October 11, 2013 - On the Go in MCO

Universal Orlando Resort Vacation Package Offers!

UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT GUESTS GET A THIRD NIGHT AND THIRD DAY FREE WITH EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

Universal Orlando Resort is introducing two new offers that give families more time together to enjoy the incredible thrills of Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Starting today, guests who buy a 2-day park ticket will get a third day FREE. And guests who purchase a two-night vacation package at a Universal Partner Hotel get the third night FREE, plus a third day FREE to enjoy the theme parks.

At Universal Orlando, families create one-of-a-kind memories – all while experiencing the unique entertainment at both theme parks. And with the additions of Springfield – hometown to America’s favorite animated family, The Simpsons – and the all-new TRANSFORMERS: The Ride-3D, where guests can join the epic battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, there has never been a more exciting time to visit Universal Orlando Resort.

Additional details about these exclusive offers can be found below.

Exclusive Ticket and Vacation Package Offers

OFFER

DETAILS

3^rd Day FREE Ticket Offer

**Starts at $125.99 per adult

2-day Base ticket to experience Universal Orlando’s theme parks – with the third day FREE

*Tickets are available for purchase Oct. 10, 2013 through May 9, 2014 and are valid for three days during a 14-day period which includes the first day of use. All ticket usage must be completed on or before May 22, 2014 when the ticket will expire in full.

3^rd Night FREE Vacation Package

**Starts at $229 per adult

Two nights of accommodations at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel – with the third night FREE
2-day Base ticket to experience Universal Orlando’s theme parks – with the third day FREE
Early Park Admission to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens
Access to live entertainment at Universal CityWalk
FREE scheduled transportation between Universal Orlando and hotel
And more!

**Vacation package is available for purchase from Oct. 10, 2013 through Dec. 15, 2013for travel beginning Nov. 1 through Dec. 22, 2013.

Additional vacation package options are also available online, enabling guests to stay in the heart of the excitement at one of Universal Orlando’s three on-site AAA Four Diamond hotels. On-site hotel guests can enjoy exclusive benefits such as free Universal Express access to skip the regular lines at participating rides and attractions and complimentary on-site transportation via water taxi or shuttle bus. And when guests book a three-night or more on-site vacation package for travel before Dec. 25, 2013, kids eat free at any one of Universal Orlando Resort’s three deluxe on-site hotels, and play free at Hollywood Drive-In Golf at Universal CityWalk.

For more information about Universal Orlando’s vacation packages and the theme parks, visit www.UniversalOrlando.com.

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Brick or Treat at LEGOLAND Florida

Unlike so many others, Halloween is not my favorite holiday. I never really got into as a child and I still don’t. However, when I saw that LEGOLAND Florida was holding their Brick or Treat event, I was game!

Brick or Treat is held on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) during October and the fun begins as soon as you head into Fun Town!

A lot of the action is located around the Grand Carousel area. A couple of times when we were walking by we saw a show going on with a juggler, which was quite fun because there was some kid involvement happening and lots of laughs from the audience.

I found Max hanging out in his firefighter costume!

The three characters, Buddy, Max, and Mummy alternate hanging out by the Grand Carousel for a fun photo opportunity! There is a list of the characters that you’ll find on the times guide.

If your child decides to wear a costume (which they should because I saw some AMAZING ones!), they can enter to be in the costume contest. You can sign them up in front of the Fun Town Theater, which is also where the contest is held. There are three age groups for the contests, 0-3 years, 4-8 years, 9-12 years. Make sure you check out the Brick or Treat guide for the contest times.

In front of the Fun Town Theater is…wait for it…the world’s LARGEST LEGO pumpkin. Yep. It’s as amazing as it sounds. You get to step inside for a super cool photo opp!

Inside Miniland they have integrated a Monster Fighter game (of sorts.) You have to go through and find five ghosts and unscramble the letters that are around the signs in Miniland. The cool part is once you complete the hunt you can enter to win a prize pack…which I need to go back and complete the scavenger hunt so I can try to get the hook up on that prize!!

One of the main attractions is the Brick or Treat Trail.

This is where kids (under 12) can go through and collect goodies! While I didn’t have any kids in my party, I had to go through and see the set up. Lots of different sponsors, so the kids seemed to be getting some pretty sweet (no pun intended) treats.

The Trail opens at 1PM, however, if you have an annual pass, you can beat the line and head down the Trail at noon!

On Saturdays there is a Monster Mash dance party in Miniland! From what I saw there is a DJ set up and I can only imagine the fun that’s bound to be had in Miniland when there’s music. Also during the dance party, the costume contest winners will be announced!

If you’re on the hunt for some of the Monster Fighter LEGO sets, you’ll get a GREAT discount on these sets during Brick or Treat – 20% off, which is one of the best sales that I’ve ever seen on LEGOs. I already had the Haunted House or it would have come home with me!

Happy treating…brick or treating! 🙂

Food & Wine Weekends

Running in concurrence with the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, the Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort and Waldorf Astoria Orlando, located within the gates of the Walt Disney World Resort, is offering Food & Wine Weekends, now through November 9.

Food & Wine Weekends

This special event takes place Fridays through Sundays and offers a taste of the fabulous restaurants and bars inside the Hilton and Waldorf Astoria. Highlights include samplings and exclusive pairing menus from Bull & Bear, La Luce, Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge and Peacock Alley. I recently had the opportunity to experience the event first hand and found it to be a great way to dine at some of the restaurants that I had not tried before.

I began with visiting the lobby kiosk for a Taste of Japan. I sampled three variations of sake, Gekkeikan Zipang Sparkling Sake, Takara Plum Wine and Momokawa Silver. They were all unique in taste and all very good. Paired with the sake was a sampling of a California roll from Zeta Bar & Sushi Lounge. It was fresh, tasty, and perfectly chilled. I’m very particular about the temperature of my sushi and this was perfect.

Next, I headed into La Luce by Donna Scala to try out the special chef created menu specifically for that night. The menu changes each Friday and Saturday so there’s always something new to try. I started with the Butternut Squash soup which was garnished with a seared Basil leaf. Next up was bruschetta with mozzarella, roasted tomato, and arugula. It was delicious and filling. I still had a little room left so I chose the risotto made with speck, a meat similar to prosciutto, wrapped scallops with wild mushrooms and reggiano. The final course was a divine cannoli made with ricotta and mascarpone cheese, filled with chunks of chocolate and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Each course had a recommended wine paired with it, though I chose to slowly sip a glass of Robert Oatley Shiraz throughout my dining experience.

I would definitely return to Food & Wine Weekends at the Hilton Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando. The accommodations are beautiful and very comfortable and the staff is definitely top notch. Visit www.HiltonBonnetCreek.com/Food-Wine and www.WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com/Food-Wine for more information

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