Orlando Vacation News by All Star Vacation Homes

Posts filed under 'Kid Friendly Vacations'

ALL STAR Story of the Month for September 2008

ALL STAR Story of the Month from the Hernandez FamilySeptember’s ALL STAR Story of the Month is from the Hernandez Family of Texas.  After initially considering a Disney resort stay, Mrs. Hernandez was looking for a more economical way to accommodate her group of 14 that included 3 children, an infant, 3 teens and 7 adults. 

“I read about ALL STAR Vacation Homes in a book of Disney planning and decided to check it out.” 

She also appreciated that her whole family could “all be in the same house” and “have somewhere to relax after a day of non stop walking in the sun.” 

Read more about their Disney Orlando vacation home experience and enter for a chance to win a 7-night stay with ALL STAR Vacation Homes!

Add comment September 5th, 2008

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation News, Tips and Secrets for September 4, 2008

September 4, 2008 EditionThe WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation News, Tips and Secrets

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation
News, Tips and Secrets

by Rick E-Mouse

Celebrate Halloween with Mickey at Walt Disney World 

Celebrate Your Fall Orlando Vacation at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween PartyFor “ear-y” but not scary Orlando Halloween fun, take your kids to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on your Disney vacation.  A fall Orlando vacation favorite, this annual magical Halloween celebration at the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom features kid-friendly Halloween activities and attractions like parades, dance parties and, of course, trick-or-treating! 

Plus, all are encouraged to dress up in their favorite Halloween costumes for even more Disney Halloween fun.  Don’t misses include the dazzling “Happy Hallowishes” fireworks display, mix ‘n mingles with Disney villains and, new for this year: the Haunted Pirate Cruise

The cruise, for children ages 5-12, takes kids on a tour of haunted “island” marinas in a spooky “pirate ship” where they’ll hear ghostly tales about the islands’ “haunted” denizens.  In addition to the tour, each child will receive a special treat package that includes Pirate Mickey Ears, a special memento photo, candy and more! 

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party starts tomorrow, September 5th and runs on select dates through Halloween night.  The Haunted Pirate Cruise runs on select dates October 13th through October 31st.  Both events require a separate admission – so get your tickets quickly! 

“Treat” your family to an unforgettable Fall Orlando vacation – celebrate Halloween at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Add comment September 4th, 2008

Top Vacation Home Guest Review for the Week of September 1st

ALL STAR Vacation Homes Guest ReviewsThis week’s top guest review of ALL STAR Vacation Homes is from the Wanzek Family From Arizona.  Their 5-Star home in Acadia Estates “was very nicely decorated and had enough room for everyone. Having our own private pool and spa was a godsend at the end of the day.” 

They also enjoyed the close location to the Disney area attractions and the money they saved by eating in. 

To read more, check out their full Orlando vacation home review.

Add comment September 1st, 2008

Top Vacation Home Guest Review for the Week of Aug 25th

ALL STAR Vacation Homes Guest ReviewsThis week’s top guest review comes from the Bradley Family from Texas.  Their stay in a Windsor Hills vacation rental from ALL STAR Vacation Homes “was wonderful. I would stay in an ALL STAR vacation home again in a heartbeat. I’ve been raving about it since we got back.” 

They also saved money by enjoying the comforts of their 4 Star luxury vacation home: “We enjoyed movies in the home theater pretty much every night and swam in the pool everyday. We had a couple of days where we didn’t even venture out to the theme parks but just enjoyed the house. It was awesome.” 

For more, check out their full vacation home review.

Add comment August 26th, 2008

Two Great Ways to Celebrate Labor Day Weekend on Your Orlando Vacation

Catch Shamu Rocks at SeaWorld AfterDarkHere’s two great ways to celebrate this coming Labor Day weekend. First, be sure not to miss SeaWorld AfterDark  – now in its final week on your Orlando vacation.  Catch the rockin’ aquatic & musical mayhem of Shamu Rocks.  Plus, thrill to amazing watercraft stunts, hilarious sea creature comedy acts and the awesome fountain and fireworks finale, MistifyBut hurry, this nightly extravaganza ends Labor Day, September 1st. 

Add More Fun to Your Orlando Vacation at Fun Spot!Next, hit Fun Spot Attractions – with two hot action parks choose from: Fun Spot on International Drive and Fun Spot USA in Kissimmee near Celebration.  Enjoy thrill-a-minute action and interactive fun like go karts, thrill rides, kids’ rides and more!  Both Fun Spot parks have free admission, free parking and free unlimited soft drinks (rides and game tokens additional).  And to celebrate their 10th Anniversary, Fun Spot Attractions is giving away a 2008 Dodge Charger this Labor Day, Monday, September 1st.  Hurry in to register! 

Double your Florida vacation fun – celebrate this Labor Day weekend at SeaWorld AfterDark and Fun Spot Attractions!

Add comment August 25th, 2008

Hot Tip from Deb at AllEarsNet on Undiscovered Animal Kingdom Fun

Cool Disney Tips from Deb at AllEarsNet

TIP OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2008

DiVine at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney WorldThis month, Deb Wills, editor of AllEarsNet.com, goes deeper and explores overlooked attractions at Animal Kingdom Walt Disney World.  Her tip includes a guided tour featuring three fun but largely undiscovered Animal Kingdom treasures: DiVine, Wes Palm and Pipa.

Add comment August 20th, 2008

Make Space in Your Orlando Vacation for the Space and Air Show at Kennedy Space Center

See the Space and Air Show at the Kennedy Space Center this November For high speed, sky’s-the-limit thrills, catch the Space and Air Show this November 8th & 9th at the Kennedy Space Center.  Now in its second year, this exciting, one-of-a-kind event showcases the best in stunt piloting and hi-tech military aircraft celebrating the art as well as the technology of modern aviation. 

Witness the awesome spectacle of precision flight demonstrations by the Navy’s elite Blue Angels squadron – appearing at the Kennedy Space Center for the first time in thirty years!  Plus, don’t miss the supercharged F-16 Fighting Falcon and F/A-18 Super Hornet in action.  The show also includes performances by star stunt pilot Mike Goulian and an Air Force Reserve biplane show with featured pilot Ed Hamill as well as a water rescue demonstration by the 920th Rescue Wing. 

And for an additional admission charge, there’s also the Astronaut Autograph Show with astronauts from NASA’s Apollo, Gemini and Mercury space missions. 

Plan your Orlando vacation now to experience the speed, thrills and excitement of the Kennedy Space Center Space and Air Show!

Add comment August 13th, 2008

Take the Kids to Sesame Street at SeaWorld on Your Orlando Vacation

Sesame Street at SeaWorld“Count” yourself in and fall under the “spell” of Sesame Street at SeaWorld Orlando.   

First there’s Breakfast with Elmo and Friends, featuring a kid-friendly buffet with Elmo and other Sesame Street favorites like Big Bird, Grover, Cookie Monster and more! 

Plus, your kids will love Elmo and Abby Cadabby’s Treasure Hunt.  This toe-tapping musical adventure features Sesame Street’s newest neighbor Abby Cadabby – plus Elmo, Grover and others –  on a whimsical and imaginative quest to find the key to opening a talking treasure chest. 

For an Orlando vacation that spells F-U-N, take your kids to Sesame Street at SeaWorld – daily through September 1st.

Add comment August 8th, 2008

ALL STAR Story of the Month for August 2008

ALL STAR Story of the Month from the Cruz & Garcia FamilyThis month’s featured story is from the Cruz & Garcia Family of New York.  They “had a blast staying at ALL STAR Vacation Homes” and loved the savings by not “eating out because we had everything we needed in the house.” 

Read more and enter for your chance to win a 7-night stay with ALL STAR Vacation Homes!

Add comment August 8th, 2008

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation News, Tips and Secrets for August 7th 2008

August 7, 2008 EditionThe WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation News, Tips and Secrets

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation
News, Tips and Secrets

by Rick E-Mouse 

Introducing a new Orlando Vacation News BLOG feature by the WEEKLY EARFUL’s own Rick-E-Mouse: 

Free & Cheap Orlando Vacation Activities 

Each month, I’ll reveal the best free and low-cost Orlando vacation places to go and things to do.  This month’s featured activity is:

See Behind the Scenes NFL Action at Disney’s Wide World of SportsTampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp - Catch NFL action like you’ve never seen it before – now through August 14th at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Walt Disney World!  Best of all, admission to the camp is FREE!  For more information on this exciting Orlando vacation activity, visit Disney’s Wide World of Sports

Coming soon: more fun free and cheap things to do on your Walt Disney World vacation!

Add comment August 7th, 2008

Summer Orlando Vacation Movie Guide for August

Summer Orlando Vaction Movie Guide

Cap off the summer on your Orlando vacation with these two exciting action-packed movies:

  • August 1: The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor with Brendan Fraser.
  • August 15: Star Wars: The Clone Wars – the first fully animated CGI Star Wars film

Plus, relive the thrills with these blockbuster Orlando movie rides:

Plus, get the A Disney Vacation Secret Just for You!STAR treatment on your Orlando vacation.  Book a luxurious Orlando vacation home with ALL STAR Vacation Homes now and save $150 on select homes!

Add comment August 1st, 2008

The JULY ORLANDO ATTRACTION OF THE MONTH is RIPLEYS BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Make Your Orlando Vacation Truly Unforgettable at Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

Travel through a world of amazing spectacles, curious wonders and mysterious marvels at the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando Odditorium. 

Open all year round year from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, the tilted, “sinking” Odditorium on International Drive showcases a unique collection of strange artifacts, interactive oddities and optical illusions – all from the stories of world renowned adventurer and radio personality Robert Ripley. 

Your self-guided journey begins with the “ghost” of Ripley himself welcoming you on your adventure!  Highlights include a ¾ scale Rolls Royce made out of over 1 million matchsticks and a Van Gogh painting comprised of 3,000 postcards depicting Van Gogh’s paintings themselves!  Plus, you’ll explore a world full of unique oddities like dinosaur bones, shrunken heads, Egyptian treasures – plus many more exciting curiosities.  There’s even a billiard room where the balls roll up the table! 

Believe it or not, you’ll have a great time at this wonderfully curious and fun attraction!

Add comment July 29th, 2008

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation News, Tips and Secrets for July 24 2008

July 24, 2008 Edition

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation News, Tips and Secrets

The WEEKLY EARFUL Disney Vacation
News, Tips and Secrets

by Rick E-Mouse 

Take Your Disney Vacation to Narnia at Disney Hollywood Studios

Add even more magic to your magical Disney Orlando vacation – take the kids to Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.  This newly revamped attraction features a behind-the-scenes tour of Disney’s latest hit film franchise with a new focus on this summer’s blockbuster film The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.

This wonderful world of movie magic includes:

  • A movie about the latest film narrated by director Andrew Adamson
  • Original concept art, storyboards, movie props and costumes
  • A full-sized recreation of Aslan’s stone table
  • A meet-n-greet with Prince Caspian himself!

Enter the magical world of The Chronicles of Narnia at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World – your kids will thank you for it!

Add comment July 24th, 2008

Adventure to Win the Ultimate Walt Disney World Vacation

Win the Ultimate Walt Disney World Vacation at WDWRadio.comAttention Walt Disney World® adventurers!  ALL STAR Vacation Homes and The WDW Radio Show have partnered together to create the ultimate Walt Disney World contest – The WDW Radio Show Adventureland Challenge!  The adventure starts with an online scavenger hunt and ends with crowning “The Ultimate Adventurer” grand prize winner.  The Ultimate Adventurer will receive a World Class Walt Disney World® vacation for four that includes:

  • 6 Days and 5 Nights at the Walt Disney World® Resort
  • Accommodations at a select Disney Deluxe Resort
  • Concierge Club Level Access
  • Magic Your Way Park Hopper® Passes for 6 days
  • Disney’s Dining Plan
  • A $1,000 American Express Gift Card
  • Private Round Trip Airport to Resort Ground Transportation
  • A private dinner for the winning party with Lou Mongello
  • Personalized pre-arrival itinerary planning with Mouse Fan Travel®
  • And plenty of surprise pixie dust and VIP treatment!

And that’s not all!  Other fabulous prizes include: luxury Disney area vacation home accommodations provided by ALL STAR Vacation Homes, Walt Disney World® park tickets, iPods, gift cards, and much, much more!  Plus, just for playing, you’ll receive valuable rewards and incentives to be used on your next Walt Disney World® vacation!  The WDW Radio Show Adventureland Challenge marks the celebration of the release of Lou Mongello’s Audio Guide to Walt Disney World®: Adventureland

Join in the quest to become The Ultimate Adventurer.  For more details, journey to the WDW Radio Show website. 

The adventure begins tonight, July 21st, 2008 at 8pm EST!