FEAST will open in theaters in front of WDAS’s new action-packed, big-screen adventure BIG HERO 6 on November 7, 2014.
Walt Disney Animation Studios has released two new images for the upcoming FEAST. The adorable pup in the pictures is named Winston, and if you don’t love him now you will soon!
“Feast,” a new short from first-time director Patrick Osborne (head of animation for “Paperman”) and Walt Disney Animation Studios, is the story of one man’s love life as seen through the eyes of his best friend and dog, Winston, and revealed bite by bite through the meals they share.
Director Patrick Osborne, who joined Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2008 as an animator on “Bolt,” took part in the Studio’s Spark program—which invites artists to explore their own unique ideas in a month-long project that is presented to the Studio team. His experimental short “Pet” was a hit among his fellow Disney artists. Osborne, whose credits Disney’s 2010 feature “Tangled” and 2012’s Oscar®-winning short “Paperman,” for which he served as head of animation, was later tapped as co-head of animation for the upcoming feature “Big Hero 6.” But his plans changed when he pitched the idea for “Feast” as part of WDAS’ new shorts program—the project was greenlit with Osborne as director.
Producer Kristina Reed produced 2012’s Oscar®-winning short “Paperman.”
If we are being totally honest, I have started to look forward to the shorts just as much as the main feature!!!
EVIL UPGRADES CHALLENGE FEAR TOLERANCE AT HOWL-O-SCREAM 2014
Amp Up the Fear With Exclusive Experiences Crafted to Take Horror to the Next Level
Cursed by the sinister song, guests can amp up the fear at Howl-O-Scream 2014 and take advantage of the best way to survive the Curse with evil upgrades.
VIP Tour Packages
Conquer every terrifying corner of Howl-O-Scream 2014 with all-inclusive VIP Packages, which include event admission, a tour guide and a choice of three levels of terrifying special treatment. All tours include commemorative photos, merchandise discounts and complimentary beverages. Packages start at $99, and Busch Gardens® Tampa Pass Member discounts are available.
The Super experience is a three-hour group tour of haunted houses that includes front-of-the-line access.
The five-hour Mega experience adds preferred parking, front-of-the-line access to several roller coasters and half-hour early access to haunted houses.
The Ultimate experience includes preferred parking and front-of-the-line access to haunted houses and thrilling roller coasters, and then adds an exclusive tour guide for a private group adventure through Howl-O-Scream.
Front Line Fear
For those who prefer to guide themselves through the event, but want front-of-the-line perks, there’s the Front Line Fear pass for $45, which grants no-wait access to six haunted houses, excluding The Experiment and Zombie Containment Unit 15. The Front Line Fear Extreme pass ups the terror and also gives guests front-of-the-line access to rollercoasters for $55. Both passes include merchandise discounts.
Fright Feast
There’s nothing scarier than being terrified on an empty stomach! Fright Feast is the most deranged dinner show in town, featuring a buffet of monstrous main courses and devilish desserts, plus an exclusive performance of Fiends. Fright Feast guests are also the first to brave the dark with 30 minutes of early access to the all-new haunted houses and front-of-line privileges until 8:30 p.m. Fright Feast is $26 per person, with group rates and discounts for Busch Gardens Pass Members. NEW this year, purchase Howl-O-Scream admission and Fright Feast together forFriday nights for just $75.
The Experiment
The researchers are back and have devised some new ways to challenge your fear toleranceand mental endurance in this interactive Experiment. “Test subjects” endure psychological tests in this exclusive study, pushing the limits of the human body and putting them face-to-face with their worst nightmares. Admission for the first test subject starts at $50. Each additional test subject is $10.
httpv://youtu.be/EtcJI_vZxzE
General admission is $89 plus tax. Reduced advance-purchase rates and special offers are available for Busch Gardens Pass members at HowlOScream.com. Guests can save $39 on general admission tickets in advance at participating Publix Supermarkets and AAA locations. Take advantage of promotional codes found at participating WingHouse and Taco Bell locations in Central Florida and on Fanta products in participating Walgreens and Coca-Cola products in participating Circle K locations.
Howl-O-Scream 2014 is a separate ticketed night event. No costumes are allowed. For guest information, visit HowlOScream.com or call 1-888-800-5447.
Join the conversation! Use #howloscream and follow Howl-O-Scream on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTubeto learn about promotions and insider information first.
Howl-O-Scream is intended for a mature audience.This year’s event contains intense adult content such as violence, gore and blood.
For the first time ever, John Carpenter’s horror classic comes to life
as a haunted house at Universal Orlando
Everyone is entitled to one good scare…and beginning September 19, Universal Orlando will give guests more than one reason to scream as it brings to life John Carpenter’s classic horror film “Halloween.”
Based on the classic 1978 slasher film, the all-new haunted house follows the story of Michael Myers, a deranged boy from Haddonfield, Il. It is Halloween night and no one is safe as the psychotic killer embarks on a murderous rampage. With his iconic mask to hide his identity, Michael sets out for new blood and will stop at nothing as he stalks his victims. Every scene tells the tale of a different kill and if you’re not careful, you could be next.
Halloween is one of the most successful horror franchises of all time and has grossed a collected $366 million worldwide. Since the original “Halloween” film, nine additional Halloween sequels have been created. This year, the franchise will commemorate its worldwide success with the release of a box set with all ten Michael Myers films in full blu-ray on Sept. 23, featuring never-before-seen and behind the scenes content.
“My experience watching this film growing up is as vivid now as it was years ago. The team and I are beyond thrilled to bring one of the most iconic horror films and characters to life at Halloween Horror Nights.” said Michael Aiello, Director of Entertainment – Creative Development, Universal Orlando Resort. “Halloween,began what would become the slasher film genre and still represents the genre as its horrific crown jewel. Guests will come face to face with Michael Myers as we recreate the kills committed on the night He came home.”
“Halloween” completes this year’s lineup for Halloween Horror Nights 24, which will include some of the most recognizable and terrifying names in pop culture, as well as original content from the masterminds who bring the event to life. In addition to “Halloween,” Halloween Horror Nights will include experiences inspired by AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” Robert Rodriguez’s chilling television series “From Dusk Till Dawn,” the cult sci-fi franchise “AVP: Alien vs. Predator,” Universal Picture’s upcoming film “Dracula: Untold,” Universal Picture’s “The Purge: Anarchy,” and SyFy’s “Face Off – In the Flesh.”
If you are anything like me, you may have caught at least a few episodes of The Simpsons marathon on FXX. The channel is playing all 552 episodes of The Simpsons in order. I’ve watched The Simpsons since the late 1980s when it debuted as part of the Tracey Ullman show.
All this got me thinking about the only game I’ve ever played on my phone on a regular basis: The Simpsons: Tapped Out. Shelley actually got me started playing it a little over a year ago and I don’t think I’ve gone more than a few days once or twice in the past year without playing. The app is available for free on iOS and Android devices at this time. There are plenty of in app purchases that you can spend your money on if you so desire though. The headline in the app store is that the game is life-ruiningly fun. Preach on.
The basic premise of the game is pretty simple. Homer accidentally blew up Springfield and it is up to you to rebuild it however you wish. There are tasks you can accomplish to unlock buildings, decorations, characters, and even earn (fake) cash. It is a very similar concept to the game the Sims. One of the great things about this game is that it is produced by the writers of The Simpsons show. They will have updates with new characters, story lines and fun Easter eggs from episodes shortly after they air. You can also earn donuts for leveling up, special tasks and randomly in the game. These donuts can be used to purchase premium items in the game, or you can also purchase donuts for real cash to get those hard to get items.
Once you start playing, you can buy more land, houses, and all sorts of other fun things that any Simpsons fan should love. It has great throwbacks to one time characters like Rex Banner, and most all of your favorites. As you continue to play, your town can grow and you can even invite others to be your neighbors. The benefit of having neighbors is typically twofold: 1) you can visit your neighbors to get extra cash, experience points (which help you proceed from one level to the next), and friendship points (these provide you with different gifts as you achieve a new level); 2) during different overlays, you need neighbors to be able to steal things, attack, plant items that will accrue money and points for you, etc.
The different overlays throughout the year are some of my favorite times to play. Since I’ve been playing, we’ve seen different overlays of the Simpsons for Whacking Day, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, and my favorite, the Stonecutter’s overlay. Right now the current missions are based around barbarians and have a medieval theme to them. These all help to keep the game fresh by introducing new characters, buildings, special prizes, and more.
I will warn you, this game is addictive. My friends at work will often walk by me on a break and know that I’m playing this game. I’ve got dozens of friends who play, which helps out as far as neighbors, but they will also keep on you if you haven’t played in a while (I’m looking at you, Cheryl). I play The Simpsons: Tapped Out for probably half an hour at most each day, but you can spend as much or as little time you want playing. Tasks can vary from seconds to days depending on your characters, and some missions require multiple characters to complete them simultaneously. If you have plenty of free time on a day, you may set your characters on shorter missions because you can send them for more right away, which will earn you more money and more experience points. If you’re going to be unavailable for a while, send them all on 8, 12 or 24 hour tasks.
I highly recommend this game if you are a fan of the Simpsons. There is a lot of flexibility in the game to devote a little or a lot of time playing. The goals are constantly changing, which keeps it interesting. I love how they incorporate stories from throughout the past 25 years, but also almost always bring in stuff from new episodes every month. It is a fun game that allows you to exercise some creativity in the design of your town. And if you don’t like it, you can start over from scratch, just keep in mind some of the buildings may need to be rebuilt as opposed to just pulled out of inventory. Have you played The Simpsons: Tapped Out? I know Shelley, Todd, Cheryl, Jillian and I all play. If you want us to be your neighbors, leave your username in the comments below and we’ll try to add you if we aren’t at our limit. Let me know what you think of this game.
As you file away your summer vacation photos and enter Back-to-School season, Disney Movies Anywhere’s Pixar Summer Movies to Go is coming to an end! All summer long, Pixar Summer Movies To Go featured fan favorite films with exclusive extras like special filmmaker introductions and film trivia as part of Pixar’s Ultimate Countdown of Secrets.
This is the final week to get your favorite Pixar films from Toy Story to Monsters University for only $14.99, plus get an inside look at Disney/Pixar’s INSIDE OUT, coming to theaters June 2015!
This is also your last chance to getThe Incredibles for FREE when you download Disney Movies Anywhere and connect your iTunes account – promotion ends September 1!
Download the free Disney Movies Anywhere app on your iPhone or iPad at http://di.sn/sX8, or go to www.DisneyMoviesAnywhere.com to find out more about buying, watching, and collecting your favorite Disney, Pixar and Marvel movies anywhere!
Cozy up to another fun filled adventure in SOFIA THE FIRST: HOLIDAY IN ENCHANCIA on DisneyDVD November 4thwith a special appearance from Princess Aurora! The DVD is value packed with four additional episodes and a FREE light up holiday ornament.
SOFIA THE FIRST: HOLIDAY IN ENCHANCIA
Arrives on Disney DVD Just In Time For The Holidays – November 4, 2014
DVD Contains the adventure + 4 additional episodes and a FREE Light Up Holiday Ornament packed inside!
httpv://youtu.be/yNwYQCjbgUo
Synopsis: When a snowstorm prevents King Roland from returning home in time for the holidays, Sofia leads her family on a brave expedition to find him. Princess Aurora from Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” makes a special appearance to help Sofia and her animal friends reunite the royal family.
Background: Created for kids age 2-7 and their parents/caregivers, Disney Junior’s Emmy Award-winning “Sofia the First” follows the adventures of Princess Sofia, a young girl who is learning how to adjust to royal life after her mom marries the king. Along the way, she discovers that the inner character of kindness, generosity, loyalty, honesty and grace is what makes a real princess. “Sofia the First” is the #1 TV series year to date with Girls 2-5 and holds the all-time record for the top two cable TV telecasts for kids 2-5.
Talent: Ariel Winter (ABC TV’s “Modern Family”) as Sofia; Sara Ramirez (ABC TVs “Grey’s Anatomy”) as Queen Miranda; Wayne Brady (TV’s “Let’s Make A Deal”) as Clover; Tim Gunn (TV’s “Project Runway”) as Baileywick; Eric Stonestreet (ABC TV’s “Modern Family”) as Minimus; and Kate Higgins (“Naruto”) as Princess Aurora.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Thanks Florida K-12 School Employees
with Educator Appreciation Days
Teachers, support staff get free admission to Ripley’s attractions in Florida from September 2 – October 19
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! attractions in Florida are again showing their support for K-12 educators that work within the state.
All Ripley attractions in Orlando, Panama City Beach, St. Augustine and Key West will be FREE for educators in the state from September 2 through October 19.
Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff are eligible for free admission; they just need to bring a current pay stub and photo ID when they visit the attraction.
Additionally, up to five guests that come with an educator get 50% off their admission.
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is conveniently located at 8201 International Drive, and is open daily from 9:00 am to midnight (last entry nightly at 11:00 pm). For more information, please visit www.ripleys.com/orlando or call 407-345-0501.
About Ripley Entertainment Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Orlando is part of the Ripley Entertainment Inc. (www.ripleys.com) family of worldwide attractions, the global leader in location-based entertainment. More than 12 million people visit its 90-plus attractions in 9 countries each year. In addition to its 31 Believe It or Not! Odditoriums, the Orlando, Florida-based company has publishing, licensing and broadcast divisions that oversee projects including the syndicated Believe It or Not! television show, best-selling books and the popular syndicated cartoon strip, Ripley’s Believe It or Not!, that still runs daily in 42 countries. Ripley Entertainment is a Jim Pattison Company, the third-largest privately held company in Canada.
Annual motor sports spectacle among first events at renovated Orlando Citrus Bowl
It’s official! MONSTER JAM® will make its return to the Orlando area on January 24, 2015 as one of the first events to be held in the renovated Orlando Citrus Bowl. Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, August 27, at 10 a.m. Tickets start at only $15 (subject to facility, convenience, and handling charges).
Monster Jam is one of Orlando’s most popular and largest single-day stadium events, attracting capacity crowds of over 60,000 fans. Four-time World Champion GRAVE DIGGER and Twelve-time World Champion MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION will compete in Orlando and help launch the new stadium, along with a huge field of the world’s best 1,500 horsepower, 10,000-pound Monster Jam Monster Trucks.
The official title of the event is Metro PCS, Budweiser, Circle K, & Your Southern Ford Dealers present MONSTER JAM® brought to you by BKT Tires
Monster Jam 2015 comes to Orlando
One show only: Saturday, January 24, 2015
Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium, 1610 W. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32805
Gates Open at 5 pm. Opening Ceremonies at 6:30 pm. Racing Starts at 7 pm.
Ticket Information
Advance purchase SuperValue Tickets are ONLY $15. $45 Platinum / $35 Gold Sideline / $25 Corners / $20 Endzone. Tickets are on sale starting 10 a.m. on August 27 at all Ticketmaster outlets, the Amway Center Box Office, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets will also be available day of show at the Citrus Bowl. All seats reserved. Subject to facility fee, plus convenience and handling charges. Don’t wait – buy tickets in advance as prices go up $5 more the week of show. Get more show information at www.MonsterJam.com (click on “Tickets” and search for Orlando January 24).
Free Pop-Up Kids Event – Register Now!
Don’t miss this free family event coming to a city near you
The KaBOOM! Play Together Tour is wrapping up its nation-wide travels in Kissimmee, and this is definitely a family fun event you won’t want to miss!
The secret to rich, rewarding, memorable family time is play! And the KaBOOM! Play Together Tour— powered by Disney Parks— makes family bonding fun and easy. This FREE, state-of-the-art, pop-up play attraction features team-building stations, games that build mental and physical play prowess, and an incredible family-friendly obstacle course. Your entire family will learn how balanced and active play helps children thrive.
Mill Run Park 1451 Mill Slough Road Kissimmee, FL 34744
Registration will also be available on-site the day of the event.
Parking is free at the park, and drivers also have permission to park their cars at the Cita Con La Vida Church parking lot, just adjacent to Mill Run Park.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort Announces First Responder Days in September
LEGOLAND Florida Resort to honor first responders with a free single day admission during September
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is proud to once again honor police officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel with a free single day admission to the park during the month of September. LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s special offer gives first responders a chance to experience the Park’s more than 50 rides, shows and attractions with their friends and family.
The program is valid for all police officers, fire fighters, and EMS employees working in the United States. Active and retired personnel with identification are also eligible. Eligible personnel should present their employee ID or professional organization membership card to LEGOLAND Florida Resort’s ticket window the day they plan to visit to redeem their one free admission ticket and purchase up to four additional tickets at only $40 per ticket. Guests may upgrade to include the LEGOLAND Water Park for just $15 per person. The offer is valid from 9/1/14-9/30/14.
This is the second consecutive year LEGOLAND Florida Resort has extended an offer for first responders. For more information on everything about LEGOLAND Florida Resort, please visit florida.legoland.com.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort:
LEGOLAND Florida Resort is a 150-acre interactive theme park with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions, a Water Park and The LEGO® World of Chima presented by Cartoon Network all geared to families with children ages 2 to 12. Recently announced, The LEGOLAND Hotel will open in 2015 featuring 152 highly themed rooms and suites, LEGO décor, interactive play areas, a pool and a restaurant. There are currently five other LEGOLAND Parks in the world – LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad, LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Deutschland near Günzburg, Germany and LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London and LEGOLAND Malaysia —the sixth LEGOLAND Park and first in Asia. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group, the second largest attractions operator in the world. For the most current information, log on to www.LEGOLAND.com.
Rock the Universe Tickets Are On Sale Now for the Biggest Christian Music Festival in Florida, Featuring Performances by Switchfoot, tobyMac, Lecrae, Jeremy Camp, and More
Rock the Universe — Florida’s biggest Christian music festival — returns to the Universal Orlando Resort September 5 and 6 with faith-filled performances by more than 20of the most popular bands in Christian music. Enjoy incredible shows by hit artists such as Third Day, Switchfoot, Lecrae and tobyMac, as well as inspiring guest speakers, a candlelighting ceremony, access to unrivaled theme park entertainment and more.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_nNvmO25a4
Universal Orlando offers several Rock the Universe ticket options. The best way to experience all the fun and access to all of the concerts is with the “Rock Your Weekend” ticket, which includes admission to both nights of Rock the Universe and three days admission to Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Island of Adventure. Tickets are available for purchase online through Sept. 6. See below for ticket options.
ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2014 OFFERS
(prices do not include tax)
BEST OFFER“Rock Your Weekend” Ticket
Pricing:o Groups of 10 or more: $108.99 per person
o Individuals: $120.99 per person
Admission to BOTH nights of Rock the Universe 2014
Three days admission to either Universal Studios Florida or Islands of Adventure fromSept. 5 -7 (one park per day)
*Upgrade: Receive Park-to-Park access to BOTH Universal theme parks for just $40 more ($148.99 per person for groups; $160.99 per person for individuals)*
Rock the Universe 2014 Two-Night Ticket
Advance Pricing:
Groups of 10 or more:$88.99 per person
Individuals: $95.99 per person
Admission to Rock the Universe 2014 onbothFriday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6
Rock the Universe 2014 One-Night Ticket
Advance Pricing:
Groups of 10 or more:$52.99 per person
Individuals: $57.99 per person
Admission to Rock the Universe 2014 oneitherFriday, Sept. 5 or Saturday, Sept. 6
Check out the Rock The Universe Event Map
ROCK THE UNIVERSE 2014 LINE-UP
Friday, September 5(Praise & Worship)
Saturday, September 6(Rock & Hip Hop)
Third Day
Switchfoot
Newsboys
tobyMac
Jeremy Camp
Lecrae
Kari Jobe
Red
Soulfire Revolution
Family Force 5
Rend Collective
Andy Mineo
About A Mile
Tedashii
VERIDIA
Love & The Outcome
** Names in bold indicate headlining acts.
Guests who attend Rock the Universe 2014 will also enjoy the wildly popular Coca-Cola FanZone – where they can experience live music by additional artists such as Rapture Ruckus, Manafest, 7eventh Time Down, All Things New, David Dunn and Eva Kroon Pike, autograph sessions with the bands, karaoke and more. Guests can also experience some of Universal Studios’ most thrilling rides and attractions during Rock the Universe, including TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and more.
Vacation like you mean it at Universal Orlando Resort – where every heart pounding, jaw-dropping, goose-bumping second counts. It is the only place where you can turn spending time with your family into spending time as a family. Together, you can soar above Hogwarts with Harry Potter, swing above the streets with Spider-Man, become a Minion in the hilarious and heartwarming Despicable Me Minion Mayhem ride, and join Optimus Prime in the fight to save mankind on the new mega-attraction, TRANSFORMERS: The Ride – 3D. And now, you can step into The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley.
Universal Orlando Resort is home to two incredible theme parks: Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure; four magnificently themed on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and the newest addition, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort; and Universal CityWalk – enjoy the best in restaurants, live music, shopping, movies and more. And located just minutes from Universal Orlando Resort is Wet n’ Wild, Orlando’s premier waterpark.
Universal Orlando Resort is part of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company. Follow Universal Orlando Resort on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram andYouTube.
DISCLOSURE: I was an invited guest of the Universal Orlando Resort, and I was provided with admission, lodging, and promotional items for sharing my opinions, experiences, and thoughts. All opinions are my own.
Perks of Staying at Universal Orlando’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort
Cabana Bay Beach Resort is a budget-friendly option for staying on-site at the Universal Orlando Resort, but don’t think that they skimp on any of the details or perks!!!
We were able to stay at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort when it opened this Spring, you can check our Pick Six from our stay here, and since then the resort has opened their Towers and second pool area. It has been amazing to watch this resort really come into it’s own!
With so much to offer their guests, I thought a fun way to look at the resort would be by sharing some our favorite perks of staying at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort!
Pick Six: Perks of Staying at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort
1. Early Admission
With the Wizarding World of Harry Potter: Diagon Alley opening early Admission to those areas is an amazing perk of staying at Cabana Bay Beach Resort!
Guests who have valid theme park admission, are able to experience both The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade in Universal’s Islands of Adventure and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in Universal Studios Florida one hour prior to park opening. This does include the Hogwarts Express when you have a Park-to-Park admission ticket!
Resort shuttles are available each morning, but it is important to keep in mind that all guests (including the children in your party) must have a valid resort room key for early entry!
Times for early admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter area are posted in the Cabana Bay Beach Resort lobby.
2. No More Rainy Day Blues
Florida may be the ‘Sunshine State’, but that is only between rain storms! But the Cabana Bay Beach Resort has you covered with some really fun indoor options for rainy days.
Galaxy Bowl – 10-lane full service bowling experience themed from the 1950’s, offering today’s entertainment technology and a full service restaurant. There is an extra fee to bowl, however they do have some great daily deals on food and alcohol.
Jack LaLanne Physical Fitness Studio – Complimentary for hotel guests, featuring cardiovascular equipment, mats, Medicine Balls, Bosu Balls, rubber dumbbells, and locker rooms in a fun and extremely retro area. It is one of my favorite places at the resort.
Game-O-Rama – Enjoy old school classics and the latest high-tech arcade games such as classic Skee-ball.
Resort Recreation – When the rain hits, the fun moves indoors with various activities to keep little ones moving
Universal Orlando® Resort Store – What else would you do on a rainy day, but go shopping! The store offers sundries, guest necessities, newspapers, magazines, and Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort logo merchandise.
Starbucks – Now the reason I mention Starbucks are my addiction to their black tea & cake pops, and that they have their own wifi so you can free up devices on your room’s wifi.
Characters – All Universal Orlando On-Site Resorts have Characters, but I like these the best because they seem more laid back and free to roam. You can find them all over the place, but the lobby is where we have had the most luck!
3. Transportation
Cabana Bay Beach Resort really makes transportation a breeze with shuttles and even an on-site rental car desk!
On-Site Transportation – Complimentary resort wide transportation includes shuttle buses. While Cabana Bay Beach Resort is also within walking distance to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, & Universal CityWalk® it will soon get easier when their walkway is connected.
SeaWorld Orlando®, Aquatica™, & Wet ‘n Wild® Transportation –There are complimentary scheduled buses available to transport guests to SeaWorld Orlando®, Aquatica™ and Wet ‘n Wild®. Reservations are required for this service. Upon arrival, contact the concierge desk at the individual hotel to confirm transportation.
Airport Transportation – An airport shuttle service is available for hotel guests arriving into Orlando International Airport through Mears Transportation. Visit the concierge desk for details. (fees apply)
Hertz Rental Car Services – Hertz car rental available on-site which is located in the resort lobby just to the left of the doors before you exit.
Transportation to Walt Disney World® can be arranged through the Universal Ticket Desk –fees apply.
4. Convenience
Now I’m not saying I am lazy, but when I am not running around the parks I want to enjoy my down time and the Cabana Bay Beach Resort has some really options to help you enjoy your time more and stress less.
Pizza Delivery – During select hours you can get the Delicioso Pizza from the Bayliner Diner delivered to your room, and let me tell you this is no ready-made blah pizza!!! The pizza’s are loaded with great toppings (the veggie is AMAZING) and have a crunch crust you’ll crave.
Refillable Mugs – Now while this isn’t unique to resort hotels, the fact that you can fill them almost everywhere is! You can find refillable stations at each pool area, in the Bayliner Diner, and in the bowling area (which is connected to the game room). Plus they are super swanky and fun to use at home!
Merchandise Delivery – I am a theme park shopper, but I hate lugging my purchases all day! The Cabana Bay Beach Resort offers complimentary delivery of merchandise purchased throughout the resort to your hotel room.
Mini-Fridge and Kitchenette (Family Suites) – Sometimes you don’t realize how great a mini-fridge or kitchenette (in the Family Suites) is until you don’t have them! We used our fridge as a way to store leftover pizza, drinks for later, and even chocolate (a easy treat for hot days). The kitchenettes feature a microwave and extra counter space that saved us, too! I found myself working at the bar while everyone watched television in the room.
The Family Suite Kitchenette
5. Pool for everyone
With so many different pool and water play areas at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, there really is a place for everyone! From quiet spots to places to let loose, you will find it here!
Family-Friendly
Cabana Courtyard – features a zero-entry pool with iconic dive tower waterslide, interactive kids play area, cabanas for rent , sandy seating areas for play, nightly movies, recreation areas, and the Atomic Tonic pool bar all add up to make this our favorite place to spend our day together!
Adults
Lazy River Courtyard – features a zero-entry pool with sand beach and quiet cove, a lazy river, and The Hideaway Bar & Grill make for a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere.
Lazy River
The lazy river full of chilly waterfalls and cannons for interactive fun, and I wanted to mention this separately for planning purposes because floats are not necessary or provided. They are extremely reasonable to purchase, but if you want you can even BYOF (Bring Your Own Float).
6. Large Family? No Problem!
We find the rooms at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort to be super roomy and full of storage, and with the Family Suites sleeping up to six you really can’t beat the rates!!!!
We love staying at the Cabana Bay Beach Resort for all these reasons and more! It is definitely a great place to check out!!!
You can find out even more about their services here.
Cabana Bay Beach Resort has a really interactive and fun Facebook page and Instagram account, so make sure you give them a follow and make sure to tag your photos #UniversalMoments!!!
Orlando City SC Molino Breaks USL PRO Goal Scoring Record in Thrilling 3-2 Victory
New signees Rafael Ramos and Estrela score in their Lions debut
Orlando City SC (17-3-4, 55 points) snapped the Richmond Kickers’ (13-2-10, 49 points) 21-match unbeaten streak 3-2 Saturday night at City Stadium in a soggy battle between the top two teams in USL PRO.
Midfielder Kevin Molino continued his impressive attacking form by breaking the league single-season goal scoring record with a scintillating finish in the second half to notch his 16th of the season.
Orlando City’s newest players, recently-signed Rafael Ramos and Estrela, made remarkable debuts by recording their first goals in Purple and White with eye-catching finishes.
After the match, Lions Head Coach Adrian Heath had high praises in regards to the two new players and his squad’s motivated performance saying, “We’re delighted about the result. It certainly put us in a position to win the Regular Season which is what we set out to do before the season. I thought that the two new players (Estrela and Ramos) were outstanding, considering that they haven’t played for two or three weeks. Their contribution was massive, and we got a little bit of luck which we’ve been lacking in previous weeks, so overall it was a really pleasing night for everybody.
It didn’t take long for the Lions to jump on the score-sheet. In the 8th minute of play, Estrela powered home a volley from outside the box to open the scoring. The defensive midfielder was lurking on the edge of the area, as Richmond struggled to clear Adama Mbenuge’s set-piece, maneuvering his strike through the cluster of players in the 18-yard-box.
The early goal energized the Lions. As the half wore on, City continued to effectively distribute the ball around the pitch, penetrating the Richmond backline with tempting crosses into the box. With numbers in the penalty area, Orlando came close to converting on several occasions, but Richmond Goalkeeper Ryan Taylor produced timely saves to prevent further damage in the first 45.
Moments before the halftime break, Miguel Gallardo was forced to make a miraculous save from point-blank range. Kickers’ Midfielder Jason Yeisley had a clear chance to equalize from six yards away, but the fast-acting ‘keeper quickly pushed it wide.
Photo: Orlando City SC
In the fast-paced second half, the Lions’ created more chances on target through productive build-up play that quickly broke down the Kickers’ defense. In the 51st minute, Molino received a pass from Chin just outside the box and converted a world-class strike that curled past Taylor into the top-right-corner.
Following the goal, Molino, the Club’s first Major League Soccer (MLS) signing, expressed his delight for the record and the win: “It’s always a good feeling to break a record, but the most important thing for me was us winning the game and going six points clear.”
In light of Molino’s wonder-goal, Richmond made a desperate push to salvage crucial points, resulting in a goal from former Lion George Davis IV one minute later. However, Orlando responded when Ramos cut past two defenders en route to a precise finish at the near-post, extending City’s advantage.
Richmond continued to fight, nonetheless, and substitute Nate Robinson gave the Virginia-based side life when he tucked away Davis IV’s cross with twelve minutes remaining. Orlando’s championship mentality kicked in though, as the Lions exerted maximum effort on the defensive end, sustaining Richmond’s pressure to secure the win.
NEXT MATCH: Orlando City SC final game of its current three-game road trip will take place at Legion Stadium on Thursday, September 3 against the Wilmington Hammerheads. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Orlando City SC Match Recap:
Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City SC 1 2 3
Richmond Kickers 0 2 2
Scoring Summary:
ORL – Estrela (Unassisted)
ORL – Kevin Molino (Dennis Chin) 52’
RIC – George Davis IV (Unassisted) 53’
ORL – Rafael Ramos (Unassisted) 70’
RIC – Nate Robinson (George Davis IV) 78’
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC – GK Miguel Gallardo, D Rob Valentino, Brad Rusin, Tyler Turner, Rafael Ramos, M Adama Mbengue, Kevin Molino (Tommy Redding 84’), Darwin Cerén, Estrela Corey Hertzog (Austin da Luz 44’), F Dennis Chin (Giuseppe Gentile 70′)
Richmond Kickers – GK Ryan Taylor, D Sascha Gorres, Yomby William, Conor Shanosky, Alex Lee, M Luke Vercollone, Samuel Asante, Kyle Porter, George Davis IV, F Shay Spitz, Jason Yeisley
Disciplinary Summary:
George Davis IV (Yellow Card) 32’
Darwin Cerén (Yellow Card) 37’
Estrela (Yellow Card) 89’
Match Facts:
Time of Match: 7:00 p.m. EST
Weather: — Rainy
August 23, 2014
For more information on Orlando City SC, 2015 MLS Season Tickets or tickets to the Club’s remaining USL PRO home games, including the Lion’s first 2014 playoff match on September 13th, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com or call 855-ORL-CITY. Also, follow the latest Orlando City news & updates on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
About Orlando City Soccer Club:
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team. The club will begin play in MLS in 2015, becoming the league’s 21st club. The Lions’ first team has won two USL PRO regular season titles and two postseason championships and will continue play in USL PRO in 2014 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Outside of the first squad, OCSC also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com and www.OrlandoCityYouth.org.
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was my elementary school principal’s favorite book, and I remember that he would read it to us whenever he visited our class. By the time I was in 3rd grade, I could recite the story back and forth.
So with that being said, you can only imagine how excited I was to hear that Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Daywas being made into a movie!
Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”follows the exploits of 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—a day that begins with gum stuck in his hair, followed by one calamity after another. But when Alexander tells his upbeat family about the misadventures of his disastrous day, he finds little sympathy and begins to wonder if bad things only happen to him. He soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Anyone who says there is no such thing as a bad day just hasn’t had one. “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” directed by Independent Spirit Award-winner Miguel Arteta (“The Good Girl,” “Cedar Rapids,” “Youth in Revolt”) from a screenplay by Rob Lieber, is a 21 Laps Entertainment/Jim Henson Company production. The film hits theaters nationwide Oct. 10, 2014.
In theaters Oct. 10, 2014, Disney’s “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day”follows 11-year-old Alexander (Ed Oxenbould) as he experiences the most terrible and horrible day of his young life—and soon learns that he’s not alone when his mom (Jennifer Garner), dad (Steve Carell), brother (Dylan Minnette) and sister (Kerris Dorsey) all find themselves living through their own terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
With Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Dayopening in theatres so soon, I wanted to share some really cute and fun activity sheets, coloring pages, and a recipe for a delicious Crustless Quiche that I can’t wait to try!!!!
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day Fun!
