March 7, 2014 - On the Go in MCO

Cabana Bay Beach Resort Retro Fitness Center

Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort to Feature

Jack LaLanne Branded Fitness Center

Fitness center among the many amenities offered at Universal Orlando’s newest hotel including
bowling alley, lazy river, zero-entry pools and more

Guests can enjoy the resort’s brand-new family suites for introductory rates as low as $104 per family, per night

Universal Orlando Resort announced today that the world’s first Jack LaLanne-branded fitness center will be located at Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Universal Orlando’s new moderate-and value-priced property, opening March 31, 2014.

The Jack LaLanne Fitness Center will perfectly complement the retro theming of Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort while paying homage to LaLanne, a pioneer of personal training and a television celebrity on “The Jack LaLanne Show” – a fitness program that was iconic during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s.

From LaLanne memorabilia – including photos, trophies, artifacts and even a full-size statue of the fitness guru himself – to televisions playing old episodes of his show, guests will be immersed in the legacy of “the godfather of fitness” while keeping in shape on modern, state-of-the-art exercise equipment.

“When you think of fitness during these iconic decades, Jack LaLanne just resonates in our minds,” said Russ Dagon, Vice President and Executive Project Director, Universal Creative. “This partnership with the LaLanne family will complement the new property wonderfully, and we’re delighted that his name will live on here at Cabana Bay Beach Resort.”

The Jack LaLanne Fitness Center is just one of the many amenities that will be available to Cabana Bay Beach Resort guests. Additional offerings include a 10-lane bowling alley, two zero-entry pools, an iconic dive tower water slide and Universal Orlando’s first lazy river with waterfalls and cannons for interactive fun. The resort will also feature themed eateries, bars and a coffee shop.

“We’re creating a destination within our destination,” said Adnan Bizri, Managing Director, Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. “From the beautiful pool areas to the bowling alley to the lazy river, we’re making sure that the fun doesn’t stop when the theme parks close.”

Guests can now book Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort for stays beginning March 31, 2014. The whole family can experience the resort’s new family suites with limited time introductory rates starting at $104 per night for a seven-night stay to $134 per night for a three-night stay. Conditions apply.

To learn more or to make a reservation, call 1-888-273-1311 or visit www.universalorlando.com.

About Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort

Cabana Bay Beach Resort is Universal Orlando Resort’s fourth on-site hotel with striking color schemes and nostalgic details throughout the décor. The new, 1800-room hotel features moderately priced family suites available this spring at the special preview price and value-priced guest rooms available June 16, 2014, along with a wealth of recreation. When complete, guests can experience a 10-lane bowling alley and enjoy two massive pools with sand beaches, a lazy river, waterslide and more.
The all-new family suites sleep up to six, surrounding guests with bold design, period colors, neon and a cool retro feel. The suites also feature a kitchenette with microwave, mini-refrigerator and sink. Combining affordability with convenience, the hotel’s location is within walking distance of both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Plus, hotel guests enjoy Early Park Admission to TheWizarding World of Harry Potter one hour before the theme park opens.

About Universal Orlando Resort
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 coming this summer: 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, opening March 31; and Universal CityWalk – a nighttime entertainment complex featuring a collection of nightclubs, restaurants and shops. 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.

The LEGO Movie Weekends Return To LEGOLAND Florida

With a record-breaking box office debut, an action-packed video game and a contagious song, everything is awesome with The LEGO Movie, and kids and parents alike just can’t get enough. So, it’s no surprise that these fans are looking to LEGOLAND Florida for more movie-themed fun in a fantastic LEGO inspired theme park setting. Back by popular demand, The LEGO Movie Weekend festivities will return to LEGOLAND Florida every weekend in March starting Mar. 8, bringing back scavenger hunts, photo opportunities as well as new family fun with a chance to help transform Miniland USA’s New York City into the famous Bricksburg.

The LEGO Movie Weekend at LEGOLAND Florida

includes the following activities:

New! The LEGO Movie Take Over of Miniland’s New York City – Miniland USA
Guests can use their imagination to build their own unique LEGO model to help LEGOLAND Florida Master Model Builders transform Miniland USA’s New York City into Emmet’s home town, Bricksburg. Master Model Builders will add iconic LEGO Bricksburg Models each weekend such as:

The construction crane hoisting “The LEGO Movie” Logo over the city.
Lord Business’ Evil Lair
Batman’s Batwing Vehicle
Benny’s Spaceship…and more!

New! LEGO Batman Photo Opportunity – Imagination Zone

Pose with the LEGO Batman, Wyldstyle’s boyfriend in “The LEGO Movie.”

Meet & Greet with Emmet & Wyldstyle – Imagination Zone

Fans can walk the red carpet and meet the stars of “The LEGO Movie,” Emmet and Wyldstyle.

The LEGO Movie Scavenger Hunt – Miniland USA

Emmet, Wyldstyle and Lord Business are lost in Miniland USA. Guests can help find them to save the day! Guests can submit an entry to win a LEGO Prize Pack at www.legoland.com. See website for official rules.

The LEGO Movie Video Game Challenge – Warner Bros. Games Zone

Gaming fans can test their skills and play the latest action-packed video game, “The LEGO Movie.”

The LEGO Movie Mural Build – Imagination Zone

Families can build together and help create a giant LEGO poster of “The LEGO Movie.”

Currently in theaters nationwide, The LEGO® Movie is the first-ever, full-length theatrical LEGO® adventure from Warner Bros. Pictures, Village Roadshow Pictures and LEGO System A/S. Directed by Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, it stars Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman,Alison Brie and Charlie Day, with Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman.

The LEGO Movie Weekend is included with park admission and guests will have complete access to a full day of theme park fun with more than 50 rides, shows and attractions all geared to families with children ages 2 to 12. The best way to experience LEGOLAND Florida is with the LEGOLAND Florida Resident Annual Pass as low as $99 each. 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. For the most current information on special events, daily operating hours and to purchase tickets, visit www.LEGOLAND.com.

LEGOLAND ® Florida:

LEGOLAND® Florida 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 just opened 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.

Inaugural Disney Fit Challenge Coming To ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex

Jump, Squat and Press! Disney Fit Challenge Lunges into Competitive Fitness at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

Inaugural event at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex open to elite, intermediate and recreational participants; Three-day event will test competitors’ speed, strength, endurance, balance and power; Registration opens March 18th

The sport of competitive fitness, which is growing rapidly nationally and internationally, is coming to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, the site of the inaugural Disney Fit Challenge this September.

Disney Fit Challenge will be a three-day event (Sept 26-28) involving athletes competing in different fitness challenges that test a participant’s speed, strength, skill, endurance, balance and power. Challenges are designed based on age and skill level with more experienced athletes competing in movements such as muscle-ups and double-unders while recreational participants compete in movements that may include box jumps, kettle bell swings, push-ups, squats and broad jumps. Competitors with the highest scores in their division and age group from the first two days advance to the final day of competition.

A Health & Fitness Expo will feature the latest fitness merchandise, products and apparel during the competition.

“Competitive fitness is one of the fastest growing sports domestically and internationally with hundreds of thousands of competitors with more and more getting involved every day,’’ said Mike Millay, Director of Sports Development for Disney Sports. “We have uniquely designed the Disney Fit Challenge so that there are a variety of skill levels and age groups which will allow every competitor to test their true fitness abilities while also having plenty of fun, and then celebrate their achievements with a family vacation at Walt Disney World Resort.’’

Disney Sports is collaborating with I AM CrossFit, one of the leading competitive fitness organizations in the Southeast, on the staging of Disney Fit Challenge. The event is the first of its kind held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 350 sports events each year, and builds on the complex’s wide variety of athletic events geared towards athletes of all ages and abilities.

Registration opens March 18, with competition slated for indoor and outdoor venues at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Daily admission for spectators is $16.50 for adults and $11.50 for children and can be purchased at the sports complex box office.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 350 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the nation, accommodating 70 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries. Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 230-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including Champion Stadium, the HP Field House, the Jostens Center, the Hess Sports Fields, a track & field facility, a tennis complex and a baseball/softball sportsplex. It is also home to the ESPN Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology Group that develops ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom. In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, which can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex. The ESPN Production Center produces over 700 hours of live sports programming for consumption around the world. The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art HD Production Center with direct links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles. For more information, visit www.disneysportsnews.com for press releases, photos and videos. Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports and find us on Facebook.