Archive for January, 2012
Universal Studios Florida® makes choosing 2012 for your family’s Orlando Vacation, an “extraordinary year to be here!” A highlight of Universal’s recent announcements is the debut, this spring, of the Superstar Parade, the theme park’s first-ever daily parade.
During the interactive Superstar Parade, you and your family will be able to see some of your favorite characters from “Despicable Me,” “Hop” and Nickelodeon’s “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “Dora the Explorer.” Sing and dance to musical performances on the all-new floats with dancers, stilt walkers and more surprises!
Before the parade, enjoy meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with Gru, Margo, Edith, Agnes and maybe even a minion or two; “Hop’s” E.B.; SpongeBob and friends; and Dora and Diego.
Admission to the Superstar Parade is included in admission to Universal Studios Florida®. Click here to view more exciting additions to Universal Orlando® Resort planned for this year.
January 27th, 2012
Hit the road with your family to watch manatees in their natural habitat during the 2012 Orange City Blue Spring Manatee Festival! The manatee, a marine mammal sometimes called a sea cow, seeks warmer temperatures in Florida’s springs during winter months. This festival, located less than an hour from Orlando in Orange City, celebrates the opportunity to view this rare spectacle; included with admission is a bus ride to the nearby Blue Spring State Park where manatees like to swim.
Have you ever walked on water? Not only will you get the chance to see manatees, but the festival offers a variety of activities for the entire family. Dance to live entertainment, purchase local arts and crafts, view impressive sand sculptures and enjoy shows and rides. Kids can even climb inside a special clear inflatable walk-on-water ball. Additional activities include face painting, zoo presentations, great food and much more.
The Blue Spring Manatee Festival takes place on Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $2 for children ages 4-10. Children 3 and under are free. (You must pay an additional $10 if you bring your dog). The proceeds from admission sales benefit the Friends of Blue Spring State Park and other organizations. Click here for directions, details and a printable coupon.
How many manatees can you spot on this live webcam of Blue Spring State Park?
January 26th, 2012
Opening this spring, Turtle Trek is the world’s first 3D, 360-degree domed theater experience and SeaWorld® Orlando’s newest attraction. Discover how you’ll be able to view actual endangered species of manatees and sea turtles and then go on an amazing journey with sea turtles inside the theater for a completely immersive experience. Click here to view a behind-the-scenes look at Turtle Trek.
Providing more than a glimpse into the lives of sea turtles, at Turtle Trek you’ll also learn how to make a difference in the lives of manatees, sea turtles and other marine wildlife. Visit http://www.insideseaworld.com/ for more information.
January 25th, 2012
Help support a charity and really cool off by jumping into Aquatica’s unusually frigid waters during the Polar Plunge® this Saturday! For one day, Aquatica is icing down its wave pool so that brave swimmers can experience a new kind of wintry excitement to raise money for Special Olympics Florida, which provides sports training and competition to children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
The event takes place on Saturday, January 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and registration begins at 9 a.m. Those who raise or donate at least $100 are able to participate (minimum age is 15). Click here for registration information. Unable to attend or prefer to stay dry? You can still raise money for the Special Olympics by becoming a “virtual plunger” without getting wet. It’s free to get started; click here to sign up.
Plungers will enjoy official commemorative Plunge gear, access to the park for the remainder of the day and of course bragging rights! Fun prizes are also awarded based on the amount of money you raise.
Happy plunging!
January 20th, 2012
“Getting Away Together,” a new half hour travel TV series airing on PBS member stations across the United States, provides a glimpse into the vacations of different families and friends as they come together in celebration. The series documents different groups of people traveling to various American destinations while offering viewers invaluable travel tips and insider information. From girlfriend getaways to family reunions and milestone celebrations, the series shows the benefits of vacationing together in spectacular rental properties across America.
“Getting Away Together” serves as a platform to exhibit heartwarming moments of family gatherings and overdue reunions. The program focuses on the ever-growing trend of vacation home rental during getaways as vacationers seek a more prominent feeling of togetherness. It’s the first reality travel series to focus on this trend of “togethering.”
In one episode, “Get Away Together” travels to America’s number one family vacation destination, Kissimmee in Central Florida, and showcases the magic of the theme parks and attractions and numerous advantages to staying in a comfortable vacation home. Other episodes of the show will visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Central Oregon, the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach in Alabama, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, California’s Oceanside and more!
Watch “Getting Away Together” now on PBS and see real families make real memories. Check your local listings or visit or visit www.gettingawaytogether.com for more information. You can view webisodes by clicking here.
January 18th, 2012
Now in its seventh year, Otronicon, or the Orlando Electronic Interactive Entertainment Convention, at the Orlando Science Center, January 13-16, celebrates how video games, simulation and digital media impact the way we live by exploring the science, art and technology behind them. “Boot-up” for four days of video game-filled fun and play video games, from classic arcade games to the latest platforms, as well as experience virtual reality and real-world training simulators.
Providing more than just family entertainment, at Otronicon you can learn how video games and interactive technology contribute to advancements in health care, education, training and simulation. Meet creative professionals behind video game technology including EA SPORTS, Lockheed Martin, University of Central Florida, Florida Hospital and for the first time, Walt Disney World® Resort. Disney will be demonstrating how they use modeling and simulation to create some of the world’s most memorable attractions.
Jam in “Rock Band” onstage with the controls embedded in an actual drum kit, attend a workshop and learn how to create video games, control robots, challenge players to a round of laser tag, see a laser light show, explore the Orlando Science Center and much, much more! Otronicon, this year, is expected to be the biggest event yet. Take the whole family and have fun while learning on your Orlando vacation!
Admission to Otronicon is included in general admission to the Orlando Science Center which is $17 for adults and $12 for kids ages 3-11. Visit http://www.otronicon.org/for more information.
January 13th, 2012
SeaWorld® Orlando is making waves Saturdays, January 14 through February 4, with the all-new Just For Kids festival! The festival presents rides, concerts, shows and special activities designed for young children and their families.
At 8:30 and 10:30 each morning, the Just For Kids festival kicks off with an opportunity to share a fun-filled start to your day with a breakfast with Elmo! Elmo and other Sesame Street characters make appearances and give out hugs while you and your family dine on a buffet-style breakfast.
In Shamu’s Party Zone, Kids can meet Shamu and other SeaWorld friends, dance and sing to kid-friendly music and a DJ, get their face painted and make a sand art souvenir. Throughout the rest of the park, children can ride kid-sized rides and see SeaWorld animals.
The Just For Kids festival also offers a multitude of exciting activities and shows for the entire family. Your family will especially enjoy the hilarious show Elmo and Abby’s Treasure Hunt. Highlighting the festival is a schedule of concerts:
January 14
LazyTown Live on Stage
January 21
Max & Ruby’s Musical Playdate
January 28
Doodlebops’ Musical Playdate
February 4
Choo Choo Soul
Admission to SeaWorld’s Just For Kids festival concerts and events are included in park admission and take place on Saturdays, January 14-February 4. Tickets for the concerts are distributed to park guests across from the Nautilus Theater on a first come, first served basis starting at 9 a.m. on concert days. Seating is limited. A separate ticket is required for the Breakfast with Elmo & Friends. Click here for information.
January 11th, 2012
ALL STAR Vacation Homes recognized four team members today, January 10, 2012, who have served for 10 or more years honoring ALL STAR’s vision to provide a vacation home experience like no other. ALL STAR Vacation Homes is guided by its 5 Star Promise through commitments to Guests, Home Owners, Team Members, Community and Company. The following team members were recognized for their dedication in fulfilling the 5 Star Promise, and helping to create the ALL STAR Difference:
Kelly DiGiovanni, Director of ALL STAR Standards
Cari Licata, Reservations Director
Mike Trover, Property Care Director
Jean Miller, Senior Accounts Manager
Congratulations from the entire ALL STAR team!
January 10th, 2012
On your mark, get set, go! Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend is off and running and ALL STAR Vacation Homes would like to wish good luck to all the runners!
Kicking-off yesterday with the Pasta in the Park Party, runners have been lacing up their running shoes and taking off for a weekend full of races throughout all four Disney Theme Parks.
Scheduled races:
Friday, January 6
Disney Family Fiesta 5K featuring the Three Caballeros
Mickey Mile
Disney Kids’ Races
Saturday, January 7
Walt Disney World® Half Marathon
Disney Kids’ Races
Sunday, January 8
Walt Disney World® Marathon
Walt Disney World® Marathon Relay
Registration is sold out for all the races but there are many opportunities to be a spectator and cheer on the runners. Click here for a guide for spectators.
Now through Saturday, January 7, marathon runners and guests alike can attend Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo to learn about training, racing, fitness, nutrition and more! You can view running and fitness products from companies around the world, enjoy free samples, make a sign to cheer on the marathon runners or shop for official Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend Merchandise. During the Expo’s Speaker Series, guest speakers and celebrity runners will teach you the hard work, dedication and discipline that goes into marathon training along with Q&As and autograph sessions. Disney’s Health & Fitness Expo is located in at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Visit the official website for daily expo hours and a schedule of events.
January 6th, 2012
Now that basketball season is back, it’s time for you to believe in magic, the Orlando Magic! A NBA franchise since 1989, the Orlando Magic play in the 875,000-square-foot Amway Center that opened in downtown Orlando in 2010. Led by Coach Stan Van Gundy and forward-center Dwight Howard, the Magic’s team roster includes Glen Davis, Chris Duhon, Larry Hughes, Jameer Nelson, J.J. Redick and Hedo Turkoglu.
Today, grab your family’s game tickets, explore the state-of-the-art Amway Center, and take your seat as the action begins at 7 pm when the Magic play the Washington Wizards. The Orlando Magic also play home games against the Chicago Bulls, Friday, January 6, and the Charlotte Bobcats, Tuesday, January 17. Kids will enjoy meeting Stuff the dragon, the official mascot of the Orlando Magic, and watching performances by the Orlando Magic Dancers. Insider tip: get to the Amway Center early to view the Center’s extensive collection of more than 340 works of art and photography that showcase the history of Orlando.
Visit www.nba.com/magic for more information and ticket prices. Click here to view the Orlando Magic’s game schedule.
January 4th, 2012
Universal Studios Florida® makes choosing 2012 for your family’s Orlando Vacation, an “extraordinary year to be here!” A highlight of Universal’s recent announcements is the debut, this spring, of the Superstar Parade, the theme park’s first-ever daily parade. 
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