April 3, 2014 - On the Go in MCO

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Florida Resident Rates For Spring

Celebrate Spring with an Easter Weekend Getaway

at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

Florida Resident Rates Start at $179 Per Night

Guests of all ages will enjoy Easter fun in the Florida sun at Orlando’s original luxury resort, Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress.

Starting Saturday, April 19, the resort’s entertainment-packed Easter weekend schedule includes crafts, pool games, all included in the resort services program. Guestroom visits by the Easter Bunny are also available for an additional, nominal fee. The weekend culminates on the Pitch N’ Putt Course with Grand Cypress’s famous Easter egg hunts, which include treats and prizes for children and adults. Florida residents enjoysavings up to 15 percent with rates starting at $179 per night over the Easter weekend.

Additionally, Hemingway’s signature gourmet Easter Sunday brunch features seasonal favorites with a Caribbean twist for $69 per adult and $34.50 per child age 4-12. Brunch is open for resort guests as well as area residents. Brunch reservations may be made online or by calling 407.239.3854.

“We look forward to a fun-filled Easter weekend that celebrates the season and highlights the many outstanding amenities that make our property one of Orlando’s most popular destinations,” says Area Vice President and General Manager Pat Engfer. “Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is proud to offer guests world-class getaways that feature the family-favorite traditions and flavors of the season.”

In addition to the Easter weekend recreation schedule, Grand Cypress offers families countless luxury amenities surrounded by a tropical oasis that features the resort’s signature lagoon pool. Inspired by contemporary design, the lagoon pool offers a tranquil escape coupled with vibrant activities for children of all ages. The 800,000 gallon, half acre, free-flowing pool boasts 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated zones, two whirlpools, a rope bridge, walking paths, and expansive, wrap-around sundecks.

Guests can also enjoy the new Water Slide Tower Pavilion, new Water Jet Splash Zone, and new children’s Rock Climbing Stations complement the resort’s numerous recreation activities including the family favorite S’mores pit, beach volleyball, tether ball, hammocks, watersports and marked jogging, walking, and biking trails. Additionally, Grand Cypress guests have easy access to 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf and the award-winning Tennis and Racquet Club.

About Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress

The award-winning, 1,500 acre Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is located one mile from Walt Disney World® and close to Universal Orlando® and SeaWorld® Orlando with a host of amenities and activities including 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature Design golf and the award-winning Tennis and Racquet Club. Located along the 1,000 feet of white sandy beach of private Lake Windsong, the free-flowing lagoon pool boasts 12 waterfalls, heated and non-heated pools, two whirlpools, new Water Slide Tower Pavilion, new children’s Rock Climbing Stations, new interactive Water Jet Splash Zone, rope bridge, walking paths, and expansive, wrap-around sundecks. New features complement the resort’s favorite activities including; S’mores pit, beach volleyball, tether ball, hammocks, watersports and marked jogging, walking, and biking trails.

Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is centrally located with convenient access to Orlando International Airport and Interstate 4 off Exit 68 in Lake Buena Vista. The resort’s address is One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando, Florida, USA 32836.

For more information; call 407.239.1234; visit GrandCypress.Hyatt.com; tour on YouTube; like Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress on Facebook; and follow on Twitter at @HRGrandCypress.

Disney Movie Bunnies and Rabbits

As Easter is fast approaching, I thought I’d take a look back at some of Disney’s most famous cinematic bunny rabbits. Throughout the decades there have been several prominent rabbits that have graced the silver screen of Disney films. Hop on in and join me as I reminisce about some of our favorite bunnies.

Thumper (Bambi)

One of the earliest bunny rabbits in Disney movies was in 1942’s Bambi with the introduction of Thumper. To this day, he is one of my favorite characters in Bambi, and I often use the term “twitterpated” to describe when someone is falling in love. He provides some great comic relief and helps Bambi grow up and find his way in the forest. This clip about Disney romance is a perfect snapshot representing Thumper’s character.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOk8Wxqbb5Y&list=PL1A87365F44A8D007

Br’er Rabbit (Song of the South)

Sadly, I imagine many kids growing up these days haven’t seen this Disney movie. However, I bet if they have visited the theme parks they might just be familiar with the character Br’er Rabbit if they’ve ridden Splash Mountain. Based on the stories by Joel Chandler Harris, Song of the South tells the story of the sly and troublesome rabbit through the narration of Uncle Remus to a young boy named Johnny. Although some of the portrayals in the film may not be politically correct, I still recommend tracking this movie down if you get a chance to revisit some of the shenanigans with Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox. It will only make you appreciate Splash Mountain and its fantastic storytelling even more.

White Rabbit & March Hare (Alice in Wonderland)

These two furry fellows appear to be two sides of a coin to me in the movie inspired by Lewis Carroll’s tales. The White Rabbit is all prim and proper, albeit in a hurry, while the March Hare is a little off his rocker. Both add a great deal of comedy to poor Alice’s plight in their own way. You can see a small display of the rabbit and hare and their personalities in this clip promoting the 60th anniversary DVD and Blu Ray of Alice in Wonderland.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYR-bZdXUiE

Rabbit (The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)

The word that comes to mind when I think of Rabbit from A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories is persnickety. He is often overly concerned with trivial matters and likes to fuss … a lot. He usually comes through for his friends in the end, but he is often reluctant to do so and does not usually do so without making it known he isn’t happy. Rabbit seems like a curmudgeon much of the time, but all in all he is a good bunny.

roger rabbit

Roger Rabbit (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)

Technically, this is a Touchstone Pictures release, but I wanted to include it because Roger is definitely one of my favorite rabbits and you can find evidence of his presence in several locations in the Disney parks. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios there is even a window with his silhouette along with a tribute to Eddie Valiant, and tracks by the red car trolley for a once proposed ride at the end of Sunset Boulevard. Roger is a smart aleck rabbit (maybe why I like him so much), who is trying to clear his name after having been framed for a murder. This classic from 1988 is worth revisiting for the fantastic cameos of Disney and Warner Brothers characters alone.

Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (multiple shorts and Epic Mickey games)

Okay, so technically Oswald didn’t star in any feature films, but I’d be remiss if I left him off this list. If he didn’t exist, Walt Disney wouldn’t have been motivated to create a new character, Mickey Mouse. So, thanks to Oswald, we have one of the world’s most recognizable characters ever. If you haven’t played either of the Epic Mickey video games, please check out this short video about the history of Oswald.

Epic Mickey: The History of Oswald on Disney Video

He even now has his own meet and greet at Tokyo DisneySea! You can read more about that here.

Honorable Mentions: Skippy the Rabbit, Mother Rabbit, and the whole Rabbit family from Robin Hood

Did I miss any of your favorite Disney bunnies from films? Who is your favorite furry friend from this list?

Orlando City SC And Tampa Bay Rowdies I-4 Derby Returns

Orlando City SC and Tampa Bay Rowdies Announce Return of I-4 Derby

Home Leg of I-4 Derby Included in Orlando City Season-Ticket Package

Orlando City SC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies announced today the return of the I-4 Derby friendly matches, beginning in April 2014. The first match of the derby will take place at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Wednesday, April 30, with the second leg occurring in St. Petersburg at Al Lang Stadium on Sunday, July 6.

For OCSC fans, the home leg of the I-4 Derby will be included in this year’s Orlando City season-ticket package. For non-season ticket holders, single game tickets will feature the same pricing as regular season matches- with tickets starting at just $19.

“We’re delighted to be playing the Rowdies again this year,” said President Phil Rawlins. “Derby matches are great for the sport and for our fans, so we’re looking forward to two great matches again this year.”

The I-4 Derby was agreed upon by both sides last year after continuous fan suggestion from the two clubs’ supporter groups.

After a win against the Rowdies in the Walt Disney Pro Soccer Classic, Orlando carried that momentum over into the 2013 derby matches and captured two 3-2 victories.

Both matches at the Florida Citrus Bowl and Al Lang Stadium featured an incredible atmosphere, as each team’s supporter groups travelled to the opposing side’s venue to represent not only their team but also their city.

“We definitely enjoy the chance to play against a nearby club,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “They’re a good side and they’ve made some moves this off-season, but we’ll definitely be up for the game because we know how much it means to the fans.”

Since then, City has gone on to win their second USL PRO post-season championship and has been active in comprising a talented roster for not only 2014 but also for their inaugural Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign in 2015.

During 2013, the Rowdies finished third in the North American Soccer League (NASL) fall tables (5-5-4) after winning the NASL Soccer Bowl in 2012. A key highlight for the Tampa Bay based club in 2013 was a 1-0 defeat over the Seattle Sounders of MLS in the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Tickets for the first leg in Orlando will be available for purchase on Friday, April 4, at 10 a.m. via TicketMaster.com. Tickets for the away leg in Tampa will go on sale at a later date and will be available for purchase viawww.rowdiessoccer.com.

Orlando City season-ticket holders will receive their tickets in advance of the home leg.

About Orlando City Soccer Club:

Orlando City Soccer Club (OCSC) is Major League Soccer’s newest expansion team. The club will begin play in MLS in 2015, becoming the league’s 21^st club. The Lions’ first team has won two USL PRO regular season titles and two postseason championships and will continue play in USL PRO in 2014 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Outside of the first squad, OCSC also has a youth club, Orlando City Youth Soccer (OCYS) and a U-23 team that participates in the PDL. For more information on the pro and youth clubs, visit www.OrlandoCitySC.com and www.OrlandoCityYouth.org.