Have you ever wanted to test drive a Tesla? (I know I have!) Well this weekend you can get your chance as The Alfond Inn at Rollins in Winter Park hosts an exclusive Tesla Test Drive Event.
The Alfond Inn at Rollins in Winter Park will be connecting itself to the growing Destination Charging Network of Tesla, celebrating the advent of sustainable energy with an exclusive test drive event featuring the award-winning Model S and Model X vehicles from the recognized American Electric Vehicles company.
The event will be on Friday, June 2 through Sunday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The specialized vehicles will be parked at the hotel for viewing and test drives, with tours also of The Alfond Inn’s featured charging location.
Tesla’s electric battery vehicles are gasoline independent, emit no pollution and have a range of up to 265 miles. The Tesla Model X is the safest, quickest, most capable sport utility vehicle in history while the Model S, Tesla’s flagship premium sedan, is the most exhilarating car on the road, capable of accelerating from zero to 60 mph in as little as 2.5 seconds.
Alfond Inn hotel guest Jonathan Eisenberg drives his Tesla vehicle from Boca Raton, Fla. to Winter Park for work each month. “I’ve been doing this for the last 6 months, soon after the delivery of my car. It’s a huge bonus that the hotel is close to my company’s Winter Park office and has a charging station which enables me to drive rather than fly,” Eisenberg explained. “And I don’t have to rent a regular car which would be a lot more expensive. The hotel is amazing and I would only stay at a hotel with a charging station.”
The Tesla team will be on hand at The Alfond Inn June 2, 3, and 4 to answer any questions and schedule test drives.
For more Tesla information, contact Tesla Orlando by calling (407) 998-2060, and for more information on The Alfond Inn, go to www.thealfondinn.com.
Visits to Disney’s Animal Kingdom always include stops to earn Wilderness Explorers badges for my family, and I was really excited to find that in Pandora – The World of Avatar there were two new badges to earn!
The first thing that you will notice about the badge guides in Pandora – The World of Avatar is that they are in their typical uniforms and name tags instead of being a part of A.C.E. (Alpha Centauri Expeditions).
Photo: Cheryl Perlmutter
This is because they are visiting Pandora – The World of Avatar like us, and are encouraging us to explore the area as we would a State Park back on Earth. (I thought it was a really a lovely way to encourage guests to explore and learn about their areas from a new perspective when they get home!)
As soon as you cross the bridge into the area, you will find your first of two Wilderness Explorers Badges!
Botany Badge – Plants help the planet!
At this badge location you will earn your Botany Badge by exploring the plants on Pandora (Page 11 of the Wilderness Explorers Handbook).
A Wilderness Explorer understands that plants are an essential part of the ecosystem on Pandora just as they are back on Earth. They support life, provide oxygen, and create habitats for animals. Plants also have many special features that help them survive. If you look closely you will see that many of the plants here on Pandora are similar to plants back on Earth.
Adult Flaska Reclinata
For this badge Wilderness Explorers will interact with the adult Flaska Reclinata that you can find at the entrance to the Valley of Mo’ara, their offspring along the river, and plants that we have on earth.
Ecology Badge – Pandoran Animals
The Ecology Badge (Pages 12 & 13 in the Wilderness Explorers Handbook) location is closer to the floating mountains and some interesting Pandoran Animals…the Pluropoda Saggitaria and Cerebellis Scapularis.
Ecology is the study of relationships among plants, animals, and their environment. the Na’vi understand that the plants and animals of Pandora are connected to each other in unique ways. What can you learn about these connections?
To earn this badge you will first spend time learning the basics of relationships that can be found in ecology from the Badge Guide before you start your search for the Pluropoda Saggitaria and Cerebellis Scapularis in Pandora – The World of Avatar.
Pluropoda Saggitaria and Cerebellis Scapularis
We really had a great time earning the two new Wilderness Explorers Badges, and I really love the touch of Earth that has been brought to Pandora!
Family Tip! This is a great way for younger visitors to spend time while their family and friends are experiencing Avatar the Flight of Passage.
But with these new additions comes a little bit of bad news…Fans of the Wilderness Explorers program at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will notice that in the new handbook two older Wilderness Explorers Badges for Hand Washing and Currency have been retired.
We’ll be bringing you more information about Pandora – The World of Avatar over the next few weeks, so make sure you follow @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Pandora – The World of Avatar opens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom officially on May 27, 2017, but before you make the 4.4 light year journey to the Valley of Mo’ara here are five things you will want to do before you go!
Five Things To Do Before Traveling To Pandora – The World of Avatar
1. Watch Avatar or read a synopsis
While it is not necessary to watch the almost 3 hour movie Avatar to enjoy your time in Pandora – The World of Avatar, knowing about the world will help you feel more at home in this new & beautiful land.
Over on icFlorida, you can find my short synopsis of the movie!
The year is 2154 and Jake Sully, a paralyzed former U.S. Marine, takes the place of his deceased brother in the Avatar Program on Pandora. After a six year flight, Jake awakens from cryrosleep and arrives at the Resources Development Administration (RDA) run colony who’s focus is mining the extremely valuable mineral called Unobtanium that is desperately needed on Earth and found in abundance on Pandora.
While Pandora is covered in lush rainforests, the air is poisonous for humans to breathe so the RDA has developed the Avatar Program that allows humans to control avatars, which are genetically engineered hybrids of humans and Na’vi the sentient race of tall, blue-skinned humanoids that are native to the planet.
After Jake learns to control his avatar body from Dr. Grace Augustine, he goes on to find out more about the Na’vi including their language and culture in hopes of furthering relationships with them…at least on the surface as he is also working under the orders of Colonel Miles Quaritch to get the Na’vi to move away from the Hometree so the large deposits of unobtanium can be mined.
Through a series of action-packed events Jake rides a Banshee, becomes accepted into the Omaticaya clan, and even earns the love and trust of a female Na’vi named Neytiri.
And of course as soon as that happens, things go sour as the RDA destroys the Hometree. Soon after Quaritch learns that several Na’vi clans are planning to meet at The Tree of Souls against the RDA mining on their planet, and he figures this is the best way to destroy all the Na’vi in one swoop…literally as Jake and the Na’vi ride Banshees as part of the attack and epic battle against the RDA.
The Na’vi win the battle, and exile most of the RDA back to Earth. At the end of the movie Jake returns to the Tree of Souls to undergo the consciousness transfer from his human body to his avatar form, and awakens to a new life as a Na’vi.
Let’s be honest…the My Disney Experience App can take up a good amount of valuable space on your device and the My Disney Experience website is fantastic to use when you are at home, BUT make sure that you reinstall the app before you arrive in the Valley of Mo’ara to take advantage of FastPass+, mobile ordering at the Satu’li Canteen (more on this soon), and to view your Disney PhotoPass pictures that can include exclusive magic shots in Pandora – The World of Avatar.
3. Check out the Menus at the Satu’li Canteen and Pongu Pongu
The food inside of Pandora – The World of Avatar is a new take on casual, quick-service dining at Walt Disney World.
Inside the Satu’li Canteen, a former RDA mess hall that has been redecorated to include Na-vi art and cultural items, guests can dine all-day from a menu of healthy choices inspired by international cuisines and Pandora’s natural abundance.
Vegetable Curry Pods with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw & Vegetable Chips
I haven’t had the chance to try breakfast yet, but I highly recommend both the cheeseburger and vegetable curry steamed pods that are served with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Vegetable Chips.
Just outside of the Satu’li Canteen you can find Pongu Pongu, which is Na’vi for ‘Party Party’, offering a “bioluminescent” frozen cocktail called the Night Blossom that can be served with or without alcohol, the Mo’ara Margarita, two indigenous beers, and the most amazing sweet treat called Pongo Lumpia* with sweet pineapple and creamy filling.
*= I apologize for the lack of a photo of the Pongo Lumpia. I have no excuse other than I ordered it twice, and was so excited that I forgot to take a photo…again twice…but I feel like that’s much more of an endorsement than a photo!
4. Set a budget
After spending so much time in such an immersive atmosphere, you may find yourself inside Windtraders looking to bring a piece of Pandora- The World of Avatar home with you!
The merchandise for this new land is awesome with a little something for everyone and every budget!
I went a little crazy with my shopping haul, but remember that Annual Passholders receive a discount on their purchases (except for Banshee adoptions).
5. Plan to take advantage of Extended Park Hours
When you are planning your time in Pandora – The World of Avatar, make sure to keep in mind that from opening day on May 27th until July 4th that Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will stay open from 8 am until 11 pm for all guests giving you ample time to really explore the Bioluminescent flora and fauna of the Valley of Mo’ara.
Walt Disney World
However guests staying at select Walt Disney World Hotels will be able to take advantage of “Extra” Extra Magic Hours that will be offered exclusively in Pandora – The World of Avatar for a limited time from 11 pm to 1 am, May 27 to July 4, 2017!
We’ll be bringing you more information about Pandora – The World of Avatar over the next few weeks, so make sure you follow @onthegoinmco on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Over on icFlorida you can check out the video of my first journey to Pandora – The World of Avatar!
The Amway Center announced earlier this morning that Katy Perry will be brining her WITNESS: The Tour to Orlando on Sunday, December 17. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, May 22 at 10 am EST.
Katy Perry announced the June 9 release of her new album, “Witness” (Capitol Records), and an extensive arena tour. With “Witness,” Perry reflects on the changes in her own life and in the world around her, delivering songs that both challenge and inspire. The singles released thus far – the platinum-certified, “Chained to the Rhythm” featuring Skip Marley and the follow-up single, “Bon Appétit” featuring Migos – hint at the breadth of the musical and thematic elements found on “Witness.”
The WITNESS: The Tour pre-sale, powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan, begins Thursday, May 18th at 9 am EST. Tickets for the tour will be available through registration using Ticketmaster Verified Fan, an easy to use fan-first technology that helps artists combat bots and get tickets into the hands of fans. Registration is open now and continues until Tuesday, May 16 at 1 pm EST.
“Having just launched a new national advertising campaign with Katy, we’re thrilled to extend our relationship to encompass the upcoming Witness Tour,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, global consumer chief marketing officer, Citi. “Citi card members will have exclusive access to pre-sale tickets for what promises to be one of the biggest and most memorable tours of the year.”
Each ticket purchase for WITNESS: The Tour also includes a pre-order for “Witness: The Album.” All U.S. concerts on WITNESS: The Tour are presented by Xfinity. Additional sponsors are Citi, COVERGIRL and Katy Perry Parfums.
Citi is the official U.S. credit card of WITNESS: The Tour. Citi card members will have access to U.S. pre-sale tickets beginning Thursday, May 18 at 12 p.m. EST through Saturday, May 20 at 10 pm EST through Citi’s Private Pass® program. For complete pre-sale details visit citiprivatepass.com.
Katy Perry | WITNESS: THE TOUR | Info At A Glance
WHEN:
Sunday, December 17, 2017 | 7 pm
WHERE:
Amway Center | Orlando, FL
On- Sale:
Monday, May 22, 2017 | 10 am
Tickets:
$47.50, $87.50, $147 & $197 (prices subject to change).
Buy tickets at amwaycenter.com, Chase Box Office at Amway Center, Ticketmaster retail locations, charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000 or at Ticketmaster.com.
All dates, act(s) and ticket prices are subject to change without notice. All tickets are subject to applicable taxes, service, handling and facility fee charges. For Amway Center box office and ticket information, visit amwaycenter.com (phone purchases are not available through the Amway Center box office). The Amway Center is located at 400 West Church Street and the box office is located on the north side of the Amway Center, near the intersection of Church Street and Hughey Avenue.
All this month the LEGOLAND Florida Resort is honoring real-life heroes dedicated to keeping our cities safe with FREE, single-day theme park admission. In addition, eligible personnel can purchase tickets for up to four additional guests at a 50% discount.
This promotion to recognize these heroes is open to active and retired law enforcement, fire and rescue, and EMT/EMS personnel working in the United States.
Eligible positions for this special offer include:
Fire and rescue first responders,
Emergency medical services employees (EMT/EMS),
Municipal and county police and sheriff’s officers,
Highway patrol officers,
Corrections officers,
State and federal law enforcement officers,
Fish and wildlife field officers,
U.S. Forest Service rangers,
National Park Service officers,
Homeland Security agents, and
Environmental protection officers.
LEGOLAND Water Park admission can be added to this special offer for a $20-per-ticket upgrade. Note that the water park is only open select dates in May.
To receive complimentary and discounted tickets, eligible personnel must visit the LEGOLAND Florida Resort ticket windows in person on the day of their visit and present their employee ID or professional organization membership card. This offer is not available online, by telephone or through ticket resellers, and is valid through Wednesday, May 31, 2017.
As one of Orlando’s most popular non-theme park attractions for nearly two decades, iFLY Orlando Indoor Skydiving announces the opening of a brand new, state-of-the-art facility featuring dual wind tunnels.
And to celebrate iFLY Orlando will host a unique simultaneous closing ceremony and VIP opening party at the new location on Tuesday, June 13th, 2017.
Two all-glass flight chambers will stand side-by-side in the sleek, ultra-modern facility, ready to deliver the dream of flight to double the number of flyers each year. The tunnels are part of a building design with amenities to easily handle groups and parties of 150 or more. iFLY also offers Science, Technology and Math (S.T.E.M) field trips along with other programs for kids. The new facility will feature an open single–story floorplan that will allow passersby easy viewing of the flight experience.
“We are making this significant investment in Orlando because it’s where iFLYstarted and where we continue to have an enormous and loyal fan base,” said Matt Ryan, iFLY President& COO. “Our goal is to deliver the dream of flight to everyone and by relocating to a new, expansive location we will be able to deliver this dream to even more people in the future.”
The new facility, in close proximity to the Orange County Convention Center, will replace the original wind tunnel located on the south side of I-Drive, and the current wind tunnel located on the south side of I-Drive has been relocated to this new site at 8969 International Drive, next to WonderWorks, and is now open.
To prepare for their flight experience, customers complete a training class guided by one of iFLY’s flight and safety instructors. They then are equipped with flight gear, including goggles, helmet and flight suit, and enter the flight chamber by leaning forward into a smooth cushion of air, with a flight instructor at their side.
All flight packages include training, flight gear, and flight time with an International BodyflightAssociation (IBA) certified instructor. The IBA established the gold standard for training and safety standards for indoor skydiving instructors. All iFLYinstructors meet or exceed IBA standards.
“Our new location is right in the middle of the exciting I-Drivecorridor and much more accessible to visitors in the area,” Matt Ryan said. “Our decision to relocate on I-Drive is indicative ofthe excitement we have about the Orlando tourism market and economic development in the area.”
About the NEW iFLY Orlando: iFLY’s new Orlando facility is the company’s first to feature two recirculating vertical wind tunnels in the same facility. The two wind tunnels sit side-by-side in the facility and each features a 12-foot diameter flight chamber with wind flow powered by two quiet and clean running electric motors. All instructors at iFLYOrlando are IBAcertified as the best-trained and safest instructors in the sport of indoor skydiving.
As fans throughout the galaxy celebrate the Star Wars saga today, LEGOLAND Florida Resort is announcing an exciting new addition coming to its LEGO Star Wars MINILAND area in 2018 – an all-new LEGO display inspired by the worldwide blockbuster “Star Wars – Episode VII: The Force Awakens.”
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens MINILAND Model Display will feature several scenes re-created with thousands of LEGO bricks, including memorable movie moments with Rey, Finn, Poe, Kylo Ren and BB-8, enhanced with lights, sound effects and animation. More details about this 2018 expansion project will be shared in the coming months.
LEGO Star Wars Days Return This Weekend to LEGOLAND Florida for Double the Fun in 2017
Meanwhile, LEGO Star Wars Days returns for four days of fun at LEGOLAND Florida Resort starting this weekend! Authorized by Lucasfilm, the 2017 event doubles the fun on two weekends this year:
Saturday, May 6 and Sunday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday, May 13 and Sunday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
It’s the only LEGO Star Wars theme park event in Central Florida!
Photo/Chip Litherland for Merlin Entertainments Group/LEGOLAND Florida Resort
In MINILAND USA, kids can explore some of the most famous scenes from the Star Wars saga made out of 1.5 million LEGO bricks, including detailed displays inspired by the first six blockbuster films, plus life-size LEGO models of Darth Vader, Darth Maul and R2-D2.
Kids also can:
Create a giant LEGO Star Wars mural, brick by brick
Build their own LEGO Star Wars model
Search for LEGO droids throughout MINILAND USA
Learn tips and tricks from our LEGO Master Model Builders
Build the world’s largest LEGO Yoda model
Meet LEGO Darth Vader
Dress up as their favorite LEGO Star Wars character and participate in our intergalactic costume parade (ages 12 and under)
…and much, much more, including giveaways, fun photo ops, opportunities to win LEGO Star Wars prizes and exclusive retail offers.
New this year: Are you more rookie or Wookiee? Test your family’s Star Wars knowledge and LEGO building skills against other families during a just-for-fun competition!
All activities will take place both weekends and are included with all forms of park admission. No extra ticket or Jedi mind tricks required!
For more information, including savings on advance purchase of admission tickets, on-site accommodations, multi-tier annual passes, special events, educational programs, services for guests with disabilities, VIP experiences, military discounts and much more, visit www.LEGOLAND.com/florida, or call (877) 350-5346.
I love a great deal, and this month there are great offers and special events taking place at the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando and SEA LIFE Orlando at I-Drive 360!
Mother’s Day BOGO I-Drive 360 Attraction Offer
In honor of Mother’s Day on May 13th & 14th the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium will be offering Mothers free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket!
This offer is valid for walk-up ticket purchases at the admissions desk when purchasing a single adult attraction ticket for the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando or SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
I-Drive 360 Brunch Event
Image: Orlando Weekly
On Saturday, May 20th from 11 am until 3 pm I-Drive 360, home of the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, is hosting its first ticketed brunch event at the dining and entertainment complex on International Drive.
Brunch 360 offers guests the opportunity to sip on unlimited mimosas and Bloody Mary cocktails, as well as savor a variety of brunch menu offerings from the Sugar Factory, Tin Roof, Tapa Toro, Paramount, Carrabba’s and Outback Steakhouse.
Brunch 360 tickets include complimentary parking and a flight on the 400-foot observation wheel. Advanced tickets are available now at OfficialOrlandoEye.com for $36 (plus tax). Brunch 360 attendees must be 21 and up.
May First Responders Month Deal at I-Drive 360
Until May 31st, First Responders will receive free admission to the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and SEA LIFE Orlando.
In addition to the First Responder, up to four additional guests (family members or friends) can receive a 50% discount on single-attraction tickets to the Coca-Cola Orlando Eye, Madame Tussauds Orlando, and SEA LIFE Orlando
The discount is valid for police officers, fire fighters, and EMS employees working in the U.S. Active, former and retired personnel with identification are also eligible.
Personnel must present valid employment UD or professional organization membership card at admissions, and is only valid on walk-up ticket purchases.
Toddler Tuesdays at SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium
Each Tuesday at 9:30am, parents can join an immersive and engaging morning activity with their toddlers at the aquarium.
Toddler Tuesdays provides interactive and age-appropriate programming such as coloring, story time, animal feedings, sing-alongs, and more.
Tickets are $15 for adults (12 and up); $12 for children (3-12) and free for toddlers (ages 2 and under), and SEA LIFE Orlando Annual Pass Members receive complimentary entry to this event.
All this month the LEGOLAND Florida Resort is honoring real-life heroes dedicated to keeping our cities safe with FREE, single-day 
