This morning Busch Gardens Tampa Bay announced their newest thrill ride to be joining the pantheon of great attractions in Spring of 2014.
From the Busch Gardens website:
Introducing Falcon’s Fury, Busch Gardens® Tampa’s newest thrill ride that lets you soar and dive like a magnificent bird of prey.
You’ll climb nearly 300 feet to an incredible view of the terrain beneath you, then pivot 90 degrees in midair to a daring dive position, eyes fixed on the ground far below. An instant later, you’ll plunge at 60mph straight down to where you started, with speed, power and adrenaline like you’ve never experienced before.
Take to the skies with Falcon’s Fury – only at Busch Gardens. Rising Spring 2014.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride–3D is set to have it’s grand opening on June 20, 2013, but the attraction is currently in technical rehearsals right now meaning that it will not be scheduled to open and can be closed at any time.
The N.E.S.T. building is impressive, especially now that Optimus Prime adorns the entrance rooftop above the attraction entrance.
The wait when I got to the attraction was 90 minutes, and the single rider line was being used sparingly. On our ride we were directed to use the Express Pass queue line.
Right before it’s your time to protect the AllSpark, N.E.S.T. agents are debriefing guests about their ride vehicle, EVAC.
Once you’re inside of EVAC, the ride vehicle, you know that this is going to be a really great attraction.
The attraction is very similar in feel to The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, because it uses the same ride vehicle and 3D glasses technology.
The graphics are well done and feel very real, like you are actually a part of the battle.
The story line and ride sequence of TRANSFORMERS: The Ride–3D are fun and intense!
Here is a closer look at EVAC, the newest transformer, is protecting the AllSpark from Megatron, so you are always being chased by him and the Decepticons. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and other autobots help out you and EVAC along the way to help defeat the Decepticons.
TRANSFORMERS: The Ride–3D was really entertaining, and I cannot wait to ride it again! But since it is a new attraction, you will want to be prepared for a long wait especially if you are visiting before it officially opens.
Now through June 21, 2013 Tables in Wonderland Members will receive discounts on the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba, which you can see at Downtown Disney Westside.
The discounted La Nouba performances are on Tuesdays – Saturdays, 6:00pm & 9:00pm, and can be up to 35% off depending on which category you purchase!
25% Discount for Category 2 Tickets:
Adult: $69.75 plus tax
Child: $55.50 plus tax
35% Discount for Category 3 Tickets:
Adult: $48.75 plus tax
Child: $39.00 plus tax
35% Discount for Category 4 Tickets:
Adult: $39.65 plus tax
Child: $31.85 plus tax
To take advantage of this discount, you can either call all 407-WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328) or you can visit
It’s important to know that Tables in Wonderland members may purchase tickets for themselves and up to three (3) Guests for these discounted shows of La Nouba. And you must also be able to show a current, valid Tables in Wonderland card to receive discount, when tickets are picked up at La Nouba Box Office Will Call window.
This is a great deal, and is a wonderful opportunity to see this great show!
Orlando City Lions undefeated in last 25 regular season home matches
Behind 87th and 90th minute goals by Jamie Watson and Dom Dwyer, Orlando City (10-1-2, 32 points) topped visiting Antigua Barracuda FC (0-10-0, 0 points) 2-0 Sunday night at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The win marked the 25th consecutive regular season home match without defeat, dating back to June of 2011.
The Lions controlled possession early on, with the team adjusting to a lineup that featured 10 different starters from Friday night’s 2-0 win over the visiting Phoenix FC. Players including Defenders Justin Clark and Brian Fekete, along with former Orlando City U23s defensive stalwart Oumar Diakhite, made their first starts of the 2013 season- getting valuable minutes under their belts against Antigua.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Early chances by Midfielders Adama Mbengue and Assistant Coach/Midfielder Ian Fuller loosened up the Antigua backline toward the middle of the first half, with the Lions gaining more chances as the match went on. Mbengue and Fuller both had attempts ring off the right-hand post, coming dangerously close to the back of the net. The chances continued to mount for Orlando, but despite the increased pressure the clubs went into halftime tied 0-0.
League-leading scorer Dom Dwyer, Forward Long Tan and Midfielder Jamie Watson came in after the break to give the Lions a spark up front, looking to get by the Antigua backline. After chipping away and earning continued chances, Orlando finally got their chance with three minutes left to play in regulation.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Former Portland Timber Midfielder Freddie Braun was making a turn in the 18-yard box in the 86th minute, only for Barracuda Defender Dublin George to trip Braun- awarding Orlando the penalty. Watson converted in the bottom-left corner past Goalkeeper Molvin James, putting the Lions up 1-0. The penalty conversion marked the second straight game in which Watson converted an attempt and his seventh goal of the season.
The Lions weren’t done, with Watson finding Dwyer on a well-played ball past the Antigua defense, with the striker scoring his 15th of the season in the 90th. The conversion extended Dwyer’s single-season record of goals in a USL PRO season, which he broke on Friday in the team’s win over Phoenix.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Goalkeeper Jon Kempin, who saw his first regular season start since an April 19th match against the LA Blues, played the full 90 minutes Sunday night behind a steady Orlando backline. The 0-0 draw was the Kansas native’s first shutout in purple colors since coming on loan at the beginning of the season.
Tonight’s win marked the 25th consecutive match the Lions have been undefeated in USL PRO regular season play at home, dating back to the team’s inaugural season in June of 2011 (Antigua). The Lions are 7-0-0 at home in 2013, scoring 25 goals while only allowing six at Fifth Third Bank Field at the Florida Citrus Bowl.
Head Coach Adrian Heath looked past the three points after the match, saying the team needs to improve and was not impressed with the club’s play.
“We were pathetic,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I feel sorry for the supporters who came out and watched that performance. I’ve learned an awful lot about a lot of people today.”
Orlando enters into the fourth round of the US Open Cup this Wednesday, June 12, in Kansas City, Kansas, against Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Sporting Kansas City. The Lions topped the Colorado Rapids 3-1 on May 28 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, marking the first time in franchise history the club has beaten an MLS club in the US Open Cup. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. EST.
The four players on loan from SKC, including Dom Dwyer, Jon Kempin, Christian Duke and Yann Songo’o, will be unavailable for selection on Wednesday. For more information on Wednesday’s match, visit Orlandocitysoccer.com.
Alex Schierholtz/Sportstalk Florida
Orlando City Match Recap
Team 1 2 Final
Orlando City 0 2 2
Antigua Barracuda FC 0 0 0
Scoring Summary:
ORL- Jamie Watson (penalty) 87th
ORL- Dom Dwyer (Jamie Watson) 90th
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City- GK Jon Kempin, D Erik Ustruck, Oumar Diakhite, Justin Clark, Brian Fekete (Bryan Burke 66’), M Adama Mbengue (Jamie Watson 53’), Christian Duke, Ian Fuller (Dom Dwyer 46’), Freddie Braun, Jonathan Mendoza, F Dennis Chin (Long Tan 53’)
Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is a premier professional soccer sports franchise in the United States and is a member of the USL PRO. The Lion’s pro team has won two regular season titles and one postseason championship during their short time in Orlando. Outside of the pro squad, OCSC also has their own youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U23s team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.orlandocitysoccer.com and www.orlandocityyouth.org.
Summer sizzles at Epcot as some of the world’s greatest tribute bands rock the stage on select summer nights. Classic hits U2, The Bee Gees, The Police, and many more will rock during Sounds Like Summer concert series. The high-energy performances for Walt Disney World Resort guests take place at the open-air America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase.
The Sounds Like Summer Concert Schedule:
Entertainment subject to change without notice
June 9 to 15: Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees
June 16 to 22: Hotel California ~ A Salute to the Eagles
June 23 to 29: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot ~ The Ultimate Billy Joel Tribute Show
June 30 to July 6: Slippery When Wet ~ The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
July 7 to 13: SouthBound and Company ~ A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
July 14 to 20: The Police Experience ~ A Tribute to The Police
July 21 to 27: 2U ~ A Tribute to U2
Stayin’ Alive ~ A Tribute to the Bee Gees kicks off the Sound Like Summer Concert Series on Saturday, June 9 at the America Gardens Theatre in the Epcot World Showcase
Show times are 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m. – except on July 4 when show times are 5:15, 6:30, 7:45 and 9 p.m.
Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with Epcot admission.
Universal Orlando recently debuted Fast Food Boulevard in Springfield, where the Simpson ride is located, in Universal Studios Florida. There is still more of Springfield to be completed later this summer, but be sure to check out this new area! It is a must-see for any Simpsons fan!
Colorful murals cover the walls in the main eating area of Fast Food Boulevard.
Within Fast Food Boulevard, you can find Krusty Burger, The Frying Dutchman, Luigi’s Pizza, and more. It is set up like a food court, and you can move about to decide what you would like to eat. A queue line and menus are available and will be in use during busier times.
The Krusty Burger comes with a 6 oz burger, secret sauce, lettuce, tomato, and cheddar cheese sauce all served on a specialty bun. It comes with ‘kurly’ fries and a pickle spear. You can also substitute fresh fruit or apple sauce for the fries for a slightly healthier option.
The ‘World Famous Lard Lad Donut’ can feed a group of friends. It is so good!
In addition to the outside entrance, you find that Moe’s Tavern also has an entrance off of the food court area. They have televisions playing a loop of scenes from The Simpsons that take place at Moe’s.
The best table in the room to sit at has to be the pool table!
You can even purchase a flaming Moe or Duff Beer , available in 3 varieties, in the food court, but it feels more authentic to order them in Moe’s Tavern!
The Flaming Moe is non-alcoholic, and is a must buy just to watch it smoke and bubble! It tastes similar to carbonated Orange Tang. Oh, and only Moe knows what makes it ‘flaming’.
I hope that you enjoyed this look at Fast Food Boulevard in Springfield, and we can’t wait for the rest of this area to open at Universal Studios Florida!
We’ll also be uploading even more pictures from Fast Food Boulevard to our Facebook Page, so be sure to swing by and check them out and ‘Like’ us!
Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day as Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist June 15-16, 2013. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event also showcases meet and greets with Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters, a sock hop at Splitsville, select discounts on food and shopping, and more exciting entertainment for the whole family.
Car Masters Weekend June 15 to June 16, 2013 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Cars Meet ‘n’ Greet — Take pictures and get to know some of your favorite Characters from Cars and Cars 2, including Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.
Downtown Disney Car Show — Lock your eyes on over 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars along the promenade. Pick your favorites and see which ones win awards.
Auto Personality Appearances — Fill up your schedule with special appearances by automotive legend Chip Foose, as well as Disney•Pixar’s Cars filmmaker Jay Ward. Purchase exclusive Chip Foose merchandise—you could get it signed by the man himself!
Disney•Pixar’s Cars Movie Marathon — See some of your favorite characters back on the big screen during a double feature of Disney•Pixar’s Cars and Cars 2 at AMC® Downtown Disney 24.
Car Masters Merchandise — Take the event home with you by making a purchase from a large selection of Cars-themed merchandise and event-specific souvenirs.
Exclusive Disney Activities — Race over to play Disney Infinity; then get revved up for future Disney film releases with interactive fun.
Go for a Test Drive — Take some of the Cars 2 RideMakerz models for a remote control test drive—you can even buy your own and take them home!
Exotic Driving Experience — Get up close to real-life supercars and learn how you can get behind the wheel at Walt Disney World Speedway.
Idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase — Pose for photos inside some of the newest models and discover the latest designs and technologies.
In a race for ‘Best in Show’ at Sunday’s awards ceremony, car enthusiasts from the local Muscle Car Network of Central Florida will display more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars for families to view and vote on their favorites. Guests also can take pictures with favorite Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.
Revving up the fun, legendary automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney•Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward will host celebrity chat shows on the Car Masters Stage throughout the weekend. Foose, who contributed to the design of Ramone in the Disney•Pixar “Cars” film, also will be on-hand for autograph sessions and will have Chip Foose design items available for purchase at the event.
New this year, Splitsville – the luxury bowling emporium — will take guests for a spin on the dance floor when it hosts the first Car Masters Weekend Sock Hop. This rockin’ and rollin’ special event, taking place Saturday from 6-9 p.m., features live entertainment, a fun bowling competition, a buffet of Splitsville delights, a limited bar, raffle prizes and special appearances by Foose and Ward. A limited number of Sock Hop tickets will be available beginning June 5 at DisneyCarEvent.com for $69 per person.
Sock-Hop at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
June 15, 2013
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Disney’s Sock-Hop Dancers – Watch these dancers strut their stuff with moves from the 50s and 60s. Then, get into the groove as a DJ spins tunes both old and new.
Celebrity Meet ‘N’ Greets – Meet automotive legend Chip Foose, as well as Disney•Pixar’s Cars filmmaker Jay Ward—meet the minds behind the wheel!
Delightful Food and Beverages – Take your pick from an appetizing buffet, complete with pizza, a nacho bar and Splitsville’s famous sliders. Price of admission comes with 2 tickets for select alcoholic beverages.
Bowling Competition – Get out on lanes and put your skills on the line against fellow Guests during an exciting bowling contest (limited availability).
Also making Car Masters Weekend debuts are a special street performance by artists with La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, a chance for guests to play the upcoming Disney Infinity video game and new interactive activities based on future Disney film releases “Monsters University,” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Planes.”
Fan-favorite Car Masters elements returning this year include the chance to test drive remote control “Cars 2″ RideMakerz models; vehicles on display from the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway; live performances by the Car Masters Singers and DJ’s spinning classic-car tunes from the ’50′s and ’60′s. Guests also can idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase, pose for photographs inside the newest Chevrolet models and discover the latest in design and automotive technology. In addition, fans can purchase tickets for an all-day “Cars” and “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24.
The event will take place at Downtown Disney West Side from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For more information, visit DisneyCarEvent.com.
Women-focused event to offer 10K, new challenge and special edition medals fit for a Princess; Special Princess and Tinker Bell half marathon registration available June 11
Annual Passholders and DVC Members are able to register for these runDisney Princess Half Marathon races on June 6th!
Building on the success of its women focused events, runDisney is broadening the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend at Walt Disney World Resort next year by adding a 10K and a new two-race challenge.
The Princess 10K gives runners of various levels more opportunities to run through Disney theme parks and receive a specially-designed finisher medal. And runners looking for an even bigger challenge can sign up for the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday (19.3 miles total) to earn the inaugural Disney Glass Slipper Challenge Medal to go along with medals from each individual race.
The Princess Half Marathon Weekend, scheduled for Feb. 20-23, is one of two women focused runDisney events. The other is the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January at Disneyland Resort in California. Both races are among the largest womenspecific running events in the country and focus on healthy active lifestyles for women and girls.
For instance, after nearly 7,500 runners ran in the inaugural Princess Half Marathon event in 2009, the popularity of the race has grown considerably with more than 26,000 registered runners for last year’s race.
Some enhancements are being made to this year’s runDisney Princess Half Marathon, and they include:
Lowering weekend capacity by 2,000 runners, mostly in the half marathon
Proof of time required from runners anticipating a finish time of 3:15 or less
More corrals allowing runners with similar abilities to be grouped together and therefore spreading out the field on the course
No corral changes based on proof of time will be made after December 1, 2013.
The three-Day Disney’sFit For A Princess Expo will return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Also new in 2014 is a special edition runDisney Coast-to-Coast Race Challenge Medal for runners participating in the 2014 Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland in January and the 2014 Princess Half Marathon five weeks later at Walt Disney World. Finishers receive the coveted medal featuring the likeness of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse with a pink overlay and lanyard.
New Coast to Coast Medal
Registration for the 2014 Princess Half Marathon opens to the public on June 11 at www.runDisney.com, however Annual Passholders and DVC Members can register June 6.
A limited number of runners will have the opportunity to register for both the Princess and Tinker Bell Half Marathon at that time. Those not securing an early registration for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon will have a second chance when on-line registration officially opens on July 9.
Both the Princess and Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekends include signature runDisney events including a health and fitness expo geared towards women, kids races, a family fun run 5K, as well as featured half marathons for both weekend.
For more information and to register for runDisney events, visit www.runDisney.com.
About runDisney
runDisney is a series of seven event weekends providing runners unique opportunities to run various distances through Disney theme parks. Race participants earn Disneythemed medals, experience legendary Disney entertainment and guest service and ultimately celebrate their accomplishments with a Disney vacation. The original event in the series, the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna, takes place in January followed by the Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend in February, Expedition Everest Challenge in May, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in October and the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend in November. Disneyland hosts the Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon in September during Labor Day Weekend. More than 125,000 running enthusiasts participate in runDisney events each year.
For more information, visit RunDisney online and follow us on Facebook , and Twitter.
I remember the first time I ever heard of WEDWay Radio. Three friends of mine were sitting with me outside a Starbucks in Nashville in January of 2011. We were talking about the Disney community and the subject of podcasts was mentioned. They told me about this great podcast that they all listened to and said I should check it out. The production quality of the show was great and it was produced by two brothers, but they warned me I wouldn’t know they were brothers until several episodes in to the podcast.
Those brothers, Nate and Matt Parrish, started the WEDWay Radio podcast back in February of 2009, releasing episode 5 (the first they’ve decided is good enough for public listening despite my protestations and begging and pleading for episodes 1-4). On their website, Nate explains why they started the podcast: First, we felt that that there were not enough resources available on Disney theme park history. Though we own a lot of books and have lots of memorabilia, there are a lot of stories out there that need to be told about how different attractions came to be and maybe some ideas that never were built.
Honestly, I kind of forgot about that conversation until a few months later when I saw another friend tweet about a new episode of WEDWay Radio about Disney and the Tiki culture of the 1950s (ep 75 from 6/19/11). If I was ever going to check out an episode, this would be it as I love tikis and tropical decorations. I downloaded and listened to the episode and loved it. Shortly after I listened to that episode I started a new job and things were in a bit of flux for a while for me. In January of 2012 I picked it back up at the most recent episode 105, then decided in February to start at the beginning with episode 5 to listen all the way through to the present at over 100 episodes in. It took me about five months and with each subsequent episode, I fell more in love with this podcast.
What makes me appreciate WEDWay Radio so much is that Matt and Nate really do seem to love what they do. It is a labor of love and the effort they put into each show is very evident, from the production quality with clips and background music to the research involved in some of the subjects. As they mention in the intro to most of the episodes, this is a podcast “about exploring the Disney parks, Disney history and the Walt Disney Company.” This can cover such a wide variety of topics like theme park attractions or lands that were never built, to the history of getting the first animated feature film released, to resort reviews and experiences the guys had growing up on family trips.
As time progressed, I spent so much time listening to Matt and Nate, they seemed to become like brothers to me as I often heard their voices more often than that of my own brother. We interact on a pretty regular basis on twitter and/or facebook and seem to have common interests. These are nice, normal guys from Missouri who put out a fantastic show for the most part weekly. Nate and I tried to meet up on one of his trips here to Walt Disney World, but a family illness curtailed that meeting. Matt and I were lucky enough to hang out for a few hours this spring in Epcot while he and his family were here on vacation.
WEDWay Now
The sister podcast to WEDWay Radio is WEDWay Now, which had a reboot of sorts last summer. Previously, the Now show existed in the same iTunes feed as the regular WEDWay Radio shows. In June of 2012 it was put into its own place and became a show to talk more about current news and as a forum to invite on guests from the Disney community. Some shows don’t have guests, but will feature things more like announcements of upcoming changes to the parks or the guys will often talk about new movies in development or recently released. I enjoy this show as well as it is a bit more off the cuff and conversational with Nate and Matt’s opinions more so than the more informational episodes of WEDWay Radio.
On average a WEDWay Radio episode tends to run about an hour to an hour and a half and the Now shows are usually a bit shorter at 30 – 45 minutes on average. I thoroughly enjoy both of these podcasts and highly recommend them to anyone who is interested in learning about the history of the Disney parks or the history of the Company. They often split the topics pretty evenly between Disneyland and Walt Disney World, with occasional episodes covering even the international Disney parks. The guys have just started their latest series which is about Fantasyland and three dimensional reality. If this is anything like any of their previous series (40 Years of Magic at Walt Disney World, Epcot’s 30th Anniversary or Snow White), then we are all in for a treat. I cannot wait to see what else Matt and Nate have in store in the future. WEDWay Radio has deservingly been nominated the last two years consecutively for the Best Travel Podcast by the Podcast Awards.
These are two of the podcasts that I most look forward to each week. Both WEDWay Radio and WEDWay Now can be found on iTunes. Currently they are selling t-shirts with two limited time only designs available at the WEDWay Radio online store here. If you are looking for a new podcast about Disney history of all kinds from the man himself, to how the company has grown over the years, to the movie schedule slated for 2015, check out both WEDWay Radio and WEDWay Now. If you really like what you find, support the guys by buying one of their really cool shirt designs or by checking out some of the books they’ve talked about by clicking through to Amazon from their site. Any way you can, take the time to check out the great offerings produced by the Parrish brothers and share the love if you have already.
What makes Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM, Orlando’s can’t-miss waterpark? By offering the latest and hottest deal for locals to enjoy Central Florida’s coolest beach again and again – including the After-2 p.m. Pass.
For the cost of a single day’s admission, guests can enjoy Aquatica after 2 p.m. throughout the rest of 2013. With no blackout dates and unlimited admission after 2 p.m., Orlando’s coolest beach is a hit for all ages time after time. Whether it’s tiny tots splashing around in Kata’s Kookaburra Cove®, teens sliding down Taumauta Racer® or adults relaxing on the laid-back beaches, guests can enjoy Aquatica all year long.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM, is a one-of-a-kind waterpark that could only come from SeaWorld®. Inspired by a whimsical take on the South Seas, the park immerses guests in the playfulness of the sea, taking them in, over and under the water with the world’s most unique water rides and animal encounters.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark, mixes animal experiences, waters from serene to extreme, high speed waterslide thrills and wide, sandy beaches to create a day of non-stop fun.
Aquatica, SeaWorld’s WaterparkTM, After-2 p.m. Pass is $50 for children, ages 3-9, and $55 for adults.
To learn more or to buy your After-2 p.m. pass, visit AquaticaOrlando.com, call 888-800-5447, or visit our ticket counters at Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark.
This week’s Wordless Wednesday takes us to the Universal Orlando Resort’s Men in Black Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida is where rookies go to train with the best of the best…just don’t look into the light…
Summer Nights Bring Nightly Fireworks Back to Busch Gardens Tampa
Add Exciting Entertainment and World-Class Coasters in the Dark, and Busch Gardens is THE Place to Be Every Night This Summer!
Busch Gardens’ Summer Nights amps up the excitement year-after-year, and 2013 promises to offer even more after-dark entertainment and fun for the whole family with a new rock-n-roll musical production at the Desert Grill and the return of guests’ favorites, including an energizing acrobatics show featuring Kinetix, and an amazing fireworks finale every night of the event.
Starting this Saturday, June 8 through Aug. 18, guests will experience extended park hours, special entertainment, high-energy DJs, and the thrill of riding world-class coasters in the dark, including Busch Gardens’ triple-launch coaster Cheetah Hunt®.
The award-winning Kinetix show returns to Summer Nights with nightly performances of its rock-fueled blast of music and acrobatics. The show’s energizing performances include live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world. Their thrilling performance, along with modern music and pyrotechnic effects, will pump up the crowd every night in Gwazi Park at 9 p.m.
Gates open at 8 p.m., so arrive early to ensure a good spot and enjoy the Party Starters’ pre-show interactive games and dancing.
NEW! Born to Rock
Feel the beat and get ready to let loose with Busch Gardens Tampa’s Born to Rock! Follow along with Arvin as he unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of a rock-n-roll musical production, filled with mash-ups of contemporary music and high-energy choreography. A live guitarist, belly dancers and a top-notch circus round out this excitingly wonderful whirlwind of color and music.
Fireworks Light Up the Sky Every Night
Celebrate the perfect end to the evening with an amazing fireworks finale. Busch Gardens lights up the sky every night of the event with an incredible aerial display set to popular music. The best views are in Gwazi Park, right after the nightly Kinetix show, but the fireworks are visible from all over the park.
On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Party Starters will host dance challenges all day throughout the park and pick the most outgoing guests to compete in the Dance-Off competition that evening. The Dance-Off will be a three-round competition starting at 7 p.m. in the Desert Grill. The audience picks the winner with “the best moves” by applause, and first prize is four tickets to come back to Busch Gardens Tampa.
Don’t forget that Busch Gardens is the place to be this summer – both day AND night – with brand-new attractions that offer exciting entertainment for everyone. See Busch Gardens’ biggest ice show ever, Iceploration, bringing to life an all-new adventure filled with world-class skaters, original costumes, amazing aerial performances, master puppetry and live animal stars. The park’s Animal Care Center welcomes guests to closely observe and even take part in the animal care experience in this new state-of-the-art facility. And the park’s mega-attraction and Florida’s first triple-launch coaster, Cheetah Hunt®, launches riders from 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. If going from zero to cheetah is not your speed, guests can watch as Busch Gardens’ cheetahs sprint several times a day in Cheetah Run.
Park hours for Summer Nights are extended until 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Summer Nights is included with daily admission or any annual pass.
NEW!The hottest ticket this summer is the 3-Park Summer Sizzler. This new, limited-time offer lets guests enjoy unlimited admission to Busch Gardens Tampa and unlimited weekday(Monday – Friday) admission to Adventure Island™ and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™ Orlando, now through Labor Day for only $99. Florida’s best resident summer value is valid from the date of purchase through Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2013. Valid for Florida residents only (photo ID required); price is $99 plus tax. Take advantage of the Summer Sizzler online at Buschgardens.com or AdventureIsland.com, by calling (888) 800-5447, or at the front gates at Busch Gardens, Adventure Island™ and Aquatica, SeaWorld’s Waterpark™.
The Rainbow Collection Letter Carrier Available ONLY online!!!
While we are all anxiously awaiting the availability of the Rainbow Collection Letter Carrier with a white background that is going be offered exclusively at DisneyStore.com today, there is new offer to make the deal even sweeter!
If you are purchasing this or any other Disney Dooney & Bourke purse from DisneyStore.com over $75.00, make sure you enter the Promo Code ‘DOONEY’ at check out to be able to purchase a Disney Dooney & Bourke cosmetic case in the Mickey Mouse Buttons pattern for only $25.00!!!
Disney Dooney & Bourke Buttons Case
The Disney Dooney & Bourke Promo Code Details per DisneyStore.com:
Offer expires at 11:59 PM PST June 30, 2014. Limited-time offer, while supplies last. Purchase with Purchase pricing applies only on orders over $75 on Dooney & Bourke Disney Parks Authentic Merchandise. Qualifying purchase based on $75 pre-tax, and post-discount amount and excludes the purchase with purchase cosmetic case, Gift cards, Gift certificates, and Disney Theme Park passes. Offer cannot be combined with other promo code based promotions. The $25 price of the Dooney & Bourke Buttons cosmetic case will automatically be applied to the order. Limit of one purchase with purchase per order. Merchandise must be exchanged for identical item or returned at discounted price with valid packing slip. No adjustments to prior purchases. Valid on phone orders, orders placed online at DisneyStore.com and Disney Store outlet locations. Discounts based on original retail prices. Intermediate markdowns may have been applied. Disney E-Commerce reserves the right to cancel or modify this offer at any time. Void where prohibited.
Playing in a tournament at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at the Walt Disney World Resort is a dream come true for many athletes, and getting there is often a labor of love for Team Parents! Disney Sports Solutions helps make the process so much easier! From fundraising support to photography to custom event merchandise, they have help for you and your team.
Gene Kousoulas, Head Coach of Tappan Zee Softball Team, has brought several teams to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex over the years, and always looks forward to returning.
“The team is always excited to be traveling away from New York, and the fields at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are always great” say Kousoulas.
Mr. Kousoulas also encourages teams to communicate as much as they can with their Disney Travel Coordinators, because they are there to help and are always ready with solutions.
Marybeth our host for the Team Mom Disney Sports Solutions Breakfast.
At a Team Mom Breakfast held in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, Marybeth, a specialized Cast Member, helped several Team Moms whose teams were playing at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex get to know some of the facilities and services offered at the Complex better. Also, they held some pretty great giveaways that were special bonuses for the teams.
Fun Team Mom Breakfast Goodies
The first thing that Marybeth introduced us to was the Welcome Center. The Welcome Center is really the heart and soul of the ESPN Wide World of Sports. It is centrally located in the Complex, and is available to help in any way that they can. At the Welcome Center you’ll find Cast Members who are solutions oriented with extensive training in Sports Travel, Guest Relations, and Event Planning. If you have questions about what to do before and after your competition, this is your one stop for purchasing Disney Theme Park Tickets, making Disney Dining Reservations, finding Recreation Options, Golf Reservations, Planning Celebration Events, and Transportation Tips just to name a few.
If you are out on the fields and need information, help is never too far from even the outermost field! Welcome Center Cast Members are always at the fields and for larger events there are mobile stations set-up around the complex.
The Welcome Center is an amazing tool for teams visiting the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex!
There are several dining options at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, but for busy teams on the go there are several ways to make sure that your team is fueled with healthy food that doesn’t take away from their time at the Complex. The first option available is box breakfasts and lunches. These meals are made fresh daily ($6.99 per breakfast and $7.99 per lunch), can be ordered online prior to arrival, are customizable for team members with allergies, and most importantly can be delivered directly to the field where you are playing.
Box lunches being distributed at ESPN Wide World of Sports fields.
We got to have a breakfast box during the Team Mom Breakfast, and it was a good amount of food that was great fuel for the day. However, you can also have pizzas delivered to your field, there are several quick service options, and there is always the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill.
Our Box Breakfast was a great way to start the morning.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill is a quick-service restaurant located near the entrance of the Complex. The Grill is perfect for large groups, and is a high energy environment with six HD displays playing sports and sports news, a full-service bar, and even a replica of the ESPN SportsCenter Desk for fun photo opportunities for your team! My favorite feature is the bank of Coca-Cola Freestyle Machines…but I am a sucker for Cherry Coke!!!
ESPN Wide World of Sports Gameday Photos provides teams with photo solutions that are extremely unique and high quality!
Josh Shortened is one of the Gameday Photographers at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
The Gameday Photos photographers are highly trained to catch just the right moment in your athlete’s game, and are available for individual or team pictures. The best part of the Gameday Photography is that once you purchase the CD of images, which are guaranteed to have at least 150 photos, the rights to those pictures are yours and you can print out and share them as much as you can with friends and family!
If you want to take part in this really personal photography experience, you will want to make arrangements in advance. It is also important to know that the sessions are pre-paid and scheduled by the game, however there are multiple game discounts available. Individual Gameday Photos start at $99 for a single game and Team Gameday Photos start at $169 for a single game.
Events at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex are recorded and broadcasted in several different ways to really make athletes feel like they have really made it to the big leagues!
The dedicated video department at Wide World of Sports is truly a Disney-Sized ESPN with a control room, editing bays, and bustling camera operators. It is truly an amazing thing to see!
Inside the Broadcast Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Parents, coaches, and athletes are able to watch game highlights on a channel 25 in their Walt Disney World Resort hotel room, often games are broadcasted live on ESPN3.com, and highlights are shown on various ESPN platforms such as ESPN.com, ESPN2, and SportsCenter.
Information, live event coverage, and more are featured on screens all over ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Sharing your video highlights with friends and family at home is also easy, because ESPN Wide World of Sports makes some event games available on their YouTube channel and their Facebook Page.
The Custom Tee Center by Champion® is a way to customize your experience at the ESPN Wide World of Sports! After purchasing an event or customizable t-shirt, visit the Custom Tee Center by Champion® to really make the shirt your own. With more than 50 designs available to commemorate your accomplishments, the Center located inside the entrance to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill is a must-do in the Complex!
A visit to the Playstation® Pavilionis a great way to keep the game going! These seventeen PS3™ systems on 40-inch HDTVs are fully stocked with new game titles. The cost to play is $5 per 30 minutes, and is a fun way to wind down from an exciting event.
Business Center coming soon, and will provide access to computers, printers, charging stations, etc, for those busy parents and coaches who want to communicate about their team’s competition through email, websites, social media, and keep up with their careers while on the road.
The Disney Parks Mom’s Panel is a great way to get pre-arrival planning advice from two ESPN Wide World of Sports Specialists. These Mom’s Panel members provide team moms and coaches with tips, advice and direction to make their youth sports travel easier.
The Hess Fields were busy with the Disney Memorial Day Soccer Shootout
I got to speak with Angie Gregg from Hummelstown, PA, whose daughters love Disney and have competed in several soccer tournaments, and even won the Disney’s President Day Festival in February 2012, at the ESPN Wide World of Sports!
Angie’s family loves how they can add extra days on to their team stay to make these tournaments into vacation opportunities for the whole family. She also encourages Team Moms to play a year ahead for their fundraising events to ensure that as many team members as possible can make the journey for this amazing sports opportunity.
The ESPN Wide World of Sports team understands how important Fundraising is to teams, and offers a wide variety of Fundraising Assistance Programs.
The Dream Team Donation Program – Teams are given the opportunity to raffle off a Disney vacation as well as keep 75% of proceeds from raffle ticket sales. Teams also have the opportunity to sell ESPN The Magazine subscriptions and keep 75% of all profits. And a rebate program with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Alamo Rent A Car which allows a team to earn fundraising dollars by gaining 5% of every rental car purchase through the team’s fundraiser site
Baseball in Champion Stadium are always exciting.
Equipment Drop-off is a really great service that ESPN Wide World of Sports offers! Coaches can drop off their team’s equipment at the front of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and it will be delivered to the team’s field of play.
Little Champions program offers fun games and activities available on-site for younger siblings, freeing parents and coaches up so they can stay focus on the competition.
With so many great Disney Sports Solutions, beautiful grounds, and helpful Cast Members at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex it is easy to see why it is a premier sporting destination that you will definitely want to check out!
