The Millennium Falcon that will be part of the Star Wars Miniland Cluster at LEGOLAND Florida is beyond amaizing!!!
Today, LEGOLAND® Florida announced that the new LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster Display will officially open for their guests to enjoy and interact with on Friday, November 9.
The LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster will include a scene from each of the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The CloneWars™ all created from more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks and built in 1:20 scale. Following a chronological path through the Star Wars™ timeline, guests will retrace the major events of the beloved Saga. Some of the 2,000 LEGO® models will be more than 6-feet-tall. Interactive buttons will allow children to activate animations throughout the scenes.
The Star Wars Miniland Cluster Model layout.
I had the chance to attend the Press Conference at LEGOLAND Florida where we the Star Wars Miniland Cluster was announced and where we were able to see a few of the LEGO® models, and they are amazingly detailed and even light up at night. The Millennium Falcon is AMAZING!!!! And the space that they have dedicated to this Miniland expansion is large in comparison to the other Miniland Clusters.
I am beyond excited about the expansion and cannot wait to see the completed LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster!!! Especially since the Miniland area of LEGOLAND Florida is my favorite part of the park!!!
I have included some of my pictures from the LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster announcement so you can get an idea about the look and feel of the area will be.
A closer look at the Star Wars Miniland Area.Jason, a designer and builder for the Star Wars Miniland, proudly showed off his name tag figures.A close up view of Darth Maul in LEGO form.A creepy side view of Darth Maul .
You can see that no detail, or pilot, was left out of the models.In the Star Wars Miniland Cluster LEGO Darth Vader will be out at various times to greet LEGOLAND Florida Guests.
Pammie’s Sammies 5907 Turkey Lake Road, Suite 100 Orlando, Florida 32819
I got the chance to swing by the Grand ReOpening of Pammies’ Sammies, located near the Universal Orlando Resort, and I have to say it was super yummy and a great place to just kick back and have a nice meal with friends or family.
Pammie’s Sammies is a family owned cafe that prides itself on being thoughtfully sourced, earth friendly and tastefully adventurous. Pam Thomas, the proprietor, puts an innovative spin on classic sandwiches (“sammies”), burgers, BBQ, soups and salads. As part of the grand reopening, Pammie’s Sammies has expanded to include a craft beer and wine bar and will now serve happy hour bar bites and dinner entrees in addition to their original breakfast and lunch offerings.
While the food is absolutely delicious, their Cuban was my favorite and Zoe has been asking for more brownies, it is Pam herself that really creates an atmosphere of fun and hospitality that makes you feel like you are a friend just dropping in for a bite to eat.
And when I say it’s located near the Universal Orlando Resort, I mean you can SEE Universal Studios Florida from there windows, which make it an ideal place to stop before or after heading into the parks.
If you are looking for an affordable, fun, and delicious place to grab a great Sammie, I would definitely suggest heading over to Pammie’s Sammies!
Lady and the Tramp II Available Now On Disney Blu-RayLady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure is available now for the first time ever on Disney Blu-Ray!
I absolutely love Lady and the Tramp, which probably explains my unusual love of Tony’s Town Square at the Magic Kingdom, so when the opportunity to review Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure came about I jumped at the chance!
In Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure, Lady and Tramp’s mischievous pup Scamp decides that he doesn’t fit in with his family and decides to run away. Once he has left his collar behind, he joins a gang of junkyard dogs who don’t always have his best interests in mind. Scamp also meets, saves, and falls in love with a pretty little pup named Angel, voiced by Alyssa Milano, along the way. This movie is a great example of the heartwarming direct-to-video sequels that were being created at the time of its original release. There are some great nods to Lady and the Tramp in Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure, and it really looks great in this Blu-Ray Format.
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure has some fun bonuses, and we really enjoyed the Puppy Trivia Track which allows you to watch the movie with tons of fun facts about dogs, the movie, and dogs as they have appeared throughout Disney. Also on the Blu-Ray release of Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure you can find some Pluto Bonus Shorts, which are always a must watch for my family.
You can absolutely tell that Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure was created by people who have love and respect for Lady and the Tramp, and is a cute movie to watch if your family is full of dog lovers! We enjoyed the movie, but be warned it is a shorter side so you may be asked to watch it twice!!!
SOLAR BEARS ALUM TODD RICHARDS TO TAKE PART
IN OPENING NIGHT CEREMONIES Come Early to Watch Pregame Ceremonies – Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.
Solar Bears
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Solar Bears announced today that Todd Richards, the captain of the 2001 Orlando Solar Bears Turner Cup Championship team, will take part in the Opening Night Pregame Ceremonies at the Amway Center on Saturday, October 20.
Richards was a member of the Orlando Solar Bears for all six seasons of the team’s existence, including serving as the captain when Orlando won the Turner Cup in 2001. He played 423 games with Orlando, scoring 61 goals and 199 assists for 260 points while also recording 408 PIM.
He became the head coach of Orlando’s NHL affiliate, the Minnesota Wild, in 2009, and is the current head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He took over as the head coach in Columbus midway through last season.
“The Solar Bears and the Orlando community are a big part of my life,” said Richards. “I have many fond memories of the Turner Cup Championship season. Both my kids were born here, and I am looking forward to being a part of Opening Night.”
“Todd made tremendous contributions to the Solar Bears and the Orlando community,” said Solar Bears Managing Partner Jason Siegel. “We are pleased that he and his wife will be in attendance for this momentous occasion.”
The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and AHL’s Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012.
Individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games are now on sale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office.
Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.
Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call407-951-8200 or click here.
AKC Celebrate Dogs Tickets Go On Sale October 19th!!!
AKC Celebrate Dogs! Tickets Go on Sale October 19 for Nation’s Largest Dog Event
December 15 & 16 at Orange County Convention Center
The American Kennel Club & Eukanuba Present Family Fun Celebration Featuring Over 140 AKC Meet the Breeds® Booths, Eukanuba Super Dogs, Holiday Shopping & More!
Tickets for AKC Celebrate Dogs!, the largest celebration of man’s best friend in the United States, go on sale Friday, Oct. 19. Celebrate Dogs! will arrive at the Orange County Convention Center Dec. 15 and 16, offering dog lovers two days packed full of exciting, canine-centric, family-friendly, dog-gone fun.Presented by The American Kennel Club and Eukanuba, the AKC Celebrate Dogs! is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and features events that guarantee fun for the whole family.Celebrate Dogs! tickets will be available through the AKC Website. Celebrate Dogs! tickets also can be purchased in person at the Orange County Convention Center Box Office on the days of the event.Day Ticket for Saturday OR Sunday (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Adult
$20
Senior (65+) & 13-18 Yrs
$15
Children 2-12 Yrs
$5
Children Under 2 Yrs
FREE
Active Military
FREE w/ ID
Family Fun for Dog Lovers!
· AKC Meet the Breeds® – where more than 140 different dog breeds and breed experts will be on hand to meet the public. Meet the Breeds is the perfect venue to learn about the different breeds so that prospective dog owners can find the right breed for their lifestyle. Don’t miss out – this fun and educational AKC event is only held twice a year: in October in New York City and at Celebrate Dogs! in Orlando this December.
· Dock Dogs demonstrating their amazing and extreme dock diving talents
· Eukanuba Extreme Soccer Dogs playing soccer with children in attendance
· Eukanuba Super Dogs, a delightful, family-fun show featuring talented canines displaying a variety of skills such as the world’s highest jumper and the quickest disc catching dog in the land.
The Competition Heats Up!
· The 12th Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, the only dog show hosted by the American Kennel Club, features thousands of the world’s top canine competitors from across the country and around the globe as they vie for Best in Show honors, the title of National Champion and a total of $225,000 in prize money.
· Watch canine athletes race against the clock over challenging obstacles in the AKC Agility Invitational.
· Top dogs from more than 40 countries around the world competing in the Eukanuba World Challenge.
Additionally, the Canine Celebration vendor mall will offer holiday shoppers more than 140 different doggie boutiques to pick out gifts for dog-loving family and friends. Shoppers can show off their breed loyalties with a dog breed shirt, pick up a new dog bed for the Beagle, and find exquisite, hand-crafted pet-oriented jewelry.
Celebrate Dogs! will comprise 800,000 square feet of event space in the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center. Convenient parking and free shuttle transportation will be available.
Celebrate Dogs! features a variety of exciting demonstrations and competitions including: the AKC Agility Invitational, the AKC National Obedience Invitational, AKC Meet the Breeds®, Dock Dogs, and the daytime dog show judging of the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship. For more information, please visit http://www.akc.org/aenc/
Make sure you ‘Like’ AKC Celebrate Dogs! on Facebook and Follow Celebrate Dogs! on Twitter for great updates and information about this great event for dog lovers!!!
The other day, I was so excited to see some of the new elements in the Storybook Circus area of the New Fantasyland expansion in the Magic Kingdom. I had not looked at any pictures, so I had no preconceived notions and hadn’t really done any research about the Big Top Souvenirs, Pete’s Silly Sideshow and the new open seating and food areas. Like the other sections of New Fantasyland that have been revealed so far, my expectations have been far exceeded.
Storybook Circus Characters
I only had a short time to explore, but I thoroughly enjoyed everything I saw. First, we explored the gift shop/snack location that is Big Top Souvenirs. This space is amazingly detailed and the Imagineers really did a great job bringing you into the whole circus theme. As you enter, you are greeted by Cast Members in circus costumes, welcoming you to play fun games like bean bag toss to knock over cans and juggling scarves. Awesome new merchandise themed around Storybook Circus as a whole and more specifically Dumbo, as well as general parks merchandise, are featured at the front of the shop.
Big Top SouvenirsBig Top TreatsJuggling scarvesToothpick holdersCarpet detail
The carpet is beautiful going from grass, to wooden planks, to the canvas of the circus tent. Circling the walls inside you find train cars from Casey Jr. themed after different animals like Tigers, Bears, Giraffes, Hippos, Hyenas, and even Penguins (where you can find the chilled bottle drinks). Above you, high up in the big top, you see rope ladders and trapezes. Not a detail was spared in the creation of this new shopping and snacking spot.
Caramel Corn and Haloween Cupcakes
Food offerings are similar to what you can find on Main Street in the Bakery and Confectionery and focus on baked goods like cookies, cupcakes and caramel apples. You can also find specialty items like Caramel Corn Cupcakes, Caramel Corn and other circus themed treats. One of my favorite frozen drinks, glaciers, are available in blue raspberry, strawberry and lemonade. Many of these items can be used as snack credits if you are participating in the Disney Dining Plan. In additional to these fresh baked items and drinks, you can find your typical offerings of Minnie’s Bake Shop prepackaged goods and Goofy’s Candy Company sweets.
Fulfilling yet another meet and greet area, Pete’s Silly Sideshow, plays host to the opportunity to meet Daisy, Minnie, Donald and Goofy in their alter egos as circus performers. There are some great nods in this area to classic characters like Pete and to films like Melody Time. It is a different setup here with a large tent open with four queues coming out of the middle and the meet and greet areas in the four quadrants of the circular tent.
Pete’s Silly Sideshow exteriorPete’s meet and greetDaisy and Minnie meet and greet areaAstounding Donaldo
Adjacent to the two tents is another tent that is open on one side and acts as a mini guest relations location. Cast Members are on hand to answer guest questions, Fastpass machines for Dumbo and Barnstormer are now located here, and there is lots of seating with fans blowing down on the benches and seats to keep guests cool. This area was so neat with a great map of Storybook Circus, water fountains, height measurements for the rides in Storybook Circus, and while we were there it seemed really quiet. I can imagine sneaking away to relax in this tent on an evening to take respite from the crowds in other areas of the park.
Tent waiting areaOutdoor seating areaPretzel cartHot dog cart
Just between these three areas are some food carts with snacks like popcorn, churros, hot dogs, chips and drinks. Lots of tables and chairs circle this section of Storybook Circus, offering plenty of places to rest and relax while grabbing a quick bite between attractions. I love the brightly colors of the tables, and they even remind me of the Pixar ball.
All in all, I am so excited for the rest of New Fantasyland after seeing Storybook Circus. The attention to detail is beautiful and really plays into the circus theme very well. I look forward to what is in store with the rest of the work that is being done in this new section of the park. Have you seen the Storybook Circus’ newest additions yet? What are you most looking forward to seeing in person?
ORLANDO CITY PRESENTS STUDY DEMONSTRATING $1.2B IMPACT FOR CENTRAL FLORIDA
Proposed stadium would cost $96 million and is key to entry into MLS
Orlando City SC (OCSC) held a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at the Amway Center to present the Economic Impact Study the team commissioned from CS&L. The study showed that a new Major League Soccer (MLS) stadium would have a $1.2 billion economic impact on the local area. The presentation, led by OCSC President Phil Rawlins, was yet another step on the team’s journey toward an MLS franchise for Central Florida.
“We have a fantastic opportunity to bring a second major-league pro sports franchise to the city,” said Rawlins. “We need to grasp it with both hands and come together to make this work for the region.”
The report laid out the economic details on Orlando City’s goal of becoming a MLS franchise in the immediate future. The estimated cost of the new multi-purpose stadium would be $96 million. The new facility would generate new revenues of $1.2 billion over the next 30 years.
71% of the overall cost of the stadium would be spent locally in the Central Florida area, totaling $69 million. Construction of the facility would also create 890 jobs in the Orlando area.
USL teams, like Orlando, that have moved up to MLS have averaged a 325% attendance increase in their first season- making a strong statement that OCSC could draw big attendance numbers once in the MLS.
The proposed facility would also be able to host international friendly games, US National Team and NCAA Final Four soccer matches along with regional sporting events and concerts.
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is the premier professional soccer sports franchise in the State of Florida. The Lion’s have won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. For more info on pro or youth soccer in Orlando visit www.orlandocitysoccer.comand www.orlandocityyouth.org.
The Aristocats Special Edition Brings This Disney Classic To Life In Stunning Blu-Ray For the First Time!
The Aristocats Special Edition available now on Blu-Ray!
Disney’s spectacular 20th full-length animated feature The Aristocats has arrived for the first time ever in stunning Blu-ray high definition as a The Aristocats Special Edition 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) and Digital. Featuring a beautiful new digital restoration and great new bonus features, The Aristocats Special Edition invites audiences to relive all the tune-filled feline fun, comedy and adventure of this Disney classic.
The exciting tale takes place in the heart of Paris where a kind and eccentric millionairess, wills her entire estate to ‘Duchess,’ a high society cat, and her three kittens. When the bumbling butler Edgar tries to pull off the ultimate catnap caper in order to secure the fortune for himself, it’s up to alley cat Thomas O’Malley and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day. The Aristocats features the voice talents of Eva Gabor, Phil Harris, Sterling Halloway and legendary French singer Maurice Chevalier, who performs the film’s titular opening song. The legendary Disney songwriting team of brothers, Richard and Robert Sherman, get the joint jumping with the jazz-inspired musical numbers Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat, Scales and Arpeggios, and Thomas O’Malley Cat.
The Aristocats Special Edition is chocked full of great bonus features, and is an especially wonderful treat if you are a super fan (like I am) of the Sherman Brothers!!! During The Lost Open featurette, Richard Sherman takes you through storyboards of a never-before-seen alternate beginning which introduces a deleted character and a deleted song How Much You Mean To Me and Court Me Slowly written and performed by the Sherman brothers. This song demo was one of the few times Richard and Robert ever sang together. And if your little one is anything like mine, they will be playing all of the songs over and over again! Zoe is especially fond of Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat! Also, The Aristocats Special Edition also has one of my most favorite Figaro shorts!!! Additional classic bonus features on The Aristocats Special Edition include the delightful deleted song, She Never Felt Alone and The Great Cat Family (Excerpt), which explores the history of cats.
The Aristocats Special Edition full bonus features include…
– Oui Oui Marie Music Video
– Deleted Song – She Never Felt Alone: This deleted song, complete with animation, will tug at the heartstrings of any animal lover, as Duchess explains to Thomas O’ Malley why she must return to her beloved owner Madame Bonfamille. Richard Sherman discusses the song he co-wrote with his brother Robert, which captures the special relationship between a pet owner and their animal. It’s a moving sequence that will stir everyone’s fondest memories of their favorite pets.
– The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs: A tribute to the legendary Disney songwriting team of Robert and Richard Sherman, with particular emphasis on The Aristocats.
– The Great Cat Family (Excerpt): This animated excerpt tells the history of cats from ancient Egyptians to the present.
– The Classic Disney short Bath Day: Figaro has been freshly bathed and perfumed by Minnie when he meets up with Lucifer and his gang who chase him. In the ensuing fight, the gang is fooled into beating up Lucifer and making Figaro the winner. But the victor is soon put back in the tub by Minnie.
– Disney Song Selection:
The Aristocats
Scales and Arpeggios
Thomas O’Malley Cat
Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat
I am a huge The Aristocats fan, and it is such a treat to be able to share these with my family in the stunning Blu-Ray format! It really is amazing all the details that seem to pop out at you when you view it on Blu-Ray! The Aristocats Special Edition is a great addition to you Blu-Ray Disney Classics collection!!!
LEGOLAND Brick Or Treat Offers Kid Friendly Halloween Fun
Pirates, witches, Dracula and even Mr. Potato Head made appearances at LEGOLAND® Florida this weekend during its first kid-friendly Halloween celebration of LEGOLAND Brick or Treat presented by Wells Fargo. This month-long spooky, kooky event takes place on Saturdays in October from 10am-9pm and Sundays in October from 10am to 5pm.
During LEGOLAND Brick or Treat, presented by Wells Fargo, Miniland USA has been transformed into a fun, haunted scavenger hunt for the whole family with the invasion of LEGO® Monster Fighters and their enemies. With extended hours on Saturdays, Miniland USA gets a bit more spooky when the sun goes down and the fog rolls in on these LEGO® cities.
This thrilling family event also features trick-or-treating along the brick-or-treat trail, a kids’ four category costume contest with brick-tastic prizes and a build your own Halloween themed LEGO® pumpkin model activity station. Only found at LEGOLAND Florida, families can also check out the world’s largest LEGO Jack-O-Lantern made of 26,500 LEGO bricks and capture a great photo memory.
Activities Include:
LEGO® Pumpkin Build: Build your own LEGO Pumpkin at the model activity station in the Wells Fargo Fun Town 4D Theatre Plaza
LEGO® Monster Fighters Haunted Scavenger Hunt: Help the LEGO Monster Fighters capture monsters haunting the cities of Miniland USA in this haunted scavenger hunt. The whole family can enjoy searching for these creatures found in the over 30 million LEGO bricks that make up Miniland USA. With extended hours on Saturdays, Miniland USA gets a bit more spooky when the sun goes down and the fog rolls in on these LEGO cities.
Brick-or-Treat Trail: Trick-or-Treat along the Brick-or-Treat trail near the Pirates South Stadium for goodies, tasty treats and other fun surprises
Dance Party: Join us for our spooky Dance Party in the Haunted Miniland USA with a live DJ and dance games (Saturday only)
Kids Costume Contest: Show off your BOO-tiful costumes in the Kids Costume Contest in the Wells Fargo Fun Town 4D Theatre Plaza to win brick-tastic prizes like LEGO product and tickets to LEGOLAND Florida. Children may enter one of 4 specialized categories: Heroes & Villains, LEGO Monster Fighters, LEGO Themed, and most Creative.
This fun-filled Halloween celebration is made possible by our generous sponsors: Hurricane Grill & Wings®, LEGO ClubTM, LEGO® Monster Fighters, Old Navy®, PEPSICO®, Sam’s Club®, Sour Jacks, TECO® Energy, Webb’s Candy Shop, Wells Fargo® and Wendy’s®.
Along with LEGOLAND Brick or Treat, guests can still enjoy a full day of theme park fun with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. Brick-or-Treat is included with normal park admission – No upcharge for events. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida for the best value is with the new LEGOLAND Florida Resident Pass. Pass members receive unlimited admission for 12 months to LEGOLAND Florida and the LEGOLAND Water Park, as well as all other Merlin US attractions (LEGOLAND California & Water Park, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Sea Life Centers and Madam Tussauds), free parking and 10% off food and merchandise with no black-out dates. A new monthly payment option of less than $10 per month is also available both at the front gate and online. The Monthly Payment Plan includes a down payment of $57.24 for and adult with monthly payment of $9.26 and $46.44 for child/senior with a monthly payment of only $7.51 (pre-tax).
Saturdays and Sundays in October bring LEGOLAND Brick or Treat fun!!!
For the most current information on LEGOLAND Florida special events, operating schedule and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.
Vacationers with Food Allergies Now Have New and Personalized Dining Options at SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place Parks
SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place Parks now catering to guests with Food Allergies!
As many as 15 million Americans suffer from a food allergy. SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has introduced this fall a new line of allergy-friendly dining initiatives for guests at its 10 parks including SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Sesame Place. These initiatives range from personalized service to new menu options.
“We serve millions of guests each year and are committed to provide each a great experience. For families with allergen concerns, we understand how challenging it can be to safely dine out, especially while on vacation,” said Jim Atchison, President and Chief Executive Officer of SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. “Our new initiatives ‘serve up’ a family experience that everyone can enjoy.”
The company partnered with the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN™) to educate and train more than 6,000 culinary employees to assist guests with allergen needs. With more than 22,000 members worldwide, FAAN is a trusted source of information, programs, and resources related to food allergy and anaphylaxis.
The new initiatives include:
Increased personal attention to ensure the safety of each meal. Park restaurant managers and supervisors will work one-on-one with guests and oversee the preparation of each allergen-friendly meal from start to finish. “Chef Cards,” filled out in advance by guests to outline the foods to avoid, are handed to a chef before the preparation of the meal.
All park restaurants are equipped and trained to take care of guests with allergen needs.
More menu options, ranging from gluten-free pizza to an allergen-friendly Shamu-shaped chocolate bar, enhance the experience for dining guests. For those on the go, the parks also provide prepackaged snacks such as cookies from companies that specialize in allergen-friendly foods including Divvies and Gluten Free to Go.
To help guests plan, detailed information on allergen-friendly services and helpful safety tips can be found online at each park’s web site. Guests can also download the Chef Cards and fill it out prior to their visit. At the parks, in-park educational handouts are available.
“We commend SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment for implementing a comprehensive food allergy training program, which we were pleased to help carry out,” said John Lehr, FAAN’s Chief Executive Officer. “Families often exhaustively research vacation options that will keep their loved ones with food allergies safe. SeaWorld has taken extra steps to educate its employees about the risks that families managing food allergies face on a daily basis.”
I am a lucky girl because I tend to get a LOT of visitors now that I live here in Florida, and I hardly ever have to brave the epic cold of New Hampshire! My parents visit at least once a year and we always look for new and fun things to do when they do visit. While we usually have a day at Disney and we have also gone to Sea World, but this year I decided to take my parents to Gatorland! I have not been since I was a wee little mocha princess and figured my parents would get a kick out of it! Especially my father who is TOTALLY AFRAID of Alligators!
Gatorland is so much more than just alligators at a price that doesn’t put a strain on your vacation experience!
At 110- acres, Gatorland provides affordable-priced family fun with thousands of alligators & crocodiles to see, an aviary, breeding marsh with observation tower, petting zoo, nature walk, award-winning gift shop and one-of-a-kind reptilian shows including the Gator Wrestlin’ Show, Gator Jumparoo and the Up-close Encounters Show.
Take a ride on the Gatorland Express train and then head on over to Gator Gully Splash Park where kids of all ages can enjoy a good ol’ fashion squirtfest!
Don’t miss the new rare white alligators on display for a limited engagement at Gatorland’s newest exhibit, White Gator Swamp. Featuring four of the world’s largest white leucistic alligators known to roam the planet, these giant Ivory colored reptiles are each ten to twelve feet in length and weigh over 800 pounds. Their piercing blue eyes are believed to have the ability to command good fortune to those lucky enough to make eye contact with the blue eyed beauties.
So after a great family Breakfast at Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, it was time to head down Orange Blossom Trail to Gatorland!
We were right on time for the Gator Jumparoo Show. This was a total riot! We saw Rednecks throwing raw meat at Gators trying to get them to jump out of the water… what was there not to like?
We then got to feed the HUGE Turtles a snack. I am beyond amazed that I got to feed a thousand pound turtle some carrots! Dean was one of the most gentle creatures I have ever met but BOY was he strong! In fact, the whole family got to feed him and that was a total highlight!
We went down the walking path and saw the little habitats that had small rattler snakes, cobras, and other kinds of snakes. We were sad to learn that while we walked past the Bird Aviary was closed (side note: I was NOT sad.. I HATE BIRDS, they scare the bananas out of me) so we trucked along to see the white alligators THESE THINGS CREEP ME OUT! They are all white/yellow skinned and have bright blue eyes… totally creepy. They are from Louisiana and as far as I am concerned, they can stay there!
All over the property they have habitats housing some HUGE Gators that have come from all over the USA to live at Gatorland. With names like Toxic and their bios stating that they come from neighborhoods where they were known for eating lots of dogs, I can understand why they were housed in their own sections. These Gators are NO joke!!!!
Before we went into the Gator Trail, we stopped by the cart to buy our Gator Food (which was really hot dogs) so we could feed some gators!!!! When you start walking around the river you see a few gators here and there, but when you feed the first one that they all come out of the woodwork. These HUGE gators move so fast for just a piece of hot dog. I don’t doubt that they are well fed, but they LOVE them some hot dogs! Watching these 8 and 9 foot gators come across the pond quite fast and seeing them snap and bite about 5 feet down, if it was even that far, for a piece of hot dog….. it was almost like being on Survivor. My dad was a tosser of the pieces and I was more of a throw down at them, because they they would react and snap at each other and make noise 🙂 So awesome!
After feeding the Gators we took the train around the property towards the Gatorland Wrestlin’ show! We were lucky to catch the last show of the day, We saw the guy pin a gator down, hold im with just his chin 10 different ways and put a gator to sleep with the slightest touch! The best part was the end of the show when they asked if anyone in the audience wanted to sit on a gator and get their picture taken! My Husband James Threw up 10 bucks for my father to do it! The same Father who is deathly afraid of gators. My Dad did the big kid thing and went down and got in line. To listen to him tell the story he “Wrassled that 35 foot gator to the ground who weighted at LEAST 4500 pounds and held him down with his brute strength” In all actuality, he knelt over a 7 foot alligator whose mouth was taped shut and smiled for a camera. I am still proud of him!
After the show ended we walked towards the exit looking at all the pools of baby gators and some of their turtle friends while still being really sad that the bird habitat had closed for the day 😉 This was a THOROUGHLY enjoyable day at Gatorland and we didn’t even take advantage of everything Gatorland had to offer. We didn’t go to the petting zoo or the bird aviary or the splash park or the Zip Line Adventure. I would recommend a day at Gatorland to ANYONE who hasn’t been! Kids and Adults both will love it! Please check out their website www.Gatorland.com to take a look at their offerings and map. They also offer all sorts of education packages and even Birthday Parties!
A BIG HUGE Thanks to my Friend Stacey who treated my family and I to a day at Gatorland! We had a blast and will TOTALLY visit again!
Estero, FL – The Orlando Solar Bears ended their preseason schedule with a 5-1 loss to the Florida Everblades at the Germain Arena on Saturday Night. The Solar Bears return to Estero to take on the Everblades in their inaugural ECHL game on Friday, October 12.
The Florida Everblades opened up the scoring after an attempted dump-in took a strange bounce off the boards and landed right on the stick of LW Mathieu Roy, who deposited it into an open net at the 6:16 mark. The lead was increased to 2-0 when C David Rutherford picked up a rebound and flipped a shot past a sprawled-out G Brooks Ostergard with 7:23 remaining in the period. Ostergard ended the first frame with 15 saves.
F Samson Mahbod cut the Everblades lead to 2-1 after a great pass from F David Lun found him all alone in the low-slot. Mahbod’s initial chance was stopped by Florida G Rob Madore, but Mahbod found his own rebound and tapped it home at 10:26 of the second stanza. The score remained 2-1 until LW Matt Marquardt blasted a one-timer into the top right corner of the net at 14:04, ending the period with a 3-1 Everblades lead.
Special teams became the story in the third period, as Marquardt lifted the Everblades to a 4-1 advantage with a shorthanded goal 2:59 into the period. C Trevor Bruess put home the game’s final goal on the power play with three minutes remaining, as the Everblades skated away with a 5-1 victory.
Power Plays: ORL: 0/5; FLA 1/5
Shots: ORL: 24; FLA: 38
Notes:
G Brian Markowicz served as an Emergency Backup Goaltender for the Solar Bears tonight… Tonight’s game marked the end of the Solar Bears preseason schedule. The team will play it’s inaugural regular season game at Florida on Friday, Oct. 12… The Solar Bears open the regular season with four straight games against Florida.
The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and AHL’s Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012. Individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games are now on sale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office.
Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.
Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call407-951-8200 or click here.
Estero, FL – The Orlando Solar Bears struck for two power play goals, but fell by the final score of 6-3 to the Florida Everblades at Germain Arena on Friday Night. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at the Germain Arena at 7:00 p.m.
Florida struck first, when a turnover in the neutral zone led to a 2-on-1 rush for the Everblades. F David Rutherford gathered a pass and snapped a shot over the shoulder of G Drew Palmisano at 5:22 of the frame. Orlando evened the score at 1-1 just over seven minutes later, as F Thomas Beauregard carried the puck out of the left wing corner and slid a puck through the legs of Everblades G Pat Nagle. The goal came on the power play at 12:31. It didn’t take long for Florida to regain their edge, as F Corey Trivino slapped a bouncing puck past Palmisano at 15:06, and 23 seconds later F Aaron Bogosian tallied to stretch the lead to 3-1.
1:13 into the second period, the Everblades stretched their lead to 4-1 when F Brandon MacLean struck for Florida. Orlando came right back, once again on the power play. After a flurry of shots, F Ian Watters found a rebound in front of the net and lifted the puck just under the crossbar to cut Florida’s lead to two. The Everblades ended the period on a beautiful pass from F Chad McQuaid that found Trivino wide open, lifting the Everblades to a 5-2 advantage.
The Solar Bears clawed their way back to within two when a shot from D Edward Levens was deflected by F Brett Lyon with 11:47 to play. Orlando’s comeback effort was cut short, as Rutherford added his second goal of the night with 6:20 left in the contest, boosting the Everblades to a 6-3 victory.
“This game gave me a great opportunity to evaluate some of our younger players,” said Head Coach Drake Berehowsky. Notes:
Forward T.J. Fox was released prior to the start of the game… The Solar Bears scored their first two goals of the game on the power play… F Brad Townsend received a five-minute major for fighting in the second period… G Brooks Ostergard entered the game 1:19 into the third period and played the remainder of the contest… Power plays: ORL: 2/7; FLA: 0/6… Shots: ORL: 32; FLA: 33.
The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and AHL’s Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012. Individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games are now on sale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office.
Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.
Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call407-951-8200 or click here.
Bears return to Estero to take on the Everblades in their inaugural ECHL game on Friday, October 12.