June 2017 - On the Go in MCO

Disney Dreamers Academy Applications Now Open

Applications Now Open for Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2018 at Walt Disney World Resort

One hundred high school students to be selected for exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime program taking place in March 2018

High School Students can now apply for the Disney Dreamers Academy to be among 100 selected to participate in the 2018 Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE, the innovative, outside-the-classroom, mentoring program that takes place in March at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

For over a decade, Disney Dreamers Academy has helped to inspire young minds from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for the future. Each year, students participate in hands-on, immersive career workshops, ranging from animation to zoology. Each participant learns important skills, such as communication techniques, leadership qualities and networking strategies, and are inspired by celebrity speakers and special guests who share their stories and provide insight on how to achieve success and DREAM BIG.

The program has produced many success stories, inspiring students to become authors, nurses, pilots, doctors, journalists and engineers following the three-day all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World Resort where the theme parks become vibrant ‘classrooms’ leading to career discoveries and fun memories to cherish for a lifetime.

“After 10 years and over 1,000 Disney Dreamer alumni, we’re excited to begin the next decade ofDisney Dreamers Academy,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World vice president of commercial management resorts and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “We are excited about the many success stories, as this program continues to cultivate and inspire the minds of young high school students from across the nation to follow their dreams and accomplish their goals. By applying for Disney Dreamers Academy, future leaders of this country are taking a step toward an experience that can change their lives.”

Program applicants must answer essay questions about their personal journeys and dreams for the future. Students are selected based on a combination of attributes, including strong character, positive attitude and determination to achieve their dreams. Selected applicants, along with a parent or guardian, will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort.

Applications are open to U.S. high school students, ages 13 to 19, through Oct. 31, 2017. A distinguished panel of leaders will evaluate the applications, and selected participants will be announced in early 2018.

For more information regarding applications, interested applicants can visit the official website, or learn more about the program on Facebook and Twitter.

Summer Additions At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This Summer you can find two new additions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to help add some pep to your evenings after a day in the park.

Summer Additions At Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The Music of Pixar Live! A Symphony of Characters

Three times a night The Music of Pixar Live! takes to the Theater of the Stars Stage to celebrate 20 years of unforgettable soundtrack favorites from some of your Pixar favorites including Cars, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., Toy Story, and UP performed by a live orchestra.

's Hollywood Studios Summer Additions 2017 - Pixar Live in Concert Cars

As you listen to your favorite, heartfelt songs you get to watch movie montages, outtakes, and interview excerpts with the folks behind Pixar’s captivating music.

Also, don’t be surprised if you find that several friends join in the fun along the way.

The finale of this 45 minute show stars YOU! You and your family get to join with the orchestra and some of your Pixar pals for an onscreen sing-along to Randy Newman’s Academy Award-nominated, “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”

Insider Tips – The Music of Pixar Live! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

* If you aren’t able to grab a FastPass+ or are not doing a Music of Pixar Live! Dining package, don’t worry too much about being able to grab a seat because the Theater of the Stars is rather large. I would suggest arriving early on traditionally busy days and weekends.

* Guests can enter the Theater of the Stars 20 minutes prior to showtime, and for your timeliness you will be rewarded with some preshow fun with the Green Army Men from Toy Story.

* If you have little ones in your traveling party and you are concerned about them sitting through a 45 minute show, try sitting towards the front to keep them engaged with the characters.

* While the center screen behind the orchestra is large, there are two smaller screens on either side of the stage that show the same images if you are seated on the side or back of the theater.

The Music of Pixar Live! has shows until August 27, 2017, so don’t forget to add this show to your summer plans in the park!

Disney Movie Magic

Thirty minutes before the Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can take in a 10 minute trip down movie memory lane that includes footage from movies from Mary Poppins to Pirates of the Caribbean movies to Tron that ends with an awesome montage of live-action comedies, adventures, musicals, and more!

's Hollywood Studios Summer 2017 Additions - Disney Movie Magic Tron

Insider Tips – Disney Movie Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

* Guests start grabbing prime spots up to an hour before Disney Movie Magic begins, so make sure you pay attention to where designated areas are located (usually with masking tape) so you won’t have to find a new spot late in the game.

* If you can’t get close to the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (The Great Movie Ride) for a sweet spot, trying staying as center as possible and go back a little further than you think so you can see all of the buildings around the Theatre as they also have projections.

* My favorite spot to watch Disney Movie Magic from is to the left (as you are facing Grauman’s Chinese Theatre) near the large projection booth, because you get to see all of the projections and laser effects.

* Disney Movie Magic is presented rain or shine, so be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store!

There is no current end date listed for Disney Movie Magic, so I have my fingers crossed that it will be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for awhile!

Both The Music of Pixar Live! and Disney Movie Magic are really great ways to wind down your Summer day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! I really enjoyed both shows, and can’t wait to watch them with Zoe & Dave!

Busch Gardens Summer Nights Kick Off Next Week

Party louder and play later at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay during the reimagined Summer Nights event, featuring park-wide party zones, summer cuisine, thrill rides in the dark and an all-new summer ice show at the Moroccan Palace, Turn It Up!

The event is free with park admission and kicks off June 16 running through August 6. Summer Nights is open until 9 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays, and until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

NEW! Turn It Up! Ice Show

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Summer Nights 2017 — Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

The Moroccan Palace is now home to the hottest show on ice, Turn It Up! This all-new ice show vibrantly celebrates summer with electric performances set to today’s hottest hits.

NEW! Party Zones

Summer Nights will feature three uniquely themed party zones at Cheetah Hunt® Plaza,Pantopia®, and Stanleyville. Guests can dance into the night at each location and indulge in spectacular summer fare inspired by the party zone itself.

¡Fiesta Festa!

Cheetah Hunt Plaza transforms into the ¡Fiesta Festa! party zone, complete with an immersive and authentic Latin experience including lively entertainment and a flavor-packed menu, including slow roasted mojo pork, jerk chicken empanadas, and chicharróns. The party zone will also feature several drink options including sangria, margaritas and international and domestic beer selections.

Luau

Pantopia becomes the Luau party zone with entertainment inspired by the islands, and a Hawaiian-inspired menu, including huli huli chicken, Hawaiian barbecue ribs, and pineapple cheesecake parfait as well as tropical cocktails, craft brews and much more!

Vibin’ Village

The Vibin’ Village party zone takes over Stanleyville and will transport guests to Africa with an immersive experience of tribal entertainment and an authentic cuisine featuring craft beers, artesian wines and cocktails, chicken mafi with peanut sauce, tamarind shrimp watermelon cooler and a smoked chicken pocket with harissa.

NEW! Summer Nights Sampler Lanyards

The best way to savor sensational Summer Nights cuisine is with Busch Gardens convenient 8-item Summer Nights sampler lanyard, modeled after the guest-favorite Food & Wine Festival lanyards. Guests can enjoy park-wide summer samples from themed party zones and select food locations throughout the park, including Twisted Tails, Garden Gate Café, Serengeti Overlook™ Pub and more. The Summer Nights lanyards are $34.99 each with Pass Member discounts available.

Thrill Rides in the Dark

It’s not summer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay without thrill rides in the dark. Florida’s top thrill rides will be open during Summer Nights, including favorites like Falcon’s Fury®, Cheetah Hunt, SheiKra® and Busch Gardens’ newest spin coaster, Cobra’s Curse™.

Wild Florida Welcomes Albino Alligators

Wild Florida is thrilled to announce the arrival of two rare albino alligators to its Gator and Wildlife Park in Kenansville. The 23-year-old female and 12-year-old male were acquired from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.

Wild Florida Albino Alligator — Wild Florida

This will be the first pair of breeding albino alligators in Central Florida and one of the few places in the world visitors can see these rare animals. Due to the lack of melanin this species produces, their skin is completely white and sensitive to sunlight, so a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled exhibit has been built for the pair.

The addition of these gators to the park will allow the park to have the opportunity to showcase how unique gators are and further educate visitors.

“We’re very fortunate to add these gators to our Wild Florida family and can’t wait for our guests to see how incredible they are,” says Sam Haught, co-owner and co-founder of Wild Florida.

Admission to the Gator and Wildlife Park is free for the remainder of 2017 to celebrate Wild Florida’s 7th anniversary as well as give all visitors the chance to see these rare alligators.

Wild Florida Airboats and Gator Park, which opened on Lake Cypress in 2010, focuses on educating individuals on Central Florida’s natural resources. The Wild Florida team is dedicated to protecting, conserving, and enhancing Florida’s diverse ecosystem to ensure that future generations can enjoy the wonders of wild, native Florida. For additional information, visit www.wildfloridairboats.com.

WWE News: Full Sail University Hosts Mae Young Classic

WWE announced that the first-ever Mae Young Classic will be held in Orlando’s Full Sail Live Venue on Thursday, July 13th.

WWE

The tournament, named after WWE Hall of Famer and one of the greatest WWE Superstars in history, Mae Young, will feature 32 of the top female competitors from around the world participating in a single-elimination tournament.

“The Mae Young Classic will mark a significant moment in the evolution of WWE,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events and Creative. “We are proud to provide this unique opportunity for the best female talent from around the world.”

To find out more about how Mae Young influenced the world of wrestling, check out her page on WWE.com!

If you want to attend the event tickets are on sale now, but if you can’t make it to Full Sail Live for the Mae Young Classic the unprecedented event will stream later this summer exclusively on WWE Network.