All year long Disney Vacation Club Membership Magic is brining special extras to their members through special events and offers. This is such a great new program that allows DVC Members to explore more of the Walt Disney World Resort while taking advantage of their discounts. Membership Magic is really great added bonus, and I am really excited to let our DVC readers know about this program! I hope that you all get the chance to enjoy these perks throughout the year!
Check out the Disney Press Release about the Disney Vacation Club Membership Magic Food Trucks below!
Food Trucks inspired by Walt Disney World Theme Parks have captured the culinary imaginations of Downtown Disney Guests, and I am excited to announce that some of these tempting trucks will be making a delicious detour at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa!
Brought to you as part of Membership Magic, this food truck service will offer creative cuisine available for purchase, with sweet treats compliments of Disney Vacation Club (while supplies last).
When:
March 11 – 5 pm to 8 pm
March 18 – 5 pm to 8 pm
March 25 – 5 pm to 8 pm
Where:
Near the Grandstand Pool
Add lively “side dishes” of music and entertainment, and you have what I hope will rank among your vacation’s most memorable meals! Note: While parking will be available onsite, the trucks’ location near the boat dock and bus stop presents multiple transportation options.
A Fashionable 5K & 1 Mile Dog Jog
to benefit the SPCA of Central Florida
The first annual RUN FOR RESCUES will be held on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at The Mall at Millenia.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE SPCA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA.
Healthy pets and healthy people are always in fashion!
You can find all of the Run for Rescues details here.
Who said formal wear and running shoes don’t go together? Accessorize your running apparel with a tutu, tiara, bow tie, or anything else you can imagine – and RUN FOR RESCUES!
Choose from:
A timed, chipped USATF certified Fashionable 5k – for serious or casual human runners and walkers
A fun, untimed, 1 Mile Dog Jog to walk or jog with or without your dog.
Prizes will be awarded to top individual and team finishers and the largest team in the Fashionable 5k. There will also be prizes for the most fashionable humans in the Fashionable 5k and the most fashionable humans and dogs in the 1 Mile Dog Jog.
The event will feature health screenings and demonstrations for people and dogs as well as photo ops on the
red carpet with the “pup-arazzi” and celebrity shelter pets!
TRAINING PROGRAMS:
The SPCA of Central Florida has partnered with Florida Hospital Healthy 100 to create Get Your Jog On: 5k Fitness Training Program for People to get you in shape to confidently run the Fashionable 5k in just 10 weeks. Choose from:
A personally coached version featuring a series of five in-person training sessions with Florida Hospital experts, supplemented by a schedule of independent exercise sessions. This version requires a $10 donation to the SPCA of Central Florida.
A do-it-yourself version: We provide you with the schedule and you start training by yourself or with your friends! This version is free.
The SPCA of Central Florida has partnered with the veterinarians at Sanlando Springs Animal Hospital and the trainer at Big Paw Pet Care to create Get Your Dog On: 1 Mile Fitness Training Program for Dogs to get your dog in shape to confidently run or jog the 1 Mile Dog Jog in just 10 weeks. Choose from:
A personally coached version featuring a series of three in-person canine fitness training sessions with the trainer from Big Paw Pet Care, supplemented by a schedule of independent exercise sessions. This version requires a $5 donation to the SPCA of Central Florida.
A do-it-yourself version: We provide you with the schedule and you start training your dog! This version is free.
RELAX WITH THE RESCUES: After the Fashionable 5k & 1 Mile Dog Jog, head across the street to the SPCA of Central Florida’s Orlando shelter and meet the cats and dogs available for adoption. Enjoy $10 micro-chipping for your dog (regularly $30) and a special reduced adoption rate all weekend long!
THE SPCA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA: All proceeds from Run for Rescues will benefit the SPCA of Central Florida. By participating in this event you will be supporting Florida’s oldest and largest animal welfare organization. The SPCA of Central Florida is a full-service animal welfare agency, providing shelter and adoption programs, affordable veterinary care, and community outreach programs.
The SPCA of Central Florida is a 501 (c)(3) charity. They are strictly a local organization and receive no federal, state, county, government, national animal organization, or United Way funding. So all the money the SPCA of Central Florida raises goes to helping pets right here in Central Florida! To learn more please visit www.orlandopets.org
Come ring in the season with Disney Vacation Club! Mingle with fellow Members at the Merry Member Mixer as you enjoy festive entertainment and complimentary refreshments. Plus, you’ll be able to purchase a limited-edition Disney Vacation Club holiday trading pin (while supplies last).
Celebrate, share, and always discover vacations you never outgrow.
LOCATION Epcot at the World Showplace Pavilion
Located between the Canada and United Kingdom Pavilions
CELEBRATE THE SEASON ON ONE OF THESE DATES
November 25
December 2
December 9
December 16
This year is very eventful if you are Jewish because Chanukah falls on Thanksgiving, but if you don’t have family in town there are plenty of events you can attend.
Jewish Heritage Night with the Orlando Magic
Wednesday, November 27th, 2013
First night of Chanukah
Amway Center in downtown Orlando
400 W Church St #200, Orlando, FL 32801
Pregame and Menorah lighting at 6:30 PM in the Vista Room
Since I’m Jewish, and live in Orlando I wanted to share your closest options if you want to attend Synagogue Services on Shabbat or other holy days.
Please note there are no synagogues within walking distance of Disney World. Lynx offers bus service, but it can take a long time to get to your destination. I recommend renting a car or taking a cab. I don’t have recommendations for those that are Shomer Shabbos other than staying walking distance from the synagogue you are interested in.
Most of the larger synagogues are located north of downtown Orlando. Also, not all synagogues are listed, just those closest to Disney are listed.
Our local Jewish Federation has a Synagogue list here
The closest Synagogue is SOJC (Temple Ohalei Rivka) located next to the South JCC which is 10 minutes away from Disney World. This Synagogue features services for young children and weekly shabbat services.
Congregation Ohev Shalom, was just built within the last few years. They offer weekly shabbat services.
For Chabad: Chabad of South Orlando is located near Universal. Their website provides hotel info, kosher information and they offer a daily minyan and weekly shabbat services.
Orlando community weekday minyan: There is also a fully-egalitarian and traditional daily morning minyan at 7:45 am in the Chapel at the Jewish Academy of Orlando. The Chapel can be accessed through the Jewish Federation main entrance; the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando is located at 851 N. Maitland Avenue in Maitland.
Since I was planning to take a longer trip away from home than I normally do, I decided to try a new place that opened up by the Airport named Orlando Canine Country Club. I had saw the Orlando Canine Country Club booth at the Posh Pooch Celebration Event In February, and they seemed like they would be a great fit for us.
I called and made an appointment for them to “interview” Jasper. At the interview I filled out forms, they petted Jasper, and then Jasper waited in a playroom while I took a tour of the facility.
Orlando Canine Country Club Facility
The suites were decently sized and open so you could see in, they have an open floor plan. I returned and then they took Jasper to go play with the other dogs, then Jasper came back and they said I needed to get a harness and recommended I have Jasper wear it a week before his arrival, and that I could firm up my drop off time via email before I arrived.
httpv://youtu.be/wUNHLc7xyRY
My mom picked us up and we went to drop Jasper off before she dropped us off. Todd seemed pretty impressed, Jasper was excited to arrive. We were told they were making changes to the webcams, we said see you later to Jasper and we were off.
During our vacation, we took time away to call in and see how he was doing, of course he was having fun and naps as scheduled. After we returned, my mother in law emailed letting us know she saw him briefly on the webcam.
Orlando Canine Country Club Pool
I picked him up on the Monday after I returned, he looked great and was ready to head home.
Pricing for the Orlando Canine Country Club was $30 per night which is very reasonable, and I probably will use them again if I’m flying for vacation since they are so close to the airport.
Well I’m sure I haven’t answered everything, they have a FAQ if you have more questions.
Since Disney Vacation Club properties Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the soon to be opening Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort and Spa are similarly priced when you buy through Disney, I thought I would compare my opinions between the two resorts.
Grand Floridian Room Model at the DVC Preview Center
Grand Floridian Pluses:
The decor, especially the flooring and tile work, are definitely more upscale
You get additional h20 bath products, such as foot scrub, like you do when you stay at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort and Spa.
In each closet, there are spa robes provided for you to relax in.
There is an additional Bed available.
A glimpse at the h20 products
Grand Floridian Things To Consider:
You will be sharing a pool with Grand Floridian Guests.
You can not walk to Magic Kingdom from the Grand Floridian.
There are no signature items to attract you to stay at this resort. Example Bay Lake Tower offers an observation deck and Bar.
In the 1 bedroom villas, there is no additional sleeper chair and bathroom.
Things To Ponder:
Will there be transportation challenges. Will buses and monorails become more crowded?
If you are driving to the resort, will parking be an issue?
How will weddings at Disney’s Wedding Pavilion impact the villas?
So I’ve been thinking about if I would buy in, and I’m not jumping at owning at the Grand Floridian right now. I’m going to be waiting to see to see what happens.
I will be staying at Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort and Spa, because I was lucky and got an available room for the Disney World Marathon weekend by runDisney. I was previously wait listed at Bay Lake and Wilderness Lodge.
Should I win the lottery? Sign me up for Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridan Resort and Spa! Along with a home at Golden Oak and a stay at Aulani!
Here is a closer look at the Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa that are at the DVC preview center. It’s important to note that some of the finishes and decor may be different than those found in the actual rooms of the resort when it opens.
Stopping at the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) kiosk, what happens next:
Disney Vacation Club Kiosk at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Most guests just walk by the kiosks, you’ve decided to stop and see so what is this all about. Disney’s Vacation Club program is a timeshare but not your typical timeshare.
Disney Vacation Club Kiosk in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is themed to match its surroundings.
The sales person at the kiosk will have photos of the current models.. They can answer some questions you may have. Next, you can decide to take a tour or walk away. If you decide to take a tour, the sales person will escort you to the front of the park and a van will be ready to take you to the preview center.
Disney Vacation Club Preview Center Desk.
At the preview center, there will be snacks and drinks. There is also a kids club available so your kids don’t need to take the tour with you. You’ll be introduced to another sales person. You’ll get name tags and a tour of the models of the current hotels they are selling.
After your tour, you will get a sales talk.
This includes pricing, along with the features of buying directly from Disney. Yes, there are other ways of buying DVC called resales, we plan to discuss this in a future blog post.
What else can you get by taking a tour?
Offers vary, in the past they have offered gift cards, fast passes or limited pins.
There also will likely be a buying incentive offered.
What is the price of DVC?
As an example 160 Vacation Points Per Year Costs are based on a cash purchase of a real estate interest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas:
One-Time Purchase Price: $24,000
Closing Costs: Approximately $424.50 2013
Annual Dues: (Dues for future years will vary.) $907.20 or $75.60 per month
Transaction Fee: (For vacations to destinations other than our Disney Vacation Club Resorts) $95 per transaction
You receive 160 Vacation Points each year of Membership. Disney Vacation Points are very flexible, you decide when you want to go , how long you want to stay and what type of room you want. Your vacation points will end in 2042 or 2057 depending on what location you buy.
Here is an easier way of explaining this:
When you buy you will need a downpayment.
After your down payment you will have 2 future payments.
Your first payment is your loan payment which will typically last 10 years.
Your next payment is your dues payment, you can pay this annually or monthly.
Do you have to have a loan?
No, if you’ve got the money you can pay it all upfront.
Do you have to pay dues?
Yes, dues are needed for upkeep, transportation and other needs.
What does DVC get me?
Basically I think of DVC as a forced savings plan. It gets you enough points to stay at Disney on property once a year or once every other year. You stay on site and get amenities better than most hotel rooms. (unless you are in a studio)
Can I use DVC in other states where there is no Disney?
Yes Disney has a partnership with RCI Timeshare system. Do your math, since your 160 points are basically worth $12 per point.
Can I rent out my points?
Yes, we plan on discussing this in a future article.
What is a home resort and why is it important?
Your home resort (in My case Boardwalk villas) gets you 11 month access to book before other resorts (example Aulani)
Lets use my upcoming trip to California as an example: I wasn’t able to get in for some of the days I needed because I had to wait until 7 months before. I am offsite for some of my trip because the Grand Californian was unavailable.
In some cases this may cause you to transfer resorts or choose another resort.
Wait: You live 15 minutes from Disney and still own DVC. Why??
I bought DVC back when I lived in Massachusetts in 1999. My first loan for 170 points is paid off. I pay my dues monthly and I feel its affordable. I enjoy not having to save up. In my case I save up to visit family and friends.
How do you use your DVC?
My husband has the running bug so we use it for races:
I am using 124 points to stay from Sept 2 – 6 in a 1 bedroom at Disney’s Grand Californian.
I am using 22 points from Sept 6 -7 in a studio at Disney’s Grand Californian.
What if I don’t use my points or need more points?
You can bank and borrow points.
How does banking work?
You must banks your point by a certain time. If you miss your banking deadline. You must use them (yes this includes renting them) or lose them.
How does borrowing work?
If you are short points you can borrow from the next year.
Borrowing is a final transaction and borrowed points can’t be banked if you cancel.
If you cancel using borrowed points the points must be used or they get lost.
What if I cancel?
I don’t suggest canceling but If you cancel before 30 days your points go back to their current use year. Depending on your use year you can bank your points and/or book another vacation.
If you cancel between 30 -1 days your points go into holding. I don’t recommend this.
Holding points have very restrictive rules.
Get travel insurance. DVC offers this, as do other services.
Use year? What is a use year?
When you buy, you can be assigned a certain month or request a certain month.
Your points will be deposited into your account each year on that month.
My use year is March: On March 1st 2013 I got 170 points to use and I must use them by Feb 28 2014.
Does DVC ever make exceptions to the rules?
I have heard of where DVC has extended things in special cases, I do not recommend relying on these stories.
Make sure you have your plans set and get travel insurance if you want to totally be covered.
I have more questions, who do I contact?
You can ask me and I will try to answer the best I can.
What do you get if I buy?
Readers can use my name as a referral.
I will get a benefit from Disney if you buy.
You can also choose not to use me. The choice is there.
A sign from the Disney Vacation Club Kiosk in Frontierland sums it all up!
Disney Vacation Club Members Can Now Own a Piece of Victorian Splendor Within View of Magic Kingdom Park
Sales Begin Thursday for The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The grandeur of one of the premier properties at the Walt Disney World Resort will meet the family vacation style that only Disney Vacation Club can provide when The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa opens this fall.
Beginning Thursday, May 23, current Disney Vacation Club members will be able to purchase real estate interests at what will be Disney Vacation Club’s 12th resort. General sales will begin June 19.
“We are absolutely thrilled to add this casually elegant new resort to our Disney Vacation Club portfolio,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Vacation Club. “This resort will welcome families home with modern luxury and style, in a location that can only be described as spectacular. Within walking distance of a monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will serve as an ideal setting for family vacations and create truly cherished memories for our members.”
Disney Vacation Club is building 106 two-bedroom equivalent villas on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon as part of a previously announced expansion of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa that will also include a lively children’s water-play area and other amenities.
Once opened, the new property will feature deluxe studios and one-bedroom villas that sleep five guests, as well as two-bedroom villas that sleep nine guests. Additionally, expansive grand villas will sleep 12 guests and will feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a media room with a home theater system, all designed to bring families closer to create memories that last a lifetime. All of the deluxe studios and villas will feature décor reminiscent of the Victorian era, made playful and relaxed with classic Disney touches.
“When Disney Vacation Club members and guests stay at our newest resort, they will have access to all of the wonderful amenities available nearby at the jewel in the crown of Disney’s vacation kingdom – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – including spectacular pools, award-winning dining, extensive recreation options, and transportation to all of the amazing theme parks at Walt Disney World,” Potrock said.
Scheduled to open in October 2013, this Disney Vacation Club property will be nestled on the picturesque shores of Seven Seas Lagoon between the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Conveniently located nearby is Senses – A Disney Spa, as well as Disney’s Palm and Magnolia Golf Courses.
Disney Vacation Club revolutionized the timeshare industry when it debuted in October 1991 by offering a flexible, vacation point-based model versus the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Today, more than 175,000 member families from all 50 states and approximately 100 countries have discovered the joys of membership with Disney Vacation Club.
Disney Vacation Club members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club resort or a jaunt to one of more than 500 other destinations around the world, and when they purchase directly from Disney, members also can take trips on one of the Disney Cruise Line ships or guided vacations with Adventures by Disney. Additionally, vacations at a Disney Vacation Club resort can last from one night to several weeks.
To learn more about Disney Vacation Club or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, call 800-500-3990 or visit www.disneyvacationclub.com.
You’ve told us how much you love your DVC Membership — now’s your chance to tell the world!
We are looking for dynamic, enthusiastic Members who might be interested in sharing their favorite Disney Vacation Club DVC stories on camera for use in upcoming marketing tactics. If this sounds like fun and you’re planning to be at Walt Disney World® Resort in May, we’d love to hear from you! Just click here to provide us with your contact information, details on your travel party and a picture, and a Disney Cast Member will be in touch in the next few weeks.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Your Disney Vacation Club family
Greetings Disney Vacation Club Members!
In case you missed the big news from Disney this month, I want to let you in on the fun. And I do mean fun – ABSOLUTELY HUGE FUN – for you and everyone in the family.
The Walt Disney Company announced the planned multi-year transformation of Downtown Disney® area into Disney Springs, which will bring an incredible array of new shopping, dining and entertainment options to guests of Walt Disney World® Resort, area tourists and central Florida residents.
Even more notable is that this unique family destination, which ultimately will include more than 150 shops, restaurants and other venues, sits directly across a shimmering lake from one of our most charming DisneyVacation Club Resorts, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. That means Members vacationing at the Resort will be perfectly positioned to enjoy the magic of Disney Springs, literally just steps away. In fact, a pedestrian bridge will be added between the Resort and Disney Springs to create an easier and more convenient way for Members and Guests to travel back and forth (in addition to the boat shuttles operating on the lake). Of course, Disney Springs will be a welcome respite for all of our Members visiting the Walt DisneyWorld Resort.
I am especially proud to have been intimately involved in the strategic planning for Disney Springs while leading the team at Downtown Disney. Throughout the process, it was clear to me that Disney Springs would be enormously appealing to Members of Disney Vacation Club and that we had a fantastic opportunity to connect our Members to this great new experience in unique and innovative ways.
Look for more information about Disney Springs inthe summer edition of Disney Files Magazine, scheduled to begin mailing in May, and watch future editions of the magazine, as well as the Disney Vacation Club Facebook page, for updates as new details become available during the multi-year development process. In the meantime, I encourage you to learn more about the plans for this project by clicking here.
I couldn’t be more excited about Disney Springs and how it will make your vacations with us even more memorable. By the way, construction is scheduled to begin next month with new areas opening in phases. The entire Disney Springs project is expected to be completed in 2016.
That’s the big news for now. On behalf of everyone at Disney Vacation Club, thank you for your Membership. We look forward to welcoming you home very soon!
Sincerely,
Ken Potrock
Senior Vice President and General Manager Disney Vacation Club and Adventures by Disney
So it’s easy to see that if you know that you are planning on running in a RunDisney event it is best to register as soon as possible!
The next big expense to consider is booking a room!
Keeping in mind that we are using the RunDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon, you can find onsite pricing from Disney directly for value resorts is $121 per night for a 2 night stay,
this price does not include park admission. You may find cheaper pricing by contacting a Travel agent, booking your flight and travel together via travel websites or your airline website, or by taking advantage of any special offer that may come your way.
Another option is renting points from a Disney Vacation Club member. We don’t have an article on this yet (we promise it is coming soon) so we recommend you search the web on Disney Vacation Club point rental.
Renting Disney Vacation Club points can save you money on a room for the race! For example For the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon cost of the Disney’s Beach Club resort is $389 per person for a 2 night stay. For 2 people your cost would be $778 depending on the Disney Vacation Club point cost: a Studio at Beach Club would run you between $310 and $410.
So far Costs are:
Race: $175 or $190 or $205
Hotel: $121 or $778 or $310-$410
Flights: For this example we are assuming $250 round trip for 1 person so $500 for 2 people
Which then brings us to the cost of tickets. You’ll find that a 3 day ticket from Disney Direct (without the Run Disney discount) is $636.88 includes tax, note this includes Park hopping. A 3 day ticket without park hopping is $515.46. Please note this is the current price of tickets, like any other product, prices can change; we recommend you call Disney or search the internet to confirm current pricing.
So now it’s down to the nitty gritty! Time to calculate all of our costs: $205 + $410 + $500 = $1115.00, if you need tickets that cost increases to $1630.46. Food costs differ based upon needs, so add in your own food costs.
How can I save: Starting now you could put away $408 a month and have enough time to save $1630.46 by June 18th. If you already have tickets you could save $279 a month. You will need to add in extra savings for your food costs but this should give you a good guide of how you can plan to save to race.
Join thousands of other animal lovers in your community to support the SPCA of Central Florida on Saturday, February 9, 2013 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon at Lake Eola in Downtown Orlando for the biggest and best FUN-raising pet walk in Central Florida!
This fun family event will have something for everyone. Kids can visit the new Disney Kids Zone plus amazing entertainment zone for the whole family. Enjoy the leisurely walk which raises money to find permanent homes for thousands of homeless animals and support the SPCA of Central Florida’s programs.
Enjoy pet related vendors, entertainment, raffles and more!
All donations received from “Mardi Paws” will go back to support the SPCA of Central Florida in their community programming, low cost medical facilities and finding loving permanent homes for thousands of animals!
When: Saturday, February 9, 2013
Where: Lake Eola, Downtown Orlando (corner of Robinson Street and Eola Drive)
Registration: 9:00 a.m.
Entertainment and Disney Kids Zone: 9:00 – Noon
Vendor Area: 9:00 – Noon
Walk Start: 10:30 a.m.
Self-parking can be found throughout Downtown Orlando. Parking infromation can be found at www.CityofOrlando.net and follow the ParkSmart link. The SPCA of Central Florida is not responsible for towed vehicles.
Things To Remember:
All pets must be at least 6 months old and have proof of vaccinations.
Dogs only please. No female dogs in heat.
Pets must wear a suitable collar.
Keep your dogs on a 6ft leash or shorter and under control at all times.
Water for dogs will be supplied.
Please be considerate and pick-up after your dog.
For the enjoyment and safety of all participants, we reserve the right to require any aggressive animal to leave the park.
Please obey all rules of beautiful Lake Eola. No swimming in the lake and no chasing the ducks or swans.
Major League Soccer Integration In USL PRO Beginning In 2013
The USL PRO released their 2013 schedule today, with Orlando City opening up the regular season on the road against new USL PRO franchise Phoenix FC on April 7 and play its first home match on Sunday, April 14, vs. the Rochester Rhinos. The Lions will also play a home-and-away series against the Seattle Sounders Reserves in the 2013 regular season.
The USL/Major League Soccer (MLS) agreement announced yesterday has given MLS franchises the opportunity to pair up with an existing USL team in 2013. Orlando became the first USL PRO team to announce an affiliation, partnering with Sporting Kansas City for the 2013 and 2014 seasons. Kansas City will be sending a minimum of four players to the Lions to gain playing time.
Other features of the schedule include a rematch of the 2012 USL PRO Semifinal vs. the Wilmington Hammerheads on May 25 at the Citrus Bowl, away against new cross-state USL PRO franchise VSI Tampa on August 4 and visiting the Sounders Reserves in Seattle at the Starfire Sports Complex on May 12. The club also plays host to Seattle on August 11. The two matches against Seattle will count toward the USL PRO standings and MLS Reserve standings, respectively, in 2013. City also plans to hold international friendlies in the June and July area, with announcements to be made on specific opponents later on in the year.
The 2013 USL PRO Playoffs will include the top eight finishers in the table, with the quarterfinals (No. 1 vs. No. 8, No. 2 vs. No. 7, etc.) set for the weekend of August 23-25. The semifinals featuring the four remaining teams will be played the following weekend, with the 2013 USL PRO Championship set for the weekend of September 6-8. All playoff rounds feature a single-game knockout format and teams will not be re-seeded following each round.
The Lions officially kick off the 2013 preseason at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic on February 9th. Orlando will play against MLS sides Philadelphia Union, Toronto FC and Columbus Crew. The team continues its preseason in the first ever “I-4 Derby”, a home-and-away series against 2012 NASL Champion Tampa Bay Rowdies on March 9 and 30.
City has begun a regular training schedule, practicing at the team’s facility in Sanford at the Seminole Soccer Complex.
