When she isn't chasing her chihuahuas, daughter, or cheering for her Hokies you can find Shelley On the Go in the Central Florida Area and on-air with WDBO News 96.5 on Friday evenings!
CHRISTMAS TOWN BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Santa is ready to celebrate the Season with Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, starting November 30th!
Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay launched the web site for the park’s biggest Christmas celebration ever. Tickets are now available online for Christmas Town, an event that will transform the park into a nighttime holiday wonderland of wintery surprises and all things Christmas, filling guests’ senses with seasonal sights, sounds and flavors, and creating a beautiful new tradition for Tampa’s families. The event takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night, Nov. 30 through Dec. 23.
On the Christmas Town web site, guests can also find information about the event’s all-new attractions, special entertainment, live music, festive treats and holiday shopping and display of thousands of twinkling lights.
Christmas Town Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ticket information:
Children’s tickets purchased in advance online are $9.99 (ages 3 to 9)
General admission for Christmas Town is $39.99 plus tax
Busch Gardens will share a special promo code for tickets at $29.99 on the park’s Facebook page
Busch Gardens annual pass members will receive the best discounts, and special offers are available for guests wishing to upgrade their paid daily admission to Busch Gardens and through promotional codes from select retail partners
Christmas Town is a separate-ticketed night event, and regular daytime admission is not required or included
Christmas Town will also offer some magnificent new opportunities for groups looking to book a unique holiday party. For details, call the Busch Gardens Events Team at (813) 987-5523.
Wordless Wednesday – They All Can’t Be Millard Fillmore – On the Go in MCO
Wordless Wednesday – Why can’t they all be like Millard Fillmore? Where else would we go after election day, but to the Magic Kingdom’s Hall of Presidents!
Why yes, it is that time again! Time to go window shopping at my favorite store in Walt Disney World…TrenD!
While in past reports I have been really excited about the purses, you could easily say that I have a Disney Purse Problem, this time I am really excited about the clothing!
In the past TrenD clothes have been really about the trends and fads, but they seem to be coming to more of a middle ground in that the designs that they are featuring are more stylish than trendy which is a nice change for some of the pieces.
And you can find a large majority of these pieces scattered around Walt Disney World, I always find in my TrenD Reports its always fun to see how they mix the pieces from the park into more normal brands of clothing.
Also, I found that they are starting to make more Disney-fied skirts and dresses which is a great addition to the shirts that they offer!
I really hope that you enjoy this trip around TrenD with me in this TrenD Report!
I am still in love with the new Orange Bird and Robot Mickey Antenna Toppers!
This Minnie Dress MUST be mine!
Minnie Mouse Skirt, which is absolutely adorable and has Minnie charms hanging from the ties.
Minnie Tote
Full Disclosure…I bought BOTH pairs of these Minnie Mouse knee socks…sorry!
These mouse ear socks were adorable, too!
Not the world’s best picture, but these more designer/boho shirts are pretty amazing in person!
The material of these shirts is super soft and lovely!
Also, I might be in love with this sweater. It is more on the lightweight side, but it is still a pretty warm knit.
@Desingerland71 strikes again! His women’s shirts are great quality and timely while not being too trendy.
While Minnie is my favorite character (as if you couldn’t tell), this scarf could go with any outfit!
Minnie Mouse hoodie with ears and a bow…so sweet!
This tank is really not fall appropriate, but maybe under a flowy cardigan on a slightly warmer day…Okay, I am really looking for an excuse to buy this shirt…
This outfit is perfection!
It’s really weird to see so much merchandise from California here…
I am a sucker for a tissue T-shirt!
This sweater is metallic and lovely!
They’ve added more Nerd Mickey things to this line
I am in love with this Mickey Aviator t-shirt. It is a thinner shirt, but would be adorable layered!
LOVE…need I say more?
Neon lacy tank anyone?
These relaxed Princess sweatshirts are adorable!
These relationship status shirts are iffy for me, but are funny!
SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team Members, Kate Spicer and Janbel Green return a 75-pound loggerhead sea turtle to the waters of the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, Fla., where it was returned today.
SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team from Orlando traveled to the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, Fla., to return two sea turtles that the park received earlier this year. Both turtles were rescued from the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, Fla. By the Sea Turtle Preservation Society and brought to SeaWorld for rehabilitation and care.
One, a 75-pound loggerhead, came to SeaWorld in May with a large J-hook stuck in its throat. Upon arrival, the turtle received a health assessment, and it was determined that it had been living with the large hook in its throat for 4 years. SeaWorld Orlando’s Aquarium Team administered antibiotics and made sure the underweight turtle was eating normally and gaining weight before being approved for today’s return.
A smaller green sea turtle was also returned today. Extremely emaciated and lethargic upon arrival in September, the six-pound turtle received antibiotics and was monitored to ensure the tiny animal was gaining weight until being cleared for return today.
SeaWorld Orlando Animal Rescue Team Member, Janbel Green returns a six-pound green sea turtle into the waters of the Indian River Lagoon near Sebastian, Fla.
For more than 45 years, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment has helped animals in need — ill, injured and orphaned. More than 20,000 animals have been rescued by our experts. SeaWorld’s Animal Rescue team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.So far in 2012, the SeaWorld Aquarium Team and SeaWorld Animal Rescue Team has rescued 35 turtles and returned 13.
The Adventure Park Announces Seventh Calf Since 2004
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Welcomes Seventh Baby White Rhinoceros
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed a baby white rhinoceros on Tuesday, October 23, 2012. The female rhino was born 26-acre white rhino habitat on Busch Gardens’ Serengeti Plain.
The baby is the second calf born to mother Kisiri and the seventh calf born to father Tambo. Busch Gardens has celebrated a total of seventh white rhino births since October 2004. The new baby weighed an estimated 140 pounds at the time of the birth. The newborn – who has yet to be named – will gain approximately four pounds each day until it reaches an adult weight of approximately 3,500 to 4,000 pounds.
Busch Gardens participates in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) to ensure genetic diversification among threatened and endangered animals in zoological facilities. The birth brings the total white and black rhino population at the adventure park to eight.
Kisiri, Tambo and another female white rhino were airlifted from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2001 through the efforts of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of rhinos. Fewer than 15,000 white rhinos remain in the wild, and approximately 200 live in zoological facilities across North America.
Since its inception in 2003, The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund has granted $7 million USD to more than 500 projects in the U.S. and around the world, including $194,000 USD grants to rhino conservation projects. The Fund was created by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable foundation dedicated to supporting environmental and wildlife conservation initiatives.
Unlike most theme parks Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando, offers their Halloween activities, entertainment, and fun at no additional charge to admission making it a really great value and experience for everyone to enjoy!
There is a HUGE Trick-or-Treat Trail that winds its way around over half of the park, and is jam packed full of candy stops, entertainment, and unique Halloween characters! There are two entrances to the trail, which opens at noon, and you receive a really nice paper Trick-or-Treating bag to continue with their dedication to use bags that are more eco-friendly! We prefer to start at the entrance closer to the Dolphin Nursery, because it is really festive and filled with bubbles which Zoe cannot resist!!! Another great part of the Halloween Spooktacular event is that if you follow the Trick-or-Treat trail you will eventually hit every highlight of the event!
This band appeared along the Trick-or-Treat Trail
Penelope’s Party Zone is where we tend to spend a large majority of our time at Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld Orlando! This area, in Bayside Stadium, is where you can find a DJ and characters getting down, a free craft activity, storytelling, drawing areas for younger children, and most importantly a shady spot for parents and kids to take a break from the fun for a bit! I really think that Zoe would rather spend her time dancing than getting candy!
Storytelling at Penelope’s Party Zone
There is also Sesame Street Countdown to Halloween which is a really fun show that plays only on Halloween Spooktacular days. This is a fun musical production about Halloween starring all of your favorite characters. It is a favorite part of Spooktacular in our family.
Check out the all-new Penelope’s Photacular where you can show off your most Halloween Spooktacular costume, and it might make a celebrity guest appearance before the Shamu Rocks show in a virtual costume parade! Located on the Bayside Trick-or-Treat Trail between Bayside Stadium and Wild Arctic this fun photo stop also includes some great SeaWorld Characters!!! The virtual costume parade before Shamu Rocks will start 30 minutes prior to the show, so make sure that you get to the stadium early so you don’t miss any of the fun.
There are a lot of fun opportunities to meet your favorite SeaWorld Characters!
While all of the above events are free, there are a few ways that you can enhance your day at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. The Count Von Count Spooktacular Breakfast at the Seafire Inn is a wonderful way to start your Spooktacular day!!! At this buffet breakfast you will get to meet your favorite Sesame Street characters and watch a show. You want to make sure that you get there at least 15 minutes early, because there is a special character who greets you, a 5×7 photo is included in the price of the buffet for your family as a keepsake! The cost for the Count Von Count Spooktacular Breakfast is $24.99 for ages 10 and up and $14.99 for children, and as always at SeaWorld Orlando Passholder discounts are available!
Your special greeter at the Count Von Count Spooktacular Breakfast
Also at Penelope’s Party Zone, there is a create your own apple and rice crispy treat stand. There are tons of topping and decorations for your edible masterpiece, and it is $5 ($4.50 for Passholders) which is a great value.
Along the Trick-or-Treat Trail there are also a lot of fun games that cost a little extra, but every player wins a prize so you really can’t go wrong! Zoe won a pink octopus that she is very proud of.
If you haven’t had the chance to experience Halloween Spooktacular at SeaWorld, what are you waiting for??? This is the last weekend so you better hurry!!!
Team USA Olympians Visit Animal Athletes At Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
McKayla Maroney Was “Impressed” At Busch Gardens
McKayla Maroney and Jonathan Horton at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Members of Team USA visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay on Wednesday, October 24. Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney and two-time Olympian Jonathan Horton met several of Busch Gardens’ animal “athletes.” First, Zeny the red-ruffed lemur and Tufts the African ground hornbill impressed the gymnasts with their balance skills before the duo was introduced to a group of the fastest land mammals. Maroney and Horton encountered a coalition of cheetahs at the new Cheetah Run exhibit near Cheetah Hunt, Florida’s first triple-launch roller coaster.
McKayla and Tufts the African ground hornbill
The two Olympians will join other award-winning gymnasts this Sunday, October 28, in Tampa for the Sunday’s Kellogg’s® Tour of Gymnastics event at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, a national tour featuring Team USA’s top-performing gymnasts.
McKayla and Jonathan with Zeny the red-ruffed lemur
McKayla Maroney won the 2012 Olympic Team Gold Medal, and Jonathan Horton was a 2012 Olympian who earned the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal on the horizontal bar, and was recognized with the 2008 Olympic Bronze Team Medal.
OKTOBERFEST RETURNS TO MEDIEVAL TIMES DINNER & TOURNAMENT IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN
Medieval Times is ready to get spooky…Medieval style!
While Medieval Times is a really fun way to spend an evening away from the parks, this Halloween they are kicking it up another notch with their Oktoberfest celebrations on October 27, 2012.
Florida residents are invited to cheer their favorite Knights, dine without utensils, and meet their heroes after the show at their first Medieval Times’ Masquerade and costume party! Come dressed as your favorite vixen or villain for your chance to celebrate Halloween (both pre and post show) and win Halloween themed prizes in some fun holiday contests. After the show, the masquerade continues in the castle with a DJ and raffle giveaways to lucky Oktoberfest attendees.
While it IS all fun and games at Medieval Times, there are a few rules! Oktoberfest attendees must be 21 years or older to consume alcohol. Oktoberfest event included with regular ticket purchase. Florida residents will enjoy a discounted ticket price of $33.95 as a part of our Florida Residents Savings special, valid now through Oct. 31st. For safety, please do not wear costumes that are obstructive or offensive. Toy weapons are not permitted.
We had the opportunity to go to the first weekend of Oktoberfest at Medieval Times, and it was an absolute blast!!! The Becks girls were there with all sorts of fun games, prizes, and great drink specials. The show itself has been revamped recently, and it really exciting! Zoe even got to be Queen of the Tournament for the Red and Yellow Knight!
If you are looking for a great way to celebrated Halloween with your family, Medieval Times Oktoberfest should be your top choice!!!
Make sure that you follow Medieval Times on Twitter, Like them on Facebook, and online!
LOCATION: Medieval Times – 4510 W. Vine Street – Kissimmee, FL 34746
DATE: Saturday, October 27th – 5:00 – 7:00 pm for the pre-show party – Note: Oktoberfest continues after the show!
Pete’s Dragon is Celebrating it’s 35th Anniversary on BluRay!
PETES DRAGON 35th Anniversary Edition BLU_RAY
Available for the First Time in High Definition with New Digital Restoration on October 16th, 2012 in a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack
Petes Dragon is one of the first Disney movies that I saw as a child, and was one of my favorites. I had not seen it since I was my daughter’s age, so it was great to be able to watch it with her like it was my first time. The timeless story of lost and rediscovered love never gets old and makes for a great family movie.
This endearing story between Pete and his invisible dragon friend Elliott as they develop a special bond and share a magical friendship is a classic Walt Disney movie that is a must see. With memorable cast of characters, Mickey Rooney, Helen Reddy, Sean Marshall, Red Buttons, and Jim Dale, and heartwarming songs including the 1977 Academy Award “Best Original Song” nominee, “Candle On The Water,” Pete’s Dragon 35th Anniversary is the perfect timeless classic every member of your family will love.
When Pete, an orphan, and his best friend Elliot, an invisible green dragon, wander into the seaside village of Passamaquody, the townspeople think he’s behind a slew of hilarious mishaps. But after a daring rescue, they change their tune and believe in Pete’s fire-breathing buddy.
While the transfer of the film to High Definition isn’t without its flaws, the movie still holds a lot of charm! And the Bonus Features on Petes Dragon are a lot of fun! We really enjoyed looking at Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Behind Disney’s Movie Magic and the Deleted Storyboard Sequence: “Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliott”.
If you ever had an invisible friend when you were younger or remember watching this movie when you were younger, you won’t want to miss the chance to relive this movie classic again!
The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under Available Now on Disney Blu-Ray!
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of an original classic, Disney proudly presents a special 2-movie collection featuring all-time family favorites, TheRescuers and The Rescuers Down Under, for the first time ever on Blu-ray! Join two of the world’s bravest mice – Bernard and Bianca – as they set out on two thrilling rescue missions full of comic adventure while soaring through the Devil’s Bayou and flying sky high in the Australian outback.
The Rescuers Is based on the children’s books by Margery Sharp, which are great reads, and are full of great adventures and lessons for the whole family.
In The Rescuers, Miss Bianca and Bernard travel to Louisiana to rescue Penny from the evil Madame Medusa. While I really enjoyed the story of the The Rescuers the animation definitely has its moments yet in the end it just isn’t as great as other Disney Animated Classics. I also had a really hard time becoming invested in Madame Medusa as a villain. Zoe spent a lot of time laughing and enjoying The Rescuers, because it is filled with face paced action and tons of gags that she found hilarious.
Also included in this 35th Anniversary combo pack is The Rescuers Down Under, the sequel to the original movie. With the same general premise, except set in Australia, the movie tries really hard but never makes it up to the same level as The Rescuers The comedy is more slap-stick and the action is a little lack luster at times.
As with all other Disney Blu-Ray movies , TheRescuers and The Rescuers Down Under is chocked full of some great Bonus Features!!!
“Peoplitis” is a deleted song written for a scene that was never animated. Ron Clements introduces us to the scene (using storyboards) and song as sung by Louis Prima
“The Three Blind Mouseketeers” is a 1936 Silly Symphony cartoon
Water Birds is the Oscar-winning 1952 short feature in the True-Life Adventure series detailing many different species of water fowl with the legendary nature photography Disney became known for. This is in 1080p and runs for 30 minutes.
“Someone’s Waiting for You” sing along song offers on-screen lyrics with clips from The Rescuers.
“The Making ofThe Rescuers Down Under” is a vignette giving a few minutes of face time to producer Thomas Schumacher, directors Hendel Butoy and Mike Gabriel, several animators, and the film’s art director discussing the two year production period that included a research trip to Australia and trips to the San Diego Zoo to watch real animals in motion.
Buckle up for the ride of your life as these tiny heroes with great big hearts outrun and outwit their rivals to save the day. Brimming with lovable characters and unforgettable music, the 2-movie collection is high-flying fun for the entire family!
The Millennium Falcon that will be part of the Star Wars Miniland Cluster at LEGOLAND Florida is beyond amaizing!!!
Today, LEGOLAND® Florida announced that the new LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster Display will officially open for their guests to enjoy and interact with on Friday, November 9.
The LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster will include a scene from each of the six live-action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The CloneWars™ all created from more than 1.5 million LEGO bricks and built in 1:20 scale. Following a chronological path through the Star Wars™ timeline, guests will retrace the major events of the beloved Saga. Some of the 2,000 LEGO® models will be more than 6-feet-tall. Interactive buttons will allow children to activate animations throughout the scenes.
The Star Wars Miniland Cluster Model layout.
I had the chance to attend the Press Conference at LEGOLAND Florida where we the Star Wars Miniland Cluster was announced and where we were able to see a few of the LEGO® models, and they are amazingly detailed and even light up at night. The Millennium Falcon is AMAZING!!!! And the space that they have dedicated to this Miniland expansion is large in comparison to the other Miniland Clusters.
I am beyond excited about the expansion and cannot wait to see the completed LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster!!! Especially since the Miniland area of LEGOLAND Florida is my favorite part of the park!!!
I have included some of my pictures from the LEGO® Star Wars Miniland Cluster announcement so you can get an idea about the look and feel of the area will be.
A closer look at the Star Wars Miniland Area.Jason, a designer and builder for the Star Wars Miniland, proudly showed off his name tag figures.A close up view of Darth Maul in LEGO form.A creepy side view of Darth Maul .
You can see that no detail, or pilot, was left out of the models.In the Star Wars Miniland Cluster LEGO Darth Vader will be out at various times to greet LEGOLAND Florida Guests.
Pammie’s Sammies 5907 Turkey Lake Road, Suite 100 Orlando, Florida 32819
I got the chance to swing by the Grand ReOpening of Pammies’ Sammies, located near the Universal Orlando Resort, and I have to say it was super yummy and a great place to just kick back and have a nice meal with friends or family.
Pammie’s Sammies is a family owned cafe that prides itself on being thoughtfully sourced, earth friendly and tastefully adventurous. Pam Thomas, the proprietor, puts an innovative spin on classic sandwiches (“sammies”), burgers, BBQ, soups and salads. As part of the grand reopening, Pammie’s Sammies has expanded to include a craft beer and wine bar and will now serve happy hour bar bites and dinner entrees in addition to their original breakfast and lunch offerings.
While the food is absolutely delicious, their Cuban was my favorite and Zoe has been asking for more brownies, it is Pam herself that really creates an atmosphere of fun and hospitality that makes you feel like you are a friend just dropping in for a bite to eat.
And when I say it’s located near the Universal Orlando Resort, I mean you can SEE Universal Studios Florida from there windows, which make it an ideal place to stop before or after heading into the parks.
If you are looking for an affordable, fun, and delicious place to grab a great Sammie, I would definitely suggest heading over to Pammie’s Sammies!
