Posts filed under 'PLACES TO GO IN ORLANDO'
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
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
With hit music from Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, say goodbye to 2011 and ring in 2012 at Rock in the New Year at Universal CityWalk®. At Rock in the New Year, adults ages 21 and up enjoy a huge New Year’s party throughout CityWalk® featuring live music, all-you-can-eat food and a champagne toast at midnight.
Highlighting the event, Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will perform live and each of CityWalk®’s seven clubs will also have live entertainment including karaoke at Rising Star, dueling pianos at Pat O’Brein’s, live DJs and bands and more! Special note: designated drivers that are attending Rock in the New Year can pick up a wristband at any of the New Year’s Eve venues to receive free non-alcoholic fountain beverages throughout the night.
Tickets to Rock in the New Year, December 31, 8 pm-2 am, cost $139.99 per person (ages 21 and up only) and include food, a midnight champagne toast, admission to CityWalk® and its seven clubs and performances by Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Click here for more information.
For families seeking a celebration everyone can enjoy, Walt Disney World® Resort will have fireworks shows and extended hours at Epcot®, Magic Kingdom® and Hollywood Studios®. Enjoy a unique musical celebration with sea creatures and a fireworks show at SeaWorld® Orlando. LEGOLAND® Florida will count down to the new year during the Kids’ New Year’s Eve at 7 pm. Visit each individual theme park’s website for more information.
December 27th, 2011
Bring the family to Celebration, FL for the
5th Annual Oktoberfest on October 7th and 8th. Parking and admission is free for this one-of-a-kind fall event. Live music and activities like hayrides and pumpkin painting make this a great time for the entire family. Stroll along the lakeside pavilion while leaves fall hourly to transform your Orlando vacation into an autumn wonderland.
October 3rd, 2011
The Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa Featured Guest Review for April 2011 is by D. Groshek from Michigan who stayed at 6-2001 LK-LK #304, a 3 bedroom Orlando vacation condo rental:
“We were absolutely thrilled when we opened the door of our condo; it looked exactly as nice as the online photographs. The view from our balcony was fabulous. The kitchen was fully equipped and all appliances stainless steel and spotlessly clean.
“Perfectly located for Disney; the drive there was quick and easy. Staff was very helpful, friendly and provided excellent service. Would highly recommend Lighthouse Key to anyone considering an Orlando vacation.”
For more Disney area vacation condo rental reviews, visit the Lighthouse Key Resort and Spa Guest Reviews page.
April 5th, 2011
by Rick E-Mouse
April 1, 2011 Edition
Spring 2011 Orlando Vacation Events
Make your Spring Orlando vacation complete with these fun and festive events:
Epcot® Flower & Garden Festival
Explore a world of flowery fun with millions of beautiful blooms, Disney character topiaries, gardening tips from HGTV experts and live Flower Power concerts! Now through Sunday, May 15th at Walt Disney World® Resort.
Viva La Musica
Enjoy a fiesta of Latin music, food, arts and crafts. Now in its Final Weekend: Saturday, April 2nd at SeaWorld Orlando and Sunday, April 3rd at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida®
It’s “Beads, Bands and Good Times!” with concerts, the sounds of New Orleans, Cajun food and parades! Saturdays, now through April 23rd at Universal Studios Florida®.
April 1st, 2011
by Rick E-Mouse
March 25, 2011 Edition
2011 Epcot® Flower & Garden Festival
Flower Power Concert Series Schedule
Make your 2011 Disney vacation “rock” – catch the Flower Power Concert Series at the 18th Annual Epcot® Flower & Garden Festival in Walt Disney World® Resort.
Upcoming concerts include:
- March 25 – 27: Melissa Manchester
- April 1 – 3: Starship starring Mickey Thomas
- April 8 – 10: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.
- April 15 – 17: Juice Newton
- April 22 – 24: Ricky Nelson Remembered featuring The Nelsons
- April 29 – May 1: Paul Revere & the Raiders
- May 6 – 8: Davy Jones
- May 13 – 15: Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre and are scheduled for 5:15pm, 6:30pm and 7:45pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday during the festival.
March 25th, 2011
For thrilling airplane action on your Central Florida vacation, experience Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight!
This fun Central Florida vacation event features:
- Water Landings & Takeoffs - performed by amphibious aircraft and seaplanes
- Special Aircraft Displays – like Kermit Weeks’ Short Sunderland and PBY Catalina
- Pilot Meet and Greets – including Fantasy of Flight pilot Grumman Duck
Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight “takes off” next Thursday, March 31st and is included in admission.
March 23rd, 2011
Enjoy BIG savings on your 2011 Spring Orlando vacation at ALL STAR Vacation Homes and Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa with these great Orlando vacation rental deals:
Plan now and SAVE up to HUNDREDS or More!
*Offers valid now through June 10, 2011. Excludes April 16, 2011 – April 29, 2011. See website for terms & conditions and more details.
March 21st, 2011
by Rick E-Mouse
March 11, 2011 Edition
Enjoy Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando
On Your Central Florida Vacation
Enjoy festive fun on your Central Florida vacation-experience Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando!
This fun annual vacation event features live concerts with award-winning Latin performers plus delicious Latin cuisine, arts and crafts.
New for this year is a special menu from SeaWorld’s executive chef, Hector Colon, where you can enjoy Mexican, South American and Caribbean entrees!
Viva La Musica runs Saturdays at SeaWorld Orlando March 12th through April 2nd. For more spicy fun, celebrate Viva La Musica at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, running Sundays March 13th through April 3rd. Both events begin at 12 Noon, with concerts starting at 3pm.
Concert Schedules:
Saturdays at SeaWorld
March 12 – Chino Y Nacho
March 19 – Manny Manuel
March 26 – Jerry Rivera
April 2 – Edniya Nazario
Sundays at Busch Gardens
March 13 – Elvis Crespo
March 20 – Jose Alberto “El Canario”
March 27 – Angel Y Khris
April 3 – Ismael Miranda
For a truly “hot” Central Florida vacation, don’t miss Viva La Musica at SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
March 11th, 2011
The Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa Featured Guest Review for March 2011 is by M. Plessing from New Jersey who stayed at 6-2001 LK-LK #501, a 4 bedroom Orlando vacation condo:
“The resort/condo exceeded my expectations! It was immaculately clean, conveniently located and beautiful. Everyone was very helpful. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone.”
For more Disney area vacation condo reviews, visit the Lighthouse Key Resort and Spa Guest Reviews page.
March 10th, 2011
Plan your Orlando vacation at ALL STAR Vacation Homes at Reunion’s condos & villas and receive a FREE Rental Car with your 7-Night stay during select Spring 2011 travel dates!*
Choose from 3 bedroom Disney area vacation condo rentals with luxury furnishings and decor – all located close to Reunion® Resort’s 5 acre water park!
Condo and villa features include:
- Fully Equipped Kitchens
- Dining & Living Areas
- TVs in All Bedrooms
- Complimentary Wireless Internet Access
Plus, enjoy relaxing private patios with beautiful resort and golf course views!
During your Orlando vacation at ALL STAR Vacation Homes at Reunion, a Preferred Partner of Reunion Resort, enjoy access to Reunion’s exclusive world class amenities such as three 18-hole championship golf courses designed by the pros, on-site fine & casual Orlando dining, a full service boutique spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center and an infinity-edge resort swimming pool!
Take advantage of this great Orlando vacation condo deal today – reserve your stay with ALL STAR Vacation Homes at Reunion now!
*Offer valid now through May 31, 2011. Excludes April 16, 2011 – April 29, 2011 travel dates. $100 instant money rebate available instead of free rental car. See website for more details.
March 8th, 2011
by Rick E-Mouse
March 3, 2011 Edition
Experience ESPN The Weekend on Your Disney Vacation
Live the sports fan’s dream on your Disney vacation at ESPN The Weekend – starting today at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®.
This annual Disney vacation event features celebrity athletes, ESPN personalities, interactive sports challenges, live ESPN broadcasts and many more fun sports activities and shows.
This year’s highlights include:
- ESPN Broadcasts & Show Tapings – like “ESPN First Take”, “NFL Live” and “1st and 10″ plus popular ESPN Radio shows!
- Celebrity Appearances – featuring motorcade parades up Hollywood Boulevard and Q&A’s with sports stars and ESPN hosts!
- ESPN Sports Zone – with interactive sports challenges, including football, basketball and tennis!
- Stump the Schwab All-Star Game – test your knowledge against sports trivia expert Howie Schwab!
- Dream Job – The Experience – see what it’s like to be a real sportscaster in this audience participation show!
ESPN The Weekend runs today, March 3rd through Sunday, March 6th at Disney’s Hollywood Studios® in Walt Disney World® Resort, with select events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex®.
(Photo courtesy of AllEars.Net)
March 3rd, 2011
“Catch” thrilling Major League Baseball on your Disney vacation – experience Atlanta Braves Spring Training at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex® in Walt Disney World® Resort.
The action begins this Sunday, February 27th and continues on select dates through March 28th.
For their first game, the Braves face the New York Mets and cap off Spring Training at Champion Stadium versus the Washington Nationals before heading home for their final two games.
Don’t miss this exciting Disney vacation event!
February 24th, 2011
Witness history in the making on your Central Florida vacation – don’t miss the final launch of Space Shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center.
Discovery’s final 11-day mission is to deliver a logistics carrier, storage module and spare components to the International Space Station.
Lift-off is scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, February 24th at 4:50pm EST.
For a breathtaking Central Florida vacation, experience the final Shuttle Discovery launch at Kennedy Space Center!
February 23rd, 2011
The ALL STAR Story of the Month for February 2011 is by The Ciccone Family from Florida.
“Each year my family of 5 from South Florida meets my sister and her family of 5 from North Florida at Lighthouse Key Resort and Spa and stay in the spacious 4 bedroom, 3 bath suite.”
“The kids love spending time with their cousins. They had so much fun in the arcade. The property is just gorgeous. The rooms are clean. Everyone had a blast…we can’t wait to return!”
Read their story and enter for your chance to Win a 7-night stay with ALL STAR!
February 17th, 2011
The Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa Featured Guest Review for February 2011 is by the DeFranzo Family from Massachusetts who spent their Orlando vacation in 6-2002 LK-LK #101, a 4 bedroom Disney area vacation condo:
“From the gate house to the service staff I was always greeted with a hello and a smile. All requests were handled with courtesy and a ‘can do’ attitude. That service coupled with such a fine facility made my stay an extreme pleasure. My entire family was impressed! I am well traveled, have a magnificent home and thus difficult to please…I was pleased! Thank you Lighthouse Key Resort & Spa!”
For more reviews, visit the Lighthouse Key Resort and Spa Guest Reviews page.
February 14th, 2011
by Rick E-Mouse
February 11, 2011 Edition
Universal Studios Florida®
Mardi Gras Concert Schedule
Add “Beads, Bands and Good Times!” to your Orlando vacation – celebrate Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida®, beginning tomorrow, February 12th and running every Saturday plus select nights through April 23rd.
This exciting Orlando vacation event features live music from New Orleans bands, Cajun cuisine, parades and these spectacular concerts:
Saturday, February 12th – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
Saturday, February 19th – The B-52s
Sunday, February 20th – KC & The Sunshine Band
Saturday, February 26th – Pitbull
Saturday, March 5th – Lynyrd Skynyrd
Saturday, March 12th – Foreigner
Friday, March 18th – Neon Trees
Saturday, March 19th – The Roots
Friday, March 25th – OneRepublic
Saturday, March 26th – Blake Shelton
Friday, April 1st – Sean Kingston
Saturday, April 2nd – Ne-Yo
Saturday, April 9th – Lifehouse
Saturday, April 16th – The Beach Boys
Saturday, April 23rd – Thirty Seconds To Mars
Concerts start at 8:30pm from February 12th through April 9th and at 9:30pm April 16th and April 23rd.
For a festive Orlando vacation, experience Mardi Gras at Universal Studios Florida®!
February 11th, 2011
Previous Posts
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.
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