Orlando vacation:
- See Shuttle Discovery lift off – scheduled for launch August 25th at 1:36AM EST
- Catch Star Trek at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex IMAX Theater – daily through September 7th
- Meet the men and women who’ve flown in space at the Astronaut Encounter
- Don’t miss special exhibits celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Apollo moon landing mission
- “Ride” the Space Shuttle at the Shuttle Launch Experience
Have a “blast-off” – visit the Kennedy Space Center on your Orlando vacation!
August 21st, 2009
ALL STAR Vacation Homes attended the Florida Vacation Rental Managers Association (FVRMA) Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Destin, FL August 17th – 19th.
The conference included professional development sessions focused on marketing, operations and new technologies.
The national Vacation Rental Managers Association (VRMA) president, Alex Risser, also presented an update on the efforts of the vacation rental industry’s national association and its public awareness campaign, Discover Vacation Homes.
Additionally, ALL STAR’s CEO, Steve Trover, was recognized for his contributions as a FVRMA board member from 2007-2009.
August 21st, 2009
“What we enjoyed the most was spending our days and nights
together as a family that would not have been possible
had we stayed in a hotel or other type of lodging.”
The ALL STAR Story of the Month for August is from the Hummel, Aranda and Cruz Families From Texas.
The group of 16, including some who had never visited Orlando or Walt Disney World, stayed at a 5-Star vacation home in Acadia Estates.
“Although most of us were looking forward to visiting Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the characters at the theme parks, we were extremely impressed and excited with the luxury accommodations that were offered by ALL STAR Vacation Homes,” said Mrs. Hummel.
“Our Five Star house in Acadia Estates offered plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms, and all the amenities to keep a large extended family happy. We LOVED the pool, the game room, the wireless internet, and more.”
Read their story and enter for your chance to Win a 7-night stay with ALL STAR!
August 19th, 2009
by Rick E-Mouse
August 14, 2009 Edition
Unique Vacation Home Services That Can
Enhance Your Orlando Vacation Experience
Planning an Orlando vacation?
Did you know that vacation homes provide access to a host of unique in-home vacation services – including arrangements for discounted Orlando attraction tickets?
Besides typical vacation services, like floral and gift basket delivery, vacation homes present you with several Orlando vacation home service options that can enhance your vacation home experience.
At ALL STAR Vacation Homes, each Orlando vacation rental features a fully equipped kitchen, giving you the option to cook your own meals OR choose pre-packaged meal delivery, catering and even in-home chef services.
On top of enjoying ALL STAR’s comfortable vacation home furnishings and amenities, you can take your relaxation to the next level by ordering an in-home massage.
Other options to choose from include: pre-arrival grocery delivery, in-home childcare services and even fully decorated Christmas tree delivery and setup for the holidays. Around the clock medical assistance is also available, where physicians can come directly to your vacation home, complete with a mobile pharmacy.
In addition to these valuable vacation home services, you can also arrange to purchase discounted Disney and other Orlando attraction tickets through Kissimmee Guest Services with any reservation – and even have the tickets delivered to your ALL STAR vacation home!
Enhance your Orlando vacation experience – plan your stay with ALL STAR Vacation Homes today and take advantage of all these valuable vacation home services.
August 14th, 2009
Get sky high value on your Orlando vacation!
Receive 2 FREE Hot Air Balloon Rides from Orlando Balloon Rides when you reserve featured Disney area vacation homes for 5 Nights for arrival by October 31, 2009!* A $350 Value!
Choose from select private pool Orlando vacation homes, including homes with spas, game rooms, home theatres, kids’ themed bedrooms and multiple master bedroom suites!
Balloon rides start at sunrise, last approximately one hour and feature breathtaking aerial views of the Kissimmee and Walt Disney World areas, a complimentary breakfast and more!
In addition, you’ll also receive FREE pool and spa heat PLUS special Disney World and other Orlando attraction ticket discounts with your stay!
Reserve today, supplies are limited!
*See website for details.
August 13th, 2009
Don’t miss Summer Nights at Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay on your Central Florida vacation.
Celebrate Busch Gardens’ 50th birthday with extended hours of music, food and fun!
Enjoy jammin’ nightly party music plus ride your favorite roller coasters – in the dark!
And be sure not to miss Darren Romeo, the voice of magic presented by Siegfried and Roy, as he dazzles you at the park’s Moroccan Palace with his blend of musical and magical thrills.
Summer Nights at Busch Gardens, now in its last week, runs through this Sunday, August 16th.
The park will be open until 9pm today, tomorrow and Sunday, and until 10pm this Friday and Saturday.
August 12th, 2009
Once again, this year’s MagicMeets Disney Fan Gathering was a success!
Over 550 Disney fans celebrated the magic, including sponsor ALL STAR Vacation Homes.
The gathering, celebrated over the weekend in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was highlighted by a special announcement:
Next year, the fan gathering will head to sea on a special 4-night Western Caribbean cruise July 22nd – July 26th, 2010!
The MagicMeets at Sea cruise, on the Royal Caribbean Grandeur of the Seas, will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and includes two ports of call plus exclusive breakouts and special events for MagicMeets guests!
For more information and to reserve your spot, contact Mouse Fan Travel today!
August 11th, 2009
by Rick E-Mouse
August 6, 2009 Edition
Late Summer Orlando Vacation Concert Events
Celebrate the season on your Orlando vacation with these rockin’, hoppin’, swayin’ and upliftin’ late summer Orlando concert events:
Sounds Like Summer Concert Series at Epcot in Walt Disney World
Petty Theft – A Tribute to Tom Petty – now through Sunday, August 9th
SeaWorld AfterDark at SeaWorld Orlando
Now through September 7th.
1,000th Saturday Night Cruise at Old Town in Kissimmee
With Blue Suede Revue & “The King of Rock & Roll”
Saturday, August 15th
Rock the Universe 2009 at Universal Orlando
Friday & Saturday – September 11th and 12th
August 6th, 2009
ALL STAR Vacation Homes congratulates Kyle Post and Stacey Doornbos, chosen to be Orlando’s 67 Days of Smiles Ambassadors!
The duo, along with 9 other pairs of finalists, recently took part in a whirlwind 67-hour Orlando vacation “boot camp” which included staying at a Disney area vacation home hosted by ALL STAR Vacation Homes.
Beginning August 27th, Kyle and Stacey will embark on a 67-day Orlando vacation adventure, visiting more than 100 Orlando area attractions and sharing their experiences with the world via their blog, Twitter and Facebook.
Once again, congratulations Kyle & Stacey!
August 5th, 2009
Located just down the road from your Disney area vacation home in Kissimmee near Celebration, Old Town is an affordable way to relax and have fun on your Orlando vacation.
Browse over 30 specialty clothing jewelry and gift stores. Grab a bite to eat at over a dozen restaurants and snack shops. Test your skill for a chance to win prizes at the arcade and carnival style games. Enjoy exciting attractions, including thrill rides, a haunted house, laser tag, old time photos – plus even rides just for the little ones! And be sure to catch the “King of Rock & Roll” as he takes the stage every Wednesday at 7pm!
Plus, every Friday and Saturday night, don’t miss Old Town’s famous car cruises – with over 300 exotic, classic and custom vehicles!
For affordable family Orlando vacation fun, check out Old Town in Kissimmee today!
August 5th, 2009
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